I Have the Martial Arts Heavenly Eye in the Storm Riders

"Indeed, I am Xiong Ba."

Xiong Ba stood with his hands behind his back, his expression indifferent, as if he were talking about a trivial matter that had nothing to do with him.

These eight simple words sounded like a thunderclap to Huai Mie and the other two.

A person's name, a tree's shadow.

What does the name "Heroic Overlord" represent in the martial arts world?

That was once an unparalleled tyrant who could control the world and strike fear into the hearts of the entire martial arts community!

Even though the World Society is now a thing of the past, its accumulated power still commands respect and makes it impossible to underestimate it.

Huai Mie stared intently at the old man in front of him.

An old man practicing Tai Chi.

The old man who used the Lightning Five-Strike Whip on him. The old man who used Tai Chi to dismantle his Hunyuan Seven-Strike Technique.

This old man is Xiong Ba.

How is that possible?

He believed he was fearless, but the name "Xiong Ba" (雄霸) was one he had heard since childhood, just like "Feng Yun" (风云).

That was a legend from the previous era, a figure that even Master Tie Shen dared not provoke back then.

"You...you are really Xiong Ba?"

Huai Mie's voice was dry, and his lips moved as if he wanted to say something harsh to get back at Huai Mie.

But the pain in his ribs was still there, and the taste of blood lingered in his mouth. He swallowed back the harsh words that were on the tip of his tongue.

We've already lost, what else is there to say?

Bai Ling supported Huai Mie's arm, her lips trembling, her eyes red with anxiety:

"But...it's said in the martial arts world that Duan Lang and you are mortal enemies. It was Duan Lang who betrayed the World Society back then..."

She didn't finish her sentence, but her meaning was already very clear—

It is a well-known fact in the martial arts world that Duan Lang and Xiong Ba have a deep-seated hatred for each other.

But now these two are actually in the same place in Tianshan, and judging from Xiong Ba's appearance, it seems like he is guarding the mountain gate for Duan Lang?

What's going on here?

Huai Kong was also very puzzled—the story of Xiong Ba and Duan Lang becoming enemies back then had almost become a legend in the martial arts world.

But now, Xiong Ba is not only alive and well, but he is also peacefully practicing Tai Chi in the Outer Heaven.

The water here is much deeper than he imagined.

Xiong Ba smiled faintly, a strange light flashing in his cloudy old eyes, as if he was recalling the past, or as if he had seen through the mortal world.

"Rumors in the martial arts world are a mix of truth and falsehood; how many people can truly discern the truth?"

"The matter between this old man and Duan Lang..."

He waved his hand, looking like he couldn't be bothered to explain.

"It's a long story, and I'm too lazy to waste my breath on you juniors."

At this point, Xiong Ba waved his sleeve, and an invisible force surged out, forcing Huai Mie and the other two back several steps.

The energy wasn't strong, but it made people very uncomfortable.

It felt like being gently pushed by an invisible hand; the force wasn't great, but you just couldn't stand up straight.

Huai Mie was still injured and staggered a couple of steps before regaining his balance. Bai Ling quickly helped him up.

"You may leave." Xiong Ba issued the order to dismiss them, his tone not harsh, but it carried an undeniable air of authority.

"You can't even beat a retired old man like me, yet you expect to see Duan Lang?"

"Hurry down the mountain, lest you lose your life."

Huai Mie's face turned pale and then red, his fists clenched so tightly that his fingernails dug into his flesh.

We lost, and we lost completely.

If he were to leave in such a disgraceful manner, what face would Huai Mie have left to stand between heaven and earth?

But reason told him that continuing the fight would be futile. The old man's strength was completely beyond his comprehension.

Just when the situation was at a stalemate—

"senior!"

Huai Kong, who had been silent all along, suddenly stepped forward and bowed deeply to Xiong Ba, his forehead almost touching the ground.

Huai Mie glanced at him but did not stop him.

Huai Kong raised his head, his gaze fixed intently on Xiong Ba, his voice firm and resolute:

"I know that with your skills, the three of us combined wouldn't be a match for you."

"But my master is seriously ill and his life is hanging by a thread. Only the peerless sword in the hands of the Duan Sect Leader may offer a glimmer of hope."

His voice trembled slightly—

It wasn't out of fear, but the thought of Master Tie Shen dragging his ailing body and desperately swinging his hammer on Iron Heart Island made my heart feel like it had been twisted hard by something.

"What's the point of a disciple living if they can't even save their master's life?"

