Chapter 106: Both Parties Arrive Together

“Look, here comes the Flying Sword Sect, now allied with the Blood Fiend Gang...”

Amidst the murmurs spreading through the crowd, a large group suddenly appeared. The ring forcefully parted the sea of people, making its way to the stone platform at the center of the vast martial arena.

“The man leading them is the sect master of the Flying Sword Sect, one of the few Ancient Core Realm powerhouses in Eternal Joy City!” a warrior in the crowd recognized the leader of the group.

“Flying Sword Sect? Sect master? I’ve heard he only calls himself Sword Slave, vowing to live solely for the sword and to pursue the true essence of swordsmanship...”

At the forefront of the group stood a lean man with a straight posture and piercing eyes that scanned the crowd. Anyone who met his gaze felt a chill, as if standing before a sword drawn from its sheath — an aura that naturally commanded respect and fear.

“What a terrifying gaze,” many who caught the sect master’s eyes quickly averted their own.

“Here come the True Martial Sect’s people too! That’s the sect master of True Martial Sect!”

Shortly after the arrival of the Flying Sword Sect, another large group approached from a different direction and gathered beneath the stone platform. The man leading this group was also recognized by many — Jin Cheng, the sect master of the True Martial Sect and one of the Ancient Core Realm powerhouses in Eternal Joy City.

Upon arrival, Jin Cheng immediately spotted the Flying Sword Sect’s contingent. A grin spread across his face as he approached Sword Slave, exchanging warm words with the Flying Sword Sect master.

Everyone present understood that these two sects were both allied with the Blood Fiend Gang, jointly challenging the Nangong family through this contest. But to many, this move seemed reckless, even outright madness. In their eyes, the Nangong family was the giant dragon of Eternal Joy City — untouchable.

What they failed to grasp was the significance of the “Heaven’s Chosen” quota. If a disciple from their sect was selected to participate in the “Heaven’s Chosen” event held in Nanyang Prefecture and taken under the wing of prominent masters there, it meant their sect would gain the protection of Nanyang Prefecture.

This time, the Flying Sword Sect and True Martial Sect agreed to join forces because the Blood Fiend Gang promised them each a spot. If their disciples could secure this quota and garner the attention of Nanyang Prefecture’s authorities through this contest, it could be the catalyst to strengthen their sects immensely — perhaps even rival the Nangong family someday.

To achieve success, risks must be taken. These two sects were daring to seize the chance that might elevate them to unprecedented heights.

“They’re here! The Nangong family and the Blood Fiend Gang have arrived!”

Not long after the arrival of the two sects, a group led by the Blood Fiend Gang’s boss, Poison Serpent Tiemu Qiu, appeared alongside the Nangong family’s contingent headed by Nangong Hao. All eyes turned to watch them approach the stone platform.

Tiemu Qiu, the Blood Fiend Gang’s leader, was a grim-faced elder known for his ruthless and bloodthirsty nature, earning him the nickname Poison Serpent. Behind him trailed three young men.

Both sides assembled beneath the stone platform. The Blood Fiend Gang stood with the True Martial Sect and Flying Sword Sect, their respective sect masters nodding respectfully to Tiemu Qiu.

They stood united on one front, with the Blood Fiend Gang taking the lead because they were the strongest. Tiemu Qiu himself was second only to Nangong Xiong in power, possessing the peak Ancient Core Realm’s mastery. The sect masters of the two sects were merely at the entry level of the Ancient Core Realm.

Tiemu Qiu seemed to relish the respect shown by the two sect masters, his old eyes narrowing as he nodded to them before shifting his gaze toward the Nangong family’s group. Nangong Hao and his people fixed their eyes on the Blood Fiend Gang in return.

A sharp tension crackled between the two sides.

Tiemu Qiu’s cold, venomous gaze swept over the Nangong family, passing over the four elders behind Nangong Hao, Nangong Xue, and Nangong Lin, before finally settling on Ye Cheng, who was standing at the back. The smile on his lips faltered as he whispered to a companion beside him, “Who is that youth?”

“I don’t know. Our scouts haven’t gathered any information on him. But four days ago, a scout reported that Miss Nangong Xue brought back a boy. It’s probably him,” the man replied, gently shaking his head. This man was Wang Tong, the Blood Fiend Gang’s Grand Protector and one of the eight elders in Eternal Joy City, holding a status equal to Nangong Hao and the others.

It’s important to note that Eternal Joy City’s decision-making body consisted of eight elders. The Nangong family controlled four seats, while the Blood Fiend Gang’s Grand Protector and the two sect masters, Sword Slave and Jin Cheng, held three seats. The last seat was held by the Iron Fan Sect, which had refused the Blood Fiend Gang’s invitation.

“Oh? Is that so?” Tiemu Qiu’s cold smile deepened into something more insincere.

While Tiemu Qiu was watching Ye Cheng, the chubby boy beside Ye Cheng, Nangong Lin, kept spitting as he spoke to Ye Cheng.

“Did you see him? The guy on the left behind Tiemu Qiu, dressed in warrior robes? That’s Lin Feng, the closing disciple of True Martial Sect’s sect master Jin Cheng. Half a year ago, he reached the peak of the Blood Vitality Realm. His power should be a bit stronger than mine. But with your peak Blood Vitality Realm strength, dealing with him should be as easy as slicing tofu.”

Nangong Lin babbled on drooling, while Ye Cheng smiled at him. The chubby boy’s round face and stout figure were quite different from the image Ye Cheng had initially imagined upon hearing his name. Though Nangong Lin’s appearance was that of a typical chubby kid, his personality was easygoing and sincere. Ye Cheng was happy to befriend such a person.

Nangong Lin was providing valuable intelligence about their upcoming opponents. Ye Cheng listened attentively. Though confident in his own strength, he knew well that to defeat an enemy, one must first know them.

“But you need to watch out for the two men beside him. The one on the right in the blue robe is Hai Chao, a genius from the Hai family of Poison Dragon City. He’s also at the peak of the Blood Vitality Realm!”

“Poison Dragon City?” Ye Cheng was surprised to hear that. Not long ago, a black-bladed sword wielder named Li Yang, who had helped him in the Demon Forest, was also from Poison Dragon City. It was said to be a ruthless place where only the most formidable could survive.

“Do you know him?” Nangong Lin asked curiously.