Ding Fan was startled; the mysterious elder's power was extraordinarily strong. However, Ding Fan wasn't worried because the mysterious elder had spoken in favor of him. Ding Fan hadn't expected that the Dayang Sect still had such a highly cultivated cultivator.

At this moment, Ding Fan suddenly recalled an elder. Ding Fan felt that the voice of this person was quite similar to that elder.

The short elder Zhang Qiang looked visibly dizzy. After a while, he managed to collect himself. He never imagined that the Dayang Sect would have such a high-level expert. Originally, he believed that He Zenfen's cultivation was the highest. However, the mysterious elder's strength clearly surpassed He Zenfen's, making Zhang Qiang and the other two elders very apprehensive.

"What skills do you have to come out and compete openly; what's so brave about sneaky tricks!"

A slightly chubby elder spoke with a very tense expression while cautiously voicing his thoughts.

"Hahaha… what difference does it make if I come out!"

With an ancient yet cheerful laugh, two figures gradually appeared opposite. One was an elder wearing very ordinary clothes, accompanied by a sweet-looking young girl. At this moment, the girl's face showed pride, and her eyes were a bit touched seeing He Zenfen.

This girl was none other than He Qianyao, whom Ding Fan was quite familiar with. Ding Fan couldn't help but feel surprised; initially, during the great battle, he had forgotten about He Qianyao. However, Ding Fan never thought that He Zenfen might have also forgotten about his daughter, which was clearly impossible. The only explanation was that He Zenfen previously arranged for his daughter's safety, but during the great battle, he obviously couldn't manage everything, focusing only on Ding Fan. After all, in his eyes, Ding Fan was the hope and future of the Dayang Sect.

Ding Fan could see that this Sect Master valued the sect even more than himself!

Ding Fan felt somewhat touched. Seeing He Qianyao safe and sound, he felt somewhat relieved. After all, if He Zenfen sacrificed his daughter's life for his sake, Ding Fan would feel very uneasy in his heart.

What shocked Ding Fan was not just He Qianyao but also the mysterious elder beside her. As expected, Ding Fan's guess was right; it was the mysterious elder he had seen before. Ding Fan knew the mysterious elder's cultivation was unfathomable. It was fantastic that he appeared at this moment! Given that Ding Fan could also see, even though He Zenfen had some time to heal, the chances of overcoming the three elders opposite were bleak.

But now, it was completely different; the outcome had entirely reversed.

Clearly, Ding Fan speculated that the mysterious elder's cultivation was at least at the Transcendance Tribulation Stage. Ding Fan might not know exactly what a Tribulation Stage cultivation entailed, but he knew that He Zenfen was at the Spirit Severing Late Stage, and the mysterious elder's cultivation was clearly much higher. Thus, the mysterious elder must be at least a cultivator in the Transcendance Tribulation Stage.

"Father..."

At this moment, seeing He Zenfen, He Qianyao couldn't help but run towards him, clearly accustomed to being pampered by her father. She never imagined that such a change could occur in the Dayang Sect, which was a significant blow to her. Originally, He Zenfen had arranged for elders to protect He Qianyao. When the great battle erupted, the elders realized something was amiss, and they forcibly took He Qianyao away immediately.

However, they didn't expect the Wild Wolf Gang to be so ruthless, laying in wait at the sect's periphery to capture anyone who tried to escape. Ultimately, He Qianyao and a few elders couldn't match their opponents, resulting in the elders being slain. If it weren't for the mysterious elder stepping in, He Qianyao probably wouldn't have seen the dawn of another day.

"Daughter, it's alright... don't be afraid..."

At that moment, He Zenfen lovingly caressed his daughter, his eyes slightly moist. He was clearly very worried about his daughter, but there was no time to consider it. In his heart, there was nothing more important than the Dayang Sect, and even though his daughter was his most cherished treasure, he had to make this cruel choice for the sake of the sect.

Seeing his daughter safe and sound, he was extraordinarily happy. If anything had happened to her, it would have been the greatest blow to him since she was his only daughter.

As He Zenfen saw the mysterious elder, he was deeply moved and grateful, realizing that it was the mysterious elder who saved his daughter. Otherwise, he might never have seen her again.

The mysterious elder had an average physique, his face lined with many wrinkles, yet his body appeared vigorous. His gaze was profound, indicating a person with an extremely high level of cultivation.

At that moment, He Zenfen directly walked up to the elder and respectfully expressed his gratitude:

"Thank you, Fifth Elder, for saving my daughter,"

He Zenfen evidently recognized this mysterious elder as the Fifth Elder of the Dayang Sect, the only person of senior rank whose cultivation surpassed his own by far.

The Fifth Elder heard He Zenfen's words and responded with a calm expression:

"No need; today, the Dayang Sect will most likely cease to exist, and there's nothing more to be said."

