Sheng Huangye, City Lord of Shuomen. A person whose cunning mind and ferocious, untamed personality were known to most of the plane cultivators. Having assumed the leadership of his clan at just 19 years, everyone had believed the declining Sheng clan to be finished. But he proved that everyone had been mistaken. In less than ten years, he had completely rebuilt the clan to its glory, and a few years later, made it the most powerful Clan in the city. Surpassing even the Shou clan, which had been ruling Shuomen since its founding.

But different from what all the plane had expected, no bloodbath occurred, with Sheng Huangye managing to do the unthinkable - Making two tigers coexist in the same mountain. Centering himself on the martial path, he gained various glorious achievements while leaving the City under the care of Lord Shou Bingwen, at that time both patriarch of the Shou Clan and the City Lord.

It was only twenty years ago when Shou Bingwen passed away with his son and successor a mere Warrior King, that the position was agreed to be passed to Sheng Huangye, at that time a 143 years old 3rd level Emperor. Who again proved everyone wrong by not attempting to do anything against the Shou clan - in its place treating them like family.

Intermarrying both clans, including his daughter brought both clans even closer, and by this point, no one could separate the Shou from the Sheng.

And this man, by now an initial stage 5th level Warrior Emperor had summoned the strongest cultivators in the City to his palace. And none, be they part of the locals or just guests had refused.

***

"Everyone, I thank you for coming on such short notice" Sheng Huangye stood on the stairs of his palace and greeted the three dozens of cultivators that had responded to his call.

No one spoke, simply accepting his words with silent nods.

"You may have already heard Guard Commander Qing's explanation, but I consider that I must inform you of the reasons myself" He spoke calmly, and although he was about to ask the present cultivators to accompany him to battle, he did not belittle himself or plead for anything.

He simply stated that an unknown enemy had appeared in the Free District, whose aura was one of a medium-tier Emperor.

"Excuse me City Lord, I do not mean to question your decision to call us here, but if it's possible, could you please tell us why do you consider this unknown opponent to be dangerous enough to do so?" When Lord Sheng's explanation came to an end, a woman dressed in a long white dress embroidered with pink flowers asked courteously. A 1st level Warrior Emperor and one of the supreme elders of the 'Delicate Forest Palace' - Sun Min. She had arrived at the city for the closed auction to be held in a few days, and she was one of the first to respond to the summoning.

"Elder Sun's question is a good one, and albeit this is a fact I would have preferred to keep hidden, I do not doubt the integrity of anyone present" Lord Sheng lightly smiled, indicating that he indeed believed these words.

"In short, the reason is that none of the formations, guards, and even me caught the manner and time in which this mysterious cultivator entered the city. As you all understand, this can mean only two things. Either he is far more powerful, on a level enough as to enter the city and cross two districts without revealing himself at all, or he has a special method or treasure to allow him to do so" He did not continue to explain, knowing that everyone would understand the underlying meaning.

"And if he is hostile to the City, then he poses a danger to any power in the region" Sun Min voiced the thought that crossed everyone's mind. If this cultivator was truly hostile, even his revealed strength was enough to deal with most of the 2nd tier powers, while if he had a method to avoid being discovered...

*Swoosh*

A message talisman crossed the courtyard and landed in Lord Sheng's hand. As the contents were transferred into his mind, only his experience allowed him to maintain a calm face.

"Everyone, I would like to slowly discuss everything, but this talisman changes everything. Cultivators below the Emperor Realm should not enter the district. And for the rest, whoever wants to stay - I will not hold anything against him" He stated before transmitting most of what Deng Guiying had just informed him about before signaling to the two Emperors affiliated to the city present amongst the group, he took flight towards the Free District.

On his way, he sent a single talisman, one meant to command the activation of the defense and containment formations around the said district.

"If Deng Guiying's findings are true, we can not allow this thing to escape!" Was the only thought he had on his mind, and judging from the seven Emperors that took flight just a breath after him, all of the present cultivators had the same thing on their mind.

Most of the Warrior Kings present also followed, making it clear that they would help maintain the formations around the district.

"Thank you, everyone" A low murmur, but one that entered the ears of every man and woman that decided to risk their lives was the only thing that Sheng Huangye had to say.

________________________________________________________________________

"If I can finish this right now, good. If not, I should strive to maintain it occupied until Lord Sheng and the others arrive" Deng Guiying mentally prepared himself and with a loud "Kill!" shoot towards the Bonejade and its bizarre host.

"Ferocious God of Wind, Rending Palm!" Deng Guiying roared as his palm tore through the aura and hands that the Bonejade used to block him. The second Royal Technique of the Wind God's Set was by far more powerful than the others, but its main disadvantage was the range. Still, that was exactly what Deng Guiying needed right now, as the destructiveness of the 'Rending Palm' was the perfect way to allow him to break through any defenses and engage his target in physical combat.

