Chapter 122: The First Battle of Yan Tianhong
I'm right across from you; why not come over and join us?" I looked up toward the other side of the valley, and with my powerful mental acuity, I quickly located Snooker and his companions. However, I was slightly disappointed not to see Lilith, Melinda, or Michelle among them;
of course, it was Lilith I truly wished to see.
How did you end up here? Have you resolved matters with the Locke Group?" Snooker flashed a grin at me, though his response came through a discreet message on the communication card. "The situation with the Locke Group is starting to improve, but that's not the main point. We've returned to reorganize the Locke Group's mercenary corps on Demon Island. What are you doing over there? Come help me out; you can choose any senior position in the mercenary corps.
My previous offer still stands." "Heh, I'll only stand with the victors. If this side faces a crushing defeat, I'll be seeking refuge with you.
After cutting off the conversation with Snooker, I lost interest in further discussion. Among the four factions present, only one belonged to Snooker's Locke Group, and with other forces involved, his promises would carry less weight.
Without absolute authority, I saw no future in aligning with him. Moreover, I found it difficult to trust Snooker; his words held no credibility for me.
Never trust promises made by those without real power. Snooker can hardly secure his own position;
why would I believe in the benefits he offers? He might very well intend to use me as cannon fodder, and it would be foolish of me to join him.
Snooker wore an expression of helplessness at my disconnection, his demeanor markedly more generous than before, suggesting he had elevated his status. Bullet also raised a silent greeting, flanked by a dozen formidable-looking men in suits, their appearance unmistakably reminiscent of the underworld.
This group seemed to follow the lead of Snooker and Bullet, likely comprising Locke Group employees on Demon Island.
Alongside these regular troops, a motley crew of individuals surrounded Snooker, likely hired local help from Demon Island. With a solid foundation, they could establish a training camp, and with that, form a new mercenary corps.
The struggle for Flying Cat Valley was thus aimed at creating this new mercenary group. However, it appeared that the Locke Group's strength had significantly waned, as they were compelled to ally with other factions instead of independently establishing their corps, which did not bode well for their prospects in the ongoing conflict. Of course, I was no strategist; my perspective could be biased and inaccurate.
The composition of their forces was complex; Snooker's side seemed to be a coalition of the Locke Group and three other powerful conglomerates, absorbing some of the scattered teams on Demon Island. On Yan Tianhong's side, an alliance formed from six major factions and over ten smaller teams was evident.
I held a strong aversion to organizations resembling the underworld, realizing that Yan Tianhong's duel was not driven by personal grievances;
I was no longer interested in wading through this murky water. Regardless of who emerged victorious, I was certain I would not reap the greatest rewards; only a fool would exert themselves for the benefit of others. As the two factions continued to arrive, one of the six core figures on Yan Tianhong's side, an elderly man of considerable age, cleared his throat to initiate the negotiations, stepping slowly from the crowd. He proclaimed loudly, "Both sides have obtained a spatial card for Flying Cat Valley, but only one can hold the management authority.
Since none of us can relinquish this power, let us proceed directly to the next phase and determine through what means we shall decide the victor without excessive damage."
Snooker and the leaders of the other three factions stepped forward with an air of superiority.
A strikingly beautiful woman, dressed in professional attire more befitting a high-level secretary than a leader, replied coolly, "Our proposal is that each side sends ten participants, and the outcome will determine who claims Flying Cat Valley. If the wins are evenly split, we will send another ten until a victor emerges.
The elderly man laughed heartily, exclaiming, "Then let us commence this battle at once! Our first combatant will be Yan Tianhong!" This announcement jolted my spirits, and the four factions responded promptly. A stocky man, resembling a human bear, stomped onto the scene, marking the beginning of the first duel.
Yan Tianhong, though tall for a girl, appeared diminutive next to her opponent. This bear-like man stood an impressive two meters and fifty centimeters tall, more than enough to qualify as a center in the NBA. However, neither side seemed concerned about the disparity in size; the imposing man bellowed, "I am the Killing King Jack! I've heard of your formidable swordsmanship, and I'm eager to see what a woman is truly capable of.
My iron fists can shatter rocks!" His roar was thunderous. Yan Tianhong remained unfazed, gripping her five-foot-long sword tightly, poised for battle.
I was among the more excited spectators; despite Yan Tianhong's icy demeanor, which saddened me, I had long anticipated her revealing her true prowess, eager to gauge how I measured up. As for the coincidence that the brawny opponent was also named Jack, I dismissed it, as all signs indicated that this bear of a man had no connection to the sinister figure I had encountered before. The first to attack was the Killing King Jack, whose towering frame was both powerful and agile. Utilizing his brute strength to enhance his speed, he wasted little energy, and in an instant, he became a whirlwind, creating a gust of wind in the arena. His colossal fist thundered toward Yan Tianhong's delicate face.
Yet, Yan Tianhong remained composed, deftly stepping to the left just in time to evade his crushing blow, her five-foot sword slicing through the air to strike the back of the Killing King Jack with a resounding clang. Despite her strike, the man, with his iron-clad physique, sustained no injury.
Nevertheless, Yan Tianhong's agile footwork and swift blade movements kept the battle intense, and within moments, the two were entangled in a fierce clash.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone