Chapter One: The Blood Maple's Last Rays of Sunshine, The Goddess of Wu Mountain

  Maple leaves are crimson all over the mountain, dancing in the wind, it's already deep autumn.

  On the mountain path, amidst the dense forest, a sea of people from all over the Jianghu region gathered, numbering nearly one hundred. Their faces were weathered and worn, their clothes tattered and frayed. Many had fresh wounds on their bodies and hands, with blood seeping through the white bandages, making them look even more ferocious.

  Although only a dozen people whispered at the moment, the entire mountain waist was also in an uproar. In every pair of eyes, there were inexplicable expressions - excitement, agitation, or longing, eerie? But they all stared motionlessly at the opposite mountain top.

  These people are not ordinary Jianghu figures, from the various colors of the crowd's clothing, Taoist robes and Buddhist shirts, as well as the tattered flags behind them, one can still vaguely make out the words "Shaolin", "Wudang", "Kunlun", "Diancang", "Qingcheng" and "Huashan".

  Heroes of the world, having fallen to this point, gather here, what is the purpose?

  On the opposite mountain top, it is the holy land of Shu Mountain, the highest peak of Emei, Jinding. Now it's bathed in autumn sunshine, quiet and soundless!

  Under the morning sunlight, on top of a precipice, there stood a middle-aged man in a green robe. His black hair was blown back by an invisible wind, and his spirit and grandeur were evident, as if even his eyebrows were standing upright, with an air of arrogance that seemed unmatched in the world.

  His face was like a green jade, with a slight mustache, but still couldn't tell his age, thin and firm lips, stubbornly pursed, now without a hint of blood color.

  But undoubtedly, he can be considered the most charming man in Jianghu, because his eyes are more sorrowful than the blue sky and deeper than the ocean. That should be the most romantic starry eyes in the world! Now it's just a cold and stern gaze, concentrating one's attention, with a murderous intention, emanating from his eyes and staring straight ahead.

  In his left hand, he tightly grasped a long sword. The sword, merely being held like that, yet brought about an eerie and chilling aura in the sky, extending far beyond three feet in all directions. This sword was by no means ordinary! Its body was three feet three inches long, with a glossy black surface. Under the sunlight, it emitted a strange and mysterious color, always ready to follow its master's command and unleash a heaven-shocking strike!

  But the middle-aged man in green robes didn't move at all, facing him with a gaze that made him so apprehensive was actually a woman.

  The woman simply sat on the ground three zhang away from him, her eyes fixed motionless, as if she was playing with the sword in her hand. All other things seemed to have nothing to do with her, and it seemed that her whole body had no defense at all, leaving openings everywhere. However, the man in blue understood that once he launched a sword attack on her, those openings that seemed to be everywhere would become the most dangerous and unpredictable whirlpools in the world.

  This woman, if there is truly a face in the world that can make men willing to live and die for her at first sight, then it must be hers; if there is a pair of eyes in the world that can make men unforgettable and infatuated after seeing them, then they are hers. She simply sits there casually, but under the heavens, there isn't anyone who can describe her elegance, because her extraordinary beauty is not something that ordinary people have the fortune to see or describe.

  It's already dawn, and a gentle breeze is rising on the mountain top. The sound of maple leaves rustling in the wind can be heard from the middle of the mountain, where the fallen leaves are dancing in the air, marking another desolate season.

  Among the crowd on the mountain, people were still looking up at the top of the mountain with great enthusiasm, not daring to slack off in the slightest, for fear of missing any changes in the scene. In front of the crowd, the masters of various sects were even more focused, looking up intently, and the two leaders were none other than the famous Shaolin Master Ruo Shui and Wudang Master Qing Tian, who were both sweating profusely on their foreheads despite the cool autumn morning!

  On the mountain peak, only two people's clothes were fluttering in the wind, bringing up two breaths of air. One was like a murderous aura that filled the sky, and the other was like a warm spring breeze, both emitting an air of elegance, spreading freely between heaven and earth.

  After a long time, he finally moved, and the fingers of his left hand holding the sword moved slightly. His finger bones were evenly spaced, white and slender, with prominent joints, even his fingernails were neat and clean, without any impurities. Only such hands could match such a sword!

