“Liuyun Town?” Lu Qing looked at the town ahead and asked, “Senior Xu, what is the connection between this town and the Liuyun Sect?”
"This town is considered an affiliated town of the Liuyun Sect, and it is specifically responsible for supplying the Liuyun Sect with various daily necessities."
After all, as a major sect, the Flowing Cloud Sect cannot allow those irrelevant people to enter and leave its mountain gate every day.
Therefore, they would usually go down the mountain every so often to make a large-scale purchase to meet the needs of the sect's disciples.
"I see." Lu Qing looked ahead, his divine soul power sensing slightly, "It seems we've arrived not too late. The major sects haven't even begun their attack yet."
According to Lu Qing's senses, the town of Liuyun ahead is currently filled with numerous powerful auras.
There were more than a dozen auras, their blood and qi contained within, yet they were like a volcano, with a powerful force hidden within, yet not yet unleashed.
Clearly, they were all true martial arts masters, far stronger than Senior Xu beside him.
However, to Lu Qing's surprise, he did not sense any Innate Realm beings among them.
It's unclear whether the innate realm experts from the major sects didn't come, or whether they used special secret methods to conceal their innate potential.
Now that Lu Qing has reached his current level, he knows that the unique essence of the Innate Realm allows Innate Realm experts to sense each other's presence even without meeting, as long as they are close to each other.
But this is not absolute.
There are still special secret techniques or rare treasures in the world that can conceal and hide one's innate potential.
At least he had seen such examples.
For example, the extraordinary treasure on Lin Zhirui, a disciple of the Heavenly Mystery Pavilion, was able to conceal all auras, even deceiving Xiao Li's senses.
Furthermore, since Master comprehended the complete innate domain, he has been able to perfectly conceal his own innate essence, preventing other innate realm cultivators from sensing it.
"Master, shall we go in?"
Lu Qing knew that his master should also be able to sense the situation in the town.
The old doctor thought for a moment, then shook his head and said, "No need. Let's just find a place to settle down outside this town. There's no need to go in and cause trouble."
"That's what I think too," Lu Qing nodded.
Don't be fooled by the fact that all the major sects have joined forces and gathered at the Liuyun Sect, seemingly united against a common enemy.
But in reality, it's not that simple.
At least in Lu Qing's current perception, he can detect that there are several powerful auras in the town, vying with each other and showing signs of confrontation.
This shows that there are many contradictions among these so-called allied sects, and they are not so united.
In this situation, who knows what will happen next? It's better for them to stay outside town and wait and see.
"Doctor Chen, Young Master Lu, aren't we going into town?" The round, plump middle-aged man asked, somewhat surprised.
"Let's not go in. Since we're just here to watch the excitement and broaden our horizons, there's no need to get too close. It's better to observe from a distance first to avoid causing trouble," the old doctor said.
“...Alright,” the chubby middle-aged man could only say.
He simply didn't think the senior doctors were really afraid of any trouble.
He still vividly remembered the scene of Lu Qing and his men slaughtering that group of bandits a couple of days ago.
How could someone so decisive in killing not even dare to enter a small town?
However, since the old doctor had said so, the chubby middle-aged man naturally wouldn't refute it.
After spending the last two days together, he also sensed that Doctor Chen and Lu Qing's group were quite mysterious, and there were many things he couldn't see through at all.
It's like cultivation level.
He witnessed it firsthand that day: Lu Qing, with his unparalleled skill in using hidden weapons, instantly eliminated more than twenty bandits armed with hidden weapons and powerful bows.
However, no matter how he observed and sensed, he couldn't discern Lu Qing's true cultivation level.
In his perception, from beginning to end, the blood and qi power that Lu Qing displayed was only at the blood and qi realm, and it had not changed at all.
Similarly, Dr. Chen is the same.
He looked unremarkable, except that he was in better spirits than the average elderly person, and did not show any other extraordinary qualities.
But how could someone who could teach a disciple like Lu Qing, and earn the heartfelt respect of martial arts masters Ma Gu and Wei Zi'an, who were willing to serve him, be an ordinary person?
Therefore, the more the chubby middle-aged man observed Lu Qing and the others over the past two days, the more alarmed he became.
Fortunately, Lu Qing and his group were friendly and not at all arrogant, and the food they cooked was really delicious.
Otherwise, the chubby middle-aged man would have to consider whether to sneak away with his daughter and disciples while he was on the road.
So Lu Qing and his group found a good spot in the mountains near the town and prepared to settle down temporarily.
