It was a group of six, five women and one man, all of varying ages. They walked through the sky, guiding the wind. Without exception, they had the distinctive aura of Origin Dao cultivators.

Their leader was a dashing, elegant middle-aged man carrying a sword. His face was calm, without any trace of joy or sorrow, but his eyes seemed to look down upon the masses; he had the bearing of a celestial.

His presence was like the endlessly rippling waters of the ocean: vast, deep, and unfathomable.

They immediately became the center of attention. 

“The Great Zhou’s Unknown Dragons!” The Cloudstone Venerate’s eyes flashed like lightning, his expression solemn.

Conversely, Lonely River, Yun Zhongqi, Shi Fengliu, and the other Earthly Immortals’ eyes lit up.

All of them were naturally well aware of the Unknown Dragons’ origins.

The Great Zhou, Great Wei, and Great Qin’s imperial families each included a branch of cultivators.

The cultivators of the Great Zhou’s imperial family occupied Unknown Dragon Mountain, so they were called the Unknown Dragons.

The cultivators of the Great Wei’s imperial family considered themselves seekers of the immortal Dao, so they called themselves the Seekers of Immortality.

And in the Great Qin, the imperial family’s cultivators called themselves the Dragons in Seclusion.

Such cultivators had long since transcended the Origin Dao cultivators of the mundane world. It was their existence that let their nations’ emperors intimidate their entire territory, preventing cultivation factions like the Hidden Dragon Sword Sect and the Wheel of the Moon Sect from acting up. 

The atmosphere was instantly tense and stifled.

No one would have guessed that the moment Su Yi resolved his grudge with the Su Family, six members of the imperial clan’s Unknown Dragons would show up!

“This humble one is called Zhou Changyi. Greetings, Fellow Daoist Su.” The middle-aged swordsman leading the group had a voice like a morning bell. He stopped a few hundred feet away from Su Yi, then nodded in greeting.

“The Origin Palace Realm?” Su Yi arched his brow. He could see through Zhou Changyi’s cultivation at a glance.

Zhou Changyi smiled faintly, a tacit acknowledgment. He then pointed to the others and said, “My five companions and I all hail from Unknown Dragon Mountain. All me to introduce you.

“This is Zhou Yunhai, Unknown Dragon Mountain’s second elder. He’s cultivated for sixty years now, and is at the peak of the Grain Avoidance Realm. He was once fortunate enough to obtain an ancient inheritance, and he cultivates the Dao of Wind.”

The man he indicated to, Zhou Yunhai, wore apricot-colored Daoist robes and carried a jade scepter, floating nimbly in the air. 

Zhou Changyi then went on to introduce the rest of them to both Su Yi and to the others present.

Zhou Tuhong.

A late-stage Grain Avoidance cultivator in long black robes. His hair and beard were graying, and he was lean and wiry. He carried a saber, and despite his aged appearance, his aura was sharp and intimidating. His eyes glinted like knives.

Zhou Shanjia. 

He had late-stage Grain Avoidance cultivation, and he wore purple monk’s robes. His hands were clasped together, and his features were steely.

He cultivated an ancient Buddhist inheritance, and he seemed as steady as a mountain. Just standing there, he seemed like a primordial divine beast, his entire body brimming with incomparably terrifying power.

Zhou Beilin.

He was a mid-stage Grain Avoidance cultivator, and he wore brocade robes with a wide belt and a feather headdress. His features were clear and handsome. Wisps of fire and lightning revolved around him, and soul-stirring silverly light flashed every time he opened and closed his eyes.

Zhou Qingxuan.

She had a mid-stage Grain Avoidance Realm cultivation, and she wore a long white dress. Her feet stepped in the air, like the fairy of the Moon Palace. 

She was the only woman among the six Unknown Dragons. 

As Zhou Changyi introduced his companions, Ge Changling could no longer suppress his worry. He transmitted Su Yi several secrets regarding the Unknown Dragons.

Ever since the nation’s establishment, the Unknown Dragons of the imperial family had been there to hold down the fort. 

They were different from ordinary cultivators. Practically all the treasures of heaven and earth gathered throughout the Great Zhou went straight into their coffers.

These included legacies from the Eight Great Yao Mountains, treasures, and spiritual medicines.

Furthermore, the Unknown Dragons included no shortage of those who used the faith power of the masses to cultivate!