  Under the vast sky, there is only one person whose left hand wields a sword. His left hand is the most famous left hand in the world!

  She saw his fingers move slightly and finally spoke up, saying: "Mr. West Building, this night is three points more dangerous than yesterday's daytime!"

  As soon as her voice came out, the white clouds in the sky seemed to start smiling for her. If there is a voice in the world that makes people willing to "hear it in the morning and die in the evening", it is probably her voice. The sacred mountain of Emei, with its mountains full of cloud-like birds, also can't compare to her charm.

  As expected, although she seemed to be unaware of the whispers around her, this tiny movement could not escape her sharp eyes!

  This man in a green robe is none other than the current famous master of the demonic sect, Leng Xilou. She calls him "Mr. Xilou", showing great politeness and respect, as if they know each other. But why would these two people engage in such an earth-shaking duel at the sacred place of Mount Emei?

  She, who is she?

  Leng Xilou nodded, but understood that her words were not empty. He said: "The Goddess's words are not wrong, yesterday you and I fought with swords for a day, it was indeed perilous, but compared to the silent confrontation between us last night, it is really far inferior!" Who can be called 'Goddess' by the leader of the Demon Sect? It turned out that the two of them had already been fighting for a day and a night!

  The goddess nodded, and before she could speak, Leng Xilou continued: "Unfortunately, the mortals at the foot of the mountain will be greatly disappointed by what happened between us last night!"

  The goddess sighed and said, "Yes, how did they know? Although we had a fierce battle of over a thousand rounds yesterday, it was indeed perilous. In the evening, fighting in the fading sunlight was truly wonderful, but it was deliberately showing off worldly skills. However, last night's match was the most brilliant one, like a snowy year with life!"

  She calls herself "Like Snow", naturally it is her name, matching her skin as white as snow, heavenly face and figure, truly a name that suits her.

  She smiled, saying: "Mr. Xi Lou's one-night defense was impenetrable, and his high morale attack throughout the night is unmatched; I'd say he's the best in the world!"

  Leng Xilou also smiled bitterly: "It's rare for the goddess to praise you, but aren't you the same? For a whole night, you deliberately revealed 109 openings, luring me into attacking, and I almost fell for it 109 times, dying 109 times!"

  "But in the end, Mr. Xi Lou was not deceived even once. Since Mr. Xi Lou is unscathed tonight, it seems that we can only continue our battle from last time today!" The goddess-like woman said this and seemed to shake her head slightly.

  "Not bad, it seems that in this battle, only one of us can live to leave the mountain!" Cold West Building said, and with a light hum, his body shot out, the black sword in his hand shining brightly, like an autumn water arc, stabbing straight out.

  His move seemed like an ordinary technique, but the smile on the goddess's face completely disappeared. Before Cold West Building's sword approached, her hand had already met it with a counterattack. The distinction between upper and lower hands was truly like a national chess game, not giving in by even an inch, competing for priority. The two people's sword momentum had already merged into one entity.

  The Devil's Cult "Gods and ghosts are unpredictable, thirty-six lightning swords" is not an ordinary sword technique. How can it be that the number one master of the evil path, Mo Xi Lou, the leader of the Devil's Cult, uses it, who in the world dares to underestimate?

  The people below were all taking a deep breath! Comments and discussions started, the two men on the mountain used the most extraordinary moves in the world today, everyone watched with rapt attention.

  After a while, the two people on the mountain suddenly parted ways. Among the thirty-six swords, the two of them were unexpectedly evenly matched.

  This time, however, the two had changed places. Cold West Building stood firmly on the ground at the highest point, unmoving; while the goddess floated gently down and landed on the giant rock where Cold West Building had previously stood. Her ethereal quality made people dare not look up to her, suspecting that she was a celestial maiden from the Thirty-Third Heaven come to earth!

  "Ah, I see. Yesterday, I was actually blind and didn't recognize the sword in the goddess's hand as the legendary Heaven's First Sword, Tianxuan Hundun Ancient Sword! It's said to be a masterpiece forged by heaven and man together since the time of Emperor Huangdi!" Cold West Building sighed and said.

