The Taboo of the Ancient Martial World, The New Alliance Leader

That night, an ominous cloud shrouded the entire Ancient Martial World, blotting out the sky.

The dark mass loomed low over the earth like thick ink, suffocating and oppressive.

An aura of foreboding permeated the air, sending chills down the spine.

Countless black hands shot down from the clouds, slamming into the ground like demonic claws writhing in the darkness.

Each palm radiated an overwhelming pressure, as if intent on tearing the earth apart.

With each impact, a dull thud echoed, and the ground trembled violently.

Thick, black miasma seeped from the soil, spreading rapidly across the Ancient Martial World.

Like a noxious fog, it engulfed everything in its path—plants withered instantly upon contact, buildings corroded, and the stench of decay filled the air, sickening to the core.

Simultaneously, grotesque black creatures of varying sizes clawed their way out from fissures in the earth.

These abominations seemed summoned from the depths of hell, each exuding malice and bloodlust.

Their eyes glowed crimson, their shadowy forms writhing like specters in the dark.

Some resembled massive lizards, armored with jagged scales, while others bore humanoid shapes but sprouted multiple arms and razor-sharp claws. Still others twisted into incomprehensible horrors, as if woven from pure darkness.

As they emerged, their guttural growls reverberated through the night.

Martial artists across the Ancient Martial World fled in terror, hearts gripped by dread.

Those who inhaled the miasma turned purple and suffocated within moments.

The Martial Alliance, stationed in the realm, detected the anomaly and swiftly activated a teleportation array to evacuate survivors.

Yet, just as the last group escaped, the corruption reached the Alliance’s stronghold, tainting it in their wake.

...

...

The next morning.

Martial Alliance headquarters.

Conference room.

With Long Tianyuan dead, Leng Qingqiu took charge as acting leader.

As humanity’s strongest combatant, she now shouldered the Alliance’s responsibilities.

Reports flooded in from every department.

A surveillance officer pointed to the projected images. "Look—the Ancient Martial World appears encased in an ancient barrier.

We can’t enter, and the creatures inside can’t break free."

The display rendered the realm in 3D, revealing a dark seal encircling its borders.

Live footage showed the monsters hurling themselves against the barrier, futilely attempting escape.

Likewise, the Alliance found no way to breach it.

Leng Qingqiu pieced together the truth in silence.

If her suspicions were correct, this was Gu Yan’s doing.

Outwardly, she remained composed. "How many were evacuated from the Ancient Martial World?"

Another officer replied grimly, "Most made it out, but a small number were left behind... presumed dead."

Her fist clenched briefly before relaxing. "Understood."

She surveyed the room, strategizing their next move.

Inside the sealed realm, the monsters multiplied, and eerie flora erupted from the earth.

She took a moment to sense her surroundings. While the situation in other regions remained unclear, at the very least, all demonic creatures within Jianghai City had vanished without a trace.

This indicated that Gu Yan had relocated the creatures and sealed them within the barrier.

Considering the signs of the trapped creatures attempting to break free, it was highly likely that something terrifying enough to frighten even them existed inside the barrier.

So, was Gu Yan’s move beneficial or harmful? At first glance... it seemed like he was buying time for the Martial Alliance to grow stronger.

Leng Qingqiu pushed aside the distracting thoughts in her mind, her voice turning firm and composed. "Our immediate priority is to ensure all displaced civilians are properly relocated and cared for. Next, we must quickly mobilize forces to guard the borders of the former Ancient Martial Realm and reinforce defenses to prevent the demonic creatures from spreading."

"Lastly—and most crucially—we must continue expanding our recruitment of martial artists. By the end of this year, our ranks must be fully replenished!"

"Yes!"

The assembled members immediately sprang into action.

Soon, the meeting room was empty.

Leng Qingqiu stood up and let out a quiet sigh.

She knew Gu Yan’s arrangements were far from arbitrary—there had to be a deeper purpose behind them.

