It was already nearly afternoon, and Haibodong and the other two had recovered from most of their injuries. The little that remained was insignificant.
At that moment, the three of them were recounting how they had been ambushed in the forest to Mitel Tengshan in the main hall.
When Haibodong mentioned those black robe puppet men, Mitel Tengshan frowned and asked.
"You said those black robe men moved in a simplistic, disorderly manner?"
"Yes. I could tell their attacks were like ordinary people fighting—trading punches back and forth."
Hearing this, Xue Lan recalled the details of her battle with the black robe men and nodded in agreement.
"It was indeed as Elder Hai said. Those black robe men's movements were very simplistic, their attacks direct, and they were somewhat stiff."
Mitel Tengshan pondered for a moment, seemingly thinking of something.
"Could those black robe men all have been puppets? Only puppets would move so stiffly and monotonously."
Upon hearing Mitel Tengshan's words, the three of them thought it over carefully and immediately understood. Haibodong nodded.
"They must have been puppets. But for all those people to be puppets... that was truly a grand display."
He nodded as well.
"That's right. Any faction capable of sending out so many puppets was certainly extraordinary. They were quite generous."
Xue Lan thought for a moment before speaking.
"And that Black Mist was truly bizarre. It felt strange and powerful to me. With my current strength, I was no match for it at all."
"Yes. Even I could sense a threat from that Black Mist. Its strength was above my Dou Huang cultivation; it was at least a Dou Zong powerhouse."
Haibodong sighed.
Mitel Tengshan asked in confusion.
"The person who wanted to capture Xiao Yi Xian never showed himself? There was only a