The person had not yet arrived, but a heavy sense of oppression was already rolling in.
Everyone's expressions changed.
At this moment, the sea was calm; the warships seemed frozen on the surface of the water, completely motionless. Everyone looked toward the distant horizon, their hearts beating slightly faster.
Originally arrogant, Luofu Sword Master bowed respectfully:
"Welcome, Red Sun Martial Sage!"
A roar broke out!
In an instant, the entire scene erupted.
Everyone's minds ignited with heat, their blood boiling throughout their bodies. Although they had suspected from the visitor's claim, Luofu Sword Master's words now indisputably confirmed his identity.
The Red Sun Martial Sage.
A Martial Sage who had just returned recently and founded the Red Sun Sect, stirring up turmoil across the world. The Great Yan Martial Sage personally designated a region for the Red Sun Sect's exclusive use, granting them absolute dominion.
Only now did everyone realize that Luofu Sword Master had actually joined the Red Sun Sect, presumably after the Red Sun Martial Sage promised some conditions.
Daoist Longshan's heart sank deeply.
Luofu Sword Master's sudden appearance had already complicated matters by stirring greed among the crowd, but now it had escalated into an extremely difficult situation. An Ancient Saint had descended, and he had no confidence whatsoever.
Under countless gazes, a luxurious golden carriage appeared. Four Heaven-Man Realm experts carried it on all sides. The sight alone was terrifying, but the most eye-catching was the elderly man seated atop the carriage. He wore resplendent golden-red robes like a blazing sun, with red hair and beard, a shiny bald patch on his head exposed.
The bald old man reclined comfortably on the carriage, surrounded by several stunning women, their eyes filled with tender glances, arms like supple willows, exquisitely charming and gentle.
The carriage floated in the void, and the Heaven-Man Realm warriors carrying it puffed out their chests proudly, showing no shame but immense pride.
How many in the world could pull a carriage for a Martial Sage?
"We pay homage to the Red Sun Martial Sage!" A grand voice rang out, and everyone bowed their heads in respect.
The strong command respect.
This ancient truth never changes anywhere.
But the True Martial Sect members remained unmoved.
Even a fool could tell the visitors meant no good.
Luofu Sword Master shouted coldly:
"Daoist Longshan, the Martial Sage asks why you do not respond?! How dare you disdain the Martial Sage?"
He was now somewhat arrogant and triumphant.
Since the rise of Heavenly Sword True Immortal, his days had been miserable, often used as a whipping post. But now, backed by the Red Sun Martial Sage, he feared nothing. Could a mere Heavenly Sword True Immortal be stronger than a Martial Sage? ȓ𝔞ΝО𐌱È𝘚
Seeing the True Martial Sect in a sorry state gave him immense satisfaction.
Daoist Longshan gazed at him deeply, then bowed slightly to the old man in the carriage:
"Greetings, Red Sun Martial Sage. I have spoken no falsehood. This time entering the True Martial Hall, I was fortunate to pass the first test of comprehension, Yin Yang Fist, but failed the second, Four Symbols Palm. I passed several of the combat tests by luck, receiving some rewards in the end."
"But the True Martial inheritance, I indeed did not obtain."
He spoke sincerely, even naming the tests.
Everyone pondered.
Could the mist transformation truly have nothing to do with the True Martial Sect?
The Red Sun Martial Sage laughed, finally directing his first gaze at Daoist Longshan. His laugh was laced with ridicule and disdain:
"I know."
"The True Martial Hall's tests are unreasonable. The nine levels of comprehension are impossibly difficult. No one throughout history, no matter how talented, has ever passed. How could a worthless old man barely stepping into the Heaven-Man Realm near a hundred years old pass?"
Everyone's faces changed.
Daoist Longshan, stepping into Heaven-Man Realm near a hundred years old, was considered a top talent, yet he was called worthless. What did that make the rest? Worse than worthless?
The True Martial Sect was indignant.