But... she couldn’t fathom why he would trap so many demonic creatures.

Was it purely to give the Martial Alliance time to develop? If so, why would he go to such lengths?

And...

"Gu Yan... what exactly are you doing now?"

The thought lingered in her mind, and for some reason, an uneasy feeling welled up in her chest.

This unease... it had to be connected to him.

......

In an opulent, ancient estate...

A vigorous old man sat before a chessboard, listening to his subordinate’s report. Across from him sat a young man with a perpetually amused smile.

After hearing the report, the young man glanced at the elder and remarked, "Grandfather, it seems Leng Qingqiu has no intention of entertaining our offer."

"Hmph! Useless fools! Can’t even bring one person to heel!"

The old man was one of the three elders who had previously knelt in the secret chamber. His expression darkened at the news.

He had extended a sincere invitation, yet she dared to refuse?

Fine.

The elder turned to his favored descendant and said coldly, "Tianyun, prepare yourself to assume the position of Martial Alliance leader."

"Yes, Grandfather!"

Long Tianyun’s eyes gleamed with delight as he rose and bowed in gratitude.

At last...

Long Tianyuan, my dear elder brother, you’ve held the title of Alliance leader for far too long. Now, it’s finally my turn.

The old man waved his hand.

The subordinate who had delivered the report withdrew, and Long Tianyun stepped closer.

"Grandfather, is there anything else?"

The elder’s expression turned grave. "Once you take command, do not act against Leng Qingqiu directly. She is a Grandmaster, and you are no match for her yet."

"However... those around her are fair game. For instance, that young master of the Gu Family—Gu Yan. The Gu Family holds considerable influence. If you can bring them under your control, it will solidify your position."

"Once Leng Qingqiu is left isolated, she’ll learn who truly holds power in this Alliance."

"Additionally, the Demon-Slaying Weapon project is to commence immediately—under your leadership."

Long Tianyun froze.

The Demon-Slaying Weapon...? This...

Seeing this, the old man frowned, his voice tinged with a hint of coldness. "What? You're unwilling?"

"I wouldn’t dare! Tianyun is willing!"

Long Tianyun immediately dropped to his knees with a thud, his voice filled with fear.

Grandfather... how has his cultivation broken through again?!

"Hmph."

"This plan is of utmost importance."

"If executed well, Tianyun, it’s not impossible for you to break through to the Grandmaster realm."

"Leave now."

The old man flicked his sleeve, signaling for his bloodline descendant to depart.

"Yes..."

Long Tianyun didn’t dare say another word and quietly withdrew, knowing full well just how monstrous his grandfather truly was.

Only after Long Tianyun had left did the old man’s expression turn slightly grave.

He was already aware of the current state of the ancient martial world.

But... why had things turned out this way? That was something he still couldn’t fathom.

Who was behind it? And what was their goal?

Could it be the Night King?

If it really was him, then trouble was brewing...

For some unknown reason, the forbidden land had suddenly withered, devoid of even a single demonic creature—as if it had become a lifeless wasteland.

But without demonic creatures, they wouldn’t be able to initiate the [Demon-Slaying Weapon] project.

What were they to do now?

At that moment—

Whoosh!

A figure materialized behind the old man—a death warrior secretly trained by the Long Family, answering to him alone.

The warrior stepped forward and reported respectfully, "My lord, Bai Jun has returned to the alliance with a group of [Half-Demons]."

"Bai Jun?"

The old man rolled the name in his mind before recalling—wasn’t he that so-called youngest and most prodigious Grandmaster?

But he remembered hearing that Bai Jun had died fighting the Night King.

Well, that didn’t matter now.

What mattered was... he had brought back a group of Half-Demons.

Hmph. Now this was interesting.

With that thought, the old man instructed, "Go and relay this to that fool Tianyun."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"Yes, my lord!"

Whoosh!

The death warrior vanished.

Only then did the old man turn his satisfied gaze back to the chessboard.

Hmph. Half-Demons... what an intriguing development.