Ever since Teng Qingshan founded the Xing Yi School, establishing his sect, the constantly war-torn lands of Jiuzhou suddenly fell into a period of profound tranquility. Even the Divine Palace made no further significant moves; for a time, Jiuzhou experienced an unexpected stretch of peace.
Time sped by like an arrow, seasons turning from spring to summer, year after year.
Sixteen years later.
In the city of Wu'an County, within a 'Spring Rain Tavern'—the kind of establishment one could find in nearly every major city across Yangzhou Province—it was the height of noon. The first floor buzzed with patrons gathered from all corners of the realm, a ceaseless clamor filling the air. Yet, something rather peculiar was apparent: among these diverse patrons, a surprising number carried long spears as personal armament.
The spear was a notoriously difficult weapon to master.
Across the vast expanse of Jiuzhou, wielding a spear was generally considered an obscure path; most people preferred to carry swords or sabers. However, inside this Spring Rain Tavern, the patrons armed with long spears outnumbered those carrying blades by a significant margin.
"Haha, Brother Wang. For the two of us to travel thousands of miles apart and yet converge here, heading to the same destination—it’s true destiny. Come, let us share a drink."
"Indeed, Brother Li, a toast!"
Two young men raised their wine cups, clinking them together before downing the contents in a single gulp. Both youths also had long spears resting beside their tables.
Of these two, one wore simple coarse cloth, a strip of tiger hide tied around his waist, his hair somewhat disheveled. The other was dressed in an elegant green robe, appearing significantly more refined and dashing.
"Brother Wang, speaking of which, we’ve finally reached Wu'an County now. It’s not far from Mount Dayan," the young man in the green robe chuckled. "After rushing thousands of miles on this journey, we’re almost at Mount Dayan. Legend has it... the Xing Yi School on Mount Dayan boasts hundreds of thousands of internal martial arts practitioners. And the Ten Thousand Blood Wolf Army! It’s something I’ve dreamed of seeing my entire life."
"Mhm, hundreds of thousands practicing internal arts, that scene—" the youth in the tiger-hide battle skirt’s eyes shone with fervor. "I will be one of them."
"Yes, we brothers will all be among them," the green-robed youth raised his cup again. "Another toast, to that prospect."
"To that!"
The youth in the tiger-hide battle skirt tilted his head back and drained another cup.
"Speaking of which," the tiger-hide youth continued with a trace of bitterness, "my third brother truly lacks ambition! He practices the Tiger Form Fist, and his skill is considerable. Back then, my third brother and I swore that once we were strong enough, we would travel thousands of miles together to Mount Dayan, seeking discipleship under the Xing Yi School! To learn profound internal arts and become true masters. But my third brother was lured away by the supposed benefits offered by the Yu Huang Sect. Hmph! An internal martial artist switching to the Daoist lineage—even if he becomes formidable, it will only be temporary. His future achievements will be limited!"
"That's true!"
The green-robed youth agreed, "What is the Yu Huang Sect compared to the Xing Yi School? The Ten Thousand Blood Wolf Army of the Xing Yi School has a minimum entry requirement of being a Second-Rate Martial Artist. Rumor has it that even the position of Squad Leader within that army is fiercely contended for by First-Rate Martial Artists! This is truly an invincible force in the world! When I reach the Xing Yi School, I absolutely must join the Blood Wolf Army."
"Right, the Blood Wolf Army, we'll join together," the tiger-hide youth raised his cup. "Come, Brother Li, another toast for entering the Blood Wolf Army together."
"To that!"
These two passionate youths had endured countless hardships—either joining merchant caravans as guards or finding other means—to travel from distant provinces and finally arrive here. Their sole goal was to reach the sacred land yearned for by all internal martial artists in Jiuzhou: the Xing Yi School on Mount Dayan!
"Gentlemen," a voice suddenly cut through the air.
With a sharp thwack, a hand slammed down onto the wine table.
The two youths, in the middle of their drink, turned to see a tall figure standing by their table—a youth in a purple robe with restrained eyes, a battle saber strapped to his back. He scanned the pair and sneered, "I just walked in and overheard you two discussing... the Yu Huang Sect being inferior to the Xing Yi School? Hmph, such words should not be spoken carelessly!"
"What’s it to you!"
The tiger-hide youth shot to his feet. He was slightly taller than the newcomer, fixing the man with a predatory stare, and roared, "My brother and I are speaking here; what business is it of yours, pretty boy! The Yu Huang Sect is strong, but our Xing Yi School is the home of internal martial arts practitioners. Which power in the world can withstand the Ten Thousand Blood Wolf Army?"
"The founding master of our Xing Yi School was the youngest person in all of history to step into the Void Realm, one who reshaped the heavens and earth."
"Our Xing Yi School’s Eldest Senior Brother, nicknamed 'Fierce Beast,' is young yet already features on the 'Heavenly Ranks' list. Though he is merely in the latter half of the list, just how old is our Eldest Senior Brother? And look—in just sixteen years, our Xing Yi School has forged the Ten Thousand Blood Wolf Army, the most formidable force in all of Jiuzhou!"
The green-robed youth beside him also glanced dismissively at the provocateur: "Practicing internal arts—that is where the true future lies."
"Hmph," the youth with the saber's expression hardened, giving a cold laugh. "A sect with only sixteen years of history, whose founder merely reached the Void Realm, dares compare itself to the Yu Huang Sect, founded by the most ancient and powerful figure, the 'Yu Huang' himself!"
"Oh? If the Yu Huang Sect were truly so powerful, why must they rely on petty favors and small benefits to coax a large number of internal martial artists into joining them?" the tiger-hide youth cackled mockingly. "It only took sixteen years for the Xing Yi School to surpass the Yu Huang Sect. That is true strength, understand?"
