182

Dozens of peak Grandmasters did not appear in a besieging scene, instead, eight figures in black robes emerged first.

Xu Yan's expression hardened as he looked towards the lead elder, his gaze heavy as he said, "Master of Hidden Pavilion?!"

Su Lingxiu's face changed drastically, her eyes turning slightly red with resentment as she looked at those eight figures. It was these people who had killed her grandfather, forcing her to hide in the border wilderness. But it was also because of this that she encountered her master and cultivated in the ways of alchemy and martial arts!

"It's you people!" Su Lingxiu said with bitterness.

The Master of Hidden Pavilion's gaze was indifferent, devoid of any spirit. He looked at Xu Yan, then at Meng Chong, completely ignoring Li Xuan sitting in the chair.

Li Xuan, not displaying any aura, nor using any mysterious energy, was regarded by the Master of Hidden Pavilion as similar to Kou Ruo Zhi and Xu Junhe—mere ants.

"Come with me, or everyone here will die because of you," the Master of Hidden Pavilion said indifferently.

"The mysterious and powerful Master of Hidden Pavilion, known as the 'Old Immortal', I'd like to see how mysterious and powerful you truly are!" Xu Yan said with a cold snort.

He could sense that the Master of Hidden Pavilion was formidable, emitting a dangerous aura. It was an unprecedented feeling.

The Master of Hidden Pavilion's indifferent gaze turned towards Xu Yan, and in that instant, his formerly dull eyes burst forth with a chilling light.

Boom!

Suddenly, a tremendous pressure descended, unlike that of peak Grandmasters. It seemed to be a kind of "will," pressing down on one's consciousness, suppressing the soul.

Under this pressure, one found it difficult to move.

Even peak Grandmasters, faced with such a tremendous pressure, trembled in fear. Their abilities were suppressed, and they could hardly muster thirty percent of their strength.

Xu Yan's expression changed. With a hum, mountains and rivers manifested, enveloping everyone and resisting the pressure.

His Mountain and River Sword Intent could withstand this pressure.

Boom!

The mountains and rivers surged, as if under immense pressure.

Yet, Xu Yan exhaled, able to resist this pressure. However, he felt a chill in his heart as he said in a deep voice, "Above Grandmaster?"

The Master of Hidden Pavilion's eyes gleamed with horror, the pressure increasing continuously, but he couldn't suppress Xu Yan's Mountain and River Sword Intent. He frowned slightly, astonished.

"What technique is this? Why does it resemble the divine power of gods and humans, yet it's different? He's not a divine being, how does he possess such power, able to resist divine power!" the Master of Hidden Pavilion muttered, looking at Xu Yan with a thoughtful expression. He somewhat understood why Xu Yan could kill peak Grandmasters—because of this mysterious power!

"It seems to be a kind of profound will. How did he cultivate it? He's not yet a divine being, but already possesses almost the power of divine beings," he suddenly found himself interested in Xu Yan.

"I'm only half a step away from being a divine being. The divine pressure is incomplete. If I can cultivate this mysterious and profound will, wouldn't I possess the true power of a divine being?" the Master of Hidden Pavilion thought excitedly.

"Young man, you're not my match. Come with me along with that girl, and I won't kill anyone else. Otherwise, don't blame me for being ruthless," the Master of Hidden Pavilion said coldly, a surge of aura emanating from him, revealing his terrifying strength beyond peak Grandmasters.

"So strong!" Xu Yan's heart trembled. This man was definitely stronger than peak Grandmasters. Unless he broke through to the Transcendence Realm, he wouldn't stand a chance against him!

But he wasn't worried at all, with his master here.

Li Xuan had been sitting in the chair all along. When the Master of Hidden Pavilion appeared, he sensed something was amiss. This person's strength was formidable, far beyond peak Grandmasters.

Especially that pressure, it seemed to directly suppress a martial artist's consciousness, a powerful mental force? Or perhaps, a force of the soul?

If it were an ordinary peak Grandmaster, they would probably struggle to resist. Their consciousness seemed to be suppressed and confined, unable to fully exert their strength.

But this mental pressure could be resisted by Sword Intent or Blade Intent. If the Sword Intent was strong enough, it could even tear through this pressure. That was why Xu Yan was unaffected by it.

"An existence beyond Grandmasters? Something doesn't seem right. Although he surpasses Grandmasters, he doesn't seem complete," Li Xuan thought.

He could almost confirm that the Master of Hidden Pavilion was close to being beyond peak Grandmasters but hadn't fully broken through yet. And beyond peak Grandmasters, the cultivation was about the mental level of martial artists—or rather, the level of the soul.

