Spring passed and autumn came; three years flashed by in the blink of an eye.
Tianshan City, Taibai Tower.
A young pair of wandering heroes, dressed in fine clothes and astride spirited horses, entered the tavern and sat down.
Most of the diners around them carried sabers or swords, clearly hailing from the martial world.
"This birthday celebration for the Heavenly Sword Sect Master is quite the occasion. He's ranked third on the Martial Ranking, and all sorts of great heroes, sect masters, and leaders have gathered here. It could practically be called a martial arts assembly."
"I hear the Heavenly Sword Sect Master is offering three Thousand Year Snow Lotuses as prizes and holding a Hidden Dragon Gathering. It's the perfect chance for young martial artists like us to make a name for ourselves!"
"You? Forget it... Three years ago, Junshan Sect produced a young sect master named Fang Xu. He's quite remarkable—already reached the Xiantian Great Perfection Realm, and now he's ranked on the Martial Ranking. He's all but guaranteed to take first place."
"Speaking of that, I really can't believe someone who isn't even twenty-five could have such strength."
"The Martial Ranking proves it. He's ranked thirteenth. He once rushed a thousand li to save his father, killed the Poison Fire Demon Lord, and drove off the Blood Snake Sword Lord. How could that be false?"
Voices filled the tavern, and the most heated topic was still the Heavenly Sword Sect Master's birthday celebration.
Martial sects from all over the land had gathered. Even if it wasn't truly a martial arts assembly, it came close.
But when he heard Fang Xu's name, the young hero's hand suddenly froze. A faint crack sounded.
"Tianming?!"
Seeing this, the young heroine beside him took the young man's hand. "You