The Path of the Martial Arts BOSS

Winter's noon sun lazily shone upon Wanfa Peak, upon two disheartened people, and one with lost memories.

The drifting cold wind brought the figure of the White-haired Daoist. Qing Yu slowly landed on the top of Wanfa Peak, looking towards Tong Hua who was controlled by restrictions, Xuan Shang who was lost in self-talk, and Xuanfeng who still lay there foolishly.

"Elder Xuan Shang, and Elder Ancestor Tong Hua, Qing Yu has come to see you," Qing Yu said with a smile.

"Heh, the future Sect Leader of Zhenwu Sect has come to flaunt power in front of the prisoners?" Tong Jue sneered.

As for Xuan Shang, he was still lost in his own world, sitting on the ground and muttering to himself.

Qing Yu shook his head and said, "Neither of you are prisoners, and prisoners don't have the luxury to leisurely sunbathe like this."

Qing Yu strolled over and pressed a finger to Xuanfeng's forehead.

Initially, to prevent Xuanfeng from causing trouble, Qing Yu had sealed his memories, turning him into a true senile old man. Now that Qing Yu's goal had been achieved, there was no need to keep Xuanfeng sealed.

Even more, Qing Yu might have a use for Xuanfeng in the future.

Xuanfeng was wholly dedicated to the Zhenwu Sect, and as long as it was beneficial for the Sect, he was willing to do it. Many years ago, he had submitted to Xuan Chen for the stability of the Sect; now, he would submit to Qing Yu as well.

He was an excellent pawn, and even if he didn't submit, he could still keep Xuan Zheng and the others company.

As memories began to unfurl, the lifeless eyes of Xuanfeng gradually gained light. The first thing he saw, once his self-awareness had returned, was the figure of the White-haired Daoist.

Then, without hesitation, Xuanfeng gathered all his True Qi and struck towards Qing Yu.

"Roar—"

A White Tiger form flashed across the sky, the Geng Metal Energy striking fiercely against Qing Yu, yet it failed to have any effect.

"You…" Xuanfeng looked incredulously at his own hands, then back at the serene Qing Yu.

His Sea of Consciousness remained at the point before his memories were sealed. Back then, Qing Yu's strength was at the True Pill Realm. The last fragment of Xuanfeng's memory was of his unsuccessful sneak attack on Qing Yu and being subsequently subdued. After that, there was nothing.

"Elder Uncle Xuanfeng," Qing Yu looked down at Xuanfeng, "Did you have a comfortable sleep?"

"Sleep…"

In Xuanfeng's mind, it seemed as though countless fragments flashed by—scenes he had witnessed unconsciously during his time as a senile old man. Among them, the figures of Qing Yu, Xuan Shang, and Xuanzhen appeared most frequently.

He couldn't help but clutch his head, then took another glance at Tong Hua and Xuan Shang nearby, finally realizing that a great deal of time must have passed, perhaps enough for all the dust to settle.

"What has become of Zhenwu Sect?" Xuanfeng asked instinctively.

"Xuan Chen was ambushed outside by someone else, replaced by an imposter. I couldn't bear to watch the Sect fall into the hands of villains, so I righted the wrongs, killed the scoundrel, and now Zhenwu Sect has, more or less, been restored to its rightful state," Qing Yu briefly glossed over the recent events while taking the opportunity to praise himself.

"The Sect Leader is dead? Someone impersonated the Sect Leader…" Xuanfeng fell again into a profound shock, silently muttering to himself in disbelief.

For him, it was just a matter of closing his eyes and then reopening them, and the Zhenwu Sect had already changed dramatically. Such enormous changes were hard even for a master at the True Pill Realm like Xuanfeng to adapt to.

"Qing Yu."

Suddenly, a hoarse voice came from behind. Qing Yu turned around, only to see Xuan Shang now fully alert, looking intently at him.

"Qing Yu, when did you discover Xuanfa's identity?" he asked.

"I wasn't certain he was still alive until the day I returned to Zhenwu Sect and had his coffin opened for examination," Qing Yu replied with a smile, not hiding anything.

"Opened the coffin for examination?" Xuan Shang's brows furrowed deeply, realizing that his understanding of Qing Yu was only superficial.

This junior had no respect for Xuanfa, and to confirm his survival, he didn't hesitate to have the coffin opened. Afterwards, he readily acted to draw out Xuanfa and have him executed.

Xuan Shang felt as if all the words he wanted to say were stuck in his throat, unable to come out. He had intended to ask why master and disciple had drawn swords against each other, why they could be so ruthless. But now, Xuan Shang felt it was only natural.

Of course, these two mentors, both profound strategists and merciless in action, would stop at nothing to achieve their goals. Why bother asking for reasons?

Xuan Shang had not only failed to see through Qing Yu, but he had also failed to understand Xuanfa.

"Elder Uncles, and Elder Ancestor, in February of next year, it will be my turn to succeed as Sect Leader. The three of you should carefully consider your choices. Zhenwu Sect is changing, and from now on, the person steering this great ship is different.

I won't say much, but I can at least guarantee that Zhenwu Sect will be better and stronger than it was under Xuan Chen's control. This ship will not sink under my watch; it will only sail against the wind and keep moving forward."

Having said that, Qing Yu lightly waved his sleeve and left Wanfa Peak.

································

In Daqian, within Six Gates.

Ning Wuming put down the intelligence report he had just received and rubbed his temples absent-mindedly.

"Brother Ning, what's wrong?" Qin Xihai, seeing this, couldn't help but ask with concern.

"Qing Yu defeated Xuan Chen, suppressed the opposing forces within Zhenwu Sect, and will assume the position of Sect Leader next February," Ning Wuming handed the intelligence report to Qin Xihai.

"This…" Qin Xihai briefly scanned the report, disbelieving, "How could he be so powerful?"

"We have always tried to overestimate Qing Yu, yet it seems we have still underestimated him. Now, Qing Yu is like a Hidden Dragon ascending to the heavens, becoming a major figure in the world. With his control over Zhenwu Sect and support from Northern Zhou, he's not someone we can handle if we just want to."

Ning Wuming thought for a moment, then decided, "Put a hold on action against Qing Yu. We don't have the strength to confront him right now."

"But the Shadow King is currently gathering strength. If we don't eliminate Qing Yu, this ally, in advance, he'll be even harder to deal with later," Qin Xihai said.

"Don't worry, Qing Yu is not the kind of person to be Shadow King's pawn; he has his ambitions. Right now, even the Shadow King might not be able to control Qing Yu. Their relationship is not as stable as we thought."

Ning Wuming seemed to hold wisdom in hand; in his words were both the helplessness of not being able to act and powerful confidence, "Qing Yu, ambitious and formerly known as Gong Ziyu, will have enough enemies seeking him out even if we don't make a move. Just watch—this guy who has always been stirring up situations from the shadows, now stepping into the spotlight, who knows how many are watching him?

For now, we should simply watch from the sidelines and wait for an opportune moment."

Qing Yu's strength forced Ning Wuming to temporarily suspend his vendetta, waiting for the right time. And that time, Ning Wuming sensed, would not be far off.