A month later, Yun Fan recovered from his grief.
Fortunately, since Huang Chao's demise, no other powerful individuals had awakened. However, Yun Fan knew that the dark age had only just begun.
For him, the challenges were only starting.
The unfortunate part was that no matter how great the difficulties he faced before, his Master was always there to back him up. But this time, it was different.
He had to bear it all alone.
He could only hope that what his Master wrote in his letter was true, that one day, his Master would be reborn.
After taking over the responsibilities of the Ghost Valley, Yun Fan remained in Jiangnan while also dispatching people to search for the dormant locations of those powerful individuals yet to awaken.
He had to admit, it was incredibly difficult, but what if he succeeded! He could then act preemptively.
This was Yun Fan's forward-thinking plan.
But just today, China welcomed an uninvited guest.
This uninvited guest was a martial artist from the island nation. His demeanor was extremely arrogant, as if since the death of Old Master, they no longer took anyone else seriously.
"Are you the current head of Ghost Valley?"
He asked Yun Fan.
"That's right!"
Yun Fan asked coldly, "What is your purpose?"
The man chuckled playfully. "There's no particular purpose. Decades ago, my Master had a decisive battle with your Master. But in the end, your Master successfully ambushed him with a scheme! Now that my Master has awakened, he intended to behead your Master. Unexpectedly, he is already dead. Since he is dead, you will bear his debt!"
Upon hearing this, Yun Fan sneered, "I wondered who it was. So you're a lackey of the First Warrior!"
Time passed quickly, and perhaps many had forgotten the name "First Warrior." After all, it had been two hundred years since this man was famous worldwide.
The First Warrior founded Bushido and challenged the world, remaining undefeated. His ultimate goal was to conquer China, renowned for its martial arts.
Therefore, he prepared to travel to China, challenge it, and conquer it, making the nation bow at his feet.
However, before he could set foot on this land, he fell into a deep slumber due to qi deviation.
Decades ago, after recovering from his qi deviation, the First Warrior attempted to fulfill his unfinished dream.
But at that time, he encountered a young Old Master, was defeated by him, and fled back to the island nation.
However, from this perspective, it wasn't the true reason why Yun Fan loathed this person.
The true reason was that a hundred years ago, during the era when the great dragon of China slumbered, the small island nation invaded, causing widespread suffering.
At that time, tens of millions, even hundreds of millions, of compatriots died. Their souls were gathered by several powerful elders of the island nation to help the First Warrior recover his strength and overcome his qi deviation.
Decades ago, if the Old Master had taken one more step, he would not have escaped. Later, the Old Master personally went to the island nation, intending to eliminate the source of this evil.
But unfortunately, the other party managed to evade him. Unexpectedly, after the Old Master's demise, he seized the opportunity to awaken. Everything seemed like a coincidence, but in Yun Fan's eyes, the other party was merely trying to fulfill his ambitions during this period of emptiness.
But how could Yun Fan let him succeed? After all, China now was not the China of a hundred years ago.
Thus, he immediately asked, "Time and place!"
The island nation man said mockingly, "Three days from now, Mount Amaterasu. If you don't show up, the nightmare of a hundred years ago will descend upon China once more!"
One had to admit, his attitude was extremely arrogant. Today's China was by no means comparable to the island nation. But relying on China's lack of powerful martial artists, he dared to speak such insults.
Yun Fan replied, "Rest assured, I will personally resolve the First Warrior in three days. As for you, you won't have the chance to witness that battle!"
"What do you mean?"
The island nation man looked confused.
In the next moment, Yun Fan flicked his finger, and a surge of power descended.
"Not good!"
Before he could react, this power accurately pierced his forehead. He collapsed onto the ground in disbelief.
Afterward, Hei Long ordered the body to be taken away to feed the dogs.
Although it was customary not to kill envoys in wartime, dogs were an exception, especially a dog as arrogant and overbearing as this one. Killing it was justified.
"Bang!"
Zhao Feiyue slammed the table, shattering it. "That cowardly dog, the First Warrior. Now that Master is gone, he dares to act so brazenly. This time, we must teach him a lesson!"
Yun Fan said, "Third Senior Sister, you've misunderstood. This time, I will ensure he dies completely!"
At this moment, Yun Fan's heart was filled with boundless rage. The one million innocent souls from a hundred years ago represented a tremendous karma.
Even killing the First Warrior would not alleviate his burning hatred.
At this point, Ye Ji quickly cautioned, "Little brother, I'm afraid you shouldn't go!"
"Why?"
Yun Fan asked, puzzled.
