After the carnage, the hundred or so survivors gathered. Though they had driven back the fiends of the Red Blood Sect, no one wore an expression of victory.

It had been devastating.

Their sect-mates, friends, and elders, once so vibrant, were now just corpses. Even the living were covered in wounds. Who could bring themselves to smile?

"Ever since Dugu Wuwang reemerged in the Martial World, the Red Blood Sect has been rampaging and slaughtering its people, leaving a trail of blood in their wake."

Fu Huanlian spoke as she bandaged Ye Liuyun’s wounds.

"In this short time, the Qingzhu Gang, the One-Character Sword Sect, the Iron Sword Li Family... they’ve all been annihilated by the Red Blood Sect. Their speed and power have far surpassed our expectations."

"We heard word that the Red Blood Sect was planning to move against Yanyun Temple, so we invited our allies to gather here and discuss how to respond."

"But we never imagined..."

Her expression darkened.

"The plan was leaked, and they suddenly amassed their forces and attacked. Caught off guard, we suffered a terrible defeat. If Brother Zhu hadn’t intervened, I fear both Liuyun and I would have perished."

"The Red Blood Sect is really that insane?" Zhu Ju frowned deeply.

"Is Dugu Wuwang trying to make an enemy of the entire Martial World?"

"No." Ye Liuyun shook his head.

"He wants to make an enemy of the entire world."

"They aren’t just a plague on the Martial World; the fiends of the Red Blood Sect are also inciting refugees to rebel everywhere, openly challenging the Court."

"Dugu Wuwang..."

"Ten years of silence didn’t grind away his vicious nature. It only made him more unhinged!"

Just then, Fu Zheng made his way through the crowd, a few children in tow.

Looking at Fu Huanlian, his expression was complex. He started to speak, then simply lowered his head in a formal bow. "Fu..."

"Fu Zheng of the Shengyuan Fu Family pays his respects to the Patriarch!"

"Brother Zheng, there’s no need for such formalities."

Fu Huanlian had already heard Zhu Ju mention Fu Zheng. As the current Patriarch of the Fu Family, she was, of course, aware of the Shengyuan branch.

"All these years..."

She sighed softly.

"You have all been wronged."

"Not at all." Fu Zheng’s eyes turned red. The middle-aged man, a veteran of the turbulent business world, was on the verge of tears.

"Please, Patriarch, allow the Shengyuan Fu Family to return to the clan registry!"

"Of course. It is only right," Fu Huanlian nodded.

"But we need to leave this place first," she said, her expression turning troubled. "The Red Blood Sect has only retreated temporarily. They won’t let this go."

The battle today seemed like a victory, but in truth, the members of the Martial World had suffered grievous losses, and every survivor was injured.

Meanwhile, the Red Blood Sect still had strength to spare, not to mention reinforcements nearby. If they regrouped and attacked again, how could they possibly defend themselves?

"Patriarch."

Fu Zheng asked.

"Is the Red Blood Sect very strong?"

"Very strong. Much stronger than we imagined." Knowing he understood little of Martial World affairs, Fu Huanlian explained.

"Dugu Wuwang proclaims himself the strongest in the world. Beneath him are the Three Capitals Guardians, the Four Elders, and eight Hall Masters. The Three Capitals Guardians are all Limit-Breaking Grandmasters. The Four Elders are elites of the Gui Cang Realm. The eight Hall Masters handle operational matters, so their strengths vary. The weakest might not even have reached the Body Tempering Realm, while the strongest may even surpass the Three Capitals Guardians."

"The man from before, Black Impermanence Du Zai, was one of the Three Capitals Guardians. There is also White Impermanence Foo Qi. The identity of the final Guardian is a mystery; no one knows who they are."

HISS...

Ye Liuyun grimaced, using his sword as a crutch to stand. He scanned their surroundings and said,

"This place isn’t safe anymore. Our priority is to leave, and quickly."

"But with so many of us, we’ll be too conspicuous if we travel together. The Red Blood Sect would catch up easily. What if we split up and go our separate ways?"

Fu Huanlian fell silent.

Splitting up would ensure some survived, but it also meant abandoning others. With so many wounded among them, their fate would be all but sealed.

As for fighting back...

Together, she, Ye Liuyun, and Zhu Ju were stronger than Black Impermanence Du Zai, but they couldn’t stop him if he was determined to flee. Besides, three people aren’t one; they couldn’t stick together every second. If Du Zai found the right opportunity, he would most likely pick them off one by one.

"Miss Fu."

A white-haired elder leaning on a cane made his way toward them.

"You young ones go on ahead. I’ll stay behind with some men to buy you time. We’ll make sure those Demon Dao whelps get what’s coming to them."

"Elder Qi, no!" Fu Huanlian shook her head.

"You are a respected senior of the Martial World. If anyone is to go first, it should be you."

"Haha..." Elder Qi let out a great laugh. Despite his age, his voice was still booming.

"I already have one foot in the grave. What’s the point in me escaping? As the saying goes, ’So long as the green mountains remain, there will be no shortage of firewood.’ The Martial World once belonged to our generation. Now, it belongs to you young people."

"Everyone," Zhu Ju spoke up, interrupting the back-and-forth.

"Can’t we call for reinforcements?"

