Wulan City.
In a private room on the second floor of a teahouse, Tai Tan sat beside the window. A gleaming white bone bell hung at his waist, and the tea in his cup had gone completely cold.
Beside him, a trusted subordinate was growing restless. "Clan Chief, how long are we going to wait?"
"Keep waiting."
Tai Tan glanced at him.
Barely had he finished speaking when the bone bell at his waist suddenly began to hum. It was paired with a bone whistle and would only ring upon receiving its fluctuations.
"Long Aotian has left the sect!"
Tai Tan sprang to his feet, excitement on his face. "Let's go."
Taking four trusted subordinates with him, Tai Tan swiftly left Wulan City. Only after traveling more than ten li beyond the city did he stop.
"Right here."
Tai Tan said gravely, "They have to pass this way to enter Wulan City."
About an incense stick's time later, three figures indeed appeared at the end of the road.
Long Aotian walked in the middle, with Mo Chen and Su Lian behind him on either side. Their steps were light as they chatted about the academy's newly recruited young talents.
As they walked, Long Aotian suddenly slowed his steps.
"There are five people ahead. Something's wrong."
Long Aotian narrowed his eyes.
Mo Chen and Su Lian behind him saw them too. Their expressions tightened, and each quietly began mobilizing his soul power.
Thirty or forty zhang away, a burly old man stood planted in the middle of the road, with two men behind him on either side, blocking the entire road.
One look was enough to tell they meant trouble!
Tai Tan looked Long Aotian up and down, a measure of scrutiny in his tone. "You're Long Aotian?"
"Who are