Chapter 524: Don

Qian Yunzhou, Yu Jing, Dong Jiao, Feng Xuanji, Bian Chen, Gong Sun Ji, Zhai Qingye, Xiao Zhufeng, Ling Huya, Hua Chengyan and others.

The other Immortals in the hall all showed drastic expressions, glancing at each other, all furrowing their brows, their eyes filled with shock and incomprehension.

What on earth is happening?

First it was the Six Sons of Qianshan, and now this group of top Heavenly Pride candidates—are they really all giving up this once-in-a-century opportunity?

"What do you mean?!" Immortal Zong Guang could no longer hold back, slamming the table hard, shouting angrily, his voice brimming with uncontainable fury and authority, causing the entire council hall to tremble slightly.

Qian Yunzhou's party remained silent, merely holding the Heavenly Pride Token aloft.

Immortal Zong Guang squinted, calmed slightly, then said, "Speak, what exactly do you intend to do?"

Qian Yunzhou spoke, "Immortal Zong Guang, we believe Yuan Yao will not collude with the demon race, so if the Immortals insist on revoking Yuan Yao's qualification to enter Heavenly Pride City, then revoke our qualification as well."

Immortal Zong Guang sneered after hearing that.

"You all came to plead on Yuan Yao's behalf?"

At that point he rose, staring coldly at them, "Are you truly willing to give up the Heavenly Pride Token for Yuan Yao? Do you know Immortal Buddha once prophesied that Yuan Yao would stir up calamity? If she enters Heavenly Pride City and betrays the cultivation world, you lot will be the first to die!"

Those words caused Qian Yunzhou and the others' expressions to shift slightly.

They naturally believed Immortal Buddha's words.

Seeing their resolve waver, Immortal Zong Guang continued, "If you truly wish to stand with her, then keep the Heavenly Pride Token and feel free to leave! The cultivation world's Heavenly Pride candidates are not limited to you; countless others also vie for this slot!"

"Fine." Qian Yunzhou smiled, stepped forward, and presented the Heavenly Pride Token to Immortal Zong Guang, "I, disciple Qian Yunzhou, am willing to give my slot to others."

A flicker of displeasure crossed Immortal Zong Guang's eyes; just as he was about to speak, Dong Jiao hurried over, thrusting the Heavenly Pride Token into his hand.

"Here you go!"

She did not hesitate at all.

The two Immortals beside them instantly changed expression, finally sighing and shaking their heads.

Next, Xiao Zhufeng, Ling Huya, Zhai Qingye, Feng Xuanji, Bian Chen, and Yu Jing each handed over their Heavenly Pride Tokens.

The remaining people, such as Hua Chengyan and Gong Sun Ji, hesitated.

Immortal Zong Guang's expression grew increasingly grim, as if a massive stone pressed on his heart, leaving him fuming.

He steadied his emotions, staring at them, "You'd better not regret this."

The other City Guard Elders exchanged glances, all finding it improper.

First the Six Sons of Qianshan, then the eight from Qian Yunzhou.

These fourteen are unparalleled geniuses of the cultivation world; without them, the cultivation world might not be able to surpass the other two realms in the Abyss.

"Hold on." Immortal Yue Shan stepped forward, halted Qian Yunzhou and the others, his expression solemn, "I know you all gave up the Heavenly Pride Token for a friend, but is this truly the right choice? Does Yuan Yao know?"

The few exchanged a glance.

Immortal Yue Shan urged, "Heavenly Pride City needs you."

Ling Huya replied, "Immortal Yue Shan, Yuan Yao is our friend; since she now bears suspicion of colluding with the demon race, we too cannot enter Heavenly Pride City."

Immortal Yue Shan furrowed his brows, speaking earnestly, "Consider it carefully again. I'll give you two days; if after two days you regret it, come to the council hall to retrieve your Heavenly Pride Tokens."

Feng Xuanji responded, "Fine. If we don't show up after two days, then please have the Immortal give the Heavenly Pride Token to another candidate."

Seeing their attitude soften, Immortal Yue Shan let out a slight sigh of relief and smiled back.

…

Fudu, Ninth Province Annex.

Inside the pavilion.

"What? Third senior brother, you're saying Qian Yunzhou and the others gave up entering Heavenly Pride City for me?" Yuan Yao looked shocked.

Cang Li spoke while picking up a pastry, stuffing it into his mouth, mumbling, "Yeah."

"Why would they do that?" Yuan Yao frowned, asking in confusion.

Ying Wuji peeled an orange as he said, "Qian Yunzhou must be trying to use this to get the Immortals to agree to let you enter Heavenly Pride City."

Yuan Yao thought it over and concluded this was the only possibility.

"What a pity, those City Guard Elders won't let you into Heavenly Pride City. Now they see you as a dangerous element," Cang Li sighed lightly, then narrowed his eyes at Yuan Yao, "So, is Xie Zixu really dead, or is he still alive?"

Yuan Yao met his gaze and shook her head.

Given Cang Li's understanding of Yuan Yao, he naturally understood.

Cang Li couldn't help asking, "Do you consider him a friend or something else?"

At that moment, Song Yan, Xiao Lingwei, Xue Jin, and Ying Wuji all turned toward Yuan Yao.

Yuan Yao propped her chin with both hands, "Right now it's just a friendship."

Cang Li said, "That means the future relationship is uncertain."

Yuan Yao nodded, "Mm."

"What's good about him?" Cang Li retorted irritably.

Yuan Yao replied lazily, "He does have many flaws, but he also has merits."

Cang Li snorted lightly, "He's only a bit more handsome, a bit stronger, but he's a half‑demon! I don't hold much prejudice against half‑demons, but if he wants to be with you, he's unworthy!"

Xue Jin nodded silently.

Yuan Yao's gaze drifted as she muttered, "I never said I'd be with him."

Ying Wuji peeled an orange, popped a few segments into his mouth, then said calmly, "Xie Yan's temperament is odd, and his actions are wildly reckless, full of unpredictability. Yaoyao, don't easily break the contract between you and him."

Yuan Yao fell silent for a moment upon hearing that.

She nodded.

Before the Grand Sect Tournament, she didn't know that Xie Yan was actually the Young Prince of the Demon Realm…

She lowered her lashes, sensing the aura of the gigantic phoenix egg within Yaoguang Space.

Xie Yan…

Just then—

A burst of footsteps came from afar and grew nearer, shattering the pavilion's tranquility.

Yuan Yao and the others, hearing the sound, looked up and saw that the newcomers were Qian Yunzhou, Feng Xuanji, Bian Chen, Zhai Qingye, Ling Huya, Dong Jiao, Xiao Zhufeng, and Yu Jing.

Yuan Yao exchanged a glance with her senior brothers and sisters, each seeing a hint of surprise in the other's eyes.

The young man in red—he was Qian Yunzhou—was the first to step into the pavilion, sitting down with a flamboyant swagger, unabashed, his tone laced with a carefree smile: "What's wrong? Not welcoming us?"

"Why did you abandon the Heavenly Pride Token?" Yuan Yao got straight to the point and asked directly.

Qian Yunzhou's eyes darkened slightly; instead of answering, he retorted, "And you? Why did you abandon it?"