Chapter 440: Gossip

Outside a Taoist temple in Chufeng Prefecture.

Since the Four Symbols Sect had decided to seek protection under Wu Zhi’s banner, they naturally moved most of their disciples here, like rats crossing the street.

This temple served as the Four Symbols Sect’s stronghold in Chufeng Prefecture. The original abbot was merely an ordinary human who had cultivated a few minor abilities. Whether or not a Tianxian from the Four Symbols Sect was present, he was powerless against the sect master and could only obediently hand over his establishment.

After numerous calamities, the number of Four Symbols Sect disciples had dwindled significantly, making this temple just spacious enough for their remaining members.

Inside the temple, a thin layer of protective barrier shimmered, indicating that the Four Symbols Sect master had not been entirely unprepared.

Unfortunately, all of this was in vain before Wu Ming.

Puff!

A clear beam of light erupted outside the temple, and Wu Ming’s voice resounded, its mighty waves stirring up mist like oceanic surges, effortlessly penetrating any barrier.

“Where is the Four Symbols Sect master?”

Crackling!

Behind the temple, the protective wards on several houses emitted loud crackling sounds before exploding in a flash of light. Several low-level disciples clutched their ears, collapsing in agony with blood trickling from their eyes and nostrils.

A mere voice was enough to bring these junior disciples to the brink of death!

“Who is the esteemed cultivator here to visit our temple?”

After letting out a shout, Wu Ming folded his arms and waited quietly outside the temple. Not long after, the main gate of the temple opened, and an elderly Daoist emerged with over a dozen disciples at the Zhenren level, their expressions solemn.

Brother Jian Yuanzi?

Upon seeing Wu Ming, the old Daoist was first startled, then noticed Jian Yuanzi behind Wu Ming, who looked like a puppet on strings. The old Daoist’s expression immediately darkened.

Before he could say anything, his disciples behind him began to clamor noisily.

“Are you the master of the Four Symbols Sect?”

Wu Ming scrutinized the old Daoist before him, his eyes flashing with sharpness: “You were originally a Daxian, but later fell from that rank?”

“Poor Daoist Tian Xiang of the Four Symbols Sect. I did not know you were coming. What brings you here? And why have you imprisoned my disciple without cause?”

Tian Xiang Daoist bowed respectfully, his heart tightening.

He was old and shrewd, with rich experience. From just a brief encounter, he realized that Wu Ming was not only a Daxian but far surpassed him in cultivation. Even if he were at his former peak strength, he would still be no match for Wu Ming.

“In this world… when did another Daxian with a successful Fu Di appear? Why have I never heard of him before…”

Tian Xiang’s eyes were filled with confusion.

Among the Daxians, whether one had planted a Fu Di or not was a major dividing line.

For example, Yu Qing Daoist, who possessed the Yu Qing Fu Di, had power far exceeding other Daxians and was even unaffected much by the fall of the Zhou Dynasty.

Having a Fu Di meant being the foundation of a sect!

Traditionally, when a sect produced a Daxian, there would be ten days of grand celebration. But if one successfully planted a Fu Di, the sect would open its mountain gates widely, inviting guests from all directions, and would not cease the festivities for a hundred days.

Yet now, a Daxian appeared before him so young and unfathomably profound—how could Tian Xiang not be astonished?

“Why should I act against you?”

Wu Ming sneered coldly, a beam of light flashing over Jian Yuanzi: “Let him tell you who I am!”

“Reporting to my Master!”

Jian Yuanzi finally managed to speak, but as he felt his stagnant pool of spiritual energy, he could only smile bitterly: “This is Daoist Wu Ming, the husband of Wu Zhen!”

“What? It’s actually you!”

Tian Xiang Daoist was greatly startled.

Ever since he saw Jian Yuanzi, he had suspected that Wu Ming was a powerful cultivator under Wu Zhi, but he had never expected their relationship to be so intimate!

If it were just a typical dependent relationship, he could offer benefits, form alliances, and even drag the other party into the conflict. But with marital ties and shared fortune, the connection was too significant to handle in such a way.

“I’ve long heard that Wu Zhen married someone unknown, but I never imagined her husband would be a Daxian!”

Tian Xiang Daoist’s lips curled with bitterness: “Esteemed Daoist, your skills are formidable. You were also the one who altered Wu Zhen’s fate, weren’t you?”

“If others do not offend me, I will not provoke them…”

Wu Ming replied indifferently: “But since you have provoked me this time, are you ready to pay the price?”

At the same time, a question in his mind was resolved.

It seemed these disciples of the Four Symbols Sect had no idea that he had previously killed the Four Symbols Tianxian. Their coming here was purely to seize fortune and opportunity.

“What do you intend to do?”

Tian Xiang Daoist’s face darkened, while a female Daoist behind him coldly spoke out.

“Hmph!”

Wu Ming lightly snorted, and she immediately staggered back two steps, blood trickling from her nostrils.

“Foolishness! I am speaking with this esteemed Daoist—where do you have the right to interrupt!”

Tian Xiang Daoist scolded the female disciple behind him, his heart growing even heavier. The opponent’s magical powers and fortune clearly exceeded his expectations.

“You need not worry… I will not use secular forces to resolve this matter between cultivators…”

As if sensing the old Daoist’s apprehension, Wu Ming smiled faintly: “So you need not fear an army coming to wipe you out!”

Truthfully, the best way to deal with such cultivators would be to send Wu Tiehu.

With his Qiangyang Star Fate anchoring the situation, he could mobilize thousands of elite soldiers, surround the temple from all sides, and then use imperial authority to slay them. Even True Immortals would be trapped by the oppressive and malevolent military aura, unable to escape even with their Yuan Shen!

