"Dead? This Elder is actually dead!"
The people present simply could not imagine that the elder who had just been full of mockery and sarcasm had turned into a headless corpse in the blink of an eye.
For them, this was the Martial Arts Alliance, a place considered absolutely safe. Yet he had died just like that, without them even being able to react!
As for the Great Elder himself, the falling leaf attack had not targeted him at first; but had it chosen him, he wouldn't have been able to react either! The end result would have been his annihilation, with no right to resist whatsoever.
"Plucking flowers and leaves!"
How could the Great Elder possibly fail to recognize it?
This was the cultivation technique of the Blood Roar Sect, something only the sect master or a few truly high-ranking elders could master!
Such a technique was exquisitely sophisticated. Turning the light into the heavy, one could pluck a leaf and injure a person from a thousand miles away—completely different from conventional hidden weapons. It involved compressing one's True Essence into a falling leaf with extreme violence.
No one pays attention to a falling leaf!
Yet this leaf would drift close to the enemy and then detonate directly!
Could there be members of the Blood Roar Sect inside the Martial Arts Alliance, then?
After regaining their senses, several people wore terrified expressions. For them, there was no need to investigate the matter regarding Zhao Wenlin anymore!
Putting aside whether such an action was a direct threat, just the implication behind it meant there was definitely a Blood Roar Sect spy hidden within the Martial Arts Alliance!
Then, who on earth was this spy?
Daring not to linger here for a moment, the few immediately reported this extremely serious matter to Martial Arts Alliance Leader Jian Yunshan!
...
At the same time, at the edge of the cliffside pool, Shen Han nodded slightly.
He had only used one percent of his strength to kill this so-called elder. It seemed the strength of this elder was nothing special after all.
As for why he struck just now? Mainly to distract others, as he had no wish for his fishing endeavors to be repeatedly disturbed.
While Shen Han was quietly supporting his fishing rod, Zhao Wenlin finally came to his side.
Zhao Wenlin looked earnestly and carefully at the lonely and desolate back of the young man.
After a pause, he said, "Brother, I actually thought you were the one who helped me in secret before."
Zhao Wenlin had a hunch. He had previously frank-heartedly believed that Shen Han was unfathomably deep and had secretly helped him repel Li Qiu. Yet the arrival of so many elders directly proved that this hunch was mistaken.
Shen Han had not helped him. Shen Han was just an ordinary person who would spend ten years in confinement here, wasting the best years of his life.
Shen Han smiled and shook his head: "If I possessed such strength, why would I be fishing in this place?"
Zhao Wenlin believed him.
There was not the slightest aura emanating from Shen Han; he was simply quiet and amiable. To expect Shen Han to provide assistance under those circumstances would be nothing short of wishful thinking.
After asking and receiving permission, he sat down by Shen Han's side, gazing with him at the distant cliffs and precipices.
He talked to Shen Han about many things.
He said that this area of the Martial Arts Alliance truly harbored hidden dragons and crouching tigers, and if he really wanted to go all the way to the end, he would need to put in a tremendous amount of effort.
He also spoke of how harshly the Martial Arts Alliance currently treated the various sects across the world. Eventually, this would surely provoke intense resentment from all the sects, and a battle would be inevitable.
When Zhao Wenlin spoke these words, his expression was extremely serious, though there was also some pain in his eyes.
Shen Han quietly watched him slowly speak his mind.
Until the moment he left, Zhao Wenlin asked a question: "Those people watched you make a fool of yourself and never offered a hand. Do you harbor resentment?"
Zhao Wenlin had indeed helped many people on the isolated island. Yet when Zhao Wenlin fell into distress, these very people on the island had not offered any help whatsoever.
So, did Zhao Wenlin harbor resentment over this matter?
Zhao Wenlin turned his head to look at Shen Han, who sat by the lake with a detached aura and a gentle expression.
"They had no choice."
Was the feeling of being abandoned by others painful? It was certainly painful.
Yet, thinking back on it, they lacked strength and could do nothing under those circumstances.
"I don't blame them. They lack a true leader."
"I will also do my utmost to become such a person."
"Brother, please bear witness for me!"
