Chapter 172: Distant Escape – A Visit

172. Chapter 172 Distant Escape Visit

Xiao Zhangqing sensed a disturbance the moment Wei Wufeng and his companions broke through the mountain‑guarding formation.

But he did not approach to observe, so he did not know the details.

It was not until the dust settled from the great battle that Wei Wufeng and Biyu True Person met a tragic death, and the other avengers' True Persons were hunted down one after another; Character: Liyang Zhenren personally intervened to cleanse his sect, and in full view of everyone, he shattered his disciple Guangqin True Person's bones in mid‑air, after which the news began to spread.

The forces led by the ten great families immediately went to the main peak of the Character: Liyang Mountain Range to investigate.

Character: Liyang Zhenren also did not silence his disciples, but openly disclosed the details—aside from the fact that Bamboo Sword True Person is an elder of the Seven Star Sword Sect, Biyu True Person.

Regarding the news about Biyu True Person, Character: Liyang Zhenren did not openly acknowledge it, but merely identified the individual as the mysterious Bamboo Sword True Person.

It seems he did not wish to openly clash with the Nascent Soul Sect and the Seven Star Sword Sect—refusing to die or give up… or perhaps he wanted to spare the Seven Star Sword Sect some face.

After all, an elder ranked among the top ten in a sect being publicly beheaded outside and the act being openly admitted would disgrace the proud Nascent Soul Sect; for several hundred years, no one in the Da Yu Cultivation World has dared treat the Seven Star Sword Sect and Xingyue Palace this way.

However, this seems more like self‑deception.

The Seven Star Sword Sect cannot be fooled; an elder at mid‑Core Formation, even comparable to a late‑Core Formation elder, died—how could the sect not know? And how could they simply let it go?

Moreover, the outside world cannot be kept in the dark either.

After all, before Biyu True Person died, he revealed his true form, and many of the avengers' True Persons present, as well as cultivators from the Character: Liyang Mountain lineage, witnessed it.

Even if the authorities concealed the news, it still circulated covertly.

Thus Xiao Zhangqing spent a few Spirit Stones, and by the next day had gathered the information crystal clear.

"What a clever ploy, deceiving the heavens and the sea, turning the scheme to one's advantage…"

Xiao Zhangqing first marveled at the reversal of the battle.

Originally, in his view, even the best outcome was that the mountain‑guarding formation on the main peak of Character: Liyang Mountain could hold, but ultimately it relied on time wearing down; only when Wei Wufeng's side's morale fractured could a turnaround become possible.

He even guessed that Wei Wufeng must have had hidden tactics he did not employ.

In his heart, he leaned toward believing that Character: Liyang Zhenren's lineage was most likely doomed.

The result, however, far exceeded his expectations.

Character: Liyang Zhenren's injury turned out to be a ruse, deliberately luring this group to their deaths!

"But… what was Character: Liyang Zhenren's purpose in doing this?"

"Was it simply to expose the traitor Guangqin True Person?"

"Or to eliminate, in one stroke, the enemies he has harbored for years?"

Xiao Zhangqing felt baffled.

In his view, Character: Liyang Zhenren had no need to feign injury and let matters develop to this point.

Originally, if he simply displayed his peak state outwardly, all problems would resolve, and Wei Wufeng and his companions would never have come to Character: Liyang Zhenren City to cause trouble.

Whether seeking a traitor or dealing with foes, there were better, more appropriate methods; no need for such a grand move.

For example, if he secretly sought a chance to eliminate Dan Dao Alliance's steward Wei Wufeng and the Seven Star Sword Sect elder Biyu True Person, as long as it wasn't done openly, it would be fine.

The Seven Star Sword Sect and Dan Dao Alliance, lacking concrete evidence, could not directly trouble the top Scattered Cultivator of the Da Yu Cultivation World.

Yet, despite better options, Character: Liyang Zhenren stubbornly chose a method that seemed simplest but was actually the most extreme, which was incomprehensible.

"Is Character: Liyang Zhenren preparing to clash with the Seven Star Sword Sect?"

Xiao Zhangqing let out a dumbfounded laugh.

"He can't be like me, just for 'picking money and touching corpses', can he?"

Xiao Zhangqing had tasted the sweet reward from the calamity cultivators and puppet evil lord in the Cloud Mist Mountain Range, and he actually hoped some enemies would come after him, so he could loot their gear.

Soon.

The third day.

Xiao Zhangqing roughly grasped Character: Liyang Zhenren's thinking.

Because the City Lord's Office once again announced major changes to the public.

There were three main points.

1. Effective immediately, Character: Liyang Zhenren announced his resignation from the Immortal City's City Lord Office, to be succeeded by his disciple, Gu Zongyuan, who has just formed a Golden Core! From now on, all affairs of Character: Liyang Zhenren City will be decided by Gu Zongyuan.

