In an instant, everyone flew into a panic.
Chu Tianxiong looked as if he were facing a formidable enemy.
’What’s going on?’
’Didn’t the Celestial Moon Sect just send Qi Bian to get revenge on us? Why are they back again?’
’And of all times, it had to be right when Su Mo left.’
’What are we going to do?’
Chu Tianxiong roared, "Quick! Activate the Sect Protection Array! Any later and it’ll be too late!"
BUZZ!
The disciples of the Beast Taming Sect worked together to open the Sect Protection Array, enveloping and protecting the entire sect.
Just then, the crowd in the sky arrived.
Leading them was Ouyang Teng.
He was flanked by over a hundred Elders and nearly a thousand disciples, a dense, dark mass that blotted out the sky.
"So many people?"
"Don’t tell me the entire Celestial Moon Sect has mobilized?"
"Damn it, the Celestial Moon Sect has lost its mind."
Staring at the dense crowd in the sky, everyone’s hearts sank to the pit of their stomachs, and they trembled with fear.
Aside from Ouyang Teng, several of their Elders were also at the Martial Monarch Realm. A single move from any one of them could annihilate the entire Beast Taming Sect.
Not to mention, they also had dozens of Grand Martial Artist experts.
There was no way to win.
Elder Liu asked, "Sect Leader, what do we do?"
Chu Tianxiong’s face was grim as he remained silent.
’We can’t win a fight, and there’s nowhere to run. What am I supposed to do?’
’They’ve come here aggressively; explanations will be useless. All we can do is hunker down and not go out.’
"Sect Leader, we should call for Elder Su."
"Against such a terrifying force, even Elder Su probably couldn’t win if he were here."
"Are we supposed to hide inside this Array for the rest of our lives?"
The crowd began to clamor.
BANG!
Just then, a giant hand viciously struck the Beast Taming Sect’s protective Array, letting out a deep, muffled boom.
BUZZ!
The Sect Protection Array vibrated violently, unleashing a tyrannical ripple of energy that repelled the giant hand.
"Hm?"
Feeling the force of the rebound from the Array, Ouyang Teng couldn’t help but frown.
’What a tough Array.’
Grand Elder Han Zong spoke respectfully, "Sect Leader, I’ve already investigated. This Array was left behind by the founding ancestor of the Beast Taming Sect. It is very difficult to breach with brute force."
"Then what do you suggest?"
Ouyang Teng asked, his face grim.
Han Zong’s mind raced as he replied, "We find a way to lure them out, then kill them one by one and seize the Beast Taming Sect."
Ouyang Teng nodded. "Good. I’ll leave this matter to you."
"Yes, Sect Leader!"
Han Zong flew into the air above the Beast Taming Sect, his feet planted on the Array, and said, "Sect Leader Chu, the Young Sect Leader of my Celestial Moon Sect died in your Beast Taming Sect. Don’t you think you should come out and give us an explanation?"
"Elder Han, it is true that Young Sect Leader Ouyang Cheng died at our Beast Taming Sect, but he brought it all upon himself! It has absolutely nothing to do with us."
Chu Tianxiong explained respectfully.
Han Zong said coolly, "Since it has nothing to do with the Beast Taming Sect, then why don’t you come out, Sect Leader Chu, and explain it to our Ouyang Sect Master in person?"
"You’re just trying to trick me into coming out so you can kill me, aren’t you?"
Chu Tianxiong saw through Han Zong’s scheme at a glance.
Han Zong’s voice turned cold. "If you refuse to come out, we will shatter your mountain gate and slaughter every last person in the Beast Taming Sect. Will it be you who dies alone, or will all of you die? The choice is yours."
A threat!
A blatant, naked threat.
Before Chu Tianxiong could make a decision, the Ancient Giant Crocodile suddenly spoke in a lazy drawl, "You old bastard, shut your yapping. When Elder Su arrives, he’ll peel your skin right off."
"Elder Su?"
Han Zong’s brows furrowed, his face a mask of confusion.
The Ancient Giant Crocodile continued, "That’s right, Elder Su. He can stomp on a Martial Monarch and thrash a Martial King without breaking a sweat. In his presence, you wouldn’t even be qualified to stand. You’d only be fit to kneel and polish his shoes, and even then, he might not want you."
