The morning sun cast a golden glow over Sun Lixia’s villa, but despite the warmth of the day, a heavy tension weighed down on the estate. The once quiet, secluded residence was now buzzing with activity, as allies from across the region arrived in response to the urgent summons. Martial masters, guardians of ancient traditions, and respected elders—all answering the call for help in the face of an unprecedented threat—gathered under one roof.

Master Chen stood at the entrance, greeting each arrival with a respectful nod. His eyes betrayed his exhaustion, but his posture remained firm, projecting the strength he knew they would need in the days ahead. Sun Lixia and Li Xiaojun flanked him, their expressions solemn as they greeted old friends and allies. This was not a reunion of joy, but one born of necessity—one born of war.

Inside, the grand hall of the villa had been transformed into a council chamber. Rows of chairs had been set up around a long table, and at the far end of the room, a large map of the region was pinned to the wall, detailing the locations of recent demon attacks. The air was thick with the smell of incense and the low murmur of voices, as martial artists of all ages gathered to discuss the most dangerous threat they had faced in centuries.

Li Chen sat at the head of the table, still pale and weak, but determined. His body may not have fully healed, but his mind was sharp, and the fire in his eyes had not dimmed. He had insisted on being present for this council, despite Zhang Mei’s protests, and now, as he surveyed the room, he could feel the weight of responsibility pressing down on him.

This was his fight. His destiny. The burden of the Seven Fists Manual rested on his shoulders, and he could not afford to waver now.

One by one, the martial masters took their seats, their faces etched with concern and resolve. Some were old and grizzled, their bodies weathered by decades of battle, while others were younger, their eyes burning with the zeal of youth. All of them, however, understood the gravity of the situation. They had seen the destruction wrought by Zhang Yiming and his demons, and they knew that the time for action had come.

Master Chen cleared his throat, bringing the room to silence. "Thank you all for coming," he began, his voice steady and authoritative. "We face an enemy unlike any we have ever encountered. Zhang Yiming has gained control of the demons imprisoned for centuries, and if we do not act swiftly, he will bring untold destruction to our world."

A ripple of murmurs spread through the room, and an elder master from the Northern Peaks, Bai Shuren, leaned forward, his eyes narrowed. "Master Chen, we’ve heard the stories, but is it true? Have the demons truly returned?"

"It’s worse than we thought," Sun Lixia replied, stepping forward. "Zhang Yiming controls the demons, and they are stronger than anything we’ve faced before. Several villages have already been wiped out, and it’s only a matter of time before they strike the cities."

The room fell into a heavy silence as the gravity of the situation settled in. Bai Shuren stroked his long, white beard, his brow furrowed. "If that’s true, then our task is far greater than simply stopping Zhang Yiming. We must consider the safety of the people. Have you thought about evacuating the major cities before it’s too late?"

A younger master, Wei Xian, from the Southern Plains, shook his head in disagreement. "Evacuation won’t stop them. Zhang Yiming and his demons will follow wherever people go. We need to take the fight to him. If we wait, we’ll only lose more lives."

Tensions immediately began to rise, with several voices speaking at once. Some agreed with Wei Xian, advocating for an immediate attack on Zhang Yiming, while others, like Bai Shuren, pushed for more cautious tactics, prioritizing the safety of the cities over a direct confrontation.

Li Xiaojun raised his hand, silencing the room. "We all want to protect the people, but we must recognize the nature of the enemy we face. These demons are ancient, and their power grows with every life they take. A direct attack on Zhang Yiming without preparation could lead to disaster."

Wei Xian’s face darkened with frustration. "So what do you suggest, Li Xiaojun? We wait while he destroys everything in his path? We don’t have the luxury of time."

Master Chen interjected, his voice calm but firm. "No one here is suggesting we wait idly. But we cannot rush into battle without a plan. Zhang Yiming has control over forces we don’t fully understand. If we are to defeat him, we need more than just strength—we need strategy."

