An Unwelcome Guest at the Door? Caught in Passing!

As Wei Tu followed the female cultivator surnamed Song toward the temporary hiding place of Wu Xingsi and the Blood Phoenix Mountain Ancestor, Divine Mountain Sect was steeped in dead silence.

"Bi Chen's soul plaque has shattered, yet the Ancestor has still not returned to the sect, nor has he sent a transmission talisman..."

Within the Patriarchs' Hall, Divine Mountain Sect's sect master, Dai You, wore a grim expression. With his back to the Nascent Soul elders, he silently gazed at the seven shattered soul plaques floating above the jade dais and spoke in a low voice.

"What does the Sect Master mean?"

The ancient-robed old man at the head of the hall was startled at these words and asked probingly.

To rashly discuss the life and death of Golden Shark Ancestor was a grave act of disrespect. Though he had his suspicions, he did not dare voice them outright.

"Impossible. The Ancestor is a Spirit Transformation Venerable. Under heaven, no one can keep the Ancestor behind. Besides, where Bi Chen and the others met with disaster was only a little over four hundred li from the mountain gate. Even if the Ancestor were outmatched, he could still have returned to the sect in time and defended it with the formation."

"Perhaps... the Ancestor has been delayed by some matter."

An elder frowned slightly and refuted him.

Yet though his words were firm, everyone present could hear the hesitation beneath them.

After all, if it was only a little over four hundred li away, why had he still not returned to the sect or sent back a transmission talisman to report his safety?

"These are troubled times. Wasn't Long Qianqiu of old also murdered in secret?"

"My proposal is to open the soul casket and inspect the Ancestor's soul plaque.