180: Shocking Dongfang Bubai

Boom!

With a roar, Dongfang Bubai forcefully shook off Ning Yuan's hand and flashed to a spot several zhang away.

Ning Yuan looked regretful. "As expected, when dealing with top-tier experts, the Bei Ming Divine Skill is still difficult to use for suppression."

In fact, Ning Yuan had long known this. If he hadn't absorbed the Internal Energy of Wu Yazi and the others, allowing his own to reach a depth of over a hundred years, it would have been impossible for him to drain the Internal Energy of Murong Bo, Xiao Yuanshan, Jiumozhi, and the others.

Only after absorbing the cultivation of those three did he truly become invincible, and no one else could break free from his Bei Ming Divine Skill.

But now, he was clearly far from reaching that Realm. He hadn't even reached the Realm he was at before obtaining Wu Yazi's cultivation.

Dongfang Bubai could naturally break free. Especially since the Sunflower True Qi was extremely tyrannical.

"What exactly is your relationship with Ren Woxing?"

"Where is Ren Woxing?"

"Is he dead or alive, and why do you possess his Star Absorbing Skill?" Dongfang Bubai questioned in shock and suspicion.

Because even he, the Sect Leader of the Sun Moon Divine Sect, did not know the Star Absorbing Skill. Ever since Ren Woxing had been imprisoned by him, the Star Absorbing Skill had been considered lost within the Sun Moon Divine Sect.

Therefore, under heaven, only Ren Woxing knew this martial art. Since this person understood it, he must have a connection to Ren Woxing. He must have obtained it from Ren Woxing, but whether it was obtained from a living person or a dead one, that was uncertain.

"First, this is not the Star Absorbing Skill!" Ning Yuan held up a finger and added, "Second, as for whether Ren Woxing is dead or alive, you will know once you defeat me."

"Not the Star Absorbing Skill?" Dongfang Bubai raised an eyebrow and sneered, "Do you think I would mistake my own Sect's supreme martial art?"

"Yue Buqun, as the Huashan Sect Leader and a member of a prestigious righteous sect, you have secretly learned my Sect's martial arts. This is truly interesting. Do you think that just because you don't admit it, it isn't true?"

Dongfang Bubai naturally would not believe what Ning Yuan said. After all, the Star Absorbing Skill and the Bei Ming Divine Skill were too similar. In the world today, anyone who saw this would likely think nothing else and would only assume it was the Star Absorbing Skill.

"Whether it is or not, why doesn't Sect Leader Dongfang experience it again to find out?" Ning Yuan smiled mysteriously.

This actually made Dongfang Bubai mutter to himself. But soon, Dongfang Bubai snorted coldly, "Do you really think that having the Star Absorbing Skill is enough to compare with me?"

"Let me test how your caliber compares to Ren Woxing's!"

As soon as the words fell, Dongfang Bubai attacked again. Being startled earlier was just an instinctive reaction due to the sudden surprise. But Dongfang Bubai quickly calmed down. After all, he was no longer the person he had been back then; even if Ren Woxing were standing right in front of him, he wouldn't even think about draining his cultivation.

Ning Yuan circulated the Bei Ming Divine Skill, and after several exchanges, Dongfang Bubai gradually discovered some differences.

"Your True Qi is actually even purer than the Star Absorbing Skill?" Dongfang Bubai retreated, his expression showing shock. "How on earth did you achieve this?"

"The Internal Energy of the Star Absorbing Skill is chaotic; it is absolutely impossible for it to be this pure."

Dongfang Bubai said decisively. Although he had never cultivated it, he understood the Star Absorbing Skill incomparably well. After all, he had followed Ren Woxing for over a decade, and it was precisely because of this that Ren Woxing had suffered Qi Deviation, which gave him the opportunity to take advantage.

