The Path of the Martial Arts BOSS

Zen Monk Wunian died.

When Wunian arrived, he had not concealed his tracks. Soldiers like Kuang San, who guarded the city, could not recognize him, but those in the worldly society with a bit of insight and channels of information all knew that Wunian had entered the Northern Zhou Imperial Palace alone.

Then, the news of his death was spread.

The message spread throughout the region, north and south of the great river. Within seven days, everyone in the world knew that the top position on the Martial Arts Rankings was vacant.

Even more shocking than the news of Wunian's death was that the killer was Qing Yu, ranked tenth on the Martial Arts Rankings, known as a practitioner of the Demon Path.

This lesser-known Taoist had killed Zen Monk Wunian, who stood at the very forefront.

This time, Qing Yu truly entered the vision of everyone, becoming known to the people of the world.

Wunian had held the top position on the Martial Arts Rankings for more than thirty years, and many thought he would remain there until he ascended to Divinity or died of old age.

What they had never considered was that Wunian would die at the hands of another martial artist of the same Realm, especially not seven days before his supposed Nirvana.

As a result, many powers began to gather information on the Taoist who had been at the bottom of the Martial Arts Rankings, to understand his past.

Within the Zhenwu Sect.

Xuan Shang put away the letter in his hand and said with a wry smile, "I never thought that Qing Yu would actually kill Wunian of the Dharma Temple. Had it not been for this letter, I would have truly feared that one day the experts from Dharma Temple would come seeking vengeance. Does he not know Wunian's status in the Dharma Temple?"

Wunian was the junior brother of the current abbot of the Dharma Temple. However, this status was secondary; what was truly important was that he was on the verge of Ascending to God.

Just seven days, and Wunian would have undergone Nirvana, with a not insignificant chance of success. Such an imminent Divinity Realm warrior had perished, which would drive any power to madness.

Had not Qing Yu sent a letter to the Dharma Temple, explaining the cause and effect of Wunian's quest for vengeance, the experts from Dharma Temple might already have paid a visit.

In the end, one must still thank the Great Zen Temple. Without their formidable deterrent power causing the Dharma Temple to be cautious, fearing a calculation from the Great Zen Temple, Qing Yu would now have to find another place to hide.

Of course, the fact that they were not seeking vengeance now did not mean that the grudge was put aside. Given the chance, Dharma Temple would not mind delivering Qing Yu a deadly blow.

"Qing Yu wrote in his letter that he has made progress. How about you, Sister?" Xuan Shang looked expectantly at Xuanzhen.

"It should be fast as well," Xuanzhen said indifferently.

At this moment, Xuanzhen's aura was at times ethereal and at times solid, with the Qi Mechanism changing unpredictably, like myriad transformations, elusive to grasp.

"It's fast, it's fast, just lacking that one opportunity."

"That's good," Xuan Shang sighed with relief, "as long as you can hold out until your ascension to Divinity, the end of Xuan Chen would be upon us."

However, Xuanzhen was not so optimistic, "Xuan Chen has decided to hold the Seven Peaks decision in half a month. At that time, I will participate through array projection and hope not to be seen through by Xuan Chen."

Her current fluctuating Qi Mechanism would not escape notice. If she were to attend in her true body, there was a high chance that Xuan Chen would see through her. Whether it would alert the enemy or cause Xuan Chen to act directly, Xuanzhen could not foresee.

"Damn it, how could Xuan Chen's injuries heal so quickly!" Xuan Shang felt irritation at this thought.

The Seven Peaks decision was to determine whether Xuan Shang would assume the position of Peak Master of Wanfa Peak or not. It was supposed to be decided last year but was postponed due to the Debating Conference being called by Xuan Chen.

But after the Debating Conference ended, Xuan Chen and his company were ambushed on their way back, suffering serious injuries. Thus, the Seven Peaks decision was delayed once again.

Now, at this crucial time, Xuan Chen was initiating the Seven Peaks decision again.

What was originally meant for Xuan Shang to become Peak Master and further threaten Xuan Chen could now potentially reveal Xuanzhen's condition. Xuan Shang felt as if he had lifted a rock only to smash his own feet.

"If possible, hide it as best as you can. If not, I shall go into hiding myself. Raising Xuan Chen's guard is better than letting him find out my condition," Xuanzhen said resignedly.

"During this time, you must not show any flaws either. Keep in normal contact with Xuan Yin and Xuan Xu. Both of them are under significant suspicion; don't give them any reason to doubt."

"Junior Brother understands," Xuan Shang nodded.

Now that it had come to a critical moment, any slight oversight could lead to a complete loss. Although Xuan Shang was anxious internally, he could not show any flaw on the surface.

"Sister, I have been thinking about Senior Brother Xuanfa..."

"Hm?" Xuanzhen seemed puzzled.

"Why did he try to seize the Zhenwu Sword and force a coup that year? Given a bit more time, he was very likely to have his name cleared. Why didn't he have that bit of time?

Was it because Senior Brother Xuanfa couldn't wait to clear his name? Or was there someone causing trouble within the Zhenwu Sect?"

As Xuan Shang recalled and spoke, his expression was complex, and his brows deeply furrowed.

The so-called troublemaker was not broadly aimed at the entire Zhenwu Sect but specifically at the Zhenwu Three Elders in the forbidden area behind the mountain.

That year, the previous Sect Leader Master Tongxuan suddenly deviated from the Dao and left this world, leaving the position of Sect Leader undecided. This led to the subsequent struggle between Xuanfa and Xuan Chen.

And the arbitrators of the Sect Leader's altercation at the time were the Zhenwu Three Elders from the forbidden area behind the mountain.

"I also find it puzzling. But so many years have passed, and any possible clues have been severed. Even now, if you wished to find the truth, you would not be able to," Xuanzhen said.

After Xuan Chen became Sect Leader, he began to erase all traces of Xuanfa. Now, there were virtually no clues left.

"Let's drop it then," Xuan Shang sighed, "At this critical juncture, my thoughts are in disarray, unintentionally reverting to the past.

Back then, we were close as a family, and now we've become like this. It is truly lamentable…"

In the dark secret room, an intricate Array Plate radiated faint light, its rotation clockwise.

Above the Array Plate, the figure wearing a black robe showed only the upper half of the body, its voice obscured as if coming from a dark, covered face.

"Qing Yu has killed Wunian, his Realm undoubtedly at the Peak of the True Pill Realm. Considering his pace of advancement, it's very likely that he could become one of the Divinity Realm members in a short time. How should we face him then?"

The cloaked figure said with a taunting smile.

"If even Qing Yu cannot be dealt with, that would prove I am nothing more. When the time comes, you can go and ally with Qing Yu," another voice spoke within the secret room.

"There's no need for you to tell me that. I've been waiting to see the outcome between you two, to see who survives," the cloaked figure laughed lightly, "The victor must be me."

Within the darkness, a palm force shattered the figure on the Array Plate.