Qi Zhen was slightly taken aback, then a flash of understanding appeared in his eyes.
"What does the Supreme Elder mean...?"
Yan Wuji did not answer immediately, but simply picked up the Teacup beside him, took a small sip, and put it down.
"Our Iron River Gang has risen to prominence and has successively swallowed up several forces. The Seven Sects have not yet made a clear statement, so we can take this opportunity to test the attitude of the Azure Profound Sect."
His voice was calm, yet it carried a sense of profound understanding of the world.
"If the Azure Profound Sect's reaction is lukewarm, then the plan can proceed."
He raised his eyes and his gaze fell on Qi Zhen's face.
"On the contrary, if the Azure Profound Sect reacts strongly, it means that the Seven Sects ' tolerance for our Iron River Gang has reached its limit, and we should prepare a response as soon as possible."
Qi Zhen remained silent for a moment, then slowly nodded.
" The Supreme Elder's considerations are thorough; I understand."
He paused, then asked again.
"When should we make our move?"
"The sooner the better."
Yan Wuji said.
"Uproot the Hundred Treasures Pavilion Hundred Treasures Pavilion before it formally becomes affiliated with the Azure Profound Sect."
Qi Zhen cupped his hands in greeting and replied, "Yes, Your subordinate will make the arrangements immediately."
Yan Wuji nodded slightly and said nothing more.
Qi Zhen bowed respectfully, then turned and left the secret chamber.
The heavy stone door slowly closed behind him, sealing the candlelight and the aged figure together in the secret chamber.
The next day, early morning.
A thin mist, like a veil, enveloped Azure Profound Mountain, and the eaves of the palaces nestled among the mountains appeared and disappeared in the mist.
Fang Han had just finished his morning Internal Qi cultivation and was having breakfast in the Side Hall when he heard hurried footsteps outside the courtyard gate.
Qui Lan walked quickly into the Side Hall and bowed, saying:
"Senior brother, a disciple from the Sect Master's Hall requests an audience, saying that the Sect Master has urgent business and asks you to go to the Sect Master's Hall immediately."
Fang Han put down his chopsticks, his brows furrowing slightly.
The sect leader summoned him, and said he would go "immediately," his tone different from usual, clearly indicating an emergency.
He didn't ask any more questions, just nodded, put down his chopsticks and walked out of the courtyard.
Outside the courtyard gate, a disciple of the Sect Master's Hall stood with his head bowed. Upon Fang Han emerge, he immediately bowed and gestured to the side.
"Senior Brother Fang, please come with me."
Fang Han nodded slightly and followed the disciple toward the mountain peak.
Morning light filters through the gaps in the branches and leaves of ancient trees, casting dappled shadows on the mountain path.
Fang Han walked with composure, but his mind was racing—what could be so urgent that the sect leader had summoned him so urgently?
The majestic outline of the Sect Master's Hall soon came into view at the edge of the horizon.
When the disciples guarding the palace gate Fang Han approaching, they quickly stepped aside to make way for him, as they had already been notified in advance to allow him to pass.
Fang Han stepped into the hall.
The hall was brightly lit, and the air was filled with the fragrance of Sandalwood Incense.
Chen Tianyuan sat upright in the large chair at the head of the table, his face solemn and his brows furrowed with a rare seriousness.
Three people were already seated on the pearwood chairs on either side of the hall.
Fang Han's gaze swept over the area, and a slight chill ran through him.
On the far left chair, Chen Wanjun, the deputy head of the Law Enforcement Hall, sat upright, wearing a dark blue Elder's robe. His face was thin and refined, and his eyes shone like morning stars.
Opposite him sat an elderly man with gray hair, a thin build, and a stern face. He was none other than Han Qing, Second Grade Elder who had been stationed at the Sect Treasury for many years.
Even he was involved, which shows that this matter is not simple.
Below Han Qing was a middle-aged man with a Fang Zheng face, thick eyebrows, and fierce eyes. He wore a dark blue Elder's robe and had a long sword hanging at his waist. He was Chen Tie, Second Grade Elder.
One First Grade martial artist and two Second Grade martial artists—such a lineup is anything but ordinary.
