The Chagha Valley lay at the northern foot of the Tianshan Mountains—ringed by mountains, bordered by rivers, its fertile plains stretching far and wide. The mountain wind swept through the rolling spruce forests, revealing a sweeping vista of river valleys and grasslands.
On this day, a northern wind whistled across the gorge. Two forces were preparing for their trade:
On one side, the Western Holy Sect led by Holy Master Caiji, Heaven-Earth King Su Song, and Sun-Moon King You De.On the other, Western Region forces led by the Danba Prince, Darius, the Twin Fiends Beyond the Frontier, and the Desert Twin Blades—Aymati and Aymeti.
It was said that the Danba Prince had once brought ten beautiful women from the Western Regions as tribute to the Emperor of Great Yan. The emperor, overjoyed, had issued a decree—allowing the prince to select ten noble ladies from Luoyang and Chang'an to take back with him.
But just as he was triumphantly returning with beauties and gold, he was intercepted—the families of those noble ladies had secretly paid Escort Chief Chen Hao of the Imperial Carriage Escort Bureau to rescue them. By chance, he encountered Wu Tong on the road, and the three parties clashed.
Thus, the Danba Prince's previous journey ended in utter failure—losing both the bride price and the brides.
Now he shouted:
"Holy Master Caiji! Have you gathered the women yet?"
So the prince himself had stooped to trafficking women.
Holy Master Caiji, tall and broad-shouldered, wore a hat embroidered with the words Holy Master.He replied:
"Your demand is too large. I've already dispatched three hall masters to capture more girls to make up the quota."
The Danba Prince walked toward the captives, examining the girls closely.
"Holy Master, the quality of your goods is uneven. We classify them by grade—as do our prices. High-grade girls are sold to Arabia; lesser ones only to wealthy households as servants."
Holy Master Caiji's face chilled.
"Prince Danba, these are ALL high-grade goods. Do NOT try to bargain. There are plenty of buyers in the Central Plains!"
Just then—Both groups heard approaching hoofbeats and turned to look.
Moments later a troop arrived—The riders kicked down three burly men from horseback. These were the three hall masters the Holy Sect had sent to raid villages for women.
Wu Tong's group had captured them while passing through a tribe. As for the underlings, Wu Tong had reasoned with them, warned them sternly, punished them lightly, and sent them away.
The Danba Prince blanched."Wu Tong!?"
Wu Tong was equally startled."Prince Danba!?"
Liu Yun stepped forward sharply.
"Prince Danba, we are pursuing the Western Holy Sect by order of the khagan. If you know what's good for you—you should leave now."
The prince faltered, fear rising in his heart, but before he could speak—
Holy Master Caiji barked harshly:
"Who are you people? How dare you interfere in the Holy Sect's grand affairs?"
Ling Xian'er declared loudly:
"This is Wu Tong, Hallmaster of the Loyalty Hall! What you have done—preying on innocent women—is an abomination heaven cannot tolerate!"
Holy Master Caiji's expression twitched.Wu Tong's fame had become widespread in recent years—the martial world spoke of him everywhere. Though startled, Caiji forced himself calm and smirked strangely.
"Prince Danba, given today's situation… you and I have only one choice—join forces."
Liu Yun's eyes narrowed. She observed his white robes, tall ceremonial hat, and the two bold characters 'Holy Master' at its peak. She scoffed:
"So you are the Western Holy Master? If you truly had divine power, why would you need the help of others?"
Wu Tong's expression turned cold.
"Prince Danba, these villains must be executed today. You know the difference between right and wrong. Choose your path wisely—lest you taste my blade."
Just then—
A chilling voice drifted out.It was Qin Wu the Lust Demon, one of the Twin Fiends:
"Wu Tong, don't be arrogant. Put down the Sleeping Dragon Saber if you dare. The Twin Fiends Beyond the Frontier do not fear you."
Qin Wen the Wealth Demon added:
"Without your saber, you're nothing."
Wu Tong's mind moved like lightning.He snorted.
"If the two of you insist on a lesson… Wu will gladly give you a swift end."
He handed the saber to Ling Xian'er, then leapt forward.
"Come! Wu Tong specializes in catching demons and devils!"
The Twin Fiends stiffened. They had not expected Wu Tong to face them empty-handed—and so boldly. They had no choice but to attack.
In the next instant their bodies shot forward like arrows, diving at Wu Tong.A powerful pair of palm winds surged toward him, raising dust from the ground.
Wu Tong dashed aside, his shoulders tilting, his steps shifting left and right—his sleeves swirling as he evaded the barrage. The Twin Fiends struck repeatedly, each palm missing its target.
Wu Tong gauged the rhythm—this battle must not be prolonged.
Suddenly his palms flipped, striking forward in rapid succession.The Twin Fiends were forced upward, flipping in midair as they counterattacked. Their palms chopped downward toward him like falling mountains.
Crack! Crack!—Palm strikes exploded through the valley.
Wu Tong sank low into a solid horse stance, motionless as a stone—using stillness to conquer motion.
The two demons swooped in—
Wu Tong abruptly withdrew both palms, guiding their momentum inward—then fiercely counterstruck at the centerline.
The Twin Fiends gasped, trying to retreat—but Wu Tong stepped in like lightning, his palms weaving between false and real.
Qin Wu's palm slashed toward him—but Wu Tong alternated fist and palm, real and feigned.Qin Wu struck at an illusion—Wu Tong struck at truth.
Thunder cracked—Wu Tong's fist slammed into Qin Wu's chest, sending him tumbling several zhang away.
Qin Wen charged, palm sweeping—Wu Tong used an empty left palm, letting the attack fall into void.His right palm, real as steel, shot forward exactly on time—
This was one of the Six Illusory Palms: Truth Within Illusion.
The move blended falsehood and reality—true within false, false within true.
Qin Wen was caught utterly off guard.
BANG!The palm crashed into his abdomen, hurling him several yards through the dust.