Five o’clock in the morning.

A mid-sized plane from the capital of East Island slowly landed on Huating Lanqiao Airport in the early morning light.

The cabin door opened and a group of three people walked silently down the gangway ladder. Instead of taking the airport bus, they walked to the airport lobby a kilometer away.

The airport, which was slightly dimly lit, was deserted, and only its signal lights were flas.h.i.+ng. Without carrying any luggage, the three walked leisurely through the airport, looking quite strange.

“There is a term ‘tight dragnet” in Zhongzhou State. Teacher, is that what we face now?”

A young man and a young woman edged along with a man in a kimono. The young man on the left looked at the empty and desolate airport in front of him and asked sarcastically.

The young man was about thirty years old. He was a little short in stature but very handsome in appearance, and he even carried a trace of evil. His hair was elaborately trimmed and neatly combed, and he was dressed casually in beige. At first glance, he looked like a teenager coming out of a comic book. He looked a little sharp, but he exuded a casual att.i.tude toward anything from head to toe.

“Tight dragnet?”

Before the man in a kimono in the middle could speak, the young woman on the right smiled gently and asked, “Feng, do you think we’re walking right into the trap?”

“Yes, but not all.”

Before the young man called Feng could speak, the man in a kimono in the middle opened his mouth first.

It was a man who was exuding fierce sword intent from head to toe. He was about forty years old and was tall and thin. He was not handsome, but his facial features together emitted an air of profound indifference and charm. Dressed in a white kimono, with wooden shoes under his feet and a long saber dangling from his waist, he walked steadily and resolutely on the road of the airport. Like an ancient samurai, he carried profound sword intent and wore a pair of wooden shoes, walking to the flouris.h.i.+ng Huating step by step.

He was silent, serious, and paranoid.

His voice was a little husky, but it sounded eerily soft and gentle. “Zhongzhou State is really not where we’re supposed to be. In other words, we shouldn’t come here aboveboard. But given the current situation in Zhongzhou State, they are busy enough with their own affairs. They don’t have the guts to fight us as long as we don’t take any action.”

He held out his hand and pointed forward to the empty airport, saying calmly, “This is Zhongzhou State. It looks like there’s nothing here, but now, everything we do is being watched. Therefore, watch your mouths, Feng and Lady Snow. On our trip to Zhongzhou State, we just need to watch a play. After the result comes out, we’ll plan something else.”

“I know.” The young man called Feng answered lazily.

The woman called Lady Snow, however, bent slightly and answered respectfully.

Lady Snow was probably in her early thirties, but she looked much younger. Her skin was as white as snow, her hair was as thick as clouds, and she had an extremely attractive figure with raised b.u.t.tocks and full b.r.e.a.s.t.s. The Huating in June was already hot. She wore a light gray professional suit, black stockings, and high heels. The way she dressed successfully showed her well-proportioned figure to the fullest so that she looked like a mature, elegant, and very strong-minded urban white-collar. Her every act and move, however, carried a kind of resigned obedience and charm, making her coquettish, delicate and touching, and extremely enchanting.

Coquettish.

This was people’s first impression of her. She was a woman so coquettish inwardly that everyone drooled over her. Nevertheless, there was an ineffable cuteness and decorousness in her manner. It was a great pleasure to press such a woman against the bed and do something erotic.

In East Island where the martial spirit was ever-flouris.h.i.+ng, it was easy to find Thunder-shocking Realm experts and beautiful women, but beautiful Thunder-shocking Realm experts were extremely rare. Beautiful, coquettish Thunder-shocking Realm experts who were able to sever men well and make them happy in bed were as rare as the phoenix feather and unicorn horn.

Lady Snow was arguably the best of them all.

Feng glanced at Lady Snow imperceptibly, hiding the l.u.s.t and fervor in the depth of his eyes.

She was his teacher’s favorite lover. He didn’t know whether he could make a great contribution and let his teacher reward him with her for a night.

