Although Nan Huairen wasn't a genius, his aptitude was decent; otherwise, he wouldn't have become a hall emissary. He had browsed through the Mystical Gates Saber Art before and considered it merely an ordinary martial art. Yet today, in Leon Nightfall's hands, it transformed into something miraculous.
Leon's words made Nan Huairen skeptical. However, seeing is believing, and he couldn't help but say, "No matter how strong a martial art is, it can't compare to Daoist techniques. Martial arts are just minor branches."
In truth, even now, he found it hard to believe that such a simple saber technique could kill a cultivator like Du Yuanguang. But he had witnessed it with his own eyes.
Leon didn't bother to explain further. Leisurely, he said, "That depends on whose martial art and whose Daoist technique we're talking about."
Nan Huairen didn't know that although the Mystical Gates Saber Art originated from the mortal world, it had later been refined by Immortal Emperor Ming Ren. While it couldn't compare to imperial techniques, it far surpassed ordinary Daoist arts.
Nan Huairen was filled with doubt. Before, he would have thought Leon was arrogant and ignorant. But now, it seemed that Leon's seemingly reckless actions were actually well within his control.
This made Nan Huairen look at Leon strangely. Being a sociable and perceptive person, Nan Huairen was skilled at reading people. However, the thirteen-year-old Leon before him was unfathomable, giving off an indescribable aura.
At thirteen, Leon should have been a novice disciple in the Cleansing Incense Ancient Sect—green and impulsive. Yet, Leon was as deep as an abyss and as calm as still water, making it hard for others to grasp his true nature.
A few days ago, Leon had used the Cleansing Incense Ancient Order from Third Elder Three Ghosts to become the sect's chief disciple. With his ordinary fate, life wheel, and physique, not only the six elders but even Nan Huairen saw no future for him.
Initially, upon meeting Leon, Nan Huairen thought he was a bit crazy, even arrogant and ignorant. But upon closer interaction over the past few days, what seemed reckless to Nan Huairen appeared perfectly natural to Leon.
While Nan Huairen was filled with uncertainty, his master, Protector Mo, was deeply troubled. They had killed a disciple of the Nine Saints Demon Gate, and Du Yuanguang was a favored disciple of Protector Xu. This could bring a catastrophic disaster upon the Cleansing Incense Ancient Sect.
"We're in big trouble!" Protector Mo said helplessly. "Forget about the assessment; we need to return to the sect immediately!" At this point, staying in the Nine Saints Demon Gate was like being in a den of dragons and tigers.
They were no match for a colossal sect like the Nine Saints Demon Gate. Protector Mo had only one thought: escape—flee back to the Cleansing Incense Ancient Sect.
"This is just a minor issue; no need to run," Leon said calmly, reclining in his chair with an air of authority. "In my view, there's no place safer than the Nine Saints Demon Gate."
Protector Mo glared fiercely at Leon. He was so infuriated by Leon's arrogance and ignorance that he wanted to slap him. But with disaster looming, he had no interest in teaching Leon a lesson.
"What do you know?" Even someone as taciturn as Protector Mo couldn't help but curse. "Do you think that just because you managed to kill Du Yuanguang, you're invincible? You have no idea how powerful the Nine Saints Demon Gate is! Forget about their elders or the Demon Emperor—even one of their protectors could rival our six elders! The Nine Saints Demon Gate could crush us as easily as stepping on an ant!"
Protector Mo's words were true. The six elders of the Cleansing Incense Ancient Sect were only at the level of regional heroes. In contrast, even a hall master of the Nine Saints Demon Gate could attain such status. Their elders were even more formidable, and as for their Demon Emperor, he had achieved unimaginable feats over the past thirty thousand years. Rumor had it that the Solar Demon Emperor of the Nine Saints Demon Gate was unfathomably powerful.
"No need to worry, Protector Mo," Leon said confidently. "The Nine Saints Demon Gate is nothing. If we were outside, I might be a bit cautious, but here within their sect, let's see who crushes whom! Heroes and marquises are nothing worth mentioning."
Leon's arrogant words made Protector Mo tremble with anger. Their six elders were only at the level of regional heroes, yet this novice disciple who knew nothing of Daoist techniques dared to dismiss heroes and marquises.
