16: Hidden Sword Peak was the first to die.

As soon as these words were spoken, the air in the Council Hall instantly froze, and everyone looked at the Ninth Elder in unison.

The Ninth Elder realized his slip of the tongue and hurriedly lowered his head, defending himself in a low voice: "Old Ancestor, please calm your anger. I was just confused by rage and spoke casually."

After the words fell, the frozen space in the hall resumed its flow.

The Ninth Elder wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, a look of lingering fear on his face.

Just then.

An urgent cry came from outside the hall: "Sect Master, Elders, something terrible has happened!"

"The Disciples who were preparing to go out for training have sent back an emergency report. The army of the Taiyan Imperial Dynasty has surrounded the Sect, and now no one is allowed to enter or leave!"

Li Xiao frowned, exchanged glances with the Elders, and they all released their Divine Sense to investigate.

After a moment, everyone withdrew their Divine Sense. The Ninth Elder said disdainfully, "They are just a motley crew. The commander is only at the seventh level of the Saint Emperor realm; there is nothing to fear."

The Grand Elder sighed: "Though that's true, it's enough to show Emperor Yan's attitude."

The Second Elder was full of worry:

"Sect Master, if the army besieges us for a long time, the Sect Disciples won't be able to go out for training. Over time, this will surely seriously hinder the development of the Sect."

"What are you afraid of?" The Ninth Elder suddenly slammed the table and stood up, saying angrily, "A small fry at the seventh level of the Saint Emperor realm, I can handle him alone!"

Just as he finished speaking, another hurried set of footsteps came from outside the hall.

A Deacon reported anxiously from outside: "Sect Master, this is bad! The Fourth Elder's life tablet has shattered!"

Li Xiao stood up abruptly, the Laws in his palm instantly surged out, and the heavy stone door opened in response. The Deacon stumbled in.

"Sect Master!"

"Speak clearly! What exactly happened?" Li Xiao's voice carried a hint of imperceptible coldness.

The Deacon panted and said, "The Disciples responsible for guarding the Life Tablet Pavilion reported that during their routine inspection, they found that the Fourth Elder's life tablet had been shattered for several days."

"Later, an investigation revealed that the Fourth Elder had privately taken a mission to go to the Taiyan Dynasty to assist a Prince in assassinating the Emperor of the Taiyan Dynasty!"

The Elders looked at each other. The Grand Elder suddenly spoke: "Sect Master, do you think this Taiyan Dynasty could be the current Taiyan Imperial Dynasty?"

"In the entire Central State, there is only one Dynasty!" The Ninth Elder interrupted angrily, then turned to Li Xiao, his tone becoming more excited: "Sect Master! This Taiyan Imperial Dynasty is simply going too far!"

"They killed our Elder and still dare to come to our door to demand Xueqi. I absolutely disagree!"

He slammed the table heavily again, making the cups rattle: "If the Qingyun Sect is to perish, my Cangjian Peak will die out first!"

Once these words were spoken, the Elders felt their Bloodline boiling, and a raging Battle Intent ignited in their eyes.

A sharp glint flashed in the Grand Elder's eyes. He slammed the table and said loudly, "Sect Master, I agree with Old Nine's words!"

"At most, we will activate the Sect Protecting Grand Array."

"Even if Emperor Yan has heaven-reaching means, does he really have the ability to break through the Formation that our Qingyun Sect has inherited for a million years?"

The Second Elder hurriedly agreed, his tone full of confidence: "Sect Master, I also agree."

"Once the Sect Protecting Grand Array is activated, even a powerhouse at the fifth level of the Quasi-Emperor realm cannot blast it open. No matter how strong Emperor Yan is, can he really be compared to a great expert of the fifth level of the Quasi-Emperor realm?"

The other Elders responded one after another: "Sect Master, we also agree with the Grand Elder's proposal! As long as we protect Xueqi, our Qingyun Sect will still be able to stand at the peak of the Central State in the future!"

