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Yin Zhiping's expression changed drastically, and he took a step forward, shielding Shen Mo tightly behind him.

His body tensed up.

"Senior Brother Zhao."

Yin Zhiping's voice was extremely low, carrying an unmistakable warning.

"This matter is of utmost importance, and neither of us can bear the responsibility. We must consult with Master Changchun before making a final decision!"

He was extremely anxious.

Shen Mo possessed that pure internal energy, but he was completely ignorant of even a single move!

If one were to actually fight someone like Zhao Zhijing, one of the best among the third-generation disciples, the odds would likely be against them!

Zhao Zhijing's temples throbbed, and a surge of blood rushed to the top of his head.

Yin Zhiping!

That arrogant Yin Zhiping who never puts his fellow disciples in his eyes!

At this moment, how could he speak to me in such an almost commanding tone for the sake of a lowly fire-working novice?

Jealousy and anger instantly consumed his reason.

This was absolutely not Yin Zhiping's intention!

Zhao Zhijing stared intently at Shen Mo, his eyes growing increasingly venomous.

It must be this mysterious kid who used some evil magic to bewitch my junior brother!

"There's definitely something fishy going on inside!"

Zhao Zhijing was so angry that he laughed, his laughter hoarse and ferocious.

"Since you've been bewitched by this demon, I, as your senior brother, will today slay him and expose his true colors!"

Before the words were even finished, the person had already shot out like an arrow!

Clang!

The long sword at his waist broke its sheath and transformed into a cold flash of lightning under the moonlight!

Quanzhen Swordplay, Wandering the World!

He poured seventy percent of his power into his attack!

The sword tip gleamed coldly, its target aimed directly at Shen Mo's vital acupoint, Tanzhong!

This sword strike was both swift and ruthless; he intended to cripple this pretentious Taoist boy on the spot, exposing his true nature!

"Senior brother, you mustn't!"

Yin Zhiping's eyes were bloodshot, and he let out a roar.

He knew better than anyone that Shen Mo had no idea how to dodge or block, and if this sword struck, he would surely die!

In his desperation, he disregarded social hierarchy and age.

Yin Zhiping suddenly lunged forward, standing firmly in front of Shen Mo without dodging or avoiding.

At the same time, the long sword at his waist was also drawn!

Using the same move, "Wandering the World," he struck first despite being behind, his sword blade slashing upwards in an attempt to deflect Zhao Zhijing's fatal thrust!

However, it was ultimately a moment too late.

Zhao Zhijing seized the initiative, his sword strike being three points faster than Zhao's!

The sword tip was about to pierce through Yin Zhiping's parry and penetrate his flesh.

Shen Mo, protected behind him, had his skin taut all over.

A terrifying sense of crisis, as if he were being targeted by a natural enemy, made his heart stop beating instantly.

He doesn't understand swordsmanship or techniques.

But he could sense that the cold glint contained a power capable of tearing everything apart!

A split second between life and death!

Shenmo's consciousness seemed to be detached, and everything around him became slow and blurry.

Only that single point of the sword tip magnified infinitely in his pupils, becoming the sole focus of heaven and earth.

The body's instincts preceded thought, resulting in the most primal reactions.

He wasn't even aware of what he was doing.

The incredibly pure internal energy that had been dormant within him for two years surged wildly toward his right palm like a burst dam.

There is no method, no skill.

All I have is the will to live!

Facing the approaching chilling light of death, he instinctively pushed forward!

At this moment, Shen Mo's heart was filled with absolute coldness.

Zhao Zhijing!!!

This push was not an attack, but more like the arm of a drowning person flailing wildly in despair.

"Buzz—!"

A strange, muffled sound suddenly exploded amidst the clear, melodious sound of the sword!

An invisible yet terrifyingly solid force surged forth from Shen Mo's palm!

The force of the energy did not directly collide with the tip of the sword.

Instead, it struck the side of Zhao Zhijing's sword at an unbelievable angle!

