Chapter 102: The Leader of the Martial World Alliance

Master Chongxu and the others gazed at Xiao Xie standing atop the high platform. Protected by a three-foot wall of energy, Xiao Xie seemed almost divine, overlooking the masses like a deity.

“Is this truly something a mere mortal can achieve?” Master Chongxu murmured to himself.

Xiao Xie withdrew the wall of energy, then turned to Master Fangzheng and the others. “So? Little monk, little Taoist—do you wish to test yourselves against me as well?”

Master Fangzheng and Master Chongxu exchanged a speechless glance, then nodded.

“Amitabha! Elder, your martial arts transcend the ordinary. Shaolin is willing to support you as the leader of the martial world,” Master Fangzheng declared.

“Wudang too will support Elder Xiao Xie as leader,” Master Chongxu echoed.

“Kunlun also…”

“The Beggar Sect as well…”

With Shaolin and Wudang taking the lead, the rest of the martial artists followed suit, pledging their support for Xiao Xie as the leader of the martial world.

“Hahaha… The Sun and Moon Divine Sect too will support Elder Xiao Xie as martial leader!” A booming laugh rang out, and a red-robed figure carrying a pink-clad companion appeared on the high platform.

“Dongfang Bai greets the elder!” Dressed in crimson, Dongfang Bai bowed respectfully to Xiao Xie.

“Brother Xiao Xie!” The other figure was, of course, Yilin. After greeting Xiao Xie, Yilin hurried to join Abbess Dingyi and the others, reminiscing together.

“Dongfang Invincible!”

“The infamous Dongfang Invincible of the Sun and Moon Divine Sect! Even this notorious demon has come!”

“Elder Xiao Xie is truly formidable, to command such respect from Dongfang Invincible!”

“Elder Xiao Xie, you… as the leader of the martial world, shouldn’t you… deal with this demon?” Zuo Lengchan spoke up, ever eager to stir discord between Xiao Xie and Dongfang Invincible.

“Hmph! My affairs need no interference from you. Besides, the Sun and Moon Divine Sect is part of the martial world. Why should I, as leader, oppose them?” Xiao Xie replied coldly.

“Amitabha! Compared to the previous sect leader, Dongfang now governs the Sun and Moon Divine Sect with far more restraint. How fortunate for all,” Master Fangzheng said mournfully.

Dongfang Invincible ignored Master Fangzheng’s words and addressed the crowd, “Two months from now, Elder Xiao Xie shall hold the ceremony for his appointment as martial leader at Blackwood Cliff. All who receive invitations, please remember to attend.”

Xiao Xie nodded. “It is only with your support that I assume this role. I hope you will all grace the occasion.”

“The Huashan Sect will be there on time!”

“The Taishan Sect as well!”

“Hengshan…”

“Shaolin too…”

Everyone responded eagerly. Xiao Xie, Dongfang Invincible, and Yilin did not linger, but returned to Blackwood Cliff to prepare for the grand ceremony.

“Amitabha! For the Sun and Moon Divine Sect to have Elder Xiao Xie’s guidance is a blessing to the martial world,” Master Fangzheng murmured as he watched them depart. In their eyes, Xiao Xie’s chivalrous heart made it easy to accept him as leader of the martial world.

Two months passed in the blink of an eye. News of Xiao Xie’s impending appointment as leader at Blackwood Cliff had spread throughout the martial world, sparking endless discussion. Xiao Xie, single-handedly subduing Shaolin, Wudang, and the Five Mountains Sword Sects, and even bringing the Sun and Moon Divine Sect under his command—such feats inspired awe in countless people.

Two months later, Blackwood Cliff witnessed its most bustling day ever. Thousands of martial artists gathered, many uninvited but eager to witness Xiao Xie’s greatness.

A grand platform had been erected on the plaza, the very spot where Dongfang Invincible had once ascended as leader of the Sun and Moon Divine Sect.

As time passed, all the heroes of the martial world arrived. Master Fangzheng and Master Chongxu sat to the left of the main seat, opposite Dongfang Invincible and the Sun and Moon Divine Sect members. Nearby were the leaders of the Five Mountains Sword Sects and other heads of the righteous factions, such as Xie Feng, chief of the Beggar Sect.

When the auspicious hour arrived, drums thundered as Xiao Xie, clad in a black and gold brocade robe with a purple-gold crown atop his head, a white jade belt at his waist, and black-gold scaled boots on his feet, strode onto the platform.

All eyes turned to him as he walked to the main seat. Standing tall, Xiao Xie declared, “From this day forth, the martial world is unified!”

“Martial leader! Martial leader!...”

“Martial leader!”

The crowd erupted, their voices shaking the heavens, as if determined to overturn Blackwood Cliff itself.

“Report—Leader! Tens of thousands of imperial troops have appeared at the foot of Blackwood Cliff!” A member of the Sun and Moon Divine Sect hurried to the platform, informing Xiao Xie.

“What?” Before Xiao Xie could respond, the crowd was already uneasy. Martial artists had always shunned the imperial authorities, for nearly everyone had blood on their hands.

“Do not panic,” Xiao Xie said calmly. His words reassured the assembly—after all, with Xiao Xie as their leader, they felt protected against any calamity.

“The Azure Dragon, commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, has come uninvited. We beg Leader Xiao Xie’s pardon!” A squad of guards in flying fish uniforms entered, their leader bowing to Xiao Xie.

“The Embroidered Uniform Guard? What brings you here today?” Xiao Xie asked, puzzled. Unifying the martial world should not warrant such a stir from the imperial court.

“Leader Xiao Xie, the Emperor has heard of your legendary Eternal Youth and Longevity Technique. He hopes you will present it. In return, the Emperor offers ten thousand taels of gold as a congratulatory gift.” The Azure Dragon addressed Xiao Xie.

Xiao Xie's realization dawned—it was his fabricated martial art that had drawn them. He had thought the title of martial leader alone would not provoke the imperial court, but a technique promising immortality was another matter. Even Qin Shi Huang had sent Xu Fu overseas in search of the elixir of immortality; how much more would Emperor Zhu Youxiao covet it?

For emperors, the allure of immortality surpassed all else. Now, news of a man who had lived over four centuries had reached the throne, inevitably drawing the emperor’s attention.

Xiao Xie had not expected that his casually invented identity would shake even the emperor—this was beyond his anticipation.

“If I refuse, what will you do?” Xiao Xie sneered. Even if he possessed such a technique, a mere ten thousand taels of gold was an insult—no different from outright robbery.

Azure Dragon’s gaze turned cold. “If you do not hand over the Eternal Youth and Longevity Technique, twenty thousand elite troops at the foot of the mountain will attack Blackwood Cliff immediately. I cannot guarantee what will happen then.”

“Hahahaha… Is that a threat?” Xiao Xie laughed in fury.

“It is. Hand over the technique and we will leave. Refuse, and we will raze Blackwood Cliff today!” Azure Dragon said icily.

“Courting death!” Unable to restrain himself, Xiao Xie moved like lightning, appearing before the Embroidered Uniform Guards in an instant, his hands striking.

“Bang! Bang! Bang!...”

In moments, ten guards lay wounded, defeated by Xiao Xie’s overwhelming martial skill. Even Azure Dragon, whose strength rivaled Zuo Lengchan’s, was taken aback.

Supporting himself on one hand, Azure Dragon half-rose, laughing. “Even if you injure us now, you cannot stop the elite troops below. Without news from us, they will attack Blackwood Cliff within the time it takes incense to burn.”

Xiao Xie sneered, “Do you think I fear a mere twenty thousand soldiers?”