Gou Zai Wudao Shicheng Dao

At the foot of Black Mountain, the air was filled with the sounds of people.

Fang Xia's gaze fell on the high platform, where Song, the commander of the Demon Suppression Division, unfolded a yellowed animal hide map.

The ink lines on it depict the detailed terrain of the outer perimeter of Black Mountain, marking different areas.

"Gentlemen."

Song Baihu looked down at the leaders of the "Three Families, Two Gangs, and Eight Martial Arts Schools" below the stage, and his voice clearly reached the ears of everyone present.

"Since the Cao family and the Black Tiger Gang are absent, their share of the autumn hunt will have to be shared by you all."

Please invite the leaders of the "Three Families, Two Gangs, and Eight Martial Arts Schools" to the stage to divide their respective areas!

As soon as the words were spoken, eleven powerful figures from Heishan County, including the Han family, the Xiao family, Sanyangtang, and Hongyuntang, solemnly took to the stage.

They gathered around the map, and the atmosphere instantly became heavy and subtle.

Fang Xia and the others stood below the stage, looking up at these high-ranking figures.

As soon as Han Yue, the head of the Han family, and Xiao Guiyun, the head of the Xiao family, met, sparks seemed to fly.

Han Yue, a robust man with a booming voice, pointed to an area on the map marked "Hematite Associated Zone" and said.

"Patriarch Xiao, this area is adjacent to my Han family's hunting grounds; it is most appropriate for my Han family to take over!"

Xiao Guiyun, with his gaunt face, snorted coldly upon hearing this: "Brother Han, you are mistaken."

This place is deep in the outer reaches of Black Mountain, where ferocious monsters abound, making it easier to obtain 'Crimson Fire Crystals'. My Xiao family is more familiar with this place.

"As for the Han family, why not take over the area near the 'Cold Pool'? I heard they recently acquired a cold-attribute cultivation technique; wouldn't that be perfect for them?"

"Bullshit!" Han Yue actually cursed in public, his beard and hair standing on end.

"Xiao Guiyun, stop trying to fool me!"

Everyone knows that the area around the Cold Pool is notoriously barren and yields very little!

Your Xiao family wants to monopolize the hematite mine? Dream on!

"Brother Han, be careful what you say!" Xiao Guiyun's face darkened.

This crude and direct argument left many young disciples, including Fang Xia, looking at each other in astonishment.

These leaders, who are usually dignified and authoritative, actually argued openly like street thugs for the sake of profit.

"Hehe, Junior Brother Fang, are you making a fuss over nothing?"

Seeing Fang Xia's astonishment, You Qian crossed his arms, a smile playing on his lips, and said in a low, teasing voice, "Let's demystify these 'big shots' first."

They are human too, with joys, sorrows, and all the emotions and desires of life...

"All airs of authority and majesty are meaningless in the face of cultivation resources."

You Qian paused, then pointed to the stage: "See? The Han and Xiao families are both among the three major families of Black Mountain. They are constantly fighting and bickering."

Now that the Cao family is in trouble, who wouldn't want a piece of the pie? Harmony? Forget about it.

Fang Xia nodded slightly, then turned her gaze to the other side.

Ning Tianyang was seen arguing with Ye Qianzhong, the master of Hongyun Hall.

Ye Qianzhong was thin and had a sinister look in his eyes. He said with a forced smile, "Hall Master Ning, the Three Yang Hall has been doing quite well in recent years. The disciples are making progress and talents are emerging one after another."

I think this hunting area near 'Snake Valley' should be handed over to you, sir.

There are many snake-like demonic beasts there, which is perfect for honing the palm techniques of your disciples.

Ning Tianyang's expression remained calm, but a hint of coldness flashed deep in his eyes: "Hall Master Ye is very thoughtful."

However, Snake Valley has a complex terrain and is filled with poisonous miasma, making it more suitable for Hongyuntang, whose members excel in light-footed martial arts.

"Our Sanyang Hall disciples are still too weak in foundation; it would be more prudent for us to take over from the Black Tiger Gang and move closer to the 'Black Pine Forest' area."

Ning Tianyang spoke politely, but he didn't give an inch.

"Hmph, is Hall Master Ning complaining that Snake Valley isn't profitable enough?" Ye Qianzhong said sarcastically. "Or is it that the Three Yang Hall thinks it's too strong and wants to challenge a more difficult area?"

Don't forget, the Black Pine Forest is right on the edge of Black Wind Ridge!

"Black Wind Ridge?" Fang Xia's heart skipped a beat; the name sounded ominous.

You Qian's voice rang out again, tinged with sarcasm: "See that?"

Hongyuntang's wariness of our Sanyangtang is practically etched on their faces.

They were afraid we would reclaim our place among the "Top Three Halls" and push them down.

"The three halls?" Fang Xia was taken aback when he heard this, as this was not the first time he had heard this term.

