The next morning at ten o'clock, Shen Lang, Can Dao, and Feng Yijian boarded a plane to Sichuan and arrived six hours later.
Having learned from their previous experience, Shen Lang, Can Dao, and Feng Yijian quickly made their way to the Tang Sect upon arriving in Sichuan.
The Tang Sect remained unchanged, showing no signs of any alteration from before. Shen Lang, Can Dao, and Feng Yijian proceeded directly to the heart of the sect, the ancestral shrine where ceremonies were held.
Curiously, Shen Lang and his companions encountered no one obstructing their path. It was as if the Tang Sect had no inhabitants that day.
"Something is amiss; this is too unusual."
Upon entering the shrine, Feng Yijian smiled and remarked to Shen Lang, "I feel like the Tang Sect is a trap. Tang Jiutian has opened the mouth of the trap, letting us walk in, and then he'll tie it shut."
"Elder Feng is indeed a seasoned veteran; nothing escapes your keen eyes. You're right, I have the same feeling."
Shen Lang chuckled, "Since Tang Jiutian has opened the trap, let's play along and see if his trap can truly ensnare us."
With that, Shen Lang raised his voice and shouted, "Father-in-law, your son-in-law has arrived. Why don't you show yourself?"
"Rustle—"
As Shen Lang's voice faded, over a thousand Tang Sect disciples emerged from hidden corners, surrounding the shrine. Tang Jiutian, clad in black, tall and imposing, with a broad forehead and square jaw, resembling an celestial being, walked towards Shen Lang, escorted by his followers.
"Shen Lang, you rascal, it's been a long time."
Looking at Shen Lang, Tang Jiutian displayed a warm familiarity, like an elder, and said with a smile, "Last time you came secretly. This time is no different. Can't you pay a proper visit?"
"Father-in-law, that's where you're mistaken. I intended to visit openly, but I didn't see a single soul on the way. I couldn't even find anyone to deliver a visiting card, so I wandered in and ended up at the shrine."
Shen Lang looked at Tang Jiutian and smiled, "It's been a while, Father-in-law. You look even more spirited. It seems you've broken through to the Heaven realm, haven't you?"
"Haha, Shen Lang, I truly like you, boy. You're so intelligent that nothing can hide from you."
Tang Jiutian clapped Shen Lang on the shoulder and laughed, "A son should be like Shen Qiye."
"Oh, Father-in-law, you've even found out my real name. It seems you're quite attentive to your son-in-law."
Shen Qiye was Shen Lang's true name, known to very few. Tang Jiutian's ability to utter it proved that Tang Jiutian had never relinquished his hatred for Shen Lang.
"Shen Lang, I regret that we did not become father-in-law and son-in-law, but I still care about you."
Tang Jiutian looked at Shen Lang and smiled, "Tang Zixuan was sent to the executioner by you. Tang Qubing had a hand broken by you. Even some of the Eight Gallants of the Tang Sect died at your hands. You are an enemy of the Tang Sect. How can I not care about an enemy?"
"Haha, Sect Master Tang considers me an enemy. Are you planning to ambush and kill me here today?"
Shen Lang smiled, "Since Sect Master Tang cares so much about me, you should know what I did in Yang Country. I single-handedly challenged Yang Country's martial arts and killed Ryūyu Danma Shou. Can these few thousand Tang Sect disciples truly surround and kill me?"
"Perhaps they can, perhaps they can't. How will we know if we don't try?"
Tang Jiutian smiled, "Shen Lang, I know your capabilities, but this is the Tang Sect, a sect with a thousand years of history. You cannot underestimate it."
"Very well, since Elder Tang wishes to test me, I shall oblige. However, Ye Shishi is innocent. Let her go."
Shen Lang's gaze was sharp as he looked at Tang Jiutian and said, "One does not hold grudges against women and children. Ye Shishi is my woman, and she carries my child. Do not involve her."
"What if I refuse to let her go?"
Hearing Shen Lang's words, Tang Jiutian's expression darkened.
Shen Lang responded gravely, "Sect Master Tang, must you suffer a loss to gain enlightenment?"
"If you do not involve Ye Shishi, then I will not hold the women and children of the Tang Sect accountable. But if Sect Master Tang insists on going his own way, I can guarantee that if Ye Shishi loses even a single strand of hair, I will slaughter all the women and children of the Tang Sect."
Shen Lang met Tang Jiutian's furious gaze and said, "Do not doubt my ability, nor my words."
"Shen Lang, you are too arrogant. Today, neither you nor Ye Shishi will leave here alive. I want you to be buried with my son, Tang Zixuan."
After Shen Lang finished speaking, Tang Jiutian remained unmoved. He slowly retreated to the entrance and shouted to the thousands of Tang Sect disciples, "Kill without mercy."
"Crack—"
As Tang Jiutian's voice fell, over three thousand Tang Sect disciples raised their right hands, and the sound of crossbows being fired echoed. Each man shot three crossbow bolts, all aimed at Shen Lang and his companions.
"This..."
Upon witnessing this, Feng Yijian and Can Dao's expressions changed drastically, surprised by Tang Jiutian's grand gesture.
However, facing the dense rain of crossbow bolts, they dared not be careless. They drew their swords and prepared to block.
But as they drew their weapons, they found themselves enveloped by a purple protective shield. The next moment, the incoming crossbow bolts shattered upon contact with the shield, falling to the ground with a clatter.
"Is this Innate Gang Qi?"
Seeing the immense power of the purple shield, Feng Yijian and Can Dao's faces paled, and they exclaimed, "It is said that Innate Gang Qi, when cultivated to a certain level, can be projected externally, making one impervious to blades, spears, water, and fire. I never imagined it could also reflect such terrifying force."
Neither of them understood Innate Gang Qi. The only one who did was naturally Shen Lang. In an instant, their gazes towards Shen Lang were filled with awe.
"What?"
Tang Jiutian hadn't expected his meticulously prepared crossbow array to be blocked by Shen Lang's Innate Gang Qi, shattering all the bolts instantaneously. He felt as if he had landed a heavy punch on cotton, filling him with unspeakable rage.
"Shen Lang, I underestimated you. I never thought you'd even understand the legendary Innate Gang Qi. However, you still cannot escape death today."
After his anger subsided, Tang Jiutian quickly regained his composure and waved his hand to his subordinates, saying, "Use your Tang sabers to wash away the shame of the Tang Sect."
"Swish, swish, swish—"
At Tang Jiutian's command, the three thousand Tang Sect disciples simultaneously drew their Tang sabers and surged towards Shen Lang and his companions like a tide.
However, a bizarre scene soon unfolded. As the three thousand men approached Shen Lang, they suddenly collapsed, falling limp and utterly unable to move.
"What... what is happening?"
Witnessing this strange spectacle, Tang Jiutian's eyes widened as he shouted.