In the Yan Family Army camp, inside the main tent of the Iron Sword Martial Saint. The Iron Sword Martial Saint sat cross-legged on the soft, dark-red carpet, his massive iron sword resting across his knees, his eyes closed in deep concentration and meditation.
"The Iron Sword Martial Saint has issued a challenge. Do you think this Mister Teng will dare accept?" "Who knows?
Maybe Mister Teng is all facade, scared to fight. If he doesn't show up tomorrow, it wouldn't be surprising if he then makes up an excuse about some sudden urgent matter preventing his attendance." The Iron Sword Martial Saint’s six senses were acutely sharp.
Although these discussions were mere casual chatter from patrolling soldiers far across the tent, he still heard them perfectly clearly. "Whether he is truly strong or just an exaggerated rumor, we will know soon enough," the Iron Sword Martial Saint mused silently.
Suddenly— "By order of Mister Teng, I am here to announce that regarding the Iron Sword Martial Saint's challenge for tomorrow, Mister Teng will indeed attend!" A booming voice echoed across the entire Yan Family Army camp. Having received the reply from Teng Qingshan, Fu Dao naturally would not let Teng Qingshan lose face, so he also dispatched an inner-strength master to make the announcement.
When the Yan family had sent messengers previously, their clothing and ornamentation immediately identified them as members of the Yan clan. After the messenger from Teng Qingshan deliberately shouted the reply loudly, the entire Yan Family Army camp erupted in discussion.
"Will indeed attend?" In the main tent, the Iron Sword Martial Saint, who had been sitting cross-legged, opened his eyes, a slight smile playing on his lips. "Teng Qingshan...
I truly hope you do not disappoint me, Helian Haoyan!" * The news that the mysterious Teng Qingshan, dubbed the Strongest Martial Saint, would clash with the long-renowned North Cold Domain's foremost expert, the 'Iron Sword Martial Saint,' the very next morning at the Huoliu Iron Gorge of Ox-Head Mountain, spread rapidly. It wasn't just the two major camps of the Yan and Fu families who learned of it, but also the other major families who were currently arriving.
On one side: Helian Haoyan, the Iron Sword Martial Saint, who had made his name over decades and was the future power-holder of the Heavenly Wind Family! On the other: Teng Qingshan, the Strongest Martial Saint, shrouded in mystery, who rarely acted but had risen suddenly in power!
Between the two titans, who truly reigned supreme? Had Helian Haoyan, after losing to the Rising Sun Martial Saint Mu Wang, endured hardship only to grow stronger, now poised to defeat Teng Qingshan and reveal his true edge?
Or would Teng Qingshan, bearing the title 'Strongest Martial Saint' without sufficient documented victories, triumph over Helian Haoyan tomorrow to prove he possessed strength commensurate with that lofty title? Everything would be revealed tomorrow morning in the Huoliu Iron Gorge!
On the Duanmu Continent, where martial culture was intensely vibrant, the impending battle between these two peerless masters instantly sparked intense interest among the various great families. Numerous formidable martial artists, and many youths within families who dreamed of becoming Martial Saints themselves, flocked to Ox-Head Mountain as dawn broke, all making their way toward the Huoliu Iron Gorge.
... Outside Teng Qingshan's main tent in the Fu Family camp.
Li Jun, Teng Qingshan’s two disciples Teng Shou and Yang Dong, along with Fu Yuping, and the Thunder Blade Martial Saint 'Fu Dao,' all stood outside the tent. The sky was just beginning to lighten, yet the main protagonist of the day’s battle, Teng Qingshan, remained inside.
"Brother Teng," Li Jun called out. "Hahahaha..." A burst of hearty laughter suddenly erupted from within the tent, causing Li Jun's expression to shift to confusion as he glanced at the others beside him.
"Brother Teng," Li Jun called again. Swish!
The tent flap was drawn open, and Teng Qingshan emerged, wearing a simple, deep-azure leather robe, a wide smile on his face. Seeing Li Jun, Fu Dao, and the others, he suddenly realized, "Oh, right.
