Chapter 8, Tying the Grass and Holding the Ring

The woman in black, with a coy tone, said: "Young Master Xiao, that won't do..."

Xiao Yao felt an intense dryness in his mouth and throat, as a surge of heat from his dantian rose straight to his head. Instinctively, he maneuvered his body forward, tackling the woman in black to the ground

The two embraced tightly, as if trying to merge themselves into one another; apart from their heavy breathing, there was a long silence with no other sounds.

Jun Tianxie quickly deduced that the person before him was the true reason for the "Inaccessible Forest Sea," where one could enter but not exit, and he was rapidly calculating a way to escape.

It is a pity that sometimes human plans are not as effective as the plans of heaven

The woman in black said, "I am wearing a mask on my face; how can you know whether I am beautiful or ugly?"

Her tone exuded a seductive "as you wish" charm, complemented by the graceful demeanor she displayed as she approached, captivating all who beheld her

The ethereal fairy Wu Cai said: "What Chunyu needs most right now is to rest quietly, avoiding any stimulation. I will convey the Young Master Lou's intentions to her."

Jun Tianxie particularly emphasized the two words "senior". Having long been accustomed to various deceptive tricks within the demonic sect, he instinctively felt that the other party was not the type to go back on their word, yet he still wanted to take extra precautions.

After my treatment, the external injuries of Chunyu have largely healed, but the psychological scars are not something that can be recovered from in a short time, alas

The woman in black caressed her breasts and provocatively said, "What is the young master waiting for?"

The unusual person looked at Jun Tian with great interest and said, "Not bad, both your talent and martial disposition are considered above average. Given time, you should be able to become a master of a sect."

There is a presence of someone.

A black figure, seemingly merging with the night, shot out from within the high walls of the inner courtyard, casting itself into the unknowable void

I thought you were going to take me to the "Mount of Life and Death" to witness the duel between Long Bufeifei and the third in the world

Jun Tianxie felt a jolt in his heart, yet he tried his best to maintain an appearance of ignorance and said: "We are just two lost individuals, sir. You are not a bad person, are you?"

The otherworldly person sighed and said: "Well, it is fate that we meet. Today, I shall consider this a loss-making venture and help you, this junior of mine."

Ding Shenzhao and Jun Tianxie cannot be considered overly dramatic individuals, yet the "thing" before them is truly extraordinary, to the extent that it is not even recorded in the "Chronicles of Universal Curiosities". Otherwise, Jun Tianxie would certainly reconsider the original plan.

Oh... I want...

The peculiar "person" appeared before them just like that

Ding Shenzhao said in a deep voice

Xiao Yao's eyes shone with an unusual brilliance as he calmly said: "Although I, Xiao, am charming, I am neither lewd nor foolish. If anyone believes they can bring me to my demise with a pink trap, then I am not worthy to be one of the Three Heroes."

Luo Xueyi stood in front of a beautifully decorated and exquisitely luxurious mansion, his aristocratic demeanor effortlessly blending with the surrounding environment, not appearing out of place in the slightest

The moon peeked out from behind the dark clouds, reflecting a slender, azure needle in the palm of the night robe. If Xiao Yao had not acted promptly, this needle would likely have already pierced his body by now

It grinned and said: "All phenomena are impermanent; the standards of good and evil in the world are only suitable for measuring ordinary mortals. What use are they to beings like you and me who defy the heavens?"

Xiao Yao chuckled and said, "This question should be directed at the young lady. The young lady has stealthily emerged from the core territory of my Seven Factions, her identity remains unknown, and her movements are suspicious. Although I am powerless, I still hold the position of a member of the alliance. When encountering such dubious matters, how can I turn a blind eye to them"

Luo Xueyi inquired: "May I ask if it would be possible for me to visit Miss Xi?"

Luo Xueyi spoke with a tone of regret: "It is all my fault for arriving too late, and I was unable to preserve Miss Xi's innocence."

In order to ensure that Ding Shenzhao can arrive at "Death Peak" in a timely manner, Jun Tianxie had no choice but to take this risky step.

