Upon hearing Dongfang Kaiyuan’s words, Ling Xiao was somewhat stunned. He did not think as much as Lin Xiao did, but his first thought was that Fu Yan had not yet returned with the news.
Otherwise, how could Sikong Jian have the mood to discuss launching a full-scale attack on the Emperor Raiders?
However, given the previous failure and the strength of the Emperor Raiders, Ling Xiao frowned and said, “The combat power of the Emperor Raiders is not weaker than ours. Our Martial Emperors have just recovered, and even the Purple Emperor has not fully recovered. Why choose this moment to launch a full-scale attack?”
Not only Ling Xiao, but the group of Martial Emperors present were also very puzzled.
“The Emperor Raiders Alliance is plundering resources on a large scale, surely preparing a bigger move. If we do not act early to disrupt them, it will likely be extremely disadvantageous to us.”
At this moment, Sikong Jian, seated in the main position, spoke. His gaze swept over Lin Xiao and the others, then he said, “Since both of you are back, and we have almost gathered everyone, I will be frank.”
“After the last battle, my cultivation has broken through one level, reaching the fifth level of the Martial Emperor realm.” A trace of pride and confidence, as if standing at the peak, appeared on Sikong Jian’s face.
As he spoke, a terrifying aura of a fifth-level Martial Emperor emanated from him, its formidable pressure enveloping the scene, making everyone feel the immense power.
“What?” Everyone was shocked.
Sikong Jian had actually broken through one level of the Martial Emperor realm?
At the fourth level of the Martial Emperor realm, Sikong Jian’s combat power was already extremely terrifying. Now, having broken through another level, would it not be even more formidable?
Lin Xiao was also extremely shocked. Sikong Jian had called for this full-scale attack because he had broken through one level of the Martial Emperor realm, not because he knew Lin Xiao had killed Elder Zhou?
Ling Xiao was equally astonished.
A complex light appeared in Dongfang Kaiyuan’s eyes. Sikong Jian’s breakthrough was good news for the entire Orthodox Alliance.
However, a breakthrough Sikong Jian would be difficult for him to contend with.
In the future, for the Gun Dragon Sect, it would pose a significant threat.
“Congratulations, Sect Leader Sikong, congratulations on breaking through one level of the Martial Emperor realm. Your strength must have greatly increased. This is great news for our entire Orthodox Alliance,” Sheng Qianyu said with great joy, excitedly being the first to speak.
For the Orthodox Guardians, any increase in strength on any side was a matter of great joy.
“Indeed, with Sect Leader Sikong leading, our overall combat power will surely rise significantly this time,” the Sect Leader of the Absolute Blade Sect echoed.
Qu Huang, an elder of the Absolute Blade Sect, also spoke to offer congratulations.
The Sect Leader of the Nine Heavens Sect and Dongfang Kaiyuan also spoke a few lukewarm words.
Sikong Jian nodded with satisfaction and said, “With my current combat power, stopping that Hall Master should not be a problem. Their number of Martial Emperors is similar to ours. With Sect Leader Dongfang and Emperor Sheng dealing with the two blue-robed Martial Emperors, we should have the upper hand.”
“The purpose of this full-scale attack is not to fight the Emperor Raiders to the death, but to disrupt their plans, deal them a blow, and then act according to circumstances.”
At this, the other Martial Emperors fell silent.
Previously, they would have strongly opposed Sikong Jian’s proposal.
But now, they had to consider it carefully.
After all, the Emperor Raiders were plundering so aggressively, likely preparing a significant move.
If the Emperor Raiders Alliance succeeded, they would likely face a huge threat.
And now, they had the strength to counter the opponent’s top forces, unlike the last time when they were at a significant disadvantage.
“I agree!” At this moment, Ling Xiao was the first to speak decisively, causing everyone to turn their heads.
Under the stunned gazes of the crowd, Ling Xiao said directly, “In fact, I have also just broken through one level of the Martial Emperor realm, reaching the third level. With my combat power, I should have no problem holding off a fourth-level Martial Emperor.”