He asked You Qian in a low voice, "Just for this... a mere empty title, the two martial arts schools have become so sworn enemies?"

In Fang Xia's simple understanding, a martial arts school should focus on teaching martial arts, and rankings are just irrelevant.

Upon hearing this, You Qian glanced at Fang Xia as if he were an idiot, then shook his head and lowered his voice even further: "Junior Brother Fang, you are too naive."

The title of "Upper Three Halls" is not just an empty name; it contains real benefits!

This concerns the very lifeline of our spiritual practice!

He counted on his fingers, speaking faster: "First, the number of students to be admitted!"

The three upper halls can each recruit two hundred people per year! But the five lower halls? They can only recruit one hundred!

What does this mean? It means more sources of disciples, more tuition fees, and a wider range of candidates!

Which promising young talents will be selected first?

Fang Xia's pupils contracted slightly, and she instantly understood the key to the matter.

Disciples are the foundation and the future of the martial arts school!

"That's not all," You Qian continued, his tone tinged with bitterness, "The second is the right to speak!"

How much silver does the Heishan County Chamber of Commerce and various shops offer each year?

Let me tell you, half of it was taken up by the three upper halls! The five lower halls could only take half of what was left.

This offering of silver is one of the most important sources of revenue for the martial arts school!

Furthermore, the county government and the Demon Suppression Division allocate official tasks and resources preferentially, giving the three upper halls priority and a larger share!

Fang Xia suddenly realized that "Upper Three Halls" was not just a name, but also tied to huge interests.

Without sufficient resources, even the best qualifications will struggle to reach the top!

Zhou Cheng, who was standing to the side, nodded with a gloomy expression after listening to the conversation between the two, and added: "Moreover, the position of the three upper halls is not an insurmountable territory."

Every five years, Heishan County holds a martial arts tournament where all martial arts schools send their disciples to compete and re-rank their students.

He paused, a shadow of gloom flashing in his eyes, and looked toward the direction of Hongyuntang.

Zhou Cheng said with a hint of suppressed anger in his voice, "However... there is a faster and more direct way to change the three halls."

That's issuing a challenge! In front of all the forces in Heishan County, life or death, the loser must step down!

"Could it be..." Fang Xia's heart skipped a beat, and she instantly recalled the story You Qian had mentioned about Sanyang Hall falling from the top three schools.

His gaze immediately fell on You Qian, with a hint of seeking confirmation.

"good!"

Meeting Fang Xia's gaze, You Qian exhaled a heavy breath, his voice low and deep:

Ten years ago! The Black Mountain demons rioted, sweeping through several counties and causing widespread suffering!

Our Sanyang Hall takes it upon ourselves to protect our homeland. Master Ning personally led the elite members of the hall to the front line without hesitation, and fought a bloody battle against the demons!

That battle was incredibly fierce! All four of Master Ning's personal disciples died on the front lines!

"The core strength of my Sanyang Hall is almost... seven or eight out of ten gone!"

You Qian's voice was choked with emotion, and Zhou Cheng's fists were clenched so tightly they cracked.

"After that battle, Sanyang Hall was severely weakened and in a period of transition, which was when it was at its weakest."

According to convention, the rankings should have been determined at the martial arts tournament five years later.

But that Ye Qianzhong of Hongyuntang… that despicable scoundrel! He wouldn't even wait a year!

You Qian's eyes were practically spitting fire. "My Sanyang Hall disciples' bodies are still warm, their heroic souls still alive, and he has already impatiently handed over the challenge!"

In front of all the forces in Heishan County, taking advantage of the fact that the masters of Sanyangtang were dwindling, they defeated us in such a humiliating way!

Back then, Master Ning... was actually mentally prepared to fall out of the top three.

Actually, if the rankings were determined by the martial arts tournament, even if someone fell out of the top three, it was simply because they were less skilled, and there's nothing to say about it.

But Hongyuntang took advantage of our misfortune and wasn't even willing to wait a year!

"This is... utterly despicable!"

Fang Xia squeezed out these words through gritted teeth, a surge of anger rising in her chest.

He understood the hatred between You Qian and Zhou Cheng.

Sanyang Hall declined because it fought against demons and protected the region, and it was through bloodshed and sacrifice!

Even if one were to replace the top three schools, one could simply compete fairly and squarely at the martial arts tournament.

However, Ye Qianzhong couldn't even wait that long, which shows how cold-hearted and despicable he was!

They'll stop at nothing and have no bottom line when it comes to profit!

Fang Xia's impression of Hongyuntang instantly plummeted to rock bottom, filled with disgust.

Zhou Cheng gritted his teeth and added in a cold voice, "Not only that, the martial artists of Hongyun Hall also act like Ye Qianzhong, domineering and selfish, and will stop at nothing to achieve their goals."

Be extremely careful when dealing with them!

Fang Xia nodded slightly. As the saying goes, if the upper beam is not straight, the lower beam will be crooked; like teacher, like student.