Arrival

After settling in the messenger, Uncle Gan hurried to find Talu with the letter in hand. Once he dismissed the few students who had come to ask for guidance, he said with a grave expression, "Talu, a letter has arrived from Anyao Arena." Hearing the name Anyao Arena, Talu's expression turned serious. She took the letter, opened it, and looked it over. What met her eyes was beautiful Great Shun Golden Pavilion script. It began with a string of customary greetings, recalled the shared origins of the two schools in a few brief sentences, and then stated its true purpose. It claimed that ever since the old era, the two schools had maintained a tradition of exchanging martial insights. When the previous Talu was still alive, the two schools had also held such exchanges. Therefore, this time, Anyao Arena intended to dispatch a disciple to spar with the current Talu. Though the tone seemed polite and modest on the surface, in reality, it was more like a notice—merely informing them of what they planned to do, without caring in the slightest what the Danliu School thought. Uncle Gan said with concern, "They come with ill intent, especially arriving at a time like this. Anyao Arena is aiming straight for the fissure. If they bring that object with them, then as soon as Mr. Chen begins his cultivation at night, they are very likely to discover the existence of that fissure." Talu asked, "Uncle Gan, is that object really in their hands?" Uncle Gan replied, "Your master mentioned this matter before. It is very likely." Back when the Danliu School's Fist Master clashed with Anyao Arena's Blade Master, he had carried a personal keepsake on him—something said to be capable of sensing the existence of a fissure from a long distance away. However, back then the fissure had long since vanished. Everyone in the school believed it was gone, so the object retained only sentimental value. Since that predecessor's body was never returned, in all probability it was taken by the people of Anyao Arena. Yet the previous Talu had rediscovered the fissure, making that object valuable once more. Anyao Arena might have guessed its function as well. If they carried it on them this time, once they landed on the island, should Chen Chuan enter cultivation at night, they might discover the fissure's true location through those anomalies. In truth, asking Chen Chuan to stop his cultivation would be useless. With the Ferris Wheel Company gone, the Danliu School was destined to be coveted by Anyao Arena. This window of time was virtually the last and best opportunity for Anyao Arena to achieve its goal, and they would spare no cost to locate the fissure. If they truly couldn't find it, they likely wouldn't permit the fissure to remain in anyone else's hands either. There was no telling what extremes Anyao Arena might resort to, and that was precisely what worried Uncle Gan most. He pondered for a moment and said, "Talu, with our strength, dealing with Anyao Arena will be difficult. We should discuss this with Mr. Chen." Talu nodded. "Let's go find Mr. Chen." Chen Chuan was sitting before the lotus pedestal at that moment. Sensing the two approaching, he opened his eyes, stood up, and turned around. "Is Anyao Arena making its move?" Uncle Gan couldn't help but look startled. "Mr. Chen, how did you know?" Chen Chuan smiled faintly. "Your spirits have already told me what you are currently facing." He could sense that their fields and spirits were in a state of extreme vigilance and alertness, as though triggered by the prospect of facing powerful opponents. Talu's spirit, in particular, was more active and spirited; clearly, she did not merely fear her opponent, but was also looking forward to the challenge. Under these circumstances, the most likely cause was the Anyao Arena they had mentioned before. Seeing Chen Chuan's composed demeanor, Uncle Gan felt himself relax somewhat. Gathering himself, he said, "Anyao Arena just sent a letter, but it's no different from a formal challenge. Their people will likely arrive here within the next day or two." Chen Chuan nodded slightly. He had already anticipated this. If an operational squad from the Linax Federation like Utiko's had noticed Feiguang Island, how could a power like Anyao Arena, which had long fixed its gaze upon the Danliu School, let this place slip by? Once this window of opportunity closed, they would have no second chance. He said to the two of them, "Elder, Talu, as I said before, we are all part of the Purist Faction, and this matter involves me as well. I will stand and fall together with you." Hearing him say this, Uncle Gan was greatly relieved. Leaving aside Chen Chuan's performance the previous night, the mere fact that he could perceive the legacy of their secret arts gave Uncle Gan immense confidence. One had to know that the previous generation's Old Talu had only been able to see those things upon reaching his forties or fifties. He remembered how immensely powerful Old Talu had been back then; across the waters of the Outer Ocean, aside from those few Blade Masters who never showed their faces, he had encountered virtually no worthy rivals. He felt that even if Mr. Chen had not reached that level, as long as he was close, he should be able to handle the visitors from Anyao Arena. Yet one concern still lingered. He said, "Anyao Arena is very likely to send their eldest disciple, Hiroshi Nokane." Chen Chuan had heard this name in past conversations with Sancheng Huang and learned a bit about him in passing, but that was all, as Sancheng Huang had never met the man in person either. So he asked, "How strong is Hiroshi Nokane?" Uncle Gan said, "They