He swallowed, suppressing his thoughts. He then whispered in the language of East Island, which sounded weird, obscene, and dirty, “Teacher, what do you think of the battle between the Master of Samsara Palace and the G.o.d of War of Zhongzhou State?”

The man in a kimono looked at him for a moment, pondered, and then said calmly, “It’s good for East Island no matter who wins.”

He was startled but said nothing. Didn’t he know this truth? Two Invincible Realm experts from East Island entered Zhongzhou State, and their goal was to take actions as soon as possible after the result of this battle came out. It seemed that only the three had come here, but for the past month, tens of thousands of elites from the Special Warfare System of East Island had sneaked into Zhongzhou State. However, these elites belonged only to their faction. Now, everyone was secretly waiting for the moment of dividing victory and defeat, or life and death. Zhongzhou State would be plunged into chaos, big or small, no matter who would win at that moment.

Feng, however, did not want to consider these interests. He just wanted to listen to his teacher to a.n.a.lyse who on earth was more powerful between the Master of Samsara Palace and the G.o.d of War of Zhongzhou State on Martial Arts.

“I have seen Tian Xin and I also know her strength.”

The man in a kimono seemed to know what Feng was thinking, so he continued, “With her strength, she was also seckilled, even with the Murderous Weapon named Blue Sky Underworld in her hand. The strength of the Master of Samsara Palace is certainly not inferior to that of the top five on the Divine List. Unluckily, she seldom shows her strength, so we have too little information to a.n.a.lyze. Even if she dies in this battle, Gu Xingyun will not end up well. He cannot avoid being seriously injured. What’s worse, it’s a problem whether he can stay at the Invincible Realm or have access to Martial Arts again in the future.

“So, we can make a profit no matter who wins, be it Zhongzhou State or Samsara Palace. “In this respect, I would like to see the G.o.d of War of Zhongzhou State be defeated. After all, death and disability are different. The former cannot be unchanged, while the latter… As long as a person does not die, it is difficult to let people achieve peace of mind.”

“I really hope that the Master of Samsara Palace can die.”

Feng smiled evilly. His pupils were abnormally black while blinking, which also made him become evil and weird.

“Oh?”

The man in a kimono raised his eyebrows and said calmly, “It is in our best interest if Gu Xingyun dies. Not only the Special Warfare System of Zhongzhou State, even our territory…”

He stopped speaking, and his face darkened.

Territory!

It had been a scar on the hearts of the people of East Island for centuries.

East Island was composed of three big islands and more than 7,000 small islands, covering an area of 300,000 square kilometers.

But that wasn’t the case hundreds of years ago.

Hundreds of years ago, East Island was composed of four large islands, and one of them was the north island.

Today, the north island had long disappeared from the memory of the world, and perhaps only the people of East Island still remembered it.

There was no such thing as the north island in the world. The north island, which was once a part of Dongdao State (East Island), now belonged to Zhongzhou State.

It belonged to Beihai Province of Zhongzhou State!

Beihai Province, centered on f.u.xing City, was divided into south Beihai and north Beihai, and the north and south were separated by a shallow sea of dozens of kilometers. Today, north Beihai covered an area of more than 70, 000 square kilometers—half of the area of Beihai Province. It was the north island, which once belonged to East Island!

In the beginning, East Island lent the north island to the w.a.n.g family of Beihai for three hundred years in the name of the lease, but the period they agreed originally had pa.s.sed. Over the years, generations of East Islanders had never given up on the idea of taking back the north island, but what they got in return was humiliation again and again. This was the miserable past of the entire East Island.

Now the Master of Samsara Palace challenged the G.o.d of War of Zhongzhou State, which was another opportunity for East Island.

Once both sides suffered, the superpower of the Special Warfare System of Zhongzhou State would fall into an unprecedentedly weak state. Even if w.a.n.g Tianzong ranked first on the Divine List, he couldn’t suppress the entire Dark World. The w.a.n.g family of Beihai could not lose the foundation of Zhongzhou State, so it would have to give up north Beihai reluctantly.

This was arguably the best opportunity East Island had right now.

