Li Yang whipped his horse without pause. The black steed beneath him galloped at full speed, weaving through the wind and snow like a black dragon. Fortunately, the mountain terrain here was gentle, the snow hadn't melted, and the horse could run freely.
After pulling ahead of Zhao Linglong for some time, Li Yang finally spotted figures. At the end of the land, between two mountains, a massive crowd of martial artists had gathered. Looking from afar, his brow furrowed.
Holding the reins with one hand, he tucked his whip into his belt with the other, then reached back and drew the long spear. He charged forward like a general single-handedly facing thousands of troops—swift as lightning, unwavering.
The closer he got to the assembled sects, the darker his expression grew. He hadn't imagined so many people would be marching to attack Azure Firmament Sect.
Though he had lost to Wu Man'er and witnessed Jiang Zhaoxia's strength firsthand, he didn't believe Azure Firmament Sect could withstand such a multitude of martial artists.
Just then, he noticed figures at the rear of the crowd being flung into the air. He realized a major battle was already underway ahead.
"Stop this madness!"
Li Yang roared in anger. Unfortunately, the crowd of martial artists didn't hear him—all attention was fixed on the front.
Dozens of experts from the Seven Peaks Alliance, Azure Cult, and Iron Moon Peak were besieging Yang Jueding, while the others halted to watch, unable to join the fray—and many unwilling to try.
Yang Jueding dodged attacks from Bai He, Guang Lantian, and Zhang Songjing while simultaneously striking out with his palms. Each Nine Heavens Divine Palm unleashed explosive force, churning up snow like serpentine dragons that sent martial artists flying. His bearing was domineering, overwhelmingly powerful.
"The Dragon Subduing Hero lives up to his reputation! No wonder the prefecture named him to the top ten of the Heavenly Roll. If he'd attended the last Martial Arts Tournament, Yu Zhiyi might not be number one."
"Did he really obtain the legendary divine technique?"
"His palm strikes are devastating—I can feel the force even from here."
"No wonder the three major sects brought so many people. If Yang Jueding alone is this formidable, plus Jiang Zhaoxia, taking them won't be easy."
"The Azure Cult's Vice Leader looks like he's about to be beaten to death!"
The various factions murmured among themselves. Some were subordinate to the three major sects; others, like the Iron Bone Faction, had come for the rumors, hoping to seize the divine technique amid the chaos.
Bringing so many people wasn't really about storming Azure Firmament Sect—it was about competing with other factions for the technique.
At this moment, Bai He, the Azure Cult's Vice Leader, looked the most miserable—robes torn, hair disheveled. Yang Jueding was hitting him hardest.
Guang Lantian and Zhang Songjing were shocked by Yang Jueding's current strength. They deliberately held back, not daring to confront him head-on, hoping to exhaust his internal energy and slowly wear him down.
They now believed Yang Jueding had obtained the divine technique. Knowing his original level of martial arts, his progress over these years was too extreme—only mastering a legendary technique could explain it.
"Stop!"
A furious shout rang out. Guang Lantian and the others glanced over but didn't halt their battle.
Without needing orders, people moved to block the galloping Li Yang.
Seeing someone obstruct him, Li Yang erupted in rage. His spear shot out, sending the blocker flying—but this drew more martial artists to surround him.
A stocky middle-aged man burst from the crowd, grabbed Li Yang's reins, and yanked hard. The black horse lost balance and tumbled sideways. Li Yang reacted quickly, leaping clear.
The moment he landed, he was surrounded by a crowd of martial artists.
"What sect are you from?"
The stocky man stared at Li Yang, asking coldly. Having dragged a galloping horse to a halt without appearing fazed, he made Li Yang deeply wary.
Li Yang gripped his spear and shouted angrily, "I am the Martial Arts Champion, Li Yang! What do you think you're all doing, gathering like this? Are you rebelling? Do you hold our Great Li laws in such contempt?"
Martial Arts Champion!
The surrounding martial artists stirred. Those who had attended the Martial Arts Tournament recognized him, and word spread quickly, confirming his identity. But the martial artists weren't intimidated—instead, they looked at Li Yang with amusement.
Surrounded on all sides, Li Yang felt immense pressure. Watching from a distance was one thing; being encircled was entirely different. He looked in every direction—countless heads, impossible to tally.
The stocky man asked contemptuously, "Martial Arts Champion, if we beat you to death here, do you think the authorities would ever find out? Catch the real killer?"
Hearing this, Li Yang grew even more enraged. He pointed his spear at the stocky man and cursed, "Bastard! State your name!"
The stocky man rolled his neck and sneered, "Azure Cult Branch Leader, Duan Tu!"
As he spoke, he advanced toward Li Yang. The surrounding martial artists wore expressions of anticipation, some even urging him on, wanting to see what the Martial Arts Champion could do.
Yang Jueding, still fighting, noticed Li Yang's peril. He silently cursed this Martial Arts Champion for being a hindrance.
But Li Yang's shouts made it clear he'd come to aid Azure Firmament Sect. How could Yang Jueding ignore that?
So Yang Jueding began fighting his way toward Li Yang, right palm leading, energy like a dragon sweeping all before it, unstoppable.
Guang Lantian and Zhang Songjing stopped holding back. They both landed before Yang Jueding and struck out with their palms simultaneously. Two streams of overbearing internal energy collided head-on with Yang Jueding, sending snow spraying several zhang high. The terrifying force forced the surrounding experts back.
...