"Stomp on a Martial Monarch and thrash a Martial King?"
Han Zong’s face was filled with astonishment.
’When did such a powerful expert appear within the Eighteen Kingdoms? How have I heard nothing about it?’
The Ancient Giant Crocodile said with disdain, "Let me tell you the truth. Your Young Sect Leader, Ouyang Cheng, was killed by Elder Su. And your Outer Sect Steward, Qi Bian? Elder Su killed him in an instant with a single withered branch."
"What? Steward Qi Bian is dead?"
"What was he doing here? Was he trying to hog the glory by coming to avenge the Young Sect Leader all by himself?"
"Impossible. Steward Qi Bian was an Early Stage Martial Monarch. Who could kill him in an instant, let alone with a withered branch?"
The members of the Celestial Moon Sect broke into discussion, their faces etched with disbelief.
Han Zong approached Ouyang Teng and said in a low voice, "Sect Leader, the situation has changed. The Young Sect Leader’s death might involve an expert we can’t afford to provoke."
"Could they just be bluffing to scare us?"
Ouyang Teng asked.
Han Zong pondered for a moment. "From the way they’re acting, it doesn’t look like they’re lying."
Ouyang Teng frowned. "Have you heard of this Elder Su, or do you know anything about his background?"
Han Zong shook his head.
He had lived in the Northern Profound Domain for most of his life and had never heard of any "Elder Su."
The others shook their heads as well.
Han Zong said thoughtfully, "Sect Leader, we should first ascertain the background of this Elder Su. If we act rashly against the Beast Taming Sect, I fear we may bring great trouble upon the Celestial Moon Sect."
"Very well."
Ouyang Teng agreed.
Han Zong turned back to the Beast Taming Sect. "This Elder Su you speak of... why have I never heard of him? Where is he from?"
"Old geezer, you can’t be thinking of going after Elder Su, can you?"
The Ancient Giant Crocodile looked astonished for a moment, then broke into a cold sneer.
’Going after Su Mo?’
’The Celestial Moon Sect really doesn’t know what’s good for it.’
The Ancient Giant Crocodile sneered. "Heh, since the Celestial Moon Sect is so eager to die, I’ll be happy to oblige. Elder Su lives in the Desolate Empire. Go ask around; you’ll find out soon enough."
"The Desolate Empire?"
Han Zong’s brow furrowed.
As far as he knew, the Desolate Empire was just a barren little kingdom. Its strongest expert, the Heaven-Suppressing King, was currently in seclusion, attempting to break through to the Martial Monarch Realm.
’What kind of expert could possibly emerge from such a remote place?’
Han Zong couldn’t make sense of it.
However, to be on the safe side, Han Zong decided to investigate in the Desolate Empire. He turned to Ouyang Teng and said, "Sect Leader, I am acquainted with the Desolate Empire’s Heaven-Suppressing King. I can go and ask him."
"Good. Go and return quickly."
Ouyang Teng agreed.
He was naturally furious about his son’s death and wished for nothing more than to annihilate the Beast Taming Sect, but that was on the condition that he didn’t offend a true expert and could preserve his own life.
Watching Han Zong depart, everyone in the Beast Taming Sect breathed a collective sigh of relief.
They had bluffed them, for now.
Elder Liu asked worriedly, "We told Han Zong about Elder Su’s whereabouts. Won’t that make Elder Su angry? He might think we sold him out."
Chu Tianxiong shook his head. "He won’t. Elder Su is a kind person; he won’t hold a grudge over such a small matter. Besides, his power is unfathomable. The Celestial Moon Sect wouldn’t dare make a move against him."
"Elder Liu, you’re far too timid."
The Ancient Giant Crocodile said disdainfully, "I must have had eight lifetimes of bloody bad luck to end up as a Demon Pet in the hands of you cowards. Do you think you’re worthy of me? Let me go! I’m going to find Elder Su!"
"Old Croc, can’t you talk a little less?"
The linen-robed elder scolded, "Even if you want to find Elder Su, you have to wait for the people from the Celestial Moon Sect to leave. Do you dare go out there right now?"