Fang Shuwen was able to block Weng Zhenliu because he was the closest.

Miao Feichan could intercept him because her Lightweight Technique was truly exceptional.

After giving Fang Shuwen a somewhat surprised glance, Miao Feichan spoke softly.

"You use such underhanded tricks to injure someone, and you think you can just walk away with a casual farewell?

"What on earth do you people from Setting Sun Valley think Yuqing Pavilion is?"

"Two things."

With a casual flick of his wrist, Fang Shuwen sent the Silver Needle flying forward. It landed silently, embedding itself in the ground right in front of Weng Zhenliu.

"Leave He Yuanzhou behind.

"And then, remove the Silver Needle from Miss He’s body."

Miao Feichan raised an eyebrow, unable to resist another glance at Fang Shuwen.

’With my reputation on the line, even the Vice Valley Master of Setting Sun Valley has to show me some deference.’

’But Fang Shuwen is so young. Why is he also getting involved?’

"Since when does a mere boy dare to set conditions for me?"

Weng Zhenliu’s brow furrowed, his eyes filled with killing intent as he glared at Fang Shuwen.

Fang Shuwen furrowed his brow as well.

"This is Yuqing Pavilion, and I’m already being patient with you... You old bastard, don’t push your luck!"

"Insolent! You..."

Before he could finish his sentence, Fang Shuwen had already stepped forward.

In that instant, an enormous Dharma Aspect materialized from thin air, completely blocking the front hall of Yuqing Pavilion!

Miao Feichan’s pupils shrank. Without a second thought, her figure vanished. She reappeared twenty zhang away, having moved from the main entrance all the way to the plaza before the hall.

At the same time, Lan Yue of Yuqing Pavilion cried out:

"Fall back!!!"

But when she turned, she saw that Zuo Qingshuang had already led Zhou Qingmei far into the distance.

’She inwardly cursed that damn woman for having no sense of sisterhood. She’d retreated without even a word of warning, leaving her in such a vulnerable position!’

The main reason was that her knowledge of Fang Shuwen was far too superficial.

Who would have thought that this kid, who looked so gentle and scholarly, actually had an explosive temper? When there was a disagreement, he didn’t just threaten to fight—he fought.

Little did she know, in the eyes of Zhou Qingmei and Zuo Qingshuang, Fang Shuwen was already holding back considerably.

Zhou Qingmei knew him best. She knew he never wasted words before a fight. He usually just attacked, and there was no need for talk afterward because once he struck, his opponent was typically dead.

This time, it was probably because they were in Yuqing Pavilion that he was showing them respect, patiently speaking so much to Weng Zhenliu.

Zuo Qingshuang, for her part, had witnessed Fang Shuwen strike down Qing Yangzi, the Ghost Scholar, and others one by one without uttering a single word.

He was living proof of the saying: ruthless people don’t waste words.

The moment Fang Shuwen started talking, she knew he was about to make his move, so she had retreated quickly to avoid getting caught in the crossfire.

As for Weng Zhenliu, at the very center of the attack, he no longer had the luxury of posturing as the Vice Valley Master of Setting Sun Valley. He could only feel the terrifying power of the Dharma Aspect behind Fang Shuwen. His sharp intuition, honed by years of life-and-death battles in the Jianghu, screamed at him: if he didn’t defend with everything he had, he would die here today, in Yuqing Pavilion of the Eastern Domain!

He roared furiously:

"SETTING SUN KILLING TECHNIQUE!!"

A desolate, ancient aura erupted from his body. For a moment, it was as if the world itself was shattering, the very flames of creation dying out.

Amidst this slaughterous aura, a dense Pure Yang Fire Force began to overflow.

But this was completely different from the Martial Arts used by the group from earlier...

The Pure Yang Fire Force used by those men in red was filled with extreme, explosive power.

Weng Zhenliu’s Inner Strength, however, was like the fading warmth of a setting sun. It carried a sense of desolation and tragedy, the sorrow of inevitable decline, and the grim stillness that comes when all life withers.

In truth, however, this was far from Weng Zhenliu’s full strength.

The Setting Sun Killing Technique had to be combined with Setting Sun Valley’s Celestial Defect Saber Technique to unleash its true power.

As the saying goes: with a single slash, the setting sun bleeds, and all life perishes!

But who could have expected Fang Shuwen to completely ignore the rules of engagement?

’He didn’t give me a chance to finish talking, or even to draw my saber... He just attacks at the slightest disagreement! Who the hell can deal with that?’

’His only comfort was that he hadn’t come alone. Four other masters from Setting Sun Valley were with him.’

’Surely, he thought, the five of them combined could withstand this one palm strike!’

He failed to notice the shift in his own thinking. At first, he had been wondering what right Fang Shuwen had to set conditions for him.

Now, it had become a matter of gathering everyone’s strength just to survive Fang Shuwen’s attack.

Sure enough, the other four did not disappoint him.

The instant Fang Shuwen struck, they sensed that something was wrong and immediately launched their own attacks.

They watched as Fang Shuwen’s palm descended. The massive shadow of the Dharma Aspect’s hand, carrying immense power, thundered toward them.

Five men, five jets of Palm Power, all struck the massive, illusory image at the same time.

They had expected to block it. In the next instant, however, all of their eyes went wide.

They felt the palm strike was as vast as mountains and seas—an irresistible, overwhelming force!

With a resounding THUD, six figures were sent flying backward almost simultaneously.

It was the five masters from Setting Sun Valley, including the Vice Valley Master, plus He Yuanzhou.

They flew back together, but landed separately.

Yet no matter where or how they landed, the first thing each of them did was cough up a mouthful of blood.

For a moment, Weng Zhenliu’s mind went completely blank.

’Did I forget to check the almanac before I left home today? Have I run into some kind of monster!?’

’How else could anyone possess such power!?’

’Or... or is this person not a man at all, but Yu Yaoguang, who used a Disguise Technique to change her appearance and was waiting here just to ambush them?’