Early the next morning, the sun had already climbed over the mountaintop, casting down warm light.
Wang Yue headed for the western street crossing at the agreed time, deliberately changing into a gray cloth martial outfit.
The black robe of a True Disciple had been far too eye-catching these past few days. People gave him sidelong looks wherever he went, making it inconvenient to act.
His steps were brisk, and before long, he reached the area near the sect gates, only to have his path blocked by the imposing spectacle ahead.
On the main road outside the sect gates, squads of Dragon Transformation Guards stood in neat formation. Their gray armor gleamed coldly under the sunlight, long sabers hanging at their waists. Their boots struck the bluestone pavement with dull, pounding thuds that made even the ground faintly numb.
Even more astonishingly, at the rear of the procession marched several hundred Dragon Transformation Guards clad head to toe in heavy Profound Iron armor, blood-colored patterns showing through the gaps between their armor plates.
That was second-tier full armor, worn only by the most skilled Dragon Transformation Guards. Ordinary blades and swords simply could not break through its defenses.
A thought stirred in Wang Yue's heart. He hurried forward, cupped his hands toward the gray-armored Dragon Transformation Guard at the front, and asked, "Brother, may I ask what mission everyone is leaving the sect to carry out?
"To warrant such a grand display?"
Yet the gray-armored Dragon Transformation Guard did not so much as raise his eyelids. He continued straight ahead as though he had not heard Wang Yue at all, and the ranks behind him did not pause either. They passed directly by Wang Yue, carrying an air of grim slaughter.
Wang Yue's brows drew together slightly. The Blood Qi