This token is the master's personal seal, allowing the holder to issue temporary directives to disciples below the level of senior monks. This stout man is the master's most trusted confidant, reportedly even a close cousin, and thus serves as the master's primary channel for delivering messages and orders. Recently, the master hurriedly bestowed this token upon him, instructing him to come to the villa and summon Elder Li for a meeting on the mountain. However, after delivering the message, the man found it rather taxing to descend from the Sunset Peak and then immediately return, so he relied on his close relationship with the master to insist on staying at Elder Li's villa for a while before returning to the peak. Elder Li, unable to refuse, agreed, yet he himself could not afford to delay, and thus promptly set off with Zhang Xiu'er and several other disciples to the Sunset Peak. Soon after, a major development occurred on the mountain, and given the man's naturally timid nature, he was even less inclined to return alone. Meanwhile, the people in the courtyard were relatives of the lay followers from the nearby Qiuxuan Sect. Most of them had little or no martial skills, so as soon as the commotion began, they grew panic-stricken, unsure of what to do. Fortunately, Ma Rong was resolute and promptly requested the assistance of the twenty-some remaining subordinates left behind by Li Feiyu. He gathered them all together, bringing order to the situation and ensuring they wouldn't wander about at night and face unforeseen dangers. Since the buildings were located in a more remote, mountain-valley setting, although they heard the alarm sounds and cries of battle, they had no clear understanding of what was actually happening outside. After completing these arrangements, Ma Rong decided to send some people out to gather information. Yet at this very moment, the otherwise unskilled, stout man suddenly stepped forward—not only halting the efforts to investigate the enemy's situation, but also, relying on his token, seizing Ma Rong's command authority over the external blades disciples, and then resolved to tighten up here, doing nothing at all, as if merely covering his ears and pretending not to hear. Ma Rong deeply understood the importance of gathering enemy intelligence. He had several times argued with the very timid, stout man, only to be silenced each time by the master's seal from Wang, who used it as a firm authority to override him—so much so that even Ma Rong's own personal investigations were denied. It seemed that Wang had turned Ma Rong into yet another protective tool for his own survival. Thus, Ma Rong paced anxiously in the living room, like a chicken caught in a hot pot, utterly helpless against this man who knew nothing of the situation. After all, in the Seven Xuan Sect, disobedience to orders and independent action carried serious consequences—minor offenses could result in the loss of martial skills and expulsion from the sect, while severe cases might even lead to death by decapitation. Despite knowing that a major crisis had unfolded outside, possibly threatening the very survival of the sect, Ma Rong remained motionless. Just as Ma Rong longed to strike the man he considered his superior with a single palm, Han Li and Li Feiyu remained completely unaware of what was happening here, and continued to rush toward the scene. Along the way, whenever they encountered enemy traces, they either avoided them or slipped past, striving to conceal their own movements until, only a few miles from Li Elder's residence, they were suddenly met by a group of dressed-in-green robes, unable to hide any longer and thus made their first direct contact with the enemy. It's no wonder, for among these three, Li Feiyu now has his hair wild, dirty and tattered, looking more like a mountain kitchen helper; Han Li, on the other hand, has a listless expression and dark, sun-browned skin, resembling a country farmer with no martial arts training. The only one who brings any real pressure is Qu Hun—tall, wearing a straw hat, and still streaked with blood. Together, these three seem so out of place that even this seasoned veteran of the martial world finds himself somewhat puzzled. He gives a sharp, watchful glance to his subordinates and then raises his voice, shouting across to the other side: "Regardless of who you are, the Seven Perfection Sect is now finished. Surrender, and I will spare your lives!" Han Li smiles slightly and turns to Li Feiyu, saying, "Who shall make the move—do you or Qu Hun?" Upon hearing this, Li Feiyu's eyes flash with determination, and he responds sharply, "From their attire, these appear to be junior disciples of Duanshui Sect. I've been pursued for so long by the Wild Wolf Clan that I'd like to settle my score with them first!" "And my weapons—perfectly suited to me," he said, already leaping forward like a streak of light, reaching the nearest qingyi-clad man in an instant. Startled, the man raised his steel sword, only to feel a sudden lightness in his hand—his sword now in the hands of the opponent across from him. He hurried to retreat, but it was too late. A flash of white light passed before him, and he was severed from head to body. This sentence reminded the other Qingyi servants, who, at first gathered closely, suddenly scattered in all directions, rushing off toward every corner. Some of them, still reaching into their cloaks as they ran, seemed to be retrieving the supposed signals. One Qingyi servant, embroidered with two white threads, was the fastest—within a few strides, he had already escaped several paces ahead. He felt a surge of relief, believing his escape now assured. Yet suddenly, a cool sensation swept over his nape, and a half-inch-long sword tip burst forth from his throat, then vanished as if it had never been there. Startled, he tried to shout, but found his body drained of strength, as though emptied of all vitality, leaving him powerless. He watched helplessly as his body slowly sank, folding backward and collapsing to the ground, motionless. Only then did he realize that he had been struck from behind, a sword piercing his throat. Still, he felt deeply disappointed—though he had fled so far, why had he died so swiftly? He strained to turn his head aside, finally catching sight of the last scene before death: a shadow, appearing and vanishing intermittently behind the most distant young man in green robes. With a light, delicate slash, the shadow wavered slightly and then disappeared, only to reappear moments later behind another of his companions—again, a flash of pale light passed through. At that moment, the young man who had just been pierced through the throat finally lay down beside him, his body now as still as his own, gushing blood steadily from his throat. After witnessing all this, the young man in green robes smiled calmly and passed away, knowing he would not be alone—soon many others would come to join him, and that shadow-like figure would not spare any of them. (If you find this enjoyable, please don't forget to save this book.) (As we reach another climax, the update pace may slow slightly due to quality considerations. We kindly ask for your understanding. Please rest assured, however, that daily updates will continue to be guaranteed!) We hope you will continue to support this book!