When Flowing Cloud Matriarch and Gongsun Haoyue arrived at the imperial city, a figure exuding an imposing aura appeared in front of the Haotian Sect's mountain gate.
The first to spot the figure were two patrolling elders of the Haotian Sect, Chang Luo and Changtian.
"Sect Master? Sect Master, you're back?" Chang Luo looked at the newcomer with surprise and disbelief.
You have to understand, their sect leader had been gone for several years, and unexpectedly he returned at such a crucial moment.
Duanmu Haotian nodded slightly and said, "Has anything major happened in the sect recently?"
Changtian looked at Duanmu Haotian, wanting to speak, but then hesitated. Chang Luo spoke first, saying, "Sect Master, everything is fine in the sect."
Duanmu Haotian looked at Changtian, who seemed hesitant to speak, and asked, "Speak!"
Changtian immediately replied, "Reporting to the sect leader, nothing has happened in the sect. Everyone is looking forward to the sect leader's early return."
Duanmu Haotian frowned slightly, but didn't say anything more. He simply nodded and flew towards the sect.
Before leaving, he telepathically instructed Changtian and Chang Luo to summon all the elders in the sect to the council hall for a meeting.
As news spread that Changtian Chang Luo would bring back their sect leader and then convene a meeting of the elders, it was announced that they would be holding a meeting.
The entire Haotian Sect mountain range suddenly became lively.
Subsequently, all the Grandmaster and elders who were cultivating in the Sects went to the council hall.
When the elders arrived at the council hall, they saw that their sect leader was indeed there.
Everyone was overjoyed and immediately bowed respectfully to Duanmu Haotian, who was sitting on the high platform.
Duanmu Haotian simply nodded slightly, his face serious, and said nothing more.
After a while, Duanmu Haotian saw that no one else was coming in. He looked around the hall and asked, "Have all the elders in the Sects come?"
Tianming stood up and said, "Reporting to the Sect Master, everyone has arrived."
"Alright! Now that you're here, let's report on everything that's happened during this time!"
After all, I've been away from the Sects for several years and don't know much about things within Sects. I definitely need to understand everything clearly before making any decisions.
When Duanmu Haotian thought about what he had encountered on this trip, his heart felt as if it were being crushed by a huge boulder.
Subsequently, the four elders, each responsible for specific matters, began to report to Duanmu Haotian.
This report took more than two hours, during which the four elders briefly recounted the events.
The Haotian Sect divides Sects affairs into four main categories: miscellaneous affairs, affairs of various states, affairs of disciples, and Sects resources.
Finally, Tianming, who was in charge of miscellaneous tasks, gave a summary. "The most important thing at present is about Lu Tianheng's cultivation of evil arts."
Upon hearing this, Duanmu Haotian frowned and asked, "What should the Flowing Cloud Sect and the Star Moon Sect do now?"
"Flowing Cloud Sect Master and Sect Leader Gongsun have already gone to the Imperial City, presumably to invite Dao Fan to join forces against Lu Tianheng," Tianming quickly replied.
Upon hearing this, Duanmu Haotian said with some dissatisfaction, "How could we Dao Fan that scoundrel Dao Fan? This is like raising a tiger to cause trouble."
Upon hearing this, Tianming remained silent. Could it be that it was because you hadn't returned for so long that the Flowing Cloud Sect and Star Moon Sect had no choice but to invite Dao Fan?
Moreover, this opportunity to eliminate Lu Tianheng would allow the previous plans of the three sects to proceed smoothly.
Seeing Tianming's reaction, Duanmu Haotian immediately realized that he had been a bit too sensitive. He said, "Alright, since this matter is settled, let's not mention it anymore. Is there anything else that urgently needs to be dealt with?"
Tianming glanced at two of the elders in the main hall, unsure of what to say.
Those two were Elders Tianyun and Tianfeng, and it was they who caused the most trouble during the time the sect leader was away.
When Duanmu Haotian saw Tianming's reaction, he immediately understood what Tianming meant. Back when he was in the sect, the two of them had always been at odds.
Now that he's been away from the Sects for so long, I imagine the two of them are going to have an even more outrageous falling out.
Duanmu Haotian asked Tianyun, "What happened to you?"
The Haotian Sect has four powerful elders, each responsible for their own affairs. The four are Tianming, Tianyi, Tianyun, and Tianfeng.
I don't know if these two are just incompatible by birth charts, but they've been at odds ever since they entered the Sects.
Even after they became powerful elders in the Haotian Sect, in charge of specific affairs, they remained at odds.
Tianyun stood up, shook his head, and said, "Reporting to the Sect Master, no."
Duanmu Haotian then asked Tianfeng, "So, is something wrong with you?"
Tianfeng quickly stood up and replied, "Reporting to the Sect Master, no."
Since none of them were willing to talk about it, Duanmu Haotian decided to put the matter aside for the time being.
After all, the matter between these two is incredibly complex and complicated, and it would be impossible to resolve it in just a few days.
"Alright, since you're all fine, I have something to say. Keep an eye out for any martial artists who have recently undergone a drastic change in temperament or whose strength has suddenly increased by leaps and bounds."
"Why do you say that, Sect Master? Has something happened?" Tianming asked.
Duanmu Haotian nodded solemnly and said, "I'm not entirely clear on the specifics either. Just remember to keep a close eye on things, and report to me immediately if you discover anything."
"Should we report this matter to the Flowing Cloud Sect and the Star Moon Sect?" Tianming then asked.
Duanmu Haotian thought for a moment and said, "Report it! You will handle the Tianming personally."
"Yes!" Tianming bowed and replied.
"Since there's nothing else, everyone can leave now! Tianfeng and Tianyun, please stay." Duanmu Haotian waved to the elders in the hall and said.
The elders below the hall immediately rose to bid farewell to Duanmu Haotian before turning and leaving.
Tianfeng and Tianyun both stayed behind with uneasy expressions. They didn't know what the sect leader meant by keeping them here.
Could it be because they caused too much trouble in the Sects before?
After everyone left, Duanmu Haotian said to Tianfeng, "Tianfeng, in the states you are in charge of, have any martial artists experienced the situation I just described?"
Tianfeng frowned and thought for a moment before saying, "Reporting to the sect leader, we haven't found any yet. I'll investigate further when I get back to see if any have appeared."
Before Duanmu Haotian could ask any questions, Tianyun hurriedly said, "Sect Master, after I go down, I will immediately begin a thorough investigation of the Sects's disciples to see if anything has been discovered."
Duanmu Haotian nodded and said, "Then you can go down now! If you find anything, remember to report it immediately."
"Yes!" Tianyun and Tianfeng stood up and replied.
Duanmu Haotian waved to the two of them, signaling them to leave.
Tianyun and Tianfeng left the council hall with solemn expressions. Since the sect leader had kept them behind to reiterate the matter, it meant that the matter was very serious and they could not afford to be careless.
After sitting alone in the hall for a while in deep thought, Duanmu Haotian returned to his residence. After washing up and having dinner, he began to meditate and rest.
The next day, Duanmu Haotian planned to set off for Mo Province, even though Flowing Cloud Matriarch and Gongsun Haoyue had already invited Dao Fan to help.
But if I don't take action, won't I be ridiculed by that kid Dao Fan?
Moreover, if the four of them were to gang up on Lu Tianheng together, their chances of success would be much greater.
Most importantly, Duanmu Haotian wanted to take this opportunity to see if he could find out where Lu Tianheng obtained his cultivation technique.
Maybe we can find out about that?