"I didn't receive anything from Master," Li Lin said discreetly.

"Really? Think about it again," Zhou Yuhou persisted, not convinced.

Li Lin shook his head, knowing that Zhou Yuhou was probably looking for the sect leader's seal. These two seemed eager to find it, possibly both aspiring to become the sect leader.

"Elders, there's trouble!" A panicked voice came from outside the hall, followed by a Flying Spirit Gate disciple rushing in, breathless and shocked.

"What's so urgent that you're losing your composure?" Huang Haibo reprimanded the disciple.

"Elders, a group from the Rakshasa Sect has arrived and already injured three of our people. They claim that a few days ago someone from our sect killed their disciple and are demanding we hand over the culprit, threatening to annihilate Flying Spirit Gate otherwise," the disciple reported hurriedly.

"The Rakshasa Sect..." Li Lin recalled that he had killed members of the Rakshasa Sect when saving Zhang Mingtao a few days ago and didn't expect them to retaliate so soon.

"What? The Rakshasa Sect? How many people have come?" Zhou Yuhou's face changed as he asked.

"About twenty or thirty people, all second-generation disciples. I recognized them; there are no Rakshasa Sect elders," the disciple replied.

Hearing this, Zhou Yuhou seemed somewhat relieved.

"Who went out and caused trouble, even killing someone from the Rakshasa Sect? Step forward," Huang Haibo scanned the people in the hall.

"Elders, it was me. A few days ago, when waiting for Master, the Rakshasa Sect people were too aggressive. They tried to kill me, so I acted in self-defense and ended up killing one of them," Zhang Mingtao stepped forward to confess, not implicating Li Lin.

"Well done, you've grown capable. We've always told you not to provoke others outside. Otherwise, it could bring disaster to our sect," Huang Haibo said angrily to Zhang Mingtao.

Many disciples in the hall sighed quietly. They were in their early twenties, an age full of passion, but in Flying Spirit Gate, they had always been instructed to keep a low profile and endure bullying. Now, with enemies at their door, the elders' response dampened their spirits further.

"Elders, it was the Rakshasa Sect disciples who were overly aggressive. I was just defending myself. It was an accident that I killed one of their people," Zhang Mingtao explained.

"The Rakshasa Sect is at our doorstep. Let's go out and see. It was they who bullied first. Are all Rakshasa Sect people unreasonable?" Zheng Ying stood up and suggested.

"Now that the Rakshasa Sect has come, and they are all second-generation disciples, if we go out, they'll accuse us of bullying the weaker. Since Zhang Mingtao caused this trouble, and he is also a senior disciple of our sect, let him handle it. Remember, don't bring more trouble to Flying Spirit Gate," Huang Haibo said with a frown.

"Second elder is right. If we go out, the Rakshasa Sect will say we are bullying the weaker, and who knows what trouble it will lead to. Let Zhang Mingtao handle it," Zhou Yuhou agreed.

"But the Rakshasa Sect people are very strong. If Zhang Mingtao goes out, he will surely be..."

"Can our strength provoke the Rakshasa Sect elders? Let Zhang Mingtao handle it," Huang Haibo interrupted Zheng Ying.

"Elders, I caused the trouble, so I'll handle it," Zhang Mingtao said, then turned to leave the hall.

Li Lin frowned slightly and, taking Li Xintong's hand, followed Zhang Mingtao. Since he was responsible for the situation, he felt compelled to see it through.

The ordinary disciples in the hall hesitated before following Zhang Mingtao out. As the senior disciple of Flying Spirit Gate, he had some authority among them.

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In the hall, Huang Haibo and Zhou Yuhou exchanged glances, motioning their disciples to follow them.

"Fourth Junior Sister, the sect leader is dead, and the sect leader's seal is missing. We don't know the whereabouts of the keys to the secret chamber either. I think we should forcibly open the chamber," Huang Haibo suggested to Zheng Ying after everyone had left.

"Second Senior Brother, our ancestor left instructions that the secret chamber of Flying Spirit Gate can only be opened at the last moment of life and death for the sect, which might allow it to rise again. However, if we open it prematurely, it could bring disaster. Moreover, there are three keys to the chamber, and it can only be opened with all three keys and the sect leader's seal. If anyone tries to force it open, the chamber will explode," Zheng Ying explained.

"But the sect leader elder brother is dead, and the location of the sect leader's seal is unknown. What should we do?" Zhou Yuhou asked.

"Then we must find it. We must locate the sect leader's seal," Zheng Ying declared.

