Qi Tianlong returned from the Gloomy Shadow Mountain Range, his face more solemn than ever before.
It was as though tens of millions of pounds weighed upon his feet. He slowly entered the sect's great hall, his steps heavy, each one seeming to speak of determination and defiance.
Inside the great hall, the atmosphere was oppressive. The empty seats reminded everyone that elders had fallen. Beneath its former splendor and glory, who knew how many crises now churned in hiding?
"Elders, I, Qi Tianlong, have called this emergency sect meeting today over a matter concerning the very survival of our Ghost King Sect.
Qi Tianlong's voice echoed through the spacious hall, carrying unquestionable force. "The First Elder and the Fifth Elder, two pillars of our sect, have unfortunately fallen.
"Their sacrifice was no accident. It was the work of those two peak Yin-Yang realm assassins from the Shadow Pavilion."
At this point, Qi Tianlong's gaze grew sharp as a blade, as though it could pierce the void and look straight at the enemies concealed in the darkness.
"What worries me even more is that the Falling Rosy Clouds Sect seems to lurk behind all of this.
"From Sun Qi's death to the encirclement and killing of the First Elder, every sign indicates that the Shadow Pavilion and the Falling Rosy Clouds Sect must have a secret alliance they cannot reveal."
"The killer was proficient in the Falling Rosy Clouds Sword Art and was very likely a member of the Falling Rosy Clouds Sect. After killing Sun Qi, they vanished without a trace!
"The Falling Rosy Clouds Sect refused to admit to it. Then, when our Ghost King Sect's First Elder and the others went to the Gloomy Shadow Mountain Range to investigate the truth, they were surrounded and killed by two Heaven-grade assassins from the Shadow Pavilion!
"Yet everyone from the Falling Rosy Clouds Sect returned from the Gloomy Shadow Mountain Range without a scratch. There must be much more to this!"
The elders all paled in shock at his words. As they exchanged looks, an unprecedented sense of crisis enveloped the entire hall.
"The Sect Master is absolutely right. If that is truly the case, how can our Ghost King Sect sit by and do nothing?" An elder with white hair and a white beard rose indignantly, his voice carrying a measure of desolation and resolve.
Qi Tianlong nodded and continued, "For that very reason, I have decided to issue the sect's emergency order shortly, summoning our elite disciples and elders to fight for the sect.
"We must declare war on the Shadow Pavilion with the crushing might of thunder, while also letting the Falling Rosy Clouds Sect know that our Ghost King Sect's wrath is not something they can withstand!"
At these words, the hall immediately erupted. Determination and fighting spirit flashed in the elders' eyes.
They knew this was a war with no path of retreat, but for the sect's honor and future, they were willing to give everything.
"But before that, I must personally visit the forbidden grounds and inform the ancestor." Qi Tianlong changed tack, his expression becoming even more solemn.
"The ancestor is the soul of our Ghost King Sect. His strength will be our greatest support in this battle. Only with his approval and support can we face the coming challenges with greater confidence."
With that, Qi Tianlong moved, turning into a streak of light that shot into the sky toward the forbidden grounds deep within the sect. Behind him remained the expectant, resolute gazes of the elders.
At the entrance to the Ghost King Sect's forbidden grounds, shrouded in clouds and mist year-round and exuding wisps of chill, Qi Tianlong stood straight, yet could not conceal the anxiety between his brows.
He drew a deep breath and bowed, his voice trembling slightly. "Ancestor, Qi Tianlong requests an audience on urgent business!"
Within the forbidden grounds, there was deathly silence, as though even time had frozen. A moment later, an aged, imposing voice penetrated the heavy stone doors and echoed through the empty surroundings. "Come in!"
Qi Tianlong's heart tightened. He hurriedly pushed the doors open and entered, only to see a white-haired old man sitting upright with his eyes closed in the center of the stone chamber.
Faint black mist surrounded him, a sign that his cultivation had reached the peak Tribulation Transcendence realm and that he was about to touch upon the mysteries of reincarnation.
The old man slowly opened his eyes. They were as deep as dark pools, seemingly able to see through all things in the world.
"Speak. What is it?" Ancestor Guixuan's voice was deep and powerful, carrying unquestionable authority.
