"Brother Chang is right, President, we have already decided a long time ago to live and die with the association."
"President, you don’t need to say anymore. We are not people who fear death."
Shi Tao’s eyes also became moist as he watched.
"Alright, in that case, we will stay together and wait for them to come to us."
"Mm!"
The group nodded heavily.
Just then, Shi Tao’s expression changed slightly, "You all go ahead and get busy, I’ll take a call."
"Okay."
Chang Fei was the first to respond. He put the Yellow Sand Tower into his pocket and led the group out.
Shi Tao took out his phone, and he was not surprised to see the number on the screen because there was only one person who had this number, Elder Wang.
But considering the current state of affairs, even Elder Wang couldn’t do anything about it.
He took a deep breath and pressed the answer button. At the same time, Elder Wang’s voice sounded from the other side.
"Shi Tao, I noticed that you called me several times earlier. Did something happen over at headquarters?"
"Yes, something did happen, but it’s mostly resolved now. Elder Wang, are you alright?"
Shi Tao asked with concern.
After all, finding it difficult to contact Elder Wang was almost unprecedented.
"Are you worried that something might have happened to me?"
Elder Wang stroked his beard and smiled appreciatively, "I did face some danger, but thankfully, I wasn’t injured."
Shi Tao suddenly thought of something and blurted out, "Elder Wang, did you go on an adventure in the Secret Realm?"
Given Elder Wang’s strength, the only place that he might consider dangerous had to be the Secret Realm.
If not for the sudden outbreak of the beast tide this time, Shi Tao would most likely be in the Secret Realm himself, not just for the Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures that you couldn’t find in the outside world, but because the cultivation speed was significantly faster inside.
"Yes."
Elder Wang smiled, "I was idling in Anshan City, so I thought, seeing that Chen Fan was under a lot of pressure, I would go into the Secret Realm and pick up one or two treasure medicines to help him increase his cultivation speed. With his potential, if he can break through to the Celestial Realm, he might be able to withstand even a Beast Emperor level Fierce Beast."
"Yes."
Shi Tao nodded upon hearing that.
Then he quickly asked, "What was the result?"
"Not bad."
Elder Wang said, "I managed to pick one treasure medicine. Unfortunately, the Demon Beasts in the Secret Realm sensed my presence, so I didn’t have time to pick a second one and had to rush to the exit. If I had been a step slower, I would have lost a leg."
"That dangerous?"
Shi Tao was secretly shocked.
After all, Elder Wang was a mid-stage Celestial Realm Martial Artist.
If he almost lost his life, what would happen if it was Shi Tao?
"Danger is natural."
Elder Wang laughed, "If it weren’t dangerous, those Noble Families would have occupied it long ago, turning it into their own territory, wouldn’t they?"
"That’s true."
Shi Tao nodded.
"Alright, now tell me what happened at headquarters?" Elder Wang asked.
"Well..."
Shi Tao forced a smile, "Elder Wang, before I tell you, I hope you can prepare yourself mentally."
"Oh?"
Upon hearing this, the smile on Elder Wang’s face froze.
"Go ahead."
"It’s like this..."
Shi Tao recounted the events, not hiding Ling Yu’s role in it.
"You mean that Chen Fan killed two Celestial Realm Martial Artists by himself?"
Elder Wang couldn’t believe what he was hearing.
He had heard of that Seventh Brother from the Song Family. Despite being only at the early stage of the Celestial Realm, his strength was not to be underestimated. Even Elder Wang wouldn’t be able to quickly decide a fight with him.
As for Carl from the Revival Association, Elder Wang didn’t know him well, but according to Shi Tao, Carl transformed into a Werewolf and withstood two hits from Chen Fan’s Giant Spirit Hand directly.
Someone who could achieve that just with their physical body was terrifying!
But even more terrifying was Chen Fan.
A True Essence Realm Martial Artist was able to kill two Celestial Realm Martial Artists?
Did that mean he hadn’t used his full strength during the last battle to defend the city?
"Yes, Elder Wang, I saw Chen Fan personally kill Carl. As for the Song Family’s Celestial Realm Martial Artist, Chen Fan lured him away and killed him. No one from our side or the Song Family witnessed it," Shi Tao continued, "But since then, the Song Family Ancestor hasn’t reappeared. If he were still alive, he wouldn’t have stayed hidden for so long."
"That’s true."
Elder Wang nodded, still filled with shock.
According to Shi Tao, Chen Fan killed Carl rapidly and had the advantage from the very beginning.
The way he killed the Song Family’s Seventh Brother might have been similar.
Thinking of this, Elder Wang’s forehead broke out in a cold sweat.
He himself hadn’t fought for many years, and while he might be able to win against the Song Family’s Seventh Brother, killing him outright would be another matter.
For Chen Fan to kill an opponent and then immediately return to kill another Celestial Realm Martial Artist, such performance was beyond what he could do.
Did that mean Chen Fan’s current strength was already above his own?
"No, it can’t be..."
He opened his mouth wide.
He was a mid-stage Celestial Realm Martial Artist!
Was his combat power actually inferior to that of a True Essence Realm Martial Artist?
"Is Chen Fan with you now?" he asked, recovering quickly.
"Chen Fan left shortly after the battle ended. I believe he is preparing for the fight that will happen in a day or two."
Shi Tao forced a smile, "Elder Wang, you know how formidable the Song Family is. They have three Celestial Realm Martial Artists. The first one that came was the weakest among them. The other two Song Family Ancestors will definitely rush here once they find out, wanting to slice us into pieces. Moreover, the Revival Association’s strength surpasses even the Song Family."
"I know that,"
Elder Wang inhaled sharply.
The Revival Association’s overall power was above most of Yan Country’s Noble Families.
However, because they were on Yan Country’s land, they didn’t dare to reveal their ambitions. After all, if all the Noble Families of Yan Country united, it wouldn’t be difficult to destroy the Revival Association.
The problem was that these Feng Country People were smart. They had relationships of mutual benefit with many Noble Families. If the Revival Association targeted them, some of Yan Country’s Noble Families might even send people to help.
It seemed the Jiangnan Martial Arts Association was headed for disaster.
"Shi Tao, what are you planning to do next?" Elder Wang asked.
"Elder Wang, what can I do?"
Shi Tao smiled bitterly, "To me, the Jiangnan Martial Arts Association is more important than my own life. I can’t just stand by and watch the association be destroyed."
"Oh, you foolish child."
Elder Wang sighed deeply, "Where there’s life, there’s hope. Even if it’s the Song Family, this world is big enough for us to find a place to stay."
"No, Elder Wang," Shi Tao immediately refused, "I have already made up my mind, so there’s no need to persuade me. I just hope that Chen Fan doesn’t follow us to the end. It wouldn’t be worth it for him. I hope you can find a way to ensure his safety.
I believe that once he breaks through to the Celestial Realm, neither the Song Family nor the Revival Association will be able to threaten him."
"Rest assured, I will do my best to keep him safe."
Elder Wang said firmly.
"With Elder Wang’s words, I can die with a smile on my face."
Shi Tao laughed, his tone free of burden.
"..."
Elder Wang opened his mouth but swallowed the words he was about to say.