In the dim firelight, Wen Wei stared for a long time in the direction Fang Qianyuan had left. Even though there was nothing there anymore, he still struggled to collect himself.
The meaning behind Fang Qianyuan's final, offhand chuckle had been self-evident.
Thinking of it, Wen Wei felt anger beginning to rise.
Even ten thousand years ago, the members of their Eight Qiyun Families had been renowned powerhouses of the foremost aristocratic clans. When had anyone ever looked upon them like this?
"What? Fellow Daoist Wen, is that true? That man is going to let us out?"
When Wen Wei returned to the dungeon and brought the others this news, the other ancient cultivators of the Eight Qiyun Families were overjoyed. Yet alongside their delight came doubt, bewilderment, shame, and anger.
"This man is no ordinary figure. Though we still know little about him, the scraps we've heard from the guards and other prisoners tell us that he is one of this age's foremost titans. Ultimately, this is their age, not ours."
Wen Wei offered the others this veiled reminder.
"Besides, now that we've regained our freedom, our first priority is to restore our strength as quickly as possible. We may well need the Azure Cloud Sect's support for that."
The ten ancient cultivators of the Eight Qiyun Families fell silent at his words.
Only after a long while did they say, "Indeed. Everything else can wait until we've recovered our strength!"
"All of you, come out. It's time to leave!"
Having received Fang Qianyuan's instructions, the jailers soon arranged for Wen Wei and the others to be released.
First, they brought everyone to an open space outside the headquarters to wait. Before long, a late-stage expert from the Warrior Administration arrived with his retainers, accompanied by no fewer than