Plunderer: Master of the Multiverse

At the heart of the World Alliance

Xiongba sat upon his throne as the gang's leader, his presence radiating an aura of unyielding dominance.

Before him knelt several figures, their strange and eerie auras casting an unsettling shadow. Despite the bright daylight streaming into the hall, these individuals, members of the Twelve Evils of Sky Lake, seemed like specters, their very essence chilling the air around them.

Xiongba's expression shifted to one of surprise as he absorbed the report delivered by the killers of the Twelve Evils. "Oh? After Alex caused a major disturbance in Peerless City, he vanished without a trace?" he asked, his voice laced with intrigue and curiosity.

With the vast intelligence network of the World Alliance, the dramatic events in Peerless City—where the city had imposed near-martial law, sealing its gates that fateful night—had not gone unnoticed. Such a large-scale operation was impossible to conceal from Xiongba's watchful eyes.

The leader of the Twelve Evils, flanked by another member, nodded in confirmation. "Yes, at the time, Peerless City locked down completely, barring all entry and exit. Yet, after ten days of thorough investigation, Alex's whereabouts remained unknown. It was as if he had vanished into thin air," they reported, their voices steady but tinged with unease at the mystery.

Xiongba sat in silence, his expression unreadable as he reclined on his throne, his mind churning with calculations.

Alex's journey to Peerless City was not unexpected. Xiongba had anticipated that finding Jiansheng, the Sword Saint, would likely lead Alex to the stronghold of Peerless City, the most logical destination for such a mission.

However, the fact that Alex had not only caused a significant uproar in Peerless City but had also managed to escape unscathed was astonishing. It defied Xiongba's expectations and hinted at a level of skill far beyond what he had initially estimated.

In the hierarchy of the martial world, Peerless City currently held greater power than the World Alliance, its influence and resources surpassing even Xiongba's formidable organization. Only a select few martial artists in the entire martial world possessed the strength to disrupt the World Alliance and walk away, let alone challenge the might of Peerless City.

In Xiongba's mind, Alex had been a promising martial artist, a master of considerable skill but not yet a legend. Out of respect for his talent, Xiongba had recruited him into the World Alliance, granting him the prestigious position of head of the Divine Martial Hall, a role that signified trust and high expectations.

Yet, Alex's recent actions suggested a strength that exceeded Xiongba's initial assessment. The young swordsman's ability to stir chaos in Peerless City and evade capture pointed to a power that was not merely impressive but potentially dangerous.

A subtle unease crept into Xiongba's thoughts, a faint sense of threat that he could not ignore. While having subordinates with exceptional martial arts skills was a boon, the prospect of a subordinate whose power rivaled or even threatened his own was troubling. Xiongba's position as leader demanded absolute control, and any challenge to that authority was unacceptable.

His eyes gleamed with a calculating light, a flicker of resolve hardening his features. Xiongba decided that if Alex returned, he would need to carefully assess the limits of his martial arts, probing the extent of his strength to ensure it remained within bounds he could manage.

Meanwhile, far from the scheming halls of the World Alliance, a different scene unfolded at the Harmony Pavilion. There, Wuming, Alex, and Jiansheng were engrossed in a spirited discussion about the art of the sword, their voices animated with passion and insight.

Jiansheng's mastery of Myriad Swords Convergence had only just begun to take shape, a glimpse of its potential rather than its full realization. To truly command the supreme swordsmanship of Myriad Swords Convergence, he would need more time to practice and deepen his comprehension, refining the technique through dedicated effort.

Wuming's Heavenly Sword, too, was still in its early stages. Set roughly ten years before the main events of the Storm Riders storyline, Wuming's current skill with the Heavenly Sword was not yet at its peak, lacking the refined mastery he would later achieve.

As for Alex, his raw strength paled in comparison to these two titans of the martial world. The gap in their physical and martial prowess was vast, a chasm that highlighted the difference between a novice and legends.

However, Alex's knowledge of swordsmanship was anything but inferior. Thanks to the 28G swordsmanship file copied from Wuming, his understanding matched that of the martial world's greatest swordsman, giving him a theoretical mastery that rivaled both Wuming and Jiansheng.

Moreover, Alex's perspective was uniquely shaped by his experiences. Having lived through the information explosion of modern society and survived three years in a post-apocalyptic world, his worldview and ideas diverged significantly from those of his companions, who were steeped in the traditions of the martial world.

This blend of modern insight and apocalyptic resilience allowed Alex to approach swordsmanship with a fresh perspective, offering ideas that were both innovative and unconventional.

During their discussions, Wuming and Jiansheng took the lead, their exchanges rich with the wisdom of decades spent honing their craft. Alex listened intently, absorbing their insights, but he was not merely a passive observer. From time to time, he interjected with theories and perspectives drawn from his own unique experiences, each contribution catching Wuming and Jiansheng by surprise.

Wuming, in particular, found Alex's words profoundly resonant. Since they shared the same swordsmanship knowledge, Alex's observations felt like the musings of a kindred spirit, a fellow master who saw the art through the same lens. Each time Alex spoke, Wuming felt a spark of connection, as if their minds were perfectly aligned.