Two Invincible Realm experts entered the game in person, and countless masters sneaked into Zhongzhou State. With such high stakes involved, anyone could figure out that they were willing to achieve their goal at all costs!

On June 15, the G.o.d of War of Zhongzhou State was defeated and dead.

That was what the entire East Island wanted to see.

“I know what your goal is, teacher, but I have no ambition and I don’t want to think something too lofty. I only ask you for one thing.”

Feng licked his lips. The evil and greed in his eyes could barely be disguised.

“What?”

The man in a kimono realized something, but he just asked insipidly.

“I have long heard that Qin Weibai, the second in command of Samsara Palace, is a national beauty and also the most beautiful woman in the Dark World. If the Master of Samsara Palace dies, I only hope that you can let Qin Weibai at my disposal for one night. One night is enough. I will certainly serve you and Wuji Palace with my life hereafter!”

The eyes of Feng were burning with desire. He had not seen Qin Weibai, but he had drawn a clear and cold image in his mind.

Standing high above the ma.s.ses, she was flawless and holy, just like a fairy or a G.o.ddess.

One night.

That was really enough.

“I wonder how the most beautiful woman in the Dark World looks compared with the actresses in East Island. I really want…”

“Snap!”

Before Feng could finish speaking, the man in a kimono suddenly reached out and slapped him in the face.

Feng covered his face with his hand, looked at his teacher in astonishment, and then quickly lowered his head.

At that moment, he could clearly sense the coldness and fury in the eyes of his teacher who gave him everything today. That was the most undisguised killing intent.

“They’re merely a pile of dog p.o.o.p. How can they match her? This is blasphemy!”

The man in a kimono squinted tightly, and undisguised anger could be seen in his eyes. The sharp sword intent was whirling around his body. The sword intent swept past Feng’s face, leaving a trail of blood stain on it instantly.

“Yes!”

Feng bowed deeply and said in a respectful tone.

“What can you accomplish in your lifetime, if you spend your time on womanizing every day? You dishonored Wuji Palace!”

The man in a kimono waved his wide kimono sleeve and stepped straight forward on his wooden shoes.

Wuji Palace, Liuhuo Palace, and Jifeng Sword-reining School.

They were the three Martial Arts Holy Lands of East Island and also the forces that the three Invincible Realm experts possessed.

The Divine Wind Force made up by the three Holy Lands was the power center of the Special Warfare System of East Island. Its status was the same as that of Kunlun City and was even more significant.

Night Spirit was on an alien land, while Divine Wind was in charge of internal affairs.

For countless years, this had been the situation of the Special Warfare System of East Island.

Now that Night Spirit was wiped out, the Divine Wind Force and the three Holy Lands became even more important.

Today, among the three Holy Lands of Martial Arts in East Island, be it power or influence, Wuji Palace was worthy of being the first. Tianhai Wuji—the Master of Wuji Palace, was known as the No.1 master in East Island and ranked eighth on the Divine List. Given his current ranking on the Divine List, his position was close behind that of the Master of Samsara Palace.

Tianhai Wuji was originally from the first kendo school named Jifeng Sword-reining School in East Island, but he became the biggest rebel in that school in those years.

More than ten years ago, Tianhai Wuji was only thirty years old but had already entered the Thunder-shocking Realm. Moreover, he had been selected as the next leader of Jifeng Sword-reining School by the higher-ups, though that decision had not been officially announced. Unexpectedly, he suddenly made a speech disapproving of Jifeng Kendo. In the Martial Arts World of East Island, such statements were simply outrageous. The Elders of Jifeng Sword-reining School expelled Tianhai Wuji from the school in a rage. Tianhai Wuji left alone. Four years later, he broke through to the Invincible Realm, established Wuji Palace, and created Wuji Kendo. And in order to completely abandon his past, Tianhai Wuji used the saber instead of the sword. He was arguably the only kendo grandmaster who used swords in the entire Dark World.

Wuji Palace was established.

