**Headquarters of the Kontung Sect...**
The Kontung Sect stood as one of the top five martial sects in the world, following the four great sects of Shaolin, Wudang, Emei, and Kunlun. For over a hundred years, no one had dared challenge the Kontung Sect's authority.
Their signature martial art, the *Seven-Layered Fist Technique*, was renowned across the martial world. It was said that a single strike could unleash seven different layers of force. However, its weakness was that if the practitioner's internal energy was insufficient, they risked suffering seven types of internal injuries.
Yet, the current sect leader, Tahn Yann, had mastered the technique to its highest level, earning him a place among the greatest martial artists of the era.
Today, however, the Kontung headquarters was in turmoil. In the grand hall, Sect Leader Tahn Yann and his deputy, Maw Kyoe, waited restlessly for someone.
Tahn Yann's sunken temples and piercing eyes marked him as a master of profound internal energy.
"Grand Sect Leader, perhaps he won't come. He might just be a braggart," Maw Kyoe muttered.
"Never underestimate an enemy, Maw Kyoe," Tahn Yann replied calmly. "The martial world is on the brink of chaos. Rumors speak of the resurgence of the *Nine Yin Deviation*, and a terrifyingly skilled, ruthless young man has emerged. This 'Lord of Nine Yin' may be connected to it all. Stay vigilant."
Just then, a bell tolled from the gates.
"Speak of the devil… Let him in."
Tahn Yann's voice remained steady.
The man who called himself the *Lord of Nine Yin* strode in casually, hands behind his back, as if on a leisurely stroll. He wore a golden robe and a golden mask. Behind him followed two fierce-looking bodyguards.
One glance at one of them made Tahn Yann's heart skip a beat.
The man had one ruined eye, the other darting wildly like a beast's. His demeanor was a mix of cunning and bloodlust.
Tahn Yann's shock was justified—this was none other than *Vixen Pi Wu Soon*, a notorious figure from the dark martial world who had vanished fifty years ago after a crushing defeat.
Now, he had reappeared as a follower of the Lord of Nine Yin.
This was no friendly visit.
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*"Pi Wu Soon, the Vixen who lost his tail to Tahn Yann's blade… And the other must be Bloodsucking Wind Le Pywe Soong Chee. Two once-great figures, now reduced to hiding behind a masked man? How laughable!"*
Tahn Yann's mocking words made the two men's faces darken.
*"The Grand Sect Leader is as sharp-tongued as he is skilled,"* the Vixen sneered. *"Our Lord is soon to establish the Nine Yin Sect. Today, he's come to test your Seven-Layered Fist and personally invite you to its inauguration."*
*"Hah! A challenge, then? Very well."*
Tahn Yann laughed, though inwardly, he was wary. Individually, the Vixen or Le Pywe were near his equal. Against both, he stood no chance.
Then, the Lord of Nine Yin finally spoke, his voice cold and monotone, like ice scraping stone:
*"Grand Sect Leader Tahn Yann, I seek no unnecessary bloodshed. Let us exchange three moves. If I fail to defeat you within them, the three of us will kneel and leave. If I succeed, you must declare your defeat to the entire martial world."*
*"Agreed."*
Tahn Yann's voice trembled slightly.
The battle began—challenger versus challenged, guest versus host.
The Lord of Nine Yin remained calm, hands behind his back as if strolling. Tahn Yann, however, watched for any opening.
Tahn Yann struck first with the *Seven-Layered Fist's* opening move, *Seven Stars Piercing the Sky*. A top-tier technique, executed flawlessly, carrying enough force to shatter boulders. He held nothing back.
Seven layers of force silently surged toward seven vital points on the Lord of Nine Yin's body. The strike was too fast to evade.
Yet, in that instant, the Lord of Nine Yin's feet shifted in an bizarre step. His entire body seemed to blur, effortlessly dodging the attack while closing the distance in a flash.
Like stepping on a coiled snake's neck.
In one fluid motion, his right hand hooked forward, seizing Tahn Yann's head. The evasion and counterattack were one.
