For a period of time, Su Fan was fully focused on grinding for equipment, primarily low-level gear. As long as it possessed special attributes, it would be an invaluable treasure when brought into reality, regardless of its level.
Meanwhile, Dongfang Tingyin was also working diligently to establish the foundational infrastructure of the Martial Alliance.
Su Fan had dispatched Jiu Di and the other two to assist Dongfang Tingyin.
Su Fan spent two days leveling up and farming for equipment.
He acquired a large quantity of equipment. For white or mediocre blue-grade items, Su Fan simply bought them. The money earned was used to purchase elixirs, leaving him with only four or five pieces of equipment that he considered worthwhile, and a considerable stash of elixirs.
It had to be said that selling equipment was indeed a faster way to earn money than selling materials.
After selling the equipment he didn't need, Su Fan used the proceeds to buy the elixirs he required, and still had a significant amount of money left over.
Next were the attribute elixirs. Su Fan always kept a supply of these, purchasing them in batches of one hundred.
When Su Fan handed these items over to Dongfang Tingyin, she was stunned.
"Aren't you afraid I'll abscond with the funds?"
After she understood the purpose of everything, her heart was filled with shock.
"If you want them, just say so. I have more. It's not worth running off for this little bit," Su Fan said with a smile.
This was just the beginning. He was a man destined to change the entire ancient martial arts world!
Alright.
Today, Dongfang Tingyin finally understood what "Versailles" meant.
What others considered treasures were nothing in Su Fan's eyes.
"These elixirs can accelerate cultivation progress. Keep twenty for yourself, distribute thirty to Jiu Di and the others, and reserve these fifty for use within the Martial Alliance."
Su Fan had already allocated the hundred attribute elixirs: Dongfang Tingyin received the largest share, Jiu Di and the others received a smaller portion, and the remainder would be used as rewards within the Martial Alliance.
"Alright, within a week at most, I'll have the Martial Alliance operational!" Dongfang Tingyin declared with full confidence.
Her confidence was not unfounded. The most crucial aspect for an open-ended organization like this was its reputation. Only by making a name for themselves would others know about this place and come to investigate.
Currently, the biggest challenge for the Martial Alliance was its lack of renown.
However, this was precisely the simplest aspect to address.
Consider who they were.
Wu Yun, a disciple of Baiyun Temple, which held unparalleled influence in Taoism.
Li Jun, a member of the Jiuli tribe, a top-tier force in the south.
Jiu Di, a disciple of the Bloodflame Sect and an assassin from the Assassin's Alliance, renowned in the demonic path.
Dongfang Tingyin, the sole daughter of one of the four great ancient artifact families in the capital.
Su Fan, currently considered a member of the Su family.
If these influential figures publicized the existence of the Martial Alliance within the martial world, wouldn't it garner the attention of other martial artists?
"I believe in you," Su Fan said, patting Dongfang Tingyin on the shoulder.
Dongfang Tingyin rolled her eyes at Su Fan speechlessly.
...
Today was the day of the martial arts tournament's preliminary selection. Su Fan entered the game early.
"Are you really going to participate?"
Xiao Yan was also present today, specifically to collect Su Fan's corpse, saving him the trouble of dying without anyone to do so.
"Of course, I'm participating. I'm going to win the championship," Su Fan said with a smile to Xiao Yan.
"Don't even think about it. If you can win, I'll defecate while standing on my head!" Xiao Yan had no faith in Su Fan's ability to win.
"That's a high-difficulty maneuver. I'll be waiting to see you defecate while standing on your head," Su Fan said with amusement, looking at Xiao Yan.
"Heh, you first need to get through the preliminaries," Xiao Yan was too lazy to argue with Su Fan on this matter and was still worried about him.
The primary reason was the fierce competition in the martial arts tournament. Few participants managed to leave the stage unscathed. Let alone unscathed, very few even left alive, with many being killed outright. They were all ruthless individuals.
"I'm done talking with you, I need to go in," Su Fan said to Xiao Yan, looking at the crowded preliminary selection site.
Heroes from all walks of life had come to participate in the martial arts tournament.
Despite its brutal rules, the martial arts tournament offered an opportunity for those without power or influence in the martial world, a chance to soar to prominence.
Su Fan entered the preliminary selection area. The venue was immense, packed with contestants.
The arena was a large, enclosed square. On the eastern side stood a high platform, where dignitaries would eventually sit. Currently, it was empty, and no one paid attention to the preliminaries; no one was watching.
"Next, we will announce the rules for the martial arts tournament preliminaries."
A person entered and began to explain the rules.
"The preliminaries will last for one hour. After one hour, anyone still standing here will be considered to have passed the preliminary selection. Remember, those standing here may very well be your enemies in the future."
After the person finished speaking, they left, leaving everyone looking at each other in bewilderment.
"The preliminaries begin!"
A voice boomed from the high platform.
"Everyone, don't rush. As long as we wait until the time is up, we'll advance. There's no need to fight amongst ourselves!"
Someone, believing they had found a loophole in the rules, shouted loudly.
However, few agreed with them.
"Ah!"
A scream suddenly erupted from somewhere.
One contestant, taking advantage of the unsuspecting opponent in front of him, stabbed him through the heart with a single blow.
"We'll have to fight eventually anyway. If you don't have the heart to die, don't participate in the martial arts tournament. If you're afraid of death, quickly admit defeat and leave!"
The person who had killed another looked coldly at the surrounding crowd.
Su Fan strongly agreed with the opponent's sentiment. Everyone present was an adversary; there was no possibility of cooperation. The more people who advanced, the more disadvantageous it would be for him. It would be best to eliminate everyone in the first preliminary round, saving time.
The surrounding contestants became agitated. The words of that individual made them tense up, and they began to guard against those around them.
"Ah!"
Another scream came from an unknown location, and another person fell to the ground.
Su Fan sighed and shook his head.
Sensing someone stealthily approaching him from behind, Su Fan immediately turned and drew his sword.
The contestant behind him, who was preparing to ambush Su Fan, clutched his throat, but it did nothing to stop the gushing blood.
The preliminary selection site instantly descended into chaos. Fights erupted everywhere, and people were dying almost every second.
Su Fan dodged an incoming attack and casually dealt with the contestant who was eagerly eyeing him, then turned to face the person who had attempted to ambush him.
The ambusher immediately realized Su Fan's extraordinary skill.
"A misunderstanding, I picked the wrong person!"
Seeing that Su Fan was not to be trifled with, he wanted to distance himself immediately and find someone else.
"Since you're here, don't leave," Su Fan, with his temper, would never let him go so easily.
Thunderous might!
A sword energy struck the opponent's back. With just one strike, he was nearly cut in half. However, even with such a severe injury, he was finished.
Su Fan turned and indifferently glanced at the contestants around him who harbored ill intentions.
As those individuals met Su Fan's gaze, they immediately averted their eyes.
They were merely taking advantage of the chaos to ambush and kill weaker contestants. Facing a master like Su Fan, they naturally dared not provoke him.