“Meng Tao!”
The Grand Peak Master’s expression darkened slightly, a surge of anger rising in his heart.
Meng Tao was one of the five disciples they had sent to test Lin Xiao’s strength, a genius of Azure Dragon Sect’s second tier.
They had already issued a gag order to all five, yet Meng Tao had actually betrayed Azure Dragon Sect.
No matter the reason.
As for “marrying into” the Ji family, that was nothing more than the other side’s excuse.
Even so, as the Grand Peak Master of Azure Dragon Sect, he naturally would not lose his composure just because the matter had been exposed. He remained calm and said, “Leaving without notice, abandoning master and sect; the Ji family has truly chosen a fine son-in-law.”
With that, he glanced at the crowd behind him and spoke to one of the elders. “Elder Zheng, since someone personally witnessed Lin Xiao hiding in our Azure Dragon Sect, I am afraid there is no mistake. Go and inform everyone again: find Lin Xiao with all our strength.”
Naturally, the Grand Peak Master also transmitted a few more instructions via divine sense.
“Yes!”
That elder immediately turned and withdrew.
Inside Azure Dragon Sect, on a guest peak, Lin Xiao was cultivating.
At that moment, a knock suddenly sounded at his door.
Having just finished refining a human pill, Lin Xiao moved his spiritual force to open the door and stood up. Bi Zhuang’s figure appeared in his sight.
“Lin Xiao, you’re in some trouble.”
Bi Zhuang got straight to the point.
“Oh?”
Lin Xiao was puzzled.
“Here’s the situation. Word has leaked that you’re in Azure Dragon Sect. The Ji family has come knocking.”
Bi Zhuang explained.
Lin Xiao frowned. The Ji family had come to the door?
“Then what did the peak masters say?”
Lin Xiao asked at once.
“Originally, the Grand Peak Master planned to stall and brush them off. But Meng Tao, one of the five disciples who came last time, betrayed the sect. Your presence here can no longer be concealed. Now the Grand Peak Master has sent word: you should join Azure Dragon Sect, even as a nominal disciple. That way, they will have an excuse to protect you.”
Bi Zhuang said.
Lin Xiao frowned. Joining Azure Dragon Sect, even as a nominal disciple, would tie him to the sect. Although Azure Dragon Sect was not bad, he had never intended to join.
Seeing Lin Xiao’s obvious reluctance, Bi Zhuang continued, “Of course, there is another option. It’s just that this one is a bit… exciting.”
“Hm?”
Lin Xiao looked puzzled.
Bi Zhuang grinned. “That would be to reveal your connection with Dragon-Slaying Heaven right there on the spot. Azure Dragon Sect will definitely protect you.”
Lin Xiao was slightly stunned. Reveal his relationship with Dragon-Slaying Heaven in public?
If he did that, he would probably have a lot of trouble afterwards.
Within Azure Dragon Sect there were people who bore grudges against Dragon-Slaying Heaven. Once it was exposed, some might even try their hardest to hand him over to the Ji family.
Moreover, back then Dragon-Slaying Heaven had beaten the Ji family’s younger generation so badly they could not lift their heads. The moment this connection was revealed, the Ji family would probably go mad. They might hold back now because of Azure Dragon Sect’s strength, but in the future they would definitely keep a close watch on him and send large numbers to hunt him down.
Even entering an inter-province teleportation array might face far stricter obstruction; the Spirit Pool Island token and Dragon-Slaying Heaven’s name might no longer work.
And then there was Sacred Heaven Sect. He had killed one of their elders in the Domain of Evil. They might let it slide to cause trouble for the Ji family and let the Ji family deal with him.
But Dragon-Slaying Heaven had also slaughtered many from Sacred Heaven Sect back then. Once it was known that he came from the same place and the same master, they would probably vent all their old resentment on him.
The trouble really would be considerable.
However, this matter would be exposed sooner or later. Given the current situation, it seemed this was the better choice.
After taking a deep breath, Lin Xiao finally replied, “I choose the second option!”
