I Grind to Martial Saint

”So, he came after all.”

Lü Song narrowed his eyes, staring at the silhouette of the large ship ahead.

He couldn’t help but feel a flicker of curiosity about this new Director of the Cangshui Celestial Observation Bureau.

A long time ago, he had sparred with Shi Jian, the head disciple of the Divine Fist Sect.

That time, they had battled fiercely for hundreds of exchanges, with Shi Jian ultimately winning by a single move.

Lü Song, of course, refused to accept the defeat. He secretly dedicated himself to his Cultivation, hoping to one day get his revenge on Shi Jian.

But what he got instead was news of Shi Jian’s defeat at the hands of Han Yuan.

At the time, he had wondered just who on earth this Han Yuan was to have appeared so suddenly out of nowhere.

But Han Yuan’s subsequent rise was even more astonishing. Not only did his Cultivation break through to the True Qi Realm, but he also became the Director of the Cangshui Celestial Observation Bureau.

During that time, he built a terrifying record of achievements, including crushing the rebellion of the three great families, routing the Wuyun Bandits, and slaying the Black Cloud Spear King, Zhang Bei.

Even though Lü Song and Han Yuan were close in age.

In fact, Han Yuan was even a few years younger than him, but Lü Song had no choice but to admit it.

’He and I... are truly not in the same league anymore.’

As Lü Song was lost in thought,

the large ship was already approaching Mingzhi Pier.

The crowd at the pier saw a tall figure standing at the bow. He was dignified in appearance, dressed in a Profound Black Piyao Robe with his hands clasped behind his back, radiating the formidable aura of a conquering tiger.

”How impressive!”

”He said he’d come alone, and he really came alone!”

”This Han Yuan is a true man of courage!”

The crowd at the pier erupted in discussion.

As they were talking,

the figure at the bow leaped. He crossed more than ten meters over the water’s surface and landed squarely on the pier.

”I am Lü Song of the Cyan Cloud Sect. Greetings, Director Han!”

Lü Song said, cupping his fist.

”Lü Song... I’ve heard of you.”

”You’re the head disciple of the Cyan Cloud Sect, aren’t you?”

Han Yuan said casually, sizing up the young man before him.

”I’m surprised you know of me, Director Han.”

”I’m rather flattered.”

Lü Song said humbly.

But Han Yuan’s next words were, ”Then you’d better cherish your last day as head disciple.”

”After today... the Cyan Cloud Sect should cease to exist.”

He made no attempt to hide his words, and everyone from the Martial World gathered there could hear him.

An uproar instantly swept through the crowd.

No one had expected Han Yuan to make such a ruthless declaration the moment he arrived!

This Director Han was truly as vicious with his words as he was with his actions!

As for Lü Song, his expression turned extremely grim.

No one had expected Han Yuan to drop all pretenses so quickly.

”Director Han... didn’t you say this was a visit?”

Lü Song took a deep breath, his eyes turning vicious.

”That’s right... it’s a visit... and a sect extermination.”

”Is your Cyan Cloud Sect... prepared?”

Han Yuan nodded with great seriousness.

At these words, the onlookers from the Martial World all showed a variety of expressions.

Most were just there for the show and hoped things would escalate.

They were itching to see Han Yuan and Lü Song start fighting right then and there.

However, they deliberately remained quiet, wanting to hear what else the two would say.

”Director Han... has the Cyan Cloud Sect committed some heinous crime?”

Lü Song demanded coldly.

”The last two County Magistrates of Mingzhi County... were assassinated by people from your Cyan Cloud Sect.”

”Assassinating an official of the Court. Is that crime not enough for you?”

Han Yuan said calmly, his hands clasped behind his back.

Hearing this, the onlookers from the Martial World finally understood why Han Yuan had come to hold them accountable.

In truth, everyone in Mingzhi County was well aware of who was behind the deaths of the two County Magistrates; they just didn’t dare to speak of it.

Lü Song immediately retorted, ”Director Han, even if you are the head of the Observatory, the Cyan Cloud Sect cannot bear the weight of such a heavy accusation! Do you have any proof?!”

”Or do you, Director Han, simply intend to slaughter the innocent?”