Li Chen, who had been silent up until this point, suddenly spoke, his voice hoarse but filled with determination. "Master Chen is right," he said, causing the room to turn toward him. "But the time for strategy is running out. We can’t afford to wait much longer."

Zhang Mei, who had been standing quietly behind him, looked at her husband with concern. She could see the strain on his face, the way his body still struggled to recover. But there was a fire in his eyes—a resolve that could not be extinguished.

"I’ve seen what Zhang Yiming is capable of," Li Chen continued. "And I’ve seen what’s coming if we don’t act. The longer we wait, the stronger he becomes. The demons feed off chaos and fear, and they’re growing more powerful with every attack. We need to be smart, but we also need to be bold."

The room remained silent, listening intently.

"I know I’m not at full strength yet," Li Chen admitted, his voice steady despite the fatigue in his body. "But I won’t let that stop me. Zhang Yiming isn’t just after power—he’s after control. He wants to reshape the world in his image, and he’ll use the demons to destroy everything in his way. We can’t let that happen."

Bai Shuren nodded slowly, though his expression remained cautious. "And what do you suggest, young master? A full confrontation with Zhang Yiming and his demons? Do you believe you can lead us to victory, even in your current state?"

Li Chen met the elder’s gaze without hesitation. "Yes," he said simply. "Because I’m not alone. We have the knowledge of the Seven Fists Manual, and with your help—with all of us united—we can defeat him. But we need to act now. We need to strike before the demons grow too strong to stop."

The room fell into a tense silence as the council members exchanged glances. Some nodded in agreement, while others remained skeptical. Li Xinjie, standing in the corner, clenched his fists, his face set with determination. He knew his brother was right, but convincing the council to act would be no easy task.

Master Chen, sensing the growing divide, stepped forward. "Li Chen speaks the truth. This is not a fight we can win by hiding behind walls or running from city to city. We must confront Zhang Yiming directly, but we must also be prepared. The demons are not invincible, but they are dangerous. If we work together—if we gather all our strength—we can defeat them."

Sun Lixia nodded in agreement, her voice strong and resolute. "Our ancestors faced threats like this before, and they won because they stood united. We must do the same. This is no longer just about stopping Zhang Yiming. This is about protecting everything we hold dear."

A murmur of agreement spread through the room, though the tension remained palpable. Wei Xian, though still hesitant, finally spoke up. "If we’re going to fight, then let’s make sure we’re ready. We’ll need every capable fighter, every resource we can gather."

Li Xiaojun nodded. "I’ve already begun reaching out to our contacts. We’ll have martial families from across the region joining us, but it won’t be enough. We need to form a proper resistance. If we fail, the consequences will be catastrophic."

The council members murmured in agreement, and slowly, the sense of urgency began to take hold. Li Chen could see it in their faces—the fear, the resolve, the understanding that this was a battle unlike any other.

Just as the council began to settle, a messenger burst into the room, his face pale with fear. He rushed toward Master Chen, handing him a sealed letter. Master Chen read it quickly, his expression growing darker with each passing second.

"They’re on the move," he announced, his voice grave. "Zhang Yiming’s forces are heading toward Shanghai."

The room erupted into chaos, voices overlapping as the reality of the situation sank in. The demons were no longer targeting small villages—they were now moving toward one of the largest cities in the region. If they reached Shanghai, the destruction would be unimaginable.

Li Chen pushed himself to his feet, ignoring the pain that flared through his body. "This is it," he said, his voice cutting through the noise. "We need to stop them before they reach the city."

The council members fell silent, their eyes turning to Li Chen.

"This is the moment we’ve been preparing for," he continued, his gaze sweeping across the room. "We fight now, or we lose everything. There’s no turning back."

Master Chen stepped forward, his face set with determination. "Then let’s gather our forces. We don’t have much time."

As the council members began organizing their plans and sending out orders, Li Chen felt the weight of the battle ahead pressing down on him. The road to victory would be long and dangerous, but he

knew there was no other choice.

The demons were coming. And so was the final battle.