Chapter 657

Yet the disciples of Duyi Sect, after Desheng finished speaking, also repeated his words in unison.

Clearly, this was unique to Duyi Sect.

"Boring!"

Shi Weixian, seeing that even Desheng of Duyi Sect had bowed to defeat, immediately lost his spirit and reverted to his emaciated form.

Then, ignoring Desheng and the others entirely, he vanished again behind the mountain path.

Clearly, Shi Weixian had been lurking here at the Damenkou, waiting to ambush newcomers.

Desheng wiped the cold sweat from his brow—thankfully, he hadn't spoken rashly!

"Alright, since you've joined Tianxiahui Gang, ascend the mountain to the Sanfen Training Ground!"

The red-clad disciple, unfazed, pointed to the mountain path, signaling Desheng and the others to proceed.

Desheng now had no path back—he could only grit his teeth and lead his disciples up the mountain.

This mysterious Lord Tonghuang has rebuilt Tianxiahui Gang.

Not only have the mountain path and main gate been restored exactly as they were in the original Tianxiahui Gang.

Even the Sanfen Training Ground is identical to its former self.

Upon reaching the Sanfen Training Ground, they found many others from Yunzhou's Sanbangqi Sect already arrived.

Many familiar faces wore expressions of bitter misfortune.

Desheng knew: it wasn't just Duyi Sect that Lord Tonghuang had lured here.

He spotted an old acquaintance: Qian Zhen.

"Qian Zhen, where is your beloved disciple Nokang?"

Seeing Qian Zhen's grim expression and noticing that Nokang, whom he always kept by his side, was absent, Desheng deliberately greeted him before asking.

"You talk to me?!"

Qian Zhen shot Desheng a sour glance and saw that every disciple behind him was pale as death.

Clearly, they had just endured what he himself had suffered.

"Alright, alright, older brother, calm down."

Desheng smiled, comforted Qian Zhen briefly, then shifted the topic and asked,

"Older brother, do you know who Lord Tonghuang and Shi Weixian are?"

Lord Tonghuang was the leader of this rebuilt Tianxiahui Gang; Desheng had never heard of him, never seen him.

But Shi Weixian had just, right before his eyes, devoured one of his trusted disciples whole.

Such cruelty still sent shivers down his spine.

"You're truly ignorant!"

Qian Zhen was over ten years older than Desheng and knew more of Yunzhou's history.

"Do you know which power once dominated Yunzhou?"

"No idea! Wasn't it Tianxiahui Gang and Wushuang City?"

In Desheng's memory, the original powers ruling Yunzhou had been Tianxiahui Gang and Wushuang City.

Yet why did Qian Zhen's tone suggest otherwise?

"Heh! Before those two rose to power, there was another force in the Jianghu that struck terror into all hearts!

That was the famed, loved-and-hated Tianchi!"

Qian Zhen's voice grew wistful; when he spoke of Tianchi, he lowered it so only he and Desheng could hear.

"Tianchi?"

Desheng thought hard—he still hadn't heard of it.

"Before Tianxiahui Gang and Wushuang City were founded, the Wu Lin of Yunzhou was divided among Gezong Sects.

But at some point, a killer organization called Tianchi suddenly appeared!

This organization had exactly one hundred and eight assassins, each not only powerful but also possessing murder techniques of divine mastery.

They claimed: for the right price, they could kill anyone!

At first, every sect in the Wu Lin posted bounties to eliminate their rivals.

But soon they realized: if even one rival remained alive, that rival would put a bounty on them, hiring Tianchi to kill them in return.

Thus, Gezong Sects and countless martial clans used Tianchi to slaughter one another.

Tianchi grew immensely wealthy and made many in the Jianghu realize: such vendettas were endless and brutally cruel.

But as long as Tianchi remained, the bloodshed would never cease.

Helpless, the Wu Linzong Sects collectively summoned the Sword Saint.

The old Sword Saint, using the Sacred Spirit Sword Art, fought for seven days and seven nights, finally annihilating Tianchi.

Only twelve leaders barely escaped with their lives.

The leader among them? Lord Tonghuang!"

As Qian Zhen recounted Yunzhou's past, his voice grew increasingly excited.

Unintentionally, he forgot to lower his voice, drawing nearby gang members to gather around.

When he finished, all those present suddenly understood.

They now grasped why Lord Tonghuang and Tianxiahui Gang had risen so suddenly.

Suddenly, a shadow stretched beneath Qian Zhen's feet, and a chilling voice echoed:

"Qian Zhen, you know quite a bit, don't you?"

"Ah? My lord Ghost Shadow…"

Qian Zhen's heart lurched—he realized he'd spoken too freely.

Just then, he spotted this strange shadow and immediately knew who it was.

"My lord, the ghost shadow, I didn't mean to… it's just…"

"Enough!"

The strange shadow rose from the ground, forming a dark, shapeless figure, its body and face indiscernible.

He continued speaking:

"Qian Zhen, do you know why I summoned you, these worthless scraps, to Tianshan?"

Though cruel, this was the truth.

The Tianxia Alliance and Lu Wushuang City have both fallen.

The Yunzhou Zong Sect has also been weakened by the ravages of Wuming and Xiong Ba.

But in truth, whether you've won or not, Qian Zhen, your strength is far too low.

And yet you dare to be arrogant, carving out territory and declaring yourself king in Yunzhou?

When you received word that Tianshan was calling a Hui Alliance to divide Yunzhou, you came scurrying over like a dog.

"I… I don't know…"

Qian Zhen's face turned awkward.

"Hah! They listen to old man me."

Suddenly, on the three-part training ground, a man appeared clad in strange armor.

His armor was studded with blades.

Seeing his appearance, Qian Zhen's face changed drastically, saying:

"Yan Kuangtu… weren't you forging Tian Jie on Tiexin Island?"

The man was none other than the current master of the Tie Sect, Yan Kuangtu, who had appeared on the Heavenly Dao Golden List.

Hearing Qian Zhen's question, Yan Kuangtu gave a cold laugh:

"The old accounts with you are long overdue for settling."

"Besides, isn't Tian Jie already worn upon my body?"

His strange armor was, in fact, the legendary Tian Jie.

"You summoned Lord Tonghuang to gather us, just to seek revenge?"

Qian Zhen found this absurd.

His cultivation was merely Land Immortal—if Yan Kuangtu wanted revenge, why go through such deception?

Why not simply come to his door and slaughter his entire Zhenggezong Sect?