Listening to everyone's passionate speeches, Li Xiao frowned, his fingertips unconsciously tapping the tabletop.

If it were really as the Elders said, that they could rest easy just by relying on the Sect Protecting Grand Array, then this matter would be simple.

But the world changes, and people's hearts are unpredictable. Is the truth really that easy?

He suddenly looked up, his voice penetrating the Void Realm: "Old Ancestor, what do you think?"

As these words landed, the noisy hall instantly fell into a dead silence.

The Elders' hearts skipped a beat. Had the Old Ancestor not left?

The next moment, an old and majestic voice echoed slowly in the hall, carrying the weight of accumulated years:

"Li Xiao, send someone to test Dynasty's determination."

"If they refuse to withdraw their troops, then tell all of this to Qin Fan."

"In this way, all difficulties will naturally be resolved."

The Elders were all stunned, their faces filled with confusion.

They knew that Qin Fan and Lu Xueqi were in love, but what use would it be to tell Qin Fan?

The Second Elder was full of doubt:

"Old Ancestor, Qin Fan is just a Disciple who came from a small Family. Is it really useful to tell him about this?"

The Ninth Elder also said: "Old Ancestor, although Qin Fan's talent is Heaven-Defying, he is currently only in the Saint Realm."

"Even if he is to grow to our level of cultivation, it will take a lot of time. Is it really useful to tell him?"

However, only silence responded to them; the Old Ancestor seemed to have already departed.

For a moment, everyone's gaze converged on Li Xiao.

From the Old Ancestor's words, it seemed that Qin Fan really could solve this matter.

And the secrets within, the Sect Master also seemed to know.

The Grand Elder took a deep breath and said in a heavy voice: "Sect Master, could the Old Ancestor's move be to shift the trouble onto others? If so, then this Qin Fan..."

As he spoke, his gaze locked onto Li Xiao.

Li Xiao sat down slowly and nodded. He didn't answer directly but looked at the Ninth Elder: "Ninth Elder, you go and test Dynasty's determination. As for Qin Fan's side, I will contact him."

The Elders' hearts shook. Could it really be as they thought?

The Second Elder asked urgently: "Sect Master, could it be that Qin Fan..."

Li Xiao raised his hand to interrupt him, his tone certain: "It is not convenient for this Sect Master to say any more."

"But you only need to remember that in this Five Evolutions True Realm, there are people who dare to provoke Qin Fan, but that definitely does not include Emperor Yan!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the Elders already had their guesses.

It seemed that behind this Qin Fan, there was an unknown and powerful background.

The truth was indeed as they thought, but the real key was only known to Li Xiao and the Old Ancestor.

Behind Qin Fan stood a Great Emperor Remnant Soul.

Even if it was just a remnant soul, it was definitely not something an ordinary Quasi-Emperor could compare to.

One must know that in the entire Five Evolutions True Realm, Great Emperors had long been legendary existences.

"Ninth Elder, why aren't you going yet?" Li Xiao saw him dazed and couldn't help but urge him.

The Ninth Elder was thinking about the terrifying power behind Qin Fan, and he suddenly snapped back to his senses upon hearing this: "I'm going now!"

After saying that, he turned into a streak of light and instantly rushed out of the Council Hall.

Li Xiao then took out a simple and ancient Communication Token from his Storage Ring.

This was something he had thick-facedly exchanged for when Qin Fan first came to the Qingyun Sect.

No longer hesitating, spiritual energy surged from his fingertips as he sent a few words: "Little Friend Qin, Xueqi is in danger, come quickly."

After the transmission was finished, Li Xiao put away the token and sat quietly in the main seat, waiting.

As for the attitude of the Taiyan Imperial Dynasty, he didn't care at all.

Whether the other party withdrew their troops or not, since they dared to provoke him, Li Xiao, and dared to target Lu Xueqi...

This Taiyan Imperial Dynasty was already seeking its own death.