I Grind to Martial Saint

Deep in the night.

CAW CAW~~

A crow perched on a branch, letting out a grating cry.

Below it lay a continuous stretch of dilapidated and abandoned buildings, looking gloomy and eerie.

A figure with a sword on his back slowly walked up the steps.

Beneath the moonlight, one could clearly see that this was an old man with white hair but a youthful face.

The old man stood tall and straight, his aura as sharp as a keen blade.

Even the crow on the branch was frightened by the old man’s aura, flapping its wings and flying away.

When the old man saw the ruined and abandoned mountain gate, boundless rage ignited in his chest, and his face instantly became ferocious.

"To think they would destroy the Cyan Cloud Sect while I was away!!!"

The old man roared, his eyes wide with fury.

His name was Xu Chang, and he was the previous Sect Leader of the Cyan Cloud Sect.

He had been obsessed with the Sword Dao since childhood, had never married, and had no children.

Over twenty years ago, in pursuit of a higher level of the Sword Dao, he had resolutely passed the position of Sect Leader to his eldest disciple, Lü Zhengyun, and left for distant lands.

After he left, no news of him was ever heard again, and his name was long forgotten.

Even Lü Zhengyun couldn’t contact Xu Chang.

In reality, Xu Chang had spent all these years challenging various masters to temper his own Sword Dao.

However, to avoid bringing trouble to the Cyan Cloud Sect, he had always used an alias.

A little over two months ago, after more than twenty years of tempering, he finally broke through from the True Qi Realm to the Gang Essence Realm!

After his breakthrough, a longing for home finally stirred in Xu Chang’s heart, and he decided to return to the Cyan Cloud Sect to see how it had changed over the years.

But when he joyfully returned from the Outer Province to Mingzhi County, he heard the news that the Cyan Cloud Sect’s gates had been smashed and his eldest disciple, Lü Zhengyun, had been slain!

In that moment, it was as if Xu Chang had been struck by lightning; his mind went completely blank.

It took him a long time to recover.

This matter was no secret in Mingzhi County.

Soon, Xu Chang had learned the full story and made his way to the Cyan Cloud Sect.

Xu Chang wandered through the ruins of the Cyan Cloud Sect for a long time, like a lonely ghost.

Finally, he arrived before the Ancestor Hall, dropped to his knees, and growled through gritted teeth, "Han Yuan, I will make you pay for this in blood!!!"

.......

「Three days later.」

In the main hall of the Cangshui Celestial Observation Bureau.

Han Yuan sat in the seat of honor.

In the two rows of seats before him, one person sat on each side.

On the left was the Sect Leader of the Divine Fist Sect, Wei Shiming.

On the right was the Sect Leader of the Rain Flower Sect, Situ Ya.

The three were engaged in pleasant conversation, casually chatting about various topics related to Martial Arts.

Wei Shiming and Situ Ya had come this time merely to show their allegiance, not for any specific matter.

Han Yuan, for his part, was thinking of simply making small talk, having a meal later, and then this visit would be over.

But unexpectedly, Zhai Mu rushed in.

"What is it?"

Han Yuan rarely saw Zhai Mu look so panicked.

"Director Han..." Zhai Mu whispered a few words in Han Yuan’s ear.

"Oh... How interesting!" Han Yuan’s eyes took on a playful look.

"I understand. You may leave."

Only then did Zhai Mu nod and depart.

"Director Han, has something happened?"

"If some blind fool is causing trouble, why not let our Divine Fist Sect handle it for you?"

Wei Shiming cleared his throat.

Now that they were under Han Yuan’s command, they naturally had to show some initiative.

"Our Rain Flower Sect is also willing to be of service."

Situ Ya said with a smile.

"No need... This one is coming for me."

"Have either of you heard of a man named Xu Chang?" Han Yuan asked.

Hearing this name, both Situ Ya and Wei Shiming frowned.

"Xu Chang... I remember that name."

