Please, Everyone

Outside the territory of the Great Xia Sword Sect. A group of people dressed in rather peculiar attire had gathered together. They stood in orderly arrangements that clearly reflected a strict hierarchy. Standing beside Yu Bo, Lan Xun had a flicker of worry in her eyes. “Patriarch, arriving at a time like this... won’t it seem a bit too deliberate...?” “After all... we never showed ourselves to lend a hand when the Mo Family's cloud boats bore down on them.” Slightly stooped, Yu Bo kept his gaze lowered, though a sharp brilliance gleamed within his placid eyes. In a mellow voice, he murmured softly, “It matters not.” “Still... I never imagined under any circumstances that the head of the Mo Family would actually be slain.” “Moreover, so many days have passed without the slightest movement from the Mo Family.” “It seems their ancestor, Mo Qingyu, cannot act as he pleases either.” “The Great Xia Sword Sect... may well be far stronger than we imagined!” Lan Xun’s brow furrowed with confusion. Turning to the old man, she could not help asking, “In that case, we had already arrived so early—why didn't we step in back then?” The old man turned with a faint smile and explained softly, “This is how we of the older generation survive.” “Who could have known whether the Great Xia Sword Sect would withstand the Mo Family's onslaught?” “If we had thrown our lot in with them prematurely, our few remaining kin would inevitably have suffered casualties, or even died in battle.” At this, the old man paused slightly, then sighed. “The Spirit Fish Clan... cannot afford any more deaths.” As the patriarch of this generation, Yu Bo would never allow a single one of his people to die in vain! He refused to let the Spirit Fish Clan be ruined under his watch. However, they had already been standing there for a long time. An elder to one side could not help frowning and letting out a cold scoff. “Is this Great Xia Sword Sect entirely devoid of manners?” “A large group of us has stood waiting for half an hour, and not a single soul has come out to receive us?” These words immediately resonated with the rest of the group, sparking a flurry of complaints. A few of the younger disciples even wore sneering smiles. They did not understand why the old patriarch insisted on uprooting them from their ancestral lands just to seek refuge with this sect. In their minds, the Spirit Fish Clan could easily establish a sect of their own. Yu Bo merely offered a faint smile. After all, their arrival could hardly be called offering help in an hour of need; it wasn't even adding brilliance to a triumph. It was understandable that the other party would put on airs. Still... relying on such petty tactics to gain leverage in negotiations was unlikely to work... Yu Bo had lived for over a thousand years; what manner of person had he not encountered? A trifle like this could not cause the slightest ripple in his composure; he was even prepared to wait as long as it took. *Buzz—!* A man clad in white robes suddenly appeared before them via teleportation. The man possessed handsome features, a tall and upright posture, and an imposing presence. His gaze swept over the crowd before settling on Yu Bo’s face. Showing neither servility nor arrogance, a gentle smile played at the corners of his lips. The newcomer was Wu Bing. Cupping his hands in greeting, Wu Bing said softly, “I am Wu Bing, Chief Disciple of Tiantu Peak. By order of my master, Sect Master Lu, I have come to welcome you seniors.” “My master is currently in secluded cultivation, and the masters of the seven peaks are likewise occupied with other matters. Thus, I was sent to receive our guests on my master’s behalf. I hope you seniors will take no offense.” Wu Bing’s words were seamless and water-tight, even providing an explanation for why everyone else was unavailable. On the surface, he showed utmost courtesy. Yet what this gesture truly signified was something both sides understood clearly in their hearts. Yu Bo smiled faintly, murmuring inwardly to himself. *A chief disciple?* *Heh. To welcome my Spirit Fish Clan, not even a single elder bothered to step forward?* Though thoroughly displeased, the old man maintained a gentle smile on his face. “Then we shall trouble you, Little Wu.” Beside Lan Xun stood a young man with cold, sharp features. Hearing Wu Bing’s words, his expression immediately darkened. Fixing his blue eyes on Wu Bing, he sneered sarcastically, “Tsk, the Great Xia Sword Sect certainly puts on grand airs...” “What’s the matter? When our Spirit Fish Clan comes to discuss matters, you only send out some nobody disciple to greet us?” Behind him, the little girl Xuan Qing suddenly yanked at his sleeve, her eyes filled with terror. Yet the young man was currently so worked up that he failed to notice the horror in her gaze. The moment the words left his mouth, Wu Bing narrowed his eyes, the smile on his face stiffening slightly as he looked at the outspoken youth. Before Wu Bing could speak, Lan Xun’s expression drastically shifted! Clapping a hand over the youth’s mouth, she hissed in a harsh whisper, “Di Cheng! Shut your mouth!” Having said that, she nodded apologetically toward Wu Bing. Lan Xun did this because she knew all too well how ruthless that blind youth with the sword casket on his back truly was! Under no circumstances did she want the Spirit Fish Clan standing against that monster! She even suspected that their current treatment was a deliberate show of authority meant to express displeasure over how the clan had acted. At this thought, Lan Xun sighed softly. Many things were simply not hers to decide. The youth called Di Cheng glared resentfully at Wu Bing, yet when he turned back to look at Lan Xun, he could only yield in helpless resignation. He shrugged and held his tongue. Wu Bing’s smile remained intact. Recalling Li Guanqi’s parting instructions, he could not help grinning inwardly. *“When you go receive them, they’ll probably take a few covert or overt jabs at you. Bear with it for now, and I’ll settle the score for you later.”* With a flick of his sleeve, Wu Bing formed an incantation seal. The sky distorted slightly, opening a gap in a pale green barrier of light. “Please, everyone.” Holding their heads high with proud airs, the members of the Spirit Fish Clan followed Wu Bing through the barrier. *Hiss—!* Yet the moment they stepped inside, a collective chorus of sharp gasps resounded! From outside, the barrier had obscured the view within. Only upon entering did they realize that the sect's mountain gates were framed by two towering peaks standing shoulder to shoulder! Tianjian Peak and Tianzi Peak soared side by side, their immense heights piercing into the clouds. Surrounding them were the seven other peaks, while the rear mountains featured countless steep, jagged spires rising like stone pillars reaching for the heavens. The swirling mist was made entirely of heaven-and-earth spiritual energy so dense that it had liquefied into fog! Just how rich did the spiritual energy have to be to condense into visible vapor like this? Moreover, this mist was not confined to the Great Xia Sword Sect’s main peaks; it enveloped both principal peaks and all seven surrounding ranges alike! Further in the rear mountains, one could even spot several patches where the mist swirled with exceptional density! *Skreee—!* A row of immortal cranes soared through the open sky, while the spirited shouts of disciples during morning practice echoed across the heavens. Seeing the earnest and devoted expressions on the disciples' faces, it was obvious this was no act put on for their benefit. Figures constantly streaked across the sky, some soaring through the air, others riding flying swords. Whenever these disciples passed Wu Bing, they promptly halted and bowed respectfully. “Greetings, Eldest Senior Brother!” Wu Bing nodded with a smile and said, “Elder Li’s lecture is tomorrow. Don’t forget.” The young disciple tilted his head back, grinning broadly. “Rest easy, Eldest Senior Brother! Who could possibly forget Elder Li’s lecture day?” With that, the young man cupped his hands, stepped back, and flew off through the air. Wu Bing turned to the stunned crowd and softly interrupted their reverie. “Everyone, please follow me to the main hall.”