Chapter 94: Farewell, Arrival at Cloudhill (1)

Chapter 94: Farewell, Arrival at Cloudhill (1)

"It's difficult to say," Custodian Qin shook his head, his voice tinged with uncertainty. "These are just the preliminary reports, and the truth within them cannot be confirmed. But Thousand Mountains is no fool - quite the opposite, he's bold yet meticulous. He must have predicted that news of his possession of the Chu-Jiang Token would have spread by now. Its unlikely that he will make an appearance anytime soon."

"It's not just our Pleiades Guild. Which of the major powers across the seven continents of the Central Plains wouldn't want to get their hands on a Chu-Jiang Token? Besides, with our branch's strength, can we contain Thousand Mountains even if he does arrive?"

Branch Master Qing was left speechless. Indeed, even if Thousand Mountains were to appear, what could they possibly do? Resort to violence? With their branch's strength, they might be able to restrain a first-rate Adept, but a Savant expert? Even with ample preparation, there was a good chance of the entire branch being annihilated. Their chances of victory were slim to none.

"Report it," Branch Master Qing spat, "We'll wait for the decision from above."

Approximately 100 li from Southdream City was a mansion encompassing a small hill, home to a few hundred people. Among the plethora of mansions that dotted Southdream Province, this one appeared rather inconspicuous.

As the first light of dawn approached, numerous brightly lit secret chambers under the mansion bustled with activity.

"Senior Sister," a young man in silver robes walked into one such secret chamber, his lids still heavy with sleep.

"Zhiyou, I've made up my mind. You'll make a trip to our master's residence today," said a middle-aged woman in purple robes, sitting in the host seat. Her expression was cold and aloof.

"What?" The young man was taken aback. "Aren't I supposed to lead a team to assassinate Wu Yuan? Senior Sister, our last attempt in Li City only failed due to our lack of manpower, allowing Wu Yuan to escape."

"The previous failure is irrelevant," the middle-aged woman in the purple robe said softly. "There are more pressing matters we must attend to. Furthermore, we no longer have any time to eliminate him."

"Why?" The young man was puzzled. "What happened?"

News of the battle at Li City spread quickly. The name Shadow Blade shook the Jiang Continent, leaving a deep impression on all major powers. And at noon the following day, news of Chen Tangru and Wang Zhushans demise reached Yuanhu Villa. The Yuanhu Lake, spanning an impressive 600 li, roiled with tumultuous waves.

Within the majestic hall atop the Yuanhu mountain adjacent to the lake.

"Tangru, Zhushan!" The usually imperturbable Old Yuanhu howled with fury, "Where did this Shadow Blade come from? How dare he kill my disciples? He must be tired of living!"

Old Yuanhu's real name was Chang Dong. In the depths of his fury, he let loose, allowing a palpable aura of malevolence to fill the hall, causing the maidservants and servants outside to tremble involuntarily. It had been many years since they last saw Old Yuanhu this furious.

A young man clad in beast hide and missing an arm respectfully kneeled to the side. He lowered his head to look at the report in his hands. "Savant expert? This Shadow Blade is a Savant expert?"

As memories of their battle flashed through his mind, Ming Lie couldn't help but wonder if his opponent had concealed his true strength. Thoughts raced through his head, mingling with a lingering sense of fear.

To survive a life-and-death struggle against a Savant expert, only losing an arm, it was clear that his opponent had shown mercy. Ming Lie didn't even consider the possibility that his opponent had rapidly risen in strength, going from a first-rate Adept to a top contender in the Human Rankings in a few months.

"Why did only my disciples die?" Old Yuanhu roared in rage. "Apart from a second-rate Adept, not a single expert from the Cloudstride Sect died?"

"Are these riffraffs from the Cloudstride Sect trying to deceive me? Could Tangru and Zhushan actually have been killed by them?" Old Yuanhu's anger erupted like a volcano, unstoppable and all-consuming. How could he not be incensed? Yet within the depths of his rage, there also lay a faint trace of panic!

These disciples were the fruits of his many years of labor and dedication. What was a direct disciple-master relationship? It was akin to the affection between father and son. He had taken meticulous care of his disciples, guiding them and viewing them as his successors, the inheritors of his legacy. Countless resources had been spent on his direct disciples.

With Wang Zhushan and Chen Tangru's talents, Old Yuanhu believed they could definitely reach the second grade in the future. They were his insurance in old age, when his strength began to wane. But more importantly, they were the future of Yuanhu Villa! First, Ming Lie's arm was severed, followed by the death of his two direct disciples. It could be said that half of Old Yuanhu's life work had been destroyed.

The fist fears the vigor of youth, the martial artist fears old age. Why? In a martial artist's prime, their enemies could only suppress their dissatisfaction. However, as their power waned in the twilight of their years, that was when their enemies sought retribution for past grievances. During such times, strong direct disciples were imperative to fend off their old enemies. Though he still had two Savant experts under his command, they were subordinates recruited with incentives. Once his strength declined, their loyalty could not be guaranteed!

"My Lord!" A bald man called out as he dashed into the hall. He dropped to one knee, his face filled with dread. "My Lord, something has happened!" The source of this content nov(el)bi((n))