Chapter 377: Chapter 22 Persecution_1

“Master Zhuang, Master Yan, Master Zhang…”

“What a surprise, the wind has brought all of you here.”

Wang Ba stood at the entrance, smiling warmly at the crowd in front of him.

The originally bustling street had been mysteriously cleared, leaving only the ten or so disciples from the three grand sects standing before him.

He quickly extended an inviting hand:

“Welcome in, please.”

“Ha ha, Master Shen, don’t joke with us. Your reputation is now more prominent than ours, the veterans.”

Zhuang Yi of Xuli Sect joked cheerfully.

Behind him, Yan Qing of Huifeng Valley and Sect Master Zhang of the Danlong School also nodded their heads. Without any hesitation, the three of them, along with the familiar faces behind them – Wang Tang, Feng Bao, Zhang Yunlong and others, promptly entered in a single file.

Wang Ba watched their backs as they walked into his mansion, his expression involuntarily became serious.

“Why are these people suddenly showing up together?”

“Are they plotting against me? No, that shouldn’t be the case. If they were, they wouldn’t need so many people.”

However, for a time, he really couldn’t comprehend their intentions, and in his heart, he couldn’t shake off a feeling of unease.

He hesitated for a moment.

He quietly sent a message to someone on the other side.

Afterwards, he briskly walked into the house.

…

“It seems that you have quite a few Spirit Beasts, Master Shen.”

Zhuang Yi stood under the eaves, looking over the grass in front of him with a smile on his face.

Even though Wang Ba had promptly put away most of his Spirit Beasts, the residual aura was not so easy to dispel in such a short time.

Especially for Golden Core cultivators with keener senses, it was not too hard to sense this residual aura.

Wang Ba didn’t show any signs of anxiety, upon hearing Zhuang Yi’s words he merely responded with a wry smile:

“These are all practice subjects. As a Spiritual Cook, how can I fully understand the anatomy of Spirit Beasts without close contact?”

“Now, Master, please enjoy your tea.”

Zhuang Yi quietly nodded in response.

Yan Qing from Huifeng Valley sighed on the side:

“No wonder Master Shen has such remarkable expertise in extracting chicken essence. It seems you never stop practicing.”

“Master Yan, you flatter me. It’s just a common skill. After all, in the end, one’s cultivation realm is what really matters.”

Wang Ba laughed, steering away from the subject.

Immediately, he turned to address the elderly grey-robed figure who stayed ominously quiet all the while:

“Master Zhang, please have some tea.”

This Master Zhang was the great-grandfather of Zhang Yunlong, and the highest-ranking elder in the Danlong School besides the sect master. Among the cultivators of Yan State, his seniority was quite high.

Hearing Wang Ba’s invitation, a faint smile appeared on his aged, wrinkly face:

“Hmm, good.”

The indifferent attitude briefly stunned Wang Ba.

Compared to the Xuli Sect and Huifeng Valley, due to the existence of Wen Yong and the Danlong School’s previous assurance of Wang Ba’s safety, the relationship between Wang Ba and the Danlong School was relatively more amicable.

In the past, he had interacted with the Golden Core cultivators of Danlong School. They were generally quite friendly towards him.

But not this time.

This unusual demeanor made Wang Ba inwardly anxious.

He couldn’t help but sit there trying to figure out their intentions.

Yet, no sign of worry showed on his face, as he continued to chat and laugh with the Golden Core cultivators.

Compared to half a year ago, only he could suppress the aura of the three Golden Core cultivators present. In front of him, Wang Tang, Feng Bao, Zhang Yunlong and others all seemed to fall short.

Despite the fact that Wang Ba’s displayed cultivation realm hadn’t changed, none of the Foundation Establishment cultivators dared to interrupt or interject when he spoke.

This was the change brought about by the power of status and reputation.

Although this kind of change seemed to be built on thin air, in some respect, it was very real.

After a long roundabout, Zhuang Yi glanced at Yan Qing, who despite laughing and talking the whole time had carefully avoided discussing any serious matter, and at

the always mute Master Zhang, grumbled to himself about their unreliability.

It was initially agreed that they would all act together, but when it came down to it, they chose to stay silent.

Finally, Zhuang Yi could no longer hold back:

“Wang Tang, you and your fellow disciples should step outside for a moment.”

Wang Tang on the side was slightly taken aback, immediately realising what was happening, he couldn’t help but look at his trigger-happy Elder, his face darkened.

The sect master wanted you to invite the other two sects, not to take the initiative in dealing with them!

However, when Elder Zhuang Yi spoke, Wang Tang, as a disciple, could not show any hesitation whatsoever. Such hesitation would be considered disrespectful to Xuli Sect. He quickly bowed and responded:

“Yes, sir!”

“Junior Brother Xu, and also Daoist friends Feng Bao, Zhang Yunlong, let’s all…”

Before Wang Tang had finished speaking, the until now silent Sect Master Zhang of Danlong School unexpectedly spoke up. His old, hoarse voice echoed:

“Friend Zhuang, If you have anything to say, there’s no need to keep it from these youngsters. They are the future of our three great sects. It would be good for them to stay and listen. What do you think?”

Zhuang Yi was taken aback upon hearing this. What did he mean by he had something to say?

Hadn’t they agreed to act together?

Yan Qing from Huifeng Valley, who had been laughing and joking up until this point, suddenly became unnaturally silent.

The Foundation Establishment competitors below were also exceptionally quiet.

Wang Ba felt a chill in his heart. His gaze subtly swept over the three Golden Core Masters.

Especially on Zhuang Yi, he lingered for a while.

“It appears that this time, Xuli Sect must be taking the lead… What are they trying to do?”