However, although Tian Xiang Daoist’s cultivation had greatly declined, he was still at the Tian Shi level, beginning to transcend the mundane. While it was possible to defeat him with secular forces, the cost would be too great—so why bother?

“My conditions are simple… hand over the Four Symbols Sect’s secret treasures, allow me to place restrictions on you, and from then on, you can truly seek refuge under Wu Zhi’s banner!”

Wu Ming smiled faintly.

He had long planned to support a cultivation sect. Although the Suihan Dao sect was also progressing, how could it compare to the Four Symbols Sect, once a cave heaven sect, in terms of grandeur, heritage, and profound teachings?

“Daring indeed!”

Despite Tian Xiang Daoist’s mental preparation, Wu Ming’s audacious demands still enraged him to the utmost, his anger flaring like a wrathful Buddha.

“Form the Bagua Sword Formation!”

He roared, and the eight Zhenren behind him simultaneously unleashed their swords, beams of sword light flashing!

Xiu xiu!

The flying swords pierced the sky, converging the power of the Four Symbols into the forms of the White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, Azure Dragon, and Black Tortoise. When the two Four Symbols sword arrays combined, they formed an even more terrifying formation, pressing down on Wu Ming.

Meanwhile, Tian Xiang Daoist flicked his hand, and a small golden boat appeared, expanding rapidly into a massive warship as it caught the wind. Its surface shimmered with light, capable of tearing through space.

This was the Four Symbols Sect’s supreme treasure—the Posuo Void-Piercing Boat!

“Gather the disciples and flee immediately!”

Clearly, he had little confidence in his disciples’ ability to match a Daxian. Even if they could win, there would be heavy losses, which a wise person would avoid. Thus, he had already decided to retreat.

“Pity… With this Daxian aiding Wu Zhi, it is absolutely impossible to seize the dragon fortune again. The Four Symbols Sect has no place left in the Central Plains—we must flee to the Eastern Sea’s wilderness…”

Standing at the bow of the divine boat, Tian Xiang Daoist glanced back with regret.

But in that very glance, his eyes nearly popped out.

In his original plan, the Bagua Sword Formation was supposed to at least hold off a Daxian for a quarter of an hour. But now, it was already showing signs of instability, and several disciples had turned deathly pale, clearly on the verge of being defeated in an instant!

“Hmm… You incorporated the yin-yang transformation into the Four Symbols Sword Formation, thus forming the Eight Trigrams? Quite innovative, isn’t it?”

The four-colored sword qi flashed and pierced, but Wu Ming remained wrapped in a clear light, untouched by any magic, calmly strolling as he commented: “Unfortunately… later generations added unnecessary embellishments and never truly grasped the essence of the Four Sacred Beasts!”

“Arrogant nonsense!”

The eight Zhenren cultivators were furious. This Bagua Sword Formation was created by Tian Xiang Daoist. Although the Four Symbols Tianxian had never commented on it, its power indeed surpassed the ordinary Four Symbols Sword Formation. In past battles, it had always been victorious—how could it tolerate such disdain?

“Stubborn fools!”

Wu Ming shook his head lightly, having no intention of saying more. He simply brought his two fingers together like a sword and slashed suddenly.

Creeeak!

A brilliant sword beam suddenly appeared within the sword formation. Although it did not shine as brightly as the Four Symbols Sword Qi, it moved unpredictably, like a needle slipping through the tiniest gap, suddenly darting between two White Tigers.

Roar! Roar!

In a flash of light, the two transformed White Tiger spirit swords were struck as if by lightning, vibrating violently before reverting into two white Gengjin flying swords, vibrating and emitting a mournful hum, clearly having suffered severe damage to their spiritual essence.

“This…”

Jian Yuanzi clearly witnessed this scene.

He saw it very clearly—this sword beam was not particularly powerful, but the manipulation of spiritual energy was exquisitely refined to an unbelievable degree. It was as if using four ounces to deflect a thousand pounds, guiding the Yin and Yang White Tigers to betray each other, thereby breaking the sword formation in one move.

“If it were the true Four Symbols Sword Formation, there would absolutely be no such problem. However, the Bagua Formation created by my Master, although it divides Yin and Yang, cannot truly integrate them, thus leaving such a massive flaw…”

The more he thought, the more sweat poured down his face.

Puff!

As the light faded and the Yin and Yang White Tigers were destroyed, the entire Bagua Sword Formation instantly collapsed. The eight Zhenren spat blood, their faces pale like paper, rapidly retreating.

“Do you truly intend to fight to the bitter end?”

At this critical moment, Tian Xiang Daoist, controlling the Posuo Void-Piercing Boat, coldly asked.

“The fish will certainly die, but the net may not necessarily be broken!”

Wu Ming sneered coldly, watching Tian Xiang Daoist steer the Void-Piercing Boat to charge toward him like it was tearing through space, and extended his right hand similarly.

Buzzzz!

Behind him, the illusory image of his Huangting Fu Di appeared, bestowing infinite Fu Di power onto his body, transforming into a thick, jade-like green light that collided head-on with the divine boat.

Boom!

In the massive explosion, the temple was reduced to rubble, the earth turned over, and the ground was literally shaved down by several inches!

The entire boat shuddered violently, immediately recoiling backward, with faint cracks appearing on its surface.

Wu Ming’s robes fluttered in the wind, but he did not retreat a single step, his body unscathed, without the slightest injury.

“This Fu Di accumulation… is actually comparable to a Cave Heaven?”

Tian Xiang Daoist spat a mouthful of blood, no longer harboring any thoughts of resistance: “A formidable enemy! An unprecedented formidable enemy! This person is likely only a step away from becoming a true Tianxian. We must retreat immediately!”