  The goddess slightly lowered her head, looked at the sword in her hand and smiled: "Not bad, Tianxuan Shengmu, Hunyuan Jingxue, Xuan Yuan period cast Tianxuan Hunyuan ancient sword. I was overjoyed when I got this sword decades ago! This sword has been used only twice in more than 30 years, and I didn't expect that the third time would be against Mr. West Building!"

  Tianxuan Divine Wood, universal under the heavens, among the Five Elements, wood is the first divine weapon. And Hundun, an ancient and notorious ferocious beast. This Tianxuan Hundun ancient sword was actually forged from these two divine objects during the Xuan Yuan era, it's unimaginable how mysterious it must be.

  Leng Xilou also lowered his head after hearing this, and only then said: "Actually, I should have thought of it earlier. You're the one who made an appointment with me to duel at the summit of Emei today. In today's world, there's no one else but you!"

  He seemed to recall many things, and hummed softly: "In the past, it was difficult for the vast ocean to be just water, and except for the Wu Mountain, there were no clouds!" He raised his head again, and a sharp light shot out of his eyes like lightning: "The goddess of Wu Mountain is as white as snow in the evening, who in the world can withstand my Kanhua ancient sword, besides you, who else can match?"

  This woman was Wu Shan's Goddess of Snow, the number one orthodox master in the world today. She listened to Leng Xi Lou finish speaking, let out a sigh, but didn't say anything.

  "And in my hand, the ancient sword of Kan Yang, forged by the greatest swordsmith Ou Yezi with heart and soul, tempered for seven years, was finally complete! On the day the sword was completed, heaven and earth shook, gods and men were outraged!" Cold West Building looked at his beloved sword and continued: "This sword defies the will of heaven, cultivates the way of man, has been passed down for hundreds of years, until it fell into my Holy Church's hands, becoming the holy sword of the church! The sacred fire will not be extinguished, the world will not perish!"

  "Wrong, besides Ruxue, there's him! However, his friendly intentions towards you are as clear as day and night!" Muru Xue suddenly said, just mentioning 'him', her face turned red, seemingly with a rare shy heart, and didn't seem to care much about what Cold West Building said about the ancient sword. She continued: "But he's someone who would never duel with you no matter what! That's why I didn't sign my name on the duel notice either, naturally it was because I was afraid you'd misunderstand him!"

  However, in the jianghu, a storm is brewing without any wind! The crowd on the mountain naturally heard that Wushan Yunyu Palace wants to have a decisive battle with our Holy Sect, and they all want to take this opportunity to wipe out my Holy Sect. Therefore, I didn't bring even one of the top ten elders of our sect, because I don't believe in their so-called noble families! In fact, when it comes to outnumbering and ambushing, that's their specialty!

  Leng Xilou sneered coldly and continued: "On the other hand, I deeply trust the character of the Goddess and his people!"

  Who is 'he' in these two mouths?

  Mozhen Xue didn't get excited because of being praised by Leng Xi Lou, but instead said in a low voice: "Brother Xi Lou, your 'Destruction of Heaven and Earth, Nine Styles of the Residual Sky' is probably far beyond what the previous head of the noble school could achieve. With the advantage of having obtained the Kan You Gu Jian, you can roam freely across the land, your martial arts skills have already reached the pinnacle, and you are only focused on cultivating the Tao to refine your true self, comprehending the limits of human physical abilities and breaking through the barriers of martial arts. Why not be content? You used to live a carefree life on the First Heaven Sacred Butterfly Island in the Eastern Sea, so why do you want to make an enemy of the entire world and the Central Plains martial arts community this time?"

  She saw Leng Xilou and thought of the past, naturally also feeling a lot. She and her husband had long been familiar with each other in terms of martial arts, understanding the Tao, and cultivating their true selves, often pointing out and verifying things for each other. Last year, they had even practiced yin-yang together on the East Sea, researched heaven and earth, and refined Daoist artifacts, all with Leng Xilou as a close friend. This one phrase "Brother Xilou" was full of sincerity, how could it be said casually?

  Leng Xilou sneered, saying: "Hmph, wasn't it originally like this? The Goddess also knows that I usually only live freely on the island and don't interfere with many affairs in the sect. It's just that after seeing the 'Luo Book', 'Xuan Ming', 'Bao Yuan' and other precious Taoist classics, which are not ordinary products of the world, one must diligently study and research, concentrate on understanding the Way and cultivating the truth, without bothering with worldly troubles. However, this time it is unavoidable to take action!"

