The night gradually swept in. Tian Kui Market, on the mid-levels of Tian Kui Peak, was the first to feel the onset of dusk. Little by little, the twilight devoured the vast Mountains and Land of Lingnan like a cold river until, finally, everything was shrouded by it. Nevertheless, the night did nothing to diminish the bustling activity of Tian Kui Market.

With more and more Ancient Martial Artists arriving from the Lingnan Mountains and even from all over the Southern Martial World, the scene was buzzing with excitement. A great throng of people, at least a thousand, had already gathered.

Such a turnout was extraordinary. After all, ordinary Ancient Martial Artists would not be able to pass through the exterior passage, which could be aptly described as a Heavenly Rift. This demonstrated just how massive the influence of the upcoming grand event was—it had swept through more than half of the Southern Martial World.

In the twilight, within the depths of Tian Kui Market, stood an ancient palace. It looked small but was majestic and grand.

Outside the palace, guards were heavily stationed, with armored soldiers constantly marching by—they were, unmistakably, the Bai Family's White Dragon Guards. Having such an elite troop as a guard was a clear indication of the place's extraordinary significance. It was said that a power center of the Bai Family existed in the very depths of Tian Kui Market, reputed to be on par with the prestigious Tian Kui Pavilion. This must be that very palace—the Bai Family Palace.

However, at this moment, a young figure was slowly making his way through the only passageway inside this palace. No one stopped him, nor did anyone seem surprised by his presence.

The young man was clad in a white shirt, his features chiseled and handsome. He emanated a profound and weighty aura, as deep as an abyss and as towering as a mountain.

This young man was none other than Bai Bin, acclaimed as the most outstanding successor of the Bai Family in decades.

He leisurely walked through the single corridor within the palace and arrived at a courtyard with a pavilion. A pavilion, a pond, an elder in a straw rain cape... An aged figure sat on a stone bench, looking to be around sixty, silently fishing with a rod in hand.

Yet, the hook reflected in the crystal-clear pond was perfectly straight.

"Dad," Bai Bin called out, seemingly long accustomed to the old man's eccentricities, and casually took a seat.

It turned out that the aged, sixty-something figure was Bai Bin's father. He appeared quite stooped and lean, his old face covered with age spots. However, no one in the Martial Forest dared to underestimate him, for his reputation was immense. Known as the Wise Straw Hat Elder, he was a man of near-demonically clever strategies who loved to fish.

"You're here? Sit down." The elder glanced back at Bai Bin and spoke gently, "How are things? Our Bai Family's Tian Kui Market should be quite bustling by now, shouldn't it?"

"Yes, it's already very lively. Most of the reputable sects and families from the Martial Forest have arrived. It's also said that some from the Four Great Hidden Sects have set out and will likely appear in the coming days," Bai Bin replied with a slight nod.

"The Four Great Hidden Sects, eh..." Hearing this, the elder's cloudy eyes narrowed slightly before he broke into a smile. "Bin, your father has some good news for you. Want to hear it?"

"Good news? What good news? Of course, I want to hear it," Bai Bin replied without a second thought.

"Heh, you're still so impatient." The elder shook his head with a smile and then slowly revealed a startling piece of news. "I've already spoken with your Aunt Qingshou on the phone. She seems to have set out with the disciples from Qingqiu, and among them is someone you have feelings for."

"The person I have feelings for? Who? Wait, could it be..." Bai Bin paused for a moment, and then his eyes instinctively lit up. Could it be... she's coming?

"It seems to be that young lady named Xianwu. I heard she has successfully advanced to become a Half-Step Innate and even cultivated one of Qingqiu's five great secret inner strength scriptures, 'Resolute Without Trace,' to the Eleventh Layer! Besides, that young woman is apparently only twenty-five. A truly uncut gem. Qingqiu has found another treasure," the elder went on, shaking his head in admiration. Although his own son was also exceptional, having broken through to the Half-Step Innate Realm a few months ago, he was already twenty-eight. That was still a fair bit behind a twenty-five-year-old who had reached the same realm.

"Really? Xianwu is coming? That's fantastic!" Upon hearing this, the usually carefree Bai Bin suddenly acted out of character. A faint blush crept onto his cheeks, and his eyes darted about, a mix of excitement and bashfulness. "Ever since our chance encounter in Qingqiu, it feels like we haven't seen each other in such a long time. I really miss her."

"That's no way to act when you like a girl. Be bolder, more open. Otherwise, with your current demeanor, you'll hardly catch the eye of a heaven-blessed prodigy like her. Understand?" Seeing his son's "useless" behavior, the elder couldn't help but shake his head in disappointment.

