Forming an Alliance

"Xiao Yan? Isn't that the young man from Tianyuan Academy who caused such a stir with his broken engagement?" Lin Bing said.

"Heh, that was before. I'm not the same person I used to be," Xiao Yan replied. He removed his black hood, revealing a clean-cut face with a hint of resolve.

"No, you're not a disciple of Tianyuan Academy, so how did you get in?" Lin Bing asked.

"When I was training before, I obtained an Emperor Grade Low Rank concealment talisman. The ordinary gatekeepers couldn't see through it," Xiao Yan explained.

"Gu Changge is a common enemy to both of us. What do you say? The enemy of my enemy is my friend. Why don't we join forces to deal with Gu Changge?" Xiao Yan proposed.

"But… if we leave the academy so rashly, we'll be put on the academy's wanted list," Lin Bing said hesitantly.

"Staying here means being a mere handyman disciple. Are you really going to endure another year as a handyman here?" Xiao Yan countered.

"Besides, I know you have that… thing. Spending a year here would be a waste of its potential, burying such a treasure," Xiao Yan added.

Hearing this, Lin Bing's expression changed drastically. "How did you know?" He had never told anyone about the Ice Devouring Talisman and the Ice Devouring Physique, not even his closest family or Lin Ni Yu.

"Because I sensed it. The aura of a kindred spirit," Xiao Yan said. He activated his Swallowing Flame Body and took out the Flame Swallowing Pot.

"So that's how it is… In that case, cooperation is a pleasure," Lin Bing said. He had nothing left to hide and extended his right hand.

"Cooperation is a pleasure," Xiao Yan replied, grasping Lin Bing's right hand.

The next day, in the early morning.

"Wang Honghong!"

"Present!"

"Li Sihong!"

"Present!"

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

"Lin Bing!"

"……"

"Lin Bing?"

"……"

"Lin Bing!"

"……"

After three calls, the outer sect deacon did not receive a response from Lin Bing.

"You two, go and check Lin Bing's residence," the outer sect deacon casually ordered two handyman disciples.

"Yes, Deacon."

The two handyman disciples received the order and went to Lin Bing's residence to find him.

"Knock, knock, knock!"

A handyman disciple knocked on the door of a plain wooden house, which was where Lin Bing and Lin Ni Yu lived.

"Creak–"

The door opened, and Lin Ni Yu revealed herself. Seeing the visitors, she asked, "Is there something you need?"

"Is Lin Bing here?" one of the handyman disciples asked.

"You mean my brother? He's not here?" Lin Ni Yu said, looking puzzled.

Suddenly, she noticed a piece of paper tucked under the bottom of the wooden door.

Lin Ni Yu picked up the note.

"Ni Yu, by the time you see this note, I will be gone. There's no need to look for me. Take care of yourself."

"Lin Bing is gone."

Lin Ni Yu said.

"What? If he wanted to leave Tianyuan Academy, he would have to report it to the Outer Sect Deacon first."

Another handyman disciple said.

Tianyuan Academy had clear regulations: if ordinary disciples wished to leave Tianyuan Academy, unless they were expelled upon reaching the age limit, they had to report to the corresponding deacon within the academy and have their names removed from the roster. Otherwise, it would be considered desertion.

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

One of the handyman disciples said.

Thus, the two handyman disciples returned to the roll call ground of Yu Peak and reported Lin Bing's desertion to the Outer Sect Deacon they had spoken to earlier.

"Reporting to you, Deacon, Lin Bing is not in Tianyuan Academy and has deserted."

A handyman disciple said.

"What? Lin Bing left without reporting? It seems I'll have to put him on the wanted list."

The deacon said.

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

"Brother is gone, and he didn't even say goodbye..."

Lin Ni Yu thought to herself at this moment.

"Without my brother, I am alone and helpless in this Tianyuan Academy. I might as well go and pledge allegiance to the Dao Child."

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

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

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

Lin Ni Yu said, her pretty face flushing slightly.

"Ding, congratulations to the Host for successfully subduing the Female Lead of Heaven's Mandate. The Destiny Value of the Son of Heaven's Mandate, Lin Bing, has decreased by 100 points. The Host has been rewarded with 1000 System Points."

The System's prompt sounded.

"I didn't expect the two Sons of Heaven's Mandate to get involved with each other."

Gu Changge muttered to himself.

Although Xiao Yan's invisibility talisman had fooled the gatekeeping deacon, it had not fooled Gu Changge.

As soon as Xiao Yan entered Tianyuan Academy, the Thousand Mile Tracking Gu had reacted.

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

"System, check the information for Xiao Yan and Lin Bing."

Gu Changge thought.

Son of Heaven's Mandate: Xiao Yan Realm: Marrow Cleansing Realm Fourth Layer Physique: Swallowing Flame Body Destiny Value: 300 Destiny Treasure: Flame Swallowing Pot

Son of Heaven's Mandate: Lin Bing Realm: Marrow Cleansing Realm Third Layer Physique: Ice Devouring Physique Destiny Value: 350 Destiny Treasure: Ice Devouring Talisman

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

Gu Changge asked.

"Ding, when the Son of Heaven's Mandate successfully obtains a fortuitous encounter or subdues a subordinate or the Female Lead of Heaven's Mandate, his Destiny Value will increase."

The System replied.

"It seems Xiao Yan has had some gains recently."

Gu Changge said.

"It doesn't matter. The Northern Region's Martial Arts Grand Competition is about to be held. By then, I will defeat both Sons of Heaven's Mandate."

Gu Changge said indifferently.

Due to the upcoming Martial Arts Grand Competition in the Northern Region, all disciples from other forces had recently left Tianyuan Academy and returned to their respective factions.

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

Gu Changge arrived at the core peak of the Tianyuan Mountain Range, specifically on a peak named "Li Peak."

"The Northern Region's Martial Arts Competition is about to be held. I need to select nine more people from all the core disciples to participate in the Martial Arts Competition with me."

Gu Changge said.

"Who among you is willing to go with this Dao Child?"

Gu Changge asked.

"I am willing!"

"I am willing too!"

"Me too!"

Participating in the Martial Arts Competition and achieving a ranking would yield generous rewards, so these core disciples eagerly raised their hands to speak.

"Since that's the case, you shall first have a competition to determine the strongest nine."

Gu Changge said.