Outside the house, under a tree in the distance, Jia Xing Tian tucked his hands into his sleeves, his slightly murky eyes scanning the surroundings.
Once upon a time, the Misty Cloud Sect was all the rage in the Jia Ma Empire, undeniably a top-tier sect.
To suppress this colossal entity, the empire often stationed tens of thousands of troops at the foot of the mountain.
However, today, there are barely any signs of the sect's servants, and only a few disciples are seen rushing by occasionally.
"Sect Master Yun, I've heard you plan to head to the Central Plains?"
After waiting for several days, Jia Xing Tian glanced at the closed door and asked the woman beside him.
"Misty Cloud Sect is about to be finished. Just call me by my name, old Jia."
Yun Yun sighed first, a look of helplessness spreading across her face. "Moving trees die, but moving people live. Staying in the Northwestern Region, I don't see any hope of getting stronger, so I want to go out and take some risks."
In the past, because of her responsibility to the Misty Cloud Sect, as the Sect Master, she had the intention but lacked the power, and had no opportunity.
These words seemed to touch Jia Xing Tian's heart, and a trace of envy flashed in his eyes.
If not for his concern for the royal family, he too would want to go out and explore.
Perhaps he could find an opportunity to break through to the Dou Ancestor realm, rather than being stuck at this level for decades, facing the imminent deadline, uncertain if there would be another chance to break through.
"Old Jia."
In his wandering thoughts, Jia Xing Tian's gaze slightly tightened as he looked at Yun Yun with a hint of confusion.
She forced a smile, "After I leave, if possible, I would like to ask you to watch over Misty Cloud Mountain. One day, I should come back and restore the Misty Cloud Sect to its former glory."
"Of course."
After a slight pause, a smile appeared on Jia Xing Tian's aged face. "The Jia Ma royal family and the Misty Cloud Sect have been neighbors for many years. If it weren't for Yun Shan's drastic change in temperament and his actions, we might still be living in peace."
"Thank you."
Yun Yun pressed her lips together and gave a slight bow to Jia Xing Tian.
Glancing at the closed door again, Jia Xing Tian felt that he probably wouldn't meet Lin Xiu today and was preparing to leave.
Suddenly, he saw the vortex in the sky dissipate and his lifted foot returned to its original position.
Both of them looked at the door, and after a brief silence, it was pulled open from the inside.
Lin Xiu walked out.
"Elder Lin."
In response to their greeting, he gave a slight nod.
"Old Jia, it's been a long time. You suddenly came to the mountain—did you need something from me?"
Lin Xiu asked straightforwardly.
During Lin Xiu's time at the Misty Cloud Sect, there had been no reports of Jia Xing Tian and Yun Yun interacting.
"It's indeed about finding you."
Jia Xing Tian nodded. "Elder Lin, have you broken through to the Dou Ancestor?"
"Yes."
Lin Xiu replied calmly.
"I heard that after Elder Lin broke through to Dou Ancestor, you planned to leave Jia Ma. However, according to recent information, the Poison Sect, Gold Geese Sect, and Mulan Valley have joined forces and are preparing to come after you."
The prospect of the three sects joining forces to head to Jia Ma put significant pressure on Jia Xing Tian, and a pained expression appeared on his face as he spoke.
"You must be mistaken, Old Jia."
Before Lin Xiu could speak, Yun Yun couldn't help but voice her astonishment. "Elder Lin had already visited their sects. Those people have seen Elder Lin's strength; would they still dare to seek revenge?"*
Lin Xiu, standing nearby, did not speak but displayed a similar look of astonishment as Yun Yun.
"The information I've gathered is indeed accurate. It seems that the three sects only began to unite after the return of the Poison Sect's Sect Master."
Jia Xing Tian had also conducted an investigation in recent days. The actions of the three major sects were almost entirely unmasked and very conspicuous; they were indeed heading towards the Jia Ma Empire.
In addition to the sect members, soldiers from the three major empires had also gathered at the border of the Jia Ma Empire.