  As the snow fell lightly, she seemed to be in agreement with Leng Xilou's words. In fact, they had a deep understanding of each other, having studied and practiced Taoist mysticism together, transcending human limitations. She let him continue, listening as he went on: "My Holy Sect has shed blood for the sake of driving out the Tartars and reclaiming the Central Plains' rivers and mountains. But this Ming dynasty, no sooner had it been established than the emperor issued an edict canceling our sect and slaughtering our followers. As the leader of the sect, how could I not take action?"

  Although he has long since become a high-ranking official, and is about to reach the state of "ancient well without ripples", now when speaking of this matter, he still cannot help but feel indignant, so what he says is not empty words!

  After a long time, Mu Ru Xue finally said: "These things, actually, how could I not know? Brother Xi Lou is the most knowledgeable and intimate friend among the people of this generation. How could I not know your character? In those years, you were not moved by the struggle for the Central Plains, the expulsion of the Tartars, or the contention for the world. This time, it's naturally not for your personal affairs, but for the sake of your millions of followers. It's also not your fault!"

  Then she suddenly raised her head and said solemnly, "However, you shouldn't have assassinated the new emperor of the Great Ming Dynasty. At this time when the world is about to be at peace after more than a hundred years of turmoil, it's exactly the opportunity for the prosperity of the Ming ruler. Brother Xi Lou has always been studying the mysterious and profound principles of heaven, how can you not know that under the snowy sky?"

  Leng Xilou smiled wryly and said, "How could I not know? Those who follow the will of heaven live, those who go against the will of heaven perish! The Tao has long since made it clear: the great Tao is formless, giving birth to heaven and earth; the great Tao is emotionless, operating the sun and moon; the great Tao is nameless, nourishing all things. I should follow the will of heaven in my actions, but alas, can the Son of Heaven have even a little bit of compassion for my followers? I too cannot bear it, so I must go..."

  As the snow fell on the giant stone, without waiting for him to finish saying the words "assassinate the Holy One", he took a step forward and said: "Alas, it is also the will of heaven. If not two months ago, the leaders of the seven major sects, including Shaolin and Wudang, were in the capital discussing with the Holy One what the future of the Jianghu would be like, if they had not protected him, I fear that this hard-won new world, after more than a hundred years of chaos, would no longer exist!"

  "Haha, if I hadn't seen him and a few others fighting with all their might, my heart would have pitied them and I wouldn't have been able to bear killing them. How could they have escaped my hands? If it were a one-on-one fight, how could they have defeated me in ten moves? If not for their numerical superiority, how could they have protected that ruthless and cold-blooded tyrant?" Leng Xilou's words were utterly disdainful of the leaders of the Seven Great Martial Arts Schools, including Shaolin and Wudang. How arrogant!

  However, Mu Ruo Xue knew that his words were not false and said: "But you and the elders of your noble sect also killed more than a dozen first-generation masters of various schools, let alone second-generation disciples. Naturally, all major schools will unite to pursue and kill you with all their might!"

  "Hmph, these two months!" Leng Xilou sneered: "They unite but have different intentions! Each sect leader's martial arts cultivation has not yet reached the pinnacle of humanity; Buddhist and Taoist sects' profound and mysterious great methods of cultivation have not even entered the door. Those with real power are hiding in their own mountains, protecting their teachings. If the seven old men of Shaolin Temple's Damo Hall were to come out and set up the 'Vajra Demon-Subduing Array', or if the four great protectors of Wudang were to join forces and operate the Taoist 'Seven-Star Flying Dragon Array', then it would be far from being a match for me! Unfortunately, they all have their own selfish calculations, which is why I can defeat them one by one!"

  As the dusk fell like snow, he thought of the various major sects in Jianghu and sighed, saying: "This is not their fault. Over the past few decades, for the sake of the great cause of expelling the Tartars and recovering the Central Plains, many masters from each sect have been killed or wounded, and their vitality has been severely damaged. As a result, the current generation of sect leaders do not possess profound martial arts skills, and even fewer are skilled in the study of Taoism. However, like snow, he observed that among the young disciples of each sect, Wudang, Kunlun, and... Mount Emei, there were exceptionally talented and gifted students who, with time, would definitely be able to cultivate into masters of profound and mysterious Taoist skills, shouldering the great responsibility of the martial arts world.