And coincidentally, a few years ago, Jifeng Sword-reining School encountered internal turmoil and was unable to recover after the setback. In the turmoil, in order to protect themselves, countless people in that school announced that they had given up Jifeng Kendo and recognized Wuji Kendo so that they could enter Wuji Palace. Wuji Palace, which had not been established for long, flourished since then. Today, it was the most prestigious Martial Arts Holy Land in the entire East Island.

Feng was Tianhai Wuji’s favorite student.

While Lady Snow was Tianhai Wuji’s favorite pet and even slave in bed. In addition, Wuji Palace also had two foreign masters and four Protectors. In the small East Island, such strength was arguably extremely strong, which was also one of the reasons why Tianhai Wuji dared to come to Zhongzhou State.

Chaos was about to break out in Zhongzhou State, but the power of Wuji Palace was enough to ensure his safety in Zhongzhou State.

The airport lobby was drawing near.

Tianhai Wuji walked deadpan on his wooden shoes.

Feng, who was slapped, wiped the blood from his face and followed Tianhai Wuji.

“Womanizing?”

He squinted with a mocking look in his eyes.

“What a ridiculous excuse?”

The excuse was so clumsy, but the meaning was obvious.

In this way, Tianhai Wuji clearly told him that even if the Master of Samsara died, his attempt to possess Qin Weibai for one night was unrealistic.

Feng gritted his teeth but said nothing.

Tianhai Wuji narrowed his eyes slightly, as if he knew everything behind him well.

He couldn’t possibly agree to Feng’s demand.

His student had never seen Qin Weibai, but as the Master of Wuji Palace, he had seen her once.

He tossed and turned all night, earnestly longing for her.

…

Tianhai Wuji and his companions entered the airport lobby and went to the arrival gate.

The three finally saw the people who were here to pick them up.

Zhuang Huayang, the headmaster of the Sky Academy, who had just sent 50 freshmen away, was waiting at the arrival gate. Standing beside him were Qin Ke, the deputy director of the teaching of the Sky Academy, and Cao Huazhang, the chief of the tactical staff.

They were three people on each side and they were getting closer.

Zhuang Huayang did not sleep all night, but there was no trace of fatigue in his eyes. He offered his hand and smiled as he looked at the grandmaster from East Island, dressed in a kimono and with a long saber dangling from his waist. “h.e.l.lo, Palace Master Tianhai. I am Zhuang Huayang, the headmaster of the Sky Academy.”

“Nice to meet you.”

Tianhai Wuji shook hands with Zhuang Huayang and said with a smile, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Headmaster Zhuang, I have a name which is written in your language. Please call me Ye Wuji.”

He was meticulous in his manners, so he bowed deeply to Zhuang Huayang and added softly, “Please give me your advice.”

“Ye Wuji?”

Zhuang Huayang froze, then with a false smile on his face, he said, “Nice to meet you, Palace Master Ye. I hope we can learn from each other and communicate with each other.”

Ye Wuji straightened up, nodded casually, and looked at Feng, who was beside him, saying, “He is Feng. Well, how about the name Lu Feng?”

Without saying a word, Feng glanced at the cool and charming Qin Ke with his eyes stealthily and bowed deeply to Zhuang Huayang.

Ye Wuji continued to introduce Lady Snow. Wait until both sides were introduced, he then smiled and asked, “Headmaster Zhuang, shall we go now?”

Zhuang Huayang hesitated a little. He chuckled and said, “I’m afraid we have to wait a while longer, Palace Master Ye. Well, another distinguished guest from East Island will arrive soon. How about leaving together?”

“Another distinguished guest?”

Ye Wuji’s eyes focused.

At times like this, he knew who the other distinguished guest from East Island that was mentioned by Zhuang Huayang was, even without thinking.

That must be Jifeng Sword Sage Liusheng Cangquan, the leader of Jifeng Sword-reining School.

Although both of them were grandmasters of East Island, when Ye Wuji set out in East Island, Liusheng Cangquan was in Northern Europe. No one had expected that they would arrive here together.

