The Broken Elder Yao

"Senior, please have a seat!"

"Senior, have some tea!"

"Senior..."

The Eastern Spirit Sect Master watched as his Elder, who had just been so noble and righteous, suddenly became a sycophant, his lips twitching. He wondered what he was thinking.

However, as a Spirit Array Master, he also understood the Elder's actions.

Xiao Han possesses a powerful weapon that can fundamentally enhance combat capabilities and elevate the status of Spirit Array Master, almost accurately targeting the vitals and weaknesses of every Spirit Array Master.

After all, who doesn't have a heart set on conquering all?

He now understood a bit about where Xiao Han's confidence in unifying the Four Sects came from; any Spirit Array Master would find it hard to resist such a temptation.

Given that forceful takeover is not feasible, joining in is the only logical course of action.

Xiao Han smiled and enjoyed the complete 180-degree change in the attitude of the Eastern Spirit Sect.

"I've taken over as Sect Master. Does anyone have any objections?"

"You can bring it up."

Xiao Han said in a seemingly democratic manner.

"No."

"We firmly support the Sect Master's decision."

Um?!

Everyone stared blankly at the source of the sound.

The Eastern Spirit Sect Master's attitude was unusually supportive of Xiao Han's decision to become the Sect Master, making one wonder if Xiao Han had actually taken his place.

Even the sect Sect Master had agreed, so the others had no reason to object and expressed their agreement one after another.

"Sect Master, are you planning to incorporate the other three sects?"

When the matter of the Eastern Spirit Sect came to an end, Yang Ling, the former Eastern Spirit Sect Master and now the vice Sect Master, took the initiative to step forward and ask.

What suggestions do you have?

Xiao Han countered with a question.

"I suggest that the Sect Master start by targeting the Southern Blade Pavilion."

"What does that mean?"

Yang Ling said confidently, "Reporting to the Sect Master, although the remaining three families are roughly equal in overall strength, in terms of combat power alone, Southern Blade Pavilion stands out."

"And..."

"The people of the Southern Blade Pavilion are all a bunch of brutes." Yang Ling seemed to recall something, her expression complex.

"They believe in the strong. As long as the Sect Master can subdue them with the Spirit Array, it will be a sure thing to win them over."

"Once we subdue the Southern Blade Pavilion, the other two forces will crumble without a fight and won't be able to cause any trouble."

"Alright, you will lead the way on this trip to the Southern Blade Pavilion."

Xiao Han approved Yang Ling's suggestion.

"You're being too conservative!"

Xiao Han's tone was complicated. Standing in front of the gate of the Southern Blade Pavilion, he once again gained a deep understanding of the former's style as described by Yang Ling.

Upon hearing this, Yang Ling gave an awkward smile, and looking at the messy gate of the Southern Blade Pavilion, she felt a chill in her heart.

Today was truly an eye-opener – a real eye-opener.

Grass!

Can anyone tell him which sect's disciples would actually start fighting right in front of their sect's gate?

If it were an ordinary Spiritual Power sect, it would be one thing, but this is a Spirit Array Master's organization.

They're even more thuggish than bandits!

This perfectly illustrates what it means that "Spirit Array Master who can't fight in melee combat isn't a proper rogue!"

If it weren't for the fact that all the Southern Blade Pavilion disciples fighting were using Spirit Array, he would have doubted whether he had come to the wrong place.

"The Eastern Spirit Sect Master has come to pay a visit. Please inform him."

Yang Ling took the initiative to step forward and negotiate.

However, the response from the disciples of the Southern Blade Pavilion was an attack Spirit Array. The moment the Fire Dragon rushed in front of Yang Ling, the latter trembled.

"Sect Master, I have been rude."

He turned to Xiao Han and gave him a strained smile. Then, his Spirit Seal erupted everywhere as he walked step by step toward the chaotic crowd.

I, a high-level Spirit Array Master, can't even handle a few brats?

"Myriad Binding Spirit Array!"

Countless chains bared their fangs and claws behind Yang Ling, shooting out towards the Southern Blade Pavilion members in front of him.

After a dozen or so breaths, a series of cracking sounds followed, Yang Ling stared expressionlessly at the Southern Blade Pavilion disciple who was bound hand and foot.

"Tell me, where is your Sect Master?"

"You're the Eastern Spirit Sect Master?!"

The disciple's eyes widened, and only then did he realize who was in front of him.

"Eh..."

Yang Ling hurriedly denied it, gesturing to Xiao Han, who stood calmly behind her.

"That person is the Sect Master of our Eastern Spirit Sect."

Then, he met a pair of disdainful eyes.

