Someone stepped forward.
Second-tier forces, all parties voiced their opinions.
As for the higher-ups of the first-tier forces, they remained seated, unmoving.
The interrogation continued.
"Esteemed guests," Long Ling said, "The Free City invited you here to witness the ceremony. If you are unwilling to wait, you are welcome to leave."
"We're not leaving..."
"Boom."
A powerful aura erupted from Long Ling.
Four strands of Emperor Qi.
The Emperor Qi bore down, not overwhelmingly strong, but it pressed upon the entire scene: "If you're not leaving, then stay put quietly."
"Wait if you wish, but if you don't, then scram immediately. Dare to speak out again, and you will never leave."
Her voice was ice-cold.
As soon as Long Ling finished speaking, An An appeared.
Eleven rounds of Dao Meridians illuminated, their pressure clashing.
An An, reappeared.
"Sister, who do we kill?" An An asked, her eyes filled with murderous intent.
Long Ling remained silent, her gaze sweeping across the crowd.
Who else?
...
The scene fell silent for a moment.
Second-tier forces required the presence of titled Emperors to anchor them.
However, those were the sect's deep reserves, rarely appearing, all in seclusion in various regions.
Only first-tier forces could summon titled Emperors at will.
The second-tier forces were no longer sufficient; now, it was imperative for a first-tier force to step forward.
"Heh heh."
Indeed, someone from a first-tier force let out a laugh.
Long Ling followed the sound, her pupils constricting.
In her sight, it was as if an endless flame was burning.
She saw Young Master Huo, lightly fanning himself with a folding fan, yet not rising. He smiled and said, "Fellow Daoist Long Ling, there's no need for anger. These people speak too directly. But you know, sometimes directness has its own reasons. It makes a lot of sense. Chen Fan has yet to appear, isn't that showing us a lack of respect?"
An An's gaze immediately shifted.
Young Master Huo remained unfazed. Beside him, a man's gaze met An An's.
"Buzz."
Ten rounds of Dao Meridians lit up.
Ten strands of Emperor Qi entered the Emperor's Path, a titled Emperor.
The deep reserves of a first-tier force were immediately displayed.
"Boundless Fire Domain," Long Ling said. "Are you unable to wait any longer?"
Young Master Huo did not respond, merely gazing at Long Ling.
Behind him, the titled Emperor confronted An An.
Auras surged, and their imposing presence began to clash.
"Cough cough."
A coughing sound echoed, and from another direction, an old man spoke again: "Fellow Daoist Long Ling, please have someone come out. We... have no time to wait for a junior."
Following the sound, Long Ling looked.
"Thunderclap Valley."
Long Ling recognized the force.
They specialized in the Way of Thunder, and their disciples were all of the thunder attribute.
Amidst flickering lightning, another titled Emperor unleashed his aura: "Have someone come out."
"Buzz."
Ten rounds of Dao Meridians lit up.
Another titled Emperor, joining forces with the titled Emperor of the Boundless Fire Domain, pressed towards An An.
"Tap."
An An took a step back.
"Boom."
To the north of the Free City, a powerful aura erupted.
That aura shook heaven and earth.
It was yet another titled Emperor's aura, a powerful presence spreading forth.
A voice followed: "Do you all think my Free City is devoid of strong individuals? Continuously pressuring us, do you wish for a fight?"
The person had not yet arrived, only their voice and pressure spread.
"Boom, boom, boom."
Simultaneously, powerful auras emanated one after another from various first-tier forces.
In an instant, there were six.
Six titled Emperors appeared among the first-tier forces.
Suddenly, the Free City's side fell into a disadvantage.
"This is going too far."
The Free City was not without its own powerful individuals.
From the rear, two more figures stepped forward.
This was a confrontation of titled Emperors; others were not qualified.
Ten individuals in total, six against four.
The Free City's side was at a disadvantage.
Silence.
All eyes were on Long Ling.
The Senior Sister of the Free City, what could she do in this situation?
"Tap, tap, tap."
Footsteps sounded.
From behind, the disciples of Yi Fu walked forward, one by one.
They had not yet reached the Emperor's Path realm, but they still advanced fearlessly.
"Don't come closer." Long Ling shook her head, stopping her junior brothers and sisters from approaching.
If a battle truly erupted, any number of people would be mere cannon fodder.
The disciples halted their steps.
Long Ling, however, remained composed, looking at the six hostile titled Emperors. She spoke sternly, "Are you all truly intending to provoke my Free City today?"
...
Still no sound.
Everyone looked at Long Ling with a cold smile.
So what if they were?
With City Lord Yi Fu absent, the Free City had lost its strongest pillar of support.
"Heh heh."
Long Ling showed no tension, giving a cold laugh. "Since..."
"Sigh."
At this moment, a sigh drifted over.
Following the sound, a woman appeared.
Huo Xing.
"Aren't you all being a bit excessive?" Huo Xing stepped forward, saying, "If you truly intend to fight, count me in."
Huo Xing, ultimately, chose to stand with the Free City.
At this point, a white-robed elder looked at Huo Xing and sneered, "A scattered cultivator of the Eastern Continent also wishes to interfere? Are you qualified? Yi Fu has already departed, and you have lost your backing. Do you truly believe you can still roam freely in the Eastern Continent?"
The scattered cultivators of the Eastern Continent were so active largely because Yi Fu was their patron.
Now that Yi Fu was gone, the scattered cultivator organizations had lost their support.
"Elder Gu," Huo Xing said, cupping her fists in greeting to the white-robed elder, and spoke sternly, "I don't wish to, but I must. The kindness of City Lord Yi Fu must be repaid."
A life-saving debt.
"So..." the white-robed elder smiled, gently placing down his teacup. "Are you preparing to wade into this murky water, ready for destruction?"
...
Huo Xing fell silent.
If anyone else had said this, she would not have paid it any mind. Over the years, many had tried to eliminate the scattered cultivators of the Eastern Continent, but all had ultimately failed. However, if this white-robed elder intended to destroy them, it would not be mere words.
From behind, Da Kui, who had been preparing to follow, stopped in his tracks when the white-robed elder spoke. The other scattered cultivators who were about to step forward also halted. Apart from Huo Xing, none dared to advance further.
Huo Xing's expression shifted repeatedly, and finally, she gritted her teeth fiercely. "My affairs, Huo Xing's affairs, have nothing to do with other scattered cultivators."
Since she had stepped forward, she had no intention of retreating. She also did not want to implicate others, so she had to bear it alone.
Elder Gu's gaze shifted, and finally landed on the other scattered cultivators. He smiled and said, "In that case, I, the Gu family, will hire you today. Help me kill Huo Xing, how about it?"
Killing the heart by killing the person.
Using scattered cultivators to kill scattered cultivators.
Such things had happened before, but at Huo Xing's level, it was the first time. The titled Emperors among the scattered cultivators had all emerged from the Free City. They were well acquainted with each other. Upon hearing Elder Gu's words, everyone fell silent.
"What?" the elder lightly placed down his teacup. "Do you believe my Gu family cannot afford to hire you?"
Da Kui stepped forward and said, "Elder Gu, Huo Xing is after all..."
"A path of falsehood," Elder Gu said indifferently. "Whoever kills Huo Xing will have this path of falsehood as their own."
"Whoosh."
The crowd erupted. Greed flashed in everyone's eyes. Da Kui, who had just pleaded for Huo Xing, immediately asked, "Is this true?"
Elder Gu did not answer. His word was his bond.