"Clang!"
Xiang Mantang's attack, like a giant hammer striking a bell, emitted a series of deafening, resonant sounds.
The golden, bowl-shaped protective shield before them visibly trembled, rippling with waves that surged in all directions!
"Boom!"
With just one attack from Xiang Mantang, the Tianhe Sword Sect's Mountain Protection Array had not yet been breached. Suddenly, a magnificent palace atop the majestic mountains emitted a loud noise, followed by a surge of momentum that rose like billowing smoke!
"Ha!"
A sound like thunder, long-lasting and endless, erupted.
Then, San Liu and Jian Ruyan, among others, watched with intense gazes as a middle-aged man, dressed in ancient clothes, his solemn face filled with anger, slowly walked out from the palace and then leaped from the cliffside.
To everyone's amazement, the man did not plummet straight down from the edge of the cliff as if he were weightless. Instead, it was as though there were solid ground beneath his feet, allowing him to step through the air toward them!
"Is he a God Realm master?!"
"To induce Heaven and Earth Vital Energy to tread through the air, this is a true God Realm master!"
San Liu and Zeus, among others, became even more solemn as they saw the middle-aged man approaching, speaking in a deep voice.
Although Xiang Mantang also had a serious expression, he did not cease his attacks, continuing to form Fist Seals with his hands and throwing a punch into the void in front of him!
"Boom!"
An intangible yet perceptible shocking punch struck directly onto the protective shield, where golden ripples continuously spread. Suddenly, the shield, which seemed as solid as a fortress, began to crack all over with a series of crackling sounds!
"Crack, crack, crack…"
"Bang!"
As Xiang Mantang launched another punch, the golden protective shield finally could no longer bear the burden and burst open with a loud explosion!
However, it did not shatter into countless fragments that would scatter and hurt others like glass.
The shield exploded, and the golden, bowl-shaped protection that had covered the entire mountain range disappeared completely!
"Who dares to cause trouble at my Tianhe Sword Sect?!"
The middle-aged man advanced step by step through the air toward everyone, but he could not stop Xiang Mantang from breaking the Mountain Protection Array of his Tianhe Sword Sect in time.
Thus, after shouting angrily, he halted his steps, standing firmly upon the void, his eyes wary and angry as he stared at Xiang Mantang.
Although he could not discern Xiang Mantang's exact strength, anyone capable of breaking the Tianhe Sword Sect's Mountain Protection Array with three punches was undoubtedly at the level of the God Realm!
Hence, he did not act rashly.
"Are you the Tianhe Sword Sect's ancestor?" Xiang Mantang asked, after displaying his strength by breaking the Mountain Protection Array, not immediately engaging the opponent.
The middle-aged man nodded and said, "Yes, I am Lu Yuan, the Supreme Elder of the Tianhe Sword Sect."
After speaking, Lu Yuan suppressed his anger and questioned, "And you, sir, who are you, and why do you lead people to cause trouble at my Tianhe Sword Sect?"
Xiang Mantang replied gravely, "Tiance True Dragon of the Dragon King Hall, Xiang Mantang!"
Although he considered himself just managing the Dragon King Hall and the true Tiance True Dragon was still Mu Jinyu, at this critical moment of confrontation, if he only introduced himself with the title of Beidou Tianshu, it would seem too modest. Therefore, he claimed the title of Tiance True Dragon for the time being.
"The new Dragon King of the Dragon King Hall?!"
Although Lu Yuan had always resided within the Kunlun Ruins, he was not cut off from the outside world and was well aware of the reputation of the Dragon King Hall and the identity of Xiang Mantang.
"Our wells do not interfere with your river, what business does the Dragon King have with me?"
Lu Yuan, having heard Xiang Mantang's self-introduction, swept his gaze across the figures of Jian Ruyan, Zeus, San Liu, and Nameless, all masters at the peak of Energy Transformation behind him, eyes revealing traces of apprehension as he spoke up to inquire.
Xiang Mantang, hands clasped behind his back, looked coldly at Lu Yuan, saying, "A disciple from your sect, Shen Cangsheng, was once the Tianquan Hall Master of Dragon King Hall, but out of jealousy, he killed my predecessor, the Dragon King. I am here for you to hand over this traitor and the accomplices who accompanied him in ambushing the Dragon King that day!"
"Hmm?! Is that so?!"
Upon hearing Xiang Mantang's words, Lu Yuan's eyes narrowed, and he suddenly felt that things were difficult.
Regarding the fact that someone from his sect held a significant position within Dragon King Hall, he had heard about it, but hadn't paid attention to who it was.
Therefore, he was not clear whether it was as Xiang Mantang had said.
"Dragon King, please wait here for a moment! I will return shortly!"
Lu Yuan knew that if Xiang Mantang was not lying, then Dragon King Hall coming over today to settle scores would undoubtedly lead to a fierce battle if he couldn't provide a reasonable explanation!
Accordingly, after speaking with Xiang Mantang, he rapidly turned, stepped on air, and made his way back to the palace on the peak!
And this time, he was much faster than before.
Soon, Lu Yuan returned to his Supreme Elder's palace and then issued an order for the Sect Leader of the Tianhe Sword Sect to come to him quickly.
"Great Elder, when did you summon your junior?"
The Sect Leader of the Tianhe Sword Sect, a middle-aged man with a goatee, entered the grand hall, immediately knelt on one knee, and respectfully called out to Lu Yuan, who was seated on a grand master's chair.
"I ask you, is there a disciple named Shen Cangsheng in our sect?"
Lu Yuan looked down at the Sect Leader, his tone deep as he asked.
The Sect Leader, startled by Lu Yuan's question, hurriedly responded, "Yes, he is my disciple, with considerable talent, and has already reached the Completion Stage of Energy Transformation..."
"Really?" Lu Yuan's gaze deepened as he continued, "Is he a Sub-hall Master in Dragon King Hall?"
"Yes!" The Sect Leader, not understanding why the Supreme Elder would ask such a question, still nodded affirmatively.
"Summon Shen Cangsheng and the disciples who followed him out of the Kunlun Ruins recently. Come with me!"
Lu Yuan abruptly stood up, said no more, clasped his hands behind his back, and walked to the window of the grand hall, looking out at the scenery outside, his expression inscrutable, lost in thought.
While the Sect Leader was about to inquire whether the enemy who had breached the Mountain Protection Array had been dealt with, he heard Lu Yuan summoning him to find Shen Cangsheng. His heart sank, knowing that Shen must have caused great trouble.
Not daring to ask more, he hurriedly left to find Shen Cangsheng and the Outer Sect Disciples and Miscellaneous Disciples who had been called out by Shen a short time ago.
He remembered those disciples somewhat—some had died, and some had returned alive. At that time, he had even blamed Shen Cangsheng!
Soon, within about the time it takes to finish a cup of tea, the Sect Leader brought Shen Cangsheng and a group of people to the Elders' Hall.
"Come with me."
Lu Yuan glanced at Shen Cangsheng and, without speaking further, walked outside with his hands behind his back.
Shen Cangsheng felt very nervous because he noticed that all the people summoned by the Sect Leader were those he had gathered last time to ambush Xiang Mantang.
'What's happening? Could it be that they have traced us to the Kunlun Ruins?'
'It shouldn't be!'
'Mu Jinyu, that fellow, is at most at the Peak of Energy Transformation. Having just caused trouble here, the Great Elder would surely have slapped him dead!'
As Shen Cangsheng's thoughts raced, his mood grew heavier.