Ao Ba Pa: The Xiao Family Has No Dou Ling—The Advantage Is Mine!

"The Shadow Guard is handled by Third Brother, but he has also reported the intelligence to Old Man and Second Brother."

"Ge Ye and his group hurried back to the Misty Cloud Sect. It is said that after Great Elder Yun Leng learned of their miserable return, he cursed them for disgracing the sect and flew into a rage."

"It was thought that this Dou Wang would personally descend the mountain for revenge, but for some reason, there has been no movement."

The Great Elder narrowed his old eyes slightly, his expression becoming incomparably grave.

This concerned the colossal entity known as the Misty Cloud Sect. He could not afford to take it lightly.

Based on the information the Shadow Guard had sent back intermittently over the past year, the Xiao Family's higher-ups could not help but suck in a cold breath whenever they thought of it.

On the surface, the Misty Cloud Sect only had Yun Yun, Yun Leng, and Gu He, these three being above the Dou Wang level. But in truth, the entire Misty Cloud Sect already had five Dou Wangs in total.

If not for the restrictions of sect rules, half the Ten Great Experts of the Jia Ma Empire ranking would have been occupied by Misty Cloud Sect experts!

"Yun Leng? No matter. It was expected."

The Misty Cloud Sect, one of the Jia Ma Empire's foremost colossal powers, had established its sect directly atop a majestic mountain just over ten miles from the Imperial Capital, Jia Ma Holy City. Because of the Misty Cloud Sect, this mountain was also called Misty Cloud Mountain.

Misty Cloud Mountain was steep, with cliffs on three sides and only one path leading to its summit. It was a perilous location that was easy to defend and hard to attack. Moreover, Misty Cloud Sect disciples patrolled the entire mountain closely, making it resemble a small fortress.

Only two miles from the foot of Misty Cloud Mountain, fifty thousand Imperial Iron Cavalry were stationed there. Though they were nominally guarding the capital, anyone could see that the empire's rulers were wary of this fierce tiger near the capital.

At the summit of the Misty Cloud Sect Back Mountain, clouds and mist swirled like an immortal realm.

An old man in white robes wore a gloomy expression as his eyes flickered while he watched the Imperial Iron Cavalry stationed below. A sharp killing intent flashed through his eyes.

This man was none other than the Misty Cloud Sect's Great Elder, the Dou Wang expert Yun Leng!

"Damn it!"

Yun Leng's heart was burning with fury.

Ge Ye had returned severely wounded and in a miserable state, while news that Nalan Yanran had been rejected in marriage had spread rapidly within two days...

This news had filled Yun Leng with rage. As Great Elder, he valued the sect's honor and interests more than his own life and would even resort to any means necessary to protect them.

What enraged him even more was that after learning the news yesterday, he had prepared to descend the mountain and slaughter his way to the Xiao Family, only to be blocked by the Imperial Iron Cavalry below.

Who knew why Mu Chen, that old Dou Wang, had suddenly come here!

He had even brought the Imperial Guardian's words: the Sect Ancestral Teachings could not be violated.

"If the Old Sect Master were still here, how would Jia Xing Tian dare bully my Misty Cloud Sect like this!"

"Sect Ancestral Teachings? Does my Misty Cloud Sect need him to remind us of our own teachings?"

The more Yun Leng thought about it, the angrier he became. His expression darkened further as he punched the mountain wall beside him, immediately sending spiderweb-like cracks spreading outward.

"Great Elder, please calm your anger."

"The Sect Master has already said that Dou Wang experts are not allowed to descend the mountain. You must understand her difficulties as well!"

"The Old Sect Master has been in seclusion for many years. The outside world already believes that he has passed away, and the deterrence he established back then has greatly weakened! The Sect Master has only been a Dou Emperor for a few years. We cannot give that old monster from the imperial family a reason to act!"

A Misty Cloud Sect Elder, likewise dressed in white robes, came to Yun Leng's side and earnestly tried to persuade him.

The Misty Cloud Sect had always been a colossal power entrenched in the Jia Ma Empire, but in recent years, each generation had been weaker than the last. Not even a Dou Ancestor Expert had appeared for over a century.

Blazing splendor and flourishing prosperity, yet one misstep could send them plunging into the abyss.

The Jia Ma Imperial Family had a Peak Dou Huang and a Sixth-Tier Late-Stage Magical Beast. In contrast, the Misty Cloud Sect only had Yun Yun, a three-star Dou Emperor. As for Old Sect Master Yun Shan...

To be honest, before entering seclusion, he had said they could summon him if something major happened. Yet so many years had passed without the slightest response. Even the Misty Cloud Sect Elders had already prepared themselves for the worst.

