Chapter 1390: Chapter 1391 Traditional Performing Arts
“Madam should have already gone ahead. Let’s head over too.”
Fu Tiantian said casually. They were the most brilliant generation of the Villain’s Guild, and some even said they had inherited Li Xiaobai’s true teachings, becoming ageless legends, with every single one at the Saint Realm cultivation level.
“Is there anyone who doesn’t know the name Ma Niubi? Who dares claim invincibility? Who dares declare themselves undefeated?”
Ma Niubi, brimming with arrogance and lofty pride, carried the Golden Tree on his back and followed Fu Tiantian down the mountain. Behind him were ninety-nine young men and women, emanating a terrifying aura that made it clear to anyone that they were not to be trifled with.
At the foot of the mountain, a sea of people had gathered. All the Great Sects had sent experts to offer their greetings, while many others had come simply to watch the spectacle or mock the Villain’s Guild.
“Who!”
“Who dares challenge me, Ma Niubi? Step forward, and I’ll kill them first!”
Ma Niubi brazenly cradled the Golden Tree and glared at the surrounding crowd with disdain. He displayed none of the demeanor befitting a master. Before anyone in the crowd could react, he was already shouting and causing a commotion, as though desperate for someone to challenge him.
Watching from the side, Fu Tiantian furrowed his brow tightly. This idiot had no sense of dignity and prestige as a strong cultivator, tarnishing his own reputation—it made Fu Tiantian feel deeply embarrassed.
With a slap to Ma Niubi’s forehead, Fu Tiantian yanked him back.
“Madam hasn’t spoken yet. What are you shouting about?”
Fu Tiantian scolded in a hushed tone. Beside them stood an elderly woman, whose expression was as calm as an ancient well, her tranquil gaze silently surveying the crowd.
“The Hundred Saints!”
“The Villain’s Guild’s Hundred Saints have descended. Are they here to back Gang Leader Long, or to show their strength to warn the Great Sects?”
The sight of this group caused many cultivators to instinctively reach for their Space Rings and discreetly hide them back in their pockets or store them in their Dantian.
In a certain era, these youthful faces had been the nightmare of every sect. For some unknown reason, they remained ageless even to this day, stirring envy among all.
The elderly woman, clutching a Dragon Head Cane, stepped forward unhurriedly and spoke bluntly, “If you have business, present it. Otherwise, disperse!”
Her silver hair glistened, her age rivaling that of Chen Yuan. Her words carried an innate authority, exuding the aura of someone in power. Even without using her cultivation, ordinary cultivators could barely stand before her without trembling.
“Gang Leader Long, we’ve heard rumors of the Second Peak’s statue shattering and came specifically to investigate. If there’s anything we can assist with, just let us know. We will do our utmost to cooperate!”
Several cultivators stepped forward from the crowd, stealing cautious glances at Ma Niubi and the others.
They hailed from various Super Sects, drawn here upon hearing the news of Li Xiaobai’s statue fracturing.
Though they claimed to be here to help the Villain’s Guild, their true motive was to probe for information. They suspected that Li Xiaobai might have hidden some extraordinary treasure within the statue before his death, only for it to now come to light. If this were true, they were determined to get a share of it.
“Many thanks to everyone for your intentions. The statue simply fractured due to years of exposure to the elements—nothing noteworthy. Though my husband did make contributions to the Central Origin Realm, it’s unnecessary to overly mythologize him. Please don’t let it disrupt your daily lives. If there’s nothing further, you may disperse!”
The elderly woman didn’t bother giving face and directly began to dismiss them. Her meaning was clear—they were wasting time and needed to leave.
“Haha, we wouldn’t come here without good reason. After all, we’re all under the Villain’s Guild’s banner. We wouldn’t dare to disturb you esteemed elders for no pressing matter.”
One old man chuckled amiably.
“I am Sun Ze of the Five Poison Cult. I come today under orders from our Supreme Elder, seeking an explanation.”
Sun Ze spoke with a smile, though addressing Long Xue as a junior. Mentioning the Supreme Elder placed them on equal footing for discussion.
“What explanation?”
Long Xue narrowed her eyes, well-acquainted with the ways of the Great Sects over the years. Hundreds of years back, these Super Sects had sought various excuses to split from the Villain’s Guild and establish themselves as independent factions.
Although they outwardly remained respectful, she knew it was only because of the Villain’s Guild’s formidable foundation and strength. If the Hundred Saints were no longer present, the Villain’s Guild would be devoured in an instant.
Years of dealing with these powerful sects and their manipulative tactics had left her weary.
“Although it may seem inappropriate to bring this up here, now that so much time has passed, revisiting this matter shouldn’t be seen as disrespecting Senior Li.”
“Before I set out, the Supreme Elder instructed me that Senior Li, during his lifetime, borrowed something from the Five Poison Cult. Before he could return it, his life was extinguished, but it is known that the item has always been kept in the Villain’s Guild’s Scripture Pavilion at the very top. May I ask, Gang Leader Long, if you would be willing to return this item to its rightful owner?”
Sun Ze narrowed his eyes while addressing Long Xue, his words sharp and deliberate.
“What item?”
Long Xue’s lips curled into a wry smile, her aged features breaking into a strange expression.
“A cultivation technique manual. I must beg your pardon for not disclosing its name. If the Gang Leader would permit me to retrieve it from the Scripture Pavilion, I would be deeply grateful!”
“The Supreme Elder said that if Gang Leader Long can locate and return it, it would be ideal; if it cannot be found or has been lost, then so be it!”
Sun Ze laughed, as if discussing a trivial matter.
“Are you all here to demand items as well?”
Long Xue ignored him and instead directed her gaze toward the other Super Sect experts.
“Ahem, well, Gang Leader, you’re aware that although Senior Li’s mana and deeds were unmatched, he did commit a fair share of significant acts. Borrowed items, after all, must be returned—it’s been five hundred years already; it’s time they were repaid!”
The group plastered on deferential smiles, though every smile carried a latent threat.
The surrounding cultivators watching the spectacle immediately understood. The major factions were testing the Villain’s Guild’s resolve, seeking to gauge whether they were as formidable as before. Allowing outsiders to freely enter their Scripture Pavilion would signal handing over their foundational resources. If Long Xue yielded, it would show vulnerability, opening the door to further exploitation.
Though the Villain’s Guild had the Hundred Saints, these were times of prosperity. Saint Realm cultivators in the Central Origin Realm were plentiful, and new generations of prodigies were constantly rising—though the world was watching the Villain’s Guild’s top-tier power, what they truly cared about was whether their disciples and lower-level cultivators possessed sufficient successors. Without successors, their downfall would be imminent.
“So this is your intention, I see. Well, I understand now.”
“However, friends, it seems you’ve misunderstood something. Those treasures and resources weren’t borrowed by my husband; they were voluntarily offered by your sects as tributes. While your factions have since split off and established themselves, you still reside under the Villain’s Guild’s protection.”
“In other words, what’s mine is mine, and what’s yours is also mine. There is no discussion of borrowing or returning. Not to mention a trivial magic treasure or two—even your sects, even your lives, are the property of the Villain’s Guild.”
“No need for everyone to leave empty-handed. I’ll give you all some entertainment today—Chen Yuan, tie up the oldest and ugliest one here and throw them into the latrine pit!”