2. Character: Liyang Zhenren had already, yesterday, shortly after the great battle ended, quietly left Character: Liyang Zhenren City. This time he not only departed Character: Liyang Zhenren City but intends to leave the Da Yu Cultivation World altogether, traveling the four seas. Moreover, the City Lord Office unabashedly revealed that Character: Liyang Zhenren's injuries have fully healed, his cultivation has advanced further, having reached Core Formation Perfection, and may soon, when the time is right, prepare to break through the Nascent Soul Realm!

Most importantly, Character: Liyang Zhenren disclosed that he has already gathered all the treasures needed to breakthrough the Nascent Soul.

3. Although Character: Liyang Zhenren has left, roaming the world, there will inevitably be a day of return. All past grudges will be settled on his person. From now on, whether Wei Wufeng or other sect True Persons lay siege to Character: Liyang Zhenren City, he will no longer mind nor seek revenge later. However, if after his departure from the Da Yu Cultivation World anyone—or any sect—dares to strike Character: Liyang Zhenren City or his disciple Gu Zongyuan, then when he returns, he will spare no effort to retaliate! If he cannot breach the enemy sect, he will assassinate its disciples from the outside!

This threat, however, is not limited to the Dan Dao Alliance! …

The moment the City Lord Office released the news, the entire Character: Liyang Zhenren City was shaken.

Moreover, the news spread like wings, rapidly soaring in all directions; virtually every reputable sect and clan in the Da Yu Cultivation World learned of it.

The coveted Character: Liyang Zhenren City indeed underwent a change of rulership.

But it is not as many imagined, a chance to bite off a juicy piece of Character: Liyang Zhenren City and gorge oneself.

The entire Immortal City was seamlessly transferred into the hands of Character: Liyang Zhenren's disciples.

Character: Liyang Zhenren gave up this 'cake', ranked among the top five in the Da Yu Cultivation World, forced to leave home, yet he forbids outsiders from laying claim.

Even the Dan Dao Alliance, which spans several great cultivation nations, he openly threatens.

Let alone the native forces of the Da Yu Cultivation World? Although the City Lord Office's announcement did not name the Seven Star Sword Sect, sparing its face.

But the phrase 'including but not limited to the Dan Dao Alliance' in the announcement was essentially tailored for the Seven Star Sword Sect.

It plainly tells the Seven Star Sword Sect: do not act rashly, and do not think of avenging Biyu True Person. If the Seven Star Sword Sect dares to strike Character: Liyang Zhenren City, then when Character: Liyang Zhenren returns, the sect will live in perpetual dread!

Such a threat, if uttered by any other Core Formation cultivator, would pose little danger to the Nascent Soul Sect.

But because Character: Liyang Zhenren said it, the Seven Star Sword Sect cannot ignore it.

Leaving aside whether Character: Liyang Zhenren's claim of having achieved Core Formation Perfection and seeking a suitable chance to break through the Nascent Soul Realm is true, it is unknown if he can truly cross it; for countless cultivators, this is like a heavenly barrier.

Yet even if Character: Liyang Zhenren truly fails and does not become the third Nascent Soul True Lord in the Da Yu Cultivation World in centuries, the Seven Star Sword Sect still would not dare treat him as a trivial figure! Because.

Even if he fails, he is a Core Formation Perfection cultivator, whose combat power in the Core Formation realm is almost invincible.

When Character: Liyang Real Person returns and discovers that Character: Liyang Zhenren City has been breached and occupied by the Seven Star Sword Sect, he becomes a solitary widower with no ties; for the Seven Star Sword Sect, that is an outright catastrophe!

Except for the Nascent Soul Old Ancestor of the Seven Star Sword Sect, almost no one can match Character: Liyang Real Person.

Then, would all the proud Nascent Soul sect disciples curl up in their lair and dare not go out?

Thus, when the City Lord's Residence issued this announcement, the world trembled; countless people marveled at Character: Liyang Real Person's decisiveness, saying that a power painstakingly built could be abandoned at will, and praised his resolve to burn the boats.

"No wonder he dared to decisively slay the Dan Dao Alliance steward and the Seven Star Sword Sect elder. It turns out he has already prepared to leave the Da Yu Cultivation World."

Xiao Zhangqing also sighed deeply.

Having decided to leave, he can naturally act without regard.

No matter how powerful the Dan Dao Alliance is, no matter how domineering the Seven Star Sword Sect is, I've already burned the boats; what can you do to me? Character: Liyang Real Person's such bachelor‑like behavior is literally a reckless act of a bachelor who doesn't care about his life, willing to risk everything to pull the emperor off his horse! Both the Dan Dao Alliance and the Seven Star Sword Sect are huge families with great enterprises, so they are unlikely to gamble against him.

Now Xiao Zhangqing's only puzzlement is why Character: Liyang Real Person wants to leave the Da Yu Cultivation World and venture outside.

