Qi Zhengyan was still okay, being about twenty-three or twenty-four years old himself, and possessing a mature and steady demeanor. It was relatively easy for the crowd to accept him as a peerless expert. However, even though Meng Qi and Jiang Zhiwei had relatively mature auras, they still looked younger than Zhao Heng. As for Ruan Yushu, her skin was delicate and fair, her face charming and slightly youthful, clearly an underage girl. If she were a peerless expert, then they must have lived their long lives in vain.
Therefore, the first reaction of normal people was absurdity, rejection, and disbelief.
Zhao Heng had the demeanor of adapting to circumstances, his noble bearing restrained, his pride subdued, leaving only the slight arrogance that no young expert could lack, and a faint dignity from noble birth. He introduced in a style fitting of martial cultivation circles: “This is Senior Bai Zhang, one of the Five Great Sects in the past and now one of the ‘Three Sage Saviors of the World,’ at the level of Half-step Beyond the Scenery.”
The martial cultivation realm classification in this world was the same as in the main world, differing only in titles. For example, with Bai Zhang Daoist’s strength, he would never earn the title of Grandmaster in the main world.
Bai Zhang Daoist remained outwardly calm, but inwardly he was quite surprised. The strength of these five was formidable. With his cultivation, he had only sensed someone approaching closely when Zhao Heng was about to speak. What he had said earlier was probably all overheard. If they intentionally concealed their approach, using some cover, he might only sense them once they came within five zhang.
Meng Qi and the others politely bowed, and Bai Zhang Daoist did not act arrogantly, returning the courtesy humbly.
Zhao Heng wasn’t familiar with “Thunderbolt Sword Immortal” and “Eight-finger Divine Palm,” so he turned to introduce: “This is ‘Flying Immortal with One Sword’ Miss Jiang. Pardon my boldness, although her realm hasn’t reached the Nine Apertures, her sword skills are godlike and fairylike, perhaps only slightly inferior to Senior Bai Zhang.”
Since other Reborn might be encountered, of course, new titles and names had to be fabricated.
“Thunderbolt Sword Immortal” Tong Yao and “Eight-finger Divine Palm” Zu Wenzhong said nothing. Approaching the level of Heaven-Man Communion, their instincts were sharp. Even though Jiang Zhiwei didn’t draw her sword, standing gracefully, they felt as if a sheathed legendary sword stood before them, exuding sharpness and danger.
The other martial disciples couldn’t help but stifle laughter, their disbelief growing. Could they at least be a little more plausible? The delicate young girl before them, in terms of beauty, surpassed Senior Bai Zhang a thousandfold. But in terms of genuine skill, what made her worthy of being ranked alongside Senior Bai Zhang without even completing the Nine Apertures?
Out of respect for the three senior experts present, they restrained their urge to speak out, though their expressions were strange, as if watching a farce.
Bai Zhang Daoist sensed more clearly than Tong Yao and Zu Wenzhong. He had truly broken through after achieving Heaven-Man Communion, his Yuan Shen strong, his mind transparent. He could sense the opponent’s Qi flow and muscle reactions. Yet, at this moment, the girl before him only emitted a faint sword intent, everything else was shattered.
There was a difference between Heaven-Man Communion and Heaven-Man Unity. The former only involved Qi resonance, and only when one’s strength reached its peak could minor heavenly phenomena occur. The latter, however, seemed to merge with heaven and earth, every movement resonating with a certain rhythm, capable of triggering Heaven-Man Communion at will.
“With Lady Jiang’s assistance, even if the Four Devils attack, we need not fear,” Bai Zhang Daoist said with great emphasis, causing many to exchange astonished glances.
How come whatever Zhao Heng said, “Qi Dong Huanyu” believed it?
Could it be that she really was a peerless expert?
Zhao Heng pointed to Meng Qi, about to speak, when Meng Qi stepped forward, his aura as steady as a mountain: “My title is ‘Sword Calming the Eight Directions’…”
“Hehe, this is ‘Sword Calming the Eight Directions’ Young Master Su,” Zhao Heng’s face twitched imperceptibly.
I haven’t even said “Sword Chilling the Three Realms” yet! Meng Qi muttered inwardly.
What a big mouth… Many secretly scorned.
To Bai Zhang Daoist, Thunderbolt Sword Immortal, and Eight-finger Divine Palm, the “Sword Calming the Eight Directions” before them had an imposing presence, but it was merely imposing.
Especially Bai Zhang Daoist, who could “clearly” sense Meng Qi’s Qi flow traces and different muscle reactions, sufficient to predict his next move. He judged that Meng Qi’s strength was decent but likely couldn’t even handle the weakest Iron Devil, since the two weakest Devils could achieve Heaven-Man Communion through their Devil Qi.
In response, Meng Qi glanced around, smiling leisurely: “I’m not talented, but I’ve caused laughter among the heroes. Here’s a sword stroke, please appreciate it.”
As his words fell, a silver-white lightning flash appeared in many people’s eyes. Just as they “saw” it clearly, they heard the sound of the sword being sheathed.
“Please appreciate it,” Meng Qi said, his blue robe slightly fluttering, back facing a long sword, waist bearing a precious saber, standing with elegant composure.
Following his gaze, everyone looked at a nearby pillar. There was a deep slash, smooth and flat, without a hint of unevenness!
Had he really drawn his saber? They had just seen the saber flash, and already heard the sound of it returning to the sheath!
Many among the crowd had opened the Eye Gate, but still couldn’t capture the trajectory of that slash!
They were all stunned, unable to speak. Only now did they realize Zhao Heng’s words were not exaggerated.
“Thunderbolt Sword Immortal” Tong Yao and “Eight-finger Divine Palm” Zu Wenzhong nodded slightly. With such a slash, he was no worse than the two of them.
