The First Marquis of Daxuan

“你是说，苏牧斩杀了李家老祖？”

横山宗，刑堂长老徐顾脸色一变，沉声道。

“是，徐长老，这就是李家老祖的人头，您可以验证真伪。”

Zhang Qi bowed and said, "The Li family was bewitched by the Yanfu Sect. Two elders of the Yanfu Sect were also present at the time, one surnamed Jin and the other surnamed Sun."

Our peak master fought against three experts at the Great Dao Origin Realm and finally succeeded in killing the Li family patriarch.

"It's a pity those two elders from the Yanfu Sect ran away too quickly, otherwise our peak master might have been able to kill three powerful figures in succession."

Xu Gu: "..."

他很想说张崎吹牛，但眼前这颗人头做不得假。

这是货真价实的道源境强者的头颅。

苏牧能够杀死李家老祖倒是不奇怪，李家老祖虽然也是道源境，但他潜力已经耗尽，年纪又大了，在道源境中算不得强者。

But the elders of the Yanfu Sect are no ordinary people.

Even if you encounter an elder of the Yanfu Sect, you must be careful.

Su Mu faced three Dao Origin Realm experts alone, and in the end, he even killed the Li family patriarch and repelled two Yanfu Sect elders.

This sounds like a fantasy!

Even if I were to do it myself, I probably wouldn't be able to do all of that.

"Zhang Qi, tell me honestly, did other powerful figures step in to help you?"

徐顾沉声道。

“徐长老，咱们横山宗的强者谁会帮我们镇岳峰？这真的是我们峰主一个人做到的。”

Zhang Qi said, "I swear to the heavens that everything I have said is true. If there is even the slightest falsehood, may I, Zhang Qi, never be able to break through to the Dao Source Realm!"

Swearing an oath using one's own cultivation level is the most poisonous oath in the Great Qian Dynasty.

"Where is Master Su Feng?"

Seeing that Zhang Qi had already sworn a solemn oath, Xu Gu decided not to question him further and changed the subject.

Now that Su Mu has passed this test, there's another mission to come.

He refused to believe that Su Mu could be so lucky!

"The peak master went to Danxia Sect."

Zhang Qi hesitated for a moment, but decided to tell the truth, "Peak Master wants to cultivate the Hengshan Body Refining Technique. According to the sect's rules, he needs to cultivate one hundred Crimson Cloud Vermilion Fruits. Peak Master went to Danxia Sect to buy Crimson Cloud Vermilion Fruits."

It wasn't that Zhang Qi betrayed Su Mu, but there was no need to hide this news.

Su Mu went to Danxia Sect openly and honestly, which couldn't be hidden from anyone. Moreover, if Su Mu could really buy back the Crimson Cloud Fruit, the sect wouldn't say anything.

This could even be considered Su Mu's skill.

"Go to Danxia Sect to buy Crimson Cloud Vermilion Fruit? Who does he think he is?"

Xu Gu frowned and said coldly, "The sect paid such a high price to negotiate with Danxia Sect before, but Danxia Sect did not budge. Who gave him, a mere peak master, the courage to go to Danxia Sect to buy Crimson Cloud Vermilion Fruit?"

"At most, it's just that the Danxia Sect won't sell it..."

Zhang Qi whispered.

"You know nothing!"

徐顾骂道，“我们横山宗和丹霞宗多有合作之处，如果苏牧他得罪了丹霞宗，这后果谁来承担？

Is it you who can bear the burden, or me?

Of course, you should take responsibility.

Zhang Qi thought to himself, "You're an elder of the Punishment Hall, aren't you?"

However, he dared not say these words aloud, because Elder Xu clearly disliked their Zhenyue Peak.

It's just buying a Crimson Fruit, how could that offend the Danxia Sect?
Well, given the Peak Master's temper, he might really cause some trouble.

But this shouldn't be enough to offend the Danxia Sect.

The Danxia Sect is one of the most prominent sects in the Great Qian Dynasty. Why should they be so petty about one person?

"You tell him right now to get back here."

Xu Gu said coldly, "Let's put the matter of the Crimson Fruit aside for now. The sect has another important task for him to do."

"this--"

Zhang Qi frowned and said, "Elder Xu, I can't notify the Peak Master either. At this time, the Peak Master has probably already arrived at Danxia Sect."

