Chapter 308: The Three Great Factions
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**
In Mo City, the usual atmosphere had shifted. Almost all attention was drawn to the grand estate in the city's center—home to the controlling force of this city, Yuan Manor.
Though most of the city's residents were indifferent to who controlled it, their lives were unlikely to change, as they would remain at the bottom rung regardless. However, Yuan Manor's arrival undeniably brought significant changes.
Unlike during the era of the Di Yan Sect, when the city—then known as Di Yan City—was prominent but not top-tier within the Black-Corner Region, Mo City had now become one of its most renowned cities since Yuan Manor's takeover and its renaming.
This transformation wasn't solely due to Yuan Manor's strength but the fame of its subordinate organization, the Hundred Weapons Hall. Known across the Black-Corner Region as the only entity capable of crafting a variety of weapons, the Hundred Weapons Hall attracted countless powerful figures to Mo City.
On the Dou Qi Continent, while alchemists were revered for their ability to refine pills, weapon refiners had a lower status due to their scarcity and the inferior quality of their creations compared to pills of the same level. Yet, if weapon refiners comparable to alchemists existed, their popularity would rival that of alchemists.
In truth, for most cultivators, a dependable weapon was far more precious than a pill. Pills could temporarily enhance strength, but reliance on them led to hollow progress, often leaving one weaker than opponents a rank below.
Weapons, on the other hand, offered tangible and lasting strength, serving as lifelong companions. Unfortunately, the decline of weapon refining on the Dou Qi Continent left many strong cultivators without suitable weapons their entire lives.
With Yuan Manor's establishment in Mo City, the Hundred Weapons Hall's creations kindled hope among countless warriors. Unlike the traditional magic core weapons of the Dou Qi Continent, the hall's products were not only more affordable but also significantly more powerful, boasting a wide variety of types such as swords, spears, and halberds.
Today, Mo City had become the hottest trading hub for weapons in the Black-Corner Region. The Hundred Weapons Hall's fame allowed Yuan Manor to recruit waves of powerful experts, and the city's prosperity even benefitted its lower classes. Over time, the locals developed pride and appreciation for Yuan Manor.
This growing reputation meant that today's events drew considerable attention. About half an hour ago, three large factions marched into Mo City and headed straight for Yuan Manor.
These three powerful groups were well-known throughout the Black-Corner Region: Dark Sky Sect, Luo Sha Gate, and the Wild Lion Gang. Each of their leaders ranked among the top ten on the infamous Black Ranking.
Any one of these leaders was a match—or perhaps even stronger—than Yuan Yi, who perished at the hands of the Fire Yao Puppet. Renowned for their domineering ways, these factions even dismissed Han Feng's invitation to join the Black Alliance, despite his resentment.
Though the Black Alliance now stood second only to Yuan Manor in overt power, these factions' refusal demonstrated their considerable confidence. Their leaders were no fools; while wary of Han Feng, they did not fear him enough to submit.
Thus, their arrival in Mo City today sparked curiosity. How would these factions, indifferent to the Black Alliance, fare against Yuan Manor, which surpassed it in strength?
Inside a grand meeting hall within the estate, the atmosphere was tense and laced with latent hostility. Four groups faced each other: Yuan Manor sat at the head, while the three factions—Dark Sky Sect, Luo Sha Gate, and the Wild Lion Gang—occupied the other sides.
"You must be Xiao Li, the Hall Master of Yuan Manor's Wolf Hall," said a shirtless middle-aged man, his chest bearing a tattoo of a roaring lion. His tone carried a bloodthirsty edge. "Why has Yuan Manor summoned the three of us here?"
"Heh, Gang Leader is as blunt as ever," a sultry woman in revealing attire chimed in, a smile gracing her lips. A black poppy tattoo adorned her cheek, beautiful yet ominously deadly. "Still, I must agree. If there's no proper explanation, even Yuan Manor can't expect us to come running for nothing."
The third leader, a sinister elder with a skeletal frame, tapped his bony fingers on the table. "Since your Manor Lord invited us, why hasn't he come to greet us? Is he looking down on our three factions?"
Behind them stood nearly a hundred bloodthirsty subordinates, their beast-like gazes sweeping the room.
Xiao Li's eyes narrowed as he observed the three leaders, a similar number of Wolf Hall members standing steadfast behind him. Their murderous aura matched their opponents', clearly marking them as seasoned fighters.
The invitation to the three factions had been Mo Yu's idea. Xiao Li had a vague understanding of his intentions, but before executing them, it was necessary to establish Yuan Manor's dominance.
"Leaders, our Manor Lord invited you to discuss important matters," Xiao Li said coolly, toying with the teacup before him. "However, bringing such powerful entourages—do you intend to start a fight, or do you fear we might stoop to underhanded tactics?"
His words shifted the atmosphere slightly. After a moment, the seductive woman chuckled. "Oh, Hall Master Xiao, you jest. Yuan Manor is famous across the Black-Corner Region—who would dare harbor ill intentions? We simply brought extra hands for safety along the way. I hope you understand."