Bai Zhang Daoist was not greatly shocked by this. With his realm and vision, he understood the subtlety of that slash, smiling slightly: “Young Master Su, perhaps you suit the title ‘Thunderbolt’ better than Lady Tong.”
Meng Qi slightly displayed his skill, impressing the crowd, and laughed casually: “Stealing another’s title is like killing his parents; I dare not do that.”
Amidst laughter, Zhao Heng continued introducing: “This is ‘Melodic Lute Immortal’ Miss Ruan… and this is ‘Divine Devil Sword’ Young Master Qi.”
After Meng Qi’s demonstration, few openly expressed doubt, allowing Zhao Heng’s introductions to proceed smoothly.
Bai Zhang Daoist also introduced “Thunderbolt Sword Immortal” and “Eight-finger Divine Palm” to Meng Qi and others. Finally, he said: “Time is pressing, so let’s skip the pleasantries. I’ll briefly explain the situation of the Four Devils. This time, it was the Iron Devil who discovered the whereabouts of the ‘Zhenyun Cauldron.’ To gain credit, he didn’t report to the Extreme Truth Devil, secretly inviting three other friendly Devils to join him: Corpse Devil, Fire Devil, and Soldier Devil.”
Before the Seven Devil Generals received Devil Qi infusion, they each had their own titles and names, but now they were half-human, half-devil beings. Martial cultivators simply referred to them by their characteristics to avoid trouble.
“Among the four Devils, the strongest are Corpse Devil and Fire Devil, matching my strength. Next is Soldier Devil, then Iron Devil. Everyone must not be careless.”
After briefly informing Meng Qi and others of the intelligence, Bai Zhang Daoist coughed: “The Four Devils are always treacherous and cruel, possibly attacking from any direction. To protect the righteous searching for the Zhenyun Cauldron, we eight will split into four groups, each guarding a direction. Upon encountering a Devil, we’ll use different fireworks to signal.”
Different fireworks represented different Devils. For example, red for Corpse Devil, purple for Fire Devil, green for Soldier Devil, blue for Iron Devil. Whoever encountered which Devil would release the corresponding signal.
Previously, with only three people, guarding separately was difficult and dangerous. Now, with five additional reinforcements, Bai Zhang Daoist felt relieved.
However, he didn’t let his guard down, considering the possibility of these being possessed individuals.
Therefore, he smiled: “Young Master Zhao, we are old acquaintances. How about guarding the east together?”
This placed the apparent leader of the five within his sight.
Zhao Heng understood Bai Zhang Daoist’s caution, bowing: “It is my wish, I dare not ask otherwise.”
Satisfied, Bai Zhang Daoist smiled: “Lady Tong, you and Master Zu have been friends for years, your coordination is good. How about guarding the south together?”
He paired Tong Yao and Zu Wenzhong mainly to prevent betrayal or ambush if they were separated and teamed with Meng Qi and others, which could reduce the already scarce righteous experts.
Tong Yao and Zu Wenzhong, experienced in the martial world, their expressions unchanged, agreed.
“You four are friends; how you coordinate should be clearer than me. Decide for yourselves,” Bai Zhang Daoist slightly relaxed, not forcibly assigning Meng Qi and others.
Meng Qi and Jiang Zhiwei silently exchanged a few words, then declared loudly: “The two young ladies will guard the north; I and Brother Qi will go west.”
“Good. No time to lose, everyone please search quickly,” Bai Zhang Daoist led the way out of the hall.
…
The west had many collapsed pavilions, charred wood scattered everywhere. Meng Qi reached the edge, looking around, pointing to a nearby spot: “That area is near the forest, Devils might circle around. Brother Qi, you guard the front; I’ll guard there, forming a pincer, ready to support each other. If not facing Fire Devil or Corpse Devil, we can test their strength first. Otherwise, quickly converge and send the signal.”
Qi Zhengyan had no objection, drawing his sword to guard a broken wall.
Behind them, over ten disciples of “Thunderbolt Sword Immortal” entered the area, dispersing in pairs to search the ruins. They had at least opened the Eye Gate, so the glowing night couldn’t hinder their search.
“Do you really think they are peerless experts?” Huang Dai, a girl in plain clothes, secretly observed Meng Qi and Qi Zhengyan, whispering to her companion.
Her companion was another sword-bearing girl, Fan Yu, tall and often smiling. She whispered back: “Since Master and Senior Bai Zhang have no objection, they should be peerless experts. Do you doubt their judgment?”
Huang Dai pouted: “They just seem too young, especially the blue-robed saber wielder, not much older than us.”
“Yeah,” Fan Yu sighed.
Both stole glances at Meng Qi, seeing his blue robe flowing, his demeanor leisurely, walking slowly to the ruined forest ruins.
Then, he casually sat cross-legged on a still-standing wall, drawing his waist saber, placing it across his knees, back straight, eyes half-closed, his aura suddenly becoming calm and ethereal.
“Perhaps he really is a peerless expert…” Huang Dai sighed inexplicably. At least in appearance and bearing, he was truly different from themselves.
She and Fan Yu turned back to search the ruins, glancing several times, always seeing Meng Qi still sitting on the wall, saber across knees, unchanged, as if he could remain so forever.
For some reason, both felt four words in their hearts: “Martial Expert Demeanor.”
The night deepened, the sky darker. Huang Dai and Fan Yu finished searching nearby pavilions, stretched their backs, preparing to help other disciples elsewhere.
Just then, they heard a saber’s hum, long like a dragon’s voice, so they turned in shock, seeing the blue-robed young hero’s saber slightly vibrating on his knees, as if warning.
Then, he loudly said: “Since you’re here, no need to hide anymore.”
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