Xiyun enters the Front gate and she could see a lot of the famous people in Jianghu, the great elders from many sects.

The schools from the east, south, west and north, no matter what rank, gathered here in this gathering.

Xiyun is also curious what kind of gathering is this?

Then a voice can be heard from afar, clear, although not too loud it managed to show the man impressive inner energy.

‘Xiantian Manor, Gu Fu, welcomes the White Lotus Sect, Xiao Juetian.’ The man then proceeded to greet each and every one of the heroes and then he welcomes Xiyun

‘Xiantian Manor, welcomes Mu Xiyun of the All-Conquering Sect!’ and Xiyun could see many of the venomous gaze looking at her and she ignores all of it.

‘It is really a pleasure to meet one of the Immortals disciples.’ Gu Fu said cupping his ahnd in respect. Xiyun smiles and returned the reply with courteous words.

‘Are you also coming here for the Ice Heart Manuals?’ Hearing this Xiyun is shocked.

Ice Heart Manuals?

What is that? Isn’t this meeting is for Ermeishan act of robbing the Five Finger Peak? What is this about Ice Heart Manuals?

Xiyun is shocked because it is not what she expected but she did not show it in her expression.

‘No, no, I just come here to see the gathering.’ Some snorted in the back; some looked at her in suspicion.

Xiyun began feeling that this is beginning to feel like she has stepped onto something dangerous.

She is not coming here about some manuals; she is just coming here to know about the location of her sister.

But now hearing about manuals how could her heart be calm? It’s not her first time in Jianghu.

When manuals are mentioned usually people would not come in drove like this unless the manual is truly extraordinary

She then proceeded to the seats, trying to ease her bad feelings. Then one of the men in the crowd yelled

‘Martial Sister Xiyun, are you coming here to cause trouble? Killing people like dogs, painting the Heaven Peak with blood, rampaging through the Earth, Heaven have no eyes. You are the enmies of all righteous heroes. I challenge you to a duel right here, right now.’

Xiyun looked at the man and she snorted. It’s Shun Liang.

Some of the other young people in the other sect also rise up from their seat, ready to sheathe their blade at a moment notice, their bloodlust is evident.

Clearly Shun Liang and this other young heroes know each other and share each other concerns

But Xiyun was calm. Messing with me? You do not dare messing with my master, but you think you could bully me? Hmph. My name is not Xiyun if I retreat back. She inwardly though clearly she is angry

‘HMPH!’ She snorted in derision.

‘All the waters in the world, none more than in the sea, thousands rivers flow here, not knowing when they could stop but not overflow. Walking a thousand miles, would not match its immensity, climb up a thousand steps, would not match its depth. The scholar walks, the scholar moves faster, the scholar dashes, the scholar like a spirit flies into the distance, disappearing just as I look up’ then saying this she smiles bitterly and continues by shaking her head with an extreme regret on her face and a hint of yearning.

‘My master doesn’t even have to fly. He simply needs to walk for me to fall behind.’

Xiyun started by praising her great master.

Hearing this high estimation for her teacher, some of the elders could not help but nodded.

Her master needs to simply walk for her to be left behind… describe her yearning for her master unparalleled techniques.

All the waters in the world, none more than in the sea, thousands rivers flow here, not knowing when they could stop but not overflow.

These describe her renowned master in the control of internal energy.

Walking a thousand miles, would not match its immensity, climb up a thousand steps, would not match its depth.

These words described her master bottomless, unparalleled martial arts perfectly. It is clear no one would refute any of the praise Xiyun has said.

The Central Celestial has proven himself beyond any doubt. Then she continued.

‘Fighting the Immortals, Painting the Heaven Peak red, Reigning supreme in Jianghu, traversing without obstacle. When my Master came, people should kneel, heaven should obey. If you dare to seek vengeance, my master can always be found in his home, why not pay him a visit? Then let see if you dare spout that word again. Kneeling in front of the strong, showing bravery in front of the weak, is this a conduct of a hero? In front of my master, in one move your head will fly. Fearing death, you challenge this Junior. Teacher did not yet allow this Junior shows his technique in Jianghu, this disciple does not dare disobey. If any of the young hero today, is asking redress for the matter in Heaven Peak then let me fetch my master.’

Hearing this Shun Liang was angry at first hearing her calling him a coward subtly and then he sweat cold sweats of fear.

If Xiyun really called her teacher, how could they survive?

The others look at Shun Liang with blame. If Xiyun really calls her teacher, won’t they also be implicated?

Who would want to provoke such calamity?

Many of the young hero gathering today, was present in the Battle at the Heaven Peak.

They see the destruction of the Heaven Peak, the mutilated bodies, the blood that flowed down the rocky walls of the mountains.

How could they dare seek vengeance?

‘Liang-er, shut your mouth!’ one of the elders rebuked. The elders is already trembling with fear, shivering with fear remembering what happen at the Peak.

They do not dare offend the Central Celestial.

‘How about it?’ Xiyun smiles a wicked smile.