"If you can't get through to them, go to the Danxia Sect. If Su Mu really offends the Danxia Sect, you and he will both get out of the Hengshan Sect!"

Xu Gu said coldly.

Before Zhang Qi could offer any further explanation, Xu Gu flicked his sleeve and shooed him out.

…………

When Zhang Qi returned to Hengshan Sect, Su Mu had indeed already arrived at Danxia Sect.

The thing Zhang Qi had been worried about did not happen.

Although Su Mu came to the Great Qian Dynasty to find opponents, he wouldn't start a fight with everyone he met.

The situation of Danxia Sect is different from that of the Li family and Yanfu Sect.

The Li family and Yanfu Sect can be considered enemies, but he came to Danxia Sect this time to ask for their help, so of course he wouldn't take direct action.

他老老实实地在丹霞宗外降下云头，按照规矩报上名号求见。

Like the sect leader of Hengshan Sect, the sect leader of Danxia Sect is one of the Nine Extremes of the Great Qian Dynasty, a true Dao Extreme Realm expert.

Such a powerful figure would naturally not receive a mere peak master like Su Mu.

Let alone Su Mu, even if the Grand Elder of Hengshan Sect came, the Sect Master of Danxia Sect might not show up. The only one worth getting the other side to show up is probably the Sect Master of Hengshan Sect.

The person who received Su Mu was an elder from the Danxia Sect named Zhang Li.

这章黎看上去三十来岁，风姿绰约。

"I had heard that the youngest peak master of Hengshan Sect had changed hands. Seeing him today, I can see that Peak Master Su is indeed young and promising."

Zhang Li spoke very politely, "May I ask what brings Peak Master Su to our Danxia Sect?"

The relationship between Danxia Sect and Hengshan Sect has always been quite good, so she treated Su Mu with friendliness.

"Thank you for taking the time to meet me, Elder Zhang. I have come here with a request."

Su Mu cupped his hands in greeting and said, "Su Mu would like to purchase some Crimson Cloud Vermilion Fruit from your esteemed sect. The price is negotiable."

章黎看着苏牧，美眸闪烁了一下，缓缓地说道，“我们丹霞宗和横山宗向来同气连枝，照理说，苏峰主求上门来，能帮的，我丹霞宗不应该推辞。

However, I must apologize that I am unable to help with this matter.

“I know that the Crimson Fruit is also very important to your sect. I am not asking for it for nothing. Please name your price, and I will not haggle.”

Su Mu said in a deep voice.

"This isn't about the price."

Zhang Li shook her head.

“I’ve heard people say that it’s not the price that’s the problem, but often the price that isn’t high enough.”

Su Mu said seriously, "If I said that I could give Danxia Sect one more Dao Extreme Realm expert, I think your sect would agree to sell me some Crimson Cloud Vermilion Fruit, right?"

"Can you?"

章黎反问道。

"No."

Su Mu shook his head and said.

If he could create a Dao Realm expert, why would he need to learn the Hengshan Body Refining Technique?

He went to such great lengths to cultivate the Hengshan Body Refining Technique and even wanted to enter the Hengshan Sect's secret realm to cultivate, wasn't it all just to get a glimpse of the secrets of the Dao Extreme Realm?

"Although I cannot give Danxia Sect another Dao Extreme Realm expert, I can help Danxia Sect become stronger in other ways."

For example, I could exchange celestial soldiers for the Crimson Heaven Fruit.

Su Mu continued.

Zhang Li couldn't help but laugh, "Peak Master Su, do you think our Danxia Sect would lack heavenly soldiers?"

The Danxia Sect was founded on two pillars: alchemy and weapon forging.

Of the top ten weapon-making masters in the Great Qian Dynasty, eight are held by the Great Qian court, and the remaining two are in the Danxia Sect.

任何一个宗门都可能缺天兵，惟独丹霞宗不会缺。

It was precisely because of their immense wealth that the Danxia Sect refused to trade the Crimson Cloud Vermilion Fruit with the Hengshan Sect back then.

对丹霞宗来说，显然是把赤霄朱果炼制成丹药之后再卖给横山宗更划算。

Why sell raw materials directly to others when you could clearly earn more?
The rules of the Danxia Sect cannot be broken; the Crimson Heaven Fruit can never be sold directly to the public.

“Peak Master Su, I know that your Hengshan Sect needs some body-refining pills for body tempering. If you need these pills, I can make the decision to sell them to you at an 80% discount.”

