Chapter 63: Ambition and Rivalries

A golden scale doesn't linger in a quiet pond.

When it meets storm and cloud, it transforms into a dragon.

In the World Alliance, at the World's Peak Tower, two pillars flank Xiongba, each inscribed with a line. These words are the prophecy the Clay Buddha bestowed upon him.

Xiongba stood silently before the pillars, gazing at the inscriptions, lost in thought.

The Clay Buddha promised that mastering Storm Riders would make him unstoppable…

And true enough, though Nie Feng and Bu Jingyun were still young, their talents left Xiongba quietly amazed. After six months of training, the martial skills of these two disciples had soared. It seemed they'd become his key allies within a decade.

What's more, the past six months had cemented Xiongba's faith in the Clay Buddha's words, as the World Alliance's influence had expanded with remarkable ease.

Before, the World Alliance was merely a top-tier faction in the martial world. But its rapid growth over the last half-year had swelled its power, fulfilling the Clay Buddha's prophecy.

Still, Xiongba knew that for the World Alliance to rise to the pinnacle of the martial world, it needed more. Its current reputation, and his own, fell just short of elevating the World Alliance to the ultimate faction.

"It looks like the next step is boosting my standing in the martial world," Xiongba mused after a moment's reflection.

He was gradually piecing together a clear plan for his next moves.

In the martial world, what could skyrocket someone's fame? The simplest way was, of course, challenging the mightiest warriors.

At Xiongba's level, boosting his reputation meant he couldn't just take on any run-of-the-mill expert.

Soon, a few names surfaced in Xiongba's mind…

Wuming, Jue Wushen, Jiansheng…

These figures were the martial world's brightest stars, peerless masters of their era.

Xiongba knew well that only by defeating such legends would his fame reach its peak, paving the way for the World Alliance's smoother expansion.

But Wuming, the martial realm's mythic hero, was the greatest of these titans. He'd once crushed the entire martial realm single-handedly, toppling the masters of the ten major sects, leaving the martial world in a state of decline.

Yet, Wuming had long retired, and even with the World Alliance's vast resources, tracking him down would be a monumental task.

Then there was Jue Wushen, who'd once invaded the Central Plains, nearly unstoppable. If Wuming hadn't intervened, Jue Wushen might've conquered it all.

But Jue Wushen was far off in Japan. Challenging him would be a hassle, and even if Xiongba won, getting word of the victory back to the Central Plains would be a chore.

The First Evil Emperor, a demonic legend in the martial realm, rivaled Wuming's fame.

But, like Wuming, he'd vanished from the martial world years ago, making him just as hard to find.

After weighing his options, Xiongba settled on Jiansheng.

Though Jiansheng had stepped back from worldly affairs, he wasn't hard to track. Xiongba knew Jiansheng had been hunting for Wuming's whereabouts in recent years.

With his mind made up, Xiongba called out, "Someone, come here!"

"Boss, what's the order?" Wen Chouchou hurried over, a fawning smile on his face, bowing low as he asked.

"Go tell Alex to set out immediately and find Jiansheng's trail. Then, deliver my challenge letter to Jiansheng, declaring I'll be waiting for him at the World's Peak Tower on the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, August 15th, for a duel!" Xiongba commanded, his words electrifying.

Xiongba's declaration stunned Wen Chouchou. He hadn't expected Xiongba to target Jiansheng.

But Wen Chouchou was sharp at reading the room, knowing what to say and what to keep quiet. He nodded, tossed out a few compliments, and slipped away.

Truth be told, in the past, Xiongba wouldn't have dared challenge Jiansheng—the Sword Saint's legend loomed too large.

But after securing Storm Riders, as the Clay Buddha foretold, Xiongba's confidence had skyrocketed. In his mind, he was fated to triumph, and nothing could stop him!

At this point, Xiongba's mindset was simple: as long as he kept pushing, victory was his!

Meanwhile, over at the World's Peak Tower, things were heating up, but elsewhere, Bu Jingyun wore his usual icy expression, radiating a chill that kept others at bay.

Clutching a knife in one hand and a piece of fine wood in the other, he carved with intense focus.

His skill was impressive. Wood shavings flew, and soon, a lifelike little rabbit took shape in his hands.

Gazing at the rabbit, Bu Jingyun's cold eyes softened for a moment, then he touched his stomach, puzzled.

Wasn't it dinnertime? Why hadn't Kong Ci shown up?

After a short wait, Kong Ci arrived with a meal, hurrying over and saying, "Master Yun, time to eat…"

"Kong Ci, were you at Divine Martial Hall again?" Bu Jingyun paused, then pressed.

"I'm sorry, Master Yun, I… I lost track of time…" Kong Ci replied, her voice small and nervous.

Her answer sparked a flicker of irritation in Bu Jingyun, but seeing her timid expression, he couldn't bring himself to scold her.

Without another word, he set the wood carving aside and began eating.

Duanlang's face flashed in Bu Jingyun's mind, and his frustration simmered hotter.

He'd long been fed up with Duanlang's smug attitude. It was time to teach him a lesson and tell him to stop distracting Kong Ci.

Kong Ci stood quietly to the side, but her eyes kept drifting to the adorable rabbit carving, clearly charmed.

But it belonged to Master Yun, so she didn't dare hope to have it.

"This rabbit didn't turn out well, so I don't want it. Kong Ci, toss it out for me."

After finishing his meal, Bu Jingyun spoke, and with that, he left the room, heading straight for Divine Martial Hall…

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"Duanlang, get out here!" Arriving at Divine Martial Hall, Bu Jingyun's voice cut through the air, cold and sharp.

Xiongba's direct disciple had arrived, and no one in Divine Martial Hall dared block his path.

"Bu Jingyun, what's your deal?" Duanlang frowned, eyeing Bu Jingyun.

Back when Xiongba chose Nie Feng and Bu Jingyun but ignored him, it left a bitter mark on Duanlang's heart.

Sure, he got along well with Nie Feng, but that grudge made Duanlang bristle at Bu Jingyun.

Duanlang's dislike was no secret, and Bu Jingyun wasn't exactly fond of him either.

Already fuming, Bu Jingyun snorted and snapped in a commanding tone: "I'm here to warn you today, Kong Ci is my maid, don't bother her!"

But Duanlang shot back with equal frost: "I should be telling you that. Keep your maid in check, so she doesn't mess with me and disrupt my training!"

"You're asking for it!"

Bu Jingyun's anger exploded, fit to burst. He raised his palm, summoning the Cloud-Dispelling Palm, and struck at Duanlang.