Tao Zhengren actually believed in Gao Xuan. After all, the Willow Forest was right ahead, and there was no point in Gao Xuan lying to him.

The key question was how Gao Xuan knew everything so clearly?

Gao Xuan understood Tao Zhengren's suspicion, but he didn't explain. He was too familiar with the Feihua Sect; with their frequent power shifts, they always left various traces.

The Kongtong Sect's He Bi had an especially huge ego. Gao Xuan had long since discovered his whereabouts.

In the past few days, he had been cultivating the Pure Yang Wuji Inner Power and had made great progress.

The Lesser Yang Technique had provided him with a deep foundation, and since it shared the same origin as Pure Yang Wuji, switching to it was very smooth.

Through comparing the two different inner powers, Gao Xuan found some common points in the cultivation of inner power strength.

This was all due to his vision and insight that surpassed the entire era and world. No other Martial Arts Grandmaster could compare to him in this regard.

Gao Xuan had many ideas but needed to validate them step by step through practice.

After all, the world's laws were different, and his level was too low in terms of inner strength. Regardless of his insight, he couldn't succeed in one leap.

Even so, Gao Xuan had gained a lot from switching to Pure Yang Wuji in the past two days, advancing rapidly in inner power.

Originally, it was just a third-tier inner power, but after a few days of tempering, it had already reached a second-tier level.

The so-called third-tier and second-tier distinctions were actually vague divisions. But Gao Xuan felt that the Pure Yang Wuji Inner Power had greatly improved these past few days, achieving a qualitative leap compared to before.

In this martial hero world, inner power is actually the foundation.

Just as in his Star River Era, Source Power was the foundation. The stronger the Source Power one mastered, the greater the strength.

In this world, the stronger the inner power, the stronger the strength. As for swordsmanship, palm techniques, and lightweight skills, they all require inner power as support.

Therefore, the experts in this world are all quite old.

Of course, technique is equally important. Especially various weapons, which can greatly compensate for the inadequacy of inner power.

The same inner power, released in different ways, can have different effects.

For example, the Flying Swallow Body Technique can make Gao Xuan faster and more agile. However, the Flying Swallow Body Technique, fixated solely on speed, becomes too ethereal and poses no threat to experts.

It's rare for Jianghu experts to specialize in cultivating lightweight skills.

This is not because they lack insight or do not understand kiting. Rather, focusing on cultivating lightweight skills inevitably means sacrificing strength in other areas.

Without sufficiently powerful swordsmanship or martial arts, just having lightweight skills poses no threat to the skilled. Furthermore, the margin for error is very low. A single mistake can lead to being instantly killed by an expert.

Just like how a lightweight skill expert like Third Lady had no room to display her abilities when faced with Tao Zhengren.

Tao Zhengren broke the lightweight skill with a low shout and his Sound Killing technique.

Gao Xuan was aware of these shortcomings, but unlike others, he wouldn't make mistakes. He also had ways to counter techniques such as Sound Killing.

As his inner power grew, Gao Xuan's lightweight skill became increasingly exquisite. His quick dash to warn Tao Zhengren was actually an opportunity to test his current martial arts.

Tao Zhengren was quite a good person. Although a bit arrogant, he was very efficient in handling matters. When it was time to take action, he was decisive.

He could also handle matters carefully when rescuing people, rather than killing and fleeing.

If Tao Zhengren killed someone and fled that very night, by the time the Kongtong Sect received the news and reacted, he would have already left the Northwest.

Tao Zhengren understood this point but knew that rescuing people entailed handling many subsequent matters. He couldn't just walk away.

For this reason alone, Gao Xuan felt that Tao Zhengren had admirable integrity and was worth helping.

Of course, Tao Zhengren didn't know what Gao Xuan was thinking. Since Gao Xuan didn't speak, Tao Zhengren didn't want to press him for answers.

He looked at the nearby Willow Forest. Through the withered willow branches, he could faintly see a small winery inside and some figures in front of it.

Tao Zhengren turned around and saw a troop of riders slowly approaching from behind.

