"You’re not interested?"

High above, Liu Wushuang frowned, stunned for a moment. Hearing such a reply, he was instantly disappointed.

’The Jianghai Arrow God is actually unwilling to join?’

After all, this was an invitation from the Venerable Alliance!

Throughout history, countless cultivators in the Venerable Realm had tried and failed to even get a foot in the door. If they knew Qin Yang was treating this offer like it was nothing, wouldn’t they die of anger?

’It’s impossible he has no interest! He must still be testing me...’

At this thought, Liu Wushuang persisted, continuing his Divine Sense transmission, "Your Excellency, Arrow God, I did not explain myself clearly just now. Please reconsider."

"What else is there to say?"

Hearing this, Qin Yang cleaned out his ear and said nonchalantly, "I’m all ears."

"Very well."

Liu Wushuang said gravely, "Our Venerable Alliance is not an organization one can join simply by wanting to. After you join, you will not only receive Elixir Pills as rewards, but more importantly, you will also gain the protection of the Venerable Alliance."

He then lowered his voice and warned, "If you refuse so rashly, I’m afraid... it will lead to a bad end for you, perhaps even a fatal disaster... Please, think it over carefully."

His words were laced with a subtle, deeper meaning.

Under the cool moonlight, the lake’s surface shimmered. Willow leaves from the shore spun through the air, twirling down to the water and sending out ripples...

"..."

Hearing this, Qin Yang stared at Liu Wushuang, his eyes narrowing almost imperceptibly. He said with a hint of impatience:

"A fatal disaster? Are you threatening me?"

"Not at all! You misunderstand, Your Excellency."

Liu Wushuang shook his head and waved his hand, gazing at the crescent moon as he said, "I am protecting you."

"Protecting me?"

"That’s right! I’m advising you to join for your own good."

Liu Wushuang nodded and said in a low voice, "The Demon from the Beast God Sect you killed a few days ago was no ordinary person. He was an important high-ranking member of the Beast God Sect... and those people are relentless..."

"You mean... they’ve already locked onto me?"

Qin Yang’s brows furrowed.

In his heart, he wasn’t particularly surprised.

He had been prepared for this ever since he’d acted to save Elder Li.

Otherwise, if he hadn’t fired that shot, Elder Li and the other soldiers who had dedicated themselves to Jianghai would have likely died at the hands of that Blood Path Demon!

’Even if I had to choose again, I would still have taken the shot!’

"Jianghai Arrow God, your character is excellent, your Cultivation is profound, and your understanding of Archery is nothing short of masterful."

Liu Wushuang nodded, stroking the Profound Bow in his hand as he said with admiration, "My Venerable Alliance has always aimed to protect humanity. You are precisely the kind of talent we need!!"

"Join us!"

Having said that, Liu Wushuang raised his eyes to continue observing Qin Yang’s reaction.

He awaited his answer.

’Truthfully, I have my own selfish reasons for this trip. Besides completing the mission, I’m also hoping to earn a little extra on the side.’

’After all, based on our duel just now, the Jianghai Arrow God’s strength is beyond question. His Archery and Power of Laws are both top-tier!’

’If I can recruit him into the alliance, it would be an absolutely massive contribution to the Venerable Alliance!!’

’Wouldn’t the Contribution Points just come rolling into my pocket?’

"So? What do you think?"

Liu Wushuang stroked his chin, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Once you join our Venerable Alliance, the Beast God Sect will have nothing to do with you. If they try to hunt you down in the future, they will be making an enemy of us all!"

"Hmm... that does sound pretty good."

Hearing this, Qin Yang felt a little tempted.

’I’ve been a wanderer for a long time. Those Cult Demons are unpredictable, and being hounded by them is a nuisance. If I could use this to get rid of them, it would indeed be a good choice.’

’But... my only fear is that this guy Liu is just painting a pretty picture!’

Thinking of this, Qin Yang asked again, "Since you can protect me, between your Venerable Alliance and the Beast God Sect, who is stronger?"

"Well..."

At this, Liu Wushuang hesitated for a moment before calmly replying:

"We are evenly matched."

...

Down on the Li Shui Lake Shore, the crowd was still bustling. Qin Yang and Liu Wushuang had been facing each other up above for some time now, and those below couldn’t make out what was happening.

They could only see the two men standing off under the moonlight, their expressions changing from time to time, silent and still. It seemed as if they were communicating with just their eyes.

Seeing this, the citizens began to murmur among themselves again.

"Why aren’t they fighting anymore?"

"Don’t tell me Elder Wushuang wants to go for a third round?"

"No way, a Venerable elder honors his bets! How could he be a sore loser like that?"

"..."

As the people below chattered amongst themselves, the atmosphere began to calm down. The cheering squads quieted, simply staring at the two unmoving figures in the sky, their hearts filled with curiosity.

"Why did Grandmaster stop fighting?"

Li Qinghe frowned up at the sky, slowly lowering her gold and red pompoms. She was puzzled. ’Just a moment ago, they were in the heat of battle... Why have they suddenly gone silent?’

"They’re using Divine Sense to communicate..."

Elder Li sensed Li Qinghe’s confusion. He came to her side with his hands behind his back and explained, "From the looks of it, Elder Wushuang seems to have an important matter to discuss privately with the Jianghai Arrow God."

"An important matter to discuss?"

Li Qinghe was frustrated. "Why bring it up just as the Arrow God was about to leave? Don’t tell me he’s a sore loser... He wants another match, doesn’t he?"

"It’s fine. Elder Wushuang wouldn’t have any malicious intent."

