Chapter 1683: Wumen Yanqiu Gong

Left with no other option, the three of them moved to block the closest figure. After exchanging two blows each, they immediately sensed something was amiss.

Although Wang Wuxie's cultivation was high, they wouldn't fail to recognize a mere illusion after actually engaging in combat.

"Mine's fake!""Mine's fake!""Mine's fake!"

The three of them exclaimed almost simultaneously. After speaking, they all froze. If all they were facing were fakes, where was the real one?

Just then, they suddenly sensed something and looked in the same direction. They saw a purple light, like a rainbow, shooting towards the horizon. It was clear that Wang Wuxie had just created three illusions to deceive them, and his true form had seized the opportunity to escape the encirclement.

They had no time to marvel at the brilliance of Wang Wuxie's tactic. After all, the three illusions were so convincing that even they couldn't distinguish them from the real thing in combat. What was more crucial now was to catch him.

The three of them used their unique skills to pursue Wang Wuxie. Unfortunately, he had a head start, making it impossible to catch him.

Wang Wuxie's expression was cold. He thought that once he returned to Pure Yang Palace, he would rally the entire sect for a counterattack; these people would pay the price. He could also contact others from various sects who weren't involved in this matter. For example, Yan Xuehen certainly wouldn't have participated in their sordid affairs.

Just then, a golden "卍" symbol suddenly appeared before him. It was small at first, but quickly grew with the wind, becoming enormous by the time it reached him.

Wang Wuxie blasted out a purple light from his palms, scattering the "卍" symbol. However, his body also trembled, forcing him to pause momentarily.

At this moment, Guan Chouhai and the other two seized the opportunity to encircle him again.

"Brother Wang, that was a truly brilliant move just now," Guan Chouhai couldn't help but exclaim. "To create three illusions simultaneously and deceive our eyes was simply extraordinary."

Wang Wuxie, however, showed no hint of joy. Instead, he looked forward and said, "Master Jian Huang, I didn't expect you to be involved in this as well."

"Amitabha!" An old monk, with palms pressed together, slowly walked out from the forest. Who else could it be but Master Jian Huang of Wuyou Temple?

"This old monk originally did not wish to get involved in this matter," the monk said. "However, your cultivation, National Preceptor, is too high; I had no choice but to act."

Wang Wuxie said in a deep voice, "You are a venerable figure; why would you risk joining them in this treacherous and despicable act?"

Master Jian Huang's expression was calm. "Benefactor Wang should know the reason," he said.

Wang Wuxie fell silent. Before the rise of Taoism, Buddhism had held the status of state religion. Now, Wuyou Temple no longer had its historical influence, and naturally, they were dissatisfied with the current situation. However, he hadn't expected them to have the audacity to resist. Yet, it was also laughable to think that both Buddhist and Taoist factions had allied solely to restore the former glory of Buddhism.

"Delays breed trouble; let's deal with him quickly," Xuan Bajing said. After all, this was Wang Wuxie's territory, and if he truly escaped, the consequences would be troublesome.

"Benefactor Wang, please excuse us," Master Jian Huang said. Behind him, Buddhist light suddenly shone brightly. Then, he slowly extended his hands forward; what seemed like an extremely slow motion instantly split into countless palms, enveloping the space in front of Wang Wuxie.

"Thousand-Hand Buddha?" Wang Wuxie could tell this was Master Jian Huang's special domain. He dared not be careless any longer. The misty purple energy around him suddenly transformed into countless fists, receiving Master Jian Huang's palm strikes.

He frowned slightly. This Master Jian Huang seemed to be putting on a grand display, but in reality, he was holding back considerably. He probably feared Li Changsheng and the others. It seemed that to snatch victory from this perilous situation today, he would have to exploit the mutual distrust among these individuals.

At this moment, Li Changsheng, Guan Chouhai, and Xuan Bajing all moved. Unlike their previous half-hearted efforts, this time they were much more serious. After all, they had almost let Wang Wuxie escape just now, and they dared not be careless again. If so many people of their caliber, who were usually their equals, were to let him escape despite their combined siege, not only would they lose face, but the leakage of this information to Zhao Hao would also be something they couldn't bear.

