Chapter 3305 — The Robbers Arrive

It is a rather extraordinary technique for turning another's strength against them—a martial skill paired with a mental incantation—but by now Xiao Wu is already an expert of Heaven Rank late-stage peak strength. The techniques he can unleash are likewise of Heaven Rank late-stage peak strength. Unless he encounters an expert at the great consummation, in which case this auxiliary method lets him discharge a technique of great consummation grade, there is simply no occasion to use it at all.

Of course, before he possessed his present strength, this auxiliary skill of his had been quite useful. He too had once been a most formidable cultivator; back at the Earth Rank, he could trade a single blow with a higher-ranked cultivator and then flee. But now, it offers nothing particularly remarkable.

"That is good to hear." Ancestor Xuanchen nodded. This was precisely why he felt at ease sending these three disciples into action: if any expert should appear, Xiao Wu would inevitably sense it, and the three of them would certainly not come off the worse.

After all, robbing and plundering carried its own risks. If the Blood Robe Yellow Springs Sect should happen to intervene on the side of righteousness and cut them down, Ancestor Xuanchen would have nowhere to seek redress. However overbearing he might be, he could never openly admit that the band of marauders had any connection to him—otherwise, that fellow Bai would certainly seize the pretext and make a great fuss of it.

"Then shall we get our things in order and set out for the Dark Night Palace tomorrow?" Xiao San asked.

"Yes, go." Ancestor Xuanchen said, "Remember: the Grand Elder of the Dark Night Palace is not to be killed. The other disciples—kill at will. Kill one to warn a hundred. Your purpose is to draw Wei Zhao out!"

"Understood, Master. But what if Wei Zhao does come?" Xiao San pressed.

"If Wei Zhao comes, spread the word and let his enemies go finish him off. Of course, if no one steps forward, you may kill him yourselves. Act as circumstances dictate!" Ancestor Xuanchen instructed.

"No problem." Xiao San nodded in assent.

After seeing Kang Jingming off, the Grand Elder was utterly at a loss as to their purpose. Naturally, she was even less aware that calamity was about to descend upon the Dark Night Palace—and that she herself, if she did not die, would at the very least be stripped of a layer of skin.

She happened to be at a critical juncture, striving toward the great consummation of Heaven Rank late-stage peak strength. If she were wounded by anyone now, her future plans for Cloud Rank Island would likely have not the slightest thing to do with her anymore.

But all of this had already been decided in a few casual words from Ancestor Xuanchen. With all the Grand Elder's ability, she could effect no change whatsoever. What good would it do her to guess? And if she failed to guess—what then?

"Boom—boom—boom—"

The stone phoenix statue at the foot of the Dark Night Palace's mountain gate was smashed to pieces outright by Xiao San, Xiao Si, Xiao Wu, and the others. Sand and gravel flew, filling the sky.

This stone phoenix was wrought from adamantite, one of the raw materials used in forging Heaven Rank divine weapons and sharp instruments. It was incomparably hard, utterly unlike the stone of the mortal world—its hardness could already rival that of diamond. Yet it was shattered by Xiao San and the others. One need only imagine the strength of those three.

The gatekeeping disciple was struck dumb with fright by the sudden turn of events. He saw a band of masked men in black arrive before the mountain gate and was just about to ask what their business was, when they attacked without a word and smashed the stone phoenix that stood for the Dark Night Palace. What on earth did they mean by this?

"You... you... you people..." The gatekeeping disciple was so frightened he could scarcely speak. He stared at these men in horror. When Xiao San, Xiao Si, and Xiao Wu shattered the stone phoenix, they had already revealed their strength: Heaven Rank late-stage peak. Three experts of Heaven Rank late-stage peak strength had suddenly appeared here, and their intentions were anything but good—how could the gatekeeping disciple possibly remain at ease?

"A gang robbery. Call out whoever is in charge of the Dark Night Palace!" Xiao San looked down at the gatekeeping disciple with cold arrogance and snorted. "Make it quick. I'll give you ten minutes. If no one appears in ten minutes, we force our way in!"

"Don't... don't... I'll go report it right now. Seniors, please wait a moment..." Though it galled the gatekeeping disciple terribly to address these robbers as seniors, their strength was formidable, and he had no choice but to bow his head.

"Hmph! Still not moving?" Xiao San gave another cold snort.

The gatekeeping disciple ran pell-mell to report to the Grand Elder and Gu Mengyao. And when the Grand Elder learned that a band of robbers had appeared outside the Dark Night Palace's gates and smashed the stone phoenix, the palace's totem, her fury shot up thirty thousand feet.

"Who are these people, to be so bold as to come make trouble at our Dark Night Palace? Do they not want to live?" Hearing this, the Grand Elder was ready to go demand an explanation from these men.

But the gatekeeping disciple was badly startled and hurriedly waved his hands. "Grand Elder, do not be rash! When those robbers' three leaders smashed the stone phoenix, they revealed their strength. All three are experts of Heaven Rank late-stage peak strength..."

"What?! Three... experts of Heaven Rank late-stage peak strength?" The Grand Elder was stunned. Her furious expression immediately turned calm—and grimly terrible. She had originally assumed this was merely a pack of robbers weary of living; however high their strength, before an expert of Heaven Rank late-stage peak strength like herself, they could not possibly pose a threat.

But now, after hearing the gatekeeping disciple's words, the Grand Elder sensed at once that something was wrong. What did three experts of Heaven Rank late-stage peak strength mean? If the three joined forces, killing her was entirely possible!

"Have you notified Yaoyao?" The Grand Elder drew a deep breath and reminded herself to stay calm—she must stay calm. Today's affair was no ordinary matter; she had to handle it with care, or the consequences would be unthinkable.

"I've already sent someone to notify her. Palace Master Chu should know by now as well..." The gatekeeping disciple was still speaking when Gu Mengyao walked in, her face grave.

"Grand Elder!" Gu Mengyao said hurriedly as she entered.

But the Grand Elder waved a hand. "Yaoyao, come with me. Let us go out and see. If it is a blessing, it is no disaster; if it is a disaster, it cannot be avoided. These people did not force their way in—they only asked to see whoever is in charge of the Dark Night Palace. Perhaps there is still room to turn things around!"

"Very well!" Gu Mengyao nodded. (To be continued..) RT