The two walked into one of the many tunnels that led to the outside. It was surprisingly well kept as torches were placed every few yards. The blue-robed man opened his fan and admired the golden specks that danced around the flowers. Ye Tian locked the corner of his eyes onto the man who was beside him.

"I never properly introduced myself, did I? But then again, I didn't think I'd be meeting you often," the blue-robed man glanced at Ye Tian. "My name is Wei Shen, and I serve as one of the officers under General Zhao. Well, you could probably figure at least that much."

Ye Tian nodded. He figured that only a high-ranking figure could win gazes of respect from the rebel troops and stroll into General Zhao's office. But this knowledge only suffocated the atmosphere as the two walked side-by-side as equals in the tunnel. Whenever Ye Tian sped up his walking speed, Wei Shen would follow like gum stuck to a shoe.

Wei Shen raised a brow towards the attempts, "Hey, what's up with that cold attitude? Since you and the General are friends now, we should be friendly towards each other, right? I even got rid of someone following you."

It had become painfully obvious to Ye Tian that the rebels were trying to establish a good relationship with him, but no one asks where water comes from when one's own house was burning. Any help that was going to protect him from the City Lord was going to be important.

Ye Tian forced out a smile, "Thanks, those bastards have been after my life for a while now."

Wei Shen was alarmed, but he thought back to how he had first found Ye Tian and realized what was needed the most right now. His voice grew deep with desires to murder, "Do you need help? We can guarantee protection for your life."

Ye Tian shook his head in dismay, "No, don't. The City Lord is after my life. I don't want to drag the General into this messy situation."

Wei Shen smiled, "No problem! The General values his brothers and subordinates the most."

Ye Tian felt relieved towards the protection that the rebels were willing to offer, but his clothes grew wet with sweat as he thought back on Wei Shen's words. Those words were mentioned in such a nonchalant way, yet the matter of antagonizing the City Lord was not so simple. He didn't trust that the General be willing to make this trade. Whatever the case may be. It would be wise to take advantage of the General's generosity.

"I see... Then may I trouble the General with a request?" Ye Tian asked carefully as he tried to make out Wei Shen's expression in the dark. Seeing nothing, he continued, "I have a... good friend who was taken away by the City Lord. Can you help?"

Wei Shen frowned, "An attack is more complicated than defense. We will do our best, but I can't guarantee that we will be able to rescue your friend. Some of the higher-profile prisoners can't be rescued for now. I will need information about your friend before getting back to you."

Ye Tian nodded and explained every detail he remembered from that night. When he had finished, they had arrived at the exit.

"I'll be waiting for your good news," Ye Tian smiled.

Wei Shen smiled, "We will deliver the news to your room tomorrow night."

One of the contestants collapsed on the stage with his sword in pieces beside him. Han Yu was just a village boy who was taught by a wandering cultivator. After the basic of the basic techniques were passed down, he had trained furiously with the hopes of one day making it big. With his talents, he had made it to the 8th round with only dozens of contestants left. Yet, this was where he was going to fall.

Han Yu looked up at his opponent who was showered with excited screams of the crowd. He slammed the floor. That silver-haired youth looked like a soft scion who indulged in nothing but worldly pleasures. His hands were filled with calluses while his opponent had pearly skin that never saw labor.

'If only I had the same advantages as him...'

But fate was unfair, and Han Yu knew that all too well. With all the turmoil in the wilderness, he wasn't going to be able to go home. His life was almost claimed multiple times by demon beasts when he made the journey to the city. There was little confidence in trying to walk on the path of death again. He would have to settle down in the provincial city and write letters home.

Han Yu sighed and tried to get up from the floor when a fair-skinned hand reached down.

Zhao Xia grinned, "Your moves are really good!"

Han Yu confusedly looked at the person who had both defeated and complimented him. But he wasn't going to deny goodwill as he grabbed Zhao Xia's hand, "Thanks."

Zhao Xia inspected his hemp clothing, "Lowborn?"

"Yeah," Han Yu replied with a grim smile. "If only I had the same opportunities as you."

"I was once like you," Zhao Xia patted his shoulders. "The resources that brought me here are available to you too. You just don't know yet."

Han Yu felt confused about those words, but he soon walked off the stage without thinking of those words again. The next match was going to begin.

"You can always come and find me if you need help!" Zhao Xia shouted after him.

Han Yu smiled. He had never seen someone so willing to help a nobody like him. But he didn't want to inconvenience Zhao Xia. Besides, as one of the contestants who made it so far, he would win some spirit stones that would ensure a normal life where food isn't a worry. This was the end of the path for him, a retirement home.

'Perhaps I can start a store and sell meat buns or something.'

Ijilner lay sprawled on the stage. Waves of pain washed over him and almost drowned him into unconsciousness. He looked on with despair as the Dark Wind disciple walked over to him.

'What the hell was that?! Are these guys even humans...'

All Ijilner had remembered was the beginning of the fight. The illusion formation had transported the two into a forest, and, before Ijilner could finish scanning his surroundings, he had been attacked. Then, the illusion ended. Everything ended just like that. There was no flash. Nothing. Ijilner didn't see the Dark Wind disciple from the beginning to the end.

He tried to lift his head to inspect his injuries. With one look, his face twisted with horror. He was twitching on the ground with all of his limbs broken and facing inhumane directions. There was no way to find out how many open wounds he had gotten since his blood had covered everything.

"The strongest disciple of the Auskier sect? Tsk, the best clown is still a clown," Luer sneered.

Ijilner wanted to say something, but the pain was too much for him. His consciousness faded. All he saw was black, but he heard voices.

Elder Kun had rushed onto the stage with the female elder from the Yu Fei sect. He urged her, "Quick! Elder Sun, his injuries are too heavy. Please help him!"

Elder Sun grimly nodded. Her husband's conflict with other sects had nothing to do with her. As an alchemist, she specialized in crafting pills of all sorts. She took out a pill bottle with rank 2 medicinal pills, but Elder Kun stopped her.

"I'm willing to pay the price, so please use a rank 3 medicinal pill!"

Elder Sun looked at the man before her and felt somewhat moved, "There's no need. I'll do it for free."

She took out a pill that seemed to give off warm light before putting it into Ijilner's mouth.

"He's fine now. His wounds will close up by themselves, and all he will need is rest."

Elder Kun nodded before hurriedly carrying Ijilner off the stage.

High on the balconies, Zhang Qiang coldly looked down at Luer. He had seen Luer fuse with the wind to strike with absolute speed and power. But the most dangerous part was how ruthless he had been in dealing with Ijilner. There was no need to be so harsh, yet Luer had done so in order to establish dominance

'This is going to be a troublesome opponent.'