After both sides sat down, Jason Chen looked at Nangong Wushuang and said, "Miss, you may state your purpose now!"
"Sect Master Chen, what do you think of the Pristine Way Sect?" Nangong Wushuang asked coldly.
Upon hearing this, Jason Chen was startled. Although he had signed a subordination contract with Ian Song, Ian had specifically instructed him to keep Origin Return Sect's affiliation with Pristine Way a secret, not letting anyone else know.
Thinking of this, Jason felt reassured—this woman probably didn't know about his deal with Pristine Way.
So he said, "Miss, please speak plainly if you have something to say. No need to beat around the bush."
Nangong Wushuang looked displeased, her tone frosty: "I have already contacted the Sea Emperor Sect, Divine Moon Sect, Sky-Net Gate, Grand Glory Temple, Southern Cloud Sect, and thirty-seven sects in total, to jointly deal with Pristine Way. But we still lack an alliance leader. I hope Sect Master Chen will take that role and lead us against Pristine Way."
Hearing that this woman actually wanted to target Pristine Way, Jason was startled again. At the same time, he was even more certain she knew nothing about his deal with Ian Song.
His mind raced, and after a moment's silence he said, "Miss, forgive me for being blunt, but Pristine Way is just a small sect. Is it really worth making such a big fuss?"
"Because I intend to wipe Pristine Way out completely!" Nangong Wushuang said coldly. "Enough, Sect Master Chen—will you be our alliance leader or not?"
Jason Chen said, "Miss, could you give me three days to consider?"
"No!" Nangong Wushuang shook her head. "Three days is too long. One day at most."
Jason Chen shrugged indifferently, "Alright then, I'll give you my answer in one day."
"Sect Master Chen, I'll visit you again in one day!"
Watching Nangong Wushuang leave, Jason Chen's face suddenly turned grim.
This woman's background was truly formidable—she had six Martial Saint-level subordinates with her. Although after signing the contract with Pristine Way and exchanging for pills, Origin Return Sect's strength had greatly increased...
Nangong Wushuang's intimidation was simply overwhelming.
If all six Martial Saints attacked together, Origin Return Sect would be annihilated.
But if he agreed to her request, he'd be betraying his contract—and he couldn't bear to lose the pills Ian Song provided.
Unable to make up his mind, he decided to consult his martial grand-uncle.
Normally, Shawn Xiao would be refining pills, but at this moment he was leisurely drinking tea in a courtyard inside his blessed land.
"Jason, what brings you here? Come, have a seat!"
"Thank you, grand-uncle!"
After Jason Chen sat down, he recounted Nangong Wushuang's visit and her demand to attack Pristine Way.
After listening, Shawn Xiao frowned deeply. "Jason, how did you respond?"
"I used a delaying tactic and said I'd reply in one day. Grand-uncle, do you think we should agree or refuse?" Jason's expression grew conflicted—it really was a tough choice.
"Agree to her request!"
Shawn Xiao said.
Jason Chen was surprised—he hadn't expected his grand-uncle to side with that woman, and felt a bit disappointed.
Seeing Jason's expression, Shawn Xiao realized he'd misunderstood and scolded him, "Idiot! I meant you should agree only on the surface."
Jason's eyes lit up. "So you mean...?"
Pristine Way Sect.
Ian Song suddenly received word that an old man claiming to be an old friend had arrived, and had delivered a letter.
Opening the envelope and seeing the handwriting, Ian immediately knew who it was.
He was just puzzled why Shawn Xiao would come personally to Pristine Way.
Since he knew it was Shawn Xiao, Ian hurried to the mountain gate to welcome him in.
After some polite greetings, Ian asked, "Elder Xiao, to what do I owe your visit?"
Shawn Xiao's expression turned serious, and he solemnly explained how Nangong Wushuang had approached Origin Return Sect, and that she had already contacted thirty-seven other sects.
Hearing this, Ian Song's face showed no change—he had already expected the Military Council wouldn't let things go so easily.
Seeing Ian Song's calm demeanor, Shawn Xiao secretly nodded. Young Master Huang was truly extraordinary, remaining so composed in this situation.
"Young Master Huang, what do you think Origin Return Sect should do?" Shawn Xiao asked.
"Agree to her request!" Ian Song said after thinking for a moment.
"Do you have any other instructions, Young Master Huang?" Shawn Xiao continued.
Ian Song's eyes flashed coldly. "If possible, Elder Xiao, I'd like you to find out whether that woman really has only six Martial Saints with her."
Five days later.
Led by Origin Return Sect, thirty-eight martial sects launched a joint attack on Pristine Way.
The combined power of thirty-eight martial sects was immense. Under their assault, Pristine Way retreated again and again, losing dozens of cities in just one day.
Sect Master's Hall.
All the Supreme Elders of Pristine Way gathered.
"Everyone, what strategies do you have for this situation?" Elder Shea asked the group.
"Heh, why would thirty-eight sects unite?" A discordant voice rang out—it was Marcus Ma. He swept his gaze over Ian Song, then continued, "If I'm not mistaken, this is definitely the Military Council's doing—retaliation!"
As soon as he said this, everyone turned pale, their eyes filling with worry and unease.
They'd expected retaliation from the Military Council, but hadn't thought it would come so fast and so fiercely.
Seeing their reactions, Marcus Ma grew even more smug. "Thirty-eight sects are coming at us with full force. If we can't come up with an effective response, they'll reach our mountain gate in less than ten days!"
At these words, everyone's expressions grew even uglier.
"Who's the culprit behind all this?" Suddenly, Marcus Ma's face twisted viciously as he pointed at Ian Song. "It's him! If he hadn't offended the Military Council, Pristine Way wouldn't be suffering this revenge! The only way to solve this crisis is to capture the culprit and send him to plead for forgiveness!"
Cole Chong Duan cursed, "Marcus Ma, stop talking nonsense! Little Huang recovered three provinces for Pristine Way and rendered immense service. He's our future Sect Master, and you want to send him off to beg for mercy? Shame on you!"
"Heh, no matter how great his achievements, they can't outweigh the disaster. If we don't send him to plead for forgiveness, Pristine Way will be destroyed!" Marcus Ma gloated.
"Who says Pristine Way will be destroyed?"
Ian Song stepped out from the crowd, giving Marcus Ma a playful stare.
"Do you have a solution?" Marcus Ma asked darkly.
"I do!" Ian Song replied confidently.
"Why not share it with us?" Marcus Ma said.
"You're not qualified to hear it," Ian Song shook his head.
At this, Marcus Ma's face turned extremely ugly. He pointed at Ian and cursed, "Huang Liang, you're way too arrogant! Don't forget, you're not the Sect Master yet!"
Ignoring Marcus's tirade, Ian turned to the hall entrance and shouted, "Bring him in."
The next moment, as the escorted man entered, Marcus Ma's face suddenly turned deathly pale.