"Disciple Fang Han greets Sect Master."
Fang Han stepped forward and bowed.
"No need for formalities, please sit."
Chen Tianyuan waved his hand, gesturing for Fang Han to sit down.
Fang Han sat down on the empty pear wood chair, his gaze lingering on Chen Tianyuan's face for a moment.
Although the sect leader's expression remained calm, there was clearly some unusual emotion suppressed beneath that composure.
It was neither anger nor worry, but a deeper, more profound solemnity, like the calm before a storm.
Just then, steady footsteps sounded outside the palace gate.
A figure stepped inside.
She was an old woman with gray hair, which was neatly styled in a bun and secured with a plain silver hairpin.
He had a thin face, slightly prominent cheekbones, and wore a dark blue Elder's robe with a sheathed short sword hanging at his waist.
It was Jin Han, Second Grade Elder with a rigid personality and difficult to get along with.
"Greetings, Sect Master."
Jin Han stepped forward, bowed, and spoke in a hoarse but steady voice.
"No need for formalities, please sit."
Chen Tianyuan nodded slightly.
Jin Han sat down in the empty chair opposite Fang Han, her back ramrod straight, her eyes fixed straight ahead.
Now, including Fang Han, there are five people, and each of them is at least Second Grade martial artist.
Chen Tianyuan's gaze swept over the five people present, and his refined face gradually turned serious.
"I have summoned you here today because I have an urgent task to assign you."
His voice wasn't loud, but it reached everyone's ears clearly.
The five men tensed, silently awaiting what would happen next.
"You should have heard that the Hundred Treasures Pavilion intends to align itself with my Azure Profound Sect."
Chen Tianyuan spoke slowly.
Fang Han nodded slightly. He was naturally aware of this; just a few days ago, he had personally acted as an intermediary, relaying a message to the sect leader.
Chen Wanjun and the others nodded in agreement; this matter was no secret among the sect's higher-ups.
"But--"
Chen Tianyuan changed the subject, his voice suddenly becoming somber.
"I just received intelligence that the Iron River Gang plans to destroy the Hundred Treasures Pavilion Hundred Treasures Pavilion before it can align itself with my Azure Profound Sect."
Upon hearing this, the hall fell silent.
Fang Han's pupils contracted slightly, and a surge of shock and anger rose from the bottom of his heart.
He knew that the Iron River Gang had been expanding its influence and annexing surrounding forces in recent days.
Unexpectedly, the Iron River Gang was so brazen that they dared to attack the Hundred Treasures Pavilion even though they knew that the Hundred Treasures Pavilion had chosen to ally with the Azure Profound Sect.
" The Iron River Gang has some nerve!"
Chen Wanjun sat up abruptly, a flash of anger appearing in his bright, star-like eyes.
" The Hundred Treasures Pavilion has already chosen to ally with my Azure Profound Sect, yet the Iron River Gang still intends to make a move. This is a provocation against my Azure Profound Sect!"
A hint of coldness appeared on Han Qing's stern face. He spoke slowly, his voice hoarse but filled with barely suppressed anger.
"Although the Iron River Gang has produced a grandmaster, their actions are far too arrogant."
Chen Tie Tie's fingers tightened slightly on the armrest, and the muscles on his Fang Zheng face twitched slightly.
"Sect Master, the Iron River Gang's actions clearly show that they don't take our Azure Profound Sect seriously."
Jin Han didn't speak, but a flash of cold light flickered in her stern eyes.
Fang Han suppressed his shock and anger, raised his head, met Chen Tianyuan's gaze, and asked.
"Sect Master, you summoned the five of us because you want us to rush to the Hundred Treasures Pavilion for rescue?"
"That's right, the reason I summoned the five of you here is to get you to the rescue."
Chen Tianyuan said in a slightly deep voice.
He stood up, walked to the window with his hands behind his back, and gazed at the gradually dissipating morning mist outside, remaining silent for a moment.
"The five of you must set off immediately for the Prefecture City to rescue Hundred Treasures Pavilion. You must not let the Iron River Gang succeed."
He turned around, his gaze sweeping over the five people, his voice becoming more serious.
