Chapter 333: The Clan’s Karma?
Gao Zian hadn’t expected to be treated well or even fairly by the sects, but being locked out of the tournament grounds without being given the chance to gather the clan’s belongings went beyond the pale. And there was nothing he could do about it. Even if the gate guards didn’t have substantial backing—which they most assuredly did—they were both of a higher minor realm of Foundation Establishment than he was. His Body Cultivation might have allowed him to fight one of them, but he doubted the entire rest of his clan, including two Foundation Establishment subordinates, could handle the other one.
As the patriarch, he was responsible for the safety of his clan members, a large portion of whom were standing behind him, and they were all in a dire situation. Since the Jade Chameleon Sect had ejected them from the grounds, it was clear that the sect would not be providing transport back.
With no other choice, they’d have to walk, which was doable for even the weakest of the nearly fifty Bronze Body Cultivators. They had the necessary strength and stamina, after all.
The problem was that the journey would take at least two months, which meant they needed food and water. Portable shelters. Money.
Some of that they possessed. Not enough, but some. But all of it was back with their tents. Inside the compound. Which they weren’t allowed to enter.
Basically, they were left with the clothes on their backs and whatever coins they happened to have on them.
Gao Zian had no idea how they’d make it back without starving. Sure, hunting and foraging could provide some nourishment. Unlike Spiritual Cultivators who needed less sustenance the further they progressed, the clan’s Body Cultivation made them require more food than a mortal.
If they left the city without supplies, some would die along the route. That outcome was guaranteed.
One option, obviously, was to seek work and save enough to buy adequate supplies. But he suspected that the Jade Chameleon Sect would thwart any such plan.
Gao Zian sighed. It might be that they’d all be killed as soon as they got out of sight of the city, anyway. The only things preventing that outcome were all the eyes watching and the resultant loss of face.
He never should have accepted the invitation to attend the tournament.
Just as he was about to turn back to his clan members and explain just how grim their situation was, a voice called out, “Gao Zian! Hey! What’s up?”