Both start in hell: but their talents are multiplied a hundredfold.

Footsteps echoed from the stairwell of the dilapidated restaurant, unhurried and steady as a mountain.

Three figures stepped onto the wooden stairs, one by one, and went up to the second floor.

The leader was a young man, in his early twenties, shirtless.

The youth's skin was covered with dense silver lines, which seemed to live, flickering and flowing with his breath.

His face was so handsome that he seemed otherworldly, and his eyes were calm as still water. Wherever his gaze swept, it was as if he could see through the most secret thoughts in people's hearts.

To his left, behind him stood a burly man with thick eyebrows and large eyes, about twenty years old. He was as tall and strong as an iron tower, with a square face, thick eyebrows that reached his temples, and a pair of tiger-like eyes that shone brightly.

Just by standing there, this man exuded the aura of a grandmaster, as if he could hold up the sky with one hand even if it were to fall.

On the right is a beautiful woman dressed as a man, dressed in white, with a long sword at her waist, her features exquisite yet exuding a touch of heroism.

As her gaze swept across the room, she took in the entire scene on the second floor, a slight smile playing on her lips.

The shirtless young man was none other than Shen Jue.

"Brother Shen Jue!"

The two brothers, Liu Da and Liu Er, shouted at the same time, their voices filled with ecstasy and excitement.

It's like two students who have studied diligently in a private school for many years suddenly meeting their mentor.

The table leg in Liu Er's hand fell to the ground with a thud. He rushed to Shen Jue in three strides, looked up at him, and said, "Brother Shen Jue! We just got rid of three bad guys!"

Liu Da followed suit, eagerly adding, "And there's this Tian Boguang too!"

"He's a womanizer! We're interrogating him the way our boss taught us!"

Shen Jue looked down at the two excited young men, a gentle smile appearing in his eyes.

He reached out and patted Liu Da on the shoulder, then patted Liu Er on the head, and said gently, "Well done."

Just four words were enough to make Liu Da and Liu Er tremble, as if they had received the greatest praise.

Their eyes reddened, and they almost shed tears.

"You two did a great job," Shen Jue said loudly.

"It's just that his martial arts skills are still too weak."

"Strive to become stronger!"

"Yes!" Liu Da and Liu Er responded in unison, their faces showing expressions of wild joy.

Shen Jue shifted her gaze to Tian Boguang, who was hanging upside down, and slowly walked over.

Tian Boguang was hanging upside down, his blood was flowing backward, and his face turned purplish-red.

He struggled to lift his head, trying to see Shen Jue's face clearly, but all he saw were a pair of extremely cold eyes.

"Tian Boguang," Shen Jue said.

"A womanizer who rapes and kidnaps?"

"Die," Shen Jue said softly.

Shen Jue glanced at the Gale Blade Technique on the wall, nodded, and then raised his right hand, a thin white energy blast as fine as a hair bursting from his fingertip.

The energy shot through the air and entered Tian Boguang's brow.

The fear on Tian Boguang's face froze, and his head exploded, turning into a cloud of blood mist.

The headless corpse twitched twice, then fell completely still, still hanging upside down on the beam, blood gushing from its neck.

Throughout the entire process, Shen Jue didn't even blink, and her eyes didn't get dry.

After doing all this, he turned to face the remaining people on the second floor.

Guo Jing and Huang Rong stood in the corner, their expressions normal, and there was even a hint of agreement in their eyes.

Master Tiansong slumped down beside the broken wall, clutching his shoulder, his face as white as paper.

Yilin clasped her hands together, lowered her head, and dared not look at the headless corpse, while murmuring Buddhist scriptures.

Linghu Chong stood there, his expression complex, a mixture of shock and resistance.

Shen Jue's gaze fell on Linghu Chong first.

"Linghu Chong, the eldest disciple of the Huashan Sect," Shen Jue said, his tone somewhat disappointed.

"He possesses exceptional swordsmanship talent, is a loyal friend who enjoys wine, and is unconcerned with trivial matters."