Wang Wuxie's misty purple energy transformed into various shapes, sometimes attacking and sometimes defending, truly appearing and disappearing like a phantom. However, any single person here was usually his equal. Even if they were still scheming against each other at this moment, their combined strength was something he alone could not contend with.

After dozens of exchanges, the several individuals briefly separated. Wang Wuxie was breathing heavily, having already taken several heavy blows. His condition was now precarious. The others dared not approach for the time being, having sensed his desperate resolve. None of them wanted to be dragged down with him. For a moment, the scene fell into a temporary calm and balance.

Just then, a startled cry suddenly came: "What are you doing?"

Everyone looked back to see Feng Wuchang, the Peak Master of Guaxin Peak of the Zhengyang Sect, staring at them in shock from nearby. This was Guaxin Peak, and he had clearly noticed something unusual and come to investigate, not expecting to witness such a shocking scene.

"No survivors!" Guan Chouhai cried out urgently. If the information was leaked by this person and the entire Zhengyang Sect was mobilized, their lives would likely be in danger. What's more, there were other sects on the mountain who hadn't participated, as well as the imperial army.

Just then, Xuan Bajing, who was closest to Feng Wuchang, moved. With a flash of lightning, he appeared before Feng Wuchang, pressing a palm towards his crown. Although Feng Wuchang's cultivation was not low, it was insufficient before a Grandmaster. Suppressed by the opponent's domain aura, he found himself utterly unable to move and could only watch as the large hand descended.

Just then, a purple light flashed, and Wang Wuxie appeared before him. While blocking Xuan Bajing's palm, he said to Feng Wuchang behind him, "Junior Brother, quickly go and notify the other Peak Masters..."

Before he could finish speaking, a sharp pain suddenly shot through his back. He looked down and saw the tip of a dagger emerging from his chest. Seizing the opportunity, Xuan Bajing struck several vital acupuncture points on his body with his palm, completely incapacitating him.

Wang Wuxie spat out a mouthful of blood. The blood contained traces of misty energy, forcefully pushing Xuan Bajing back. However, he no longer had the strength to pursue. Instead, he turned around and looked at Feng Wuchang in disbelief, "Why?"

In that instant, it dawned on him. These people had set up an ambush on Guaxin Peak; as the Peak Master, how could Feng Wuchang have been completely unaware? Unfortunately, it was too late to realize all this.

By then, Feng Wuchang had already retreated far away, clearly fearing his retaliation. Hearing his question, he let out a soft sigh, "Senior Brother, I also want to progress. With you here, none of this would be possible."

Wang Wuxie was so enraged that he laughed instead. "So you colluded with outsiders?" he scoffed. "What ability will you have then to protect the Zhengyang Sect?"

Feng Wuchang's expression was wooden. "That's not something Senior Brother needs to worry about," he said.

Wang Wuxie stopped wasting words on him. Instead, he glared fiercely at the others. "I, Wang, have fallen today," he declared. "But even if I can't drag someone down with me before I die, I can still ensure that one of you is severely wounded and unable to recover for decades. Who wants to be that unlucky one?" He no longer hoped to escape. He merely wanted to sow discord among them, leaving a thorn for their future.

"Amitabha, Benefactor Wang, you speak too gravely," Master Jian Huang said. "We have no intention of taking your life."

Wang Wuxie's expression turned cold. "What?" he scoffed. "Do you really intend for me to cooperate with you?"

"Why not?" Guan Chouhai chuckled. "Sister Wu, it's your turn."

Wang Wuxie's heart tightened. Could it be...

Just then, a dark figure slowly approached from the distance. "Such a large group of you ambushing Wang Wuxie, and still needing to resort to such despicable tricks to succeed," the figure said. "It's truly disgraceful." The voice was hoarse, belonging to an an old woman shrouded entirely in a black robe and cloak.

"Grand Elder of the Witch Sect, Wu Wuyan!" Wang Wuxie's heart sank to the bottom. He then directly struck his own forehead with a palm, clearly intending to commit suicide on the spot.

Just then, the black-robed old woman moved. A straw figure had appeared before her at some unknown point. She bowed three times towards the straw figure, and then Wang Wuxie instantly stiffened in place, his eyes becoming cloudy.