"What's going on? Is that despicable sword cultivator planning to sacrifice one of his own clansmen just to save on protection dues?"
In the distance, the man in yellow robes, who had been observing the commotion ahead, widened his eyes. He could no longer remain calm.
He could not make sense of what he was seeing.
What kind of colossal existence was the Thunderfire Sect within the Eastern Arrival Divine Province? Among all the sects under its jurisdiction, any sect that refused to pay protection dues would certainly face severe punishment!
For lesser offenses, the original sect master would be crippled and replaced with a new one; for graver offenses, most of the sect's higher-ups would all be thrown into the heavenly prison!
Protection dues were, in essence, protection money.
They were only collected once every hundred years, so they were not much of a burden to a sect.
Thus, these small and mid-sized sects of Eastern Jin had long grown accustomed to paying protection dues.
After all, once they paid, they could receive a certain degree of protection from the Thunderfire Sect. All things considered, it was quite worthwhile.
"This so-called Heavenly Toad Tribe setting up an array here is merely a smokescreen. Their true purpose may be to search for something here..."
The man in white frowned and said in a deep voice, "Once they find that thing, they'll withdraw at once. That's why they don't want to pay protection dues to the Thunderfire Sect!"
"That makes sense."
The man in green nodded as well. "They dared to refuse Elder Zhang to his face. Perhaps they've already completed their mission here!"
"They're going to run?"
Hearing their exchange, the man in yellow robes shuddered inwardly and hurriedly said, "If that's the case, Elder Zhang is in danger."
"Right."