Chapter 1688: Witch Gate

In desperation, the three of them rushed to intercept the figure closest to them. After two rounds of exchange, they immediately sensed that something was amiss. Although Wang Wuxie's cultivation was high, a genuine confrontation should have allowed them to distinguish him from a mere phantom.

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

The three shouted almost in unison. After their cries, they all froze. If everyone was facing a fake, where was the real one?

Just then, they suddenly felt something and looked in the same direction. A purple light, like a rainbow, shot towards the horizon. It was clear that Wang Wuxie had just created three phantoms to confuse them, while his true body seized the opportunity to escape the encirclement. They had no time to marvel at Wang Wuxie's brilliant move; after all, even in a direct confrontation, they couldn't distinguish the real from the fake among those three phantoms. What was more critical now was to pursue him.

The three employed their unique techniques to chase after Wang Wuxie, but alas, their opponent had a head start and was impossible to catch.

Wang Wuxie's expression was cold as he thought, "Once I return to Pure Yang Hall, I will rally the entire sect for a counterattack. These people will pay the price." He also considered contacting other sects who were not involved in this matter, such as Yan Xuehen, who he was sure had no part in their sordid affairs.

Just then, a golden swastika symbol suddenly appeared before him. It was tiny at first, but quickly grew as it swept towards him, becoming immense by the time it reached him. Wang Wuxie blasted out a purple light from his palms, dispersing the swastika symbol. However, his body also shook, forcing him to halt momentarily. This allowed Guan Chouhai and the other two to seize the opportunity and surround him again.

"Brother Wang, that was an impressive move just now," Guan Chouhai couldn't help but exclaim. "To be able to create three figures and even deceive our eyes is simply brilliant."

Wang Wuxie, however, showed no sign of joy. Instead, he looked forward. "Master Jianhuang, I didn't expect you to be involved in this."

"Amitabha!" An old monk, with palms pressed together, slowly emerged from the woods. Who else could it be but Master Jianhuang of Wuyou Temple? "This humble monk originally did not wish to participate, but Grand Preceptor, your cultivation is too high; I couldn't afford not to intervene."

Wang Wuxie said gravely, "You are a highly respected figure. Why would you risk joining them in such treacherous and despicable acts?"

Master Jianhuang's expression was calm. "Benefactor Wang should know the reason."

Wang Wuxie fell silent. Before the rise of Daoism, Buddhism had held the status of the state religion. Now, Wuyou Temple's influence had long diminished from its historical peak, and it was naturally dissatisfied with the current situation. However, he hadn't expected them to have the courage to resist. It was somewhat ironic that the Buddhist and Daoist sects had united, only to restore the former dominance of Buddhism.

"The longer this drags on, the more complications there will be. Let's finish him quickly," Xuan Bajing said. "This is, after all, Wang Wuxie's territory. If he manages to escape, the consequences will be troublesome."

"Benefactor Wang, forgive us for this offense." Behind Master Jianhuang, a brilliant Buddhist light suddenly flared. His hands then slowly moved forward. What seemed like an extremely slow motion instantly split into countless palms, enveloping the space in front of Wang Wuxie.

"Thousand-Armed Buddha?" Wang Wuxie recognized this as Master Jianhuang's special domain. He dared not be careless any longer. The ethereal purple energy around him suddenly transformed into countless fists, blocking Master Jianhuang's palm attacks. He frowned slightly. This Master Jianhuang seemed to be making a grand display, but in reality, he was holding back quite a bit, likely wary of Li Changsheng and the others. It seemed that to seize victory from danger today, he would have to exploit the mutual distrust among these individuals.

At that moment, Li Changsheng, Guan Chouhai, and Xuan Bajing all moved. Unlike their earlier casual approach, this time, they were much more serious. After all, Wang Wuxie had almost escaped just now, and they dared not be careless again. If someone of his level, besieged by so many peers, managed to escape, it wouldn't just be a loss of face; the revelation of the news to Zhao Hao would be more than they could handle.

Wang Wuxie's ethereal purple energy transformed into various shapes, attacking one moment and defending the next, truly appearing and disappearing like a phantom. However, each person present was normally his equal. Even with their current internal conflicts, their combined force was something he couldn't handle alone.

After dozens of exchanges, the group briefly separated. Wang Wuxie gasped for breath, having sustained several heavy blows, and his condition was now precarious. The others dared not press closer for the moment, sensing his desperate resolve. No one 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 rang out: "What are you doing?!"

Everyone turned to look and saw Feng Wuchang, the Peak Master of Guansin Peak of Zhengyang Sect, staring in shock from not far away. This was Guansin Peak, and he had clearly come to investigate after sensing something unusual, only to witness such a shocking scene.

"No witnesses!" Guan Chouhai exclaimed urgently. "If the news gets out and the entire Zhengyang Sect mobilizes its forces, these few people would be in danger. Moreover, 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 and pressed a palm towards his crown. Although Feng Wuchang's cultivation was not low, he was no match for a Grand Master. Under the pressure of Xuan Bajing's domain aura, his entire body became immobilized. He could only watch helplessly as the large hand descended.

At that moment, a purple light flashed, and Wang Wuxie appeared before him. As he blocked Xuan Bajing's palm, he said to Feng Wuchang behind him, "Junior Brother, quickly go notify the other peak masters..."

Before he could finish, a sharp pain suddenly pierced his back. He looked down and saw the tip of a short dagger emerging from his chest. Xuan Bajing took the opportunity to strike several vital points on his body with his palm, completely incapacitating him.

Wang Wuxie coughed up a mouthful of blood, which contained a wisp of ethereal energy, forcefully pushing Xuan Bajing back. However, he no longer had the strength to pursue. Instead, he turned around, looking at Feng Wuchang in disbelief. "Why?"

In that instant, he understood. These people had set an ambush on Guansin Peak. How could the peak master himself have not noticed anything? Alas, it was too late to realize all this.

Feng Wuchang had already retreated far away, clearly afraid of retaliation. Hearing Wang Wuxie's question, he sighed faintly. "Senior Brother, I also want to advance. With you here, none of that would be possible."

Wang Wuxie laughed in fury. "So you colluded with outsiders? What ability will you have to protect Zhengyang Sect then?"

Feng Wuchang's expression was blank. "That's not for Senior Brother to worry about."

Wang Wuxie no longer wasted words with him. Instead, he looked at the others bitterly. "I've fallen today, but even if I can't drag someone down with me to the grave, I can at least ensure someone is severely injured and unable to recover for decades. Who wants to be that unfortunate one?" He no longer hoped to escape, wishing only to sow discord among them and leave a thorn for the future.

"Amitabha, Benefactor Wang, you speak too seriously. We have no intention of taking your life," Master Jianhuang said.

Wang Wuxie's expression turned cold. "What? 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 walked over from the distance. "A large group of you besieging Wang Wuxie, and you still have to resort to such despicable tricks to succeed. It's truly disgraceful." The voice was hoarse, belonging to an old woman shrouded in a black 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.

At that moment, the black-robed old woman moved. A straw effigy appeared before her at some unknown point, and she bowed to it three times. Immediately, Wang Wuxie froze in place, his eyes becoming clouded.