From the beginning of Swordsman, he created a legend in the martial arts world.

Before the words were finished, the door slid open silently, and the figure wearing a silver mask stood quietly in the doorway.

The seven people shuddered and fell silent, not daring to even breathe, their eyes filled with awe as they looked at the figure.

Meng Fei stepped into the room, his gaze calmly sweeping over the seven people from behind his mask. His voice, coming through the mask, carried a metallic quality and a cold, authoritative tone.

"The first task."

The seven men perked up and listened intently.

"Use every means you can think of to investigate the Qingcheng Sect, especially Yu Canghai, and find out all their recent movements and possible hiding places. Don't let any clue slip by."

He paused slightly, then continued, "From now on, you will not have names, only code names."

Then, he pointed at each of the people one by one.

A burly, scarred man – "Po Jun".

A lean and cunning man – "Yinghuo".

A gloomy middle-aged man – “Tianxing”.

Another man with fierce and greedy eyes – "Greedy Wolf".

That one and only woman—"Lone Phoenix".

A man with an ordinary face, yet who always gives the impression of scheming something—"Ji Du".

The last man, who remained silent throughout and exuded the coldest aura, was "Seven Killers".

"You may call me—'Star Lord'."

"The Lone Phoenix".

Meng Fei looked at the only woman.

"You are responsible for compiling all the information they have gathered and reporting it to me promptly. Remember, I need accuracy and timeliness."

"Yes, Star Lord."

Gu Luan lowered her head and replied, her voice slightly hoarse but exceptionally clear.

Then, Meng Fei's gaze swept over the six people again.

"While you six are carrying out your mission and gathering intelligence, there is one more thing you need to do—collect as many martial arts manuals as possible, regardless of whether they are righteous or evil, or whether they are high or low quality. Bring them back as long as you can get your hands on them."

"At that time, I will reward or punish you accordingly based on the quantity and value of the manuals you submit, such as more advanced techniques, pills to increase your power, or... the removal of some restrictions."

Upon hearing this, various colors of light flashed in the eyes of the six people—desire, greed, and calculation. Collecting martial arts manuals? This mission seemed strange, but it was undoubtedly an opportunity to quickly gain power, and even break free from control and gain freedom.

"Did you understand everything?"

"Understood, Star Lord!" the seven replied in unison, their voices filled with suppressed excitement.

"Go and prepare. Find your own way and get started as soon as possible. Lonely Phoenix, stay behind."

"Yes."

The six people bowed and filed out of the room in quick, steady movements.

Only Meng Fei and Gu Luan remained in the room.

Meng Fei looked at the woman before him, whose wounds had not yet healed but whose eyes held a complex expression. After a moment of silence, he said, "Although you are unable to cultivate the 'Seven Kill Sword Technique,' since you are serving me, I will naturally not treat you unfairly."

Immediately, he reached into his robes and took out a thin booklet, handing it over: "This is the introductory chapter of the 'Quanzhen Heart Sutra.' Although it is not a top-tier martial art, it excels in its balance and moderation. Study it diligently, and I will reward you for passing on messages and gathering intelligence in the future."

Upon hearing this, Gu Luan was shocked. She looked incredulously at the booklet in Meng Fei's hand, and then at the eyes hidden behind the silver mask.

She had thought that because she couldn't cultivate the "Seven Kill Sword Technique," she would be the most useless of the seven, and might even be abandoned at any time, but she never expected...

She reached out her slightly trembling hand, took the booklet, clutched it tightly, and bowed her head deeply: "Thank you... thank you for your grace, Star Lord! I, Gu Luan, will do my utmost to live up to your trust."

"Um."

Meng Fei gave a faint reply, and with a flicker, he disappeared from the room once again.

After leaving Fuzhou, Meng Fei headed west. Although his murderous intent had subsided, his direction toward Qingcheng Mountain remained unchanged.

Meanwhile, the seven men had scattered into the martial world, gathering intelligence and collecting secret manuals.

Several days later, Meng Fei, who was on his way to Sichuan, was resting at a teahouse by an official road when he suddenly caught a very regular, faint whistling sound that sounded like birdsong or insect chirping.

The whistle's frequency was unique; it was the secret code he had agreed upon with Gu Luan before he left.

Meng Fei's eyes narrowed slightly. He put down his teacup and then quietly disappeared into a grove of trees behind the teahouse.

