Zhuge Manor.

In the main hall.

As the last bit of incense slowly fell.

Everyone felt a sinking in their hearts.

Because according to the estimated time, noon had arrived.

But Shen Wenyan and Wang Wenzong, whom Jiang Ning mentioned, had not appeared.

"Marquis, they..." A clan elder in the main hall spoke.

Just then.

Booming—

The mountains shook, and a loud noise erupted.

Zhuge Qingsong rose abruptly, looking towards the entrance of the manor.

"They have come!!" His tone was grave.

"Marquis, if your previous words were just to comfort me, then please leave via the back mountain immediately!" Zhuge Qingsong looked at Jiang Ning.

Jiang Ning stood up and shook his head: "There was no deceit."

"Let’s go!" He proactively walked towards the manor’s entrance.

Ji Mingyue followed closely behind.

Under the gaze of the Zhuge manor’s clan elders, Jiang Ning and Ji Mingyue first crossed the threshold.

The clan elders immediately looked at each other, their eyes meeting.

"Let’s go!" Zhuge Qingsong took a deep breath and then spoke.

A moment later.

Everyone filed out.

Arriving at the front yard of the manor.

They saw the original wall that was several yards high had already turned into broken stones scattered in the yard, leaving only a few foundation stones at the base.

The towering vermilion gate had also scattered several yards away from its original position.

In the sky-full of smoke and dust, several figures of differing heights appeared at the gate of the manor.

The surrounding guards dared not approach.

Looking at the figures ahead, their eyes were filled with dread.

At this moment.

The leader wore a long robe with hands behind him.

This person was none other than Vice Alliance Hierarch Li Sixiang of the Yingtian Alliance, also the Vice Sect Leader of the Cross Immortal Gate.

He stepped over the shattered wall, his gaze like lightning sweeping through the people in the yard.

Upon seeing Jiang Ning and Ji Mingyue, his corner of his mouth slightly lifted.

"Family Head Zhuge, it’s been a long time!" Li Sixiang’s voice was calm but clearly spread to every corner, reaching everyone’s ears: "Noon has arrived, I wonder how Family Head Zhuge has decided?"

"The Zhuge family has a legacy spanning over a hundred years, never bowing to threats, why say more, Alliance Leader Li," Zhuge Qingsong responded.

"Such integrity!" Li Sixiang clapped lightly, his gaze sweeping over the calm-faced Jiang Ning: "Dongling Marquis is here too, which is quite a surprise. But it seems the Marquis’s body is in distress?"

While speaking, Jiang Ning felt a surge of pain and itch inside him, and he couldn’t help but cover his mouth and cough lightly a few times.

Though the sound was low, it was exceptionally clear at this moment.

Just then.

The three people behind him also gradually stepped into the yard.

A woman with a purple veil covering her face and a slender waist walked gracefully, her eyes glancing at Jiang Ning.

A middle-aged man carrying a broad sword had a stern face and steady steps.

A disheveled man with stubble on his cheeks was still holding a wine jug, leaning against the broken door frame just after crossing the threshold, his long hair covering half of his face and leaving only a slightly raised chin.

The four stood apart, not intentionally releasing the mental pressure of Second Grade Great Grandmasters, but the naturally flowing aura suddenly made the air in the yard freeze.

Four Great Grandmasters!

The Zhuge family members were greatly shaken.

Even though they had anticipated this scene, it still struck fear in them when the moment arrived.

"Has the Yingtian Alliance only brought you four?" Jiang Ning stopped coughing and stepped forward.

Originally he was not in a hurry to act.

Because Wang Wenzong and Shen Wenyan would arrive shortly.

But now he was too lazy to waste time.

He didn’t intend to spend much time on the Yingtian Alliance now.

"Same as Second Grade, does the Marquis intend to fight four despite his injuries?" At this moment, the woman with the purple veil and slender waist spoke with a playful smile.

Her eyes glanced around, watching Jiang Ning with interest.

"The Marquis is very self-confident!" Li Sixiang said, also speaking to Jiang Ning.

As soon as the words fell, a deep, resonant laughter suddenly came from afar.

The laughter was robust and powerful, sounding initially several miles away but soon rumbling closer like thunder.

"Four Great Grandmasters, all from the older generation, bullying the younger ones?"

Everyone looked up to see a figure like a great roc sweeping through the sky, crossing beyond the manor walls, and then lightly landing on the snow in the yard.

Upon landing, he left no trace on the snow.

The newcomer had silver hair and a short garment, thin as bones, with the spearhead of the large spear in his hand reflecting the snow, shining coldly.

It was Nine River Dragon — Wang Wenzong had arrived.

Seeing this, Li Sixiang and his companions immediately showed serious expressions.

Nine River Dragon — Wang Wenzong, how could they not recognize him?

At this moment.

Wang Wenzong casually dropped the spear onto the ground.

Boom—

The earth roared as the spear tail sank three inches into the stone.

"The Zhuge family, I shall protect today." Wang Wenzong stated.

Li Sixiang’s pupils contracted, his face calm: "Mr. Wang, you have been hidden for years, and now you wish to get involved?"

"Tasked by others, loyal to others!" Wang Wenzong said quietly: "You should retreat!"

"Mr. Wang, you must think clearly, your enemy is not just us four! In this era, Second Grade Great Grandmasters don’t have such arrogance, and Mr. Wang, you are ultimately growing old!" Li Sixiang warned.

"Old or not, you’ll find out from the battle!" Wang Wenzong’s eyes slightly lifted.

At this moment.

The veiled woman chuckled softly, her voice ethereal and pleasant: "I’ve long heard of the great legend of Nine River Dragon overturning thirty-six villages with one spear, unconquerable. I’ve been eager to learn from it!"

"Still calling yourself young while being an old woman!" Wang Wenzong grinned, showing his shining white teeth.

Suddenly.

He raised his hand and caught something.

The crowd focused their eyes; it was a fat, finger-length worm.

"Miao Sect always using disgraceful means!" Wang Wenzong sneered coldly.