I Have the Martial Arts Heavenly Eye in the Storm Riders

Iron Heart Island, thousands of miles away.

The raging sea surges and crashes against the shore, churning up thousands of piles of snow.

Beside the sword-forging furnace in the heart of the island, raging flames and waves of heat scorched this land.

An old man, shirtless, with muscles that, though aged, still resembled cast bronze. He wielded a massive hammer, relentlessly and madly pounding the red-hot iron block on the anvil.

"Clang! Clang! Clang!"

The sound of metal clashing against metal pierced through stone and sparks flew everywhere, as if even the void itself was about to be ignited by the terrifying heat.

The old man had white hair and beard, and a resolute face, yet deep within his bloodshot eyes, there was an undeniable hint of withering and sickness.

This man is none other than the world-renowned master swordsmith—Iron God!

"Island Master, you've been fighting for so long, your health is important, why don't you take a break?"

Beside him stood a thin, elderly man with a long mustache—

Looking at the Iron God's sweat-drenched, swaying figure, Xin Shi finally couldn't help but bow and offer his advice.

Iron God's giant hammer did not stop, its sound booming like a bell, yet it could not conceal his weakness and lack of energy.

"No! The art of forging is my lifeblood!"

With each strike of his hammer, the anvil emitted a dull groan, causing the ground to tremble slightly.

"Only the sound of blacksmithing can make this old man feel that he is still alive."

At this point, Iron God's breathing suddenly became heavier, and the veins on his arms bulged, as if each hammer blow was draining his last bit of life force.

"If we stop now, this momentum will dissipate, and I'm afraid I won't be able to withstand this illness any longer!"

He swung his hammer down hard, sparks flying and illuminating his pale but resolute face.

"I must hold on!"

"Once Kong'er finds and brings back the peerless sword, my illness will be cured!"

Upon hearing this, Xin Shi's eyes flashed with a hint of reluctance, and he lowered his head, saying:

"Island Lord, rest assured, Kong'er is blessed with good fortune and will surely bring back an unparalleled sword..."

Even so, his gaze involuntarily fell on the slightly trembling wrist of the Iron God as he struck the Iron Mother with his hammer.

It fluctuated a bit more than last month.

time is limited.

Just then, a loud eagle cry pierced the sky, piercing through the clouds and splitting the rocks.

A magnificent black eagle swooped down like an arrow, landing steadily on the envoy's shoulder. Its talons gripped firmly like iron hooks, the force precise and powerful, clearly indicating that it was a highly trained carrier eagle.

The messenger took the eagle-legged letter tube, unfolded the letter, and his previously solemn expression immediately turned to joy:

"Island Master! It's a message from Kong'er via carrier pigeon!"

"Oh? There's news from Kong'er?" Upon hearing this, Tie Shen finally paused, his giant hammer momentarily halting, and turned around urgently.

"Read it quickly! What does the letter say?"

He read ten lines at a glance and said respectfully:

"Reporting to the Island Master, Kong'er said in his letter that he has found out the whereabouts of the peerless sword—it is now in the hands of Duan Lang of Tianshan."

"Duan Lang?" Tie Shen frowned slightly.

"Is it Duan Lang, the one who once wreaked havoc at the World Society?"

"It is this person."

The mind envoy nodded and continued reciting:

"Kong'er also said in his letter that he was always concerned about the island lord's health and would get the peerless sword as soon as possible to rush back to Iron Heart Island to heal the island lord."

A hint of relief finally appeared on Iron God's resolute face:

"Excellent! Excellent! Kong'er has indeed not disappointed this old man!"

As he spoke, he couldn't help but cough twice.

The cough was muffled, as if it came from deep within the chest, carrying a long-suppressed sense of decay.

The Heart Envoy and the Divine Warrior beside him exchanged a glance, both seeing the same worry in each other's eyes—

The island owner's health was far worse than he appeared.

"Island Lord," the Divine Martial Envoy, who had been standing silently to the side, suddenly spoke, his voice deep and resonant.

"Tianshan Duanlang is not someone to be trifled with."

"What if something goes wrong while Kong'er is out alone?"

"Should I send men to meet them?"

Iron God pondered for a moment, then turned his gaze to the Mind Envoy:

"Mind Envoy, what do you think?"

The Heart Sage stroked his long beard, a glint of light flashing in his eyes, and slowly shook his head:

"I don't think it's necessary."

"Although Kong'er is young, he is not bad in martial arts or intellect."

"Besides, he also has Huai Mie and Bai Ling by his side."

He held up one finger and analyzed:

"Huai Mie is skilled in martial arts and acts decisively; Bai Ling is meticulous and shrewd."

"Even if Duan Lang had three heads and six arms, the three of them working together might not come out on top."

