. Outside Fengcheng, dozens of figures stood in mid-air, their momentum surging.
On one side, the leaders of the three major factions led the charge, followed by five Dou Wang-level warriors from various factions.
The other side was no less powerful, and even outnumbered!
The leader had white hair and beard, and a gaunt face, but his aura overwhelmed the others!
"Old Man Ban, what do you mean by this? Are you trying to provoke our three major factions?" Yin Gu Lao, who was very familiar with the old man, spoke first.
The old man he was referring to was called Ban Lao. No one knew his specific name, but it was known that he rose to fame decades ago and was terrifyingly powerful, at least a seven-star Dou Huang!
Of the three major factions, Tie Wu and Su Mei were of similar strength, both at the peak of the four-star Dou Huang realm. Elder Yin Gu was one star higher than the other two, a five-star Dou Huang...
But facing the seven-star Dou Huang, even two of them combined couldn't guarantee victory. Adding another Dou Huang and the group of Dou Wangs to the mix, the three factions could be defeated.
Su Mei and the other two were furious. They hadn't expected to face the other top-tier factions they'd anticipated, but instead, these lone rangers from the Black Horn Territory, leaping out and trying to snatch their prey from the tiger's mouth!
This only made things even more difficult!
With the combined might of the three major factions, any intervention would have to consider whether they could withstand retaliation from the three.
But these lone rangers were different...
These hyenas from the Black Horn Territory would simply tear a piece of flesh from you and run away, leaving you with no chance for revenge.
Looking at the grim-faced leaders of the three factions, the old man known as Old Man Ban smiled sinisterly and said in a hoarse voice, "Hey, Old Man Yin, stop spouting such useless nonsense. Now that we're all here, can you really let us go back empty-handed?"
Old Man Yin Gu's face darkened even further. He exchanged a glance with Su Mei and the others, and after a moment, he said, "We, the three major factions, are willing to share 10% of our supplies with you, but you must leave Fengcheng immediately!"
"Hahaha, 10%? You're giving it to beggars? Even if I agree, do you think these people behind me will agree?" Old Man Ban laughed.
As soon as he finished speaking, the people behind him instantly started to make a commotion, shouting "Not enough, not enough!" Some even shouted that they wanted to rush in and drive the three major factions out!
"Haha, did you hear that? That's our answer!" Old Man Ban's face hardened and he said sinisterly.
Tiewu's face was filled with rage, his fists clenched. He swept his gaze across the group opposite him and shouted harshly, "It seems you're determined to challenge our three great factions!"
"Hmph!" A strange middle-aged Dou Huang standing beside Ban Lao snorted coldly. Though he remained silent, the disdain on his face was clear.
"Alright!"
Tiewu's voice was chilling.
He telegraphed to the two men beside him, "Master Su and I will hold that old man Ban for a while. Elder Yingu, you quickly capture the other Dou Huang. Then, the three of us will work together to teach that old man Ban a lesson!"
He didn't say he would kill them. After all, while a Seven-Star Dou Huang might not be able to defeat the three of them combined, it would still be easy for him to escape.
"Alright!" Su Mei and Elder Yingu agreed simultaneously.
"Kill all three great factions!"
With Tiewu's roar, a melee erupted instantly.
...
...
Vigorous Dou Qi surged from Mo Tang's body, and the overwhelming momentum caused many faces to change color.
Among the three major factions, the most powerful Dou Wang powerhouse was undoubtedly Blood Lion, leader of the Blood Lion Gang, who had accompanied Tie Wu.
Su Mei's previous investigation had revealed this old man to be a mere five-star Dou Wang. But after his sudden outburst, everyone was astonished to discover that he was actually a seven-star Dou Wang, on par with Han Beng!
With this furious lion, he instantly held off two Dou Wangs and even gained the upper hand.
This scene delighted everyone from the three major factions.
Initially, due to their limited numbers, they had assumed they could only hold out, waiting for the outcome of the battle between the Dou Huangs to determine the outcome.
But now, it seemed the situation wasn't so harsh for them.
Mo Tang's opponent was a two-star Dou Wang of comparable strength. During the exchange, both men realized the other's considerable strength and decided not to fight desperately.
Mo Tang was naturally pleased to see this happen.
The benefits of this battle had already been secured. While he would receive a small share of the spoils upon his return, it was merely symbolic, and Mo Tang might not even consider them.
Therefore, he was somewhat passive in the ensuing battle...
As for those below the Dou Wang level, they could only watch helplessly as the battle unfolded in the sky.
They weren't even qualified to participate...
However, they were not without a mission. At the very least, they had to blockade the entire entrance to Fengcheng and key commercial locations to prevent anyone from taking advantage of the chaos and looting.
Amidst the sky, immense Dou Qi energy dissipated, and waves of thunder shook the minds of the multitude of onlookers below.
Watching the fiercest battle, many shuddered inwardly, trembling as they asked, "Who exactly is that old man? He's capable of simultaneously withstanding attacks from the leader of the Mad Lion Gang and the leader of the Rakshasa Sect, two Black List masters. Why have I never heard of him?"
Before he could finish his words, someone nearby cursed with disdain.
"You're just too ignorant!"
"You don't even recognize Elder Ban, the fourth-ranked master on the Black List?"
The man, however, didn't seem angry at the other's scorn. Instead, he exclaimed in shock, "Fourth on the Black List! Doesn't that mean this Dou Huang master is second only to the legendary Elders Gold and Silver and Medicine Emperor Han Feng in the Black Horn Region?"
His words again drew sneers from the nearby residents of the Black Horn Region.
"I can tell you're just a stinking outsider. You know nothing. You're so ignorant!"
The gray-clad old woman who spoke took two steps forward with a smug look on her face, leaning on her cane. Then, amidst the mixed gazes of the crowd, she said smugly, "Old Black Horn Territory people like us all know that although the Black List is filled with renowned experts within the Black Horn Territory, not all experts care about such empty reputations..."
"As far as I know, there are several who are far more powerful than those on the Black List..."
"Little ones, don't look at me as a mere Dou Ling, but I'm a native of the Black Horn Territory. Look at the sky-high lines on my forehead; they were left when I watched two superpowers fight. I'm not bragging, I..."
The old woman, who was so excited about her talk, didn't even notice that many of the people around her had quietly begun to leave her side, their attention refocused on this rare and extraordinary battle.
It will be available on Friday. Five chapters will be updated once it's available, plus three more chapters, for a total of eight. I hope everyone will contribute a first order by then...
(End of this chapter)