Following the Zenith Martial Pavilion's victory in the desert lands, spearheaded by The Reckless Blade Li Sibei, many martial artists who once dared to resist readily submitted. Now, harboring ambitions to unify the martial world, The Blood Hawk, Diao Zhufan sent invitations to the South. He invited the southern martial artists to his domain, designating their four supreme experts as his esteemed guests: The Furious Tiger, Long Zhen, The Carefree Laughing Elder, Ouyang Laoxian, The Infernal Deathbird, Wu Bian, and the White Jade Dragon, Fan Baojian.

  When the appointed day arrived, guests gathered in bustling crowds. Before the sun had even set, The Furious Tiger Long Zhen made his entrance. He was the first crucial guest to arrive, and perhaps the only one who would appear tonight. In the past, The Blood Hawk Diao Zhufan had wreaked havoc across the land, sparking bitter feuds with The Infernal Deathbird Wu Bian and The Carefree Laughing Elder Ouyang Laoxian. As for the White Jade Dragon Fan Baojian, he resided on a remote island; even with an invitation, it would be difficult for him to arrive on time. In truth, tonight's grand reception for the four supreme southern experts was merely a theatrical act orchestrated between Diao Zhufan and Long Zhen, paving the way for this fierce tiger to serve as the Zenith Martial Pavilion's proxy in conquering the South.

  The Furious Tiger Long Zhen and The Blood Hawk Diao Zhufan acted as if they had been the closest of friends from the very beginning, incessantly referring to each other as brothers. "Brother Diao, time flies on fleeting wings. It has been over twenty years since that day, and now we have finally reunited. Yet, this occasion is more special than any other, for Brother Diao has now ascended as the overlord of the martial world."

  "Brother Long, back then we drank together for days and nights without determining a victor. Tonight, let us relive those days. We two must finally decide a winner! Ha ha!" Diao Zhufan fiercely downed his wine from a massive bowl.

  Unwilling to show weakness, Long Zhen tossed his wine cup aside and grabbed a bowl of his own to drink alongside Diao Zhufan. The two gulped the liquor as if pouring water. In just a few breaths, the contents of the massive jar had vanished into their stomachs.

  Long Zhen suddenly remembered the gift he had brought for Diao Zhufan. He quickly said, "The Emerald Jade Wine I brought has a more fiery bite than any liquor in the land. If we intend to decide a victor tonight, we must drink the Emerald Jade Wine."

  "Excellent! People usually dilute the Emerald Jade Wine with six parts water before they even dare drink it. If we drink it straight, I am certain one of us will collapse before the night is over. Hurry, bring the Emerald Jade Wine!" Diao Zhufan roared, ordering his men to fetch the liquor.

  Long Zhen had brought exactly sixteen jars of Emerald Jade Wine, enough to fill an entire carriage. Each jar was so heavy it required one person to carry it. Upon Diao Zhufan's command, the sixteen jars were immediately hauled into the banquet hall. For the common guests to taste such premium wine was a rare stroke of fortune. Two jars were taken away to be diluted with six parts water, while the remaining fourteen were brought directly to Diao Zhufan and Long Zhen for them to drink straight from the vessels. The moment the seals were broken, a pungent, intoxicatingly fragrant aroma flooded the air.

  "Do not drink that wine!" a voice commanded, instantly plunging the raucous banquet hall into dead silence.

  Everyone turned to look. Standing there was a scholarly figure who had been quietly observing the wine being diluted for the guests. This middle-aged scholar could be no one else but The Eight-Slayer Fist, Wang Yi.

  A flash of panic mixed with displeasure crossed Long Zhen's face, but since the speaker was Wang Yi, he dared not voice his annoyance.

  It was Diao Zhufan's expression that darkened as he demanded, "Why can it not be drunk?"

  "The wine is laced with poison; it cannot be drunk," Wang Yi replied with a faint smile.

  Hearing that the wine was poisoned, Long Zhen could hardly believe his ears. He immediately hoisted the wine jar in his hand and took a massive gulp. The jar's mouth was wide, and quite a bit of wine spilled, staining his robes. He then burst out laughing, "Ha ha! The wine is quite fiery, but how could it possibly be poisoned?"

  Wang Yi rushed forward and grabbed Long Zhen's wrist to check his pulse. His face showed deep concern, his brows furrowing as he hurriedly said, "The wine is poisoned! How could you drink it? The wine was secretly tampered with; how could I ever intend to offend you, Brother Long?" With that, he quickly pulled a medicine bottle from his sleeve, popped the cap, and shoved a pill into Long Zhen's mouth.

  Long Zhen tried to resist, but a violent churning suddenly erupted in his stomach. His complexion turned a bruised purple, his lips paled, and his body went rigid. He staggered back, on the verge of collapsing. Fortunately, Wang Yi had already seized his arm and swiftly shoved the antidote into his mouth.

  "Brother Long, sit down quickly and circulate your internal energy. A mere Worm-Leaf Poison cannot harm a supreme martial artist like you."

  At this point, how could Long Zhen dare defy Wang Yi's words? He immediately sat cross-legged and began to circulate his qi.

