The Alliance

Shen Fan walked along the road, carefully observing everyone. After what had happened last night, a trace of worry hung on every face.

But Shen Fan wasn't looking at their expressions. He was carefully sensing their qi and blood.

Though everyone seemed frail in his eyes, he still didn't dare let his guard down, afraid that an expert assassin might be hiding among them.

After catching a traitor, Shen Fan no longer dared trust anyone in the martial hall. At a time like this, anyone could betray them.

Fortunately, he found nothing unusual along the way. In other words, the martial hall's disciples were reassuringly weak.

Having reached this conclusion, Shen Fan breathed a sigh of relief. He had no idea how many young hearts his thoughts would wound if they ever got out.

As everyone slowly gathered, Shen Fan edged toward the front—not just toward the front, but toward Steward Zhang, who stood at the very head of the crowd.

He knew that stewards were powerful martial artists too, usually at the Blood Condensation Realm.

So he wanted to see whether he could sense any threat from Steward Zhang.

As he pushed the Three Yuan Art to its limit, Shen Fan's brows furrowed, then gradually relaxed.

Yes, he had already sensed him once. He could indeed feel a threat from Steward Zhang, but it seemed pitifully weak.

It was nowhere near enough to pose a mortal threat. In other words, Steward Zhang might not be as strong as him!

At the thought, Shen Fan gained a new understanding of his own strength.

I can match someone at Blood Condensation? That's not bad. But I'm close to breaking through, too. Once I do, I should be able to become an expert at the Blood Condensation Realm, right?

Shen Fan wondered uncertainly.

He didn't know that Steward Zhang was actually at the peak of the Blood Condensation Realm, and was even known as Laiyang City's First Blood Coagulation.

After all, he was the younger brother of the Hall Master of the Ox Demon Martial Arts School. His techniques and resources far surpassed those of Rogue Cultivators. At least in Laiyang City, Steward Zhang truly was a powerhouse among those at Blood Condensation!

And yet a man like him couldn't make Shen Fan feel any real danger. That alone showed that Shen Fan's combat strength had already reached the Viscera Refining level!

Shen Fan simply didn't know it.

He had practiced many different martial arts, and the qualities of the qi and blood in his body were complex, complementing one another and giving him an incomparably solid foundation. Even in those great cities, almost no one at the Bone Forging Realm could reach Shen Fan's level.

The Jade Bone level was practically the stuff of legend!

As the crowd assembled, Steward Zhang stepped up to a higher spot. Looking at all those familiar faces, he felt a pang of emotion.

"Many of you have been learning martial arts at the Ox Demon Martial Arts School for years. I, Zhang Yunhu, have come to know you all well."

"Here in the martial hall, we've lived in harmony, loved and supported one another, pushed each other forward, and climbed toward the peak of the Martial Path together. These days have given us our finest memories. Our bonds are as close as brothers!"

"But lately, our disciples have often been attacked by unknown assailants. Many have been killed by these criminals, and it's heartbreaking.

"The Hall Master and I have been troubled by this for a long time, but we haven't known what to do.

"Just last night, Chen Chong, a newly risen genius of our martial hall, was assassinated by these criminals. When the Hall Master heard the news, he was furious and mobilized all our forces to find the killer!"

"I'm sure we'll have an answer soon.

"But the Hall Master is far-sighted. He knows that finding the killer alone won't solve anything. The enemy is clearly an organization. Unless we unite all our strength and fight together, anyone here could be the next victim!"

At this, many people's eyes filled with worry and fear. They hoped Steward Zhang would give them an answer they could believe in.

Sure enough, Steward Zhang continued, "Thanks to the Headmaster's tireless efforts, the Four Great Martial Arts Schools of Laiyang City have joined forces. We'll do everything in our power to root out the enemy lurking in the shadows. I hope you can all put your minds at ease. With the martial halls standing behind you, you'll be able to live in peace!"

At those words, many of the disciples smiled with hope.

"Wonderful! With the Four Great Martial Arts Schools united, those rats hiding underground won't escape this time!"

"Exactly! Those bastards will be caught for sure. Then we can practice martial arts in peace again!"

Many looked to the future with eager hope, but Shen Fan heard something different in Steward Zhang's words.

"An enemy strong enough that the Four Great Martial Arts Schools have to unite to fight them? They really are formidable!"

Shen Fan's gaze sharpened, and his expression grew especially grave. Then he quietly left.

Rather than waste time here, he would be better off practicing his techniques a few more times and breaking through as soon as possible. One more measure of strength meant one more chance to survive the crises ahead.

For some reason, even though things seemed to be improving, he still felt uneasy, as though a great calamity would soon be upon them.

Shen Fan knew this was his Martial Path instinct warning him.

Meanwhile, the Headmasters of the Four Great Martial Arts Schools had gathered to discuss joining forces against the City Lord's Mansion.

The people below didn't understand what was really going on, but how could men of their stature be in the dark? And because they knew the truth, they understood that this alliance was a move born of desperation.

Aside from the Ox Demon Martial Arts School, the other three were the Pure Yang Martial Arts School, the Kaishan Martial Arts School, and the Benlei Martial Arts School.

Every Headmaster was a Viscera Refiner who had mastered a first-rate technique, a powerhouse among those at the same level.

As the one who had proposed the alliance, Zhang Longyun spoke first. "Everyone, we're facing the most dangerous moment yet. We no longer have the luxury of choosing!"

"If we don't unite, that old monster will pick us off one by one!"

"Headmaster Zhang is right, but I'm afraid that even if we join forces, it won't be enough. A Xiantian Martial Artist—how could a larger crowd possibly defeat one?"

Chang Yuchun, Headmaster of the Kaishan Martial Arts School, spoke with little confidence. In truth, he had been considering submitting to the City Lord's Mansion, but with the tide of events against him, he had temporarily joined the martial hall alliance.

"Headmaster Chang, you're bringing shame to us martial artists! Xiantian may be terrifying, but I refuse to believe he's truly invincible!"

"As long as he's human, he has weaknesses. He can be killed. What is there to fear?" Zhao Yingxiong, Headmaster of the Benlei Martial Arts School, declared boldly.

He sounded a little like a reckless brute, but the truth in his words gave everyone present something to think about.

"Brother Zhao is right. I refuse to believe that one Xiantian Martial Artist can change the entire situation in Laiyang by himself!" The Headmaster of the Pure Yang Martial Arts School voiced his opinion as well.

Before long, everyone except Chang Yuchun of the Kaishan Martial Arts School had firmly taken the side of armed resistance. With things as they were, Chang Yuchun had no choice but to suppress his private doubts, go along with the others, and discuss how to form the alliance and face what lay ahead.