Almost without thinking, the shadowy figure of black mist was about to vanish, but then a light chuckle sounded, and a boundless, immense force suddenly enveloped it, causing the figure to halt abruptly in place. “Knowing this is the method of deceiving Heaven and illusioning the Earth, where did you think you could run to?” As the voice spoke, the shadowy figure of black mist felt strange forces spring into existence out of thin air.

The fierce sun in the sky also seemed to ignite, with wisps of sunlight turning searingly hot, constantly burning away the black mist surrounding him. Initially, the figure still tried to resist, but after only a moment, a heart-wrenching roar erupted.

The black mist was entirely torn open, revealing a thin figure in green robes within, their face ashen and crisscrossed with a scar in the shape of a cross. This further shattered their already ugly features, making them look even more hideous.

“Indeed, it is the Demon Kui Remnant Sword! Already cultivated to the Seventh Level.” Just as the green-robed man’s face showed utter despair, Wei Xu suddenly released all the binding vital energy that held him.

“Rest assured, this venerable one would not stoop to bullying the small! What is your name?” Just as Zong Shou’s mind began to settle, hearing these words, he couldn't help but roll his eyes instantly.

He couldn’t fathom the intentions of this Venerable Master of the Cang Sheng Dao. For the Cang Sheng Dao, with methods similar to the Mi Sect, to speak of righteousness or not bullying the weak was itself extremely peculiar.

The green-robed man was clearly still somewhat disbelieving, looking at Wei Xu cautiously and fearfully. After a moment, realizing he had no room to refuse, he spoke firmly: “A disciple under the Demon Mountain Sect, Kui Qi!” “Kui Qi?

Then do you also have Kui Ba and Kui Jiu?” Wei Xu smiled upon hearing this, and the sun in the sky immediately subsided somewhat, easing the intense heat of the place. His gaze shimmered with a playful light: “I’ll give you a chance.

Today, I will not strike. If you can escape from the sword of my junior brother and reach a hundred li away, then you may leave as you wish.

Naturally, my junior brother’s life is precious, so you must not harm him.” Zong Shou was once again stunned, though the following words did little to improve his mood. Is this a joke?

This person before him, though at the initial pulse of the Heavenly Rank, was still not someone he could handle. Even if he brought out the Night Roaming Realm, even if he used the Fifth Level of the Emperor Wind, or those four sword stances, it would be impossible.

In the Cloud Realm, regardless of whether one is a Martial Cultivator, Spirit Master, or a fierce beast or ghost, the difference between the Sixth and Seventh Ranks is that between earth and heaven. Until his cultivation reaches the Rebirth Stage or the Black Tortoise Grand Master level, he has absolutely no qualification to challenge this Heavenly Rank Martial Ancestor.

To have him fight this person is clearly just letting the other party escape? Suddenly, Zong Shou had a flash of realization.

This Wei Xu, while appearing gentle and upright, like a simple and honest gentleman, might in reality be a madman similar to Zhao Yanran, acting entirely on whim and without constraint. Anyway, people who enter the Cang Sheng Dao, apart from those like Qing Yin whose temperaments are somewhat tolerable, the rest are probably not normal.

Speaking of which, cultivating in brothels and courtesan houses is inherently strange to begin with. Kui Qi was also clearly bewildered, casting a dubious glance toward Zong Shou: “Him?

I don't believe it!” In his heart, however, he was even more astonished: why would this expert, who was at least above the Immortal Realm, call this youth, whose martial arts prowess was at most that of a Second Pulse Innate Martial Master, his junior brother? Could this child be the reincarnation of some fallen mighty being?

“It is him!” Wei Xu nodded, patting Zong Shou’s shoulder again: “Although the reputation of my Cang Sheng Dao is not good, it’s not much better than your Demonic Sects. But have you ever heard that a disciple of the Cang Sheng Dao has ever broken their word?

If you don't believe me, I can swear a heart oath that today I will not lift a single finger against you!” Seeing a glimmer of hope slowly appear in Kui Qi’s eyes, Wei Xu immediately smiled again, the corner of his lip turning exceptionally cold: “Naturally, escaping won't be that easy. Have you ever heard of ‘the fox borrowing the tiger’s might’?

I permit him to borrow my power!” Hearing the phrase ‘the fox borrowing the tiger’s might,’ both Zong Shou’s and Kui Qi’s eyebrows twitched. The latter was first startled, then let out a sneer, and spoke no more, directly turning and fleeing, striding away.

Although he was worried that Zong Shou might be the reincarnation of a fallen expert, he could clearly sense that what these two cultivated were absolutely not the same set of techniques. Their martial intent was also vastly different.

Even if the other was immensely powerful, if he couldn't strike him, what did he have to fear? As for that Crown Prince of Qian Tian Mountain, whether he was a reincarnated powerful figure or supremely talented, with his current meager cultivation, Kui Qi paid him no mind.

With this mysterious expert from the Cang Sheng Dao protecting him, Kui Qi admitted he could no longer harm Zong Shou, so leaving sooner was naturally better; he didn't want to linger a moment longer—that person looked down on his Kui Qi too much! Zong Shou, however, felt a throbbing headache.

Ignoring the receding shadowy figure in the distance, he fell into deep thought. The so-called ‘borrowing the tiger’s might,’ or simply ‘borrowing power,’ meant using another’s might for one’s own use.

This involved merging another person’s martial intent, even their true energy or spirit power, to injure enemies. But unlike borrowing the might of an entire nation or army—where within a nation there are hundreds of millions of people with chaotic thoughts—a monarch doesn't need to concern himself with the details, only grasping that sliver of thought the subjects hold towards their ruler and nation.

