At this moment, every disciple and elder of the Heavenly Demon Sect froze in their tracks, staring in horror at the sky.
Outside the Sect-Protecting Array, that blinding golden light had already fully revealed itself before everyone’s eyes.
A colossal war chariot, forged entirely from gold and engraved with intricate dragon patterns, floated above the sea of clouds.
Pulling the chariot were nine Flood Dragons, each a hundred zhang long, their bodies covered in golden scales.
Each Flood Dragon exuded a terrifying aura on par with a Nascent Soul cultivator at the Fusion stage.
They breathed dragon’s breath, and their golden eyes were filled with savagery.
Behind the chariot, three thousand soldiers dressed in identical golden armor and wielding dragon-patterned long spears stood neatly in formation.
Their faces were expressionless, their auras converging into a mighty field of iron-blooded intimidation.
This was one of the Great Wilderness Dynasty’s most elite forces—the Golden Divine Guards!
It was said that each Golden Divine Guard was at least at the Void Refinement stage, and the battle array formed by three thousand such guards was enough to encircle and kill even an old monster at the Great Ascension stage!
[Realm Divisions: Qi Refining, Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, Nascent Soul, Divine Transformation, Void Refinement, Fusion, Great Ascension, Tribulation Crossing, Immortal….]
At this moment, such a terrifying force, enough to make any top sect pale in fear, was arrayed outside the Heavenly Demon Sect’s mountain gate.
All for the sake of one person.
The Heavenly Demon Sect Master, Lu Ning.
…
Inside the audience hall, the elders, who had been much more well-behaved since Lu Ning’s last “revelation,” were now thrown into chaos once again.
“That’s the Great Wilderness Dynasty’s Princess Ji Linglong’s Golden War Chariot!”
“Why has she suddenly come to our mountain gate? Haven’t the Heavenly Demon Sect and the Great Wilderness Dynasty always kept out of each other’s way?”
“What else could it be!”
The hot-tempered Elder Yanmo slammed his fist on the table, roaring.
“It must be because of the Sect Master! I heard long ago, when the Sect Master traveled the world in her youth, she offended this noble princess!”
“Offended? Elder Yan, you make it sound too mild.”
Elder Ghostshadow spoke in a chilling voice, “What I heard is, back then the Sect Master not only defeated that arrogant princess in public, but… even humiliated her, saying she was all bust and no brains, nothing but a pretty flower vase.”
As soon as these words were spoken, the hall fell into an eerie silence.
Every elder’s face showed the same “so that’s how it is” expression.
With what they knew of their own Sect Master’s lawless, domineering ways, such a thing was entirely believable.
“So… what should we do now?”
A worried elder spoke, “Ji Linglong is proud and vindictive. Today, she’s come charging in with three thousand Golden Divine Guards, clearly out for revenge. She’ll never let this go quietly!”
Elder Yanmo straightened his neck and said, “If soldiers come, we’ll fight; if floods come, we’ll block them! Our Heavenly Demon Sect has stood for tens of thousands of years—what storms haven’t we weathered? She’s just a princess from the Great Wilderness Dynasty—what’s the worst she could do? At worst, we’ll fight them to the end!”
“Fight? With what?”
Elder Ghostshadow sneered, “The Holy Maiden is away from the sect, and all the senior grand elders are in closed-door seclusion attempting to break through to Tribulation Crossing. Right now, we’re sorely lacking in high-end combat power.”
“And don’t forget, out there are three thousand Golden Divine Guards! If fighting breaks out, how long can the Sect-Protecting Array hold? Even if it does, how many of our disciples will be killed or wounded?”
“Then what do you propose? Open the gates and surrender? Let her humiliate us as she pleases?”
“I…”
Just as the elders were at each other’s throats again, a voice came from outside the hall.
“The Sect Master has ordered: all elders are to assemble for council.”
It was unmistakably the voice of Shadow One.
