Xiao Yunlong naturally wouldn't let Zhang Quanche, the instigator, off so easily. It seemed necessary to make a trip to the Eastern Domain's Grand Camp.
Of course, Xiao Yunlong's decision to head east wasn't entirely due to Zhang Quanche. A mere third deputy commander could have been handled by Li Jiuxiao alone.
What truly prompted Xiao Yunlong's decision was his feeling that something was amiss with the King of the Eastern Domain.
Although not very familiar with the King of the Eastern Domain, Xiao Yunlong had visited the Eastern Domain's Grand Camp multiple times in his younger years when the Old Northern King was still alive. He knew the King of the Eastern Domain to be a righteous king with an imposing presence, and his relationship with the Old Northern King was more than ordinary.
This time, the three ancient martial arts sects convened a martial arts讨伐大会 (tǎofá dàhuì -讨伐大会), and the Eastern Domain's Grand Camp had shown no reaction. It was known that these major sects were all within the Eastern Domain's jurisdiction. Furthermore, Xiao Yunlong had sent Jun Bufan to the Eastern Domain in advance specifically to inform them of this matter.
Yet, the King of the Eastern Domain still showed no indication of involvement and chose to stand by and watch. This was completely out of character for the King of the Eastern Domain!
Moreover, according to custom, for such a significant event, even if the King of the Eastern Domain chose not to intervene, he should at least have sent a personal letter back with Jun Bufan.
As the saying goes, abnormality indicates trouble. These numerous abnormal phenomena led Xiao Yunlong to believe that something was wrong with the Eastern Domain's Grand Camp, making the trip to the Eastern Domain imperative!
With this thought, Xiao Yunlong retracted his gaze and looked at the three sect leaders, saying sternly, "The three martial skills mentioned just now must be delivered to Ziyun Villa in Jiangdong before noon tomorrow. Furthermore, in consideration of your sincere repentance, each of you will sever one arm as punishment. Your martial arts will be spared for now!"
Upon hearing this, the three sect leaders were overjoyed. Although losing an arm was a terrible fate, it was far better than losing their martial arts and becoming cripples. After all, without their martial arts, it would be like falling from heaven into hell.
Without further hesitation, the three of them severed their left arms.
Xiao Yunlong, too lazy to look at them again, strode directly outside. The Four Great Generals, Tang Bowen, Jun Bufan, and the others followed closely.
The three sect leaders could only endure the intense pain and follow behind to see them off. Many curious sect disciples also came out.
Upon reaching the plaza and seeing the massive three-legged cauldron placed in front, Xiao Yunlong suddenly unleashed a palm strike from a distance!
With a boom, the powerful palm force instantly shattered the large cauldron into pieces.
Xiao Yunlong swept his gaze across the disciples of the three sects, his eyes finally settling on the three sect leaders, and said word by word, "Listen well, all under heaven belong to the king, and all who dwell within the realm are the king's subjects. If you dare to defy authority again, you will be killed without mercy!"
With that, Xiao Yunlong walked directly to the parking lot, opened the car door, and sat inside.
Soon, cars roared down the mountain. However, the vast plaza remained deathly silent. Everyone was frozen in place, as if stunned by the explosion of the three-legged cauldron.
To be precise, they were actually awestruck by the kingly aura Xiao Yunlong exuded!
Without any warning, or perhaps due to the intense pain from severing their arms, Abbot Mingjing of Southern Shaolin collapsed onto the ground.
Of course, the other two sect leaders, True Master Linghe and Qiu Youhe of Longhu Mountain, were no better off, their faces pale and covered in cold sweat from fear.
Suddenly, a thunderous roar echoed again. The sky quickly became overcast with rolling dark clouds, and soon a torrential rain began to fall.
"Big Brother, where are we going next? Should we return to Jiangdong first?" asked Jun Bufan, who was driving.
"Yes, back to Jiangdong first!"
Xiao Yunlong nodded, but then his expression suddenly changed, and he blurted out, "No, stop the car!"
Jun Bufan was startled and instinctively slammed on the brakes. The rubber tires screeched against the ground, and the car came to an immediate halt.
Fortunately, Jun Bufan's car was leading, and they had reached the small pavilion at the foot of the mountain where they had eaten porridge earlier.
However, a torrential rain was falling outside, and the mist was too thick to see the situation clearly through the car windows.
"Did something happen, Master?"
Tang Bowen asked. Although he was Xiao Yunlong's elder cousin, he naturally wouldn't address him by his given name in front of Xiao Yunlong's many subordinates.
"There's killing intent. Get out of the car quickly, notify everyone, get out of the car immediately!"
Xiao Yunlong said, pushing open the car door and stepping out, even though a torrential rain was pouring down outside.
Suddenly, a black projectile pierced through the rain and mist at high speed, hitting the first car, Xiao Yunlong's dedicated vehicle.
"Quick, dodge..." Xiao Yunlong shouted loudly.
With a sudden, earth-shattering explosion, Xiao Yunlong's dedicated car was blown to pieces, engulfed in flames. However, the raging flames were quickly extinguished by the pouring rain, leaving only wreckage.