Zhao Zhijing felt a tremendous force, like a flash flood, suddenly surge from the sword!

His originally ruthless and unparalleled thrust was involuntarily deflected to the side by this strange force!

"laugh!"

The sword tip grazed Yin Zhiping's Taoist robe, leaving a charred mark on the fabric, but missed its mark!

Zhao Zhijing's mind went blank with a "buzz"!

This kid... why is this kid's internal energy so strange! So profound!

How is that possible?!

Just as his swordplay was derailed, his moves became stale, and his mind was shaken.

Yin Pingzhi's sword has arrived!

"Clang!"

A loud bang, like metal clashing, exploded in the silent night sky, sending sparks flying!

The two swords clashed!

Seizing this fleeting opportunity, Yin Zhiping twisted his wrist sharply and let out a shout.

"Let go!"

Zhao Zhijing's old strength was exhausted and new strength had not yet been generated. When he was pulled by that spiraling force, his wrist was violently shaken and went numb, his tiger's mouth cracked, and he could no longer hold the sword hilt.

Clang!

The longsword in his hand was actually knocked out of his grasp by Yin Zhiping's sword, flying off and tumbling and bouncing on the stone slab, emitting a series of piercing groans.

Zhao Zhijing staggered back three or four steps before barely managing to regain his balance.

He clutched his bleeding, excruciatingly painful wrist, his face turning a deep purplish-red, a mixture of humiliation and shock!

He couldn't understand!

How could my all-out attack, launched in a fit of rage, have missed?!

What terrified him even more was Shen Mo's sudden and strange internal force that disrupted his swordplay!

What is that?!

"Magic!"

Zhao Zhijing screamed in a fierce and stern voice.

"Junior Brother Yin! You...you actually colluded with outsiders to use sorcery to ambush me?!"

Yin Zhiping didn't even bother to give him a glance.

He quickly turned around, grabbed Shen Mo's arm, and examined him from head to toe, his voice trembling slightly with excitement.

"Immortal, are you alright?"

Seeing that Shen Mo was safe and sound, his heart, which had been in his throat, finally settled down, replaced by unparalleled fervor and worship!

In that split second, Shen Mo released his inner strength, though it appeared clumsy and rough.

But the purity and profundity of that internal energy once again confirmed his judgment!

Yes!

This is the sign of the innate Dao embryo!

His internal energy is self-generating and inexhaustible, and incomparably powerful, but he has not yet been enlightened and does not know how to use the methods!

It can't be wrong! Absolutely right!

Yin Zhiping's conviction grew stronger, and his gaze toward Shen Mo held not only awe but also a layer of fanaticism.

However, at this very moment.

A furious roar resounded throughout the entire top of the Cliff of Repentance!

"stop!"

Before the words were finished, a gray shadow flashed down from the mountain path below, landing silently, like a fallen leaf.

The newcomer had a bristling beard and hair, and a resolute face. He was none other than Qiu Chuji, the Changchunzi, one of the Seven Masters of Quanzhen!

He was clearly startled by the commotion; as soon as he landed, his sharp eyes swept across the entire area.

Yin Zhiping, holding a sword, stood protectively in front of Shen Mo.

Zhao Zhijing, his face filled with shame and indignation, his wrists bleeding.

The unconscious man on the ground, and two disciples groaning like rag dolls.

Finally, his gaze, which seemed to see through everything, locked firmly on the only fire-working novice in the arena.

The boy who remained silent from beginning to end, seemingly ignorant, yet possessed a pure internal energy fluctuation that even he found astonishing.

Qiu Chuji's face was ashen, and his voice was icy.

"Zhiping, Zhijing! Fighting in the dead of night, turning against your own disciples—what kind of behavior is this!"

His voice made Yin Zhiping and Zhao Zhijing tremble at the same time, and they both lowered their heads.

Qiu Chuji's gaze, like two sharp swords, finally fixed on Shen Mo's face, carrying an irresistible majesty and scrutiny.

"And you... a mere novice Taoist priest."

"Where did this internal energy come from?!"