1018 Face-off

Three years passed by in a flash.

Heavenly Mountain City, Taibai Restaurant.

A pair of well-dressed young martial artists sat down inside the restaurant.

Most of the diners carried weapons by their side. Obviously, they were members of the Pugilistic World as well.

"The Heavenly Sword Sect Master's birthday is a grand event. He's third on the Martial Roll. Nearly everyone in the Pugilistic World, including sect masters, will be there! It's like a Pugilistic World Meet."

"I've heard that the Heavenly Sword Sect Master will take out three thousand-year Heavenly Mountain Snow Lotuses as rewards. He's planning to organize a Hidden Dragon Meeting. It's a perfect opportunity for young martial artists to make their names known!"

"With you? Forget it… Three years ago, Young Sect Master Fang Xu emerged from the Noble Mountain Sect. He is outstanding and has already reached Connate perfection. At this time, he is already at the upper ranks of the Martial Roll."

"Speaking of which, I can't believe a young man under the age of twenty-five can have such strength."

"The Martial Roll is evidence. He is rank thirteen because he did everything he could to save his father. He killed the Poison Fire Demon Lord and forced the Blood-Snake Sword Master to retreat. What's there not to believe?"

…

Several voices traveled over. The hottest topic was the Heavenly Sword Sect Master's birthday celebration.

With all the Pugilistic World sects gathering, even if it was not a real Pugilistic World Meet, it was not far behind.

However, a young man's hand halted once he heard Fang Xu's name, and a slight cracking sound ensued.

"Tianming?!" Seeing this, the female martial artist clasped his hands. "You still can't forget…"

"How can I forget the three-year agreement?"

The young man lifted his head and revealed a handsome and resolute face. It was Wang Tianming!

However, his aura was as deep as the sea, profound and immeasurable. Clearly, his martial arts had made great progress, and he could enter the peak of the Pugilistic World.

Ling Xian'er's eyes lit up. "Tianming, you've obtained both the Drunken Daoist's power and Abbess Elimination's teachings. You'll have absolutely no problem. How could a young talent, the number one Hidden Dragon, compare to you?"

She understood how much this young man had struggled over the past three years.

With everything that had happened, not only had he attained Connate perfection two years ago, but he seemed to be still improving all the time.

"Drizzle Sword Fang Xu is nothing more than a small goal of mine. My true wish is to avenge Teacher and your father!"

Wang Tianming unclenched his fist, and his wine glass had turned into a pile of powder.

"The Everchanging Demon Lord is pretty smart. Three years ago, he appeared in the Pugilistic World and stirred up a bloody storm within a month. However, after the battle at the Demon Sect, he disappeared without a trace…

"I heard that the Autumn Leaf Temple's Divine Monk and the Heavenly Sword Sect have been tracking him down the entire time, but it was to no avail… There are rumors that he's an expert of the demon path. After his battle with the Unparalleled Demon Emperor, the Demon Emperor subdued him, and then he joined the Demon Sect!" Ling Xian'er said in a low voice.

Nobody in the Pugilistic World believed that the Everchanging Demon Lord had suddenly stopped.

All the clues pointed to the Demon Sect.

Unfortunately, the Unparalleled Demon Emperor's defeat was the Demon Sect's shame, and they naturally blocked the news at all costs.

In the end, them trying to hide it made it turn into evidence. Everyone thought that after the battle, the Demon Emperor had forced the Everchanging Demon Lord to submit. From then on, he entered the Demon Sect, finding a refuge that allowed him to cultivate his demon arts. The Unparalleled Demon Emperor and the elders did not know whether to laugh or cry.

"I won't let Fang Xu or the Everchanging Demon Lord go. Xian'er, don't worry!"

Wang Tianming patted his chest and comforted her with a strange confidence.

"Look, it's the people of the Noble Mountain Sect!"

At this moment, a clamor outside caused Wang Tianming's body to shake. He looked outside the window.

He saw a white-clothed young man who looked confident and handsome, and appeared to carry a profound chill. He was riding a beautiful horse with a large crowd following him.

"Tsk… the Noble Mountain Sect has two Connate perfection martial artists. It's already the epitome of a top sect. Both father and son being at Connate perfection is also rare in the Pugilistic World!"

"Particularly Young Master Fang Xu, who is also known as the most beautiful man in the Pugilistic World. He's even come to celebrate Heavenly Sword Sect Master's birthday. It's a huge honor!"

"At his age, there's a fifty percent chance for him to break through to God-tier. The Noble Mountain Sect can be considered a Pugilistic World's holy ground as well!"

…

Various words of praise and envy came.

Wang Tianming stared at Fang Yuan angrily. "It really is him! Fang Xu!"

…

"After training in seclusion for three years, I have comprehended the complete Intent of Wind and Intent of Earth. The four intents have started to merge, and there's only one last bit left before I perfect the Chaos Intent!"

On horseback, Fang Yuan was lost in thought, leisurely and carefree. "It seems… it's necessary to bring out the Everchanging Demon Lord again and look for more martial arts manuals. They'll have an effect in helping my comprehension."

After three years of bitter cultivation, he was one step away from breaking through this world!

Since he had already made appropriate plans for everything that would happen next, the following would be going all out to seek a breakthrough.

"Hmm? Killing intent!"

As a God-tier martial artist, he sensed that he drew attention from the crowd.

Fang Yuan looked up and spotted a window shutting hurriedly. Furthermore, he had sensed a resentful gaze on him.

"What a familiar gaze. No matter how a person changes, their temperament and spirit are difficult to change!"