But Daoist Longshan remained calm.
"If the Martial Sage knows the True Martial Sect did not obtain the inheritance, will you allow us to leave?"
The Red Sun Martial Sage straightened slightly and looked meaningfully at Daoist Longshan:
"No."
Daoist Longshan asked in a low voice:
"Why not?"
Suddenly, a brilliant light shot from the Red Sun Martial Sage's eyes, as radiant as a blazing sun, overwhelming in might. His voice boomed like thunder:
"Because you disrespect me."
Daoist Longshan's face changed as a mighty pressure crushed down on him. He seemed to see two blazing suns in the sky—one hanging high, one close by. The terrifying pressure made cold sweat bead on his forehead. He tried to use the power of Heaven and Earth to resist, but it was useless. Yin and Yang transformations could not counter such absolute power.
"Pfft."
Daoist Longshan's face reddened; he spat blood and flew backward.
Ye Qinghe and others caught him, but they too coughed blood. The lingering aftershocks were unbearable. They dared not speak but clenched their fists tightly.
Everyone held their breath.
Earlier, Daoist Longshan's strength had been clear to all, but now before the Red Sun Martial Sage, he appeared like a child. This made everyone understand the true value of the Ancient Saints—an overwhelming gap in strength, a crushing disparity. Rumors even said this was far from the Ancient Saints' peak.
Daoist Longshan stabilized his stance, spat out another mouthful of blood. His lungs trembled, and he had sustained internal injuries.
He knew.
The Red Sun Martial Sage had not taken him seriously and struck casually. Otherwise, he would have been crushed instantly. A sense of helplessness rose in his heart. Looking at Luofu Sword Master beside him, he realized the Red Sun Martial Sage was just using this as an excuse to vent anger on his new subordinate.
"The Martial Sage's lesson is accepted." Daoist Longshan bowed his head low.
He was fiery by nature. Alone, even facing a Martial Sage, he would never submit. But now, with several disciples by his side...
Ye Qinghe and He Yan's eyes reddened, struggling to hold back tears. The third-generation disciples' chests burned with passion.
Luofu Sword Master's smile stretched wide.
Blade Demon and White Brow Elder also smiled, some with schadenfreude, others highly tempted. Joining the Red Sun Martial Sage's ranks might bring opportunities to become a Martial Sage themselves.
Blade Demon spoke timely:
"Reporting to the Martial Sage, some True Martial Sect members have yet to emerge."
The Red Sun Martial Sage glanced over, then looked at the mist transformation ahead, his eyes growing surprised:
"Really?"
He straightened fully for the first time. The beautiful women by his side also wisely stopped their movements.
Blade Demon grew nervous. Originally wanting to curry favor, but now this information seemed important.
He hurriedly said:
"I dare not deceive the Martial Sage. There is a young Daoist within the True Martial Sect, no older than twenty, who entered but has yet to emerge. This mist transformation might be related to him."
Hearing this, the True Martial Sect members were furious.
Especially Daoist Longshan, who wished he could kill Blade Demon with a glare.
They all knew the young Daoist was Ning Qi.
The Red Sun Martial Sage clicked his tongue twice, his gaze growing more surprised:
"I didn't expect your True Martial Sect really had talents."
Originally just here to see if the True Martial Hall remained the same, to let go of old grudges, and maybe try the final test again—since the True Martial Hall was known to be mysterious and ancient, with no one knowing when this lineage began.
Unexpectedly, there was an unexpected gain. The mist's transformation indicated this person had reaped great benefits.
If so, better wait a moment.
Maybe there was a chance to glimpse the final test.
With this thought, the Red Sun Martial Sage's heart burned with passion. Compared to other old monsters, his foundation was shallow. Only by obtaining the True Martial Hall's treasures could he have the competitiveness when a great opportunity arrived.
"I heard your sect has a Heavenly Sword True Immortal who is quite good? Has he come?" the Red Sun Martial Sage asked casually.
