"No matter what, go back and tell Lorne. The rest is up to them."

Carson Flores felt no emotional connection to the Azure Divine Sect and had no responsibility towards it; his only relation was with Nico Weaver.

The group set off on their return journey, encountering no incidents along the way, and they smoothly arrived back at the Azure Divine Sect.

Cristopher Hopkins sent a message to Nico Weaver, and soon Nico Weaver and Oraya Lorne joined the group at the small courtyard where they resided.

"Carson, what happened?"

Carson recounted the events: "I don’t understand what they meant by saying the Azure Divine Sect is headed for disaster, but I thought it was necessary to inform you."

Oraya Lorne looked shocked: "You slew a Superior Grade Great Land Supreme Immortal?"

Carson casually replied: "It was a consumable sword strike left to me by a senior, usable only once."

Oraya looked at Carson, as if seeing him for the first time.

Nico Weaver asked: "Did the opposing side not reveal their identities?"

Carson nodded: "Correct, there were no identity markers. I was trapped in a storm at the time; once the storm cleared, that young master and the others had fled."

Nico tilted his head: "If someone is targeting the Azure Divine Sect, it must be aimed at this feast..."

Oraya said solemnly: "The feast has invited numerous guests; if any trouble occurs, the Azure Divine Sect could suffer a major loss of reputation."

Nico frowned: "The feast hasn’t started yet; can we cancel it?"

Oraya smiled wryly: "Invitations have been sent out. Canceling now would truly be a disgrace. Moreover, we have no concrete information, canceling the feast based on just one sentence Carson heard. Even if I agree, others in the sect would not."

Nico pondered, then suggested: "Since we can’t cancel, we should prepare precautions. This group has arrived at Verdant Leaf City yet hasn’t acted, they’re likely waiting for the day of the feast."

Oraya contemplated momentarily: "I will go meet the Sect Master and see what he thinks..."

At this moment, Vexlor Lorne’s voice sounded at the courtyard entrance.

"Carson, come out, I want to challenge you again!"

Ysara Lorne’s voice followed right after: "Hurry up and come out, don’t hide, we know you’re back!"

The faces of everyone in the house instantly took on a rather peculiar expression, Oraya frowned: "What’s happening?"

Carson coughed lightly and stood up: "I’ll go take a look."

Carson arrived at the door, opened it, and saw Vexlor Lorne and Ysara Lorne along with a proudly looking man in his thirties standing at the entrance.

Seeing Carson come out, Vexlor instantly perked up: "Carson, I want to challenge you again. This time, I won’t lose!"

Carson blinked: "Didn’t we fight once already? Can’t we just let it go?"

Vexlor snorted coldly: "Stop pretending. This is the Azure Divine Sect. If a poor outsider like you wins, how am I supposed to keep face?"

Carson looked the proud man up and down: "Earlier, you brought Mr. James, and he lost. Now you’re bringing someone else. If he loses too, will you keep bringing reinforcements until you win?"

Vexlor replied, pridefully: "Brother Roth’s strength isn’t something Mr. James can match. You should be ready to be beaten to the ground!"

Carson frowned: "Do we really have to fight?"

"Of course, we have to fight!"

Vexlor believed Carson was surely scared now and became even more brazen: "If you don’t want to fight, then kneel and apologize, admit you’re a country bumpkin, and it’s over."

Ysara chimed in: "You punched my brother once; let him punch back. Otherwise, Brother Roth will beat you so badly your face will be unrecognizable!"

Carson was about to speak when Oraya’s cold voice came from behind: "Who’s a country bumpkin that should kneel and apologize?"

Vexlor and Ysara looked up, seeing the stern-faced Oraya appear at the door; their faces instantly turned pale.

"Aunt... Aunt!"

Vexlor swallowed hard, his nose twitching, and his previously brazen demeanor quickly disappeared, like a mouse seeing a cat.

Ysara shrank back, hiding behind Vexlor, her eyes full of fear, clearly extremely scared.

The man who had remained silent with an air of superiority had his face suddenly change, an expression of extreme awkwardness appearing on his face.

"Master-Aunt!"

Oraya stepped out the door, her gaze sternly sweeping over the two, then landing on Vexlor’s face: "Vexlor, what’s going on?"

Vexlor mumbled, trying to think of a way to deceive his aunt, but Oraya sharply commanded: "Speak!"

Vexlor shivered, all his thoughts scattered instantly, and he honestly recounted the series of events.

Oraya’s expression was stern as she looked towards Carson: "Is that how it went?"

Carson coughed lightly and responded: "Pretty much."

Oraya stared at Vexlor and Ysara, sternly: "You two have grown quite bold, haven’t you? Unsatisfied with losing once, dare to find someone for a second challenge; outside, Carson could have killed you multiple times over..."