Chapter 80. The Elite Remains.

Thud, thud, thud, thud...

The carriage left the Medicine King Gate and raced towards the Heavenly Flower Study.

And on the roof of the carriage,

"Boss, you should also think about the people you invited. The Nan Gong family must be so disappointed. They might even cry!"

"Right. If the leader of the Heavenly Sky Sect doesn't attend to add luster to the event, this Heavenly Dragon Tournament will be a failure. Boss, please, go to the Heavenly Dragon Tournament. Come on, please."

The two beggars, lying down and squatting, were desperately pleading to go to the Heavenly Dragon Tournament. The carriage's roof was intact thanks to the Medicine King Gate preparing a top-notch carriage instead of the one they originally rode in.

'How noisy.'

Hou Gong inside the carriage rubbed his ears.

He understood why the beggars wanted to go to the Nan Gong family. The Heavenly Dragon Tournament had many appealing aspects.

They might not be interested in meeting the celebrities of the martial world...

But there was an abundance of various foods.

Moreover, the opportunity to see the newly rising young heroes and dazzling beauties of the current generation made the reason to attend clear.

Additionally, the martial competition among the young talents of the Ten Great Families would be another feast for the eyes. The contrasting expressions of the winners and losers were always entertaining from a spectator's perspective.

However, that was only from the beggars' point of view,

For the former leader of the martial alliance, it was just a boring party.

Even the most beautiful women were merely cute grandchildren in Hou Gong's eyes.

Other reasons for not attending included:

The Ten Great Families were a united front.

The other families would not look kindly upon the Heavenly Flower Study, which had brought the Western Gate Family, one of the Ten Great Families, to a state akin to ruin, tarnishing the reputation of those who called themselves Heavenly Dragons.

Of course, they would respond with a fake smile, but Hou Gong saw no reason to see such insincere smiles. Wherever he went, there would always be people who would act superior, and it would be foolish to seek out and face such pretense.

"Boss, if we go to the Nan Gong family, I'll be as quiet as a mouse. Trust me, really!"

Quiet...

Hou Gong inside the carriage raised one corner of his mouth. How much had they eaten at the Beggar Sect? Yan Ang had become a fraudster.

Xiao Tian immediately followed up with his plea.

"Yeah, I'll definitely be quiet. You know, I'm introverted."

"Who's introverted!"

Miao Bingbing immediately scolded him harshly, as if asking where the dog was barking.

Xiao Tian soon looked miserable.

"Anyway, it's good to be introverted. But you, sister, can't get along with anyone! I'm so upset!"

"You should at least speak in a reasonable manner! There's a limit to everything!"

Miao Bingbing, known for having no limits, was giving a lesson.

'Haha, what funny guys...'

Hou Gong inwardly chuckled and immediately ordered Yang Xiao.

"Yang Xiao, stop the carriage. We'll take a break."

"Yes, Young Master."

Hou Gong, who stepped out, called only a part of the Heavenly Sky Sect.

Jin Ji, Hang Ma, and Wu Shan.

"Brothers, what's the matter?"

Wu Shan asked.

"I have a favor to ask of you all."

"A favor?"

"Yes."

Wu Shan frowned.

"Why are you always asking for favors!"

"..."

Hou Gong was puzzled.

'What's wrong with this guy?'

He didn't remember eating anything strange... or was it the aftereffects of the Lingyao grass? As he looked at them, Wu Shan continued with a grim expression.

"Don't ask for favors in the future!"

"..."

"Just give orders! Orders look better and sound better, don't they!"

"..."

Hou Gong stared at Wu Shan, bewildered.

What's wrong with these guys?

Ultimately, they were saying they would comply. But why did they sound like they wanted to kill someone even when speaking with good intentions?

"Brother, Wu Shan is right. Just tell us what to do."

"Leader, I agree. The Heavenly Sky Sect has been united for a long time. It feels distant and disappointing."

Hang Ma and Jin Ji agreed.

Suddenly, it felt like a competition of loyalty.

Hou Gong briefly thought it was, but in reality, it wasn't.

It was just that their perception of the leader of the Heavenly Sky Sect had changed. The trust in the leader had grown significantly compared to their first meeting. Initially, they had joined simply to repay a favor, but after experiencing it, they realized:

As the leader of the Heavenly Sky Sect,

He was a capable leader.

They naturally acknowledged it.

The way the leader handled situations was smooth and enjoyable to watch.

Moreover, he used the Heavenly Sky Sect effectively and, while shaking up the Medicine King Gate, ultimately revealed a positive influence. Just being with him made them feel proud and satisfied.

His personality also appealed to them.

He had a relaxed demeanor, yet made decisions swiftly. Despite appearing laid-back, the leader was a mysterious figure whose presence grew stronger over time.

Furthermore, the way he looked at them with disdain made them forget that he was a young scholar.

Not just a young man in his early twenties,

But someone with the air of a mature adult.

'Is it because he's a genius?'

'Or because he has the superhuman endurance to have survived the Lingyao grass?'

'No, there's something else, a mysterious quality that can't be explained by that alone.'

Jin Ji and others had even had such conversations.

Thus, the current statements were not a competition of loyalty.

It was just their fascination with a person.

But from Hou Gong's perspective,

'...These guys, what a headache.'

He hadn't expected to get into an argument over the word "favor," and for a moment, he wondered how to deal with it.

"Then let's call it an order."

Hou Gong tried to calm himself and spoke.

"Ha ha ha, that's it. Brother, please give us an order."