The purple-robed youth carrying the saber grew even angrier.
"Hmph! If you have the skill, let's compare notes right here," the purple-robed youth, infuriated, immediately drew his saber with a sharp clang.
"Compare then, who's afraid of whom?"
The tiger-hide youth swiftly grabbed the long spear resting by his table.
"Gentlemen, gentlemen," the tavern owner rushed over, sensing trouble.
"Get out of the way! If we break anything, we'll pay for it!" the purple-robed youth glared at him. The owner chuckled twice and wisely stopped interfering. Immediately, the many patrons dining in the tavern began cheering the prospect of a fight, carefully clearing space around the combatants and moving their tables aside to watch the duel unfold.
Killing was forbidden within the city walls, but a simple spar was usually fine. Besides, true masters who killed would flee instantly, and the City Guard would always arrive too late.
"Let me show you the Yu Huang Sect's 'Mountain Shattering Saber Technique'!" the purple-robed youth declared coldly, brandishing his weapon.
"Our spear technique? It’s just what we use when going up the mountain to fight tigers and hunt wild boars. A rustic style," the tiger-hide youth leveled his spear horizontally, adding, "Brother Li, you stand aside and watch. See how I deal with this boastful whelp." Brother Li smiled and moved to the side. They had met as guards for the same caravan and were well aware of each other's capabilities. Even Brother Li had to admit that this tiger-hide youth’s spear work, despite being called a 'rustic style,' was slightly superior to his own.
"Make your move," the purple-robed youth said confidently.
"Oh?" The tiger-hide youth grinned slyly. "Watch my spear!"
With that, he violently spun his great spear, which lunged toward his opponent like a great serpent emerging from its lair to strike.
Clang! The purple-robed youth's saber flashed like lightning as he swung down in a fierce arc.
Spear and saber met.
"Hmph," the tiger-hide youth was forced back a step by the impact, then abruptly bent low, sweeping his spear low. The purple-robed youth moved as lightly as a swallow, managing to leap clear.
Whoosh!
The tiger-hide youth’s spear followed the movement, tipping upwards.
"Break! Break! Break!" the purple-robed youth roared fiercely. His saber technique carried astonishing momentum as he descended, unleashing three savage, consecutive slashes. The first cut parted the spear shaft; the second sped toward the tiger-hide youth. In response, the tiger-hide youth violently hurled his spear forward, sending it crashing toward his foe.
Simultaneously, his eyes blazing with feral intensity, he lunged forward like a fierce tiger.
Clatter! The second saber strike shattered the spear, but the third descended directly toward the pouncing tiger-hide youth’s head. Yet, the tiger-hide youth’s body twisted in a bizarre manner, seemingly intent on winning the exchange even at the cost of injury.
Hiss!
A suddenly thrust spear intercepted the third saber strike.
Clang!
After blocking the third blow, the purple-robed youth used the deflection to sidestep the tiger-hide youth’s clawing attack, then laughed harshly. "You claim the Xing Yi School is stronger than the Yu Huang Sect? I see you are only about my age. If that other fellow hadn't shamelessly interfered, boy, you would be crippled if not dead."
"Hmph! If I’m crippled, you’ll be dead!" The tiger-hide youth resembled a raging tiger. Close-quarters combat using internal arts was notoriously vicious throughout Jiuzhou by this time.
"Hey, Purple-skin," a green-clad young woman scoffed, walking down the stairs with her nose wrinkled. "You’ve already joined the Yu Huang Sect and learned their saber techniques. These two haven't even joined the Xing Yi School yet; they’re just self-teaching the Tiger Form Fist. What are you so proud of winning by a single move? This is Yangzhou Province, not Yuzhou."
The girl’s appearance was ordinary, though quite delicate.
"This is none of your business," the purple-robed youth frowned.
"I’m just teaching a lesson so that people from the Yu Huang Sect don't act so arrogantly in our Yangzhou," saying this, the green-clad girl picked up the long spear that had been knocked flying earlier. Holding the spear with one hand, the girl applied a slight bit of force, and the weapon seemed to come alive, stabbing directly toward the purple-robed youth.
"Overreaching," the purple-robed youth sneered, shifting his body to launch a sharp counter-slash.
Shing!
The instant the spear tip met the saber, the purple-robed youth’s face changed drastically. He felt a strange, rotational force that caused his saber to completely lose control.
Thwump!
The tip of the spear stopped directly before the purple-robed youth's throat. His face turned deathly pale. He had been defeated in a single move.
"Excellent!"
"How dare someone from the Yu Huang Sect act so insolently in our Yangzhou!"
"Superb spear work!"
Immediately, many in the tavern burst into applause. Regional pride ran deep in Jiuzhou; the people of Yangzhou held the Xing Yi School and the Gui Yuan Sect in high esteem.
"Hmph, you are still far too immature," the green-clad girl said before tossing the spear back to the wide-eyed, beaming tiger-hide youth. Then, thump, thump, thump, she ascended to the second floor.
In a private room on the second floor.
The green-clad girl was seated opposite another young woman dressed in blue.
The blue-clad girl said with a distressed face, "Miss, we snuck out. Please stop causing trouble. Why don't we... why don't we just go back to Mount Dayan?"
"No way!" the green-clad girl giggled. "My father has locked himself away, claiming he’s trying to devise the 'Ninth Fist.' This is my chance to escape! Can the young mistress of the house really go back so easily? Don't worry... my disguise skills were learned from my most genius father. Even my mother wouldn't recognize us if she saw us now."