Chapter 14: The Martial Gathering

Blue City. One of the major urban districts on Shanli Island, it boasts a population exceeding seventy thousand and covers a vast area. The production and processing industries here are relatively developed. A significant portion of the resources in Kui District are purchased from Blue City, while some of Kui District's processed goods are sent back here.

After parking the car, Zhang Ji and Master Kui proceeded with their attendants into the main administrative building. Following the incident in Ling City, the ruling authority had summoned Zhang Ji here, alongside seven other district overlords of Shanli Island who also served the Five-Form Sect.

Inside the elevator, Zhang Ji observed the surroundings. Compared to the outdated and dilapidated structures of Kui District, the urban planning here was superior—though not by much. The order, however, appeared chaotic at first glance. Beyond the factories that treated people as expendable resources, the streets themselves told a story.

Zhang Ji noticed numerous people sprawled haphazardly across the roads, small alleys openly hosting flesh trades, and discarded syringes and bottles of addictive substances littering the trash bins. Many moved like the walking dead, staggering along as if in a zombie film.

Addictive substances were strictly forbidden in Kui District. Although such drugs could be used to better control the populace, they also drove people to madness and irrationality. Master Kui preferred a more stable order.

“Gentlemen, we have arrived,” the attendant announced as the elevator doors opened, leading Zhang Ji and Master Kui to the conference room.

The door opened to reveal a hastily arranged meeting room: a long table surrounded by chairs, some already occupied by people engaged in quiet conversation. Zhang Ji and Master Kui each found an empty seat and began whispering to each other.

“That one is Blood Pigeon from Ning City District—dealing in human blood and organs,” Master Kui introduced.

“This one here is Scorpion from Gao City District—he supplies most of the addictive substances for the surrounding districts.”

“That fat man is Fat Bear, quite capable. He set up a firearms production line; most of our guns come from him. He remains neutral and deals only in arms—his power is considerable.”

These men were mostly a ragtag bunch, not a single professional fighter among them. The only one who caught Zhang Ji’s discerning eye was Fat Bear with his squinty eyes. Anyone able to traffic arms on Shanli Island was no simple character.

More importantly, Zhang Ji noticed that beneath Fat Bear’s fat lay muscle contours visible under his clothes. This man might well be a practitioner of the “Body Fortification” school. Zhang Ji recalled a martial art sect where the practitioners grew increasingly bulky, their bodies laden with fat. One master, only 1.5 meters tall and weighing over 300 kilograms, could tense this fat into a protective layer during combat, absorbing tremendous damage while continuously supplying stamina and energy. They could fight for three days and nights without pause.

Fat Bear was not quite as extreme, but standing at 1.8 meters with that bulk, he must weigh at least 100 kilograms. To carve out a reputation on Shanli Island with such a physique was no small feat.

Noticing Zhang Ji’s gaze, Fat Bear turned his head, locking eyes briefly and offering a genial smile. As a neutral party, he offended no one, considering everyone a potential business partner. Zhang Ji nodded in return, unwilling to provoke conflict without knowing the full picture.

More people arrived gradually until nearly noon, filling the room. There were eight overlords in total; the rest were followers. Zhang Ji and Master Kui counted as one overlord.

Among these eight overlords, the one with the most districts controlled held five, together commanding over 400,000 people on Shanli Island. Zhang Ji and his group controlled three districts plus Kui District, totaling four—placing them above average and among the top four.

The others had begun serving the Five-Form Sect earlier, so their seniority did not necessarily indicate greater ability. Incidentally, Fat Bear controlled two districts with sparse populations, which poorly matched his strength—a clear case of coasting.

Still, Zhang Ji admired his cleverness. There had originally been more people working for the Five-Form Sect, but the more aggressive ones had died—likely meeting fates similar to Zhang Ji’s previous district conquest, where they encountered something beyond the norm.

It was not just the Five-Form Sect taking action here.

After a while, Wang Quan entered with his retinue, ascending the dais. All eyes turned to him.

“I won’t waste time on pleasantries,” Wang Quan began. “We’ve addressed the recent unexpected incidents and reached an agreement. Continuing this conflict benefits no one. The martial arts world has its rules, so we’ve decided to hold a contest here in one month. The losing side must voluntarily withdraw.”

“Lord Quan, to call a halt now—isn’t that inappropriate?” someone asked.

“Not at all. It aligns perfectly with the rules and is the Five-Form Sect’s decision,” Wang Quan replied softly.

