Chapter 1784: Night Talk in the Bell Tower

In the Master Continent, the northern border, white snow drifted.

In a dilapidated bell tower, travelers crowded together.

This was the location of the Ice Sea Cave, one of the six great caves. Usually, few people came here, but since the large-scale withdrawal of the alien spirit clan, it had become a transportation hub, with countless powerful individuals arriving daily.

Although a blood-red moon hung obliquely in the cave, filled with a strong killing aura, vegetation that could not grow on the Master Continent could still thrive here. These things were extremely precious, whether used as medicine or as materials for weapons.

Previously, the war was fierce, and no one dared to enter except masters. Moreover, the Master Hall strictly controlled access, not allowing ordinary people to enter or exit, so naturally there was little business opportunity.

Now that the alien spirits had withdrawn, many merchants with considerable cultivation could travel inside. As more of these items were brought out, they became all the rage, attracting more powerful individuals to explore.

At this moment, those gathered in the bell tower were precisely these martial artists seeking opportunities.

"The wind and snow outside are getting heavier. Every time this happens, the Ice and Snow Cave automatically seals itself. You can't enter even if you want to; you can only wait here for clear weather!"

"Yes, the Ice and Snow Cave is located in a snowy mountain ice cave. When the snow flies, it's the coldest time of the year, so indeed there's no way to enter!"

"Since we can't leave and have nothing to do, are there any fresh stories to tell? Let's hear them and broaden our horizons!"

"Brother Wu, you just came from the Master Hall headquarters. Have you heard any news?"

Hearing the address "Brother Wu," everyone turned their gazes to a middle-aged man sitting in the middle.

This middle-aged man wore a master's robe, with seven stars shining brightly on his chest. He was actually a seven-star master. His cultivation had reached the fourth level of the Saint Domain, the peak of the Primordial Spirit stage, ranking high even among seven-star masters.

Seeing everyone's attention focused on him, Brother Wu paused, looked around, and asked, "Do you know who the most talented master in the world today is?"

"The most talented master? It should be Feng Ziyi! I heard that after his teacher advanced to Ancient Saint, his cultivation also skyrocketed, reaching a level beyond imagination!"

"I think it's Zhao Moxuan. I've met him once; he's a genius like a demon, comprehending everything extremely quickly, and mastering it upon learning. His wisdom is extraordinary!"

"I believe it's Jiang Feifei. Not only is she beautiful, but she has also reached the pinnacle in the art of craftsmanship..."

"I heard it's..."

They discussed animatedly.

Everyone had their own idol, whom they admired and praised the most.

Every name they mentioned resounded across the continent and was revered by the world.

"Have you all forgotten... Zhang Xuan?"

Suddenly, a voice rang out from the crowd.

"Zhang Xuan?"

Hearing this name, the voices of discussion all fell silent.

"He is indeed the most talented master, comparable only to Master Kong in tens of thousands of years, but... colluding with the alien spirit clan's spirit god, stealing the Spring and Autumn Ceremony, putting humanity at a disadvantage—this alone... makes him unworthy to be a master!"

"There cannot be such a scoundrel among masters!"

"How come I heard that he didn't collude but was deceived, not knowing the other party's identity beforehand!"

"As a teacher, one must correct oneself, correct one's conduct, correct one's actions, and correct one's virtue. Even if he didn't know the identity, after learning it, he should have cut ties. But he didn't stop it, nor did he retrieve the ceremony. Just this alone shows he is not a qualified master!"

"Such a person, let's not mention him!"

...

Hearing this name, the crowd discussed even more.

"Haha!"

The discussion grew louder, when suddenly a cold laugh rang out, shaking the entire bell tower as if it might collapse at any moment.

Hearing the voice, full of vigor and fierce power, everyone couldn't help but look over.

Then they saw that the one laughing was the strongest among them, the seven-star master "Brother Wu!"

At this moment, Brother Wu's eyes were cold and stern, no longer carrying the earlier smile. He stood up and looked at the crowd: "You say that Master Zhang is unworthy to be a master? Who gave you the audacity to say that?"

"He himself felt ashamed before humanity and committed suicide in front of the Master Hall. Isn't that because he didn't deserve the title of master?"

A middle-aged man with a scar on his face snorted.

It had been ten days since Zhang Xuan took his own life at the Master Hall, and the news had already spread across the entire continent.

"Unworthy?"

Brother Wu narrowed his eyes: "Let me ask you, do you know why we can now easily enter the Ice and Snow Cave?"

"This... isn't it because the alien spirit clan withdrew?"

The scarred middle-aged man said.

The others nodded in agreement.

Only after the alien spirits withdrew did they have the courage to enter; otherwise, anyone who entered would die. No one was so bored as to seek death.

"Withdrew? Hah!"

Brother Wu sneered: "In tens of thousands of years, the alien spirits have withdrawn from the Ice and Snow Cave no less than a thousand times, at least several hundred. But why have they never allowed ordinary people to approach?"

"This..."

The scarred middle-aged man was speechless.

In warfare, supply and casualties were key to withdrawal. The alien spirits had withdrawn before, but the Master Hall had never allowed ordinary people to enter. Could there be some different significance?

"Brother Wu, what exactly is going on?"

Someone could no longer hold back and asked.

"A month ago, I happened to be ordered to go to the Master Hall headquarters on business and heard this news!" Brother Wu fell into recollection: "The alien spirits did withdraw, but they gathered over a hundred thousand troops, preparing for a counterattack!"

"Over a hundred thousand troops for a counterattack?"

Everyone was stunned.

They deeply understood the power of the alien spirits. If so many launched a counterattack, it could cause unimaginable destruction, and even the Master Continent might not be able to hold.

"That's not right... Since they gathered so many troops, why hasn't there been any movement?"

Everyone looked over again.

The alien spirits had made such a big move, but they hadn't heard of it. What was going on?

As for the Confucian Temple, that was a matter between the Master Hall headquarters and the big shots, unrelated to them, so they didn't care much.

"Of course there was no movement... because a master, single-handedly, charged into those over a hundred thousand soldiers and killed them all!"

Brother Wu's eyes showed respect: "It was he who destroyed the alien spirits' conspiracy, forcing them to dare not come again for now! It was he who repaired the seal, turning the cave into a place we can freely explore, not a hell!"

"One person killed over a hundred thousand alien spirits?"

"I heard that these alien spirits had cultivations at least at the third level of the Saint Domain..."

"How is that possible? Brother Wu, who exactly is this person?"

Unable to contain themselves any longer, everyone looked over again.

"Isn't it the one you said is unworthy to be a master..."

Brother Wu clenched his fists: "Zhang Xuan!"