The Sun-Shooting Mountains, situated in the southern reaches of Yan Province, rolled across the landscape for dozens of li. Among its many peaks stood one magnificent mountain, soaring thousands of zhang high, the very reason for its fame echoing throughout the world—it was the foundation of the 'Sun-Shooting Divine Mountain,' one of the Eight Great Sects. This colossal peak was precisely named the 'Sun-Shooting Divine Mountain.' Across the vast heavens, a streak of black light flashed through the nine firmaments, weaving through the clouds and mist before plunging directly into the cloud-shrouded Sun-Shooting Divine Mountain.

At the summit of the Sun-Shooting Divine Mountain, already above the cloud line, a palace of dazzling gold and splendor was under construction at the highest point of the sacred peak. Sunlight streamed down, causing the palace to reflect a brilliant, thousand-zhang radiance. Behind the palace, nestled within a secluded grove, two simple wooden cabins stood built in close proximity. “Brother, that Iron Blind Man is here again.” “He was just here a few days ago. Why the return visit?” Two rugged men, dressed in animal hides like seasoned hunters, sat cross-legged on the ground, facing each other. Between them, on a low table, rested two jars of wine. Beside the table, a bonfire crackled merrily, roasting meat that sent savory aromas into the air. The most peculiar detail— One of these hunter brothers had entirely black hair, while the other’s hair was completely silver-white. “You two seem quite content, still having the leisure to drink and feast,” a voice echoed as the Black-Clad Blind Man materialized abruptly by their side. “Why shouldn't we have leisure?” The silver-haired hunter reached into the heat, snatched a piece of roasting meat, and took a large bite. “Iron Blind Man, spit it out. What brings you back to us?” “I have business, naturally,” the Blind Sword Saint stood nearby. “I’ve come to borrow Tianlang from you.” “Hm?” The two hunter brothers instantly ceased eating and drinking, turning their heads in unison to stare at the Blind Sword Saint. The black-haired hunter frowned deeply. “Iron Blind Man, who exactly are you planning to fight? You want to borrow Tianlang from our Sun-Shooting Divine Mountain?” To subdue a Void Realm demonic beast was an endeavor of extreme, extreme difficulty. Void Realm demonic beasts were typically arrogant, looking down upon humans; why would they yield? Across the lands of the Nine Provinces, while some of the Eight Great Sects possessed Void Realm demonic beasts, these creatures were usually subdued during their Innate Golden Core stage. Over long years, if one such Innate Golden Core beast happened to break through, it might become a Void Realm beast. If this beast retained some loyalty, it might stay with its original sect. That was how a sect acquired a Void Realm demonic beast! Take the Heavenly God Palace, for instance; they kept many Innate Golden Core level beasts, casting a wide net in hopes one would eventually break through. But regardless of the circumstances… any sect possessing a Void Realm beast guarded it like a treasure, refusing to lend it out lightly. “Iron Blind Man, are you targeting Jing Yi?” the silver-haired hunter asked next. “Certainly not.” The Blind Sword Saint shook his head. “This time, I intend to confront that Void Realm powerhouse from the Guiyuan Sect.” “Oh.” The black-haired hunter grinned, revealing his teeth. “Is your Azure Lake Island preparing to annihilate the Guiyuan Sect? That makes sense. The current situation in the Nine Provinces is chaotic, and with the sudden rise of the Heavenly God Palace, no one knows just how strong they truly are. If we are to contend, we must, at the very least, fully unify our own territory.” “Tell me, will you lend him or not?” the Blind Sword Saint was direct. “I like your straightforwardness, Iron Blind Man,” the black-haired hunter chuckled. “Brother?” The silver-haired hunter looked to the black-haired man. “Lending him is possible… Your Azure Lake Island and our Sun-Shooting Divine Mountain are allies now. I’ll give you this Iron Blind Man some face. However—you know the cost,” the black-haired hunter smiled at the Blind Sword Saint. Many sects among the Eight Great ones did not possess a Void Realm beast. To summon a Void Realm beast carried a steep price. The Blind Sword Saint was no fool. He immediately began haggling with the two hunter brothers. Finally, terms were settled, and the black-haired hunter let out a summoning call for Tianlang. “Awoo~” The black-haired hunter tilted his head back and howled into the sky. In less than the time it takes for a breath to be drawn— Swish! A streak of silver light shot out from the woods, landing not far from the two hunters. It was a magnificent demonic wolf, fully three to four zhang long. Its entire coat was slick, silvery fur, but its eyes were vertical pupils of deep gold. A sharp, dagger-like horn jutted from its forehead. The demonic wolf of the Sun-Shooting Divine Mountain was internally revered by the sect as ‘Tianlang,’ or the ‘Sun-Shooting Tianlang.’ “It’s already afternoon now,” the black-haired hunter observed the sky. “Iron Blind Man, as we agreed, Tianlang will be back at the Sun-Shooting Divine Mountain by this time tomorrow.” “The time is sufficient,” the Blind Sword Saint nodded. The black-haired hunter looked toward the Sun-Shooting Tianlang and let out a series of wolf cries. The Sun-Shooting Tianlang responded in kind. Moments later. “I have instructed Tianlang to accompany you to hunt that Guiyuan Sect Void Realm powerhouse. When you arrive at the Guiyuan Sect in Jiangning Commandery and sense the Void Realm powerhouse within your domain... simply say ‘Kill,’ and Tianlang will understand,” the black-haired hunter instructed. “I have also ordered it that as soon as that Void Realm powerhouse dies, Tianlang is to immediately return to my Sun-Shooting Divine Mountain.” “Hmph, agreed,” the Blind Sword Saint assented to all conditions. “Set off,” the black-haired hunter turned to the Sun-Shooting Tianlang and let out a howl, “Awoo~” The Sun-Shooting Tianlang, with its pair of dark gold eyes, also looked toward the Blind Sword Saint, clearly waiting for the latter to depart first. Swish! The Blind Sword Saint transformed into a black streak of light and dove downward. The Sun-Shooting Tianlang followed, becoming a streak of silver light, slightly faster than the Blind Sword Saint—though even this speed was nowhere near Tianlang’s maximum velocity.

