Zhi Guan nodded but he still didn’t feel comfortable. “I worry about my third junior martial brother.” Of course, there was also Shen Lei but this was different. Luo Lin … that was his junior, the one he was responsible for. He also didn’t have the same skills and experience his fiance had so naturally, he ought to worry about him more.

Long Shu Fen watched his expression, which looked solemn but otherwise didn’t show much. Zhi Guan was clearly the type who didn’t show his emotions too much but … the fact he said this told her a lot about him. “You care a lot for your juniors.”

Zhi Guan hummed but didn’t say more. He felt that this was a given. Who wouldn’t care about their juniors? As a senior, that was his responsibility. Not to mention that his three juniors were very well-behaved. Well, apart from Yan Hong Min maybe … Either way, being responsible for this type of junior was something anyone would do. He was certain of that.

Long Shu Fen sighed and started walking forward again, lightly shaking her head. “In this kind of situation, nobody is safe. We can only hope for the best.” Of course, there was always the chance to try and stay a little closer to the people you cared about. If you did, maybe you could intervene at a crucial moment. But then, there was also the risk of distracting either yourself or them with that and what happened on the battlefield was unpredictable. Whether you’d be able to save anyone even if you were looking out for threats toward them and trying your best to stay close … it was impossible to say.

Naturally, Zhi Guan was aware of this. He just felt uncomfortable thinking about it when it concerned Luo Lin. His own life could be lost and those of the disciples accompanying him on a regular mission could be as well. But his juniors … no, he didn’t want to imagine it. He definitely didn’t want to experience it either. The fact that he could do nothing but trust that good people would be saved by the Heavens … it was almost unbearable. Unfortunately, it was an unchangeable fact.

They soon reached the hall where everyone had gathered and picked a spot to step out of the dreamscape before walking up to the Elders to report.

At this point, the people in the border region had finished preparing what they could over on the other side of the array and had mostly gathered back here, apart from a small group being on the lookout for any potential sneak attacks from the other side using this last functioning array in the underground palace. Now, everyone was resting as well as they could as they waited for news about the impending attack.

Contrary to the disciples, the Elders didn’t dare to rest much. They were the ones in charge, after all, and needed to be able to react to any changes at once. They did, however, split into three groups, two of them being on the lookout for anything out of the ordinary, while the other four sat down close by to meditate and get into the best possible state.

Long Shu Fen and Zhi Guan could tell what they were doing at a glance and didn’t bother the other Elders. Instead, they walked up to the two in charge, Elder Diao from the Li Ren Sect and Elder Xing from the Teng Yong Sect.

When the two noticed their appearance, they were on high alert at first but recognizing them as the two who had left earlier, they relaxed somewhat and waited for their report.

“All four sects have been informed and the bodies of their disciples were handed over. We have also asked for reinforcements and all of them are on their way now. They should arrive one after another but telling the actual times is impossible.” Anyway, their Teng Yong Sect had set out before they even reached the place while the Li Ren Sect and the Zhen Yan Sect had started preparations immediately upon receiving the news. It was only the Jian Chu Sect they had informed last that wanted to discuss first and might not be all that fast to come to a decision. But then, Zhi Guan didn’t intend to mention these details. As long as the general situation was clear to the Elders, it would be enough.

Elder Xing heaved an audible sigh of relief when he heard this report. He knew he should keep his emotions more to himself so as not to worry the disciples around but … well, having more people to fight would take a big burden off their shoulders and raise everyone’s chances at survival. How could he not be relieved when he knew that something so significant was going to happen, at least slightly evening out the odds between the two factions?

Elder Diao next to him was less optimistic. “How many people are they sending?” Even though reinforcements were great, they had to prepare for the impact that would have. Whether it was receiving the additional Elders and disciples without interfering with their plan or planning their subsequent strategy, it all relied on the number of people they could expect. Without knowing such details, he didn’t put too much hope into this.

“All of them.” Zhi Guan didn’t waste any words. “Apart from a few of the youngest disciples, the sects have sent out everyone.”

This time, not even Elder Xing could show any relief. Instead, both Elders stared at Zhi Guan as if he had grown a second head. Sending out all of the disciples … had their Sect Masters gone nuts?! Nothing had to be said about Zhang Guan Yu, that unreliable guy, but the Sect Master of the Li Ren Sect certainly wasn’t this … irresponsible, was he? So how come he also emptied out the sect and sent everyone here? Wasn’t he afraid the demonic faction would use this as an opportunity to attack what was now basically an empty house?!