Dongfang Jin pondered for a long time before saying, "We do need to make preparations in advance! I'll arrange things with Tianqi shortly and have him prepare our defenses. Meanwhile, I'll personally visit the Biluozong and the Azure Sea Gate to discuss this with Mu Ze and Peng Muyang. Keep a close watch over the next few days. We'll decide what to do after I return."
On the third day after Dongfang Jin left, a group arrived outside Gloomwind Valley. They were all dressed in black, with even their faces covered in black cloth, leaving only their eyes exposed. Their features could not be made out.
Fortunately, Fang Tianqi had made arrangements three days earlier. The moment these black-clad people appeared, scouts concealed in the shadows spotted them and quietly reported to the sect.
Upon receiving word from the hidden sentries, Fang Tianqi immediately rang the alarm bell within the valley. In moments, Yu Tiancheng, the other peak masters, and the Foundation Establishment elders gathered in the main hall of Purple Sun Peak.
"Everyone, our hidden sentries have reported that a group of black-clad people has suddenly appeared outside Gloomwind Valley. One of them is at the Golden Core stage, and all the others have Foundation Establishment cultivation," Fang Tianqi said.
"With the Ancestor Dongfang away, and Senior Brother Yu having only recently formed his Golden Core, his cultivation has yet to fully stabilize. I suggest we activate the Sect-Protecting Grand Array first, assess their strength and purpose, and then decide what to do! Senior Brother Yu, what do you think?"
Yu Tiancheng was the strongest person present, so Fang Tianqi sought his opinion first.
Yu Tiancheng considered it. He, too, had no clear idea of the newcomers' strength and dared not rashly put himself in danger, so he