Xiao Yunlong stood on the mountain peak, unmoving. His four generals naturally wouldn't speak rashly, merely standing silently behind him.
However, the disciples of the three major sects on the opposite side of the valley had already begun to stir. Even their high-ranking members felt a growing sense of unease.
"What should we do, Abbot? What should we do now?" Master Mingfei, the head of the Arhat Hall, asked through gritted teeth.
Abbot Master Mingjing sighed helplessly, clasping his hands together. "Even our ancestors were killed by him. How would I know what to do!"
"Then, should we flee for now?" the head of the Arhat Hall asked softly, his voice betraying a lack of confidence.
Abbot Master Mingjing did not scold him. After all, many disciples in the sect had already taken the opportunity to escape down the mountain.
The bald old monk let out a Buddhist chant with a wry smile, "As the saying goes, a monk can run, but his temple cannot."
The head of the Arhat Hall was stunned, as the proverb was too fitting.
Unexpectedly, Abbot Master Mingjing suddenly waved his hand and said, "However, you've just given me an idea. While there's still time, quickly take the elite disciples of the sect and escape down the mountain to safety!"
"For me to lead the disciples down the mountain, isn't that a bit inappropriate?" the head of the Arhat Hall asked in surprise.
"This is unavoidable. This King of Zhenbei is a butcher who kills without blinking. He even killed the ancestors of the three major sects. If he truly decides to kill, no one in the sect will be spared. To preserve our lineage, junior brother, hurry and do as I say!" Abbot Master Mingjing said with great anxiety.
The head of the Arhat Hall no longer hesitated. After nodding heavily, he immediately turned and left with utmost determination.
Master Mingjing turned to the Sect Leader of Wudang, True Person Linghe, and the Master of Longhu Mountain, Qiu Youhe, asking, "Gentlemen, do we stay here or depart now?"
True Person Linghe smiled wryly. "I wish I could leave right now, but can we? If we leave now, who knows if that butcher will bring his generals to flatten our Wudang Sect tomorrow!"
The Master of Longhu Mountain, Qiu Youhe, also shook his head repeatedly and said helplessly, "We've completely failed this time. Who would have thought this stray dog would have such terrifying strength? What else can we say at this point!"
"Shh, keep your voice down. Although there's a valley between us, that surname Xiao has formidable strength and excellent hearing. He might be able to hear us!" the Sect Leader of Wudang, True Person Linghe, said with some apprehension.
"Alright, stop talking. He's coming!" Abbot Master Mingjing of Southern Shaolin suddenly shouted.
At this moment, Xiao Yunlong was descending the ancient path with his four generals. He didn't directly fly across the valley but descended step by step, and after reaching the valley floor, he slowly ascended the opposite side.
The plaza in front of the Great Hall was no longer as crowded as before. More than half the people had already fled, but many of the high-ranking members of the three major sects still remained, including the three sect leaders.
Xiao Yunlong was not in a hurry. He ascended slowly, occasionally admiring the unique mountain scenery. The valley was filled with blooming mountain flowers and clear springs, presenting a different kind of beauty.
Tang Bowen and Jun Bufan stood at the edge of the plaza, along with the Thirty-Six Heavenly Kings and Seventy-Two Dragon Blood Guards, all standing in orderly fashion like javelins.
About half an hour later, Xiao Yunlong finally reached the plaza and walked directly towards Abbot Master Mingjing of Southern Shaolin.
The bald old monk had already prepared himself for the possibility of an attack, but Xiao Yunlong's next words completely caught him by surprise.
Xiao Yunlong said indifferently, "I heard your vegetarian meals here are quite good. What are you waiting for? Hurry and have someone prepare lunch!"
After speaking, Xiao Yunlong walked directly towards the adjacent refectory, followed closely by his four generals, Tang Bowen, and Jun Bufan.
The Thirty-Six Heavenly Kings and Seventy-Two Dragon Blood Guards remained motionless, as they had not received any orders from the King of Zhenbei, demonstrating their strict military discipline.
Watching Xiao Yunlong's retreating back, the Sect Leader of Wudang, True Person Linghe, couldn't help but ask, "What is this surname Xiao trying to do?"
"You ask me, who do I ask? I'm not inside his stomach!" the Sect Leader of Wudang, Qiu Youhe, snorted coldly.
Master Mingjing could only shake his head. "At this point, we can only take it one step at a time. I'll go prepare the vegetarian meals first, and then we'll see what he wants to do!"
The vegetarian meals were soon prepared, enough for over a hundred people, including the Thirty-Six Heavenly Kings and Seventy-Two Dragon Blood Guards outside.
"Call those three in!" Xiao Yunlong said, sitting down, and immediately began to eat heartily.
Master Mingjing, True Person Linghe, and the Master of Longhu Mountain entered one after another. However, Xiao Yunlong was engrossed in his meal and had no intention of paying them any attention for the moment.
The three could only stand by and wait silently. After a long while, the Master of Longhu Mountain, Qiu Youhe, lost his patience and grumbled, "Surname Xiao, if you want to kill or maim us, just say the word. You call us in but don't speak. What do you mean by this?"
