"Ah, Jiangling has developed so quickly. When I came here more than twenty years ago, this whole area was just farmland," Elder Xiao said, looking out at the bustling city from the backseat of a car.

Fei Zhenghai, the former mayor of Jiangling sitting opposite him, replied, "Indeed. The development in recent years has been incredibly fast, and the city itself has gradually expanded."

"Hmm. Seeing this constant flow of traffic, all this concrete and steel, I find myself missing the green leaves that once covered the mountains," Elder Xiao said with a sigh of nostalgia.

Fei Zhenghai smiled wryly. "My old leader, with society progressing so quickly these days, the only places left to find some flowers and greenery are out in the countryside or in private villas."

Fei Zhenghai had been Elder Xiao's subordinate, following him since his youth. He was later assigned to a local post where he performed remarkably well, living up to Elder Xiao's expectations. Though he was now retired, it was only natural for him to accompany Elder Xiao on his visit to Jiangling.

"Grandfather, isn't there a place just like that in Jiangling now?" his granddaughter, Fei Xiaoyu, suddenly chimed in.

"Are you talking about Coiling Dragon Bay? That place is an Immortal Realm on earth, but it's far too expensive," Fei Zhenghai sighed. "Businesspeople today have no principles. They're charging a hundred thousand per square meter! Isn't that disrupting the market? How can ordinary people afford it?"

Elder Xiao laughed heartily. "You're not wrong. Even I can't afford it. However, when that boy gets back, I might just have him gift this old man a unit."

Elder Xiao gazed out the window and murmured to himself, "Kid, you have to win this fight."

「Dragon Tiger Mountain, the cradle of Taoism!」

Surrounded by mountains and shrouded in a purple haze, the geomancy of the land marked it as a true Cave Heaven and Blessed Land.

In the central square of Dragon Tiger Mountain sat a cross-legged figure with a wooden sword resting on his knees. It was difficult to guess his age; he looked to be thirty, perhaps forty, but certainly not over fifty. Dressed in a simple purple Daoist Robe, he seemed utterly ordinary, yet his very presence felt merged with heaven and earth.

This was none other than Zhang Daoyun of the Celestial Master Mansion.

A year ago, the young man from River City killed his junior brother, prompting Zhang Daoyun to set a one-year deadline for a duel. Today, that year was up. He had been sitting here for the entire time.

"Zhang Daoyun, must we go through with this fight?" From atop the grand hall of the Celestial Master Mansion, a white-robed figure holding a sharp sword spoke.

It was Sword God Shen Lang. For the entire year Zhang Daoyun had been sitting there, Shen Lang had been sitting on the roof.

A year ago, the world only knew that Shen Lang had challenged Dragon Tiger Mountain, forcing Zhang Daoyun to seal the mountain for a year and retreat to heal his wounds. But only Shen Lang knew the truth. They had exchanged but a single blow. It was a draw. Zhang Daoyun hadn't been injured; sealing the mountain was merely a concession to a certain old man. In return, Lin Wudi had to agree to this fight.

"With your disposition, you would never fight over a personal grudge. What are you thinking?" Shen Lang continued, "You've already reached such a high realm. Why do you hesitate to take that final step? What are you waiting for?"

Legend told that Zhang Daoyun could speak from birth and recite the scriptures of the Celestial Master Mansion by heart. At three, he began practicing the sword, his skills advancing a thousand miles in a single day. By seven, he could contend with Inner Strength masters without fail. At eighteen, he entered the Ancestral Master Hall and was designated the successor to the Heavenly Master. At twenty, he became a Grandmaster, unrivaled in the world.

Shen Lang knew this was no legend. It was fact.

Yet Zhang Daoyun's nature was tranquil. He rarely fought, so almost no one knew his true strength. He had only fought three battles in his entire life.

The first was against Yun Xu, who conceded the moment the fight began and relinquished the title of Heavenly Master. The second was against the previous Heavenly Master. He won with a single move and took the title for himself. The third was against Shen Lang, which ended in a draw.

