680 Wrath of the Heaven, The Strongest Battle

"When he says 'alone', he means Senior Chi Guyan? Does this shameless person want Senior Chi Guyan to fight Tian Xing alone?"

"This must be the case!"

"Can he be more shameless?"

When the Heaven Dao Pavilion disciples heard Fang Zhengzhi's words, they were stunned. However, after Tian Xing had explained it to them, they all became visibly enraged.

The Heaven Dao Pavilion disciples were not alone. Even the Nine Pinnacles Mountain disciples were in disbelief.

As for Chi Guyan…

Her expression did not change much. The smile from her face evaporated as she looked at Fang Zhengzhi, who was next to her. Then, she quietly took a step back.

"Be careful," said Chi Guyan. Her voice was not loud. However, the disciples from both sects around her could hear her.

"Careful?"

"What does this mean?"

"Does it mean that this guy will be up next?"

The Heaven Dao Pavilion disciples and the Nine Pinnacles Mountain disciples all had faces of doubt after they heard her words. After all, they all knew how shameless he was.

How could such a shameless person be willing to something so dangerous?

However, Fang Zhengzhi just nodded his head slightly. Then, he slowly walked toward Tian Xing. While his pace was not fast, it was deliberate.

"He wants to fight Tian Xing alone?!"

"Impossible!"

When they saw this scene, the disciples of both the Heaven Dao Pavilion and the Nine Pinnacles Mountain, and even the other two emperors on the Heaven Academic Altar, were shocked.

"Oh? Did I guess wrong?" Tian Xing's expression turned severe once more. As he looked at Fang Zhengzhi, who was walking toward him, a light glinted in his eyes.

"Three moves. If I can survive three of your moves, bring your men back to the Nine Pinnacles Mountain!" Fang Zhengzhi did not answer Tian Xing's question but instead, he just said this.

"Hahaha… you have a sharp tongue indeed. However, are you sure that you can block three of my moves?" When Tian Xing heard this, he started laughing.

After all, the reason why he proposed ten moves was because he planned for Chi Guyan and not Fang Zhengzhi.

If Chi Guyan really decided to fight him, he would give it a lot more thought. However, if Fang Zhengzhi fought him alone…

He could do so without any hesitation.

"Yes, I'm sure," replied Fang Zhengzhi.

"Good, very good! I admit that I have judged you wrongly. While you're shameless, you have the spirit of a man. Let's do what you say. Three moves. If you can survive three moves, I'll leave and I promise I'll never bother the Heaven Dao Pavilion ever again!" Tian Xing looked at Fang Zhengzhi seriously and nodded his head.

"He's really challenging Tian Xing?"

"It seems real enough. However, with his strength, how can he live three moves? He's asking for death!"

"While it's a suicide mission, he's brave indeed."

When the Heaven Dao Pavilion disciples heard this, they all looked at Fang Zhengzhi differently.

Fang Zhengzhi naturally disregarded the discussion going on around him.

After he heard Tian Xing's response, he slowly turned to look at Mu Qingfeng and said, "Pavilion Leader Mu, today, I offer myself to save the Heaven Dao Pavilion from turning into a sea of blood and carnage. Shouldn't you do something in acknowledgment?"

"How would you like me to acknowledge you?" After Mu Qingfeng heard Fang Zhengzhi's words, he nodded his head seriously too.

While the fight between the Nine Pinnacles Mountain and the Heaven Dao Pavilion was inextricably linked to Fang Zhengzhi, he could also be said to uninvolved in it.

Hence, it was not unreasonable for Fang Zhengzhi to make requests.

Furthermore, Mu Qingfeng did not believe that Fang Zhengzhi could survive three moves from Tian Xing. Even so, he could treat Fang Zhengzhi's request like his last requests.

"If I can block three of Tian Xing's moves, I want you to let Nangong Mu and Yan Xiu be your disciples. Furthermore, you must instruct them personally!" Fang Zhengzhi said this without even thinking.

"Take in Yan Xiu and Nangong Mu?" Mu Qingfeng never expected Fang Zhengzhi to make such a request. He looked at Yan Xiu, who was unconscious, subconsciously and then at Nangong Mu, who was still fighting Yan Qing. "Alright, I accept your request. Furthermore, if you can live, I'll even promise to bend the rules and take you in as a disciple of the Heaven Dao Pavilion."