Linghu Chong clasped his hands in a fist and asked, "Do you recognize me, sir?"

"I recognize it." Shen Jue nodded slightly.

"You sat at that table over there for quite a while."

"We wanted to save the little nun Yilin from Tian Boguang, but we were no match for him."

"They had no choice but to swallow their pride and pretend to flatter that lecherous scoundrel."

"To become sworn brothers with such wicked people."

"Just now when Liu Da and Liu Er made their move, you actually looked reluctant and wanted to stop them, but you ultimately restrained yourself."

Linghu Chong remained silent, unsure how to respond.

Shen Jue continued, "You have a chivalrous heart, but your martial arts skills are mediocre."

"Although he is warm-hearted, he is also a bit fussy."

"You can't do good deeds well."

"I want to do whatever I want, but I have too many concerns."

"If things continue like this, won't right and wrong, good and evil, become a complete mess in your hands?"

Linghu Chong's expression changed slightly, but he still met Shen Jue's gaze frankly: "What you say is true. I do have many concerns."

"But the Huashan Sword Sect has always been a righteous sect in the martial world."

Too many worries become shackles.

Shen Jue sighed, "If you ever break free of your shackles, you might become a true swordsman."

"His martial arts skills wouldn't be so weak anymore."

Linghu Chong paused for a moment, then did not answer.

Shen Jue stopped looking at him and turned to Guo Jing and Huang Rong.

"Brother Guo, Miss Huang." Shen Jue nodded slightly.

"Liu Da and Liu Er have already passed on the breathing techniques to you two. Have you both benefited from them?"

Huang Rong stepped forward, cupped her hands in greeting, and looked at him with admiration: "The internal energy cultivation method created by Young Master Shen is truly the only one I have ever seen in my life."

"This humble woman is bold; may I ask, sir, which school of thought do you follow?"

"Without any sect or faction, I have formed my own school," Shen Jue replied.

Huang Rong was stunned for a moment, then her eyes shone even brighter: "A school of its own?"

"Young master, your mental cultivation method is in line with the ultimate principles of Taoism, yet it also incorporates the profound truths of Buddhism and the righteous spirit of Confucianism. The three schools are combined into one, forming a perfect whole."

"I dare to assert that the one who created this technique must be a person of great knowledge and profound learning."

Shen Jue was somewhat exasperated. When did he add his insights into Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism to "Breathing Techniques 2.0"?

How come he didn't know?

Huang Rong in her youth was really good at praising people.

Shen Jue looked at her, a smile appearing on his lips: "Miss Huang is indeed exceptionally intelligent, seeing through the trick at a glance."

He paused for a moment, then said directly, "Young Master Guo, Miss Huang, I have come here today not just to see Liu Da and Liu Er."

"I have something I'd like to invite you both to join me in this grand event."

Guo Jing said in a deep voice, "Brother Shen, please speak."

"In the martial arts world of the Southern Song Dynasty, numerous sects existed, each operating independently."

"The righteous sects are engaged in open and covert struggles, the remnants of the demonic sect are stirring up trouble, and there are countless people like Tian Boguang and Yu Renyan who bully the weak by relying on their martial arts skills."

"Natural and man-made disasters were constant, and many dynasties were in constant turmoil."

"As the saying goes, prosperity brings suffering to the people, and ruin brings suffering to the people."

Shen Jue's voice was not loud, but every word was clear: "I will use an iron fist to purge the scum of the martial world and restore order to the martial arts community."

"Unify the Southern Song Dynasty, and gather heroes to end this long-standing chaos!"

These words shocked everyone in the room.

Master Tiansong's lips trembled as he murmured, "This... what arrogant words..."

Shen Jue ignored him and looked intently at Guo Jing: "Brother Guo, you grew up in Mongolia, then returned to the Central Plains, became a disciple of the Seven Freaks of Jiangnan, and also inherited the Beggars' Sect's legacy."

"The fact that my 'Breathing Techniques 2.0' is being revised now proves that we are destined to meet!"

