The training grounds buzzed with discussion.
Major martial arts grandmasters conferred amongst themselves, while warriors from various sects and families engaged in their own quiet talks.
Zuo Lizhou showed no intention of rushing things. He returned to the main seat and engaged in conversation with Xin Beitian and Fu Qinglei.
However, just then, a shout echoed from outside.
"Elder Yan Siyu of the Misty Rain Sect and disciples of the Misty Rain Sect have arrived!"
Upon hearing the name Misty Rain Sect, Chen Fan couldn't help but freeze.
His memory was far from ordinary. As soon as the name registered, it immediately brought forth corresponding recollections.
It was the sect that had taken Su Yingxia away from Hang Jiang back then.
He wondered if Su Yingxia would be here.
He figured it was unlikely. Su Yingxia was, after all, just a new disciple. And given her age, the possibility of her being a key focus of the Misty Rain Sect's training seemed slim.
Even if she were being specially trained, Su Yingxia, having just joined, should be in intensive cultivation.
He didn't know much about the Misty Rain Sect.
To his surprise, after hearing the announcement, Zuo Lizhou showed a flicker of emotion.
He gestured to Xin Beitian and Fu Qinglei, then actually rose and strode towards the entrance of the training grounds to greet them.
Many other martial arts grandmasters also stood up.
"The Misty Rain Sect, someone from there has come to the capital?"
"A grandmaster's battle has actually attracted an reclusive sect like the Misty Rain Sect?"
"Yan Siyu herself has come. In the Misty Rain Sect, she is also a top-tier expert, having entered the Grandmaster realm over twenty years ago?"
"The Misty Rain Sect is said to have a cultivation lineage, not solely focused on martial arts?"
"..."
Even the monk and the layman Chen Fan had been watching intently, both turned their gazes towards them.
Zuo Lizhou and his two companions, leading their disciples, went to meet them. From a distance, Zuo Lizhou called out loudly, "Elder Yan's presence is a great fortune! Elder Yan has not been out and about for many years. What wind has blown you here?"
Guided by disciples of the Hero Alliance, several female Taoists walked in.
The one in the lead was a female Taoist, appearing to be in her fifties. Yet, her skin was fair and smooth as jade, her features graceful and elegant, exuding an innate aura.
This person was clearly Yan Siyu.
"Alliance Leader Zuo, I've come uninvited, I hope I'm not intruding."
Yan Siyu clasped her hands in greeting.
"Intruding? How could that be? The honor of the Hero Alliance is amplified by the esteemed presence of the Misty Rain Sect. It is we who failed to welcome you properly, I hope Elder Yan does not take offense."
"Far be it from me to do so?"
Yan Siyu smiled. "My original intention was to handle some mundane affairs with my disciples. Upon hearing of the grandmaster's martial arts challenge in the capital, and learning that the Hero Alliance was holding a Hero Gathering, I came uninvited. It has indeed been twenty to thirty years since I, Yan, have set foot in the mortal world. It is fate to see Alliance Leader Zuo and Master Xin again."
"Haha, Elder Yan still remembers Zuo, Zuo feels as if he is basking in a spring breeze..."
"..."
As the two groups continued their pleasantries, Chen Fan's gaze shifted, and he couldn't help but freeze.
He had, in fact, seen Su Yingxia.
She was standing behind Yan Siyu, separated by only two female Taoists.
She was now also wearing a Taoist robe, her demeanor changed from before, with a touch of ethereal detachment and calmness.
Strictly speaking, he hadn't seen Su Yingxia for just over a month, yet it felt like years.
This woman, with whom he had once shared a marriage, though now estranged, felt a different kind of sentiment upon meeting again. He couldn't completely ignore her.
Su Yingxia at this moment wore a faint smile, listening to Yan Siyu and Zuo Lizhou and others exchange greetings. She hadn't noticed Chen Fan's presence.
Soon, the pleasantries concluded, and Zuo Lizhou invited the group to be seated.
