From the beginning of Swordsman, he created a legend in the martial arts world.

"Clang!"

Meng Fei sheathed his sword, turned around, and walked towards Linghu Chong.

Nine swords...passed? I...am not dead? Hahaha...

A surge of elation at surviving a disaster, mixed with resentment towards Meng Fei, instantly welled up in Yu Canghai's heart. He even managed to squeeze out a distorted expression on his face, a mixture of laughter and tears.

However, the thousands of martial arts practitioners below the stage looked at him with an indescribable strangeness and... pity?

The top masters, including Zuo Lengchan of Songshan Sect, Yue Buqun of Huashan Sect, and Daoist Chongxu of Wudang Sect, had extremely solemn expressions and their eyes were filled with shock at the sword strike they had just witnessed!

Seeing this, the seriously injured Master Fangzheng sighed and closed his eyes.

Only Linghu Chong of the Hengshan Sect tightened his grip on his sword slightly, and his gaze toward Meng Fei was filled with a complex and unfathomable meaning.

As if sensing the unusual atmosphere, the elation that had just risen in Yu Canghai's heart instantly froze. Then, he looked down at his chest...

After a few breaths.

"puff--!"

A muffled thud seemed to come from inside his body.

Without warning, a fist-sized hole suddenly exploded in Yu Canghai's chest, and blood gushed out instantly.

It turned out that... that sword had already pierced his heart, but the speed of that sword was too fast, so fast that it exceeded the limit of his perception!

The sword pierced in and then withdrew in an instant, the whole process as swift as a fleeting moment, the wound barely having time to reopen before closing again.

Several breaths later, fresh blood suddenly gushed out from the wound.

"The... Ninth Sword..." Meng Fei watched the light in Yu Canghai's eyes fade rapidly, and slowly uttered, "No Return!"

They vanish without a trace, they return without a trace. They kill without a sound, they sheathe their swords in an instant!

As soon as he finished speaking, Yu Canghai's body collapsed. The leader of the Qingcheng Sect, who had dominated the martial arts world for decades, ended his life in such an incomprehensible, yet humiliating and desperate way on the Fengchan Platform of Mount Song.

"Brother Linghu, I hope... you're not lying to me."

As soon as he finished speaking, Meng Fei staggered and turned around, walking down the Fengchan Terrace.

"Master!"

Li Bin, who had been shaken by the series of dramatic changes, suddenly came to his senses and rushed up to the Fengchan Platform to grab Meng Fei's arm.

"Walk……"

Meng Fei glanced at Li Bin, a hint of relief flashing in his eyes.

"stop!"

A cold shout came from the direction of the Songshan Sect. At this moment, the Songshan Sect, which had been the host of the Five Mountains Alliance but had been intentionally or unintentionally ignored by everyone, finally broke its silence.

Zuo Lengchan suddenly stood up and strode towards the Fengchan Platform, blocking the two people's way.

"Meng Fei, during the Five Mountains Sword Sects' alliance meeting, you brazenly attacked, severely injuring the Shaolin Abbot and even killing the Qingcheng Sect Leader in public!"

"Could it be that they don't take my Songshan Sect, or any of the heroes present today, seriously at all?"

Upon hearing this, the crowd, who had been speechless with shock at Yu Canghai's death, gradually came to their senses.

Yes, this is the Fengchan Terrace where the Five Mountains Alliance was held, and it's Songshan Sect's territory. Meng Fei caused chaos here, killing and injuring two sect leaders, and now he just wants to leave? Logically and morally, he should give Songshan Sect an explanation!

With Li Bin's support, Meng Fei slowly turned around. Facing Zuo Lengchan's aggressive aura and questioning, he showed no fear. Instead, a slight sneer appeared on his lips.

"Left Sect Leader, although we are not friends, today... you did not stop me."

As he spoke, his gaze swept over Zuo Lengchan. Zuo Lengchan had remained a bystander throughout his fierce battles with Fang Zheng and Linghu Chong, as well as his duel with Yu Canghai, without intervening. This attitude was quite subtle.

"Therefore, we can't be considered enemies. What? Does Sect Leader Zuo want to take advantage of my serious injury to stand up for the Qingcheng Sect, or does he... want to exchange a few blows with me?"

Upon hearing this, Zuo Lengchan's expression changed slightly. He was annoyed by Meng Fei's harsh words, but he was also wary of the other party's unpredictable "No Return" sword.