The "Yidie Alliance" is one of the few purely female-dominated sects in the martial arts world. The leader, "Fengdie" Wucai Xian, has managed to elevate her sect to the status of one of the Seven Major Forces of the Righteous Path in a realm that traditionally favors male superiority over females, demonstrating her exceptional abilities

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Its gaze wandered between the two individuals, finally resting on Jun Tianxie, as it spoke in a hoarse tone: "Heaven-defying person, what brings you here?"

If Ding Shenzhao were to know that he was currently in one of the three forbidden areas of the martial world known as the "Tree Sea of No Entry," he would likely be so enraged that he would immediately strangle Jun Tianxie to death

Jun Tianxie did not possess the wild sixth sense like Ding Shen Zhao, and thought that the latter was angry again, pondering what words to use to soothe him

Why is it that such an unparalleled master, Jun Tianxie, has not grasped even a fraction of the data? He has not even heard of it before

The otherworldly being looked at the two individuals who had fallen at his feet and murmured in a desolate tone: "In the mountains, there are no cycles of years, and the forest sea stretches long through time. Among the two of you, who will ultimately grow to become a worthy opponent capable of battling me? I look forward to the arrival of that day"

Since the appearance of this otherworldly being, Ding Shenzhao has remained in a state of high tension, wanting to take action yet hesitating to do so. Jun Tianxie has not even glanced at Ding Shenzhao, yet he can sense his emotions, as he himself shares the same feelings.

That

Jun Tianxie was extremely surprised, yet inexplicably believed in Ding Shenzhao's intuition. The question is, apart from them, who else would come to "Not Entering the Tree Sea" to seek death

Luo Xueyi referred to her as "the Alliance Leader," so this elegantly dressed woman must be "Phoenix Butterfly," the enchanting dancer! Judging by her appearance, she is not much older than Xi Chunyu, which indicates that the latter possesses remarkable skills in maintaining her youth, and her internal cultivation is profound enough to sustain her youthful vitality.

Jun Tianxie ultimately decided to confront the peculiar entity before him with a straightforward approach. Dealing with such an unfathomable "thing" renders deception and evasion futile.

What a clever one you are, Xiao Yao! I admit I underestimated you, but you should not think you can catch me!

There is someone

After standing for an unknown duration, the main door finally creaked open. A woman of elegant demeanor, graceful beauty, and enchanting figure, resembling a fairy descending to the mortal realm, emerged from within. Approaching Xueyi with a lightness that seemed to defy the ground, she spoke in a melodious voice: "The 'Yidie Alliance' has always restricted male guests from entering. I apologize for making Young Master Lou wait outside for so long."

Flying Knife

A seemingly unremarkable flying knife, yet with an astonishing presence, pierced through the snow-white chest of the night attire

It is unknown how long has passed before the stagnant time resumes its flow

It is truly meddlesome

Jun Tianxie scratched his head and said with a tone of helplessness: "We must be lost"

Ding Shenzhao, with an unusual expression, slowly drew a pair of swords from behind his back. After examining them for a long time, he finally spoke: "Although I do not understand what a divine weapon is, I can sense the extraordinary nature of this pair of swords."

What happened

"It is you who mentioned the path to 'Shengsi Peak'; you could find it even with your eyes closed! How could you possibly be lost now?"

Faced with such a man who attracts the admiration of the opposite sex, the woman in black spoke as if confronting a formidable enemy: "The charming swordsman, Xiao Yao?"

Do not enter the forest of trees; living beings should not enter. Those who enter will not exit, and there is death but no life.

Having read the relevant accounts in "The Chronicles of Global Wonders," Jun Tianxie is confident that as long as he does not venture deep into the heart of the Tree Sea, he has at least a seventy percent chance of not getting lost. He believes that if he just wanders around aimlessly for a few days and then "accidentally" finds the exit, even if the two of them could sprout wings, they would still not be able to catch up to the final battle

According to Chunyu, the list has fallen into the hands of a young man named Jun Tianxie

What the senior said must be taken seriously

Ding Shenzhao suppressed the urge to punch the opponent's nose and said in a deep voice: "Mr. Lu Sheng, there are only ten days left. If we cannot leave here, we will truly miss this duel."

