"What, cultivators from our Laojun Peak are to be governed by the imperial court?"
"Absurd! How can the imperial authority govern us cultivators?"
"Unacceptable, absolutely unacceptable!"
...
The cultivators of Laojun Peak were in an uproar.
They all declared that they would never accept it!
"We would rather die than become lackeys of the imperial court!"
The cultivators of Laojun Peak had always been proud.
They were the epitome of 'unyielding'!
In the 'Cultivation World,' Laojun Peak was notorious for being stubborn and difficult to deal with!
That was why the 'Imperial Observatory of the Great Xin Dynasty' had dispatched a large army to conquer them. Other sects wouldn't have received such special treatment!
The 'hook-nosed general' snorted and sneered.
"Fools of Laojun Peak, get this straight. We cultivators of the Imperial Observatory are the imperial court's hounds and lackeys. You are not even worthy of being dogs; you are merely commoners!"
Utterly shameless!
Without any moral compass!
This 'hook-nosed general,' who called himself a 'lackey of the imperial court,' was not ashamed but rather proud of it!
He preened, as if serving as a 'dog' for the imperial court was a glorious matter.
"I apologize, but we cultivators of Laojun Peak are accustomed to freedom and cannot tolerate restraint!"
Elder Jing Yuan, the leader of the three elders of Laojun Peak, who had been silent, stepped forward. His gaze was sharp, and he said in a deep voice.
"Whether it is the Great Xin Dynasty or the Imperial Observatory, we cultivators of Laojun Peak will not submit. Please leave!"
The 'hook-nosed general' was furious.
"Old man, don't be foolish! I've already shown you mercy. Believe it or not, without Lord Zhang Xin having to act, I alone can annihilate the three elders of your Laojun Peak!"
The 'hook-nosed general' took a step forward, his demeanor menacing.
The eight hundred soldiers behind him stepped forward simultaneously, roaring.
"Roar! Roar! Roar! Kill!"
The 'White Bone Dragon Dharma Idol' in the sky also erupted, roaring at the sky, its killing intent boundless!
Facing the threat of the 'hook-nosed general,' Elder Jing Yuan displayed an unyielding spirit.
He stood tall, looking coldly at the 'hook-nosed general,' and said in a deep voice.
"I admit you are powerful, but there are no cowards among the cultivators of Laojun Peak! Even if we die, we will never submit, never!"
These words were powerful and resonant.
The cultivators of Laojun Peak were greatly encouraged and shouted.
"Yes, we will never submit!"
"The cultivators of Laojun Peak will never be slaves!"
"If you want war, then war it is!"
...
The 'hook-nosed cultivator' was almost seething with anger!
A bunch of people who didn't know their place!
You're not afraid of death, are you?
Fine, I'll turn this place upside down!
"All soldiers, listen to my command, and... kill!"
Before the last word of "kill" could be uttered, a faint voice was heard from the sinister middle-aged man Zhang Xin.
"Gou Ying, step down!"
His voice was not loud but carried supreme authority.
The 'hook-nosed general,' who was filled with killing intent and had been ready to unleash a massacre, immediately ceased his aggression upon hearing Zhang Xin's command and obediently stood aside.
This fellow was named 'Gou Ying' (meaning 'dog eagle'), which explained why he took pride in being a 'hound and lackey' of the imperial court. His obedience did not betray his name.
A life-and-death confrontation was suppressed in this manner.
Elder Jing Yuan couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
Excellent!
Frankly speaking, Elder Jing Yuan did not wish to clash with the 'imperial army' and engage in a life-and-death battle.
The strength of the 'imperial army' was truly immense, especially their 'Dao soldiers and generals,' whose combat prowess was simply heaven-defying!
If a real fight broke out, Laojun Peak would have no chance of winning.
The entire sect might even be wiped out.
It was best not to fight!
Of course, this did not mean that Elder Jing Yuan agreed to grovel and submit to the 'Imperial Observatory.'
As he had said earlier, submission was out of the question. Laojun Peak's backbone was unyielding, and they would never be slaves!
If the 'imperial army' pushed them too far and forced Laojun Peak to submit, they would fight to the bitter end.
Even if they died in battle, they would defend their dignity and freedom!
"Sect Master, why haven't you returned yet? At this critical moment, we need you to take charge!"
Elder Jing Yuan thought to himself.
The Sect Master of Laojun Peak, Tie Shan Kao, had gone to attend the 'Sacred Land Assembly' and had not yet returned.
If Tie Shan Kao were present, the unity of Laojun Peak would be strengthened, and they would have more confidence and strength to resist the 'imperial army.'
Just as Elder Jing Yuan was contemplating how to contact their Sect Master, Tie Shan Kao, the sinister middle-aged man Zhang Xin calmly extended his palm and beckoned gently.
Immediately, two 'imperial court cultivators' flew over, bringing another person with them.
That person was heavily injured, disheveled, and utterly pathetic.
However, as soon as he appeared, the cultivators of Laojun Peak were shocked and enraged!
"Heavens!"
"Sect Master!"
"Sect Master Tie Shan Kao!"
...
The entire place erupted.
Elder Dai Heng, one of the three elders of Laojun Peak, exploded in anger!
"Roar! Roar! Roar!"
His eyes turned red, and he roared repeatedly.
"Scoundrels, you imperial hounds! How dare you ambush our Sect Master and gravely injure him? I'll fight you to the death!"
Saying this, Elder Dai Heng rushed forward, intending to fight Zhang Xin to the death.
Zhang Xin, the sinister middle-aged man, did not take Elder Dai Heng seriously at all.
A disdainful sneer played on his lips.
Zhang Xin himself was at the 'Grand Completion Stage of Nascent Soul,' the same realm as Elder Dai Heng, one level higher than the 'hook-nosed general Gou Ying.'
However, Zhang Xin's personal army numbered three thousand, and their 'White Bone Dao Soldiers' were even more elite and powerful than Gou Ying's.
His strength far surpassed Gou Ying's.
Gou Ying alone could crush Elder Dai Heng.
Zhang Xin could defeat Elder Dai Heng with just a single finger.
Of course, such a task would not require Zhang Xin to act personally.
Gou Ying took a step forward, blocking Elder Dai Heng. He sneered.
"Old man, you don't know your place. Today, I'll smash you!"
Gou Ying, well-versed in the art of 'sycophancy in officialdom,' decided to perform well in front of Zhang Xin, hoping for a promotion.
The thought of 'getting promoted and becoming rich' excited Gou Ying immensely, and his sneer widened.
Meanwhile, Elder Dai Heng was blinded by rage.
He was already a hot-headed individual. Now, with his blood boiling, he cared for nothing else. Even though he knew he was no match for Gou Ying, he charged forward recklessly.
At this critical juncture, a figure blocked Elder Dai Heng's path.
Elder Jing Yuan's voice, suppressing his anger, slowly sounded.
"Dai Heng, remain calm!"