Though the distance was far, he could see that they were dressed uniformly, suggesting they belonged to an organization.

With experts blocking the way ahead and pursuers behind, there was no way to retreat at this point.

Tao Zhengren gazed deeply at his two daughters: "The Feihua Sect deals in human trafficking and uses poisonous methods. Falling into their hands would be a fate worse than death. If things go wrong, end it yourselves."

Tao Ying and Tao Hui, the two sisters, looked somewhat frightened and anxious, weakly responding in acknowledgment.

The two girls, who had followed Tao Zhengren on this journey through Jianghu, had never faced such adversities.

Running into such a life-and-death matter suddenly left them panicked.

With a sigh, Tao Zhengren resigned to the fact that his two daughters were too young, and their personalities not that fierce. He feared they wouldn't have the courage to end their lives when the time came.

Yet, at this stage, there was nothing he could do. He could only hold on to the hope of fighting through.

Tao Zhengren told his accompanying family members: "This matter has nothing to do with you. Flee along the main road and save yourselves."

The family members hesitated, unsure of what to do. Tao Zhengren's face darkened: "Hurry up and leave, that's an order. If you manage to escape by a stroke of luck, you can return home and report."

After a moment's hesitation, the family members finally spurred their horses and galloped toward Black Stone City.

Tao Zhengren dismounted and strode into the Willow Forest with sword in hand.

Tao Ying and Tao Hui hurriedly dismounted and followed. Despite their pale faces, both girls held their swords tightly.

What surprised the two girls was that Gao Xuan also dismounted and followed behind them.

Tao Ying couldn't help but turn back to look at Gao Xuan: "Aren't you going to flee?"

Gao Xuan, with a solemn expression, said, "When a fellow traveller faces difficulty, how can I leave them behind?"

The words were simple yet powerful.

The two sisters were moved, seeing Gao Xuan in a different light.

Standing up for injustice is easy to say, but at the brink of life and death, few possess such courage.

They knew well that awaiting them up ahead was the renowned Great Swordsman and expert He Bi, with his Seven Injuries Sword, dreaded throughout the Northwest.

Gao Xuan couldn't even defeat the sisters, yet he was willing to accompany them to death. Such courage truly made them admire him.

Even Tao Zhengren was a bit surprised. He didn't quite understand Gao Xuan's thinking; could it be that this person really wanted to be a heroic knight?

Last time at Feiyun Sword Hall, Gao Xuan could still take advantage. Facing "Seven Injuries Sword" He Bi, he couldn't even protect himself. What could Gao Xuan use to take advantage?

Besides, Gao Xuan had obviously fallen out with the Feihua Sect. If discovered by Feihua Sect, isn't he bound to die?

Tao Zhengren thought Gao Xuan was a smart person and wouldn't do such a foolish thing. Regarding Gao Xuan, he even felt a bit of caution.

The group came to the front of the tavern and saw several tables and chairs set up outside, with an old man in a gray robe sitting boldly behind a table.

This elder had long, flowing eyebrows, a high Daoist bun, a sickly face, and a thin body, looking like he was about to pass away with hardly any oil left in his lamp.

Beside this elder sat a tall and strong middle-aged man, with long sharp eyebrows and a red face, sporting a thick mustache, with a Black Iron staff placed by his side.

Behind the two stood over ten people. Judging by their attire and expression, they should be the students or guards of these two.

Gao Xuan said to Tao Zhengren, "That is the Red-faced Tiger Wang Xiong, the Vice Sect Leader of Feihua Sect in the Northwest. Born with Divine Power, very formidable..."

Tao Zhengren looked at Gao Xuan strangely: "You're still not leaving? If you don't leave now, it will be too late?"

"Where duty calls, even if facing a thousand men, I shall go forth."

Gao Xuan smiled and said, "Not to mention that I am also acquainted with Elder He, how can I watch him die without helping?"

These words were spoken plainly, yet they carried a certain heroic spirit.

Tao Zhengren sighed, "I underestimated you. If you can get through this ordeal, I will make you a friend."

"Haha."

Gao Xuan waved his hand, "Hero Tao is too old, I better be friends with the two lady warriors."

