"What on earth is the Extreme Cold Manor doing? How could they surrender without even fighting?"

"Wasn't that Great Sage from the Dao Seeking Academy? Why doesn't he have a shred of blood and backbone?"

"..."

While the spectators murmured in confusion, even among the disciples of the Extreme Cold Manor, a few discordant voices began to rise.

"What does the Young Lady mean by this? Does she intend to squander all the foundation our ancestors fought to build?"

"I heard the Young Lady and the Manor Lord have always been at odds. This time, she's probably not here to bring us glory, but to disgrace the Extreme Cold Manor entirely."

"..."

Every word reached Bing Yan's ears, yet she did not care in the slightest.

Instead, it was the elders of the Extreme Cold Manor whose faces turned pale after hearing those remarks. They were truly afraid that the Young Lady might throw down her duties because of them.

This event was their best opportunity to make the Extreme Cold Manor's name resound across the Northwest.

An elder immediately sent a voice transmission in rebuke: "Silence! The Young Lady's decision is not for you to question. You need only wait and observe. If anyone voices another complaint, do not blame this old man for expelling them from the Extreme Cold Manor."

Although the disciples of the Extreme Cold Manor felt frustrated, none dared to speak again.

They merely stared resentfully at Bing Yan's back.

The Great Sages and leaders of the other five major powers were equally confused by Bing Yan's actions.

For the moment, they could not figure out what the Extreme Cold Manor was trying to do.

However, since the Extreme Cold Manor had chosen not to fight, the other powers simply continued their challenges.

Soon, the remaining three powers also challenged the Extreme Cold Manor one after another.

Each time, Bing Yan chose to concede. After enduring five consecutive defeats, the once furious disciples of the Extreme Cold Manor lost all trace of anger. Their heads drooped like defeated roosters.

To the five major powers, it was now clear that the Extreme Cold Manor had brought Bing Yan, the Great Sage of Dao Seeking, merely for appearance's sake.

After the Great Sage of Snow Peak's defeat, the Extreme Cold Manor's last shred of dignity was completely torn away.

To them, the Extreme Cold Manor was now little more than meat on the chopping block — to be toyed with as they pleased.

The princes and marquises of the nations under the Extreme Cold Manor's command wore troubled expressions.

If the major powers decided to open their mouths like lions, what could they do?

Once the Extreme Cold Manor lost, these so-called high and mighty figures might soon become cannon fodder under someone else's banner, never again enjoying their former glory and luxury.

Even the spectators were discussing loudly.

"Who would have thought the Extreme Cold Manor would fall so low, relying on the Snow Peak Great Sage alone to hold the line? At this rate, the next sixty-year battle will drain their strength even further."

"Keep your voice down. Even a dying camel is bigger than a horse. The five powers won't swallow them whole right away — they'll just slice off pieces slowly."

"..."

Seeing that the other four factions remained silent, the Sect Master of the Northern Desert Sect rose to his feet once more. "Why are you all so quiet? Are you expecting this Sect Master to play the villain again?"

The Sect Master of the Radiant Sword Sect replied, "Fellow Daoist, this sixty-year battle is a contest of skill, not a grudge match. If your Northern Desert Sect wishes to challenge someone, no one will stop you."

"Liu Zongzhu, I despise your hypocritical face the most. Enough. Once my Northern Desert Sect takes that item from the Extreme Cold Manor, we'll compete with your Radiant Sword Sect for the top position!"

As soon as the Sect Master of the Northern Desert Sect said this, the entire crowd could sense the heavy scent of gunpowder in the air.

No one had expected the Northern Desert Sect to actually challenge the Radiant Sword Sect's claim to supremacy.

For over a thousand years, the Radiant Sword Sect had firmly held the leading position, with the Heart-Unity Temple only occasionally taking command once every few centuries.

"Oh?"

The Sect Master of the Radiant Sword Sect said calmly, "Then this old man would like to see which ancestor your Northern Desert Sect plans to bring out."

"You'll see soon enough."

