Hoo!

The cloth fell aside, revealing a stone carving that looked as if it had been sculpted from green jade. Whether it was the axe techniques carved on the left side or the character 'Dao' on the right, Teng Qingshan felt as if a giant axe had just cleaved down before him; he could clearly sense that imposing momentum.

“It really is the eleventh stance!” Teng Qingshan secretly rejoiced in his heart.

Based on his understanding of the Thirty-Six Slashes of Mountain Splitting, Teng Qingshan judged that the thirty-six stances were divided into the initial twelve, the middle twelve, and the final twelve, becoming progressively more profound. From the Mu family of Yunmeng Ancient City, Teng Qingshan had obtained six stone carvings, which included the ‘Twelfth Stance.’

“This is the eleventh stance, plus the twelfth. That makes the final two stances of the initial twelve. The contained ‘Way of Earth’ and ‘Way of Metal’ should also be the profound aspects.”

“Once I thoroughly research these, the Earth Element Fist can completely manifest the Ninth Fist, allowing me to step into the Void Realm.”

Teng Qingshan gazed upon this eleventh stance as if he had found a priceless treasure!

The deeper the carving, the better—this was not the case; what suited him was the best.

“Fu Dao.” Teng Qingshan turned to look. “What is the current situation?”

“This news only leaked two days ago. Only the families around Niutou Mountain can dispatch troops here the fastest,” Fu Dao chuckled lightly. “The armies of quite a few other families are still on their way. I estimate that by the day after tomorrow, all the respective armies will be gathered.”

“Moreover, the major families are currently in a standoff. The Fire Flow Iron ore vein is incredibly tempting, but no single family in our Donghua Domain can swallow it whole by force. If any one family seizes the Fire Flow Iron ore vein, they will certainly face a united attack from the other families.”

“So, for my Fu family, the best approach is to quietly observe the changes and fish in troubled waters.” Fu Dao smiled. “Perhaps our Fu family can reap significant benefits.”

Fu Dao was very confident.

He himself was a Golden Core Martial Saint of the Xiantian realm. He clearly understood Teng Qingshan’s strength… Although Teng Qingshan was also a Golden Core Martial Saint of the Xiantian realm, in Fu Dao’s view, Teng Qingshan alone was equivalent to seven or eight Golden Core Martial Saints! Teng Qingshan was a crucial hidden card for their Fu family.

“Since there is nothing urgent now, Fu Dao… starting tonight, I will enter seclusion for quiet cultivation. Do not disturb me unless it is a matter of great importance,” Teng Qingshan stated.

“Understood.” Fu Dao agreed, sighing inwardly. As expected of a supreme expert, he did not forget his rigorous practice even in the military camp.

In the main tent of the Yan family army camp.

Inside the tent, six people sat arranged in two rows. The row on the left comprised the high-ranking officials of the Yan family, led by Yan Baishou. The row on the right consisted of three people, who were the high-ranking officials of the Xiahou family, led by Xiahou An. At this moment, the leadership of these two major families were discussing matters.

“Old Brother Yan, so what if Teng Qingshan was invited by the Fu family? It’s no big deal, you don’t need to worry. I said back then that offering him three stone carvings was an insult; he wasn’t worthy!” A bearded man sitting second in the Xiahou family’s row scoffed. “Where did this Teng Qingshan pop up from? Since his debut, rumors say he fought Fu Dao once, and then he stormed Dong Mansion and captured Dong Zizhi. Those are his only two battle records.”

“Capturing Dong Zizhi does prove Teng Qingshan’s strength. But he only kicked a True Core Martial Saint of the Xiantian realm flying. Most Golden Core experts of the Xiantian realm can do that. This achievement only proves he is a Golden Core Martial Saint of the Xiantian realm.”

“Everyone is fearful of this Teng Qingshan simply because Fu Dao called him ‘Mister’? Thinking that Teng Qingshan is the pinnacle among Golden Core Martial Saints.”

“But who saw him fight Fu Dao? Nobody saw it!” The bearded man sneered twice. “If no one saw it, who knows how strong Teng Qingshan truly is? Perhaps… Teng Qingshan did Fu Dao a favor, which is why Fu Dao treated him as such. Besides Fu Dao, whom else among the Golden Core Martial Saints of the Xiantian realm has he defeated?”