If the three sects gain the upper hand, they would undoubtedly launch an offensive against the Jia Ma Empire without hesitation.
A hint of pleading appeared in his eyes. "Elder Lin, you cannot ignore this. The three major sects are advancing aggressively, and we cannot stop them. If we cannot prevent it, the entire Jia Ma Empire may be plunged into disaster."
"Elder Lin, if what Old Jia says is true, then the Jia Ma Empire will definitely be in trouble."
Yun Yun looked at Lin Xiu, eager to know his thoughts.
Currently, within the entire Jia Ma region, there are only two people with Dou Ancestor-level combat power.
Lin Xiu is one of them, and the other is Medusa.
In contrast, even the Mulan Valley, with its Mulan Three Elders, can temporarily match Dou Ancestor-level combat power through their cultivated Dou Techniques.
"Poison Sect Master? Old Jia, is this information accurate?"
Lin Xiu's eyes lit up, slightly surprised.
Previously, he had been disappointed not to find any trace of Xiao Yi Xian during his visit to the Poison Sect.
Although he did gain some knowledge about poison-related Qi Methods and Dou Techniques, those toxins could not compare to the terrifying Woeful Poison Body.
Moreover, the process of creating toxins involved continuously blending various foul substances, which was completely different from Lin Xiu's desire to directly obtain toxins.
Hearing that the Poison Sect Master might be involved now made him somewhat excited.
This is practically delivering it right to your doorstep.
"Absolutely accurate. Elder Lin just needs to wait another two days, and the three sects will arrive at the empire's border. You'll see for yourself when you go."
Jia Xing Tian was surprised and somewhat incredulous to find that Lin Xiu had no intention of avoiding the situation.
At least three Dou Ancestors working together, along with several other Dou Emperors—such a combination, and Lin Xiu was not retreating.
How could he have such confidence, having only recently broken through to Dou Ancestor?
Jia Xing Tian still vividly remembered the battle between Lin Xiu and Protector Wu from half a year ago and had a deep understanding of Lin Xiu's power.
However, dealing with one Dou Ancestor was entirely different from dealing with three. When one Dou Ancestor is at a disadvantage, the others will certainly not stand by.
"Border? No need to go. I'll wait for them at the Misty Cloud Sect."
Lin Xiu couldn't be bothered to travel that far.
"Ah? This…"
Upon hearing his words, Jia Xing Tian's face showed a hint of difficulty. The Misty Cloud Sect is too close to the Imperial Capital. Allowing the three sects' coalition to reach the Misty Cloud Sect is almost the same as letting them into the heart of the empire.
If Lin Xiu could win, everything would be fine, but if he were to lose, Lin Xiu could at most just leave, but the Imperial Capital's royal family would have no chance to react.
Seeing Lin Xiu's indifferent expression, Jia Xing Tian opened his mouth but found it difficult to persuade him.
Could he really influence a Dou Ancestor?
After some thought, Jia Xing Tian ultimately did not persuade Lin Xiu to go to the border and instead left the Misty Cloud Sect.
…
Two days later.
A dark shadow swept across the sky.
Figures rushed forward, among which a particularly striking large blue eagle was prominent.
On the back of the blue eagle stood a somewhat slender figure.
The figure was dressed in a purple-red robe, with a veil covering her face, obscuring her features.
Her snow-like hair cascaded over her shoulders.
"Poison Sect Master, when we meet that kid later, don't hold back. Use your strongest poison directly. The other three old fellows and I will assist you, and we'll aim to subdue him as quickly as possible."
A man in golden attire flew beside the blue eagle, with a pair of exceptionally large golden wings on his back.
Beside him were three elderly men.
Seemingly displeased with the man's term "old fellows," the elderly men showed expressions of dissatisfaction.
"Is someone who can't even be considered a Dou Ancestor really as terrifying as you say?"
The woman on the eagle's back turned her head, her tone cold and calm, devoid of any apparent emotion, as if she was inherently aloof.
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