Profound Nether Sect's Bullying

"As Elder Di said, let's meet up with the scouts first," Lin Ming said in a deep voice.

Seeing Lin Ming nod, Di Kong carefully took out an Ancient Jade slip engraved with the special mark of the Five Elements Sect from his Storage Ring. This Jade Slip contained a special Soul Imprint, used for sensing and summoning fellow disciples within a short distance. He gently crushed the Ancient Jade with a slight pressure of his fingers.

"Snap!"

With a soft, discordant sound, the Ancient Jade turned to dust, and an invisible wave, at a peculiar frequency, rapidly spread out in a certain direction from the outer edge of the Bone Mountain Range.

Shortly after the Ancient Jade was crushed, the group waited in place for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn. Suddenly, Lin Ming's gaze shifted slightly as he looked towards a cluster of Shi Lin at the edge of the Bone Mountain Range.

There, a slightly flustered and disheveled figure was trying his best to conceal his aura, like a frightened bird, using the terrain as cover to quickly rush towards Lin Ming and his group. His speed was not slow, but his figure appeared somewhat unsteady.

A moment later, the figure appeared panting not far in front of the group.

The newcomer was an elderly man dressed in the robes of a Five Elements Sect deacon, with a badge on his chest signifying his status. His hair was somewhat disheveled, his robes were stained with dust and dried blood, his face was pale, his breathing was rapid, and a trace of lingering fear remained in his eyes.

His gaze quickly swept over Lin Ming and his group. When he saw Lin Ming and Di Kong, his eyes immediately lit up with intense joy. He seemed to have found his pillar of support and clearly breathed a sigh of relief.

"Your subordinate... Your subordinate Chen Song greets the Sect Master! Greetings Elder Di!"

The old man, without even taking a moment to catch his breath, hurriedly stepped forward and bowed to Lin Ming and Di Kong, his voice filled with excitement and lingering fear.

Lin Ming frowned slightly as he looked at the old man's disheveled appearance. He realized that the old man was foolish enough to provoke the Five Elements Sect!

The steward named Chen Song had barely stood still when he hurriedly reported, without even bothering to catch his breath, "Sect Master, Elder Di, something terrible has happened! Something has occurred at our temporary camp!"

Lin Ming's eyes narrowed slightly, but he didn't immediately react. Instead, he said in a deep voice, "Don't rush, tell me slowly, what happened?"

Lin Ming's voice carried a strange soothing power, which calmed Chen Song's flustered mind somewhat.

Di Kong stepped forward, frowning as he asked, "Steward Chen, when Steward Li and I parted ways, the camp was perfectly fine, wasn't it? But what strange change occurred to the Restriction of that ruin?"

Chen Song took a deep breath and quickly said, "It's not Restriction by the ruins, it's man-made! Sect Master, Elder Di, you two are unaware of this. Because you, Sect Master, ordered the sect to keep an eye on the Ancient Ruins in advance, our Five Elements Sect was among the first forces to arrive here and begin exploration. At that time, not all forces had fully assembled. We were lucky enough to find a relatively independent, easily defensible hilltop on the outskirts of the Bone Mountain Range, near the source of the ruins' fluctuations. We temporarily occupied it as a temporary base and observation point for the sect."

Anger and frustration flashed across his face. "That hilltop is in a very good location. Not only can we clearly observe the general situation of the entrance to the ruins, but the surrounding energy is also quite dense, making it suitable for a short rest. We set up some simple warning and protective formations, and Deacon Li Mo is currently leading people to guard it. But this morning, a group of people suddenly came to our door, arrogantly demanding that we give up the hilltop immediately!"

"Oh? Which faction is this? So unruly." Lin Ming's tone was calm, but those who knew him could sense the coldness hidden beneath that calm.

In this chaotic place, the value of a well-occupied advantageous position is self-evident, and it's not surprising that it would attract attention. However, for the other party to directly seize it by force is a blatant provocation.

Chen Song gritted his teeth and said, "They're from the Profound Nether Sect! They're not a native force of the Beast Domain, but a first-rate sect from the Northern Region of the Central Plains, and they're known for their domineering ways. Moreover, they didn't come alone; they've joined forces with a local Monster Beast Clan — the Blood Vulture Clan!"

"The Blood Vulture Clan has been entrenched here for a long time. They have several elders at the Peak Dou Ancestor, and their Clan Leader possesses the cultivation of Two-Star Dou Venerate. They are ruthless and bloodthirsty. They've colluded with us, claiming that the mountain is the Blood Vulture Clan's traditional hunting ground, and that our Five Elements Sect has forcibly occupied it. They demand we leave immediately, or they will forcibly expel us!"

"It was under the desperate cover of Deacon Li Mo that I managed to break through and find the Sect Master and Elder Di deliver the message! They outnumber us and have seven or eight Dou Zong level experts alone. I'm afraid Deacon Li Mo and the others won't be able to hold out for long!" Chen Song said urgently, his face full of worry.

"Profound Nether Sect ... Blood Vulture Clan ..." Lin Ming repeated the two names in a low voice, his eyes showing no emotion, as if he were merely confirming the names of two ants.

At this moment, Di Kong immediately added to Lin Ming, "Sect Master, the Profound Nether Sect has a considerable reputation in the Southern Region of the Middle Continent. The Sect Master of the Profound Nether Sect, Chen Tiannan, possesses the strength of a peak two-star Dou Venerate. Its Great Elder, the Elder Xuan Gu, revered by the people of the Profound Nether Sect as Elder Xuan, is also a genuine One-Star Dou Venerate expert. In addition, there are several High-Rank Dou Zong elders within the sect. With such strength, the Profound Nether Sect itself is not to be underestimated."

