Ji Cang and Ba Zhu exchanged greetings with familiar martial arts grandmasters before their gazes fell upon Chen Fan.
Both men wore complex expressions.
Chen Fan inclined his head in acknowledgment.
Ba Zhu harbored no animosity towards Chen Fan; he merely withdrew his gaze with a cold indifference, offering no response.
Ji Cang, however, nodded in return.
After the two were seated, a booming laugh echoed from the corridor deeper within the training grounds.
A group of over a dozen people strode out.
The man at the forefront was imposing in stature, possessing a dignified bearing and an overflowing aura of power.
Beside him stood two individuals: one, a man in his forties, exuded an unfathomable depth; the other, a lean elder, had eyes that were dark and chilling.
Behind the trio, Chen Fan saw Zuo Tian Ce.
"Thank you all for gracing us with your presence. I am Zuo Lizhou, and with your esteemed approval, I shall assume the position of Alliance Leader of the Heroic Alliance. I bid you welcome!"
Moving with deceptive slowness that belied his speed, he arrived before the main seat. The leading man clasped his hands in a full bow and said in a deep voice, "For those who know me, no further introduction is needed. For those who do not, I apologize for my lack of courtesy. If there is any deficiency in hospitality, I beg your indulgence!"
"We dare not. Alliance Leader Zuo is too kind!"
"Indeed. Alliance Leader Zuo sent out invitations to all heroes; how could we not come?"
"..."
Everyone rose and responded in unison, offering their agreement.
Chen Fan also stood. After all, this was the Alliance Leader of the Heroic Alliance, and in such a setting, he had no intention of causing trouble.
With so many grandmasters gathered, he certainly would not stir up unnecessary conflict.
"Thank you all."
Zuo Lizhou chuckled and said, "Allow me to introduce the two gentlemen beside me. Many friends and peers will be familiar with them, while some may not be!"
As he spoke, Zuo Lizhou's gaze flickered towards Chen Fan, and he continued, "Xin Beitian, Sect Master of the You Tian Sect, whose martial arts are divine and whose fame resounds throughout the ancient martial world."
"And Fu Qinglei, Sect Master of the Chang Bai Sect!"
These three grandmasters were the pillars of the Heroic Alliance.
Many felt a sense of awe.
Even Chen Fan's heart sank slightly as he listened to Zuo Lizhou's introduction.
A single martial arts grandmaster could establish a sect and command respect in the martial world.
Yet, the Heroic Alliance had gathered three such masters this time, drawing everyone's attention.
With three martial arts grandmasters appearing together, who could possibly contend?
Many couldn't help but wonder if the three martial arts grandmasters of the Heroic Alliance arriving in the capital simultaneously was solely to witness the battle between Xiao Kai and Watanabe, or if there were other motives.
While a battle between martial arts grandmasters was undoubtedly a rare spectacle, the presence of Zuo Lizhou and the other two renowned martial arts grandmasters in the capital, coupled with the convening of a heroic gathering, gave a sense that things were not as simple as they seemed.
Fu Qinglei cupped his hands towards the crowd, his gaze sweeping over Chen Fan, a cold glint appearing at the corner of his lips.
Zuo Lizhou continued, "We have invited everyone here today for two purposes. The first is the battle between the Wolf Emperor Xiao Kai and Watanabe Mami, a fight that has shaken the entire martial world."
"Martial arts know no borders, but practitioners of the past did."
"Therefore, we have invited all of you to discuss strategies for this battle!"
Zuo Lizhou spoke with a smile, gesturing for everyone to be seated. He, Xin Beitian, and Fu Qinglei also took their seats.
As soon as he finished speaking, an elder in the audience asked, "What does Alliance Leader Zuo mean by that? Are we to interfere in this battle?"
"That is impossible, of course!"
Zuo Lizhou replied, "A fair fight; how could we possibly interfere?"
"What I mean by strategies is ensuring the fairness of this battle. Within the Great Xia, we will never allow our martial arts grandmasters to suffer a disadvantage."
Chen Fan's expression shifted upon hearing this.
