Betrayal

The other three also revealed greedy eyes, and subconsciously reached out their hands, only to bump into each other. They exchanged glances and awkwardly withdrew their hands.

Ximen Chou praised, "Sect Leader Li actually brought out all his sect's most treasured techniques. He's truly generous and worthy of being the number one leader of the Evil Dao. He has real spirit."

Since saying nice things doesn't cost any money, he's happy to Li Ban, as long as he gets something in return.

"Martial arts only have meaning when a person is alive. What value do they have, even if they possess the most invincible martial arts manuals, once they are dead? It's a pity that I only recently came to understand this."

"It seems this Sick Young Master is truly powerful, otherwise he wouldn't have been able to push Sect Master Li to such a point," Zhong Jiu asked cautiously. "Could it be that this person single-handedly thwarted the combined forces of Sect Master and the Beast King Anye?"

Li Ban hurriedly said, "This boy's cultivation is indeed terrifying, but he's not as powerful as the rumors say. Otherwise, how could I have dared to gather everyone to deal with him? Wouldn't it be suicide to engage in a battle with no chance of victory?"

That day, I did indeed join forces with the Beast King Anye to ambush him. However, halfway through the battle, just when victory seemed within reach, the Beast King Anye suddenly said he didn't want to fight anymore and withdrew, leaving me alone to face him. Helplessly, I was defeated. Afterwards, the news spread, and through misinterpretation, somehow it became what the Purgatory Divine Lord heard."

Upon hearing this, the four nodded in agreement. This was also the truth they had deduced. They had learned about the King of Monsters' strength through various channels and simply couldn't imagine anyone defeating such a monster single-handedly.

On the other hand, the Beast King Anye has an eccentric personality and has a history of deliberately releasing experts from the Evil-Slaying Sword School Sect. Therefore, he is perfectly capable of suddenly withdrawing from a battle.

"It seems the Evil-Slaying Sword School deliberately promoted it like this to create momentum for Sima Liang. For example, that title of 'the number one master in the world' is simply audacious," Ximen Chou said disdainfully.

Li Ban hurriedly said, "This boy's strength among humans might truly deserve the title of 'Number One Expert Under Heaven.' Not everyone can withstand the combined attack of the Beast King Anye and myself for so long. Please don't underestimate him."

"That's natural; after all, not everyone can chase after the Blood Abyss Sect Master around like that," Zhong Jiu said sarcastically.

If Li Ban had said that Sima Liang's strength was negligible and could be easily killed, the four would inevitably have become suspicious, thinking that the rumors might be true. However, after hearing Li Ban praise Sima Liang highly, the four felt much more at ease, believing that Li Ban was making excuses for his own defeat and deliberately exaggerating his opponent's worth.

"It's settled then. Tomorrow, once Sima Liang steps into the trap, we will use the Seven Slaughter Blood Formation to surround and kill him, restoring justice to the Evil Dao of the world!"

The following day, Si Ming arrived at Yuntian Mountain with a challenge letter in his hand.

"You actually challenged me to a duel. I don't understand what you're plotting, but whatever, try your best to please me."

Two days ago, while Si Ming was having tea at a teahouse, he suddenly received a challenge letter. It was signed by Li Ban and roughly said, "Everyone's tired of this chase game. Let's just have a good fight and settle things once and for all." In addition, he also praised Si Ming's strength, calling him the undisputed number one in the world. Therefore, in order to balance their strength, he demanded that Si Ming come alone. Otherwise, they would rather continue to hide than show themselves.

Although he felt that the other party was definitely plotting something, with Si Ming's current strength, even if he couldn't say that "all schemes and tricks are meaningless in the face of absolute strength," he could at least escape unscathed after falling into a trap. Therefore, Si Ming swaggered over to see what tricks the other party was up to. Besides, according to the intelligence gathered by the Daoist Gate, Li Ban and his group were indeed hiding near Yuntian Mountain.

"Hey, I've arrived as promised, why don't you all show yourselves and face your deaths?"

Si Ming stood on the ruins of the Blood Abyss Sect headquarters and shouted loudly.

Suddenly, a thick fog rose up all around, which the wind could not disperse, and a strong killing intent stirred within it, with the sounds of clashing swords and galloping horses echoing everywhere.

"Another formation? Although I guessed you would use formations against me, isn't this a bit too boring? Can't you come up with a more interesting idea?"

"Whether it's interesting or not, as long as it kills you, that's all that matters."

Suddenly, the Purgatory Divine Lord Zhong Jiu appeared behind Si Ming and silently unleashed the Bitter Avici Suffering Seal, the strongest killing move he had ever learned in his life.

"Killing me is out of the question, but you can commit suicide. If you can't live a noble life, at least die an interesting one."

Si Ming blocked with a flick of his sleeve, concealing a palm beneath it. The two palms struck each other, and Zhong Jiu immediately felt a ringing in his ears and a pounding in his heart. His face flushed red, and he tried to retreat, dissipating his divine power. However, a sticky force adhered to the opponent's sleeve, binding his wrist and preventing him from retreating. Then, he felt the opponent's force surge up within a few inches, like waves and tides, surging out one after another, shaking his Qi and Blood and qi, causing his muscles and bones to tremble, his internal organs to shift, and his face to turn from red to purple, and from purple to black.

