Chapter 57

"About two months ago, a message spread within the Lichen Sect. The Lichen Sect elder, Hongfa Zhenren Qi Chen, had successfully formed an infant, becoming the fourth Yuan Shen realm cultivator in the Lichen Sect!"

Zhuang Wudao was slightly taken aback, but after a moment, he had a vague idea of the undercurrents behind the scenes.

This turmoil in Yuecheng was likely mostly due to the disputes among the southeastern sects—

Then he heard Beiting Wan'er continue, "The Lichen Sect has long dominated the southeastern countries. In the past, almost all the sects and forces in the southeastern region had to rely on the Lichen Sect. However, about a thousand years ago, a major event occurred. The scattered cultivators from the Sunken Island formed an alliance, intending to forcibly occupy forty-nine major islands along the southeastern coast. This move touched the Lichen Sect's sore spot. The resources in the Eastern Sea have always been considered the Lichen Sect's exclusive domain. Thus, the entire sect mobilized, sending three thousand Foundation Establishment cultivators to a distant expedition. However, the intensity of this battle was far beyond what the Lichen Sect had anticipated. Four Golden Core cultivators fell, and one Yuan Shen cultivator exhausted his essence and blood, passing away afterward, greatly weakening their strength. Subsequently, the Yishan Sect, Dongquan Palace, and other sects rose to prominence, almost dividing half of the southeastern region."

Beiting Wan'er's eyes gleamed as she narrated the intricate entanglements and enmities among the major sects in the southeast a thousand years ago.

"Facing external threats and internal troubles, the Lichen Sect's leader, Xuance Zhenren, was a very cunning person. He endured and treated the Yishan Sect and Dongquan Palace with kindness to allow the sect to recuperate. It wasn't until a thousand years later, when Qi Chen Zhenren reached the Yuan Shen realm, that the Lichen Sect had four Yuan Shen cultivators, restoring their strength to the peak of a thousand years ago!"

"So, they are settling old scores now, right?"

"It's not exactly settling old scores. The Lichen Sect won't be foolish enough to easily start another major war, causing casualties within the sect."

Beiting Wan'er shook her head, "However, what is owed must be returned, and what has been taken must be given back. This is certain. The Lichen Sect will certainly suppress the Yishan and Dongquan sects to control their influence. This time, the Lichen Sect's opening of the mountain to accept disciples is a signal. It gives the southeastern noble families a chance to return to the right path. If it weren't for the sudden uprising of the Sunken Island and the emergence of a powerful leader, the Lichen Sect would have had many ways to divide and conquer the scattered cultivators. The Lichen Sect has been adept at the strategy of boiling a frog in warm water for ten thousand years."

Zhuang Wudao thought to himself, indeed, how could the Lichen Sect tolerate others sleeping soundly beside their bed? After a thousand years of endurance, with their strength fully restored, they naturally no longer need to endure.

"Does this mean we in Yuecheng are also involved?"

"Not only involved, but we are the most crucial part. Yuecheng was built less than two hundred years ago, when the Lichen Sect had only two Yuan Shen cultivators and was still keeping a low profile. They did not get involved to avoid escalating conflicts with the Yishan Sect. The noble families in the city had almost no ties with the Lichen Sect. Even the academy here was only casually managed by outer sect disciples of the second or third level of the Qi Condensation stage to avoid provoking the Yishan Sect. However, the situation is different now. The Lichen Sect has four Yuan Shen cultivators, while the Yishan Sect lost two Golden Core cultivators a few months ago. The balance of power has shifted, and the Yishan Sect can no longer compete with the Lichen Sect. Yuecheng is one of the largest mining veins in the southeast, rich in Yuan stones and various spiritual materials. Over the past two hundred years, many veins underground have yet to be discovered. If I were the leader of the Lichen Sect, I would certainly want to control Yuecheng. The noble families in the city, with a bit of foresight, should know how to make their choices. According to my uncle, there will be significant changes in Yuecheng within three years."

Zhuang Wudao recalled that Beiting Wan'er had decided to join the Lichen Sect long ago and was already designated as the next clan leader, which made him secretly alarmed. The head of the Beiting family and Beiting Cangjue must have foreseen the current situation years ago.

"Is that so! Then the assassination attempt on the city lord must also be related?"

"It is related. There are families like the Beiting family in the city that are ready to turn over a new leaf. There are also those loyal to the Yishan Sect. The Yishan Sect will not easily give up Yuecheng. However, this is not your concern. The Beiting family and the Lichen Sect have their own ways to deal with it."

Beiting Wan'er smiled, her gaze profound, "After all this, do you understand? Oh, right, with your current conditions, you don't need to participate in the competition. You can go to Wujing and ask the Dao Pavilion Zhenren for a favor. I won't stop you."

Zhuang Wudao inwardly sneered, his mood already terrible. If he still didn't understand after Beiting Wan'er's detailed explanation, his brain must be in his heels.

The current situation in the southeast, the Beiting family could foresee, and the Guyue family were certainly not fools.

