No Escaping

Yunyang's martial arts forces could be divided into three branches.

The first branch was, without question, the Martial Academy branch.

The Martial Academy had been established and managed by the Federation, representing official power. With abundant resources and deep pockets, it had recruited a great number of skilled fighters, making it extremely powerful. However, the Martial Academy branch never involved itself in local disputes.

Thus, the forces that truly held martial power in Yunyang belonged to the second branch: the Five Great Martial Arts Families.

The Five Great Martial Arts Families all possessed long-standing family traditions and martial arts inheritances. Dan Jin practitioners and above had emerged from every one of them. Having occupied Yunyang for many years, they possessed profound foundations and immense local influence.

They could be called the true overlords. Even the local authorities did not dare provoke them lightly and had to rely on them in many matters.

The third branch was the Martial Hall branch. Across Yunyang City's seven districts and thirteen counties, there were more than a hundred Martial Halls, large and small. Together, these halls formed a certain power structure and wielded considerable influence.

Fortunately, Martial Halls generally operated independently, with none willing to submit to another. As a result, they had never formed a unified force, and at times were not even as powerful as several strong gangs.

Yunyang also had gangs of all sizes, but there were not many masters among them. Moreover, many gangs were attached to the Five Great Families and had to offer them benefits.

Thus, the Five Great Martial Arts Families were Yunyang's foremost martial powers.

The fact that they had come to watch this match was enough to drive its popularity to even greater heights, making the atmosphere all the more fervent.

Not many people had come from the five families—only seven or eight from each, led by an elder. They had likely come to gain experience.

As the people from the Five Great Families entered, the hall masters from the various Martial Halls rose one after another to greet them. Even Hong Jiantong and Xiong Jiang stood to respond, but the five families were truly arrogant.

Their leaders merely gave faint nods in reply before Martial Arts Association personnel escorted them to the areas designated for the five families.

Yet what surprised everyone was that only four of the five families had come.

The Yue Family had not appeared. The Qin Family walked alone, while the Shen, Zhou, and Chen Families were clearly closer, entering together.

Quite a few people present knew some of the inside story. It seemed the rumors were true: the Qin Family had joined forces with the Xiongying Martial Arts School, seeking to seize Yunyang's territory and break with the other families.

"Heh, still putting on airs. In a few days, maybe only one family will be left!"

Xiong Jiang's eyes held a trace of indignation. He was a Transforming Strength Practitioner, yet those families had only given him the barest nod. Wasn't that a little too arrogant?

Hong Jiantong glanced at Xiong Jiang and smiled faintly.

"Watch your words, Brother Xiong. We merely teach martial arts. The rest has nothing to do with us."

Xiong Jiang said in a deep voice, "I just can't stand their manner."

"The Xiongying Martial Arts School is here!"

Suddenly, a shout rose from the crowd, followed by a wave of commotion. Everyone turned to look, and Xiong Jiang said no more.

A group of people was walking down the passageway, fifty or sixty strong. Every one of them wore black training uniforms embroidered with golden eagles spreading their wings across their chests. They were all powerfully built and brimming with vitality, Sha Qi radiating from their bodies and forcing the surrounding spectators to retreat.

"My God, the Xiongying Martial Arts School has such an overwhelming presence. I can feel the pressure!"

"Look at the disciples trained by the Xiongying Martial Arts School. Every last one of them seems incredibly strong. Another day, I'll send my little brat there to learn martial arts too!"

"Exactly. When I get back, I'll talk to my big brother and have him send my nephew there too. Just look at their bearing—they're far stronger than those earlier Martial Halls!"

"Far stronger? They stand a whole head above them. No wonder the Xiongying Martial Arts School can sweep in all directions. They really have the goods!"

The crowd buzzed with discussion. Hearing it, the people from the Xiongying Martial Arts School beamed with pleasure, lifting their chins higher as their steps grew more forceful.

But it made the faces of the other Martial Halls turn rather ugly.

"The Tiger Might Martial Arts School is here too!"

At that moment, another shout came from outside the crowd, immediately drawing countless eyes as people turned to look.

Sure enough, the Tiger Might Martial Arts School had appeared behind them.

The people from the Xiongying Martial Arts School also stopped. Wei Zhendong turned his head, his gaze falling on Guan Lie at the front. Both groups came to a halt.

Separated by dozens of meters, the two sides faced each other.

Guan Lie stood before his people. His gaze met Wei Zhendong's, and cold glints flashed in both men's eyes as though sparks were shooting through the air.