"My invented martial path, the Fourth Realm, is stronger and more profound than the realm beyond Grandmasters. My direction in creating martial paths seems to be correct. Then, the direction of cultivating the Fifth Realm of martial paths can also be determined," Li Xuan deduced, using the Master of Hidden Pavilion as a reference to infer the realm beyond Grandmasters, which involved the mental level of martial artists.

And the martial path he created, the Fourth Realm, akin to the Pre-Heaven and Transcendence Realms, was still stronger than existing martial realms!

"Even if they both cultivate the soul, the strength is different. The feeling the Master of Hidden Pavilion gives me is somewhat elusive. Although he hasn't fully broken through, it can be inferred that martial artists beyond Grandmasters are not as strong."

Of course, this was based on Li Xuan's own strength. Martial artists beyond Grandmasters were strong in the power of the mind, but Sword Intent and Blade Intent could resist them.

"Xu Yan has reached the Transcendence Realm, even the Grand Completion or Near-Completion Realm. With his Sword Dao and Descending Dragon Palm Intent, he is enough to deal with martial artists beyond Grandmasters," Li Xuan figured, looking at the Master of Hidden Pavilion with a faint smile.

Finally, he could show his strength in front of his disciple again.

The martial arts technique of "Godslayer One Slash," along with the "One Strike, One Kill," finally found their place.

And this was also an opportunity to teach his disciple.

Allowing Xu Yan and Meng Chong to comprehend similar martial arts techniques like the Godslayer One Slash! 

The pressure from the Master of Hidden Pavilion grew stronger and stronger, as if brewing the power to end the world. Xu Yan's Sword Intent was still rippling, but he began to feel the strain.

"Damn it, my strength is too weak. If I could unleash the Second Sword Intent, I could definitely break through this layer of pressure!"

Xu Yan felt frustrated and unwilling inside.

He had already comprehended the Second Sword Intent, but he was limited by his realm and couldn't unleash it.

Hum!

Meng Chong's body emitted golden light, a domineering Blade Intent surged out, joining Xu Yan in resisting this layer of pressure. Since the master didn't intervene, he must be using the Master of Hidden Pavilion to hone them.

The Master of Hidden Pavilion's eyes gleamed with greed. A great opportunity was right before him. He smiled coldly, "Young man, don't waste your efforts. Although I haven't reached the realm of divine beings, I'm only half a step away.

"You can't resist me. Surrender obediently, or everyone will undoubtedly die!"

As he spoke, a cold aura emanated from his cane.

At this moment, Li Xuan stood up from his chair, stretched his limbs, and said, "Apprentices, today I will use this person's life to pass on to you a martial arts technique. How much you can comprehend depends on yourselves."

Xu Yan and Meng Chong were instantly overjoyed. Their master was going to pass on powerful martial arts again.

Martial arts technique?

Just hearing the name, they knew it must be incredibly powerful.

The Master of Hidden Pavilion's gaze narrowed, suddenly looking at Li Xuan, his aura gradually receding as pressure gathered around him. The cane in his hand emitted a cold light.

He was extremely solemn. He had actually made a mistake. This person was actually Xu Yan and Meng Chong's master?

If the disciples were so powerful, how could the master be weak?

"Who are you?" Li Xuan twirled the jade ruyi in his left hand, smiled lightly, and said, "I won't deceive you. I'm going to kill you with the strength of a realm lower than yours."

Xu Yan was excited. "Master wants to kill the Master of Hidden Pavilion, this half-step divine being, with a lower realm of strength. Is he telling me that martial arts techniques are so powerful that crossing realms in battle is easy?"

"Arrogant!" The Master of Hidden Pavilion's gaze turned cold, invisible ripples emanating around him. The terrifying pressure suppressed Xu Yan and Meng Chong, causing their Sword Intent and Blade Intent to shrink continuously.

Like a giant mountain, pressing down on their Sword Intent and Blade Intent, it seemed that it would collapse at any moment!

Meanwhile, an even more powerful pressure descended towards Li Xuan.

The ripples were surging, stirring up the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, forming a mountain-like pressure.

Li Xuan stood calmly, raised his right hand like a blade, and smiled, "Are you ready? I'm going to kill you!"

"I'll see how you kill me!" The Master of Hidden Pavilion raised his cane, and terrifying light emanated from it. A powerful strike was about to be unleashed.

However, Li Xuan's palm struck down, and the invisible blade energy instantly slashed into his consciousness. His various defenses were almost ineffective.

Boom!

There was nowhere to hide, nowhere to escape.