"Master wants to let this guy into the Heaven Dao Pavilion?"

"He's so shameless, how can master accept him?"

"Hurhur, he has no chance of surviving. Master's promise is just a gesture of kindness. It won't happen!"

"Hmm, that's right!"

After the Heaven Dao Pavilion disciples heard Mu Qingfeng's words, they could not quite believe it too. However, when they heard that the pre-condition was for Fang Zhengzhi to survive three moves, they relaxed instantly.

"There's no need to take me in as a disciple of the Heaven Dao Pavilion. Thank you for your kind intention, Pavilion Leader Mu, but I don't want to join the Heaven Dao Pavilion," replied Fang Zhengzhi as he looked at Mu Qingfeng and the Heaven Dao Pavilion disciples before smiling.

"He doesn't want to join the Heaven Dao Pavilion?!"

"Master is so kind and magnanimous. This guy doesn't know what's good for him!"

Some of the disciples who were worried at first, upon hearing Fang Zhengzhi's rejection, turned visibly angry.

Fang Zhengzhi smiled slightly. He naturally knew what they were thinking.

When Mu Qingfeng proposed making him his disciple, he knew that it was a gesture of kindness. It was akin to a millionaire showing compassion to a beggar. If he rejected the Heaven Dao Pavilion's invitation, it was akin to disregarding his circumstances.

Fang Zhengzhi never viewed himself as a beggar.

Hence, why would he take up Mu Qingfeng's act of kindness and compassion?

Perhaps, if he joined the Heaven Dao Pavilion, he would obtain many benefits. For example, he would obtain a position of respect in the Holy Region. He could learn more about cultivation and even obtain more resources.

However…

The world was fair.

If you wanted rewards, you must be willing to sacrifice.

He was sure that as long as he joined the Heaven Dao Pavilion, he would have to obey its rules and regulations. He had to be an obedient disciple of the Heaven Dao Pavilion.

Promoting the Heaven Dao Pavilion would be his job. The interests of the pavilion would come before his own pride.

Fang Zhengzhi valued freedom. He hated such rules.

Of course, this was not important. What was important was his suspicion on why Mu Qingfeng wanted to take him in as his disciple.

Undoubtedly, it was because of his relationship with Chi Guyan. Secondly, he demonstrated his talent and abilities just now. Thirdly, it was to honor the Great Xia Dynasty.

However, Fang Zhengzhi also had a good memory.

When Tian Xing proposed taking the Thousand Years Fire Herb from inside Fang Zhengzhi, Mu Qingfeng did not stop him. Even now, when he stood up and volunteered to take three moves from Tian Xing, Mu Qingfeng also did not stop him.

In other words…

Mu Qingfeng did not really want to take him in as a disciple, but he had no choice. To be precise, the Heaven Dao Pavilion did more mind an extra disciple.

It was clear from how Mu Qingfeng proposed taking him in as a disciple only if he could survive three moves.

In fact, Fang Zhengzhi expected this result the moment he was at the Northern Mountain Village. Even if he was at in the Supernatural State, the Heaven Dao Pavilion would not reject him, much less when he was now in the Rebirth State.

However, there was a difference between not rejecting him and wanting him.

Fang Zhengzhi had no time.

He had no plan of using his sacrifices to get resources. Furthermore, he did not want to join the Heaven Dao Pavilion when everyone did not like him.

Of course, he had to admit that Mu Qingfeng seemed like a good teacher. Even though he had injured Third Elder and Fifth Elder, he still expressed his willingness to accept him into the Heaven Dao Pavilion.

However, the Heaven Dao Pavilion was not just run by Mu Qingfeng.

"Pavilion Leader Mu, could you return me my Traceless Sword?" Fang Zhengzhi stopped thinking because after he had seen Tian Xing, Wan Lei of the Yin Yang Hall, and Elder Gu Yuan of the Fu Xi Valley, he had a new understanding of the Holy Region.

This was a place where the true elites fought for dominance, both honorably and through trickery. Everywhere was filled with 'hungry wolves'.

Fang Zhengzhi's main goal now was to live.

Furthermore, he did not just want to live, but he also wanted to live excitedly and without restraint. He wanted to use his own method to change his fate.

"Fang Zhengzhi, I won't force you into joining the Heaven Dao Pavilion. However, I don't think this sword is fit for you," said Mu Qingfeng as he shook his head. He appeared worried.