Half an hour earlier, Yang Jueding had spotted the approaching sects from the mountain. He sent disciples up to report. By the time he prepared to support Li Yang, the messenger had already run to Lingxiao Courtyard and found Zhang Yuchun.
Zhang Yuchun's expression darkened. He immediately ordered disciples gathered, preparing to descend the mountain for battle.
Azure Firmament Sect moved quickly. Messengers raced to various work sites. Zhang Yuchun went down first, recruiting any disciples he encountered practicing martial arts along the way.
In her courtyard, Zhu Yan, about to start painting, noticed figures running past outside. Puzzled, she asked, "What's happening?"
Su Xiling immediately went out to inquire. She stopped a disciple, who, frantic, only said there was an enemy attack before sidestepping her and hurrying down.
Returning inside, she relayed the news to Zhu Yan.
Zhu Yan had spent these two years on the mountain, unaware of the martial world rumors. Surprised, she asked, "Azure Firmament Sect keeps to itself. How could it face an enemy attack? Judging by the commotion, there must be quite a few enemies."
Su Xiling didn't find it strange. Casually, she said, "It's only natural, Miss. Haven't you noticed how many geniuses Azure Firmament Sect has? How could one sect have so many prodigies? Their unique techniques must be extraordinary. With Jiang Zhaoxia's fame spreading, someone was bound to covet them."
Zhu Yan frowned, her desire to paint gone.
"If Miss is worried, I can go down and take a look?" Su Xiling asked playfully.
"Go ahead."
Zhu Yan nodded. Su Xiling bowed and departed.
In another courtyard, Yan Lan, sitting on a stone bench, watched as Azure Firmament Sect disciples summoned Qin Ye away. He immediately guessed what was happening down the mountain.
Yan Lan gazed at the book in his hand and remarked, "The conflicts of the martial world are no fewer than those of the court. Living in this world, no one is exempt."
Ku Yi approached him and asked, "Your Highness, shall I go down and assess the situation?"
"Yes. Use your discretion."
Yan Lan replied softly, then returned to his reading.
Ku Yi picked up his silver staff and headed down the mountain. Ku Er meditated beneath a tree in the courtyard, still recuperating from his injuries inflicted by Li Qingqiu.
Above the eaves, snow fell heavily, shrouding the mountain scenery in white. What they didn't know was that someone stood atop the peak, watching them—naturally, Li Qingqiu.
Standing at the cliff's edge, Li Qingqiu saw Su Xiling and Ku Yi successively descend. He wondered whether to accept Zhu Yan and Su Xiling into the sect.
As for Ku Yi and Ku Er, he had no such thoughts. The Crown Prince couldn't stay at Azure Firmament Sect forever, and Li Qingqiu found the trouble not worth it.
He wasn't worried about the battle below. He trusted Azure Firmament Sect's current strength to handle it. Still, to prevent accidents, he decided to observe—preferably without intervening.
Azure Firmament Sect remained in early development; losing any disciple would pain him.
Just as Li Qingqiu was thinking, a notification suddenly appeared before his eyes:
[Because a disciple of Azure Firmament Sect has destroyed a faction hostile to the Daoist Legacy, demonstrating the Daoist Legacy's power, you have received one Inheritance reward opportunity.]
A smile spread across Li Qingqiu's face. He raised his hand to his mouth and whistled, infusing it with spiritual energy. The sound carried tremendous penetrating power, traveling far.
Soon, a massive form descended from the wind and snow, the wind billowing Li Qingqiu's robes violently.
...
Between the two mountains, on the snowy plain, corpses and blood dotted the surface. Yang Jueding and Li Yang still fought, less than five zhang apart.
Compared to Yang Jueding, Li Yang looked miserable—hair disheveled, face covered in blood, his chest robes stained dark crimson. Gripping his spear, his strength and speed had greatly diminished.
Li Yang thrust his spear, impaling a martial artist's shoulder and flinging him away. The effort made him stumble, nearly falling. He quickly planted the spear on the ground, struggling to support himself.
The main attackers were still the three major sects' people; the minor factions merely watched from the perimeter.
By now, many martial artists felt a twinge of reluctance—and it stemmed from Li Yang.
"This Martial Arts Champion's skills are considerable, but he refuses to kill. He's courting death."
"Exactly. Look at Yang Jueding—he strikes without hesitation, and he's still uninjured."
"Maybe he fears violating Great Li law."
"Surely they won't actually beat the Martial Arts Champion to death here?"
The minor factions' martial artists murmured among themselves. Some were moved by Li Yang's conduct; others feared the incident escalating too far.
No matter how fierce the martial world's conflicts, they remained martial world affairs. Who didn't have deaths on their hands?
Reporting to officials would destroy everyone involved.
They only wanted to seize the divine technique amid the chaos—not offend the imperial court.
Whatever their thoughts, the three major sects' experts were now enraged, determined to kill Li Yang here.
While dealing with surrounding experts, Yang Jueding had to constantly support Li Yang, or Li Yang wouldn't have lasted this long.
Before Li Yang could catch his breath, another attacker rushed him. He had no choice but to clench his teeth and fight on. Finally, he understood what it felt like to be on a battlefield.
After earning his Martial Arts Champion title, he had always wanted to join the army, but his father held him back, believing his temperament unsuited for command. So he came to roam the martial world instead.
Now, besieged by mere hundreds, he already felt helpless. He couldn't imagine what it would be like on a battlefield with hundreds of thousands of troops.