Yet, amidst these enlightening discussions, Alex remained mindful of his mission. He had vowed not to return to the World Alliance without finding Jiansheng, a commitment driven by both duty and the need to protect his allies, particularly Duanlang, who remained within the World Alliance's ranks.

Now that he had located Jiansheng and even influenced his path by guiding him to Myriad Swords Convergence, Alex saw no reason to delay completing Xiongba's mission. Fulfilling the task would ensure Duanlang's safety and solidify his standing within the World Alliance.

As the date of his departure from the Storm Riders plane drew closer, Alex decided it was time to act. "Oh? A challenge letter?" he said, producing the sealed missive entrusted to him by Xiongba and presenting it to Jiansheng with a respectful gesture.

Jiansheng unfolded the letter and scanned its contents, his expression calm but attentive. After a moment, he nodded slightly. "Well, I didn't take Xiongba seriously at first, but since it is a challenge letter sent by you, little brother Alex, I will go to the World's Peak Tower. My Myriad Swords Convergence has made some progress, so Xiongba can be regarded as a good sword-testing stone," he replied, his tone casual yet resolute.

Alex inclined his head in acknowledgment. "In that case, I will await you, Senior Sword Saint, on the night of the full moon on the Mid-Autumn Festival," he said, clasping his hands together in a gesture of farewell before turning to leave the Harmony Pavilion.

As he departed, Alex's thoughts turned to the broader implications of his actions. In the original Storm Riders storyline, the Clay Buddha had prophesied that Xiongba's rise to power would be unstoppable once he secured the allegiance of Nie Feng and Bu Jingyun, the "Wind and Cloud." Yet, Alex's intervention had altered that trajectory.

By guiding Jiansheng to Myriad Swords Convergence and securing his agreement to confront Xiongba, Alex had introduced a new variable into the equation. What would happen if Xiongba, the indomitable leader of the World Alliance, were defeated by Jiansheng's newly honed swordsmanship?

The possibility intrigued Alex. Would the Clay Buddha's prophecy still hold true, or had his actions disrupted the fated path? The uncertainty filled him with both curiosity and anticipation, eager to see how the events would unfold.

With the Peerless Sword slung at his waist, Alex mounted a swift horse and set off toward the World Alliance, his heart set on the impending battle. The clash between Xiongba and Jiansheng on the full moon night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, just half a month away, promised to be a spectacle that would shake the martial world.

As he rode, Alex glanced down at his palm, where a computer-like pattern was nearly complete, its lines almost fully formed. By his estimation, the pattern's completion signaled that he would leave the Storm Riders plane in about half a month's time. Fortunately, this gave him just enough time to witness the monumental duel between Xiongba and Jiansheng.

Pausing briefly, Alex activated his crystal measuring device to assess his current strength. The display showed 196 crystal points, a significant increase that reflected the rapid progress he had made during his time with Wuming and Jiansheng.

His mastery of the Dugu Nine Swords had also advanced, the digital file within his E drive growing from 5G to 6.5G, a testament to his relentless training and the insights gleaned from Wuming's knowledge.

Alex reflected on his growth with quiet satisfaction. "The crystal points of nearly 200 represent only the internal strength and Armament Haki within my body. When combined with my current physical prowess, diverse skills, and swordsmanship, my overall strength might be closing in on Ethan's, who claims to have over 300 crystal points…" he thought, nodding to himself.

Ethan, a formidable figure from his past, had long been Alex's benchmark, an imaginary rival against whom he measured his progress. The thought that he was nearing such a level filled him with a sense of accomplishment.

But his reverie was interrupted by a faint cry from the roadside. "Help, who can help me…" an elderly voice called out, weak and pained, drawing Alex's attention.

Turning his gaze, Alex spotted an old man, likely in his seventies or eighties, lying by the roadside. The man clutched his leg, his face contorted in agony, suggesting a serious injury.

In the harsh reality of the apocalypse, Alex would have been wary of such a scene, suspecting a trap. Deceptions were common in that brutal world, where trust could be a fatal mistake.

Yet, in the Storm Riders plane, the martial world operated by different rules, where honor and compassion still held sway. After a moment's consideration, Alex decided he couldn't ignore the man's plight. He pulled the reins, halting his horse, and dismounted with purposeful strides.

Approaching the old man, Alex knelt beside him. "Old man, what's wrong with you?" he asked, his voice gentle but alert, his eyes scanning for any signs of danger.

The old man grimaced, his voice strained with pain. "I sprained my foot by accident, and it hurts terribly. Can you help me, young man? I need to get to Luo City, not far from here, to see a doctor…" he pleaded, his eyes filled with hope.

Alex nodded, his decision made. "Okay, old man, you can ride my horse," he said, extending a hand to carefully help the man to his feet and onto the saddle.

As the old man settled onto the horse, his expression softened with gratitude. "Young man, you're truly kind. By the way, what's your name?" he asked, his voice warm with appreciation for Alex's generosity.

"I'm Alex," he replied, guiding the horse forward with a steady hand. "And you, old man? What's your name?" he asked, engaging in casual conversation as they moved toward Luo City.

The old man smiled faintly, his eyes glinting with a hint of mystery. "My name is Xu Fu,"