The moon was dark and the wind was high.

Chen Changsheng had flown on his sword for an entire night, and a wave of fatigue began to set in.

He sheathed his long sword and descended into the Savage Forest, gathered some wood, and built a fire.

As he lit the firewood, the blinding flames instantly illuminated the entire forest.

Chen Changsheng then sat under a pine tree and took out a jug of wine to drink.

Just then, he sensed footsteps approaching, though they were very light.

A powerful pressure enveloped him.

Soon, a figure in a black robe appeared in front of him, wearing a black hat that only revealed a pair of bright eyes, holding a blood-colored long sword in hand.

"Who are you?"

Upon seeing the person, Chen Changsheng showed no signs of panic and replied with a calm expression.

The person’s eyes flickered with hesitation, as if they were caught in an inner struggle.

Now Zhao Daoran had become the hierarch of the Blackwater Alliance, while he himself was merely one of the Ten Warlords.

Zhao Daoran’s authority surpassed his by two levels; if he didn’t kill this person, he couldn’t maintain his position as one of the Ten Warlords.

However, if he killed this person, he would undoubtedly offend Tianyong Mountain.

Moreover, he had no grievance or enmity with the person before him, and felt reluctant to kill them.

At this moment, he found himself in a difficult position.

"I am one of the Ten Warlords of the Blackwater Alliance. The hierarch sent me to kill you, but I do not wish to. What do you think I should do?"

Long Yan sheathed his long sword and sat by the fire, also removing his veil to reveal a handsome face.

Hearing this, Chen Changsheng replied calmly.

"Not long ago, you and Zhao Daoran were both Warlords. Today, are you willing to serve him, to kill at his behest?"

Long Yan trembled at these words; without a doubt, Chen Changsheng’s words struck a chord in his heart.

He indeed did not want Zhao Daoran to tread on him.

"If I don’t kill you, Zhao Daoran surely won’t let me off."

Long Yan’s eyes showed worry; the entire Blackwater Secret Realm was under Blackwater Alliance’s influence, so even if he fled, where could he go?

"Actually, you don’t need to flee. Zhao Daoran’s foundation is still unstable; his strength is on par with yours. You can completely kill him and take his place."

"Take his place?"

At these words, Long Yan’s eyes suddenly became somewhat passionate. Who wouldn’t want to be the Alliance Hierarch?

But he was still somewhat worried, as he had never been the hierarch, and even sitting in that position, he might not manage it well.

"Brother, you really overestimate me. What do I have that qualifies me to be Acting Alliance Leader?"

Long Yan smiled wryly.

Seeing this, Chen Changsheng thought for a moment and said.

"If you kill me, you can return to Zhao Daoran and report mission accomplished, of course, and live some peaceful days. Yet, as the ancients said: ’sweet first, bitter later.’"

"Think carefully!"

After speaking, Chen Changsheng closed his eyes, indicating ’do as you wish.’

Long Yan picked up the long sword on the ground, hesitated for a moment, then turned and disappeared into the forest.

The next day, Chen Changsheng continued his journey and soon reached the foot of Tianyong Mountain.

"Safe!"

Looking at the tavern at the foot of Tianyong Mountain, Chen Changsheng let out a breath of relief.

Originally, Tianyong Mountain was poor, with few taverns at its foot, and even fewer people singing and performing in them.

But ever since Wang Ye became Sect Master, Tianyong Mountain had become prosperous step by step, naturally boosting consumption, with taverns lining both sides of the Blackwater River at the mountain’s base.

The lights were bright!

Looking at the familiar tavern, he fell into memories.

There was a time when he too idled in the taverns.

Just then, a scorching Sword Qi burst open at his back, and in an instant, a long sword blazing with flames landed on his back.

"Careful!"

A cry of alarm sounded out at that moment.

A massive coldness suddenly appeared on his back.

Startled, Chen Changsheng quickly darted forward.

At that moment, a graceful figure swept past him—it was Xia Yurou from Saintess Peak.

Xia Yurou, dressed in snow-white robes, held a transparent long sword in her hand.

Meanwhile, Long Yan, holding a flaming long sword, stared coldly at Chen Changsheng.

"Kid, consider yourself lucky."

"Tianyong Mountain truly is full of hidden dragons and crouching tigers!"

With that, Long Yan transformed into a blood-red flame and soared into the sky.

Seeing Long Yan leave, Xia Yurou sheathed her long sword, and the ice on the ground immediately melted into wisps of white mist rising into the air.

"Thank you, Master Xia."

Chen Changsheng was startled, thinking that if Master Xia hadn’t assisted, his life would have ended here.

Hearing this, Xia Yurou coldly said.

"Thank our Sect Master if you want to thank anyone."

"Thank the Sect Master!"

Chen Changsheng was puzzled, wondering why he should thank the Sect Master when it was Master Xia who saved him.

Seeing Chen Changsheng’s confusion, Xia Yurou quickly explained.

"Just yesterday, the Sect Master detected a mysterious expert appearing at the foot of the mountain, so he sent me to investigate. I happened to witness your assassination attempt."

Upon hearing that, Chen Changsheng was exceedingly shocked.

A year ago, the Sect Master’s strength was nowhere near his own, yet today his strength had increased hundreds of times.

He himself only sensed Long Yan’s presence when he came near.

But the Sect Master, still on Tianyong Mountain, could sense Long Yan’s arrival.

"Thank the Sect Master."

Chen Changsheng exclaimed in disbelief.

Reflecting on Long Yan’s actions, he felt a wave of fear.

Long Yan’s strength was indeed profound, having arrived at the foot of Tianyong Mountain a day before himself.

And he acted when Chen Changsheng had let his guard down, the planning and foresight surely not simple.

No wonder he was one of the Blackwater Alliance’s Ten Warlords.

Meanwhile, Long Yan, holding the Long Yan Sword, had returned to the Blackwater Alliance.

Soon he entered the Blackwater Palace and stood before Zhao Daoran. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

Zhao Daoran, holding a teacup, stared coldly at Long Yan, and after a moment, asked.

"You couldn’t even kill Chen Changsheng of Tianyong Mountain?"

Hearing this, Long Yan was confused; how did Zhao Daoran know he failed to kill Chen Changsheng?

Could it be the Hierarch had been secretly tracking him all along? Thinking about being followed the whole way without noticing, Long Yan felt a sense of dread.

"Killing Chen Changsheng is no challenge, but a mysterious expert appeared midway, adept in Cold Water Cultivation Technique, my natural nemesis. Thus, my plan was thwarted."

Long Yan confessed honestly.

Zhao Daoran stared at Long Yan coldly, shook his head slightly, and then set his teacup down on the table.

"I don’t want to hear so many excuses. Failure is failure. Prepare to hand over your position as Warlord; you no longer have the qualifications. From now on, you can guard the gate."

Upon hearing this, Long Yan was furious and coldly retorted.

"I was appointed one of the Ten Warlords by the previous hierarch, and as Acting Hierarch, you have no authority to remove my position."