Now that the greatest concern in his heart had been properly taken care of, Xiong Ba could finally focus all his efforts on dealing with the transmigrator Duan Lang.
When Xiong Ba returned to the headquarters of the Tianxia Society, many powerful figures had already been lying in ambush in a dense forest at the foot of the mountain.
A handsome young man in a luxurious brocade robe gripped a fiery red longsword tightly in his hand.
His icy gaze was fixed on the brightly lit headquarters of the Tianxia Society on the mountain.
Behind him stood a group of renowned martial artists, each with a distinct aura and solemn expression.
Duan Lang was brimming with confidence in his ability to defeat Xiong Ba, but the martial experts behind him did not share that certainty.
As he stared at the Tianxia Society headquarters, Duan Lang's thoughts drifted uncontrollably to the past year of his transmigration.
He had originally been a food delivery rider in modern society.
While delivering an order that day, he had looked down at his phone to check an alert and, distracted, crashed headlong into a utility pole, losing consciousness instantly.
When he opened his eyes again, he had transmigrated to this world and become this world's Duan Lang.
After receiving the memories of this body, Duan Lang realized that the Xiong Ba of this world was completely different from the one he remembered.
This Xiong Ba had not only shown him goodwill but had also intended to take him in as a disciple, even promising to appoint him as a hall master in the Tianxia Society.
Having just transmigrated, Duan Lang had been filled with confusion and had no idea why Xiong Ba’s attitude had changed so drastically.
But after carefully analyzing Xiong Ba's personality, Duan Lang came up with a theory.
In his view, Xiong Ba’s actions were likely part of a larger scheme, and those promises of benefits were nothing more than a means to use him.
If Duan Lang took the bait, he would probably be devoured until not even bones remained.
Beyond that, Duan Lang privately speculated that Xiong Ba might also have been possessed by another transmigrator.
Whatever the case, there was no way he could remain in the Tianxia Society.
Ambitious at heart, Duan Lang believed that he was destined to become the supreme figure of the world.
And that made Xiong Ba—this potential obstacle—someone he had to eliminate at all costs.
Moreover, after a few encounters, Duan Lang increasingly suspected that Xiong Ba was indeed a transmigrator.
Xiong Ba seemed to anticipate his movements, even ambushing him outside the Lingyun Cave.
That incident had brought Duan Lang closest to death—if not for the unexpected interference of the Fire Qilin, he would have died on the spot.
Not only that, Duan Lang had discovered that Xiong Ba’s strength far surpassed what had been recorded in the original work—so terrifying it sent chills down the spine.
Without the help of his system, even with outstanding talent, he would never have stood a chance against Xiong Ba.
More importantly, in their last fight, Duan Lang had fought Xiong Ba to a draw—but Xiong Ba’s strength was now several times more terrifying than it had been a year ago.
Such a shocking increase in power defied all logic.
Duan Lang was certain.
“If Xiong Ba isn’t a transmigrator, I’ll eat shit standing on my head!”
With that thought, Duan Lang pulled himself back to the present and turned to face the martial experts behind him, declaring in a loud voice,
“Everyone, today is the day we eradicate the Tianxia Society!
They’ve oppressed the martial world for too long—just recently, they even tried to force us to hand over our core martial arts manuals!
Those manuals are the crystallization of our ancestors’ hard work and the very foundation of our sects—how could we let others covet them?
Furthermore, since unifying the North, the Tianxia Society has continuously exploited us. Today, we must wipe them out and return justice to the martial world!”
The crowd nodded in agreement, their eyes burning with resolve as they looked at Duan Lang.
Seeing this, Duan Lang stepped forward and solemnly vowed.
“Rest assured, everyone! My strength is not what it used to be. I now have full confidence in defeating Xiong Ba!
Leave him to me! As for his three disciples and the other experts, I’ll leave them in your capable hands!”
Hearing this, the masters of the various sects were greatly relieved—it was Xiong Ba they feared most.
Now that Duan Lang had volunteered to shoulder the heaviest burden, their hesitation vanished. They responded in unison with cupped fists.