"Junior Brother, I'll handle this matter. You don't need to come, to avoid those people recognizing you," Zhang Mingtao said to Li Lin as they left the main hall.

"It's okay. I'll have a look. Besides, I was the one who killed them," Li Lin said with a slight smile, aware that Huang Haibo clearly intended for Zhang Mingtao to face a lethal situation. If Zhang Mingtao died, Flying Spirit Gate would naturally have less trouble. Otherwise, the Rakshasa Sect would not easily let the matter rest. "Those from the Rakshasa Sect have always bullied our Flying Spirit Gate. The elders and Master refrained from saying much due to the Rakshasa Sect's strength, leading to their increasing audacity. Now that they've lost a member, they definitely won't let it go," Zhang Mingtao added.

"You know that and you still came out? Don't you realize the Rakshasa Sect people might kill you?" Li Lin remarked.

"I'm not afraid. If I die, you can avenge my master," Zhang Mingtao said.

"Keep your voice down; there are people behind us," Li Lin warned Zhang Mingtao, noticing nearly a hundred ordinary Flying Spirit Gate disciples following them.

"Big Senior Brother, we'll help you. Those Rakshasa Sect people are too hateful; let's fight them," a plump, bald young man from the group of Flying Spirit Gate disciples stepped forward and said after a moment.

"Big Senior Brother, we'll help you. Let's fight them," echoed several disciples.

As they spoke, they reached an open area where mocking and taunting voices were heard.

"The Flying Spirit Gate are all weaklings, utterly powerless."

"Hand over the person, or we'll level Flying Spirit Gate to the ground."

"Haha, Flying Spirit Gate's weaklings, hurry up and hand over the person."

In the open area, five or six Flying Spirit Gate disciples lay on the ground, severely injured and bleeding.

"Stop!" Zhang Mingtao shouted and charged forward.

Li Lin had already been observing the thirty or so people from the Rakshasa Sect, all exuding the aura of warriors. The young man in the lead was at the martial master level, with the strength of a first-level martial master. Dressed in fine clothes and with a somewhat sinister face, he was the Rakshasa Sect's seventh-level warrior Li Lin had encountered before. Judging from their clothing and strength, the Rakshasa Sect disciples clearly surpassed Flying Spirit Gate, explaining the latter's victimization.

Li Lin sighed inwardly, realizing that these second-generation Rakshasa Sect disciples dared to attack Flying Spirit Gate, whose elders were too timid to react. Continuing this way, Flying Spirit Gate would inevitably face destruction.

"Third Senior Brother, it's those two. They killed our junior brother," the seventh-level warrior from the Rakshasa Sect suddenly said upon seeing Li Lin and Zhang Mingtao, avoiding direct eye contact with Li Lin.

After Zhang Mingtao stepped forward, the Flying Spirit Gate disciples also moved up to help the severely wounded to the back, glaring angrily at the Rakshasa Sect members but daring not to speak out, knowing the latter's strength far exceeded theirs.

"Was it you two who killed our Rakshasa Sect member?" the young man in fine clothes from the Rakshasa Sect asked Li Lin and Zhang Mingtao coldly.

Li Lin remained silent but raised his eyebrows slightly, formulating a plan in his mind. The young man in fine clothes was the strongest among the Rakshasa Sect disciples present, yet only at the level of a first-level martial master. If Li Lin were to kill him, the Rakshasa Sect would surely not rest easily. Perhaps Rakshasa Sect's stronger members might come and annihilate Flying Spirit Gate, leading Huang Haibo and Zhou Yuhou to be killed in retaliation. This way, Li Lin could avenge Li Xintong. However, with his current strength, facing Huang Haibo and Zhou Yuhou was still premature.

Thinking the plan feasible, a slight smile appeared on Li Lin's face.

Meanwhile, Zhang Mingtao faced the Rakshasa Sect members and said, "I did it. Your people bullied us first. What do you want to do?"

"Third Senior Brother, kill him."

"Kill this Flying Spirit Gate weakling."

"I don't want anything but your death," the young man in fine clothes said, his expression darkening. A palm imprint with a hint of black light formed in his hand, and with a flash of light under his feet, his figure blurred into a shadow, rushing towards Zhang Mingtao like lightning. A powerful surge of energy vibrated through the air, creating a whistling sound as it broke through the space.

Li Lin knew Zhang Mingtao was no match. Zhang Mingtao was only at the fourth level of a warrior, while this young man in fine clothes was a first-level martial master, a far too significant gap in strength.

Li Lin's expression changed subtly, and he released Li Xintong's hand. His true energy vibrated around him as he quickly lunged forward.