"The latest news: twenty-fourth on the Heavenly Ranking, 'Golden-Silver Divine Hand' Dou Tianquan, was defeated half a quarter-hour ago and died beneath Limitless Saber Lord Chu Xisheng's saber! He is the seventh Heavenly Ranking expert Chu Xisheng has defeated since heading north, and the sixth to die at his hands!"
Halfway up Blood Bat Mountain, inside a magnificent, towering hall, a Supreme Elder of Blood Bat Mountain held a Message Talisman and impassively recited the information recorded within.
The defeat and death of "Golden-Silver Divine Hand" Dou Tianquan was an event great enough to shake the entire martial world.
Yet the many leaders of divine and demonic sects and the dozens of first-rank masters assembled in the hall showed little reaction, their composure unruffled.
"Illuminating World Demon Lamp" Zong Shenhua, seated at the very head, paid no attention whatsoever.
Holding a teacup, he idly stirred the leaves with its lid. "Everyone, I don't mean to prevent Wen Zhuyi from ascending to godhood. But this absolutely must not be accomplished through Chu Xisheng and the Formless Divine Sect!
"Don't you all think the Formless Divine Sect has grown too powerful? When your disciples travel the martial world, have they felt none of this pain firsthand?"
Zong Shenhua swept his gaze over those present. "Ever since the Wooden Sword Immortal attained godhood and Chu Xisheng rose to prominence, every business the Formless Divine Sect's disciples undertake has enjoyed smooth sailing. Escort agencies, carriage and horse agencies, silver banks, salt and tea, medicinal herbs, horse agencies, cloth shops, water transport-no one dares compete with them head-on.
"Whenever my Blood Bat Mountain disciples encounter their people, they must give them a wide berth. Unless absolutely necessary, they dare not clash with them. I wonder whether your sects face the same situation?"
Silence still filled