Starting as the heir of a marquis's mansion, I gained access to a summoning system.

Tu Wanshan's face turned pale and then flushed.

In the end, he gritted his teeth and swallowed his anger. He glared fiercely at Meng Xinghun, then waved his hand and led the Blood Nether Sect disciples away.

More than thirty dark figures, just as they had arrived at the same time, vanished silently into the darkness.

A moment later, the stronghold returned to calm.

Chen Jialuo took a deep breath, walked up to Meng Xinghun, and clasped his hands in thanks: "Thank you. If you hadn't arrived in time tonight, the four of us would probably..."

"It's the Lord's order," Meng Xinghun interrupted him, "The mine cannot be lost. You cannot die either."

He glanced at Wen Tailai's injuries: "Not serious. He'll be fine in a few days. The sentries around the stronghold need to be redeployed. The Blood Cult won't let this go—but they shouldn't dare come back anytime soon."

Chen Jialuo nodded: "I'll make the arrangements right away."

Meng Xinghun said nothing more. He turned and walked into the darkness. He disappeared in a few leaps.

Chen Jialuo watched his retreating figure in silence for a long time. Although the other party didn't say anything, he could tell that that sword strike was definitely not something that could be used lightly, otherwise he wouldn't have let the others from the Blood Demon Sect leave so easily.

Overnight, the news spread like wildfire, reaching every corner of the vast mountain range.

Meng Xinghun, the leader of the first branch of the Azure Dragon Society's Yiyue Hall, killed Wan Guku, a master at the early stage of the Innate Profound Gang Realm.

Blood Demon Cult camp.

Tu Wanshan slumped in his chair, his face ashen.

Ten Thousand Bones Withered—a seventh-ranked elder of the Blood Nether Sect's outer sect, at the early stage of the Innate Profound Realm. He died at the hands of a branch leader of the Azure Dragon Society?

"Azure Dragon Society..." Tu Wanshan murmured these three words, his eyes filled with fear.

He recalled the words of the gray-clad swordsman that night—"Azure Dragon Society, a branch of the One Moon Hall." If a member of a branch could kill someone at the Innate Profound Realm, how terrifying must the true core power of the Azure Dragon Society be?

"Pass down the order: withdraw from the main headquarters." Tu Wanshan's voice was hoarse. "This mine... we don't need it anymore."

When the news reached the Tianshan Sect camp, Leng Qianqiu was discussing the next steps with Han Songzi.

"What?!" Han Songzi stood up abruptly. "Wan Gu is dead? Killed by the Azure Dragon Society?"

The scout nodded: "Absolutely true. The Blood Demon Sect has withdrawn. Tu Wanshan led his remaining troops and left the Cangmang Mountains overnight."

Leng Qianqiu's expression was extremely solemn.

"Wan Gu Ku's cultivation is no less than mine," he said in a low voice. "The person who can kill him must be at least in the mid-stage of the Innate Profound Realm... or even higher."

"Could it be that masked boy?" Han Songzi asked.

"I don't know." Leng Qianqiu shook his head. "But whoever it is—it all proves one thing. The Azure Dragon Society's strength far exceeds our expectations."

He stood up, paced around the tent a few times, and then suddenly stopped.

"Send the order: everyone retreat to the borderlands. As for the mine... we'll discuss it later."

Han Songzi grew anxious: "Elder Leng, we finally managed to get some manpower..."

"You want me to die here like countless other corpses?" Leng Qianqiu glanced at him coldly. "What use is a mineral vein if you're dead?"

Han Songzi opened his mouth, but ultimately didn't dare to say anything more.

When the news reached the Iron Sword Sect, Zhao Tieyi was practicing his sword in his room at the Yuelai Inn.

Upon hearing the news, he paused for a moment, then slowly sheathed his sword.

"The First Branch Master of the Azure Dragon Society's First Branch." He repeated in a low voice, his lips twitching slightly.

"Vice Sect Leader," a disciple beside him whispered, "Should we still go into the mountain?"

Zhao Tieyi remained silent for a long time before finally shaking his head.

"We're not going into the mountains," he said. "Send the order down to everyone to retreat to Guangling Prefecture. As for the mine... we'll discuss that later."

"Yes."

When the news reached Wanbao Trading Company, Jin Buhuan was in the accounting office of Tongfu Inn, sorting out accounts.

After listening to the scout's report, he put down his abacus and remained silent for a moment.

Then he laughed.

"Interesting." He stood up and walked to the window. "The Azure Dragon Society... the One Moon Hall... a single branch leader can kill someone at the Innate Profound Realm. This place is much deeper than I imagined."

"Shopkeeper, shall we still get involved?"

"Get involved? Why should we get involved?" Jin Buhuan turned around, picked up his teacup and took a sip. "We're businessmen, not here to fight to the death. It doesn't matter who owns the mine—what matters is who can supply the goods. Since the Green Dragon Society can supply the goods, we'll continue doing business with them."

He paused.

"Go investigate the background of that Green Dragon Society. If you can find out, great; if not, don't force it. Remember, don't offend them."

"Yes."

When the news reached the Zhenfu Division, Shen Lian was in the study of the Qinghe Branch Division discussing countermeasures with Zhou Gang and Qian Qi.

"Ten thousand bones have withered and died." Zhou Gang's voice was filled with disbelief. "Early stage of the Innate Profound Realm—pierced through the throat by a single sword."

"Who did this?" Shen Lian's brows furrowed so deeply they could trap a fly.

"A man named Meng Xinghun. He claimed to be the first branch leader of the Azure Dragon Society's First Moon Hall."

Qian Qi paused, holding his folding fan. "Yiyue Hall? First Branch?"

"In other words—" Shen Lian's voice was low, "The Azure Dragon Society might have a 'One Moon Hall,' and under the 'One Moon Hall' there are several branches. This Meng Xinghun is just the leader of one of those branches. A branch leader can kill someone at the Innate Profound Realm. What is the cultivation level of the Azure Dragon Society's hall master? Are there any other halls?"

The study remained silent for a long time.

"Lord Qianhu means to continue the investigation," Zhou Gang finally spoke, "but not to act rashly. The Azure Dragon Society has not yet shown any intention to antagonize the imperial court—we don't need to provoke them."

Shen Lian nodded: "That's what I think too."

He stood up, walked to the window, and gazed at the vast mountain range outside.

It was pitch black there, and you couldn't see anything.

But he could almost see—in the darkness, a pair of empty eyes coldly watching everything.

"The Azure Dragon Society," he murmured to himself.

Three days after the Blood Demon Cult retreated, the vast mountain range was unusually clear.

Sunlight streamed through the gaps in the clouds, illuminating the blue tiles of the Qinglong Society's stronghold.

The chilling atmosphere of the bloody battle a few days ago has been largely dispelled.

The outpost was thoroughly cleaned inside and out. The damaged walls were repaired overnight. The sentry posts were redeployed in three layers—more secure than before.

Chen Jialuo stood under the corridor of the Hall of Gathering Righteousness, watching the newly recruited men drill in the courtyard. Wen Tailai sat on the steps, his left arm still wrapped in bandages, but his complexion had improved considerably.

Zhao Banshan and Daoist Wuchen were both busy with their own things. The stronghold returned to its former order.

Meng Xinghun did not stay.

After slaying Wan Gu Ku that night, he only said one sentence, "Continue with the mine matter as planned," before disappearing into the darkness and returning to his base near the mine.