Acquainted

As far as the Great Chang Empire was concerned, it naturally had no desire to see such a vibrant civilian organization rise to prominence.

Unfortunately, anyone who wielded a Dragon Slaying Skill carried a certain pride in looking down on the Kugyo and slighting the princes. They would never accept heavy-handed control, and if they faced suppression, they would rise up in revolt without even needing to think it over.

Among this world's Supernatural beings, quite a few could rival the True God of the Land. After several bloody clashes and even a major case that had sent shockwaves through both East and West, the two sides had finally reached a compromise, and the United Association—the alliance guild for Supernatural beings—had been allowed to remain.

Those with power naturally demanded a voice.

What was more, the Great Chang Empire wasn't the only power in this world. Even if one considered only humanity, there were still the Western Nations. The Great Chang Empire was powerless to do much about it.

"Looks a bit like the Western mercenary alliance..."

Wu Ming stood before the United Association's enormous doors, watching the bustling crowds with a thoughtful expression.

The United Association was only a broad framework, or rather, a loose alliance of Eastern cultivators. It encompassed all manner of people beneath its umbrella: martial artists, Daoists, Gu Masters... even Martial Arts Halls and the many academies could be counted among its members.

Even within the alliance, its members had their own grievances against one another. Without some enormous external pressure, they were little more than a scattered heap of sand.

As soon as he entered the association, Wu Ming found himself facing bustling crowds and an enormous screen whose text kept changing. He felt as if he'd stepped right into a Western Mercenary Guild.