Wang Xiao's reason for wanting to go to Wudang was simple.
He had long suspected that there was another realm hidden beyond that of a Martial Saint.
Now that he had broken through to become a Martial Saint, he was even more certain of this belief.
Therefore, he wanted to use these three years to spar and exchange pointers with the other Martial Saints in hopes of advancing further.
Only then would he have the confidence to defeat Wu Shengtiang when they finally faced each other!
Ming Xu's eyes flashed when he heard this. "You plan to see my master?"
Wang Xiao nodded. "I have long heard of Master Zhang's fame. Now that I have become a Martial Saint, it is only proper that I pay him a visit."
"Well... to be honest, it has been a long time since I left Wudang. I don't know if Master is still willing to see me," Ming Xu said, hesitating.
Ten years ago, he had wanted to save the common people through Martial Arts, but his master, Zhang Dongxuan, wished only to look after himself.
Due to this ideological conflict with Zhang Dongxuan, he left Wudang and founded the Taiping Sect.
Over the years, he traveled far and wide, secretly gathering followers and building his power base.
He had heard that Wudang had suffered some repercussions because of him, which made him feel even more ashamed to return.
Wang Xiao didn't insist. "If it's inconvenient, then let's forget it."
Ming Xu sighed. "Fellow Daoist, you saved my life and my disciple's. I would walk on a mountain of blades or plunge into a cauldron of boiling oil for you. Very well. Even if I have to cast aside my old pride, I must make the introduction for you."
He paused for a moment before continuing, "Fellow Daoist, when do you plan to set out?"
"After I finish this bowl of beef noodles." Wang Xiao turned to the owner. "Ma'am, the show is over. May I have my noodles now?"
The owner was taken aback for a second, then gave a charming smile. "Of course. I'll go make it right away. I promise it will be fresh and hot."
...
The battle between Wang Xiao and Chen Tiangang in the Border Region was nothing short of earth-shattering.
News of it spread like wildfire, reaching the ears of every major power as if on wings.
Everyone was stunned that Chen Tiangang had quietly ascended to become a Martial Saint.
But they were even more shocked by something else!
A young man, not yet eighteen years old, had severed Chen Tiangang's arm and destroyed his Dantian with a single sword strike!
The news was simply astounding!
For a Martial Artist under the age of eighteen to become a Martial Saint was already unprecedented and unheard of in this world.
But to cripple another Martial Saint with a single strike!
That was even more unbelievable.
Even the world's strongest expert, Wu Shengtiang, couldn't do something like that, could he?!
For a time, all the major powers frantically sought information about this young Martial Saint, trying to confirm if the news was true.
「At this moment.」
Inside the Sword Sect, Mu Qingfeng read a secret report from afar, a hearty laugh escaping him.
"HAHAHA! 'A great roc rises with the wind in a single day, soaring ninety thousand li straight up!' Xiao'er, you truly have not disappointed me. The Sword Sect finally has a Martial Saint!"
Standing before him were the Elders of the Sword Sect, including Zhang Tianyang.
Among them, there were now two more Grandmasters!
These two Grandmasters were both masters who had sparred with Wang Xiao back then.
Now, through their accumulated experience, they had successfully broken through to the Grandmaster Realm.
One Martial Saint and three Grandmasters!
The Sword Sect had instantly become one of the most powerful forces in the Jianghu!
"The Sword Son crippled another Martial Saint right after his own breakthrough. His strength might be even greater than Wu Shengtiang's!"
"Chen Tiangang is the Commander of the Jinyi Guard. By crippling him, the Sword Son has slapped the Court in the face. We must prepare in case the Court's army attacks."
"Hmph, what's there to be afraid of? Back then, Wu Shengtiang trampled over the Jianghu, killed our previous Sect Leader, and took all of our sect's inherited Martial Arts. That is an irreconcilable blood feud! The Sword Son's actions today can be considered giving them a taste of their own medicine!"
"Right now, Wu Shengtiang is overwhelmed by the various Rebel Armies and can't be in two places at once. His situation is so precarious that a single move could bring everything crashing down. He won't dare to casually make trouble for the Sword Sect."