"I have already told you, what I Cultivate is not the Star Absorbing Skill. How can the Star Absorbing Skill compare to my Daoist divine skill!" Ning Yuan spoke proudly. Because the Bei Ming Divine Skill indeed belonged to the supreme arts of the Daoist School. Xiaoyao Zi came from the Daoist School, and the Bei Ming Divine Skill was also realized from the classics of the Daoist Zhuangzi.

"The Daoist School has such vicious martial arts?" Dongfang Bubai looked skeptical. Could a martial art that absorbs the Internal Energy of others be any good? The reason the Sun Moon Divine Sect had earned the name of Demon Sect over the years, besides the killings by its Disciples, was also due to the Star Absorbing Skill. Absorbing the Internal Energy of experts was like a death warrant for the experts of various sects.

After all, no one wanted to spend decades cultivating hard only to make wedding clothes for someone else. That was why it made all the sects feel fear, and consequently, hostility and hatred.

"My Daoist Cultivation Techniques are all-encompassing. How could you, Dongfang Bubai, know everything? That Star Absorbing Skill was merely created by your Demon Sect's predecessors after they accidentally obtained a remnant of my Daoist supreme art; it amounts to nothing." Ning Yuan said calmly with his hands behind his back, his tone peaceful, as if he were speaking of a mundane matter.

"Hahahaha..." Dongfang Bubai laughed out of extreme anger, but then snorted coldly. "It is useless for you to tell me these things. If the people of the world knew that you, Yue Buqun, cultivated such a vicious martial art, I wonder if you, the Five Mountains Alliance Chief, Huashan Sect Leader, and leader of the Righteous Path, would still be able to sit securely."

"Do you think others will believe the words of a Demon Sect Leader?" Ning Yuan sneered with disdain. "A Demon Sect Leader who is no match for the Five Mountains Alliance Chief can only resort to spreading rumors and causing trouble; it amounts to nothing."

The smile on Dongfang Bubai's face froze, and his expression darkened slightly, but he soon added: "The seed of suspicion has been planted. Do you think they will believe your explanation so easily?"

"It seems you still don't understand the nature of the people in the Jianghu." Dongfang Bubai came from the Demon Sect and understood human nature the best.

"Since I dared to expose it, I am not afraid of you spreading it." Ning Yuan stood with his hands behind his back.

With his current strength, although he was not inferior to Dongfang Bubai, if Dongfang Bubai wanted to leave, no one in the world could stop him. As for his strength being exposed now, there was no help for it. When it was time to expose it, it needed to be exposed. People fear power, not virtue. Zuo Lengchan could suppress the entire Jianghu because his methods were ruthless and vicious enough. Sometimes, he also needed to set an example and a lesson for the people of the Jianghu, to let them know that he, the Gentleman Sword, was not someone others could easily gossip about.

"I didn't expect you to have such heroic spirit. It seems Ren Woxing misjudged you back then." Dongfang Bubai's expression shifted slightly, then he continued: "Back then, when Ren Woxing discussed the heroes of the world, he said that Zuo Lengchan was a true villain, while you, Yue Buqun, were merely a hypocrite, hesitant and afraid to do things openly. But looking at it now, he was wrong to an outrageous degree."

"With such martial arts, it seems Ren Woxing already fell into your hands deep beneath the West Lake." Dongfang Bubai looked certain.

The various rumors in the Jianghu had naturally been reported to him by his subordinates long ago. Therefore, he naturally knew that Zuo Lengchan and the others had died by the 'Star Absorbing Skill'—or, of course, it could now be another supreme art with similar capabilities to the Star Absorbing Skill. This indicated that they had died at the hands of the Yue Buqun standing opposite him. Naturally, the so-called appearance of Ren Woxing was self-defeating. It also explained why someone with an arrogant and tyrannical personality like Ren Woxing would not show himself. Given Ren Woxing's hatred for him, it was impossible for him not to issue a challenge to him.

Ning Yuan smiled and said nothing in response.

