Not breaking, not establishing—breaking then establishing.
Could also be called a blessing in disguise.
Just this kind of fortune—he hoped wouldn't happen again.
As time passed, before the True Martial Hall, various sects had already arrived.
Besides the five major sects—Shaolin, Emei, Kunlun, Huashan, and Kongtong—quite a few small sects followed closely behind.
Aside from Emei and other sects close to Wudang presenting generous congratulatory gifts, other sects mostly presented casually prepared gifts—many hadn't even prepared anything.
Afterward, they also intensely discussed Xie Xun's deeds. Every sentence didn't mention the Dragon Slaying Saber, yet every sentence was about the Dragon Slaying Saber.
Before the True Martial Hall, though the atmosphere was extremely lively, the air permeated with coldness.
Zhang Sanfeng slowly opened his eyes, indifferently watching everyone below.
He didn't speak. But as his gaze swept across, none below dared meet his eyes. Originally still intensely discussing Xie Xun—now they all lowered their heads, maintaining silence. Before the True Martial Hall fell into complete quiet.
Shaolin, Kongtong, Huashan, and other sect leaders' hearts inevitably felt somewhat alarmed.
Zhang Sanfeng's strength seemingly grew stronger still. They actually lacked even courage to meet his gaze?!
The older he became, the more his strength transcended the mortal.
Truly—the older, the more monstrous.
Someone secretly raised their head, glanced at Zhang Sanfeng, then swiftly lowered it again.
Moreover—unclear if it was his misconception—why did Zhang Sanfeng, besides that white hair and beard, not look like a hundred-year-old at all?
His appearance looked considerably younger than them?
Cultivating the Dao could even preserve appearance?
In the livestream.
Umaru the Dried Object: "Their appearance lowering heads, not daring to speak—exactly like me when elder brother discovers I did something wrong."
Umaru the Dried Object: "Guilty conscience. Nervous."
Ordinary Group Leader: "How could they not feel guilty? Fundamentally didn't come with birthday celebration purposes."
Ordinary Group Leader: "Nervousness is also inevitable. After all, they're facing current martial world's ceiling—recognized as Number One Under Heaven!"
Kasumi Shiko: "Will they continue enduring?"
Child of Nature: "No."
Child of Nature: "They'll be intimidated by Zhang Sanfeng's might, but won't fear."
Child of Nature: "Because they know Zhang Sanfeng can't possibly kill them."
They believed they grasped righteousness. Even possessing other purposes, still believed their actions were just.
Could Zhang Sanfeng actually kill them?
Invincible East: "Truly disgusting."
"This poor Daoist Zhang Sanfeng thanks all fellow Daoists from the jianghu for coming to celebrate my birthday."
Zhang Sanfeng looked at the silent crowd below, speaking calmly.
As Zhang Sanfeng's words fell, before the True Martial Hall remained completely quiet.
Whether major sects or Wudang disciples—none dared speak.
Very strange. Clearly Zhang Sanfeng hadn't erupted particularly strong might. But just existed a nameless soul-level fear making them not dare speak.
Or rather—not dare express their purposes.
After all, from beginning to end, they fundamentally didn't come to celebrate birthdays. Even if sects truly came to celebrate—very few. Among them, the vast majority's purpose was for the Dragon Slaying Saber, for Xie Xun.
As time passed, the scene's atmosphere increasingly fell into awkwardness.
Zhang Sanfeng didn't restrain his aura. They also—for nameless reasons—didn't dare speak.
Just maintained silence thus.
Quite a few sects already began hesitating internally whether offending Zhang Sanfeng—whose current strength's level was unknown—was worthwhile for the Dragon Slaying Saber's whereabouts.
Say it's worthwhile? Even knowing the Dragon Slaying Saber's whereabouts, they might not obtain it. Might even die during the process.
Say it's not worthwhile? [Martial World's Supreme, Dragon Slaying Saber, Commands All Under Heaven, None Dare Disobey]—they couldn't possibly not covet the secret the Dragon Slaying Saber contained.
Exactly what kind of secret could produce such rumors, making those obtaining the Dragon Slaying Saber become Martial World's Supreme!
In the jianghu—who didn't want to sit in the Martial World's Supreme position?
Xie Xun obtaining the Dragon Slaying Saber so many years without discovering its secret—he was incompetent. They weren't necessarily unable.
They weren't Xie Xun after all.
Zhang Cuishan, Song Yuanqiao, and others also guessed why they'd come. But watching Zhang Sanfeng calmly standing there—face showing not half a trace of emotion—seemingly already anticipated this.
Unknown how much time passed. Zhang Sanfeng's indifferent voice finally sounded beside everyone's ears.
"All fellow Daoists traveled ten thousand li to Mount Wudang to celebrate this poor Daoist's birthday. Ultimately, this old Daoist merely lived emptily a hundred years. No need to be so restrained. Fellow Daoists, please be seated."
As his words fell, the aura originally permeating the scene withdrew. Everyone's bodies also involuntarily relaxed.
However, now some people were becoming somewhat impatient.
Continuing thus—they truly feared they'd later not dare bring it up.
Missing this opportunity, wanting to find such a chance again wouldn't be very easy.
Ultimately—if not involving the Dragon Slaying Saber, who'd willingly offend Zhang Sanfeng?
Miejue, holding the Heaven Relying Sword, stepped forward. Looking at Zhang Sanfeng, she channeled internal energy and spoke:
"Master Zhang's hundredth birthday—fundamentally shouldn't discuss other matters. But concerning Golden Mane Lion King Xie Xun, some things must be mentioned."
With Miejue's lead, Shaolin Sect's Abbot Kongwen also walked forward, saying:
"Mindful that Master Zhang's hundredth birthday is a joyous occasion, this poor monk has no intention to speak extensively about grievances between Shaolin and Wudang. But Golden Mane Lion King Xie Xun has blood feuds with sects present. For the martial world's righteousness—must eliminate this heretical demon!"
"As long as Zhang Cuishan and Yin Susu reveal Xie Xun's whereabouts, we'll immediately leave."
Emei and Shaolin's voices made those hesitating sects respond one after another. Though Kongtong, Huashan, and Kunlun maintained silence, their meaning was also extremely obvious.
Zhang Sanfeng just indifferently watched them perform this farce.
"BOOM!"
Thick, surging internal power erupted from his body. Crimson radiance—centered on him—spread toward the True Martial Hall, even entire Mount Wudang. An indescribably scorching aura enveloped everyone.
Under such might, everyone involuntarily channeled internal energy resisting Zhang Sanfeng's pressure. But even so, the five major sects' leaders' faces flushed red, bodies involuntarily trembling. Many with weaker internal power even coughed fresh blood, directly kneeling to the ground.
Seeing this, Kongwen forcefully endured Zhang Sanfeng's pressure, walking forward and loudly saying:
"Does Master Zhang want to rely on superior cultivation to forcefully shield Zhang Cuishan and others?"
"If so, we won't insist."
"But Master Zhang should think carefully. Though our group's martial cultivation is inferior to yours, if we all swarm forward—believe Master Zhang also can't possibly kill all five major sects' people, right?"
"After Master Zhang's true qi is exhausted, Zhang Cuishan and others will still meet unavoidable calamity."
"You can protect him temporarily—can't protect him forever."
(End of Chapter)