The disciple of the Great Sun Sacred Sect said, “You’re all newly initiated disciples of Guangcheng Mountain, aren’t you? If you provoke a conflict between the two great sacred grounds, can you bear that responsibility?”

Alice Warren raised an ice sword in her palm, unleashing a flurry of frost and wind, pinning the opponent’s treasured weapon so it couldn’t move: “A full-scale conflict between the two sacred grounds? As a junior disciple in the Body Refinement stage, of course I can’t bear that responsibility. The only thing I can control is the sword in my hand.”

She appeared to be yielding, but her words—“a junior disciple in the Body Refinement stage”—made the other party’s face burn with embarrassment.

I’m just a junior disciple in the Body Refinement stage and can’t shoulder this responsibility. You’re the same—what right do you have to flaunt your backing?

Conflicts between junior disciples of the Great Sun Sacred Sect and Guangcheng Mountain were not uncommon. There were wins and losses on both sides. Unless something major was at stake, the higher-ups wouldn’t be easily alarmed. In the eyes of the elders, these incidents were simply training for the younger generation.

If you lose face in a duel, you regain it the same way—no need for a big commotion.

A full-scale clash between these two giants would involve too much and with other sacred grounds watching from the sidelines, it wouldn’t happen easily.

But if a real fight did break out, it would be earth-shattering.

Ethan Clark sneered, “So, when you disciples of the Great Sun Sacred Sect can’t win, all you do is compare your backers and rely on your connections?”

In recent years, the Great Sun Sacred Sect had dominated, and their disciples were indeed outstanding in strength. They’d grown used to being overbearing, especially the new initiates, who acted with impunity. As a result, they’d gradually begun to look down on the heirs of Guangcheng Mountain and other sacred grounds.

In conflicts between junior disciples, the Great Sun Sacred Sect had generally won more than they lost against Guangcheng Mountain in recent years. Suffering such a sudden setback now, they felt more disbelief than anything else.

That disciple of the Great Sun Sacred Sect, caught off guard by the words of Ethan Clark and Alice Warren, simply snorted, “Heh, you brought more treasured weapons today. If you’ve got the guts, bury us all here in Zhenlong Abyss. Otherwise, this grudge will be repaid another day. Do you think our Great Sun Sacred Sect doesn’t have a dozen or so low-grade treasured weapons?”

A Guangcheng Mountain disciple scoffed, “When we weren’t using treasured weapons earlier, did you ever beat us?”

The disciples of the Great Sun Sacred Sect were fuming. Without treasured weapons, they’d only been at a slight disadvantage. Who would have thought that once weapons were drawn, their situation would get even worse—they were beaten so badly they could barely escape.

Meanwhile, the Guangcheng Mountain disciples were elated: “We really have to thank Senior Brother Dawson. Smashing people with equipment feels amazing!”

As they spoke, the treasured weapons in the hands of Ethan Clark and the others suddenly began to tremble.

Not just him—all the Guangcheng Mountain disciples’ treasured weapons started to vibrate, as if warning them.

The next moment, a figure appeared before them without any warning.

All around him, tens of thousands of golden rays, sharp as needles, burst forth, dazzling and blinding.

Reacting instinctively, the treasured weapons of Ethan Clark, Alice Warren, and the others flared with spiritual light, all pressing toward the newcomer.

But in a flash of golden light, sixteen treasured weapons, along with their owners, were all forced back!

Those needle-like golden rays were as solid as real metal, and when they struck the treasured weapons, a harsh clashing sound rang out.

The Guangcheng Mountain disciples felt as if, with just a prick from those golden needles, their surging blood and energy suddenly froze. Their cultivation melted away like snow under the sun, vanishing in an instant.

As the light faded, a young man in a white robe trimmed with gold stood proudly before them.

He stood there without any particular display of force, yet an invisible aura filled the area, suppressing everyone present.

This man was like a black hole, generating a powerful pull. The Guangcheng Mountain disciples couldn’t even retreat; instead, they were drawn closer to him, bit by bit.

All their low-grade treasured weapons, knocked from their hands by his earlier strike, now lay on the ground, faintly glowing.

The Guangcheng Mountain disciples tried to summon their spiritual weapons back, but the weapons only trembled on the ground, unable to move, forcibly suppressed by the newcomer.

The young man clasped his hands behind his back and said coldly, “I am Samuel Grant of the Great Sun Sacred Sect. Which master from Guangcheng Mountain is leading your group this time?”

Chapter 12: Enemies Meet on a Narrow Road

The name Samuel Grant was extremely well-known among the younger generation of martial artists.

Not only because he had reached the late stage of the Inner Gang realm at a young age, but also because his future was limitless and his strength was truly astonishing.

Just half a year ago, while traveling, he had single-handedly defeated three opponents of the same level.

This not only showcased the martial prowess of the Great Sun Sacred Sect, but also made it clear to everyone why this young man could be a leading figure among his peers, even in a sacred ground like the Great Sun Sacred Sect.

Now, with his sudden appearance and overwhelming cultivation, the gap between the two sides was obvious. Even the Guangcheng Mountain disciples, who had seen masters before, felt immense pressure.

Someone instinctively replied, “We came with Senior Brother Dawson…”

Before he could finish, Samuel Grant’s eyes burst forth with dazzling light, as blinding as the sun, making it impossible to look directly at him.

Samuel Grant asked, “Eric Dawson?”