We bear people have power

Eating when hungry and drinking when thirsty, sleeping at night and traveling at dawn, the seven martial arts practitioners were on their way to Pingdingshan.

A Taoist priest and a monk, an old man and a young man, walked at the front of the procession. The old man looked to be in his seventies or eighties, while the young man was no more than eleven or twelve years old.

Although they were of very different ages and belonged to different Buddhist and Taoist sects, they addressed each other as fellow disciples. Moreover, their Taoist and Buddhist robes were both white with black patterns, which looked rather ominous.

Five men followed behind, all tall and burly, some carrying swords and knives, others with iron rings around their arms; all were skilled fighters with steady steps. However, judging from their attire, they were not the same kind of people as the old man and the young man.

Upon arriving at Pingdingshan, one sees towering peaks and sharp cliffs, winding through deep ravines and rising steep cliffs.

Beneath the deep ravine, one can hear the splashing of water as pythons thrash about; on the edge of the solitary, steep cliff, one can see tigers emerging from the forest, their tails slashed.

Looking up, the mountain peaks rise abruptly into the azure sky; looking back, the deep ravines lie beside the blue heavens.

The path up high resembles a ladder or a stool; the path down low resembles a trench or a pit.

This flat-topped mountain is so steep and precipitous that it's impossible to move an inch.

The mountains are teeming with wild animals, with wild sheep and horses darting about, and cunning rabbits and mountain cattle arrayed like soldiers; the mountains are so high that they block out the sun and stars, and one often encounters monsters and wolves.

The desolate and harsh landscape alone is a testament to the fact that strangers should stay away.

After only meeting the front of the mountain, some of these martial arts figures had already given up.

“Master Yideng, True Man Chongyang, I don’t think Pingdingshan is a good place. Not to mention the monsters that roam there, the mountain path is difficult to traverse. Why don’t we go back and reconsider?” a man dressed in a silk robe with a long sword at his waist said loudly.

The old man and the young man at the head of the group turned around, and the young monk said, "Even the mighty Yama, the Blade Master, is afraid of rugged mountain roads?"

The man's face darkened; he hadn't expected the young monk Yideng to be so disrespectful, but he didn't want to argue with him. Although Master Yideng of the Demon-Slaying Alliance was renowned, who could possibly argue with a child of eleven or twelve?

Lin Feibai had no choice but to force himself to say, "If I were afraid, why would I have come to Pingdingshan with you to find monsters and die? But right now, there is no way to get up this desolate mountain. Are we supposed to carve out a path ourselves? Who knows how long that would take? I, Lin, am not afraid of death, but I am not willing to waste time."

Several other martial arts figures echoed this sentiment, explaining that their original intention in going up the mountain was to borrow a treasure from the Demon King at Pingdingshan to deal with the increasingly rampant Zoroastrian cult.

When they first set off, two elders of the Demon Extermination Alliance led the way, and a large group of over a hundred people traveled together.

However, within a mere few hundred miles, the harsh environment and treacherous terrain posed constant threats from venomous snakes and ferocious beasts, making it impossible for even highly skilled martial artists to remain constantly on edge. Many people withdrew for various reasons, leaving only these five individuals, whose martial arts skills and perseverance were both quite good, to follow Master Yideng and Master Chongyang.

Lin Feibai and his companions were seasoned veterans, exceptionally sensitive to danger, and particularly trusting of their instincts. Upon reaching the foot of Pingding Mountain, they had already encountered several wolves and tigers; wouldn't they face packs of them if they continued upwards?

If I insist on going up the mountain, I'm afraid I might really lose my life.

People in the martial arts world are always engaged in dangerous business. They may have some sense of righteousness, but most of them follow along seeking a reputation for chivalry. They are unwilling to actually risk their lives.

At first, when they heard that the Demon Extermination Alliance wanted to borrow a treasure from the Demon King, they just laughed it off. But when Master Yideng and Master Chongyang actually set off for Pingding Mountain, they imagined it was a publicity stunt, thinking that they would probably stage a show at some point and force everyone to turn back.

This way, everyone gains fame without actually losing their lives, and everyone benefits.