Han Yuan burst out laughing. ”Why would I, Han Yuan, need proof to exterminate your Cyan Cloud Sect?”

”I’ll exterminate the Cyan Cloud Sect simply because I wish to!”

Hearing this, Lü Song was so furious he laughed. ”Director Han, you truly are impressive!”

Han Yuan remained unfazed. ”Lead the way. It’s getting late.”

With things having come to this, Lü Song could only respond with a threat of his own. ”Then follow me. But I’m afraid, Director Han... this will be a one-way trip for you.”

”If that happens, it means my skills were lacking. I’ll have no one to blame but myself,” Han Yuan said faintly.

Lü Song said no more. He led Han Yuan through the crowd and headed toward the Cyan Cloud Sect.

Along the way,

a disciple naturally broke away from the group. Using a Lightweight Skill, he sped back to the Cyan Cloud Sect ahead of them to report the conversation between Han Yuan and Lü Song.

”This Han Yuan... he really said that?!”

Inside the main hall of the Cyan Cloud Sect, Lü Zhengyun, seated in the Sect Leader’s chair, narrowed his eyes.

Like Lü Song, he had never imagined Han Yuan would be so brazen as to declare his intent to exterminate the Cyan Cloud Sect in front of a massive crowd.

Now, there could be no peace between them until one side was destroyed.

”The arrogance of this man knows no bounds!”

”If he dares to show his face, I’ll be the first to take him on!”

A burly elder, unable to stomach the insult, slammed his large hand on the table.

”Mm.”

”Then let Elder Yan be the first to deal with Han Yuan. That will give us a chance to gauge his true strength.”

Lü Zhengyun thought for a moment and agreed.

This Elder Yan was quite powerful. He had cultivated the Steel Stone Body, a Hard Skill that granted him immense Qi Power, enough to tear a tiger or wolf apart with his bare hands.

Having him make the first move would be a good way to test Han Yuan’s mettle.

”Sect Leader, leave it to me!”

Elder Yan declared, cupping his fist.

”Then, everyone... let us go to the mountain gate and meet this Demon Blade Han Yuan!”

Lü Zhengyun rose to his feet and led the host of elders to the front of the mountain gate.

The Cyan Cloud Sect was situated halfway up the mountain.

A long flight of stairs stretched from the foot of the mountain to the sect’s location on the mountainside.

This staircase was known as the Cyan Cloud Ladder, symbolizing a direct ascent to the heavens.

Hundreds of Cyan Cloud Sect disciples gathered one after another before the mountain gate, forming a large and imposing crowd.

These disciples had also heard about Han Yuan’s words at the pier and were discussing it in small groups.

”This Han Yuan thinks he can wipe out our entire Cyan Cloud Sect all by himself?”

”He’s dreaming.”

”I can’t wait to see how he dies!”

The disciples of the Cyan Cloud Sect all thought Han Yuan had come here to die.

They believed that with nearly a thousand disciples in the sect, they could simply overwhelm Han Yuan by sheer numbers.

Before long,

they saw a sea of heads surging at the foot of the mountain; clearly, a large crowd had come to watch the spectacle.

Seeing this, Lü Zhengyun called a disciple over and ordered, ”Relay my command. Blades have no eyes. Anyone who steps onto the Cyan Cloud Ladder is responsible for their own life or death.”

”As you command.” The disciple cupped his fist, accepting the order. In a flash, he was gone, speeding toward the foot of the mountain.

By this time,

Han Yuan and Lü Song had arrived at the foot of the mountain.

”Director Han, it’s not too late to turn back.”

”Once you set foot on this Cyan Cloud Ladder, I’m afraid you won’t be coming back down.”

Lü Song said in a taunting tone.

”We’ll see if your Cyan Cloud Sect has what it takes.”

Han Yuan let out a strange laugh and began ascending the Cyan Cloud Ladder with great strides.

The onlookers from the Martial World were just about to follow him up.

A Cyan Cloud Sect disciple descended from the gate and announced coldly, ”By order of the Sect Leader! Anyone who dares set foot on this Cyan Cloud Ladder is responsible for their own life and death!”