The Sect Master of the Northern Desert Sect raised his head toward the sky and shouted, "We respectfully welcome the Wolf God Patriarch!"

The disciples of the Northern Desert Sect echoed in unison, "We respectfully welcome the Wolf God Patriarch!"

A series of thunderous chants quickly echoed across the skies.

Moments later, a strange horn sounded, followed by the rumbling of a colossal chariot rolling through the clouds.

Everyone instinctively turned toward the source of the sound.

Soon, exclamations erupted from the crowd.

"That... that's the Nine Dragons Dragging the Coffin!"

"Isn't that the mark of a Saint? Could it be that the Northern Desert Sect actually has a Saint in residence?"

"..."

Hearing the murmurs around him, Chu Feng also looked up toward the sky. He saw nine flood dragons pulling a massive blood-red coffin behind them.

Unlike the golden coffin of the Corpse Sect that contained a Saint's corpse, this blood coffin did not emanate deathly stillness but instead pulsed with vitality.

A coffin filled with life—such a thing was utterly unnatural.

"Master… what kind of coffin is that? It feels terrifying…"

Chen Qianqian clung tightly to Chu Feng's sleeve, trembling uncontrollably.

Chu Feng smiled faintly. "That's a Blood Coffin. Legend says it preserves a cultivator's vital essence. Those who lie within can enter a state of false death, extending their lifespan. Judging by this one's aura, it must contain an extraordinary old monster."

Upon hearing this, Chen Qianqian's fear instantly vanished.

Indeed, with her master beside her, what was there to fear?

Meanwhile, the onlookers watching the Blood Coffin draw nearer could not help but tremble.

Everyone could tell that an unfathomable being was sealed inside.

The leaders of the other four major powers turned toward their own ancestors.

Each of the assembled patriarchs wore a solemn expression. That overwhelming aura and grand display were far beyond that of an ordinary Great Sage—perhaps even someone capable of contending with a Saint.

The Blood Coffin finally halted in midair. The Sect Master of the Northern Desert Sect fixed his gaze upon Bing Yan.

"Young Lady, I wish to wager against your Extreme Cold Manor. The stake—your Ice Soul Sacred Lotus. Do you dare accept?"

At those words, the disciples of the Extreme Cold Manor forgot their fear, their expressions turning resolute as they all focused on Bing Yan.

"The Sect Master of Northern Desert certainly has a large appetite. I wonder, what will your sect wager in return?"

Bing Yan asked with a faint smile.

"Of course, my Northern Desert Sect will stake the Wolf God Totem. I only fear your Extreme Cold Manor won't have the courage to accept."

The Northern Desert Sect Master spoke aggressively.

"Agreed."

Bing Yan accepted without hesitation, but her tone shifted. "However, I have one condition. If your sect's ancestor truly possesses the power to surpass all others, then my Extreme Cold Manor will willingly offer up the Ice Soul Sacred Lotus. But I fear your ancestor may not have such ability.

If your Northern Desert Sect fails, then you will return double—one Wolf God Totem statue and all that your sect previously won from the Extreme Cold Manor."

"Good!"

The Northern Desert Sect Master agreed instantly. In his mind, the Extreme Cold Manor was merely seeking peace through concession. He turned to the other four powers.

"Now then, which of you wishes to witness the strength of my ancestor first? Rest assured, I won't ask for your sacred artifacts—just hand over your Sacred Seeds."

The moment his words fell, the entire arena erupted in shock.

Hey readers! If you're eager to dive into advanced chapters, consider joining our Patreon. By joining, you'll get access to 20 chapters ahead and enjoy 14 new chapters per week. Plus, we have 3 more exciting fics with the same chapter release rate, giving you a total of 42 chapters per week! Join now and keep the adventure going!

Patreon: https://patreon.com/Alex_Cruise

{Please join patreon. I am posting 4 chapters per day there, for any tier you join, you can read 4 chapters for all series i work on. and i currently badly need financial support to keep myself afloat. I will continue to do my best to provide you with good chapters daily. So i hope you can help me escape these troubled times.}

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.