Chapter Forty-Five: The Enemy of All

He never expected to run into those two here. This must be what people mean by “enemies meet on a narrow road.”

A slow smirk curled at the corners of Su Ye’s lips. Although the two of them hadn’t taken action against him back at school, it was clear they’d always stood with the Yu family, never missing a chance to ridicule him. That grudge was well and truly established.

However, he was here on the invitation of the Martial Alliance. He had no intention of starting trouble himself.

Clearly, Song Chenxin and Chen He had noticed Su Ye’s presence as well. The two looked as though they’d expected him to appear and showed no surprise. Instead, they called out to a rebellious-looking youth standing not far away.

“Zhou Yuyang, look—that’s Su Ye. He’s here!”

Zhou Yuyang looked every inch the pampered son of a wealthy family, decked out in gold and silver, with luxury watches, rings, and chains. At their words, he glanced at Su Ye and let out a disdainful snort.

“That country bumpkin? He actually defeated Yu Zhisha?”

The dozen or so young men and women around him all turned to look. The most sensational recent event was the challenge at Yangcheng No. 1 High School. What was supposed to be a show match for the so-called “Azure Sky Sparrow” had shocked them all in the end—and cost many of them a pretty sum.

“Never seen this kid before! He just popped up out of nowhere? I can’t believe there’s someone this low-key in Yangcheng and I didn’t know about it,” one of the boys joked, and it was clear this was a close-knit circle.

Song Chenxin said, “That’s him, no mistake! I saw it with my own eyes. His thunder meridians are restored—even though he only has twenty-three channels opened, he’s terrifying! Born with thunder meridians—who wouldn’t be jealous?”

Zhou Yuyang didn’t care, sneering, “Anyone can show off in Yangcheng these days, huh? Even a useless wretch raised by the Jiang family can make headlines. If you ask me, Yu Zhisha must’ve had some setback while she was an exchange student—lost her cultivation, and that’s why she lost so badly.”

Chen He frowned. “Yuyang, do you know something we don’t?”

“Know what? Hmph. You all should know—the Zhou family owns more than a dozen hotels, and we run chains, even in the metropolis. Half the upper crust there owes us favors, so news isn’t hard to come by. I heard Yu Zhisha was injured in the city. Why else would she have come back? And besides, have any of you actually gone up against her?”

Song Chenxin and Chen He exchanged glances. Now that they thought about it, he was right. “That’s true. Everyone knows Yu Zhisha’s opened sixty-seven channels, and with thunder meridians too, so every challenger just surrendered immediately. Her match with Su Ye was her first real fight!”

“There you go! Su Ye was always a nobody. Look at that outfit—his whole getup isn’t worth one of my shoes. Obviously, he has no resources for cultivation. He only beat Yu Zhisha because she was injured.”

“Oh… so that’s how it is.”

“Wow, who would’ve guessed there was such an inside story. Yuyang, you’re amazing! You know everything,” someone exclaimed, gazing at him in admiration.

Zhou Yuyang waved a hand. “He’s just lucky he replaced Yu Zhisha here, that’s all. If he doesn’t mess with me, I won’t stoop to bothering with such trash. But if he doesn’t know his place, a single finger’s enough to finish him off.”

“Yuyang, you’re generous, but I can’t take it. I bet a fortune on Yu Zhisha and lost millions! I’m broke for the month,” Chen He groaned.

“Hahaha. If you’re so broke, just be my lackey when we do the mission later. Give me the best stuff, and I’ll pay you fifty thousand a day. How’s that?”

In the distance, Su Ye merely listened quietly, showing no reaction at all.

These scions of powerful families didn’t even bother to lower their voices, their mocking words drifting clearly to his ears. It seemed, before he’d even realized it, he’d become their common enemy.

This Martial Alliance training, it seemed, would not be a dull affair.

“Everyone—quiet! Steward Zhang from the Martial Alliance is here!” someone suddenly shouted.

The gathered heirs and students all fell silent, turning to watch as several middle-aged men approached from afar. The one at the front was tall, with dark skin and unusually prominent temples—the very person in charge of this mission.

Those who recognized him began to greet him respectfully, calling out “Steward Zhang.”

Steward Zhang’s face was cold as he strode before them, sweeping his gaze across the crowd. A cold smile touched his lips as he spoke in a deep voice: “So these are the so-called geniuses? Each year is worse than the last! What a sorry lot.”

At once, a clamor broke out among the young men and women.

Each of them was a “genius” in their family or school, proud and arrogant by nature. Even coming to this desolate island was a favor to the Alliance. Yet this Steward Zhang dared belittle them all.

“Steward Zhang, my family also has people in the Martial Alliance! Watch your words!” Song Chenxin retorted, not one to be pushed around.

Zhou Yuyang stepped forward lazily and raised his voice: “We’re here on the official invitation of the Martial Alliance. That means we’re qualified to be here. Do you think we’re beneath you? Are you questioning the Alliance’s judgment, or do you think you can insult so many families at will?”

For a moment, many of the other heirs joined in, voicing their displeasure.

Steward Zhang looked at the noisy crowd in mild surprise, his face darkening. “Are you all finished? Quiet! You think you’re so impressive? Anyone want to step forward and prove it?”

The rich heirs might be arrogant, but not so reckless as to challenge someone of this level directly. They all knew Steward Zhang’s cultivation was far beyond theirs, and this was just the time to make an example of someone—who’d be fool enough to volunteer?

Seeing them fall silent, Steward Zhang clapped the roster in his hand, extended his right index finger, and stabbed it down the list, sliding from the first name down to the last. He barked, “Su Ye—who is Su Ye? Step forward!”

Su Ye frowned. He’d been rather confused about this whole invitation from the Martial Alliance, only knowing vaguely that the idea was to gather young geniuses for intensive training, which often yielded impressive results.

Upon hearing his name, he quickly stepped out and stood at the front.

Steward Zhang cast a cold glance at him, snapped his roster shut, and barked, “Only twenty-three channels opened, and you’re here? Let me tell you, this is an uninhabited island, and your task is to head to the center. There you’ll find a Spittle Pool and a cave. Every year at this time, the sea recedes and people can enter…”

At this point, his gaze fell on Su Ye again, his tone harsh. “But it’s extremely dangerous inside. Every year, people have accidents there—no fewer than ten have died. In such a perilous place, you, with only twenty-three channels, are you just here to die?”

Many of the other young talents couldn’t help but snicker. They had all opened at least forty channels—though the difference didn’t seem huge, those few extra channels could take years, or even longer, to catch up.

Su Ye replied in a steady voice, “I won’t hold anyone back.”

“Good. The last person who spoke to me like that—his bones are dust now. Let me warn you all, the dangers inside are no joke. If you don’t wish to enter, stay put. When everyone else completes the mission, I’ll still give you the reward you want most.”

Steward Zhang ignored Su Ye after that, shaking his head as if Su Ye’s life or death was none of his concern.

He continued, “Remember, the water in the cave rises and falls unpredictably, and there are sea creatures inside. Your task is to go in and bring out the cold feast clam shells—the more, the better!”

At last, hearing those words, Su Ye’s eyes lit up.

So that was the Martial Alliance’s plan!