"I think it's fit for me."

"Alright, since you insist, I'll return the Traceless Sword to you!" Mu Qingfeng did not continue arguing with Fang Zhengzhi. He waved his hand and from the sleeve of his white robes, a purple ray of light flew out.

In fact, very few people knew the other important reason why Mu Qingfeng wanted to take Fang Zhengzhi in. It was because of the Traceless Sword. In other words, when Fang Zhengzhi beat back many Sage State disciples of the Heaven Dao Pavilion with his Traceless Sword, he had already made up his mind to take Fang Zhengzhi in. If not for that, he would not have let Fang Zhengzhi consume one of his precious pills.

Of course, when Fang Zhengzhi expressed his unwillingness to join the Heaven Dao Pavilion, he could not, as the Pavilion Leader of the Heaven Dao Pavilion, forcibly keep Fang Zhengzhi's sword. 

"Roar!"

The sword roared like a dragon.

Fang Zhengzhi reached out with his hand and grabbed the Traceless Sword. Instantly, he felt a strange sense of familiarity and a suppressed killing intent.

Not fit?

Why was it not fit?

Fang Zhengzhi did not understand Mu Qingfeng's words. However, Mu Qingfeng did not offer any explanation. He stopped thinking and the moment the Traceless Sword was in his hand, a faint dragon roar could be heard from it.

Tian Xing's gaze fell upon Fang Zhengzhi's Traceless Sword. A look of surprise flashed past his eyes.

"This is a good sword," said Tian Xing. His voice was not loud.

However, all of the disciples from the Heaven Dao Pavilion and the Nine Pinnacles Mountain were shocked. This was because Tian Xing was the leader of the Nine Pinnacles Mountain. Most importantly, Tian Xing's skills at forging weapons were the best among all five sects of the Holy Region.

The Yin Yang Hall made pills!

The Nine Pinnacles Mountain made weapons!

If a sword could make Tian Xing exclaim in appreciation, it had to be extraordinary. What kind of sword was it?

At this moment, everyone looked admiringly at the Traceless Sword. When they saw the pale purple light glowing from the Traceless Sword, they were all confused.

However, at this moment, the Traceless Sword moved.

To be precise, Fang Zhengzhi moved.

He unsheathed the sword and the purple qi, which was like a dragon, started to fill the sky with a rumbling sound. The purple light shone brightly and a humongous killing intent surged from it.

No one expected Fang Zhengzhi to forgo his defenses and just attack.

However, this was just what he did.

The purple light shot into the sky and turned into a coiling dragon that flew skyward. Then, thunder boomed and a sword light, which twisted and turned like a bolt of lightning, dropped down.

Dragon Slayer Slash.

"Oh?" Tian Xing's expression changed slightly. "This is the power of someone in the Rebirth State, but this power of this sword easily rivals of one in the Sage State. Too bad…"

He did not get to finish.

This was because the sword light was already in front of him.

This made all surrounding Heaven Dao Pavilion disciples hold their breath as they stared in anticipation.

After all, they all saw this move before.

Fifth Elder's arm was chopped off by this very move.

Right now, Tian Xing was its target.

What would happen?

The sword roared deafeningly like a dragon.

Tian Xing finally moved. However, he did not block the sword like what everyone predicted but instead, he completely disregarded it.

"No matter how strong it is, it's useless if it can't hurt me!" Tian Xing's voice rang out. At the same time, his body mysteriously disappeared.

Then, he re-appeared in mid-air.

Less than an inch from him was the tail of Dragon Slayer Slash. Here, purple light shone more intensely than anywhere else.

"Hit!" Tian Xing bellowed. With that, he punched the tail of the sword light, where it was the most purple.

"Boom!" A huge explosion rang out.

It was a dull sound, like a fist hitting another fist.

The moment that happened, the clear sword sound and the dragon roar stopped. The purple light faded and Fang Zhengzhi, who was clad in a blue robe, appeared.

One his hand wielded a sword while the other clenched a fist.

However, evidently, Fang Zhengzhi was tired. This was because while his fist hit Tian Xing's, he did not actually punch out fully.

In other words…

He did not straighten his arm.

He struck out at the last moment.

"Not bad, quick reflexes!" Tian Xing sounded slightly impressed. However, he did not retract his fist but instead, extended it and roared, "Wrath of the Heaven!"