Neither Hidden Dragon City nor the Buddhist sect were surprised by Sun Xuanji’s appearance—this had been anticipated.

Ji Xuan quietly gripped the teleportation jade token in his palm, somewhat surprised as he looked at the white-robed artificer in the distance.

Even the wisest can overlook things. In their judgment, Sun Xuanji might try to snatch someone away through a transportation array while they were off guard.

If Xu Qian wanted to seize the Dragon Qi host, he would surely make good use of his advantages to achieve his goal of defeating the strong with the weak and snatching prey from the tiger’s mouth.

After Ji Xuan and the others’ analysis, they figured he could only utilize his ghostlike insect arts and Sun Xuanji’s flashy abilities as an artificer.

Therefore, they had already prepared countermeasures, just waiting for Xu Qian to make his move so they could frustrate him and crush his spirit.

But unexpectedly, Sun Xuanji just appeared openly, right behind the Azure Dragon Seven Stars…

“Hmph!”

With a cold snort, Azure Dragon turned and slashed with his long blade. The seven cloaked figures at his side made the same movement in perfect coordination.

A brilliant arc of blade light burst forth, the blade qi making the air distort.

Sun Xuanji didn’t move a muscle. He stepped forward once, and a distorted array of patterns rose before him, forming a wall of qi.

The blade light struck the array wall and vanished like a mud ox entering the sea.

A transportation array!

An artificer skilled in various arrays had too many tricks to show.

Whether ghost or human, they could all show off—only martial artists had to take the hits.

Sun Xuanji flicked his wrist, throwing out a scroll. The scroll unfolded above everyone’s heads, transforming into a swirling vortex of qi that tried to suck in everyone below.

“Mere parlor tricks!”

Led by Azure Dragon, the seven cloaked figures stirred their robes, their qi connecting to form a transcendent power.

Azure Dragon’s blade swept upward, brilliant blade light cutting into the vortex.

“Swish!”

The scroll shattered, scattering into clear light.

Sun Xuanji remained calm, raising his hand and clenching it sharply.

The clear light automatically twisted and writhed, forming interwoven array patterns.

At the center of the array patterns were the Azure Dragon Seven Stars.

With a flash of clear light, both the Azure Dragon Seven Stars and Sun Xuanji vanished—they had been forcibly taken away by the third-rank artificer.

Now the situation was two third-rank Vajras surrounding Xu Qi’an.

All eyes fell on Xu Qi’an. If there had been caution and wariness before, now even the most steady and experienced Old Daoist Jiao Ye didn’t think Xu Qian could make any waves.

Two Vajras, more than five fourth-rank experts, and numerous monks.

While Xu Qian was now alone.

“He must still have some tricks,” Ji Xuan suddenly said.

At this moment, Pure Heart called out:

“Honored Uncles, you must not let him bring out the Pagoda of Buddha!”

Seeing the questioning looks from the Hidden Dragon City crowd, Pure Heart explained:

“Earlier, Xu Qian hid in the Pagoda of Buddha to escape Honored Uncle Du Nan’s pursuit. This pagoda is the Buddhist Sect’s Dharma Aid Bodhisattva’s treasure.”

Ji Xuan and the others understood. They had only known that Xu Qian had escaped Du Nan Vajra’s pursuit, but not the details.

Xu Yuanhuai frowned. “If he hides in the Pagoda of Buddha, can the two Vajras pull him out?”

Pure Heart shook his head: “A Bodhisattva’s treasure cannot be broken by Vajras.”

Old Daoist Jiao Ye spoke slowly: “No wonder he’s so composed.”

As they spoke, sure enough, they saw Xu Qi’an bring out the Pagoda of Buddha. A dark golden delicate pagoda floated out from his chest, rapidly growing until it became a sixty-meter-tall tower in an instant.

Asura Vajra Du Fan flicked his finger, shooting out a strand of qi. With a “ding,” it struck the Pagoda of Buddha, sending it flying sideways to crash heavily into the ground.

Pure Karma shook his head slightly:

“Trying to bring out the Pagoda of Buddha before two Vajras—he underestimates people.”

Surely he had no more tricks now.

Liu Hongmian said charmingly: “He has quite a collection of treasures. Such an interesting man—it would be a shame for him to enter monkhood.”