"Three meanings!"
Xiao Yunlong spoke indifferently, but still without looking up, he said while eating, "First: the three of you cripple your own martial arts as atonement; Second: hand over the inheritance tokens of your three major sects to me for safekeeping for fifteen years. Additionally, your three major sects will send thirty disciples to the Northern Border Great Camp each year for me to incorporate!"
"Third, the three major sects must each hand over one ultimate skill. For Southern Shaolin, I want the Great Vajra Finger. For Wudang Sect, I want the Eight Trigram Swimming Dragon Palm. For Longhu Mountain, I want the Dragon Subduing Tiger Taming Fist. Remember, from now on, your three major sects cannot practice these three ultimate skills; only my Northern Border soldiers can practice them. If I find out in the future that any disciples of your three major sects are secretly practicing them, they will all be executed without mercy!"
The Master of Longhu Mountain, Qiu Youhe, immediately exclaimed, "Surname Xiao, don't you think these three conditions are too excessive? If we hand over our sect's inheritance tokens, how will the sect be passed down, and how will we issue commands in the future? Also, for the three ultimate skills, we can at most copy a duplicate for you, and you won't let our sect disciples practice them. This is simply tyrannical!"
"Especially the last condition, asking us to cripple our own martial arts, that's absolutely unacceptable!"
Xiao Yunlong finally looked up and asked the Sect Leaders of Southern Shaolin and Wudang, "Do you two feel the same way?"
The two remained silent. Of course, silence often meant tacit agreement.
Xiao Yunlong nodded and said, "Fine, since you are unwilling to cripple your own martial arts, I can give you another choice!"
"What choice?" the Sect Leader of Wudang, True Person Linghe, immediately asked.
"I can send you on your way to join your sect's ancestors!" Xiao Yunlong said coldly.
The Sect Leader of Wudang was rendered speechless on the spot.
Master Mingjing, however, said, "Benefactor Xiao, we admit defeat in this matter. As sect leaders, we naturally have no regrets. This old monk can cripple his own martial arts, but regarding the sect tokens and ultimate skills, could you..."
Before he could finish, Xiao Yunlong waved his hand to interrupt him, saying, "Listen carefully, I am not discussing this with you. These are orders. I will give you only the time it takes to eat one meal. After the meal, if I do not see your sect's inheritance tokens, I will flatten your three major sects!"
Xiao Yunlong then chuckled to himself and said, "Of course, if you doubt my strength, Xiao Yunlong, or doubt the strength of these Dragon Blood Guards, you are welcome to try and resist!"
With that, Xiao Yunlong continued to eat, leaving the three sect leaders looking at each other in dismay.
After all, even the ancestors of the three major sects had been killed by the opponent. How could the three sect leaders dare to refuse, let alone the terrifyingly powerful Dragon Blood Guards? If these Dragon Blood Guards were truly mobilized, flattening the sects would likely be effortless.
The moment Xiao Yunlong put down his chopsticks, the three sect leaders finally lowered their heads and each took out their sect's inheritance tokens from their怀中.
"Very good, you are still sensible!" Xiao Yunlong snorted coldly and glanced at Li Jiuxiao.
Li Jiuxiao understood and immediately took over the inheritance tokens of the three major sects.
"I do not have the original manual for the Eight Trigram Swimming Dragon Palm on me. I will need to return to the mountain gate to get it!" said True Person Linghe, the Sect Leader of Wudang.
"Mine as well!" the Master of Longhu Mountain added.
"Tomorrow, send someone to deliver them to the Purple Cloud Villa in Jiangdong!"
As Xiao Yunlong said this, he suddenly remembered something and asked, "By the way, I heard that someone secretly instigated and fanned the flames for the martial arts conference to讨伐 me. Who is this person?"
Master Mingjing shook his head. "This old monk does not know. On that day, the Master of Longhu Mountain personally visited and proposed this matter, and it was only then that it was agreed upon. Initially, we were not aware of it."
Xiao Yunlong then turned and looked coldly at the Master of Longhu Mountain.
Qiu Youhe immediately broke out in a cold sweat, gritted his teeth, and said, "It was Zhang Quanche of the Zhang family in Jiangdong. He was the one secretly fanning the flames and instigating. Coupled with your killing of three senior figures from Longhu Mountain, that's why..."
"Zhang Quanche?" Xiao Yunlong narrowed his eyes, a killing intent flashing in his gaze. "Where is he? Call him over immediately!"
"He already fled down the mountain long ago!" the Master of Longhu Mountain said.
"Where did he flee to? Did he go to your Longhu Mountain?" Xiao Yunlong demanded.
The Master of Longhu Mountain, Qiu Youhe, felt immense pressure, and his legs trembled involuntarily. He bowed slightly and said, "No, according to the disciples who saw him, Zhang Quanche's escape direction was not towards our Longhu Mountain, but eastward."
"Fled eastward? The Eastern Domain Great Camp!"
Xiao Yunlong slowly stood up. He faced the east, a thoughtful expression on his face.