Just as the terrifying aura erupted, and the Master of Hidden Pavilion was about to launch a fierce attack, his body suddenly softened, falling from mid-air and crashing to the ground.

His consciousness had disappeared, leaving only an empty shell of a body.

But his physical body still contained vitality, only his consciousness and soul had vanished!

Xu Yan, Meng Chong, and others were stunned. Was this the martial arts technique?

Li Xuan was quite satisfied with the first time he used the martial arts technique. The Godslayer One Slash combined with the One Strike, One Kill was incredibly powerful. It instantly killed the Master of Hidden Pavilion.

Not only the Master of Hidden Pavilion but also the seven peak Grandmasters behind him, under the aftermath of the Godslayer One Slash, struggled for a moment before their consciousness vanished, falling from mid-air.

Looking at the eight corpses on the ground, Xu Yan, Meng Chong, and others were stunned. While others might not have noticed anything special, they naturally sensed the power and terror of their master's strike.

People like Meng Shushu were bewildered. A senior struck once, and everyone died? But it seemed like they weren't dead? Just asleep?

Su Lingxiu widened her eyes, guessing the strength of her master's martial arts technique. He easily killed the Master of Hidden Pavilion, this half-step divine being!

Li Xuan had killed the Master of Hidden Pavilion and the seven peak Grandmasters. He calmly explained, "This is the martial arts technique. What I used was the Godslayer One Slash. Regardless of whether it's a blade or a sword, there's no difference.

"In addition to the Godslayer One Slash, there's also the One Strike, One Kill. No matter how mysterious the enemy's movements are, they can't avoid this strike. They must face it head-on. If they can't withstand it, they'll undoubtedly die."

Pointing at the eight corpses of the Master of Hidden Pavilion, he said, "Do you see the problem now? I didn't kill his physical body, but his consciousness, spirit, and soul.

"Annihilating his spirit and soul—this is the essence of the technique. I only kill the soul without harming the body."

Xu Yan was excited. There was such a miraculous martial arts technique in the world. He wouldn't have to worry about destroying the enemy's money pouch when killing them in the future.

"Destroying their soul, while the physical body remains intact, ensures no damage to their possessions!

I must comprehend this martial arts technique!

"Master said, 'Crush bones, scatter ashes, annihilate the soul.' I've always focused on crushing bones and scattering ashes, leaving no chance for escape, but it's still not perfect. It lacks the annihilation of the soul.

"Master has taught me that without destroying the enemy's soul, they have a chance to escape. I have yet to comprehend the technique of soul annihilation!"

Xu Yan felt guilty for not understanding his master's intentions.

"I am still somewhat dull."

However, he had remembered it. The moment his master acted just now, that special power was the might of the Godslayer One Slash.

Given time, he believed he would certainly comprehend the martial arts technique.

Li Xuan watched Xu Yan's changing expression, secretly satisfied. He believed that since he had personally taught it, Xu Yan would definitely comprehend similar martial arts secrets like the Godslayer One Slash.

Meng Chong also had a chance. Although he wasn't as outstanding as Xu Yan, he still possessed extraordinary talent.

As for Su Lingxiu, her talent wasn't at this level. Li Xuan didn't demand too much from her, as long as she continued to comprehend alchemy and martial arts.

After killing the eight people from the Hidden Pavilion, Li Xuan looked up at Tie Shan County. Above the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion, there were three individuals not weaker than those from the Hidden Pavilion.

Was this the confidence of the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion?

Half-step divine beings!

However, among the three, one of them had a sinister aura, as if it contained poison, capable of withering all living beings. He practiced demonic techniques.

A strong practitioner from the Demon Sect?

The three were in a standoff. The strong practitioner from the Demon Sect confronted the strong practitioners from the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion. Obviously, they had come together with the Master of Hidden Pavilion. The Master of Hidden Pavilion came to capture people, while he was responsible for holding back the strong practitioners from the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion.

Although the two half-step divine beings from the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion had come for the Eternal Green Pavilion, they hadn't acted. They couldn't be considered enemies, especially considering the information leaked from the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion.

Their plan was, once the Eternal Green Pavilion fell, the two of them would act to seize Su Lingxiu and a few core figures. The Eternal Green Pavilion and the Qi-Infused Pill would then be divided among the major forces.

The half-step divine beings from the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion could be spared, but the strong practitioner from the Demon Sect was targeting Su Lingxiu. Since he had already acted, another person must be killed!

Li Xuan's figure flickered and disappeared in an instant, reappearing outside the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion in Tie Shan County.

(End of this chapter)