By then, the sky had only just begun to darken.
Zhuang Haiwen could barely contain himself.
He desperately wanted to know whether someone in the Lineage was secretly working against him.
So he slipped straight into Guiyang Stronghold.
With his strength and movement technique, which was close to the Perfection Realm, even Guiyang Stronghold's hidden sentries—far more vigilant than before—failed to notice him. He reached the vicinity of Li Yun's secluded courtyard without a sound.
Zhuang Haiwen felt rather pleased with himself.
He swept a contemptuous glance over the people patrolling Ancient Sun Stronghold.
A small stronghold was still a small stronghold. What use were diligent patrols and alert hidden sentries? I still walked in as though the place were deserted.
But just as Zhuang Haiwen was about to vault over the courtyard wall in one swift motion—
The courtyard gate suddenly opened.
Tian Qing stepped out, his face dark.
"No need to trouble yourself. My stronghold chief invites you in."
Just one sentence.
Zhuang Haiwen froze halfway through rising. The smugness vanished from his face, replaced by an indescribable mix of embarrassment and anger.
They spotted me?
They actually spotted me?
He was certain he had made no unnecessary movements after reaching the courtyard. He had even deliberately restrained his breathing until it was lighter and slower than usual.
And they still spotted me?
Worse, the man had sent someone out to tell him to come in.
What the hell...
Did that mean the man was stronger than me, so confident he had nothing to fear? Was calling me in a deliberate insult, a way to strike at me?
No...
Maybe that fellow is just more alert than I expected. Among Acquired Realm Martial Artists, there's no way anyone is stronger than me, Zhuang Haiwen!
Zhuang Haiwen refused to