He shook his head. "Is it Wang Tianming? That's right… As the Son of the World, three years could take him a step further than Connate perfection. Otherwise, knowing that I am at Connate perfection and have been cultivating for longer, there's no way he'd keep the three-year agreement."

He sneered in his heart. "Too bad…"

…

Heavenly Sword Sect, within a secret room.

The Heavenly Sword Sect Master concealed himself and secretly met with an old monk. He looked excited. "Is this true?"

"Amitabha. After investigating for three years, I've finally found traces of him!"

"If so, we'll do as you say!"

…

The day of the celebration.

Within the Heavenly Sword Sect, guests gathered in a hall as gongs and drums resounded. The noise shook the sky.

"The family head of the Blue Mountain royal family arrives. He presents a gift of two thousand gold and a pair of jade scepters!"

"The Mystical Lady Sect Master arrives. She presents nine multi-colored brocades and a set of boundless longevity robes!"

"The Thousand Leaf Sect Master arrives. He presents six night luminescent pearls, Agate Red Coral Tree…"

"The Mad Scholar has arrived. He presents a congratulatory landscape painting…"

…

Numerous guests arrived one after another. They presented birthday gifts and were led to seats according to their status.

"The Noble Mountain Sect's young sect master arrives. He presents three pairs of congratulatory jade artifacts!"

Fang Yuan walked in with Zhang Long and Zhao Hu, and the entire venue fell silent.

To outsiders, he was thirteenth on the Martial Roll after all. The Connate perfection expert was led into the center of the hall, and the Heavenly Sword Sect Master stood up to greet him.

"So, it's Young Master Fang. You've come a long way. It was rude of me not to have greeted you earlier. Pardon me…"

"My father had other matters to attend to, so he was unable to come. Congratulations, Sect Master. May you live a long and happy life!"

Fang Yuan was wearing a crown with an ivory fan in his hand. He looked like an exceptional young master. The eyes of numerous beautiful women were shining as they stared at him.

"Thank you. Please have a seat!"

The Heavenly Sword Sect Master led Fang Yuan to the most core table. None of the martial artists present complained.

"So, the Divine Monk is also here!"

Fang Yuan saw an old monk with white brows and a benevolent look.

Soon after, he scanned his surroundings, and his eye twitched.

"Seventh on the Martial Roll, Demon Blade Wu Shuangzi. Eighth on the Martial Roll, Tyrant Saber Xiang Wang. Tenth on the Martial Roll, the Inferno Slayer! Fourteenth and fifteenth, the Xue family brothers?"

There was not anyone ranked above twentieth on the Martial Roll at this table.

Even if the Heavenly Sword Sect Master is celebrating his birthday, why are there so many big shots? Fang Yuan sneered. It's grand enough to start a Pugilistic World Meet!

He did not say much either. Instead, he raised his wine glass and saluted everyone.

After half an hour, the guests had all gathered, and the venue was completely full.

The Heavenly Sword Sect Master was full of joy. He stood up, and his gentle voice spread. "Thank you all for coming to celebrate my birthday today. I am truly grateful!"

"Today, all the famous martial artists have gathered. It is my joy to present three thousand-year Snow Lotuses as prizes today. Why don't we have a small competition? As long as you are under thirty, feel free to join. In the meantime, we will enjoy ourselves and take pleasure in commenting on various talents and martial abilities."

The Heavenly Sword Sect had already released the news. Furthermore, the prize was indeed of sufficient value.

Of course, there were more young martial artists thinking about making a name for themselves. There was no way they would miss such a rare opportunity. Among the guests today, countless young ones had come.

However, being invited to the Heavenly Sword Sect's celebration was also a difficult hurdle.

"Great!"

"As Sect Master says!"

The people of the Pugilistic World bustled excitedly and cheered when they heard this.

The Heavenly Sword Sect Master clapped. They immediately constructed a huge arena on the square outside the Heavenly Sword Sect's main hall.

"All of you, as long as you are confident, you can get on the arena and challenge others! If you obtain ten consecutive wins, you may rest for half an hour. Finally, those with ten wins may compete for the top prize."

This was not a grand competition, but rather a stage for displaying their abilities. Therefore, the rules were not too complicated or fair. The Heavenly Sword Sect Master explained this clearly.

"All right!"

All members of the Pugilistic World nodded.

The next instant, a blue figure stood at the center of the arena. "I am Zhu Geqing. I would like to ask for advice from the world's heroes!"

"Zhu Geqing, the Lightning Sword? Eighth on the Hidden Dragon Roll?"

"He's already entered the Connate realm? He might be able to increase his rank slightly, but there's no way he can defeat the Hidden Dragon Roll's First!"

…

The crowd erupted into discussion.

After listening to a few words, Zhu Geqing raised his head stubbornly, staring at Fang Yuan with fighting intent in his eyes.

Even though he understood the gap between him and Fang Yuan, Zhu Geqing wanted to be evaluated by all his seniors. However, Fang Yuan remained seated, choosing to evaluate others.

This difference was like heaven and earth.

"Zhu Geqing, I, Han Yiye, will challenge you!"

Soon, a spear-wielding young man jumped onto the arena. A spectacular fight began. Unfortunately, all Fang Yuan saw were flaws, and he nearly fell asleep.

…

After a while, amid loud cheers, Wang Tianming kicked someone who was on a five-win streak down from the arena. He shouted at Fang Yuan, "Noble Mountain Sect's Fang Xu. You have a three-year agreement with me. Shall we fight?"