The crowd, filled with emotion at the sight of the objects, grew somber. Just then, a procession emerged from the east, and another from the south.
From the east, Xuanqing colored banners fluttered spiritedly, and everyone wore matching black attire, their steps steady. The leader was exceptionally dignified, exuding an aura of transcendent grace.
This man was Yuan Che, the pride of the younger generation in the Canglong Sect, the victor of the last grand competition!
The man seated atop the tall horse was even more imposing. Han Ling Shuang didn't recognize him, nor did Bai Zhan Chen.
"Senior Brother, do you know that person?"
Tang Feng swallowed hard, his face suddenly turning ashen. "That is… the Sect Leader of Canglong Sect, Mo Xing He!"
"Mo Xing He? Even that man has come?"
Hu Li Zhao's brows furrowed slightly.
Li Chi reined in his somewhat fearful and recoiling horse, his brow furrowed. "I fear they've come to cause trouble for our Sect Leader. But our Sect Leader and Saintess are protecting the sect in Xiling City and haven't come. This immense rage will likely fall upon us."
Zhang Zhe said, "Are you perhaps afraid?"
"Afraid? We are all stable in the Foundation Establishment realm now, and our internal energy has recovered to its peak. What is there to fear? Besides, don't we still have a mighty figure with us?"
As soon as he spoke, Li Chi looked back and saw that Ren Yuan Hao was still engrossed in the ancient texts of the Qing Xin Jue, completely oblivious to their conversation.
After a moment of shock and awe, the crowd shifted their gaze to the group approaching from the south.
The figures from the south were clad in black, their black banners like dark clouds overhead. They were the largest contingent, numbering at least two hundred, their momentum immense. The leader was masked, dressed in a black gown, her figure graceful. Her eyes shone like the vast expanse of stars, and she bore a stern expression. A long sword hung from her waist, its hilt intricately carved, clearly no ordinary blade.
"The Saintess of Muyun Sect, Yao Yue Sheng, has also come. That's quite rare."
Bai Zhan Chen's face finally showed a hint of a smile.
The Muyun Sect, in fact, shared a deep friendship with the Chaoyang Sect. The previous generation's Sect Leader and the previous generation's Saintess of Muyun Sect were siblings. Moreover, the female disciples of Muyun Sect were all exquisite and slender, making them the largest in number among the four great sects.
Furthermore, there had been many marital alliances between the two sects before. Bai Zhan Chen had long been fond of a junior sister in Muyun Sect named Zhou Zi Huan.
She was also present among them at this moment.
Tang Feng led his horse, urging everyone toward the gathering point. As they approached, dust swirled, and the scorching sun beat down. The closer they got to the oasis, the lower the temperature became. By the time everyone and their horses had gathered at the entrance to the restriction, a chill permeated the air.
Everyone knew this was the power of the ten-thousand-year-old ice. Even in the sweltering desert, it could gather enough cold to make one want to tighten their clothes.
Such power was precisely the force that cultivators respected most.
The Canglong Sect, being the strongest, had only their Sect Leader, True Person Mo Xing He, in attendance. Naturally, everyone deferred to him.
Mo Xing He dismounted with an ethereal grace, his demeanor transcendent.
He walked slowly to the entrance of the restriction. First, he glanced at the Chaoyang Sect's side, a trace of ferocity flashing across his face before turning to regret.
"What? Is the leader of your Chaoyang Sect only you, the Senior Brother? What is that Han Yan fellow busy with?"
Tang Feng did not dare to be presumptuous. He cupped his hands and replied, "The Sect Leader has recently had some insights. Moreover, the Grey Wolf organization in Xiling City seems to be causing some disturbance, so he is stationed in Xiling and cannot come."
"Insights? What do you mean?" Mo Xing He's brows rose slightly.
Tang Feng could not conceal his inherent pride. "Of course, he is on the verge of a breakthrough and cannot travel far."
His words, though spoken casually, were like a sharp sword hanging over everyone's heads!
"The Enlightenment Realm? That fellow has finally found his opportunity and is about to break through. Congratulations."
Although Mo Xing He's words were pleasant, his expression was extremely grim.
For among the four Sect Leaders of the four great sects, only he, Mo Xing He, had broken through to the Enlightenment Realm two years ago. The other Sect Leaders were all stuck at the peak of the Foundation Establishment realm, or even at the Half-Step Enlightenment realm. He alone stood head and shoulders above them.
However, if Han Yan also broke through to the Enlightenment Realm, the ranking of strength would likely have to be redrawn.
Fortunately, although Han Yan's own cultivation was strong, his disciples were a group of mediocre individuals, and the lineage was not prosperous. As long as there was an unforeseen circumstance, the Chaoyang Sect would sooner or later descend into an unranked sect.
He mused this in his heart, and a slight smile involuntarily appeared on his face. But just then, everyone had dismounted, yet one person remained atop the elephant.
Mo Xing He felt displeased but found it difficult to act. His senior disciple, Yuan Che, however, was as bold as a newborn calf. He shouted, "Hey, you sickly wretch! Even our Sect Leader has dismounted, yet you remain seated up there. Isn't that a bit too presumptuous?"
Seeing this, Tang Feng immediately bowed. "Please, everyone, calm your anger. Our junior brother has been suffering from a chronic illness, so he needs to rest. Please do not take offense."
In truth, the title "junior brother" was one they had come up with themselves. After all, one who was not a sect disciple had no right to enter the grand competition grounds, hence Ren Yuan Hao needed the appellation of "junior brother."
Following Tang Feng's words, everyone turned their gazes toward the man who seemed oblivious to the world's affairs.
He was clad in white, his appearance handsome, his eyes like bright stars, but his face lacked color, indeed resembling someone who had been long ill.
"Heh, such a sickly person is coming to participate in the grand competition? Is your Chaoyang Sect truly out of capable people? You're trying to have this fellow fill a spot, aren't you?"
"Exactly, exactly. Who doesn't know that your Chaoyang Sect has only forty to fifty people in total? It must be a great effort to gather seven people. Truly difficult for you."
The people from the Canglong Sect and Yuehan Sect all laughed. However, Mo Xing He, with his sharp discernment, immediately recognized Ren Yuan Hao's extraordinary nature.
"Che'er, look how respectfully these five treat him. Even Han Yan's granddaughter doesn't receive such high treatment, yet they bestow such high regard upon a newly entered junior brother. This shows that this person is no ordinary individual."
Mo Xing He's pupils narrowed slightly as he spoke softly.
The more Yuan Che looked at Ren Yuan Hao, the more displeased he became, especially at that impassive face. Although there was no expression, that very demeanor was enough to ignite the anger in his heart.
"I shall go test him!"
Mo Xing He stopped him. "Do not reveal your strength. Let the Chaoyang Sect pay a greater price, and then we can consider our revenge successful."
Yuan Che obeyed, a flash of ferocity in his eyes, and retreated back into his sect's formation.
At this moment, the Yuehan Sect and Canglong Sect successively handed over the ancient artifacts that lifted the restriction. The Saintess of Muyun Sect, Yao Yue Sheng, led Zhou Zi Huan and others to the Chaoyang Sect's side.
"Zhou Zi Huan greets all senior brothers."
The six of them bowed in return. As soon as Bai Zhan Chen's eyes fell upon Zhou Zi Huan, he could no longer look away.