Conflict

Since he couldn't practice the Everlasting Spring Technique, Shen Fan poured all his energy into the other Martial Arts. Thousand Mechanisms Hand also needed to be cultivated to Great Accomplishment. As for the other low-level Martial Arts, Shen Fan had already decided to put them aside for now.

Having already reached the Great Accomplishment realm, breaking through was no longer a matter of diligent practice. It required opportunity and comprehension.

No matter the level of Martial Arts, achieving Perfection only came from comprehending the artistic conception. However, this was clearly not something Shen Fan could do yet.

So, he let them go.

For the next few days, Shen Fan immersed himself in these three Martial Arts, experiencing new changes almost daily and feeling his progress every day.

"It would be great if there was a clear display of proficiency or a progress bar. That would put my mind at ease!"

Shen Fan couldn't help but think. But he also knew that having an Attribute Panel that increased his Aptitude and Lifespan was already incredibly fortunate. To want the panel to evolve and gain a proficiency function felt a bit too greedy.

Even heaven's favorite wouldn't get such a massive cheat!

Despite this, Shen Fan's motivation for practicing Martial Arts remained high. In his heart, nothing was impossible. If something seemed impossible, it was only because his strength wasn't enough.

Therefore, he would practice Martial Arts and become strong enough.

Just as Shen Fan was focusing on his practice, Steward Zhang returned to Laiyang City with hundreds of disciples in a sorry state.

In a room, Zhang Longyun, his face etched with frost, sat on a grand armchair. The rage in his eyes was almost tangible.

"Damn it, is that old geezer trying to say my Ox Demon Martial Arts School has no one? Injuring so many of my disciples, he's trying to cut off my escape route!"

The attack on the disciples gathering herbs had genuinely surprised Zhang Longyun. He hadn't expected the figures lurking in the shadows to be so brazen.

He also hadn't expected the City Lord's Mansion to have openly declared war. After all, without the City Lord's Mansion's tacit approval, how could these rats hiding in the shadows find so many helpers?

"Third Brother, what did the other families say? Did they agree to my proposal?" Suppressing the anger in his heart, Zhang Longyun managed to retain some semblance of rationality.

Steward Zhang stood by with his head bowed, his brow furrowed, hesitant to speak.

"What? Have those scoundrels gone soft? They won't unite even now? Do they really intend to give up the foundation they've built over so many years?"

Seeing Zhang Pu, his third brother, Zhang Longyun could no longer contain his fury.

"Eldest Brother, it's confirmed that the other party has broken through. Even if our families unite, it will be difficult to resist! You know the power of an Innate Martial Artist, Eldest Brother!"

Zhang Yunhu said helplessly. He hated to admit it, but it was the truth. Once one reached the Innate realm, they were no longer someone ordinary mortals could contend with.

Their father, who founded the Ox Demon Martial Arts School, was also an Innate Martial Artist. Thus, they knew that before an Innate Martial Artist, no matter how many Viscera Tempering experts there were, it was like a mantis trying to stop a chariot!

"But if we don't try, are we really going to abandon decades of our foundation? Third Brother, have you forgotten how your second brother died?"

"Eldest Brother, you—" Zhang Yunhu's tears welled up as he remembered his second brother.

"Fine, Eldest Brother. I won't say such disheartening words again. Second Brother also died for our Martial Arts School. This is what he protected his entire life, and we absolutely cannot give up!"

"Exactly. This is the accumulation of our Zhang family's decades of effort. How can we let someone take it for nothing? If that old geezer wants to take it, let's see if his teeth are strong enough!"

The brothers exchanged a look and then nodded heavily.

Zhang Yunhu left the Martial Arts School. His identity was special, making him the most suitable "diplomat" for the Ox Demon Martial Arts School.

To save the Ox Demon Martial Arts School, he had to unite with the other major Martial Arts Schools. Otherwise, facing the full might of the City Lord's Mansion, they stood no chance of victory!

However, since the Ox Demon Martial Arts School's embarrassing retreat, Laiyang City had fallen into a state of strange chaos.

If you can't find the book by searching the title, try searching for the author. Perhaps the title has just been changed!

