On the other side.
Not long after Byron Cheng entered Howard Cheng's residence, Ian Song's side received the news.
"Do you know who the leader is?" Ian asked.
Gathering intelligence was Justin Zane's responsibility, while logistics were handled by Jason Zhuge.
These past few days, Justin Zane used money to win over quite a few Sky-Sun Region martial artists, focusing on those with low cultivation but wide connections and sharp eyes.
As a result, today someone recognized Byron Cheng and revealed his background.
At the same time, there was an unexpected piece of news: the man in the black robe and ghost-face mask accompanying Byron Cheng was likely the famous Sky-Sun Region occult doctor, Mr. Ghost.
Legend has it that Mr. Ghost's medical skills are unrivaled; he has never failed a patient, and his true face remains a mystery, as he always wears his ghost mask.
"Captain, do you think Mr. Ghost can fully heal Howard Cheng?" Rhea Yan asked.
"I'm not sure about that," Ian shook his head.
"Captain, why don't we strike first and take out Byron Cheng?" Hannah Chen suggested, her fighting spirit blazing.
"No rush!"
Ian shook his head. "If we kill him now, what if we scare off the other factions?"
"Captain, you mean...?"
Everyone understood the implication in Ian's words—he intended to wipe out all the forces backing these so-called geniuses in one sweep.
After all, these geniuses represent the top powers of the Sky-Sun Region. If the plan succeeds, not only will their team become famous in Sky-Sun, they'll be hailed as heroes in Mystic Sun Domain. Just thinking about it was enough to get everyone excited.
After briefly outlining his plan, Ian ended the small meeting.
In the days that followed,
Seven teams entered Dragonskull City one after another.
Among them, three were Saint Sea Realm experts, and eight were Law-Phase cultivators.
As for Sun-Soul Realm cultivators, there were over a hundred present.
But these people were highly coordinated; none of them approached Ian Song directly, clearly plotting something.
Finally—
Two days later, a man and a woman entered Dragonskull City.
According to the scouts, the pair were from the Ward clan, both terrifyingly powerful at peak Saint Sea Realm.
Hearing this, the Vermin Squad members grew uneasy.
Although they trusted Ian, the enemy now had five Saint Sea experts, with two at peak Saint Sea Realm. This level of power could overturn any superpower in the Sky-Sun Region.
As for the outside world, public opinion was even more pessimistic about Ian and his team.
Most believed they were doomed.
Even those martial artists who had been friendly with Justin Zane now avoided him, not wanting to get caught up in the disaster.
In a certain residence—
Mr. Ghost was removing the bandages from Howard Cheng's head.
"Open your eyes!"
At his words, Howard Cheng slowly opened his eyes. As the room came into view, his facial muscles twitched with excitement. He clenched his fists, a fierce look flashing in his eyes: "Chu Fan, what you did to me—I swear I'll pay you back tenfold!"
The next moment, he stood up and bowed deeply to Mr. Ghost. "Sir, thank you!"
"No need!"
Mr. Ghost waved his hand. "I saved you only because the Cheng family could afford the price."
"No matter what, you saved me. Otherwise, I'd have spent my life blind and crippled!" Howard said sincerely. Then he turned to Byron Cheng: "Second Uncle, thank you too!"
"Haha, there's no need for such words between us!" Byron Cheng laughed, patting Howard's shoulder. "Just hope you learn from this experience."
Years ago, a cultivation mishap left Byron sterile, so he had always treated Howard as his own son.
Otherwise, Byron wouldn't have paid such a steep price to hire Mr. Ghost for the treatment.
Howard nodded heavily, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. "I will."
Byron Cheng said, "I've received word that the Ying, Chen, Wade, Situ, Lee, Tang, and Shaw clans have all arrived in Dragonskull City. In addition, Drake Ward and Fiona Ward of the Ward clan arrived today. With our Cheng clan included, that's five Saint Sea experts, eight Law-Phase cultivators, and dozens of Sun-Soul masters. No matter how heaven-defying Chu Fan is, he won't escape death!"
At this, a trace of joy appeared in Howard's eyes. "Second Uncle, I have a request—I want to personally take Chu Fan's head!"
"We'll see. I'll do my best to win you that chance!"
Byron said, knowing that with the arrival of the Ward clan's Dragon and Phoenix siblings, the matter was out of his hands.
The Ward clan is the titan of the Sky-Sun Region, with ten thousand years of heritage and profound foundations. Their family even possesses an imperial weapon that anchors their fortune. The Cheng clan is strong, but compared to the Ward clan, the difference is vast.
What's more, the Ward clan's Dragon and Phoenix siblings are not to be underestimated.
Drake Ward is known as the Poison Dragon, while Fiona Ward is called the Shadow Phoenix.
Fifty years ago, these siblings dominated the Hidden Dragon Ranking, holding first and second place. Their generation's other prodigies were overshadowed by their ruthless brilliance.
Take Byron for example; he was ranked ninth back then, but his presence was barely felt, since the Poison Dragon and Shadow Phoenix stole all the limelight.
Not to mention ninth—even the third-ranked prodigy was outshone by them.
Just then—
A subordinate hurried in.
"Sir, someone delivered an invitation!"
Byron took the invitation and glanced at it—his expression instantly grew serious.
Because the invitation was jointly signed by the Poison Dragon and Shadow Phoenix.
"Get ready—we're going to the banquet!"
Byron closed the invitation and addressed Howard.
At the same time Byron received the invitation, the other seven factions also got identical ones.
Half an hour later, at Mountain-Sea Pavilion.
Mountain-Sea Pavilion wasn't as famous as Moonwatch Pavilion, but since Moonwatch Pavilion is now in ruins, Mountain-Sea Pavilion has become the most renowned restaurant in Dragonskull City.
Normally, Mountain-Sea Pavilion would be bustling at this hour, but today it was unusually quiet. In the main hall, only a middle-aged man and woman sat quietly sipping tea.
"Seventh Brother, aren't we being a bit too cautious, giving so much attention to a junior?" After a long silence, Fiona Ward spoke softly.
"This kid is beyond anything we imagined!" Drake Ward chuckled. "Besides, what's wrong with having others test the waters for us?"
"True enough!"
Fiona smiled, then glanced outside the restaurant just as Byron Cheng entered with Howard and two subordinates.
"Brother Baishan, you've arrived! Please, have a seat!"
Drake Ward was very polite, but he and Fiona Ward remained seated.
Byron didn't mind. He smiled warmly. "It's been years since I last saw Brother Drake and Lady Fiona. Today, you both look even more impressive than before!"
"You're too kind, Brother Baishan!" Drake Ward laughed heartily.
Over the next quarter hour, the other seven groups arrived one after another, and soon Mountain-Sea Pavilion was lively again.