You are here about that fight at the Huoliu Iron Gorge on Ox-Head Mountain, aren't you?" Teng Qingshan clearly remembered the engagement. "Brother Teng, it's time to go," Li Jun said with a wry smile.
"Haha, Sir, what made you laugh so heartily just now? Are you confident you can defeat the Iron Sword Martial Saint?" Fu Dao laughed.
Even after sparring with Teng Qingshan, Fu Dao didn't quite believe Teng Qingshan could defeat the Iron Sword Martial Saint in a single move as he had defeated Fu Dao. After all, the Iron Sword Martial Saint was the North Cold Domain's foremost Martial Saint.
And the future ruler of the Heavenly Wind Family! "I just had a breakthrough while comprehending the Thirty-Six Forms of Mountain Splitting, and I couldn't help but laugh in sheer delight," Teng Qingshan replied with a grin.
Those present were momentarily stunned. With a major battle imminent, he still had the mind to study the Thirty-Six Forms of Mountain Splitting.
"This is actually a critical juncture in my comprehension; ideally, I should press on and delve deeper while the momentum lasts. However...
this Iron Sword Martial Saint is quite bothersome," Teng Qingshan shook his head. "Let's go.
We’ll head to the Huoliu Iron Gorge. The sooner we defeat the Iron Sword Martial Saint, the sooner we can return." Fu Dao paused, feeling that Teng Qingshan’s attitude bordered on arrogance.
Yet, he couldn't view the situation from Teng Qingshan’s perspective and didn't understand his mindset. To Teng Qingshan, defeating the Iron Sword Martial Saint offered no thrill whatsoever.
It was inevitable... When sparring with the Cloud Dream War God, even the War God himself had been shocked into believing that Teng Qingshan had already reached the Void Realm!
In other words, Teng Qingshan, with his combination of Gang Qi and physical strength, was now comparable to an expert who had just stepped into the Void Realm. For such an expert, what excitement was there in defeating a mere Martial Saint?
"Let’s go," Teng Qingshan said, retrieving the Reincarnation Spear from his tent and smiling. "Fu Dao, I still don't know where the Huoliu Iron Gorge is; have someone lead the way." "Haha, my Fu Family is well prepared for that," Fu Dao chuckled.
Immediately, Teng Qingshan and his entourage mounted their War Hounds and swiftly departed the Fu Family camp, rushing toward the Huoliu Iron Gorge on Ox-Head Mountain. ** The Huoliu Iron Gorge was originally an unremarkable, nameless canyon.
However, ever since a youth named 'A’Wu' thrust his spear into the ground and discovered a vein of Huoliu Iron ore—this gorge was fated to be etched into the history of the Duanmu Continent. Today’s battle between the Strongest Martial Saint and the Iron Sword Martial Saint would make this canyon shine even more brilliantly in history.
The Huoliu Iron Gorge was already teeming with experts; representatives from every major family had arrived. First, to gauge the strength of these two Martial Saints; second, because for martial artists, the allure of such a peak confrontation was irresistible.
... "Second Brother, why haven't the two Martial Saints arrived yet?" "A’Tong, don't rush.
The Strongest Martial Saint and the Iron Sword Martial Saint are major figures; they won't arrive as early as we did." Two youths stood anxiously waiting amidst the crowd. They hadn't slept well the previous night in anticipation of witnessing this battle, arriving with their family contingent before dawn.
In truth, it wasn't just them; the martial artists from all attending families were anxiously awaiting the appearance of the two Martial Saints. "Second Brother, look over there," the youth named A'Tong pointed excitedly toward the opposite side not far away.
"That's the Female Martial Saint." "Mmm," his second brother agreed, his eyes also shining. Youth A’Tong’s face flushed red with excitement: "The Female Martial Saint!
She's the number one Martial Saint of our East Hua Domain! She’s amazing.
I wonder who is stronger between the Female Martial Saint, the Iron Sword Martial Saint, and the Strongest Martial Saint?" "A'Tong, look, they are here," his second brother tugged him urgently. At this moment, the entire crowd buzzed with excitement.
