1

Ma FenFang was in quite the panic. With Teng Jian off on some kind of mission and Teng Wuying, the branch's normal leader, having been suddenly called back to the main sect, she was nominally in command as the highest realmed cultivator for the Jade Chameleon Sect remaining in Sixth Flawless Flowing City.

Her specialty was combat, not administration. And certainly not making decisions that impacted the sect's reputation. In fact, she'd never before been put in charge. It was unfortunate that the first instance was just in time for a crazy person to attack the administration building and issue an insane ultimatum.

"Do we evacuate the juniors, Elder Ma?" Teng Wuying's subordinate said.

"If this turns out to be a bluff or a ruse, an evacuation will make us look like idiots. What do we know?"

"The cultivator used a flying sword, so he is obviously well into the Golden Core realm. No one sensed him, so it's possible he's advanced even higher. The lightning strike was strong and utilized a Concept, but it wasn't overwhelming."

"How strong?" Ma FenFang said.

"Within five percent of breaking through the shield."

Those indicators all were definite proof that the man could present a serious threat.

Ma FenFang felt her forehead crinkle as she pondered the situation. "What about his claim to have killed three Golden Core cultivators that we sent against some sect I never heard of?"

"It's possible. Someone killed Teng Chun recently, and when Teng Jian came out of seclusion, he gathered two allies and departed, presumably seeking vengeance."

Ma FenFang spent most of her time sparring, cultivating, and practicing weapons. She had vaguely heard that Ting Chung had died. Maybe? If so, it was just a murmured rumor, and she'd heard nothing about Teng Jian going after the killer.

Was it possible that the madman had killed Teng Jian? Yes. Was it probable? No. On the other hand, she had to treat it like it was a fact as she lacked evidence to the contrary.

"We cannot and will not abandon the sect. How many golden core cultivators do we have in the city?" Ma FenFang said.

"Fifteen counting you."

Numerically speaking, fifteen Golden Core cultivators were an impressive force, but she knew that the ones left in the city besides her were not exactly the cream of the crop. Still, the sheer quantity made a formidable force with more than enough power to fight a single cultivator, even one who'd stepped into Nascent Soul.

Of course, if he were late Nascent Soul, they'd all die defending the sect, but that risk was one they'd all have to take.

The biggest question was what to do about the juniors. They were worthless in a fight between higher realmed cultivators. Leaving them in the sect grounds would only put them in danger.

"Gather all the Golden Core cultivators at the gate. Tune all formations to resist Lightning qi. Evacuate the juniors. When the madman returns, we'll make him sorry he ever challenged the Jade Chameleon Sect!"

###

Benton was more than a little nervous as he waited outside the gate of the Poison Claw Sect. He had a growing friendship with the people inside. They'd exchanged favors. They were the first to recognize him and stand behind him. Kang Ya-Ting's granddaughter, and others, helped protect the sect during the beast tide.

Bringing them into the Rising Tide Sect's mess was a horrible way to repay that friendship. Which was why Benton waited outside the gate instead of using his token to gain entrance. His actions were likely to bring trouble to everyone involved.

He felt even worse when he saw the smiling face of Kang Ya-Ting.

"Friend Su," the elder said, "greetings."

Benton cupped his hands and bowed lower than he ever had previously.

"What is this, Friend Su? Such obeisance, and you're not wearing your token. Has something happened?"

"I'm afraid it has, but perhaps that is a tale best told in a more secure environment?"

"Of course. Let's retire to my study and discuss over tea."

As Benton followed the man, he got his thoughts in order, from the beast tide to the Trials Pagoda to the incursion from the three cultivators to Ye Zan's death to the journey to the city and removing the token to the ultimatum delivered to the Jade Chameleon Sect. By the time Benton was seated with a cup in his hands, he was ready to talk, and words spilled forth from his mouth.

"I see," Elder Kang said after the torrent ended. "Well, first of all, I appreciate your consideration for my sect in trying to keep us from trouble, but we are not fair-weather friends. We will stick by you through good times and ill. It would be my preference that you continue wearing the token."

Benton smiled. It had been well within his expectations for the Poison Claw Sect to politely wash their hands of him. Such a gesture from his friend warmed his heart.

Then again, he wasn't a complete idiot. He knew that there were reasons the sect's leadership had made the decision it did, and little if any of it had to do with the goodness of their respective hearts. Access to heaven grade techniques and cultivations methods and the Trials Pagoda were all incredible incentives without which they may have decided completely differently.