The Hidden Dragon City crowd watched coldly as if already seeing Xu Qian easily subdued by the two Vajras.

Better to send him to Buddhism—Hidden Dragon City would have one less dire threat… Ji Xuan loosened his grip on the teleportation jade token.

Du Nan Vajra walked slowly toward Xu Qi’an. With each step, a powerful “presence” formed, like a cage trapping Xu Qi’an within.

One could imagine that when he reached Xu Qi’an, the cage would firmly bind the young man, leaving him unable to move an inch.

The Asura Vajra hadn’t moved, turning his head to watch the Pagoda of Buddha, guarding against it suddenly going berserk.

This was the only variable left in the field.

“Though this treasure’s offensive power isn’t strong, it’s quite troublesome. Shen Shu’s severed arm is still sealed inside—the perfect chance to retrieve it…”

As the Asura Vajra was thinking, suddenly, while staring at the Pagoda of Buddha, he saw a man and woman walk out from its door.

The woman wore a plain white robe, her black hair pinned up with a jade hairpin, and her chest embroidered with the black and white Taiji fish.

The man had a beard reaching his chest, wore a black Daoist robe and black boots, a lotus crown on his head, and cold phoenix eyes.

The long-bearded Daoist raised his hand, palm facing Du Nan Vajra, and clenched forcefully.

Caught by this sudden attack, Du Nan Vajra’s steps faltered. His kasaya betrayed him, suddenly tightening, outlining his towering figure in detail.

The prayer beads around his neck betrayed him, pulling backward, trying to strangle him.

Fortunately, Vajras didn’t need weapons—otherwise, the weapons would have backstabbed their master too.

Du Nan Vajra’s face reddened as if suffocating. Veins bulged on his forehead as he let out a deep roar, his kasaya exploding into pieces, the prayer beads shooting out one by one.

“Ding ding ding!”

Xu Qi’an, being close by, was affected. He calmly swung his blade to deflect the shooting prayer beads.

What was happening?

Ji Xuan, Xu Yuanxiang, Xu Yuanhuai, Pure Heart, Pure Karma… the two groups guarding Dragon Qi host Miao Youfang all turned to look at the Pagoda of Buddha.

They looked at the two suddenly appearing third-rank Heaven Path experts.

“This poor Daoist is Heaven Path’s Xuan Cheng.”

“Heaven Path’s Ice Yi Sovereign.”

The two Daoists introduced themselves coldly and emotionlessly.

The Asura Vajra stared at the two with fierce eyes, slowly uttering two words:

“Yang Spirit!”

Third-rank Heaven Path, Yang Spirit!

Ji Xuan and the others, all deeply learned in their family traditions, knew what “Yang Spirit” meant.

“This was his trump card…” Ji Xuan said softly.

Liu Hongmian and the others looked quite unsightly.

Xu Yuanhuai clenched his fists in anger:

“Why is the Heaven Path involved too?”

The angry emotions in his heart had almost reached the breaking point. After several twists and turns, they had finally been about to capture Xu Qian and avenge his sister.

But now two Heaven Path Daoists had jumped out—third-rank Yang Spirits.

Old Daoist Jiao Ye pondered for a moment before saying helplessly:

“I understand now.”

Seeing everyone look over, he smiled bitterly:

“Li Lingsu’s capture today was a play he directed, aimed at dragging in the Heaven Path’s two Yang Spirits. No wonder Sun Xuanji didn’t ambush us earlier.

“He had planned it all along—this was his trump card.”

Ji Xuan also smiled bitterly: “So he was hunting us, not us hunting him.”

Everyone once again turned their gaze to Xu Qian.

Only now did they realize that Xu Qian hadn’t changed his stance, position, or expression from start to finish.

Standing with his blade, his gaze calm.

As if everything was under his control.

Hiss… Liu Hongmian drew in a light breath. She had to admit, except for his ordinary appearance, this Xu Qian’s wisdom matched his extraordinary bearing.

Pure Heart and Pure Karma exchanged glances, seeing in each other’s eyes a hint of frustration and indescribable weariness.

For the Hidden Dragon City crowd, this was their first confrontation with Xu Qian.

But Pure Heart and Pure Karma, from Lei Province to Xiang Province, from Xiang Province to Yong Province, had been repeatedly played like puppets by Xu Qi’an, leaving them not just angry but intensely weary.

