The masked old man's words fell, and the drifting Black Flame froze.
The other six lowered their heads, their expressions shifting between light and shadow. After the battle at Taixuan Sect, their fear of Sword Venerable Fudao had climbed to another level.
The masked old man continued, "Over this period, the main branch has lost twenty percent of its followers, including seventeen Body Integration Realm cultivators. We cannot determine whether the Vice Sect Master is dead or alive. Does Sect Master have any way to confirm it?"
Upon hearing this, Jing Tuxian's voice emerged from the Black Flame. "The Vice Sect Master is unrestrained and unfettered; even I do not know her whereabouts. But she cannot possibly be dead unless a Mahayana Realm cultivator has emerged in Nine Dynasties Land. Even if there were a Mahayana Realm cultivator, killing her would not cause a small commotion. Have any of you sensed the pressure of a battle beyond the Profound Heart Realm?"
The masked old man replied, "No, but the Vice Sect Master vanished without warning. I have no choice but to consider more possibilities."
"Rest assured. Perhaps something has entangled her; she would not die without a sound. Moreover, I have already cast a curse upon myself. There is no road back for me now. Continue searching for Sacrificial Offerings—the more, the better. I will peer into the Heavenly Mandate in one stroke!"
Jing Tuxian's voice rang out, and the Seven Venerables answered in unison.
Chentang Dynasty, Three Pure Mountains.
This sect, praised by the dynasty as a land of immortals, lay hidden amid a lake. Its mountains were majestic, with only their peaks faintly visible, like a mirage.
Beneath an ancient tree, Li Ya sat cross-legged with his back to the cliff. The North Sea Heavy Sword stood