As he spoke, Ling Xiao released his cultivation to prove his words.
In truth, he had his own motives. If they launched a full-scale attack on the Emperor Raiders now, with his and Lin Xiao’s enhanced combat power, even if they could not completely win, they could surely cause significant losses to the Emperor Raiders Alliance.
Most importantly, they could use Sikong Jian and the Ling Sword Sect to weaken the Emperor Raiders Alliance, temporarily diverting attention.
It would also weaken the Ling Sword Sect.
Otherwise, if Elder Zhou returned first and the news spread, the Orthodox Alliance might fall apart.
It was better to discuss it first.
Even if they could not attack immediately and had to wait for Elder Zhou to return, by then, even if Elder Zhou was back, Emperor Sheng and others, who did not want the Orthodox Alliance to collapse, would be more amenable.
At the very least, Lin Xiao had a reason for killing, and Emperor Sheng and others would not easily side with the opposition.
Moreover, since Elder Zhou had not returned, agreeing now would give them a chance to intercept him.
Hearing Ling Xiao’s words, the other Martial Emperors were shocked again, their faces full of astonishment. Ling Xiao had also broken through?
How was this possible?
Had he not broken through just half a year ago?
How could it happen so quickly?
The group was both shocked and silently sighed, wondering why they could not break through after decades of effort, while others broke through after a single battle?
“Moreover, not only me, but Lin Xiao has also broken through. Both his elemental and spiritual power have advanced. His elemental power has broken through one level, and his spiritual power has directly advanced two levels, reaching the mid-sixth-grade spiritual power realm. His spiritual power alone can contend with a third-level Martial Emperor,” Ling Xiao added.
Lin Xiao’s strength would eventually be revealed, so saying it now could also intimidate the Ling Sword Sect.
It would also urge the group to agree to the full-scale attack on the Emperor Raiders Alliance.
“What?” The group was even more dumbfounded, and even Sikong Jian could hardly sit still.
He was once the top genius, the most talented of his time, one of the top figures in the Southeast Region.
He had lingered at the fourth level of the Martial Emperor realm for decades, only breaking through one level after a life-and-death battle.
Yet Lin Xiao, who had only recently broken through, had now advanced again, with both elemental and spiritual power reaching the level to contend with a third-level Martial Emperor?
At this rate, would he not surpass him soon?
“Moreover, this time we went to find the Red Beast Cub. We did not get the cub, but we encountered the Emperor Raiders, and Lin Xiao killed one of their Martial Emperors, Duan Huang,” Ling Xiao said selectively.
“What, Duan Huang was killed by Lin Xiao?” The crowd was shocked again, their faces filled with disbelief.
Not everyone knew about the Red Beast Cub, not even Sikong Jian or Dongfang Kaiyuan.
They would have been surprised, but Duan Huang’s death shocked them even more.
They were well aware of Duan Huang’s strength, a second-level Martial Emperor with remarkable skills, extremely difficult to kill. Even Emperor Sheng might not have been able to defeat him.
Yet Lin Xiao had killed Duan Huang?
In reality, Lin Xiao had also killed Xiang Huang, but the people from the Sheng family and the Ling Sword Sect who were present had not yet returned, so the group was unaware of this news.
“Lin Xiao, is this true?” Yun Jing could not help but ask.
Lin Xiao understood Ling Xiao’s intention: to discuss launching a full-scale attack on the Emperor Raiders first and then deal with Fu Yan’s matter, which was a good choice.
Moreover, these matters would eventually come to light, so Lin Xiao nodded and said, “Yes, not only Duan Huang, but in fact, before killing Duan Huang, I also killed Xiang Huang.”
“What?” The group was so shocked they nearly stood up.
Duan Huang was dead, and Xiang Huang was dead too? Did that mean two of their Martial Emperors had fallen?
In other words, Lin Xiao had the strength to completely kill a second-level Martial Emperor?
