Sage nodded slightly and said, "That's right, Boss Houtu. Their intentions are sinister-they actually tried to kill both Father Chiefs in one stroke. You have to set this right!"
The Flame Emperor stood nearby, his expression grave. He had never seen these black-robed monks anywhere in the Nine Provinces, but the aura of utmost darkness and evil they radiated forced him to proceed with caution.
A black-robed monk slowly flew forward and asked the Arhat leading them, "What should we do?"
"Amitabha. Our Buddha is infinitely merciful." The Arhat pressed his palms together, his eyes half closed. "We must fight them sooner or later. We might as well purge them now."
Hearing this, the many monks in the sky pressed their palms together and murmured, "Amitabha. Our Buddha shall deliver all from suffering."
An eerie sound of chanting rose through the sky.
Sage's expression was especially grave. This was already his second battle against these Black Monks, and he knew full well how troublesome they were.
"National Men Tribe," Houtu called. "Take my Father Chief and grandfather away to recover. I'll face them."
"No!" Sage shouted anxiously. "I know who they are. Facing them alone is too dangerous!"
With that, Sage turned to the others and said, "Their goal is to purge the entire world. Unless we join forces, none of us will survive alone!"
An earnest intensity filled Sage's eyes. His gaze swept over the Seven Outstanding Disciples of the Sage, Zhan Qisheng and his two companions, and the members of the Flame Emperor's tribe in turn, before he slowly continued:
"If you trust me, I hope you'll unleash every killing move you have from the outset. Otherwise, the consequences will be endless."
"Surely it's not that serious?" Houtu gave Sage a doubtful look. "In all the Nine Provinces,