Daoist Longshan replied blankly:
"Heavenly Sword Elder's whereabouts are uncertain. I do not know."
The Red Sun Martial Sage clicked his tongue:
"I heard he wields the Heavenly Sword excellently. Fine, you go call him. If he satisfies me, you will be allowed to leave today, and I will overlook your offense."
Daoist Longshan's pupils contracted but did not move.
Those who knew Heavenly Sword True Immortal's identity burned with rage. Ning Qi was still inside the mist. Where could they find the Heavenly Sword True Immortal? Moreover, this Red Sun Martial Sage clearly meant harm. Even if the Heavenly Sword True Immortal was summoned, what good would it do? Only more humiliation.
"Unwilling?" The Red Sun Martial Sage narrowed his eyes, a dangerous aura rising.
Daoist Longshan stood in front of everyone, bearing it alone.
Blood constantly dripped from his mouth. Under immense pressure, his limbs creaked as if about to fall apart.
He raised his head, eyes unyielding:
"If you want to take our lives, come ahead. A Martial Sage bullying the weak—are you not afraid of the world laughing at you?"
The Red Sun Martial Sage laughed:
"A stubborn one? Interesting. I've changed my mind. You're not afraid of death, huh? Then I'll let you watch your disciples be wiped out like ants."
His words were casual but filled with icy cruelty.
As he finished speaking, a giant red palm condensed, descending like a mountain to crush Daoist Longshan, like a giant against an ant—completely different dimensions. Everyone revered the Martial Sage's power, but the True Martial Sect felt despair.
Yet, no one was afraid.
Watching Daoist Longshan cough blood, everyone hated their own weakness.
"Old Red Sun dog, if we meet again, I'll cut you down!" Ye Qinghe shouted coldly, blood flashing in her eyes.
"An ant dares to compete with the bright moon?" The Red Sun Martial Sage sneered.
The giant palm pressed down.
Everyone held their breath.
Daoist Longshan sighed lightly. He never expected to fall just before the True Martial Sect's rise. He had tried his best, but the gap was too large.
At this moment, a dragon's roar echoed across the horizon, shaking everyone's souls. From the roar, they sensed overwhelming fury.
Everyone instinctively looked.
A white true dragon burst out of the mist, unrivaled in might, suffused with suffocating oppression. The true dragon appeared, calling the wind and summoning rain. The sea overturned; warships swayed dangerously. Heaven-Man Realm experts were shocked. The true dragon breathed out, and a white banner suddenly shot forth, shattering the red giant palm suppressing the True Martial Sect.
Roar!
The true dragon's mighty cry stunned everyone.
But what drew all attention was the young Daoist standing atop the dragon's head, dressed in white, transcendent and aloof.
He said nothing, only coldly stared at the Red Sun Martial Sage. Yet everyone inexplicably felt a bone-chilling cold, as if disaster was imminent.
Another Ancient Saint?
But someone had already recognized the visitor's identity, disbelief filling their eyes.
If not the young Daoist from the True Martial Sect who had yet to appear, then who was he?
The True Martial Sect members were ecstatic, trembling with excitement. Daoist Longshan exhaled deeply, eyes full of relief. He was not afraid of death but feared these growing disciples dying alongside him—that would be a tragedy.
Daoist Longshan, Ye Qinghe, and a few others who knew Ning Qi's identity felt better. The other third-generation disciples widened their eyes, both excited and shocked:
"Third Senior Uncle is so powerful?"
Though they did not know Ning Qi's exact age, they knew he was very young.
The next moment, the Red Sun Martial Sage answered their question.
"Which Daoist has descended?" The Red Sun Martial Sage looked both surprised and suspicious.
He sensed a similar aura on Ning Qi—clearly another Ancient Saint awakening. But for a moment, he couldn't figure out Ning Qi's background. From the white dragon aura beneath the young Daoist's feet, it was clear this person's spiritual energy control was extraordinary, impossible to be an unknown nobody.
