The tense silence that had settled over the battlefield had not yet completely faded when a sharp snort suddenly echoed through the air.
A tall, lean figure stepped forward from the crowd of experts. His eyes shone like those of a predatory hawk, and the faint arrogance on his face carried the confidence of someone who had spent an entire lifetime soaring above ordinary men.
"Venerable Mei, this Solitary Falcon is happy to seek advice from you."
The man cupped his fists as he spoke, though the gesture carried very little humility. Instead, it resembled the formal courtesy exchanged between two warriors before a glorious duel.
The moment his words fell, the atmosphere stirred again.
This man was none other than the famed Solitary Falcon.
A figure whose name alone could shake the martial world.
His sharp gaze fixed upon the elegant woman standing calmly across the battlefield. Though others trembled before her terrifying reputation, the Solitary Falcon felt only excitement. The corners of his lips even curved upward slightly, as if he had just encountered a long-awaited prey.
In truth, Solitary Falcon had known Mei Xue Yan for years now. He knew perfectly well that she was the mysterious and powerful Venerable Mei, and because of that knowledge, his desire to fight her had only grown stronger over time.
He did not fear her strength. On the contrary, the fact that she was stronger than him only made the challenge more thrilling.
Before the air could settle again, another figure stepped forward from the side.
Feng Juan Yun stepped beside Solitary Falcon, his hand tracing the hilt of his sword. "Venerable Mei, I, Feng Juanyun, also seek advice from you."
His voice was cold and carried an air of aloofness, like an unparalleled sword.
Following him, another figure also stepped forward.
A warm smile rested on the lips of the Master of Life and Death, as though he were greeting an old acquaintance rather than preparing for a life-and-death struggle.
"Venerable Mei," He said politely, cupping his fists, "this one is called Shi Chang Xiao."
His tone was gentle, but the surrounding experts instantly recognized the man.
His name carried a peculiar weight within the martial world. While he rarely displayed explosive aggression like other Great Masters, those who understood him knew that his calm smile hid an extremely dangerous mind and unfathomable strength.
A faint breeze swept across the battlefield.
At that moment, another figure slowly began to move.
Lei Wu Bei had returned only moments earlier. His clothes were still tattered from the previous battle with the Snake King, and the faint scent of blood lingered around him. Yet his expression remained as cold and rigid as a block of iron.
For a brief moment, he stood silently, his sharp eyes fixed upon Venerable Mei, and then he began to walk forward. His each step was slow and heavy, like the deliberate movement of a drawn blade.
When he finally stopped beside the other three Great Masters, he spoke in a flat and emotionless voice.
"Venerable Mei, I don't think you need this one's introduction, right?"
His tone carried neither arrogance nor humility. It was simply a statement of fact.
After all, there was no need for introductions between true masters.
Venerable Mei's gaze slowly swept across the three men standing before her, and then she gave a faint snort. "Very well... Is it only the four of you?"
Her voice was calm, yet the faint disappointment within it was unmistakable.
That single sentence immediately caused several experts in the distance to exchange awkward glances.
These four were among the most terrifying figures in the entire Tian Xuan Continent.
Each of their names was capable of shaking the martial world. Yet Venerable Mei's tone suggested that their combined presence was somehow insufficient.
Her gaze remained indifferent as she continued to study them.
In her mind, a quiet comparison had already been made.
If these four fought together, their combined strength would roughly match that of the Crane Saint, the new Bear King, and the new Snake King fighting side by side in human form.
In fact, if one looked closely, these three Great Masters might even be slightly weaker.
A faint trace of disdain flickered through her beautiful eyes.
'One has to first have qualifications if they wish to fight the enemy.'
Just as the tense silence began to deepen again, a furious roar suddenly shattered the atmosphere.
"Wait! This old man will also fight!"
The voice was filled with both grief and burning indignation.
Everyone immediately turned their heads and saw a figure staggering forward unsteadily from the crowd.
The once proud Great Master, Li Jue Tian, now looked somewhat miserable. His steps were unsteady and his breathing rough, yet his eyes burned fiercely like two blazing torches.
He finally managed to stand upright despite the pain surging through his body.
Although he had suffered serious injuries earlier, Li Jue Tian was still one of the Eight Great Masters of the world.
And no matter what happened today, he absolutely could not allow himself to retreat in disgrace, especially in front of everyone.
If he backed down today, his reputation would crumble completely.
This moment was the only opportunity he had left to retrieve his lost honor.
Perhaps it was even the final chance he would ever have.
If he could defeat Venerable Mei together with the other three Great Masters, then the humiliation he had suffered earlier might finally be washed away.
His name could once again resound with authority throughout the martial world.
Perhaps, he could even achieve something greater.
But if he allowed this opportunity to slip away, then every time he thought of this day in the future, Li Jue Tian would be forced to lower his head in endless regret.
His body was already in terrible condition.
Multiple bones had been fractured earlier, and his internal organs had suffered severe damage. Yet while the Snake King and Lei Wu Bei had been locked in their fierce aerial battle, Li Jue Tian had secretly ordered his trusted subordinate to reset his broken bones.
The pain alone had nearly made him faint, but he had endured it.
Not only that, he had forcefully activated a forbidden technique.
The Against the Heaven's Will Law!
This cruel method devoured the practitioner's lifespan in exchange for temporarily restoring the body to its peak condition.
A faint tremor passed through Li Jue Tian's body as the technique continued to circulate. His bones were barely held together by the strength of his profound Xuan cultivation, yet the powerful aura now radiating from him was undeniably that of a peak Great Master.
This battle would be the most important one of his life.
If he was destined to fall today, then he would fall gloriously.
His attacks would inspire awe, and his strength would silence all doubts.
And his authority would once again be firmly established before the eyes of everyone present.
Li Jue Tian panted heavily as his fierce gaze suddenly shifted.
It landed directly on the figure of the Demon Lord standing not far away.
Hatred flashed violently within his eyes.
If not for that man… If not for the humiliation he had suffered earlier… His current situation would never have become so miserable.
Yet Li Jue Tian quickly suppressed the rage boiling inside his chest.
Now was not the time for personal revenge.
The enemy standing before him was far more important.
Venerable Mei quietly observed him for a moment. Her cultivation was extraordinarily profound, and with a single glance she had already seen through Li Jue Tian's condition. She could clearly sense the violent fluctuations of the forbidden technique within his body.
A faint trace of pity appeared in her eyes.
"Are you going to go 'all-out' against me, Li Jue Tian?" Her calm voice carried a subtle meaning.
--- ✦ ✦ ✦ ---
📢 Author's Note 📢
If you're enjoying this story and want more chapters right now, I invite you to check out my Buymecoffee. There you'll find:
✅ Daily updates – never miss a day of new content
✅ Advanced chapters – read far ahead of public releases
✅ Exclusive perks & extras – only available to members
Your support not only gives you early access but also helps me dedicate more time to writing and expanding this story. Every reader who joins makes a huge difference.
👉 Dive into more chapters today: buymeacoffee.com/myth_valley
Let's keep the adventure alive! 🔥📚✨