Elder Li shook his head. "Based on his conduct just now, he’s a man who honors his bets. Since he publicly admitted defeat in front of everyone, he naturally won’t cause trouble for the Arrow God again."

"He’d better not."

Li Qinghe snorted, crossing her arms. "If he does anything to hurt the Arrow God, I’ll lose all respect for him. Hmph!"

As her words fell, Lin Mofeng, standing nearby, remained silent. He didn’t join the discussion, merely watching the two figures in the sky.

Lost in thought, a guess began to form in his mind.

Watching them in the sky, Lin Mofeng felt a trace of envy. ’Elder Wushuang belongs to the Venerable Alliance, and they’re discussing something... Could it be... that he’s inviting the Arrow God to join the Venerable Alliance?’

...

High in the sky.

The night wind blew gently. It was well past midnight.

"Have you reconsidered, Arrow God?"

Liu Wushuang crossed his arms and continued his patient persuasion, "This chance to join the Venerable Alliance is a rare one!

Some in the Venerable Realm have begged on their knees to join, and we never once relented. But now, the gates are wide open for you!!"

"Just say the word, and we will depart for the Imperial Capital today..."

"..."

As the tempting words faded, Qin Yang processed the information he had just heard, forming a complete picture of the organization.

From Liu Wushuang’s account, the Venerable Alliance was indeed a righteous organization, rooted in the Imperial Capital, with all its members at or above the Venerable Realm.

Moreover, based on the information he revealed, the Venerable Alliance Leader was exceptionally powerful!

But... there was one problem that Qin Yang still couldn’t let go of.

"You claim to be working for the good of all people, concerned with the safety and well-being of the common folk. So why didn’t I see you take action when the Beast Tide descended?"

Qin Yang looked at Liu Wushuang and voiced all of his doubts. "And during the nationwide Beast Tide before, why was there no news of you? Don’t tell me you were helping from the shadows?"

"This..."

Hearing this, Liu Wushuang looked troubled and was struck speechless.

The question hit a nerve.

’This involves the Blood Spirit Contract and many other secrets. Qin Yang is an outsider who hasn’t even joined the alliance yet. How could he possibly be qualified to know?’

With this in mind, he hesitated for a long while before saying:

"Jianghai Arrow God, you don’t understand. This matter has far-reaching implications. Only if you are willing to join my Venerable Alliance will you be qualified to know."

"Heh."

Hearing this, Qin Yang suddenly laughed, as if a weight had been lifted. "Are you trying to dodge the important questions with me?"

"Just a moment ago you were spinning such a pretty tale, talking on and on about protecting humanity, yet you sat back and watched as a Venerable from the Beast God Sect led a Beast Tide to attack humankind.

It seems your Venerable Alliance is nothing but an empty shell!"

"You!!"

Hearing this, Liu Wushuang’s expression changed drastically.

Those words were no different from a direct insult to the Venerable Alliance!

Liu Wushuang was about to erupt in anger.

But on second thought, the Arrow God’s senior brother had died in the Beast Tide.

It was normal for him to hold a grudge.

"Fine. I won’t hold this against you today,"

Liu Wushuang suppressed his anger and said in a low voice, "Your Excellency, as I’ve said, this matter is of great importance. My Venerable Alliance has its own difficulties..."

"Difficulties?"

Hearing this, Qin Yang let out a laugh of pure anger. "You’re talking to me about ’difficulties’? Then who’s talking about ’difficulties’ with the citizens who nearly lost their lives in the Beast Tide?

Back then, if my senior brother, the Sword God, hadn’t stepped in to turn the tide, that Beast Tide would have likely rolled through and flattened all of Jianghai City!"

"On that day, when the Venerable from the Beast God Sect arrived, where were the people from your Venerable Alliance?!"

His words fell, each one thundering with deafening force.

"I..."

Liu Wushuang was rendered completely speechless by the tirade. He froze in place, unable to offer the slightest rebuttal. His neck flushed a visible red, and unable to force out a single counterargument, he simply waved his sleeve and his hand.

"You’re not in the right state of mind today! I will come find you again when you’ve calmed down."

With that, Liu Wushuang turned and left, transforming into a streak of light and vanishing into the distance.

...

When the crowd saw this, they immediately began to cheer, with Li Qinghe’s excited shouts being the loudest of all.

"The Arrow God won!!"

"The Jianghai Arrow God is mighty!"

"The best in the world!"

The shouts echoed through the air. Standing in the crowd, Elder Li and Lin Mofeng glanced at each other and couldn’t help but smile.

’If I’d known the Arrow God was this strong, all my worrying before was completely unnecessary.’

’This victory was even easier than expected. It was an absolute rout!!’

’Alright, it’s about time for me to head out, too.’

Qin Yang watched Liu Wushuang depart, eager to get back and check his rewards.

But just then, four bestial roars suddenly echoed across the heavens!

A dragon’s cry, a tiger’s roar, a phoenix’s call, and a serpent’s hiss... Enormous beast shadows gathered from the four cardinal directions. A roaming dragon leaped through the clouds, and a Vermilion Bird soared into view.

"This is!?"

Qin Yang froze for a second, suddenly realizing the space around him had been locked down.

’It’s too late!’

’I can’t get out!!’

In the distance, four figures holding Array Maps were speeding toward him, their immense Star Force radiating outwards.

In an instant, a terrifying aura descended. Leading them was none other than the White Tiger Earth Venerable. Clad in a white robe, he stood with his hands behind his back, watching Qin Yang trapped within the array.

He was overjoyed!

’It’s finally done! Jianghai Arrow God, there’s no escape for you this time!’