"The Red Blood Sect has experts at the Limit-Breaking Level. Doesn’t the Righteous Dao of the Martial World have any Limit-Breaking Grandmasters?"

"We do," Ye Liuyun said with a bitter smile.

"It’s just that they can’t get here in time. The closest Grandmaster is currently being hunted by White Impermanence. He can barely save himself, let alone rescue us."

?

Zhu Ju was speechless.

’Is the Righteous Dao of the Martial World really this pathetic?’

"What about reporting it to the officials?" Fu Zheng suggested.

"The Court... they should have experts, right?"

As a merchant who often dealt with officials, his first instinct was to go to the authorities.

The others exchanged glances.

As people of the Martial World, involving the government was almost unthinkable.

"That’s actually an idea," Ye Liuyun said, looking thoughtful.

"The Third Prince hasn’t left Haizhou yet, it seems. As a Prince who is a contender for the throne, he should have a Limit-Breaking Grandmaster with him, and a strong one at that."

"But would they even come?"

"And if they do, when would they arrive?"

Waiting for reinforcements meant they would have to fortify their position here.

That way, Fu Huanlian, Ye Liuyun, and Zhu Ju could stay together, and for a short while, they wouldn’t have to fear the Red Blood Sect. But it wasn’t a long-term solution.

Flee,

and they’d have to abandon some of their people.

Stay,

and they might save everyone, or they might all be wiped out. They were caught in an impossible choice.

Fu Huanlian took a deep breath and said,

"We cannot place all our hope in others, and waiting for death is not an option. The Fu Family has a Secret Technique that can allow my power to skyrocket for a short time, but it requires the assistance of at least five Gui Cang Grandmasters."

"Counting myself, we only have four. We’re one short."

Herself, Ye Liuyun, Zhu Ju, and Elder Qi made four Gui Cang Grandmasters in total.

"Uh..."

Fu Zheng raised his hand.

"Patriarch, I’m a Gui Cang, too."

"Hm?" Fu Huanlian stared, stunned.

"Brother Zheng, you’re a Gui Cang?"

A Gui Cang Grandmaster had a certain rhythm to their every move, the bearing of a true Martial Arts Grandmaster.

But Fu Zheng walked with a sloppy gait, showing no sign of any Martial Arts foundation whatsoever. And yet, he was undeniably a Gui Cang, even if his actual power was less than many in the Body Tempering Realm.

*

*

*

"Everyone."

Fu Huanlian placed the transcribed Method before them and said in a solemn voice,

"This is the Fu Family’s Five Elements Fist Scripture. I am putting my trust in all of you. I ask that you do not let it spread beyond this room."

The Secret Technique she planned to use not only required the aid of four other Gui Cang Grandmasters, but also demanded that each of them master the Five Elements Fist Gang. Thus, she had no choice but to give them the Five Elements Fist Scripture to practice.

"Haha..." Elder Qi laughed heartily.

"Rest assured, Miss Fu. After this is done, this Five Elements Boxing Manual will go with this old man to his grave."

"To get a glimpse of the greatest boxing manual of our time is a rare opportunity in itself. How could I not be content?" Ye Liuyun chuckled.

"I will not speak of this to another soul!"

"The same goes for me." Zhu Ju’s expression was calm, but inwardly, his heart was racing. ’I never thought I’d get my hands on the ultimate Qi Blood Method I’ve been dreaming of so easily.’

All he could say was...

’Fu Huanlian, you’re incredible!’

"Very well!" Fu Huanlian nodded.

"Time is of the essence. Please, look over the scripture. Tell me if there’s anything you don’t understand. We need to master the Five Elements Fist Gang as quickly as possible."

Everyone present was exceptionally talented. Even Fu Zheng couldn’t have become a Gui Cang without some degree of Martial Arts Talent. Since they were already Grandmasters, transforming their internal Qi Blood into the Five Elements Fist Gang wouldn’t be difficult.

It would just take time.

"The Five Elements Fist Scripture is based on the Five Elements, which circulate through the five major organs. If you can stimulate them with your Fist Gang, it will help me break through the limits of my Physical Body."

"In other words..."

Fu Huanlian’s expression was grave.

"I will achieve Breaking Limit in a single day!"

"Using Five Elements Gang Force from the same lineage to stimulate the five organs and achieve Breaking Limit... Elder Fu was truly an Unparalleled Grandmaster to have devised such a Method," Elder Qi said in admiration. Then, his tone shifted.

"However, even though it’s all Five Elements Gang Force, it ultimately does not come from a single person. This act may help you achieve Breaking Limit, but it will damage your foundations. Not only will you be unable to advance further in the future, but it will also shorten your lifespan."

"Miss Fu, are you certain you want to go through with this?"

"Huanlian!" Ye Liuyun’s face fell when he heard this.

"Don’t do it!"

With Fu Huanlian’s Talent and aptitude, it was only a matter of time before she naturally became a Limit-Breaking Grandmaster. A few years at most, perhaps even less.

But now... though she could ascend to a new height in a single step, she would be severing any possibility of future advancement and even shortening her own life. The cost was far too great.

"Time is a luxury I don’t have."

Fu Huanlian shook her head gently. A subtle ripple crossed her gaze as she looked at Ye Liuyun, but her voice was firm.

"Please, Brother Ye... help me."