“Yes, Alliance Leader!”
Before their voices had even faded, Duan Lang’s figure flashed as he soared toward the Tianxia Society.
At the same time, inside the Tianxia Society, Xiong Ba suddenly opened his eyes.
His hawk-like gaze pierced into the distance as he murmured to himself,
“So, you’ve come.”
He flickered and reappeared atop a tall platform, silently awaiting the arrival of the enemy.
Meanwhile, the elite warriors of the Tianxia Society had already taken their positions, fully prepared as per Xiong Ba’s earlier arrangements.
He had long anticipated Duan Lang’s arrival and had made early preparations, stationing his three disciples and numerous experts to form an inescapable trap.
When Qin Shuang, Bu Jingyun, and Nie Feng saw Xiong Ba appear, they swiftly rushed over and stood respectfully before him, bowing in unison.
“Master!”
Xiong Ba gave a slight nod, his gaze sweeping across the three as he said in a low voice,
“Duan Lang is leading the various sects to attack us today. I will face him personally. The rest of the enemies are yours to handle.”
“Yes, Master!”
The three responded in chorus.
Nie Feng and Qin Shuang’s gazes were firm. They trusted Xiong Ba deeply and already regarded him as their dearest teacher.
But when Bu Jingyun lowered his head, a flicker of something strange passed through his eyes.
This subtle shift did not escape Xiong Ba’s notice.
He remained impassive, but thoughts stirred silently in his heart—though he did not expose it on the spot.
As for Bu Jingyun’s thoughts, Xiong Ba had already made a guess.
He knew well that after annihilating the entire Bu family village years ago, Bu Jingyun could never be truly loyal to him again.
Thus, he had never considered trying to repair that broken bond. If Bu Jingyun remained faithful, Xiong Ba naturally wouldn’t act first as he had in the Fate File.
But the moment Bu Jingyun showed signs of betrayal, he wouldn’t show the slightest mercy.
Although today’s battle brought him some concern, the recent growth in his strength—along with Lu Xueqi’s promise—gave him full confidence in facing Duan Lang.
While he was still in thought, a shadow suddenly darted up from the foot of the mountain.
This figure radiated a terrifying aura, moving like a phantom as it rushed toward the Tianxia Society.
When it finally stopped, the figure stood revealed—a man in a richly embroidered robe, holding the Fire-Scale Sword. He landed steadily on a tall platform within the Tianxia Society, gazing calmly at Xiong Ba.
“Xiong Ba, I’ve come.”
Xiong Ba’s expression turned grim as he said in a deep voice,
“Duan Lang, I knew this day would come.”
“Is that so? Then do you regret ambushing me back then?”
Duan Lang’s tone was calm.
Xiong Ba shook his head, his tone ice-cold.
“Ever since you defected from the Tianxia Society, I knew you and I walked different paths. You could never submit to me, and we were destined to be enemies. So, I must eliminate you.”
Duan Lang nodded in understanding.
From the moment he defected from the Tianxia Society, he had regarded Xiong Ba as the first target to eliminate.
After all, Xiong Ba was the biggest obstacle standing between him and his rise to the peak of the martial world.
“Xiong Ba, I have a question for you.”
Duan Lang began.
“And I have one for you. Go ahead first.”
Xiong Ba replied.
“Are you a transmigrator?”
Duan Lang’s eyes were sharp as flames.
Xiong Ba’s face remained calm as he shook his head.
“I’m not.”
Duan Lang’s face was filled with disbelief. If he wasn’t a transmigrator, how had his strength increased so quickly?
He frowned.
“Xiong Ba, I came here today with sincerity—why lie to me? Today’s battle will end with either your death or mine. I’d hoped you’d be more honest!”
Xiong Ba shook his head again.
“I said I’m not a transmigrator. But you—you are, aren’t you?”
Duan Lang let out a cold laugh.
“Heh, Xiong Ba, you finally slipped! If you weren’t a transmigrator, how would you know that I am?”