Zhang Li said with a smile, "As for the Crimson Cloud Vermilion Fruit, that's definitely not an option."

Su Mu frowned slightly; he didn't need any pills.

Not to mention that he doesn't need these pills to cultivate the Hengshan Sect's techniques, even if he did, he is proficient in alchemy and doesn't need to buy pills from others.

In a way, the situation of Danxia Sect is somewhat similar to his.

He was an alchemist and a weapon maker, so he didn't need to rely on others for either elixirs or weapons.

The Danxia Sect is the same; they are incredibly wealthy and have almost no need to ask other sects for help, so they have always been self-righteous.

The phrase "wealthy and powerful" is perfectly apt when describing the Danxia Sect.

"Really no room for negotiation?"

Su Mu frowned.

"There's no way around it; the ancestral rules of the Danxia Sect cannot be broken."

Zhang Li spread his hands and said.

"Peak Master Su is a guest from afar, and my Danxia Sect also has quite a few delicacies..."

Zhang Li had already begun to change the subject.

Su Mu remained silent for a moment before slowly speaking, "I am not very talented, but I would like to exchange martial arts skills with the experts of Danxia Sect. I wonder if Elder Zhang would be willing to give me some guidance?"

"To spar in martial arts?"

Zhang Li paused for a moment, her smile gradually fading, and a serious expression appeared on her charming face.

“苏峰主你是认真的？”

A glint of light flashed in her beautiful eyes.

本来看在对方是横山宗峰主的份上，她处处待之以礼，但现在看来，对方是来者不善啊。

However, she remained calm.

Even if the other party were just a peak master of Hengshan Sect, or even the Grand Elder of Hengshan Sect, they wouldn't be able to cause any trouble in their Danxia Sect.

别看他们丹霞宗以铸兵和炼丹闻名于世，真动起手来，他们丹霞宗也是不惧任何人。

Do you really think that Danxia Sect's vast wealth is solely due to its craftsmanship?

If they didn't have some skills, how could the Danxia Sect have maintained such a large foundation?
要知道，无论是铸兵还是炼丹，那都跟抢钱没什么区别，如果不是丹霞宗自身的实力，他们早就被其他宗门给生吞活剥了。

"Of course I'm serious."

Su Mu said in a deep voice.

Since we can't reach an agreement, let's fight.

"If I defeat the Danxia Sect until they are convinced of my superiority, then we can sit down and talk, and there will be no problem." Elder Zhang, rest assured, this is just a personal martial arts exchange between me and the Danxia Sect. Regardless of the outcome, it will not affect the reputation of the Danxia Sect. Su Mu will not tell anyone about the exchange.

Su Mu said seriously, "What Su Mu means is that I want to challenge all the Dao Source Realm warriors of Danxia Sect. Oh, and Heavenly Venerable Realm warriors are also acceptable."

Zhang Li's expression grew increasingly serious, and her brows furrowed.

If she hadn't been certain that the other party was indeed the peak master of Hengshan Sect, she would have really thought some madman had come to her door to make fun of her.

Challenge all the Dao Source Realm cultivators of the Danxia Sect?
Isn't this crazy?
If there had been just a few more dishes, he wouldn't have gotten this drunk.

"What if I say no?"

章黎沉声道。

丹霞宗是什么地方？如果随便一个人跑来挑战他们他们就要接受，那丹霞宗不得忙死了？

Even the peak master of Hengshan Sect is not qualified to make Danxia Sect play with him.

"If Elder Zhang refuses, then please forgive my rudeness."

Su Mu said calmly.

"Ok?"

Before Zhang Li could react to what Su Mu meant, she saw Su Mu's figure flicker and disappear into thin air.

下一刻，章黎就感觉一股劲风扑面而来。

她浑身的汗毛瞬间竖了起来，眼神中闪过一抹羞怒之色。

这苏牧真是疯了，他竟然敢直接对自己动手？
In the blink of an eye, Zhang Li's body surged with a soaring momentum. She crossed her arms in front of her, and in an instant, several walls of light condensed.

boom! boom! boom!
The light barriers shattered instantly under Su Mu's fist, and then Su Mu's fist landed on Zhang Li's arm.

Click!

Amidst the sound of bones breaking, Zhang Li's body crashed through the window and landed in the courtyard outside.

