Volume 1, Chapter 35: Challengers from All Sides

The world of martial arts is vast, and prodigies are scattered everywhere. Which sect does not harbor a few exceptionally talented individuals? And who among the young has not possessed a streak of pride? Yet, it was precisely Li Hanzhou’s flyer that challenged that very pride.

"The greatest beneath the Transcendence realm?"

"How utterly arrogant! Does he think that because he defeated Lu Tianxing of the Taixuan Sect, he can style himself the greatest? Does he not know that there are always stronger people and higher heavens?"

"Ridiculous!"

"Short-sighted fool, he must have never seen a true genius!"

In an instant, after hearing the news, the gifted disciples of the most prestigious sects in the martial arts world were filled with indignation.

"Have you heard?"

"The Fairy of Heartlessness from the Heartless Valley has already set off for White Cloud City. She says she intends to teach that ignorant disciple of the Longevity Temple a lesson."

"What? The Fairy of Heartlessness is coming? I heard she entered the Ninth Grade at the age of ten and is one of the top geniuses in the Eastern Yan Prefecture. She practices the 'Song of Forgetting Emotions' from the Heartless Valley and possesses extraordinary strength. It is said she could have reached the Transcendence realm long ago but has held back to accumulate her power."

"I never imagined the Fairy would venture out for someone like this. They say she is as beautiful as a celestial being; I wonder if I might be lucky enough to catch a glimpse."

In the taverns, such rumors were everywhere.

"It’s not just the Fairy from the Heartless Valley. I hear the Three Heroes of the Tang Clan of the younger generation are also heading to White Cloud City."

"Even the Tang Clan is coming?"

"And the personal disciple of that person from Divine Peak Mountain is on their way, too," someone whispered. "Word is, that disciple descended the mountain specifically for the title of 'the greatest beneath Transcendence'."

"Divine Peak Mountain? The personal disciple of the Green Sword Immortal, Luo Jinyi?"

"Good heavens, we are in for a show."

Because of these arrivals, White Cloud City had become exceptionally lively these days, with merchants from other regions even arriving to conduct business. Many sect disciples had gathered there as well, filling every inn in the city with martial artists.

Ye Qingbei, the Lord of White Cloud City, had not expected Li Hanzhou’s flyer to cause such a massive stir. Even disciples from the Shangqing Sect had arrived.

"Junior Sister Ye, your White Cloud City is truly bustling."

A few Shangqing Sect disciples walked down the street, the leading young man smiling as he looked around with interest.

"It is usually not this lively. It is only because of the situation with the Longevity Temple that so many people have gathered," Ye Ziying replied.

"How much do you know about this Longevity Temple?" another woman asked Ye Ziying. "We had never heard of such a place before. For a small temple like that to produce someone like Liu Dongyue, who dares to claim the title of 'the greatest beneath Transcendence'—I am quite curious myself. I want to see what kind of extraordinary person he really is."

"That... it is hard to say."

Ye Ziying truly found it difficult to explain, as she had met Liu Dongyue and had not noticed anything remarkable about him. She had no idea what Li Hanzhou was trying to achieve or why he would do such a thing. After returning to the Shangqing Sect, she had informed her master about Li Hanzhou. The sect expressed surprise at the emergence of such a figure but did not pay much heed to it—after all, in the vast martial world, it was normal for a few reclusive experts to exist.

"Still, being able to defeat Lu Tianxing of the Taixuan Holy Land shows he has some ability. I heard Lu Tianxing is a genius who mastered the fourth level of the 'Disk Axe Technique' at a young age. But the Fairy of Heartlessness and the others coming now are no weaker than him. I am very curious indeed," the Shangqing senior sister said with a smile.

Inside the Longevity Temple.

"Master Uncle! Master Uncle!"

Li Hanzhou, who was reading, heard the voice of Shi Ming outside. He set down his book and walked out.

"What is it?" Li Hanzhou asked, seeing Shi Ming panting for breath.

"Someone has come to challenge us," Shi Ming said hurriedly. "Someone wants to challenge Senior Brother Liu Dongyue and said they want to win back the 'Autumn Burial' blade."

"Business is here?" Li Hanzhou’s eyes lit up; it seemed the flyer had been effective.

He hurried to the side hall and saw a middle-aged man with several disciples waiting for him. The man’s aura was steady, and his physical presence carried a formidable pressure; he appeared to be a master of body refinement.

"Apologies for not welcoming you sooner!" Li Hanzhou said respectfully.

"Yan Shengtian of the Yan Clan in Yanhuang City!" The middle-aged man stood up and bowed.

Before Li Hanzhou could exchange pleasantries, Yan Shengtian spoke: "I have brought my disciples to challenge Liu Dongyue of your temple. We heard he claims to be the greatest beneath Transcendence and wants to take on four people at once. My Yan Clan is overreaching, but we wish to test that claim. Is it true that whoever wins against your disciple can take the 'Autumn Burial' blade?"

"The blade is right here." Li Hanzhou produced the Autumn Burial. The bone-chilling aura it exuded made Yan Shengtian’s eyes brighten.

"However, the condition is that you must provide a wager of equal value," Li Hanzhou said, staring at Yan Shengtian.

"My Yan Clan has nothing else, but our body-refining techniques are of great value!" Yan Shengtian produced a book. "This is the Yan Clan’s 'Nine Apertures Golden Body' technique. Master it to the peak, and you will be impervious to swords and spears. What do you think?"

"A bit lacking," Li Hanzhou said indifferently. He had been reading constantly of late and was no longer the ignorant man he once was. He continued calmly, "Even if your clan’s 'Nine Apertures Golden Body' is strong, can it really compare to the 'Golden Bell of Buddha' of the Buddhist sects?"

At these words, Yan Shengtian’s expression changed. Naturally, it could not compare.

"Then I..." Yan Shengtian began to ponder what else he could wager.

"Brother Yan," Li Hanzhou waved his hand. "How about this: if we win, you simply allow me access to the Yan Clan’s library to read for three months. How does that sound?"

"This..." Yan Shengtian hesitated.

"I will not look at any martial arts manuals," Li Hanzhou added.

"Deal!" Since Li Hanzhou would not look at martial arts secrets, there was nothing to worry about.

"Good, let us begin!" Li Hanzhou said with a smile.

Just then, Yun Qianzhu ran in from outside. "Master Uncle, many more people have arrived outside the temple gates. They heard the Yan Clan is here and all want to come in to watch the duel."

"They want to watch the excitement?" Li Hanzhou immediately understood their intentions.

"Turn them away. Tell them we are not receiving guests today," Li Hanzhou instructed Yun Qianzhu.

"Yes, Master Uncle."

By evening, the martial artists waiting outside the Longevity Temple finally saw the Yan Clan members exit. However, every one of them looked like a wilted vegetable. These usually proud disciples of the Yan Clan all wore expressions of defeat.