"Where is the flying sword! Where is Junior Brother Peng's flying sword?"
"Where has Junior Brother Peng's flying sword landed in the Longevity Hall?"
"Hurry and find Junior Brother Peng's flying sword—his last wishes might be inscribed on it!"
...
Moments later, figures rushed into the Longevity Hall, scouring the area for the half-length flying sword. The elders of the Profound Heaven Immortal Gate soon spotted the broken blade before Peng Wudi's extinguished soul lamp.
"It's indeed Junior Brother Peng's flying sword—there's still spiritual energy fluctuating from it!"
"Junior Brother Peng must have sent a message via this sword; he must have urgent matters to tell us!"
"Summon the Sect Master immediately! Who on earth killed Junior Brother Peng?!"
The crowd surged with agitation, desperate to uncover the foe who dared oppose the Immortal Gate.
"Where is Junior Brother Peng's flying sword?" A威严 (majestic) voice echoed from outside the Longevity Hall.
"We welcome the Sect Master..." The crowd turned to bow deeply as a middle-aged man in a white robe approached, a longsword sheathed on his back, exuding an otherworldly aura like a deity from a painting. Beside him stood the Grand Elder in a purple robe, his face clouded with gloom.
Shen Chongshan's gaze fell on the half-flying sword before Peng Wudi's soul lamp. With a flick of his finger, the blade lifted via spiritual energy and landed in his palm.
"The Great Zhou Dynasty's National Teacher is extremely powerful. I beseech the Sect Master to emerge from seclusion and slay this person!" As he infused spiritual energy into the broken blade, Peng Wudi's miserable, frantic, and resolute voice resonated through the Longevity Hall, carried by the vibrating sword edge.
"Great Zhou Dynasty!" Shen Chongshan's face turned iron-green. "A mere mortal dynasty dares to oppose us? It seems the Immortal Gate has stayed hidden for too long—no one remembers our might!"
"Sect Master, we must use drastic measures to annihilate the Great Zhou royal family, warning other dynasties that their rule over the Divine Continent exists only because we avoid trivial matters and hidden sects restrain each other. If they disobey, we can replace them at any time!" The Grand Elder's voice dripped with venom, grinding his teeth.
"Please, Sect Master and Grand Elder, slay this villain to restore the Immortal Gate's honor!" The other elders in the Longevity Hall roared in unison, united in hatred.
"Grand Elder, remain to guard the sect. I shall descend myself to meet this Great Zhou National Protector. I wish to see who dares to oppose us!" Shen Chongshan snorted, instructing the Grand Elder to safeguard the sect.
With three elders fallen in succession, the Profound Heaven Gate would become a laughingstock if it failed to uproot the Great Zhou.
"Sect Master, allow me to go!" The Grand Elder's eyes flared with killing intent. His beloved grandson had also perished by the National Teacher's hand, and the pain of losing him burned like fire, driving him to wish for the Zhou royal family's extermination.
Shen Chongshan shook his head. "This person interrupted my seclusion to break through to Void Formation. Only by slaying him myself can my Dao heart achieve clarity."
"The Sect Master's出手 (action) will surely slay the Great Zhou National Teacher!" The Grand Elder nodded gravely. "But I have an impertinent request."
"What does the Grand Elder ask?" Shen Chongshan looked at him in confusion.
"Please, Sect Master, bring back that scoundrel's head. I wish to use it to祭奠 (pay tribute to) Xuan'er." The Grand Elder's voice was laced with deep hatred, each word enunciated clearly.
"Very well!" Shen Chongshan agreed, summoning several Myriad Manifestations elders to follow him in slaughtering the Great Zhou royal family.