The Fifth Elder had already seen the situation of the Dayang Sect, almost on the brink of total extinction. He knew that while he himself was at the Transcendance Tribulation Stage in cultivation, he was powerless to change this situation. It was known that the old fellow from the Wild Wolf Gang was also at the Tribulation stage. Over these years, he had been focusing on self-cultivation, rarely involving himself in sect affairs, concentrating on researching that Fist Technique. However, despite the long time devoted, he hadn't achieved much success.

Nevertheless, he was clearly much stronger than before. Initially, he thought he was quite satisfied with this, but later, he discovered Ding Fan and couldn't believe that such a talented young man existed in the world, leaving him truly amazed and obviously fully acknowledging Ding Fan's talent.

Therefore, he had to take action to save Ding Fan. However, the matter of the Dayang Sect was also quite a sad one for him. He never imagined that there would be a day when the Dayang Sect would face extinction.

Although he had been devoting himself to studying the Fist Technique, he would still occasionally pay attention to the Dayang Sect. Clearly, the Dayang Sect had many problems; although the upper management's consolidation was quite good, the management and cultivation of some outer disciples had many shortcomings.

Take Ding Fan for example, such an outstanding disciple was assigned to such a remote place, which was simply a waste of talent! With such holes in management, how could the Dayang Sect thrive?

Therefore, the Fifth Elder wasn't particularly enthusiastic in his attitude toward He Zenfen. However, since the latter was also a sect leader, he naturally had to take care of his daughter, and having encountered her, he had even more reason to not ignore it. Although he didn't think highly of He Zenfen, He Qianyao was part of the Dayang Sect, so he had no justified reason to ignore it.

At this moment, He Zenfen heard the other's words. From the apparent meaning of the tone, he understood very clearly. Thereupon, he said with a somewhat ashamed expression:

"I have failed the Dayang Sect."

"It's too late to say anything now."

Upon hearing the other's words, the Fifth Elder spoke with a remarkably indifferent expression, showing clearly not much intent to blame.

"If they want to gnaw on the Dayang Sect, I'm afraid their teeth aren't sharp enough!"

The Fifth Elder's expression turned sharp, and he then gazed icily at Zhang Qiang and the other elders. Even Ding Fan, not far away, could feel the chilling aura in the Fifth Elder's words, which somewhat terrified him. It was clear he never imagined that this mysterious elder's identity would be so esteemed.

At the same time, Ding Fan also knew that the mysterious Fifth Elder's cultivation was exceptionally high. Just listening to the other speak gave him a spine-chilling feeling, noting that not many could evoke such a sensation in him. After all, Ding Fan understood his own Divine Sense was extraordinarily strong, and generally, such pressure was of no concern to him.

But here, at the Fifth Elder, Ding Fan clearly felt a strong sense of authority from a superior.

At this moment, not only could Ding Fan feel the Fifth Elder's imposing aura, but He Qianyao also clearly felt it, her expression somewhat fearful. Even though she knew the Fifth Elder's cultivation was exceptionally high, the three elders on the other side were evidently not ordinary individuals.

The thought of defeating them made He Qianyao feel somewhat uneasy. Having such feelings, Ding Fan did not think there was anything wrong with He Qianyao, considering that her cultivation was just at the Nascent Soul Stage. Ding Fan knew that such a level of cultivation, not to mention facing a Transcendance Tribulation Stage cultivator, was already enough to be astonished by an Emergence Stage cultivator, let alone those few elders being Spirit Severing Stage cultivators.

There was no way He Qianyao wouldn't be afraid!

At the same time, He Zenfen also felt the aura released by the Fifth Elder, clearly realizing that even as a late Spirit Severing Stage cultivator, he felt deeply afraid. Inside, He Zenfen was somewhat shocked. He knew that the Fifth Elder was at the Transcendance Tribulation Stage, so there was no mistake.

Yet he never expected the strength of a Tribulation Stage cultivator to be so formidable, considering he was already at the late Spirit Severing Stage, just a step away from the Tribulation Stage, but the gap was already apparent, and too vast.

Thinking of this, He Zenfen couldn't help but feel somewhat dejected inside. He knew that the Wild Wolf Gang's Sun Yi had obviously reached such cultivation too. Initially, he thought there wasn't much of a gap between him and Sun Yi, but now he sees the difference is indeed large!

Clearly, both were sect leaders, but why did his cultivation fall so short? Thinking of this, He Zenfen couldn't help but feel another wave of shame.

It was obvious that He Zenfen realized the fall of the Dayang Sect today was no mere accident. Even if the Dayang Sect was more deeply rooted than the Wild Wolf Gang, the gap in cultivation between him and Sun Yi was so great, how could the sect not fall?

It's well understood that although disciples are important to a sect, the sect master is the most important. When the sect master falls so short by comparison, how could he inspire his disciples?

Clearly, even if nothing had happened to the Dayang Sect today, its downfall was bound to occur sooner or later!

At this moment, He Zenfen couldn't help but look at Ding Fan, recalling some things about Ding Fan, further deepening the sense of guilt on his face, which was no wonder the Fifth Elder didn't think well of him, as he indeed did poorly in some matters.

It was he who failed the Dayang Sect!