He nodded calmly and said softly, “Of course. A guest should suit the convenience of the host.”

“Thank you for your understanding, Palace Master.”

Zhuang Huayang stood beside Ye Wuji with a bright smile and waited quietly.

A black shadow who walked toward them lightly came into sight, like a cold wind, which seemed light and slow, but was fast and fierce inside.

Zhuang Huayang subconsciously squinted.

Although Zhuang Huayang had seen the photos of the Sword Sage of East Island for countless times, it was the first time for him to see this person with his own eyes.

Liusheng Cangquan looked less than forty years old, with long hair that was tied up high. He wore a loose black robe, looking handsome, aloof, and proud. With a long sword dangling from his waist and an aquamarine jade flute of good design and color in his hand, he walked slowly and lightly. At that moment, the world seemed to be pervaded by loneliness alone.

The wind was blowing forward.

The stronger the wind, the more intense the sword intent.

Lonely sword intent filled the entire airport lobby along with the wind, turning the entire airport lobby into a domain.

Liusheng Cangquan’s pace was neither fast nor slow, but every step he took seemed to have impressed itself in the hearts of others.

The jade flute had a soft color.

Liusheng Cangquan’s long hair, which was tied up high, waved gently.

Behind the infinite loneliness of his sword intent was the demeanour which was enough to make all the people sad and misty-eyed. That was his story.

The sword was his only companion on the road that was long.

Zhuang Huayang sighed softly and unconsciously looked at Ye Wuji beside him.

More than a decade ago, when the kendo grandmaster who used the saber became the greatest rebel of Jifeng Sword-reining School, the once supreme kendo school in East Island seemed to have fallen into decline.

In the year when Ye Wuji was about to break through to the Invincible Realm, the Special Warfare System of East Island was in turmoil. Liusheng Cangquan’s master—Songxia Taiyi, the former Sword Sage of East Island, was badly wounded and dying.

After the First Senior Brother Ye Wuji left Jifeng Sword-reining School, among the younger generation, only Liusheng Cangquan and another young man were left to support the overall situation.

That youth had no name, and he codenamed Broken Sword.

Tianhai Wuji, Broken Sword, and Liusheng Cangquan.

They used to be three of the most outstanding disciples who practiced Jifeng Kendo in Jifeng Sword-reining School and all of them had the apt.i.tude from entering the Invincible Realm. However, when all the people thought that Jifeng Sword-reining School would soon usher in the heyday, the three disciples went their separate ways.

Tianhai Wuji became a rebel.

Broken Sword, however, became the biggest traitor to East Island in decades.

Back then, when the Special Warfare System of East Island was plunged into civil strife, Broken Sword killed his master with a single move at the most critical moment. Moreover, he feigned his own death and imputed everything to Liusheng Cangquan.

Liusheng Cangquan, who had just entered the Thunder-shocking Realm at that time, found himself utterly isolated almost instantly. He escaped from East Island to search for the truth alone while he was being chased by numerous experts from East Island.

Jifeng Sword-reining School fell apart.

In the same year, Tianhai Wuji broke through the Fulfilment Stage of the Thunder-shocking Realm and entered the Invincible Realm.

He first entered the Thunder-shocking Realm and then reached the Fulfilment Stage of the Thunder-shocking Realm from the Peak of this realm.

At last, he managed to enter the Invincible Realm.

When Jifeng Sword-reining School was about to disappear, Liusheng Cangquan returned to East Island and reformed it with the strength of the Invincible Realm.

The death of the former Sword Sage was, intentionally or unintentionally, forgotten by various parties in East Island. However, Liusheng Cangquan’s position was increasingly solidified. He was invited to the imperial palace by the Mikado of East Island a few years ago and became the kendo teacher of the prince. Since then, Jifeng Sword-reining School steadied itself again.

Broken Sword disappeared, without leaving a trace.

Tianhai Wuji and Liusheng Cangquan, however, had completely inherited the grievances between Jifeng Sword-reining School and Wuji Palace.