He took a deep breath, suppressed his anger, and said coldly, "Hmph, Meng Fei, don't try to provoke me with your words. I, Zuo, have always acted with integrity and uprightness! Today's matter concerns the reputation of my Five Mountains Sword Sect, and even more so, the justice of the martial world!"

"You have injured two sect leaders and disrupted the alliance. If you cannot provide a reasonable explanation, how can my Songshan Sect face the heroes present and the entire martial arts world? As the sect leader of Songshan Sect, how can I sit idly by?"

His words were powerful and resounding, instantly elevating personal grudges to the level of sect reputation and martial arts justice. This not only clarified his stance but also blocked Meng Fei's excuse of "personal grudges" and put pressure on Meng Fei by using the martial arts figures present.

Many people who initially thought Meng Fei's situation was understandable now felt that Zuo Lengchan's words made sense. If Meng Fei were to leave today, where would the Five Mountains Sword Sect's reputation be?

Zuo Lengchan also had his own plans. He knew that Meng Fei was at his limit and that this was the perfect opportunity to eliminate this potential threat and establish his authority over the world!

Even if it carries some criticism for "taking advantage of someone's misfortune," it's worth the gamble compared to the immense prestige and tangible benefits that can be gained.

The unification of the Five Mountains Alliance has reached a critical juncture, and he must demonstrate the power to control the overall situation and maintain order.

Sensing Zuo Lengchan's unwavering determination and rising fighting spirit, Meng Fei's eyes flashed with a cold light. He knew that if he could not properly resolve this matter today, he would probably not be able to leave Songshan safely.

Then, his gaze swept over the banner "Five Mountains Alliance" hanging on the Fengchan Platform, and then looked at Yue Buqun, Mo Da, Linghu Chong and others on the platform with different expressions, and suddenly a thought struck him.

"Explain?"

Meng Fei spoke slowly, his voice still calm: "Sect Leader Zuo, since today is the Five Mountains Alliance Conference, the important matter to be discussed is the merger of the Five Mountains Sword Sects and the joint resignation of the sect leader."

"How about this—if the Left Sect Leader can successfully ascend to the position of Sect Leader of the 'Five Mountains Sect' and unite the Five Mountains, then..."

His gaze suddenly sharpened: "Three months from now, I, Meng, will personally travel to Mount Song to meet with Sect Leader Zuo in person... and learn a few moves from him! At that time, all grudges and disputes will be settled! Is this explanation satisfactory, Sect Leader Zuo?"

Upon hearing this, everyone was stunned. Was Meng Fei trying to delay the matter?

Moreover, the initiative to resolve the matter has been linked to whether Zuo Lengchan can successfully merge with the sect and become its leader.

Zuo Lengchan narrowed his eyes slightly. Meng Fei's suggestion, seemingly giving him face, actually concealed a hidden agenda.

If he cannot succeed in becoming the sect leader, then there is no point in talking about "explaining" his actions. Therefore, Meng Fei's departure today is a matter of course.

If I succeed... the battle against the "Evil Swordsman" in his prime three months later will undoubtedly be a huge challenge.

But then I thought, forcibly keeping the seriously injured Meng Fei alive at this moment might succeed, but it would inevitably give others grounds for criticism, and Meng Fei's near-death counterattack might not be without its variables.

More importantly, Meng Fei's public promise of a "three-month deadline" is tantamount to acknowledging that he is qualified to represent the Five Mountains Sword Sect in settling this matter with him. This in itself is a kind of implicit recognition, which is of great benefit to his efforts to promote the merger of sects and establish his prestige!

After weighing the pros and cons, Zuo Lengchan made a decision.

"Very well! Meng Fei, although your actions are extreme, I admire your courage and commitment! So, I will do as you say!"

His eyes gleamed as he stared intently at Meng Fei: "Three months from now, at the summit of Mount Song, I, Zuo, will await your arrival! Then, we will settle this matter squarely and fairly. I believe the renowned 'Evil Swordsman' will not disappoint me or any of the heroes of the world!"

"It's a deal!"

Meng Fei uttered four words indifferently, then said nothing more and gestured for Li Bin to help him leave.

Just as the two were walking down from the Fengchan Platform, a dark-colored token slipped out from the tear in Meng Fei's clothes.

With a crisp "clang," it fell onto the bluestone ground.

The voice wasn't loud in the somewhat noisy audience, but it instantly caught the attention of Po Jun and the others mixed in with the crowd.

In an instant, the eyes of the seven people below the stage were drawn to the token.

"Southern Dipper!"