No matter what, the current Misty Cloud Sect could not yet completely fall out with the Jia Ma Imperial Family!

"Bastard! If the Old Sect Master were still here..." Hearing this, Yun Leng turned his head and glared viciously at the elder, whose expression had likewise changed slightly. "Has Yun Lei taken his position yet?"

That was right. Though he, a Dou Wang, could not descend the mountain openly, he could still send other sect experts to deal with the Xiao Family in secret.

The Misty Cloud Sect had stood above all others for so many years. When had it ever suffered such humiliation?

The Sect Master's personal disciple had been rejected by a mere Da Dou Shi family?

A sect deacon disciple had been beaten so badly that he was seriously injured?

They truly had some nerve!

"Great Elder, Elder Yun Lei descended the mountain yesterday. Traveling at full speed, he should have arrived in Wutan City by now."

"According to your instructions, he will not reveal his identity this time. Instead, he will support the two local families and use a family conflict as the pretext to destroy the Xiao Family."

Stung by Yun Leng's gaze, the elder's expression turned solemn as he hurriedly replied.

A power that had been passed down for many years had its experts in the open to uphold the sect's righteous and glorious image, but it also had some dirty hands working in the shadows.

"Hehe, with Yun Lei, a veteran Dou Ling, taking action, a mere Xiao Family..." A savage sneer appeared on Yun Leng's old face. He then turned and left, leaving only one sentence lingering beside the elder's ears.

"Send word to Yun Lei. No matter what, Old Man wants the Xiao Family exterminated. The Misty Cloud Sect's dignity cannot be insulted!"

"Also, do not reveal even the slightest information related to the sect. Remember, after descending the mountain, there is only the Lei Yun Dou Ling!"

"Elder Yun Lei of my Misty Cloud Sect has always been in seclusion!"

Wutan City, Jia Lie Family.

Inside the brightly lit hall, the atmosphere was lively and cheerful.

Many people sat in the hall. Judging by their clothing, they were clearly not all Jia Lie Family higher-ups. The Ao Ba Family's Clan Leader and two Da Dou Shi Elders were also among them.

If others in Wutan City learned of this scene, it would likely cause a huge uproar.

Two of the Three Great Families had gathered here. What were they planning?

However, even more surprising was that although all six Da Dou Shi experts from the Two Great Families were present, none of them sat in the chief seat.

"Lord Lei Yun, the Jia Lie Family's clan members are ready. We can attack the Xiao Family at any time. When do you think we should..."

Jia Lie Bi licked his dry lips and cupped his hands toward the figure seated at the head, his eyes blazing with excitement.

Hearing this, the gray-robed figure at the chief seat slowly raised his head. Light occasionally flashed through his old eyes as they opened and closed. His withered hand extended from his sleeve and clenched slightly, sharp as an Eagle Claw. Then, a somewhat hoarse voice emerged from his mouth.

"Jie Jie Jie, no rush. Since we are acting, we must Cut the Grass and Remove the Roots. We absolutely cannot let any fish slip through the net."

"Have Xiao Zhan and his son not appeared yet?"

The hoarse, chilling voice sounded like two pieces of dried bark grinding viciously against each other, making everyone present frown slightly. Yet none dared diminish the respect on their faces by even a fraction.

"Lord Lei Yun, Xiao Zhan and Xiao Yan have not shown themselves for two days."

Ao Ba Pa, the Ao Ba Family's Clan Leader, answered respectfully.

When he had learned of the Xiao Family's true strength, he had felt as though the sky were falling.

The Jia Lie Family and Ao Ba Family's strongest experts were only Five-Star Great Dou Shis, while their other four elders ranged from One-Star Great Dou Shis to Three-Star Great Dou Shis.

Yet the Xiao Family actually had one Peak Great Dou Shi and three Eight-Star Great Dou Shis!

Damn it, they had hidden themselves deeply!

Fortunately, Lord Lei Yun had appeared at the critical moment!

It was said that he was an old mortal enemy of the Xiao Family's Old Clan Leader, Xiao Lin. Back then, he had been forced to flee the Chu Yun Empire. Recently, his strength had greatly increased, and after learning that Xiao Lin had long since died, he had returned to the Jia Ma Empire to seek revenge against the Xiao Family.

This man was a genuine Dou Ling Expert!

No matter how strong the Xiao Family was, they did not even have a single Dou Ling. Facing a Dou Ling Expert and six Da Dou Shi experts, they had absolutely no chance of survival!

This time, the advantage was mine!