The Four Great Martial Arts Schools, as overlords, occupied the four corners of Laiyang City. But starting that day, small gangs frequently appeared within the Martial Arts Schools' jurisdictions, challenging their authority.

And when the Martial Arts Schools tried to eliminate these troublemakers, the small gangs had already become empty shells, disappearing without a trace, hiding God knows where!

Meanwhile, the City Lord's Mansion's jurisdiction in the center became increasingly peaceful and harmonious, forming a stark contrast to the chaos in other areas.

Thus, the common people and merchants in the lower strata began to stir, wanting to move to the central area.

Of course, this was under the premise that the Four Great Martial Arts Schools could not solve the problem.

Time slowly passed, and the situation in Laiyang City grew more tense, with conflicts between Martial Artists intensifying.

In the pouring rain, several masked Martial Artists brandished their long sabers, chasing a few fleeing Martial Arts School disciples.

"Hahahaha, brothers, chase them! Let's chop up these brats today and see what makes these genius disciples of the Martial Arts Schools so special!"

"Alright, Big Brother, charge!"

Soon, screams and angry shouts erupted, but they quickly died down, indicating that one side had been annihilated.

The ones who emerged in the end were the masked ruffians wielding their weapons.

Washed away by the heavy rain, the blood on the ground quickly disappeared. Only the cold wind howled, as if unwilling.

The masked ruffians quickly vanished into the streets, either hiding or heading to the next location to carry out their slaughter.

On this day, Laiyang City seemed to have become a battlefield. Countless Martial Artists clashed with their weapons. Although they were all below the Bone Forging realm, the destructive power they generated was still astonishing.

A large number of ordinary citizens died in the crossfire of the chaos. However, no one cared about their lives or deaths, except for their families!

In the City Lord's Mansion, the cunning Steward Qian was devising the next plan with several powerful Martial Artists, preparing to further deplete the strength of the Four Great Martial Arts Schools, especially the Ox Demon Martial Arts School.

"My brothers have worked hard these past few days, and some have even suffered casualties! The City Lord is deeply pained."

"Therefore, the compensation for these individuals will be doubled. Additionally, they will be given a quota. If their descendants or relatives are Martial Artists, they can join the City Lord's Mansion without undergoing any tests!"

"Steward, you are wise! We will surely serve the City Lord's Mansion to our deaths!"

Several Martial Arts School retainers immediately expressed their gratitude.

Then Steward Qian changed his tone and said, "However, these are not the most important things. What I want to see is the decline of the Martial Arts Schools' influence. Merely draining their disciples is not enough!"

"Therefore, all of you who enjoy the abundant resources of our City Lord's Mansion, it is time for you to take action!"

Hearing this, some of the City Lord's Mansion retainers began to hesitate. After all, they knew how formidable the Martial Arts Schools were. Those few school masters were all peak Martial Artists below the Innate realm, each capable of defeating them with one hand!

As if sensing their thoughts, Steward Qian said with a smile, "Don't worry, you don't need to assassinate the Martial Arts School leaders. You just need to eliminate the elite talents among their disciples. Aren't eight of Laiyang City's Top Ten Prodigies cultivated by those people?

I think these individuals are excellent targets!"

Upon hearing this, the retainers below their eyes lit up. That's right, they couldn't defeat the bosses, but dealing with the younger generation was still manageable. These brats were only at the Blood Condensation realm, still far behind them!

"Kill one of the Top Ten Prodigies, and you'll be rewarded with a thousand taels of silver and a second-rate Cultivation Method!" Steward Qian's enticing offer immediately made the retainers eager.

"Don't worry, Steward! Tomorrow, I, Zhao Ansan, will bring you the heads of those prodigies!" A towering, iron-like man over two meters tall declared, thumping his chest.

Others also voiced their commitment.

Seeing this scene, Steward Qian smiled with satisfaction, though a hint of ruthlessness flashed deep within his eyes.

"What naive fools. Do they really think the City Lord's Mansion's rewards are so easily obtained? How can you eliminate the Martial Arts Schools' seeds without shedding some blood?"