"Is that so? Then kindly have your men leave. Yuan Manor does not welcome so many armed guests," Xiao Li said coldly, his brow furrowing.
"Hmph! Stop wasting time with nonsense!" roared the lion-tattooed man, slamming the table to splinters. "We came all this way to give Yuan Manor some face. Do you think yourselves the first power of the Black-Corner Region?"
The tension in the hall escalated as the Wolf Hall members unsheathed their weapons with a collective clang. The room teetered on the brink of conflict.
"Black Alliance and Han Feng are nothing. Yuan Manor will crush them soon enough!"
A low, thunderous voice abruptly broke the stalemate. Two figures appeared in the center of the hall, their sudden arrival drawing all eyes.
The three faction leaders' pupils contracted slightly as they assessed the towering man before them.
The imposing aura of the figure before them was suffocating, his iron-like physique exuding an oppressive, ferocious energy. Just a glance was enough to leave one's heart trembling in fear. Behind this tower-like man stood a familiar figure, none other than Yan, the former master of the Di Yan Sect.
The tense atmosphere in the hall seemed to momentarily pause as the two figures appeared. The imminent collapse of the fragile peace slowly ebbed, replaced by a wary, mutual restraint.
"Yan, former master of the Di Yan Sect. I never imagined you'd truly join Yuan Manor. What a surprise," the alluring woman said coldly, her gaze narrowing.
"Su Mei, it's been a while," Yan responded indifferently. "Today, the manor lord graciously invited you as guests. Behave yourselves, or don't blame me if you suffer for your insolence."
"Hmph, is this what you call hospitality? Inviting us here, yet the manor lord refuses to show up? Is he some cowardly rat hiding in the shadows?" scoffed a shirtless man, his dissatisfaction evident.
"Insulting the boss? You're courting death!"
Before the burly man could voice more complaints, Zi Huo, who had been standing silently, suddenly stepped forward. His dark eyes turned fierce, exuding a terrifying and feral aura.
Sensing the eruption of this oppressive energy, the shirtless man paled. In that moment, it felt as though he were facing a high-level Sixth-grade magical beast.
Reflexively, the man raised his arm, gathering all his Dou Qi into a dark shield to defend himself.
Boom!
Zi Huo didn't even glance at the shield as he punched forward, colliding directly with the burly man's defense. A deep, earth-shaking sound resonated, followed by shockwaves rippling outward.
Cracks as wide as an arm appeared on the stone floor beneath their feet. The crowd stared in shock as the burly man, despite his sturdy defense, was sent flying backward, crashing into the ground with a deafening thud, leaving a crater in his wake.
"Impossible!"
The sight left the members of the three factions stunned, their expressions shifting. As the dust settled, their eyes focused on the unmoving figure of Zi Huo, standing like an immovable tower. Despite the ferocious clash, he hadn't taken a single step back.
The woman and the elder from Dark Sky Sect exchanged grave glances. The aura emanating from Zi Huo filled them with an unsettling sense of danger.
To their disbelief, Zi Huo had heavily injured Tie Wu, ranked seventh on the Black Rankings and a four-star Dou Huang, with a single punch. His power was terrifying.
"Who are you?" the elder from Dark Sky Sect demanded, his gaze cold and voice raspy.
"Ha, don't tell me you don't recognize Zi Huo, the Hall Master of Yuan Manor's Lion Hall?" Xiao Li interjected with a faint smile.
The mention of Zi Huo caused a ripple of shock among the three leaders. The scantily clad woman couldn't help but exclaim, "You're the Zi Huo who even Ban Lao couldn't defeat, the one who made him suffer losses?"
During the war between Yuan Manor and the Black Alliance, Zi Huo's fame had risen alongside Mo Yu's. His ability to stand against Ban Lao, the fourth on the Black Rankings, was a testament to his might.
However, as they sensed his current aura, they couldn't suppress a hint of confusion. Wasn't Zi Huo supposed to be a half-step Dou Huang? How had he become a full-fledged Dou Huang?
Zi Huo grinned cruelly, his ferocious gaze flashing with malice. "If you weren't guests invited by the boss, that punch would've taken your lives. This is Yuan Manor, the boss's territory. Speak recklessly again, and you won't be so lucky next time."
The burly man, his face pale, felt a wave of humiliation. Although he wanted to retort, the murderous glint in Zi Huo's eyes silenced him. Recalling the earlier clash, he knew that provoking this ruthless Hall Master could result in his death.
The three leaders exchanged wary looks, their brows furrowing. Was this so-called invitation merely a ploy to humiliate them?
"Apologies for the delay. I was preoccupied with refining something and lost track of time. I hope the three of you won't hold it against me."
As unease filled the hall, a silver figure suddenly materialized at the center, like a ghostly apparition under the crowd's watchful eyes.
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