The two brothers followed the flow of people toward the gorge entrance, where they saw the Iron Sword Martial Saint, 'Helian Haoyan,' clad in a black leather coat and carrying his massive iron sword on his back, advancing almost side-by-side with the Strongest Martial Saint, 'Teng Qingshan,' dressed in a deep-azure leather robe and bearing a silver spear on his back. Each was followed by their respective entourages.
"Wow!" Youth A’Tong’s eyes sparkled as he gazed at the two peerless experts. "So powerful," his second brother murmured excitedly.
Just by the mere presence of the two Martial Saints walking on the gorge floor, a natural aura manifested—an aura formed from the combination of their inherent temperament, spirit, and essence. It was similar to how an ordinary person would instinctively feel apprehension upon seeing an emperor.
These peerless experts possessed their own distinct auras. "Second Brother, who do you think is stronger?" asked Youth A’Tong.
"I don't know. For the Strongest Martial Saint, I only know he once captured Dong Zizhi.
But I know much more about the Iron Sword Martial Saint. At sixteen, the Iron Sword Martial Saint single-handedly breached Iron Sea City with just one sword.
By twenty-three, he reached the Innate Realm. At forty-eight, he fought the Rising Sun Martial Saint in a protracted battle, only to lose narrowly.
At fifty-two, he fought the Blood Axe Martial Saint to a draw... In short, perhaps only the Rising Sun Martial Saint, heralded as the one beneath the War God, could defeat the Iron Sword Martial Saint.
As for Teng Qingshan? He is too mysterious.
But status must be proven by strength, so I am inclined to believe the Iron Sword Martial Saint will win." "I think the Strongest Martial Saint will win," said Youth A’Tong. His second brother looked surprised.
"Why?" "He... he..." Youth A’Tong thought for a moment but couldn't recall any specific impressive feats by Teng Qingshan.
"Stop talking; they are about to make their move." ... In the center of the vast gorge, an area fifty zhang wide was kept clear of all other individuals.
Teng Qingshan and the Iron Sword Martial Saint, 'Helian Haoyan,' stood facing each other, separated by a distance of over ten zhang. "Helian Haoyan," Teng Qingshan began with a faint smile.
"I must admit, I am quite surprised you issued this challenge. However...
since you have called me out, and you are a famous figure on the Duanmu Continent, then let us fight. Use whatever ultimate moves you possess immediately, or you will lose the chance to deploy them." A flicker of anger crossed the Iron Sword Martial Saint's usually cold face.
In his view, a duel between two titans should involve a period of buildup, exchanging words befitting their status, before commencing the fight. He hadn't expected Teng Qingshan to be so direct.
"Teng Qingshan, the title Strongest Martial Saint is not one that just anyone can possess," the Iron Sword Martial Saint stated. The implication was clear...
He clearly felt that Teng Qingshan’s acquisition of that title was dishonorable—it was merely a title proclaimed by the Assassin’s Hall, not one earned through a series of publicized victories recognized by the world, as the Rising Sun Martial Saint had achieved. "Oh?
Then come and test it," Teng Qingshan replied, holding his spear in one hand and smiling faintly at the Iron Sword Martial Saint. The Iron Sword Martial Saint’s gaze turned sharp.
"Clang!" A sharp sound rang out. The massive iron sword sheathed on the Iron Sword Martial Saint’s back flew out seemingly by itself.
The Iron Sword Martial Saint reached out a hand, grasping the hilt of the great sword, then gripped it firmly with both hands, looking across at Teng Qingshan. In a low voice, he stated, "Teng Qingshan, you certainly appear arrogant.
I sincerely hope you possess the strength to match your demeanor. Please...
do not disappoint me!" "Sigh..." Teng Qingshan inwardly shook his head. "There are always so many self-important people in this world." "Rumble~~~" The sandy ground suddenly exploded violently, sending thousands of shards of sand and rock flying outward like projectiles, engulfing Teng Qingshan.
The battle had begun!