The army assembled outside Xinyang City, while the Four Great Sects gathered within, using the Xinyang City Lord's mansion as a temporary command center.
The sect leaders of the Four Great Sects convened, their expressions grave.
"Tian Xuzi, you must speak. If Lei Tianze hadn't saved Xiao Man back then, the Demon Lord wouldn't have been released. Your Tian Xuan Sect must take responsibility for this matter," Sect Leader Jiang spoke first.
"He has already been expelled from Tian Xuan Sect because of this. What further responsibility can our Tian Xuan Sect bear for a rebellious disciple who has been expelled?" Tian Xuzi replied unhurriedly.
Sect Leader Jiang of Tian Ling Sect faltered, his gaze shifting to Yue Tianxia, who sat at the head of the table. He then said, "Regardless, Lei Tianze was still a member of Tian Xuan Sect."
"If that's the case, then Xiao Man also has deep ties with Tian Ling Sect," Tian Xuzi retorted, unwilling to back down. "After all, the founding ancestor of Tian Ling Sect was the Qin family patriarch, and Xiao Man is a direct descendant of the Qin family. Tian Ling Sect bears half the responsibility for Xiao Man releasing the Demon Lord. Moreover, if you hadn't interfered back then, how could Lei Tianze have saved her?"
"It's interesting that they're already fighting amongst themselves before the actual battle even begins," Wen Ting chuckled. "Father, they might even blame you later for my intervening when I saw Sect Leader Yue bullying people at Tian Jian Sect."
Sect Leader Wen shot Wen Ting a glance and quietly sipped his tea, pretending not to hear. Whether it was Tian Ling Sect or Tian Jian Sect, their infighting had nothing to do with the Imperial Beast Sect, especially since the other three sects had never acknowledged the Imperial Beast Sect as one of the Four Great Sects.
"Sect Leader Wen, what are your thoughts on this matter?" Yue Tianxia asked, looking at Sect Leader Wen.
"I have no opinion," Sect Leader Wen replied in a mild tone. "You decide."
"Father, you're so clever. You know they won't listen to you even if you have an opinion, so you just say you don't. Normally, the three sects look down on our Imperial Beast Sect, but when they need someone to lead the charge, they remember us. Tsk tsk."
"Ting'er!" Sect Leader Wen glanced at Wen Ting and continued affectionately, "Why are you speaking the blunt truth? Isn't that just asking for trouble?"
Wen Ting immediately slapped his own mouth. "I'm sorry for speaking the truth."
Sect Leader Jiang and Yue Tianxia exchanged glances, their displeasure evident in each other's eyes. They might disdain the Imperial Beast Sect, but for them to openly say so put them in an awkward position.
"Sect Leader Wen, if you have any thoughts, please voice them."
"Our Imperial Beast Sect is not skilled in combat. Can we not take the lead?" Sect Leader Wen immediately stated. "After all, Tian Jian Sect excels at offense, so it's most suitable for them to lead the charge."
Yue Tianxia's expression remained unchanged. "My Tian Jian Sect will naturally lead the charge. As for your Imperial Beast Sect..."
"Tian Jian Sect takes the lead, Tian Ling Sect stays in the middle to heal the disciples of Tian Jian Sect, and our Imperial Beast Sect stays at the rear. I believe this arrangement is very reasonable."
"We have to go to the battlefield too?" Sect Leader Jiang exclaimed in shock. "All of us in Tian Ling Sect are apothecaries; we don't know how to fight. How can we go to the battlefield?"
"Your Tian Ling Sect members were quite formidable when they were snatching people from Tian Jian Sect, but now when it's time to actually fight, you don't know how to combat. It's as if our Imperial Beast Sect members are great fighters," Wen Ting sighed. "Father, they just want to use us as cannon fodder. Or perhaps we should withdraw? After all, Wuji City is not easy to conquer. Lei Tianze is the most skilled formation master, Xiao Man is adept at both offense and defense, and Nangong Yu is invincible. Our chances of winning if we go don't seem high, not to mention the bloodthirsty Demon Lord."
"Kid, don't spout nonsense! Don't demoralize our own troops before the battle even begins!"
"Sect Leader Yue, your son is also in Wuji City," Wen Ting said slowly. "Yue Ran is also skilled in combat. Are you sure we'll have the advantage if we attack?"
"Is the Imperial Beast Sect afraid of a few children?"
"Nonsense..."
"Yes, we are afraid!" Wen Ting interrupted. "We are about to fight the Demon Lord. It took the sacrifice of four Nascent Soul stage powerhouses to barely seal him. Now, you, Sect Leader Yue, are the only one in the Nascent Soul stage here. How can we possibly be a match for the Demon Lord?"
"The Demon Lord has been sealed for tens of thousands of years and is extremely weak. This is a perfect opportunity for us to attack. Once the Demon Lord recovers, Cang Xuan will surely be plunged into misery, and your Imperial Beast Sect will not be able to stand aside. Sect Leader Wen, your son is young, so I won't dwell on it. Sect Leader Wen, what do you say?" Yue Tianxia said coldly.
"Sect Leader Yue speaks with reason, but my son also speaks the truth," Sect Leader Wen replied. "The Demon Lord was not eliminated after tens of thousands of years of sealing, which shows his might. Are we not essentially going to our deaths by actively attacking Wuji City?"
"Of course not!" Yue Tianxia affirmed. "At that time, I will keep the Demon Lord occupied. You will be responsible for killing Xiao Man. How about that?"
"I heard that Sect Leader Yue fought with Xiao Man and nearly lost his life," Wen Ting said, deliberately touching on a sore spot. "Isn't Xiao Man perhaps even more difficult to deal with than the Demon Lord?"
"At that time, Sect Leader Tian Xuzi, Sect Leader Jiang, and Sect Leader Wen, the three of you joining forces to deal with Xiao Man alone should not be a problem, right?"
"Sect Leader Wen..."
"Sect Leader Wen, you should properly discipline your child," Yue Tianxia interrupted Wen Ting, clearly displeased with his repeated revelations.
"Ting'er, stop spouting nonsense."
"Father, your son is merely speaking the truth. Back then, it took the combined efforts of four Nascent Soul stage powerhouses to suppress the Demon Lord. For Xiao Man to release the Demon Lord, it would have required the combined efforts of four Nascent Soul stage powerhouses. This means that besides the Demon Lord, there are four Nascent Soul stage powerhouses in Wuji City. Also, have you forgotten about the demons?"
Sect Leader Jiang lowered his gaze. He had also considered this question. However, over the years in Cang Xuan, there had only been two Nascent Soul stage powerhouses: Yue Tianxia and Lei Tianze. How could there suddenly be three more in such a short period?
"Ting'er, do you know something?" Sect Leader Wen asked his son.
"Father, to my knowledge, Xiao Man and Nangong Yu have both become Nascent Soul stage powerhouses, and Ghost King Wuhuan is also a Nascent Soul stage powerhouse. Sect Leader Tian Xuzi should be well aware of this." Su Dan Novel Network
Everyone looked at Tian Xuzi. Tian Xuzi nodded. "Yes, the Ghost King is indeed a Nascent Soul stage powerhouse, and he is at the peak of the complete stage."
A trace of hatred flickered in Yue Tianxia's eyes. If they couldn't kill Xiao Man, they would all die. Why didn't these people understand!
"You need not worry. The Demon Lord has returned to the Ghost Realm heavily injured, and Lei Tianze has been captured. As for Nangong Yu, he has disappeared. Our only target is to kill Xiao Man."
Wen Ting lowered his gaze. As expected, Yue Tianxia's target was Xiao Man!