"As the biggest event in the Southern Martial World, held only once every three years, who knows how many truly top-notch youngsters—or perhaps even stronger experts from the older generation—we'll see here… It's certainly something to look forward to," Chen Fei muttered to himself. A slight smile curled his lips as he waved a hand and walked toward the dense cluster of buildings in Tian Kui Market.

Following him, Deputy Instructor Wang Dashan and the others quickly caught up and entered.

As one of the four great hegemonic Hidden Sects within the Lingnan Mountains, and with the triennial Lingnan Mountain Martial Arts University event being held on Tian Kui Peak, Tian Kui Market had undoubtedly become a focal point for countless people from the Martial Forest. It had gathered many individuals of surprising strength.

The circle of Ancient Martial Artists is indeed full of crouching tigers and hidden dragons! The secular world outside is nothing in comparison.

Just after Chen Fei and his group entered the Tian Kui Market building complex, he and Deputy Instructor Wang Dashan suddenly looked up at the austere and solemn top floor of the Tian Kui Pavilion. Both men's eyes narrowed involuntarily. Chen Fei even smiled and said, "Instructor Wang, it looks like you need to go report in."

Clearly, a number of powerful old-timers had already arrived inside Tian Kui Pavilion, the market's landmark building. Strong fluctuations of power rippled out wave after wave, drawing considerable attention.

"You lot, stay close to the Chief Instructor," Wang Dashan first instructed a few Elite Members of Flying Leopard. He then turned to Chen Fei. "Chief Instructor, I'll head up to take a look. Oh, and this is for you." He left the Purple Pattern Bronze behind, shaking his head with a sigh as he turned and departed.

Obviously, the fluctuations atop Tian Kui Pavilion emanated from the masters of various circles, each of whom seemed to possess at least Half-Step Innate strength. Thus, the atmosphere up there was likely to be quite solemn and unsuited for a young man like Chen Fei, who clearly had no desire to go anyway.

"Yes, Instructor Wang," the Elite Members of Flying Leopard replied, nodding without hesitation as they obediently continued to follow Chen Fei.

"I believe your surname is Pei? Captain Pei, is that right?" Chen Fei asked, looking at the slightly older Flying Leopard elite after Wang Dashan had left.

"Yes, Chief Instructor." The older elite immediately nodded, his posture ramrod straight. "My surname is Pei. If you don't mind, Chief Instructor, you can just call me Little Pei. These are the members of my squad. Our squad ranks first at the Headquarters of Flying Leopard."

In his heart, Chen Fei's importance was clearly on par with Deputy Instructor Wang, if not a notch higher. After all, he had personally witnessed that sparring match, and the memory remained profound and awe-inspiring. In their eyes, age and status were meaningless. Only strength was the one true thing that could earn their wholehearted admiration and respect.

"No, that wouldn't be appropriate. I'm younger than you," Chen Fei said, shaking his head. He then changed the subject. "However, I need you all to do me a favor. From now on, my identity is no longer Chief Instructor of the Flying Leopard, but the captain of your squad. Understand?"

"Understood, Chief... Captain!" Captain Pei and the others were smart, nodding quietly.

Seeing this, Chen Fei nodded slightly. He took the Purple Pattern Bronze that Deputy Instructor Wang had left and tucked it away. An intrigued smile touched his face as he made his way toward the Green-brick Plaza Trading Area outside Tian Kui Pavilion.

He hadn't even given a thought to the original purpose of his trip... Speaking of which, as expected of the Southern Martial World's triennial grand event, his sharp eyes had already spotted quite a few good things from a distance. Several of them were exactly what he needed.

With that, Chen Fei strode in that direction, with Captain Pei and his men following closely behind.

* * *

At that same moment, Bai Bin, whom Deputy Instructor Wang had referred to as the heir of the Bai Family of Tian Kui Market, was leaving the market's building complex. Surrounded by gazes of attention and awe, he walked with casual nonchalance before passing through the dense mist of the Formation at the valley's exit.

Outside the valley, a thick fog permeated the air, with sheer cliffs rising thousands of feet into the sky. The distant landscape was endless and utterly silent, save for the occasional, tender female voice mingling with the cold, arrogant laughter of a young man, echoing with a depraved and tantalizing allure.

They waited at the mountaintop entrance for about half an hour before they saw two or three dark spots approaching in the distance. The figures moved as if strolling on level ground, appearing utterly at ease, as if walking down an ordinary street. This caused Bai Bin, who had been grinning wickedly while his hands roamed freely over the two voluptuously dressed women in his arms, to pause slightly.

"They're here?" he asked, looking up with a cold expression.

Just as he spoke, two or three dark figures appeared before him, materializing from the distance. The mist dissipated, revealing two old men and one young man. One of the elders, who radiated an intense heat, smiled faintly at Bai Bin and the two elders behind him. He cupped his fist in greeting. "Young Master Bai, and you two Elders, it's been a long time."