"Besides, the Profound Nether Sect, as Subordinate Sect of the Heaven Nether Sect, one of the two major sects, possesses such strength that even sects stronger than them are unwilling to provoke them easily. As for the Blood Vulture Clan, they are local tyrants near the Bone Mountain Range, with a large population and considerable individual strength. They are especially skilled in aerial combat, and their claws and beaks have the effect of breaking through qi, making them quite troublesome. However, compared to the Profound Nether Sect, they are still a notch below."

"Sect Master, should we..." Di Kong asked tentatively, implying a choice of how to proceed—should we temporarily avoid the conflict and find another base, or...?

Lin Ming had Original Work Memory and knew roughly about the Profound Nether Sect. Back then, Xiao Yan dared to kill the Young Sect Master of the Profound Nether Sect when he was only at the Dou Zong realm. There was no reason why he, now Four-Star Dou Venerate, would have to swallow his anger and admit defeat when he was bullied by others.

Lin Ming's lips curled into a faint smile, a smile tinged with undisguised contempt. "It seems that my Five Elements Sect, being new here, has been treated like a pushover."

At the same time, Lin Ming thought to himself that it seemed that his arrival had allowed the Profound Nether Sect, which was originally going to be destroyed by Xiao Yan, to escape a calamity!

However, since the Profound Nether Sect was able to survive a little longer because of his own actions, it seems to be Lin Ming's mistake. So now it's up to him to correct everything!

Therefore, Lin Ming did not answer Di Kong's question, but instead said directly to Chen Song, "Lead the way."

These two simple words contain an unquestionable resolve and a chilling Killing Intent.

Chen Song's spirits lifted, and he immediately replied, "Yes! Sect Master, please follow me!"

Without further delay, guided by Chen Song, the group transformed into streaks of light, accelerating to their maximum speed as they sped towards the temporary encampment.

Along the way, some powerful individuals who were also on their journey sensed the undisguised fierce aura emanating from them and turned their heads to give way, their eyes filled with surprise and doubt as they wondered which force was so Killing intent.

The mountain peak temporarily occupied by the Five Elements Sect was located on the edge of a small basin surrounded by a pale white Bone Mountain. It was high up and had a wide view. At this moment, the atmosphere above the mountain peak was tense.

Dozens of figures hovered in mid-air, subtly surrounding the mountaintop.

One side consisted of only five or six people, led by a middle-aged man with a calm expression and a trace of blood at the corner of his mouth. This group included Deacon Li Mo, who was left behind, and several other disciples of the Five Elements Sect.

Despite being outnumbered, they formed a simple defensive formation, their Dou Qi intertwined, and they stubbornly resisted the immense pressure from the outside world.

Those surrounding them were clearly divided into two groups.

A group of people dressed in uniform black robes embroidered with ferocious ghost head patterns, each with sinister eyes and a chilling aura, were members of the Profound Nether Sect.

The leader was an old man with a pale face and deep-set eyes. He exuded a powerful and chilling aura. He was a One-Star Dou Venerate powerhouse and a senior elder of the Profound Nether Sect, named Elder Xuan Gu.

The other group consisted of strangely shaped "people." Most of them retained some vulture features; some had wings covered in dark red feathers, while others had bald bird heads with sharp, cruel eyes and beaks that gleamed with a metallic glint.

This is the leader of the local Blood Vulture Clan, an old man with a human body and a vulture's head. A pair of huge blood wings slowly flapped behind him, exuding the powerful aura of Peak Dou Ancestor. He is none other than the Great Elder of the Blood Vulture Clan, Jiu Tu.

"Li Mo, my patience is limited!"

The Elder Xuan Gu had a hoarse voice, like bones grinding together, carrying a chilling aura.

"I'm giving you one last chance. Take your people and get out of this mountain immediately! Otherwise, don't blame the Profound Nether Sect and the Blood Vulture Clan for disrespecting your Five Elements Sect. In that case, you few will become nourishment for this Bone Mountain Range in an instant!"

The Jiu Tu also let out a sinister laugh, its sharp beak opening and closing. "Humans, those who know when to yield are the wise! This mountain has always been our territory. You seized it first, and now it is rightfully returned to its rightful owner! If you remain stubborn, don't blame this elder for tearing you to pieces and devouring your flesh!"

Deacon Li Mo's face was grim, his Qi and Blood surging within him, clearly indicating that he had suffered a loss in the brief exchange just now. However, his eyes remained firm, meeting the gaze of Elder Xuan Gu without flinching, and he said coldly.

"Elder Xuan Gu, Jiu Tu! This place is unclaimed territory. Our Five Elements Sect seized it on a first-come, first-served basis and has already set up array markings! You bully the weak and commit such thieving acts. Aren't you afraid of being ridiculed by the many heroes of the Bone Mountain Range?!"

"Shame?"

The Elder Xuan Gu gave a cold laugh, "In this Beast Domain, strength is the only truth! Your Five Elements Sect? Hmph, a newly established sect, you dare to occupy such a strategic location? It's a joke! Since you refuse to listen to reason, don't blame me for being ruthless!"

As he spoke, the Elder Xuan Gu's eyes flashed with murderous intent. He slowly raised his withered hand, and an extremely cold black battle Dou Qi began to condense in his palm. The surrounding temperature suddenly dropped, and even the air seemed to freeze.

The Profound Nether Sect disciples and Blood Vulture Clan behind him also unleashed a fierce aura, and it looked as if they were about to swarm forward and completely overwhelm Li Mo and the others.