"Join my ranks!"

"And add Brother Qiao Feng to the mix!"

"We have two people who could slap a dragon out of the ground with one hand!"

Guo Jing was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "Brother Shen is right."

"Just from this 'Breathing Technique,' it's clear that Brother Shen's martial arts skills have already reached a level that I can't even begin to comprehend."

"only......"

"Just what?" Shen Jue asked.

Guo Jing frankly said, "Brother Shen is decisive and ruthless in his actions."

"While I agree with the principle of eradicating evil completely, I wonder where you draw that line in your heart, sir?"

Shen Jue looked at him, a hint of appreciation in her eyes.

"There's only one line in my heart," Shen Jue said.

"Those who commit evil shall be killed."

"Those who act as accomplices to the tyrant shall be killed."

"Anyone who obstructs my purge of the martial world and unification of the world shall be killed."

"Besides, all those who have good intentions and wish to do justice are like-minded people."

"I, Shen Jue, am willing to protect those who share my beliefs."

The three words "kill" were spoken with resounding force.

Guo Jing and Huang Rong exchanged a glance, and in that instant, they made their decision.

Huang Rong spoke first: "Brother Shen, we two are willing to travel with you."

"But Brother Shen must promise me one thing."

"Speak," Shen Jue nodded.

"To unite the various martial arts factions, we must invite them with courtesy, and proceed with diplomacy before resorting to force."

"We must not go and attack without asking questions," Huang Rong said, her eyes blazing.

"Although I am not talented, I am quite eloquent and am willing to persuade the leaders of various sects on your behalf."

Upon hearing this, Shen Jue laughed: "Miss Huang is indeed very thoughtful."

"Okay, I promise."

"Persuade those who can be persuaded as much as possible."

"As for those who can't be persuaded..."

He changed the subject, looking at Qiao Feng: "Brother Qiao, what do you say?"

Qiao Feng, who had been silent all along, finally spoke, his voice booming: "If you can't convince them, then beat them into submission."

"Though there are many heroes in the world, what do I, Qiao, have to fear?"

These few words, though brief, are grand in scale.

Guo Jing was startled. He had noticed this burly man with thick eyebrows and big eyes long ago, and now, as soon as he spoke, his bold and magnanimous spirit was palpable.

"And who is this?" Guo Jing asked, bowing respectfully.

"I am Qiao Feng." Qiao Feng returned the greeting with clasped hands, "So you are the leader of the Beggars' Sect."

Guo Jing immediately stood at attention with respect: "So it's Chief Qiao! I've long admired your name!"

Qiao Feng waved his hand: "I am no longer the leader of the gang."

"Now I'll travel the world with Brother Shen and make something of a truly great career."

Shen Jue nodded happily and walked towards the Taoist priest Tiansong, who was slumped on the ground.

Master Tiansong is a senior member of the Taishan Sect and has a very long and distinguished career in the martial arts world.

He clutched his broken bone, his face deathly pale, yet he still forced a glare at Shen Jue, his lips moving slightly: "Who exactly are you people?"

Shen Jue did not answer, but squatted down in front of him and gently placed his right hand on his wound.

A soft white light emanated from Shen Jue's palm and flowed into Daoist Tiansong's wound.

Master Tiansong felt a warm aura envelop his wounds, the broken bones began to heal, and the pain vanished in an instant, replaced by a tingling, comfortable sensation.

In just a few breaths, Shen Jue withdrew his hand.

Master Tiansong looked down at his shoulder in astonishment. The knife wound he had suffered had disappeared without even leaving a scar.

He tried to take a deep breath, and his internal energy circulated smoothly and without any obstruction.

"This..." Master Tiansong was speechless, unable to utter a complete sentence.

He had lived for over sixty years and had never seen such a miraculous healing method.

"Master Tiansong." Shen Jue stood up and looked down at him.

"After you return to the Taishan Sect, please pass on a message to Sect Leader Yujizi."

