Ling Tian's private jet landed at the southern suburbs airport of Jingcheng. This was originally a military airport, but after Jingcheng's new airport became operational, it was repurposed for cargo planes and private jets.
As soon as Ling Tian stepped off the tarmac, a figure rushed towards him and embraced him tightly. Ling Tian's body stiffened, feeling a bit awkward. The person who had lunged at him was none other than Zhang Caifeng.
"Ling Tian, I've missed you terribly!" Zhang Caifeng expressed her longing without any reservation.
"Uh, I've missed you too!" Ling Tian awkwardly put his arm around Zhang Caifeng's shoulders and patted her back.
"Caifeng, this isn't the place for reminiscing. Please take me to the headquarters of the Righteous Alliance. I have very important matters to report. Once everything is settled, we'll have plenty of time to catch up."
Zhang Caifeng nodded obediently and led Ling Tian to a car. The fact that the car could drive directly onto the tarmac demonstrated the immense influence of the Righteous Alliance.
Two hours later, the car arrived at a secret complex in the suburbs of Jingcheng. In a conference room there, Ling Tian met Xie Liheng. To his surprise, Xuan Yuanjie, Zhuge Tianji, Su Dacheng, and several other high-ranking officials of the Righteous Alliance were present. There were also a few leaders Ling Tian had never met before.
Although Zhang Caifeng wanted to follow, the meeting's high level meant she was not qualified to attend. She was reluctantly left outside.
The conference room featured a long table. Ling Tian was assigned a seat right next to Xie Liheng, the chairman. It was evident that Ling Tian was the focus of this meeting.
As the meeting began, Xie Liheng first praised Ling Tian for his actions on Hell Paradise Island.
It could be said that Ling Tian had saved everyone's lives on the island.
Many of the participants in this expedition were the cream of the younger generation from various prominent families in Huaxia. If they had all perished on the island, those families would undoubtedly have voiced their displeasure and even caused trouble for the Righteous Alliance behind the scenes.
With the connections and inexhaustible methods of those prominent families, they could have made Xie Liheng and his colleagues' lives very difficult.
Ling Tian felt a bit helpless. He hadn't come to receive praise, but to report something.
Fortunately, Xie Liheng came to his rescue by asking about the purpose of his visit.
Ling Tian chose his words carefully and then asked, "Have there been any recent developments in your investigation of the unorthodox factions?"
All eyes turned to a man at the table. This man, in his early fifties, had a stern expression, and his Zhongshan suit was impeccably neat.
His name was Long Ming. He hailed from an ancient Huaxia family, the Long family.
Compared to other prominent families, the Long family's foundation was slightly weaker. However, in recent years, their development had been remarkably rapid.
The Long family had achieved significant success in business, and their influence in the commercial sector even surpassed that of other major families.
Furthermore, the Long family maintained a vast intelligence network, and much of the intelligence within the Righteous Alliance was obtained through their channels.
"Ling Tian, by your rank, you are not qualified to attend this meeting at all.
Allowing you to participate is already an exception. I trust you understand the high level of this meeting.
Also, you are aware of the confidentiality protocols. You must not disclose anything related to this meeting to the outside..."
Long Ming said with a stern face, looking as if he had been wronged. Ling Tian disliked his attitude, but since he was a leader, Ling Tian could only nod repeatedly to appease him.
"Alright, I understand. I will not reveal a single word to the outside!"
Long Ming then nodded. He opened a folder and continued, "We have been monitoring the movements of the unorthodox factions. Especially after those individuals returned from Hell Paradise Island, they began to move their bases frantically, and then they vanished...
However, many minor sects and fringe organizations that were previously unknown in the martial world are now stirring. We suspect that the unorthodox factions are behind these sects and small organizations..."
After Long Ming finished speaking, the conference room fell silent. The disappearance of the unorthodox factions was not a good sign, as it implied they were brewing some shocking conspiracy.
Moreover, the unorthodox factions had become smarter in recent years. Instead of engaging in unrestrained slaughter as before, they had learned to co-opt and assimilate forces within the martial world.
After all, the unorthodox factions had a history of thousands of years and had accumulated considerable resources. Their wealth and cultivation techniques that promised rapid advancement were highly attractive!
On the other hand, the number of people in the martial world who recognized the Righteous Alliance was decreasing. Some even considered it a laughable organization that was more or less irrelevant.
Ling Tian spoke up, "Everyone, I have news regarding the unorthodox factions!
Just a few days ago, people from the unorthodox factions, to be more precise, members of the Heavenly Demon Sect, attacked the headquarters of the Misty Rain Pavilion...
Thirteen people died at the Misty Rain Pavilion's headquarters, five were seriously injured, and over a dozen sustained minor injuries..."
Upon hearing the name "Heavenly Demon Sect," everyone present wore grim expressions.
The members of the unorthodox factions were generally reclusive and found it difficult to unite. Therefore, the Righteous Alliance had always dealt with them by breaking them down one by one, making them relatively easier to handle.
However, in the past few years, the situation had changed. An organization called the Heavenly Demon Sect had begun to unify and organize these unorthodox factions.
It was well known that these unorthodox factions lacked any sense of cooperation; they only exploited and schemed against each other.
The only way to bring such individuals together was through overwhelming strength, forcing them to submit!
Once these individuals were united, dealing with them would no longer be an easy task.
Furthermore, there was an uncertain factor: the Misty Rain Pavilion. This organization was so mysterious that the Righteous Alliance could not determine whether its members were righteous or evil.
"This time, the Heavenly Demon Sect was led by one of their Thirteen Protectors, the Demoness Yulia, and another individual, the disciple of the Gu King, Li Fei!
Coincidentally, I was at the Misty Rain Pavilion's headquarters at the time, so I intervened. Yulia was injured, and the Ghost Blade Sect disciples who served as cannon fodder, along with the Ghost Blade Sect Leader Ma Chenglong, were eliminated by me!
In addition, the Gu King's disciple, Li Fei, was also eliminated by me!"
Upon hearing this, the faces of those present immediately lit up with joy. The Gu King was an old man with extremely sinister methods, and he had caused immense trouble for the Righteous Alliance!