All of this meant that their cultivation far surpassed most others of the same realm. 

Even after learning all this, Su Yi’s expression remained calm, without the slightest ripple. What ‘Unknown Dragons’? They’re nothing but a bunch of bloodsuckers. They’ve only reached their current heights by monopolizing the Great Zhou’s financial power and resources.

The atmosphere was already incomparably stifled. Every onlooker’s heart trembled.

Six Unknown Dragons—one Origin Palace cultivator and five Grain Avoidance cultivators. When the six of them gathered in one place, they were likely the strongest lineup in the Great Zhou!

Ordinary cultivators did not know how terrifying the Unknown Dragons were, but they could see them standing proudly in the skies, glowing with divine light, swathed in lightning, or surrounded by imposing sword intent. One look at their awe-inspiring majesty, and it was obvious that every one of them was an incredible expert!

“Fellow Daoist Su, our reason for coming here is simple. We’re here on behalf of all the martial artists of the Great Zhou who’ve fallen at your hands,” said Zhou Changyi, getting right to the point. His wide sleeves fluttered, and voice spread throughout the entire area.

“You’re just here to loot a burning house, yet you felt the need to come up with such an excuse? It’s really been hard on you,” laughed Su Yi. It’s obvious that this bunch assumes that after a bitter struggle, I’m like an arrow at the end of its flight. They just think I’m an easy target.

“‘Looting a burning house?’” Zhou Changyi’s eyes shone like torches, his expression solemn and dignified. “Who in the Great Zhou could fail to realize that you’re a harbinger of disaster? As the Great Zhou’s Unknown Dragons, how could we tolerate your continued existence plaguing the populace?”

Every word was forceful, and he spoke with an air of righteousness.

Mu Xi, Pu Yi and the others were so angry, they almost laughed. Inwardly, they cursed him out. You despicable old fart! If you were really just concerned for the people’s wellbeing, why would you wait so long to make an appearance?

“Heh heh.” Su Yi couldn’t be bothered to argue. He just swept his gaze across the group and said disdainfully, “All by yourselves?”

“Are we a match for you or not?” said Zhou Changyi calmly. “We’ll know once we fight.”

“Su Yi, so long as you lower your head and repent, we can give you a chance to redeem yourself,” said Zhou Yunhai leisurely. His hands gripped his scepter, and his apricot robes fluttered around him. He looked incomparably composed.

“We can give him a chance to turn over a new leaf, but he must first pledge his allegiance to the Great Zhou and agree to obey our orders,” said Zhou Tuhong coldly. His hair and beard were graying, and he carried a saber. His eyes flashed with sharp, austere light.

“Su Yi, I urge you not to bring trouble upon yourself!” Zhou Shanjia got straight to the point. This Buddhist cultivator’s features were steely, and his bearing was grave, like an enraged golden vajra. He was forceful and domineering.

“Everyone, are you willing to help us suppress this fiend?” Zhou Beilin laughed and swept his gaze across Yun Zhongqi, Lonely River, Shi Fengliu, and the other Earthly Immortals.

He wore brocade robes with a wide belt, and his features were handsome. Fire and electricity crackled around him; he was clearly extraordinary. 

The Earthly Immortals glanced at each other. All of them were tempted. 

“I’m willing to lend a hand,” Shi Fengliu said solemnly. He was the first to stand up.

There was an uproar throughout the crowd. Numerous onlookers’ expressions changed. They realized that the arrival of the Unknown Dragons meant those Earthly Immortals who harbored enmity for Su Yi were already champing at the bit!

Yun Zhongqi, the high elder of the Great Wei’s Wheel of the Moon Sect, stepped forth. His voice boomed throughout the surrounding area like a sudden crack of thunder. “Fellow Daoists, I shall not lie to you. Su Yi once slew an inheritor of our Wheel of the Moon Sect. Now that such a perfect opportunity has presented itself, how could I just sit back and watch?”

Immediately afterward, Lonely River stepped forth and clasped his hands together, as solemn as a Buddhist statue. “Praise to the immeasurable light of Buddha! This humble monk is honored to have this opportunity to rid this world of evil alongside you all.”

The chief elder of Shanglin Temple’s Arhat Hall had finally made his position clear!

All of a sudden, the winds had shifted.

Without exception, the distant onlookers shivered, and their expressions changed.

