276: No, I have to go.

"What should we do, Uncle Ximen? Do you have an idea to prevent Wang Yi and the others from going to the 97th Stronghold?" Xiao Shen asked urgently.

Ximen Chuifeng shook his head: "If they truly placed in the top three in the martial arts competition, then I really have no way."

"All the information I've gathered about the 97th Stronghold so far indicates that it's very dangerous, even a bit eerie."

"If they really go, I'm afraid they'll meet a tragic end..."

Liu Ling'er exclaimed, "Then why did the City Lord agree to let the top three exchange students with the three people sent by the 97th Stronghold?"

"There must be some benefit," Ximen Chuifeng said, "and it's very possible that the City Lord doesn't have as much intelligence as I do, so he might not be aware of the dangers of the 97th Stronghold."

Liu Ling'er fell silent.

Even someone as powerful as the City Lord doesn't know, then... "No, I have to go with them!" Xiao Shen said with a serious expression.

"Ah? Where are you going?" Ximen Chuifeng was puzzled.

He couldn't possibly be... "I'm going to the 97th Stronghold," Xiao Shen said.

Once he made up his mind, the 97th Stronghold didn't seem as terrifying as he had imagined.

"What are you going to do there? You're not one of the top three in the Three Great Powers' martial arts competition... Wait... Are you going by yourself?" Ximen Chuifeng's eyes widened.

"Yes," Xiao Shen nodded.

He actually didn't know why he suddenly felt such an urgent desire to go to the 97th Stronghold, even though he had no idea what was inside the 97th Stronghold that was attracting him!

But a thought suddenly arose in his heart, feeling as if something was about to burst forth from his memory.

However, this memory needed a trigger to be activated, and this trigger should be going to the 97th Stronghold.

"This..." Ximen Chuifeng really didn't expect Xiao Shen to say that so suddenly, and for a moment, he didn't know what to do.

"Uncle Ximen, I know you must have a way to help me, right? Please send me to the 97th Stronghold!"

It must be said that Xiao Shen was quite perceptive in this regard. Ximen Chuifeng did indeed want to expand his business scope.

He also wanted to go to the 97th Stronghold.

They had investigated for so long, and the source of all the mysterious organizations they found, both inside and Outside the Bastion, seemed to be in the 97th Stronghold.

If he didn't go to the 97th Stronghold to investigate further, he really wouldn't be content!

Originally, he had planned to find a way to follow Wang Yi and the others once they made it into the top three. Now it was even better, Xiao Shen also wanted to go, so they might as well go together.

Moreover, Xiao Shen's strength was so great; if he could go with him, it would also increase their chances of survival.

"Xiao Shen, if you're going, then I'll go with you too!" Liu Ling'er didn't want to be separated from Xiao Shen.

"No," Xiao Shen shook his head and said to Liu Ling'er, "If both of us go, what about the old man?"

"This..."

Liu Ling'er sighed: "Alright, I'll stay."

Ximen Chuifeng truly didn't expect things to turn out this way. He also didn't know if taking Xiao Shen to the 97th Stronghold was the right thing to do.

And... among the top three in the Three Great Powers' martial arts competition, it's hard to guarantee that Xiao Yue won't be there... At the same time, inside the 155 Fortress.

City Lord's Mansion.

"What? Xiao Yue is also participating in the martial arts competition?"

The competition was about to begin. Gu Mingzhu had just received the list of all participants today and found Xiao Yue's name on it.

"Xiao Yue? Is that the controversial genius Xiao Yue who caused such a stir in the Four Great Families before?"

Chu Yun was sitting not far from Gu Mingzhu. He was supervising Gu Mingzhu's special training. Someone had just delivered the list after the training was completed. Gu Mingzhu wiped the sweat from her face and casually glanced at the list.

Who knew that this casual glance would reveal the fact that Xiao Yue was participating.

"Heh, what kind of genius is he? All his cultivation was stolen," Gu Mingzhu sneered.

Chu Yun didn't know whether to laugh or cry: "How do you know that all his cultivation was stolen?"

Gu Mingzhu subconsciously wanted to talk about her encounter with Xiao Shen, but she held back when she opened her mouth: "Anyway, it just is."

"Never mind that for now. He registered through official channels, and our Three Great Powers have all sent people to screen everyone on the list. It's a certainty that he will participate in the martial arts competition," Chu Yun said.

"Hmph, I just dislike him anyway."

Gu Mingzhu was still a young girl at heart, and the person speaking to her was her City Lord Senior Brother who had doted on her since childhood, so she naturally felt free to say such things.

After saying that, she still felt it wasn't enough, so she added, "He's not as good as Xiao Shen in any way."

This surprised Chu Yun a little.

"Didn't you dislike that child, Xiao Shen?"

He remembered that because he admired Xiao Shen's talent, he had once invited Xiao Shen to the mansion, hoping to win him over. At that time, Gu Mingzhu had even argued with Xiao Shen, and they had parted on bad terms.

"Who said that?" Gu Mingzhu stuck out her tongue, looking as if to say, 'I won't admit it, what can you do about it?' "I'm going back to take a shower, then I'll continue training tomorrow."

... The next day.

Outside the 155 Fortress, the Guild.

Zhuang Sanming wore a relatively formal outfit because he was going to apply for a job at the Mall today.

He wanted to take care of Father Su and Mother Su, and it wouldn't do to not have a proper job.

It just so happened that the window selling rare ores in the Guild Mall was short-staffed, and he met the recruitment standards, so he decided to give it a try.

If he could successfully get the job, it would count as having a formal job.

Zhuang Sanming sighed. He still couldn't understand why everyone's attitude was so strange yesterday when he went out to buy groceries.

If it didn't affect his daily life, it would be fine, but even the vegetable vendors refused to sell him vegetables!

If Xiao Shen hadn't appeared in time, his family would have had no dinner last night.

Zhuang Sanming walked towards the Mall. It was working hours, so there weren't many people on the road, nor were there any neighbors cooling off under the trees.

This made Zhuang Sanming feel a little more relaxed.

However, when he entered the Mall and everyone's gaze turned towards him, he realized something was wrong again.

"Look, look, isn't that the Su Family's nephew?"

"It is! How dare he still come out?"

"Shh... Haven't you heard? When the Su Family's daughter was buried that day, The Axe Gang Leader even came!"

"Ah? When did their family... get involved with the Axe Gang?"

"I don't know either, but just stay away from them. If the Axe Gang comes looking for trouble, I'd be scared."

"..."

Everyone whispered, discussing Zhuang Sanming.

They thought their voices were very low and that Zhuang Sanming couldn't hear them, but the Mall had just opened, and there weren't many customers inside, only staff. Their voices were extremely clear.