Fu Ning glanced at the bottomless abyss behind him and then at the approaching Xiang Jian. He couldn't help but take a step forward, then immediately stumbled back, nearly falling in. Startled, he took another step forward.
"Don't come any closer!"
"Sect Leader Fu, our aim is not to kill," Xiang Jian reminded him. "We merely wish to resolve this amicably."
"Nonsense!" Fu Ning cursed furiously. "You people attacked my Flying Eagle Gang, and you call that amicable? I already sent a congratulatory gift, expressing our wish for peaceful coexistence, each minding their own business. Yet, you attacked us that very night. How utterly shameless!"
"We're doing this to become one big family," Xiang Jian said, parroting Xiao Man's words to placate Fu Ning. He'd never heard aggression phrased so politely before, but he liked it.
"To hell with your 'one big family'! I will not let you off!" Fu Ning gritted his teeth and then leaped into the bottomless abyss. Xiang Jian rushed to the edge and looked down, but Fu Ning's trace was gone.
"I thought you were a coward, afraid of death. I didn't expect you to have such backbone. I underestimated you," Xiang Jian mused. He returned to report. Even he hadn't expected Fu Ning to jump into the abyss. It was difficult to climb out from the bottom, but incredibly easy to jump down, resulting in a shattered body.
Xiang Jian reported Fu Ning's situation to Xiao Man.
"He jumped?" Xiao Man asked, surprised.
"Yes, he jumped," Xiang Jian confirmed with a nod. "I watched him leap myself. He's likely smashed to pieces."
Xiao Man fell silent for a moment. "It doesn't sound like something he would do."
"Indeed. That lad has always feared death. I thought we could capture him alive, but he was ruthless, jumping off like that," Xiang Jian said solicitously. "Sect Leader, you're not angry, are you?"
"If he seeks death, we cannot stop him. Since he's already jumped, so be it," Xiao Man's eyes flickered. "Once the forces of the Unfettered Land are fully integrated, we will proceed to the next step."
"What's the next step?" Xiang Jian asked curiously. Xiao Man integrating the forces of the Unfettered Land into one faction meant they wouldn't have to worry about internal strife during the assessment. However, without the Dragon Spirit Bamboo, it would be useless. A thought flashed through Xiang Jian's mind, and he looked at Xiao Man in disbelief. "You want to go to Ming Yang Valley?"
Xiao Man smiled seductively. "Not just me. Us."
Zhou Yan watched Xi Wen skillfully handle the chores, a strange glint in his eyes. If it weren't for Kuang Dao, he might have become good friends with Xi Wen long ago. But because of Kuang Dao, they had almost become enemies.
"You've worked hard," Zhou Yan offered Xi Wen a fruit. Xi Wen looked somewhat flattered and quickly accepted it.
"Thank you."
Zhou Yan sat down beside him. "What happened in the past is in the past. You don't need to worry about me holding a grudge and finding trouble with you."
Xi Wen clutched the fruit, remaining silent. It was impossible not to worry, but pledging allegiance to the Eight Directions Sword Sect was his only option. He had been keeping an eye on Xiao Man, believing she could bring about great change in the Unfettered Land, and she had not disappointed.
"From now on, I hope you can help me more to sort out the sect's affairs as soon as possible."
"I will do my utmost."
Poison Dame went to find Xiao Man and saw the two men gazing at each other. She couldn't help but laugh. "I say, you two big men staring at each other so affectionately, isn't it sickening?"
"Poison Dame!" Zhou Yan's voice rose. "Who's staring at him affectionately?"
Poison Dame leaned on the railing, teasing, "Aren't you? Zhou Yan, are you still bothered by the fact that he let you off the hook back then?"
"Let me off the hook?" Zhou Yan was confused. When had Xi Wen ever let him off the hook? Xi Wen had nearly taken his life!
Poison Dame chuckled. "You seem quite intelligent usually, why are you so foolish at crucial moments? With Xi Wen's skills, if he wanted to kill you, could you have escaped?"
Zhou Yan looked at Xi Wen. Xi Wen looked embarrassed. "Is the Immortal Fairy looking for the Sect Leader?"
"Yes, the Sect Leader also called for you. Let's go together," Poison Dame replied. "It seems there's an order."
"Yes." Xi Wen had always been disciplined, and after joining the Eight Directions Sword Sect, he became even more so, handling matters with flawless precision, leaving no room for criticism. The former disciples of the Flying Eagle Gang, under his guidance, were also well-behaved and avoided trouble, earning them considerable respect.
In the council hall, Xiao Man was discussing something with Xiang Jian. Xiang Jian exclaimed loudly, "No, absolutely not!"
"Deputy Sect Leader, what's wrong?" Poison Dame entered first, her gaze falling on Xiao Man, who wore a smile and seemed unfazed by Xiang Jian's resistance.
"You're here. Good, help me persuade her. She's going to Ming Yang Valley to court death!"
"To Ming Yang Valley?" Poison Dame instantly moved in front of Xiao Man. "The Sect Leader is going to Ming Yang Valley?"
Xiao Man nodded. "The assessment for Wuji City is imminent, and we must go to Ming Yang Valley. If Wuji City's assessment is still the Dragon Spirit Bamboo this time, you can wait for the next three years, but I cannot."
"Ming Yang Valley is full of poisonous creatures, and the Dragon Spirit Bamboo is guarded by many venomous beasts. If you go, you won't be able to obtain the Dragon Spirit Bamboo and will only lose your life!" Xiang Jian said urgently. "I know you want to enter Wuji City, but you can't go to such extremes. In the end, you might not enter Wuji City and will lose your life instead."
"Are you really going to Ming Yang Valley?" Poison Dame asked again.
"Yes, I am going to Ming Yang Valley," Xiao Man said, looking at the others. "Shan Yun and Qi Hong must accompany me. Are you all going?"
Zhou Yan gasped, not only are you going, but you want us to go too?
"Sect Leader, how many people do you plan to bring?"
"At most ten people," Xiao Man said slowly. "Not exceeding the number of participants for the Wuji City assessment."
"Count me in," Poison Dame said without hesitation. She had witnessed Xiao Man's mastery of poison. This person's understanding of toxic substances far surpassed hers, and the poisons she developed were even beyond her ability to counteract.
"Can I go too?" Xi Wen stepped forward and asked.
"Yes."
Xiang Jian looked at Poison Dame, then at Xi Wen, and finally at Zhou Yan. "Aren't you going to persuade them?"
Zhou Yan was close to tears. "Deputy Sect Leader, ever since the Sect Leader joined the Eight Directions Sword Sect, how many times have I tried to persuade her? When has she ever listened?"
Xiang Jian sighed helplessly. "Fine, fine. Since you are determined to go, I will accompany you as a loyal companion."