Suo Fengxiang's eyes brightened slightly.

"Indeed, there is such a possibility. I have heard that Senior Brother You has some connections with people from the Dark Hall; perhaps he has received a new task and that's why he has vanished. Surely, it's not because he wants to avoid me!"

The more Suo Fengxiang thought about it, the more she felt that there was nothing wrong with this reasoning, and her mood improved considerably.

"Right, perhaps it's an order from Lady Zhuo Xueer herself. No, I must go and ask Lady Zhuo Xueer. You should come with me."

"Ah? Me?"

Fang Yu was planning to go directly to see the Hall Master and did not want to waste time with Zhuo Xueer.

But before Fang Yu had a chance to refuse, another voice rose from behind.

"Diao Deyi? Senior Sister Suo? Why are you two still here? Hurry up and join us at Stormwind Tower."

Fang Yu turned around to see.

[Qian Bei: 405/800.]

It was Qian Bei.

Fang Yu looked puzzled, and Suo Fengxiang was also confused.

Qian Bei quickly realized that the two of them had not yet received the news.

He immediately explained succinctly.

"Lady Zhuo Xueer has officially issued the examination task for the position of Reserve Deputy Captain; everyone is being called to gather right now."

Upon hearing this, both revealed surprised expressions and exchanged glances.

The examination task for the position of Reserve Deputy Captain? It has started at such a time?

Fang Yu felt something was amiss but couldn't pinpoint what it was.

But since it was just a matter of visiting Zhuo Xueer first and then finding the Hall Master, he suppressed the doubts in his heart.

The three of them walked together, with more and more people heading to Stormwind Tower along the way.

"They are all Lady Zhuo Xueer's rivals," whispered Qian Bei.

During the last great battle between the Li Family and the Lin Family, he was overturned by a hammer strike from He Bashan, and his injuries had yet to fully heal, so his voice was somewhat hoarse.

The recovery ability of most Martial Artists, like Qian Bei, was actually not strong. A serious injury could take a long time to heal, possibly leaving lingering effects, chronic issues, and impacting their Martial Arts cultivation.

Liu Ningran, who was attacked by Li Xunxue, was still in a coma. While her life was not in danger, her recovery would be challenging. Fang Yu thought he might need to visit and check on her situation when he has time, as she was injured while doing a task for him, after all.

Lost in thought, Fang Yu soon arrived at Stormwind Tower. Gathering his thoughts, he strode in, but behind him, he heard someone say...

"I heard that the Yangshen Hall Master has awakened!"

Fang Yu's steps halted abruptly, and after a moment's hesitation, he still entered Stormwind Tower.

A burst of noisy voices immediately filled his ears.

But the content of the discussions was not the examination tasks for the positions of the Reserve Deputy Captains, but rather the news that the Yangshen Hall Master, Wu Lvzhu, had awakened.

Fang Yu looked toward Qian Bei, then at Suo Fengxiang—both shook their heads.

Clearly, they were unaware.

Fang Yu prepared to casually inquire someone for details, but then he saw Zhuo Xueer walking towards him, with a serious expression.

"Are only a few of you here? Where are the others? Are they not coming, or have they not arrived yet?"

Zhuo Xueer's voice was cold, and it was unclear what had happened.

Thud thud thud.

Just then, a group of young men and women entered Stormwind Tower and walked towards them.

[Cheng He: 560/560.]

[Fei Zizhuo: 513/513.]

[Chu Mingbao: 732/732.]

[Long Zehui: 1000/1000.]

[Jing Lingxiu: 555/555.]

Fang Yu did not recognize the others, but he had some recollection of the person in the lead—it was none other than Liu Ningran's childhood friend.

But... are they Zhuo Xueer's people???

Fang Yu had not previously acted together with them, had he?

"Lady Zhuo Xueer!"

"Lady Zhuo Xueer."

Long Zehui led the way in saluting, and the others followed suit.

"What is this..."

Zhuo Xueer wore a puzzled look.

"I'm here to replace Ran Ran. She's seriously injured and undergoing treatment but she's still concerned about you, Lady, so she asked me to help. The others have come along with me to lend a hand."

With this explanation from Long Zehui, Zhuo Xueer instantly understood and felt touched.