This man was dressed in a black robe and had a bent, gaunt figure. His skin, much like that of the two elders behind Bai Bin, was as dry as dead tree bark and seemed lifeless. Yet, he emanated an aura as stable as a mountain, hinting at profound secrets hidden within. It felt as if a terrifying fire-based power lay dormant inside his body, enough to make one break out in a cold sweat.

Next to him stood another old man and a powerfully built young man who looked to be in his twenties. He was a large, bald-headed man with sharp eyes, and at his waist hung two gleaming Holy Fire Tokens—the exclusive weapon of the Holy Fire Sect.

Evidently, this person was none other than the unlucky fellow whose arm Chen Fei had chopped off—the Young Master of Yuann Army, Junn Yuanyi. Now, however, it seemed his severed arm had long been reattached. From his appearance, there was no sign that he had ever suffered such a grievous injury; no trace of it remained.

"Junn Yuanyi, you're here? It's been a while." Bai Bin nodded with a smile. Holding the beauties in his arms, his wandering hands finally settled down a bit. He turned his head to the tall and strapping Junn Yuanyi and smiled.

"Young Master Bai."

Upon hearing this, the Young Master of Yuann Army immediately bowed slightly, his tone respectful. It was a far cry from the arrogance he had shown when facing Chen Fei. Of course, there was a reason for this. The man before him was the heir of the Bai Family of Tian Kui Market, and his grandfather was the esteemed Patriarch Bai himself—his background was immense. Not to mention, Bai Bin's own achievements were terrifying. A Half-Step Innate at the age of twenty-seven or twenty-eight was a frightening thought for anyone.

"I heard that Patriarch Junn of your sect recently entered a death seclusion to break through to the Innate Ancient Martial Artist realm. Has he succeeded by now?" Bai Bin asked with another nod and a smile.

Junn Yuanyi was momentarily stunned, then an expression of pride inevitably surfaced on his face. He said slowly, "Thanks to your kind words, Young Master Bai, my grandfather... had a close call, but I suppose you could say he has succeeded."

"Is that so?"

Hearing this, the gentle smile remained on Young Master Bai's face, but his hands, which had been roaming freely over the woman's body, had unknowingly slowed to a stop. A sharp glint flashed in his eyes, and he grinned. "It seems our Lingnan Mountains are about to gain another Hidden Sect. Junn Yuanyi, Elder Xue, my congratulations."

As the saying goes, flattery gets you everywhere. Although Young Master Bai spoke in a jesting tone, the content of his words was enough to subtly stir their hearts. After all, if their Holy Fire Sect could truly ascend to become a hegemonic Hidden Sect, what a glorious achievement that would be. The mere thought was enough to make their blood boil with excitement.

"You're too kind, Young Master Bai. Becoming a Hidden Sect isn't so simple." However, the man Bai Bin had called Elder Xue was quite rational, shaking his head with a faint smile. "Let's not dwell on this. Shall we go inside? It's been a long time since I've paid my respects to Patriarch Bai. Since we have the chance today, it's only right that we go see him."

In truth, aside from the Four Great Hidden Sects of Lingnan Mountain, there were other sects and families in the Southern Martial World that possessed Strong Innate Ancient Martial Artists. And yet, the number of Great Hidden Sects remained four, with all others being a matter of debate. What did this imply? It implied that merely having a Strong Innate Ancient Martial Artist was not enough to become a Hidden Sect without obstruction. There were many unstated requirements, as well as a need for immense power!

It was true that the Bai Family supposedly had only one Strong Innate Ancient Martial Artist—Patriarch Bai. But that was merely their strength on the surface. Not to mention, the Bai Family was proficient in a special, formidable skill: the Mystic Sect Formation. Such methods were exceedingly difficult to deal with.

"Of course. This way, please." Bai Bin smiled and nodded. He stepped aside, extending a hand in an inviting gesture. The group then continued their cheerful conversation as they walked into the mist, arriving in the otherworldly Tian Kui Market.

Meanwhile, Chen Fei had already entered the green-brick plaza trading area in front of Tian Kui Pavilion. The place was clearly divided into three major zones, surrounded by stalls of various sizes. Some had their wares on tables, while others were laid out directly on the ground. The owners waited quietly for someone to approach and bargain, creating a very lively scene.

Seeing this, Chen Fei couldn't help but smile and rub his hands together. He had already spotted what he was looking for at a few nearby stalls. They were the main ingredients for his medicinal cuisine recipe, which was a delightful and unexpected surprise.

"Friend, how are you trading this Human-Faced Polygonatum? Do you accept cash?" he asked excitedly, walking up to the closest stall.

The stall owner was a man with a long face and broad feet, dressed in modern clothes. He glanced at Chen Fei in surprise, said nothing, and simply held up one finger, waggling it in front of him.

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