Wei Zhendong narrowed his eyes. He felt the pressure. Guan Lie's spirit, energy, and vitality had not declined at all. This time, there would likely be a fierce battle.

"Let's go in."

He spoke flatly, then turned and led his people into the arena.

Guan Lie had brought everyone from the Martial Hall.

First, to cheer them on. Second, to broaden the students' horizons. Even Pharmacist Xie had come, following behind Guan Lie.

Fang Mo walked among the crowd. To be honest, he had not particularly wanted to come. An entire morning would delay quite a bit of his training.

But Guan Lie had required everyone to attend, so he could only come along.

After arriving, he was somewhat surprised as well.

So many people had come to watch, packed layer upon layer, inside and out. It truly could be described as a sea of people.

Guan Lie's eyes were equally grave. In that brief exchange of gazes with Wei Zhendong just now, he had felt the pressure as well. His opponent was very strong, and he had no confidence of victory at all.

"Let's go in!"

Guan Lie waved a hand and led everyone toward the arena.

"Hall Master Guan!"

Hong Jiantong and Xiong Jiang both rose and clasped their fists toward Guan Lie.

"Elder Hong, Brother Xiong, you came too!"

Guan Lie clasped his fists in return.

Xiong Jiang stepped forward and gripped Guan Lie's hand, his voice low.

"Hall Master Guan, this battle depends on you. You must win some pride for Yunyang's Martial Halls!"

"I'll do my best."

Guan Lie smiled faintly, shook his hand, and released it.

"Hall Master Guan, you must win!"

Lin Xiangdong also came over and clasped his fists toward Guan Lie, his eyes shining.

Meeting Lin Xiangdong's earnest gaze, Guan Lie nodded solemnly. He clasped his fists once more, then led his disciples toward the main platform.

The Tiger Might Martial Arts School and the Xiongying Martial Arts School were positioned on either side of the witness seats. The Martial Arts Association had invited three experts from the Martial Arts Academy to serve as witnesses, demonstrating the fairness of this contest.

Once both sides had taken their seats, though they were several meters apart, the students were still at daggers drawn. Their eyes met with undisguised hostility.

Fang Mo was observing as well. He saw the people from the four great families, but unfortunately did not see anyone from the Yue Family.

After thinking it over briefly, he understood. The Yue Family's absence likely meant they did not want to involve themselves in this conflict and intended to stay completely out of it.

Then, he suddenly noticed an unusual gaze fixed upon him.

"Qin Lang!"

His gaze met it, and his pupils abruptly contracted.

Qin Lang was looking at him. The corners of his lips curled into a cold smile as he made a throat-slitting gesture at him.

Fang Mo narrowed his eyes. Sure enough, the Qin Family already knew he was at the Tiger Might Martial Arts School.

Then the people who had tried to abduct him before had likely been sent by Qin Lang, not some gang. As for why they had not acted afterward, perhaps it was because he had been hiding at the Martial Hall, making it difficult for them to move against him.

He could not help thinking of today's match, and his heart tightened slightly. Could it also be connected to the Qin Family?

They were like ghosts that would not disperse!

Fang Mo's gaze turned cold. He had kept avoiding them, unwilling to have anything to do with the Fang Family or the Qin Family.

He only wanted to pursue the martial path, but it seemed the Qin Family would not let him go.

It seemed that simply hiding was not always the answer. You might not want hatred, but others would not spare you. Some dangers had to be dealt with!

Killing intent rose within him!

But the Qin Family was far too powerful compared to him. How was he supposed to deal with them?

"The time has come!"

Just then, a loud shout rang out from the ring, interrupting Fang Mo's thoughts.

On the ring, Bai Hongsheng, the vice president of the Martial Arts Association, held a microphone.

Bai Hongsheng was fair and plump, wearing gold-rimmed glasses. Today should have been his moment in the spotlight, yet sweat was beading across his forehead.

He had been pushed into handling this matter. There had been instructions from the Qin Family, as well as the intentions of the Chen, Shen, and Zhou Families. He understood the twists and turns behind it all. Even Fang Sheng was not someone he could afford to offend. This was truly a thankless task that demanded great effort.

He wiped away his sweat and raised his voice again.

"This match is a friendly exchange through martial arts. Spar and learn from one another, but do not take lives. If one side admits defeat or falls from the ring, they lose. Attacks must cease immediately, or the offending side will be judged the loser. If neither side has objections, please come forward and sign the contest agreement!"