“The Female Martial Saint? The Iron Sword Martial Saint of the Northern Cold Domain? The Blood Axe Martial Saint of the Southern Mountain Domain? Or the strongest Sun Martial Saint of the Western Tang Domain?”

“Hmph, he hasn't defeated any of them! Why must everyone take him so seriously?” The bearded man from the Xiahou family spoke casually.

Few people knew of Teng Qingshan’s battle with the Sun Martial Saint Mu Wang.

“Third Brother.” The stern, one-eyed man sitting at the head of the Xiahou family row said solemnly, “We must not underestimate that Teng Qingshan. Regardless, after our confirmation, the martial saint known as the ‘Strongest Martial Saint’ in the Assassin Hall is very likely Teng Qingshan. How can one who is honored as the Strongest Martial Saint by the Assassin Hall be taken lightly?”

“Big Brother, your words are incorrect.” The bearded man glared. “Firstly, whether the Strongest Martial Saint is Teng Qingshan is just our guess; the Assassin Hall has not revealed his identity. Secondly, strength is not built on boasting; it is proven through fighting!”

“Strength is determined by the fist, proven by battle records,” the bearded man scoffed. “What good is word-of-mouth rumor spreading?”

“Teng Qingshan’s strength is still unknown. Everyone needn't dampen our own morale by inflating others’ prestige,” the silver-haired elder sitting third on the Yan family side smiled. “Besides, the Iron Sword Martial Saint is on our side this time. The Iron Sword Martial Saint is the foremost Martial Saint in the Northern Cold Domain; with him here, why should we fear Teng Qingshan?”

“Indeed.”

“Right. It won’t be difficult for the Iron Sword Martial Saint to defeat Fu Dao. When comparing the Iron Sword Martial Saint and Teng Qingshan, even if Teng Qingshan is formidable, the gap probably won't be huge.”

“After all, Teng Qingshan has never defeated the Female Martial Saint, the Iron Sword Martial Saint, or the other two. That Teng Qingshan is probably only on par with the Iron Sword Martial Saint and the others, which is why he is called the Strongest Martial Saint.”

The six members of the Yan and Xiahou families discussed among themselves.

Currently, in the four domains of the Duangmu Continent, the Female Martial Saint of the Donghua Domain, the Sun Martial Saint of the Western Tang Domain, the Blood Axe Martial Saint of the Southern Mountain Domain, and the Iron Sword Martial Saint of the Northern Cold Domain—these four Martial Saints are considered the foremost Martial Saints of their respective regions. However, among these four, the Sun Martial Saint is the strongest. Thus, the Sun Martial Saint is called the Number One Martial Saint under heaven.

“When will the Iron Sword Martial Saint arrive?” Yan Baishou asked.

“Logically, in the next couple of days; perhaps earlier or later. Such experts do not blindly follow our summons,” the Xiahou Family Head said calmly. Suddenly, he turned his one eye toward the entrance of the main tent.

The six people in the tent fell silent.

“Reporting to the Family Head, the Iron Sword Martial Saint has arrived.” A voice came from outside.

“Haha, speaking of whom, he arrives,” Yan Baishou laughed. “Gentlemen, let us go welcome the Iron Sword Martial Saint.”

Not long after, Yan Baishou and the other six escorted a stern middle-aged man, whose temples were laced with silver threads, back into the main tent. This stern man wore a silver, thick leather robe and carried a massive, pitch-black iron sword on his back. His eyes were as sharp as swords.

This person was currently the most dazzling figure in the Tianfeng Family.

The War God of Tianfeng highly valued his younger generation. Mammoth families like the Mu family of the Sun Commerce and the Tianfeng Family valued the geniuses and experts within their clans. In the Mu family, War God Yunmeng placed the greatest importance on the Great Elder ‘Mu Wang,’ hoping Mu Wang could break through to the Void Realm and become a War God. Once Mu Wang became a War God...

Then, the Sun Commerce could shine brilliantly for another three to four hundred years without having to act subserviently.

The Tianfeng Family was the same; they placed their hopes on this Iron Sword Martial Saint, wishing he could reach the Void Realm. And the Iron Sword Martial Saint was indeed very strong. Except for being defeated by the Sun Martial Saint Mu Wang more than a decade ago, he had never lost to anyone else. Furthermore, after more than ten years of arduous training, with his talent, he had already made significant progress.

