World's Strongest Martial Warrior

"I intend to meet with Master," came the reply.    

Taking a deep breath, the Bloody Massacre Path confessed, "I had assumed Master had passed from this world. To discover he's still alive is unexpected. Without Master's aid, I would never have survived the Shattering Immortal Universe. I trust that Master means me no harm."    

A spark of curiosity lit up Peter Parker's eyes. With a slight smile, he offered, "In that case, I'll join you on your journey."    

Since Xue Qiansha's master had aided his escape, there had been silence; not a whisper of his whereabouts. Xue Qiansha had even believed his master to be deceased.    

The sudden reappearance of Xue Qiansha's master suggested only a couple of scenarios. Either his master had perished and Danilo Lujan was using his name as bait for a trap, or his master had been under Danilo Lujan's thumb all this time, and his recent release to meet Xue Qiansha was laced with ill intent.    

Whichever the case, it seemed probable that Danilo Lujan's sect was orchestrating some scheme. Peter Parker was keen to uncover Danilo Lujan's next move.    

...    

Ancient Blood Sword City stood as a testament to time within the Silent Blood Horizon. Its origins traced back to the very inception of the Silent Blood Horizon Region, under the stewardship of the Blood Sword Immortal Sect.    

During the heyday of the Blood Sword Immortal Sect's reign over the Silent Blood Territory, the Ancient Blood Sword City thrived as the region's crown jewel.    

However, as time went on...    

Internal strife within the Blood Sword Immortal Sect paved the way for Danilo Lujan's faction to ascend. The once-mighty Blood Sword Immortal Sect began to wane, and with it, the Ancient Blood Sword City fell into decline.    

For an extensive period, Danilo Lujan's sect held sway over the city. It was only recently that the Blood Sword Immortal Sect managed to wrest control of the Ancient Blood Sword City from Danilo Lujan's grasp.    

After departing from the Blood Sword Immortal Sect, Peter Parker and Xue Qiansha made their way to the Ancient Blood Sword City. Following the directions provided by Master Xue Qiansha, they found themselves at a dilapidated courtyard in the city's western quarter.    

Upon entering the courtyard, Peter Parker looked up, sensing something amiss. There stood an old man, clad in crimson, his back to the courtyard's main entrance.    

"Master... Master, is it really you?" Xue Qiansha's voice trembled with excitement as he gazed at the figure before him.    

Despite the old man's back being turned, Xue Qiansha recognized him intimately – his master, who had devotedly instructed him for centuries. He felt certain this was Xue Yuntian, the once paramount expert of the Danilo Lujan Sect.    

The elder pivoted to face Xue Qiansha, a smile breaking across his features. "Qiansha, our reunion is quite unexpected."    

Tears welled in Xue Qiansha's eyes. "Master, you're alive. I had feared..."    

"Nor did I foresee your martial uncle abandoning me," the master replied.    

As Xue Yuntian's gaze swept over his pupil, a look of satisfaction emerged. "Indeed, you've ascended to the quasi Mahayana Realm. It appears your time away from the Danilo Lujan Sect has seen your cultivation wane."    

Meanwhile, Peter Parker observed the exchange between Blood Cloud Sky and Xue Qiansha with a curious expression.    

During their journey to the Blood Sword Ancient City, Peter had learned much about Blood Cloud Sky from Xue Qiansha. A legendary figure, Blood Cloud Sky's prowess and talent surpassed even that of Danilo Lujan Tian.    

It had been expected that Blood Cloud Sky would succeed as the Sect Master of Danilo Lujan. However, following the previous master's demise, Blood Cloud Sky ventured into the cosmic expanse for training and never returned, leaving the mantle to fall upon Danilo Lujan Tian.    

Upon his return, Blood Cloud Sky found himself the subject of Danilo Lujan's caution and suspicion.    

This was the reason why, when Danilo Lujan's followers conspired against Xue Qiansha in secret, no action was taken. But when Blood Cloud Sky intervened on Xue Qiansha's behalf, he was seized and confined within the dungeons of the Danilo Lujan Sect.    

Despite the odd aura emanating from Xue Yuntian, he only seemed to possess the power of an early-stage Great Vehicle cultivator. Clearly, Danilo Lujan hadn't eliminated Xue Yuntian, but to safeguard his own status, he had been depleting Xue Yuntian's strength over the years, significantly weakening him.    

"What could be the reason for this visit?" Peter Parker mused, eyeing Xue Yuntian with a furrowed brow. If Xue Yuntian had been detained by Danilo Lujan all this time, his presence here must have been sanctioned by Danilo Lujan himself. Undoubtedly, there was some scheme at play.    

Yet, Peter Parker sensed no malice from Blood Cloud Sky towards him. Furthermore, given Xue Yuntian's current weakened state, equivalent to the early stages of the Mahayana Realm, he posed no real threat. Peter Parker found himself puzzled by Xue Yuntian's intentions.    

"Master, since Danilo Lujan has kept you confined within his sect, it seems unlikely he would release you so readily. What brings you to Blood Sword Ancient City so unexpectedly?" inquired Xue Qiansha, his curiosity piqued. He trusted that Xue Yuntian meant him no harm, yet he couldn't help but wonder.    

"A Great Cheng cultivator from the Danilo Lujan Sect has fallen, leaving them vulnerable and without word from Ancestor Blood Yin. Danilo Lujan Tian is the only one left who could strike," explained Blood Cloud Sky candidly, a smile gracing his lips. "With the emergence of another Great Cheng cultivator from Blood Sword Immortal Sect, Danilo Lujan is cornered. That's why I emerged from seclusion, to convince you to rejoin the Danilo Lujan Sect. He's even offered you the role of his successor."    

After a moment of silence, Xue Qiansha responded, "Master, you know I have no intention of returning to the Danilo Lujan Sect, unless you, Master, take the helm."    

"I'm aware, which is exactly why I didn't come to persuade you," Xue Yuntian replied with a smile. "My visit was solely to see you."    

Upon hearing Xue Yuntian's words, Xue Qiansha felt a flicker of surprise in his heart. "Master, do you actually intend to return to the Danilo Lujan Sect?"    

Considering the Master had already parted ways with the Danilo Lujan Sect, he could easily join forces with them to confront Danilo Lujan. Following that, he could take control of the sect. Why would he consider going back to be under someone else's thumb?    

"My junior brother has always been cunning. If he had the audacity to suggest I leave the Danilo Lujan Sect, he must have taken precautions."    

"Moreover, there are certain matters I need to settle within the sect."    

Xue Yuntian chuckled ruefully, a sharp gleam suddenly appearing in his eyes. He then raised his head to lock eyes with Xue Qiansha and said slowly, "Qiansha, if you're determined to reclaim what's rightfully yours, your opportunity will come when the Heavenly Dog devours the moon in half a month's time. That's when you'll confront Danilo Lujan."