However, after traveling this far, they discovered that the two elders of the Demon Extermination Alliance were truly going to their deaths. Therefore, Lin Feibai decided to turn back upon reaching the foot of the mountain.

"The task of eliminating demons is arduous, and we will not force you. If you wish to return, please do so," said Master Chongyang.

Lin Feibai was somewhat angry. Logically, Master Chongyang should have given him a way out, saying that a young hero shouldn't perish in these mountains and should preserve his life to contribute to the great cause of eliminating demons. In that case, Lin Feibai would have pretended to decline a few more times, but then agreed.

In this way, even if Lin Feibai withdraws halfway, his reputation will not be damaged.

Now, what Master Chongyang really meant was—if you're afraid of death, get out; come or not, it's up to you.

For martial arts practitioners who value fame above all else, who could accept this?

However, Master Chongyang and Master Yideng ignored their petty thoughts. They were too lazy to talk to people who were concerned about their own safety while pursuing great things.

They hadn't gone two steps when someone else spoke up: "Gentlemen, we've traveled hundreds of miles, enduring wind and dew, we can't just slink back like this. Your Demon Extermination Alliance has to give us an explanation."

The speaker was a man with narrow, sharp eyes, and he also wielded a sword—a precious sword capable of cutting through iron like mud. His name was Zuo Zhongtang, and in the martial arts world, he was known as the Divine Swordsman Who Cuts Down the Wild Geese, a first-rate swordsman.

Yideng frowned and said, "What explanation do you want? You were the one who said you would sacrifice your life for the people, I didn't force you to come along."

"Hahaha, there's no one else here, everyone knows what's going on. Your Demon Extermination Alliance is after fame and fortune, and we'll give you a boost. But if you still pretend to be some high-minded people advocating for the people at this point, then you're just taking us for idiots," Zuo Zhongtang laughed loudly.

Master Chongyang laughed and said, "Others laugh at my madness, but I laugh at their lack of understanding. I didn't understand the poem the immortal said back then, but now I finally do."

Upon hearing this, Zuo Zhongtang angrily retorted, "Stop talking nonsense! I came here with your Demon Extermination Alliance not just for fame, but for real benefits. If you don't give me an explanation today, I'll come and get it myself with my sword."

“We have nothing of value. What do you want in return? We have no money, but you can take our lives, oh, two lives,” Yideng laughed.

"Who wants your money? What I want is your Demon Extermination Alliance's divine skill manual!" Zuo Zhongtang shouted.

Yideng asked curiously, "I made a copy before we set off, and everyone who participated received the manual. Why didn't you?"

Zuo Zhongtang sneered, "Don't try to fob me off with those things. The manual you gave me can at most prolong life, but it's not enough to help you break through Qi Refining and enter Foundation Establishment. Besides, this manual is commonplace in your Demon Extermination Alliance. Anyone can find an identical one. Do you think I'm stupid? What I want is your true secret, the secret technique that can make you a god in martial arts."

Yideng said helplessly, "There's no secret at all; we're practicing from the same manual."

"Under the whole world, only a few elders of your Demon Extermination Alliance were able to break through the limitations of mortal cultivators with this manual and reach the Foundation Establishment realm. Only by joining your Demon Extermination Alliance can one greatly increase their power. If you say you haven't been holding back, does that mean all the heroes in the world are less talented than you and couldn't achieve anything?" Zuo Zhongtang didn't believe it at all.

"Believe it or not, it's up to you." Yideng and Chongyang Zhenren were too lazy to explain. People always turn a blind eye to the truth and only want to believe what they want to believe.

"Hmph, I knew you wouldn't hand it over, so don't blame me for ruining things." Zuo Zhongtang's tone was sinister, his sword already in his hand, its chilling aura enveloping Yideng.

"You?" Itsuki felt like he had heard the biggest joke in the world.

Although their cultivation period was short, Yideng and the others had received guidance from the immortals and had the deepest understanding of the divine skills. They had all developed true "supernatural powers," which were several levels higher than the martial arts of ordinary people.

There's no need for Master Chongyang to lift a finger; Yideng alone could easily defeat ten Zhanhong Divine Swords.

