What is martial arts?

To use martial arts for righteousness, ensuring happiness for all... that is what martial arts is all about.

And what is the world of jianghu?

Unpredictable and ever-changing, not knowing what the next moment will bring, that is jianghu!

These were all teachings from my master.

He once said, "Compassion is the most powerful skill under the sky, even the gods and demons fear its prowess!"

"The purpose of martial arts is never about determining who is strong or weak, but about exchange!"

"It is to impart your passion to the other, not to defeat the opponent..."

"The outcome is not as important as you think, the process is what matters the most!"

The desolate mainland has existed for a very long time, with serene and pleasant natural environments, endless borders.

From east to west on the mainland, they are, in order:

Endless vast plains - the most beautiful and primitive fairy-tale forest with abundant flora and fauna - from desolate to completely barren wilderness, the desolate desert!

One scenery after another, no matter where you go, the landscapes are always diverse.

Until the westernmost point, which is by the sea.

There lies a towering mountain peak shrouded in clouds, known as the Clearwater Mountain.

And residing on top of it are some young heroes eager to strive and make a name for themselves on the mainland.

However, their stories have only just begun...

Early one clear day, mist floated over the seaside, the distant sunrise just beginning to show a hint of light, but a strand of sandalwood had already drifted over the entire peak of Clearwater Mountain, as this place is the highest point where the sunrise is first seen!

At that moment, a slender and graceful long-haired woman cautiously opened a paper window.

Weak sunlight shone on an old diary on the girl's table, with the name - Ling Yukari, written on it.

Flipping through the slightly yellowed diary, following her usual practice, she recorded yesterday's memories on a new page.

Outside the towering cloud-covered mountain, people are also filled with great reverence for this!

Because they know, deep in the quiet sea, there is a tall building standing on the heavy rocks, and the sect stationed at the top of Clearwater Mountain is the most famous among the four sects of jianghu - the Wind Horizon Pavilion!

Especially when people learned that the leaders of the other three pavilions, the Shadow King Shui Qiuming from the Shadow Pavilion who once slew demons together and the Sovereign of the Curse Martial Pavilion, Tianqing, had already departed from this world, the whole continent was thrown in turmoil!

"Hey, have you heard? The Shadow King and the Sovereign have left this world, and the situation of the four pavilions being unified seems... tsk tsk!"

"Oh, your news is outdated, I heard that the Dark Mountain Pavilion's demonic king..."

"Impossible, how could the demonic king..."

"Not dead, but almost there!"

Not just the people of Clearwater Town, even the capital of Eternal Blue spread the news. Before long, almost everyone knew that only two pavilion leaders remained among the four.

Although there were only two pavilion leaders left, with super powerful figures in charge, the Eight Major Sects dared not make any rash moves.

But the good times were short-lived, and after some time, news came from Eternal Blue - the Demonic King... has passed away!!

"What... What?!"

"The Demonic King has passed away!"

The hearts of the people on the desolate mainland were filled with anxiety for a while, some people even lost their appetite for tea and food, and there were even some who fell seriously ill!

And the aftermath inevitably fell on the leader of the Wind Horizon Pavilion!

People regard the Lord of the Wind Pavilion as their hope, because as long as he is still alive and kicking, the Eight Sects and the various dynasties on the mainland dare not act recklessly!

Since then, the reputation of the Lord of the Wind Pavilion on the mainland has become even more uncontrollable!

As for why the four Lords of the Pavilion are so beloved by the people, we have to go back forty years ago...

Over forty years ago, the Blood Shadow Emperor opened a passage from Hell to the mortal world through Blood City.

Countless demonic creatures swarmed out, causing a wail of despair throughout the world!

Fortunately, the four outstanding leaders of the Four Pavilions and the eight minor sects united together to jointly attack the Blood Shadow Emperor.

Finally, they managed to drive him all the way back to Blood City with the help of the secret spells of the Grand Sorcerer Bloodyan together with the techniques they had gathered, closing the gates of Hell once again!

There, with the chirping of birds and the fragrance of flowers, a quiet path between the trees, as if someone had cleaned it regularly, divided the forest.

Following the rocks all the way to the front, one would see a peaceful golden-topped pavilion hidden among the mountains.

*cough cough*

At this moment, even a hunched old man was sitting in front of the golden roof of the building, clearing his throat.

Glancing at the sunrise about to rise, he thought to himself.

It's not early anymore, it's time to wake up those little devils!

So, the old man smoothed his white beard, stood up, cleaned his dusty dark golden robe, and asked the disciple who was dusting in the study to wake everyone up.

*cough cough cough* "That's enough, enough... Yu Nai, all the dust is on me!"

"Ah... Master? I... I didn't mean to, I'm really sorry!"

The golden-haired girl was dusting off the accumulated dust in the study, and because Master was almost as tall as a child, she didn't notice him.

The girl walked out of the library somewhat sulkily, and the old man's serious expression softened.

But as soon as he brushed off the dust from his silk robe, it was covered in dust again!