Qi Tianlong prostrated himself on the ground, pouring out the worry and anger in his heart. "Ancestor, the sect faces an unprecedented calamity that threatens to wipe us out!
"Hmm? Such a thing has happened? Could the three great powers be joining forces to attack our Ghost King Sect?" Guixuan asked in utter shock.
"No, Ancestor!" Qi Tianlong replied.
"Recently, a mysterious force called the Shadow Pavilion appeared.
"They rose rapidly within the Heavenly Star Dynasty like ghosts. They first appeared in Fengluo City, then launched a surprise attack on the city's Heavenly Wolf Gang.
"Afterward, when the Fifth Elder we dispatched went to destroy the Shadow Pavilion, he was lured into a trap and killed in front of their base. A fierce conflict broke out between the two sides as a result.
"Even more shocking, my personal disciple Sun Qi was brutally murdered in the Gloomy Shadow Mountain Range by a disciple of the Falling Rosy Clouds Sect using the Falling Rosy Clouds Sword Art. Afterward, I went to the Falling Rosy Clouds Sect to demand an explanation, but they flatly denied it and refused to acknowledge any responsibility.
"I even fought Liu Ran over it. To uncover the truth, the First Elder went to the Gloomy Shadow Mountain Range with a group of disciples, only to encounter an ambush by two top assassins from the Shadow Pavilion and die heroically.
"By coincidence, the Falling Rosy Clouds Sect's First Elder also appeared in the Gloomy Shadow Mountain Range at the same time, yet escaped unharmed. One cannot help suspecting that the two sects have secretly colluded to plot against our Ghost King Sect!"
At this, Ancestor Guixuan knitted his brows, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. "Such a thing actually happened? The Shadow Pavilion, a mere assassin organization, dares act so arrogantly and challenge our Ghost King Sect's authority? Do they truly have no fear of our retaliation?"
"How strong are the Shadow Pavilion's people and its Pavilion Master?"
Qi Tianlong said, "That person has never shown himself, so his strength is unknown. But two elders under him are known to be the Shadow Pavilion's Heaven-grade assassins, with cultivation at the peak Yin-Yang realm.
"Several hall masters may be between the Purple Mansion realm and the Sea Transformation realm! I estimate that the Shadow Pavilion's Pavilion Master is at least in the Tribulation Crossing realm!"
"They do not have many people, yet these few dare be so brazen?"
Guixuan said, "Oh, so neither this person's identity nor his strength is known? Could the Shadow Pavilion be an outside force?
"A force that appeared out of thin air? If they were powerful, they would not use a scheme like this!
"We simply do not know whether they have colluded with the Falling Rosy Clouds Sect."
An invisible pressure emanated from the ancestor, as though the very air throughout the stone chamber had frozen. Qi Tianlong felt his heartbeat quicken, and even breathing became difficult.
Ancestor Guixuan pondered for a moment, then abruptly rose. Black mist churned around him, as though countless ghosts were weaving through it. He said gravely, "This is no trivial matter. How can our Ghost King Sect sit by and do nothing?
"Pass down my order. Recall all disciples outside the sect immediately and prepare to destroy the Shadow Pavilion."
Qi Tianlong said, "Yes, Ancestor!"
"Ancestor, there is also the Blood Kill Organization. I have already posted a mission to assassinate the Shadow Pavilion's hall masters, elders, and senior members. We can have them strike alongside us when the time comes. It would be best if we could get the Blood Lord to help!"
Guixuan said, "The price of getting those fellows to act is too high!
"Our own manpower should be enough. Even if the Shadow Pavilion's Pavilion Master is at the peak Tribulation Transcendence realm, we need not fear him!
"My only concern is that the Falling Rosy Clouds Sect has some hidden purpose!
"Do this: go to the Falling Rosy Clouds Sect and sound them out. See whether they will act!
"If the Falling Rosy Clouds Sect also takes part in surrounding and destroying the Shadow Pavilion, then they are not on the Shadow Pavilion's side!
"If their people refuse to go, we must be careful! If we are stabbed in the back, our Ghost King Sect could face annihilation!
"Let us first see whether the Falling Rosy Clouds Sect agrees, then decide!"