Who could fail to miss that these Earthy Immortals were all hoping to seize this opportunity to end Su Yi here?

Yue Shichan, Ge Changling, and the others knit their brows, their hearts heavy.

Their worst fears had become reality.

The reason was simple: these old-timers all thought that Su Yi’s energy expenditure had been enormous and that he had nowhere left to turn. This was the perfect opportunity to execute him!

Even if Su Yi still had power left, he now faced an entire group of long-established Origin Dao cultivators. How could he possibly fight them all?

And how could Zhou Changyi and the other Unknown Dragons possibly have come here without preparing a few terrifying trump cards? 

When she saw this, Zhou Qingxuan, the woman in white with a misty air about her, said icily, “Su Yi, do you see this? This is the irresistible will of the masses. None can tolerate a harbinger of disaster like you living in this world!”

The atmosphere was so stifled, the air almost seemed to solidify.

The combined imposing might of so many Earthly Immortals left the distant onlookers struggling to even breathe. All were beside themselves with fear. 

The Cloudstone Venerate immediately made up his mind and transmitted to his disciple, “Lan Suo, if the fighting starts and Su Yi really can’t hold out, I naturally won’t just stand back and watch. However, with my abilities, the best I can do is fight for an additional chance at life. I cannot guarantee the end result. You must remember: the moment you see me intervene, you are to flee immediately.”

“Master…” Lan Suo was stunned, and waves of emotion coursed through her heart.

“Fellow Daoist Su, have you thought it over?” Zhou Changyi said evenly, looking calm and composed.

However, Su Yi only swept his gaze across the area, his voice spreading far and wide. “Is there anyone else who has it in for me? You’re welcome to step up now.”

It was just one line, but it threw the whole crowd into uproar. They couldn’t help but side-eye him. 

Who could have anticipated this? Here Su Yi was, trapped on all sides, without reinforcements, yet he seemed just as fearless as before. If anything, he seemed to think that his foes weren’t numerous enough!

A long time passed without any response. Su Yi couldn’t help but shake his head, seemingly a bit disappointed. 

“Fellow Daoist Su, it seems you stubbornly refuse to mend your ways, even if it kills you?” Zhou Changyi’s eyebrows shifted upward.

In response, Su Yi merely put away the black bronze bell and the cursed sword, Early Grave. He stretched lazily, then swept his gaze across his soon-to-be opponents, a hint of a smile rising on his lips. 

“Today, I severed my emotional blockages, and my mind is clear and free of obstacles. This ought to be cause for celebration, but since you’re dead-set on throwing your lives away, how could I possibly refuse you?”

His blue robes and black hair fluttered around him, a trace of contempt in his deep, calm gaze.

In his past life, he, Su Xuanjun, had traversed the Wilds as he pleased. He forged ahead with courage and power. Even if the heavens turned their back on him, even if the entire world turned against him, what of it?

I have a sword to cut through it all!

All eyes landed on Su Yi. Some were astonished, some were merely surprised, while others were confused and uncertain.

Why was it that even now, at a time like this, surrounded by enemies on all sides, Su Yi seemed to be in incomparably high spirits? 

SIGH.

For now, here is how I translated these various factions’ names. 

臥龍隱士=The Dragons in Seclusion

隱龍者=The Unknown Dragons

潛龍劍宗= The Hidden Dragon Sword Sect

影龍衛=The Shadow Dragon Guards (the guards of the Great Zhou)

But honestly, both 臥龍 and 隱龍 mean “hidden dragon.” So does 潛龍. That’s three terms I could reasonably translate as just “hidden dragon”, but they all refer to completely different factions. Add that to the 影龍, or the “shadow dragons” and you have a recipe for confusion.

I wanted to call the Unknown Dragons the Hidden Dragons, and I did for a while, but I changed it when I recalled that they were unaffiliated with the Hidden Dragon Sword Sect. Both groups are from the Great Zhou, but they're not the same faction. 

The Dragons in Seclusion’s name literally means “The Hidden Dragon Hermits”. I decided to just combine the concepts of “hermit” and “hidden” into seclusion, and then adjust the wording a little to avoid them being confused with other groups. 

Then you have the Hidden Dragon Sword sect. They were the first to appear in the novel, so they monopolized the adjective “hidden.”

What is it with hidden dragons, anyway?