The sky had yet to brighten.
The forces of Seven Kill Stronghold had already marched on Water-Fire Devil Stronghold in a mighty procession.
Led by Chief Huang Yiqi, with the second, third, fourth, and sixth chiefs at his sides, more than three hundred black-clad warriors followed close behind. They were the undisputed elite of Seven Kill Stronghold, and they drew up before the gates of Water-Fire Devil Stronghold without the slightest attempt at concealment, bristling with aggression.
"People of Water-Fire Devil Stronghold, listen up!"
Sixth Chief Zhao Xun stepped forward. His True Qi surged, and his voice rang across the wilderness.
"Get out here and die!"
"You dared lay a hand on our people. If you don't give us a full accounting today, I swear I'll raze Water-Fire Devil Stronghold to the ground!"
But the gates stayed shut. No one answered.
Zhao Xun frowned and was about to shout again when Second Chief Xu Kun said quietly behind him, "Stop shouting. Something's not right."
He turned to Huang Yiqi. "First Senior, we brought this many people without hiding our presence at all, yet not one person inside has shown his face. Watch out for a trap."
Huang Yiqi stirred. "You mean there's a trap inside... or they're luring the tiger from the mountain while striking in the east to deceive us about the west?"
No sooner had he spoken than the gates swung open.
A burly man walked out.
He carried a blood-red saber and stood brazenly before the gates, looking at the dark mass of three hundred men as though they were ants he could crush at any moment.
His expression was almost playful.
"Well, you got here fast. Seven Kill Stronghold lives up to its name."
At the sight of him, the chiefs of Seven Kill Stronghold narrowed