She bent slightly, plowed the ground with her feet, and retreated until her back hit the courtyard wall before finally stopping.

The sharp pain in her arm caused her fair forehead to be covered in beads of sweat.

"Peak Master Su, you—"

Zhang Li was both shocked and furious.

"Elder Zhang, you have lost."

Su Mu said calmly, "I only used 60% of my strength just now, otherwise your arm would have been broken."

说罢，苏牧不再理会章黎，而是扬声道。

"Hengshan Sect, Su Mu, today we will test our fists against Danxia Sect. Anyone at the Dao Origin Realm or Heavenly Venerable Realm is welcome to participate."

Su Mu's voice instantly resounded throughout the entire Danxia Sect.

Zhang Li wanted to stop it, but it was too late. Even if she had, she wouldn't have been able to.

Su Mu was right; she had indeed lost.

She realized as soon as Su Mu made his move that Su Mu's strength was among the top in the twelve peak masters of Hengshan Sect, and was no less than that of the ordinary elders of Hengshan Sect.

In fact, among the elders of their Danxia Sect, there are probably no more than a handful who can reliably defeat Su Mu.

她再出手除了自取其辱也不会有其他结果。

"Peak Master Su, you've caused a huge disaster!"

Zhang Li said in a deep voice, "Do you know what it means to come here to test your skills like this?"
If my Danxia Sect lets you leave alive, how will my Danxia Sect maintain its standing in the future?

“As long as your sect leader doesn’t personally intervene, even if I die in Danxia Sect today, Hengshan Sect will absolutely not cause trouble for Danxia Sect.”

苏牧淡淡一笑，说道，“试拳的规矩，同等境界之下，生死无怨。

我既然敢这么做，那就已经做好了接受一切后果的准备。”

As they spoke, beams of light shot into the sky from the depths of the Danxia Sect, landing in front of Su Mu and Zhang Li in the blink of an eye.

"Peak Master Su, is that right?"

一个须发俱白，面孔看上去却只有三十来岁的男人目光落在苏牧身上，沉声道，“丹霞宗和横山宗向来交好，你今日这是何意？

Are you perhaps trying to instigate a conflict between two factions?

"It's just a friendly exchange of martial arts techniques, how can it be considered provoking a conflict between the two sects?"

Su Mu calmly said, "I said that any Dao Origin Realm or Heavenly Venerable Realm expert from your sect can take action. If I die in Danxia Sect, it will be because I am not skilled enough, and it will never cause a conflict between the two sects."

"So you're determined to die?"

那丹霞宗长老眼睛眯起，瞳孔之中闪烁着愤怒之色。

"The path of martial arts is to live through death."

Su Mu smiled faintly and said, "However, I am tough. It won't be so easy to take my life."

At this moment, Zhang Li had already quietly told the later Danxia Sect elders the whole story.

When the group heard that Su Mu was testing the Danxia Sect with his fists because he had failed to purchase the Crimson Cloud Fruit, their faces all showed anger.

Deceiving too much!

This is simply too much!
Does he really think the Danxia Sect is so easy to bully?

If I don't sell you the Crimson Cloud Vermilion Fruit, you'll try to test my Danxia Sect with your fists?

Who says my Danxia Sect has to sell you the Crimson Cloud Vermilion Fruit?

Whether or not we sell our own Danxia Sect property depends on your face, Su Mu.
Even if the sect leader of Hengshan Sect came in person, let alone Su Mu, he wouldn't have the same face.

"Su Mu, just because my Danxia Sect didn't sell you the Crimson Cloud Vermilion Fruit, you want to test the Danxia Sect with your fists?"
Who gave you the courage to do this?

The white-haired, youthful-looking elder spoke coldly, his tone filled with murderous intent.

"The Crimson Fruit is the Crimson Fruit, and sparring is sparring; the two are unrelated."

Su Mu said calmly, "But if you insist on thinking that way, then so be it."

His gaze swept over the crowd, and he slowly added, "Of course, if you're afraid, then we don't have to fight. I can't possibly bully your Danxia Sect—"

"You dare bully my Danxia Sect? You arrogant brat!"

All the elders of Danxia Sect glared angrily. If they didn't want to bully the weak with numbers, they would have already taught this arrogant Hengshan Sect peak master a lesson.

"very good!"

