Chapter 671 22: Arrival

After settling the messenger, Elder Gan took the letter and hurried to find Tarlu. He dismissed the few students who were seeking instruction and said with a grave expression, "Tarlu, a letter has come from Anyao Hall."

Hearing the name Anyao Hall, Tarlu's expression turned serious. She took the letter and opened it.

Her eyes fell upon the elegant Dashun Golden Pavilion Style script. It began with a string of routine greetings, then briefly recalled the history between the two sects, before getting to its true purpose.

It said that the two sects had a tradition of exchanging techniques that dated back to the old era.

When the previous Tarlu was in charge, the two sects had also sparred. Therefore, this time, Anyao Hall intended to send disciples to have a match with the current Tarlu.

Although the tone seemed humble and polite, it was actually more of a notice. It simply informed them of what Anyao Hall was going to do, without any regard for their thoughts on the matter.

Elder Gan said worriedly, "They're not coming with good intentions. And to come at a time like this… Anyao Hall is after the Rift. If they bring that *thing* with them, then as soon as Mr. Chen begins his training at night, they'll likely discover the Rift's existence."

Tarlu asked, "Elder Gan, is that thing really in their hands?"

Elder Gan said, "Your master mentioned this. It's very likely."

Back when the Fist Sect master of the Single Stream Hall fought the Sword Sect master of Anyao Hall, he had been carrying a personal token. That item was said to be able to sense the existence of a Rift from a great distance.

However, the Rift had long since vanished by then, and everyone in the Hall believed it was gone for good. The item was thus left with only commemorative value. But since the body of that predecessor was never returned, it was most likely taken by the people of Anyao Hall.

But the previous Tarlu found the Rift again, which made that item valuable once more. Anyao Hall might have guessed its purpose. If they bring it with them this time and set foot on the island, they could discover the Rift's true location through the strange phenomena that occur when Chen Chuan begins his training at night.

In truth, even making Chen Chuan stop his training would be useless. With the Ferris Wheel Company gone, the Single Stream Hall was destined to be coveted by Anyao Hall. This period was their last and best window of opportunity to achieve their goal. They would stop at nothing to find the Rift.

If they really couldn't find it, they probably wouldn't allow anyone else to have it either. It was hard to say what Anyao Hall might do, and that was what worried Elder Gan the most.

He thought for a moment and said, "Tarlu, our strength alone is not enough to deal with Anyao Hall. We must discuss this with Mr. Chen."

Tarlu nodded. "Let's go find Mr. Chen."

Chen Chuan was currently sitting before the Lotus Seat. Sensing two people approaching, he opened his eyes, stood up, and turned to say, "Is Anyao Hall making its move?"

Elder Gan was involuntarily surprised. "Mr. Chen, how did you know?"

Chen Chuan smiled. "Your spirits have already told me what you're about to face."

He sensed that their Domains and spirits were in a state of extreme vigilance and readiness, as if provoked by the presence of a powerful opponent. Tarlu, however, was more active and spirited, clearly not just afraid of the opponent, but also looking forward to the challenge.

'The most likely cause for such a reaction is the Anyao Hall we discussed before.'

His relaxed demeanor helped Elder Gan relax a little. He composed himself and said, "Anyao Hall just sent a letter, but it's no different from a challenge. Their people will probably be here within the next two days."

Chen Chuan nodded slightly. 'I was prepared for this. If an action team from the Lynx Federation like Uteco has taken notice of Feiguang Island, how could a power like Anyao Hall, which has long had its eyes on the Single Stream Hall, possibly let this place go?'

'If they miss this window of opportunity, they won't get another chance.'

He said to the two of them, "Elder, Tarlu, I've said it before. We are both of the Pure Sect, and this matter involves me as well. I will stand with you."

Hearing this, Elder Gan felt much more at ease. Setting aside Chen Chuan's performance last night, the fact that he could see the Secret Technique's inheritance gave him a great deal of confidence.

After all, the previous Tarlu was already in his forties or fifties before he could see those things. He remembered that the old Tarlu at that time was incredibly powerful. In the waters of the Outer Ocean, aside from a few Sword Sect masters who never showed themselves in public, he had almost no worthy opponents.

'Even if Mr. Chen can't reach that level,' he thought, 'as long as he's close, he should be able to handle whoever Anyao Hall sends.' However, one worry remained.

He said, "This time, Anyao Hall will likely send their head disciple, Nakagami Hiroshi."

Chen Chuan had heard this name during his conversations with Mishiro Ara and had learned a little about him indirectly, but that was all. Since Mishiro Ara had never met the man either, Chen Chuan asked, "How strong is Nakagami Hiroshi?"