The elders perked up, all looking toward the hall’s entrance.
The Sect Master was going to step in!
They all wanted to see how, faced with such a crisis, their Sect Master—who had recently displayed such heaven-defying might—would handle things.
…
In the bedchamber.
Lu Ning had already changed back into the ornate black Sect Master’s robes.
Though she was panicking inside, her appearance remained calm and collected.
“Sect Master, all the elders are waiting in the audience hall.”
Shadow One’s figure appeared behind her like a ghost, kneeling on one knee.
“Mm.”
Lu Ning responded lightly.
She turned to look at Shadow One.
Shadow One was Gu Qinghuan’s trusted confidant, highly skilled in cultivation, specializing in intelligence gathering and assassination—a sharp blade in Gu Qinghuan’s hand.
“Have you scouted out the situation outside?”
Lu Ning asked.
Shadow One answered respectfully, “Reporting to Sect Master, the one outside is indeed the Great Wilderness Dynasty’s Princess Ji Linglong. Aside from the three thousand Golden Divine Guards in the open, I also sensed several extremely concealed, powerful auras in the clouds—at least three Great Ascension old monsters lurking in the shadows.”
Three Great Ascension cultivators!
Hearing this, Lu Ning’s heart sank further.
It seemed this princess was determined to regain her dignity, having come prepared.
“What has she come for?”
Lu Ning asked, knowing full well the answer.
“It’s said to be to take revenge for the humiliation you gave her in years past.”
Shadow One’s reply was direct.
Lu Ning massaged her brow.
How many messes had the original “Lu Ning” left for her?
First a rebellious disciple eyeing her position, now a relentless old enemy.
And every one of them was a woman of astonishing background and power.
“Understood. You may go now.”
Lu Ning waved her hand.
“Yes.”
Shadow One melted into the shadows, disappearing.
Lu Ning took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down.
This situation was a hundred times trickier than facing the Qingyang Sword Sect last time.
Ji Linglong wasn’t a fool like the Qingyang Sect Master, nor was she leading a mere rabble.
Trying to scare her off with some “Demonic God Descent” bluff was impossible.
Her side had Great Ascension old monsters who could see through her weakness at a glance.
If her current frailty was exposed, those three thousand Golden Divine Guards would tear through the Sect-Protecting Array, perhaps even razing the entire Heavenly Demon Sect.
Fight?
No way.
Run?
Even less possible.
Where could she hide in this world?
Could she really just sit and wait for death?
No, things hadn’t reached a dead end yet.
Ji Linglong’s real target was “him.”
As long as she didn’t show herself, Ji Linglong shouldn’t order an attack immediately.
After all, assaulting a top demonic sect like the Heavenly Demon Sect would be costly even for the Great Wilderness Dynasty.
Ji Linglong wanted to vent her anger and regain face, not truly start an all-out war.
So, Lu Ning only had one option now—delay.
Delay until Gu Qinghuan returned.
Though she hated to admit it, the only one who could solve this crisis was probably that rebellious disciple.
As long as Gu Qinghuan was here, with her peak Fusion stage strength and the Sect-Protecting Array, they might be able to stand against Ji Linglong’s side.
Having settled on this, Lu Ning felt a bit calmer.
She stood up and made her way toward the audience hall.
Her immediate task was to stabilize the hearts of the diverse-minded elders within the sect.
When Lu Ning appeared in the audience hall, all the elders turned to look at her, their eyes filled with curiosity and anticipation.
“Respectful greetings, Sect Master!”
Everyone bowed in unison.
Lu Ning walked expressionlessly to the Sect Master’s throne, sat down slowly, and swept her indifferent gaze over the gathered crowd.
“Speak. What are your opinions?”
She asked blandly.
The elders exchanged glances, and finally, the most senior Elder Ghostshadow stepped forward.
“Reporting to Sect Master.”
Elder Ghostshadow bowed.
