Some didn't even bother to hide, their true intentions revealed.

"Kid, I suspect you're behind everything that happened in there! So, if you don't want to die, you'd better give us an explanation now!"

Wang Zhan and his warriors tensed up, their expressions fierce, ready for a confrontation.

When Xu Yuyu saw Wang Zhan and the others become the target of public criticism after her grandmother went inside, she couldn't help but worry.

"Elder..."

Little did she know, they harbored malicious intentions toward Elder He. A mere Martial Student like her stood no chance of persuading them.

Instantly, one of them barked, his face cold, "Get out of the way! This is no place for you to speak!"

"Don't think you can act arrogantly just because Master Ancestor brought you onto the path of cultivation. Today's matter concerns the Sect's survival. Never mind you; even if your grandmother were here, it would be like a mantis trying to stop a chariot!"

Another directly pinned the blame on Xu Yuyu, causing her face to flush crimson.

In the past, while these Elders hadn't paid her much mind, they had at least, as her seniors, shown her some minimal consideration.

Who would have thought that the moment her grandmother entered the Book Collection Pavilion, they would completely turn on her? Their words were so sharp and vicious, it was enough to anger someone to death without consequence.

…

As Xu Yuyu felt wronged...

The atmosphere grew even more charged, the simmering discontent on both sides about to boil over.

Wang Zhan, however, suddenly raised his hand, signaling his warriors to remain silent.

He then grabbed Xu Yuyu's arm, pulled her into the group behind him, and observed with a cold gaze.

"Alright, say less. This has nothing to do with you. They're targeting me."

Circumstances are stronger than people. If he were already in the Grandmaster Realm, he definitely wouldn't stoop to dealing with these individuals; he'd just flip the table.

But in the mortal world, one often can't act freely. There was no room for youthful bravado now, though that didn't mean he'd let them have an easy time.

So, Wang Zhan said coldly, "Heh, that Old Man is about to die! Elder He went in precisely to receive the passing down of his highest teachings. Are you sure you don't want to go in? Let me tell you, by the time you kill us, the passing down of the teachings might already be complete. Then you'll definitely end up trying to steal a chicken only to lose the rice, and you might even be killed on the spot by Elder He!"

As he spoke, Wang Zhan's expression was especially grim, his eyes glinting with a cold light.

Trying to seize this chance to kill me? I'll remember this debt. We'll settle it slowly later.

Truthfully, he had no idea where he had offended these people. They seemed determined to exterminate him, showing no mercy. Even a Buddha would be enraged by such repeated provocations, let alone Wang Zhan.

The expressions of the others changed.

Undeniably, what Wang Zhan said was indeed a possibility.

"What do we do now? Should we go in?"

"If we don't go in, and that despicable person He Miaomiao receives the inheritance, I'm afraid we'll truly meet a violent end!"

"There's no time to get entangled! Have the disciples guard this kid. We'll deal with him after we come out..."

After a quick discussion via voice transmission, they decided to leave Wang Zhan for now, instructing those around them, "Keep an eye on them! Anyone who dares to make a move, kill without mercy!"

"If they dare to resist, immediately issue the Disciple Summoning Order! Combine the Sect's strength to eliminate these enemies! Not a single one must escape!"

Then, they hurriedly entered the Book Collection Pavilion, hardly prepared at all.

It could be said that Wang Zhan's words had truly struck their deepest, darkest fears.

As Martial Artists, ever since stepping onto the path of cultivation, which one of them hadn't reached their current position through an extreme craving for power?

Therefore, true or not, if such a possibility existed, they would absolutely not let it pass.

But as they left, they failed to see the boundless iciness deep in Wang Zhan's eyes, as if he were looking at a group of dead men.

…

Facing the hostile, mocking, and cruel gazes from the surroundings, Wang Zhan remained expressionless.

Wang Zhan had indeed conceded for the moment; this wasn't his territory.

In fact, once he was away from old figures like Old Master Zao, Elder He, Yun Tianyi, or Wei Daoming, Wang Zhan was just a pitiful creature without backing or power.

This realization once again stirred within him an endless yearning for strength.

It wasn't just him. All the Human Race warriors behind Wang Zhan, even Su Tao, now felt not a shred of goodwill towards these Sect members.

They were arrogant, conceited, powerful, and ruthlessly cruel.

And compared to the Human Race—somewhat disorganized, perhaps, but largely harmonious, friendly, and united—these people were as ugly as sewer vermin.

Xu Yuyu, feeling somewhat guilty, gently tugged his sleeve.

"Wang... Wang Zhan, I'm sorry..."

Wang Zhan looked at her strangely, then chuckled. "What are you apologizing to me for? Besides, we don't need to apologize. Right, everyone?"

The expressions of the others also turned cold, their smiles particularly jarring.

"Wang Zhan is right. We don't need to apologize."

Yes, for them, members of the Human Race who had arduously survived being surrounded by beasts, there was never a need to apologize.

Death was the best sacrifice they could offer their enemies!

Although Xu Yuyu didn't fully understand, her sharp intuition still allowed her to sense that something was off.

Suddenly, she felt a wave of fear, unsure of whom or what she was afraid. But compared to those fellow Sect members, at this moment, she...

...still chose to stand firmly behind Wang Zhan.

