222: Chapter 221: Securing a Sliver of Opportunity for the Marquis of Chu!

Just as Xia Jin fell into a deep sleep within the Yuanling Pool, a figure stepped out from a distorted space rift within the Third Heaven.

It was an old man. More accurately, it was a sturdy old man whose appearance was unforgettable.

He had an extremely burly build, and his grizzled short hair stood on end like the mane of an angry lion.

But at this moment, his expression looked somewhat weary.

At the same time this elderly man appeared in the Third Heaven, Yang Qingxuan, who was weeding in the spirit fields, suddenly stopped his movements.

He slowly raised his head, his gaze crossing the edge of the spirit fields to look toward the direction where the old man had appeared.

“Hmm? The Second Hall Master is back?” he murmured, a hint of surprise in his voice.

But he soon frowned; could some unexpected change have occurred?

He hoisted the iron hoe onto his shoulder and walked out of the spirit fields.

He took only a single step, and the ground beneath his feet seemed to fold the moment he stepped on it, causing him to appear directly in front of the old man.

“Disciple Yang Qingxuan greets the Second Hall Master.”

“You certainly arrived quickly.” The Second Hall Master nodded toward Yang Qingxuan upon seeing him.

Before Yang Qingxuan could speak, he heard the sound of rushing wind from behind him.

“Whoosh!”

A figure descended from the western sky. Before the person even landed, a thick scent of alcohol wafted over first.

The person landed on both feet; it was none other than The Drunkard.

His face still bore two patches of crimson flush, making him look like a drunkard who had just been fished out of a wine vat.

But at this moment, though the scent of alcohol on him was strong, his eyes lacked their usual drunken haze.

“Second Hall Master.” The Drunkard cupped his hands and stood beside Yang Qingxuan, his gaze falling on the old man with a trace of solemnity hidden deep in his eyes.

Almost at the same moment, a third figure arrived.

It was Zhou Chu, dressed in Taoist robes.

He walked forward, also first bowing to the Second Hall Master, and then quietly stood on the other side of Yang Qingxuan.

Three Hun-class Disciples had arrived almost simultaneously.

The old man looked at the three of them and nodded slightly, as if confirming something. But after his gaze swept over them, his brow couldn't help but furrow as he asked, “Why is it only the three of you?”

His voice wasn't loud, but his tone carried a clear hint of dissatisfaction.

Yang Qingxuan, The Drunkard, and Zhou Chu exchanged glances. As the Yang Qingxuan, Yang Qingxuan took a half-step forward and explained, “Second Hall Master, Boss Chu went out a while ago and has not yet returned.”

“Oh?” The old man raised an eyebrow, a sharp glint flashing in his weary eyes. “Marquis Chu went out? Where did he go?”

“This...” Yang Qingxuan paused slightly. “Boss Chu didn't say explicitly when he left, only that he was going to handle a certain matter. However, calculating the days, he should be back soon.”

The old man didn't press further, merely giving an “Mhm,” before shifting his gaze behind Yang Qingxuan. “Then what about Fourth Senior Brother?”

“As for Junior Brother Wu... at this time, he should be...”

However, Yang Qingxuan hadn't finished his sentence.

“Boom!”

A loud explosion echoed from the distance, and the entire earth trembled along with it.

Everyone looked toward the source of the sound.

On the mountain path in the distance, a round figure was sprinting toward them. With every step the figure took, the ground beneath exploded into a circular wave of Qi, sending gravel flying everywhere.

It was a fat man.

An extremely stout fat man.

Once the dust settled, the fat man stood steadily, carrying a massive slab of meat on his shoulder.

“Hehehe...”

He chuckled a few times, then unloaded the slab of meat from his shoulder, holding it in one hand as he respectfully bowed to the Second Hall Master.

“Disciple Wu Feng greets the Second Hall Master.”

The old man looked at this Disciple who acted like a jester, and the corner of his mouth twitched imperceptibly, but in the end, he said nothing in reproach. He simply nodded faintly, then scanned the four people present and said in a heavy voice:

“Let's go. We'll talk inside.”

After saying that, he took the lead and walked toward a nearby small courtyard.

The Second Hall Master walked into the main hall and sat down in the primary seat. His build was so burly that even sitting on an ordinary wooden chair, he was half a head taller than a normal person, giving off an invisible sense of pressure.

Yang Qingxuan, The Drunkard, Zhou Chu, and Fourth Senior Brother took their seats in order on the guest chairs on either side.

For a moment, the atmosphere in the hall was heavy.

The Second Hall Master did not speak after sitting down, merely closing his eyes slightly. It wasn't until a silence of about half a cup of tea's time had passed that he finally opened his eyes.

“Have you... already guessed the reason for this old man's return?”

After the four exchanged glances, Yang Qingxuan was the first to speak. “Second Hall Master, if there is something, you might as well tell us directly.”

“Good.”

The Second Hall Master nodded, then raised his right hand and gave a casual wave.

A majestic surge of spiritual energy erupted from his palm, instantly transforming into a clear image.

Silence reigned in the main hall.

The four pairs of eyes belonging to Yang Qingxuan and the others stared fixedly at the image, unmoving.

Time passed bit by bit.

Half an hour later, the image slowly dissipated, but the atmosphere in the main hall had become even more stifling than it was half an hour ago.

Yang Qingxuan's expression had also darkened.

Ultimately, it was the Second Hall Master who broke the silence.

He slowly stood up, his gaze sweeping over everyone.

“This time... if there are no accidents, the alien race team descending upon our world will be one of these three.”

“Their strength... you should have seen it clearly. To be honest, if you want to win... with your current strength, it will be very difficult.”

“However...” A sharp light flashed in the Second Hall Master's eyes. “This old man still hopes that through your greatest efforts, even if you don't win, you will at least fight for a sliver of opportunity for Marquis Chu.”

Fighting for a sliver of opportunity for Marquis Chu!!

After the old man finished saying this, he did not linger.

He stood up and walked toward the door.

He paused at the doorway.

He didn't turn around, but with his back to the four of them, he said:

“In these remaining ten days or so, you few should make your preparations.”

Then he strode out, disappearing from everyone's sight.