Time passed, and gradually the hour approached for the sun to set.
In Henan, lamps were lit one by one, and it was the time when the world embraced light in preparation for the night.
Normally, it would be the hour for people to close their stalls or return home, yet the streets were packed with crowds.
It had been like this day by day since the Martial Arts Tournament began, but even taking that into account, the throng was unusually large.
Especially near the Martial Alliance.
At the venue of the Martial Arts Tournament, people were packed even beyond the spectator seats.
The reason for this was solely one.
"Is it about time?"
"Indeed. It will be Shenlong's turn shortly."
"Ah... if only I were a little closer, I would have no other wish."
It was none other than Shenlong's duel.
The crowd had gathered to see that.
One might wonder how people could gather in such numbers just to see a single martial artist's duel, yet upon hearing the rumors that had already spread through Henan, the reason was understandable.
Shenlong, the hope of Shaolin and the pinnacle of the Six Dragons Three Peaks.
He had succeeded in proving his worth in the duel against the Crescent Moon Sword.
He showed what it meant to be the youngest ever to reach the Transformation Stage, and he clearly demonstrated just how great his own value was.
Barely out of his teens.
The presence he exuded was far too lofty for one who had only just begun to transition from boy to youth.
Because of this, another title by which Shenlong was currently called had come into being.
The future Number One Under Heaven.
Or the one destined to become the Number One Under Heaven.
In the current Central Plains. No, at least in Henan, that was the value Shenlong held.
A rising star certain to reach the peak one day, even if not now.
Such was the value Shenlong possessed.
And the name value of the Number One Under Heaven was more than enough to gather such a countless crowd.
"Surely Shenlong isn't that incredible?"
When a man expressed his doubt from beyond the spectator seats, the one beside him spoke as if he had been waiting for this.
"What? Jang, haven't you heard the rumors?"
"I'm saying this precisely because I have. Rumors have to be believable, you know..."
"I tell you with confidence. The rumors are actually shallower than the reality."
"No... does that make sense? They say he used the Hundred-Paces Divine Fist. Can a rising star truly do such a thing?"
The Hundred-Paces Divine Fist.
A martial art called the ultimate technique and the very root of Shaolin.
It was said to earn its name because one fist could pulverize a target over a hundred paces away.
It was said that among Shaolin's martial artists, only a handful could use it.
So to hear that a mere rising star had used it was not easily believable.
"Ha."
At Jang's doubt, Cheon, the owner of the Muryang Inn, burst into a scoff.
"This is why you cannot talk to someone who hasn't seen the Martial Arts Tournament."
"...Hah, acting all high and mighty just because you saw the tournament once."
"How could I not? You can't even believe something as mere as the Hundred-Paces Divine Fist."
"'Mere'?"
At Cheon's words, Jang's eyes widened.
"'Mere'? How can the Hundred-Paces Divine Fist be 'mere'?"
"Anyone who has seen the tournament would say so, a hundred out of a hundred."
Saying so, Cheon subtly drew closer to Jang.
"Don't be surprised. Shenlong not only used the Hundred-Paces Divine Fist... he even used the Huang'a Ganglan."
"...What? Huang'a Ganglan!?"
At Cheon's words, Jang started in surprise.
"What is that?"
"..."
"...No. I really don't know..."
As Jang spoke awkwardly, Cheon let out a hollow cough.
"How disappointing. Do you truly mean you don't know Shaolin's Huang'a Ganglan...?"
"I'm not a Shaolin disciple... how would I know all of their martial arts..."
The Hundred-Paces Divine Fist was famous, so that was one thing.
But what was the Huang'a Ganglan?
No matter how much Jang thought, he could not recall.
It was only natural.
If those who could use the Hundred-Paces Divine Fist were few in Shaolin, then those who could use the Huang'a Ganglan would be far, far fewer.
It was Shaolin's ultimate art, said to require one to transcend realms and reach the extreme of enlightenment through training.
One wrapped the teachings of Buddhism around one's body and donned armor made of the golden light symbolizing it.
An armor of enlightenment that never broke, worthy of being called the Vajra Indestructible.
An undefeated martial art.
That was Shaolin's Huang'a Ganglan.
"...You're saying Shenlong used such a thing?"
Shenlong, who had used it at an age barely out of his teens.
That was why he was called a talent fit to be the Number One Under Heaven.
"If that rumor is true... no wonder so many have gathered."
"They hope, wondering if he will show it in this duel as well."
Shenlong, clad in golden light, was more radiant than anyone.
In present-day Shaolin, the martial artists who could use the Huang'a Ganglan could be counted on one hand.
No, there were likely even fewer. And because opportunities to see Shaolin's martial arts were rare, many had come with anticipation.
"Now that I hear it, I certainly look forward to it."
"Right? I knew you'd say that, Jang."
"However, he has to show it for us to see."