"The Iron River Gang provoked us first. If you encounter any members of the Iron River Gang, there's no need to hold back."
He paused, his voice turning colder.
" The Azure Profound Sect is unwilling to easily clash with the Iron River Gang, which would have benefited the other six sects, but they are not afraid of trouble either."
"Yes!"
The five responded in unison and stood up.
Chen Tianyuan nodded slightly and said nothing more.
The five people turned around and strode out of the hall.
As we stepped out of the Sect Master's Hall, the morning light had fully spread, bathing the distant mountains in a warm golden glow.
Without delay, the five of them used their Body Movement to swiftly rush towards the mountain gate along the mountain path.
"Whoosh!"
Fang Han activated the Wind God Step, and his figure in the green robe transformed into a faint, almost imperceptible stream of light, moving at an astonishing speed.
Chen Wanjun followed closely behind, unleashing the full power of First Grade martial artist's Body Movement, but he was still a fraction slower Fang Han.
Han Qing, Chen Tie, and Jin Han lagged behind, their speed had slowed considerably, and despite their best efforts, they were still being left further and further behind by Fang Han and Chen Wanjun.
After running for a distance, Chen Wanjun's brows furrowed slightly.
He slowed down, waiting for Han Qing and the other two to catch up, his voice tinged with urgency.
"At this rate of travel, we probably won't be able to reach the Hundred Treasures Pavilion in time."
He paused, then continued.
"I'll go ahead to the Prefecture City first; you can follow later."
Upon hearing this, Fang Han turned his head to meet Chen Wanjun's gaze.
"Vice Hall Master Chen, this disciple has mastered the Wind God Step to the Proficiency Realm level. In terms of speed, I am probably even faster than an average First Grade martial artist."
He paused, then said.
"It would be better if I, your disciple, went ahead to the rescue."
Chen Wanjun was slightly taken aback. He had already noticed that Fang Han's speed was indeed a notch faster than his.
But he did not agree immediately. Instead, he remained silent for a moment before slowly speaking.
" The Iron River Gang will undoubtedly have First Grade expert in their operation. If you encounter First Grade martial artist, you alone—"
"Don't worry, Deputy Hall Master Chen."
Fang Han interrupted Chen Wanjun, his voice remaining calm.
"My current strength is no weaker than First Grade martial artist, and may even be stronger than an average First Grade martial artist."
He paused, then continued to make his point more convincing.
" Meng Zhao, First Grade Elder of the Crimson Flame Sect, died at the hands of his disciple."
Upon hearing this, Chen Wanjun's pupils contracted slightly.
Han Qing, Chen Tie, and Jin Han paused slightly, all looking at Fang Han with undisguised surprise in their eyes.
They had naturally heard about the death of Meng Zhao, First Grade Elder of the Crimson Flame Sect.
The Crimson Flame Sect first suspected the Dragon Spring Manor, and then suspected the Iron River Gang, which led to a conflict with the Iron River Gang.
Little did they expect that Meng Zhao would die at Fang Han's hands.
Is this true?
Chen Wanjun asked in a deep voice, his tone tinged with disbelief.
"This disciple dares not speak presumptuously."
Fang Han met Chen Wanjun's gaze.
Chen Wanjun remained silent for a moment, then slowly nodded.
If Fang Han can truly kill First Grade martial artist, then his strength is far more than simply "not weaker than First Grade martial artist".
With such strength, even if they are no match for the experts of the Iron River Gang, they should be able to escape without any problem.
"Good."
Chen Wanjun nodded.
"Then you go ahead first, but be careful. If things don't go well, prioritize your own safety."
"Disciple understands."
Fang Han cupped his hands in response.
He said no more, Internal Qi of the Azure Profound Art within his body surged and circulated at an unprecedented speed, pouring entirely into his legs.
"Whoosh!"
Driven to its limit by the Wind God Step, the figure in the green robe suddenly accelerated, like a streak of green lightning, leaving Chen Wanjun and the other three far behind.
The morning breeze whistled in my ears, and the scenery on both sides rushed past, turning into blurry bands of color.
Fang Han's gaze fell towards the Prefecture City ahead.
Hopefully, it's not too late.