358 First Out

"Crane-Releasing Sword Elder" Xiao Qianjue had risen to fame a century ago and was a highly senior elder of the Fragrance Sect. After Shi Tianci was defeated and killed in a joint siege by the many experts dispatched by the imperial court, the sect's ranks dwindled until it nearly fell into irreversible decline.

Later, had it not been for the three great elders—Xiao Qianjue, Wen Tailai, and Qu Wuyang—turning the tide, the Fragrance Sect could never have endured to this day. In this regard, the three elders' contributions were truly immense.

"The Sect Master has truly lost his head." Xiao Qianjue rode a red-crowned crane through the high skies, his robes fluttering in the wind, lending him an airy, immortal bearing. The old man's long brows trembled slightly. Thinking of Shi Wanhai's actions, a chill rose in his heart.

"That Sun Jingyuan is a sly scoundrel, while that Yang fellow is a demon of another kind. Why would the Sect Master draw close to such people? And then there is Sheng Yuzhou of the imperial court's Evil-Slaying Bureau. The imperial court has always been our sect's mortal enemy, our hatred as deep as the sea. If the Sect Master associates with someone like him, how is he supposed to convince the masses?"

After the red-crowned crane flew on for some time, a vast bank of fog suddenly appeared ahead. Xiao Qianjue did not stop it. The crane plunged straight into the mist, but the fog was so dense that no direction could be discerned.

"Activate."

Xiao Qianjue took out a talisman token and shone it through the air. The surrounding mist scattered like an illusion. The red-crowned crane spread its wings excitedly and dove downward at speed, crying out as it circled through the air.

"Looks like we're here!"

Xiao