The Iron Sword Martial Saint had always wanted to compete with the Sun Martial Saint again to see who was truly stronger! However, the Sun Martial Saint rarely left Yunmeng Ancient City, making opportunities scarce.

“Gentlemen, please be seated,” the Iron Sword Martial Saint took the central seat.

The Yan and Xiahou families sat in their respective rows as before.

“The significance of the Fire Flow Iron ore vein appearing this time requires no further elaboration. For many years, Fire Flow Iron has almost always been in the hands of my Tianfeng Family. This time, my Tianfeng Family must obtain this Fire Flow Iron ore vein. My Tianfeng Family will fully support your two families in securing it. As for the distribution after securing the vein… your two families have also expended great effort, and this vein is massive. My Tianfeng Family will take sixty percent, and your two families will each receive twenty percent. Twenty percent of the Fire Flow Iron ore vein is enough to make your two families even stronger. Do your two families have any objections?” The Iron Sword Martial Saint’s sword-like gaze swept over the six people below.

To let the other two families fight while the Tianfeng Family claimed sixty percent showed just how dominant they were.

“Of course, we have no objections,” Yan Baishou frowned. “The combined forces of our Yan and Xiahou families are certainly qualified to seize the Fire Flow Iron ore vein. But we are worried about the Golden Core Martial Saints of the Xiantian realm. Especially the ‘Teng Qingshan’ invited by the Fu family—this Teng Qingshan is too mysterious; no one knows his true depth. Furthermore, the Assassin Hall has a Martial Saint bearing the title of ‘Strongest Martial Saint,’ which is likely this Teng Qingshan.”

“That is simple.”

The Iron Sword Martial Saint commanded, “Yan Baishou, send a formal invitation to the Fu family, stating that I, Helian Haoyan, wish to have a sparring match with Teng Qingshan. Set the time for tomorrow morning, at the Fire Flow Iron Gorge in Niutou Mountain.”

A challenge?

Everyone present was greatly surprised.

“Mister Helian, this is…” the Xiahou Family Head began.

“My purpose in going is twofold: first, to spar with an expert of his caliber, and second, to probe his depth. Only after we know his strength can we finalize our strategy. If his strength is mediocre, entirely based on exaggerated rumors and fabricated mystery, then we need not worry about him when fighting for the Fire Flow Iron ore vein,” the Iron Sword Martial Saint stated calmly.

At the main gate of the Fu family military camp.

Thump! Thump! Thump!

The sound of hooves shook the ground as dozens of camel beasts galloped over. The leader was riding a one-horned battle beast.

“Awoo~~” Pulling the reins, the battle beast and the camel beasts halted.

Clang clang clang!

The Fu family guards, all holding long spears, formed a dense forest of weapons, the spear tips reflecting a chilling cold light, aimed directly at this group of riders.

“Who goes there?” the leader of the guard shouted.

The knight riding the battle beast called out loudly from atop it, “Under the order of the Iron Sword Martial Saint, I have come to deliver a challenge invitation, requesting Martial Saint Mister Teng for a match tomorrow morning at the Fire Flow Iron Gorge in Niutou Mountain.” The voice rolled like thunder, echoing throughout the camp, making thousands of people instantly aware.

“We refuse,” the knight threw the challenge scroll toward the guard, then led his subordinate riders away with a whoosh.

The entire Fu family camp was buzzing with discussion, and Fu Dao personally came before Teng Qingshan’s main tent.

“Mister, Mister.” Fu Dao tore open the tent flap.

Teng Qingshan was practicing his punches inside the tent.

“What is it?” Teng Qingshan said calmly. “I said not to disturb me unless it’s a major event.”

“The Iron Sword Martial Saint's challenge, Sir must have heard?” Fu Dao asked anxiously. In Fu Dao’s mind, this was an incomparably huge matter.

Teng Qingshan frowned slightly.

Before breaking through to the late stage of Gang Strength, his colossal strength of 1.2 million jin, combined with the Five Elements Spear Technique, was enough to defeat the Sun Martial Saint. After reaching the late stage of Gang Strength, he could even defeat the Six-Legged Blade-Mantis!

An Iron Sword Martial Saint?

What was that?

“I heard. Tomorrow morning, I’ll squeeze in some time to go to Niutou Mountain and just beat that so-called Iron Sword Martial Saint into submission,” Teng Qingshan said indifferently. “That’s all. You can go now.”