The Continent Trembles · Part Two

Clear Sky Sect, the council hall hidden within the mountain's depths.

The atmosphere in the hall was grave. Five elders sat around the table—the Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, and Seventh Elders, who currently presided over Clear Sky Sect.

Laid out on the table before them was intelligence concerning Lingxiao Hall.

Bang!

Seventh Elder had the fiercest temper. After reading the report, he slammed his palm onto the ironwood table, his beard and hair bristling as he roared:

"How outrageous! The Strength, Defense, Break, and Speed Clans are nothing but trash that our Clear Sky Sect discarded long ago!

That brat called Xiao Yin merely picked up the scraps we threw away and cobbled together some bullshit 'Lingxiao Hall,' yet he dared to call himself a power in his own right?

When the tiger is away, the monkey becomes king! That boy is nothing more than a fame-seeking fraud!"

Third Elder frowned slightly. More mild-tempered and prudent by nature, he said slowly, "Elder Seven, you cannot put it that way. Back then... it was our Clear Sky Sect that sealed the mountain gates and cut off contact. Those four clans suffered relentless oppression outside; it was only natural for them to seek a way out. Besides, for Xiao Yin to subdue all four clans and earn their wholehearted allegiance, he must possess exceptional qualities."

"Exceptional qualities? I say he took advantage of a crisis!" Seventh Elder snorted coldly. "What value could a pack of homeless dogs possibly have? The fact that Xiao Yin picked them up only proves how shallow his foundation is. He is only fit to gather such defeated remnants!"

Fourth Elder and Fifth Elder did not immediately voice their opinions, but their eyes likewise revealed displeasure at the four clans for "serving another master." They believed it had