Hehe, Why Aren't You Laughing Now?

"Watch out, everyone! This is probably another empty skin! Cihang Pudu hasn't shown up yet!"

One user shouted the moment he entered, clearly having realized something was wrong.

Leaving an empty target out in plain sight to draw fire—using the enemy's attacks to one's own advantage—was an all-too-common trick.

Yet, unexpectedly, as a streak of sword energy slashed through the air, the "Cihang Pudu" seated above them actually opened his eyes!

"At last, you have come. You certainly kept me waiting."

His voice was oddly youthful for such an aged face, and beneath that stark contrast, there seemed to lurk a peculiar sense of... satisfaction?

He made no visible move as he spoke. A faint Buddhist radiance merely swirled behind him, and the sword energy vanished without a trace.

He did not even acknowledge Swordsman Xiahou, who had just swung his sword. The Imperial Preceptor's deep-set eyes were as still as ancient wells. They swept the room before fixing directly upon the bearded swordsman at the front.

"Yan Chixia. I have long heard your name. So you have finally come as well. Excellent."

"Rarer still, you have brought so many extraordinary morsels of flesh and blood with you. Truly, this must be fate. Surely—"

"Monster! Where did you get that skin?!"

A thunderous, lionlike roar cut the Imperial Preceptor off.

Visible, colorless ripples surged forth, sweeping toward the lotus dais in an instant!

Yan Chixia had yet to speak. This time, Zen Master White Cloud had been the first to "raise his voice," displaying none of his usual solemn composure.

"Oh, my brother. Junior Brother White Cloud. You, too, have grown old."

Once again, Buddhist radiance swirled, effortlessly dissolving the incoming Fearless Lion's Roar.

After studying the old monk for a moment, "Cihang Pudu" suddenly adopted a far more natural