The South of Eastern Mountain, Hollow Demon Valley.

In the hall of the Crimson Demon Gate, a martial artist clad in crimson robes knelt before the Gate Master, Adrian, delivering grim news.

"Ashen is dead."

Adrian stared down at his subordinate with a look of disbelief.

"Dead? Are you telling me that a martial artist who had reached the Peak Realm's Entry Stage is dead? And not in an honorable duel, but during a skirmish?"

"Yes, Gate Master. He was… killed."

"By whom?"

The subordinate shifted uneasily, his eyes darting. To hesitate so much in giving a report—just who could have been responsible?

"Did the Sword Sovereign appear?"

"No… quite the opposite, actually."

"Opposite? What do you mean?"

In Eastern Mountain, only a handful of martial artists could have killed Ashen. Perhaps the heads of the Fiery Blade clan or Golden Peak Clan, both renowned clans. But beyond them?