Guessing at the True Purpose of the Martial Arts Tournament

Jiang Liu, along with Tianming and Luo Shiyuan, went up to the Ascension Tower and entered the secret room. The three of them sat down as host and guest, respectively.

Jiang Liu then took the initiative to take over the task of brewing tea.

Tianming spoke first, saying, "I heard that Nangong came to see you yesterday?"

Luo Shiyuan nodded without saying anything.

"So, what's your decision?" Tianming asked Luo Shiyuan.

Luo Shiyuan hesitated for a moment, then declined, saying, "I can't make the decision on this matter. Elder Tianming should consult with my father."

After thinking for a moment, Tianming nodded and then started talking about the Martial Arts Tournament of the Realm.

The Martial Arts Tournament of the Realm relies on the intelligence network of the Ascension Tower to communicate with the entire country, so the three sects have always used the Ascension Tower to transmit information.

Jiang Liu sat to one side, listening to their conversation while pondering, his hands busy brewing tea.

Based on previous information and what they've seen and heard along the way, are the three sects preparing to establish a dynasty centered around themselves? Or are they simply placing the three sects above the existing dynasty?

So this Martial Arts Tournament is just a pretext for contacting various Jianghu arts factions?

But is it necessary for the three sects to do this? If they continue to let the Jianghu forces run rampant, the entire Great Qian Dynasty will surely collapse very soon.

When the time comes, won't the three sects have to step in and clean up the mess, doing whatever they want? Or are some members of the three sects already impatient?

Just look at the results of letting things run wild now; Yunzhou and Feng Province are already in chaos, and the Jianghu forces in other states are also stirring up trouble.

Perhaps the three sects want to get involved themselves? But if they get involved personally, will they gain as much benefit as those who stay behind the scenes?

Suddenly, an idea popped into Jiang Liu's mind: perhaps there were differing opinions within the three sects? Or perhaps it was a previous arrangement by the three sects within the Martial Prohibition Hall?

Perhaps the disagreement stems from an unequal distribution of benefits among the three factions? Or perhaps the three factions have already split apart?

Judging from all the current signs, the Martial Prohibition Hall has become increasingly lax in its control over the Jianghu arts world since it changed its commander.

It's certain that there's something wrong with this commander, but whether he's from one of the three sects or a faction within them is debatable.

It's also possible that they were planted by other powerful forces, with the six great families being the most likely candidates. After all, these are ancient and powerful families that have survived to this day, and they cannot be underestimated.

Jiang Liu felt completely confused when he thought about this.

However, it is now basically certain that this National Martial Arts Tournament is a liaison meeting of major forces, and it is an open and aboveboard liaison meeting to oppose the Great Qian Dynasty.

Jiang Liu listened to their conversation with a calm expression while thinking about his own things and busying himself with refilling their tea.

After finishing his conversation with Luo Shiyuan, Tianming turned to Jiang Liu and said, "Young friend Jiang, are you interested in joining the Haotian Sect? I can introduce you to them."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Liu immediately looked delighted and said to Tianming, "Senior, can I also enter the Haotian Sect?"

"Haha! If you're not qualified, who is? I never expected that you would reach the Grandmaster Realm so quickly through your own cultivation. I'm starting to regret it now," Tianming said with a laugh.

"Regret? Why would Elder Tianming say that?" Luo Shiyuan.

"I ran into Jiang Xiaoyou by chance in the Ten Thousand Mountains before. An old friend of mine asked me why I didn't take him as my disciple. At that time, I didn't think about taking him as my disciple for some reasons. I didn't expect that when I saw him again, he was already a disciple of the Exotic Beast Valley." Tianming said with a regretful look.

"Now that he's joined the Exotic Beast Valley, can he still join the Haotian Sect?" Luo Shiyuan asked.

"It wasn't allowed before, but you already know about the rewards for the top three in this Martial Arts Tournament, so it's allowed now."

"As for me, I won't take away someone else's beloved disciple," Tianming said with a sigh.

At this moment, Jiang Liu interjected, "Senior Tianming may have misunderstood. I only joined the Exotic Beast Valley, I did not become an apprentice there."

Upon hearing this, Tianming's face immediately showed great surprise. "You just joined the Exotic Beast Valley? Then what's your story in the Exotic Beast Valley?"

"This," Jiang Liu was not quite sure how to explain it. In fact, he was also confused about joining the Exotic Beast Valley. He just wanted to learn all the Beast Mastery Art. As a result, as soon as he entered the Exotic Beast Valley, the Exotic Beast Valley made him their disciple.

Moreover, the people in the Exotic Beast Valley treated him very well, especially Elder Bai. The Valley Master had even saved his life, for which he was deeply grateful.

Seeing that Jiang Liu didn't know how to answer for a moment, Luo Shiyuan explained from the side, "I know about this. It's because my nephew Jiang bought the basic version of the Beast Mastery Art at our Ascension Tower Auction and even learned it, so the Exotic Beast Valley took him in."

"He also learned the Beast Mastery Art?" Tianming asked Luo Shiyuan with a curious look.

Luo Shiyuan nodded and said, "He not only learned it, but he also controlled a Beast King's Frostwing Dragon."

"Not only have you mastered the Beast Mastery Art, but you've also mastered the Beast King? Young friend Jiang, your talent is truly enviable!" Tianming looked at Jiang Liu with amazement.

Jiang Liu scratched his head sheepishly and said, "Tianming, you flatter me. I just have a natural affinity for cultivation techniques, and it seems like I can learn any technique very quickly."

Jiang Liu could only offer this explanation, even if he had to bite the bullet. Could he really tell him that his ability to learn so quickly was all thanks to the Data Panel?

However, Jiang Liu then realized that his ability to learn so quickly was truly due to his diligent practice. Suddenly, Jiang Liu felt completely relieved.

Besides, this Data Panel is in my mind, so it's something I was born with, what's the problem?

"Haha! Young friend Jiang, you're being too modest. With your talent, countless people would love to have it but never would," Tianming said with a hearty laugh.

Jiang Liu smiled but didn't say anything.

"Young friend Jiang, since you have such talent, you should definitely consider joining our Haotian Sect. We may not claim that our Haotian Sect has the most complete collection of secret manuals in the entire Great Qian Dynasty, but we will definitely not disappoint you."

Jiang Liu nodded and said, "I will consider it carefully. There are prizes for the top three in the Martial Arts Tournament, right? I'd like to participate and see!"

"Alright! Then I'll wait and see how you perform," Tianming said with satisfaction.

Afterwards, Tianming talked with Luo Shiyuan and Jiang Liu for a while before taking his leave.

After Tianming took his leave, Luo Shiyuan and Jiang Liu sat in a secret room and talked about the situation in Yunzhou and other states. Through Luo Shiyuan, Jiang Liu learned that the situation in other states had become even more severe.

In particular, in Feng Province, only Wind City, Feng Province still holding on, but it is estimated that it will not be able to hold on for much longer. As for the Feng Province Ascension Tower, no one knows what its current situation is; there has been no news for almost a month.

However, it's estimated that they've already joined in; after all, it's difficult to remain unaffected by the overall trend across the state.

Especially now that the imperial court is not doing anything, the Feng Province Martial Prohibition Hall is in a difficult situation, as it is left to fend for itself.

Jiang Liu thought to himself, judging from the situation, the split of the Ascension Tower was inevitable. Fortunately, he had made plans in advance. Now it was up to Murong Yin to see how things developed in Wind City.

Joining the Three Sects is something I could consider. At least for now, I'm weak and vulnerable, and the Three Sects still have a strong enough deterrent effect, so it would be even more effective.