They didn’t want to fight him anymore.

Du Nan angrily said:

“First Luo Yuheng, now the Heaven Path—is your Dao sect determined to oppose our Buddhist sect?

“When the Four Great Bodhisattvas arrive in person, can your Heaven Path withstand Buddhism’s fury?!”

The Vajra’s eyes blazed with anger.

Du Nan was also angry. He had been failing since Lei Province, and in Yong Province, he had set up an ambush to capture Xu Qi’an but was wounded by Luo Yuheng.

Now they had finally created a situation of having the fish in the barrel, but then, but then, two more meddlesome stinking Daoists had jumped out.

Ice Yi Sovereign responded in a voice without inflection:

“Hand over the Holy Son, and you’ll be spared.”

“Let me send you to nirvana first.”

Du Nan Vajra exploded in anger. With a “boom” under his feet, rocks splashed up as he took the lead in attacking the two Heaven Path Yang Spirits.

Daoist Xuan Cheng and Ice Yi Sovereign raised their hands, pressing their palms together. After briefly gathering power, they suddenly pushed out a black and white Taiji fish toward Du Nan Vajra.

This Taiji fish had no qi fluctuations.

But when the distant crowd saw it, they felt dizzy, their primordial spirits swaying.

Du Nan Vajra collided with the Taiji fish. “Hum,” the air rippled with shock waves.

His eight-foot body suddenly froze, and a virtual, less-than-real Du Nan Vajra made a backward-leaning pose from within his physical body.

The primordial spirit of a mighty third-rank Vajra was almost knocked out.

Du Nan Vajra’s primordial spirit promptly made a palm-pressing gesture, and his primordial spirit stabilized, returning to its place.

Du Fan Vajra attacked next, joining with the stabilized Du Nan to try to scatter the two Yang Spirits and fight them one-on-one.

Ice Yi Sovereign and Daoist Xuan Cheng rode flying swords, howling like the wind.

The parties chased each other, trading spells constantly as they gradually moved away from the crowd.

Ji Xuan and the others’ gazes followed the four transcendent experts until they disappeared.

Then everyone withdrew their gaze, coincidentally looking toward Xu Qian.

Now the situation was Xu Qian alone against their group.

Xu Qi’an dragged his blade, looking down at everyone, and grinned:

“Ladies and gentlemen, the show begins.

“Will you all come at once, or die one by one?”

How arrogant!

At this moment, Xu Yuanhuai, White Tiger, Liu Hongmian, Dragon Qi host Miao Youfang, even the deep-thinking Ji Xuan, and Warrior Monk Pure Karma—these experts who followed the martial path or paths close to it.

They instinctively felt strong battle intent and hostility, wanting to teach this arrogant fellow a lesson.

Seeing this, Xu Qi’an muttered to himself: At this moment, if Senior Brother Yang were here, the effect would be even more explosive.

Senior Brother Yang’s skill at provoking groups had always been top-notch.

“Such big talk. You alone, challenging us?” Xu Yuanhuai laughed in extreme anger: “Do you think you’re third-rank now?”

“Hey hey, you…”

Miao Youfang finally found a chance to speak, shrugging his shoulders:

“Though I don’t know if you’re friend or foe, brother, your talent for courting death is truly impressive. Among these people, I estimate no fewer than five are fourth-rank.

“One punch from each would be enough to kill you, not counting the other monks.

“Even if you’re fourth-rank too, you can only take a beating.

“Unless you’re third-rank, but I think that’s impossible.”

The others didn’t speak, but all looked at Xu Qian as if he were mad.

With their side’s battle power, unless one was third-rank, no fourth-rank expert could resist, not even a dual-system fourth-rank.

“We cannot be careless.”

At this time, everyone heard Pure Heart say gravely: “Though this person isn’t third-rank, he’s more troublesome than any fourth-rank.”

“Why?”

Xu Yuanhuai frowned, voicing the question for everyone.

Pure Heart sighed, pressing his palms together: “Xu Qian is Xu Qi’an.”

The stone caused a thousand ripples!

The expressions of the Xu siblings, Xu Yuanxiang and Xu Yuanhuai, were the most dramatic—their eyes rounded, expressions instantly freezing.

Liu Hongmian’s charming expression froze, but her beautiful eyes sparkled as she stared straight at Xu Qi’an.