Days of continuous travel, Ming Zhitian and the other two were on the run.
In the Dark Spring, six pharaohs knelt before a man in a black robe, afraid to speak.
Until he opened his mouth, the Left Dharma Body, Zhan Buding, said, "Even the three young masters of our Ming Tian Cult have all been killed. This is a provocation against us, against the Ming Tian Cult! Six pharaohs, how did you six become pharaohs? Hmm?"
A sense of awe and embarrassment slowly washed over them, and the six kneeling on the ground dared not even take a deep breath.
Zhan Buding stood with his hands behind his back. Seeing that the six of them remained silent, he pointed and said, "Great Pharaoh, you tell me, what exactly happened in this matter?"
The Great Pharaoh could only brace himself and lift his head. Upon meeting his gaze, he quickly dodged, not daring to look him in the eye.
He said subserviently, "Reporting to Left Dharma Body, it was a young man named Ming Zhitian who stirred up trouble. He first destroyed the Ming Tian Eight Banners, then several small branches of our Ming Tian Cult were also destroyed, and then he killed our Ming Tian Cult's three young masters, Bai Gege Bai, Hui Tian, and Xun Jiao. I treated them like my own sons, cherished them like the flesh on my palm and the back of my hand. I can never swallow this insult."
Zhan Buding said, "Is that Ming Zhitian very strong? What is his cultivation level?"
The Great Pharaoh broke out in a cold sweat. "Reporting to Left Dharma Body, he... is merely a cultivator at the third level of Shenluo Realm, not yet at the fourth level."
Zhan Buding coldly raged, "Bastards! A mere Shenluo Realm third-level cultivator managed to stir up trouble and make our Ming Tian Cult run around like headless chickens? What were you doing? Huh?!"
"Thump, thump..." The hearts of the six quickened.
The Great Pharaoh and the Second Pharaoh quickly said, "Left Dharma Body, please calm your anger!"
Zhan Buding waved his hand and snorted coldly! "It is easy to make this seat calm, but difficult to make the Underworld King calm. However... the Underworld King is not yet aware of such a trivial matter. But I dare not guarantee that the Underworld King will not be angered when he finds out."
The Great Pharaoh immediately knelt and pleaded, "Left Dharma Body! Your subordinate is willing to atone for his mistakes. With just one command from you, I will not hesitate to order someone to capture him immediately and hand him over for your personal disposal."
Zhan Buding said, "This concerns the prestige of our Ming Tian Cult, and there must be no mistakes."
The Great Pharaoh said, "Then shall I have the Fourth Pharaoh, Fifth Pharaoh, and Sixth Pharaoh personally go and capture this person?"
Zhan Buding nodded. "Let the Second Pharaoh and Third Pharaoh go as well. No, all six of you, go together. Great Pharaoh, if you do not bring that person back to the Ming Tian Cult, all six of you can die out there."
"Yes!"
...
Ling Mountain—
Ming Zhitian and the other two arrived at Ling Mountain. Ming Zhitian pointed to the mountain and said, "It's getting dark soon, and the Seven Great Provinces no longer welcome us. We have no choice but to become bandits. This is a temporary measure. I heard from Yin Fu earlier that the Three Bandits of Ling Mountain have been operating in this area. We can take over their stronghold and make it our place of refuge."
Hua Ruxian said, "Although it is undignified, we have no choice but to do so for now."
...
"Report!..."
A small subordinate went up the mountain and reported to the three chieftains sitting on tiger skins in front of the stronghold.
The First Chieftain asked, "What is it? You're in such a hurry."
The subordinate said, "N-no good, people are attacking the stronghold from below!"
The three chieftains stood up simultaneously. The Second Chieftain asked, "Wh-what? How many troops did they bring?"
The Third Chieftain asked, "Who exactly is attacking us?"
The subordinate took a breath and said, "There are... three people."
"What?" The three chieftains were stunned.