*Tear*

The extended palm and the ferocious wind blades that surrounded it destroyed everything on his path, be it aura or air...

*Tear*

And allowed Deng Guiying to break through and reach his target.

"As you could not even hope to reach me from long range, you decided to come closer, old man?" For the first time, the detached Bonejade's voice showed a tinge of emotion, but only for it to be derision.

"So you are confident in your martial arts, fiend? Or the madman that allows you to hang on his chest?" The Elder responded in the same manner while landing on the ground and placing Bai Qi behind himself.

Deng Guiying's Royal Technique dispersed without reaching the Bonejade, but it did allow him to cross the mile that separated them. So now, he was only a dozen of feet from it and its 'body'.

"So martial arts it is? Let me show you then that anything you try is absolutely futile" As it spoke out, the aura that had been surrounding an entire mile to each side began retreating, slowly condensing around the pendant.

"It is trying to defend itself! It has no confidence in defending physically!" Deng Guiying's reaction was momentary, and just as the thought crossed his mind, he forcefully stomped on the ground and propelled himself forwards.

A fist that could destroy an entire mountain with ease was sent out, aimed at the small jade...

*Swoosh*

In response, the demon-like man stomped on the ground with his bone-constructed leg and threw his right claw to meet the fist.

"Strenght against strength? Interesting!" Deng Guiying exclaimed.

But as the fist was about to connect with the extended claw, he suddenly sensed danger from below, and quickly sidestepped, even though it would weaken his attack. Regretfully, he was late...

*Rip*

A thin and sharp bone, akin to a blade had suddenly appeared from the ground and extended up. Deng Guiying had avoided the fate of losing his hand, even so, the bone had ignored both his compressed aura and other defenses, and left a long gash on his wrist.

*Rip*

But avoiding losing his hand also made him discard the explosive force of his punch, and so when it did clash with the extended claw, it could not break the feet-long 'nails' of the man. Instead, they tore through, leaving four long and bleeding wounds.

Still, such could not stop Deng Guiying. A single thought to stop the bleeding later, he exploded with a series of kicks and punches.

"GAHAHAHA, A SACK OF BONES THINKS IT CAN BEST ME, TUI MOGWAI?!" This sudden shout, one that sounded during the exchange in which the grey-skinned 'man' matched fist with claw and kick with a kick made Deng Guiying break off with a surprised expression.

"Tui Mogwai? Impossible!"

"YOu knoW of Me?" Slightly lowering its shrieking tone the man also stopped fighting and asked.

"I do know a Tui Mogwai, but he would never have fallen so low as to create or use such an item. Who are you? And why do you use that name?!"

"But I hAvE, and if yoU trulY know of mE, tHen be hoNoRED, AS THE GREAT ME WILL SEND YOU TO THE GRAVE!!!" As if he couldn't maintain a normal tone, or more probably his sanity, the demon-like man who had called himself Tui Mogwai shrieked and launched forwards.

Deng Guiying was indeed surprised when he heard the name that the man had called himself with. But the true reason for him to break off was far different. Having seen that he could not overpower the opponent as expected, he decided to try another approach.

"Ferocious God of Wind, Rending Palm" His right palm exploded with qi as he launched the Royal Technique again, this time aiming for the bone leg. He also followed with a simple left punch towards the Bonejade...

*Swoosh*

"Void Transfer, Fist from Nothing" Lord Shou appeared from behind Tui Mogwai, having used his signature movement technique, one that allowed him to transport himself for a brief distance through the void and released a powerful fist, one that he had been infusing with qi for the last minutes.

*Swoosh*

"Incapable of winning, they resort to tricks" The Bonejade voice mockingly announced, almost as it was just a narrator.

"BoNE DeMOn EmBRAcE" complemented by Tui Mogwai's shriek.

*Shatter* *Shatter*

His technique, if it was one had made long and thin, needle-like bones emerge from almost every single pore on his body, and albeit they could not injure or reach neither of the attackers, they were enough to stop both attacks from the front as well the fist from behind.

"TRAsH! IT DoeS noT mAttER hoW mANy, ALl WilL DIe!" Suddenly after he shrieked, Tui Mogwai's eyes closed, and his raised arms fell.

"Now!" Both Deng Guiying and Shou Tian exchanged glances and turned into two hurricanes of fists, kicks, palms, and claws.

"Explosive Repulsion" The Bonejade sounded in turn, and all the aura gathered around the pendant, easily half of the one it had been using before turned into a wave of pure power. A power that shot out, sweeping everything, and everyone around it...