Ning Qi ignored him.
He guided the white dragon to land before the True Martial Sect members. Seeing the bloodstains on Daoist Longshan's robe and his weakened aura, his eyes grew colder.
He circulated his qi force, transforming it into overwhelming vitality and input it into Daoist Longshan's body, like spring returning to withered wood. Daoist Longshan's condition visibly recovered. This display made the Red Sun Martial Sage's pupils shrink. Several names popped into his mind but were dismissed one by one.
"Such style, Daoist!" The Red Sun Martial Sage snorted coldly, his gaze turning hostile.
Ning Qi still ignored him.
He turned to others. Ye Qinghe quickly explained everything that had happened.
Ning Qi listened, his expression growing calmer.
Repeatedly ignored, the Red Sun Martial Sage lost patience. He was an Ancient Saint himself. Even the Great Yan Martial Sage treated him with respect. The courtesy was just to avoid creating enemies. Ning Qi's continuous disregard was a huge insult.
"A sneaky one…" Before the insult finished, Ning Qi struck again.
He waved his hand, and heavenly swords condensed in midair. This signature supreme skill stunned everyone. The young Daoist's identity became clear.
Heavenly Sword True Immortal?!
But wasn't the Heavenly Sword True Immortal an aging elder? How could he be so young? Could this be his true identity?
Everyone was shocked.
Especially Luofu Sword Master, whose body trembled uncontrollably. The Heavenly Sword True Immortal had become his psychological shadow. Seeing him suddenly appear, he instinctively moved toward the Red Sun Martial Sage, but his body shook even more fiercely the next moment.
Above the horizon, hundreds of heavenly swords split into three groups.
One locked onto Luofu Sword Master, one onto Blade Demon, and one onto White Brow Elder.
In Ning Qi's mind, these three deserved to die.
His unhidden killing intent caused all three to change expressions drastically, eyes filled with terror. The terrifying sharpness made them lose their composure. Luofu Sword Master screamed hoarsely:
"Martial Sage, save me!"
The other two rushed toward the Red Sun Martial Sage.
The Red Sun Martial Sage's face grew uglier. He didn't care for their lives but was furious at the blatant disrespect.
"How bold! Let me see who you are!"
He stepped out of the golden carriage, pointing forward. A great sun-shaped compass appeared on his chest, covered with many mysterious patterns, dazzling and complex, seemingly etched with countless strange beasts.
The compass slowly rotated with a humming that shook the horizon, causing everyone's hearts to tremble. It finally locked onto a bird-shaped beast.
In the next moment, flames surged violently, accompanied by sharp whistles. A golden crow appeared from the compass.
The golden crow's arrival caused temperature to rise sharply. The seawater instantly evaporated, leaving a huge pit, magnificent to behold. Three streams of true fire spewed from the golden crow's mouth, blocking the three directions of heavenly swords.
Ning Qi wanted to kill, so the Red Sun Martial Sage had to protect!
Everyone's breath was caught in their throats.
The duel between two Ancient Saints made their scalps tingle. One misstep and disaster would strike.
Ning Qi's face was calm as a still pond.
He stood in the void, the white dragon roaring and striking, causing storms and rain. Columns of water soared, forming a cage to trap the true fire. Ning Qi circulated the Little True Martial Seal's mysterious power, which suppressed space, instantly restraining the fierce golden crow true fire.
The Red Sun Martial Sage's face changed drastically. He had no time to change tactics and could only watch the heavenly swords suppress down.
Boom!
Though the three Heaven-Man List experts were strong, they were far weaker than Ning Qi.
They had no ability to resist before the heavenly swords.
The heavenly swords swept across the ground.
Countless people gasped, only able to stare blankly. The sea overturned, even the seabed was upheaved.
When all calmed, there was no trace of Luofu Sword Master or the other two.
Not even scraps remained.
Everyone shuddered, looking at the young Daoist with deep reverence.
