Chapter Forty: The Sect of Seven Deadly Arts

Qi Fei activated the “Blood Shadow Escape” technique, and with the surge of potent worldly energy, his figure transformed into flickering remnants, darting through the bamboo forest like a phantom. In the past, whenever he deployed this demonic technique, eerie crimson lights would flash across his body, and the sudden burst of Blood Shadow Escape would be accompanied by a sinister and chilling aura unique to the ways of the demonic sects.

After two days of arduous cultivation, Qi Fei not only mastered this Heart Demon Sect’s mystical art, but, relying on the spiritual treasure jade that had imbued him with abundant worldly energy and the supernatural power of the Lingxi Technique, he finally managed to conceal all traces of the sinister aura that the demonic technique contained.

Inspired, Qi Fei could not help but launch a heavy punch while utilizing the Blood Shadow Escape to move. Instantly, a sharp, whistling sound ripped through the air. His figure suddenly appeared at the edge of the bamboo grove, channeling the fierce power of the Eight-Armed Wind and Thunder Fist into a domineering blast of force.

With a thunderous roar, the aggressive fist wind swept through, shattering the green bamboo before him in rapid succession; with a single blow, Qi Fei destroyed a small patch of the bamboo forest.

Ordinary cultivators, when shifting between true qi and true essence within, could never simultaneously employ martial arts and mystical sect techniques. Thanks to the spiritual treasure jade, Qi Fei had long since merged his martial true qi and mystical true essence into one, and now, when he wielded his internal worldly energy to perform the Blood Shadow Escape, it was no less than the ultimate martial movement technique, and could blend seamlessly with the formidable, domineering supreme fist arts.

Comprehending the marvels of the Blood Shadow Escape, Qi Fei was overjoyed. Now, having reached the fifth tier of martial cultivation with internal energy projected outward, and possessing both the mystical spirit and abundant worldly energy, he knew that once he mastered both righteous and demonic supreme arts, even the Xuanxin Sword Sect would find him a worthy challenger.

After several more hours of cultivation in the bamboo forest, Qi Fei finally integrated the Blood Shadow Escape completely into the essence of his martial fist arts. At that moment, hurried footsteps sounded outside the bamboo grove. Qi Fei turned to look—it was his master and Elder Sun entering the forest.

Seeing Mo Zhanpeng and Elder Sun with furrowed brows and worried faces, Qi Fei secretly wondered if trouble had once again arisen in the sect’s outer court.

“Master, Elder Sun,” Qi Fei greeted, his curious gaze revealing his inquiry.

Mo Zhanpeng was about to recount the events of their recent journey to Moonwatch Peak when he gazed at Qi Fei and could not help but show a look of astonishment. Qi Fei had not concealed his cultivation with the Lingxi Technique, and despite Mo Zhanpeng’s own fourth tier martial cultivation, he could not fathom Qi Fei’s depth.

Mo Zhanpeng sighed inwardly, thinking Qi Fei was truly unfathomable—his previously revealed third tier martial cultivation had clearly been concealed.

Steadying himself, Mo Zhanpeng said, “Qi Fei, two days ago, under cover of night, I led several disciples, evading the thieves from Xuan Zhen Temple outside the valley, and reached Moonwatch Peak, where the Seven Absolute Sect resides.”

Qi Fei, noting the worried expressions of his master and Elder Sun, surmised that trouble must have arisen during their visit to Moonwatch Peak, and asked, “Master, did you meet the leader of the Seven Absolute Sect?”

Mo Zhanpeng sighed. “I did meet Sima Yan, the leader of the Seven Absolute Sect, but no matter how much I pleaded, he remained unmoved.”

Qi Fei glanced at Elder Sun, then turned to Mo Zhanpeng. “Master, did you promise Sima Yan that, should the Seven Absolute Sect aid us, once we reclaim the sect leader’s position in the outer court, we would offer them our sect’s refined pills?”

Mo Zhanpeng shook his head with a bitter smile. “Of course I mentioned it, but Sima Yan flatly refused, stating that the Seven Absolute Sect had no wish to involve themselves in the matters of Qingyang Peak.”

Elder Sun sighed deeply. “Without the Seven Absolute Sect’s assistance, our chances of contending with Xuan Zhen Temple and Yang Zheng for the sect leader’s position at Qingyang Peak are slim.”

Now that Qi Fei had cultivated the mystical spirit and achieved profound martial prowess, though he had no intention of lingering long at Cangyun Mountain, he could not bear to see his master and Elder Sun—who had shown him kindness—suffer a tragic fate at Qingyang Peak.

Having merged his martial true qi and mystical true essence, and achieved unparalleled worldly energy, Qi Fei’s mindset had subtly shifted. He understood that without the life-and-death struggle beneath the Cliff of Reflection, it would be difficult to break through the barriers of martial cultivation in the future.

After much deliberation, Qi Fei resolutely made a decision: to personally visit the Seven Absolute Sect and meet the top martial experts of Cangyun Mountain.

Once his resolve was set, a faint smile appeared on Qi Fei’s face. Unconsciously, Mo Zhanpeng and Elder Sun, who now regarded Qi Fei—whose cultivation was unfathomable—as their pillar, felt their hearts lighten upon seeing his smile.

“Qi Fei, have you thought of a solution?”

Qi Fei replied slowly, “The outer court stands alone and weak. Yang Zheng, backed by Xuan Zhen Temple, is far beyond our ability to compete. Since Sima Yan refuses to help, why not present the Seven Absolute Sect with a grand gift?”

Mo Zhanpeng and Elder Sun exchanged puzzled glances, unable to grasp Qi Fei’s meaning.

Qi Fei turned and asked, “Elder Sun, do you still have the Xuan Zhen Temple’s communication talisman with you?”