Of course, Lu Qing and his group were not the only ones doing this in the mountains and forests near Liuyun Town.
Many idle martial artists who had also come upon hearing the news, wanting to see the excitement but not wanting to get involved, also chose not to enter the town.
Instead, they would find a random place nearby to lie in wait, so that they could make a quick getaway if anything went wrong.
While Lu Qing and his group were busy, in the largest restaurant in Liuyun Town, many powerful figures sat upright with solemn expressions.
"This is outrageous, Wang Pan! What does your Liuyun Sect mean by this? So many sects of ours have come to visit us, and instead of opening our gates to welcome us, you've arranged for us to stay in this dilapidated restaurant. Are you deliberately trying to humiliate us?"
Suddenly, a burly man carrying a long axe slammed his hand on the table, stood up abruptly, and roared.
"Senior Zhao, you have misunderstood. Our Liuyun Sect is known for its hospitality and has no such intention. It is just that your arrival was sudden and our Liuyun Sect was not prepared. We have limited wine and food on the mountain and cannot properly entertain you. That is why we asked you to stay in this small town for the time being. Please forgive us."
A tall, elegant man dressed in white bowed deeply and then explained with a smile.
You can't hit someone who's smiling.
Seeing his humble attitude, the burly man who had stood up couldn't afford to cause any more trouble. He could only snort coldly and then sit down.
Others could no longer use this as an excuse to make trouble.
However, when they heard him say that the Flowing Cloud Sect was famous for its hospitality, everyone showed strange expressions.
The Flowing Cloud Sect's domineering and tyrannical reputation is known to everyone in Yunzhou.
This Wang Pan has the audacity to utter the words "hospitality," truly befitting his infamous smiling tiger reputation.
"Brother Wang Pan, when will we be able to go up Liuyun Mountain? We've come all this way, we can't just be left here by your Liuyun Sect forever, can we?"
At this moment, a middle-aged man with a fair complexion, dressed like a schoolteacher, spoke up and asked.
"Don't worry, Mr. Dai. As long as the disciples of our sect have cleaned the rooms and prepared the food and drinks, we will immediately open the mountain gates to welcome you all up the mountain, and do our best to be your hosts," Wang Pan said with a smile.
Seeing that he always had a smile on his face no matter what, everyone felt like they were hitting cotton, and for a moment, they didn't know what to do.
"Hmph, no need!" Just then, a cold voice came from outside the restaurant, "The reason we, the major sects, have come here is not for the wine and drinks of your Liuyun Sect."
Wang Pan, go back and tell your sect leader, Mo Zhen, that if they don't open the mountain gates quickly, we'll attack them directly.
"When so many sects in Yunzhou simultaneously wage war against the Liuyun Sect, let's see if you can withstand it!"
As the voice faded, a powerful aura swept over them, and more than ten martial artists entered the restaurant.
The leader was a middle-aged man with wide sleeves, a high-tied hair bun, a dignified face, and a long beard.
Wang Pan's expression changed when he saw the extraordinary-looking middle-aged man.
However, before he could say anything, another somewhat hoarse voice rang out.
"Sect Master Shan is right. The Flowing Cloud Sect has become increasingly reckless in its actions over the years. Do they really think they are the leader of Yunzhou and can lead the righteous path?"
Accompanied by a hoarse voice, more than a dozen figures walked in.
Moreover, the moment these dozen or so figures entered, they caught the attention of everyone in the restaurant.
Among the newcomers, the one walking at the front was a middle-aged woman with an ordinary appearance, dressed in gray.
But behind him were more than a dozen young women, all with beautiful faces and extraordinary temperaments, a truly pleasing sight.
"Vice Palace Master Liu, you've arrived too?" The middle-aged man with his hair tied up in a high bun gave a slight bow.
"Sect Master Shan, Vice Palace Master Liu!"
The other martial artists in the restaurant also stood up and bowed.
Upon seeing this, Wang Pan's pupils contracted again.
The arrival of the Silver Moon Sect Master and the Hundred Flowers Palace Deputy Palace Master together was not good news for the Flowing Cloud Sect.
The Flowing Cloud Sect can ignore the other sects.
However, they really cannot let their guard down against the Silver Moon Sect and the Hundred Flowers Palace, which are also two of the three major sects in Yunzhou.
Because, although the strength of these two major sects is slightly inferior to that of their Flowing Cloud Sect.
But if they unite, along with the smaller sects present, even the Flowing Cloud Sect would find it difficult to withstand them.
