This figure was tall and upright, majestic and imposing. His grey-brown long hair fluttered of its own accord without any wind. His face was resolute and bronzed, faintly gleaming with a metallic sheen under the sunlight.
His eyes were deep as the sea, his gaze sharp as torches, seemingly capable of piercing through all things. The whole man resembled an iron-willed, blood-and-guts middle-aged warrior, showing no trace of age.
From him emanated an incomparable aura. To onlookers, he seemed like an unparalleled supreme powerhouse from ancient times, utterly unmatched.
Everyone in Canglong Gate felt their hearts quake. This heroic, invincible figure was their gate master?
None of them had imagined that their sect possessed such awe-inspiring might.
This bearing alone completely overshadowed even the Ji family head.
Even Ji Tian and his two companions could not hide the deep wariness on their faces.
The Canglong Gate master was indeed as mysteriously extraordinary as the rumours claimed.
Yet Ji Tian was, after all, the Ji family head. He would not yield in momentum. He said gravely to the gate master, “Gate Master, one of your Canglong Gate elders joined Lin Xiao in attacking my Ji family. What explanation does Canglong Gate offer?”
Ji Tian’s tone clearly carried accusation.
The Canglong Gate master remained perfectly composed. He said unhurriedly, “Long Tu Tian and Lin Xiao are personal friends. Whatever Long Tu Tian does, Canglong Gate cannot stop him. If he acts, Family Head Ji may deal with him directly. We will not interfere.”
His tone carried dominance. “However, if the Ji family lays hands on any other elders or disciples of Canglong Gate, we will not stand idly by.”
“Long Tu Tian is a Canglong Gate elder. He struck at the Ji family. Your Ji family killed one of our ninth-level martial emperor elders. Consider the matter even.”
“As for Lin Xiao and the others, they are truly not within Canglong Gate. If Family Head Ji does not believe me, feel free to search.”
From start to finish, the Canglong Gate master remained utterly calm. His words advanced and retreated appropriately, never lacking in presence.
“You said it yourself?
If our Ji family acts against Long Tu Tian?
Canglong Gate will not intervene?”
Ji Tian asked coldly.
“Naturally.”
The Canglong Gate master replied.
“Very well!”
Ji Tian spat the two words heavily. “As for searching, we will dispense with that. However, if we discover Lin Xiao and the others in Canglong Gate, the Ji family will surely attack it!”
“We will also return Long Tu Tian’s corpse. We take our leave!”
After this grim threat, Ji Tian waved his hand and turned to depart.
His goal had been a feint against Canglong Gate, not a true assault.
The Canglong Gate master was unfathomably deep. Now was not the time for open war. Since the objective was achieved, there was no need to linger.
The East Elder and Wu Meng left with reluctant expressions.
“Greetings to the Gate Master!”
At this moment, the elders and disciples of Canglong Gate all paid respectful obeisance.
The Canglong Gate master waved his hand. “Only strength prevents bullying. The coming days will not be peaceful. Eighty percent of elders and disciples are to travel to various states for training. Unless summoned by the sect, do not return until reaching martial saint realm.”
“What?”
Hearing the gate master’s words, everyone felt their hearts jolt.
Eighty percent of elders and disciples sent out for training. Was this emptying the sect?
With eighty percent gone, hardly anyone would remain. Travelling to various states meant distances unknown from Canglong Gate. Becoming a martial saint could take countless years.
Some might take decades, centuries, even two or three hundred years. Some might never reach martial saint in their lifetime.
That meant, without a sect-wide summons, they could never return?
Had matters truly become this grave?
Was the Ji family about to attack Canglong Gate soon?
The elders and disciples of Canglong Gate felt unwilling. Leaving like this was tantamount to fleeing. They would rather die in battle than abandon the sect.
“Those below martial saint would only burden the sect. Elder Lu Hou, make the arrangements.”
The Canglong Gate master said to Lu Hou, silencing the hot-blooded youths who wished to speak.
With that, he shot back into the depths of Canglong Gate, vanishing from sight in an instant like teleportation.
Elder Lu Hou first ordered the various peak masters to discuss among themselves, then returned to the main peak for deliberations, arranging departures in batches.
Essentially, only a minimal intelligence network remained.
The members of Canglong Gate left unwillingly in groups, heading in all directions.
Of course, some were assigned tasks, heading to locations in various states, such as families friendly with Canglong Gate.
This carried the flavour of seeking refuge.
At this, the people of Canglong Gate felt deeply stifled.
Yet from unwillingness also arose fighting spirit. They vowed to break through quickly and reach martial saint realm soon.
…
After Ji Tian and the others left Canglong Gate, Wu Meng could not help asking Ji Tian, “Family Head Ji, what shall we do next?”
“This Canglong Gate master is no simple figure. If we force action, we may gain little advantage. Drawing him in would only make eliminating Lin Xiao and the others more troublesome.”
Ji Tian gazed deeply into the distance. “If the Supreme Elder fails to intercept them, Lin Xiao’s group may head to Saint State via the Wang family. I will take a heavy treasure to Saint State. Elder Wu Meng, leave monitoring Canglong Gate to your Saint Heaven Gate.”
“Yes!”
Wu Meng nodded.
“East Elder, you will oversee the Ji family. If massive casualties occur, withdraw all branch members and clansmen to the underground palace at headquarters. Also, search thoroughly for Lin Xiao’s other associates.”
Ji Tian instructed the East Elder.
“Yes!”
The East Elder nodded.
Immediately, Ji Tian flew at full speed. The three parted ways.
…
Saint State, towards the southeast, in a hidden mountain range.
In a spacious valley overgrown with weeds, an elder sat atop a nearby peak.
Behind him followed dozens of people, youths, middle-aged, and elders.
These were all Canglong Gate personnel in this branch, some disciples and families of branch elders.
Everyone in this branch had gathered, all silent, seemingly awaiting something.
Sss!
At that moment, ripples appeared in the void. A spatial gate suddenly formed above the valley. Four figures shot out from the emptiness.
These four were none other than Lin Xiao, Long Tu Tian, and the others.
Looking at the familiar surroundings, Lin Xiao secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
They had finally arrived safely in Saint State.
Yet worry lingered in Lin Xiao’s heart. In Saint State too lay enormous trouble. News of the four slain martial saints had likely already spread.
He wondered what actions the four great powers would take. He would have to avoid those four forces as well.
Seeing Lin Xiao and the others appear, the group on the peak grew tense.
“Elder Long!”
At this point, the elder surnamed You spoke first, addressing Long Tu Tian.
“Elder You!”
Long Tu Tian returned the courtesy to Elder You. Sweeping his gaze over the people on the peak and noting their expressions, he could not help asking, “What has happened?”
