Chapter 438: Lost and Found

Lingyun Shangren was merely a demon rogue cultivator, so his treasury naturally could not catch the eye of a great sect.

A few magical treasures snatched from some unknown cultivator, a handful of spiritual herbs; the only thing that could catch Liu Qianyun's attention was that jar of precious medicinal wine.

"What is this?"

Shen Yi took a withered branch from the slightly cluttered shelf and looked toward Liu Qianyun.

Under the enhancement of the Treasure-Seeking Divine Art he had obtained by swallowing the rat demon's inner core, this branch turned out to be the thing with the most intense aura.

"Huh, this rogue cultivator actually hid something good."

Liu Qianyun glanced casually, showed a hint of surprise, then explained to Shen Yi: "Green Yang Branch. This is the treasure material needed for the Dao Pillar. The quality is acceptable; it can be refined in about three to five hundred years. It is barely sufficient to serve as auxiliary material for a third-rank Dao Pillar."

Hearing this, Shen Yi nodded.

Understood. It can only be used as third-rank auxiliary material. Placed in the Dao Palace, it would be worth roughly the same as a Zhang Laifu, inferior to the Red-Eyed Phoenix Demon.

Seeing Shen Yi's expression remain calm, Liu Qianyun worried the other might misunderstand and added another sentence: "You may not be quite clear. For a cultivator in the early stage of Returning to Void, third-rank is actually already very high. Among the geniuses and direct disciples of my Qingyue Sect, when they first ascend the palace, if they adopt the Six-Pillar Method and at least half of the Dao Pillars are third-rank, they have a chance to receive the gift of the Two Qingluan's Breath and be honored as an Xiangong."

"Of course, I merely mentioned it offhandedly. Dao Pillars are something one must pursue according to one's own capacity."

Liu Qianyun shook her head: "For instance, a senior brother in our sect once, in pursuit of the empty name of Xiangong, forcibly visualized third-rank Dao Pillars, squandering over twenty thousand years of lifespan. In the end, he barely obtained a wisp of Two Qingluan Breath, yet had insufficient remaining years, forever trapped at the second layer of Returning to Void... He was originally a promising seedling who could have become an outer sect elder."

"Thank you, Executive, for the reminder. I have my own understanding."

Shen Yi lightly nodded his chin; he actually had no need for treasure materials.

But he was still very interested in the latter part of Liu Qianyun's words.

Third-rank Dao Pillars. He already possessed one Red-Eyed Phoenix Demon. That meant he was still short two, and he would have a chance to achieve an Xiangong.

He just did not know what level this toad and this spiritual deer were at.

Judging from the remaining lifespans of the two demons, their innate bloodlines and talents seemed quite excellent, and their cultivation levels were both at the third layer of Returning to Void.

Shen Yi waved his large hand, drawing all the treasures in the entire treasury into the ring on his finger.

First, take them back to the sect and see if anything can be used.

The rest can be left behind to exchange for Phoenix Demon pure blood.

【Remaining Demon Lifespan: Three hundred and twenty-four thousand years】

Aside from the two great demons, the bloodlines and talents of the other few demons were obviously much inferior. The three combined offered only ninety thousand years, barely equivalent to one Bihai Toad.

However, it should be more than enough for the time being.

Shen Yi recalled the old dog to his brow, making no special effort to hide it from Liu Qianyun.

One could tell from the toad's reaction earlier.

The cultivators outside possessed various strange methods; they could even create Shi Gui similar to the old dog. This actually saved him much trouble.

"This thing is truly excellent."

Liu Qianyun looked at Shen Yi with some envy and murmured a sigh.

Using a pile of heavenly treasures and earthly materials to create such a marvel of craftsmanship. Although it is an external object, when a true magical battle breaks out, who cares about all that? Staying alive is the only real matter.

But she only sighed once and asked no more.

Every sect has its own specialty, which is not easily revealed.

Outside the Lingyun Cave.

Li Qingfeng felt only his heart pounding against his chest. His face was deathly pale, and he slumped to the ground outside the Stone Mansion.

The muffled sounds that had faintly emanated from within the cave dwelling earlier, accompanied by waves of wailing, still echoed vaguely in his ears.

It was obvious: they had started killing.

This was his first time accompanying Shen Zongzhu on an outing, and he had run into so many great demons of the Returning to Void realm.