"Of course I'm not the only one. Do you think the others are just watching the show?"

As soon as Zuo Zhongtang finished speaking, Yanwang Dao Lin Feibai also drew his sword, flanking Yideng and Chongyang Zhenren from the left and right. The remaining three martial arts figures also drew their weapons in unison, surrounding the two elders of the Demon Extermination Alliance.

Yideng suddenly laughed and said to Chongyang Zhenren, "I suddenly remembered something the immortal said: 'You think you can deal with us with a rotten sweet potato and a few stinky radishes? Are you joking?'"

Master Chongyang was not as relaxed as Yideng. Although the combined strength of these people was not much, and a single slap could take care of most of them, Zuo Zhongtang was a meticulous man. How could they not know the difference in their martial arts skills? They must have some backup plan.

But Yideng was just a child and didn't have much patience. He shouted and reached out to strike Zuo Zhongtang's chest.

A delicate, fair finger, exuding elegance, yet a surge of internal energy erupted from its tip, flowing like a mighty river towards Zuo Zhongtang.

With a swing of his sword, the Divine Sword of Zhan Hong unleashed a sword aura. The finger force collided with the sword aura, but instantly shattered it completely, its remaining momentum continuing to fly towards Zuo Zhongtang.

Zuo Zhongtang did not expect that his sword energy, which could cut through jade and split gold, was so vulnerable, and he lost the initiative inadvertently.

The force of the finger struck Zuo Zhongtang in the chest, sending him flying and causing him to immediately spit out a mouthful of blood.

Such terrifying power! A single move severely injured a world-renowned top-tier swordsman.

If Yideng hadn't been unwilling to kill, this single finger strike could have ended the life of the Zhanhong Divine Sword.

"What, are you still going to make a move?" Yideng said coldly.

These five top-notch experts lost one of their own in a single exchange, frightening the others into not daring to move.

Although Zuo Zhongtang was seriously injured, the envy and jealousy in his eyes only intensified. It was rumored that this little monk had only practiced his divine skill for half a year and had already reached this level. He was determined to obtain this secret manual with his Zhan Hong Divine Sword.

"What are you all standing there for? We can't beat them! Use your magic weapons!" Zuo Zhongtang shouted, spitting out blood.

Upon hearing this, Master Chongyang knew something was wrong. His inner strength surged, causing his Taoist robe to billow. This was due to the completion of his innate skill, forming a protective aura that shielded Yideng as well.

This reaction was undoubtedly quite decisive, because the next moment, Yama's Blade Lin Feibai took out a small gourd and pulled out the wooden stopper from Yideng.

A ball of flame shot out from the gourd and landed right on Chongyang Zhenren's innate primordial energy shield.

With a hissing sound, Master Chongyang felt that his innate primordial energy shield was being rapidly depleted and probably wouldn't last much longer.

"These scoundrels actually colluded with the Zoroastrianism!" Master Chongyang said angrily.

This demonic fire is clearly a signature spell of the Zoroastrianism; it must be a treasure bestowed by that evil god.

"Senior brother, after you remove the innate primordial energy shield, I will use the One-Finger Divine Skill to kill a few of them. You should leave quickly," Yideng said to Chongyang Zhenren.

"If anyone should die, it should be me, the senior brother, who dies. What are you trying to take?" Master Chongyang said solemnly.

“Only Senior Brother can withstand this demonic fire and have a chance to escape,” Yideng said decisively.

Master Chongyang remained silent. This time, he was afraid he was really going to fail.

However, just as Master Chongyang was about to give up, the flames that kept spewing out of the gourd seemed to be drawn by something, turning into a line of fire that flew into the air and then flew towards a dark place.

This sudden turn of events startled Lin Feibai and the others. They saw a large, fat monster with green skin emerge from the shadows. It had a lion's mouth, a wide nose, and a mouth full of fangs, making it look ferocious and terrifying.

The monster held a shimmering, purplish-red gourd in its hand, and the demonic fire was absorbed into the gourd.

The monster said to Lin Feibai, "If I call your name, will you dare to answer?"