  "Merely by catching a whiff, Senior Brother could immediately identify the Worm-Leaf Poison. I am truly in awe." A voice rang out as a woman in a bright crimson dress stepped into the banquet hall.

  "So it was just a prank by Junior Sister Tian," Wang Yi replied to the woman in red, maintaining his calm and collected demeanor.

  The martial artists of the South remembered this woman in red all too well. She was none other than The Blood Spider, Tian Yihui. Fear and anxiety instantly swept across the faces of the guests.

  "Among all of our Master's disciples, my poison-spreading skills are the weakest. If it had been Seventh Sister's doing, I fear even Senior Brother wouldn't be able to identify the poison," Tian Yihui said with a matching smile.

  "So Seventh Sister has arrived as well," Wang Yi remarked, his face showing genuine interest.

  Before this, Wang Yi was the only son of The Demonic Doctor, Di Jiao and once held the title Medicine King, having inherited all medical knowledge from his father. The seventh disciple of The Demonic Doctor Di Jiao was the Azure Squirrel, Yang Qianlian. In the past, she was a renowned beauty who seemed to share a deep, intimate relationship with Wang Yi. Thus, Tian Yihui had intentionally brought her up.

  "Seventh Sister hasn't arrived yet. Only this ugly frog arrived first." The Tiger Frog, Huang Sakong walked in alongside a rotund man dressed in brightly colored clothes.

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

  Diao Zhufan walked toward the two newly arrived guests and greeted them, "Elder Ouyang has arrived as well."

  The term "Elder Ouyang" indicated that Diao Zhufan deeply respected the seniority of this plump man in bright clothes. In truth, this person was The Carefree Laughing Elder, Ouyang Laoxian, an evil demon lord of the South Seas. From his outward appearance, one could never tell that Ouyang Laoxian held a prestige equal to the Three Martial Deities. He was one of The Three Demon Deities, sharing equal fame with The Demonic Doctor Di Jiao and The Stone Fiend Shi Wusha, back when the martial world was divided into The Three Martial Deities and The Three Demon Deities, representing the ultimate masters of the righteous and unorthodox factions.

  "It is my fault for missing Brother Diao's appointed time, for just an hour ago, I had to meet with a certain wondrous prodigy. Therefore, I arrived late to your banquet." Ouyang Laoxian spoke with a resonant voice that exhibited his immense internal energy.

  Based on this statement, Ouyang Laoxian had gone to meet someone before answering Diao Zhufan's invitation. Who could this wondrous prodigy be, holding more weight and importance than a summons from the Zenith Martial Pavilion?

  "Who is this wondrous prodigy, capable of detaining an old demon to the point of nearly missing our banquet?" Diao Zhufan replied, also utilizing his internal energy. His voice echoed just as loudly, proving that his cultivation was in no way inferior.

  Huang Sakong smiled sycophantically at Wang Yi before continuing, "Tonight, it is not only I who traveled here to congratulate Senior Brother. Even Second Senior Sister has arrived."

  Wang Yi's expression shifted drastically. The Second Senior Sister mentioned was the Verdant Dragonfly, Zhou Xingxuan, Di Jiao's eldest female disciple. By seniority, she held the rank of senior sister to Wang Yi. However, she was a survivor of the past battle between the Virtue Association and the Defying Heaven Sect—one of those who had sworn an oath to confine themselves in the Mystic Valley. For her to appear here was a truly shocking event for the martial world.

  "Master Diao, it has been a long time. Are you well?" A voice rang out as a streak of green shadow soared through the air, landing to reveal a middle-aged woman.

  Diao Zhufan's face displayed extreme irritation as he demanded, "How could you break your oath?"

  "Back then, Eldest Senior Brother engaged in a duel with you, Master Diao, and suffered defeat. He swore that the survivors of the Defying Heaven Sect would never return to the martial world, residing in the Mystic Valley forever. He designated the Mystic Valley as a forbidden ground, prohibiting any martial artist from trespassing and forbidding the martial world from interfering with any matters inside. However, several years ago, a young man broke into the Mystic Valley and took the Shadow Bat out to face punishment at the Virtue Association. In truth, who was it that broke the oath? Was it us, or the martial world?" Zhou Xingxuan recounted the incident where Jin Tianwang broke into the Mystic Valley to extract the Shadow Bat in order to exonerate The Drunken Scholar, Ou Xiatian.

  She brought this up because she knew full well that Jin Tianwang's actions were inextricably tied to Diao Zhufan and Wang Yi.

  Unable to suppress his fury, Diao Zhufan moved to draw the saber at his waist.

  "Brother Diao, please wait a moment. Right now, the wondrous prodigy is speaking with the White Jade Dragon, Fan Baojian. Whatever agreement they reach, you will soon get to meet this prodigy yourself," Ouyang Laoxian suddenly interjected, cautioning both sides.

  Diao Zhufan had already drawn his saber from its sheath. A crimson aura radiated outward, accompanied by an awe-inspiring resonance. He roared, "I have no desire to meet any wondrous prodigy! You have broken your past oath, so I have no choice but to strike without mercy!"

