Hearing the commotion, the Ghost Cry Sect disciples rushed over.
When they saw the scene on the stone bed, every one of them went pale with shock.
"Quick! Go invite the Elders!"
"How could the Sect Master..."
Amid the chaos, a man in a red robe hurried over, his aura having reached the middle stage of the Void Glimpse Realm.
He was Ghost Cry Sect's Vice Sect Master—Ximen Qing—and, aside from Sect Master Wu Danlang, the strongest cultivator in the sect.
The moment he saw Wu Danlang's corpse, his pupils contracted sharply. He then forcibly steadied himself and said in a deep voice, "What are you all panicking about? Secure the cave dwelling. No one is allowed to approach!"
Only then did the disciples calm down somewhat, retreating outside the cave to stand guard.
Ximen Qing stepped up to the stone bed and carefully examined Wu Danlang's wounds, his brows tightly furrowed.
"A single sword through the heart. Clean and decisive—it was clearly the work of a top assassin..."
His fingertips brushed over the wound, and he sensed the sharp Sword Qi lingering within.
"This sword intent... does not resemble the methods of any force in Green Province."
A short while later, several Elders of the sect gathered in the cave mansion.
Ximen Qing swept his gaze across them and said gravely, "The Sect Master has been assassinated. A sect cannot remain leaderless for even a day."
"Our most urgent task is to stabilize the people's hearts. I will temporarily assume the position of Sect Master. Once the true culprit is found, we can make a final decision."
Though the Elders grieved in their hearts, they knew the gravity of the situation and nodded one after another. "We are willing to heed the Vice Sect Master's orders."
"Good." A flicker