"Don't worry, Dad. I will make Xianwu feel my sincerity and see my excellence..." Bai Bin, however, clearly wasn't listening to this advice, his face full of confidence. In his view, he was a man of astonishing talent. Having reached the Half-Step Innate Realm at twenty-eight was a magnificent achievement. How could she not be smitten with him?

Yet, he didn't consider that, so what if he, Bai Bin, had achieved the Half-Step Innate Realm at twenty-eight? That heaven-blessed prodigy from Qingqiu, the one named Xianwu, had reached the level of a Half-Step Innate Ancient Martial Artist at only twenty-five.

And between them, there was a gap of nearly three years.

For any prodigious talent, that was enough time to change many things.

"Alas..." Seeing this, the elder couldn't help but sigh internally, realizing his son was completely overconfident. After all, when it came to feelings and affection, how could one draw simple conclusions or speak with such certainty? Not to mention, with that young lady's terrifying talent, enabling her to step into the Half-Step Innate Realm at the mere age of twenty-five, it was highly uncertain whether his son's accomplishments would even register in her eyes.

However, he was his son, and it wasn't his place to dampen the boy's enthusiasm. Besides, he was rather pleased by this development. If a heaven-blessed young lady like her could be captivated by a son of the Bai Family, it would greatly benefit both their family and his son. A true win-win situation. So, he decided to see how things would unfold. Perhaps... it would be a success?

"Dad, there's another matter," Bai Bin's voice suddenly rang out again. "Today, a group of strangers arrived at Tian Kui Market, claiming to be from Flying Leopard."

"Flying Leopard? You mean... the Flying Leopard from the outside world?" the elder asked, slightly startled.

"That's right, it's them. Among them is a young man, not old but with a considerable temper. It's said that he previously cut off one of Junn Yuanyi's hands and even tricked three Elders from the Holy Fire Sect, causing them to vanish without a trace." Bai Bin paused slightly, then continued, "Moreover, it seems he has now clashed with the Qiy Family, apparently resulting in two deaths."

"That's understandable." The elder, however, just smiled faintly. "They've missed two consecutive Lingnan Mountains Martial Arts Conferences. If they didn't create a stir to intimidate people, who would take them seriously? Besides, the Holy Fire Sect is merely second-rate, not worth mentioning."

"Dad, are you saying that kid did it on purpose?" Bai Bin asked, hesitating. He then suddenly added, "Also, that old fellow from the Holy Fire Sect seems to have successfully emerged from his death seclusion."

"He succeeded? In that case, the Holy Fire Sect is truly fortunate," the elder said, raising an eyebrow before shaking his head in amazement. It was indeed great luck. Before this, none of them believed that old fellow, Jun Duanshan, would succeed... but somehow, he had.

Putting the news aside, he turned to his son and said slowly, "Since you say those people have offended both the Holy Fire Sect and the Qiy Family, I imagine neither party will let this go, right? After all, lives were lost."

"Indeed. Before I came here, I'd already received news that the Holy Fire Sect has privately approached the Qiy Family. Dad, should we get involved? Oh, right, I forgot to mention something. That guy I was talking about seems to have also reached the Half-Step Innate Realm, and he appears to be my age," Bai Bin suddenly recalled.

"The same age as you?" The elder's brow furrowed again, a gleam passing through his murky eyes as he murmured to himself, "So that's how it is. I was wondering why they suddenly showed up again. They want to show off for us? But have they forgotten about those unreasonable barbarians at Huadao Fort, or... do they believe they have found some powerful backing?"

He then spoke again, "Our Bai Family should stay out of such trivial matters; it has nothing to do with us. As long as they don't fight to the death right in front of us, let's just pretend we don't see them. After all, who knows how many have died outside the Tian Kui Market Valley over the years."

"I understand." Bai Bin nodded, then suddenly chuckled. "Actually, I'd like to see for myself what gives that kid the audacity to offend both the Holy Fire Sect and the Qiy Family at the same time. Even if the Holy Fire Sect used to be Unranked, they now have a newly ascended Innate Ancient Martial Artist! Talk about a complete turnaround."

"The world is indeed full of wonders. Perhaps in two or three days, you'll receive news that the people from the Holy Fire Sect and the Qiy Family have been wiped out, completely annihilated." The elder laughed, rose to his feet, and slowly walked away with his fishing rod. "I'm going to chat with your grandfather. Another Innate Ancient Martial Artist has emerged in the Lingnan Mountains. The Bai Family must prepare again. After all, it's tradition."

"...Wiped out? Heh, is that even possible?" Upon hearing his father's first statement, Bai Bin was speechless, lost in thought for a long while before finally shaking his head with a wry smile. He knew his father was clearly joking, but for some reason, he had a strange premonition. Could it be...?

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