say his natural talent is only mediocre. If it were just him alone, it shouldn't be difficult for you to handle him, Mr. Chen. However... "Old Talu said before he passed away that the eldest disciple of each generation in Anyao Arena isn't necessarily the strongest fighter, but is definitely the one best suited to endure the Blade Master's spiritual lodgment." Chen Chuan's mind stirred. Spiritual lodgment? That reminded him of Mashiba Masaru. "Old Talu said that the combat arenas across the Outer Ocean that have survived to this day all possess techniques to lodge their spirits within their disciples. Some methods are relatively gentle, some are crude and violent, while others are indispensable steps in their cultivation. Anyao Arena falls somewhere between the latter two. "For Hiroshi Nokane to become the eldest disciple, according to Anyao Arena's long-standing tradition, does not depend on how well he mastered their secret arts, but rather on him being the most suited to receive the strength of his master." Perhaps afraid Chen Chuan might be daunted, he added, "However, a Blade Master's power is too immense. Although a disciple can receive that strength, what he can withstand is ultimately limited. Thus, his power shouldn't reach an insurmountable level." Chen Chuan nodded. This explanation made sense; even if there were exceptions, they would not be beyond reason. He said sincerely: "You two, if Hiroshi Nokane comes to the island and issues a challenge, please leave him to me. Though I am not a member of the Danliu School, both of you are comrades of the Purist Faction—not to mention that this is something I cannot avoid either." Uncle Gan said with deep gratitude, "Mr. Chen, thank you." Then, with a solemn look, he added, "In that case, Talu and I will send a formal reply to Anyao Arena." Chen Chuan nodded. After the two departed, he thought to himself that an opponent like this would surely be of immense help in developing his jin. Turning around, he sat down once more before the lotus pedestal. Seven days later, a ferry weathered heavy waves and sailed into Luowang Island. After the vessel docked, several fighters dressed in traditional robes with their hair bound in topknots disembarked amid the pouring rain. What they wore was the combat attire of Anyao Arena. The disciples of the three great arenas were very numerous throughout the Outer Ocean, and the combat arenas had many branch halls. Yet anyone permitted to wear these robes hailed without exception from the main arena, prompting the people at the harbor to cast extra glances in their direction. These people surrounded a short, frail figure. Judging by silhouette alone, he looked like an adolescent boy, but looking at his face revealed a young man. A dazed, vacant expression sat upon his face, giving the impression that his intellect was lacking, yet his companions treated him with profound deference. At that moment, the frail young man turned his head toward one side, then suddenly broke away from the group and began walking in that direction. Those behind him hurried forward to pull him back, saying, "We need to find lodgings first and wait for the weather to clear up before heading to Feiguang Island. Please, this way." The frail youth looked at him, his gaze growing even more bewildered. The others also stepped forward, cajoling him with great caution, only then managing to guide him back into the formation before heading toward a hotel arranged in advance. Two days later, the gale that had raged for over ten days weakened slightly. The messenger arrived on the island once again and delivered another letter into Uncle Gan's hands. This was the second letter from Anyao Arena. It stated that they had arrived on Luowang Island and were now preparing to land on Feiguang Island to pay their respects to Danliu School's Talu. Uncle Gan knitted his brows tightly. Judging from their itinerary, the people of Anyao Arena had departed roughly on the very day they sent the letter, without waiting for Danliu School's reply. This showed that while Anyao Arena had maintained a superficial facade, that was as far as their courtesy went. He checked the time on his wristwatch; the visitors would arrive in about half an hour. They were pressing forward aggressively at every step, leaving no room to react. He let out a breath, selected a few disciples from the school, and led them down to the pier to wait. Before long, a sailboat came into view across the sea. As the boat drew near and docked at the pier, disciples dressed in Anyao Arena robes stepped off one after another. Their gazes were sharp as they walked, hands resting on the long sabers at their waists, looking ready to strike at a moment's notice. Uncle Gan stepped forward. Their eyes turned to him in unison, their gazes piercing like knives. Keeping his composure, he approached them and said in a deep voice, "I am Gan Guo, an instructor of the Danliu School. Talu has sent me specifically to receive you all." With that, he bowed slightly. The group watched him for a moment before one stepped forward and returned the bow. "I am Shiyuan Ba, a disciple of Anyao Arena. Acting on the instructions of our masters, I have accompanied our Eldest Senior Brother to visit our fellow practitioners of the Danliu School. Please forgive any intrusion on our part." "So it is Mr. Shiyuan." Uncle Gan looked behind him and asked, "Might I know which one is Mr. Nokane?" Shiyuan Ba's expression turned solemn. Straightening his back, he took a step to the side to reveal that dazed, short, and frail young man, announcing gravely: "This is the Eldest Senior Brother of our Anyao Arena, Hiroshi Nokane." ... ...