Chapter 46: The Three Fiends of Tieling

Ning Qi keenly grasped the keywords within the conversation.

*Here we go again.*

He naturally knew of the Zihe Sword Sect; it was one of the first-rate sects within the Qingzhou territory, and its strongest expert, Venerable Zihe Sword, was also a top-tier powerhouse of the Yuandan Realm.

"Eldest Senior Brother, has the Zihe Sword Sect come more than once?" Ning Qi asked.

Luo Wentian nodded.

"This is the second time. Next month is Venerable Zihe Sword's one-hundred-and-twentieth birthday. Logically, Master should be the one to attend, but they came while Master was in seclusion last time. I suspect they are here to invite him again."

"Master holds quite a bit of prestige in Qingzhou. I will go meet them; it is no major matter. Just focus on your own tasks."

Luo Wentian patted Ning Qi on the shoulder, preparing to depart.

However, Ning Qi spoke up: "Let me go with you, Eldest Senior Brother."

Luo Wentian froze for a moment; it was rare for Ning Qi to take the initiative to make a request.

"Very well. You will eventually need to see more of the world."

Soon, the group met the representatives from the Zihe Sword Sect. Leading them was the third disciple of Venerable Zihe Sword, who appeared to be roughly the same age as Luo Wentian but possessed a lower cultivation level.

"Brother Luo, forgive our intrusion. It is simply that my master holds Senior Longshan in high regard and hopes he might attend for a chat. I wonder if Senior Longshan has emerged from seclusion yet?"

Luo Wentian shook his head.

"We are honored by Venerable Zihe Sword's kindness, but unfortunately, my Master is still in seclusion. I shall represent him when the time comes. Please forgive us."

The third disciple waved his hands repeatedly.

"Brother Luo, you overstate it. This second visit is indeed an intrusion, but my master merely wished to see if Senior Longshan required any assistance, so he sent me to check in at the same time."

Luo Wentian's eyes narrowed slightly, then he smiled.

"We are grateful for Venerable Zihe Sword's concern. However, my Master's current seclusion is for a breakthrough to the Heavenly Human Realm. It is a certainty; it is merely a matter of time."

A hint of awe appeared in the third disciple's eyes.

"I see. Then I wish Senior Longshan a successful emergence from seclusion. I must go invite others, so I shall not disturb you further."

As they watched the people from the Zihe Sword Sect depart, Ning Qi, who had remained silent, spoke slowly.

"Eldest Senior Brother, why does it feel as though the people from the Zihe Sword Sect didn't come to invite us to a banquet, but rather to probe Master's condition?"

Luo Wentian replied, "Junior Brother is perceptive. Do you know what rumors are currently circulating in Qingzhou?"

"I do not."

"Some say Master's foundation was damaged by a powerhouse from the Demonic Sect, forcing him into seclusion to heal. Some even say he is critically injured and near death."

Beside them, Jiang Baishan let out a cold snort. "If not for that traitor, how could such trouble have arisen?"

Luo Wentian shook his head slightly. "It is also because our Zhenwu Sect has grown too prominent in recent years; we will inevitably attract covetous eyes. This time, Master's seclusion to break through to the Heavenly Human Realm is also a test for us. Fortunately, Fifth Junior Brother has already ascended to the Gangyuan Realm. With him guarding the sect, there should be no major issues."

"The Zihe Sword Sect is not the only one testing us, but they are nothing to fear. Since they have extended an invitation, I will go openly. Otherwise, it would only make us look lacking in confidence."

"When I attend the banquet, Fifth Junior Brother, you must stay sharp. Consult with Second Junior Brother and the others if anything arises."

Jiang Baishan nodded repeatedly. "Rest assured, Eldest Senior Brother. With us here, nothing will happen to the sect. You may go to the banquet without worry."

Ning Qi's eyes flickered slightly.

He felt that things were not that simple. He secretly resolved to stay highly alert during this period.

He was worried.

Fifth Senior Brother Jiang Baishan might not necessarily be able to hold the line.

***

Time passed.

Half a month later, Luo Wentian selected several outstanding inner and outer disciples and prepared to descend the mountain to attend Venerable Zihe Sword's birthday banquet.