Jun Tianxie looked at Ding Shenzhao's back and smiled wryly, saying: "This is what is called a wild man presenting a treasure, but this gentleman's approach is rather too crude, making it impossible for you to refuse."

These sixteen characters perfectly depict the essence of "not entering the forest sea". Once you enter the forest sea, no matter how exceptional your skills are, you will inevitably become lost in this intricate natural maze, unable to see the light of day or distinguish directions, until you perish from exhaustion.

Only in this way can Ding Shen be assured of his presence, and when encountering the person he wishes to avoid, he can act with careful consideration. This is the motto of Jun Tianxie, and everything he does is the result of meticulous calculation

Ding Shenzhao first sensed the aura of danger and suddenly came to a halt

This time, the tone has been particularly strengthened

Jun Tianxie said: "You can't possibly have had your brain damaged by that strange person, can you? Any weapon I casually pick up is far superior to that pair of scrap metal in your hands. In my opinion, it would be better to just get rid of this burden."

Ding Shenzhao displayed a look of confusion and said this

Xiao Yao smiled and said: "One can infer the essence from the subtlety; just by observing the young lady's graceful and elegant figure, one can deduce the beauty of her youthful appearance"

The other person revealed a look of approval, slightly nodded, and said: "You are quite clever, young man. Rest assured, I have no intention of making things difficult for you two juniors."

Jun Tianxie, having been in the dark for too long, even regards scrap metal as treasure. At this moment, the stranger said: "One must always be wary of others; remember my words. Sometimes, your closest comrades may turn out to be your greatest enemies. You may leave now; if fate allows, we shall meet again in the future"

Before either of them had a chance to speak, two vines suddenly shot up from his body, striking towards the two individuals with such speed that they didn't even have time to think about dodging. Everything went dark before them, and they were already unconscious.

The other person chuckled in disbelief and said, "When did it become your place to question my words? Rest assured, even if I were to take action against you, it would certainly not be today. You are not yet qualified to be my opponent."

Jun Tianxie exclaimed: "What?"

This is the "Flying Dagger" of Xiao Yao, inherited from the leader of the "Little Knife Society," Li Wuyou, known as "Little Li Flying Dagger," which never misses its mark

The speed of the woman in black is extremely fast, under the night sky, resembling a meteor streaking across the ground

In her youth, the enchanting Fairy of Dance was renowned for her beauty, attracting countless suitors. Even now, the leader of the "Sword Tower," the "Sword Saint" Feng Xuling, and the leader of the "Flying Dagger Society," "Flying Dagger" Li Wuyou, have both been rumored to have been her devoted admirers.

Two people awaken under the starry night sky

Ding Shenzhao is certainly not as "flexible" as Jun Tianxie. The other party is clearly the strongest opponent he has encountered since his debut. Although he may not be a match for them, the blood boiling within him still compels him to take on this uncertain battle.

What about me

Luo Xueyi said: "The lewd scoundrel who insulted Miss Xi is Han Qu, the 'Flying Eagle,' one of the Seven Beasts of the 'Underworld.' He is notorious for his evil deeds, and I have already killed him on the spot."

Every word of "it" carries profound meaning, evoking an elusive sensation that is precisely the kind of feeling that Jun Tianxie detests the most, and the person before him has already aroused his heightened vigilance

Jun Tianxie asked, "Where are you going?"

Luo Xueyi bowed and said: "The leader is being too modest. It is an honor for me, as a junior, to have the opportunity to serve your esteemed alliance"

Xiao Yao's eyes lit up, and he smiled, saying, "Miss, are you serious about this?"

Jun Tianxie set down a heavy burden in his heart. Given his character, he had no intention of refuting the words of the outsider. After all, the current situation favored the other party, and being on their territory, it was only natural that they had the final say.

Ding Shenzhao looked at him with a reproachful gaze and said: "Of course it's 'Mount Life and Death'. This time, you surely won't get lost again, right? 'Saint of the Road'!"

Jun Tianxie shrugged his shoulders and said in a tone that was almost shameless: "People make mistakes, and horses stumble. Even a sage like me can occasionally go in the wrong direction."