Dongfang Bubai, however, narrowed his eyes, revealing an expression of great interest. "However, you intentionally misled people into thinking that all of this was done by Ren Woxing, and that Ren Woxing is still alive and has re-emerged in the Jianghu. It seems you are even more sinister and despicable than Zuo Lengchan."

"If I hadn't come looking this time and accidentally exposed your secret, I'm afraid you would have dumped countless pots of blame on Ren Woxing's head in the future!" Dongfang Bubai sighed. He had seen through Ning Yuan's thoughts. After all, Dongfang Bubai had joined the Sun Moon Divine Sect and walked step by step from the bottom to the position of Sect Leader; he was naturally an extremely intelligent and formidable figure.

"But does this cause any loss to Sect Leader Dongfang?" Ning Yuan smiled.

"It seems you really have other schemes. What, is it possible you want to join forces with my Sect?" Dongfang Bubai looked Ning Yuan up and down. His heart stirred, and he immediately said this. After all, the other party had exposed himself on purpose, and judging by the current situation, he had no intention of fighting to the death.

"Joining forces is not the word, but working together for development is not impossible." Ning Yuan also said directly.

"Interesting." Dongfang Bubai showed an intrigued expression. "You are the Five Mountains Alliance Chief, the current leader of the Righteous Path, and yet you want to work together for development with me, the Demon Sect Leader in the mouths of your Righteous Path. If this spreads, are you not afraid of being condemned by everyone?"

"I have already said, how can one easily believe the slander and rumors of the Demon Sect people?" Ning Yuan shook his head. He actually didn't care about these things. He just needed a period of peaceful development to allow him to calmly push his Cultivation Technique to a new level.

"Hmph!" Dongfang Bubai snorted coldly and said indifferently, "Tell me about it. I want to see how you plan to work together for development."

"It's actually very simple: just keep the well water from interfering with the river water." Ning Yuan smiled slightly. "As long as Sect Leader Dongfang restrains your Disciples and does not wantonly kill the innocent or act as an accomplice in the Jianghu, we, the Five Mountains Sword Sect and even the various sects of the Righteous Path, will naturally not fight your Sun Moon Divine Sect to the death."

"A joke!" Dongfang Bubai sneered. "If everyone in my Sect followed the Righteous Path, what difference would there be from the people of the Righteous Path?"

"Actually, there is no essential difference between us; it is just for the sake of survival. The Jianghu is vast. As long as Sect Leader Dongfang's ambition does not extend to destroying the Righteous Path and unifying the Martial Forest, we can naturally coexist." Ning Yuan still had a calm smile on his face.

Dongfang Bubai's expression changed slightly upon hearing this, and he continued to sneer, "Unifying the Martial Forest is the long-cherished wish of all the past Sect Leaders of my Demon Sect. With just these words of yours, you want me to abandon the responsibility of my Demon Sect's past leaders? Do you think that's possible?"

"Naturally, it's impossible, but 'impossible' and 'being able to do it' are two different things!" Ning Yuan looked relaxed. "Does Sect Leader Dongfang think that with me, the Alliance Chief, here, the Sun Moon Divine Sect has a chance to unify the Martial Forest?"

"Are you threatening me?" Dongfang Bubai's eyes immediately turned cold upon hearing this, and he spoke unkindly.

"I am just stating a fact." Ning Yuan said indifferently.

"Do you think that relying solely on the few stragglers of your Huashan, or these useless people of the Five Mountains Sword Sect, you can withstand the experts of my Demon Sect?" Dongfang Bubai dismissed it with disdain. "Or do you think that by relying on yourself alone, you can turn the tide?"

"Relying solely on Huashan, we are indeed no match for the Sun Moon Divine Sect, and even if the Five Mountains Sword Sect worked together, we might still be slightly inferior. But there are also Shaolin and Wudang. By exerting the power of the Righteous Path under my leadership, I am afraid that destroying the Sun Moon Divine Sect is just around the corner." Ning Yuan said confidently.

