"Third Young Master has arrived. Why haven't you come to receive him?"
In an instant, an indescribably terrifying pressure bore down upon the hundred thousand mountains ahead.
Even the void was crushed into folded layers, and even the stars themselves were compressed—let alone the life upon them.
"So it is the Phoenix Clan's Third Young Master. Our Ancient Holy Mountain has been remiss in receiving you. Please, please."
At that moment, a streak of light flashed past. An old man bent at the waist, forcibly withstanding the pressure radiating from the elder beside Hong Batian, yet spoke with unhurried composure.
"It seems your Ancient Royal Clan thinks very little of me. What is it? Do you look down on me, or on the Phoenix Clan behind me?"
Hong Batian sneered. He was no fool. They had not come out before, yet now they knew to appear. Earlier, not only had his own dignity been slighted, but the face of the entire Phoenix Clan had been ignored as well.
This concerned the Phoenix Clan's honor. He would not let the matter rest so easily. At the very least, he needed an explanation—one that could pass muster.
"Third Young Master, we truly did not know you were coming. Moreover, the younger generation was not qualified to receive you. This old man only just learned of it myself, which is why I broke out of seclusion and came to welcome the Third Young Master."
"I hope the Third Young Master will forgive us."
The old man clasped his hands and bowed, smiling obsequiously at Hong Batian without pause.
"Is that so..."
Hong Batian's expression sank into thought, as though he were in a difficult position.
Yet the next moment, a flash of blade light swept through. One of the old man's arms was