Then he raised his second finger:

"Furthermore, sending people there in a grand manner would easily alert them and attract the covetous eyes of various martial arts factions."

"The reputation of the peerless sword is too great. The fewer people who know about it, the safer Kong'er and the others will be."

Iron God nodded slightly:

"What the mind says makes sense."

"In that case, let the three of you go all out and fight."

He paused, a flicker of fanaticism, the kind only a swordsmith possessed, flashing across his aged face:

"but--"

He raised the giant hammer again, and the fire in his tiger eyes reignited.

"Go and write back to Kong'er, telling him to go and take it without worry."

"I'll wait for him to return by this stove!"

"Even if the sky falls, I will not fall before this iron mother!"

"Clang! Clang! Clang!"

The deafening clang of blacksmithing echoed through the sky once more, as if proclaiming to the world the indomitable spirit and unwavering dedication of a master.

Xin Shi gazed at the Iron God's hunched back as he desperately swung his hammer, his lips moved, but he said nothing in the end. He simply took a half step back, folded the letter, and put it into his sleeve.

He knew that although the island owner spoke with great bravado, no one could say for sure how long he could hold on given his current physical condition.

Kong'er...you'd better come back soon.

At the foot of the Tianshan Mountains lies Tianyin City.

Although it is a bitterly cold place in the far north, the city is now exceptionally prosperous due to the fame of the Heavenly Realm, attracting merchants and travelers and bustling with activity.

In a corner of the city, there was a simple open-air tavern.

A few crooked wooden pillars support a small oilcloth shed, which can't keep out the wind or snow, but it has the advantage of good wine and hot food at reasonable prices, making it a popular resting place for travelers.

A young man dressed in coarse linen clothes was drinking alone at a table.

His face was resolute, his brows exuded a righteous aura, and he sat upright with his back straight, clearly a trained martial artist.

Beside him was a long, black iron box, heavy and obviously not light.

This person is none other than Huai Kong, the second disciple of Iron Heart Island.

He sat alone in a corner, ordered a pot of liquor and two small dishes, and while drinking, he subtly observed the wandering swordsmen coming and going in the tavern.

Senior Brother Huai Mie and Junior Sister Bai Ling are still on their way and have not yet arrived in Tianyin City.

He then went ahead and waited there alone, taking the opportunity to find out the details of the Outer Heaven.

Before setting off from Tiexin Island, his master, Tie Shen, despite his illness, personally escorted him to the dock and solemnly patted him on the shoulder.

"Kong'er, I entrust my life to you."

Huai Kong still remembers the look in his master's eyes when he said those words—

Those once fierce and powerful eyes, now clouded and dimmed by illness, suddenly lit up for a moment when the words "peerless sword" were mentioned.

That instant of light burned Huai Kong's heart and head.

He lowered his head and took a sip of wine. The liquor was spicy, and it felt like a fire line going down his throat.

We must bring the sword back.

"Excuse me, there are no seats available. Could you share a seat with me?"

A gentle, warm voice suddenly rang out.

Huai Kong looked up and saw a young man in white standing in front of the table.

The young man was tall and slender, dressed in a pristine white robe, exuding an indescribable composure and serenity.

That kind of temperament isn't something you can fake—

Huai Kong had seen many pretentious charlatans, but this person in front of him was different.

He just stood there casually, as if the entire tavern, the entire street, and the entire Tianyin City had nothing to do with him. He just happened to be passing by, happened to be thirsty, and happened to see an empty chair.

Huai Kong was easygoing by nature, and upon hearing this, he did not refuse, but simply laughed heartily and gestured with his hand:

"It is fate that we meet, please make yourself at home, brother."

Thank you.

The young man in white didn't stand on ceremony. He lifted his robe, sat down, and asked the shopkeeper to add a bowl and chopsticks, as well as a pot of warm wine.

His movements were as natural as if he were at home.

After the wine was served, the young man in white poured himself a cup, first bringing it to his nose to sniff it lightly, then frowning slightly before smiling with a relieved expression and drinking it all in one gulp.

"Brother, you certainly have a good capacity for alcohol."

Huai Kong chuckled as he watched him drink.

The young man in white put down his cup, his gaze casually sweeping over the iron box beside Huai Kong, and spoke seemingly nonchalantly:

"The thing in that iron box next to you has a rather menacing aura."

"Carrying such a weapon on the road, he must not be an ordinary person in the martial arts world, right?"

Huai Kong's expression changed drastically.

The iron box was sealed tightly, and from the outside it looked like an ordinary black iron box. The Heavenly Sin contained inside had never revealed even the slightest trace of its aura.

This person could sense things even through the iron box?!

He subconsciously pulled the iron box closer to his side, his gaze suddenly sharpening as he re-examined the smiling young man in white before him.

