“Are you the city lord?” Ace Hatfield paused his actions and looked at Kellen Bailey.
“Are you from the Holy Ghost Tribe?” Kellen Bailey’s eyes swept over them coldly.
“Hmm?!”
Hearing his words, the remaining people from the City Lord’s Mansion in mid-air gasped, each showing a look of shock.
As the saying goes, a person’s name casts a shadow. Although they didn’t live in that era, this name was well-known!
The Holy Ghost Tribe was once the absolute ruler of the Akabuchi star domain!
Back then, the overall strength of the Holy Ghost Tribe surpassed that of today’s Akabuchi Star Palace!
They had thought the Holy Ghost Tribe had been completely annihilated, but it had reappeared!
Moreover, judging by the nearly thousand-strong team, it seemed the Holy Ghost Tribe’s strength hadn’t diminished much over the years!
“Will you resist stubbornly or take us to the Institute?” Ace Hatfield looked at Kellen Bailey and spoke calmly.
“I’ll take you,” Kellen Bailey took a deep breath and then flew towards a location several kilometers away.
For him, there was no other choice unless he disregarded the lives of those in the City Lord’s Mansion and millions of city residents.
Moreover, even without his guidance, if they were determined to find the Institute, it wouldn’t be particularly difficult.
Rather than sacrificing so many people needlessly, it was better to lead them there willingly.
Soon, under Kellen Bailey’s guidance, the people of the Holy Ghost Tribe arrived several kilometers from the Institute.
“Listen up, Institute members! Remove your protective array immediately, or I’ll kill everyone in Canyon View City below!” Ace Hatfield shouted loudly towards the front.
With his cultivation level, he could easily sense the presence of an array.
As his voice fell, countless figures flew out from within the array, numbering around a thousand.
Leading them were Elder Xavier and Spencer Bailey!
Tyler Bailey followed closely with dozens of Institute elders, then came the inner court disciples.
Aubree, Harleen, Ivy, and Catherine Foreman were among them. Except for Kyree Whitney who had already fallen, all other members of Canyon View Institute’s Four Gentlemen were present.
Seeing their formation, everyone wore a solemn expression.
“You’ve recovered well!” Ace Hatfield looked at Elder Xavier and spoke calmly. “You probably didn’t expect us to meet again so soon?”
“Have you Holy Ghost Tribe people finally grown tired of hiding?” Elder Xavier glanced at them. “Aren’t you afraid of being beaten back to your original state?”
“Let’s see if you can still be so tough later!” Ace Hatfield responded calmly.
“Back then, if it weren’t for your Canyon View Institute deserting us at the last moment, our Holy Ghost Tribe wouldn’t have been defeated so thoroughly!”
“In that battle, rather than saying our Holy Ghost Tribe lost to Great Blue Star Domain, it’s more accurate to say we were betrayed by your Canyon View Institute’s private destruction of our alliance agreement, leading to our defeat!”
“You owe us for that!”
“And you dare bring that up!” Elder Xavier sneered.
“In that battle, your Domain Lord’s Mansion hid all high-end combat power for its own benefit and used other forces in Akabuchi star domain as cannon fodder to eliminate dissidents with Great Blue Star Domain’s help!”
“If your Holy Ghost Tribe had fought with full force from the start, how could Great Blue Star Domain have advanced so easily!”
“And now you have the nerve to blame our Institute? Truly shameless!”
“I don’t have time for verbal sparring!” Ace Hatfield retorted.
Then he turned to look at the Institute members.
“Don’t say I didn’t give you a chance. Anyone willing to submit to my Holy Ghost Tribe can live! Otherwise, die!”
“Idiot!” Elder Xavier replied. “Do you think our Canyon View Institute is like your Holy Ghost Tribe back then? Half of us won’t defect before even starting a fight!”
“Do you want to be heroes?” Ace Hatfield ignored Elder Xavier and continued addressing the Institute members loudly.
“A wise man knows when to submit. You should know very well that with your numbers, you can’t possibly be our match. Stubbornness will only lead to one result!”
“If you’re going to fight, then fight! Stop wasting words!” an Institute disciple shouted loudly.
“We live as Canyon View Institute members and die as Canyon View Institute ghosts. Dream on if you think we’ll surrender without a fight!”
“We vow to live and die with the Institute!” The disciples shouted in unison.
“A bunch of ants who don’t know their place!” Ace Hatfield responded coldly.
Then he turned back to Elder Xavier. “For old times’ sake, I’ll give your Canyon View Institute one chance.”
“Let’s hear it,” Elder Xavier replied.
“Your Canyon View Institute prides itself on nurturing talented geniuses,” Ace Hatfield paused slightly before continuing. “Each side sends ten young people to fight; life or death decided by fate. How about that?”
“And what’s at stake?” Elder Xavier asked after glancing at him.
“If my Holy Ghost Tribe loses, we’ll leave and all grudges between us will be settled,” Ace Hatfield responded.
“And if our Institute loses?” Elder Xavier asked.
“If you lose, give us that sword and saber from Sword Hill and let us take Billy from Sky City,” Ace Hatfield said.
“Hmm?” Hearing this, even Spencer Bailey was momentarily stunned.
“You have quite an appetite!” Elder Xavier narrowed his eyes slightly.
“I’m already giving you a chance!” Ace Hatfield responded. “Otherwise, once I wipe out your entire Institute, that sword and saber along with that boy will still be mine.”
“Change your terms,” Elder Xavier said. “Mr. Billy isn’t part of our Institute; I can’t decide his fate!”
The proposed duel method was somewhat advantageous for the Institute since he knew their true strength. If a full-scale conflict erupted, it would be troublesome for them despite having their own trump card which could only be used once. Using it might get them through today but what about next time?
After all, these Holy Ghost Tribe members weren’t their entire force; what would they use against another invasion?
“I heard that boy’s lover is one of your disciples; that’s correct, isn’t it?” Ace Hatfield continued. “If you lose, handing her over will do.”
“I advise you not to entertain such thoughts; our Institute won’t trade a disciple’s life for temporary peace!” Elder Xavier responded firmly. “I’ve given you a chance; whether or not you take it is up to you,” Ace Hatfield said calmly. “If not agreed upon by duel then let’s start fighting!”
“You really think my Canyon View Institute fears your Holy Ghost Tribe?” Elder Xavier frowned slightly.
“Heh heh! Are you trying to tell me your Canyon View Institute has a trump card?” Ace Hatfield sneered coldly. “You can bring it out; I’d love to see.”
“Hmph!” Elder Xavier snorted coldly. “You’re not qualified enough yet!”
“Oh really?” Ace Hatfield sneered again before raising his hand and waving it downwards.
“If they seek death then grant their wish! Attack! Leave no one alive! Kill!”