Different Paths Cannot Make Common Plans

The next morning, after the rain, the air was fresh and moist. Spiritual energy grew ever more active, and a thread of red sunlight slowly rose at the edge of the sky.

Xiang Yang breathed in and out the hazy purple qi within the courtyard. A wisp of purple flickered through his Niwan Palace, leaving his mind clear and unobstructed, condensing by another tiny fraction. Yet without close observation, it was impossible to notice.

While he was cultivating, the mighty Kuang Du arrived hand in hand with a strange man clad in a grass skirt, his face painted red and green. They had come to build ties and become acquainted.

Under Six Yin Superior, they might well work alongside a host of devilish fiends and sinister tyrants in the future. Forming cliques and strengthening their own power was only natural. Xiang Yang's martial arts were impressive, and his manner of handling matters suited the two men well, so such thoughts were hardly surprising.

Yesterday's meeting in the hall had merely been their first encounter. Xiang Yang had known only Kuang Du's name. After welcoming the pair indoors, serving tea, and seating them, he questioned them closely before learning their precise backgrounds.

First was Kuang Du, a native of Shang Commandery. He had a wife, children, and elderly family members. Openly, he was the master of a small martial arts school; secretly, he controlled the underground black-market trade across three counties. His martial arts were exceptional, and he had dealt with Liu Yin before, which was why he had answered this invitation.

Originally, he had not wished to join Liu Yin's camp either. But now that Liu Yin had broken through his barrier and his martial arts had greatly advanced, Kuang Du knew he was no match. He could only play