Chapter 182: A Small Power from a Remote Place

“Did you hear? The Bu Clan in Wubu City has someone from three hundred years ago, a martial artist who’s reached Human Sovereign Peak. He says the martial arts issued by the Heavenly Kings burn lifespan—those who cultivate them live shorter lives, and those who don’t actually live longer. He’s only lived this long because he practiced old martial arts.”

“That’s definitely a rumor. No way someone could live that long. I don’t believe it.”

Someone else chimed in, “I actually think there’s some truth to it. Everyone’s bought pills from the black market or books from the bookstores. Those martial arts manuals came from the Bu Clan, and they’re totally different in approach from the current ones.”

“So what? Maybe someone from the Bu Clan just got a sudden idea and made them up.”

“No, there are too many types of manuals. Doesn’t feel like something one person could have written. It’s more like someone memorized all the old martial arts from three hundred years ago.”

“Even if it’s true, the Heavenly Kings already said the old martial arts lead to bloodthirst and killing. That guy lived this long—who knows how many people he’s killed in secret. He’s probably a murderous demon.”

Another person lowered their voice and said, “No, I’ve secretly practiced some of the martial arts in the books. I didn’t feel any bloodlust.”

As soon as those words came out, the others took several steps back, but seeing their friend didn’t look like the kind of crazed killer the Heavenly Kings described, they slowly stepped closer again.

“Are you out of your mind? Daring to practice martial arts not issued by the Heavenly Kings!”

The friend chuckled, “Couldn’t help it. Seeing a new technique made my hands itch. I wanted to try it out. If something really went wrong, I could just cripple my cultivation in time.”

“So if that’s true, doesn’t it mean the Heavenly Kings were lying?” The friend’s condition was totally different from what the Heavenly Kings had warned about—people began to doubt.

“Nonsense. How could the Heavenly Kings lie to us? Maybe he just hasn’t practiced long enough to show any bloodthirst yet!” Someone insisted the Heavenly Kings were great and couldn’t possibly deceive them.

“Then how do you explain that old monster from the Bu Clan? If everything the Heavenly Kings said was true, the old martial artists should’ve died by thirty, and current martial arts extend life. So how did he live until now?”

“You’re doubting the Heavenly Kings!”

“I’m stating facts!”

“The Heavenly Kings wouldn’t lie to us!”

“Facts don’t lie either!”

The two couldn’t agree and started shouting at each other. The others quickly stepped in to separate them.

This kind of thing was unimaginable before. In the Huan Yu World, the Heavenly Kings were absolute authority—no one ever questioned their words.

Old martial artists were said to be bloodthirsty and short-lived. New martial artists had no such impulse and lived longer.

Three hundred years of belief was shaken in a single month, and the risk of that belief collapsing entirely was growing. The imperial court didn’t dare hesitate and immediately sent three Human Sovereign Peak experts to assassinate Bu Jing.

Of the six Human Sovereign Peaks in the world today, three belonged to the imperial court.

……

Late at night, shadows moved under the cover of darkness, silently surrounding the Bu Clan.

“You’ve come, so why not show yourselves and let this old man see the level of today’s martial artists?” Bu Jing sat cross-legged in the martial training ground, slowly opening his eyes.

A dozen grandmaster-level martial artists stepped out and bowed respectfully with clasped fists. “We mean no harm to the elder. We only wish to ask—”

Bu Jing shook his head, “I wasn’t talking to you.”

Footsteps echoed from the darkness. A man in red official robes, a Human Sovereign Peak, stepped forward slowly. “I thought it was just a rumor. But now that I’ve seen you in person, it’s true—a Human Sovereign Peak who looks like this.”

“Only question is whether this appearance is due to some rare disease, or if this is really what someone looks like after living so long.”

“I don’t want to kill you, elder, but there’s a bug implanted in me by the court. If I disobey, I die. Elder, please accept your fate.”

Before the Heavenly Kings ascended to the Upper Realm, they left methods for the court to control Human Sovereign Peaks—similar to the Gu worms of the Nine Provinces.

Three red-robed Human Sovereign Peaks from the court now stood facing Bu Jing.

Bu Jing had avoided revealing his identity precisely because he feared Qi Kingdom would send assassins. These three may not have lived long, but their combat strength was no different from the Human Sovereign Peaks of the past. He didn’t believe he could win against three of them at once.

But Bu Jing wasn’t afraid at all. He had three powerhouses watching over him—nothing would go wrong.

“First-rank martial officials—three Human Sovereign Peaks!” The dozen grandmaster martial artists quickly retreated away from the Bu Clan.

“Heh, the court didn’t even bother asking questions before ordering a kill. Could it be that this elder really is from three hundred years ago and touched a nerve?” Another Human Sovereign Peak stepped forward.

“That’s Master Lan from the Bihui Pavilion!” one grandmaster exclaimed.

“We’ve only got a few years left to live. Don’t you want to ask the elder how he lived so long?” Yet another Human Sovereign Peak appeared.

These Human Sovereign Peaks were all in their thirties, nearly forty—almost out of time.

“That’s the Lord Qingming of Listening Wind Tower!” the same grandmaster cried again.

“I also want to hear the elder describe what martial arts manuals were like three hundred years ago. The ones we’ve seen probably aren’t complete, right?” Another Human Sovereign Peak appeared. “Elder, would you join me in my humble abode for a chat?”

“What if I refuse?”

“Then I’ll have to resort to other methods.”

“That’s the Recluse Fisher of Fishing Terrace!” the grandmaster gasped again. “There are six Human Sovereign Peaks here!”

The other grandmasters were curious. “Brother, you’re so knowledgeable—you can recognize all of them. We’ve never seen you before. May I ask where you’re from?”

Everyone knew there were three Human Sovereign Peaks not affiliated with the court, but they’d only heard legends—never seen them. For this man to identify them all right away, he had to be a scholar of vast knowledge.

“Dao Sect Master, Bai Hongtu.” The grandmaster introduced himself. “These two are my friends—Jiang Li, Master of the Human Sovereign Hall, and Yu Yin, Empress of the Tianyuan Dynasty.”

“Dao Sect? Human Sovereign Hall? Tianyuan Dynasty?” The grandmasters were confused. They’d never heard of these forces. And with Qi Kingdom being the only nation nowadays, where did this Tianyuan Dynasty even come from?

“We come from a small power in a remote place. It’s normal if you haven’t heard of us.” Jiang Li said with a smile.

“Exactly, exactly. Our place is so poor we couldn’t even find a single martial artist.” Bai Hongtu followed up, and he was actually telling the truth.

“The Tianyuan Dynasty is far from the Qi Kingdom. It’s normal that you’ve never heard of it.” Yu Yin also spoke truthfully.

Hiding far off in the distance, Abu had his Spiritual Platform unlocked by Bai Hongtu. With his enhanced senses, he could clearly hear their conversation. His mouth twitched.

You three really have no shame.

“This place is still a bit too close. To avoid getting caught in the crossfire, we should back up a bit more.” Bai Hongtu suggested.

“We’ll follow your lead, brother.” Human Sovereign Peaks rarely fought. The grandmasters didn’t know what such a battle would look like. Since this knowledgeable Dao Sect Master had advised it, they followed his suggestion.

“This fight will shake the heavens. When buildings collapse, who knows how many from the Bu Clan will be crushed.” someone worried.

“No need to worry. The Bu Clan’s ancestor foresaw this night and already relocated the clan in advance.” Jiang Li said.