"You..." Protector Mo truly wanted to slap this arrogant and ignorant brat.
Just then, noises sounded from outside. Nan Huairen's face changed; he rushed out to see what was happening but quickly returned, pale-faced. "This is bad! Our courtyard has been surrounded by disciples of the Nine Saints Demon Gate!"
Protector Mo's expression shifted dramatically. At that moment, several people entered from outside, led by Hall Master Fu, whose face was extremely grim.
"Brother Fu, there's a misunderstanding between our two sects," Protector Mo said, knowing escape was impossible. Taking a deep breath, he braced himself and stepped forward.
"Misunderstanding? If it's a misunderstanding, explain it to our Junior Brother Xu!" Hall Master Fu coldly retorted, stepping aside to reveal a young man.
The young man wore golden robes, his blood energy surging, with faint golden light emanating from behind his head. He appeared to be around twenty but exuded an astonishing aura.
Upon seeing this youth, Protector Mo felt a chill. He suspected that this young man was at the Fate Severing Realm. To reach such a level at his age was remarkable. Protector Mo himself had taken fifty or sixty years to achieve that.
"This is Xu Hui, the chief disciple of Protector Xu. Du Yuanguang was about to become Protector Xu's disciple, and now that he's dead, Junior Brother Xu demands justice!" Hall Master Fu said coldly.
Xu Hui stepped forward, his eyes flashing with golden light. His entire presence was imposing, like an unsheathed divine sword, exuding a fierce aura as if ready to devour someone.
Xu Hui was far stronger than Du Yuanguang. Though not considered a peerless genius within the Nine Saints Demon Gate, he was an accomplished disciple capable of taking charge.
"A life for a life. Blood for blood. There's nothing more to say!" Xu Hui declared grimly, his gaze like that of a ferocious beast fixed on Leon, as if he wanted to tear him apart.
Protector Mo hurriedly tried to mediate. "Brother Xu, there's a misunderstanding here. Our disciple didn't intend to kill Brother Du; it was an accident."
"An accident?" Xu Hui's face turned cold, and he laughed sinisterly. "In our Nine Saints Demon Gate, there's no such thing as an accident! Anyone who kills our disciples must pay with their life!"
"No wonder..." At this moment, Leon slowly stood up, walking out calmly. He glanced at Xu Hui and said, "No wonder the Nine Saints Demon Gate is so corrupt, with fools like you running around."
Leon's words left Nan Huairen and Protector Mo speechless. Nan Huairen inwardly cried out, Ancestor, please say less! Insulting Xu Hui to his face is just adding fuel to the fire!
"You'll die a thousand times for those words!" Xu Hui was furious, his killing intent surging. Before his words even fell, he reached out a large hand toward Leon.
As a protector of the Cleansing Incense Ancient Sect, Protector Mo couldn't let Xu Hui succeed. He stepped forward, intercepting Xu Hui's hand.
"Protector Mo, you're bringing this upon yourself!" Hall Master Fu said coldly, his body radiating light as he stepped forward to block Protector Mo. His terrifying aura pressed down, making it hard for Protector Mo to breathe.
Protector Mo's face changed dramatically. Hall Master Fu had the strength of a regional hero, far surpassing him. Unless one of their elders was present, they had no one who could match him. But Protector Mo had no choice but to stand his ground.
"Hall Master Fu, is this how your Nine Saints Demon Gate treats guests?" Protector Mo couldn't back down. Regardless of his personal feelings, he would protect his own in front of the enemy.
"If you hand over the criminal, you'll still be our honored guest," Hall Master Fu said grimly. "But if you think your Cleansing Incense Ancient Sect can oppose our Nine Saints Demon Gate and continue to shelter the culprit, not only will you be in danger, but you might also bring about the destruction of your sect!"
"Destruction of our sect?" Leon chuckled at this point. "The Nine Saints Demon Gate thinks too highly of itself. If any sect is facing destruction, it's yours."
Both Protector Mo and Nan Huairen glared fiercely at Leon. With disaster looming, he was still spouting arrogant words.