With the Lichen Sect's strength fully restored, once they take control of Yuecheng, the situation in the city will inevitably be reshuffled. If the Guyue family falls behind and fails to join the Lichen Sect, they will face the threat of extermination. Even if they manage to survive, they will be severely weakened and unable to compete with the Beiting family.

He had viewed the Lichen Sect's competition as a regular 'ascension to the immortal gate.' However, the Guyue family saw it as a matter of life and death, allowing no room for error. They naturally considered him, Zhuang Wudao, a mortal enemy!

The large-scale ambush three days ago was naturally justified. It was a pity that he had been kept in the dark.

He also secretly criticized Beiting Wan'er, who, though intelligent, still lacked some maturity in her actions. The last sentence, if he were to say it, would never have been spoken, as it would have provoked his resentment.

Entering the Dao Pavilion through a favor might alleviate the Guyue family's suspicions and temporarily stop them from targeting him. However, who knew if the Guyue family would also seek revenge later?

Shen Quan was known for his vindictiveness. After the battle three days ago, he had offended Shen Quan severely. If Shen Quan didn't seek revenge in the future, he wouldn't be Shen Quan.

Entering through a favor was not the right path and could not make him a true disciple. He would rather wait for three years.

To win a top-three spot in this competition, he needed the Beiting family's support even more.

On the boat, the boat has already left the shore. Zhuang Wudao, now, had no choice but to follow the Beiting family all the way.

※※※※

Even after Beiting Wan'er left, Zhuang Wudao remained depressed. However, he knew this was his own fault. If he hadn't been eager to join the Lichen Sect during their opening, he wouldn't have so easily fallen into Beiting Wan'er's trap.

The Lichen Sect's strength fully restored and their influence revived was a good thing. However, being dragged into it, with the constant threat to his life, made it impossible to be happy.

Given the current situation, thinking too much was futile and would not change anything. Zhuang Wudao simply went to sleep, and it was another dreamless night. He woke up the next morning, feeling refreshed and full of energy.

The abundant qi and blood in his body had many benefits. After the toxins were cleared, Zhuang Wudao only needed one day to fully recover, feeling energetic and strong.

At this time, Qin Feng and others also learned of his recovery and came to visit. However, their gazes were somewhat strange. They weren't looking at a patient but rather something miraculous. Qin Feng and his brothers were still okay, but the other Qingyi Society members already revered him like a god.

"Don't blame me. When I arrived that day, I vomited for half a day. I thought, how could Zhuang Wudao be so ruthless? Over two hundred people died, and dozens of bodies were turned into mush. Could this really be my brother who grew up with me?"

"Even a figure like Mr. Mo fell to you."

"You didn't just cover the rear; you slaughtered everyone. No wonder you found us a burden."

Ma Yuan sighed, pinching Zhuang Wudao's arm, "I don't see much strength, but how could you use a chain to crush fifty or sixty strong men like that?"

Lin Han also laughed, "I bet it won't be long before everyone in the city knows about Brother Wudao's mad tiger reputation. I can't wait to see the expressions of Zhuang Tong and Instructor Wei when they hear about it. They'll be stunned, won't they?"

Zhuang Wudao was at a loss, not wanting to be treated like a monkey by these people, and directly drove them away. Then, alone in the courtyard, he thought about Beiting Wan'er's words and his dream from the previous night, feeling an unusual sense of oppression. There were countless sorrows, with no one to share them.

Though he had many life-and-death brothers, the only one he could talk to on equal terms and share his heart with was Qin Feng.

However, after taking control of Yuxiong Street, the Qingyi Society was likely busier than before. The street that Shen Quan had given up, though not explicitly mentioned by Beiting Wan'er, was probably intended as compensation for the Qingyi Society.

Qin Feng was likely so busy that he had no time to spare.

Zhuang Wudao didn't want to bother Qin Feng. Thinking about the path of cultivation, like rowing against the current, if you don't advance, you retreat, he couldn't afford to delay. After three days of unconsciousness, he couldn't afford to be lazy anymore. He entered the spirit room and started practicing his boxing.

He began with the Dragon Subduing Tiger Subduing Fist, but as soon as he opened his stance, he felt that his boxing had changed significantly from before. It wasn't just a slight improvement but a qualitative change.

The stance hadn't changed, and he had indeed gained some insights during the battle in Dongchuan Alley, but it wasn't enough to elevate the 'Dragon Subduing Tiger Subduing' to a higher level.

This change was subtle, yet he could clearly feel it, something he could only intuit but not express. Compared to himself three days ago, one was heaven, and the other was earth.

What was happening?

Yun'er's voice sounded again, "This is 'momentum'! The momentum of martial arts. Sword Master, have you noticed that your confidence and will are now very different from before?"

"Momentum?"

Zhuang Wudao looked at his hands, wondering if this was the change that occurred after he finally killed Feng San?

But why?

"Have you heard of the 'slaying of the three corpses'?"

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