C374 (1)

"Thank you all for your understanding," Wong Jinghai expressed his gratitude to the gathered group. He knew that once he brought up the matter, they wouldn't oppose him, but it was still necessary to go through the motions. "Everyone, leave immediately..."

Seeing Wong Jinghai already addressing those around him, Nie Fengyu turned to the members of the Profound Heaven Sect behind him. Upon hearing that even the Grand Elder had fled, some disciples and elders of the sect were already contemplating leaving. Now, with the path laid out by Nie Fengyu, many were eager to go but felt a bit embarrassed.

"Sect Master, I'm not leaving," one disciple declared.

"Neither am I. I've spent my whole life in the Profound Heaven Sect, and if I die here, it's like returning to my roots," an elderly steward said.

"Training in martial arts is about honing one's own skills, not fearing others. I vow to defend the Profound Heaven Sect to the death!" This was spoken by Lee Yunsheng, the only disciple who had returned with Woo Zhengyang from the Mystic Trace Realm. Since being awakened by Woo Zhengyang's words, Lee Yunsheng's martial will had grown stronger, and his training progressed steadily, placing him among the top ten outer disciples.

"No, everyone must leave. This is an order from the Profound Heaven Sect!" Nie Fengyu, full of spirit, also understood the importance of assessing the situation. Whether they wanted to abandon or defend the sect, he didn't want any of them to die in vain.

"Hold on, everyone, I'm not finished speaking yet!" Wong Jinghai glanced at the members of the Profound Heaven Sect, a slight smirk playing on his lips. "Aside from you, Nie Fengyu, everyone else is free to leave. However, there's one condition: we need to inspect everything you're carrying. Anything related to the troubles of Fallen Sun Country must not be taken out."

"You're going too far!" one disciple shouted angrily.

Wong Jinghai's tone and conditions left many feeling deeply humiliated. For martial artists, leaving in disgrace was already a blow to their pride, but being subjected to a search was utterly degrading.

Ignoring the anger directed at him, Wong Jinghai felt a sense of satisfaction. No matter how sharp Nie Fengyu's words were, what could they really achieve?

"I agree to the search," someone finally spoke up, unable to hold back any longer. Faced with the choice between life and dignity, he chose to compromise.

"I'll agree too." Once one person stepped forward, others followed suit, and soon several disciples from the Profound Heaven Sect stepped out.

At Wong Jinghai's signal, people moved forward to conduct the inspections.

"This sword seems unusual; there might be a secret hidden within. Confiscate it."

"The pattern on this dagger looks like some kind of code. Confiscate it."

"The contents of this Hidden Heaven Bag are too chaotic to check quickly. Confiscate it."

The purpose of the three sects' visit, aside from the secretive No Life Sword, was to seize the Profound Heaven Sect's accumulated cultivation resources. Wong Jinghai and his team were inspecting to ensure that no disciple was smuggling out sect resources.

Among those leaving, there were quite a few elders and stewards. Even if they didn't carry sect items, their personal savings were significant. While Wong Jinghai might not care, these resources were invaluable to the inspecting disciples. Under various pretexts, those departing were stripped of some possessions, unable to protest.

Wong Jinghai and his group remained silent about this. Nie Fengyu also said nothing, not even opening his eyes to look.

In the end, only about a hundred people stood behind Nie Fengyu, refusing to leave.

"Go!" Nie Fengyu commanded them.

"Sect Master, we won't leave. Even if we escape today, without the Profound Heaven Sect, they'll hunt us down eventually. So, we might as well burn our Origin Genuine Qi and fight to the death. If we take one down, that's one less enemy; if we take two, that's a pair. If we can take out ten or so, it'll be a worthy last stand!" Lee Yunsheng declared firmly.

"That's right, even if we have to burn our Origin Genuine Qi, we'll go out with a bang. We're ready for it," another disciple chimed in.

As they spoke, all the disciples drew their swords, ready for a fierce battle.

"Alright! Let's have a drink before the fight!"

Seeing this, Nie Fengyu didn't say much more. With a wave of his hand, he tossed several jars of fine wine, sealed with clay, to the disciples.

Some of the inner disciples had hidden bags and carried bowls and other utensils for travel. In no time, large bowls and small pots were brought out, and some even grabbed the wine jars directly.

Nie Fengyu took a jar himself and laughed heartily, "Our ancestors once faced dire straits against formidable foes. Even now, the voices of our forebears echo in our ancestral land. Do you all know this?"

"We know!" the members of the Profound Heaven Sect replied in unison.

"When enemies surround us from all sides,"

"We draw our swords and sing the battle song;"

"Our fighting spirit stirs the heavens,"

"The sky, stained with blood, becomes even bluer!"

Everyone recited in unison, their spirits soaring, making them forget the impending doom of the Profound Heaven Sect, as if they had returned to that ancient era filled with fervor and courage.

After reciting, they all raised their drinks. At this moment, no one cared about the mismatched and amusing assortment of drinking vessels.