The young man's black robe had been scorched to tatters, and the blood on his arm had yet to dry when he was hauled roughly into the hall.
He scrambled onto his knees in the hall, his face covered in dust, and said in a low voice:
"This sinner, Zou Ze, pays his respects to the True Person!"
"Why have you returned alone? Where are the others?"
The man seated above spoke evenly, his face hidden in the shadows. Only the multicolored light rippling around him revealed his extraordinary, exalted status.
At those words, Zou Ze did not even dare lift his head. Instead, he prostrated himself still lower and said with a mournful expression:
"Reporting to the True Person, they're dead—all dead. The three elders from our clan perished too. Only this humble one had the presence of mind to preserve his useful life and return with the news. That was how I escaped death and made it back."
The True Person showed no surprise at all upon hearing this. His expression remained calm as he said:
"Oh? Then tell me in detail. What news have you brought?"
"Yes. This time was different from before. They must have grown wary over there. The Foundation Establishment cultivator accompanying the boat was a monstrous talent. His Sword Dao touched the divine, and he struck like lightning. My three great-uncles perished the instant they faced him..."
Zou Ze's eyes darted about. To avoid punishment, he wildly exaggerated the enemy's strength, then added a few words in his own defense:
"This humble one was attacking the Spirit Boat with my clansmen at the time. Several times, we nearly broke through, but those above were defeated too quickly, and all our efforts came to nothing. This humble one... this humble one could only..."
He