"Patriarch Shen, the Ye clan experts are about to arrive. Why don't we wait until they are here before making a move together?" Lu Fan said, "This way, we might stand a better chance!"
"You underestimate the Shen clan, kid!" Patriarch Shen narrowed his eyes. "Or perhaps you underestimate me!"
Shen Batian burst into laughter and strode forward, exuding an overwhelming aura. He had nothing left to fear or hold back.
Outside the Shen clan, Meng Po and the Three Ghosts stood tall, their eyes filled with immense dissatisfaction. According to their agreement with the Shen clan, if the Shen clan sealed the Yuhua Sword, the Ghost Hall Master would not trouble them upon his emergence. However, the pillar of light they had just witnessed was clearly the power of the Yuhua Sword.
"The Yuhua Sword has appeared, our mission has failed!" the Three Ghosts declared. "When we return to the Ghost Hall, you will explain this to the Hall Master personally. It has nothing to do with us!"
"Now is not the time to shirk responsibility!" Meng Po said coldly. "If this matter is botched, none of us will fare well. You should know this!"
The three Ghost Saints frowned. They naturally knew, but with the Yuhua Sword already out, they were helpless, no matter how unwilling they were.
A short while later, Shen Batian arrived before Meng Po, his presence radiating a powerful aura and a hint of killing intent.
"You scoundrel Shen Batian, you've broken your promise!" Meng Po propped herself on her staff. "Are you not afraid of the Hall Master's wrath? You know full well that if anything happens to the Yuhua Sword, your Shen clan will not be spared!"
"I know, of course, but since I've made my decision, you don't need to say any more!" Shen Batian said with a faint smile. "Not a single person in my Shen clan fears death. As the patriarch, how could I lag behind them."
"So, you intend to be our enemy?" Meng Po asked with a cold expression, becoming vigilant. She could clearly sense the aura surrounding Shen Batian and, if she guessed correctly, he was about to make a move.
"The Ghost Hall has committed many sins, and you are likely to be held accountable!" Shen Batian stated directly. "I compromised for so long to protect the Shen clan, but only now do I realize this is not what my clansmen desire."
"Shen Batian, you will surely regret this choice!" the Three Ghost Saints said coldly. "If you don't believe us, feel free to try!"
"I don't think we need to try!" Lu Fan arrived, a cold smile on his face. "The five Divine Swords have now appeared, and we will be heading to the Ghost Hall soon!"
"Such big talk!" Meng Po sneered. "Our Hall Master is beyond your reach. If you dare step into the Ghost Hall, you are seeking your own demise."
"Whether we are seeking our own demise, we don't know!" Lu Fan chuckled. "But one thing is certain, you won't be leaving today!"
As soon as Lu Fan finished speaking, Shen Batian appeared behind Meng Po and the others, his aura overwhelming. At this moment, everyone was startled, not expecting Shen Batian to act so swiftly.
"Shen Batian, if you make a move today, the Hall Master will tear you limb from limb! He will annihilate your entire Shen clan!" Meng Po's face changed.
"My clansmen said they do not fear death, but fear being cowardly!" Shen Batian narrowed his eyes. "I must follow their wishes, otherwise, wouldn't I be disappointing them!"
"Quick, we shouldn't linger here!" Meng Po urged the Three Ghost Saints, and they immediately made their escape. Shen Batian, as the patriarch of the Shen clan, was stronger than them, and moreover, this was Shen clan territory. They had no advantage here.
"Wanting to leave won't be that easy!" Shen Batian's expression was cold as he unleashed a palm strike. Although the three Ghost Saints were powerful, they all spat out blood, their faces turning ashen.
Seeing the dire situation, Meng Po could no longer care and turned to flee.
"Wanting to leave won't be that easy!" Shen Batian struck again, pursuing his advantage, his eyes glinting with cold light.
With a thunderous roar, Meng Po was sent flying, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth. She could never have imagined that Shen Batian's strength would be so formidable. If he were to make a move, it would be futile.
"So strong, is this the patriarch's power!" The members of the Shen clan exclaimed, filled with awe. Shen Batian's strength shocked them to their core. Both Meng Po and the Three Ghost Saints were at the Saint realm, yet they had never expected to be defeated so miserably.
"Is this the patriarch's strength?" Lu Fan stood by, his expression shifting slightly. If even the patriarch possessed such power, then those who could make them wary must be extraordinary. The Ghost Hall Master was undoubtedly immensely powerful.
"You will regret this. We are all disciples of the Hall Master. If you attack us, you will surely face his wrath!" Meng Po's eyes were venomous.
"So what?" Shen Batian was unfazed and continued his assault. In the blink of an eye, all four Saint realm powerhouses were dead at Shen Batian's hands, without even the strength to resist.
"What kind of power allows one to reach this level!" Long Yi was also astonished, his heart filled with shock.
"If I'm not mistaken, Patriarch Shen's strength should be at the peak of the Battle Saint realm!" Lu Fan stated. "In that case, the Ghost Hall Master's power is likely even greater!"
As they were conversing, several figures appeared in the distance, their presence exuding supreme power. The person leading them was the patriarch of the Ye clan.
"Long time no see. I didn't expect you to come in person!" Patriarch Shen said with a smile as he looked at the Ye clan patriarch, his expression becoming serious.
"Let them go. I don't want to fight you!" The Ye clan patriarch's expression was icy, his aura immense as he stared directly at Shen Batian.
"There must be a misunderstanding!" Shen Yayyin interjected. "Meng Po and the others have already been killed by our Shen clan. The Shen clan will never betray the other clans!"
"Killed by the Shen clan?" Ye Shisan was taken aback, not understanding what had happened. He had gone to invite experts to save Lu Fan, but it seemed things had unfolded beyond their expectations.
"It seems my guess was correct!" The Ye clan patriarch smiled. "As a clan leader, how could you disappoint them."
"It was indeed my mistake earlier!" Shen Batian said with a wry smile. "I almost made a grave error."
"It is never too late to mend one's ways!" Ye Shisan chuckled. "So, we can now jointly defend against external enemies?"
"That's right, defend against external enemies together!" Shen Yayyin nodded solemnly, her eyes filled with seriousness. It was her hope that the Shen clan would return to the right path.