Empty Mountain Sect.
It was located atop Empty Mountain, whose slopes were steep and shaded by lush green trees. Figures occasionally flickered through the woods, seemingly practicing martial arts.
"San Tong, your brows are tightly furrowed. Is the sect... short on funds and provisions?" A woman approached, the hair bun coiled atop her head utterly unmoved. Clearly, her lightness skill was quite impressive.
Liu Xian'er wore a gentle expression as she looked at her husband, worry also lingering in her eyes.
Ever since Wu Santong had taken up the mantle of sect master fifteen years ago, he had worked tirelessly to restore the sect, diligent and conscientious, unable to sleep at night.
Thanks to Wu Santong's efforts, the Empty Mountain Sect had indeed grown much stronger than before. It had faintly risen from the bottom ranks of second-rate sects and gained the qualifications to challenge first-rate sects.
However, Wu Santong was somewhat old-fashioned and had always strictly adhered to the ancient precepts.
No disciple of the Empty Mountain Sect was permitted to use martial arts to bully the weak.
Precisely because of this, as the number of disciples grew, the Empty Mountain Sect's expenses were becoming impossible to sustain.
At times, Wu Santong and Liu Xian'er would go down the mountain together to slay notorious bandits for government bounties, or help escort agencies protect their shipments.
"Last time, we killed the flower thief Wu Tong. There is still some of the reward money left over," Wu Santong said.
"Could it be, San Tong, that you are worried about... the Severing Heaven Society?" When Liu Xian'er mentioned the Severing Heaven Society, worry filled her eyes as well.
The so-called Severing Heaven Society was a force that had recently risen in the martial world.
The Severing Heaven Society's leader, Hua Wubing, possessed