Ye Ji explained, "They are openly inviting you to come. It's obvious they've set a trap. Also, even though China has the Heavenly Emperor overseeing things publicly, privately, it still needs your help!"
"Only with you here can all sentient beings be at peace!"
Her words were not without reason and were acknowledged by most present. In their view, it was better to deal with the dark turmoil first. As for the clown, the First Warrior, it wouldn't be too late to settle the score later!
But Yun Fan had his own considerations.
He stated, "The dark turmoil is not exclusive to China. This time, by resolving the First Warrior, we will deter all other martial artists, both awakened and yet to awaken, around the globe. Those who dare to plot against China are digging their own graves. The fate of the First Warrior will be their fate!"
He was not worried about the slumbering martial artists overseas. His primary concern was the powerful individuals in China who had yet to awaken.
He could not allow the situation to become one of internal strife and external threat. He had to resolve the external threats first before he could focus on internal enemies.
Even if he didn't take these external threats seriously, having them harass China during a period of internal weakness would be a headache.
Therefore, this was Yun Fan's plan.
Everyone nodded in agreement. After all, they couldn't help Yun Fan. Although the women's strength had improved rapidly, they couldn't assist Yun Fan in the short term.
Thus, Yun Fan had to bear and face it alone.
They also firmly believed that every arrangement Yun Fan made was carefully considered and not a spur-of-the-moment decision.
Afterward, Yun Fan made some arrangements and prepared to depart. He knew that his sole objective this time was a swift victory.
No one knew how powerful the next awakened martial artist would be. With his current strength, he could barely shoulder the responsibility.
But the predicament now was that besides him, no one else could bear it.
"Little Junior Brother, I'll go with you!"
Leng Ningshuang said to Yun Fan.
Originally, she didn't intend to add to Yun Fan's burden. However, her realm had reached a critical point. She hoped that by going with Yun Fan this time, she might gain some unexpected insights.
It could be said that Leng Ningshuang was an absolute dark horse. Although her starting point wasn't high, her strength had increased rapidly.
Currently, her strength was at the peak of the Golden Core stage, just one step away from breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage. She was the fastest among the women to break through, second only to Yaochi.
Yun Fan understood his Seventh Senior Sister's intentions and immediately said, "Alright, Seventh Senior Sister, you'll accompany me!"
"Mmm-hmm!"
Leng Ningshuang's attitude was firm. The dark age had arrived, and neither she nor the other women wanted to be a burden to Yun Fan.
Instead of relying on Yun Fan for protection, they wanted to become stronger and fight alongside him. Thus, the temporary infighting among the women was set aside.
They would fully support anyone who had the opportunity to become stronger.
Subsequently, Yun Fan and Leng Ningshuang set off together.
...
Three days later, the two arrived at Mount Amaterasu. Despite the sweltering summer heat, the mountain was covered in snow.
Yun Fan had expected this battle to be quiet, a duel solely between the two of them. Unexpectedly, the First Warrior had arranged for secular reporters to cover, and even broadcast, this battle.
Therefore, even their compatriots far away in China entered the live stream, cheering for Yun Fan.
The comment section, initially dominated by the island nation's viewers, was instantly overwhelmed by Chinese characters.
"Hero, go for it!"
"Hero, you will surely succeed, we pray for you!"
Messages like these flooded the entire live stream. Some clowns from the island nation tried to post insults, but their characters were drowned out the moment they were typed.
This frustrated the common people of the island nation. They even hired professional keyboard warriors, but they couldn't match the typing speed of ordinary Chinese citizens.
Even Western civilians joined in, assisting the island nation's keyboard warriors against the Chinese text, but ultimately, they failed.
Thus, they could only reluctantly accept this reality. Seeing this, the island nation's officials had to halt the broadcast.
Although this live broadcast was meant to witness the moment their god, the First Warrior, defeated Yun Fan and brought the world to its knees before the island nation, their keyboard warriors were falling one by one. Thus, they had no choice but to shut down the live stream.
They planned to announce the outcome after the duel.
Of course, Yun Fan was unaware of all this. He asked Leng Ningshuang, "Seventh Senior Sister, have you noticed anything amiss?"
"Mmm!"
Leng Ningshuang nodded. "Indeed, he's a cunning old dog. He's set up a kill formation!"
"Little Junior Brother, you go in! Leave this to me, I'll help you break the formation from the outside!"
Leng Ningshuang said confidently.
Her greatest strength wasn't her combat power but formations. She had studied many formations in Ghost Valley, which was why she spotted the problem at a glance and was confident in her ability to break it.
Yun Fan said, "Then be careful yourself. No matter what happens inside, don't come over."
"Alright!"