It would be good if they could simply see it, but there was one concern.
As his previous words indicated, it was not a power one could witness just because they wished to.
"Moreover, I heard Shenlong is injured as well."
The main match last time.
He had heard the battle then was quite fierce.
Just as Shenlong's value had risen, the one who had faced him then had also become tremendously famous.
The Crescent Moon Sword, Wei Xueya.
One of the Three Sovereigns.
Among them, it was said she was the successor of the Sword Sovereign.
In the duel against Shenlong, who had reached the Transformation Stage, she showed no sign of being inferior.
Though she was defeated in the end, she had even inflicted a great wound upon Shenlong.
The Lunar Immortal Swordsmanship was a martial art with strikingly distinct characteristics, and it was that famous, so her being the successor of the Sword Sovereign was all but proven by that alone.
Furthermore, seeing that she had not faltered before Shenlong's overwhelming might...
"The future of the Central Plains is truly bright."
At Cheon's proud face, Jang nodded as well.
"...It seems so. And seeing that the Crescent Moon Sword has appeared, perhaps... the Sword Sovereign might reveal himself once more."
"Hm? Why bring up the Sword Sovereign here?"
"I do not know about the future of the Central Plains. Are these times not dark? So, if he were to appear again... I thought my heart would feel a little lighter, that is all."
"Dark? My friend, these are the brightest times we've had recently."
At Cheon's words, Jang gave a pained smile.
Bright... was it truly bright?
'We are barely holding back the red demonic beasts... what is so bright about that?'
It was true that people were happy thanks to this unprecedented festival, but to say the era was bright would be a lie.
Now was a time of crisis. Jang knew this well.
"The Sword Immortal is with us, so what is there to worry about? Just enjoy yourself for now."
"...Right..."
Even if he said this, there was no one who would listen.
Perhaps his own thoughts might be wrong.
Thus, he roughly expressed agreement and changed the subject.
"Ah, by the way, who is Shenlong's opponent?"
He understood that the crowd had gathered because Shenlong was appearing, but who would be his opponent?
When he suddenly asked out of curiosity, Cheon spoke with a strange expression.
"Well... I heard it's the son of the Gu family."
"Gu family? By Gu family... do you mean the Shanxi Gu family?"
"Exactly. The renowned house of chivalry."
"If it's the son of the Gu family... it won't be the Sword Peak. Ah."
Jang recalled.
He had heard of him before.
On the first or second day, he had heard that the son of the Gu family had felled a Transformation Stage martial artist in a single blow.
His nickname was probably...
"The Little Flame."
The Little Flame, Gu Yangtian.
He was the young martial artist who had stopped a great incident a few years ago.
Jang also knew of him.
It was said that despite the rampant rumors, he had had no activity for several years.
'Now that I think about it...'
The Little Flame, Gu Yangtian. When he had caused an uproar in the Central Plains, there was another rumor that had followed the young man.
"Wasn't that fellow also called the youngest ever to reach the Transformation Stage?"
When Jang mentioned the thought that had occurred to him, Cheon let out a hearty laugh.
"That's an old story. Moreover, that was a false rumor."
"A false rumor?"
"Of course. If it weren't a false rumor, how could the Alliance have declared that Shenlong is indeed the youngest Transformation Stage?"
"...Hmm."
That was a fair point.
"Jang, you are purer than I thought."
"I just felt that way and spoke up."
What did it matter?
What was important was...
"...He defeated a Transformation Stage martial artist. Then doesn't that mean the Little Flame has also reached the Transformation Stage?"
"One could see it that way... but there has been quite a lot of talk about that."
"What talk?"
"They say his opponent at the time hadn't long reached the Transformation Stage... and many say it was a victory born from the opponent letting their guard down."
At Cheon's words, Jang showed a strange reaction.
A martial artist who had reached the Transformation Stage letting their guard down?
And that too, against an opponent on the dueling stage?
'...Does that make sense?'
He thought so but didn't show it.
In this case, rather than the opponent letting his guard down,
'The Little Flame was so strong that he couldn't even be gauged... isn't that the right way to see it?'
He thought of the fundamental doubt.
Of course, that was also not something that made sense.
So he didn't say this either.
Even if there was something strange about the Little Flame's rumors,
'I'll find out soon anyway.'
If it was a question, he would know before long.
Jang was not one to easily believe anything he had not seen with his own eyes.
-Waaaaah-!
Suddenly, a cheer erupted.
Jang soon lifted his head and looked into the distance.
Then, he could barely see someone climbing onto the dueling platform.
'That young man is...'
There was a young monk with sculptural features.
As if symbolizing that he was a figure of Shaolin, a benevolent and warm demeanor caught the eye.
-Shenlong! Shenlong! Shenlong-!
As the young man appeared, the spectators cheered.
Just as the atmosphere around them was instantly heating up with everyone repeatedly shouting Shenlong,
Jang looked not at Shenlong, but in the other direction.
