The shout rang out like a thunderclap from a clear sky, sending a shockwave through the entire assembly that made everyone's blood surge. The presence behind the voice was overwhelming with dominance — the person hadn't even arrived yet, but the sound alone shook the heavens.
In the void above, more than a dozen figures were hurtling toward them at breakneck speed.
Dan Chi's eyes narrowed as he gazed calmly in the direction of the approaching group, a faint, indifferent smile playing at the corners of his lips. Clearly, this was all within his expectations.
If the alliance had gone off without a hitch and the Nine Yang Celestial Sect had not come to cause trouble, that would have been the real surprise.
"Honored guests, since you've come to the Wanxiang Domain, why hide in the shadows? Why not show yourselves so the hosts of the Wanxiang Domain can properly extend our hospitality?"
Dan Chi's voice, smooth and unhurried, drifted outward on the wind, carrying far into the distance.
For a moment, it seemed as though his voice echoed across a thousand miles in every direction.
As soon as Dan Chi spoke, the expressions of the Wanxiang Domain's various powerhouses became deeply complicated. From that single statement alone, they could sense the change in Dan Chi's strength.
"Hmm? Dan Chi's cultivation has improved again?"
"No wonder Dan Chi is so arrogant — his martial cultivation has risen yet again!"
"Dan Chi is barely a hundred years old, yet his martial cultivation is already this formidable. Given time, if Dan Chi breaks through to the Heavenly Saint realm, will the Wanxiang Domain be left under the sole dominion of Danqian Palace?"
A wave of mixed emotions swept through the hearts of the Wanxiang Domain's top figures. Dan Chi was unquestionably the youngest among all the domain's major powers, and he had the least experience.
Yet his talent was astonishing, his progress breathtaking. On the path of martial cultivation, he had surged from behind, shattering one record after another in the Wanxiang Domain.
Watching him rise like this, it was absolutely impossible for the leaders of the top sects in the Wanxiang Domain to feel no unease whatsoever.
Now, seeing Dan Chi deploy a divine ability and witnessing yet another leap in his strength, each of them naturally felt a bitter sting in their hearts.
"Hmph, Dan Chi is riding high on his talent, taking steps far too large for his own good, and he even dares to oppose the Nine Yang Celestial Sect. The best outcome would be for the Nine Yang Celestial Sect to put him down. Otherwise, Dan Chi will inevitably become the overlord of the Wanxiang Domain."
"Good, good, good — it seems Dan Chi is dead set on defying the Nine Yang Celestial Sect to the bitter end. His tone already presumes he's the master of the Wanxiang Domain. Heh heh, the Nine Yang Celestial Sect has its eyes on this domain, Danqian Palace has stepped up as the bird that catches the bullet — if they both end up badly wounded, that would be for the best!"
The assembled powerhouses each harbored their own thoughts. Aside from the few who were on good terms with Dan Chi, most were gloating inwardly, hoping to see Danqian Palace and the Nine Yang Celestial Sect tear each other apart — ideally to the point where both sides were devastated.
That way, Danqian Palace would decline, and the Nine Yang Celestial Sect would lose the power to interfere in the Wanxiang Domain. Nothing could be better.
With this mentality of watching the fire from across the river, the sect leaders settled in comfortably, watching as the dozen or so figures across the way landed one after another in front of Danqian Palace with sharp whooshes.
All of those figures wore the distinctive patrol envoys' uniforms of the Nine Yang Celestial Sect, though their colors differed.
The man at the forefront was dressed in a striking purple uniform, with a large golden five-pointed star embroidered on his chest.
Seeing the rank insignia, the Wanxiang Domain powerhouses all drew sharp breaths.
A purple-uniformed patrol envoy — this was a Tenth-Rank Patrol Envoy.
This man was, naturally, the same Tenth-Rank Patrol Envoy who had previously appeared at the Three Star Sect. The one leading this particular group, wearing a cyan uniform with three stars, was a Ninth-Rank.
The remaining dozen or so wore matching blue uniforms. Among them, Zuo Lan was the weakest, standing at the very back. The other blue-uniformed patrol envoys had either three or two stars embroidered on their chests — all ranked higher than Zuo Lan, who bore only a single star.
"So you're Dan Chi?" The Tenth-Rank Patrol Envoy spoke in a flat, cold tone, his gaze sharp as a blade as it lanced toward Dan Chi, murderous intent pouring off him in waves.
Dan Chi smiled faintly and did not answer. Instead, he countered with a question: "And who are you?"
Sure enough, the Tenth-Rank Patrol Envoy's expression turned frosty. How could he not see through this ploy of Dan Chi's?
Dan Chi had not answered his question but instead asked who he was. A seemingly casual exchange that was actually a loaded clash of wills.
The two were fighting for dominance through words alone.
By refusing to answer and turning the question back, Dan Chi was declaring his superior position: I am the host here, so I ask first.
This battle of questions and deflections had already completed one round of invisible warfare — no swords drawn, no fire and fury, yet the struggle was real.
The Wanxiang Domain sect leaders watched in silent awe. Dan Chi truly deserved his reputation as the youngest powerhouse in the domain. Facing the Nine Yang Celestial Sect's Tenth-Rank Patrol Envoy with this kind of commanding presence, not yielding a single inch and meeting him eye to eye — it was nothing short of extraordinary.
"Dan Chi, don't get cocky," Zuo Lan shouted, stepping forward. He had fumbled his previous task and was eager to save some face here. "Lord Feng is our Nine Yang Celestial Sect's Tenth-Rank Patrol Envoy — he can speak even before the Sect Master. You leaders of these backwater sects, to be this rude when meeting a Celestial Sect envoy — do you truly have no concept of sect etiquette?"
"A Celestial Sect envoy?" Dan Chi smiled coldly. "If I recall correctly, the Wanxiang Domain and the Nine Yang Celestial Sect share no hierarchical relationship. If the Celestial Sect envoy comes as a guest, we will naturally welcome him. But if he comes to stir up trouble, then I, Dan Chi, regret that I cannot offer him hospitality."