Chapter 308: The Three Great Powers
Mo City.
On this day, the atmosphere in Mo City was different from usual. Almost all attention was focused on the grand manor at the city's center, the headquarters of Yuan Manor, the rulers of this city.
Most of the city's inhabitants didn't care much about who was in charge. They knew that regardless of who controlled the city, their lives at the bottom wouldn't change much. But Yuan Manor's presence had undeniably brought significant changes to the city.
Unlike the days when the city was ruled by the Ground Flame Sect, back then, while the city was large and somewhat renowned in the Black-Corner Region, it wasn't considered top-tier. However, since Yuan Manor took control and renamed it Mo City, the city had risen to become one of the most prominent in the region.
This wasn't just due to Yuan Manor's power but also thanks to the renowned reputation of Yuan Manor's Hundred Weapons Hall.
As the only organization in the Black-Corner Region capable of crafting all sorts of weapons, the Hundred Weapons Hall of Yuan Manor had gained widespread fame. It had attracted numerous strong warriors to Mo City.
On the Dou Qi Continent, although medicinal pills held immense prestige and alchemists were highly respected, this was primarily because weapon refiners were rare, and the quality of weapons they crafted was often inferior to that of similar-level pills.
However, if there were weapon refiners whose work could rival that of alchemists, they would be just as sought after!
In truth, to most fighters, a reliable weapon was often more valuable than a pill. Pills could enhance strength temporarily, but no one could rely solely on consuming pills to advance their power—it would lead to unstable progress. In contrast, a powerful weapon could provide a real and lasting boost in battle and become a lifelong companion.
Due to the decline of weapon refinement on the Dou Qi Continent, many powerful fighters went their entire lives without ever wielding a truly fitting weapon.
But since Yuan Manor established itself in Mo City, the weapons produced by the Hundred Weapons Hall had stirred great hope among many warriors. Unlike the magic core weapons commonly found on the continent, the weapons from the Hundred Weapons Hall were not only more affordable but also more powerful. They offered a wide variety of choices, from swords and spears to halberds and axes.
Today, Mo City had become the hottest trading hub for weapons in the Black-Corner Region. Taking advantage of the Hundred Weapons Hall's appeal, Yuan Manor had continuously absorbed batches of strong warriors. Even the city's common folk benefited from the prosperity brought by Yuan Manor, gradually warming to the new rulers and even feeling proud to live under their protection.
Therefore, today's events in Mo City captured widespread attention.
Just about half an hour ago, three large forces had marched into the city, heading directly for Yuan Manor, the city's ruling power.
Most people in Mo City had heard of these three powerful forces. As first-rate factions, their reputations echoed across the entire Black-Corner Region, making their names well known to everyone.
The Tianyin Sect, Raksasha Gate, and the Wild Lion Gang were all formidable forces, with leaders who ranked among the top ten of the infamous "Black List" of the Black-Corner Region.
Any one of these leaders was no weaker than Yuan Yi, the man who had been slain by the Fire Spirit Puppet. In fact, they might even be stronger.
These three great powers had always been dominant in the Black-Corner Region, and when Han Feng sought to form the Black Alliance and invited them to join, they had refused to take him seriously.
Their refusal had certainly angered Han Feng, but he had refrained from acting against them, knowing that their strength was formidable. Even though Han Feng commanded respect, he had yet to reach the point where these three powers would bow to him.
Now, with the Black Alliance in its prime under Han Feng's leadership, only Yuan Manor stood above it in terms of influence. The fact that these three factions could afford to reject Han Feng's invitation revealed that they had solid foundations of their own.
With these three great powers now arriving in Mo City, it stirred curiosity among many. How would they fare against Yuan Manor, which was even stronger than the Black Alliance?
Inside a spacious meeting hall within the grand manor, the atmosphere was tense, filled with an undercurrent of hostility and suspicion.
In the hall, four groups of people were gathered. The group farthest inside was naturally that of Yuan Manor, the rulers of Mo City. The three groups on the outside were from the Tianyin Sect, the Raksasha Gate, and the Wild Lion Gang.
"You must be Xiao Li, the Hall Master of Yuan Manor's Black Wolf Hall. Tell us, why has Yuan Manor invited the three of us here?" asked a middle-aged man with a muscular build, his chest partially exposed, revealing a fierce lion tattoo roaring towards the sky. His gaze was sharp and his tone carried an ominous, bloodthirsty edge.
"Hehe, Chief Yan still speaks so directly," a sultry, scantily-clad woman beside him giggled, covering her mouth. On the side of her face near her ear was a black, seductive poppy tattoo—a beautiful but deadly symbol. "But I must agree with him. If Yuan Manor can't give us a good reason, even with its great reputation, you won't get us to come all this way for nothing."
The third person, an old man with a gloomy expression, chuckled coldly, his bony fingers tapping the table. "You invited us here, but where is the Manor Lord? Does he not see the three of us as worth his time?"
Behind these three leaders stood nearly a hundred men, each with a bloodthirsty aura. Their gazes were cold, like beasts scanning their prey.
Xiao Li remained vigilant as he looked at the three leaders. Behind him stood over a hundred members of the Black Wolf Hall, whose equally bloody auras indicated their ruthless and battle-hardened nature.
The decision to invite these three factions had been Mo Yu's idea. Xiao Li had some inkling of Mo Yu's plan, but before proceeding, it was necessary to cut these factions down to size. Yuan Manor couldn't afford to let anyone think they were all talk and no substance.
"Leaders," Xiao Li said coolly, playing with a teacup, "our Manor Lord invited you here to discuss important matters. However, seeing as you've come with such a large entourage, do you plan to start a fight with Yuan Manor? Or are you worried we might try something underhanded?"