Huai Kong raised his head and looked directly at Xiong Ba.

"Even if I die here today, I must see Sect Leader Duan one last time. I beg you, senior, to grant my request!"

Bai Ling's eyes reddened, and she lowered her head.

Huai Mie didn't speak, but he lowered his fist and stood behind Huai Kong.

The meaning is clear: he and Huai Kong are standing together.

Xiong Ba looked at Huai Kong, his eyes flickering slightly.

The young man's eyes were clear and firm, and he was loyal, righteous, and upright—this spirit reminded him of someone.

Nie Feng.

Nie Feng back then was the same way—

Knowing it was impossible, they still did it, for their master and for their brothers, even if there was an abyss ahead, they plunged in headfirst.

The old man's heart softened.

"Hmph, what a dutiful disciple."

Xiong Ba snorted coldly, but his tone was noticeably more gentle than before.

He raised his hand and pointed to the distant, mist-shrouded highest peak.

"Fine, for the sake of your filial piety, I'll show you a way."

Looking in the direction Xiong Ba pointed, one could see a magnificent palace suspended above the cliffs atop the mountains, deep in the clouds, like a celestial palace, visible but unattainable.

Bai Ling and Huai Kong looked up at the same time and both gasped.

The palace was built on a cliff, surrounded by clouds, and just looking at it made one feel a chill down one's spine.

Huai Mie merely glanced up and then smiled slightly.

Is this where Duan Lang lives?

interesting.

"The highest peak atop the cliff, the building on its summit, is the 'Heavenly Palace,' which is Duan Lang's residence," Xiong Ba said.

"Follow this mountain path uphill; it's the only way to the Heavenly Palace."

He casually stroked his white beard and added:

"However, let me be clear from the start, this road will not be easy."

"If you die on the way, don't blame me."

Huai Kong was overjoyed and bowed deeply once more:

"Thank you for your guidance, senior!"

Huai Mie also took a deep breath and clasped his hands in a fist salute to Xiong Ba.

This time, the fist-clasping posture was very upright, and the waist was bent slightly.

Although no words were spoken, the meaning was already very clear.

Bai Ling saw all this and felt a mix of emotions.

She had been by Huai Mie's side for so long, and she had never seen him bow down to anyone.

This is the first time.

"Walk!"

Huai Kong gave a shout and, leading Huai Mie and Bai Ling, climbed up the mountain path pointed out by Xiong Ba towards the Heavenly Palace in the clouds.

Xiong Ba watched the three figures leave and shook his head.

"A newborn calf is not afraid of a tiger..."

He sighed softly, turned around, and raised his hands again, drawing a perfect circle in front of him.

"Wild Horse Parts Its Mane..."

The martial arts arena returned to silence, with only the old man in white practicing Tai Chi slowly and steadily in the morning breeze, as if nothing had happened.

The mountain road is difficult to travel.

This was Huai Kong's first impression after stepping onto the mountain path.

The road is rugged and steep, with some sections only wide enough for one person to pass sideways. To the left is a cliff, and to the right is a bottomless abyss. The wind howls in your ears as if it wants to suck you in.

The slightest mistake could result in utter destruction.

All three were highly skilled in martial arts, so this little obstacle was no problem for them.

However, the mountain path seemed to contain some kind of formation, and after wandering around for half a day, it was as if we had lost our way in the clouds and mist.

"What the hell is this road?" Huai Mie slammed his fist into the mountainside, creating a deep crater.

"After walking for so long, why does it feel like we're still stuck in the same place?"

Bai Ling chuckled:

"Senior Brother, you've damaged the mountain wall. What if Sect Leader Duan demands compensation? Can you afford it?"

Huai Mie glared at her and withdrew his fist.

Huai Kong ignored the two of them and instead closed his eyes, quietly sensing the changes in the surrounding airflow.

After a moment, he suddenly opened his eyes and pointed to the left.

"The place with the thickest fog is actually the right road."

Huai Mie glanced at the thick, oppressive fog and rubbed his nose.

Are you sure?

"Sure."

"Let's go then."

Without saying a word, Huai Mie plunged headfirst into the clouds.

Bai Ling shook her head helplessly and followed.

This is how they are whenever they're together—

Huai Mie was always at the forefront, Huai Kong was always in charge of finding the way, and she always followed behind.

After walking for an unknown amount of time, the view suddenly opened up before me.

After passing through a thick layer of clouds and mist, the three arrived at a verdant bamboo forest.

