A few days later, the entire Pristine Way Sect was shrouded in gloom and anxiety.
Just last evening, the last city held by Pristine Way Sect was breached by the Thirty-Eight-Sect Coalition. Now, the coalition is marching straight for Pristine Way, less than a hundred li away—at most, two hours before they reach the mountain gate.
Inside the Sect Master's hall.
Ian Song, as Sect Master, sat in the chief seat, with the Supreme Elders flanking him on both sides.
"Elder Shea, have all disciple ranks been calmed?" Ian asked in a deep voice.
"Sect Master, the Enforcement Team disciples have all been mobilized. We've arrested a few troublemakers—no one dares stir up trouble now!" Elder Shea replied, his face still clouded with worry.
With the Thirty-Eight-Sect Coalition pressing at the borders, even the Supreme Elders felt immense pressure, let alone ordinary disciples. Some less steadfast disciples took the opportunity to cause trouble, leading to a bout of chaos.
"Good." Ian nodded, looking thoughtful. After a moment, he spoke again: "Summon everyone to the Outer Sect training plaza—I have an announcement to make."
A quarter-hour later, tens of thousands of Pristine Way Sect disciples and elders gathered at the outer plaza.
However, fear and anxiety were written on nearly every face.
"Sect Master arrives!"
As the words fell, Ian strode up onto the high platform.
"Greetings, Sect Master!"
Tens of thousands bowed in salute all at once.
"No need for formalities."
Ian raised his hand lightly in a gesture to let them rise.
For a moment, the plaza was utterly silent—a pin drop could be heard.
Ian's voice rang out again: "The Thirty-Eight-Sect Coalition is now less than a hundred li from Pristine Way Sect!"
As soon as these words left his mouth, a wave of commotion swept through the crowd. Even though everyone already knew the news, hearing the Sect Master confirm it sent a shock and fear through them all.
"Silence!"
At the edge of the platform, Elder Shea barked out a cold command. His voice boomed across the entire training ground, making many people's eardrums ring. Instinctively, everyone fell silent.
Ian continued, "This is the critical moment that will decide Pristine Way Sect's survival. If we overcome this tribulation, our sect will reach new heights. If we fail, Pristine Way will vanish from the world. Now, I give you two choices: one, stay and fight to the end; two, leave Pristine Way immediately. I swear on my honor as Sect Master that no one who leaves will be made to suffer!"
As soon as he said this, the Supreme Elders' faces changed dramatically. They thought to themselves that the Sect Master was being foolish—wouldn't this just cause Pristine Way to collapse without a fight?
But down below, quite a few disciples showed looks of relief and even happiness.
"You have only a quarter-hour. If you want to leave, go now. After this, only those who remain will share Pristine Way's fate!" Ian urged.
As soon as he finished speaking, an Outer Sect disciple stepped out of the ranks, bowed deeply to Ian on the platform, and said, "Thank you, Sect Master, for your mercy. I am ashamed and must leave first."
"No problem. Take care!" Ian waved his hand.
The disciple got up and darted toward the mountain gate, vanishing in an instant.
Seeing Ian truly didn't pursue those who left, dozens more stepped out, knelt to him, and then departed.
The number of people leaving grew and grew. In less than half a quarter-hour, over three thousand had left—mostly Outer Sect disciples, but also Inner and Elite Disciples, and even several elders and deacons.
For a moment, the Supreme Elders' faces grew even darker. They thought the Sect Master had made a disastrous move.
Fortunately, the Core Disciples hadn't moved.
But just as they thought this, the leading Core Disciple, Shen Bufan, stepped forward, cupped his fists to Ian, and said, "Sect Master, I truly wish to live and die with the sect, but I can't abandon my elderly parents. I must leave first. Take care!"
"Take care!" Ian nodded with a smile. He wasn't surprised—Shen Bufan had always been dissatisfied with his rise to Sect Master.
Watching Shen Bufan's departing figure, the Supreme Elders' faces grew even gloomier and more sullen.
The remaining four Core Disciples all looked conflicted and hesitant.
In the end, two more left.
Only two remained.
The quarter-hour was up.
Those who wanted to leave had gone; those who remained were willing to share Pristine Way's fate.
Even though losing those people meant Pristine Way Sect's overall strength dropped by a third, Ian wasn't worried. His real trump cards weren't the sect's disciples.
Facing the remaining disciples, Ian broke into a gratified smile. "Excellent. You haven't disappointed me. Since you haven't let me down, I, as Sect Master, won't let you down either. I can tell you with absolute certainty: this time, victory will belong to Pristine Way!"
"Willing to live and die with the Sect Master!"
An Inner Sect disciple shouted out. Ian looked up—it was Evan Lin, who had joined Pristine Way with him back in the day!
"Willing to live and die with the Sect Master!"
Feeling Ian's gaze, Evan Lin shouted again—this time, several dozen others joined in.
"Willing to live and die with the Sect Master!"
This time it wasn't just dozens, but over ten thousand disciples shouting together.
"Willing to live and die with the Sect Master!"
Now, everyone was shouting together—the sound shook heaven and earth. Even the Supreme Elders were deeply moved, and soon their faces showed relief: the sect's morale was solid.
An hour and a half later.
The Thirty-Eight-Sect Coalition finally arrived—their ranks were so dense, the end couldn't be seen.
Ian stood at the mountain gate with the Supreme Elders, calmly facing the vast army.
At the front of the army.
Alliance commander Jason Chen led the other sect masters, facing Ian from afar atop the mountain.
Aaron Ao strode out from the crowd, glaring venomously at Ian and jeering, "Huang Liang brat, my army's already at your gates—aren't you going to surrender? What are you waiting for?"
Ian ignored him completely. His gaze swept toward the center of the enemy ranks as he called out loudly, "Vanessa Nangong! At this point, aren't you going to show yourself?"
A figure flickered—Vanessa Nangong and six Martial Saints appeared at the front of the army.
"Huang Liang, we meet again." Vanessa Nangong smiled, her eyes full of smugness.
"Yeah, we meet again. Too bad every time we meet, it's on the battlefield!" Ian replied with a wry smile.
Suddenly, Vanessa's eyes turned venomous. She mocked, "Want to live, Huang Liang? Just kneel and beg this lady, maybe I'll spare your little life!"
"You're not worthy!" Ian shook his head.
Vanessa's gaze went cold. She waved her hand and ordered, "Sect Master Chen, attack! Break Pristine Way's mountain gate—leave not even chickens or dogs alive!"
"Attack!"
Jason Chen gave Ian a complicated look, then issued the order to begin the assault.
"Retreat!"
Ian barked the command, leading the Supreme Elders back inside the mountain gate.
"Don't let him escape! Chase him down and kill him!" Vanessa Nangong shouted harshly. Instantly, the six Martial Saints behind her shot toward Ian like lightning.