Half a month later...
Bang!
The stone table suddenly shattered, splitting into several pieces that flew apart and smashed viciously into the stone wall.
"Dead?!" The white-robed Daoist Han Xiaolong stared incredulously at the disciple who had come to report.
"Y-yes, sir..." The disciple answered in a low, trembling voice, terrified out of his wits. "They said only his belongings were found by a small stream..."
"Meng Man... couldn't possibly have done this. It must have been that bitch Dugu!!" A flicker of killing intent flashed through Han Xiaolong's eyes. "To kill my friend and cut off my source of wealth is like murdering my parents! Dugu Lin!!"
He ground his teeth, clenched his palm, and with a bang, spiritual energy exploded. The entire cave dwelling rang as though thunder had struck.
The disciple trembled even harder in fright.
"Get out!!" Han Xiaolong was already in a foul mood, and seeing his timid, cowardly appearance only made his anger rise further.
Just as the disciple was scrambling toward the cave entrance.
"Wait! Has your Senior Brother Yuan returned?"
"R-returning to you, sir, not yet..."
"When he returns, have him come to me!"
"Yes..."
Only then did Han Xiaolong impatiently let him leave.
Sitting alone in the cave dwelling, his heart grew even more vexed.
"Dugu Lin, Dugu Lin... Don't think that simply because the Grand Elder favors you, you can do whatever you please!"
Sword Hall Peak of the sect.
White mist curled through the air, immortal aura drifting around the jade-white Dao Palace of the Sword Hall.
Bang!
Several guarding disciples on the Dao Palace steps screamed and were sent flying.
A slender, graceful figure appeared upon the steps. Her black hair cascaded like a waterfall, while a faint silver vertical mark rested upon her forehead, like a