Chapter 57: A Mighty Army Pressing at the Border

The disciples of the Sun-Birth Sect eyed the White Sword Sect. Although they knew they needed to be on high alert, they still felt a trace of disdain; the scale of this sect was simply too small.

In the past, their Sun-Birth Sect had wiped out quite a few minor sects, and this one could not even rank among them in terms of size.

"All of you from the White Sword Sect, get out here! Surrender now and we will spare your lives!"

"Do you really think this shoddy grand protection array can stop us? Don't waste our time!"

"Now you know what fear is? To think you're still keeping the array active waiting for us to arrive! It's still not too late to surrender!"

The disciples of the Sun-Birth Sect shouted arrogantly.

This was actually a tactic to suppress the enemy before a fight, as it could instill fear in their hearts.

However, when they saw Liang Chuan and the others, their expressions turned somewhat peculiar.

Even Dai Xiao could not help but let out a low gasp of surprise.

Because standing behind the leading man were unexpectedly more than twenty practitioners in the Foundation Establishment stage.

For such a minor sect to cultivate so many Foundation Establishment practitioners was already quite remarkable.

This did not merely indicate that the opponent possessed a special method; more importantly, it proved that these individuals undoubtedly possessed quite good natural talents.

Dai Xiao pressed his hand down gently, and after everyone fell silent, he said calmly, "Surrender, and I will allow you to enter the inner sect of our sect!"

Judging by the current situation, this White Sword Sect indeed had the potential to be absorbed. Moreover, this could win the sect without shedding a drop of blood, and even yield a batch of disciples with decent potential.

To be honest, he did not want to go through great trouble to attack the White Sword Sect. If it could be secured safely, naturally that would be for the best.

As for whether the opponents would rebel after surrendering? There was even less need to worry about that. As long as the members of the White Sword Sect were scattered and integrated, they would eventually become obedient disciples of the Sun-Birth Sect.

Hearing this, the disciples could not help but look at each other, for this treatment was indeed quite generous.

Not only would they avoid fighting for their lives, but they could even join the inner sect of the Sun-Birth Sect—something they would not have even dared to imagine in the past.

Even Liu Ruyan could not help casting a stealthy glance at Liang Chuan. If they agreed, this might not necessarily be a bad thing for them.

Yet seeing that Liang Chuan remained silent, Liu Ruyan did not speak either, choosing instead to stand quietly behind him. Whatever decision Liang Chuan made, she would follow through to the end.

Meanwhile, Liang Chuan simply stood with his hands behind his back, examining them with neither servitude nor defiance.

Seeing that Liang Chuan did not speak, Dai Xiao did not grow angry either. Instead, he smiled amiably and said, "I will give you an hour to consider. If you still haven't given me an answer after an hour, we will make our move!"

***

The less someone directly refuses, the more certain one can be that they are seriously considering the matter.

Besides, they had already blocked the entrance of the opponent's sect; escaping was an absolute impossibility.

With that, without paying any more attention to Liang Chuan, he led his group of disciples and retreated proactively to the middle of the mountainside.

"Senior Brother Dai Xiao, why are we giving them time to consider? If they won't surrender, let's just charge right in and kill them!"

"Who knows what kind of trouble these fellows will stir up if they join our Sun-Birth Sect? There is simply no need for this!"

"That's right, Senior Brother! I noticed earlier as well, they only have a single Core Formation practitioner. Wiping them out would be an absolute breeze!"

The disciples following alongside began to complain.

After all, none of them wanted a sudden influx of so many competitors.

Despite the large scale of the Sun-Birth Sect, spiritual cultivation resources were ultimately limited, and very often one even had to wait in line for them.

If so many Foundation Establishment practitioners were added for no reason, their pressure would only increase further.

Dai Xiao naturally understood the thoughts of these disciples, but he merely shook his head with a smile. "Your perspective is far too narrow. We are planning to establish a branch sect, and when the time comes to split off a portion of the people, your days will definitely be even better.

"Besides, haven't you considered that they must have some kind of trump card? Even though our Old Ancestor's strength is formidable, if a real fight breaks out, casualties are inevitable. Don't tell me you are eager to throw your lives away fighting them to the death?"

Furthermore, what he was even more curious about was how Liang Chuan had managed to bring so many people into the Foundation Establishment stage in such a short period of time.

If he could acquire this method from the opponent, becoming the sect master would be an absolute certainty.

After all, for a minor sect to reach this stage could almost be described as unimaginably difficult, yet Liang Chuan had actually pulled it off. There had to be some hidden secret behind it.

At these words, the disciples nodded thoughtfully.

Indeed, those disciples who had previously been assigned to branch sects were all living quite well now.

Because although the branch sects had to hand over a portion of their spiritual stones to the headquarters of the Sun-Birth Sect every year, the remaining spiritual stones were entirely at their own disposal.

If things could really be arranged that way, it would indeed be a tremendous blessing for them.

As for fighting to the death?

A trace of disdain arose within their hearts at the thought. Although the enemy had many Foundation Establishment practitioners, their own side had even more, enough to outnumber them three to one.

It would be a miracle if a few of them even got injured, let alone died—that was simply impossible. Because of this, they were not overly worried.

***

An hour passed in a flash.

Dai Xiao led his disciples and reappeared at the entrance of the White Sword Sect's mountain gate.

"Speak, give me your choice!"

Dai Xiao asked with indifference.

Having offered them a way out on his own accord, the opponents would surely be deeply grateful and agree to it.

Yet when he saw the trace of disdain on Liang Chuan's face, his expression gradually turned icy.

Liang Chuan gazed coldly at him, spitting out a few words: "Surrender? Impossible!"

He had never once considered surrendering. Moreover, he possessed a trump card!

"You! You're courting death!"

Dai Xiao clenched his fists, his gaze turning glacial as well.

He had originally wanted to give Liang Chuan a chance, yet the man had actually rejected the olive branch he extended.

He took a deep breath to regulate his emotions. "What about the rest of you? If you surrender now, I will still offer you the exact same treatment—except that Liang Chuan must die!"

Yet the disciples merely glanced at Liang Chuan's back, a look of contempt eventually surfacing on all their faces.

Seeing their expressions, a nameless fire ignited within Dai Xiao's heart.

Over the years, he had visited numerous minor sects, and even sects of equal strength had always treated him with courteous deference.

Yet a garbage minor sect, possessing merely a few Foundation Establishment practitioners, actually dared to treat him this way!

If not for the fact that their Old Ancestor was currently cultivating within Nanyang City, he would have directly asked the Old Ancestor to make a move right now!

Still, he could tell that this was merely a minor sect; there was no need to summon the Old Ancestor.

Besides, a petty grand protection array could not stop them!

"Since you all wish to die together, I'll grant your wish!" Dai Xiao turned around and walked back toward the rear. "Everyone, form the array!"