All three of them smiled easily.
Iron Eagle continued, his voice low and amused.
"But our goal tonight isn't to wipe out the True Martial Sect. What we want is their Legacy."
Iron Dragon nodded.
"That's right. The Scripture Pavilion is the priority. Second Brother, your movement technique is the fastest—you'll infiltrate the Pavilion."
He turned his gaze cold.
"I'll make a commotion on the surface and draw Jiang Baishan and the True Disciples out. If anyone blocks you, kill them quickly. Find the True Martial Sect's legacy cultivation method."
"Third Brother," he added, glancing at Iron Tiger, "you stay near the mountain gate. Provide support and be ready for retreat. Also watch the surroundings—if other forces appear, we cannot afford to be caught between enemies."
Iron Tiger and Iron Eagle both nodded.
Their survival for so many years was not due to strength alone, but to flawless coordination.
Iron Tiger hesitated, then spoke with reluctance.
"Boss, Wang paid a steep price to hire us. If the True Martial Sect's Legacy is this valuable… are we really just handing it over?"
Iron Dragon sighed.
"You idiot. We copy it first. Wang gets a copy—nothing more."
"If Dragon Mountain Old Taoist truly emerges from seclusion in full strength, Wang can deal with that trouble. As for us…" His eyes gleamed. "There are rumors that Dragon Mountain reached Yuandan Realm so quickly because of this Legacy."
"If it's truly peerless, once we obtain it, we leave for Cang Prefecture immediately. Do you think Wang—or Dragon Mountain—would cross thousands of mountains just to chase us?"
The three exchanged sinister smiles.
The night deepened.
Iron Dragon glanced at the sky.
"Move."
The three figures shot into the air like hunting eagles.
In the blink of an eye, they split apart.
Iron Tiger remained near the mountain gate.Iron Dragon charged directly toward the sect's heart.Iron Eagle vanished into the darkness, silent and swift.
Moments later—
A roar shattered the night, followed by furious shouts.
"How dare you act wildly in my True Martial Sect!"
"Where did this rat crawl out from?!"
"A mere Gang Yuan Realm expert hiding his face—come! Let me, Jiang Baishan, meet you!"
Flames flared across the training grounds as disciples rushed in from all directions.
Iron Dragon's hoarse laughter echoed across the mountain.
"I heard Dragon Mountain Old Taoist is half-dead. I came to see for myself. Call him out—your likes are unworthy."
He stood alone in the open, hands clasped behind his back, yet his presence pressed down like a mountain.
With a casual flick of his finger, a streak of Protective Aura shot forward.
An Inner Sect disciple froze in terror.
Before death could strike, a sword qi slashed across the air, intercepting the attack.
Jiang Baishan arrived in time.
Even so, the grazing impact tore a deep wound across the disciple's chest, blood spraying.
The gap between Inner Yuan Realm and Gang Yuan Realm was merciless.
Jiang Baishan's expression turned icy.
"Everyone, retreat! I'll handle him!"
He surged forward, sword ringing as he clashed with Iron Dragon.
As they exchanged blows, Jiang Baishan's heart sank.
This opponent was terrifyingly calm—still holding back.
Iron Dragon sneered.
"So this is the True Martial Sect's strength? All noise, no substance."
Jiang Baishan flushed with anger, but before he could respond—
Bear Stone, Ye Qinghe, and the other True Disciples arrived.
"Fifth Brother, we're here!"
With several True Disciples joining forces, Iron Dragon was finally restrained, forced into a stalemate.
At the same time—
Iron Eagle smiled coldly as he watched flames converge toward the training ground.
"No signal flare. Looks like Boss has everything under control."
He turned and slipped deeper into the sect.
His movement technique was exquisite. Gang Qi supported his steps as he crossed rooftops and courtyards in near silence, easily avoiding patrolling disciples rushing toward the disturbance.
Yet the deeper he went, the heavier his heart grew.
It felt as though something unseen was watching him.
His vigilance rose.
"Who's there?" Iron Eagle snapped. "Show yourself!"
He struck out violently.
Protective Aura exploded, shattering a nearby pavilion. Wooden beams cracked and collapsed.
From the shadows, a figure emerged.
A middle-aged Daoist with an ordinary face, a great sword strapped to his back.
It was Ning Qi—his appearance concealed.
Iron Eagle's pupils tightened.
"A hidden expert… so you finally show yourself."
His guard rose instantly.
He couldn't see through this Daoist at all.
Ning Qi spoke calmly.
"Perhaps you are the one hiding. Sneaking into my True Martial Sect at night—what do you seek?"
Ning Qi had originally planned an ambush, but a Gang Yuan Realm expert's perception was too keen. The deliberate destruction had forced him to reveal himself.
"I can't delay," Ning Qi thought. "Senior Brothers are still fighting."
Before Iron Eagle could reply—
Ning Qi charged forward.
No probing. No hesitation.
Iron Eagle's scalp went numb.
A crushing sense of danger surged through his heart.
"This is a Gang Yuan Realm expert!"
"Damn it—Wang misled us!"
Iron Eagle roared internally as his Protective Aura erupted.
Fist-shaped and claw-shaped Gang Qi tore through the air, shrill cries of eagles echoing faintly in the night. The Sky Eagle True Gang was sharp, ferocious, and deadly—each strike lethal.
Then—
Iron Eagle's eyes widened.
The Daoist opposite him released no Protective Aura at all.
Instead, he simply swung his great sword.
Every streak of Gang Qi shattered on contact.
Iron Eagle's fury ignited.
"A Gang Yuan expert refusing to reveal his Gang Qi? You dare toy with me?!"
With a shrill cry, he dove forward.
Sky Eagle True Gang excelled in close combat.
He would crush this arrogant Daoist at arm's length.
Ning Qi watched him rush in and smiled inwardly.
For him, the most troublesome aspect of the Gang Yuan Realm was long-range Gang Qi.
If the opponent fought cautiously at distance, things would be bothersome.
But now—
Iron Eagle was charging straight at him.
Like knocking on the gates of the underworld.