Several days later.
The coarse porcelain bowl Su Zixuan had brought the day before yesterday still sat on the stone table in the island-protecting formation's cave abode.
Qing Chen sat in a wicker chair, his fingertips tapping softly against the stone table, his gaze icy.
The old town chief stood opposite him, his waist bent so low he almost touched the ground, his expression tense.
"I gave you all this time to think, and this is the plan you came up with?" Qing Chen's tone was somewhat hostile.
The old town chief plastered a fawning smile across his face. "Exalted Immortal, your power knows no bounds. What are a few mere mortals to you? This humble old man need only lure them all to one place.
"With a light sweep of your sleeve and a few immortal arts, their souls will scatter like those of ants. This humble old man alone can handle this matter."
A mocking smile curled Qing Chen's lips. "You alone intend to challenge the five brothers and their whole gang? If you invite them by yourself, their first thought will be that it's a trap. They'll be too busy running away to come."
The words made the old town chief flush, and even his voice trembled. "Then... then what would you have me do, Exalted Immortal?"
"Put it plainly."
Qing Chen shook his head. "Spread this news across the island: anyone who wants to be town chief must prove his strength. Gather all your men and fight them head-on.
"Only then will they believe it. After all, an open contest of strength is exactly what they want."
A glimmer of understanding flashed through the old town chief's eyes.
He nodded. "Of course! Why didn't this humble old man think of that? If the whole island knows