Today would be his fourth battle: against Lin Wudi of River City.

"I'm not very good at fighting." Zhang Daoyun opened his eyes. His gaze was as calm as still water yet as profound as the sea, holding a trace of heart-stopping ancientness. He looked up at the sky, where auspicious clouds gathered and shifted forms. "But I am so very lonely."

A rare trace of emotion flickered in his voice. "Since I was seven, I've known that no one was my match." Zhang Daoyun glanced at Shen Lang. "Whether fighting you or my master, I never used my full strength."

Shen Lang's pupils contracted.

Zhang Daoyun held up two fingers, leaving only a tiny sliver of a gap between them. "I used about this much," he said. "Any more, and you both would have died."

Zhang Daoyun lowered his hand and caressed the wooden sword. "I can feel that it is lonely, too."

The wooden sword trembled lightly, and the auspicious clouds in the sky were torn asunder as if slashed by an invisible blade.

Zhang Daoyun smiled faintly. "I have waited far too long."

Shen Lang shot to his feet, his tone grave. "If you've waited this long, why not wait a few more years? You know that with his talent, he will surpass me in a few years."

"Surpassing you doesn't mean he can defeat me," Zhang Daoyun laughed heartily. "Besides, I've already waited a year for him. If he hasn't made any progress in that time, he'll have no one to blame but himself."

A hint of sword intent rose from Shen Lang. "You know that man is highly regarded by the Commander."

Zhang Daoyun replied nonchalantly, "Elder Xiao has taken an interest in many people. I'm merely helping him test if this one is up to snuff."

"Must you truly fight?"

"The fight is unavoidable."

CLANG!

The sharp sword in Shen Lang's arms unsheathed three inches, and Sword Qi surged to the heavens.

"Then you'll have to get past me first!" The Sword Qi pointed directly at Zhang Daoyun, ready to shatter him at Shen Lang's slightest whim.

However, Zhang Daoyun just waved his hand gently, and the Sword Qi vanished.

"I told you, you are no match for me." Zhang Daoyun's gaze suddenly shifted to the mountain path, a smile touching his lips. "Besides, he has arrived."

On the mountain path, a young man was approaching at a leisurely pace. It was Lin Mu.

"Lin Wudi of River City, here to answer Daoist Zhang's challenge!" Lin Mu declared as he stepped into the square, his eyes meeting Zhang Daoyun's.

"Excellent." Zhang Daoyun rose and offered a formal salute.

Shen Lang said, "Lin Wudi, if you wish to concede now or simply don't want to fight, I guarantee Zhang Daoyun will not trouble you."

"Thank you, Sword God." Lin Mu smiled faintly. "But since I have come to accept the challenge, how could I possibly retreat without a fight?"

"You really intend to fight?" Shen Lang pressed.

"Must you be so meddlesome!" Zhang Daoyun suddenly waved his hand. A fierce wind kicked up, tearing at the air. As if seized by a colossal force, Shen Lang was flung backward, disappearing from sight in an instant.

"Now, no one will disturb us." Zhang Daoyun looked at Lin Mu and gestured with one hand. "Please."

"Please." Lin Mu's expression turned solemn, and he immediately sat down cross-legged.

Zhang Daoyun nodded slightly and sat down in a formal posture as well. The wooden sword lay across his lap. "Let us decide this in a single move. What say you?"

Lin Mu nodded. "That was my intention as well."

"Please, draw your sword."

Lin Mu nodded. With a single gesture of his hand, the clouds above parted. A clap of thunder echoed, and the sword Dragon Tamer appeared in his grasp.

"To nurture a sword with the heavens and the earth... Admirable means, Lin Wudi!"

Zhang Daoyun laughed heartily. The wooden sword floated up from his knees and into his waiting hand. In that instant, his entire aura changed, becoming like that of a Heavenly Lord descending upon the mortal realm.

"I invite you to this battle!"

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