‘Should I call my Teacher? Should I not? Young Hero Liang please tell me, what should I do? Since you are burning with a righteous heart and want to seek vengeance for the juniors of your sect, I should respect that right? Even if you died, you would not blame this Junior right?’

Shun Liang was about to say something but is quickly cut off by Xiyun.

‘Of course not! Young Hero Liang is a man of his word, a valiant hero in Jianghu, fearless and powerful. Even though if he dies, surely Young Hero Liang would die smiling trying to avenge his juniors. Dying and accompanying his junior sisters, what more could be asked, right Young Hero Liang?’

And Xiyun laugh a hearty laugh. Wanting to mess with me? Let me see how you will get out of this mess. I will let you sweat it a bit before making you calm again.

‘YOU!’ One of the young heroes also stands up. Zhu Wu from Taojing pointed his finger at Xiyun, his face was menacing.

But then he quickly endures his anger and change his tone to a consoling one.

‘All Conquering Sect should be of the righteous sect. Young Hero Liang does not mean to offend Central Celestial Elder. Martial Sister Xiyun should not have been too harsh.’

Zhu Wu tries to give pressure to her to end this.

‘Hmph’ she snorted.

Their banter is becoming a spectacle. Xiyun standing there loftily, her black clothing and her bravery is one that young hero should emulate.

‘All Conquering sect a righteous sect? Who told you that?’ She shot back.

Hearing this Zhu Wu is tongue tied. That right? Who told him that? No one. He assumes it as so.

Why? Because why would anyone like to be called the evil sect. It just seems logical, that someone as imposing and influential as Central Celestial Elder should be from the righteous faction.

‘Then are your sect one of the evil sects?’ one of the people from the Bloody Dagger ask.

‘Hmph!’ She snorted again, this time she look at the direction of the man that was shouting.

‘And mingle with the likes of you?’ She said arrogantly. The man from the Bloody Dagger was red with embarrassment.

‘My teacher does as he pleases. If he wants to do good, who dares do evil? If he want to do evil, who dare tries stop him? Righteous or evil what does that have to do with you? It is my sect, not yours! When did the Jianghu likes to meddle with the matter of other people sect! And when did I become your martial sister! Martial sister, martial sister! Hmph! People are shameless.’

She rebuked Zhu Wu and the man from the Bloody Dagger simultaneously

Xu Feng seeing that this argument is getting heated then said as he enters the courtyard. His voice reverberated inside the courtyard with an aura that could calm even the most angriest emotions.

‘Enmity and resentment, leave it at the front gate. If there is to be talk about enmity, then leave this place and settle your score outside. Today is a special day for Xiantian Manor. I hope all the heroes of Jianghu will give me face’ he said cupping his hand to the area of the sect leaders.

The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

The Sect leader and elders looking at Xu Feng also cupped their fist and bow slightly.

‘Young Hero Shun Liang, Zhu Wu, sit down and apologize.’ They hesitated but under the stern gaze of their elders they said

‘Let us settle our differences later’ Shun Liang said, his eyes looked menacingly at Xiyun.

‘Hmph’ Xiyun snorted, her mood is sour and she could not be bother by their insincere apology.

She sits down at her seat.

Then Xu Feng come and stands in the middle of the courtyard, smiling and full with joy and said.

‘As everyone knows, you all come here for the first piece of the Ice Heart Manual.’

The people cheered. They all are excited and could not wait to see the manual even though they know they have to enter the competition.

Xiyun on the other was puzzled and in confusion but she did not say anything. Since she was already here, she might as well found out what manual this manual is.

‘Tell us the story!’ One of the people in the crowds said and other follows.

Some people that seek the Ice Heart Manuals also know of the heartrending story behind the Manual and lovers in Ming Continent who travelled the Jianghu, always tell the story between the Ancient Tomb Sect founder and the two young gentlemen from Wudang and Tangmen.

Xiyun also wanted to know. Because she didn’t know the story. Some elder who have set on a journey to Ming has also heard the famous story.

The Ming Continent is the holy land for Eastian since their ancestor originated from there but as far as the Human Continent is concerned, they don’t know where the Ming Continent is.

And they mostly don’t care. For the Caelum their ancestry began on the Holy Land of Aralam and the Second City.

(It wasn’t until Novus Gaia that Arial found the Ming continent. Before that moment, any Eastian who wanted to go back to their ancestral homeland need to steer their own ship to the unknown seas and hope for the best)

For Eastian, it is Ancient Xia.

She is also curious. What is Ice Heart Manual and why was it so sought after that so many young heroes from great schools and sect would gather here?

And it seems that there is a story about this Ice Heart Manual, which makes Xiyun even more curios.

‘I will tell you all the story of this manual and how our Xiantian Manor managed to acquire one part of the Ice Heart Manual.’

Xu Feng said smiling from ear to ear. Then he began telling the story and Xiyun began paying attention.

‘Ice Heart Manual is one of the most coveted martial art manual in the world next to the Three Great manuals. This part is one of three parts of the Ice Heart Manuals from the Xiao family. Xiao family youngest daughter was a great prodigy of martial art in the holy land of our Han people. Xiao family also regularly meets with the hermit experts in the Ancient Tomb Sect, not far away from Mount Zhongnan.’