“The Great Wilderness Dynasty comes with ill intent. Their Princess Ji Linglong has named you, Sect Master, to step out. In my opinion, this is your personal grudge, yet she’s threatening the whole sect, which is truly despicable.”
“I believe our Heavenly Demon Sect must not lose our reputation. The top priority is to hold fast to the mountain gates and avoid a frontal clash. Meanwhile, send people to contact the other demonic sects to unite against the Great Wilderness Dynasty. As long as we can delay, Ji Linglong will withdraw without a fight.”
Elder Ghostshadow’s suggestion matched Lu Ning’s own thoughts.
However, as soon as he finished, Elder Yanmo jumped out and loudly objected.
“Nonsense! Ghostshadow, what’s your scheming?”
“When has our Heavenly Demon Sect ever had to beg help from other demonic sects? What face would we have left?”
“Besides, distant water can’t put out a nearby fire! By the time those demonic lords arrive, the flowers will have wilted! There are three thousand Golden Divine Guards out there—how long do you think our Sect-Protecting Array will last?”
“Then what do you propose?”
Elder Ghostshadow looked at him coldly.
“If you ask me!”
Elder Yanmo turned toward Lu Ning on the high seat, an almost fanatical look of admiration on his face, “This trouble was caused by the Sect Master, so it should be solved by the Sect Master!”
“What do you mean?”
Lu Ning’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“The Sect Master is all-powerful and unparalleled in cultivation!”
Elder Yanmo declared loudly, “Not long ago, you destroyed the Qingyang Sword Sect from thousands of miles away with a single move—your divine might shook the heavens!”
“Now, a mere Ji Linglong dares to shout outside with her three thousand guards. This is the perfect opportunity for you, Sect Master, to once again display your supreme power and intimidate the riffraff!”
“I beseech you, Sect Master, to face Ji Linglong yourself! Let us once more witness your unrivaled prowess!”
As soon as Elder Yanmo finished, many elders began to echo him.
“Elder Yan is right! Who dares challenge our Sect Master’s might?”
“Please, Sect Master, go forth and uphold our sect’s glory!”
Lu Ning looked at the crowd of fired-up elders below, her heart turning cold.
Did these people really want her to display her power?
No—they wanted to use Ji Linglong to test her strength!
Last time’s “Demonic God Descent” had cowed them, but once suspicion is sown, it never truly fades.
They mouthed words of loyalty, but in their hearts, they hoped she and Ji Linglong would fight each other to exhaustion so they could reap the benefits.
What a group of loyal subordinates.
“Enough.”
Lu Ning’s icy voice rang out, and the hall fell instantly silent.
She slowly stood, her gaze sweeping over every elder who had echoed Yanmo.
“Since when did I need you all to tell me how to act?”
After a pause, she changed her tone.
“However, Elder Yan did speak one truth.”
“This matter began with me, so I shall be the one to end it.”
“A mere Ji Linglong isn’t worthy of making my sect bleed a single drop for her.”
Everyone was stunned by these words.
Did the Sect Master truly intend to face this herself?
Elder Ghostshadow’s expression changed and he quickly tried to dissuade her, “Sect Master, you mustn’t! Your safety is priceless. The other side has come prepared—there may be traps!”
“Traps?”
Lu Ning let out a scornful laugh.
“In the face of absolute power, all plots and schemes are nothing but paper tigers.”
She had no choice left.
These elders had forced her to this point.
If she hid away now, it would only confirm their suspicions that the Sect Master was gravely injured.
By then, before Ji Linglong even attacked, the sect would already fall into chaos from within.
Since that was so, she might as well take a gamble!
She would face the princess herself.
Others might not know the princess’s background, but Lu Ning knew every important character in this game inside and out.
“Transmit my orders.”
Lu Ning’s voice echoed through the hall.
“Open the mountain gate.”
“I will go personally to meet this distinguished ‘guest’ from afar.”