At a critical time, it was still Liu Ningran one could count on; even if she couldn't come herself, she made sure to send someone to help. This was true sisterly loyalty!

Zhuo Xueer couldn't help but glance at someone as she spoke.

"Suo Fengxiang, where is You Shuyang? Why hasn't he arrived?"

Suo Fengxiang was stunned.

"Lady Zhuo Xueer, you don't know the whereabouts of Senior Brother You either?"

Zhuo Xueer's gaze grew colder.

Missing?

She thought her most capable subordinate would be there when needed most, but now, at this crucial juncture, they were nowhere to be found.

No matter, she thought, first overcome this hurdle, then settle scores after autumn.

Her eyes moved to Fang Yu.

Zhuo Xueer's expression softened slightly; the most reliable sidekick now was this newcomer—what an odd twist of fortune... she didn't know what to say.

As she pondered, a grating voice suddenly rang out.

"Yo, yo, yo, isn't this our genius girl, Zhuo Xueer! Not seen you for days, you look rather down? How come you've lost more than half your people at such a critical time? And that guy who always has a cold expression, wasn't he your trusted general? Isn't he with you?"

Zhuo Xueer immediately glared ahead angrily.

"What do you mean by 'looks rather down'? I don't understand what you're talking about, Jing Chulan, don't think you have it in the bag. I'll fight you for the promotion slot!"

This is… a battle for family honor! I must restore the glory of the Zhuo Family!

While Zhuo Xueer glared at her opponent, she didn't notice that Diao Deyi at her side had, for some reason, suddenly become stunned.

This guy, why does his tone sound… so familiar????

Such a thing shouldn't be possible, right??

It was in the moment of Fang Yu's bewilderment, a group of people walked onto the stage, led by a somewhat familiar name.

[Zhang Zhenyi:455/5000.]

Wait a minute! Wasn't that the name Zhuo Xueer had mentioned before?

"It's Captain Zhang Zhenyi!"

"The Wind Team Captain from Yangshen Hall personally came all this way; this assessment task won't be simple."

"Nonsense, when has it ever been simple, this is an assessment task for a deputy captain promotion!"

Sporadic murmurs rose then quickly fell silent, as if the crowd quieted down voluntarily as the person took the stage.

Only then did Fang Yu realize that this person whom Zhuo Xueer had mentioned that day was the captain of their Yangshen Hall's Wind Team!

But... why was this guy's health so depleted?

Fang Yu was puzzled, and at the same time, the person overhead had already begun to speak.

...

Thunder City.

Ten towering iron pillars stood within the city, each representing one of Thunder City's ten districts.

Each of these ten districts was controlled by one of the Ten Major Families, responsible for the daily maintenance of the pillars.

With dark clouds looming overhead, and lightning flashing from time to time, the entire town seemed to have an air of deadly sternness.

And at this moment, at the Bo family's grand house guarding the Mourning Pillar, a young woman was on the Martial Arts Training Ground, training her subordinates, and practicing the family's moves.

"This move is called 'Bo Heart Hand'; it can strike through the air..."

"Miss! Young miss!"

An elderly silver-haired nannie hurriedly ran over from a distance, interrupting the young woman's session.

The woman flicked her hair back and looked at the Bo family disciples below.

"You continue practicing."

She then walked over to the elderly nannie.

"Nannie, what brings you here in such a rush?"

The nannie was Bo Shan's nanny. Although she had no martial arts skills, she held a special and highly respected place in the young woman's heart.

Nannie usually acted with steadiness, rarely showing any signs of panic.

Could it be that something serious had happened?

Bo Shan quietly wondered.

The nannie caught her breath and didn't beat around the bush, saying directly.

"It's the ancestral monument, it's cracked!"

Bo Shan's pupils shrank.

And her expression immediately turned grave.

The ancestral monument—only direct descendants of the Bo family could have their names engraved upon it, and only in death would it crack.

A crack in the monument meant that someone... from the direct line of the Bo family had died!

"Who is it!"

Bo Shan asked almost suppressing her anger.

"We don't know yet, the master has asked for you to come over quickly and help investigate!"

Bo Shan took in a deep breath.

"I understand."

She strode away, with the nanny following close behind.

The disciples on the Martial Arts Training Ground, however, looked on with curiosity, yet none dared to speak out.

Within the Bo Family, those with loose tongues didn't live long.

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