A Core Ship From The Start-Chapter 2286 - 1542: Exposed

Thinking of this, Xiong Ba suddenly recalled that if it weren’t for his disciple Nie Feng killing Dugu Ming, Duanmu Huai wouldn’t have been dragged into this trouble. Although it seemed like it was no big deal, Xiong Ba knew that only those of ultimate martial arts strength couldn’t care less about these things, while those narrow-minded ones would seize any opportunity to make a fuss!

That traitorous disciple!

At this moment, Xiong Ba wished he could tear Nie Feng into pieces; previously, when he returned to the World Association with Ming Yue and the Unrivaled Sword, Xiong Ba was quite pleased.

But now... damn it, if I had known you would provoke such a big trouble, I would have just let you die in Wushuang City!

Despite his fury inside, outwardly Xiong Ba still waved his hand with a light and breezy gesture.

"Please."

A moment later, Duanmu Huai appeared in front of Xiong Ba accompanied by three women.

Duanmu Huai walked forward slowly, chest out and head held high, hands behind his back, while his eyes swept around, taking in everyone present.

Of course, Duanmu Huai wasn’t looking at Xiong Ba, but... those three unfortunate souls... oh, found them.

Master Xiong’s eldest disciple, the greenest of the green, Qin Shuang, the iconic victim in the famous scene where "the boss’s wife is in the arms of the second while calling out the name of the third."

Green, just one word, I’ll say it only once. Two birds with one stone, green twice, unprecedented and unrivaled.

The melodramatic second disciple, the crying Shinigami Bu Jingyun, seeing his noodle-like hairstyle flopped over his head makes Duanmu Huai want to straighten it out for him.

And the universally beloved, whoever loves dies, third disciple Nie Feng... well, nothing more needs to be said, anyone he fancies or who fancies him ends in tragedy.

However, Duanmu Huai wasn’t interested in these brats, so he withdrew his gaze and walked up to Xiong Ba. At this moment, Xiong Ba also stood up from his chair, grinning widely, and clasped his hands towards Duanmu Huai.

"I’ve long heard of the Undying Slaughter God’s name; seeing you today, you are indeed an extraordinary hero!"

Seeing Xiong Ba so warm and welcoming, the World Association members were taken aback. Xiong Ba had always been the unchallenged voice in the martial arts world, rarely showing such humility, especially towards someone who was not a veteran martial artist, but rather a newcomer who had emerged within less than a year!

"Hello, Master Xiong."

Duanmu Huai also clasped his hands.

"I’ve heard the World Association is the greatest gang in East State; seeing it today, it truly is extraordinary, worthy of its name as the world’s number one hall."

"Hahaha..."

Upon hearing Duanmu Huai’s mutual praises, Xiong Ba let out a hearty laugh and felt reassured. Although he didn’t know why the Undying Slaughter God was here, since he was willing to engage in mutual praise, he probably didn’t come seeking trouble. Otherwise, he could have been like the Sword Saint and directly issued a war letter; no need for this much idle talk, right?

"I wonder what brings the Undying Slaughter God to the World Association?"

"Indeed, there is something; I hope Master Xiong could grant my request."

Duanmu Huai chuckled as he spoke.

"Oh, what is it?"

"Actually, it’s not a big deal; I just hope Master Xiong could lend me the secret manual of Three-Point Return to Essence for a look, that’s all."

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone was in an uproar. The disciples of the World Association glared angrily at Duanmu Huai, eager to draw their swords. Even Xiong Ba’s expression changed slightly, for such secret manuals are generally not passed to non-disciple insiders. And even for Xiong Ba, he only passed down the three martial arts separately to his three disciples, but Duanmu Huai now wanted the whole set!?

This is no different than robbing a wife!

Although Duanmu Huai said he was borrowing it, is borrowing just borrowing?

Lend me your wife for a night, would you agree?

"What do you mean by this, sir?"

Xiong Ba slightly frowned, exuding an aura of unyielding authority, which would make others sweat profusely, however, Duanmu Huai was unfazed.

"Oh, it’s nothing much; I just heard Three-Point Return to Essence is the first divine skill in the world, so I wanted to borrow it to study."

