Chapter 272: Jiange's Nice Guy?

Jiange, Sky-Reaching Cliff.

This place serves as the secluded cultivation ground of True Person Chengtian Zhengde; with a True Person stationed here, the atmosphere is naturally extraordinary, exuding an intent that pierces the heavens even from a distance.

At this moment, numerous Foundation Establishment True Persons were gathering at this location.

Among them were the Yun Family Patriarch and True Person Xiuxin; even True Person Xiaohai of the Ganhai Li clan had arrived, with both sides glaring at each other with mutual disdain.

Soon, the crowd surged into a great hall.

At the head of the hall, a Daoist priest with a gloomy countenance stood with his hands clasped behind his back, gazing at a map hanging on the wall, which clearly depicted the landscape of Jiangnan.

Dressed in black robes with an unkempt beard, he wore a standard-issue, ancient-looking precious sword at his waist that displayed little spiritual light, appearing merely like a piece of mundane iron, while emitting no detectable qi aura whatsoever; at first glance, he resembled a down-and-out wanderer commonly seen in mortal kingdoms.

He stood thus, completely focused on the map upon the wall.

In one corner of the map, a region he had prominently marked was none other than the location of the Ten Thousand People Pit, its implication self-evident.

"Greetings, True Person Dangmo!"

The assembly of Foundation Establishment cultivators settled inside the hall, immediately dispersing their radiant halos, and bowed with clasped fists toward the Daoist at the head, their words betraying not a shred of disrespect.

After all, this individual was no ordinary person.

True Person Dangmo, Ye Guangji, was the foremost figure in the Ye family of Jiange beneath True Person Chengtian Zhengde, having long accompanied the True Person in cultivation.

Late Stage of Foundation Establishment, a Great True Person!

Moreover, it was not merely a matter of being in the Late Stage of Foundation Establishment; "Dangmo" was an exclusive Daoist title within Jiange, reserved only for those of profound supernatural prowess.

Ever since Ye Guangji defeated various cultivators in sword combat two hundred years ago and claimed the title of "Dangmo," no successor had ever managed to take it from him; with such cultivation, such combat achievements, plus the backing of a True Person, his status within Jiange was imaginable.

The next second, he slowly turned around.

"Rise, all of you."

His voice was calm yet every word rang clear like clashing metal; even merely hearing it made one feel a sharpness akin to being cut by a blade.

At this moment, Lu Yang also connected via his String Puppet, using the perspectives of the Yun Family Patriarch, True Person Xiuxin, and True Person Xiaohai to survey the situation inside the hall.

'Strange... there are fewer people than expected.'

Inside the spacious hall, although the number of Foundation Establishment True Persons exceeded ten, most were in the Early Stage, with only two possessing Mid Stage cultivation.

Furthermore, he recognized both of these individuals.

'Ye Xingfeng!'

Following the Yun Family Patriarch's gaze, Lu Yang looked at the youth standing in the corner of the hall, radiating murderous intent, and immediately recalled the scene of being hunted by him overseas in the past; although the latter had eventually died without a burial place, the mental damage inflicted upon Lu Yang was immeasurable.

As for the other, he shared an even deeper connection with him.

This person appeared no older than seventeen or eighteen, with bright eyes and white teeth, delicate eyebrows and a graceful head, skin as smooth as congealed white jade, and a heroic demeanor that drew frequent attention.

'Ye Guyue.'

With a calm expression, Lu Yang finally shifted his gaze to True Person Dangmo Ye Guangji standing at the head, recalling relevant intelligence about him.

Immediately after, an odd expression crossed his face.

'This True Person Dangmo... enjoys quite a good reputation in Jiange; everyone considers him a good person, with some even deeming him overly rigid.'

It was said that although he practiced the sword, he disliked killing.

As a True Person of Jiange, he had rarely participated in any battles between the Righteous and Demonic paths, his sword seldom stained with blood, thus earning criticism from many within Jiange.

However, his combat strength was formidable, and his background deep.

Therefore, such criticisms remained mere rumors; no one dared speak such words to his face, with most people offering praise instead.

'Such a familiar style.'

Lu Yang stroked his chin; back then, Angxiao had enjoyed the same reputation—a rare nice guy who never did bad deeds, the final conscience of the Sheng Sect.

