While Duan Lang was studying at Lingyun Cave, the martial arts world outside underwent a dramatic transformation.
Jian Chen, the Wuming chief disciple, ascends Mount Tian and discovers the mysterious, secluded sect, Heaven's Gate. He then finds the old monster behind it Di Shitian, and a fierce conflict erupts between the two sides.
At less than twenty years old, Jian Chen, with his extraordinary flying sword technique, slew several experts from the Heaven's Gate and injured Di Shitian before escaping from the Mount Tian.
Later, the mysterious organization intercepted the injured Jian Chen in the Northern Region, attempting to kill him, but was thwarted by his master, Wuming.
The mastermind behind the mysterious organization has been identified as the Five Absolutes Divine Palace, a Dongying force from Japan. Palace Master Jue Wushen personally confronts the martial arts legend, Heavenly Sword Wuming, and emerges victorious!
At Wuming critical moment, in order to save his disciple's life and to eliminate the Dongying invaders who were invading the Central Plains martial arts world, Wuming did his best to open the passage to the Sword Realm, allowing his disciple Jian Chen to hide inside.
Subsequently, at the cost of his life, he extracted a wisp of strange sword intent from the Sword Realm and severely injured Jue Wushen.
From then on, the martial arts legend Wuming perished, Jue Wushen was severely injured and forced to retreat.
But everyone in the martial arts world knows that after a defeat, there will always be a day when the opponent can start over.
At the same time, Xiongba of the Tianxia Society called on heroes from all over the world to unite under his banner and fight against the impending invasion from the Dongying, but Peerless City refused.
The legendary Sword Saint has emerged from seclusion, and it is said that he has made even greater progress. Coupled with the recent rumors that the Sword Saint has regained his youth, the title of leader of the righteous path in the martial arts world seems to have fallen on the Sword Saint's shoulders.
The forces of good and evil in the martial arts world are waiting for Peerless City and Tianxia Society to fight to the death before deciding whether to obey their orders.
"Still no news of Duan Lang?"
Inside the Tianxia Society, Xiongba continued to question his subordinates about Duan Lang.
He was initially afraid that the other party would defect to the enemy or be captured, and even planned to issue a nationwide warrant for their arrest if they did anything wrong.
But now, as the situation in the martial arts world becomes increasingly dire, he begins to think of this second strongest fighter in the Tianxia Society.
Duan Lang everything else, Duan Lang's martial arts skills are top-notch. With him around, the Tianxia Society have one more weapon in this situation.
"Reporting to the Chief, there is still no news of Hall Master Duan."
"Our people have been searching everywhere, but we haven't found any news about Master Duan. Some people say the last time they saw him was near Bashu."
" Bashu? Why would he go so far away? No... wait! If it's Bashu, could it be..."
Xiongba also thought of Leshan in Bashu, where he had brought Nie Feng and Duan Lang back, and the legendary Lingyun Cave.
As for Lingyun Cave, Xiongba Ba only obtained some scattered information from the martial arts world. He wasn't curious about the Fire Qilin, so he hadn't paid much attention to it.
"Send someone to Bashu to investigate again. These are turbulent times; make sure Duan Lang returns to the association as soon as possible, lest..."
"To avoid what?"
A muffled male voice came from afar. At first, it was quite far away, but before the words had even finished, a figure had already appeared in front of Xiongba.
"It seems the guild leader is quite concerned about me?"
The newcomer was none other than Duan Lang, who had been missing for a long time, but his aura seemed somewhat off compared to usual.
In just over half a month, his face had matured considerably, and a hint of wickedness could be seen in his eyes.
At this moment, he stared straight at Xiongba, and an inexplicable aura permeated the room of the Tianxia Society.
Xiongba instinctively wanted to rebuke Duan Lang for his rudeness, but the words changed at the last second.
"Of course I care about you. These are turbulent times in the martial world, and our gang is in dire need of manpower. You are my right-hand man, so naturally I am concerned about your safety."
Xiongba sensed the change in Duan Lang and, unusually, said a few kind words.
A true man can bend and Duan Lang. Duan Lang was clearly acting strangely. Besides, he still needed to command the other party, so he couldn't just reprimand him as soon as he returned.
"Haha, Chief, I never expected you to say such caring things. It's truly an eye-opener for me." Duan Lang looked at Xiongba, a hint of smugness in his smile.
"I thought that someone like you could only be moved by the Wind and Cloud, but I never expected that I, Duan Lang, would have such an honor."
Xiongba remained silent, only clenching his Riot Games in response to Duan Lang's sarcasm.
' Duan Lang, Duan Lang, don't push your luck, or I'll kill you.'
Xiongba's gaze gradually turned cold, but Duan Lang seemed not to notice, or perhaps he was deliberately continuing to provoke Xiongba.
"On my way back this time, I heard people say that the Tianxia Society and the Peerless City had a conflict, but the leader of the alliance has not yet expressed his opinion on whether to fight or make peace."
"I've come back precisely to solve this problem for the gang leader."
"Ha! How do you intend to resolve this?"
Xiongba glanced at Duan Lang. It wasn't that he didn't want to deal with Peerless City, but rather that he wasn't confident in dealing with the Sword Saint, which was why he hadn't expressed his opinion.
"It's simple. Since the leader can't decide whether to fight or make peace, I'll do it for you. It'll also give you a rest."
Meeting Xiongba's gaze, Duan Lang spoke each word clearly and without any hesitation.
Haha, haha, hahaha!
Xiongba was so angry he laughed; this was his own dog preparing to bite its master.
" Duan Lang, you think you've grown wings and want to fly on your own now, huh? Guild leader, what makes you think you're qualified to be the guild leader?"
While questioning him, Xiongba was already secretly gathering his strength.
If your dog is about to bite you, then you absolutely cannot keep it; killing it is the best course of action.
"Why should I? Because of the sword in my hand, of course!"
Duan Lang drew his sword and unleashed a Sun-Eclipsing Sword Technique.
" Sword Stacking Radiance "
" The Three Points Return to One Qi!"
Xiongba had been secretly on guard, suddenly made his move.
The sword energy and true energy clashed, instantly turning the room into ruins.
Unaffected, the two immediately engaged in a fierce battle.
Such a commotion naturally reached the attention of the other leaders of the Tianxia Society, who gathered around upon hearing the noise.
Then, everyone saw a scene that made them take notice:
"The gang leader and the hall master are fighting!"
"My God, the gang leader can't even beat the hall master?"
"What's going on? Why is the hall master fighting with the gang leader as soon as he returns?"
The members of the Tianxia Society watched from below as Xiongba and Duan Lang fought fiercely, their bodies wreaking havoc with sword energy and Genki, and no one dared to step forward.
Even Xiongba's beloved disciples, Qin Shuang and Wind and Cloud Yun, could only watch the battle from the outside with the other gang leaders, and were not allowed to enter.
"Why did Duan Lang fight with Master, and how did he manage to defeat him?"
Qin Shuang asked a question, but his two junior brothers were unable to answer him.
Having learned Duan Lang Black Tortoise True Skill, Duan Lang's strength has increased significantly. Coupled with the system rewards from exploring the Lingyun Cave, he is now above Xiongba.
In the short time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the two had already exchanged blows for over fifty rounds, and Xiongba's signs of defeat were becoming increasingly obvious.