"He should be the previous Sect Leader of the Cyan Cloud Sect."

"But he’s been missing for a long time... Many rumors said he failed in his breakthrough, suffered a cultivation deviation, and died."

"And the Cyan Cloud Sect never denied those rumors... so most people assumed Xu Chang was already dead."

Wei Shiming said in a deep voice.

"What I know is about the same. Why do you suddenly bring up this name, Director Han?"

Situ Ya asked, her expression puzzled.

"Zhai Mu just came and told me."

"Xu Chang appeared in Mingzhi County. In broad daylight, he stormed the County Yamen and slaughtered all thirty-seven people inside, including the County Magistrate. He didn’t leave a single person alive."

"He even made a threat, saying he’s coming to Cangshui County Town to fight me to the death."

Han Yuan said with a smile.

"That Xu Chang is actually still alive?!"

Wei Shiming was extremely shocked.

Situ Ya frowned even more deeply. "Director Han, this Xu Chang is a figure from the older generation. His Swordsmanship is exceptionally formidable. He’s been missing for so many years, and no one knows his level of Cultivation."

"For him to come to Cangshui County Town to challenge you now, I’m afraid he comes with ill intent."

Wei Shiming pondered. "This is clearly an open ploy... If you don’t accept the challenge, Director Han, I’m afraid your reputation will suffer."

Han Yuan nodded. "I destroyed the Cyan Cloud Sect. It’s only reasonable that he would seek revenge."

Situ Ya suggested, "Then you have no choice but to fight."

"Why don’t we ambush him on the way?"

"The three of us can intercept and attack him together. There’s no way Xu Chang could survive."

In her eyes, all that mattered was killing the opponent; the so-called rules of the Martial World meant nothing.

Wei Shiming, however, said nothing.

He had crossed swords with Han Yuan before.

’Given Han Yuan’s pride,’ he thought, ’he probably wouldn’t choose to do such a thing.’

Sure enough, Han Yuan shook his head. "No need. He’s an old fossil with one foot in the grave. Why should I be afraid of him?"

"The Martial Dao is about constantly sparring with masters and breaking through your own limits."

"I am confident I can defeat Xu Chang. I don’t need to resort to such tactics."

Wei Shiming smiled faintly.

In his eyes, someone like Han Yuan was a true Martial Artist.

Only such a person could pursue the peak of the Martial Dao.

Situ Ya nodded. "I was overthinking things."

"Then I ask that you two bear witness for me when the time comes."

Han Yuan said with a smile.

"I didn’t expect to see such a battle on this trip to Cangshui County Town."

"This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

Wei Shiming laughed heartily.

And Situ Ya also nodded.

.......

The news that Xu Chang, the Old Sect Leader of the Cyan Cloud Sect, was coming to Cangshui County Town with sword in hand to challenge the Observatory’s Director, Demon Blade Han Yuan, spread rapidly throughout the entire city.

This was also the result of Han Yuan allowing it to happen.

If he had wanted to block the news, not a whisper of it would have circulated on the streets.

But he couldn’t care less about such things.

People on every street and in every alley were discussing the matter.

Inside a gambling den, many members of the Martial World were engaged in heated discussion.

This was because all the major gambling dens in the city had opened betting pools on the outcome of the fight between Han Yuan and Xu Chang.

"Do you think this Xu Chang can be a match for Director Han?"

"This Xu Chang is the Old Sect Leader of the Cyan Cloud Sect, he must have some skill. I heard he even slaughtered everyone in the Mingzhi County Yamen. He’s ruthless."

"When it comes to being ruthless, who’s more ruthless than Director Han?"

"Exactly... In my opinion, Director Han will definitely cleave that old bastard in two."

The reputation Han Yuan had built up these past days made everyone believe he would win.

But just then,

a Martial World Wanderer ran in and shouted, "Latest news! Xu Chang of the Cyan Cloud Sect... has already stepped into the Gang Essence Realm!"

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