The seats on both sides of the training grounds were mostly occupied by various factions. Zuo Lizhou's gaze swept over, landing on Chen Fan's side. He personally invited the Misty Rain Sect to take seats near Chen Fan.
Chen Fan was alone, with four or five empty seats beside him, which were perfectly suited to accommodate the people from the Misty Rain Sect.
It was only when they were about to sit down that Su Yingxia finally saw Chen Fan.
Their eyes met, and Su Yingxia froze in place.
Many memories flooded her mind.
Without Chen Fan, she would not be where she was today. She wouldn't have left for the Misty Rain Sect for the Su family, becoming a disciple there.
Without Chen Fan, she wouldn't have endured so much humiliation, turning the Su family into a laughingstock in Hang Jiang.
She stood there, stunned.
A female Taoist in her late twenties, with a delicate and beautiful face, pulled her arm and said, "Yingxia, don't just stand there, come sit over here."
Su Yingxia came back to her senses, withdrew her gaze, but still appeared preoccupied. She sat down beside them.
"What's wrong, Yingxia? Are you not used to this kind of occasion?" the female Taoist asked.
"No... Senior Sister Long, the person next to us, is Chen Fan."
Su Yingxia said with a hint of bitterness.
Senior Sister Long was startled. After scrutinizing Chen Fan for a moment, she leaned over to Yan Siyu and began whispering.
Meanwhile, Zuo Lizhou and the others returned to their seats and said, "Everyone, it is rare for experts from the Misty Rain Sect to be present. Today's Hero Gathering is all the more complete."
"Let us continue discussing what we were just talking about. Cultivators have entered the mortal realm and have already stolen important treasures from the Qianhe and Lishan sects. This matter cannot be taken lightly!"
Fu Qinglei nodded and said, "Alliance Leader Zuo, our Hero Alliance, and all its various sects and families, should stand together and cooperate against the common enemy. I believe we should strengthen communication between each sect. Once the whereabouts of those three cultivators are discovered, they should be reported immediately."
"That is indeed the way. Alliance Leader Zuo has touched the barrier of heaven and man, his cultivation is profound. All sects and families should look to him as their leader to confront those three cultivators!" someone said.
Another person stood up and said, "Alliance Leader Zuo uniting us to fight against the cultivators is the very original intention of the Hero Alliance's establishment. Now that there is an event, it is time for the Hero Alliance to rise!"
"Alliance Leader Zuo might as well issue a Hero's Decree, commanding all sects and noble families to be vigilant. We shall go intercept them and see the mettle of those cultivators from Kunlun!"
"..."
Many present were already members of the Hero Alliance, and at this moment, they naturally voiced their support for Zuo Lizhou.
Zuo Lizhou, however, waved his hand and said with a smile, "For those who are already members of our Hero Alliance, there's no need to say more. If a sect has matters, I, Zuo Lizhou, will not shirk my duty."
"However, many fellow cultivators present here have not joined our Hero Alliance. This matter depends entirely on your own wishes. The doors of the Hero Alliance are open to all of you. If you wish to join our alliance, we will share the same boat and support each other, which is far better than each sect acting alone."
"Precisely. Alliance Leader Zuo's cultivation is superior, and his actions are fair. Joining the Hero Alliance has countless benefits and no disadvantages. Fellow cultivators who haven't joined, why hesitate and wait?"
"With Alliance Leader Zuo here, those cultivators are surely not worth mentioning!"
"Everyone, join the Hero Alliance, and the martial arts world will be united. This is a grand event for the martial arts world!"
"..."
Many people spoke up, including several martial arts grandmasters, lending considerable prestige to Zuo Lizhou.
At this point, Zuo Lizhou's true intentions were revealed. This Hero Gathering was clearly meant to showcase the strength and influence of the Hero Alliance, subtly coercing factions that had not yet joined to do so.
Chen Fan, however, paid no mind to what Zuo Lizhou was saying. Instead, he looked at Yan Siyu.
Yan Siyu was staring at him coldly, a chilling killing intent evident in her eyes.