Master Tiansong asked instinctively, "What did you say?"

"I will personally go to Mount Tai in a short time to discuss martial arts with Sect Leader Yujizi," Shen Jue said in a chilling tone.

"If the Taishan Sect is willing to come under my control at that time, you will have your own benefits."

"If you're unwilling, my brothers are willing to talk to you."

At this point, Liu Da and Liu Er stared at Daoist Tiansong and laughed.

Master Tensho's hair stood on end.

Shen Jue said no more and turned to walk towards Linghu Chong.

Linghu Chong subconsciously took a half step back, then abruptly stopped.

Yilin, who was standing beside him, was already trembling all over, clutching his sleeve tightly, and dared not look up.

Shen Jue looked at Linghu Chong and suddenly reached out his hand.

Linghu Chong was taken aback.

"I admire your swordsmanship talent and don't want you to waste your life and time," Shen Jue said.

"It's good that you're willing to rescue the young nun Yilin from Tian Boguang's clutches today."

"As payment, I'll give you a manual of internal energy cultivation techniques," Shen Jue said with a wink.

"Good people who do good deeds deserve to be rewarded."

Linghu Chong looked at Shen Jue's outstretched hand, hesitated for a moment, and finally reached out and grasped it.

The hand was warm and strong, without a trace of hostility.

"You are always welcome to join my ranks," Shen Jue said with a smile.

Several streams of white internal energy carrying the message of "Breathing Technique 2.0" shot into the minds of the people present.

Linghu Chong and the others were momentarily dazed and confused, but then regained their senses.

He felt that Shen Jue's methods were like those of a god.

This book, "Breathing Techniques 2.0," when practiced to a high level, can even forcibly enhance the practitioner's appearance and temperament.

Shen Jue looked at Yi Lin.

Yilin trembled as she realized what had been added to her mind, and dared not look up.

Shen Jue's voice softened: "Little Master, don't be afraid. Please give my regards to Abbess Dingyi of the Hengshan Sect."

Yilin timidly raised her head and saw a faint smile on Shen Jue's face. Her tense heartstrings relaxed a little, and she replied softly, "Amitabha."

"I will certainly convey your message, benefactor."

Linghu Chong gave Shen Jue a deep look, then pulled Yilin and turned to go downstairs.

He strode away with Yilin.

Shen Jue watched the two leave, then turned to look at Guo Jing, Huang Rong, Liu Da and Liu Er, Qiao Feng, and Shangguan Haitang.

The six people stood together.

"Let's go," Shen Jue said. "For now, it'll just be the few of us."

"Let's go see what the grandmasters of this martial arts world are thinking."

Liu Da and Liu Er were so excited that they shouted and waved their arms as they followed behind Shen Jue.

Guo Jing and Huang Rong exchanged a smile and followed at the same time.

Qiao Feng strode forward with his head held high, and with each step he took, the floorboards trembled slightly.

Shangguan Haitang walked at the back, glanced back at the dilapidated second floor of the restaurant, took out a gold ingot from her sleeve, and casually tossed it in front of the trembling manager behind the counter.

"I'll compensate you for your restaurant. Don't worry, no one will cause trouble."

"From this day forward, the Qingcheng Sect shall cease to exist."

After she finished speaking, she turned and left.

The shopkeeper stared blankly at the gold ingot, which weighed a full twenty taels, then looked at the bloodstains on the ground and the headless corpse. He reached out and grabbed the gold ingot into his pocket, sighing deeply.

Outside the restaurant, the setting sun bleeds like blood, and the long street is deserted.

Shen Jue walked at the front, the setting sun casting his long shadow on the bluestone slab.

"Zhang Sanfeng, the founder of Wudang; the sweeping monk of Shaolin; and Dugu Qiubai, the sword demon."

"Li Xunhuan, the Flying Dagger; Ximen Chuixue, the Sword God; and Shen Lang, the Great Hero."

"Among the heroes of this world, who can rival me?"

Shen Jue naturally raised her fashion sense.