"Wang Zhan, you... you won't kill me, will you?"

Wang Zhan gently ruffled her hair on her pitiful little head but said nothing.

Silly girl, why would I kill you?

Then, he noticed.

The hostile gazes from the surroundings seemed to ignite once more with vicious flames and fury at his action.

Being intimate with an outsider right in front of them—Xu Yuyu, this despicable person, truly is Elder He's granddaughter.

She has no sense of shame whatsoever!

…

「Back in the Book Collection Pavilion」

Elder He had entered not long before.

"...That's roughly what happened. Although he is one of your..." the Old Man was about to continue.

But he suddenly heard what Wang Zhan had said outside—that he himself was about to die, and He Girl had come in to inherit his legacy.

His face twitched instantly.

Are you deliberately trying to pick a fight, kid? How on earth did I offend you for you to curse me like this?

Elder He, not possessing the Old Man's profound abilities, naturally didn't know what had transpired outside. Just as she was about to ask, she discovered...

...that apart from herself, all the currently active Elders in the Sect had appeared before her and the Old Man.

Each wore a surprised expression, their gazes somewhat odd. Then, they quickly stepped forward, feigning delight as they greeted the old fellow, "Greetings, Master Ancestor!"

"Greetings, Master Ancestor!..."

Elder He was somewhat perplexed, her brows knitting slightly.

What's wrong with them? Why do they all look a bit... disappointed?

The Old Man waved his hand, signaling there was no need for excessive pleasantries. Then, his tone turned cold as he asked, "Heh heh, seeing this old fellow still alive, you all must be very happy, right?"

Everyone else, apart from Elder He and the Old Man himself, felt their legs tremble. They said fearfully, "Not at all, not at all, Master Ancestor! Your cultivation is profound, your power boundless! We came... we came..."

"We came to act as protectors for Master Ancestor! The fluctuations just now alarmed the Sect. We were concerned that Master Ancestor might be in danger or that someone might take advantage of the situation, so we hurried over."

Some stammered, while others were silver-tongued.

Seizing the opportunity, one of them stepped forward to accuse He Miaomiao with a solemn expression, "Master Ancestor, we suspect that this despicable person, He Miaomiao, colluded with Wang Zhan, intending to harm you! Fortunately, Master Ancestor is unharmed. However, He Miaomiao's wild ambitions cannot be ignored. We implore Master Ancestor to investigate and pass judgment!"

"Indeed! Our Small World has long been a Utopia, isolated from the mundane world. Today, an outsider has caused a sudden disturbance. He Miaomiao, as the one who brought him here, bears undeniable guilt! We implore Master Ancestor to punish her to uphold our Sect's laws!"

"It's not that we're making a mountain out of a molehill. The Sect's foundation, its grand designs—everything is at stake here and cannot be jeopardized. If disaster strikes, regret will come too late. Therefore, it is better to mistakenly kill a thousand than to let one escape! We implore Master Ancestor to give the order!"

"We implore Master Ancestor to give the order!"

…

"HAHAHA..."

However, what they had not expected at all was that... the first thing the Old Man did was not to reprimand or agree, but to burst into hearty laughter, dripping with endless sarcasm.

In truth, upon finding the Old Man unharmed, they had already abandoned their original intentions. This, however, didn't stop them from trying to stir up trouble for He Miaomiao. But the Old Man's current attitude momentarily bewildered them, and an inexplicable sense of unease crept into their hearts.

They couldn't help but curse inwardly: that despicable person He Miaomiao has thoroughly deluded Master Ancestor, to the point where he can no longer distinguish good from bad, loyalty from treachery!

At this point, what was there left for Elder He not to understand?

These people truly intended to pin this on me, all to gain benefits from my Family's inheritance! Is there even a shred of camaraderie left among us fellow disciples?

Fortunately, the Old Man's next actions successfully reassured her.

He gazed at the crowd, his eyes profound and chillingly cold, and said slowly, "Are you done speaking?"

"Master Ancestor, we..."

"Do you all think that this old fellow is already old, with one foot in the grave, and can no longer hold the line? Huh?!"

Following that, the Old Man let out a thunderous roar, directly suppressing all their words.

The terrifying aura he exuded pressed down on them, making it impossible for any of them to stand straight. They could only helplessly comply with the Old Man's will, dropping to their knees with a THUD, even as their mouths continued to feign reverence.

"How would we dare!"

"Master Ancestor, we are truly sincere..."

"Master Ancestor, please don't misunderstand! Matters of the Sect are of great importance; we cannot afford to be incautious!..."

Witnessing this scene, a flicker of ruthlessness crossed the Old Man's face.

Elder He discreetly glanced at them a few times. A cold glint flashed through her beautiful eyes, and her usually charming face was now completely frozen.

She didn't want to watch any longer.

"Martial Uncle, I shall take my leave first."

The Old Man glanced at her, wanting to offer some comfort.

But in this situation, what comfort could he offer? It wasn't just one person who wanted her dead, but a whole group!

Alas, an innocent person is declared guilty because of the treasure they possess. How true that saying is.

He sighed deeply.

"Go on, go on. I will handle matters here. Rest assured, as long as my martial brothers and I are still around, the Sect will always remain as it was."

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