High-level martial arts: Invincibility starts with basic archery.

On the edge of a cliff.

Suddenly, a ripple-like movement appeared in the colorless and odorless air.

At first, it was only the size of a palm, but in the blink of an eye, it grew to about the size of a washbasin. Then, a figure dressed in an ancient-style robe suddenly emerged from it.

"Sizzle!"

The sound of tearing cloth rang out.

Immediately afterwards, a faint roar echoed from within the ripples, then disappeared along with them.

"That was close! I almost lost my life in there."

Old Wang wiped the sweat from his forehead, turned his head to look at his clothes, which had been bitten in half, and felt a chill run down his spine.

If he had been any slower, what would have been torn off wouldn't have been half a piece of clothing, but a leg.

"Fortunately, we got this, so the trip wasn't in vain."

As he spoke, a long plant root appeared in his hand.

It's about the size of a palm, white in color, and has a faint, pleasant fragrance that makes you want to take a bite.

This thing is called the Heavenly Luo Root, an extremely rare treasure that can only be found in the secret realm we just visited. Even for martial artists at the Celestial Realm, it is of great benefit, not to mention for martial artists at the True Essence Realm.

"If Chen Fan could fully absorb the medicinal power within this treasure, his internal energy would definitely increase significantly. What a pity."

Old Wang recalled what had just happened.

There are several more Heavenly Luo Roots in that medicinal garden. If they can all be harvested, Chen Fan might be able to break through to the Celestial Realm directly.

However, if he had picked one more, he would probably have been torn to pieces and swallowed by the demonic beasts that smelled his scent.

"Let's come again when we have the chance in the future."

He put away the treasure, a smile appearing on his face.

Judging by the time it's been since he left, it's probably been a day.

I don't know if anything has happened in Anshan City, but there are some Awakened Ones stationed there, so there shouldn't be any major problems.

Suddenly, he remembered something and took out his phone.

His expression changed slightly when he saw several missed calls on his phone.

The reason for Chen Fan's call was not hard to guess; he probably hadn't seen him all morning, so he called.

But Shi Tao actually made several phone calls as well.

Obviously, something important has happened.

"Could it be that something happened to Shi Tao?"

Old Wang's smile froze on his face.

He knew the latter's personality all too well; he wouldn't make several calls in a row unless it was something extremely important.

"It seems I'll have to contact Chen Fan later. Let's ask Shi Tao first what happened."

He selected a missed call and dialed it back.

Just minutes earlier, at the headquarters of the Jiangnan Martial Arts Association.

The large conference room on the second floor was packed with people; a quick glance revealed at least several thousand people.

At the entrance, people continued to pour in.

"So many people!"

Someone who had just come in was stunned by what they saw inside.

"What's going on? Why were we suddenly called into a meeting?"

"Yes, I'm conducting an experiment right now."

Many frustrated voices rang out.

"I don't know, but this meeting was convened by the president, so it must be to announce something big. What's a little experiment? We can do it after the meeting," someone said.

He preferred attending the meeting to conducting experiments, because the president was not someone that ordinary people could just dream of meeting.

"Too."

Upon hearing this, many people nodded in agreement.

However, some quick-witted people sensed that something was amiss.

Since the headquarters was established, the last time the president convened a general meeting was several years ago. At that time, there weren't so many people at the headquarters, and the Jiangnan Martial Arts Association didn't have the fame it has now.

With the development over the past few years, the headquarters has grown stronger, and the president is mostly busy with cultivation. Even if there are important matters, he will usually send them via email.

But now, a general meeting of all personnel is being held, precisely at the critical juncture of the beast tide's outbreak.

"Could it be that a beast tide is coming soon?" someone thought to themselves.

Soon, the beast tide will arrive at the gates of Jiangnan City?

Finally, almost everyone at headquarters had arrived.

A low murmur of discussion arose in the large conference room.

Suddenly, a series of footsteps sounded, instantly silencing the surrounding noise.