"Are you trying to fool me, you idiot? Do you really think I don't know what the Sect Master of the Four Sects look like?"

"It seems our Pavilion Master was right, the Eastern Spirit Sect has indeed declined; even the Sect Master doesn't dare admit his own..."

"Smack!"

Yang Ling slapped the Southern Blade Pavilion disciple on the head.

"Ouch!"

"Didn't your Sect Master also say that you shouldn't provoke powerful people you can't afford to offend?"

Staring at the simpleton shaking his head in front of him, Yang Ling felt a sense of helplessness. As a senior, it was not convenient for him to argue with a group of juniors.

That's the downside of dealing with the Southern Blade Pavilion: they're a chatterbox and a simpleton.

Getting angry isn't worth it, but holding it in is just as frustrating!

Two words: It's painful!

"Sect Master." Yang Ling returned to Xiao Han's side.

"Elder Southern Blade Pavilion has probably already noticed the unusual activity at the mountain gate and will be here soon."

"Um."

Xiao Han nodded first, then, recalling the way Yang Ling had interacted with that disciple of the Southern Blade Pavilion, he couldn't help but chuckle and said:

"You have a good temper."

"Sigh!" Yang Ling's expression stiffened, and she sighed.

"Sect Master ..."

He is not a cruel person, and a minor offense should not be taken too seriously.

"Alright, the person we've been waiting for has arrived."

Raising his hand to stop Yang Ling from speaking, Xiao Han turned his gaze to the streak of Flowing Light rushing towards them from afar.

"Who dares to cause trouble in front of my Southern Blade Pavilion's gate!"

Before he arrived, his voice had already reached the mountain gate; the old man's powerful voice resounded throughout the mountain.

"Bang!"

A gaunt old man emerged from the thick smoke. If one hadn't seen it with their own eyes, it would have been hard to believe that the source of the voice was such a frail old man.

"Sect Master Yang?"

The old man recognized Yang Ling at a glance, casually cupped his hands in greeting, and completely ignored Xiao Han standing to the side. In his view, the former should just be a follower and not worth worrying about.

"Old Man Yao, this is the current Sect Master of my Eastern Spirit Sect."

Yang Ling had clearly dealt with this gaunt old man before, and he corrected Old Man Yao's mistake by rubbing his forehead.

"The Eastern Spirit Sect has a new Sect Master?"

Only then did Old Man Yao finally look Xiao Han in the eye, though his tone was still far from kind.

"A new face?"

Old Man Yao's eyes darted around a few times, and he chuckled at Xiao Han.

"Just took over?"

Xiao Han chuckled inwardly, but remained outwardly calm, replying:

"I just took over as Sect Master not long ago."

"Want to have a little sparring session with this old man?"

Old Man Yao rubbed his hands together excitedly.

"Old Man Yao..."

Yang Ling's expression changed, and he knew things were going to go wrong.

He knew the nature of the Southern Blade Pavilion all too well; they were all passionate about fighting. Even he, the former Eastern Spirit Sect Master, had encountered such sparring countless times.

Elder Yao, in particular, is one of the best in the Southern Blade Pavilion, ranking among the top three in the sect. He is someone that all experts would want to challenge.

He understood that Elder Yao couldn't possibly be unaware that the person qualified to become the Eastern Spirit Sect was no ordinary individual, and he didn't expect to win; perhaps he was simply aiming to challenge a powerful figure.

But the gap is too big, and it will be a blow. Yang Ling wants to save this lamb that has gone astray.

However...

"Alright, shut up," Old Man Yao interrupted dismissively.

"I'm speaking to your Sect Master."

"Fine." Yang Ling laughed in anger, stepped aside without saying a word, and watched coldly. The old man won't shed tears until he sees the coffin; he brought this all on himself!

"Alright, let's have a friendly spar, but we'll stop when we've reached a point of no return."

Following Old Man Yao's lead, Xiao Han spoke quite sensibly.

"Good lad, that's straightforward!"

Old Man Yao was extremely excited, "Just for what you said, I'll give you three moves."

Yang Ling covered her face: You want to die a miserable death, don't you!

"Then I shall respectfully comply."

Xiao Han slightly cupped his hands and took the initiative to attack, activating Spirit Array. Old Man Yao accepted the attack...

"Elder Yao, you flatter me!"

Xiao Han casually withdrew the destructive Spirit Array he was about to unleash, bypassing Elder Yao who was already on the verge of collapse.

"If only I had known then what I know now, I wouldn't have done it in the first place."

Yang Ling glanced at Elder Yao, who was spouting nonsense, with pity, and walked over.

At this moment, the latter's gaze was blank.

"How could that be?"

"This Spirit Array!"