Those Classmates who Suddenly Disappeared
Chapter 1013: Rivals Meet

Chapter 1013: Chapter 1013: Rivals Meet

"Gu Fan, is it really you?" Lu Bei and Jin Yi were surprised, unable to understand why Gu Fan was traveling with the leader of Xuanjian Sect.

Jian Shen was even more astonished, "You are Gu Fan?"

"Yes, it is indeed I." Gu Fan also took a good look at Jian Shen and found him to be poised, handsome, and extraordinary with an impressive heroic bearing. If I were a woman, I surely would fall for such a person as well," he thought.

At the scene, Jian Shen and Gu Fan stared intensely at each other, with no other person in their eyes, treating the people around them as if they were air.

Noticing some hostility in their gazes, many people were puzzled about what was wrong between the two men.

Lu Bei silently sighed, "When rivals meet, the relationship is naturally tense."

Suddenly, Gu Fan smiled slightly, easing the tense atmosphere, "Brother Jian Shen, you spoke well earlier, but I have a question. Since the Devil Cult and the Western vampires have broken ties, why not join forces with you to defeat the Western vampires instead of fighting with you to mutual loss, giving the Western vampires an opportunity?"

Upon hearing this, many were confused and felt that it indeed did not make sense.

As for Jian Shen, he found it hard to explain as well; he too thought it unreasonable, but who would know what the Devil Incarnate was thinking at the time.

Mo Yun then added, "Because the Devil Incarn ate knows that you, Jian Shen, and the heroes of Martial Arts would never spare him, even if the Western vampires were eliminated. You would still seek to eradicate the Devil Cult, so the Devil Incarn ate’s plan was to defeat you, unify Martial Arts, and then eliminate the Western vampires."

Everyone nodded, understanding the situation, and given that Mo Yun was from the Devil Cult, her words had a high degree of credibility.

"This is the crux of the problem. A unified front for a common cause against outside forces is beneficial, but what about after the external threat is gone? Can we still coexist peacefully?" Gu Fan’s words struck a nerve, and everyone knew deep down that with the external enemy gone, the internal strife would begin anew.

Gu Fan emphasized further, "To eliminate external threats, internal unity is essential. If one faction in the Martial Arts Alliance or the Xuanwu Alliance is attacked, and the other merely stands by and watches, the situation would be even worse. This is also why the Devil Incarn ate decided to deal with you first before taking on the Western vampires because he didn’t trust you."

"You, this guy..." Jian Shen, seeing the situation, which he had managed to gain control over, was disrupted by Gu Fan in just a few words, felt displeased and his gaze towards Gu Fan grew even more hostile.

However, calming down, Jian Shen deeply acknowledged the sense in Gu Fan’s words; the front lines must be unified rather than everyone fighting independently, or else they would be easily defeated one by one.

Thus, Jian Shen asked for advice, "May I know what you suggest?"

"It’s simple. Fight a battle; whoever wins takes charge," Gu Fan said casually, but someone objected, "If it leads to another fight where both sides are weakened, giving the Western vampires a chance, then our Central Plains Martial Arts would really be doomed."

Gu Fan shook his head, "As far as I know, many Martial Arts practitioners in the Xuanwu Alliance have been pursued by you to a dead end. Many sects have been aggressively cornered by you guys. How do you expect us to feel at ease cooperating with you?"

Jian Shen nodded, "I can go back and convince the people of the Martial Arts Alliance to set aside all grudges and hatred, as long as everyone can unite against the common enemy and eliminate all the Western vampires invading the Central Plains."

Since Jian Shen had guaranteed it, the people of the Xuanwu Alliance felt it could be acceptable.

Jin Yi retorted, "Cooperation is mutual, and so is trust, so how can you make us trust you?"

Gu Fan, filled with confidence, said, "Just on the account of me, Gu Fan. Everyone knows that during the last Martial Arts Competition, I foiled the leader of Xuanjian Sect’s plan. The leader of Xuanjian Sect had really wanted to kill me, but now he’s magnanimous and bears no grudges, and my standing here unharmed is the proof."

Hearing this, everyone first looked at Gu Fan, then at the leader of Xuanjian Sect, seemingly guessing whether the situation was indeed as Gu Fan had described.

Jian Shen nodded, "Alright, I will trust you this time."

"Fine, since that’s the case, in seven days, bring your people, and let’s form our alliance over a blood oath." Gu Fan’s proposal seemed acceptable, so Jian Shen nodded his agreement and then took his leave.

However, just as Jian Shen had stepped out of the doorway, Gu Fan followed him, "Wait a second, Jian Shen, I have a personal question to ask you."

"You want to ask about Qian Ye, right? I’m sorry, I have no idea where she is," Jian Shen replied coldly, then continued walking.

Gu Fan had wanted to continue asking, but meeting Jian Shen’s icy gaze, he dismissed all thoughts of further questioning, fearing Jian Shen might already know of Qian Ye’s connection with Gu Fan.

"My heavens, if even Jian Shen doesn’t know where Lin Xi is, how can I find her?" At this moment, Gu Fan fell into confusion again. Among the reasons he had carefully planned this gathering, one was to find Lin Xi, but it seemed that hope was going to be dashed.

Lu Bei and Jin Yi also walked past Gu Fan, prompting him to remember his other purpose, and he immediately called the two, "Brother Lu, long time no see, how have you been?"

"Thanks to you, very well, though from the looks of you, you seem to be having a better time than me. It’s surprising that someone as petty as the leader of Xuanjian Sect can tolerate you," Lu Bei said with a hint of sarcasm.

Gu Fan didn’t mind, "There’s no helping it, we all share common interests, after all, if Xuanjian Sect is doing well, so am I."

"Then I wish you all well," Lu Bei said, making a fist and palm salute as he spoke.

Gu Fan added, "I want to remind you, the Xuanwu Alliance is growing very fast, faster than the Devil Cult, but the Xuanwu Alliance is not the old Devil Cult, nor will it repeat the Devil Cult’s mistakes, because with Mo Yun’s lessons from the past and my strategizing, opposing us benefits you in no way. I hope your cooperation is genuine."

"Alright, we’ll remember that, Brother Gu. The days ahead are long, we’ll meet again," Lu Bei and Jin Yi couldn’t understand why Gu Fan felt the need to say these words—was it to display strength, urging Jian Shen and others to be cautious?

Wait a second, why did Gu Fan need to compare the Xuanwu Alliance with the Devil Cult? Lu Bei was shocked. Gu Fan’s expression when he spoke was somewhat unnatural, his eyes seemed to hint at something, as if there was a hidden message in his words.

Another thing Lu Bei couldn’t understand was why Gu Fan would work for the leader of Xuanjian Sect. Given the leader’s temperament, it was more likely he would have slain Gu Fan with a single stroke, unless there was something about Gu Fan that the leader dreaded.

Knowing Gu Fan’s lack of power and influence, what could he do for the leader of Xuanjian Sect to earn his safety? Even if Gu Fan really had some abilities, how could he have helped the Xuanwu Alliance grow so quickly in such a short time?