"Second-tier alchemists went missing?"
At those words, Wang Ba's heart jolted.
He immediately recalled the news he had heard last time at Vermin Market in the rogue cultivator settlement.
He hurriedly asked.
"When did this happen?"
"Wasn't the Hundred-Pill Gathering supposed to be held near Lingbi City recently?"
"Those alchemists went missing the very next day after the Hundred-Pill Gathering..."
With a grave expression, Wen Yong voiced his conjecture:
"I suspect it was very likely the work of the Three Great Sects."
Wang Ba considered briefly, then nodded in agreement with Wen Yong's conjecture.
In fact, that had been his first thought upon hearing the news as well.
White Cloud Flat lay where the Three Great Sects' territories met. There was almost no other possibility, given that those alchemists had been abducted right under their noses.
"But... why would they do that?"
Wang Ba could not help asking in puzzlement.
The Three Great Sects certainly had the ability, but lacked a reason to do so.
Wen Yong immediately shook his head.
"Have you forgotten? That person from the Zhenling Sect probably doesn't have much time left. The Three Great Sects have long been eyeing Zhenling Palace's many spirit mines and spirit veins hungrily. Once that person is gone, do you think they'll let such an opportunity slip?"
"You mean... they're gathering strength, waiting until the Zhenling Sect's Nascent Soul passes away before making their move to seize them?"
Wang Ba quickly understood what Wen Yong meant, and his expression could not help growing grave.
If the Three Great Sects truly had such plans, then the Yan Kingdom's foreseeable future was probably destined to be filled with bloody rain and murderous winds.
"Most likely."
"There's no helping it. If those three Gold Core True Persons from Zhenling Palace hadn't all perished,