The Qiantian Sect, one of the Ten Great Sects, was the sect that had claimed the divine weapon Yansun Bow during the Divine Weapon Contention decades ago. It boasted a vast pool of talent and a cloud of powerhouses.
Now, both inside and outside the Qiantian Sect's restricted grounds, there were not only their own Spirit-grade experts but also reinforcements from five other top sects.
Layer upon layer of defense, airtight.
It had been seven years since the Thunder Staff was stolen last time. By the calendar, it wouldn't be long before that phantom-like divine weapon thief struck again. The Spirit-grade experts stationed inside and outside the restricted grounds didn't dare let their guard slip for a moment. Every one of them extended their perception to its maximum, their eyes wide as bronze bells, monitoring every suspicious trace.
At the deepest reaches of the restricted grounds, Qiantian Sect Master Cao Kong led his Left and Right Protectors on patrols, his gaze frequently drifting toward the divine weapon Yansun Bow resting there. Deep in his heart, a faint sense of unease welled up, as if something momentous was about to happen.
Swoosh...
A piercing whistle suddenly rang out from the perimeter of the restricted grounds. Cao Kong whipped his head around, recognizing it as the warning arrow fired by one of his sect's experts. His expression shifted. "What happened out there?"
"I'll go check!" The Left Protector said, his figure flickering as he shot outward.
Moments later, he returned, equal parts terrified and exhilarated. "Sect Master, he's appeared."
Cao Kong's eyes narrowed. "The divine weapon thief?"
"That's him!" The Left Protector nodded emphatically.
"He's really come!" Cao Kong took a quiet breath. Despite having anticipated this, now that it was actually happening, he still felt a surge of indignation. The five other sects still possessed their divine weapons — why had the thief come specifically for the Qiantian Sect? Did he think the Qiantian Sect was easy pickings?
Suppressing his turbulent thoughts, he urgently asked, "What's the situation?"
A hint of wariness crossed the Left Protector's face. "His strength lives up to his reputation. The sect members on the perimeter, along with experts from the other sects, are currently besieging him, but he's already wounded quite a few."
Cao Kong drew a sharp breath. Everyone stationed at the restricted grounds was Spirit-grade, and the experts from the five other sects were all top-tier fighters. For such a lineup to fight a single divine weapon thief and still suffer numerous injuries — this thief's power was truly unfathomable.
The Left Protector continued, "Sect Master, the perimeter probably won't be able to hold him. It's only a matter of time before he breaks through. Should we go reinforce them?"
Cao Kong pondered briefly, then said with some suspicion, "Rumors say this man moves like a ghost, appearing and vanishing without a trace. In the past, when he stole divine weapons, he never lingered in combat for long — he'd typically grab the weapon and leave. Why is he fighting alone this time?"
Midway through his musings, he suddenly realized something and shouted in a low voice, "A diversion! He's trying to lure us away from here so he can sneak in and steal the divine weapon! Pass the order — no one inside the inner restricted grounds is to move without authorization! Hold the line at all costs! Don't let a single fly through!"
The Left Protector clasped his fist. "Yes!"
"Right Protector!" Cao Kong turned to the other person.
"Your subordinate is here!"
"Send word to the other sects immediately. Inform them of the situation here. Tell them — if they want to catch this divine weapon thief, this is their only chance. If they don't seize it now, catching him next time will be virtually impossible."
The Right Protector instantly grasped his sect master's intent and said in a solemn voice, "Your subordinate receives the order!"
He turned, channeled his spiritual energy, and soared through the sky.
The Profound Pill Sect wasn't too far from the Qiantian Sect. A Spirit-grade expert flying at full speed would need only an hour to cover the distance.
Inside the Profound Pill Sect's restricted grounds, the Right Protector of the Qiantian Sect had come in person to deliver the message. The experts from the five great sects guarding the Medicine King Cauldron straightened up upon hearing the news.
The Tyrant Blade Sect Master's eyes blazed. "That thief has shown up at the Qiantian Sect?"
The Right Protector nodded. "Indeed. Experts from all the sects are besieging him as we speak. The Sect Master sent me to relay the message."
The Tyrant Blade Sect Master clenched his teeth and growled, "Good. Very good. I've finally got my hands on your tail." He spun around and roared, "Tyrant Blade Sect disciples, heed my command! Follow me to reinforce the Qiantian Sect and capture that weapon-stealing rat!"
The other four sects were equally eager, itching to fly to the Qiantian Sect immediately and face the phantom who had haunted them for decades.
The Profound Pill Sect's senior leadership exchanged glances. Baili Yunsang said, "My Profound Pill Sect is also willing to contribute."
The Tyrant Blade Sect Master raised a hand. "The Profound Pill Sect had best stay put. That rat moves like a ghost — if things go badly at the Qiantian Sect and he doubles back here, it'd be best to have some defenses in place. Fortunately, the Qiantian Sect isn't too far from here. If anything truly happens, we can rush back to provide support."
Baili Yunsang nodded at this. "A fair point. Then I wish you all swift success and victory!"
The Tyrant Blade Sect Master barked, "No time to waste — we move out now!"
With those words, a massive group of figures shot into the sky and vanished in an instant.
On Wuji Peak, Hua Rong watched the direction in which the crowd had departed, then turned and entered the great hall. She bowed and said, "My lord, they've left."
Yang Kai sat in the seat of honor. Hearing this, he gave a slight nod, rose to his feet, and said, "Understood."
He strolled out of the hall and cast a glance toward the direction of Profound Pill City.
Under the Profound Pill Sect's protection, the Void Spirit Sword Sect had developed peacefully over the decades. The sect had gained quite a few Spirit-grade experts of its own and, when surveying the entire Divine Weapon Realm, could be considered a major sect.
Before setting Yang Huai in motion, Yang Kai had already made arrangements for the Void Spirit Sword Sect's future. Even without him, the sect could continue to thrive peacefully in this world.
With no worries holding him back, Yang Kai's stride was light.