This Heavenly Sword True Immortal… such killing intent!
Truly seeing is better than hearing.
The Red Sun Martial Sage's furious roar shattered the silence:
"Good! Very good! Seems you really want to tear the mask off. I don't care who you are, if you don't leave something today, others will think Red Sun is weak and easy to bully!"
His face darkened, almost dripping water. The compass on his chest spun rapidly as streams of golden-red light exploded.
At first, he was acting out of spite, but now it was a battle for dignity.
A blazing sun floated in the air, the golden crow spread its wings, growing fiercer. The terrifying heat made Heaven-Man Realm warriors sweat profusely. Other warriors felt parched, as if life would end any second. Only distance saved them from becoming dried corpses or dust.
The seawater evaporated into white mist, which burned away, lowering the sea level. Water could not flow back. The two stood in a terrifying sea hole.
The scene was horrifying, shocking many at the Ancient Saints' power.
But Ning Qi was calm.
"Those who insult my master will die."
His words were cold with killing intent. The three earlier were only appetizers; the Red Sun Martial Sage was the real source.
This Red Sun Martial Sage was far weaker than Daoist Baishan and the Barbarian Emperor. At best, he was on par with Baoshu Buddha. When Ning Qi was at Zhenxuan Mountain, he had no fear of Baoshu Buddha. Now, after much practice with Blade Demon, his spiritual energy control had improved, his strength greater, so he naturally feared the Red Sun Martial Sage even less.
The Yu King Bead vibrated, exerting full power. The white dragon's scales shone brightly, claws sharp and cold, wanting to tear the void apart.
In the next moment, the white dragon clashed with the golden crow.
Black cracks appeared where the two spiritual beasts fought, quickly dissipating. Waves of shock rippled through the sky. The surrounding Heaven and Earth power began to grow chaotic.
"This is the Ancient Saint who appeared at Zhenxuan Mountain before. Unexpectedly, he is from the True Martial Sect! He is also the Heavenly Sword True Immortal. No wonder the True Martial Sect rose so quickly—an Ancient Saint is the foundation!"
Someone recognized Ning Qi's previous actions at Zhenxuan Mountain and shouted in surprise.
They saw the white dragon was stronger, suppressing the golden crow severely. If not for the sun compass continuously feeding spiritual energy, the golden crow would already be at a disadvantage.
But even so, the superiority was clear at a glance.
The Red Sun Martial Sage's face darkened. Suddenly, he seemed to remember something and shouted in anger:
"Who exactly are you? If you're an Ancient Saint, you shouldn't have entered the True Martial Hall. Who are you?!"
He had a terrifying suspicion but found it unbelievable.
Ning Qi smiled calmly:
"A frog at the bottom of the well."
The Red Sun Martial Sage's face reddened furiously. The mockery stung him deeply, forcing him to reflect if there were secrets he didn't know.
Ning Qi formed hand seals.
His spiritual energy changed unpredictably.
The white dragon and golden crow were only appearances. The deepest battle was their control over spiritual energy.
Having figured out the Red Sun Martial Sage's background, Ning Qi no longer held back.
His eyes were icy cold. The Red Sun Martial Sage had insulted his master and must die!
Even if he couldn't kill him now, he would remember this debt and make him pay dearly.
His internal energy surged.
Ning Qi's strength was never only from the Yu King Bead.
Without the Martial Sage relics, his true power was far more terrifying than the current Ancient Saints!
The Bridge of Heaven activated, Three Blossoms Converge.
Streams of Heaven and Earth power gathered despite the chaotic environment.
Then, to everyone's astonishment, heavenly swords condensed and formed. Compared to before, the scale was terrifying. Heavenly swords filled the void like countless stars. The endless sharpness made even the Red Sun Martial Sage's eyes widen with disbelief.
He knew perfectly well this was a pure display of Heaven and Earth's explosive power.
Ning Qi's gaze was calm and cold.
"Ten Thousand Swords Return to Sect!"