"I heard the Eight Demonic Punishment Orders are gathered once more!?"

"Indeed? Someone was sailing at sea and witnessed it firsthand, an overwhelming sight that made their scalp tingle."

"The Dragon King Hall has been dormant for years, with the eight sects each guarding their own territories."

"It’s been many years since we’ve seen the divine might of the Eight Demonic Punishment Orders."

"It seems like the Dragon King Hall can’t sit still anymore."

"What do you mean by that?"

Inside the tavern, the atmosphere was bustling, with Jianghu rangers and merchant shopkeepers from all over Nanhai stopping here to drink and chat, discussing the major events happening in Nanhai today.

Upon hearing this, the person who spoke seemed to have hit a soft spot, and with a laugh, said:

"Do you know what the Nanhai Alliance has been up to recently?"

"The Nanhai Alliance?"

"I’ve heard that Gao Tianqi of the Nanhai Alliance suddenly went mad, removed his own son from the position of the Young Alliance Leader, and gave it to an outsider?"

"It wasn’t madness. Nowadays, the Nanhai Alliance Young Leader has a background far from ordinary."

"I haven’t heard of this, what is their background?"

"This person comes from Donghuang, the number one expert in Donghuang. Young and gentlemanly. Once on Longmu Island, they saved many fellow Jianghu members, killed the Longmu Island Master, and made a shocking impact in a single battle, truly formidable!"

"I see... But what does this have to do with the Dragon King Hall?"

The person who spoke earlier smiled at these words:

"You only know one part, but not the other.

"From what I know, ever since this Young Leader replaced the former in Nanhai Alliance, there have been frequent unusual activities.

"Not long ago, the battle on Tianqi Island, I believe you’ve all heard some whispers about it.

"We don’t know the exact details of the battle, just that before this, Gao Tianqi and Qi Dingtian didn’t get along.

"Everyone suspects that Gao Tianqi went to Tianqi Island with the intention of wiping out the Qi Family and taking the Burning Wood Armor.

"But unexpectedly, after the battle, the two old men were as close as if wearing the same pants.

"It’s said this change was entirely due to the mediation of this Young Leader.

"And after that, Gao Tianqi personally led Qi Dingtian, Mei Xuesong, and others on a thousand-mile surprise attack... directly towards Gui Ruins Island!!"

"What?"

Upon hearing this, everyone present was shocked and someone immediately asked:

"Isn’t this further proof of Gao Tianqi’s madness?"

"The Nanhai’s three giants have shouted for years, if Gui Ruins Island could be so easily conquered, what justifies its place as one of the top three?"

"A surprise attack? Isn’t this just a suicide mission?"

Seeing this, the person who spoke earlier laughed again:

"This is where the mystery lies.

"Gui Ruins Island, seemingly like a fake, crumbled at a single poke from Gao Tianqi and his men, and in just one night, the situation turned, and Gui Ruins Island was taken by them."

After finishing this, everyone present was left speechless in astonishment.

On the second floor, at a table near the railing, a group of customers listened, all exchanging glances, except for one who continued to eat heartily.

Their gaze finally fell on a young gentleman at the table.

The young man smiled slightly, glanced at the person downstairs, and asked:

"Is there really such a thing? Xu Huai Valley’s martial arts on Gui Ruins Island are not inferior to Gao Tianqi’s. Moreover, that place is the Headquarters of Gui Ruins Island.

"To say it’s teeming with experts is likely not an exaggeration.

"How could it be so easily overrun?"

The speaker below looked up at the group, instantly realizing they were not to be trifled with.

Immediately, he cupped his hands:

"Greetings, young master.

"The strangeness of this matter lies here as well, the experts on Gui Ruins Island have all mysteriously disappeared.

"Only a few ordinary disciples were left, how could they withstand Gao Tianqi and the others?

"Naturally, they suffered a great defeat!

"At present, Gui Ruins Island flies the flag of Nanhai Alliance high.

"Elevating the prestige of Nanhai Alliance to its peak!

"Our place here is remote, not many people know... however, this news has almost caused an uproar over Nanhai."

The young gentleman on the second floor nodded slightly.

All in the hall looked at each other.

"Is there really such a thing..."

"With Nanhai Alliance being so aggressive, turmoil probably isn’t far off."

"Where are the people of Xu Huai Valley? Are they really ignoring this?"

"Ignoring it would be unlikely, but perhaps... they truly fear Nanhai Alliance."

"Just because Nanhai Alliance has a new Young Leader?"

"Hard to say. Didn’t they mention it already, the Young Leader of Nanhai Alliance is the number one expert in Donghuang."

"Donghuang is nothing but a desolate land, picking the tallest among short ones, the so-called top expert may not be a match for our island’s top expert."

"Don’t underestimate people of the world."

"Speaking of which, how does such a big move by Nanhai Alliance relate to the Dragon King Hall?"

Someone finally touched upon the key point in the discussion.

Hearing this, the earlier speaker smiled again:

"This suggests that the tides are changing in Nanhai!

"Everyone knows for over ten years, Dragon King Hall has remained calm and steady.

"There’s a secret within, unbeknownst to all... years ago, an Elder Du wreaked havoc on Black Island..."

This person was indeed a know-it-all, recounting Elder Du’s deeds from years ago as if they were treasure stories.

Finally, he said:

"Though Dragon King Hall has always kept the loss of the Dragon King Mirror a secret.

"But there’s no wall in the world that doesn’t let the wind through.

"Especially recently, it’s heard Dragon King Hall gained a new Hall Master.

"The reason they could ascend to such a high position is precisely because they found the Dragon King Mirror and learned its unrivaled martial arts.