As dusk settled, Yan Shouyi arrived at the Daqing Mountain campsite with the elites of the Min Jiao.
The top forces of the renowned sects had already entered Daqing Mountain. Those still at the campsite were the younger generations of those sects and other members of the Min Jiao.
Upon Yan Shouyi's arrival, everyone couldn't help but rise, either to observe or to welcome him.
After so many events, everyone had reached a consensus: Yan Shouyi's position in the Min Jiao was akin to that of a Heavenly Master in the renowned sects, equivalent to Yu Lumenming.
With Yu Lumenming now inside Daqing Mountain, Yan Shouyi was everyone's backbone.
"Brother Yan!"
As soon as Yan Shouyi alighted from the vehicle, Yuan Jianxin and the others swarmed forward.
Zhao Chengxiang questioned him indignantly, "Did you tell the Heavenly Master not to let us follow into Daqing Mountain?"
They didn't want to be cowards; they wished to fight alongside their elders and take the lead against the National Preceptor.
Wei Changqing stood by, not intervening. He knew these people were Yan Shouyi's good friends. Were it anyone else, Wei Changqing would have had to step in to defend Yan Shouyi's dignity as the leader of the Min Jiao.
Yan Shouyi raised his hands, signaling for everyone to calm down.
"This was a joint decision between myself and Old Yu," he explained. "The National Preceptor's power and cunning far exceed your imaginations. The situation within Daqing Mountain is complex; we cannot let everyone venture in at their peril."
Yuan Jianxin murmured, "But our masters and elders have all gone in."
"Don't worry," Yan Shouyi sighed. "On the day of the decisive battle, even if it means sacrifice, you will all have your turn. There will be such an opportunity."
Everyone present felt a chill at his words.
Someone raised an objection, "President Yan, are you perhaps overestimating the National Preceptor's strength? Your attitude seems too pessimistic."
"This concerns the survival of the world. I am simply accustomed to preparing for the worst. Of course, I hope Old Yu and the others can find the National Preceptor's weakness and defeat him in one fell swoop."
But Yan Shouyi added inwardly, *If only the National Preceptor were that easy to deal with.*
Yan Shouyi entered the largest tent in the camp and found Liu Yiren meditating inside.
However, her brow was furrowed, indicating that her mind was not as tranquil as her outward appearance suggested.
"Any news?" Yan Shouyi asked.
Liu Yiren shook her head. "The National Preceptor must have made preparations within Daqing Mountain. They lost contact with the outside world shortly after entering."
Then, Liu Yiren turned the question back to Yan Shouyi, "Are all the members of the Min Jiao here?"
The sect leaders and elders of the renowned sects had all entered Daqing Mountain, while the Min Jiao had only sent the Hongya Cave organization, which was closest to Xichuan.
Yan Shouyi nodded. "Except for my parents who are guarding Rongcheng, everyone else has arrived."
"Your father has profound cultivation. Why isn't he here at Daqing Mountain?" Liu Yiren asked, puzzled.
Yan Shouyi sighed. "He is the last line of defense. When the time comes for him to act, it will mean that even I have been defeated."
To prevent any information from reaching the National Preceptor, Yan Shouyi and Yan Chou had tacitly kept the matter of the Nine Dragons Dispelling Ill Fortune Formation a secret. Even Liu Yiren did not know what this trump card was.
Soon, night fell.
It was the dead of winter in the mountains. Numerous bonfires were lit in the camp, yet they seemed unable to dispel the chill, nor the gloom in everyone's hearts.
Yan Shouyi and the others remained sleepless, constantly awaiting news from Yu Lumenming.
However, Daqing Mountain was like a whirlpool in the deep sea, swallowing everything around it, not a single piece of news leaking out.
Yan Shouyi felt restless, finding the tent stifling. He quietly slipped out, intending to ask someone for a cigarette to relieve his anxiety.
Upon lifting the tent flap, he saw Wang Jiwang, Old Jin, He Xiping, Weng Qianxiang, and a host of elite disciples from the renowned sects gathered outside, all smoking.
Yan Shouyi's arrival caused a momentary hush. Then, Old Jin produced a pack of cigarettes and tossed it to Yan Shouyi.
Yan Shouyi took the cigarettes, sighed, and pushed them back.
"Everyone is on edge, unable to sleep," Wang Jiwang said in a low voice.
"Damn that National Preceptor," Long Feicheng drifted out, summarizing everyone's thoughts with a single sentence.
"I wonder when they will come out."
Han San's face was filled with worry. Han the sycophant was not even thinking about pretty girls at this moment.
As everyone was in a state of dejection,
Suddenly, a commotion erupted in the camp.
"What's going on?"
"Has someone returned?"
"Hope it's good news... hurry and go see!"
Everyone was like startled birds, first startled, then uniformly rushing towards the campsite exit.
Yan Shouyi ran at the forefront. From afar, he saw Hou Jingchen of the Changlin Army guarding the area, not allowing anyone to approach.
"What's happening?" Yan Shouyi shouted.
Hou Jingchen saw Yan Shouyi and ordered his subordinates not to retreat an inch before running towards Yan Shouyi. He said, "Those who entered Daqing Mountain have returned."
"Returned?!"
Yan Shouyi's eyes lit up, then quickly dimmed, his expression turning very grim.
Over a thousand people had entered Daqing Mountain that morning.
If they had returned victorious, at least a few hundred should have come back, right?
If Yu Lumenming had returned, Hou Jingchen wouldn't have this look on his face.
"Take me to see."
Hou Jingchen led the way, with Yan Shouyi following behind, his heart heavy.
He pushed through the crowd and saw the Changlin Army members guarding the campsite entrance. The area was surrounded by people, yet at the center of the throng was only one person.
The person wore a kasaya, but it was tattered. Covered in blood and missing an arm, he looked utterly miserable.
Yan Shouyi recognized him at a glance: it was Abbot Benheng of Hanshan Temple!
"Master Benheng!"
The straightforward Changshan couldn't hold back and pushed through the crowd to Benheng's side.
"Old Jin! Hurry!!" Yan Shouyi called back.
Old Jin squeezed through the crowd, quickly reached Benheng's side, performed a brief diagnosis, and began to treat him.
There were other ancient physicians among the Min Jiao. Old Jin couldn't manage alone, so he called out for them. A total of five ancient physicians stepped forward to assist in the treatment, yet they still appeared flustered.
This showed how severely Benheng was injured!
The disciples who had been clamoring to enter Daqing Mountain with their elders fell silent upon seeing Benheng's current state.
Some even felt their legs go weak, no longer daring to glance in the direction of Daqing Mountain.
Had the only one who returned... been Abbot Benheng?
Where were their masters, elders, and sect leaders?
Even the Heavenly Master had made no move.
Was the National Preceptor truly that powerful?
Yan Shouyi approached Benheng, crouched down, and asked in a low voice:
"Abbot Benheng, what about the others?"
After catching his breath, Benheng silently lowered his head and, after a long pause, replied:
"They all died in Daqing Mountain."