Undercurrents stirred

The destruction of the Water Ghost Gang was like a boulder hurled into the pond that was Bluestone Town, seemingly calm yet seething with undercurrents, sending ripples spreading across it. Deputy leader Cui Gui and his core followers had vanished overnight. All that remained at the Abandoned Shipyard were signs of fighting and strange patches of scorched, frozen, and torn wreckage, with little blood to be found. The eerie scene sent chills through the town's other gangs and officials.

The news was suppressed as much as possible, but no secret stayed hidden forever. The name "Peach Blossom Spring," along with vague rumors of "a few young heroes," began quietly circulating in small circles. Some applauded, believing a scourge had been removed for the people; others fretted, fearing this was the prelude to a greater storm. Those such as the tax official Lord Zhou and the Garrison squad captain, who had colluded with Cui Gui, could neither eat nor sleep in peace. Even as they stepped up their inquiries, they sent uneasy signals to their higher-ranking backers in the Flower Country.

Within Peach Blossom Spring, however, everything was flourishing.

After this battle, Chen Yu's prestige reached its peak. It was not only because of his strategic command, but also his unfathomable power of "enlightenment." Liu Bei, Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, and Zhao Yun were rock-solid in their unswerving loyalty to their eldest sworn brother. The other orphans and impoverished youths taken into their ranks regarded Chen Yu as a god.

[Templates currently bestowed: 4/X]

[Arceus power awakening: 1.5%]

The system's notifications let Chen Yu feel the subtle growth in his strength. His use of [Life Creation] grew more practiced. The experimental plot in the valley was already lush and green, and the crops' growth cycle had shortened by nearly a third. This not only solved their food problem but also brought hope. He could even guide the stream slightly, making it better suited for irrigation and drinking.

The training ground bustled with activity.

Zhang Fei roared like thunder as he wrestled with a massive block of granite. Dark red light coated his fists, and every impact made the rock shudder violently, sending chips flying. His control over Groudon's power (awakening: 4%) grew increasingly precise. He could now begin concentrating Earth Power into a single point before unleashing it, rather than relying on brute strength alone.

"Shatter!" With a furious roar, Zhang Fei drove his fist into the center of the rock. Dark red light flashed, and the entire boulder exploded from within!

"Hahaha! That felt good!" Zhang Fei looked at his fist and laughed triumphantly.

Elsewhere, Guan Yu moved like the wind, weaving swiftly among the trees. Rayquaza's power (awakening: 4%) gave him increasingly refined control over air currents. He could not only use them to accelerate and glide, but was also beginning to incorporate them into his martial techniques. Holding his fingers together like a blade, he swept them through the air, raising sharp wind pressure that easily sliced through branches and could even leave deep cuts in hard stone. He was practicing compressing that wind pressure to a high degree, forming a more destructive "wind blade."

His gaze calm, Guan Yu kept adjusting how he exerted his strength, pursuing the ultimate balance between speed and power.

Liu Bei sat quietly deep within the peach grove, a gentle aura of life radiating around him. Xerneas's power (awakening: 3%) brought him into closer communion with plants. He could not only sense their emotions but even communicate with them in simple ways, and through them detect subtle movements at the distant valley entrance, effectively serving as a natural early-warning system. He cradled an injured medicinal herb in his hand. A faint rainbow halo flowed around it, and its wounds healed at a speed visible to the naked eye.

His abilities leaned more toward support and perception, but no one dared underestimate the strategic value that power offered.

Zhao Yun moved fastest, darting along the stream like a streak of white lightning. Reshiram's power (awakening: 5%, rising fastest because of his high compatibility and the stimulus of battle) granted him unparalleled speed and the searing flames of truth. He held a newly whittled wooden spear, its tip wreathed in faint blue flames. Every thrust was swift and precise, carrying a sharp aura that purified all falsehood. He was practicing a rudimentary form of the "Seven Searches Snake-Coiling Spear," which Chen Yu had described and taught from memory. Though crude, it already possessed an edge.

"Hundred birds homage to the phoenix-Blue Flare thrust!" Zhao Yun cried in a low voice. His wooden spear shot forward, producing several spear afterimages that finally merged into a single strike, piercing and igniting a distant wooden target!

Watching his brothers train diligently, Chen Yu felt gratified. He had not been idle either. While asking Guan Yu for pointers on exerting force and strengthening his physique, he kept trying to develop and finely control his own Arceus power. He discovered that, besides promoting growth, the faint power of [Life Creation] also seemed able to soothe animals to some extent, and even slightly aid his brothers' recovery from fatigue after training.

That day, Chen Yu summoned the four to the newly built, rudimentary meeting hall.

"Brothers, the Water Ghost Gang may be destroyed, but the underlying threats remain," Chen Yu said without preamble. "That tax official Zhou Ming and Captain Qian of the Garrison were Cui Gui's protectors. They certainly won't let this rest. They'll seek help from above or collude with other forces to deal with us."

Liu Bei nodded, worry showing on his face. "You're absolutely right, eldest brother. The Flower Country's bureaucracy is corrupt to the core. Pull one thread, and the whole web moves. We must prepare early."

Guan Yu stroked his beard. "We'll meet soldiers with generals and stem floods with earth. Our strength grows by the day. It's not as though we're incapable of putting up a fight."

Zhang Fei bellowed, "Who gives a damn! If one comes, I'll beat one. If two come, I'll beat the pair! Just what I need to practice my punches!"

Zhao Yun said steadily, "Fourth brother is brave, but eldest brother, second brother, and third brother have valid concerns too. We must take the initiative in gathering intelligence and know both ourselves and our enemies." After gaining Reshiram's power, his truth-seeking nature had become more pronounced, and he considered problems more comprehensively and calmly.

Chen Yu gave Zhao Yun an approving look. "Zhao Yun is right. We can't always stay in Peach Blossom Spring and wait passively. I need to know what's happening in town, especially how the authorities are responding."

His gaze passed over the four. Guan Yu and Zhang Fei had distinctive bearings that easily drew attention; Liu Bei needed to remain at their center and coordinate internal affairs; Zhao Yun was meticulous and agile, and Reshiram's power gave him an exceptionally keen perception of danger and lies. He was the best choice.

"Zhao Yun," Chen Yu ordered, "you'll infiltrate Bluestone Town and gather information. Focus on the authorities' movements, the remaining gangs' reactions, and... whether there are any capable individuals worth winning over who have suffered circumstances similar to ours. Remember, safety first. If you're exposed, withdraw immediately."

"Yes, eldest brother!" Zhao Yun cupped his fist in salute and accepted the order, his gaze sharp. "I won't fail your trust!"