Looking at Yu Nai's departing figure, the old man was somewhat speechless, then with his hands behind his back, he shook his head and sighed, "Sigh, young people these days are so impulsive!"

Ye Juxi, Zhao Yu Nai, and Ling Yukari were the three apprentices that the old man had taken under his wing.

Ye Juxi and Zhao Yu Nai were orphans adopted by the old man, but Ling Yukari was the old man's own granddaughter, so naturally became the eldest senior sister.

Although the peak of Mount Qingshui Immortal was relatively spacious, there were five large and small peaks here.

The East Peak was used for practice grounds.

The West Peak was for bathing, resting, and relaxing.

The Central Peak was for the disciples' dormitory.

The North Peak served as the entrance heavily trapped by the traps set by the old man.

Lastly, there was the topmost peak of Mount Qingshui, the South Peak, which was also the place where books were stored!

The old man's surname was Ling, his name was Yizi! It is said that he chose this secluded place because he was tired of the world's disputes and came here to cultivate his mind and body, and as for taking in disciples... it was just a side issue.

Sigh, the heart of slaughter should not yet exist, only because it's hard to let go...

Every morning, the first thing the old man said after gathering his disciples in front of the library was to warn and admonish everyone, that martial arts were not for showing off or proving how powerful one is!

A true knight must have a heart of benevolence, and extraordinary skills are not meant for petty theft.

Instead, it is to punish evil and help those in need.

"Do you all understand?"

"Disciple listens attentively to Master's teachings!"

At this moment, Senior Sister Yukari and Second Senior Sister Yu Nai would always respond solemnly to Ling Yizi, but there was always a mischievous person meddling in.

"Got it~!" Ye Juxi impatiently replied, "So naggy, saying the same thing every morning, my ears are calloused!"

"……"

Clearly hearing Ling Yizi's beard quiver in anger, even his cane almost broke!

"Nonsense!! Truly uncarved wood cannot be made into anything of value… How about this, it will be you next time to go on the journey of cultivation!"

"Ah…?"

Upon hearing Ling Yizi's words, Juxi immediately gaped in disbelief, pointing to himself and speaking hesitantly.

"Are you asking me to go down the mountain this time? Really?"

After all, he was the wildest one on normal days, running around all day and upsetting the peace of Qingshui Mountain!

Excitedly, he picked up Ling Yizi and started spinning in the air, exclaiming cheerfully, "Master, are you really letting me leave the mountain?"

"Ugh, my old bones are about to fall apart… you brat, let go quick!"

Frustrated, Ling Yizi jumped up and smacked Juxi's head hard with his palm.

"Because I see you working harder in your training than others on ordinary days, I am letting you go down the mountain for a month of trials. During this month, you must listen to Commander Jiang Hai of the guard team in Qinghai Village at the foot of the mountain. Whatever he asks you to do, you must do!"

"Ah? So, if he asks me to serve tea, am I supposed to do it obediently too?"

Juxi asked embarrassedly, but he had to follow the Master's words, as the next trip down the mountain was not easy.

"Of course," Ling Yizi added with a wry smile, "I can't just let a little rascal like you go down the mountain without supervision. Yukari will go with you!"

"Yes!"

Just as Ling Yizi finished speaking, Senior Sister Yukari immediately stood up, bowing to express her willingness to go down the mountain with him.

At this point, Juxi could only mumble a response.

"…Yes… Master."

"Well, the two of you should go back and prepare quickly today. We will set off tomorrow morning, and we should reach the coast by nightfall."

Under Ling Yizi's urging, Second Senior Sister Yu Nai changed into a light white robe with a big "wind" character embroidered on the back.

"Alright, the rest of the disciples of Fengling Pavilion, continue with your training!"

After being dismissed by Master Ling Yizi, on the way back to the dormitory, Juxi kept complaining to Senior Sister Ling about how petty and strange their Master was.

"Master, he… (thousands of words omitted here)"

"Mm."

Senior Sister Ling didn't say much along the way, just continuously nodding.

It was Juxi who kept rambling to Yukari, as if Master was always deliberately picking on him.

"Like last time, I just wanted to go play in the library, but then Master scolded me harshly, while you guys had no problem."

"Uh, but last time, weren't you doing more than just playing around?"

"Uh, why are you talking now, Senior Sister… Are you okay?"

Every time Juxi spoke, she would only respond with "Mm," but this time she actually returned a full sentence, giving him a sense of unparalleled glory.

"What's wrong? Am I acting strange?"

"No, it's just that you're always silent, but why now…"

"I say you're just being deliberately difficult!"

Senior Sister couldn't stand Juxi's behavior, and the other senior brothers and junior brothers could all see it too.

But for some reason, this dislike was often mixed with a touch of resentment! Perhaps only Juxi was completely unaware of it all?

Senior Sister clenched her fists, glared at the still smiling Juxi with a dark expression on her face.

The anger in her heart finally erupted completely!

"Why did Grandpa... why did he have to pass it on to someone like you!"