Having resolved the incident in Iron Ring Town, Chu Qing and Gentle returned directly to the inn to rest.

On the way, there was no sign of the scholar or the female assassin.

That night, the scholar did not return either...

Early the next morning, they found out that the scholar had left silver in the room and departed the night before.

Regarding these two people, Chu Qing was quite concerned.

The scholar’s martial arts were exceptionally high, and killing a few bandits revealed nothing about his depth, whereas the woman had pitiful martial arts skills.

Yet the woman attempted to assassinate the scholar, and although he clearly detected it early, he did not act.

Later, the female assassin chased the scholar, and he was afraid she couldn’t keep up, so he came back to greet her...

This scene was rather puzzling.

After breakfast, Chu Qing and Gentle set off for Dingxing City.

Departing from Iron Ring Town, if they maintained their Lightweight Technique, they could reach Dingxing City in less than an hour.

However, although Gentle had deeper Inner Power compared to ordinary people, using it to hasten their journey seemed too wasteful.

Having spent ample time with her, Chu Qing also knew her Lightweight Technique wasn’t particularly impressive.

Thus, as they walked, he explained the Cultivation Techniques of the Floating Feathers Misty Smoke skill to her.

If they were to travel together to Little Cold Valley, Gentle indeed lacked a superior Lightweight Technique.

With a slow pace and occasional stops, after about half an hour, they suddenly heard the sounds of combat ahead.

Approaching closer, they saw beside a wild mountain path a pavilion.

Around the pavilion gathered many people, with more scattered hands nearby, presumably all from the Green Forest.

The number of people was hundreds or even thousands.

No one knew why they had gathered here suddenly.

Inside the pavilion, two girls were sitting opposite each other, drinking and watching a few people fighting in the field, clapping and cheering continuously.

"Is it them?"

Chu Qing raised his brow slightly, contemplating the phrase "no matter where, paths will cross for a reunion?"

The two girls in front were the female disciples from Bodhi Temple.

Last time in Divine Blade City’s tavern, they introduced themselves, one named Nianxin, the other Nian’an.

Yet later, they did not participate in the world’s First Grade Conference.

Meeting them again now.

Looking once more at those fighting in front of the pavilion, it turned out to be the Cross-sword Five Tigers they had seen in the tavern.

Now the one fighting should be the Sword-bearing Tiger.

This was the one easily caught by Nianxin, who said she’d kill him with one palm.

His appearance was fierce and vicious, and his saber technique was ruthless and formidable, currently engaged with a gaunt old man in combat.

The old man had some skills but was not a match for the Sword-bearing Tiger, getting pushed back step by step by his sword, until finally with a clang, the Ring Saber fell from his hand, and the cross-sword rested against his neck.

The gaunt elder’s face reflected his despondency:

"Enough, enough... I’m no match..."

The Sword-bearing Tiger then sheathed his cross-sword and stepped back.

Nianxin laughed heartily: 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

"Good, good, then from today on, your Cyan Mountain Stronghold will be under my command.

"Don’t worry. I have a benevolent heart. As long as you obey orders, I won’t make things difficult for you.

"Alright, are there any others among the Lianshan Seven Strongholds who disapprove?

"The rules are the same, as long as you can defeat these little tigers under my command, I’ll let you leave peacefully, and I’ll never trouble you again."

Cross-sword Five Tigers showed no expression at these words, obviously used to being called ’little tigers’.

Only Sword-bearing Tiger Lv Zhi’s face showed slight embarrassment.

Chu Qing was amazed; why were people from the Lianshan Seven Strongholds here?

The Lianshan Seven Strongholds are Cyan Mountain Stronghold, Wangxing Village, Tiger Gallbladder Village, Windbreaking Village, Dingbo Village, Niu Jiao Village, and Black Dragon Stronghold.

They are seven interconnected mountains, each housing a stronghold, collectively known as the Lianshan Seven Strongholds.

Though close to Iron Blood Hall, they refrain from trespassing since Tie Lingyun does not permit them within the hall’s sphere of influence.

"Could it be because of what the bandit mentioned last night?"

Chu Qing pondered that if this were true, then Blazing Hall’s actions were not a spur-of-the-moment decision.

A few days ago, Tie Lingyun went to Celestial Star Mountain to Luochun Manor to fetch his daughter because of Tie Chuming.

At that time, he still had a carefree demeanor, clearly indicating Blazing Hall hadn’t acted yet.

The change should have occurred within these one or two days... but the speed at which the Lianshan Seven Strongholds received the message is astonishing.

This must have been planned for a long time, with Blazing Hall acting as a diversion, allowing these mountain bandits to seize the opportunity to infiltrate... last night’s small characters going to Iron Ring Town were merely insignificant minions.

Now, with such a large force from the Lianshan Seven Strongholds, there must be another objective.

This area is very close to Dingxing City... might they be planning to seize Dingxing City?

Chu Qing rubbed his chin. Iron Blood Hall, having been a prominent figure in South Ridge for many years, always attracts bloodsucking pests wanting to feast voraciously on this giant.

Unexpectedly, these insane sisters have intercepted them.

These sisters have always had clear intentions... to subdue bandits and become the Masters of Green Forest.

Now setting the rules with the Lianshan Seven Strongholds, negotiating heroism through martial arts, having the Cross-sword Five Tigers fight against these stronghold leaders, losing means submission to them... but who knows what happens if they win.

Just at this thought, an angry shout sounded:

"Enough! Where did these two little girls come from, daring to act arrogantly before us.

"Cyan Mountain is already old and unfit for battle, we gathered over a thousand people today to capture Dingxing City!

"No time to dawdle here with these two girls!