“You!” Zhe Renfeng was furious, but helpless against them. He could only wave his robe in anger and say, “Jian Wudi’s storage ring is not with me.”
Lin Xiao frowned slightly. When he killed Jian Wudi, it was amidst darkness, with three Martial Emperors attacking him, so he couldn’t tell which elder took it.
He was certain, however, that Jian Wudi’s storage ring contained the Sword Sect’s core martial techniques and extraordinary items, surely taken by one of them.
It was highly likely that the Grand Elder of the Sword Sect had it.
But since Zhe Renfeng had spoken thus, it was tantamount to indirectly yielding, ready to resolve the matter.
In that case, waiting for the Sword Sect’s Grand Elder to return and claim the Void Phoenix Wings to settle things wasn’t out of the question.
Of course, the matter of three Martial Emperors attacking him, if pursued seriously, wouldn’t be resolved merely by reclaiming the Void Phoenix Wings.
However, the Sword Sect had already suffered heavy losses. Demanding more might push them to break ties completely, leaving him with nothing.
It was better to demand only the Void Phoenix Wings.
This would also give the Sword Sect and the other Martial Emperors a way to step down. It was clear that Yun Jing, a single Martial Emperor from the Spear Dragon Sect, could hardly withstand attacks from other Martial Emperors.
As for the Nine Heavens Sect Leader, being an outsider, his assistance was likely already a significant favour to Yun Jing.
Expecting his full commitment would be difficult.
The Burial Sect Martial Emperor’s help was even more puzzling, their motives unclear.
For now, the priority was to reclaim the Void Phoenix Wings and leave the Sword Sect as soon as possible.
“Whoosh!” “Whoosh!”
Not long after, two Sky Control Boats streaked through the sky, and two figures emerged.
These were none other than the Sword Sect’s Grand Elder and the Absolute Blade Sect’s Martial Emperor Elder, both with grim expressions.
“You two, what’s the situation?” the Nine Heavens Sect Leader couldn’t help but ask.
Though he had just clashed with the Sword Sect’s Grand Elder, the matter of the Emperor Assassins concerned all factions and every Martial Emperor, compelling him to inquire.
“They escaped!” the Sword Sect’s Grand Elder said with an extremely dark expression. At this moment, with their Second Elder suffering such a deadly attack, his anger was palpable.
“They were well-prepared, too fast to catch,” the Absolute Blade Sect’s Martial Emperor shook his head, his tone heavy.
At this point, the Sword Sect’s Grand Elder moved to Zhe Renfeng’s side, checking the injured elder. His brows furrowed deeply as he said to Zhe Renfeng, “Take him back to recover. I’ll handle things here.”
Zhe Renfeng nodded, casting a cold glance at Lin Xiao and the others before sweeping up the Second Elder’s body and heading towards the Sword Sect’s mountain gate. Soon, he vanished from sight.
“Old man, Zhe Renfeng has already agreed to hand over my Void Phoenix Wings. Give them up, and I’ll let today’s matter with the Sword Sect slide,” Lin Xiao said directly to the Sword Sect’s Grand Elder.
The Grand Elder’s face darkened. Before he could speak, Yun Jing interjected, “Elder Fu Yan, a fair fight between juniors, yet you attacked after a loss. I don’t need to say more. Our Spear Dragon Sect hasn’t reached the point where we can be bullied by your Sword Sect at will.”
“However, with the Emperor Assassins appearing, the situation is serious. As long as the Void Phoenix Wings, the wager of their duel, are returned to Lin Xiao, this matter can be temporarily set aside.”
Yun Jing reiterated Lin Xiao’s demand, knowing that only his words might compel Fu Yan to return the Void Phoenix Wings.
Otherwise, with Fu Yan’s anger, he wouldn’t comply with Lin Xiao’s request.
Fu Yan frowned, knowing they were in the wrong. No matter how great their losses, they needed a way to step down, or it would be hard to justify.