Right at Shenlong's opponent.
'Hm?'
Jang frowned at the considerably different feeling.
Not content with propping up one leg, he was frowning as if annoyed by the noise and digging in his ear.
The young man had black hair tinged with a faint blue light...
'...He... looks terrifying.'
His appearance was enough to make one flinch at first glance.
What is that? How can a person look so ferocious?
Is that young man the Little Flame?
'Something...'
The first impression was quite delinquent.
He didn't even seem to have any intention of hiding it; he was openly delinquent.
With such a countless crowd watching, was it acceptable for someone of the orthodox path to act like that?
An attitude as if he didn't give a damn about others' gazes.
Seeing that, Jang felt a subtle sensation.
It was because, strangely, he felt no unpleasantness.
Was it because the attitude suited him so well?
The impetuousness of youth. He didn't look like that.
What was this feeling?
At the inexplicable sensation, Jang looked at Cheon.
"Brother Cheon."
"What is it? I'm a bit busy right now, so later..."
"Brother Cheon, who do you think will win?"
"Huh?"
At Jang's question, Cheon, who had been looking at Shenlong, flinched.
His expression changed too.
It was an expression asking what kind of strange question this was.
"Haah. Why would you ask that?"
Of course.
"Wouldn't it be Shenlong?"
"...Do you think so?"
"Then do you think Shenlong might lose?"
"You never know what will happen in this world."
"Hehe. Goodness. For a merchant, you really don't know the world."
Indeed.
At Cheon's words, Jang nodded.
While the world said it was Shenlong, why did he feel this way?
A young man he was seeing for the first time, without even a prior meeting.
Once famous, but everyone said it was a false rumor.
Why were his eyes drawn to this young man he had just met?
Even knowing everything, Jang somehow thought of it.
For some reason, he didn't think Shenlong would win. Somehow, he had that feeling.
A brief moment passed with that thought.
-Shenlong of Shaolin's Yuyeondae. Gu Yangtian of the Shanxi Gu family.
-Duel begin!
The sound signaling the start was heard from the distant dueling platform.
At that moment.
Wooooong--!!
"...!"
Jang immediately felt the surrounding air churn.
Heavy and suffocating.
Haaaaaah--!!
"Ugh!"
Those around him hurriedly covered their eyes.
An enormous light burst forth from the dueling platform.
Golden light resembling the sun illuminated all directions.
At the same time, warmth gradually settled into his suffocating chest.
Hoooooook-!
Wind blew.
It was warm and benevolent, as if wrapping around the body.
Feeling this, Jang opened his eyes.
"Huh...?"
He had to swallow a hollow breath as he looked at the dueling platform.
"Hehehehe!! There it is! That's what I'm talking about!"
Cheon said excitedly from beside him.
Only then did Jang recall what he had been told.
Huang'a Ganglan.
Shaolin's ultimate art.
The oppressive force enveloping the entire body.
A giant suit of armor dyed in golden light was enveloping Shenlong's body.
"To think I'd see that from the start...!! It seems Shenlong intends to fight seriously regardless of who his opponent is."
"..."
Jang couldn't answer at all.
Was that truly a power unleashed by a human?
'Indeed... it deserves to be called Vajra Indestructible.'
One could tell just by looking.
That solid armor seemed impossible to break by ordinary means.
No, the very act of imagining it breaking was impossible.
Waaaaaaah---!!
As Shenlong unleashed the Huang'a Ganglan from the start, the cheers grew even louder.
A great moment that would remain in history.
It felt as if they were sharing that moment.
Shenlong was the center of the history that was about to begin.
Knowing this, the fervor rose even faster.
'...This...'
Observing this, Jang smiled bitterly.
'Amazing.'
They said he was the most likely candidate to be the future Number One Under Heaven, and those words were true.
He was certainly a martial artist worthy of being called Shenlong.
And yet...
'Why am I still looking at him?'
Jang's gaze turned once more to the Little Flame.
The Little Flame wore the same expression as before even beneath the brilliant light.
Had he perhaps given up on winning?
Had he lost his will to fight upon seeing it?
It was an expression that made one naturally think such thoughts.
Like an empty void.
An attitude showing not the slightest interest in the martial art Shenlong had unleashed.
How could this be?
It was such an overwhelming sight. How in the world could he be like this?
Jang harbored such doubts, but they did not last long.
The duel began.
Immediately, Shenlong, clad in Huang'a Ganglan, charged at the Little Flame.
Rip.
A brief sound followed.
"...Huh?"
-Waaaaah.... huh?
Doubt mixed into the cheers.
It couldn't be helped.
"What is that?"
"...That... huh?"
The golden armor said to be similar to the Vajra Indestructible.
That armor which Shenlong was wearing.
Riiiip-!
The Little Flame began to tear it off with his bare hands.