The entire arena was drenched in blood, a scene of utter misery.
Broken weapons littered the ground.
All seven of the previous contestants had been severely injured. They lay on the ground, groaning in agony. Some had their wrists broken, some had their shoulders torn apart, and others had bloody holes in their chests, chunks of flesh missing.
Jiang Dao had brought the essence of the Eagle Claw Art to its fullest display.
Other than him, not a single person on the entire arena could still stand.
This was only because he had deliberately held back. Otherwise, anyone whose vital points were gouged by his Eagle Claw Art would undoubtedly die.
"You... you are outrageous!"
Left Guardian Guo Linyu roared, his eyes reddening.
Fei Bin, the Wind-Thunder Palm, was his own nephew.
Yet Jiang Dao had actually clawed him to death right before his eyes?
"Left Guardian, the Sect Master said long ago that blades and swords had no eyes. Does Left Guardian think I did something wrong?"
Jiang Dao frowned.
"I already called for the match to stop. Why did you not stop?"
Guo Linyu shouted furiously.
"But he had not admitted defeat. Besides, he wanted to kill me, and I killed him instead. What was wrong with that?"
Jiang Dao said.
"You... you..."
Guo Linyu gritted his teeth, his gaze cold and sinister.
"Enough. Stop talking."
Suddenly, Sect Master Fang Tianba's tone sank. He stared at Jiang Dao and said, "Jiang Dao, you have indeed won this arena match. According to the rules, you may choose either the Hall Master position of Flying Eagle Hall or Black Tiger Hall. Which one do you wish to choose?"
"Sect Master, this man has only just arrived, and his background has yet to be thoroughly investigated. Moreover, he has rendered no service and strikes with such viciousness. If he becomes a Hall Master, I fear many below will refuse to accept it."
Guo Linyu said coldly.
"We agreed to determine the candidate through martial competition. Does Left Guardian want me to break my word?"
Fang Tianba looked at Guo Linyu.
Guo Linyu's expression changed slightly, and he hurriedly said, "I would not dare!"
"Jiang Dao, which hall do you wish to choose?"
Fang Tianba asked again.
"This subordinate chooses Flying Eagle Hall!"
Jiang Dao cupped his hands.
"Good. Starting tomorrow, Flying Eagle Hall will be yours. As for the hall's various affairs, someone will explain them to you tomorrow morning!"
Fang Tianba spoke, then rose and left.
"Thank you, Sect Master!"
Jiang Dao immediately cupped his hands.
Guo Linyu glared hatefully at Jiang Dao, his heart filled with gloom as he ground his teeth.
Jiang Dao had not only killed Guo Biao, the "Bearded Wanderer" whom he had painstakingly cultivated as a hidden asset!
Now, he had even killed his own nephew!
Originally, he had wanted to support his nephew and have him take control of Flying Eagle Hall. That would have allowed him to expand his influence and develop in secret. But now, all his plans had been thrown into disarray.
"Damn thing. Even if you become the Hall Master of Flying Eagle Hall, I will still make sure you die without a burial place."
Guo Linyu crushed the armrest of his chair and rose to leave as well.
Not far away, Yang Xu's face was filled with delight as he quickly walked toward Jiang Dao.
"Dao'er, are you all right? You are not injured, are you?"
"I'm fine."
Jiang Dao shook his head and stepped down from the arena. His gaze lingered deeply on Guo Linyu's retreating figure as he asked, "What is that Fei Bin to Guo Linyu? Why did he react so strongly?"
Yang Xu's expression changed slightly. He hurriedly pulled Jiang Dao away and whispered, "It is said that he is Guo Linyu's own nephew. Guo Linyu registered him this time because he intended to cultivate him and expand his influence..."
"His own nephew."
Jiang Dao narrowed his eyes. "Then Guo Linyu is very likely to retaliate against me?"
"Yes, but do not worry. He definitely would not dare act recklessly within the sect."
Yang Xu said.
Killing intent surged in Jiang Dao's heart.
If Guo Linyu dared retaliate against him, then he could only get rid of him beforehand!
He did not want to gamble with his family's lives. If the other party chose to turn his blade on his family, it would be too late for regret. He could only nip the danger in the bud.
"Third Uncle, what is Guo Linyu's strength?"
Jiang Dao asked casually.
"What do you intend to do? The Left Guardian's strength is profound. He is known as the Blazing Flame Sect's second greatest expert, unfathomable and second only to the Sect Master. You... you do not intend to attack the Left Guardian, do you?"
Yang Xu jumped in fright and hurriedly said.
"How could I?"
Jiang Dao smiled. "Let's go back!"
Killing intent brewed in his heart.
Guo Linyu was second only to the Sect Master. That meant that if he wanted to assassinate him, he could not yet do so easily.
But if he could learn a few more martial arts in the Blazing Flame Sect and fuse them together, he would definitely be able to crush Guo Linyu to death with ease.
The two mounted their fast horses and returned the way they had come.
Night fell.
The lamplight flickered.
Within a secluded estate.
Guo Linyu viciously smashed four or five teacups, his face cold and sinister, killing intent spreading through his heart.
Seven or eight trusted burly men stood before him, every one of them burning with anger.
"Rest assured, Left Guardian. Even if that Jiang Dao becomes Hall Master, we will not let him have an easy time. Flying Eagle Hall governs such a vast area. What use is his strength alone? Many matters cannot be resolved merely with strength."
