Across the Eastern Sea Seven Islands, ships set sail from each island and arrived at Mandala Island.
But as they drew near, everyone still showed their customary vigilance.
After receiving the confirmation signal, someone aboard each ship drew a bow and shot arrows straight at the shadows of the people on the pier.
Likewise, several experts aboard the ships skimmed across the water with their lightness skills and landed on the pier, allowing the island's fighters to inspect them.
Only after this preliminary safety check did the ships dock, and everyone inspected one another's shadows.
Everyone moved with practiced caution, never letting their guard down even around the most familiar faces.
"Was this Martial Arts Assembly called in such a hurry because of what happened to Flying Swallow Island?"
"This is a little rash. If any more Shadow Fiends slip in, things will get troublesome."
"Yes..."
"But let's hear what Hero Kang has to say..."
The people disembarking from the other islands briefly discussed the situation among themselves.
Every face that came off the ships was weather-beaten. After years of island life, their clothes were covered in patches, and some had simply gone bare-chested.
Most of their skin was deeply tanned as well.
At first glance, they looked more like refugees or beggars than martial heroes.
"How are your grain harvests? We've had to keep fishing out at sea to supplement ours."
"Don't even ask. It's hard..."
"Ah, who knows when this will end..."
"Yes. Hopefully there'll be some good news this time."
Everyone present who had managed to hold on until now had started out full of passion.
Yet over these past few years, as one place after another fell, they had truly become isolated islands, with not even hope in sight!
The pressure of having no hope was