"And what if I don't leave?" Bing Wushuang's face betrayed not the slightest flicker of feeling.

At those words, Lu Ping'an and the others immediately turned grim. His tone shifted sharply: "A guest from afar is a guest nonetheless. Our Northern Island Cangwu Sect is not a place that scorns propriety. But if you insist on having your own way and testing the bottom line of our sect, then do not blame us for ceasing to be courteous."

No sooner had the words left his mouth than the several Golden Core higher-ups closed in around Bing Wushuang. The other Northern Island Cangwu Sect disciples nearby grew tense one and all, and without awaiting any order they surged inward from every direction of their own accord.

They all knew Bing Wushuang was a formidable Golden Core expert, and under ordinary circumstances no common disciple would dare draw too near. But this was Northern Island Cangwu Sect territory, and Lu Ping'an and the other Golden Core higher-ups—stronger still—were right there. They had nothing to fear.

After all, if it truly came to blows, there would be no need for them to lift a finger; at most they would make up the crowd. And once it was over, they could go out and boast to others that they had fought Bing Wushuang—a fine topic for conversation, that.

"I do not wish to fight." That was what Bing Wushuang said aloud, and his hands made no move at all. Yet in that instant the substantiated force of his Heartless Ice surged out through his body, and the Golden Core experts—Lu Ping'an among them—had no time even to react before a thin film of freezing ice had formed over their bodies.

The ordinary disciples in the outer ring, however, were unaffected. Had the Heartless Ice been brought to bear on them at such intensity, a great many would surely have died today; that would have been a bloody slaughter with no room left for turning back.

Even so, it was enough to strike terror into every soul present. None dared stir rashly again.

Especially Lu Ping'an and the other Golden Core higher-ups. The ice covered only the surface of their bodies, and he had not gone in earnest as he had against Xue Jianming before. But their strength was nothing compared to Xue Jianming, a consummate Golden Core master; the strongest among them, Lu Ping'an, had only reached the very peak of the late Golden Core stage.

Wrapped in that ice, they felt as though they had plunged into a freezing cellar, a biting chill that seemed to rise from the depths of their very souls, leaving them shaken with dread.

In such a state, to speak of striking back was absurd; that they could keep from dropping to their knees at all was proof enough of their mettle.

"What... what do you think you're doing..." Lu Ping'an was not yet ready to give up. Like the others he was badly frightened, but this was Northern Island Cangwu Sect. Even if Bing Wushuang truly was stronger than them, he did not believe the man would dare act in earnest here—that would be to make an enemy of the entire Northern Island Cangwu Sect, even of the whole Northern Island Alliance. Who would have such nerve?

"I said it before. I wish to see your Grand Elder," Bing Wushuang said mildly.

"You think that will get you an audience?" Lu Ping'an gnashed his teeth in fury. His present state was anger born of humiliation—yes, the other man's sudden move had indeed cowed him. He had taken Bing Wushuang for no more than a newly advanced junior of the early Golden Core stage; never had he imagined the man was already such an expert. At last he realized he had gravely underestimated his opponent.

But so what if he had underestimated him?

Did the man truly think that flashing a bit of strength and giving them a show of force would win him an audience with the Grand Elder? What did this youngster take the great Northern Island Cangwu Sect for? Did he truly believe this was a place where he could run wild?

Bing Wushuang glanced at him and, rarely, deigned to spend a few more words: "People generally come in two kinds. Some are forewarned; some are belatedly aware. I find, however, that you are a third kind."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Lu Ping'an blinked.

"Unawares," Bing Wushuang said mildly.

"..." Lu Ping'an was choked speechless for a good while. Everyone said Bing Wushuang was a man of few words and no feelings—so why was he so venom-tongued today?

Lu Ping'an was just about to retort stubbornly when a strange and mighty aura suddenly rolled off Bing Wushuang. This time every face changed at once, and they were more terrified still than when the Heartless Ice had frozen them moments before.

This aura—it was unmistakably that of a Nascent Soul old monster!

Lu Ping'an nearly wet himself, and the expressions chasing one another across his face were a sight to behold. He would sooner have died than believe it—Bing Wushuang, this young newly advanced junior, had already climbed to stand among the Nascent Soul old monsters at the very pinnacle!

"Are you... are you really Bing Wushuang?" Lu Ping'an asked a foolish question without thinking. Of course the man was Bing Wushuang; they would have known him even had he not announced himself. After all, he had been the leading figure of the younger generation, and the higher-ups of every ancient sect would have kept some eye on him—they could hardly fail to recognize the man.

It was only that Lu Ping'an truly could not bring himself to believe Bing Wushuang had already advanced to become a Nascent Soul old monster. The thing was simply too appalling to credit.

Bing Wushuang paid him no mind and said directly: "Do I now qualify to see your Grand Elder?"

The others exchanged uneasy glances, then turned their heads stiffly, as one, toward Lu Ping'an. When they had been frozen moments ago, they still fancied that by weight of numbers and home-ground advantage they might yet give battle; but now that they knew their opponent was a Nascent Soul old monster, that absurd notion was flung clear to the far side of the world.

To cross blades with a Nascent Soul old monster—never mind the four Golden Core experts present, forty more would hardly suffice to win. Given the fundamental gulf between the Golden Core and Nascent Soul stages, no mere weight of numbers could bridge it. There was only one way to deal with a Nascent Soul old monster: have one of your own take the field in person.

And it was precisely for this reason that Nascent Soul old monsters held such supreme station in the ancient minor martial world—so much so that they had become the key measure of a sect's standing.

There was no help for it. An ancient sect with a Nascent Soul old monster seated within was simply stronger than one without. Should it come to blows, a single Nascent Soul old monster was enough to wipe out any ordinary sect, and such sects had no means of resisting at all. What could you do about it?

"I had not realized Your Excellency was already a Grand Elder of the Snow Sword Sect. We have been remiss..." Lu Ping'an's face was frightful to behold, yet he had no choice but to force out a smile. Fawning, he said: "A Grand Elder is the highest representative of a sect, and a Grand Elder's business is the whole sect's business. Pray wait a while in the reception hall; I shall go at once and report to our Grand Elder."

That said, Lu Ping'an dared not tarry a moment longer. He signaled the other Golden Core higher-ups to attend to Bing Wushuang, while he himself hurried off toward the summit.

"What is it? Has there been progress in the talks? Why are you in such a state?" Chen Jiu frowned at the sight of him.