After fifteen years of cultivation, he finally reached the pinnacle of the first rank!

When the door to the room where the three were located was knocked, the man dressed as a merchant opened the door as usual.

He glanced out into the corridor and saw that many of the inn's guests, after being called out, looked rather grim.

However, since everyone was currently within the sphere of influence of the White Tiger Temple and the Hidden Kill Pavilion, no one dared to resist.

Before long, after the innkeeper and waiter called out all the guests, a group of people came up from the lobby downstairs to the second floor.

The three people from Qishan overseas stood dutifully in the corridor outside the door, waiting for the upcoming questioning of these people, just like the other guests.

However, to the three's surprise, as soon as the group reached the second floor, the leader merely glanced at everyone in the corridor before speaking directly:

"Everyone from the White Tiger Temple is coming with us on this matter!"

Then, without warning, the group from the White Tiger Temple attacked all the guests in the corridor, sealing their meridians with their finger techniques.

The inns in Baidi City are mostly frequented by outsiders, most of whom possess some level of martial arts skills. Moreover, the recent apprenticeship ceremony has attracted even more martial arts practitioners to Baidi City.

Therefore, as long as the meridians are sealed, the martial arts cultivation of these martial arts practitioners can be sealed.

While the people from the White Tiger Temple were making their move, some people naturally felt angry and subconsciously wanted to fight back. However, they seemed to sense the dangerous aura of the people from the White Tiger Temple and ultimately held back.

The three from Qishan overseas were no different; no matter what the people from the White Tiger Temple did, they would not easily expose themselves because of the current situation.

Moreover, given the strength of the person before them, they are not capable of truly sealing them away.

"That's right. As long as you cooperate obediently, I will let you go after I have investigated and found that you have no problems."

The leader nodded slightly, and then, without any hesitation, ordered his men to lead everyone, including the three of them, away quickly.

Meanwhile, in various inns throughout Baidi City, the same scene was playing out almost simultaneously.

Clearly, the White Tiger Temple was serious this time. Not only did they seal off the entire White Emperor City, but they also mobilized almost all their overt and covert forces and methods within the city, especially their spies scattered throughout the city's shadows.

In the end, they arrested everyone who was even slightly suspicious, intending to swiftly and decisively bring down the most suspicious individuals.

The White Tiger Temple's actions naturally aroused the indignation of many martial arts practitioners in the city.

However, this was because they were facing the entire Hidden Kill Pavilion and the White Tiger Temple.

Moreover, the White Tiger Temple had already secretly controlled many top martial arts masters in the martial arts world. In addition, the unexpected events at the recent disciple recruitment ceremony had left many of these top martial arts masters stunned.

After all, the fact that even a mere Jiang family patriarch in Baidi City could cause a group of top martial arts masters to flee in terror made them uneasy. They were wary of the strength and resources of Baidi City and were unwilling to take action even if they harbored resentment.

As a day passed, the atmosphere in Baidi City grew increasingly tense, and the streets and alleys became deserted.

Faced with the attacks from the White Tiger Temple and the Hidden Kill Pavilion, the people in the city all huddled in their homes, not wanting to be caught in the crossfire.

……

"Will this really work?" Above a vast, confined area in White Emperor City, an elder from the White Tiger Temple frowned and asked.

The area beneath him was densely packed with thousands of people, all of whom had been captured from various parts of White Emperor City by the White Tiger Temple and the Hidden Killing Pavilion.

"This is an order personally given by the Palace Master. Whether it is useful or not, we must obey it."

The other steward standing alongside the White Tiger Temple elder slowly shook his head, then his gaze drifted intentionally or unintentionally to the area where the Hidden Kill Pavilion assassins lurked in the shadows, and he said quietly:
"Originally, the matter of finding the master of Qingshan Tower was not a big deal and did not need to be taken to such an extent. However, I heard that the new master of the Hidden Killing Pavilion sent someone to the hall to deliver a message, which is why the hall master gave the current order."

Upon hearing this, the elder of the White Tiger Temple frowned and said:
"I've heard about this too. Our Palace Master seems to have a very unusual attitude towards the new Palace Master of the Hidden Killing Pavilion, to the point that he is hindered by him in everything."

"The same thing happened when the five elders took action before; the Palace Master seemed... to be afraid of them."

Upon hearing this, the steward of the hall slowly withdrew his gaze, sighed, and said:
"Whatever the reason, the White Tiger Temple can no longer suppress the Hidden Killing Pavilion."

As soon as he finished speaking, several figures arrived rapidly from a distance and landed in front of the White Tiger Temple elders and temple stewards.

Upon seeing the newcomers, both men's expressions changed, and they quickly composed themselves, bowing respectfully to the two white-haired elders at the head of the group.

"Greetings, Venerable White Tiger."

The White Tiger Venerables are second only to the Palace Master in status within the White Tiger Temple. Each of them is an elder who has cultivated in seclusion within the temple for countless years, and their martial arts cultivation has already reached its peak. More importantly, each of the White Tiger Venerables is no less than a hundred years old.

In addition, the White Tiger Venerable rarely appears in the White Tiger Temple; even the elders and stewards of the White Tiger Temple have only seen him once.

However, the fact that two White Tiger Venerables have appeared at the same time is enough to show the seriousness with which the hall is dealing with the current situation.

"No need for such formalities."

At this moment, one of the elderly men with white hair waved his hand slightly, his eyes, which seemed to be open but closed, were looking down at the thousands of people who were imprisoned.

These people, who had been captured from all over the city, sat, stood, or lay on the exposed brick floor, creating a chaotic and noisy scene.

Some people were talking in hushed tones, while others were cursing under their breath. Everyone was dissatisfied with the White Tiger Temple and the Hidden Kill Pavilion's domineering behavior in abducting them.

However, almost everyone present had their meridians sealed, rendering them powerless to resist, so they could only vent their anger by cursing.

Moreover, they couldn't shout too loudly, for fear of provoking retaliation from the guards around them.

"Venerable ones, we have basically captured all the people who needed to be captured here. Please give us your instructions on what to do next."

The steward followed the old man's gaze, then bowed and asked first.

Upon hearing this, another old man carefully took out an antique-looking brown stone bowl from his robes and slowly spoke:

"This item originated from the White Emperor's Tomb and was personally handed to us by the Palace Master. It is perfect for our current situation."

Upon hearing this, the elders and stewards of the White Tiger Temple all looked puzzled, exchanging glances and asking:
"May I ask if the Venerable One could enlighten us on the purpose of this object?" (End of Chapter)