Judging solely by his words, Zuo Lizhou, the Alliance Leader of the Heroic Alliance, appeared to be brimming with righteousness and national pride.
But was that truly the case?
"If Xiao Kai wins this battle, it would be the best possible outcome."
Zuo Lizhou stated, "However, if Xiao Kai does not emerge victorious, then we cannot allow our seasoned spirit to be broken, nor let the warriors of the small island nation of Sakura act with such arrogance!"
"What is Alliance Leader Zuo's intention?" someone asked in agreement.
"At that time, as the Alliance Leader of the Heroic Alliance, I will bear the responsibility without fail. I will step forward to challenge Watanabe Mami!"
Many looked askance upon hearing this.
This seemed somewhat unsportsmanlike.
Even if Watanabe Mami defeated Xiao Kai, he would likely not be in peak condition.
For Zuo Lizhou to step forward at this juncture, to put it bluntly, did he have no sense of shame?
Many faces displayed a peculiar and strange expression.
However, at this moment, Zuo Lizhou continued, "I know what you are all thinking, but at that time, I will not only challenge Watanabe Mami, but I will also challenge Yagyu Jubei of the Sakura nation with a single stroke!"
The peculiar and strange expressions that had just appeared on the faces of those present vanished abruptly. They looked at Zuo Lizhou with shock.
Zuo Lizhou smiled calmly and said, "To challenge only Watanabe Mami would be too unsportsmanlike and uninteresting. Challenging Yagyu Jubei together would make it somewhat more engaging."
Many were deeply shaken.
Even Chen Fan's heart tightened.
Was Zuo Lizhou's martial arts cultivation so profound that he dared to challenge two martial arts grandmasters of the Sakura nation at once, one against two?
It had to be said, this move not only shocked people but also made them feel greatly uplifted.
Furthermore, Zuo Lizhou, as the Alliance Leader of the Heroic Alliance, would surely not joke about such matters. He likely had sufficient confidence to utter such words.
For a time, reverence appeared in the eyes of many.
The disciples of the Heroic Alliance present, in particular, displayed an expression of adoration.
"Does Alliance Leader Zuo have confidence?" Wang Yucheng of the Wang family stood up and asked.
"Patriarch Wang, please rest assured. Some time ago, during my secluded cultivation, I had an epiphany. I chanced upon the barrier between Heaven and Man before me. Although I was unable to break through it, I gained considerable insight!"
Zuo Lizhou nodded at Wang Yucheng, who had spoken, and smiled.
Wang Yucheng's expression trembled.
The martial arts grandmasters exchanged glances, each seeing the shock in the other's eyes.
The realm of martial arts grandmasters was already an insurmountable existence for ordinary martial artists.
But with fifteen to sixteen martial arts grandmasters present, they understood this martial realm better than anyone could.
Every martial arts grandmaster knew how difficult cultivation was.
Martial arts grandmasters were at the pinnacle of martial arts. At this level, the ultimate goal was to shatter the barrier between Heaven and Man and take that legendary step.
It was said that if one could break through the barrier, they could ascend to immortality on the spot, becoming a legendary earthly immortal, capable of shattering mountains with a clap and diverting rivers with a single hand.
The legends might be exaggerated, but no one knew their truth.
Since ancient times, there had been no record of anyone truly crossing this step and ascending to immortality.
Therefore, no one knew how powerful one would become after shattering the legendary barrier between Heaven and Man.
This was why Zuo Lizhou's words were so shocking.
"Congratulations, Alliance Leader Zuo!"
Someone spoke, saying, "Since you have glimpsed the barrier, it means there is a possibility of breaking it and ascending to immortality. This is truly astonishing."
"Alliance Leader Zuo is invincible. If the Wolf Emperor Xiao Kai can defeat Watanabe Mami of the Sakura nation, then so be it. If not, we will have the opportunity to witness Alliance Leader Zuo's earth-shattering prowess, which is quite anticipated. Of course, we are certainly not hoping for Grandmaster Xiao Kai's defeat!"
"Indeed. Alliance Leader Zuo has already surpassed us. We hope that when you gain further enlightenment, Alliance Leader Zuo will not hesitate to impart your wisdom to us!"
"..."