  "It's a pity that when they grow up, they will only be a pile of white bones!" Leng Xilou sighed after a long silence.

  "But he said, 'The disciples under Brother Xilou's door are all dragons and phoenixes among men!' What he says must be true!" As soon as Muxue mentioned him, her eyes were filled with tender feelings.

  The 'he' in these two mouths appears again and again, seemingly more mysterious, who is it?

  Leng Xilou burst out laughing and said: "Not bad, he has never been wrong before, this prophecy is naturally accurate too!"

  At dusk, like snow, seeing Cold West Building also in his mind his own children and grandchildren, he again advised: "Cold West Building brother, your door under the children are excellent, others envy, why not bring them hidden in the mountains and rivers, carefree for a hundred years? If you have something to do, how will they survive?"

  She spoke with reason, and even the cold West Building had to bow his head in contemplation for a while. Finally, he still smiled and said: "This point doesn't require the Goddess's concern, I have already arranged them properly! My East Sea Xiantian Shengdie Island is mysterious and unparalleled, relying on these orthodox martial artists, it's impossible to attack! Moreover, now is the time when Taoism disappears and magic rises, such an excellent opportunity is also the best time for my Holy Church to make a name for itself in the world and save people from water and fire!"

  Mozhenxue sighed again and said: "Therefore, in these two months, the Jianghu has been given to Xilou brother's gift, and the ten great elders of the noble sect have come together to push the bloody atmosphere of Jianghu to its peak. My husband and I have known Xilou for many years, and even I, like snow, cannot help but take action!"

  Leng Xilou was silent for a moment before asking slowly: "He... what did he say?"

  Mozhen Snow bowed his head and didn't speak for a long time before saying: "He was observing the night sky last night, just sighing!"

  "He deeply understood the will of heaven, knowing that this was a battle between good and evil that could not be avoided, which is why he did not stop you from coming!" Leng Xilou lowered his head, furrowed his brow, and finally spoke after a long time.

  He let out a long sigh and said, "The Yunyu Palace of Wushan is so carefree, it has long since stopped caring about worldly affairs. In martial arts, it has reached the pinnacle, and has already reached the point where one can cultivate their true self at will. The Taoist sect's mysterious and profound teachings are orthodox, and are on a completely different level from the seven major schools of Jianghu. Why would the Goddess need to sully her shoes and stockings by descending into this mundane world?"

  Mozhen Xue couldn't help but smile slightly and said, "Brother Xi Lou is overpraising me. If it weren't for the seven major sects sending people to kneel at the foot of my Wu Mountain every day and night for the past two months, crying out loud and filling the mountain with their wails, making it impossible for me to cultivate as usual on my sacred mountain, why would I have to get involved in this muddy water?"

  She paused, looking steadily at the pair of eyes in front of her, and said sincerely: "I promise Brother Xi Lou that as long as Brother Xi Lou and your sect withdraw from the Central Plains, today's emperor will definitely grant a noble title to your sect. From then on, we'll coexist peacefully like well water not invading river water, how about it?"

  The Goddess of Wushan is as white as snow at dusk. She is the number one master of the orthodox school in the world. What she says must be a word that can move nine Tripods!

  Leng Xilou naturally believed her words, although he was usually proud, but since it concerned the future of a sect, with great responsibility, he lowered his head and thought deeply for a long time. Suddenly, he raised his head and said: "Thank you, Goddess, but there's no need to be like this!"

  He had a mind to refuse, took two steps forward and said: "The hearts of the tens of thousands of disciples are all on my body. Today, right and evil, you and I will have only one battle to decide!"

  The dusk is like snow, and then there is silence all around, without another word being spoken.

  "Moreover, I've long heard him boast about you, saying that your skills are the best in the world, and that the profound and mysterious Taoist methods are unmatched in this generation. Now is a good opportunity for me to learn from you! Be careful, Goddess!" Cold West Building said slowly, which was also one of his main reasons for wanting to fight her.

  The people below saw that the two of them were standing far apart, and just as they were getting impatient, the situation on the mountain changed again in an instant!