Outside the hall, a gale howled. The iron bells beneath the eaves clanged out a song of slaughter, while the wisps of green smoke rising from two incense burners swiftly scattered in the wind.
As the sky gradually darkened, several Nascent Soul cultivators gathered together.
Ji An explained his plan to everyone and sought their opinions.
Li Haoran sighed softly and said bitterly:
"How did things end up like this? I had wanted to share the sect's burdens with Senior Brother, but I never expected the enemies we faced to grow stronger and stronger. Though I am now a Nascent Soul True Lord, I am still nothing but a burden!"
As a Sword Cultivator, he could not bear such humiliation, yet he also understood that he stood little chance against enemies at the Nascent Soul Late Stage.
Not only were his chances of victory slim, his life was also at risk. The gulf in cultivation could not be bridged by powerful sword intent alone.
True Monarch Wuyue looked embarrassed. His bloodline was noble, and by rights his cultivation should have reached Nascent Soul Layer Three to be considered adequate. Yet a period of indulgence in wine and pleasure had hindered his progress.
Qin Yan sighed inwardly. He felt that his own progress had been the least satisfactory.
Noticing everyone's mood, Ji An waved a hand and comforted them:
"The sect's foundation was insufficient before. We were all pioneers, so it was only natural for us to lag behind our enemies.
I trust that none of you are weak when fighting opponents of the same cultivation. The sect's situation is getting better and better, so what if we endure for a hundred years?"
Qin Yan and the others felt somewhat better. He coughed lightly and asked:
"Senior Brother, what can we