Though quiet, no one dared to object. The Five-Form Sect was too powerful; their decisions were final. Any dissent simply meant replacement—just as Zhang Ji had once killed a doubtful underling with a single punch and replaced him without fuss.

“Who will fight? How will the match proceed? What if the Five-Form Sect loses?” a voice questioned.

“The fighters will be you all. As for the rules, anything available here may be used. Should you win, the Five-Form Sect will grant you formal disciple status. Regardless of the outcome, you will be pardoned and may leave Shanli Island living as Five-Form disciples. As for losing…” Wang Quan paused, “To prevent either side from holding back, the consequences will extend beyond mere victory or defeat.”

“Does that mean death?” someone muttered.

“Therefore, I urge everyone to prepare thoroughly and leave no stone unturned,” Wang Quan said calmly.

The eight overlords fell silent. Some did not wish to participate, but no one dared refuse.

Zhang Ji frowned. Though resolving conflicts through martial contests was common in their world and part of the rules, if the Five-Form Sect held an advantage, they would never have agreed to this match. Coupled with the earlier battle where opponents even brought small rockets, it was clear the opposing side had certain advantages.

This contest was an unrestricted fight—anything one could seize was fair game. Would the opponents even bring out mechs? Was it wise for the Five-Form Sect to agree?

Yet they were no fools; they would not undertake a fight they could not win. There must be information Zhang Ji was missing.

“If there are no further questions, please return and prepare. Time is short,” Wang Quan said.

Hearing this, an impatient man stood, greeted Wang Quan, and left with his group immediately.

Zhang Ji then asked, “Lord Quan, I seek some assistance.”

“Heavy weapons or combat exoskeletons are out of the question,” Wang Quan replied.

“No, I need some medicine. I was injured during a capture and would like some special remedies for recovery,” Zhang Ji explained.

Of course, he wasn’t seeking healing medicines. Zhang Ji wanted drugs to aid his martial training—specifically for practicing the “Iron Cloth” technique. Though he still had some ointments for the “Raccoon Claw” skill, all the “Iron Cloth” medicines were used up, and Master Kui could not gather more quickly. These medicines, though not as rare as those for “Raccoon Claw,” were still difficult to obtain. Kui’s supply could last Wu Chen and the others a year, but Zhang Ji consumed his allotment in a month, leaving the Five-Form Sect as the only quick source.

“Write down what you need, up to one million in value. I’ll arrange to have it ready within three days,” Wang Quan answered.

“Thank you, Lord Quan,” Zhang Ji bowed respectfully.

Others present realized that while forbidden items were unattainable, some permitted goods could be acquired through the Five-Form Sect.

“Lord Quan, I need some large parts—the vehicle was damaged on arrival…”

As the district overlords departed Blue City, Wang Quan sought out Li Long.

“Ah Long, if we lose, it will be hard to justify to our sect,” Wang Quan said.

“Lose? Is that possible?” Li Long retorted.

“Pang Yanyang of Qianshan Sect has been a grandmaster for twenty years—he’s no pushover,” Wang Quan warned.

“Barely crossed grandmaster at fifty-plus, no progress for years. Just him?” Li Long scoffed.

Having become a grandmaster in his early twenties, Li Long had every right to disdain old, stagnant fighters like Pang Yanyang.

“Still, it’s a series of battles. Caution is wise. Their main target is you,” Wang Quan said.

Wang Quan knew the Qianshan Sect agreed to this contest precisely to draw Li Long out. Otherwise, holding the advantage, they wouldn’t engage in such a game. The martial arts world had its rules: should Li Long die in the contest, no one could blame the rivals or seek revenge.

The two sects bore deep grudges, and Li Long’s momentum was threatening. Qianshan Sect had no intention of letting him escape unscathed.

Their plan was to lure Li Long into the arena, wear him down with others, then strike decisively to eliminate the threat forever.

Li Long, however, sneered with contempt. “They’re overthinking it. A bunch of insignificant dogs—combined, they’re still not a match.”

With that, Li Long thrust his palm forward.

“Whoosh! Boom!”

A violent gust erupted, and a faint translucent dragon-shaped aura smashed into a distant metallic humanoid target, pulverizing it instantly.

“Five Elements Unified? Ah Long, have you comprehended it?” Wang Quan exclaimed.

“Just grasped a hint. Give me two more years, and I should master it fully.” Li Long pressed down gently with both hands on his chest, calming the internal energy as he spoke.

Wang Quan regarded the figure before him with a complex expression. This was a true genius. To one unfamiliar with martial arts, he seemed an immovable mountain; to one who trained, he was as vast as the blue sky.