The bamboo grove is serene and quiet; a gentle breeze rustles the bamboo leaves.

Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the bamboo leaves, casting slanted patches of light on the ground.

After navigating the treacherous mountain paths and the oppressive fog, stepping into this tranquil bamboo forest gives one the illusion of having stepped from hell into the human world.

Huai Mie dusted himself off and looked around:

"A broken bamboo forest, is this the kind of place Duan Lang lives in?"

Before the words were finished—

Deep in the bamboo forest, two boys were sitting cross-legged on a blue stone.

The two look exactly alike; they are clearly twins.

He was about ten years old, dressed in simple coarse linen clothes, with a youthful face, but his eyes and brows revealed a composure that was not commensurate with his age.

Huai Mie subconsciously glanced at the aura of the two boys—

No.

There was nothing there.

There was no fluctuation of true energy, and their breathing was no different from that of ordinary people, even slightly weaker than that of ordinary people, just like two ordinary teenagers who had never practiced martial arts.

"snort."

Huai Mie curled his lip, a hint of disdain flashing in his eyes.

In his view, these two were probably Duan Lang's newly accepted disciples, with mediocre talent, not even worthy of being called beginners.

Xiong Ba was indeed formidable; he admired him.

But just because Xiong Ba is Xiong Ba doesn't mean that other people in Tianwaitian have the same abilities.

Look at these two brats in front of me, they don't even have any internal energy—

Tianwaitian, hailed as a sacred place of martial arts, is nothing special.

The arrogance that had been fading from Huai's lips slowly returned.

Huai Kong frowned slightly, his gaze lingering on the two boys for a moment.

He couldn't quite put his finger on what was wrong.

They looked like two ordinary teenagers with no internal strength, but he felt that something was wrong.

The two people sat on that rock, blending seamlessly with the surrounding bamboo forest, gentle breeze, and play of light and shadow, appearing almost too natural to be real.

It's like two stones that were originally there.

Ordinary people would never have this feeling.

"Strange..." Huai Kong thought to himself.

"I can't discern any cultivation level, so why do I have this...unfathomable feeling about him?"

The two boys seemed to sense the presence of living people and opened their eyes at the same time.

Four pairs of eyes shot towards us, clear and calm.

The boy on the left suddenly stood up, his movements swift and decisive, his eyes gleaming with an untamed wildness. His first words were booming:

"Who goes there! Who let you in!"

The boy on the right rose unhurriedly, a faint smile playing on his lips, his eyes so deep they sent chills down one's spine, and he said in a low voice:

"Brother, why waste time talking to them?"

"Now that you've barged in, don't expect to leave so easily."

One is dynamic, the other is still; one is wild, the other is sinister. These two completely different temperaments appear on two identical faces, giving people a very discordant and eerie feeling.

Seeing that the two were still young, Bai Ling stepped forward, a gentle smile on her face, and said softly:

"Young men, please don't misunderstand. Your sister and these two older brothers mean us no harm. We're here to find Master Duan. Could you please show us the way?"

"Looking for Sect Leader Duan?" The young man on the left sized up the three of them, then snorted coldly.

"You think you're worthy to meet Sect Leader Duan?"

The boy on the right gently tugged at his brother's sleeve, his cold expression instantly vanishing, replaced by an innocent smile, as if he had become a completely different person. He feigned surprise and said:

"Sister, you mean...you're looking for my father?"

"My...my father?!"

Bai Ling's smile froze. Huai Mie and Huai Kong exchanged a glance, their faces filled with horror.

These two seemingly ordinary young men, devoid of any true energy, are Duan Lang's sons?

Huai Mie's lips twitched.

Like father, like son. How could Duan Lang have given birth to such a mediocre son?

He's already old enough to tie his hair up, yet he hasn't even cultivated a trace of internal strength.

Moreover, their personalities—one arrogant and ignorant, the other eccentric and sarcastic—don't seem like those of people from prestigious families at all.

"Could it be that Duan Lang spoils them too much and doesn't let them practice martial arts?"

Huai Mie thought to himself, but then felt it didn't make sense—

Duan Lang is a man of great stature; how could he possibly prevent his son from learning martial arts?

Huai Kong's brows furrowed even deeper.

He remembered the young man in white at the tavern yesterday—

That person saw through the Heavenly Sin in the iron box at a glance, yet he couldn't even remember the other person's face.

Now he's encountered two teenagers who, despite having no internal energy, seem "unfathomable" to him.

The deeper you go into this outer heaven, the more terrifying it becomes.