Everyone watched with reverence as Shi Tao slowly walked onto the stage.

Even though Tang Lao and the others had a lot of opinions, they didn't say anything at this time.

Good afternoon, everyone.

Shi Tao looked at everyone and said, "I have called you all here today because I have something very important to tell you. It is a very bad thing, so I hope you will be mentally prepared before you hear it."

In an instant, the smiles on the faces of the thousands of people in the arena vanished.

No? Something bad?

Could it be that a beast tide is really coming?

However, they were more or less mentally prepared for this situation.

Hearing this, Shen Si and the others in the audience had tears in their eyes.

After about a minute, when everyone was starting to get impatient, Shi Tao finally spoke, "I hereby announce that, from this moment on, the Jiangnan Martial Arts Association is hereby disbanded."

There was a moment of silence on the field, followed by a burst of gasps and exclamations.

"What? The association is disbanding?"

"The Jiangnan Martial Arts Association, is it hereby disbanded?"

"Did I hear that right? Or is that really what the president said?"

"How could they disband? Why are they disbanding? This is so sudden!"

Everyone found it hard to accept.

"Shi Tao, what the hell are you talking about?" Old Tang slammed his hand on the table and stood up, pointing at Shi Tao. "Say it again if you dare!"

"Old Tang! Don't be impulsive."

Seeing this, several elderly people nearby quickly pressed him into a seat.

No matter what, Shi Tao is the president of the association. It's one thing to yell at him in private, but it's not appropriate to do that in this kind of setting.

However, they do need an explanation for this.

Shi Tao, as the president of the Jiangnan Martial Arts Association, has indeed made invaluable contributions to the association's development to its current state.

However, these people also contributed. The Jiangnan Martial Arts Association is not just Shi Tao's association, but also the association of everyone here.

How can they just disband the group based on his word?

"Shi Tao, Old Tang has a fiery temper, I apologize to you on his behalf," Old Qin stood up and looked at Shi Tao, "but you must give us an explanation. What gives you the right to disband the association?"

"That's right, we need an explanation."

The other elderly men chimed in.

The others in the room, intimidated by Shi Tao's authority, did not dare to cause trouble, but all their eyes were fixed on him.

Shi Tao remained silent for a moment before finally saying, "The association has made some enemies. They are very powerful and will probably come knocking on our door soon. It will be dangerous for you to stay here."

After he finished speaking, everyone looked at each other in bewilderment.

In fact, they had heard about some of the things that happened in the association's hall that morning.

After all, with such a commotion, how could anyone not notice it?

Just because of this one thing, the entire association is going to be disbanded?

"What enemies? Shi Tao, explain yourself clearly!" Old Tang said angrily, "So what if they're strong? Our Jiangnan Martial Arts Association isn't to be trifled with! If one comes, we'll kill one; if two come, we'll kill both!"

"That's right, who cares who they are? They come to our turf to cause trouble, are we afraid of them? At worst, we'll fight to the death!"

"Let's fight them!"

Instantly, the crowd was filled with indignation.

In their hearts, the Jiangnan Martial Arts Association is not just a place to work, eat, and earn money, but also their home.

For many, this is their home; they eat, drink, and relieve themselves all within its walls.

Now, just because an enemy is coming, would someone abandon their home and flee like a stray dog? Is this something a person with backbone would do?

Chang Fei and the others in the audience were moved by the atmosphere before them and burst into tears.

Sure enough, people like Ling Yu who betray their own side are a tiny minority; the vast majority of people are of one mind with the association.

Shi Tao's eyes also showed a look of relief. He stretched out his hands, signaling everyone to quiet down, and slowly said, "I am really happy that everyone can say such things. I can understand everyone's feelings at this moment. However, this situation is extraordinary."

"Tell me, how is it unusual?" Old Tang was furious.

Shi Tao glanced at him and said with a wry smile, "In a day or two, at least ten martial artists at the Celestial Realm will arrive here."

