Crescent Moon World was impassioned.
Just when the World's Strongest Martial Arts Tournament was about to commence, the Martial Arts Alliance suddenly announced its postponement, which puzzled and even enraged many people who felt like they'd been played.
However, when they received news that experts from the Upper World would be watching the tournament in person and might even take some outstanding martial artists with them to the Upper World, the entire Crescent Moon World fell into a fervor.
In fact, in Crescent Moon World's legends, Transcendent Realm's highest attainment had always been the ability to shatter space.
But in reality, nobody with that realm had appeared in thousands of years. The last time someone was suspected of reaching that realm was decades ago, when the world was unified and the Martial Arts Alliance was established.
The Martial Arts Alliance currently ruled the world. Only four of the eight major sects from the past still remained, all of which became subordinates of the Alliance.
Zhongli Sword Sect, the first sect to side with Gu Nan, was naturally one of them, and it was also the most powerful sect in the current Martial Arts Alliance.
Several young men and women were gathered together inside Zhongli Sword Sect, discussing something, while a swordsman in white sat in the seat of honor. He was Zhongli Suwen, the founder.
Decades had passed, yet Suwen still possessed a young appearance. It's just that he had a few more white hairs on his head.
"Martial Grandfather, is the recent news true? Shattering space, wow!" One person asked excitedly.
"Could it be false information the Alliance deliberately spread to attract participants for the tournament?" Another woman spoke; her guess was half right.
"Martial Grandfather…"
"Alright, alright." Suwen waved his hand helplessly. "I specifically rushed back to the sect to tell you guys that it's all true. Sign up for the tournament immediately."
These two men and two women in front of him were all disciples and grand-disciples of Suwen, and three of the four had already reached Transcendent Realm. The present Zhongli Sword Sect was prosperous and thriving.
As soon as Suwen's voice fell, the four people suddenly quieted down, all with incredulous looks on their faces.
"So it's actually true?!"
"Do people capable of shattering space really exist in this world…?"
"Of course it's true." Suwen smiled freely. "Your Martial Grandfather saw it with my own eyes decades ago… If that one truly came back, then shattering space is just an afterthought."
The young people suddenly exploded with questions again, pestering Suwen to tell them stories. But Suwen didn't mention the past and just told them to work hard.
"I've long been unable to see through that one's realm. In all likelihood, he returned to this world to find good seedlings to raise as successors, so you youngsters may have greater chances of catching his attention than old fellows like us," Suwen surmised.
In his view, Gu Nan most likely returned here to accept new disciples and such. After all, there was no way he'd want their measly strength otherwise.
Of course Suwen didn't know that his last guess actually hit the mark.
The four disciples and grand-disciples naturally didn't doubt their Martial Grandfather's speculations. This was the most reasonable explanation.
Suwen encouraged them one by one and finally said to the last girl, "Ah Xiu, you became a disciple the latest, so your cultivation is still a little short of Transcendent Realm, but you have the most talent. You must fight hard this time, okay?"
"Yes, Martial Grandfather!" The young girl named Ah Xiu nodded repeatedly as she answered with a youthful voice.
She looked only 15 or 16 years old, but she was already close to the peak of martial arts. Such talent really was enviable.
Suwen nodded with satisfaction and let the four people go back to prepare. After they left the room, another woman started talking to Ah Xiu.
"Martial Sister Ah Xiu, you must work hard!" The woman laughed playfully. "If you can step into Transcendent Realm in one fell swoop before the Martial Arts Tournament, your chances of victory will be much more certain."
Ah Xiu looked a little distressed. "Sister Xiaoqing, I also really want to break through… but every time I'm about to truly step into Transcendent Realm, there always seems to be a voice in my heart telling me that this is not the right path."
However, her senior martial sister Lu Xiaoqing just revealed a satisfied look and pulled Ah Xiu forward. "Come with me. Sister Lu will help you find fortuitous encounters!"
...
The city whose name was already changed to "Martial Alliance City" was located at the center of Crescent Moon World. Sumptuous newly-built houses stood in the middle of the city.
It's said that this was where the Martial Arts Alliance was first established. Now, it was the headquarters of the Alliance, a holy land of martial arts in the hearts of cultivators all over the world.
"Sister Xiaoqing, where on earth are you taking me…" Ah Xiu, who was pulled along by Lu Xiaoqing, had already taken several twists and turns within this place, nearly bumping into people several times.
They were in the Martial Arts Alliance's headquarters right now! Everyone who lived here was a bigshot, one of the higher-ups of the Alliance. If someone caught them sneaking in here…
At the thought of this, Ah Xiu immediately tried to dissuade her bold senior martial sister again, "Martial Sister, let's hurry back. What if someone sees us…"
"Hurry back where? You don't want to break through?" Lu Xiaoqing's face was full of frustration that Ah Xiu didn't meet her expectations.
"Break through?" Ah Xiu stared at Lu Xiaoqing in a daze, wondering what this had to do with her breakthrough.
Did she want to ask the seniors here to give Ah Xiu pointers? But which of these seniors could compare with their Martial Grandfather?
As if seeing through her thoughts, Lu Xiaoqing smiled mysteriously. "Naturally, no one here could give you pointers in the past, but this time is different! Why do you think the Alliance suddenly changed its mind?"
Ah Xiu was gifted with intelligence at an early age. She immediately understood her senior martial sister's words and said excitedly, "It's, it's definitely because that senior who can shatter space returned already. Maybe he's right here!"
...
Ah Xiu and Lu Xiaoqing guessed right; Gu Nan was indeed here.
Not only was he in Crescent Moon World, but he was also very easy to find—a new courtyard with the largest, most luxurious, and most nouveau riche vibes was built here, and it was placed right in the center of this region.
Anyone who was even slightly familiar with the Alliance wouldn't be able to miss it.
The two women were naturally no exception. They quickly snuck inside, and Ah Xiu immediately heard Lu Xiaoqing exclaim, "It's Senior Red Tail! I met her once with Martial Grandfather!"
In front of them, a silver-robed person lay leisurely on a recliner, while Red Tail was standing in front of him, reporting something in a low voice.
"This means that person is…" Ah Xiu set her eyes on the silver-robed man but couldn't see anything out of the ordinary about him. He just seemed like a normal person basking in the sun.
Lu Xiaoqing excitedly got up, about to pull Ah Xiu along to pay their respects.
She believed that with her junior martial sister's innate talent and comprehension ability, Ah Xiu could definitely enter that one's discerning eye—if even Ah Xiu couldn't, then she was afraid no one in the world could!
However, at this moment, Ah Xiu suddenly pulled her back. She glanced around warily and whispered, "Martial Sister, there are other people here…"
"Other people?" Lu Xiaoqing was taken aback.
"Quick, kill her!"
"Our mission will be complete after killing her. Then return immediately and don't linger in this plane!"
"Okay!"
The rustling dialogue sounded behind the two, but they couldn't understand the conversation.
The next second, four figures flew out from behind them, heading straight for Red Tail!