Hearing this, Dongfang Bubai narrowed his eyes, showing anger, but quickly suppressed it. "You certainly have good ideas, but unfortunately, even the Five Mountains cannot be unified internally. Do you still think the entire Righteous Path can work together?"

"But I'm afraid the Sun Moon Divine Sect is not necessarily of one mind either, right now." Ning Yuan said calmly.

Dongfang Bubai looked at Ning Yuan opposite him. After a long while, he suddenly laughed. "Yue Buqun, as expected, the people of the world have all underestimated you. You are not only deep in schemes and ambitious, but also full of heroic spirit."

"You are stronger than Zuo Lengchan, and stronger than Ren Woxing!"

"Because you are more patient than them, and better at hiding yourself." After Dongfang Bubai finished speaking, he flashed away. "I want to see how the Righteous Path will develop in the future with you."

Watching Dongfang Bubai leave, Ning Yuan did not continue to attack to stop him. Regarding Dongfang Bubai's speed, as long as he wanted to leave, let alone his current self, even his self in the Tian Long World would find it difficult to stop him.

"Dongfang Bubai, hmph!" Ning Yuan's eyes flickered. This encounter with Dongfang Bubai was indeed somewhat unexpected for him.

"However, I suppose Dongfang Bubai will not spread this matter right now." Ning Yuan thought to himself. Because now was not the best time. Even if Dongfang Bubai wanted to sow discord in the Righteous Path and strike at his prestige, he needed to find a suitable opportunity to make it effective. Even if he spread it now, it would be quickly quelled. Even if some people were suspicious, without evidence and with enough time, it could all be handled.

"But this matter will not be hidden for too long either."

"It seems I need to perfect the subsequent parts of the Cultivation Technique as soon as possible."

When Ning Yuan returned to Jade Maiden Peak, Ning Zhongze and the others immediately surrounded him. "Senior Brother, where is that Dongfang Bubai?" Ning Zhongze looked toward the direction of Si Guo Cliff.

"Rest assured, Dongfang Bubai has already left." Ning Yuan smiled calmly. "He cannot threaten me, so naturally there was no need for him to stay."

"Then what was the purpose of Dongfang Bubai coming here?" Ning Zhongze asked curiously.

"Nothing, he just wanted to see how the strength of me, the Five Mountains Alliance Chief, compared to Zuo Lengchan. Now that he has the answer, he will certainly not dare to easily start a war with our Five Mountains Sword Sect." Ning Yuan said with a calm expression.

"That's good." Ning Zhongze breathed a sigh of relief, then asked with concern: "Senior Brother, you didn't get hurt, did you?"

"Rest assured, although Dongfang Bubai is formidable, he is unable to hurt me." Ning Yuan said indifferently.

Madam Wang and Min Rou, who were on the side, both showed expressions of admiration. "Alliance Leader Yue is truly skilled in martial arts; even Dongfang Bubai, who suppresses the Martial Forest, cannot do anything against you." Min Rou said with an expression of emotion.

In this Jianghu, there were two pairs of hero couples. One was she and Shi Qing, and the other was Yue Buqun and Ning Zhongze. She and Ning Zhongze were models among the heroines of the Jianghu. Especially since they both married their own Senior Brothers. They were often compared to each other. Now, the other person's husband had already reached such a Realm and status. But she herself... For a moment, Min Rou could not help but feel a touch of jealousy. The two people who were originally equally famous would be very different from now on. Especially since she was now asking for their help. If it weren't for her son, she would have felt embarrassed long ago.

"Congratulations to Master for defeating Dongfang Bubai. From now on, no one in the Jianghu will dare to look down on our Huashan again." The other Huashan Disciples also shouted excitedly.

"Today, have the kitchen prepare a few more dishes; I want to celebrate with all the Disciples!" Ning Yuan also said with a smile. He had gone out on business in the morning and had just returned.