In the night, with a sudden bite revealing silver teeth, it unexpectedly bent its knees to thrust upward. Fortunately, Xiao Yao reacted swiftly, rolling over to avoid the impending disaster to his lower body. Meanwhile, the former seized this fleeting moment, leaping three zhang without even taking its clothes, and quickly made its escape

Ding Shenzhao exclaimed loudly, providing evidence that even the most good-tempered individuals can have moments of anger

The woman in black smiled and said, "People say that Xiao Yaofeng is charming and graceful, and that he knows how to win the affection of the opposite sex. Today, upon seeing him, I realize that the rumors are indeed true"

Although it was merely a fleeting glance, one could infer from the well-proportioned figure beneath the night attire that "she" was likely a woman

The knife is drawn

Ding Shenzhao's body trembled, and the momentum he had painstakingly gathered was effortlessly shattered by a casual remark from the other person

With just these words, the woman in black realized that her actions had long been noticed by the seemingly frivolous and carefree young man before her, and that she had been followed for quite some time without any awareness. It was evident that Xiao Yao's skills were far superior to her own

Jun Tianxie smiled mischievously and said, "Don't worry, don't you trust your brother? I will definitely lead you out of this haunted forest."

The night garment could only emit a half-hearted cry of despair; with a shudder, it fell to the ground, fragrant yet ephemeral.

Having spoken, she turned her hand to remove the veil from her head, revealing a face that was both capable of anger and joy, with exquisite features that smiled charmingly. Her long hair, resembling a black waterfall, cascaded down, and her enchanting eyes sparkled with an indescribable allure

Xiao Yao still wore a rogue-like smile on his face, yet one hand was gripping the wrist of the nightgown.

Ding Shenzhao woke up beside him, feeling as if something had been added behind him. When he reached back to touch it, he discovered it was indeed that pair of swords.

At first glance, it is truly difficult to distinguish the "thing" before me from the surrounding giant trees. "It" is entwined with vines, and apart from that, it is completely bare, its skin resembling tree bark—rough and dry. Only a pair of sparkling eyes remain, deep and distant, as if they harbor boundless intelligence.

What is it

However, the colorful fairy has remained unmarried until now. According to her own statement, she has chosen to defeat the "Mingyue Sect" as her lifelong sole ambition. As long as the tyrant remains alive, she will not step out of her chamber.

The other person spoke in a powerful and unassailable tone, saying: "The sword is named 'Knotting Grass', and the knife is named 'Linking Rings'. They were my weapons during my youth in the martial world. Now that I no longer carry weapons, I shall pass them on to you."

What do you intend to do with us

The first thing Jun Tianxie did upon regaining consciousness was to ascertain his location, but the answer he received left him greatly disheartened. "The Tree Sea" was right behind him, yet that otherworldly being had actually sent them away from the Tree Sea.

In my heart, I have already cursed the eighteen generations of the ancestors of the Tree Sea Outsider.

A hint of dimness flashed through the beautiful eyes of the dancing fairy.

A person performed an exaggerated gesture of raising their hand and, in a deep and magnetic voice, said: "Indeed, it is an honor for me that a beauty can recognize me, Xiao."

Xiao Yao stared, seemingly entranced, murmuring: "A beauty beyond compare... truly a beauty beyond compare..."

Xiao Yao smiled and said: "Miss, you flatter me. I am merely a wayward scoundrel, unworthy of such a misnomer as 'dashing'"

The gentle sigh at the end of the sentence fully reveals a sincere sense of care

The mood is the innate intuition of a warrior; the person before them is very strong, exceptionally strong, to the extent that even if the two of them join forces, they have no confidence whatsoever in achieving victory.

The fairy in colorful attire shook her head and said, "How can this be blamed on you? It is already a great fortune amidst misfortune that the spring rain can preserve life. If you had been a moment later, the consequences would have been unimaginable"

A young and handsome face adorned with two elegant mustaches, a hint of playful and carefree smile at the corners of his mouth, a sky-blue robe billowing in the wind, exuding a natural and graceful demeanor, with movements that are calm and elegant, every gesture filled with delightful charm

The night attire swiftly distanced itself, suddenly creating nearly ten zhang between itself and Xiao Yao. Seeing that pursuit was futile, the latter revealed a sorrowful expression and shook his head, sighing: "What is the reason for this suffering?"

