In the meantime, the forces of the four major countries: Murica, Rashk, Anglan, and L’hexagone, instantly began to take note of the reports about the emerging ancient relic in Huaxia. Besides them, more and more forces from other countries, even some unknown small countries, were also paying close attention to this matter.

Among them, some influential organizations didn’t take action directly. Instead, some in urgent need of improving their strength threw all caution to the winds and sprang into action upon hearing the news. They were ready to find a way to enter Huaxia and get a share of the benefits!

In this case, the stable situation of Huaxia’s Wulin was rapidly deteriorating.

And that was what Fang Qiu was worried about!

Li Ji kept sending Fang Qiu the updated news as he made his way to the Peace Faction. His face grew increasingly grave as he read through the specific information pages.

Fang Qiu was the only person the state could rely on in this situation. Therefore, any information related to the ancient relic, whether at home or abroad, would be sent to Fang Qiu first.

“Foreigners are on their way?”

After receiving the information from Li Ji, Fang Qiu frowned instantly.

The foreign forces indeed harbored aggressive designs on the ancient ruin.

But, deterred by Huaxia’s fame based on its great strength and military exploits, they knew it was not easy to break into Huaxia.

However, these foreign forces were not fools. Knowing that Huaxia was not a state to be trifled with, they would not sneak into its territory. They entered Huaxia in an absolutely official and legal way, which was a clever move. Under the circumstances, the state couldn’t do anything to them before they did anything illegal.

Once they entered Huaxia, these foreign forces would go undercover first, while waiting for a chance to take action.

With the participation of foreign forces, Wulin would experience a long period of chaos and messiness when the battle for the ancient relic broke out. More foreign forces would join the foray to gain benefits, which would worsen the situation.

At that time, it would be hard to predict what the Nirvana Organization would do amidst the chaotic state, and whether they would take advantage of this situation.

“No way.”

Thinking of this, Fang Qiu subconsciously clenched his fists.

In the event that he couldn’t stop the foreign forces from entering Huaxia, the only thing Fang Qiu could do was not allow foreigners to take Huaxia’s treasure away.

Absolutely not!

A few hours later, Fang Qiu, disguised as John Doe, arrived at the Peace Faction.

At this time, the atmosphere inside the Peace Faction was still a little solemn.

Although everyone seemed less tense than they were a few days ago, they were not as relaxed as usual.

It was because the leaders of many Wulin forces stayed in the Peace Faction as guests.

Lin Qingyi had admitted to the existence of the secret land in Zangjiang and that it might be an ancient relic. He even promised to take everyone there in person. But still, many people in Wulin were afraid that he would secretly escape, so they stayed behind to keep an eye on him.

In this regard, Lin Qingyi felt very aggrieved and depressed, but he could only let them be.

After all, the Peace Faction was now the focus of all Wulin forces. As the Peace Faction’s leader, he could do nothing but try his best to ensure the safety of his disciples.

However, people from the various forces gathered in the reception hall of the Peace Faction, discussing Wulin’s affairs, cultivation methods, and other matters.

Lin Qingyi, as the Peace Faction’s leader, could only accompany them every day. There were always people watching him from a distance, even at brief intervals when he issued orders.

Therefore, before John Doe arrived, the reception hall was already packed with people.

Lin Qingyi sat on the host chair as always, while the others sat in the hall, chatting casually as though they were at home. However, as the host, Lin Qingyi could only listen to them like an outsider.

“Report!”

Just as everyone was talking enthusiastically, a disciple of the Peace Faction suddenly rushed in, which caught everyone’s attention.

Everyone was stunned.

They all turned to stare at the man.

“What’s up?” Lin Qingyi asked.

“Faction Leader, John Doe is here.”

The disciple answered.

His announcement shocked everyone in the hall!

“John Doe?”

“Why is he here so early?”

“Didn’t Faction Leader Lin tell him we would set off in three days?”

“What is he doing here? The ancient ruin seemed to be quite immaterial to him. As soon as he heard that we were going, he was the first to turn up here. Does he have something to discuss with Faction Leader Lin in advance?”

“That’s right. John Doe is excessively anxious. What do you think, Faction Leader Lin?”

“Humph, if it weren’t for his knowledge of the formation, who would take him with us?”

“Faction Leader Lin, why don’t you go and welcome him?”

All the masters of each force spoke up at once.

They had chosen to stay in the Peace Faction.

When they heard Lin Qingyi inviting John Doe, they were aware that Lin Qingyi had informed John Doe that they would begin the journey in three days.

However, Lin Qingyi must not have informed John Doe that some people from the other forces had camped out at the Peace Faction.

Therefore, John Doe came here beforehand largely because he wanted to conspire with Lin Qingyi. The two might cooperate with each other in the quest to enter the secret land. Or, they might work together and secretly open the ancient ruin without the others noticing it!

Undoubtedly, everyone in Wulin had been gripped by the ancient ruin fever, especially leaders of the various forces. For these experts, the ancient ruin that could give themselves powerful strength and enhance their forces was a direct bearing on life and death!