"Divine Lord, retreat immediately!"

With Li Ban, Li Ban tore Si Ming's sleeve apart, then transformed into a streak of bloody light, swept up Zhong Jiu, and swiftly vanished into the mist.

Si Ming didn't give chase in a low voice, but instead said, "Not bad, you actually managed to withstand one of my palm strikes and survive. Seeing today's battle, it's not as boring as I imagined."

Inside the Seven Slaughter Blood Formation, Ximen Chou and the others had grim expressions. Although they had guessed that the opponent's strength was definitely not weak, otherwise he would not be worthy of the title of the number one in the world, they never expected that a powerhouse like the Purgatory Divine Lord could not even withstand a single palm strike.

"Everyone be careful, whatever you do, don't confront him head-on. I've said it before, this person is incredibly strong, but he's only one person. We just need to avoid his strengths and attack his weaknesses, and we'll take him down sooner or later."

While reassuring everyone, Li Ban gave a wink to his fellow disciples Mao Wei and Diao Mei. The two understood and quietly retreated.

Chapter 569 Betrayal

Within the Seven Slaughter Blood Formation, Si Ming faced seven Evil Dao cultivators alone. The pervasive blood mist obscured his vision and interfered with his spiritual perception, making it difficult for him to pinpoint their locations and preventing him from launching any attacks. He could only passively respond to their attacks.

Yang Dongli, the Thousand-Handed Demon King, lived up to his name. With a flick of his wrists, he seemed to transform into the Thousand-Armed Guanyin, unleashing over a thousand palm prints in the blink of an eye, covering Si Ming's entire body and leaving him no angle to dodge.

Normally, his palm techniques, though complex, lacked power. Even when facing the True Qi of a strong opponent of the same level, it would take considerable effort to break through. But now, with the support of the formation, each palm strike was imbued with Blood Sha Qi, as red as magma. Just by looking at it, one could tell that its power was extraordinary.

At the same time, Tong Tianhao the Golden Finger Gang also activated his famous technique "Golden Phoenix Finger" and launched an attack from behind Si Ming, forming a pincer movement with Yang Dongli. Meanwhile, Ximen Chou, the master of Ghost Fort Ximen Chou, moved like a ghost, using the blood mist to conceal his figure, constantly circling around Si Ming, looking for an opportunity to strike.

Is that all?

Si Ming was determined to maintain the majestic image of the "Leader of the Heavenly Martial Alliance," so he stood tall with his hands behind his back, looking up at the sky, letting hundreds of crimson palm prints shoot towards him like powerful crossbows. Just as they were about to touch him, ripples spread around his body, the air seemed to turn into flowing waves, and sound waves vibrated, deflecting the surging palm prints with gentle force, causing them to move around his body.

This move combines the No-Void Sound Barrier of the Yuezheng Lineage and the Water Moon Precious Mirror of the Si Clan into a protective energy. Although it has the drawback of being unable to move while activating it, it blends the defensive capabilities of the No-Void Sound Barrier with the leverage of the Water Moon Precious Mirror, making it an unparalleled method for defense and counterattack.

"Here you go!"

Si Ming pushed back, and hundreds of crimson palm prints attacked Tong Tianhao behind him. Tong Tianhao's expression changed drastically. The Golden Phoenix Finger was effective in attacking, but it was full of loopholes in defense. He was hit by dozens of palms in one go and immediately flew out with blood splattering.

"Ghost-Crying Frontier Arrowhead!"

A cold glint appeared, and the Blood Shadow Sword Diao Mei, wielding the sword with the same power as the swordsman, moved with lightning Rushing Thunder, aiming straight for Si Ming's brow. Ghostly energy swirled around the blade, and the outline of Ghostly Evil Seal faintly appeared. Clearly, this One Sword also had the effect of ignoring the physical body and piercing the soul, making it an excellent move for dealing with body-refining martial artists.

"Earth Evil Swallows the Sea!"

At the same time, the evil seal master Mao Wei activated the Earth Evil Seal, intending to restrain Si Ming's actions. He did not need to completely imprison him; just a slight delay would slow down his reaction, and Diao Mei would succeed.

However, Si Ming stood still without dodging or avoiding, stomped his foot, and used the "Dragon-Elephant Stomp" move to unleash a powerful force to suppress the earth's turmoil. Then, when Diao Mei 'One Sword was about three inches in front of his brow, he leisurely extended two fingers, just right to pinch the sword's edge, making it difficult for it to advance any further. At the same time, the Evil-Slaying Sword Qi contained in his two fingers shattered the opponent's hidden Ghostly Evil Seal.

"What a weak and feeble sword. It attacks with seven parts force and reserves three parts. Such a sword is fine for dealing with the weak, but when facing the strong, it doesn't think about going all out. Instead, it's cowardly before the battle even begins. Heh, forget about killing anyone. It's more suitable for embroidery."

Upon hearing this, Diao Mei was both shocked and furious. She knew that her strength was inferior to her opponent's, but being so blatantly looked down upon still made her furious. She thought to herself, "Although I may not be able to defeat you, I can still make you look bad."