Alliance

"Xiao Yan? The engagement-breaker who caused such an uproar at Tianyuan Academy before?"

Lin Bing said.

"Heh, that was then. Now, I am no longer the man I used to be."

Xiao Yan removed the hood of his black robe, revealing a handsome face with a hint of steadfast resolve.

"No, you are not a disciple of Tianyuan Academy. How did you enter Tianyuan Academy?"

Lin Bing said.

"I obtained an Emperor Grade Low Rank concealment talisman during one of my past expeditions. Those ordinary gatekeeping deacons could never see through it."

Xiao Yan said.

"This Gu Changge is the common mortal enemy of both of us. What do you say? The enemy of my enemy is my friend—why not join forces and deal with Gu Changge together?"

Xiao Yan said.

"But... if we leave the academy so rashly, we will be placed on the academy's wanted list."

Lin Bing said hesitantly.

"Staying here only means remaining a menial disciple. Do you really intend to endure another year of hardship as a menial in this place?"

Xiao Yan said.

"Besides, I know that you have such a thing as well. To waste a year here would be like casting pearls before swine, burying such a treasure in the dust."

At these words, Lin Bing's expression changed at once. "How did you know?"

Lin Bing had never told anyone about the Ice Devouring Talisman and the Ice Devouring Physique, not even his closest relatives or Lin Ni Yu.

"Because I sensed the aura of my own kind."

Xiao Yan activated his Swallowing Flame Body and took out the Flame Swallowing Pot.

"So that is how it is... Then, a pleasant cooperation."

Lin Bing had nothing left to hide, so he extended his right hand and said.

"A pleasant cooperation."

Xiao Yan likewise clasped Lin Bing's right hand with his own.

The next day, at dawn.

"Wang Haohong!"

"Here!"

"Li Sihong!"

"Here!"

Every morning, the Tianyuan Academy deacons had to register and verify everyone's names, including all disciples, deacons, and elders of Tianyuan Academy.

"Lin Bing!"

"..."

"Lin Bing?"

"..."

"Lin Bing!"

"..."

After calling three times in a row, the Outer Sect Deacon received no response from Lin Bing.

"You two, go check Lin Bing's residence."

The Outer Sect Deacon casually instructed two menial disciples.

"Yes, Deacon."

Having received the order, the two menial disciples headed to Lin Bing's residence to find him.

Knock, knock, knock!

One of the menial disciples knocked on the door of an unremarkable wooden hut. This was where Lin Bing and Lin Ni Yu lived.

Creak—

The door opened. Lin Ni Yu opened the wooden door, saw the visitors, and said, "What is it?"

"Is Lin Bing here?"

One of the menial disciples said.

"You mean my brother? Isn't he here?"

Lin Ni Yu looked somewhat confused.

Then, she noticed a note tucked beneath the wooden door.

Lin Ni Yu picked up the note.

"Ni Yu, by the time you see this note, I will already be gone. Do not look for me. Take good care of yourself."

"Lin Bing has already left."

Lin Ni Yu said.

"What? If he wanted to leave Tianyuan Academy, he had to report it to an Outer Sect Deacon first."

The other menial disciple said.

Tianyuan Academy had expressly stipulated that if ordinary disciples wished to leave Tianyuan Academy, then aside from being expelled upon reaching their time limit, they had to report to the corresponding academy deacon and have their names removed from the register. Otherwise, it would be considered desertion.

"Lin Bing left without reporting to an Outer Sect Deacon. This must be reported to the Deacon."

One of the menial disciples said.

Thus, the two menial disciples returned to Yu Peak's roll-call grounds and reported Lin Bing's desertion to the Outer Sect Deacon from earlier.

"Reporting to Deacon, Lin Bing is no longer in Tianyuan Academy. He has deserted."

One of the menial disciples said.

"What? Lin Bing actually left without reporting? It seems I must place him on the wanted list."

The Deacon said.

The wanted list was established by Tianyuan Academy for disciples, deacons, elders, and others who deserted or became enemies of Tianyuan Academy. Anyone who killed a Tianyuan Academy disciple, deacon, or elder on the wanted list could receive a generous reward.

Brother left, and he did not even say goodbye to me...

Lin Ni Yu thought to herself.

Without my brother, I have no one to rely on in Tianyuan Academy. I might as well seek refuge with the Dao Child.

"How about it, Ni Yu? Your brother has now fallen into becoming an enemy of Tianyuan Academy. Do you still wish to follow him?"

Gu Changge arrived at Yu Peak again and said to Lin Ni Yu.

"Ni Yu is willing to become the Dao Child's maidservant."

Lin Ni Yu's pretty face flushed faintly as she spoke.

"Ding, congratulations to the host for successfully subduing the female protagonist of Heaven's Mandate. Son of Heaven's Mandate Lin Bing's Destiny Value has decreased by 100 points. The host has been rewarded with 1,000 System Points."

The system's notification sounded at that moment.

"I did not expect those two Sons of Heaven's Mandate to have gotten together."

Gu Changge said to himself.

Although Xiao Yan's concealment talisman had deceived the gatekeeping deacons, it had not deceived Gu Changge.

The instant Xiao Yan entered Tianyuan Academy, the Thousand Mile Tracking Gu reacted.

Gu Changge had also planted a Thousand Mile Tracking Gu on Lin Bing.

"System, inspect Xiao Yan and Lin Bing's information."

Gu Changge thought.

Son of Heaven's Mandate: Xiao Yan

Cultivation: Fourth Layer of the Marrow Cleansing Realm

Physique: Swallowing Flame Body

Destiny Value: 300

Heavenly Mandate Treasure: Flame Swallowing Pot

Son of Heaven's Mandate: Lin Bing

Cultivation: Third Layer of the Marrow Cleansing Realm

Physique: Ice Devouring Physique

Destiny Value: 350

Heavenly Mandate Treasure: Ice Devouring Talisman

"System, why has this Xiao Yan's Destiny Value risen to 300 points again?"

Gu Changge asked.

"Ding, whenever a Son of Heaven's Mandate successfully obtains a fortuitous encounter or subdues a subordinate or female protagonist of Heaven's Mandate, their Destiny Value will increase."

The system said.

"It seems this Xiao Yan has gained something again recently."

Gu Changge said.

"No matter. The Northern Region's martial arts grand competition will soon be held. When the time comes, I will crush both Sons of Heaven's Mandate in one stroke."

Gu Changge said indifferently.

Because the Northern Region's martial arts grand competition was about to be held, all disciples from other factions had recently left Tianyuan Academy and returned to their respective factions.

For example, Chu Yanyun, Luo Bingxuan, and Huo Yuzhe.

Gu Changge arrived at one of the core peaks of the Tianyuan Mountain Range, a peak called "Li Peak."

"The Northern Region's martial arts grand competition will soon be held. I will select another nine people from among all core disciples to attend the martial arts grand competition with me."

Gu Changge said.

"Which of you is willing to accompany this Dao Child?"

Gu Changge asked.

"I am willing!"

"So am I!"

"And me!"

If they obtained a ranking in the martial arts grand competition, they could receive abundant rewards. Thus, all the core disciples raised their hands and called out eagerly.

"Since that is the case, compete among yourselves first and determine the strongest nine."

Gu Changge said.