The Sword Sect Elders discussed animatedly, debating their next steps.
Mu Qingfeng waved his hand, interrupting them.
"Elders, Xiao'er has made a three-year pact with Wu Shengtiang. He did this so as not to involve the Sword Sect."
"Although, given Wu Shengtiang's character, he is unlikely to take his anger out on the Sword Sect, we must ensure Xiao'er can focus on his Cultivation for these three years."
"I hereby announce that from this day forward, the Sword Sect will seal its mountain. We will cut off all contact with the outside world and await the day of Xiao'er's decisive battle with Wu Shengtiang."
"Go and make the arrangements. Disciples who wish to stay may stay, and those who wish to leave may leave. We will not force anyone."
'Years ago, Wu Shengtiang killed my master. I've dreamed of killing him with my own hands ever since.'
'But I also know that with my strength, it's an impossible task.'
'Fortunately, the heavens have blessed the Sword Sect with a prodigy as brilliant and talented as Wang Xiao.'
'All these years, I have carefully nurtured him for the day he could stand before Wu Shengtiang and wash away the shame the Sword Sect once suffered!'
'Thankfully, that day is almost here!'
...
「Shanhai Pass, outside the Forbidden City.」
Within a military encampment, a figure as burly as a mountain sat upon a chair, clad in Bright Armor.
His hair was coiled up, held in place by a casually placed jade hairpin.
If one had to use a single word to describe his appearance, it would be "statuesque"!
He was like a divine statue enshrined in a temple, exuding an air of majesty.
Before him, official reports and documents sent from all over had piled up like a mountain.
Just then, he was holding one such report, reading it carefully.
After a moment, he set the report down, his eyes as tranquil as an old well.
"What a young Martial Saint. Heh. After so many years of silence, the Jianghu has finally produced someone interesting."
His voice was not loud, yet it seemed to carry the rumble of thunder.
At that moment, it was as if Heaven and Earth itself revolved around him.
The generals in the encampment felt a pressure as heavy as a mountain wash over them, making it difficult to breathe.
Each of them had fought their way out of mountains of corpses and seas of blood, yet in the face of this man, they still felt a heartfelt submission, not daring to show the slightest defiance.
In their hearts, this man was synonymous with invincibility.
As long as he stood, the Great Xuan stood.
Because this man was called Wu Shengtiang!
The Great Xuan Pillar of the Nation, the strongest expert of the current age!
"Your Highness, this person crippled Chen Tiangang, a newly ascended Martial Saint, with a single strike. His strength cannot be underestimated. We absolutely cannot allow him to continue developing."
"Indeed! We should lead our troops to surround the Sword Sect and force him to show himself. Then Your Highness can act and eliminate him!"
"No, the situation everywhere is tense right now. His Highness cannot make a rash move."
"Then we must at least capture the key figures of the Sword Sect! That would give us leverage to threaten him in the future!"
The generals all began talking at once.
Wu Shengtiang sat in the seat of honor, listening for a moment before slowly raising his hand.
Instantly, the chatter died down.
All the generals waited for Wu Shengtiang to speak.
Wu Shengtiang glanced around at them and asked, "Do you think this person can defeat me?"
Upon hearing this, the generals all spoke up.
"Your Highness, you are the strongest in the world. How could some wet-behind-the-ears brat possibly defeat you?"
"Even if the three great Martial Saints—Zhang Dongxuan, Zen Master Hui Zhen, and Li Tiange—joined forces, they wouldn't necessarily be a match for Your Highness, let alone this boy who just became a Martial Saint."
"That's right. If Your Highness makes a move, that boy is as good as dead."
Wu Shengtiang listened to his generals with a placid expression before he spoke.
"Then what are you all so worried about?!"
The generals were struck speechless.
Wu Shengtiang's voice was calm, but his tone was unquestionable. "Since he has made a three-year pact with me, then I shall grant him three years. I hope that after those three years, he can give me a little surprise."
'The situation everywhere is unstable right now,' he thought. 'I don't want to act rashly and create more uncertainty.'
'Besides,'
'I can feel that I am not far from the realm above Martial Saint.'
'This young Martial Saint might just be the one to help me take that final step!'