Southeast of Yi Zhou, a range of endless mountains was situated. The mountains here were towering, steep, and perilous. Above, extrely fierce gang winds had ford. Even experts at the Great Master Level would find it difficult to fly here for long.
In the midst of these encircling mountains lay a valley. Within this valley, various palaces and pavilions were scattered in an orderly manner—tall and majestic, unique and particularly characteristic.
This place was ho to one of the Nine Great Families of the Imperial Court, the Sichuan Tangn, whose Puppet Hidden Weapons reigned supre in the world.
Although the Sichuan Tangn's history was shorter than that of other super-sects, it had been established in this region for over eight hundred years. Its deep roots commanded profound awe from all other powers in the region for this colossal entity.
At this ti, within a side hall courtyard deep in the Sichuan Tangn, a few shadowy figures stood, including Tang Long and the woman in black whom Ling Chen had encountered before.
Yet, at this mont, both Tang Long and the black-clad woman were kneeling on the ground. In front of them stood a gloomy-faced elder dressed in black.
"A bunch of wastes!"
The black-clad elder stared at Tang Long and the woman, his face cold, and couldn't help but rebuke them sternly.
"Fifth Elder, please forgive us!"
Tang Long, his face ashen with fright, quickly kowtowed. He knew very well that this Fifth Elder of the Tang Sect was a ruthless character. Their mission had failed, and they had returned empty-handed, clearly provoking the Fifth Elder to a thunderous wrath.
"If you can't even handle such a minor matter, what use are you?"
The Fifth Elder exuded a chilling aura, his gaze so intense it seed capable of swallowing Tang Long and the woman whole. "Do you know what a great risk I took to secretly dispatch so many experts to destroy Qingcheng Palace and retrieve the fragnts of the Sword Immortal Poetry?"
"But what about you? Look at the ss you've made. You still have the audacity to return and face !"
The Fifth Elder looked as though he was bitterly disappointed in them, wishing he could strike Tang Long and the black-clad woman dead with a single palm.
"Fifth Elder, originally, Junior Sister and I had captured Luo Xian'er, the daughter of the Qingcheng Swordsman. The fragnts of the Sword Immortal Poetry were, in all likelihood, in Luo Xian'er's possession. We were just about to bring Luo Xian'er back to report to you when we encountered two barbarians en route who abducted her."
Tang Long, his face the color of dust, quickly said. He couldn't confirm if Ling Chen was the one who had rescued Luo Xian'er, but at this point, he had no choice but to insist it was Ling Chen. Otherwise, if he admitted he didn't even know who had rescued Luo Xian'er, the Fifth Elder would undoubtedly strike him dead with a single palm.
"Barbarians?"
The Fifth Elder looked at Tang Long with so skepticism, then sneered, "You're not trying to evade punishnt by concocting so story to deceive , are you? re barbarians managed to leave you outstanding Tang Sect Disciples in such a sorry state, and even cost you an arm?"
"Senior Brother is telling the truth!" the black-clad woman also interjected. She and Tang Long were in the sa boat; if one prospered, both prospered; if one suffered, both suffered. She quickly said, "Those two, a man and a woman, claid to be from the southern Desolate Land. They were highly skilled in martial arts. The man's swordsmanship was exceptional. Even when more than a dozen of us attacked with hidden weapons, we couldn't touch him. Instead, he severed Senior Brother Tang Long's arm with a single sword strike."
Hearing this, Tang Long's expression turned even fouler. This incident was the greatest humiliation of his life, like a brand seared upon him that could never be erased.
"He severed Tang Long's arm with a single sword strike? Is this person's cultivation very high?"
The Fifth Elder's expression finally grew sowhat solemn. Tang Long was an expert at the Sky Apex Realm Third Layer. To sever Tang Long's arm with a single strike, that person must be at least at the Sky Apex Fourth Layer, or possibly even higher than the Fifth Layer.
"Not high," the black-clad woman shook her head. "He's only at the Sky Apex Realm First Layer."
"What?"
The Fifth Elder was astonished. He had originally thought the opponent relied on superior cultivation. He hadn't expected the opponent's cultivation to be even lower than Tang Long's—a full two levels lower.
That was what made it terrifying. It ant that this so-called barbarian was a genius far more outstanding than Tang Long.
The black-clad woman stole a glance at the Fifth Elder and continued, "Also, the young girl with him, who looked to be only sixteen or seventeen, could control puppets at the Sky Apex Realm Fifth Level or higher."
"Oh?"
The Fifth Elder's eyes lit up, his heart pounding with shock. A re barbarian capable of such a feat? Even many of our Tang Sect's Core Disciples cannot control puppets at the Sky Apex Realm Fifth Level or higher.
"Moreover, she claid to have crafted that puppet herself," the black-clad woman added carefully.
"That's utter nonsense."
The Fifth Elder shook his head, resolutely refusing to believe it. A mocking smirk touched his lips. Sixteen or seventeen years old, and crafting puppets at the Sky Apex Realm Fifth Level or higher? Even the most talented disciple in our Tang Sect, at sixteen, could at best barely craft a puppet at the Sky Apex Realm Third Layer.
Could it be that a re barbarian was even more talented than the most outstanding disciples of our Tang Sect?
However, he was indeed mistaken. Ling Yin hadn't crafted a puppet at the Sky Apex Realm Fifth Level; the puppet she had crafted was at the Seventh Realm of Sky Apex.
"Regardless of whether they're barbarians or so worthless vermin, if they dare to interfere with my important affairs, they're courting death."
Killing intent flashed in the Fifth Elder's eyes. It mattered little whether Ling Chen and his companion were rely people of the Desolate Land or if they possessed so significant background. He had no fear, for the entirety of Yi Zhou was the Tang Sect's domain, where they reigned supre. Even the other Eight Major Families, and even Royal Family mbers, had to defer to the Tang Sect's wishes when in Yi Zhou.
"Tang Long, you rember what those two look like, don't you?"
The Fifth Elder's gaze was fixed intently on Tang Long and the black-clad woman.
"I rember!"
A thrill of fierce joy shot through Tang Long. His chance for revenge had finally co! A vicious glint flashed in his eyes as he gritted his teeth and vowed, "Even if they're turned to ash, I'll recognize them!"
"Good. Quickly draw portraits of those two and Luo Xian'er. Then, deliver them to the Dudufu of Yi Zhou and the Bounty Hunters. Declare that these three are fugitives of the Imperial Court, guilty of heinous cris. They are to use all available resources to hunt them down. Ensure they are captured! Offer a substantial reward for any success!" the Fifth Elder ordered in a deep voice.
He chose not to deploy the Tang Sect's experts to avoid alerting other high-ranking mbers of the sect and drawing unwanted attention. Currently, no one else knew about the fragnts of the Sword Immortal Poetry. If the pursuit caused too much commotion, his plan to secretly acquire the poetry fragnts for himself would beco impossible.
"Yes!"
Tang Long quickly assented with a clasped fist salute, exchanging a knowing glance with the black-clad woman beside him. A cold glint flickered in their eyes, and a chill surged through their hearts. Once the Fifth Elder gave the order and the portraits were delivered to the Dudufu and the Bounty Hunters, every Capture Officer in Yi Zhou and all the Bounty Hunters in Jianghu would spring into action. They would begin tracking Ling Chen's whereabouts.
Ling Chen's doom was not far off.
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