Could Executive Liu protect Shen Yi? Which side would she stand on?

And which side would that Lingyun Deer Demon help?

Li Qingfeng instinctively calculated the odds of victory in his heart, yet grew increasingly panicked. For them, whether Liu Qianyun or Lingyun Shangren, were all entities they had only just met.

They could not produce an accurate judgment.

Until the sounds inside the Stone Mansion suddenly ceased, and the surroundings fell abruptly silent, leaving only his own breathing.

It's bad. It's bad.

According to Li Qingfeng's cowardly nature, combined with the cautious experience he had accumulated over these years while solving troubles for Nie Jun everywhere, what he should do now was flee this place immediately.

But remembering how his master had turned without hesitation and stepped into the light curtain when Shen Yi fought the old dog earlier...

Li Qingfeng could not move his legs no matter what.

What if... what if everyone inside had fought until exhausted, and just happened to need someone to step out and chop off the heads of those demons? At that moment, if Shen Yi discovered he had fled, how disappointed would he be?

Thinking of this, Li Qingfeng gritted his teeth, rose trembling, and thrust his hands forward with fierce determination, pulling hard on the stone door.

Boom—

Before he could even exert force, the stone door had already opened.

Li Qingfeng stumbled a few steps, then choked on the thick blood qi that rushed to meet him.

He fixed his gaze.

And saw that figure strolling out leisurely.

Aside from his ink-colored robe stained with blood, Shen Yi's Bai Xi skin showed not even a single tiny wound.

Li Qingfeng soon noticed the dense array of bloody handprints on the other side of the stone door.

Such a terrifying scene came into view, combined with the earlier wailing and Shen Yi's so composed demeanor.

Even that Executive Liu was following behind Shen Yi with a helpless expression on her face.

He suddenly shivered all over: "..."

No way. This Shen Zongzhu of his, having left the General Nanyang Sect, could still bring his consistent style of conduct out here?

Li Qingfeng wiped the saliva from his face with his filthy sleeve.

He walked quietly to Shen Yi's side, looking just like a little lackey.

He didn't dare speak carelessly now; whatever he had to say could wait until they returned to General Nanyang Sect.

"Let's head back."

Liu Qianyun looked toward Shen Yi — she too didn't really want to stay outside any longer.

It wasn't that she feared anything; it was just that after pulling such a stunt, she felt oddly guilty for no reason.

After receiving Shen Yi's reply,

she walked briskly to the edge of the Sea of Clouds, gave a casual wave… then waved again.

"Mm?"

Liu Qianyun's almond eyes widened slightly as she stared at the Sea of Clouds in surprise.

She waved repeatedly: "Where's my ship?"

After a moment's thought, she finally realized what had happened; that trace of guilt vanished in an instant, replaced by surging fury: "How dare they steal a treasure ship of Qingyue Sect!"

That treasure ship wasn't her private property — it had been requisitioned from the sect under her father's decree specifically to fetch Shen Yi.

She hadn't put it away because it wouldn't befit the dignity of a great sect.

Never had she imagined these beasts with the gall of bears and leopards would dare lay a hand on anything.

That little deer demon must have sensed something was off and made off with the treasure ship.

Liu Qianyun panted a few times, then finally turned helplessly to Shen Yi: "Looks like we'll have to ride the clouds slowly; we'll figure something out once we're back at the sect."

With the deer demon's escape, the matter of the Venerable Bihai toad might well be leaked.

Shen Yi, for his part, didn't care — after all, no one knew him, and to outsiders he looked like a loose cultivator. She, however, had come under the banner of Qingyue Sect, and was merely a minor steward, so some trouble was unavoidable.

"…"

Shen Yi didn't reply, but looked toward the horizon.

The instant he drew his gaze back,

two figures arrived bearing the jet-black treasure ship, casually tossing down the mangled corpse of a deer demon.

They were none other than the two Demon Emperors, Shen Feng and Bai Hong.

After all this, the two demons transformed into streaks of light and dove into Shen Yi's brow.

Watching the treasure ship recovered,

"Many thanks, Shen Sect…"

Liu Qianyun was overjoyed at heart, but halfway through speaking, she froze.

The gates of the stone mansion had been tightly shut the whole time — when had they released Shi Gui to keep an eye on this gatekeeping deer demon?

Surely not… the moment they arrived?

Before even disembarking, they had already prepared to make a move?!

(End of chapter)