Tao Zhengren couldn't help but laugh. At this moment, Gao Xuan could still be so glib; he indeed had courage.

"If we survive, that won't be a problem either."

Tao Zhengren said this while stepping forward a few steps, raising his sword to bow to the elder: "In front, are you Elder He of the Seven Injuries Sword?"

The sickly old man nodded proudly, "That's me. Are you Tao Zhengren, one of the Nine Palace Swordsmen?"

"Indeed."

Tao Zhengren said solemnly, "I wonder what advice the elder might have?"

He Bi said indifferently, "I dare not presume to give advice. I just want to ask you if it was you who killed He Chuan?"

"He Chuan colluded with the Lower Five Sects to traffic humans and used poison to plot against me, "

Tao Zhengren was about to explain the circumstances, but He Bi interrupted him, "The grievances and rights or wrongs don't matter; I only ask if you were the one who killed He Chuan."

Tao Zhengren understood. The old man came for revenge, not to reason.

He took a deep breath, "That's right, it was I who killed him. What does Elder He have to say about that?"

He Bi nodded, "You dare to act and take responsibility; worthy of a Wudang Swordsman."

He said slowly, "A life for a life, debts must be repaid. An age-old principle. You killed He Chuan, so I will kill you to avenge him. That's it."

With words like these, there was no room for maneuvering.

Tao Zhengren stopped being polite and said with a stern face, "The Seven Injuries Sword is famous and has been renowned in the Martial Arts World for decades. I did not expect you to be so unreasonable. My head is right here. If the elder has the skills, feel free to take it."

He sneered, "The Kongtong Sect may be powerful, but our Wudang Sect is not afraid."

He Bi said indifferently, "Wudang is formidable, but it has no jurisdiction here. Today, you shall pay with your life for my disciple."

With that, He Bi slowly stood up. His sickly appearance was no pretense.

The Seven Injuries Sword is insidious and ruthless, with a bizarre sword path. It causes great harm to the body.

He Bi lived to such an old age because his inner power was extremely pure. Even though his body was riddled with injuries and illnesses, he could hold on and not die.

Seeing He Bi's dying appearance, Tao Zhengren was on full alert. If there were no surprises, he could not defeat this old man.

At this moment, Gao Xuan suddenly raised his voice and said, "The shameless old man is unreasonable and brazen. I can't stand it."

Gao Xuan took two steps forward and boldly pointed at He Bi, "Old man, come here and meet your end!"

He Bi, though in his eighties, still had quite a temper. Being pointed at the nose and cursed by Gao Xuan made him furious inside.

But at his age, he naturally couldn't trade insults with Gao Xuan.

He Bi directly drew out the Pine Pattern Ancient Sword, his emaciated body suddenly straightened, and his eyes shone brilliantly.

This small change caused He Bi's momentum to surge dramatically. The Tao sisters, Tao Ying and Tao Hui, were intimidated by He Bi's momentum, feeling anxious and even afraid to look directly at him.

Tao Zhengren also felt a chill in his heart; indeed, this old man became stronger with age, and his Inner Power was even more profound than his.

With Gao Xuan's Martial Arts Cultivation, he couldn't withstand two moves from the old man.

He was somewhat puzzled about why Gao Xuan would provoke He Bi actively.

Gao Xuan smiled at Tao Zhengren, "Hero Tao, do you know the story of Tian Ji's Horse Racing?"

Tao Zhengren couldn't help but smile wryly; he did know this story. The problem was how could Gao Xuan, this lower-grade horse, face He Bi, the superior-grade horse for a few moves?

Moreover, He Bi was listening. Was it really wise to speak of such a strategy directly?

He Bi also laughed, "Kid, let me use my superior-grade horse against your lower-grade horse!"

As he spoke, he moved with his sword, the Pine Pattern Ancient Sword's chilly light turning into a silvery curtain, sweeping towards Gao Xuan.

Such a domineering Sword Momentum made everyone present change their expressions drastically.

He Bi, who had dominated the Northwest for decades, was indeed formidable!

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