Upon entering the formation, Yun Fan saw someone from afar. It was the First Warrior. Although he was very old, he looked like a middle-aged man.
"You've come!"
He chuckled playfully, clearly not taking Yun Fan seriously.
Yun Fan said, "Isn't this the result you wanted?"
"Hahahaha!"
He laughed maniacally at Yun Fan. "I wanted to behead your Master, but unfortunately, he is already dead. You will repay his debt!"
"Then why didn't you come to China yourself to find me, but instead made me come here?"
Yun Fan said disdainfully, "In the end, you still lack confidence. You're afraid I'll kill you, so you chose to have the decisive battle here!"
He understood the other party's plan all too well. Clearly, his Master had left an indelible shadow on him all those years ago.
"You can't kill me. You're far inferior to your Master!"
He sneered.
Yun Fan didn't bother with further explanation and asked, "You are all ancient beings who have lived for a long time. You should know the Ninja Emperor, right?"
Upon hearing this, the First Warrior's expression shifted. "Of course, I know him. He was my Master. Unfortunately, he passed away due to the long passage of time."
"Let me tell you a secret, he didn't pass away!"
Yun Fan said calmly.
"Where is he?"
Excitement flickered in the First Warrior's eyes. In those ancient times, if not for the Ninja Emperor's teachings, he would not have achieved what he had today.
Although he had surpassed the Ninja Emperor and comprehended the spirit of Bushido from Ninjutsu, he fondly remembered his teacher.
"I killed him!"
Yun Fan smiled calmly. "Soon, it will be your turn. The world is small. I will personally send you to meet your Master!"
At these words, the First Warrior was enraged. "You couldn't have killed my Master! You're lying to me!"
"You don't believe me when I tell you!"
Yun Fan said directly, "Enough nonsense, let's fight! I don't have time to waste here!"
"Very good!"
The First Warrior said coldly, "Since you refuse to reveal my Master's whereabouts, I will defeat you personally and force you to confess!"
At this moment, he unleashed his strength. Yun Fan immediately assessed his power: a master of the Dao Seeking realm.
Compared to Yin Hu, the First Warrior's condition was completely different. Yin Hu had fallen from the Dao Seeking realm after a severe injury from the Heavenly King.
But the First Warrior was a peak Dao Seeking realm expert. If this were before, Yun Fan might not have been a match for him. But he had already broken through to the God-Entering realm.
Although there was a realm difference between them, anything was possible for Yun Fan.
Seeing Yun Fan charge at him, the First Warrior sneered, "You, like your Master, are too arrogant. I fell into your Master's trap back then, and I will get all my revenge from you!"
Instantly, he engaged Yun Fan in battle.
"Boom!"
In one exchange, both were pushed back.
The First Warrior did not expect Yun Fan's strength to be so formidable.
And in this exchange, Yun Fan had already reached a conclusion: although his opponent was a Dao Seeking realm expert,
He was far inferior to China's Dao Seeking realm experts. At the same cultivation level, Chinese martial artists could completely crush him.
Of course, it wasn't that the First Warrior was too weak, but rather that Chinese martial artists were too monstrous. The trump cards they casually wielded were enough to cause headaches.
After all, China was the origin of martial arts, so their understanding of cultivation realms far surpassed that of other martial artists overseas.
"You have some skill, but you still can't avoid the fate of defeat!"
He sneered and unleashed his full power, intending to defeat Yun Fan and then unravel the secrets of the powerful Ghost Valley.
However, reality did not go as he wished. Yun Fan, even without entering his demonic state, was becoming increasingly fierce in his combat.
He maintained a steady parity, leaving the First Warrior no room to find any openings.
The First Warrior became enraged. If he lost this battle today, he would be utterly disgraced, as he carried the hopes of everyone in the island nation.
"Kid, I underestimated you!"
He roared, "But this is your limit, and I have not used my full strength. Today, I will make you tremble under the spirit of Bushido!"
Instantly, his entire being underwent a substantial transformation. His aura became cold and murderous.
His eyes were filled with a fearless spirit. It seemed this was the pinnacle of the Bushido spirit.
"Finally showing your full strength?"
Yun Fan sneered. He had been waiting for this moment. The next second, the First Warrior united his mind and launched his ultimate move at Yun Fan.
In his opinion, no matter what, Yun Fan absolutely could not withstand this move.
Who would have thought that at this moment, demonic energy emanated from Yun Fan, almost instantly breaking his united mind and then delivering a devastating blow.
"Bang!"
Instantly, blood splattered. At this moment, the arrogant island nation viewers were stunned into silence.
Their god, whom they worshipped, had been defeated.