Host! I told you to do a task! I didn't tell you to bbb.

A few days later, people from all walks of life gathered at the martial arts training ground of the Liu Family Manor.

Banners fluttered in the wind, and the glint of swords reflected in the rising sun, creating an atmosphere of grim determination.

"Amitabha Buddha, Alliance Leader Xiao, what is the purpose of summoning us here today?"

Abbot Kongji of Shaolin Temple held prayer beads in his hand and looked calmly at Xiao Hanxing on the high platform.

Xiao Hanxing stood on the high platform, his black cloak billowing in the morning breeze, the Alliance Leader's token at his waist gleaming.

He raised his hand to signal everyone to be quiet, his voice steady and powerful:

"Master, esteemed sect leaders, I have gathered you all here today to discuss two important matters concerning the safety of the Central Plains and the Western Regions."

He stepped aside, and Shen Run helped Mu Yunling walk forward slowly.

She was dressed in a silver-white royal robe embroidered with gold from the Western Regions, and a crescent-shaped sapphire pendant around her neck swayed gently with her steps.

Although his face was pale, his eyes were as firm as a rock.

"This is Princess Lingyue of the Western Regions, and she is a legitimate descendant who survived the fall from the cliff when she was being chased by the rebels of Altay."

"Princess?" The audience erupted in uproar.

The Wudang sect leader stroked his beard and frowned: "Alliance Leader Xiao, the Western Regions have been in turmoil for a long time. What does this have to do with the martial arts world of the Central Plains?"

"Please be patient, everyone!"

Xiao Hanxing's voice boomed like a bell, suppressing the noise.

"After Altai usurped the throne, he had already secretly colluded with the remnants of the Demonic Sect, not only exterminating them in the Western Regions but also intending to use the Demonic Sect's power to invade the Central Plains and plunge the world into chaos!"

Before the words were finished, a piercing sound of something cutting through the air suddenly came from the east side of the training ground—dozens of black crossbow bolts shot towards the high platform like a rain of arrows!

"There's an ambush!"

The Beggars' Sect elder roared and swept his Dog-Beating Stick, knocking away several crossbow bolts.

At the same time, the sounds of battle shook the outside of the manor as black-clad, masked demonic sect disciples and Western Region warriors surged in like a tide, their blades staining the morning light red.

"They're from Altay!"

Wule drew his sword, the silver scimitar flashing with a cold light, and two Western Region warriors fell to the ground.

"They've had their eyes on the princess for a long time, hoping to wipe us all out during the martial arts tournament!"

Xiao Hanxing shielded Liu Yunshu behind him, drew his longsword, and unleashed a torrent of sword energy: "Everyone, the Demonic Sect has come to our door! Follow me and kill them!"

"Kill—!" The arena was instantly filled with flashing blades and deafening battle cries.

"Brother Shen, you protect Yun Ling, I'm going to lend Han Xing a hand!"

Before Liu Yunshu could finish speaking, she had already darted away like a startled swan.

When the "Treading Snow Without Leaving a Trace" lightness skill is used to its fullest extent, the figure moves as gracefully as a flying goose, and the sword follows the body.

The "Flowing Cloud Sword Technique" is like clouds rolling and unfolding, or like a waterfall cascading down, with a sharp and imposing sword style.

In the heat of battle, a sharp whistle suddenly rang out from outside the village.

"Retreat!" Upon hearing this, the man in black and the Western Region warriors stopped their attack and retreated like a tide.

Seeing that someone was about to give chase, Xiao Hanxing immediately shouted, "Don't pursue a desperate enemy!"

The smoke of battle had not yet dissipated from the training ground, and the stench of blood mixed with dust filled the air.

Broken swords and halberds lay scattered on the ground, the wounded groaned softly, and tattered banners seemed to weep and lament in the wind.

Master Kongji walked out slowly, his robes stained with blood, yet his posture remained upright.

"Amitabha Buddha, the Demonic Sect retreated so decisively; today's attack is probably a test to see if they are truly strong."

Xiao Hanxing sheathed his sword and glanced at the devastated scene.

"What the master said is absolutely right. Their intention was to find out the details of each faction, not simply to assassinate them."

The Wudang sect leader brushed the dust off his Taoist robe and solemnly said:

"Alliance Leader Xiao, Master Kongji, the Demonic Sect will surely make another move. We must form an alliance to jointly resist this powerful enemy!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Abbess Jingxuan of Emei stepped out, her plain white Taoist robe spotless, her whisk fluttering gently.

"The Wudang Sect Leader is right. Good and evil cannot coexist. The Demonic Sect and the Altay are wolves in sheep's clothing, and today's attack is a declaration of war. If we continue to fight separately, we will be defeated one by one sooner or later."

She looked at Mu Yunling with both pity and admiration in her eyes.

"Even in perilous circumstances, Princess Lingyue remains devoted to her country. Though our Emei Sect has many women, we know that 'every man has a responsibility for the fate of the nation.' If Alliance Leader Xiao were to give the call, Emei would gladly join the fight to safeguard peace in the Central Plains and the Western Regions!"

"The nun is quite generous."

The leader of the Kunlun Sect suddenly snorted coldly and placed his hand on the hilt of his sword.

"But who can guarantee that this princess from the Western Regions isn't bait sent by the Demonic Sect? The affairs of the Western Regions are already complicated; why should we wade into these muddy waters and only increase our casualties?"