Because the journey was long, they had to depart in advance.

"Fifth Junior Brother, you are the strongest. Be careful lately. Also, Second Junior Brother and Third Junior Sister, you must all increase your vigilance. We absolutely cannot allow anyone to disturb Master's seclusion," Luo Wentian instructed.

"Eldest Senior Brother, do not worry. It just so happens that my sword has yet to be stained with blood since my breakthrough to the Gangyuan Realm," Jiang Baishan said, his voice carrying a hint of killing intent.

It was true that the Zhenwu Sect held a sense of justice, but as martial artists, whose hands were not stained with blood?

"Do not be careless."

With one last instruction, Luo Wentian led the group away.

Inside the Qiudao Academy, Ning Qi received the news, and his eyes shifted slightly. He instructed the White Ape to pay close attention to the movements within the sect and to inform him immediately if anything unusual occurred.

No one knew.

This junior brother, who was only slightly over six years old, was actually the most powerful existence in the Zhenwu Sect, aside from the Daoist Longshan.

Luo Wentian's departure did not cause much change in the Zhenwu Sect. Jiang Baishan's presence on Mount Zhenwu gave the disciples great peace of mind.

Looking across the world, there were not many sects that possessed Gangyuan Realm experts; these were masters who could command a region. Even though those in the Yuanyuan Realm within the Zhenwu Sect were merely disciples, if they were in the outside world, they would be considered top-tier experts.

In the Great Yan Dynasty, which was divided into provinces and counties, reaching the perfection of the Body Tempering Realm was enough to become a local powerhouse in a single county.

However, Jiang Baishan and the others remembered Luo Wentian's warning and did not relax their vigilance. The sect's disciples patrolled even more closely.

In the blink of an eye, ten days had passed.

The night was deep.

At the foot of Mount Zhenwu.

Three figures in black crouched upon tree branches. Their faces were hidden, revealing only fierce, predatory eyes like night hawks, which was quite unsettling.

One was stout, one was tall and slender, and the one in the middle possessed the most ferocious aura.

If anyone familiar with the three were present, they would recognize their identities: The Three Terrors of Iron Ridge—the River-Mixing Dragon Tie Long, the Ground Tiger Tie Hu, and the Flying Eagle Tie Ying. The three were notorious villains within the Qingzhou territory, known for exterminating entire sects and having unpredictable movements. All three were in the White Mist Realm, and even ordinary first-rate sects did not dare to provoke them.

"Boss, we've waited for so long. When are we going to strike?" Tie Hu could not help but lick his lips, his eyes filled with bloodlust. "It's been a long time since we've performed a massacre like this. I'm afraid the people of Qingzhou have almost forgotten our might!" He let out a chilling, sneering laugh.

However, Tie Long, in the middle, barked in a low voice, "Tie Hu, you bastard, are you looking for death? The old Daoist Longshan is still around. Do you want to wipe out his sect?"

"The rumors in Qingzhou say the old Daoist's heart vein was severed by a Demonic Sect powerhouse and that he's close to death. I haven't killed a Yuandan Realm expert yet. Tsk tsk, if I could kill a Yuandan Realm expert, my life would be worth it," Tie Hu said dismissively.

"Idiot!" Tie Long rebuked him angrily. "Do you really think those rumors are true? There are also rumors that the old Daoist Longshan is about to ascend to the Heavenly Human Realm. Why don't you believe that?"

Tie Hu immediately shut his mouth.

In the Heavenly Human Realm, killing him would be no different from crushing an ant.

Tie Ying, who had been silent, spoke up with a smile.

"Alright, Boss. You've known for a long time that the third one has no brains. There's no need to get angry at this rogue."

"Whether he is critically injured or about to break through to the Heavenly Human Realm, I don't know if it's true. But one thing is certain: that man surnamed Wang definitely didn't lie to us. The old Daoist Longshan is in death-seclusion. As long as we don't make too much noise, he absolutely won't come out at the cost of his life."

"Without the old Daoist Longshan, the Zhenwu Sect only has Jiang Baishan, who just broke through to the Gangyuan Realm. The rest are nothing to fear."