To onlookers, it was as if a golden shadow had flickered.
Grand Sect Leader Tahn Yann of the Seven-Layered Fist collapsed into a pool of blood, his body broken.
The strong devour the weak—such was the law of beasts.
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*"Your leader is dead,"* the Vixen announced. *"The rest of you—swear loyalty or follow him."*
As expected, some knelt immediately. The rest were slaughtered without mercy.
And so, the once-mighty Kontung Sect vanished from the martial world.
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### **Coiled Dragon Mountain**
Deep in the arid heart of Chan An Province stood *Coiled Dragon Mountain*, a serpentine peak surrounded by barren land. Its winding path was the only way up, making it a natural fortress.
At its summit lay a bandit stronghold, led by *Twin-Blade Sein Htoke*.
One night, the Lord of Nine Yin attacked. Sein Htoke surrendered without resistance.
Three months after the fall of the Kontung Sect, this minor event went unnoticed.
But soon, the martial world's attention snapped to Coiled Dragon Mountain as a grand new sect arose overnight—towers, stables, traps, and all.
The speed of its construction revealed the Lord of Nine Yin's influence. He was no mere martial artist—he commanded resources and talent beyond imagination.
His one-move victory over Tahn Yann—an 8th-rank master—proved his unmatched skill. Even the Shaolin and Kunlun leaders couldn't have achieved such a feat.
Why had such a figure only now emerged? Where had he been all these years?
His footsteps grew louder. The martial world trembled.
The battle between light and darkness had begun.
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### **The Poison King's Decision**
In the dark forests of Myaung, two men faced each other.
One was *Le Pywe Soong Chee*, the Lord of Nine Yin's right-hand man. The other was *Poison Path Tay Lay*, a man feared across the martial world for his lethal venom and *Poison Palm Technique*.
Once, the orthodox sects had nearly killed him, forcing him into hiding.
Why had Le Pywe sought him out?
*"Poison King, listen well,"* Le Pywe said smoothly. *"Our Lord has mastered the Nine Yin Deviation. His martial arts are now peerless. The scripture he seeks—the Nine Yin Heat Manual—is nearly in his grasp."*
*"We are the outcasts, the abandoned. The so-called 'righteous' sects forced us into the shadows. But now, under our Lord, we gather. The time has come to make the world acknowledge us."*
His voice was persuasive, dripping with sincerity.
*"Good,"* Tay Lay replied. *"I've waited years for this. I'll join you."*
Birds of a feather flocked together.
Soon, the Lord of Nine Yin's ranks swelled with dark martial artists—*Ghost Hand Kyon Yann*, *Viper Jin Yone*, *Bronze Statue Tan Shoak*, *Soul Blade Min Htike Pae*—ten of the most notorious figures now bowed to him.
The balance of power shifted. The martial world held its breath.
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### **Leap into the Abyss**
At *Misty Peak* in the Kunlun Mountains, a man stood before a thousand-foot chasm.
A rope around his waist, he checked a note, then muttered, *"This is it."*
And jumped.
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### **The Lost Manual**
The man—none other than the Lord of Nine Yin—descended into the abyss, landing on a tree branch before entering a hidden cave.
Inside, the narrow tunnel forced him to crawl until light appeared.
Emerging, he gasped.
Before him lay a paradise—a valley of lush grass, fragrant flowers, exotic animals, and ripe fruits. A waterfall cascaded into an emerald pool.
On the cliff beside it, faded characters read:
*(...Scripture of... Place...)*
Digging beneath, he uncovered a wax-sealed book and erupted in laughter.
*"Hah! After years of searching, the Nine Yin Heat Manual is finally mine! With this and the Deviation Scripture, who in this world can challenge me now?"*
The tiger had grown wings.
The *Nine Yin Heat Manual* complemented the *Deviation Scripture*—one focused on technique, the other on internal energy. Either alone could make one a martial sovereign. Together, they were unstoppable.
The Lord of Nine Yin was now invincible.
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