The sudden turn of events completely caught everyone off guard. However, the Dragon Blood Guards present were all elites among elites from the Northern Border Army, and they quickly reacted, forming a defensive formation of five men.
The Four Great Generals also swiftly moved to Xiao Yunlong's side, forming a perimeter to guard against any further unforeseen events.
"How dare they be so audacious, attempting an assassination again, even trying to assassinate the King of Zhenbei! Who is responsible? Get out here!"
Tu Fu, the White Tiger General, known for his rough and fiery temper, roared with a livid expression.
Xiao Yunlong looked at the car that had been reduced to wreckage, his face grim, and remained silent. If he hadn't reacted quickly and gotten out of the car to evade, the consequences would have been unimaginable.
Even after cultivating the Three Thousand Divine Kingdom Arts, his body had undergone significant modifications, making him much stronger than ordinary people. However, he would still not be able to withstand such a fierce bombardment. At best, he could only use his internal energy to protect his vital points, but even then, he would inevitably suffer severe injuries.
"They are over there, but the aura is terrifying, and the killing intent is so heavy!"
As the foremost of the Four Great Generals, the Azure Dragon General Li Jiuxiao also sensed it. He turned his gaze towards the mountain on the left, which was indeed the direction from which the projectile had been fired.
On the low, bun-shaped hill to the left stood four men in different attire. Two of them wore wooden clogs and samurai uniforms, appearing to be warriors from Fusang.
The other two wore training outfits, but their faces were masked. However, judging by their clothing and hair, they were likely martial artists from the Dragon Country!
Below the hill, a large number of Fusang warriors stood in dense formations.
"What a pity, what a pity. To think that kid still didn't die from that!" an elderly Fusang warrior on the hill said in broken Dragon Country language.
"Indeed, it's quite unexpected. This kid's life is truly resilient!" the other Fusang swordsman with white hair and beard, holding a long sword, shook his head.
A Dragon Country martial artist dressed in green on the opposite side of the hill sneered, "I told you long ago that he is, after all, our Dragon Country's King of Zhenbei. To think of killing him with such despicable means is simply wishful thinking!"
"Who's to say? The fact that this fellow surnamed Xiao could walk down from Southern Shaolin unharmed is enough to show that his martial arts cultivation is extraordinary. He should have reached the Innate Aperture Opening realm. Once the apertures are opened, perception will greatly increase, making it very difficult to use such methods for assassination!"
Another elderly Dragon Country man in black, as thin as a monkey, chuckled softly.
Both of them wore masks, so their faces were not visible. However, judging by their voices and builds, both were clearly elderly men past seventy.
The four old men standing on the hill, whether they were the two from the Dragon Country or the two from Fusang, all possessed incredibly powerful auras, even only slightly weaker than the ancestors of the three major sects from Southern Shaolin, Wudang Sect, and Longhu Mountain.
In other words, they were all super powerhouses who had successfully opened their apertures, entered the Innate realm, and cultivated Innate true qi!
In addition, there were at least forty to fifty Fusang warriors below, several of whom were at the Martial King realm with Three Flowers Gathering at the Crown, and the rest were Grandmasters of Hua Jin. From this, it could be seen that the Fusang Kensei Palace and the Warrior Alliance had spared no expense in this assassination attempt.
"Since we couldn't kill that kid, there's no point in talking about this anymore. Gentlemen, since our goal is the same, why don't we join forces and kill this brat surnamed Xiao?"
The Fusang warrior, who wore a samurai sword at his waist and was from the Fusang Shaman Alliance, asked. He was an expert in the Innate Aperture Opening realm.
The Dragon Country elder dressed in green nodded slightly and said, "Originally, we two disdained to cooperate with Fusang warriors. However, since this fellow surnamed Xiao could walk down the mountain alive, it is enough to show that he is extraordinary. It may not be enough for us two alone to take him down!"
Speaking of this, the green-clothed elder snorted heavily, "Since that is the case, let us join forces!"
"Very good. Your Dragon Country has an old saying: 'He who understands the times is a hero.' You two are both heroes. With our forces joining hands today, that bastard kid surnamed Xiao is bound to die!"
The other Fusang Kensei Palace expert, an Innate realm powerhouse holding a long sword, chuckled sinisterly. He then turned to the dense formation of warriors below and said sternly, "Kensei Palace commands, everyone attack, kill them, leave no one alive!"
Xiao Yunlong withdrew his gaze from the car that had become wreckage and then glanced at the hill on the left. He then exhaled and said, "All listen to my orders, prepare for battle, and kill all enemies who dare to invade!"
Rumble...
The sky suddenly rumbled with thunder. Echoes filled the valley, and the rain intensified, enveloping the entire valley in thick mist.
Suddenly, Fusang warriors in samurai uniforms emerged from the valley, charging rapidly through the torrential rain.
"Kill, kill them all, leave no one alive!"
Two Fusang Innate realm powerhouses, one with a saber and one with a sword, came through the air.
At the same time, the two super ancient martial artists from the Dragon Country also flew over rapidly.
The great battle was about to break out!