This is indeed the sorrow of a sect that lacks the presence of a Great Master in Divine Transformation.
Once they step out of their own territory, the treatment of disciples within the sect changes drastically.
A Sect with a Great Master of Divine Transformation is like a country that possessed 'peace weapons' in the past life; their status changes once they step into foreign lands.
Chen Dengming shook his head, "Many other Sects from the Four Regions may not even have the chance to escape. Their fate could be even more tragic..."
He recalled the Hongxia Sect, the Escaping World Sect, the Soul Communicating Sect, and other sects that held Immortal Ascension Conferences in the past, and feared they might face extermination.
Then he thought of Nanxun. He was unsure if the place had been discovered yet.