The Void Phoenix Wings, though rare, weren’t indispensable with Sky Control Boats available.
As the Sword Sect’s Grand Elder, he knew when to advance or retreat. After a moment’s thought, he tossed the Void Phoenix Wings from his storage ring towards Lin Xiao.
Seeing the Void Phoenix Wings flying towards him, Lin Xiao’s heart leapt with joy. He had finally reclaimed this treasure.
The Void Phoenix Wings were of little use to Martial Emperors, but to him, they were a life-saving treasure, invaluable.
At this moment, Cao Tianchao, Lu Yuan, and others looked utterly grim, especially Cao Tianchao. The Void Phoenix Wings had been his gift to Jian Wudi.
Now, they were back in Lin Xiao’s hands.
Lin Xiao had created a miracle, surviving Jian Wudi and even killing him.
With Lin Xiao’s current strength, even if they met him alone, they likely couldn’t kill him anymore.
With the Spear Dragon Sect backing him, their hopes of avenging their clansmen and eliminating this threat were nearly impossible.
Yang Lan, Duan Tianya, the Duan Family, the Xing Family, and the Xiang Family, all connected to Lin Xiao, felt despair. Not only had Lin Xiao survived today, but the matter was about to be settled.
Killing Lin Xiao now seemed beyond their reach.
After tossing out the Void Phoenix Wings, Fu Yan didn’t mention Lin Xiao again, instead shifting the topic to the Emperor Assassins. “Everyone, the Emperor Assassins have appeared again, and so boldly. They must have considerable backing.”
“Now, the Southeast Region has only the eight major sects’ Martial Emperors left. We don’t know how many Emperor Assassins there are or how strong they are. In the coming days, their appearances will likely become more frequent, posing a huge threat to every sect.”
“Thus, I have a proposal.”
Fu Yan glanced at all the Martial Emperors present and said, “Our eight major sects should form a pact. Martial Emperors must not fight each other or attack any faction unprovoked, preserving our strength to counter the Emperor Assassins. What do you all think?”
The other sects’ Martial Emperors looked solemn. Fu Yan’s words rang true.
For the Emperor Assassins to dare act in front of so many Martial Emperors, their confidence suggested a threat to every sect.
In the past, with the three families’ Martial Emperors, plus Sikong Jian and Dongfang Kaiyuan, the Emperor Assassins had to tread carefully, sometimes not appearing for years.
Now, with fewer Martial Emperors, the Emperor Assassins would likely become more frequent and brazen, as today proved, perhaps sending a message.
If the eight major sects’ Martial Emperors fought among themselves, every Martial Emperor could be at risk.
Only by forming a pact and uniting could they resist the Emperor Assassins.
Among the three families’ members present, some frowned, some showed wise glints in their eyes, and others looked coldly calculating, their expressions varied.
Without Martial Emperors, tensions among rival factions were already simmering.
However, many families were tied to the eight major sects, so none dared act rashly.
If the eight major sects agreed that Martial Emperors wouldn’t attack any faction, once the pact took effect, many factions might start making bold moves.
This would be major news, and they needed to report it to their families immediately.
Everyone looked up at the Martial Emperors in the sky, awaiting their response.
Lin Xiao was also astonished, not expecting Fu Yan to propose such a pact.
Without Martial Emperors acting, with his combat strength and Blue Corpse Puppet, no one could threaten him unless they ganged up.
Of course, it was possible the Sword Sect, using the Emperor Assassins as a pretext, proposed this to arrange for others to target him.
After all, no matter how strong his combat power or his Half-Step Martial Emperor Blue Corpse Puppet, facing multiple Half-Step Martial Emperors or countless Ninth Stage Martial Lords would make escape nearly impossible.
Moreover, he didn’t believe the Sword Sect could let go of their grudge against him.
Lin Xiao’s eyes scanned Yun Jing, the Nine Heavens Sect Leader, and the other Martial Emperors present, awaiting their decision.