Shen Han smiled and watched him depart.
It was hard to imagine that there was still someone so upright in this world; it was truly a rarity.
However, this path was likely to be fraught with difficulties and dangers. He could not walk it alone.
"In that case, when he needs help, I will lend a slight helping hand."
Thinking this in his heart, Shen Han returned to his usual tranquility.
...
After Martial Arts Alliance Leader Jian Yunshan learned about the "plucking flowers and leaves" technique from the elders, his gaze shifted slightly.
When he further learned about the situation regarding Zhao Wenlin, he pondered for a moment amidst the cautious and fearful expressions of the other elders.
Then, he said: "I will handle the demonic affairs in secret. You are not to spread the word outside."
The other elders and the Great Elder quickly nodded in assent.
Jian Yunshan was at the Postnatal Second Tier: Pill Embracing Realm, a terrifying level of strength they could not afford to offend in the slightest!
Drawing out his voice, Jian Yunshan continued: "As for Zhao Wenlin, have him come to my Martial Arts Alliance to cultivate."
"The person who secretly helped Zhao Wenlin is definitely completely different from the one who used the 'plucking flowers and leaves' technique."
"I have investigated Li Qiu's injuries, and I can be certain of this."
"Behind Zhao Wenlin there might be an old ancestor from Tiance Manor. Now is not the time to provoke a direct war with Tiance Manor. Let Zhao Wenlin come to cultivate in our Martial Arts Alliance, and simply reform him."
How could the elders fail to understand what "reform" meant?
They immediately bowed deeply to the Martial Arts Alliance Leader and hurried off to carry it out.
Jian Yunshan was left alone, sitting in the seat of the Martial Arts Alliance Leader. "Plucking flowers and leaves? If it's not that old demon from the Blood Roar Sect, what is he trying to remind me of?"
...
Time passed quickly, and a few days went by.
Today, on the isolated island behind the back mountain of the Martial Arts Alliance, Shen Han had just stepped out of his small courtyard when he noticed that several elders of the Alliance had found Zhao Wenlin.
Shen Han knew the purpose of these elders' visit.
He did not linger, taking his fishing rod and leaving for the lakeside to fish.
Zhao Wenlin's expression was clearly complicated.
Under the persuasion of the elders, he finally nodded with difficulty.
"I agree."
Hearing this, the elders instantly breathed a sigh of relief.
They had thought Zhao Wenlin's head was made of stubborn wood, but he was still amenable to reason. That was good.
"Very well, we shall leave first. You may report to the Martial Arts Alliance shortly."
With that, they handed a Token to Zhao Wenlin and departed.
As soon as the elders left, countless disciples on the isolated island emerged from hiding like beasts, sneaking out one by one.
Originally, not a single disciple could be seen anywhere near Zhao Wenlin. Now, they were all flocking to him.
"I am Ouyang Han of Muyun Prefecture. Brother Zhao is truly facing a great opportunity this time! Being able to enter the Martial Arts Alliance to cultivate will certainly effectively make you even more powerful."
"I am Lin Shanhe of Luoshan Academy. Brother Ouyang speaks the truth. Here are some fine Pills refined by our academy; I hope they can help Brother Zhao scale new heights!"
"I am..."
"..."
Usually, the people present would not waste a single word on Zhao Wenlin. Especially after his battle with Li Qiu, everyone had been terrified of interacting with him deeply, fearing they would be implicated as innocent bystanders.
Now, learning that he could actually enter the Martial Arts Alliance to receive formal guidance, they were filled with envy on one hand, while desperately trying to curry favor on the other.
Zhao Wenlin looked at the excited expressions of the people around him. For some reason, these people seemed even happier than he was.
After exchanging a few perfunctory remarks with the crowd, he picked up a simple pack, bid them farewell, and left the place.
Of course, instead of leaving immediately, he went to the lakeside to find Shen Han.
Standing behind Shen Han, he looked at the young man's back and said earnestly, "Brother, I am going to cultivate in the Martial Arts Alliance."
Shen Han said: "I wish you success."
Zhao Wenlin replied: "Mm."
After a brief silence, he added: "I'm leaving."