Chapter 696: It

The Regimental Commander of Tian Luo Caravan and the white-haired elder exchanged a few grim words.

After a reluctant agreement seemed to have been reached, the white-haired elder leapt onto the arena.

"This is bad! They intend to…"

Yang Hongxia suddenly seemed to realize something and cried out.

Before Fang Yue could ask, he understood Yang Hongxia's meaning.

As soon as the white-haired elder struck, every move was lethal!

The aggression and lethality were nothing like the level of a mere sparring match.

Though the elder was only a Xiantian Realm cultivator, against Mang Liuzi—a peer still recovering from injuries—he immediately gained the upper hand.

In barely holding his ground, Mang Liuzi instantly sensed this opponent was different.

Not only was there a leap in power, even a subtle dominance over him, but the ruthlessness of each strike seemed determined to kill or maim him outright.

Cold sweat slid down his forehead; he defended more than he attacked, gradually losing strength.

Mang Liuzi's sword techniques were never meant for defense, and abandoning defense to trade blows was impossible given his current physical state.

Gradually falling into disadvantage, Mang Liuzi retreated step by step.

"Is this really acceptable?"

Fang Yue's face showed confusion.

Due to the circular ring above casting Night Rain, Fang Yue stood out conspicuously, yet also avoided trouble—many quietly kept their distance, not daring to approach too closely.

The people of Da Yang Caravan, however, had gradually grown accustomed to Fang Yue's appearance, since the black circular ring's Night Rain targeted only Fang Yue and harmed none of them.

Yang Hongxia watched Mang Liuzi's growing defeat, then glanced bitterly toward the Tian Luo Caravan Regimental Commander and shook her head slightly.

"It's fine—the rules permit casualties, even intentional ones. But usually, everyone stops short, since we're all caravan groups, always running into each other. Killing someone on the arena means burning bridges—you'll never speak again."

"So it seems Tian Luo and Da Yang Caravans aren't on good terms."

"No…" Yang Hongxia's eyes flashed with cold light: "We have almost no contact with Tian Luo Caravan—that's precisely why they dare strike so brutally. Even… I suspect they see Da Yang Caravan as weakened, a soft target, and are acting without restraint!"

So that's how it was.

After a moment's thought, Fang Yue understood.

To outsiders, Da Yang Caravan now was merely a name, a little girl guarding treasure.

Everyone wanted to kick her hard, seize her treasure, strip Da Yang Caravan bare, and absorb its resources for themselves.

Yet their plans were likely to fail.

Fang Yue's goal was the championship—never intending to let anyone else win.

Winning the championship, reclaiming An Dong'er'er—this trip to Chunuan City would then be complete.

As Fang Yue thought, Mang Liuzi let out a cry, took a palm to the chest, was thrown backward off the arena, and upon rising, spat a mouthful of blood—clearly badly injured.

At that moment, Fang Yue noticed a flicker of regret on the Tian Luo Caravan Regimental Commander's face, while the white-haired elder on the arena stood coldly, watching Mang Liuzi.

"You lost."

"... Thank you, Elder, for your mercy."

Mang Liuzi bowed slightly, said nothing more, clutched his wound, and shamefully approached Yang Hongxia.

"Miss, I lost…"

"Don't worry—it was expected."

A new challenger had already ascended the arena to face the elder, but was knocked down in mere strikes.

Unlike his earlier ferocity, after defeating Mang Liuzi, the white-haired elder's moves were clearly restrained—only defeating, not aiming to injure or kill.

"There's tension between them."

Yang Hongxia analyzed: "The Tian Luo Caravan Regimental Commander clearly wanted to kill Mang Liuzi, but the white-haired elder held back, sparing his life—otherwise his injuries would be far worse!"

Mang Liuzi fought already wounded; losing to a Xiantian Realm peer was understandable. Even a powerhouse like the white-haired elder could have killed him on the arena—but the man clearly hadn't gone mad.

He was just doing a job—no need to be that extreme.

"So we owe him a favor?"

Fang Yue said, his expression odd.

"In a way—I'll prepare a gift for this elder."

Not pushing things to the extreme was, in effect, preserving Da Yang Caravan's face—Yang Hongxia understood this social debt.

"Gift? No need—just prepare some healing medicine."

Yang Hongxia froze, then immediately understood.

"Night Rain, you intend to…"

Before she could finish, Fang Yue leapt up and landed on the arena.

Fang Yue's leap immediately drew everyone's attention.

"That's him?"

Tian Wangchuan, leader of the Tian Shang Alliance, narrowed his eyes.

He offered An Dong'er'er as the final prize—how could he have no connection to the Phoenix Organization?

In fact, Tian Shang Alliance's rise to this point bore too many shadows of the Phoenix Organization.

Yet… Tian Wangchuan was not a member of the Phoenix Organization.

He maintained a close cooperative relationship—with only the actual ruler of the Chunuan City Phoenix Organization, Lord Ophiuchus, directly. He ignored all others.

Whatever happened, Lord Ophiuchus would notify the Phoenix Organization to cooperate.

At first glance, it seemed like both sides' leaders communicated directly.

In truth, the Phoenix Organization had held back, unwilling to reveal too much of its internal information.

Yet after years of effort, Tian Wangchuan had roughly identified who in Chunuan City belonged to the Phoenix Organization.

Chunuan City is mine, Tian Wangchuan's!

The Phoenix Organization is merely a tool to consolidate his power and status.

Tian Wangchuan never intended to share Chunuan City with the Phoenix Organization.

Fortunately, the Phoenix Organization had self-awareness; while retreating underground, it kept its activities within clear limits, never infringing on his interests, and their cooperation had always been smooth.

"An organization that cannot see the light is convenient to cooperate with—when needed, it's the best ally; when not, it's the perfect scapegoat."

Tian Wangchuan had long been contemplating how to break free from the Phoenix Organization and take full independent control of Chunuan City, but their cooperation ran too deep to be severed in a short time.

This matter requires careful, gradual planning.

As for the Ye Baiyi whom the Phoenix Organization took special notice of, Tian Wangchuan merely glanced at him twice and paid no further attention.

If he hadn't misseen it, the ring descending from above was Night Rain!

Such an unusual Guizu—even he had no confidence he could survive it. This man was already doomed; let the Phoenix Organization do whatever they please with him.

(End of Chapter)