Outside the flower bed, Lian Pingchao and the other three silently watched Fang Yun lead six Grand Academicians into its outer edge, watching the seven figures disappear into the shrubs.
Lian Pingchao said gravely, "Tell me, what exactly did this Yun Fang come to Bloodmang Ancient Land to do?"
"I'm afraid even Mo Yao and Wei Huangan don't know. His identity is far too unusual. The Dragon Palace was actually willing to sacrifice precious treasures to kill him. There must also be some Sage Aristocratic Clans pulling strings behind the scenes."
"Of course. If those Grand Academicians bribed a city lord of Bloodmang Ancient Land to issue a Temple of Sages Wanted Decree without the support of the Sage Aristocratic Clans, that would be tantamount to joining the Rebel Species!"
"If you ask me, we'd be better off not provoking him. Unfortunately, I've already offended him. When he asked for the Dragon Race Inscriptions, I should simply have given them to him. Why did I have to be so bullheaded?" Tan Hemu sighed softly.
"Things have come to this, and there's no turning back for us. He wouldn't even give us Holy Page Edicts, making it plain that he doesn't regard us as friends. Do the three of you dare follow this mistake through to the end?" Lian Pingchao asked.
The three Grand Academicians-Qiu Meng, Tan Hemu, and Qu An-froze, then quickly understood. By following the mistake through to the end, Lian Pingchao meant fulfilling the objective of the Temple of Sages Wanted Decree.
Qiu Meng slowly took a step back. Tan Hemu and Qu An immediately backed away as well.
The three Grand Academicians stood close together, facing off against Lian Pingchao.
Qiu Meng met his gaze openly. "Pingchao, you're mistaken. Before entering the Dragon City Ruins, we agreed