Chapter 174 One Person Short

At the peak of the Chunjiang Tower lay a vast flat ground, spanning about a hundred zhang in all directions.

Here, fourteen seats were arranged, obviously prepared for the fourteen sect masters.

At this moment, Yan Beitang, Shangguan Yin, Ouyang Wentian, Yunxia Xianzi, Lei Tiangang, and Beilin Hai had all taken their seats, except for one person standing in front of an empty seat, not yet seated.

It was none other than Mo Wenjian.

He represented Ye Wujin.

Originally, the arriving sect masters were all staring at Mo Wenjian, preparing to speak, but the arrival of Muyu Luo attracted their attention.

"Muyu Luo, why isn't your elder brother Muyu Ye here?" Yan Beitang narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing Muyu Luo.

"My elder brother is currently in seclusion, attempting to break through to the Intermediate Saint Martial Realm. He couldn't come today, so I'm here to stand in. Is there a problem? Am I not worthy enough?" Muyu Luo walked directly to a seat and leisurely took his place.

His words left several sect masters unable to refute.

The top twelve seats of the Imperial List marked a watershed, a boundary between the Double and Triple Saint Martial Realms. Despite the seemingly small difference between twelfth and thirteenth place, it represented a gap in realms.

Although Muyu Luo wasn't a sect master, he was no weaker than any of the others present.

At this moment, a gust of wind sounded, and three warships descended from the sky, each bearing a different emblem and several large characters.

Yinsha Valley!

Fengming Pavilion!

Xuanming Sect!

The three major sects of Biyou came together.

Many sect masters prepared to stand up, but upon seeing the leaders on the warships, their gazes flickered with curiosity and surprise.

"Cold Muye, Feng Lingchen, Xuan Fengming, why are you here? Where are your sect masters?" These three were all Double Saint Martial Realm experts within their respective sects, holding positions as elders, but not sect masters.

Before there was the Taichu Sect, now it was the three Biyou sects sending elders instead of the sect masters. What was going on?

"Our sect master is currently attempting to break through to the Fifth Saint Martial Realm and cannot be disturbed. Please forgive us for this inconvenience," Cold Muye landed and bowed, expressing his apology.

"My sect master is also in a similar situation."

Feng Lingchen and Xuan Fengming followed suit, bowing their heads in apology.

"Hmph!" Both Lei Tiangang and Beilin Hai snorted coldly.

They also hailed from the Upper Yins, but besides them, the other sects sent elders instead of their sect masters, citing seclusion and breakthroughs in realms as excuses.

Who would believe such excuses?

There must be some hidden agenda behind this.

Could it be that they wanted them to test Ye Wujin? If they won, the interests of the Four Yins could be minimized, but if they lost, their foundations would still remain intact.

It was truly playing a good hand.

Moreover, if one sect master didn't show up, they would inevitably face resistance from other sects, but now, with four sect masters absent, how could they resist? Perhaps the other side would stand with them.

They had agreed to simultaneously confront the thirteen sects, but someone was playing tricks behind the scenes. How could these sect masters not be angry?

"Please don't be angry, fellow sect masters. Our sect master has instructed us that we will spare no effort in this matter and will cooperate with you fully. Afterward, Yinsha Valley will not seek any benefits." Cold Muye reiterated.

Feng Lingchen and Xuan Fengming also expressed their stance, and even Muyu Luo did the same, which eased the expressions of the other sect masters a little.

Only Mo Wenjian remained grim-faced.

Cold Muye's words were cryptic, but how could he not understand? Today, the No Boundaries Palace would face an unprecedented crisis.

"Three sects, no, four sects are still missing." Yan Beitang, as the host, called for everyone to take their seats and glanced at the three empty chairs, casting a meaningful glance at Mo Wenjian.

Just then, laughter echoed in the sky.

"The world is ever-changing, and the secrets of heaven are hard to find. Watching the river from the top of the Chunjiang Tower, the waves will sift out the heroes."

Several rays of light streaked across the sky, descending upon the Chunjiang Tower.

"Situ Junyu, Jian Yunque, Youyu Tong."

Everyone looked at the three leaders, all Double Saint Martial Realm experts, but not the masters of Situ Mountain, Sword Spirit Valley, or the Silent Phantom Mansion.

"Are your sect masters also in seclusion, attempting to break through to higher realms?" Without waiting for the three to explain, Lei Tiangang spoke first, his words carrying a hint of sarcasm and anger.

With seven sect masters absent, it was inevitable that people would feel they were being played. How could they not be angry?

"Huh?" Situ Junyu and the others were slightly stunned.

"No need to be curious. Their sect masters are also in seclusion." Lei Tiangang pointed to Cold Muye and the others, making Situ Junyu and the others feel a little embarrassed.

"Are all the people here?" Situ Junyu quickly changed the subject and asked.

He didn't explain, and no one dared to question. The Three Ghosts were the three strongest sects in the Nine You, especially Situ Mountain, which was already the strongest sect.

If one of their sects acted like this, the others could still resist together, but now seven sect masters were absent. Even if they were angry, what could they do?

"We're still missing one person." Yan Beitang spoke up.

"Oh?"

Situ Junyu sat down calmly, then looked at Mo Wenjian and said, "Isn't this Mo Wenjian, the master of the Wandao Sword Sect?"

"I'm no longer the sect master. Now I'm just an elder of the No Boundaries Palace." Although Mo Wenjian's expression was grim, he wouldn't back down since he dared to stand here. He responded calmly.

"A dignified member of the top fourteen of the Imperial List, yet you don't even have a seat. It's somewhat ridiculous. Why don't you sit down? The Wandao Sword Sect is still the Wandao Sword Sect." Situ Junyu spoke softly, with a hidden meaning, trying to provoke Mo Wenjian.

Mo Wenjian sneered inwardly, saying, "Whether I can sit down today depends on you all."

"Oh, what do you mean?" Situ Junyu was curious. He thought Mo Wenjian would refuse forcefully, but unexpectedly, there seemed to be some room for negotiation. Could it be that Mo Wenjian was forced to surrender to Ye Wujin?

This possibility wasn't nonexistent.

After all, even the Dansheng Palace had been destroyed. How could the Wandao Sword Sect resist Ye Wujin? Perhaps, for self-preservation, Mo Wenjian had to be so restrained.

Unfortunately, he was overthinking it.

Just listen to Mo Wenjian saying, "It's simple. As long as you all make way, there will be an extra seat, and naturally I'll be able to sit down."

"Insolence!"

Mo Wenjian's words instantly drew angry shouts from many strong individuals.

The phrase "make way" was not merely literal; it heralded destruction.

Mo Wenjian was being too audacious, daring to threaten.

"Mo Wenjian, it seems you've grown senile, speaking such ridiculous words and following behind a mere child, forgetting how formidable the Nine Abyss is."

"We thought you might have reasons, but it seems you've long lost your senses."

"Considering our past relations, we can still give you a chance to calm down and think things over."

The leaders of various sects and powerful martial artists around, each with their own words, filled with mockery, disdain, and sarcasm, shook their heads incessantly.

They hadn't even taken action yet, and Mo Wenjian was already so arrogant; it was truly laughable.

Yet Mo Wenjian remained silent.

He had long realized that there would be a crisis today. If they yielded, would the Thirteen Sects really let the Infinite Palace go unchecked?

The answer was, of course, no.

Everything would be settled with strength.