Chapter 448: Heading to Lady Baohua Sect

"Huff."

Shen Yi walked slowly out of the Ancestral Master's Great Hall, once again sensing the accumulated Dan poison piled within his body.

In fact, every time he acted, he could feel these things affecting him; it's just that before, there was also a mess of things inside his body, so he hadn't paid too much attention.

He didn't expect it to be quite serious.

He flipped through the route map that had appeared in his mind; just looking at that immense distance, the so-called Lady Baohua Sect definitely wasn't one of the Seven Sons of Yu Nanhong.

It was a sect from the outside.

Asking Qingyue Sect for help with such a matter would be somewhat inappropriate.

Shen Yi summoned Zhang Laifu; it seemed the only remaining ally was now this dog.

When the two of them fought, both were only equivalent to the fourth layer of Return to Emptiness, and that dog was the type with extremely poor innate bloodline talent, capable only of fighting existences lower in realm than itself.

Such strength was obviously not enough to be seen within the entire scope of Yu Nanhong.

But one still had to go out and take a look.

Shen Yi glanced back at the surroundings; this piece of General Nanyang's precious land, if there wasn't truly no other way, he did not want to hand over to others.

The realm was secondary; after all, there were not only this piece of precious land under heaven.

But within the precious land were too many people who had once helped him; if he were to hand the lives of these people into the hands of a stranger, especially with the precedent of General Nanyang Sect in mind.

Shen Yi felt slightly uneasy.

"..."

Gathering his mind, he headed toward the direction where the Yu family resided.

Over these ten-plus days since breaking through in alchemy.

Li Qingfeng had long since arranged this group of newly arrived allies properly, and under Shen Yi's orders, distributed that huge batch of Moon Pearls.

These pearls, which were useless to Return to Emptiness cultivators, were like immortal pills and miraculous medicines for those in the Qi Refining realm and the Soul Transformation realm.

One Moon Pearl entering the abdomen was like a Broken Delusion Pill with no side effects.

If one had to say, cultivation piled up solely by Moon Pearls might cause the Dao Heart to be somewhat unstable, so truly powerful Xian Sects usually didn't like such things.

It was similar to the Soul Transformation Pill; disciples with good aptitude were simply not allowed to take it.

Only the path walked step by step was the most solid and reliable, allowing one to go further.

But the cultivators within General Nanyang Sect did not have this worry.

Because they themselves had endured conditions that were countless times more arduous than those of cultivators outside.

"How is it? Are you accustomed?"

Shen Yi walked to the side of a lake, looking at the newly built row houses; the faces of the Yu family coming and going still showed some awkwardness and restraint, but they could not hide the joy in their eyes.

After sensing the approaching aura, Yu Zu had come forward to welcome him early; hearing the question, her expression was slightly awkward: "Reporting to Shen Zongzhu... what is there to be accustomed or not accustomed to... You might not be clear, but for us scattered cultivators from the outside, being able to normally live within the He Dao precious land is already a wonderful matter requiring incense offerings to our ancestors."

She had figured it out; this Shen Zongzhu simply did not know what a generous reward he had given.

Simply put, when outside, just any Return to Emptiness mid-stage cultivator could cause them heavy casualties.

But now, having entered General Nanyang's precious land, protected by the great formation, even cultivators ascending Bai Yujing would find it difficult to have any further effect on them.

"We thank Shen Zongzhu for your great kindness; the Yu family will never forget it for all eternity."

Yu Zu bowed respectfully: "You must have come with some orders this time; we will do our utmost."

"Nothing for now, just what I promised you last time."

Shen Yi shook his head and placed his palm on the old woman's shoulder.

"..."

Yu Zu had only recently met Shen Yi; even though she was infinitely grateful, she subconsciously wanted to dodge.

But she instantly reacted, immediately wanting to stop the movement.

However, her face suddenly went blank; at the moment that Bai Xi palm pressed down, she found she had absolutely no possibility of moving.

Although she was injured, she truly possessed the strength of the third layer of Return to Emptiness.