Upon hearing this, several smaller sects echoed his sentiments, reigniting the discussion in the arena.

Xiao Hanxing frowned slightly, but before he could speak, Liu Yunshu spoke first, her voice as cold as ice:

"Sect Leader Kunlun, you are mistaken! Those who live in the martial world prioritize chivalry; how can we stand by and watch someone die because of regional differences? When that crossbow bolt pierced your heart, did the Demonic Sect distinguish between those from the Central Plains and those from the Western Regions?"

She tapped her longsword on the ground, raising a wisp of dust.

"Afraid to get involved in this mess is just an excuse for self-preservation! If we sit idly by today, what will happen when the Demonic Cult besieges the city? Will the Kunlun Sect be able to escape unscathed?"

Mu Yunling slowly broke free from Shen Run's support and stepped forward to stand side by side with Liu Yunshu.

She gently touched the sapphire around her neck, her voice soft yet each word resounding:

"Sister Yunshu is right. I, Lingyue, stand here today and swear by my royal bloodline: if I harbor even the slightest disloyalty, may I be struck by ten thousand arrows and my soul return to the yellow sands!"

Her gaze swept over the crowd.

"Altay slaughtered my people and occupied my territory, and now he wants to seize the Central Plains. These wolves should be punished by the whole world!"

"If you are willing to help, Lingyue will repay you with the entire nation once the Western Regions are restored; if not, I will not force you, but only hope that when the Central Plains suffer in the future, someone will be willing to stand up for you!"

"The princess's sincerity is witnessed by heaven and earth!"

Master Jingxuan flicked her whisk, and the sound echoed throughout the surrounding area.

"In the past, Lu Zhishen punched Zhen Guanxi for a complete stranger, demonstrating his chivalrous nature; if today, we abandon the Western Regions because of suspicion, how are we any different from those cowards who refuse to help those in distress?"

Master Kongji clasped his hands and nodded:

"Amitabha! The distinction between good and evil lies not in territory, but in the hearts of men. The assassination and usurpation of the throne by the ruler of Altay, and the indiscriminate slaughter of innocents by the demonic cult, are both acts against Heaven. Shaolin is willing to form an alliance with all sects to uphold justice and jointly resist foreign aggression!"

Xiao Hanxing stepped forward, the Alliance Leader's token shining brightly in the morning light:

"Fellow sect leaders, today's attack should serve as a wake-up call. The code of the martial world is never about self-preservation, but about mutual support and assistance!"

He raised his arms and shouted, "Those who are willing to fight alongside us against the traitors and protect the world, please step forward!"

"I wish to go to Mount Emei!"

"Wudang agrees!"

"The Beggars' Sect is going too!"

Emei, Wudang, Beggars' Sect and other sects stepped forward one after another, and various other sects responded one after another. The crowd was huge and the momentum was overwhelming.

The Kunlun Sect Leader's expression shifted as he looked at the empty space beside him. Finally, he let out a heavy snort and led his disciples forward half a step:

"Very well! I'll trust you this once. If you dare to deceive me, Kunlun's sword will show no mercy!"

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

The headquarters of the Demonic Cult is shrouded in shadows.

"Hmph, those people in the martial arts world are still so stubborn and conservative, they can form a group with just a few words about chivalry and morality."

The Netherworld Cult Leader was dressed in a long, dark robe with purple patterns, half of which was covered by a bronze ghost mask, revealing only a pair of narrow, sinister phoenix eyes.

"Master, since the righteous sects of the martial world have already united, why not first help our king stabilize the Western Regions, and then launch a joint attack on the Central Plains!"

Harik, a trusted confidant of Altay, knelt on one knee, speaking urgently.

"What's the rush?" The Netherworld Cult Leader glanced at him casually. "The Western Regions are far beyond the Central Plains, and the transportation of supplies is a major problem."

Seeing that Harik was about to argue, the Lord of the Underworld suddenly leaned down, his voice, hidden beneath the ghostly mask, hoarse as if metal were grinding together:

"Isn't Princess Lingyue currently in the Martial Alliance? If we take her life now, wouldn't your king be able to rest easy?"

He chuckled softly, like the cry of an owl:

"If Princess Lingyue dies in the Martial Alliance, do you think the old forces from the Western Regions will still ally with them?"

Harik's eyes lit up, and he kowtowed, saying:

"Master's insight is brilliant! This plan kills two birds with one stone, eliminating a major threat and sowing discord between the martial arts alliance and the old forces of the Western Regions!"

"My lord, you are wise. I also believe that killing Princess Lingyue is the best course of action."

Xiao Jiucheng fiddled with a jade pendant, leaning lazily against a carved pillar.

"My two younger brothers are cunning and their power in the court is concentrated in their hands, making them difficult to harm. But the martial arts world is different. The various factions appear to be united, but in reality, they each harbor their own ulterior motives. As long as Lingyue dies, and we sow discord by saying that the martial arts alliance sacrificed her to protect itself, the old forces of the Western Regions will surely turn against the Central Plains."

The Netherworld Cult Leader narrowed his phoenix eyes, a cold smile curling at the corner of his lips beneath the ghost mask:

"Young Master Xiao is adept at sowing discord. He will make his move in a few days; the more turbulent the waters, the better."

"Then let's wait three days and strike while they're discussing things, killing Princess Lingyue in the chaos!"