  Wang Yi stepped toward Diao Zhufan and whispered in his ear, "Do not be rash. Let us wait and see who this wondrous prodigy truly is."

  Speaking on behalf of the now-silent Diao Zhufan, Wang Yi called out, "Whoever this wondrous prodigy is, please reveal yourself. It takes quite someone to invite Senior Sister Zhou out of the Mystic Valley."

  "The Sect Leader also wishes to pay his respects and meet you," Zhou Xingxuan stated, referring to the wondrous prodigy as the Sect Leader. This meant that the Defying Heaven Sect had been reestablished and now possessed a new leader.

  "The truth is, he is no stranger. Wait just a moment; this conflict will fade, leaving only cooperation between both sides," Ouyang Laoxian said with a broad grin.

  "What Sect Leader? Has the Defying Heaven Sect truly been reborn?" Diao Zhufan interjected sharply.

  "That is correct. The Defying Heaven Sect has been reborn." A voice echoed as a handsome young man strode into the reception hall. Every eye locked onto this youth.

  Wang Yi chuckled softly once, then slowly said, "The wondrous prodigy... is you."

  The Destitute Wanderer, Kang Kang respectfully cupped his hands in greeting to Wang Yi before saying, "Uncle, do you no longer recognize your nephew?"

  Wang Yi, who had remained cool and composed all this time, suddenly felt his body tremble. He turned to glare at Kang Kang once more before roaring, "Bastard! I never had a sister! You are no nephew of mine!" The moment he finished speaking, he struck ruthlessly. He unleashed a punch with a speed and ferocity that few could ever rival.

  Wang Yi held a deep resentment toward his own sister—resenting her because she was the wife of The Stone Fiend, Shi Wusha, the man who had stolen the Defying Heaven Sect from him. Upon hearing Kang Kang's words, he instantly realized the true relationship between himself and this young man. Redirecting his hatred for Shi Wusha, he attacked the man's son with extreme brutality and mercilessness.

  However, the most astonishing event unfolded before everyone's eyes. Kang Kang's body remained firmly planted on the spot, while it was Wang Yi who was knocked back two steps. A pale look washed over Wang Yi's face as he blurted out, "The Nine Heavens Armor Art!"

  Diao Zhufan, standing not far away, wore an equally panicked expression, exclaiming involuntarily, "The Stone Fiend's Nine Heavens Armor Art!"

  This armor power was, in fact, the Nine Heavens Armor Qi Art. From past to present, only The Stone Fiend Shi Wusha had ever successfully mastered it, rendering him an unparalleled supreme expert. One who mastered the Nine Heavens Armor Art could no longer be harmed by anything. If nothing could harm them, how could anyone rival them? Back when Diao Zhufan was a vigorous youth, he once had the chance to test it and suffered a bitter defeat. For another person to successfully cultivate the ultimate Nine Heavens Armor Art was entirely beyond anyone's wildest dreams. This invincible ultimate art had returned to the martial world once again.

  Ouyang Laoxian burst into joyous laughter before declaring loudly, "This wondrous prodigy is the only son of The Stone Fiend Shi Wusha, and he has mastered the Nine Heavens Armor Art to a level even superior to his father's!"

  The gathering between the Zenith Martial Pavilion and the southern supreme experts had turned into the debut of a new Stone Fiend. This event would surely be spoken of and shake the very foundations of the land. A chaotic uproar of discussions erupted within the hall.

  "I, Shi Moyong, attend this event today not only to congratulate the Zenith Martial Pavilion on its victory over the Virtue Association, but also to pay my respects to Uncle Wang Yi and invite the elder to return to the Defying Heaven Sect. Furthermore, it is my intention to challenge Chief Diao to a duel, to prove whose martial arts are superior!" The Destitute Wanderer Kang Kang, whose true name was Shi Moyong, spoke with a voice that echoed commandingly throughout the entire banquet hall.

  Zhou Xingxuan stepped forward and handed a letter over to Diao Zhufan.

  It was Wang Yi who intercepted and received the letter, wary of any hidden poison. He opened the letter and read its contents, which consisted of only a few words: "The fifteenth day of the fifth lunar month."

  Diao Zhufan immediately knew this was a formal challenge. He laughed maniacally, "Ha ha ha! Excellent! The fifteenth day of the fifth lunar month it is. Let the whole world see into how many pieces my Blood Hawk Saber will cleave you, boy!"

  "I, your junior, have set the date and time. I kindly ask Chief Diao to determine the location," Shi Moyong said, maintaining a composed and polite demeanor.

  "Excellent! Swift and decisive. On the fifteenth day of the fifth lunar month, we shall meet at this very place once again to settle everything!" Diao Zhufan declared boldly, brimming with absolute confidence in his impending victory.

  Shi Moyong swept his gaze around the room and announced to everyone present, "I will use this duel to bring glory back to the Defying Heaven Sect!" With those final words, he immediately turned and strode away. The remaining southerners—The Carefree Laughing Elder Ouyang Laoxian, The Verdant Dragonfly Zhou Xingxuan, The Tiger Frog Huang Sakong, and The Blood Spider Tian Yihui—all followed in unison, departing the hall together.