And the matter promised last time?

Yu Zu suddenly remembered something and looked up in astonishment.

The Shen Zongzhu said that after breaking through, he would heal her injuries; she had already prepared to endure suffering for another thousand or ten thousand years, but now it seemed only ten-plus days had passed... and the Shen Zongzhu had just broken through the Dao Palace; could he have also cultivated the Golden Fire-related Spirit Body technique in the meantime?

"Huff."

Shen Yi's Heavenly Phoenix Indestructible True Body completely overwhelmed that old Golden Fire Sparrow, both in realm and in bloodline.

In just over ten breaths, he forcibly extracted all the remaining Golden Fire from Yu Zu's body.

He casually inhaled it into his own Mount Wutong Perching Phoenix.

Yu Zu's dark red face instantly turned pale; in her eyes, however, was overwhelming joy; the burning sensation that had tormented her for many days was finally completely eliminated.

It only needed to be nurtured for a while longer to return to her previous state.

After the joy faded from her eyes, when she looked at Shen Yi again, the awe in her gaze had grown even more intense.

No wonder he could be Shen Zongzhu at the early stage of Return to Emptiness.

Such talent was simply too terrifying.

More importantly, the other party seemed to truly treat the Yu family as ordinary cultivators; until this moment, he still had not revealed any other intentions.

"That's enough; live here for now. If there's anything, still find that person from before."

Shen Yi digested that Golden Fire, a flash of sharp light passing through his eyes.

There should be nothing left to do.

Only then did he take out the Dao Token, open the great formation, and dart out of General Nanyang Sect.

Qingyue Sect, Bamboo Pavilion.

Liu Shiqian sat calmly in his chair, his gaze falling on the Dao tablet on the table, his expression somewhat complicated.

From the Dao tablet came the voice of the Outer Gate Elder Yang: "It's absolutely true! Genuine as can be! Even Senior Xuanqing sent a congratulatory purple qi — it's terrifying. How long has he even been out? He couldn't possibly have had much contact with outside cultivation, which means this Shen Zongzhu had already self-studied and begun learning to visualize the Dao Pillar while still inside the Abyss!"

Hearing this, Liu Shiqian reached out and took the Dao tablet: "Come back first, we'll talk slowly."

To his surprise, Yang Jingxiang actually fell silent for a moment, then said with some grievance: "Elder, I can't come back. I asked them — Shen Yi has already left General Nanyang Sect… the array can only be opened by him."

"This junior and another disciple have been imprisoned by him in General Nanyang Sect!"

"……"

Liu Shiqian pressed his brow, slightly stunned. What does this mean?

No — he borrowed people to go to General Nanyang treasure-land to preach the Dao, and just didn't send them back?

After a moment, he shook his head and said: "Enough. Don't let anyone else know about this for now, I have my own plans… As for you, just stay peacefully in General Nanyang for a while."

Having said this, Liu Shiqian put away the Dao tablet.

Then he slowly leaned back against the chair.

One twist after another.

Even he hadn't expected this troublesome matter to have so many variables.

While possessing many advantages, Shen Yi once again revealed the most important factor — talent.

A single layer of Heavenly Palace actually doesn't mean much in terms of strength.

At most, it couldn't surpass mid-Killed Fanxu.

But what this thing represents is a different matter entirely.

This matter has already become serious enough that it might cause the cultivators of Bai Yujing to waver in their hearts.

Even disregarding face, taking advantage of the fact that Shen Yi's identity as Sect Master hasn't truly been confirmed yet, and doing something to him in advance — that's not impossible.

"Sigh."

Liu Shiqian wasn't sure how long he could suppress it.

But he didn't want this news to spread from him.

As for the rest, he could only leave it to fate.

……

The land of Nanhong — Wang Yang occupies seventy percent, with only thirty percent land.

The vast sea stretched on, and a group of cultivators all sat cross-legged on the boat.

They had the ability to soar through the sky, yet could only travel by boat — not every rogue cultivator qualified to use teleportation arts on the Aquatic Clan's territory.