Elder Gan said, "His natural talent is said to be only average. If it were just him, it shouldn't be difficult for you to handle, Mr. Chen. But…

"The old Tarlu said before he passed away that each generation's head disciple of Anyao Hall isn't necessarily the strongest in terms of fighting ability, but they are definitely the one most capable of bearing the Sword Sect master's spiritual imprint."

Chen Chuan's heart stirred. 'A spiritual imprint?' He was reminded of Jian Chengsheng.

"The old Tarlu said that all the Fighting Halls in the Outer Ocean that have survived to this day have techniques for entrusting their spirit to their disciples. Some methods are gentler, some are cruder, and for others, it's a necessary part of their training. Anyao Hall's method is somewhere between the latter two.

"Nakagami Hiroshi was able to become the head disciple, according to Anyao Hall's longstanding tradition, not because of how well he learned the Secret Transmissions, but because he is the most suitable for receiving his master's power."

Perhaps fearing that this would intimidate Chen Chuan, he added, "However, the Sword Sect master's power is too immense. Although a disciple can receive his power, there's a limit to how much they can bear. So, his strength shouldn't reach a level that's impossible to contend with."

Chen Chuan nodded. The explanation was reasonable. Even if there were exceptions, it wasn't incomprehensible. He said sincerely,

"You two, if Nakagami Hiroshi comes to the island and issues a challenge for a duel, then please leave him to me. Although I am not a member of the Single Stream Hall, you are my comrades in the Pure Sect. Not to mention, this is a matter I cannot avoid either."

Elder Gan said with great gratitude, "Mr. Chen, thank you." Then, with a solemn expression, he continued, "In that case, Tarlu and I will go and give Anyao Hall our formal reply."

Chen Chuan nodded.

After the two left, he thought to himself, 'An opponent like this will surely be a great help in developing my own Power.' Then he turned and sat down before the Lotus Seat once more.

「Seven days later.」

A ferry braved the massive waves and sailed into Luo Wang Island. After the vessel docked, several Fighters dressed in traditional clothing with their hair in topknots disembarked into the pouring rain.

They were wearing the Fighting Suits of Anyao Hall.

Disciples of the three great halls were numerous in the Outer Ocean, and the Fighting Halls had many branch locations, but only those from the main hall were permitted to wear these suits. This made the people at the port give them a few extra glances.

These people surrounded a short, frail person in their midst. From his figure alone, he looked like a young boy, but his face was that of a young man.

The man had a somewhat dazed look on his face, as if he weren't very intelligent, yet his entourage treated him with extreme respect.

Just then, the frail young man turned his head, then suddenly broke away from the group and started walking in a certain direction. The people behind him hurried to grab him, saying, "We need to find a place to stay first. We'll head to Feiguang Island when the weather improves. Please, come this way."

The frail young man looked at him, his eyes growing even more dazed. The others also came up and carefully coaxed him until they finally led him back into the group. They then headed toward a hotel that had been arranged for them in advance.

「Two days later.」

The gale that had been blowing for more than ten days weakened slightly. The messenger arrived on the island once more, delivering another letter into Elder Gan's hands.

This was the second letter from Anyao Hall. It stated that they had already arrived on Luo Wang Island and were preparing to come to the island to pay a visit to Tarlu of the Single Stream Hall.

Elder Gan's brows furrowed tightly.

'Judging by their travel time, the people from Anyao Hall must have set out on the same day they sent the letter, without waiting for our reply. It shows that while they made some superficial gestures, that's all they were.'

He looked at his watch. They would be arriving in about half an Hour. They were pressing in step by step, leaving no room for a reaction.

He let out a breath, selected a few disciples from the Fighting Hall, and led them down to the docks to wait. Before long, they saw a sailboat approaching from the sea.

As the boat drew near and docked, disciples in Anyao Hall attire disembarked one by one. Their gazes were sharp as they walked, and each kept a hand on the Long Blade at their waist, looking ready to strike at any moment.

Elder Gan walked forward. The group turned to look at him in unison, their gazes like daggers.

He remained calm and walked up to them, saying in a deep voice, "I am Gan Guo, an instructor at the Single Stream Hall. Tarlu sent me to welcome you all." As he spoke, he gave a slight bow.

The group watched him for a moment before one of them stepped forward and returned the bow.

"I am Shigen Hachi, a disciple of Anyao Hall. On our master's orders, I have accompanied my senior brother to visit our counterparts at the Single Stream Hall. Please forgive our intrusion."

"Ah, Mr. Shigen." Elder Gan glanced behind him and said, "Might I ask which of you is Mr. Nakagami?"

Shigen Hachi's expression turned solemn. He straightened up, took a step to the side, and revealed the dazed, short, and frail young man. He announced gravely, "This is the head disciple of our Anyao Hall, Nakagami Hiroshi."

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