It doesn't seek purity or clarity, only strength and breadth! Overwhelming everything into one.

This ‘borrowing power,’ this ‘fox borrowing the tiger’s might,’ hinges on one word: ‘synchronization’! Whether it's the cultivation technique or the martial intent, there must be a foundation to be able to borrow!

And if it's impure or unclean, what use is it even if forcibly borrowed? One of the principles behind the formations in those sects is based on this.

With his hand resting on the hilt of the sword at his waist, Zong Shou tried several times to draw it, only to press it back down again. The anger in his chest still raged fiercely.

Since the Demon Mountain Sect intended to plot against Yi Ren, how could he allow this person to escape before his eyes? But although this ‘borrowing of power’ was different from the monarchical martial arts, the Wei Xu beside him was like a sun suspended in the sky—scorching hot, yet perfectly harmonious.

If he fought someone else, Wei Xu wouldn’t need to act; just standing by would exert immense pressure on the opponent, becoming his ‘might.’ However, this was only comparable to natural elements like weather, wind, terrain, and political authority. If it were only this, it would still be far from enough for him to contend with, let alone kill, a master of the Heavenly Rank Martial Ancestor level.

“Is it the Great Sun Sword Intent?” Zong Shou’s mind remotely sensed the void, clearly perceiving that the sun in the sky was a curved blade circling and revolving, taking on the form of the sun. This Wei Xu clearly intended to guide him, not hindering his visualization of this thing.

However, this was a martial intent he had never comprehended before; though he had superficial contact, he had no basis for reference and had never studied it deeply. Perhaps it was because his accumulation from his previous life’s swordsmanship was deep enough, or perhaps the current intent to draw the sword was too strong, or maybe the ‘Movement’ Heaven Talisman was still taking effect.

At the moment the sword momentum was about to manifest but hadn't, Zong Shou’s consciousness once again entered that mysterious realm. In his mind, there was no self, only a single Great Sun existing alone.

Meanwhile, Kui Qi in the distance had already fled thirty li. The remaining seventy li distance, at his full escape speed, would take only a few breaths.

He immediately let out a cold, sharp laugh: “This agreement today, I, Kui Qi, have won. I ask that Your Excellency keeps your word!

The grievances between my Demon Mountain Sect and your sect, I, Kui Qi, will certainly report to the Demon Venerables for judgment!” His voice carried an inexhaustible tone of mockery. As the sound faded, his entire person seemed to transform into a ball of green light, and his escape speed abruptly increased nearly tenfold!

Wei Xu, who had been expressionless, let out an “Oh,” upon seeing this: “So you’ve mastered the Secret Evasion of the Kui Spirit two stages ahead of schedule. No wonder you have such confidence.

This is not good; this time, I truly overestimated things...” As Zong Shou’s mind was racing, countless streams of consciousness surged like rivers, observing and comprehending the illusion of the Great Sun in his heart. Being interrupted by the voices of these two, he opened his eyes with displeasure.

Only in the next moment did he realize that this was not the time to be comprehending martial intent. The little golden body sank back into the Nine-Scaled Sword, and the soul power within his body began to surge and roil, with wisps rushing into the sword.

Zong Shou himself, however, was recalling what he had just learned. “Great Sun Sword Intent!

The self is the Great Sun, illuminating all directions...” The golden Nine-Scaled Sword leaped into the air before Zong Shou’s thought could fully form. And the sun above his head, at this moment, seemed to split in two.

However, the secondary sun that branched off was faint to the point of being barely visible, and its size had shrunk significantly. Yet, there were still streaks of sunlight shining upon the Nine-Scaled Sword.

Zong Shou’s aura, at this very moment, merged as one with the scorching sun in the sky. Zong Shou was completely immersed, completely unaware.

When his eyes snapped open, his two pupils seemed to hold a sun, dazzling and brilliant. He could barely make out Kui Qi’s silhouette ahead, but Zong Shou didn't care; he only needed his intent to lock onto him.

His hand gripped the sword hilt once more. With killing intent arising, Zong Shou’s entire being transformed into a streak of flowing light, piercing toward fifty li away.

He was several times faster than the green shadow! What is called the Great Sun is the source of light, and this light is inherently the fastest thing in this world.

In mere moments, he had caught up behind Kui Qi. “How is this possible?

You cultivate the Mountain and River Sword Intent, not this! Mountain, River, and Great Sun—they are utterly distinct paths.

How can a person like you exist in this world?” Following the words, Zong Shou’s soul thought could even remotely sense Kui Qi’s instant shock and stern killing intent. Then, in the next moment, countless sword shadows shot through from behind.

Sharp sword shadows sliced and darted through the air, emitting a series of ‘hissing’ sounds. Kui Qi had fled decisively, and when he counter-attacked, he was equally uncompromising and utterly ferocious!

Zong Shou didn't bother to pay attention to them; almost all of his soul perception was focused on a single point. His sword needed only to strike that one point!

“Forty-seven li, kill!” The golden sword light suddenly made a sharp turn and accelerated, piercing resolutely through the dense array of sword shadows, treating the myriad illusions as nothingness. Then, sword energy as fine as light and silk swept and traversed within.

In the next instant, streaks of blood splattered out, and a figure was abruptly sliced into thousands of fragments in the void. Zong Shou suddenly sheathed his sword and turned to look at Wei Xu.

The robed youth across from him also gazed back with a strange expression.