Still, that they stood beside him did mean something. No matter the ulterior motives, he appreciated not having to navigate the difficult waters ahead alone. To that end, it was time to take advantage of his friend's knowledge.

Benton removed the token from his ring and pinned it to his robe again. "I am so happy to hear you say that, Friend Ya-Ting." He sighed. "So exactly how much trouble have I caused?"

"First of all, how confident are you in your ability to handle whatever force the Jade Chameleons put together to defend their territory?"

 "Extremely. There is no one in the city that I cannot defeat, and I have serious doubts that everyone combined could match me, including the City Lord's forces and your own."

Benton might have been overstating his combat prowess, but he didn't think so. Not having to protect innocents meant he could go all out, and the power he could bring to bear was formidable. There were no Nascent Souls nearby, meaning no auras to compete against, and all potential opponents most likely only had a single Concept to fight with, if that many.

He was strong and versatile. Even if he had to retreat and come back, picking them off one by one was certainly possible. There just didn't seem to be a reasonable way for the enemy to compete.

Then again, there was many a slip twixt the cup and the lip. It wouldn't do to be too overconfident.

Benton shrugged. "I could be wrong. There are many things on this planet I haven't yet seen." He laughed. "There are probably more that I haven't seen than that I have, despite my years. Still, let's just say that I'm tougher than I look."

For the first time since he'd met the man on the other side of the table, Kang Ya-Ting appeared nervous. His fingers twitched, however minutely, and his eyes widened.

"Nihility," the man whispered.

Benton couldn't exactly say anything to the contrary since he'd worked hard in the past to establish just that misunderstanding, but he was starting to feel bad about that particular deception. "Regardless of my realm, I do feel some degree of confidence about defeating all who I've sensed here in the city."

"And the Nascent Souls back in the main sects and the Emperor's palace?"

"To be perfectly honest, I haven't had the opportunity to sense them, so I can't say for sure."

"But you honestly don't fear them?" Kang Ya-Ting said.

Benton paused for a moment, considering. The battle with the rank ten beast had been somewhat challenging, and he didn't relish the thought of going against another aura. Having his abilities restricted wasn't fun. Additionally, a cultivator was likely to have more up his sleeve than the beast did, making the fight much more challenging.

That being said, depending on the circumstances, Benton's ability to use any qi type along with a Concept and create techniques and bring them to Mastery on the fly gave him tremendous flexibility surely unmatched by any potential opponents.

"I'm not saying that fighting the greatest cultivators on the continent would be a piece of cake or anything, but fear them?" Benton said. "No. I can't say that I do."

That didn't mean he wasn't wary of them, especially in numbers. He definitely needed to step up recruitment in order to fulfill the requirements to advance in realm as soon as he possibly could.

Kang Ya-Ting gave a brief shake of his head. "The Poison Claw Sect stands with you, and no matter how the matter concludes, your manner of confronting the Jade Chameleon Sect has made them an enemy."

Benton nodded. That was fine. The Jade Chameleons had made him an enemy by killing one of his. Frankly, he didn't give a rat's ass about giving them any face under the circumstances.

"The other two factions are more up in the air," Kang Ya-Ting said. "The Swift Blizzard Sect will act in whatever manner appears to give them the biggest advantage. Whether that is to join with the Jade Chameleons, to befriend you, or to stay neutral is something that I honestly can't answer. What is your disposition toward them?"

"Completely impartial at this point. I literally can't remember coming into contact with any of their members. I'm not seeking enemies, though. If you think a gift or something would help, I would be open to that idea."

"I will discuss with my sect leadership and give you a recommendation," Kang Ya-Ting said.

"That leaves the City Lord, then."

"Yes. That one is both more and less problematic. He won't care about your sect or your individual power or how any of that impacts the balance of power between the three sects. As long as you don't try to recruit in the city, none of that really affects him. The disturbance you caused today, however…"

Benton knew it. He should have gone down to city hall to fill out those forms! Could there really be a Destruction of Sect Grounds Permit? "How bad?"

"To this point, all you've really done is bypass the gate guards, a trivial matter for one possessing true power. Threats don't really matter. Following through with those threat, on the other hand, means real trouble brewing. I don't suppose you're willing to relent and call the sect before a city tribunal instead?"

Benton barked out a harsh laugh.

"Yeah." Kang Ya-Ting sighed. "I didn't think so."