With that issue out of the way, the two of them simply waited for a bit. The disciple who had left to get the Sect Master had rushed off on his sword and since his level wasn’t low, it obviously wouldn’t take long for him to get back. Indeed, just a few minutes later, he returned with Sect Master Mou following behind, her expression grave.

Mou Xiu Lan had always made sure to keep a good relationship with their guardian, not wanting him to feel too resentful about the decision the sects had made back then. His personality was good and the help he rendered his sect came at a price for him, yet he had never held back in offering it. Such a person … she naturally wouldn’t just ignore him until he was needed but would try to make it up to him as much as she could.

Despite her best efforts, Yan Jian Hong seemed like a bit of a loner and wasn’t all that involved in the matters of the sect. As for the times he had reached out for anything … she could count them on one hand. As a result, hearing that he was looking for her naturally made her rush over at once. Of course, part of it was also that the disciple in question stressed that there was a suspicious person with him.

When she arrived at the scene and saw Zhi Guan next to the Red Priest, Mou Xiu Lan heaved a sigh of relief. She hadn’t wanted to let him wait so she rushed over without inquiring further. Seeing the robe of the Teng Yong Sect, half the suspicion she felt about someone coming to see their guardian was already reduced.

Turning to the Red Priest, she inclined her head. “I heard that you were looking for me. Did something happen?”

Yan Jian Hong nodded at her and then motioned at Zhi Guan. “I just received news from the border region.” He quickly summarized the situation, not bothering to go into detail and simply sketched out everything in a few words. Since time was limited, this had to be enough.

“So they need reinforcements.” Mou Xiu Lan furrowed her brows. She had known that the situation in the border region wasn’t good but it seemed that matters had taken a turn for the worse once again. Of course, they should sent people to support the other sects but if matters were urgent, it might already be too late. Still, they couldn’t just ignore this.

She turned back to Zhi Guan and nodded. “The Zhen Yan Sect will naturally be with you in this fight. Although the battle itself will mostly have to rely on others.” Anyway, their strength was supporting, not fighting. At the very least, this was the case for most of them.

Zhi Guan thought of what he had seen in his own sect and felt the need to caution Sect Master Mou. “The odds are stacked against us this time. Our Teng Yong Sect has kept the youngest disciples in the sect grounds together with our guardian. The Zhen Yan Sect might want to do the same. If everything goes wrong … they might be the last hope people have in the future.”

Even though he hadn’t been there when the Sect Master left, he still understood what was going on. Those young disciples wouldn’t be much of a help in the battle but they had at least a basic knowledge of the sect’s teachings. If nobody returned … it would be on them to revive the sect one day and try to save the common people from the likely tyranny of the demonic faction.

Mou Xiu Lan gave a hum. “We will do the same then. In fact, I’ll send them over to the Teng Yong Sect. If things go wrong, they can support each other.” Anyway, their younger disciples’ ability to protect themselves was even worse than that of the older ones who at least had some skills in this regard. They’d need the protection of others in the future so it was only natural to draw closer together. In this case, the Teng Yong Sect who had the Black Warrior to rely on was the best bet. At least he could foresee the dangers that lay ahead and would likely be able to lead them away first.

Speaking of those who needed protection … she turned to look at the Red Priest. “I’ll find a few disciples who practice the sword to accompany them there. Your Excellency might want to join them. Anyway, you haven’t seen the Black Warrior in years. It’ll be good to reunite now.”

Yan Jian Hong smiled but shook his head. “How can I leave now when the situation is so dire? I should go and fight alongside everyone.”

Mou Xiu Lan shook her head. “You have done enough for the sect. Plus … if we don’t make it back, I’ll rely on you to teach them more.” There would be no Elders and only a few sword cultivators left at that time. How could they revive the sect that way? They needed at least one person who was knowledgeable about medicine and refinement.

Yan Jian Hong wanted to reject it again but then reconsidered. In a way, this was indeed something that had to be done. Not to mention … his ability was the best he could offer but it didn’t require him to be present on the battlefield. He could prepare ahead of time and send this blessing with them.

“In that case, I’ll do as the Sect Master says. The Jian Chu Sect will certainly join you as well and Blue Butterfly is likely to go to the Teng Yong Sect. I’ll have her bring back a few vials for the final battle.”

Mou Xiu Lan hesitated, feeling torn. She knew what kind of price using his ability came at but … if not for this, they would indeed be even more at a disadvantage in this fight. In the end, she could only nod with a heavy heart. “Then I will go and have everyone get ready. You … make your preparations as well.” With that, she nodded at the two of them once more and then left. Anyway, it’d take some time to get to the border region so they had to get ready fast.