The Tongxuan Continent. A land blessed with outstanding talent and abundant spiritual energy. Here stood nine main peaks arranged in a ring — this was once the legendary Nine Heavens Holy Land, supreme in martial prowess and unmatched in the number of powerful experts across the entire continent.
However, some years ago, the people of the Nine Heavens Holy Land had vanished without a trace, and no one knew where they had gone.
Some claimed their master had led them into the vast Star Field. Others whispered that they had provoked a fearsome existence and been annihilated down to the last person. Rumors ran wild, but no one truly knew what had happened.
Regardless, the Nine Heavens Holy Land had become masterless.
Numerous sects and clans set their sights on this treasure trove. After the Holy Land's disciples disappeared, countless skirmishes erupted over the territory, claiming uncountable lives.
In the end, the prize fell into the hands of two cultivators named Lin Yuhao and Yi Zhengkai.
Both were the sort who wandered like free-spirited cranes — their names unknown to the wider world, unconcerned with worldly affairs, caring only for poetry, wine, and beautiful company. Their life's ambition had always been to roam the continent and take in the sights of every land.
Passing by the Nine Heavens Holy Land by chance one day and finding the area rich with spiritual energy and blessed with gorgeous scenery, they had simply claimed it for themselves without a second thought.
Both were third-level Emperor Realm powerhouses — what could those insignificant sects and clans do to resist? Reluctant as they were, they had no choice but to withdraw.
Once settled in, a few years had passed. The two had grown accustomed to the place and ended up staying, never leaving.
At this moment, on one of the nine main peaks, the pair sat facing each other inside a pavilion, brewing tea and discussing the Dao, utterly at ease.
Inside the pavilion, over a dozen gracefully figure young maidens attended them. Their lovely eyes shimmered with an unmistakable adoration as they gazed at the two men. These girls had all been rescued by Lin Yuhao and Yi Zhengkai during their travels — some orphaned and homeless, others bullied by villains with no power to fight back.
The two men were carefree by nature, uninterested in competing with others or entangling themselves in worldly disputes. They cut striking, dashing figures, and despite their peak Emperor Realm cultivation, they were approachable and warm. It was only natural that these young women had come to admire and worship them.
At this moment, a chessboard sat on the stone table before them, black and white stones interwoven in complex patterns. Their style of play mirrored their temperament — the board held not a trace of ruthlessness. Numerous encirclement-without-slaughter positions left onlookers breathless with admiration.
"Brother Yi, I heard word the other day that the Money Sect was also wiped out by those people of unknown origin," Lin Yuhao said, elegantly placing a stone on the board, a faint trace of worry between his brows. "Three thousand members in the sect — some dead, some fled, and the rest apparently enslaved. Those outsiders are truly despicable."
Yi Zhengkai held a stone between his fingers without letting it drop, raising his head to glance at Lin Yuhao. "Brother Lin, are you thinking of leaving the mountain?"
Lin Yuhao gave a light laugh, flicking open his folding fan and wafting it casually. "When you and I became sworn brothers all those years ago, we swore an oath — to live only for freedom in this lifetime, to shed no blood, and to face heavenly lightning if we broke that vow. The chaos beyond these peaks, the horrors, the destruction of families — what has that to do with us?"
"Is that truly what Brother Lin thinks?" Yi Zhengkai regarded him with a half-smile, cutting straight to the heart of it. "I'm afraid not. You've been restless these past few days — even your chess has changed."
Lin Yuhao lowered his head and studied the board, then gave a sheepish laugh. "Ha, you're right about that. That last stone was placed in the wrong spot."
"No, Brother Lin didn't place it wrong. It's just that… there's killing intent in your heart now!" As he spoke, Yi Zhengkai placed his stone with a solemn expression, and in an instant, the atmosphere across the entire board shifted dramatically — from tranquil calm to bone-chilling murderous intent, as though the cold killing aura might burst forth from the board itself and soar into the heavens.
Lin Yuhao's expression shifted slightly, and he said evenly, "And what about you, Brother Yi?"
Yi Zhengkai burst into hearty laughter. "We truly are brothers — even our thoughts are the same."
Lin Yuhao sighed softly. "All these years, we've cared only for our own amusement, never sparing a thought for the lives and deaths of others on this continent. Even these girls…" He glanced at the maidens surrounding them, a flicker of guilt crossing his face. "The only reason we brought them back was because we simply couldn't stand watching anymore. We've spent the better half of our lives in leisure, and sometimes I wonder — is this kind of life truly good enough?"
"Back when the Bone Clan rose, we did nothing. It was the combined strength of the human, demon, and monster tribes, led by the master of the Nine Heavens Holy Land, who defeated the invaders and defended this land. Without that master and those experts from the three tribes, how could we have continued our carefree existence? We'd have been devoured by the Bone Clan until not even our bones remained, let be sitting here today brewing tea and discussing the Dao."
"Exactly." Yi Zhengkai nodded. "What Brother Lin is thinking is precisely what has been weighing on my own heart. Back then… we should have stood with the human, demon, and monster tribes. Even if we had perished, we would have had nothing to reproach ourselves for."
"Every time I think back on those events, my heart is uneasy," Lin Yuhao said, a guilty smile on his face. "The peace this continent enjoys was purchased with their lives, and yet we have squandered it freely. But we… what right did we have?"
Yi Zhengkai narrowed his eyes. "Now an opportunity has come. Will Brother Lin join me in following the example of the Nine Heavens Holy Land's master, and make amends for that regret we carry?"
"Of course!" Lin Yuhao shot to his feet, his voice ringing with heroic fervor. "This continent gave me life and raised me — how can I stand by and watch those outsiders run roughshod over it? In this day and age, we two are the strongest cultivators in existence. If we don't step forward, who else can raise this banner?"
"Well said!" Yi Zhengkai slammed his palm on the table and stood. "Since Brother Lin has made his decision, then I will risk my life to support him to the fullest!"
"Just the two of you?" A contemptuous voice suddenly rang out.
Lin Yuhao and Yi Zhengkai, brimming with passion and righteous fire, felt as though a bucket of ice water had been dumped over them. Their expressions changed in an instant as they whipped their heads around, scanning their surroundings. "Who's skulking out there?" they demanded.