Ming Zhitian smiled slightly, "How can a sparrow understand the ambition of a swan."
Xiao Le merely glanced at him, "Comparing yourself to sparrows and swans, how arrogant!"
His focus wasn't on Ming Zhitian's cultivation, but on Tian Nanjie. He remained vigilant, ready for combat at any moment.
Tian Nanjie said, "Whether it's worthy or not, the Grand Sect Master will pass judgment after coming out of seclusion. Little Brother Ming, pay no mind to others, enter."
Ming Zhitian nodded and, before Xiao Le could react, vanished from his spot with a "whoosh."
"You!..." Xiao Le was completely caught off guard.
Tian Nanjie sneered, mocking him, "Xiao Le, if you're not afraid of death, you can enter."
Xiao Le cowered. Entering would suppress his cultivation from the fifth level of the Asura Realm directly to the first level of the Alchemy Realm. He wasn't about to engage in such suicidal behavior and embarrass himself!
Tian Nanjie looked at the four sect masters of his own Five Peaks Sect, "Guo Qiang, Mi Zhiren, Fan Bujin, Xian Ya, what are you waiting for? Go in and assist Little Brother Ming."
"Yes, Sect Master."
Since Ling Weiao of the Heavenly Gate had been killed by Ming Zhitian, and Jie Qingxia of the Returning Gate had been abducted by Ming Zhitian, only Guo Qiang of the Odd Gate and Xian Ya, the sect master of the Fearless Gate, remained. Thus, Tian Nanjie ordered Mi Zhiren and Fan Bujin to take over the Heavenly Gate and the Returning Gate respectively.
Seeing the four sect masters of the Five Peaks Sect enter the Ancient Grand Arena, Xiao Le also instructed the two sect masters from the Stone Quartz Sect, Mao Bujin of the Spiral Gate and Fei Yining of the Leap Gate, "Why are you two standing there? Go."
"Yes, Sect Master."
Bai Lingyue also called upon the sect masters from the Open Mountain Sect, Xue He of the Brave Army Gate, Ming Xin of the Yi Yu Gate, and Guo Li Kai of the Zhong Xin Gate, "Enter. We are interdependent; do not engage in unnecessary conflicts. Just make do with what you find. The Demonic Sect is your enemy."
"As you command, Sect Master."
Upon entering the Ancient Grand Arena, Ming Zhitian found his cultivation truly suppressed to the first level of the Alchemy Realm. He felt unaccustomed to it.
The spiritual energy here was dead, as if suppressed by some curse. A faint white mist rose over large areas.
Ming Zhitian pondered, "Twenty-three sects and thirty-nine gates, which means thirty-nine sect masters are participating."
The number was significant, yet there were many storage bags. Looking at the grass roots scattered on the ground, the spiritual materials were long gone.
At this moment, Guo Qiang, Mi Zhiren, Fan Bujin, and Xian Ya entered, followed by those from the Open Mountain Sect and the Stone Quartz Sect.
Guo Qiang looked at the five sect masters from the two sects, "Masters and seniors from the Open Mountain Sect and the Stone Quartz Sect, why don't we split up first? This way, we can cover a larger area for material gathering."
Mao Bujin of the Spiral Gate said, "What are you talking about! Yining, let's go."
Fei Yining gave a cold smile and flew straight ahead.
Xue He, Ming Xin, and Guo Li Kai from the Open Mountain Sect bowed, "Split up. There are many ferocious beasts here, even stronger than those outside. Be careful, everyone."
Guo Qiang and the others nodded and bowed, "You too, be careful."
Guo Qiang approached Ming Zhitian, "Junior Brother Ming, we meet again."
Ming Zhitian was indifferent to the address, "I have no intention of traveling together."
Guo Qiang frowned, "But Senior Master already instructed us to protect you with all our might."
Ming Zhitian waved his hand, "Have you forgotten that I can kill across realms?"
The meaning was clear: at the first level of the Alchemy Realm, he could directly kill those at the tenth level of the transcendence realm. This was something everyone had witnessed, and it was why Ming Zhitian cultivated the Imperial Artifact Art.
Guo Qiang wanted to say more, "But..."
Actually, Ming Zhitian didn't want to be too ostentatious, as he intended to practice mechanical arts. "No 'buts.' Let it be. If you need anything, find me."
To say more would be like offering a warm welcome to a cold shoulder. Guo Qiang had no choice but to give up, "Let's go. We need to catch up to the three major sects."
"Xian Ya?"
Seeing that Xian Ya of the Fearless Gate was still standing there, looking at Ming Zhitian, Guo Qiang called out in confusion.
Xian Ya said, "You go first. I have something to say to him."
Guo Qiang was helpless, as a lot of time had already been wasted, "Then hurry up and catch up, don't fall behind."
Ming Zhitian said, "Do you want to fight?"
Xian Ya shook his head, "No, I just want to warn you. If you dare betray Qingxia, within the twenty-three sects and thirty-nine gates of the Cultivation Realm, there will be no place for you!"
Ming Zhitian nodded, "I understand. And then what."