** On the twenty-second day of the third month, as evening approached. A silver streak and a black streak advanced across the vast earth at nearly identical speeds. They followed no official roads, instead cutting a perfect straight line. “Jiangning Commandery City!” The black-clad Blind Sword Saint gazed at the ancient, imposing city in the distance, his milky-white eyes flashing with a fierce, dark glint. “It is time the Guiyuan Sect vanished.” The Sun-Shooting Tianlang followed silently at his side, its dark gold eyes fixed on the distant Jiangning Commandery City. Hoo! The two lights shot toward the distant city almost simultaneously.

…… Inside Jiangning Commandery City, within the Martial Pavilion of the Guiyuan Sect. The quiet Martial Pavilion was guarded by Elder Wu, who sat upon a chair. Before him, a historical novel lay face down on the table, yet Elder Wu frowned deeply, his right hand held out in a sword-finger gesture, constantly making intricate motions. The space around his fingers subtly warped and vibrated. “Hm?” Elder Wu stopped abruptly, looking up toward the southeast. He clearly sensed two immense auras suddenly manifesting within his domain. One aura was one of unparalleled darkness, so powerful it made the heart tremble. The other was a tightly gathered, silver-white sharp light. “Two Void Realm powerhouses!” Elder Wu shot to his feet.

…… At the very moment Elder Wu detected the Blind Sword Saint and the Sun-Shooting Tianlang, the Blind Sword Saint and the Sun-Shooting Tianlang also located the sole Void Realm powerhouse within Jiangning Commandery City. “Kill!” the Blind Sword Saint hissed, issuing the command. Boom! The Sun-Shooting Tianlang instantly erupted in speed, and the Blind Sword Saint unleashed his fastest pace, following closely behind the wolf. A man and a wolf, one leading and one trailing, hurtled rapidly toward Elder Wu’s position.

…… “Not good.” Upon realizing the two powerful auras were rapidly approaching him at astonishing speed, particularly the speed of the first aura, Elder Wu’s face instantly paled. Without hesitation, he transformed into a streak of light and vanished from the Martial Pavilion. “Such speed. The leading silver-white aura must be a demonic beast. Moreover, a Void Realm beast of the terrestrial variety!” Elder Wu judged instantly. “The one behind him is a human Void Realm expert.” “A human Void Realm expert and a terrestrial Void Realm beast joining forces—they are definitely here to kill me.” Elder Wu’s speed had already been pushed to its absolute limit. Simultaneously, Elder Wu sent a desperate mental message to 'Zhuge Yuanhong' within the Guiyuan Sect, who remained entirely unaware. “Yuanhong, quickly, flee! A human Void Realm expert and a Void Realm demonic beast are simultaneously hunting me. You must escape now, or you won’t have the chance later,” Elder Wu’s voice rang out in the ears of Zhuge Yuanhong, who was deep in quiet cultivation in his study. “What?” Zhuge Yuanhong’s face instantly turned ashen, his body swaying involuntarily, his eyes filled with horror. “This is bad.” Zhuge Yuanhong dared not delay; he didn't even have time to instruct others in the Guiyuan Sect. He snatched up his weapon and immediately executed his movement technique, streaking out of the study at maximum velocity.

** As the Blind Sword Saint and the Sun-Shooting Tianlang pursued Elder Wu, Zhuge Yuanhong was also making his swift escape. “Void Realm experts move with terrifying speed, but their domains only extend thirty-four li! That human Void Realm expert and the Void Realm beast, while chasing my ancestor, absolutely dare not relax even for a moment. One slip-up, and my ancestor could escape the thirty-four li radius,” Zhuge Yuanhong understood this clearly. He knew… Those two Void Realms hunting Elder Wu would not waste time killing him unless Elder Wu was already dead. Therefore, Zhuge Yuanhong had ample time to flee before Elder Wu perished. Streaking across the farmlands, Zhuge Yuanhong was like a gust of wind, covering vast distances in mere flashes. “How could this be? Two Void Realms coming to hunt Ancestor?” “It must be the Azure Lake Island!” Zhuge Yuanhong instantly deduced, already outside the confines of Jiangning Commandery City. Feeling deeply unsettled, he worried anxiously, “Can Ancestor escape…” Estimating that he had now exceeded the thirty-four li distance from the human Void Realm and the Void Realm beast, Zhuge Yuanhong abruptly changed his direction of flight.

…… If the Guiyuan Sect had been given enough time, everything might have turned out well. But the emergence of the Heavenly God Palace had indeed thrown the entire Nine Provinces into considerable disarray.

…… “So fast.” Elder Wu felt his heart leap into his throat as he sensed the speed of the two pursuing Void Realms. He was running at his utmost capacity. Boom! Boom! He tore through woods, fields, and crossed rivers—moving like lightning. But as fast as he ran, the Sun-Shooting Tianlang was faster! “Bad sign,” Elder Wu glanced back over his shoulder. He saw the entirely silver-white Sun-Shooting Tianlang already breaking through the air toward him. The thirty-four li distance had been completely closed; the Sun-Shooting Tianlang had caught up. And at this moment, the Blind Sword Saint was still thirty li behind.