These were the rules of Hongze.

At the bow, an old man and a young boy looked curiously toward a reef in the distance.

They saw a black robe fluttering slightly above, where a young cultivator with a handsome face sat cross-legged cultivating, having brought along only an old dog that looked somewhat rustic.

"Grandpa Zhang, why do I feel like I've seen him somewhere before?"

The young boy withdrew his gaze.

"To answer Young Master Liu, this senior should be traveling the same route as us," the old man addressed as Grandpa Zhang replied politely.

"Then let's just invite him aboard and give this senior a ride." The young boy surnamed Liu didn't wait for the old man's reply, and directly waved toward the reef: "Senior! Over here!"

"Eh—"

Grandpa Zhang froze for a moment, and before he could stop it, he found that this rash young master had already caught the cultivator's attention.

The black robe stopped fluttering, and the young cultivator slowly opened his eyes, calmly glancing toward the boat.

Just one look.

Grandpa Zhang's whole body tensed. He was a veteran who regularly delivered goods for the Xian Sect — even though the youth didn't seem unusual, even carrying a hint of immortal air, that calm gaze of his inexplicably made one uneasy.

This was the old man's keen perception of killing intent.

This person was by no means a good sort.

"……"

Grandpa Zhang didn't dare to just sail away — if he did, Young Master Liu's action would be confirmed as provocation.

Today would likely end in bloodshed.

He could only slowly steer the boat closer, cupping his hands: "No intention to disturb you, senior. I just saw you've been traveling and wanted to ask if you need anything — my boat still has some extra supplies."

This was the first time on this trip that someone had actively called out to Shen Yi.

He pondered for a moment, cupped his hands in return: "Many thanks for the kind offer, but I don't need anything. I'd like to ask for directions — might I inquire how to get to Lady Baohua Sect?"

Shen Yi wasn't sure how many years it had been since Li Xuanqing last left home.

In any case, the route map the other gave him — well, it was about the same whether he had it or not.

So much so that Shen Yi had begun to doubt whether Lady Baohua Sect even still existed.

"You're too polite, senior."

Grandpa Zhang clearly froze for a moment — those who could soar through the air and cross water were all Killed Fanxu realm experts, yet this one actually returned his courtesy.

Of course, what surprised him most wasn't that — it was the Lady Baohua Sect the other had mentioned.

As a cultivator who spent his life traveling outside, Grandpa Zhang instantly grew wary. Forcing himself not to look at Young Master Liu beside him, he began thinking of ways to extricate himself.

What a coincidence — how could such a thing happen in this world?

"Senior is also going to Lady Baohua Sect?" Liu Jun suddenly said with delight: "Then we're going the same way! I'm heading back to my sect — please, senior, come aboard. We'll have each other's company on the road."

"……"

Grandpa Zhang yanked the boy back.

His face showed bitterness.

It's over — now there's absolutely no way to explain this.

"This."

Shen Yi hesitated for a moment. Along the way, he had actually noticed this ship too; even if he pushed Dragon Vaulting Sky to its fullest, he couldn't pull much distance from them.

Besides, he didn't even know the way.

"Sigh."

Zhang Ye sighed inwardly, but on the surface forced out a smile, extending a hand in invitation: "Senior, no need for such courtesy, please come aboard quickly."

Although he felt Shen Yi didn't look like a good person, if he sailed away now, that would truly be the path to death.

If the other party wanted to make a move, they already had enough of an excuse now.

Besides, someone like him who scraped out a living in the cracks between the Xian Sect's fingers wouldn't dare offend this Young Master Liu either.

Liu Jun, hearing these words, laughed: "Still Zhang Ye who's generous. Whatever expenses this senior needs to board, once we reach Baohua Sect, I'll have my sister pay you."

"That won't be necessary."

Zhang Ye forced a bitter smile and shook his head, re-forming his hand-seal to steer the ship, then tentatively asked the young man: "How should I address you, Senior? Is there some urgent matter at Baohua Sect?"

