Amidst the billowing dust, two rows of soldiers charged in.

The soldiers each found cover, vigilant, with their dark gun barrels aimed at Yang Fei and Nuannuan on the stone steps.

Yang Fei instructed Nuannuan to collect the White Jade Box and Pangu True Scripture from the table, and to wrap the Witch Master's remains in cloth and place them in a military pack.

Nuannuan took the Martial God Ring from the Witch Master's finger, tears flowing once again.

She put the Martial God Ring on her left middle finger, a fierce look on her face.

"Father gave me the Martial God Ring, I am the Witch Master now. Anyone who defies me, I will kill."

Yang Fei approvingly nodded.

He wasn't certain how much power Nuannuan's Great Witch Essence Blood had granted her, but it should be sufficient to deal with someone like Gonggong.

Below the stone steps, only the one-eyed Gonggong and four ancient-looking elders remained, walking in together through the blasted open Stone Gate.

Yang Fei felt the power emanating from the four elders, and his heart couldn't help but skip a beat.

The Essence Qi from these four elders was dense and palpable; some were scorching like fire, some were as solid as earth, and some were vast like a mighty wave.

Each one of them was a True Martial Master, a peerless martial artist.

At this moment, Gonggong and the other four elders were also drawn to the god statue and murals, looking around in surprise.

Just then, Gonggong saw Nuannuan and Yang Fei.

"Well, you are indeed here. Tell me, will you surrender, or do you want your limbs broken before we take you down?"

His face was disfigured by Stone Fire, his muscles twisted, and as he spoke, his lips pulled at his cheek muscles, which was terrifying.

Yang Fei had no fondness for this guy and burst into laughter.

"Gonggong, you, a defeated subordinate, what right do you have to speak to me like this? Aren't you afraid of losing face?"

Gonggong immediately flew into a rage: "You brat, you think you and little Nuannuan can stand up to me? I'll make you understand what it means not to overestimate yourself!"

As he spoke, a massive and fierce aura surged from all over him, wild and rampant, like an ancient fierce beast about to pounce at any moment.

Nuannuan snorted, saying calmly, "Gonggong, with the Witch Master here, who dares be impudent!"

Upon hearing Nuannuan's words, Gonggong and the other four elders were startled, their faces changing color.

Gonggong's intimidating aura dissipated, and he looked at Nuannuan in fear like an old dog with a broken spine: "The Witch Master, is the noble Witch Master here?"

The other four elders also glanced around fearfully, not daring to speak.

Yang Fei sighed inwardly. True Martial Masters were already peerless martial artists with unyielding spirits, unflinching even in the face of a Mount Tai collapse.

Yet upon hearing the Witch Master's name, they were frightened out of their wits. How awe-inspiring was the Witch Master of that year?

Gonggong's single eye darted around, still fixed on Nuannuan. His face remained respectful, yet there was doubt in his eyes.

"Nuannuan, has the Witch Master returned? The Wu Clan is in chaos beyond measure. I long for the Witch Master's return to restore order. Please bring him out to meet us?"

The other four elders looked at Nuannuan and Yang Fei's back, fearful and cautious.

Someone was casting sidelong glances at the big hole in the Stone Gate, their eyes flickering.

Nuannuan sighed, suppressing the grief in her heart, and raised her left hand, wearing the Martial God Ring, high.

"The Witch Master has ordered me to lead the Twelve Branches of the Witch Clan, and those who defy will be killed!"

Everyone was stunned into silence by Nuannuan's words, their eyes wide in shock.

Yang Fei smiled beside her, quietly praising Nuannuan's cleverness.

Gonggong was furious and almost rushed forward.

"What makes you think a little girl like you can bear the revered position of the Witch Master? Bring the Witch Master out to explain clearly to us."

Nuannuan expressionless, raised the Martial God Ring high, looking at him calmly.

"The Witch Master has already passed the Martial God Ring to me, so I am the new Witch Master. Gonggong, are you not convinced?"

"I am not convinced. You're just a young girl. How can you manage the current internal turmoil, much less gain everyone's compliance!"

Gonggong restrained himself, not daring to act rashly, yet stood his ground to argue.

He appeared anxious and restless, staring at Nuannuan's back, clearly terrified of the Witch Master suddenly appearing.

Nuannuan sneered: "For so many years, I've managed the affairs of the Wu Clan alongside the Old Witch Master and the Four Great Protector Elders. Although the Wu Clan didn't flourish, it remained peaceful and stable."

"If not for you five harboring ill intentions, suddenly attacking, imprisoning my grandfather and the Four Great Protector Elders, and then binding me with the Five Elements Lock Chain, how could the Wu Clan have become such a mess?"

"Look how the Heavenly Fire Sect has deteriorated? If it continues like this, the Wu Clan will be doomed to self-destruction."

Yang Fei suddenly understood; the Five Elements Lock Chain on Nuannuan was the work of these old fellows.

No wonder they were so scared upon hearing of the Witch Master's appearance.

Gonggong tense at Nuannuan's words, watched her back nervously, lowering his head.

Behind Gonggong, an elder with brown skin and curly hair, looking like an African lion, let out two dry laughs.

"Nuannuan, actually, we were doing this for your own good. The Twelve Branches are already in chaos, and you are particularly feared."

"Everyone knows you hold the Pangu True Scripture. As the saying goes, 'One is not guilty, but possessing jade is'. Everyone wants to harm you."

"For your safety, we five could only prohibit you from going out, it was a way to protect you with good intentions, we hope the Witch Master can see this clearly."

The African lion elder spoke while eyeing Nuannuan's back, and the final words weren't directed at Nuannuan.

The others, like the African lion elder, also looked at Nuannuan's back with fear and expectation.

Nuannuan scoffed, "So, should this Honorable Master be grateful for your nurturing love? Absurd!"

Gonggong couldn't hold back any longer and bowed towards Nuannuan's back.

"Honorable Master, if you are present, please show yourself and speak. Gonggong admits to offending Saintess Nuannuan, and asks for the Honorable Master's punishment."

This guy, unsure of the Witch Master's whereabouts, decided to push the situation and force the Witch Master's appearance.

Everyone followed Gonggong's lead, bowing deeply, asking for forgiveness.

"Please, Honorable Master, appear, unify the Wu Clan and end the internal conflict!"

"As long as the Honorable Master is willing to take charge of the Wu Clan again, I am willing to accept any punishment."

"Honorable Master, please reveal yourself."

...

It was apparent, the Five Great Witch Kings were utterly terrified of the Witch Master, yet also held immense respect for him.

Even the arrogant Gonggong dared not to be rash, speaking with reverence.

Behind Nuannuan, it was silent, without sound or any presence.

After a while, Nuannuan sighed.

"No need to look, my father has already passed away, leaving this Iron Ring with me, and I am now the Lord of the Witch Clan."

At this, everyone was in an uproar.

This earth-shattering news, like a giant rock, dropped into a calm sea, stirring up turbulent waves.

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