The waters at the center of Mengong Lake parted, revealing a vast hole that led straight down to the Cube on the lakebed. Several boats sped toward shore. Even the Seventh Tier Cultivators stationed there began to withdraw.
Several figures hovered in the air, waiting in silence.
The only people who still dared take to the sky were Xixiao's Eighth Tier Cultivators—
An elder of the Bright Sect; the Sword Master's third, sixth, and seventh disciples, who had already been in Xixiao; and his first, second, and fifth disciples, who had come to Xixiao after their recent missions ended. Everyone was here except the fourth disciple, who had gone to the Western Continent and was still on his way back by Sword Flight; the eighth, who had gotten carried away playing the hero, killed someone, and was still in jail; and Junior Sister, whose cultivation was too low and who had been expressly forbidden to come.
"Who hit my Third Junior Sister?"
"Who hit my Third Senior Sister?"
"..." Third Senior Sister fell silent for a moment, then turned and hissed, "You fucking idiots. Winning and losing are part of war. Can you stop bringing it up?"
"We're asking you! Who beat my Third Junior Sister so badly she couldn't get out of bed for half a month? Come forward if you've got the guts!"
"Yeah! Who beat our Third Senior Sister so badly she couldn't even use the toilet on her own? Come out and fight me... fight my eldest senior brother one-on-one!"
"Fuck! I'll kill you!"
"Third Junior Sister, what are you doing?"
"Calm down, Third Senior Sister! We've got company!"
The lone Bright Sect elder hovered there without expression, staring straight ahead.
Only five people faced them. They hovered in silence too, watching without expression or reply.