Li Ye, one of the Hang Ma, laughed.

Hou Gong slightly frowned, and Li Ye awkwardly stopped laughing.

"I want the Wu Ji Killer Sect to be thoroughly dealt with."

"Oh, right! Those guys."

Jin Ji exclaimed as if he had forgotten.

"Yes, they remain. Since they are called Wu Ji, meaning 'limitless,' because they never give up, I can't sleep soundly as long as the Wu Ji Killer Sect's leader is still alive."

Of course, it was an exaggeration.

Hou Gong had reached the early 4th level.

The Wu Ji Killer Sect was no longer a threat.

But they were like mosquitoes buzzing in your ear just as you're about to fall asleep. Though not a significant threat, they were a constant nuisance. If bitten, it wouldn't be a big problem, but it would be unpleasant. Therefore, it was wise to eliminate them completely before sleeping.

"Isn't the Extermination Sect handling that?"

"The Extermination Sect cannot be trusted."

The Extermination Sect was formed to destroy the Wu Ji Killer Sect. Considering that they were gathered by Zhu Yang and Man Bo, the Extermination Sect could not be normal.

From Hou Gong's perspective, the Heavenly Sky Sect, which he had experienced, was more reliable. Despite their bickering and grumbling, they followed orders well. Most importantly, they were principled and trustworthy.

"I don't even know who they are or what abilities they have. Currently, the only ones I can trust in this martial world are the Heavenly Sky Sect. I would like you to bring me the head of the Wu Ji Killer Sect's leader."

Everyone's faces brightened.

They felt good to hear that the only ones he could trust were the Heavenly Sky Sect.

"Of course. The only ones you can trust are us."

"Ha ha, don't worry, Brother. The bastard's neck is as good as gone."

"Ha ha ha! Leader, this time, we'll take over the Extermination Sect under our Heavenly Sky Sect."

'You can handle that on your own...'

Hou Gong nodded contentedly.

"Is a hundred days enough?"

"Too long. Finish it within two months."

"Agreed. I'll see you at the Heavenly Flower Study later."

Later, when Yan Ang and Xiao Tian heard about this decision, they all showed their disappointment.

Perhaps they had grown attached.

Despite often bickering and fighting, the thought of suddenly parting and not being together made them feel strange.

"Hmph! I was worried about getting attached, but this is for the best."

Miao Bingbing started,

"What? Only the elite of the Heavenly Sky Sect remains, and the rest are just scum. Will it be okay? You said you wanted to see them get beaten up, right?"

"I'm very happy! I can eat more meat now."

Their expressions were opposite,

Their faces were not at all,

Yan Ang and Xiao Tian expressed their disappointment in their own ways, seemingly indifferent.

Jin Ji burst into laughter.

"Of course, the elite should remain with the leader."

***

As the Heavenly Sky Sect split into two and embarked on their respective journeys, the Medicine King Gate received an unexpected visitor.

"Seven-Armed Soul-Cutter?"

"Yes, he came alone."

Upon the report from the Foreign Affairs Hall, the deputy leader Hua Yun frowned.

"What's the purpose?"

"He said he stopped by on his way."

"That's unlikely."

"Of course."

Sometimes, you can guess the purpose and intent without hearing it, depending on who the person is. When the timing is added, the guess is almost always correct.

In this case, the visitor being Wu Qian, the Seven-Armed Soul-Cutter of the Nan Gong family, indicated a special matter.

Seven-Armed Soul-Cutter!

Because he was one of the direct protectors of the Nan Gong family's head.

The protectors' tasks were of great importance. They were known to be chosen for swift and covert operations.

"What do you think?"

"It's not because of our non-participation."

"Right?"

"Yes."

The Medicine King Gate had announced its non-participation in the Heavenly Dragon Tournament. If it was an expression of regret, it would be natural for the Nan Gong family's Foreign Affairs Hall leader to visit.

Then the focus narrows to one person.

'...Is it about the Heavenly Flower Study's heir?'

Hua Yun pushed the thought to the side and stood up.

"I'll go to the reception room."

...The two sat facing each other.

The conversation began with polite greetings.

"How did you find the time to visit our humble gate, Seven-Armed Soul-Cutter?"

"The Medicine King Gate said it couldn't attend the Heavenly Dragon Tournament, so I was worried if there was any disappointment with our family."

'The tension remains.'

Hua Yun inwardly sighed.

Seven-Armed Soul-Cutter was cold and distant.

He said he was worried, but the middle-aged man with a lean build had a cold and heavy expression, matching his dark blue clothing.

A man whose only purpose was to carry out orders.

There was no warmth, and Hua Yun felt like he was facing a stone.

Perhaps the recent companionship with the Heavenly Sky Sect made the coldness more noticeable. The Heavenly Sky Sect was lively, like a family visiting from the countryside.

Hua Yun calmly responded.

"Disappointment with the Nan Gong family? You have a good sense of humor. Our gate master is in seclusion, and we have many things to handle, so we are very regretful."

"Is it about the Lingdan?"

"It includes that and many other issues that need to be resolved."

"I see."

The emotionless Seven-Armed Soul-Cutter continued.

"The Magnolia fragrance and Lingdan seem to be related. The Medicine King Gate's Magnolia flowers wouldn't bloom at this time."

"Oh... This fragrance..."

Hua Yun glanced out the window and then returned, a smile forming as someone came to mind.

"Yes. The Magnolia fragrance blooms during the refining process of the Lingdan."