"Greetings, Sect Master Shan and Vice Palace Master Liu."
Wang Pan composed himself, forced a smile, and bowed.
"Smiling Tiger, there's no need for your pretense. I'm asking you, where is Mo Zhen? So many of us from Yunzhou have come here, yet he, as the head of a sect, is hiding on the mountain, not even showing his face. He only sent you, his personal disciple, down the mountain to appease us. Isn't that a bit too much of an attitude?"
Despite Wang Pan's smiling face, the Silver Moon Sect Master remained unmoved and simply said in a cold voice.
"Sect Master Shan, just a few days ago, my master had some insights into martial arts and went into seclusion. He has not yet emerged from seclusion. As his disciple, Wang Pan dares not disturb him rashly, for fear of interrupting his master's enlightenment and committing an unforgivable mistake. I beg Sect Master Shan to understand."
Wang Pan smiled apologetically.
"Oh, what a coincidence!" The Silver Moon Sect Master's face showed a hint of sarcasm. "Isn't it rumored that your Flowing Cloud Sect's young sect master, Mo Zhen's precious son, was killed a while ago?"
"Your own son was murdered, yet you can still comprehend martial arts. Your sect leader is truly cold-blooded and ruthless!"
Wang Pan's expression changed: "Sect Master Shan, please be careful with your words. Our young sect master was unfortunately murdered, and my master is deeply saddened. I have seen him looking heartbroken on several occasions. Please, Sect Master Shan, do not utter any slanderous words."
"Hmph, so he's heartbroken when his precious son dies. What about when my disciple dies?"
"Your Flowing Cloud Sect, taking advantage of Mo Xuan's death, has been extorting resources from other sects. How do you intend to settle this score?"
The Silver Moon Sect Master said coldly.
"Sect Leader Shan, we are equally saddened by the death of your esteemed disciple."
At that time, he had some conflict with Elder Qiu of our sect. He was ruthless and did not reveal his sect.
Elder Qiu mistook him for a demonic cultivator, and in his anger, he attacked too heavily, killing him.
This is truly a misunderstanding. Elder Qiu did not intentionally intend to kill your esteemed disciple. We urge Sect Master Shan to understand the truth.
As for the matter of our Liuyun Sect disciples extorting various sects, that was a huge misunderstanding.
The master originally ordered the disciples to investigate the truth behind the young sect leader's death.
Unexpectedly, a few greedy disciples within the sect used the sect's orders to engage in extortion.
The sect has now captured all the offending disciples. Once this matter is resolved, they will be handed over to the sect leaders for further judgment.
"Good! Good! Good!"
Watching Wang Pan speak eloquently, not only did he completely absolve the Liuyun Sect of its crimes, shifting the blame to some insignificant people, but he even turned the tables and slandered his own disciples as members of the demonic path.
The Silver Moon Sect Master laughed in exasperation.
"As expected of Mo Zhen's most outstanding disciple, your silver tongue, even I can't help but admire it."
However, Wang Pan, I think you've misunderstood something. I didn't come here today to engage in banter with you.
If Mo Zhen doesn't come out and give an explanation in person, then I'll make an example of his most outstanding disciple!
Let him also experience the pain of losing his beloved student!
Having said that, the Silver Moon Sect Master flicked his sleeve, slightly moved his shoulder, and his hand emerged from his sleeve like a dragon's claw, reaching out to grab Wang Pan.
Wang Pan never expected that the other party, as the leader of a sect, would disregard his status and suddenly attack him with a method that was almost a sneak attack.
Startled, he moved his feet and swayed his body, leaving several afterimages, trying to dodge the grab.
Unfortunately, his cultivation level was a step below that of the Silver Moon Sect Master, who had already reached the Grandmaster realm.
Under the master-level, exquisite claw techniques of the Silver Moon Sect Master, the afterimages he created could not fool his opponent at all.
In an instant, his true form was seen through, and he grabbed the afterimage and seized the shoulder.
"come over!"
The Silver Moon Sect Master grabbed Wang Pan's shoulder and, with a burst of force, snapped his collarbone, pulling him away.
Seeing the pain on Wang Pan's face, the Silver Moon Sect Master gently moved his hand and grabbed his neck.
He said softly, "If I were to break your neck right now, do you think your master would come out of seclusion?"
"Sect Master Shan! Wait a minute!"
The Silver Moon Sect Master's sudden action took everyone by surprise.
Even the deputy palace master of the Hundred Flowers Palace was taken aback and hurriedly shouted.