"Just call me Shen Yi. I'm going this time to request an audience with Lady Baohua Xianzi."

Shen Yi stepped slowly onto the ship. He could indeed see what the old helmsman was thinking, but he really did need someone to guide the way; at most, once they arrived, he'd give a little extra payment.

The name Lady Baohua Xianzi was perhaps the most useful thing on that route map.

"Ah?"

This time, even the brash Liu Jun sensed something was off, and stammered: "My elder sister is just a maid of Lady Baohua Xianzi."

In this region of Hongze—

The title of Xianzi couldn't be used casually.

Only those who truly possessed a great background, whose own talent and strength were outstanding, and who also had a countenance worthy of admiration, could earn this title.

A typical example was Zilan Xianzi.

She was a white dragon of the aquatic tribe; whether dragon horns, whiskers and hair, or even the scales on her claws, all were first-rate beauties.

By comparison, Lady Baohua Xianzi, whether in fame, background, or strength, was somewhat inferior, but she was younger, with a promising future.

"Shen Qianbei, please feel free to find a place to rest."

Zhang Ye had now resigned himself to fate. In just a few sentences, this Young Master Liu had spilled all the details.

Being someone who handled matters down below, he could only count himself unlucky.

Thinking of this, under his urging, the treasure ship immediately began moving again.

However, before it could completely leave Shi Qiao behind—

A burst of laughter rang out all around.

"I've seen plenty of cargo escorts, but one who stops and waits to pay tribute to us—this is the first."

As the words fell, two figures clad in fish-scale armor and wielding long spears suddenly surged up from the churning river waves—clearly two fish demons.

Upon seeing the nearly identical armor on the two—

Zhang Ye's heart immediately tightened, and then at a speed barely visible to the eye, he wiped the bitterness from his face, replacing it with a fawning smile.

Wearing the Long Gong's fish-scale armor—

These were not at all comparable to those scattered wild demons who merely styled themselves as aquatic beings.

These were genuine Hongze aquatic tribe!

"Know the rules?" The two fish demons said no more, merely casting a casual glance at the treasure ship.

"This junior understands!"

Zhang Ye immediately stepped back, quietly giving a look to all the tense cultivators on the ship.

Then he quickly hurried into the cabin, deliberately making a show of casually picking something, and from that pile of identical storage treasures, took out the one he'd prepared in advance.

"Two lords of the Long Gong, there are nineteen people on the ship in total, all Soul Transformation… only one senior at the Return-to-Void realm."

Zhang Ye, still smiling, handed the Yan Daizi over, then hurriedly took out two pill bottles from his own bag to make up Shen Yi's extra share: "Long Gong lords, you've worked hard. Here is double the amount; the extra counts as this junior's tribute."

"Tch."

The two fish demons exchanged a glance, reached out to take the Yan Daizi and looked it over, saying nothing.

"Farewell, farewell."

Zhang Ye bowed repeatedly, then didn't dare look back even once, urging the ship to turn and sail away.

Shen Yi watched this scene in silence, not interjecting: "…"

He suddenly felt a little more familiar with this strange world.

Just hearing about it from Liu Qianyun's mouth wasn't enough; only by getting far away from the Yu Nanhong Seven could one truly see the rules here clearly.

When facing the aquatic tribe, even Zhang Ye didn't dare mention the name of Baohua Sect.

"Heh."

Liu Jun patted his chest as if he'd narrowly escaped death.

Muttering to Shen Yi beside him: "Good thing Zhang Ye is experienced and prepared enough tribute. If we'd offended these lords, none of us would get off easy."

A moment later, he didn't get a reply from Shen Yi.

He turned his head curiously to look.

He saw that although this senior in ink-black robes showed no change in expression, those pitch-black eyes had grown increasingly sharp.

Shen Yi was unwilling to meddle in other people's business.

He currently had no strength at all to break the rules.

It was just that someone seemed unwilling to let him go.

Just as the other cultivators were all breathing a sigh of relief, Zhang Ye felt as if needles were on his back, wishing he could push the treasure ship to its absolute limit.