Looking at it now, where was the absence of bad deeds?

Lu Yang strongly suspected that the other party had completed their evil acts and then used Perception Barriers to brainwash everyone, resulting in no one remembering the bad deeds, thus turning him into a good person.

Could this True Person of Jiange be the same?

"Fellow Daoists."

At this moment, Ye Guangji at the head spoke, his resonant voice devoid of any emotion: "I have decided to proceed to the Ten Thousand People Pit in three days."

Upon these words, an uproar immediately erupted among the crowd.

"So soon?"

"The Mo Sect has recently strengthened its defenses at the Ten Thousand People Pit; it is said a Great True Person is stationed there. If we rashly go there to engage in battle, I fear it may not be wise?"

"True Person Dangmo, please reconsider..."

The reaction of the crowd left Lu Yang stunned.

Had this occurred in the Sheng Sect, if Master Chongguang had made such a statement, the only response would have been "As you command," rather than this chaotic chorus of doubts.

However, he soon understood the reason; seeing this, Ye Guangji on the platform, a True Person Dangmo of high status in Jiange, showed no intention of displaying the authority of a Great True Person, but instead kept nodding, patiently listening to every person's doubt and answering them one by one.

This was simply inconceivable.

The disparity in cultivation between Foundation Establishment True Persons was already immense, especially at the threshold of Great True Person, where the difference was so exaggerated that describing it as the gap between clouds and mud would not be an exaggeration.

Under such circumstances, equal exchange between the two parties?

When humans are eating, do they consult with ants about what to eat?

'This is abnormal...'

It was abnormal not only in the Sheng Sect but also in Jiange, for Lu Yang had already noticed the impatient expressions on Ye Guyue and Ye Xingfeng nearby.

"Uncle..."

Finally, Ye Guyue could not help but remind him in a low voice; only then did Ye Guangji pause and shift his topic: "All of you should be aware of the matter concerning the Xuan Ling Realm."

"Previously, there were rumors circulating externally claiming that I had set my sights on the Xuan Ling Realm."

"Such a statement cannot be said to be entirely wrong."

Speaking thus, this True Person Dangmo extended his hand and beckoned; spiritual light suddenly flashed within the hall, and a young Daoist priest walked out from within it.

The qi aura of that Daoist priest was completely different from the Foundation Establishment cultivators present.

Though possessing a physical body, he carried a strange sandalwood fragrance; his flesh and blood were plump, yet for some reason exuded a sense of illusion, while his aura of mortal dust was exceptionally vigorous.

It should be known that all Foundation Establishment True Persons had constructed their Dao Foundation within the Foundation Establishment Realm, shedding their mortal quality to ascend as immortals, long having cast off their mortal shells and no longer belonging to the same level as mortals; however, although the Daoist before them possessed a status similar to that of a Foundation Establishment True Person, he carried a strong flavor of the mortal world.

"He resembles somewhat the Celestial Officials from the Dao Court."

"Who is this person?"

Under the puzzled gazes of the crowd, the young Daoist priest bowed solemnly and said: "From the Xuan Ling Realm, the great nation of Baochang, Human Immortal Yu Shao greets fellow Daoists."

As his voice fell, including Lu Yang, everyone's pupils contracted sharply.

【Xuan Ling Realm】!

A major realm suspected to harbor a True Person!

Simultaneously, True Person Dangmo spoke again: "Previously, rumors circulated externally claiming that Daoist Yu attacked me and was captured by me; the facts are not so."

At this moment, Yu Shao also smiled bitterly: "Allow me to make a fool of myself before you all. With Daoist Ye's cultivation, he can be considered a seated Celestial Immortal even within the Xuan Ling Realm; how would a minor cultivator like myself dare to engage him in magical combat? The truth is quite the opposite; without Daoist Ye, I fear I would have long since died without a whole corpse."

'... h?'

Hearing this, Lu Yang, hidden in the shadows, immediately showed a shift in his gaze; of course, he was not alone, as other quick-witted Foundation Establishment True Persons also displayed unusual expressions.

"Indeed."

Seeing this, True Person Dangmo finally revealed the cause and effect: "Daoist Yu was not dispatched by the Xuan Ling Realm, but rather fled from it as a refugee!"

(End of Chapter)