The white-haired, youthful-looking elder of the Danxia Sect gritted his teeth and said, "Our Danxia Sect has stood in the Great Qian Dynasty for ten thousand years, and no one has ever dared to look down on our Danxia Sect like this."

Since you've chosen to die, then I'll grant your wish!

"Why would Elder Wei need to intervene to deal with such an arrogant brat?"

An elder from the Danxia Sect stepped forward first and said in a deep voice, "I'll deal with him!"

Seeing that the other party had stepped forward, Elder Wei, with his white hair and youthful face, could no longer compete. He nodded and said, "Elder Gao, just break his arms and legs to let him know the methods of my Danxia Sect. There is no need to really take his life."

Elder Gao nodded, looking confident.

在他们看来，苏牧只不过是个刚刚成名的后辈而已。

If the other party hadn't been so arrogant, they wouldn't have bothered to take action themselves.

Su Mu watched Elder Gao approach, his expression remaining calm, but his eyes revealing excitement.

他心中已经开始兴奋起来，身上的血液都仿佛要沸腾起来。

As expected of a top sect in the Great Qian Dynasty, even a few random people from this sect exude an aura far stronger than that of the Li family patriarch.

甚至连阎浮宗那金、孙两个长老都被比下去了。

Such an opponent is a rare find.

"Wait a minute."

Su Mu suddenly spoke up.

"It's too late for you to regret it now!"

那丹霞宗的高长老冷冷地说道，“就算你现在跪地求饶，我也一定会亲手打断你的手脚。

This is what happens when you offend my Danxia Sect!

"Su never regrets what he does."

Su Mu shook his head and said, "I was just thinking, should we raise the stakes a little?"
For example, if I win, will you sell me a hundred Crimson Fruits?

"Humph."

The elders of Danxia Sect all snorted coldly.

They already knew what Su Mu was planning.

“怎么？你们不敢赌？莫非你们觉得，你们丹霞宗这么多道源境强者，没有一个能赢我？”

Su Mu said, his tone tinged with provocation.

"Although I know you're using this as a provocation, I, the elder, agree."

Elder Wei, with his white hair and youthful face, said in a deep voice.

Elder Wei—

Zhang Li's expression changed slightly, and she exclaimed in surprise. She always felt that Su Mu was a bit strange, and there was really no need to risk betting against him.

Elder Wei waved his hand, indicating that she didn't need to say anything more.

"As long as you can defeat all the Dao Source Realm cultivators of my Danxia Sect, this elder will decide to sell you one hundred Crimson Cloud Vermilion Fruits."

Elder Wei sneered, "I'm afraid you don't have the ability!"

"What if?"

Su Mu smiled faintly, "If we martial artists don't even dare to dream of winning, what's the point of cultivating? We might as well go home and grow sweet potatoes."

他当然知道丹霞宗肯定有道源境巅峰的强者，甚至已经走了八九十里的道源境强者也不会少。

The Dao Source Realm is a hundred miles long, and Su Mu has only traveled a little over sixty miles so far. He is still far from being invincible in the Dao Source Realm.

With his current strength, it's almost impossible for him to break through the Dao Source Realm of the Danxia Sect.

However, for him, winning or losing is not important.

Even if they don't end up buying the Crimson Cloud Fruit, being able to fight against a Dao Source Realm expert from the Danxia Sect is already a gain.

Cultivating the Hengshan Body Refining Technique can enhance one's strength, and fighting against Dao Origin Realm experts from the Danxia Sect can also potentially increase one's strength.

With so many opponents serving as whetstones, Su Mu felt it would be difficult for his strength not to improve.

Once you leave Danxia Sect, it won't be so easy to find so many opponents again.

“I won’t shed tears until I see the coffin!”

那丹霞宗的高长老冷冷地说道，“你以为天下能打的武者只有你横山宗有？

Today I will show you the power of my Danxia Sect!

Before he finished speaking, a long sword appeared in Elder Gao's hand, its blade gleaming with a cold light, clearly a superior heavenly weapon.

With a flick of his wrist, countless blades burst forth in an instant.

"Su Mu, don't say I'm bullying you, take this!"

Elder Gao shouted loudly before slashing forward with his sword.

Seeing Elder Gao make a move, Su Mu laughed heartily.

"Well come."

He stepped forward and met Elder Gao's sword strike with his bare hands.

Rumble.

Wherever the fist landed, the blade shattered. (End of Chapter)