Hearing the name Ancient tomb sect, some of the elders gasped in shock and awe.

‘Ancient Tomb Sect is very reclusive. The Quanzhen Sect and Ancient Tomb Sect in the old days were very powerful. Xiao Chaofeng was the founder of this sect and she was the one who created Ice Heart Manuals, thousands of years ago.’

And hearing this some of the elders nodded, some have already close their eyes, remembering the old story of the Ancient tomb Sect.

For the old generation they clearly know the famous story of the White Haired Chaofeng and the Hidden Weapon Master, Tang Yuan.

‘A tragedy, a tragedy.’ One of the elder speaks shaking his head. Some elders also nodding their head in agreement

Xu Feng then tells the story

‘The story goes that, when she was young, this founder of the sect fall in love with a wandering martial artist. Unfortunately the man was Tang Yuan. Tang Yuan was the heir to the Tangmen Sect. The righteous sect at the time could not accept that such a beauty like Xiao Chaofeng, whose beauty could be said to topple kingdoms, who is also from the righteous side, would fall in love with a man from the evil sect and did all they can to separate the two.’

The young hearing this story is particularly affected with the story and imagines the appearance of main characters.

Each one tries to imagine the beauty of Xiao Chaofeng. Could she look like Ariana on the Great Dark Lands or like Rhyssa on the Desert of Renasia?

Xu Feng continued his story

‘Xiao Chaofeng has an admirer, a very close friend from Wudang who wanted her hand for marriage. When the young hero heard that the woman he loved, has given her heart to another he was devastated and decided to confront Tang Yuan and tell him to forget his love, that not only this is bigger that the matter of their hearts but also concerned the Jianghu factions. They decided to fight in a duel on the top of Mount Hua without the knowledge of Xiao Chaofeng. For three days and three nights they duel on top of the Mountain, thousands of strokes exchanged, countless of strikes levied onto each other, the land breaks apart, the mountains was full with holes and large craters, like gods has been battling, and the energy on the mountain was a chaos. Rend apart the earth, sunder the heavens, this is the apt description’

Xu Feng exclaimed with an awed look, like he himself is looking at that battle right now as he is telling the story.

Hearing this the young generation could not help but feel awed. This time they tried to imagine what the battle of this great heroes look like.

Countless of strikes exchanged, movement technique that would surpass them, strikes that could shakes mountains, attack technique that would be very exquisite and they all take a deep breath and admire these old heroes that lived centuries before.

‘Wudang and Tangmen nearly went to war when they all went to the mountain peak to watch the result of the battle. Their duel nearly sparked the Jianghu to great conflict. In the end, Young Hero of Wudang was killed by a Golden Flower, one of the many Tangmen Sect weapons, while Tang Yuan of Tangmen was killed by a great palm attack.’

Hearing this the young generation gasped. To think the story ended like this.But the story is not ending yet.

Xu Feng continued his story.

‘When Xiao Chaofeng arrived at the battle sites, she grieved and screamed. The mountain shakes, birds and beast shrieks in pain, hearing her screams. One is the person he loves, another is her friend. She grieved for three days and three nights at Mount Hua peak until her hair turns white and her eyes turn cold. After burying the two bodies, she went into seclusion and for 50 years she did not come out from the Ancient Tomb Sect. When she came out, her hair was white like snow, her eyes were cold but surprisingly, her face looks the same and she became a  pinnacle expert for martial art. It was during that time Ice Heart Manuals were created. Freezing hearts, killing without a sound, never shedding blood, the essence of the Ice Heart Manuals is extreme Ying.’

Hearing this story everyone is enchanted. They all have their own version in their mind of how that fight would be…and the subsequent event in their minds.

Wudang and Tangmen even now is illustrious martial art school and imagining the young hero of Wudang fighting the young hero of Tangmen, in Mount Hua peak, one uses palm attack another uses variety of hidden weapons, what a spectacle it would be!

Then, they imagine and sympathizes for Xiao Chaofeng.

Grieving for three days and three night, hair turns white, eyes turns cold, freezing her own hearts, seclusion for 50 years, the death of her lover and friend must have taken a toll to her mind.

Xu Feng looking at the enchanted look on the face of the young generation smiles. This story is one of the famous story involving the Ice Heart Manuals.

Then he spoke.

‘Xiantian Manor, thanks everyone for coming and hope everyone is ready for the main event.’

The elders from the sect all smiles and nodded.

‘Let us begin! Xu Feng yelled and then another gate was opened and Xu Feng led the elders to enter the courtyard.

When Xiyun enters she could see a large stage is prepared and there is chair everywhere.

And the chairs are separated by many tents and there is one for each school. Even her school is represented and there is one chair under a large tent.

There is also even for the guest who had nothing to do with the Ice Heart Manuals and just came to see the Ice Heart Manuals.

Still she did not understand why there is a large stage until Xu Feng words finally made her realize.

‘Let us begins the competition!’ And then there is a deafening cheer and she was thinking to herself.

What did I get involved in?

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