Therefore…

When it came to the ancient ruin, everyone was particularly sensitive and suspicious.

Lin Qingyi, upon hearing their discourse, shook his head with a bitter expression.

“I’m sorry to turn up so suddenly without any invitation.”

A voice came.

A blast of wind passed by everyone’s ears, as a black figure, like a shooting star, zoomed through the wide square of the Peace Faction and charged into the reception hall.

“Brother John Doe.”

Lin Qingyi got up, saluted Fang Qiu, and asked, “Brother John Doe, why were you in such a hurry to come here?”

“Everyone is here?”

Fang Qiu turned his head and glanced around, looking a little surprised.

The others laughed sarcastically.

They were quite certain that John Doe was here to scheme against them.

“These force leaders here have decided to rest in my faction for a few days.”

Lin Qingyi nodded.

“Then where are the patriarchs of the four great families and the chief of the Pear Garden?” Fang Qiu asked directly.

Everyone present was stunned at his question.

“The heads of the four great families? And the Pear Garden’s chief?

“What does John Doe want from them?”

Everyone looked at John Doe quizzically.

“They are not here yet.”

Lin Qingyi shook his head and said, “We can’t compare with those experts you’ve mentioned. With their extraordinary strength, they can arrive in a short time, so they didn’t stay. As for the leaders here, they sent their disciples back. The opening of the ancient ruin is too significant an event for the Wulin juniors to participate.”

“I see.”

Fang Qiu nodded knowingly.

No wonder not a single force leader in the reception hall had an entourage.

Sure enough!

For leaders of various Wulin forces, the more people they brought, the less beneficial it would be. Going for the relic with a large group would not only incite the hatred of other forces but also risk the lives of their disciples.

Forces would finally resort to violence to win over precious treasures like the ancient ruin.

In that case, the more people they brought, the more likely they would become the common target of the other forces.

In particular, when the younger generation participated, the whole situation would experience dramatic changes. Among them, there was a subtle but critical change: they might affect the ultimate ownership of the ancient ruin.

Those force leaders would feel more secure when they had the ancient ruin in their hands. The juniors were so young that they shouldn’t rush into danger.

Of course, Fang Qiu knew very well that these leaders wouldn’t have included him either if it weren’t for his formation.

“Inform the four great families and the Pear Garden right now: we shall set out for the secret land in Zangjiang in advance!” Fang Qiu put it bluntly.

“Hum?”

Lin Qingyi was dumbfounded and so were the other force leaders.

“He’s saying that we should leave ahead of the schedule?

“Did John Doe ask Faction Leader Lin to notify the four great families and the Pear Garden on purpose? Is it because we have seen through his plot?

“Otherwise, why would he say they should start the trip ahead of schedule in front of so many witnesses?”

“Brother John Doe, what do you mean by that?” Lin Qingyi was confused.

“Since you have confirmed the existence of the secret land, why do you have to wait for three days?”

Fang Qiu said, shaking his head in disapproval.

Those force leaders understood the meaning behind Fang Qiu’s words and looked at him with an utterly different expression in their eyes.

All of them were even more certain that John Doe harbored dark intentions. Otherwise, why would he come ahead of time and bring forward the departure schedule?

“John Doe.”

Suddenly, one of them stood up and said to Fang Qiu, “I’m the leader of the Unfettered Faction. Since we have agreed to leave together in three days, why are you in such a hurry?”

“We need these three days to get ready. Since you are so anxious, why don’t you show everyone your formation and let us study it first? Only then can it be considered fair. What do you think?”

His voice faded.

“Yes, your formation is very likely to be the key to the ancient ruin. It’s only fair to let all of us know the formation.”

“Brother John Doe, let’s take a look at your formation!”

The leaders of all the forces at the scene echoed this sentiment, one after another.

Their intention was obvious.

They were afraid that John Doe would not share the profit with others.

The only advantage John Doe had now to achieve that goal was his formation.

As long as he disclosed the formation, the others would no longer have to worry about it.

“Well, would you like to hear my suggestion?”

Fang Qiu smiled grimly, his eyes sweeping round the force leaders on the spot. Finally, he fixed his eyes on the leader of the Unfettered Faction and said, “Each of you has collected some formations and unique techniques for your force. How about we share them all?”

Everyone present was petrified and fell silent.

“Time is pressing.”

Fang Qiu snorted and added, “I have neither the time nor the inclination to join your conspiracy drama. If you don’t want to, I can go alone!”

“Brother John Doe.”

Hearing this, Lin Qingyi quickly stepped out and said, “Your formation belongs to you, so it’s your call whether you want to show it to us or not, just like each force has the right to decide if they want to share its techniques or not. These force leaders didn’t mean what they said. Please don’t mind them.”

“But, what do you mean by saying that time is pressing?” Lin Qingyi asked.

He tried to smooth things over and swiftly changed the topic.