At Xiao Li's words, the atmosphere in the hall shifted slightly. After a moment, the sultry woman laughed sweetly, "Hall Master Xiao, you must be joking. Yuan Manor is so famous in the Black-Corner Region—who would dare have ill intentions toward you? It's just that the road here was dangerous, so we brought a few extra people for protection. We hope you'll forgive us."
"Oh? If that's the case, then have your men withdraw. Yuan Manor does not welcome so many armed guests," Xiao Li responded, his tone growing cold.
"Hmph! Enough with the chatter!" the muscular man sneered, slamming his palm down on the table, shattering it into pieces. "We came here as a favor to Yuan Manor. If it weren't for that, who would bother coming all this way just to talk? Even Han Feng's invitation didn't interest us—does Yuan Manor think it's the top power in the Black-Corner Region?"
Xiao Li's expression darkened, and the men behind him, clad in black, drew their weapons with a unified clang. The air in the hall became thick with tension, as though a deadly battle could break out at any moment.
"Hmph, the Black Alliance and Han Feng are nothing. We'll soon crush them underfoot!"
Just as the atmosphere reached a breaking point, a deep, thunderous voice echoed through the hall. Two dark shadows suddenly appeared in the center, drawing everyone's attention.
The sight of one of the figures, a man built like a tower with a body seemingly forged from steel, made the leaders of the three factions narrow their eyes.
The man's immense aura and his iron-hard physique radiated a dangerous and violent energy. Just a glance at him was enough to send chills down the spine.
Standing behind this giant was another familiar figure—the former leader of the Ground Flame Sect, Yan!
The suffocating tension in the hall eased slightly with the arrival of these two, and the hostile atmosphere began to settle.
"Yan, the former leader of the Ground Flame Sect. I didn't expect you to join Yuan Manor," the seductive woman said, her eyes narrowing in surprise.
"Su Mei, long time no see," Yan replied indifferently. "Today, our Manor Lord has invited you here as guests. I suggest you behave yourselves. If you suffer any losses, don't say I didn't warn you."
"Hmph! You call this hospitality? You bring us here, but your Manor Lord won't even show his face? What is he, a coward hiding in the shadows?" the muscular man sneered in dissatisfaction.
"Insulting our lord? You're asking for death!"
Before the man could finish his complaint, Zi Huo, who had been standing silently in the hall, suddenly stepped forward. His previously calm eyes flashed with an explosive, violent energy.
Sensing the overwhelming aura that erupted from Zi Huo, the muscular man's expression changed in an instant. In that moment, he felt as though he were facing a high-level magical beast.
Instinctively, he raised his arm, gathering all his Dou Qi to form a deep black shield in defense.
"Boom!"
But Zi Huo didn't even spare him a glance. He threw a punch, directly colliding with the man's shield.
A low, heart-stopping sound echoed through the hall as a powerful shockwave rippled outward.
The stone floor beneath them cracked under the pressure, and the onlookers watched in disbelief as the muscular man was sent flying, crashing heavily into the ground and leaving a deep crater.
"Impossible!"
The leaders of the three factions were stunned. Their eyes quickly focused on the towering figure standing unmoved at the center of the hall. Despite the violent clash, Zi Huo hadn't taken a single step back.
The two other leaders, Su Mei and the old man from the Tianyin Sect, exchanged wary glances, the previous arrogance in their eyes replaced with caution. Zi Huo's aura was so overwhelming that even they felt a sense of danger.
With a single punch, Zi Huo had seriously injured Tie Wu, a Dou Huang ranked seventh on the Black List. His strength was terrifying!
"Who is this man?" the old man from the Tianyin Sect asked, his voice hoarse as he glared at Zi Huo.
"Hehe, you don't even know our Yuan Manor's Lion Hall Master, Zi Huo, and yet you dare act recklessly here?" Xiao Li responded with a chuckle.
At his words, the three faction leaders, including the now-wounded muscular man, were taken aback. Their expressions darkened.
"Lion Hall's Zi Huo? Are you the same Zi Huo who even fought Black List No. 4, Elder Ban, and emerged unscathed?" the seductive woman gasped in surprise.
In the previous battle between Yuan Manor and the Black Alliance, not only had Mo Yu shone brightly, but Zi Huo's reputation had also skyrocketed.
After all, being able to hold his ground against a powerful foe like Elder Ban was a feat that made Zi Huo stand out in the Black-Corner Region.
However, as they observed Zi Huo's current aura, a flicker of confusion crossed their minds. Wasn't Zi Huo only a half-step Dou Huang before? But now, his aura clearly indicated he had fully broken through to the Dou Huang level!
Zi Huo grinned savagely, his ferocious gaze turning cold. "If it weren't for the fact that you're guests invited by our lord, that punch would have killed you. This is Yuan Manor, and you are on my lord's turf. If you run your mouths again, there won't be a second chance."
Hearing Zi Huo's warning, the muscular man's pale face flushed with anger, but when he met Zi Huo's fierce, bloodthirsty eyes, his heart trembled. Swallowing his words, he realized that if he pushed his luck further, Zi Huo might really kill him.
The three leaders exchanged subtle glances, each frowning. Did Yuan Manor invite them just to embarrass them?
"Apologies for keeping you waiting, gentlemen," a voice suddenly interrupted their thoughts. "I was busy with some refining work and lost track of time. I trust you won't hold it against me."
As the three faction leaders looked up, a silver shadow appeared in the hall, as if materializing from thin air...
(End of Chapter)
Friends, if you want to read chapters in advance, subscribe to my patreon.
Read 20 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Cortez10