The martial brothers had different understandings of Martial Arts. Furthermore, Tianhai Wuji watched the former Sword Sage die with folded arms and even fished in troubled waters. All these became a sore point that could not be cured between them.

The Liuhuo Palace in East Island was the oldest traditional ninja force and had always been neutral.

The renascent Jifeng Sword-reining School, however, became the most important p.a.w.n that East Island used as a counterbalance to Wuji Palace.

The entanglement between the three Holy Lands even spread to the Divine Wind Force—the Special Warfare Center of East Island.

In addition, there were remaining forces of Night Spirit in East Island.

At the moment, East Island was not peaceful inside either.

And this time, with about two thousand elites from Zhongzhou State entering East Island in succession, Zhongzhou State seemed to be able to seize plenty of opportunities when the forces in East Island were in chaos.

Zhuang Huayang smiled softly.

The Six cooperated fully with Samsara Palace in order to achieve the plot of Zhongzhou State.

Even if East Island had a scheme as well, its two Invincible Realm experts had already arrived at Zhongzhou State currently. It wouldn’t be easy for them to go back any time soon.

Although which side would win in this compet.i.tion was still unknown, Zhongzhou State had already had the upper hand. It could absolutely plot other strategies slowly.

Zhuang Huayang smiled and took a step forward. Looking at Liusheng Cangquan who was walking toward him, he smiled softly and said, “Welcome to Zhongzhou State for watching the fight, Your Excellency Sword Sage. I’m Zhuang Huayang, the headmaster of the Sky Academy.”

“Nice to meet you, Headmaster Zhuang.”

Liusheng Cangquan’s voice was soft and ethereal. Coupled with his figure, his lethality was simply unparalleled.

Zhuang Huayang smiled and introduced Tianhai Wuji to him calmly, “Please allow me to introduce Tianhai Wuji—the Palace Master of Wuji Palace, to you, Your Excellency Sword Sage. Since you two are both martial grandmasters of East Island, I guess you should have some understandings of each other.”

What Zhuang Huayang said concealed hidden motives.

Ye Wuji glanced at him, expressionless and silent.

Liusheng Cangquan gently squeezed the jade flute in his hand, and his smile became more mild and elegant. “Wuji? Haha, I’ve never heard of that person.”

“You!”

Standing beside Ye Wuji, Lu Feng squinted and unconsciously wanted to take a step forward.

Ye Wuji stopped him with a calm look. Then he turned his eyes to Zhuang Huayang and asked calmly, “Shall we go now?”

“Sure.”

Zhuang Huayang smilingly answered and led the way.

The moment Ye Wuji turned, intentionally or unintentionally, his eyes met Liusheng Cangquan’s.

The two had concealed their killing intent toward each other in their cold eyes, but there was a trace of obscure tacit understanding between them.

“Headmaster Zhuang, I’ve heard that there’s an outstanding freshman named Li Tianlan in your school. I wonder if I have the honor to meet him.”

Walking beside Zhuang Huayang, Ye Wuji suddenly said with a chuckle.

Zhuang Huayang was alert, but he managed to spoke calmly with a smile. “Li Tianlan? He is a very good freshman, but he has not yet grown up. How does Palace Master know him?”

“I overheard his name.”

Ye Wuji replied with a laugh.

Zhuang Huayang nodded but didn’t give him a definite answer. And that was the end of the topic.

The muscles on the corners of Ye Wuji’s mouth twitched and his eyes narrowed.

Li Tianlan!

This name always appeared, accompanied by Qin Weibai and the Master of Samsara Palace.

How could he not know?

If the Master of Samsara Palace was defeated and dead this time, he would be the first to kill Li Tianlan!

This person, though as humble as a nonent.i.ty, had profaned the holiest moon in his heart.

He must die anyway.

Ye Wuji breathed deeply. Although his heart was filled with killing intent, the look in his eyes was strangely tender.

After hearing the name “Li Tianlan”, Liusheng Cangquan squinted slightly. He looked at Ye Wuji thoughtfully with a meaningful expression.