"Brother, you jest." Huai Kong forced a dry laugh, barely managing to maintain his composure.

"It's just a tool for making a living, not a weapon."

The young man in white didn't expose him, but simply smiled meaningfully, poured himself another glass of wine, and cast his gaze towards the towering Tian Shan main peak in the distance, a half-smile playing on his lips:

"You're heading up to the Tianshan Mountains this time, aren't you?"

Huai Kong's hand, holding the cup, paused slightly.

His gaze sharpened instantly as he warily glanced at the young man in white.

But the other person's eyes were clear and open, revealing no malice whatsoever.

Huai Kong considered his words carefully before replying:

"That's right, I was ordered by my master to visit an old friend in the Outer Heavens."

"Old friend?"

The young man in white smiled slightly, a knowing look on his face. He didn't press for details about who this "old friend" was, but instead picked up his wine glass, seemingly talking to his reflection in it:

"Tianwaitian has never really interfered in the affairs of the martial world, and Master Duan rarely shows his face."

"But this person's temper..."

He chuckled softly, as if he had thought of something amusing.

"...Quite easygoing."

"It's fine for you to catch up, but if you ask for something that upsets him—"

At this point, he changed the subject, his gaze casually sweeping over the iron box beside Huai Kong:

"You have a good temper, you should be fine."

"I'm just worried that the person going with you won't be as reliable as you."

"What if my words offend that Sect Leader Duan..."

He didn't finish his sentence; he simply shook his head slightly.

The unspoken ending is more chilling than the spoken one.

Huai Kong's heart sank suddenly.

He was not alone on this trip; his senior brother Huai Mie and junior sister Bai Ling were still on their way and had not yet arrived, so he was waiting here alone.

But how did this young man in white know that he had someone with him?

What made him even more uneasy was—

Senior Brother Huai Mie's personality was indeed as the white-robed youth described: arrogant, conceited, and never holding back with his words.

If he were to "visit" Duan Lang this time, given his senior brother's temper, he would probably offend him to death with his very first words.

If Duan Lang is indeed as formidable as the young man in white implied...

Huai Kong felt increasingly uneasy and quickly pressed for answers:

How did you know I had colleagues with me?

"Do you know my senior brother?"

The young man in white had already put down his wine glass and slowly stood up.

He casually placed a small silver ingot on the table, didn't even ask for change, stood with his hands behind his back, and his clothes fluttered in the mountain wind.

"We just happened to have a drink together, and we've said everything we needed to say."

He turned his head and took one last look at Huai Kong, his gaze calm and profound, as if he were standing at a very high place looking down at the world.

"The road to Tianshan is difficult to travel, and the wind and snow are unpredictable."

"Be careful."

After speaking, the young man in white turned around and stepped into the bustling crowd.

"Brother! Please wait!"

Huai Kong suddenly stood up and chased after her, but in just a few breaths, the white figure seemed to melt into the crowd—

Even though the streets were full of people, and he was dressed in such conspicuous white clothes, Huai Kong stared wide-eyed and looked around, but there was no trace of the young man in white.

There was no explosive gust of wind, no exaggerated afterimages—

They just disappeared so naturally, as if they had never sat at this table at all.

He stood there, stunned, his brow furrowed.

Then he discovered something even more terrifying—

He tried hard to recall the appearance of the young man in white, but to his horror, he found that his mind was completely blank.

That face was right there, just a foot away, sitting face to face with him for a short while, yet he couldn't remember what the person's features looked like.

Are your eyebrows thick or thin?

Is your nose straight or flat?

What color are your eyes?

Blank.

It was as if the conversation and drinks I had just shared with him were nothing more than a dream.

A layer of cold sweat seeped out from Huai Kong's back.

He knew that although he was not a top expert, he was by no means an ordinary person either.

The person who can come and go so freely in front of him, even to the point that he can forget them after just one glance—

Such cultivation is simply astonishing!

What's even more terrifying is that the opponent showed no murderous intent whatsoever throughout the entire process, and not even the slightest fluctuation of internal energy leaked out.

That means it's not about hiding one's strength.

Rather... they didn't consider him an opponent they needed to guard against at all.

Huai Kong gazed at the majestic Tianshan Mountains, clutching the iron box beside him, his heart filled with turbulent emotions that he could not calm down for a long time.

"Such a figure is hidden at the foot of the Tianshan Mountains?"

He took a deep breath, the cold air filling his lungs, forcibly suppressing his turbulent emotions.

But the last words spoken by the young man in white were like a thorn, stuck in his heart and impossible to remove—

"What if my words offend that Sect Leader Duan..."

Huai Kong closed his eyes, and the image of his senior brother Huai Mie's perpetually arrogant face appeared in his mind.

This trip to the Outer Heavens is probably not as simple as he imagined.