Before long, a lithe yet cautious figure approached silently like a raccoon dog; it was none other than Gu Luan in disguise.

"Star Lord".

Gu Luan lowered his voice, knelt on one knee, and presented a small, wax-sealed bamboo tube with both hands.

Meng Fei took it, crushed the wax seal, and pulled out the thin paper rolled inside. The handwriting on the paper was concise, and although the content was short, it made Meng Fei's eyebrows under his silver mask suddenly twitch.

"According to multiple sources, the Five Mountains Sword Sects have issued invitations to heroes, and the Five Mountains Alliance will be held at Junji Peak of Mount Song on the fifteenth of next month."

"Zuo Lengchan of the Songshan Sect intends to forcefully promote the unification of the Five Sacred Mountains Sects. Famous sects such as Shaolin, Wudang, and Qingcheng are all among those invited to attend the ceremony. Yu Canghai of the Qingcheng Sect has already led some of his elite disciples to the vicinity of Songshan."

The Five Mountains Alliance? Zuo Lengchan's ambition has finally been revealed. However, without Yue Buqun who has mastered the Evil-Slaying Sword Technique, it is unknown who will be elected as the leader of the Five Mountains Alliance.

With a slight exertion of his fingertips, Meng Fei reduced the thin paper to dust. He then looked up towards Mount Song, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

Yu Canghai's trip to Mount Song was either to lend his support at Zuo Lengchan's invitation, or perhaps to demonstrate the strength of the Qingcheng Sect at this grand event in the martial arts world.

In any case, now that I know Yu Canghai's whereabouts, I no longer need to go to Qingcheng Mountain.

In a flash, Meng Fei made his decision.

"Is the news confirmed?"

"I'm at least 70% sure. The information comes from two unrelated brokers, and a disciple from Songshan has also confirmed that Yu Canghai has indeed arrived at Songshan."

The lone phoenix answered clearly and decisively.

"very good."

Meng Fei nodded slightly.

"Notify 'Po Jun' and the others to immediately proceed to Mount Song, focusing on gathering intelligence on the Qingcheng Sect's movements and whether Yu Canghai has brought any female relatives to the prison. Secondly, collect all valuable intelligence from the alliance meeting, especially regarding Zuo Lengchan and the reactions of various factions."

"yes!"

Gu Luan responded, then asked, "Star Lord, what about collecting the secret manuals...?"

"Proceed as usual, but prioritize finding out about the situation at Mount Song. You should exercise discretion and not lose sight of the bigger picture for the sake of small gains."

"Understood, I shall take my leave."

Immediately, Gu Luan's figure flashed, and he once again disappeared silently into the forest.

Meng Fei walked out of the woods, returned to the teahouse, dropped off a few copper coins, mounted his horse, turned it around, and galloped northward.

When he arrived at the foot of Mount Song, the Five Mountains Alliance was about to convene, and martial arts practitioners from various sects were heading towards the Junji Peak of Mount Song.

Meng Fei did not rush up the mountain, but instead stayed temporarily at an inn at the foot of the mountain, while sensing the seven vague connections converging towards Mount Song.

The wait didn't last long. The next afternoon, the seven of them used the cover of the mountains and forests to reach the inn at the foot of the mountain.

Compared to when they were in Fuzhou a month ago, the seven men's eyes were less fearful and more focused and sharp. Clearly, their experiences over the past month had allowed them to quickly adapt to this treacherous way of life.

"Star Lord".

The seven people whispered in unison and bowed in greeting.

Meng Fei's gaze swept over the seven people, and he nodded slightly. To his slight surprise, Po Jun, Ji Du, and the taciturn Qi Sha each took out a secret manual from their robes.

Although the three manuals, "Arhat Fist," "Five Tigers Severing the Gate Saber," and "Eagle Claw Skill," are not the ultimate techniques of their respective schools, the fact that these three individuals were able to acquire them in such a short time demonstrates their extraordinary abilities and ruthless and decisive nature.

"Well done."

Meng Fei took the manual, glanced through it briefly, and knew it was not a forgery. He then looked up at the three of them, his gaze lingering for a moment on Qi Sha's expressionless face.

"Record the merits, and there will be a reward later."

Of the three, Po Jun and Ji Du's eyes flashed with joy, while Qi Sha remained expressionless, only bowing his head slightly.