One burly man sneered.
"Exactly. If he wants to serve smoothly as Hall Master, then we brothers will create trouble for him instead. Let him know that managing a hall does not rely on brute force. Daily trifles alone will vex him to death!"
Another burly man sneered.
"Benefactor, I dare wager that Jiang Dao will not last half a month before he has to return to wherever he came from!"
The third burly man said.
Guo Linyu took a deep breath, his face icy as he said, "Brothers, you are all my trusted men. I personally cultivated you and placed you in Flying Eagle Hall. Bin'er's miserable death this time, and the Hall Master position of Flying Eagle Hall being snatched away, were my miscalculations. But do not worry. Serve me well, and I will not treat you poorly in the future!"
"Left Guardian is too courteous!"
"Benefactor's kindness toward us is as heavy as mountains. We naturally must repay you!"
All seven or eight burly men cupped their hands and shouted.
"Mm. Starting tomorrow, I will be relying on all of you."
Fei Bin said darkly.
Elsewhere.
Within a secluded estate.
Sect Master Fang Tianba sat quietly on a rosewood chair, his eyes narrowed. Several people gathered around him, all of whom had appeared during the day.
"Gentlemen, what do you think of this Jiang Dao?"
Fang Tianba played with two enormous iron balls in his hands as he asked.
"To possess such strength at such a young age is truly inconceivable. Sect Master, forgive my bluntness, but at Jiang Dao's rate of cultivation, I fear that in only a few years, he may threaten the Sect Master!"
One of them spoke gravely.
A cold gleam flashed through Fang Tianba's eyes.
"Right Guardian, what do you think?"
He asked faintly.
At his side, the Right Guardian was a short, fat middle-aged man wearing a melon cap and a wealthy gentleman's robe. He smiled slightly and said, "Jiang Dao's appearance can only be called both a blessing and a curse for the Sect Master. The Blazing Flame Sect has always had complicated factions, with schemes and infighting everywhere. The Deputy Sect Master remains neutral to protect himself and does not concern himself with worldly affairs. The Left Guardian's influence has steadily grown, and his ambitions are boundless. He has even secretly cultivated an unknown number of experts, faintly showing signs of replacing the Sect Master.
"Now that Jiang Dao has appeared, if he can be used properly, he can restrain the Left Guardian and gradually wear down his strength. Once both sides have suffered heavy losses, the Sect Master can strike like thunder and eliminate them both at once, without lifting a finger."
"What a 'without lifting a finger'!"
The two enormous iron balls in Sect Master Fang Tianba's hand spun without pause. His gaze was deep as he said, "Now I only hope this Jiang Dao does not grow too quickly. I have no desire to kill one wolf only to invite in a tiger!"
Crack!
With a casual squeeze, the two enormous iron balls in his hand split open on the spot.
When the people in the room saw the Sect Master's display, they were instantly dumbfounded, their faces filled with horror.
Was... was that still a body of flesh and blood?
The next morning.
Jiang Dao mounted a fast horse and, under Yang Xu's guidance, headed toward the headquarters of Flying Eagle Hall.
"Dao'er, Flying Eagle Hall is up ahead. Oh, right, there are quite a few experts in Flying Eagle Hall who originally belonged to the Left Guardian. The Left Guardian once vigorously cultivated them. If they learn that you have offended him, they will most likely secretly pull some petty tricks to make things unpleasant for you. When that happens, just ignore them."
Yang Xu said.
"Experts who originally belonged to the Left Guardian?"
Jiang Dao frowned. "I understand!"
A trace of killing intent flashed through his heart.
If these people behaved honestly and kept to themselves, he naturally would not trouble them.
But if they dared make any move at all, then they could not blame him for being ruthless.
The fast horses galloped through the streets.
Half an hour later, they finally arrived at Flying Eagle Hall's headquarters.
However, the moment he entered the hall, Jiang Dao's face turned cold as he looked around.
The enormous hall was sparsely populated, with hardly anyone in sight.
The occasional figures were all reeking of alcohol, sprawled in corners without moving, utterly unconcerned with appearances.
Beyond that, waves of shouting from gambling could actually be heard from deep within the courtyard.
"Big! It has to be big this time!"
"Small, small, small! I'm betting on small too!"
"Bets placed, hands off! Open it—four, five, six, big!"
Yang Xu's expression changed slightly when he heard the voices.
These people were gambling?
They were unwilling to come out and welcome the new Hall Master?
"Where are the people from your hall? Hurry and have them come out to welcome the new Hall Master!"
Yang Xu hurriedly looked at a figure lying on his side on the ground and shouted angrily.
That figure was burly and bearded, clutching a wine jug. Reeking of alcohol and full of contempt, he picked at his ear and said, "What new Hall Master? How come I do not know about that? Do you have the Sect Master's letter of appointment? Bring it over and let me see!"
Splat!
Before his words had even faded, a fine head soared into the sky. Blood sprayed out, splattering several people beside him from head to toe.
Drenched by the blood, those people shuddered violently. Their drunken haze instantly turned into cold sweat, and they sobered up at once, terrified beyond measure.
Jiang Dao sheathed his long blade, his tone cold.
"Half an incense stick's time. Everyone must assemble. Whoever dares not come, I will kill their entire family!"
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