"What! Ten Celestial Realm martial artists!"

Instantly, the entire conference room fell silent.

Could the president be saying this on purpose?

Ten Celestial Realm martial artists? What does that even mean? The entire Jiangnan Martial Arts Association only has one Celestial Realm martial artist as its president, right?

This is already quite remarkable, considering that among the other four martial arts associations, there are two or three that do not have any Celestial Realm martial artists.

If ten of them came at once, even if the president had three heads and six arms, he wouldn't be able to stop them.

"At least."

Shi Tao's voice rang out again, "Among these ten Celestial Realm warriors, nearly half are in the mid-stage of the Celestial Realm. I have no chance of winning against any one of them."

Upon hearing this, everyone present turned even paler.

Half of them are mid-stage Celestial Realm martial artists?

How could this happen?

How did the association end up with so many powerful enemies?

"Shi Tao, what... what have you done?" Old Tang's voice trembled. "How... how could you have attracted so many enemies?"

"Old Tang, that's a long story."

Shi Tao sighed, "Besides, what's done is done, and there's no point in talking about it now. But no matter how you look at it, this whole thing was caused by me. If I had been able to... never mind."

He shook his head and looked at everyone. "It's getting late. Everyone should hurry back and pack their things. It would be best if everyone left tonight. Once you're out, don't tell anyone that you're a member of the association, otherwise you might get implicated."

"President!"

Everyone stood there, stunned, unsure of what to do.

They really wanted to stay and weather the storm with the association.

However, judging from the president's words, the enemy that came this time is far too strong, with more than ten Celestial Realm warriors!

In front of the other side, these people were no different from ants on the ground, and would be trampled to death in a matter of minutes.

But should we just leave here like this?

"President, I'm not leaving!"

Someone stood up, their eyes resolute, and said, "This association is my home. I would rather die than leave this place!"

"Well said!"

Another person stood up, "So what if I die? What's there to be afraid of? I, Ge Yun, swear to live and die with the association!"

"We'll live or die with the association!"

One call and a hundred responses.

The sound waves rose higher and higher, creating an echo that reverberated continuously throughout the conference room.

Shi Tao was immediately moved to tears.

After the shouts subsided, he said, "I understand everyone's feelings, but this situation is different from any other time. I don't want your sacrifices to be in vain. Many of you have families and people who care about you. Think about it, if something happens to you, what will they think? Who will they rely on in the future?"

As soon as he finished speaking, many people slowly lowered their raised hands.

Yes, they are the pillars of their families. If something happens to them, how will their parents, wives, and children survive in this world?

But there are also many people who, though alone, still have unwavering gazes.

Shi Tao's gaze swept over them and he said, "Actually, the Jiangnan Martial Arts Association will not disband, because each of you possesses the spirit of the association: tenacity and indomitable will. Even if one day the association is gone, you can carry on with the spirit of the association and live on, and the association will continue to exist."

Everyone was stunned.

Is this even possible?

But what the president said does make some sense.

"As the president of the Jiangnan Martial Arts Association, I order you to go back, pack your things, and leave this place."

"President..."

"President..."

No one knew what to say.

His eyes were filled with confusion and helplessness.

Just minutes before, they were all doing their jobs at their respective posts, but minutes later, they were told that the entire association was gone.

What will become of them in the future?

"Go."

Shi Tao sighed, unable to bear it any longer. "Although the association is in grave danger this time, it's not entirely hopeless. If I survive, I promise each and every one of you here that I will rebuild the Jiangnan Martial Arts Association and welcome each and every one of you back at the gate."

"Really? Really?"

Upon hearing this, everyone's eyes lit up.

"President, are you... are you telling the truth? You really will establish another association in the future?"

"Of course, I promise."

Shi Tao nodded.

"Okay, we believe in the chairman, and we believe that you will be able to overcome this crisis."

"Yes, we will pray in our hearts, we are waiting for this day!"

"President, no matter what, you must get through this crisis!" (End of Chapter)