Xiao Zhangqing, having drunk his fill and eaten his fill at the tavern, learned the information he sought, and leisurely returned to Jinxiu Lane, preparing to settle his mind for cultivation.

With the City Lord's Residence's announcement, he believes Character: Liyang Zhenren City will soon settle down.

Although the city lord has been replaced from Character: Liyang Real Person to the Ancient Sect Master, seemingly a great loss of strength, the later situation may inevitably weaken a lot and become much more turbulent.

Because the Ancient Sect Master's deterrent power is far inferior to that of his master, Character: Liyang Real Person.

Even if the Seven Star Sword Sect and the Dan Dao Alliance do not come to cause trouble.

But some equally bachelor‑like rogue cultivators may not be able to hold back and will cause chaos nearby.

However, this has little impact on Xiao Zhangqing.

As long as the city lord does not change, he can peacefully cultivate here until Foundation Establishment Perfection, and then begin to assault the Core Formation realm!

Other cultivators choosing where to settle may consider safety factors, such as whether rogue cultivators might appear.

But just as Xiao Zhangqing thought, he actually hopes rogue cultivators will rob him so he can loot great gear! Character: Liyang Real Person's such bachelor‑like conduct is literally a reckless act of a bachelor who doesn't fear death, willing to risk everything to pull the emperor off his horse! Both the Dan Dao Alliance and the Seven Star Sword Sect are huge families with great enterprises, so they are unlikely to gamble against him.

Now Xiao Zhangqing's only puzzlement is why Character: Liyang Real Person, while Character: Liyang Zhenren City is fine, wants to leave the Da Yu Cultivation World and venture outside? If one can cultivate peacefully, who would want to take risks? Anyway, that is no longer important.

At least for him, it is unimportant.

Having drunk his fill and eaten his fill at the tavern, and having learned the information he wanted, Xiao Zhangqing leisurely returned to Jinxiu Lane, preparing to settle his mind for cultivation.

With the City Lord's Residence's announcement, he believes Character: Liyang Zhenren City will soon settle down.

Although the city lord has been replaced from Character: Liyang Real Person to the Ancient Sect Master, seemingly a great loss of strength, the later situation may inevitably weaken a lot and become much more turbulent.

Because the Ancient Sect Master's deterrent power is far inferior to that of his master, Character: Liyang Real Person.

Even if the Seven Star Sword Sect and the Dan Dao Alliance do not come to cause trouble.

But some equally bachelor‑like rogue cultivators may not be able to hold back and will cause chaos nearby.

However, this has little impact on Xiao Zhangqing.

As long as the city lord does not change, he can peacefully cultivate here until Foundation Establishment Perfection, and then begin to assault the Core Formation realm!

Other cultivators choosing where to settle may consider safety factors, such as whether rogue cultivators might appear.

But just as Xiao Zhangqing thought, he actually hopes rogue cultivators will rob him so he can loot great gear!

Having dispelled the formation of the cave dwelling, Xiao Zhangqing stepped inside, intending to call the Lin sisters over to give them some instructions…

Suddenly, Xiao Zhangqing's complexion changed; in an instant his Soul Transformation became highly focused and tense.

Even the solidified magical energy accumulated in the Longevity Stone was immediately mobilized by him.

Because he sensed danger! Extreme danger! Unprecedented!

Whether it was back at Nanshan Fang when he faced the half‑human, half‑demon Mu Renjie, or the Blood Crow Real Person he met over a year ago at mid‑Core Formation, both were far less than one‑tenth of the crisis he faces today!

Even with his current strength and all his cards combined, he has no certainty when facing this person!

Because even Xiao Zhangqing's divine consciousness, which is already near the threshold of late Core Formation, is completely suppressed today! He even feels like a child confronting an adult, a tremendous sense of powerlessness! His cave dwelling has an outsider! They are sipping tea, waiting for him! The Lin sisters are at this moment standing helplessly beside him, their expressions anxious and extremely tense.

"Character: Liyang Zhenren City, who could possess such terrifying power?"

"Character: Liyang Real Person left the day before yesterday; could it be a master from the Seven Star Sword Sect or the Dan Dao Alliance arriving so quickly?"

"But even if these two factions send experts to Character: Liyang Zhenren City, why would they come to me instead of the City Lord's Residence?"

"Enemy or friend?"

Xiao Zhangqing's nerves were stretched to the limit, and an unavoidable unease rose in his heart.

But he immediately pushed his divine consciousness to the extreme; once he determines the other side is hostile, he is ready to directly unleash the 'Dragon Roar Technique' for a decisive strike.

Given his current Soul Transformation strength, casting this mana‑draining Dragon Roar Technique certainly reaches the Tier‑Three Superior level; even most late‑Core Formation cultivators would find it hard to withstand.

At the same time, a Tier‑Three Puppet was also taken out of his storage bag, ready for immediate combat. (End of chapter)