Those Classmates who Suddenly Disappeared
Chapter 979: Everyone Has Their Own Way

Chapter 979: Chapter 979: Everyone Has Their Own Way

There was still some time before the third round of the Martial Arts Competition, which many found to be precious. Everyone was actively preparing for battle, while some were making clandestine moves.

Following the manipulation by some interested parties, there were many rumors outside. Some said that the leader of Xuanjian Sect might not win because his opponent was not weak either. They had even exchanged blows before, resulting in a tie.

Others went as far as to suggest betting on both, placing a larger wager on the leader of Xuanjian Sect and a smaller one on the other. This way, though the winnings might be smaller, the loss would accordingly be reduced.

Such rumors grew and spread wider, even reaching Gu Fan’s ears, but Gu Fan did not react too much, as it was all within his expectations.

Mo Yun was somewhat impressed, as things were unfolding exactly as Gu Fan had said.

Lord Xiong issued a reminder, "In this way, even if the leader of Xuanjian Sect wins, the major bookies will also have their losses significantly reduced. And then, they will turn their spears on you."

"I know. If I win, and they suffer a huge loss, they will not let me off. If I lose, my trip here would have been in vain," Gu Fan said, not willing to accept defeat, as he was not ready to lose just yet.

Hence, Gu Fan started analyzing his next opponent, the man touted as the Lightning-curved Blade, Guo Hu. It’s said that his signature move with the curved blade was faster than lightning, often leaving his opponents cut before they could even see how the blade was swung.

"Good heavens, does it have to be so exaggerated? Each of my opponents seems more formidable than the last," Gu Fan muttered, stroking his chin with a deep frown. "What worries me the most is not how strong the opponents are, but whether they are also plants by the leader of Xuanjian Sect and the major bookies."

Mo Yun chimed in, "Regardless of whether they are working for them or not, they definitely want you to lose. So, you can bet Lightning-curved Blade Guo Hu will go all out. Don’t expect another bolt of lightning from the heavens to strike down and help you this time."

Gu Fan smiled bitterly, "See, in the match involving the leader of Xuanjian Sect, they’re going all out to create hype to make it seem like he could lose. As for my match, they don’t even bother, thinking I have no chance of winning."

Mo Yun saw the fighting spirit in Gu Fan’s eyes, as if saying, the more they act like this, the more determined I am to prove them wrong.

Suddenly, Gu Fan had a thought, "Right, to become the Martial Arts Alliance Leader, aside from martial arts, aren’t other qualities required as well?"

Upon hearing this, Mo Yun was initially taken aback, but then realized what Gu Fan meant and couldn’t help but laugh, "Kid, you really have a knack for thinking sideways. I’ll go check out this Lightning-curved Blade Guo Hu’s background for you."

"I hope this method works," Gu Fan said, with a look of distress. After all, this is the ancient times, not a place he was familiar with, and his resources were limited. All he could do was take things one step at a time.

After Mo Yun had left, only Lord Xiong and Gu Fan remained in the room. The two exchanged glances, with Lord Xiong’s gaze betraying a hint of suspicion, which made Gu Fan’s heart skip a beat.

Lord Xiong spoke coolly, "Gu Fan, tell me honestly what your true purpose is in joining the Martial Arts Competition. Don’t give me that line about becoming the leader of the Martial Arts Alliance to command the people in Martial Arts to help us find those five keepers. You had the idea to join the Martial Arts Competition long before now."

Gu Fan smiled lightly, appearing unconcerned, "Then may I ask you, Lord Xiong, who you are, and how you so easily found the place of the Eternal Life Clan? Why can you heal from injuries rapidly like Xue Wang, yet you are different from Xue Wang in that you are not afraid of the sunlight?"

Lord Xiong’s gaze turned frosty, solemn, "Kid, don’t forget that you are working for me, as I am for you. It’s not your place to question me."

"Because I’m looking for someone, the person I love most. I don’t know where she is, but as long as I become the leader of the Martial Arts Alliance, surely my fame will spread, and she will come looking for me," Gu Fan honestly revealed his purpose, but Lord Xiong still did not easily believe it, narrowing his eyes to size Gu Fan up, wanting to discern the truth of Gu Fan’s statement.

"Kid, I hope we’re on the same side," Lord Xiong issued a subtle warning, to which Gu Fan nodded, "Don’t worry, Lord Xiong. If I wanted to do you harm, with many martial arts experts around, could you and Mo Yun escape if I simply gave the word?"

Lord Xiong thought about it and realized Gu Fan was right. There had been several opportunities for Gu Fan to expose Lord Xiong and Xue Wang, but he had not done so.

Gu Fan added, "I’m not that foolish. Of course, I would want eternal life myself. Wouldn’t you say so?"

"Alright, Gu Fan, I’ll trust you," Lord Xiong decided to trust Gu Fan for the moment but felt uneasy within, wondering why the more outstanding Gu Fan performed in the Martial Arts Competition, the more suspicious Lord Xiong grew of him.

Gu Fan inwardly scoffed, "Nonsense, eternal life is such an earth-shattering matter. How could I let it be widely known? Of course, I need to go all out to help you cover your tracks."

Before leaving, Lord Xiong couldn’t resist turning back to say, "Gu Fan, you want to know who I am. Once you acquire the seat of the Martial Arts Alliance Leader, I’ll tell you."

Gu Fan was initially surprised. Seeing the silhouette of Lord Xiong as he left, Gu Fan considered a possibility and quickly followed to ask, "Wait a moment, Lord Xiong, may I know what your last name is?"

This time, Lord Xiong was the one who was taken aback, halting in his tracks, then turned around in astonishment, staring at Gu Fan. For some reason, Lord Xiong felt that he absolutely should not tell Gu Fan his last name.

Lord Xiong did not answer but turned and walked away, still feeling unsettled, "Is it my problem? Why do I think that if Gu Fan knows my surname, he could guess my identity?"

Watching the retreating figure of Lord Xiong as he escaped the conversation, Gu Fan faintly guessed something, but he couldn’t be certain and needed someone to come forward and confirm Lord Xiong’s identity.

"Should I find him?" Then, Gu Fan shook his head, feeling it too risky to bring this person out and confront Lord Xiong face-to-face. To outright clarify Lord Xiong’s identity might invite chaos into the world and interfere with the course of history.

Sighing deeply, Gu Fan gazed up at the grayish skies, feeling mentally exhausted after everything he’d been through. He truly wished to find Lin Xi soon and return to a normal life.

"Destiny Stone, you arranged for me to come to ancient times, but what mission do you actually want me to complete? Is it to ascertain Lord Xiong’s identity, to prevent the Western Xue Clan from obtaining true eternal life, or something even more secretive?" Suddenly, Gu Fan sensed something and turned to stare in a direction. Finding nothing, he breathed a sigh of relief, thinking he was just being paranoid, that no one was secretly watching him.

What Gu Fan did not know was that it was not his imagination. Indeed, someone was secretly keeping an eye on him; it’s just that the person had left in a hurry and did not let Gu Fan notice.