"The first divine skill in East State... isn’t your statement a bit exaggerated?"

Hearing this, Xiong Ba’s face revealed a slight smile. No matter what, people said his Three-Point Return to Essence was top in the world, and the speaker was the Undying Slaughter God who traveled through the Four Great Martial States, certainly not boasting thoughtlessly.

"No, no, I’m not exaggerating."

Duanmu Huai shook his head.

"Master Xiong, possessing great talents, divine skills protecting you, and being blessed by heaven, even the one who lived over two thousand years, Xu Fu, dared not confront you head-on, only secretly poisoned you; this shows Three-Point Return to Essence is indeed the world’s foremost divine skill."

"What?!"

Hearing this, Xiong Ba’s face suddenly changed.

"Are your words true?"

"Truth cannot be falsified, nor can falsehoods be true."

Duanmu Huai shrugged.

"I believe Master Xiong knows of Qin Shi Huang’s quest for immortality."

"Of course, everyone knows it, but didn’t Qin Shi Huang also fail to achieve immortality?"

"He did indeed fail. In fact, at that time, Xu Fu had already refined a Golden Core, but seeing Qin Shi Huang’s oppressive tyranny, feared he’d bring calamity if immortal, so Xu Fu consumed the elixir himself, then falsely claimed he needed an ingredient and led three thousand boys and girls across the sea. Hundreds of years later, Qin Shi Huang was dead, and Xu Fu returned here. Since then, he continued changing identities and enjoying life. He lived nearly two thousand years until several decades ago, Xu Fu once again wrought havoc in the martial world under the name Blood God, battled Wu Wudi, fought for three days and nights, and was ultimately defeated. After that, he drastically changed to being cautious and went into hiding."

"Blood God... Wu Wudi..."

Hearing these names, a hint of nostalgia appeared in Xiong Ba’s eyes.

"I also heard their names back in the day, didn’t expect there’s such inside story..."

"After that, Xu Fu has been lurking in the World Association, trying to kill you. But as I said, Master Xiong, possessing great talents and divine skills, even carrying the mandate of heaven, Xu Fu, previously defeated by Wu Wudi, was scared to death and didn’t dare to confront you openly again, only secretly poisoning you, hoping to wear you down over time and poison you."

"Do you have evidence for what you’ve said, sir?"

By now, Xiong Ba’s expression had also changed slightly, while Duanmu Huai let out a chuckle.

"I don’t have evidence, but Xu Fu is right here, why not invite him up to speak for himself?"

As he spoke, Duanmu Huai reached out his hand, grabbing into the crowd!

In the next moment, a member of the World Association floated in mid-air, then began to drift towards them!

Who was that?

Xiong Ba stared, identifying the individual as just an ordinary member of the World Association, not recognizing his name, and was stunned.

Unknown to him, Xu Fu was internally shocked.

Like Xiong Ba, Xu Fu had been secretly monitoring Duanmu Huai, suspecting Duanmu Huai’s origins, as Xu Fu himself gained eternal life and powers from Phoenix Blood. Those abilities that seemed mythically exaggerated to ordinary people were reality to Xu Fu.

Therefore, as tales of Duanmu Huai’s journey grew more extravagant, Xu Fu pondered if this man had consumed some Spiritual Beast’s blood or Essence Core to gain such powers?

Thus, upon Duanmu Huai’s arrival in East State, Xu Fu considered how he should meet this "kin."

But what Xu Fu didn’t expect was that the other party knew his affairs so well, even identifying him!

As he flew towards the pair, Xu Fu gritted his teeth.

Time to fight!

Thinking this, he roared furiously, swiftly executing Seven Absolute Desolates, dispersing and vanishing, breaking free from Duanmu Huai’s hold. Immediately, dark clouds formed in the sky, a massive human face appeared out of nowhere, glaring angrily at the entire World Association.

"Xiong Ba, Duanmu Huai, your destinies end here, witness my strength!"

Accompanied by the furious roar of the giant face, soon a blizzard like icy sharp blades descended from the sky, heading towards the crowd!