“But I wonder, did Dragon-Slaying Heaven offend the peak masters of Azure Dragon Sect?”
“I knew you’d pick that one. As for the people Dragon-Slaying Heaven offended…” Bi Zhuang gave a sly laugh. “Apart from our Ninth Vein, he offended pretty much everyone. That naturally includes the eight vein peak masters.”
“The Grand Peak Master too?”
Lin Xiao frowned.
This Dragon-Slaying Heaven had not just offended one or two veins, but all eight except the Ninth?
If the eight vein peak masters decided to take it out on him, he would be finished.
Of course, the most crucial one was the Grand Peak Master.
But from what Bi Zhuang said, it seemed even the Grand Peak Master had been offended. In that case, would Azure Dragon Sect still protect him?
Bi Zhuang answered with a counter-question. “Dragon-Slaying Heaven killed the Grand Peak Master’s monstrously talented great-grandson. What do you think?”
“…” Lin Xiao was speechless.
Bloody hell, he even killed the Grand Peak Master’s great-grandson genius. How could that not be an offence?
The current Dragon-Slaying Heaven might be beyond the Grand Peak Master’s reach, but the Grand Peak Master probably would not bother protecting his junior brother.
As for the sect master of Azure Dragon Sect, rumour had it he was elusive as a dragon; such a minor matter definitely would not draw him out.
Dragon-Slaying Heaven himself was in seclusion. Then who would protect him?
It would not just be the Ninth Vein Peak Master alone, would it?
Sensing Lin Xiao’s worry, Bi Zhuang immediately explained, “Don’t worry. The Grand Peak Master and the great elders always put the sect first and are fair and impartial. Back then his great-grandson died openly and honourably at Dragon-Slaying Heaven’s hands, and the Grand Peak Master himself greatly admired Dragon-Slaying Heaven. No matter what, he would never implicate anyone connected to Dragon-Slaying Heaven, nor would he lay a hand on you.”
“Therefore, the Grand Peak Master will definitely protect you.”
“As for the other peak masters, more or less, quite a few elders and disciples from their veins also died at Dragon-Slaying Heaven’s hands. But for the sake of face, they will eventually compromise and keep you safe.”
Hearing this, Lin Xiao was rather surprised.
It seemed Azure Dragon Sect was indeed no ordinary power. The breadth of mind shown by someone like the Grand Peak Master was something few from ordinary forces could match. No wonder it could stand as one of Yang Province’s top three great powers.
“In that case, I’ll go out and show my face.”
Lin Xiao nodded.
“Hehe, this is going to be good.”
Excitement flashed across Bi Zhuang’s face. Grinning expectantly, he led Lin Xiao flying swiftly towards the outside of Azure Dragon Sect.
When Lin Xiao reached a point three thousand li beyond Azure Dragon Sect, at the outermost edge of the mist-shrouded area, three peak masters had already appeared from the sect, along with several dozen to over a hundred elders and disciples hovering in the void.
Opposite them stood only a dozen or so people: several youths, several middle-aged men, and elders.
Yet every one of them radiated powerful auras and terrifying pressure. Clearly, they were all extremely strong experts.
“Lin Xiao!”
The moment Lin Xiao flew out from the mist, a youth from the Ji family group was the first to call out icily. Everyone’s gaze instantly turned towards Lin Xiao.
That youth was Ji Yang, the absolute top genius among the Ji family’s fifty branches and a ground-tier genius of the entire Ji family.
Lin Xiao had killed Ji Juan right in front of him, and Ji Yang had even fought Lin Xiao once, only for Lin Xiao to escape from his hands. Naturally, seeing Lin Xiao now filled him with fury.
“This kid agreed to join Azure Dragon Sect?”
The Grand Peak Master silently wondered.
The other two peak masters present had the same thought.
The rest of the Azure Dragon Sect elders and disciples looked shocked.
The person who killed a ninth-level Martial Emperor of the Ji family was this youth before them?
He really had been hiding inside Azure Dragon Sect?
Yet, judging from appearances, this youth who had caused such a storm did not seem particularly remarkable at all.