Elder Sun shuddered at his words, exclaiming, “Do you intend to use the talisman to provoke a conflict between the Seven Absolute Sect and Xuan Zhen Temple?”

Qi Fei smiled calmly, appearing confident. “Precisely. The Seven Absolute Sect wants to stand by and profit from others’ strife. We cannot let them have their way.”

Mo Zhanpeng rejoiced, quickly saying, “An excellent plan! If we attack the Seven Absolute Sect disciples at Moonwatch Peak and then shatter this communication talisman, it will surely provoke enmity between Xuan Zhen Temple and the Seven Absolute Sect.”

Elder Sun hesitated, taking the talisman from his bosom and shaking his head. “We all thought that promising refined pills would secure their help, but Sima Yan is shrewd and unmoved. Now, trying to use this talisman to stir conflict between the sects may not be so easy.”

Qi Fei, hearing Elder Sun’s words, immediately set aside his initial confidence. His thoughts shifted and he asked, “When I was an herb-gathering boy in the outer court, I often heard of the Seven Absolute Sect’s fame. Do you know what treasure they value most at Moonwatch Peak?”

Although unsure why Qi Fei asked, Elder Sun pondered before answering, “It’s said the most prized possession in the Seven Absolute Sect is a martial manual called ‘The Creation Martial Classic’ stored in their library. The sect’s seven supreme martial arts are all derived from this manual. Why do you ask? Do you intend to steal it and frame Xuan Zhen Temple?”

Before Qi Fei could respond, Elder Sun shook his head. “Absolutely not. The Creation Martial Classic is the sect’s greatest treasure, and the library at Moonwatch Peak is surely guarded by experts. Even if you manage to steal it, framing Xuan Zhen Temple would be difficult. Have you forgotten that Xuan Zhen Temple is a Daoist sect? Why would they steal a martial manual? Such a scheme is far too implausible.”

Mo Zhanpeng also disagreed with Qi Fei’s risky plan, speaking gravely, “Elder Sun is right. Zhang Xuzhong was merely a pawn of Xuan Zhen Temple. Even though the temple does not yet know he has been eliminated, even if you shatter the talisman in the Seven Absolute Sect, they will not rush to Moonwatch Peak to help.”

Qi Fei, already having a plan in mind, replied calmly, “Master and Elder Sun’s concerns are valid. Stealing the Creation Martial Classic is no easy task. However, all I need to do is leave the Xuan Zhen Temple talisman at Moonwatch Peak and then set a fire in the Seven Absolute Sect’s headquarters. This will surely throw the sect into chaos. Two tigers cannot share one mountain; grudges surely exist between disciples of the two sects. Even if Sima Yan knows it was not Xuan Zhen Temple’s doing, he will have to vent his disciples’ anger by blaming them.”

Qi Fei paused, then continued, “Master once taught me that the path of martial cultivation is not merely about secluded training, but more importantly about the revelations gained in life-and-death combat. Now that my cultivation has reached new heights, the Seven Absolute Sect—renowned for its martial prowess at Cangyun Mountain—is the perfect place for me to test myself.”

Elder Sun sighed. “Qi Fei, though your martial skills are unfathomable and you have cultivated the mystical spirit, making you the sect’s foremost expert, the Seven Absolute Sect is far greater than you imagine. Sima Yan’s own martial cultivation has reached the innate realm. Even if you infiltrate Moonwatch Peak and throw the sect into disorder, how will you escape unscathed afterward?”

“Elder Sun need not worry. In recent days I have mastered a mystical technique that allows me to escape a hundred yards in an instant.”

As Qi Fei finished speaking, the Blood Shadow Escape and Lingxi Technique erupted, and in the next moment, his figure became a strange shadow and vanished from Mo Zhanpeng and Elder Sun’s sight.

From outside the bamboo grove, Qi Fei’s laughter echoed, “Master, Elder Sun, what do you think?”

Having already witnessed Qi Fei’s unfathomable mystical abilities, Mo Zhanpeng and Elder Sun were shocked and delighted. They never expected Qi Fei truly possessed such power; even if the Seven Absolute Sect was a den of dragons and tigers, Qi Fei would certainly emerge unharmed.

When Qi Fei returned to the bamboo grove, Elder Sun stepped forward and said, “Qi Fei, though you are confident you can escape the Seven Absolute Sect, fighting their experts will surely expose your identity. When you meet again at Qingyang Peak, it could bring many troubles.”

Qi Fei shook his head. “If we provoke the Seven Absolute Sect, and with Marquis Hou’s son brought in by Huo Zhongmou overseeing matters, there’s no need for me to appear. Xuan Zhen Temple will find it hard to support Yang Zheng to the sect leader’s position.”

Elder Sun was about to persuade Qi Fei further, but Mo Zhanpeng shook his head with a bitter smile. “Elder Sun, there’s no use trying; this youngster has surely anticipated our intentions.”

Elder Sun sighed, shaking his head at Qi Fei. “Since you’re determined not to vie for the sect leader’s position, and are willing to risk hostility with the Seven Absolute Sect at Moonwatch Peak, I have nothing more to say.”

Mo Zhanpeng, seeing Qi Fei’s resolve, could not help but remind him, “If you go to Moonwatch Peak, once you throw the Seven Absolute Sect into chaos, you must withdraw immediately. Do not fight Sima Yan. The power of the innate realm far exceeds your imagination; a single misstep could cost your life.”

Qi Fei silently took his master’s advice to heart. Gazing at the distant, mist-shrouded mountains, a surge of resolute fighting spirit rose within him. Now, with the Blood Shadow Escape as his shield, the journey to the Seven Absolute Sect was inevitable in his quest to break through the barriers of martial cultivation.