Upon closer inspection of that pair of swords, the so-called "binding grass" is merely a circle of hemp wrapped around the hilt; and the "ring" is an old copper ring used in place of where the blade should have a guard. The blade and edge are further marred by rust spots, and it is unclear how many years of neglect they have endured

Ding Shenzhao sheathed his sword and stood up, saying: "It is time to set off."

No unusual actions were observed from the stranger, yet the vines on his body seemed to be an extension of his will, rolling and stretching outwards, and when they returned to him, they were surprisingly entwined with a pair of swords.

He spoke lightly, but as soon as Ding Shenzhao saw the surrounding forest with no visible paths and the dense canopy of leaves overhead that blocked out even the sunlight, he could not feel happy at all

Such a statement reflects a courage that does not yield to men, or it may simply be an act of avoidance; this cannot yet be confirmed.

The woman in black smiled charmingly and said, "Do you like me, young master?"

Xiao Yao nodded repeatedly and said: "I like it! Of course I like it!"

The woman in black felt a surge of murderous intent within her. On one hand, she sought a way to escape; on the other hand, she shifted her thoughts and walked towards Xiao Yao with a smile.

Oh! ... ... Xiao ... ... Young Master Xiao, what are you doing?

Suddenly, the woman in black trembled, abruptly coming to a halt, transitioning from high speed to stillness as naturally and smoothly as breathing, indicating her extraordinary skill.

Lost

Ding Shenzhao revealed a determined expression on his face and shook his head, saying: "No, I have decided to use this set of swords as my weapon while traversing the martial world"

He truly does not understand how Jun Tianxie, this "old horse that knows the way," managed to lead them to such a dreadful place

This is something I need to ask you: what is it that you wish to do

The woman in black said: "Young Master Xiao, what is your intention in blocking the road on this moonlit night?"

The "Gathering Hall of Martial Arts" is the designated venue for discussions of the "White Path Alliance". When significant events occur among the seven factions, important figures from within the factions often convene here first to make decisions before announcing them externally. Therefore, it is not an exaggeration to say that the "Gathering Hall of Martial Arts" is the center of the righteous martial arts world.

Since Young Master Xiao is already aware of everything, this young lady has nothing more to say and can only leave it to your discretion

Ding Shen looked around and asked with a strengthened tone: "Where is this?"

In "Three Heroes and Four Talents," alongside "Sword Marquis" Lou Xueyi, stands the remarkable second-generation master of the "Small Knife Society," the "Dashing Swordsman" Xiao Yao, who is none other than the blue-clad man before us

Jun Tianxie felt something was amiss and was about to speak, requesting the other party to "not hold a grudge against the petty." However, the latter had already turned to Ding Shenzhao, his gaze flashing with a hint of unusual brilliance, and said: "'The duality of sword and blade'? Although you possess an extraordinary appearance, without a peerless divine weapon to assist you, it is all in vain"

Such a pair of swords, I fear that even the kind of goods that can be casually purchased on the market for a few taels of broken silver would be better than these. How could they be considered divine weapons?

Jun Tianxie said with a wry smile: "Of course not"

The colorful fairy nodded and said: "Well done, such evil beings from the demonic sect are not worth mourning for their deaths"

Luo Xueyi's handsome face revealed a look of confusion as he murmured, "Jun Tianxie... Could it be that those with the surname Jun are related to 'Yama Emperor' Jun's defiance against the heavens?"

Jun Tian, seeing that he had made up his mind, could only shrug and say: "Do as you wish"

The woman in black smiled seductively and said, "Of course, it's true"

Jun Tian awkwardly smiled and said, "I did say that, no mistake."

At this moment, a person approaching from the front explained the reason for the sudden halt of the woman in black

Ding Shenzhao's reaction was also one of the reasons that alerted him

Luo Xueyi respectfully said: "In that case, I dare not disturb you any longer. I will return to the 'Sword Tower' first to report to my master that the list has been lost and to seek a strategy as soon as possible."