"It won't exceed the second layer of Return-to-Void."

The slightly fatter fish demon pulled his gaze back from Shen Yi, weighed the storage treasure in his hand, and a mocking smile slowly spread across his blubbery fish face: "That old man seems to think we're fools."

"The stuff inside here isn't the same thing as the scent I picked up."

"Wouldn't this break the Long Gong's rules?" The thinner fish demon glanced sideways — accepting tribute and highway robbery weren't the same thing.

Hearing this, the fat fish demon let out an exaggerated laugh, his voice savage: "Who's going to know?"

In an instant, the fish-scale armor on both demons blazed with light at once!

The long spears in their hands became streaks of light, churning up waves dozens of zhang high, and slammed ferociously toward the treasure ship fleeing into the distance!

Feeling the terrifying aura coming from behind.

The many cultivators on the ship only had time to glance back in terror, their eyes filled with disbelief — they took the tribute, and now they want to silence them too?!

"Two lords demon! This is something the Lady Baohua Sect wants! Have mercy!"

Zhang-ye instantly activated the grand formation, but unfortunately both fish demons were Void Return Second Layer powerhouses. Before those two spears that shot forth explosively, the massive treasure ship was like a leaf-boat among the waves, on the verge of capsizing in an instant.

"Lady Baohua Sect?"

The two demons laughed in unison again, then stepped through the air, their eyes fixed dead on that figure in ink-black robes.

This kid might be the only somewhat troublesome presence.

Liu Jun instinctively hugged his head, trying to hide behind the senior beside him, but suddenly found nothing there.

Under the gaze of the two fish demons.

Shen Yi stood at the stern, then raised his palm.

The spear shooting toward him slipped neatly into his palm, and that vast aura that had churned Wang Yang seemed like a clay ox entering the sea, vanishing in an instant.

Since the Dark Tail Spear shattered, Shen Yi hadn't used any weapon for a long time, and was slightly out of practice.

He casually hurled the spear out.

The shafts of the two spears collided, then instantly shattered into several pieces.

Shen Yi swept his sleeve indifferently, sending up waves of golden flames.

Several broken spear shafts shot back like a rain of fire, carrying within them a piercing phoenix cry!

Cry!

The youth hadn't moved at all the second before, hadn't even summoned his Dao Palace.

The aura erupting in an instant made the two fish demons stepping through the air change color drastically.

They turned and tried to dodge.

But under the augmentation of the Great Completion Heavenly Phoenix Indestructible True Body, before the broken spear shafts, their movements seemed to have slowed by several times at least.

Psssh! Psssh!

The spear shafts, carrying surging scorching intent, pierced through the two demons densely!

The seemingly radiant fish-scale armor couldn't even hold for the span of a breath before shattering completely.

A漫天 blood wave poured down, and in the instant before the blood could fall into Wang Yang and dye it red.

Shen Yi waved his hand again, and spiritual pressure swept forth, rolling the two corpses along with all the blood back, and dropping them into the thumb ring.

He touched the thumb ring, took it off, and tucked it into his sleeve.

Only then did he turn to look at the people collapsed on the ground, and the old man whose mouth hung open, staring at him dumbly.

"Alright, let's go."

Killing aquatic beings in a place like this was far too risky.

Even Shen Yi was unwilling to linger.

Hearing that calm voice, Zhang-ye suddenly snapped out of his stiffness, swallowed, took out a handful of pills and held them in his mouth, widened his eyes, and desperately poured aura into the treasure ship.

Carrying everyone, he instantly fled far from the place.

He chewed the pills with saliva spilling out, his cheeks trembling uncontrollably.

Sure enough… his own judgment hadn't been wrong.

The expression this Shen Qianbei revealed the instant he opened his eyes earlier was the most real version of him.

Definitely not a good-natured person!!

It's just that the killing intent wasn't aimed at us.

Otherwise, where would they have had the chance to even bring the treasure ship over.

(End of chapter)