Chapter 463: Xuanqing Calls at the Gate, Shen Yi Ascends the Seat (5K)

Yu Nanhong's Seven Sons, Heavenly Sword Sect.

Within the light screen lay a mountain of swords bristling with edge, countless divine weapons standing like a forest upon its peak.

Liu Xingshan sat cross-legged atop the peak.

He slowly lowered the Dao tablet in his hand, as if fulfilling some pact, and together with several other figures within the Heavenly Sword Sect, raised their tea cups in unison.

"To Heaven and Earth."

A sharp glint flared in Liu Xingshan's eyes, his entire being seeming to transform into a divine sword whose killing intent pierced the heavens.

Sitting in idle meditation within Bai Yujing for tens of thousands of years had nearly ground away their spirit and will.

"To our Great Dao!"

Accompanied by a low shout, Liu Xingshan and the remaining few figures simultaneously brought their tea cups to their lips.

Just as they were about to drain them in one gulp.

A familiar voice rang out at their ears.

"Xuanqing of General Nanyang, here to visit the Heavenly Sword Sect's Shen Zongzhu."

Those placid, well-like words echoed unceasingly throughout the entire Heavenly Sword Sect.

Liu Xingshan's hand trembled slightly; the tea cup between his fingers slipped of its own accord and, with a crack, shattered upon the peak of the sword mountain.

He instinctively looked beyond the light screen.

Throughout the Heavenly Sword Sect, many disciples wore puzzled expressions, wondering who would dare to call out a challenge outside the sect.

And demand an audience with the Shen Zongzhu right off the bat?

Yet anyone who had any impression of that name was a person of formidable realm.

Each of them looked stunned, then—like a swarm of bees converging—they shot toward the outside of the sect!

Upon the domineering, razor-sharp Heavenly Sword relief carving outside the sect, dense clusters of figures soon gathered, among them no few personal disciples, all fixing solemn gazes into the distance.

In the only empty spot.

A wooden body with a shattered chest-hole stood quietly, arms hanging at its sides.

After finishing that sentence.

Li Xuanqing maintained this posture, silently awaiting the Heavenly Sword Sect's response.

Until eight figures surged forth from the light screen almost simultaneously.

All eight of Bai Yujing's elders had shown themselves.

Including Liu Xingshan, four among them wore unsightly expressions as they slowly stepped forward, cupped their hands, and said: "Senior Xuanqing, what is the purpose of this visit?"

Facing the questioning of the eight Bai Yujing elders.

Li Xuanqing's gaze did not waver.

In his eyes, these people simply did not exist.

He merely gazed calmly at the Heavenly Sword Sect, silently counting thirty breaths within his heart.

On that wooden, expressionless face, three parts of a mocking smile suddenly appeared.

The instant they saw that smile.

Those personal disciples and Bai Yujing elders seemed to suddenly recall something very unpleasant.

Sure enough, the next moment.

The words that came from the wooden man's mouth made their expressions change drastically.

Li Xuanqing slightly raised his head; his entire demeanor instantly turned arrogant and domineering, casual yet tinged with a hint of roguishness: "Uncle-Master Lin, don't refuse the face I'm giving you. The ladder I'm offering, you'd best step down on your own."

"You—!"

Fury surged in Liu Xingshan's heart, but he was seized by the person beside him.

The others were likewise torn between shock and rage, yet forcibly glued the soles of their feet to the Heavenly Sword relief carving.

"..."

Liu Xingshan felt the aura throughout his body restrained; he quietly clenched his teeth and cast a resentful glance skyward.

In the end, he could only lower his head in some dejection.

Li Xuanqing had indeed fallen on hard times, and had moreover committed a grave error.

But no one punished him—not out of leniency toward him, but because unless the Yu Nanhong's Seven Sons joined forces, it was truly very hard to contend with his connections. Thus, for these hundred thousand years, he had been punishing himself.

That's right—connections.

Logically speaking, once one reached the realm of Returning to the Void, so-called relationships depended more upon entangled interests.

After one's strength and realm declined, unable to provide the value of former days, under the test of long ages even the closest of ties would gradually grow thin.

But Xuanqing was an exception.

What he offered... was emotional value! In Hongze there was a large group of people who had been waiting for him for many, many years!

As time flowed on, those connections had become even more terrifying than they had been a hundred thousand years ago!

They had merely grown old—they had not yet died.

"I thought after all these years, your temperament might have changed just a little."

Soon, a deep, resonant voice rang out from within the Heavenly Sword Sect, as if the heavens and earth were murmuring, brimming with a profound and mysterious flavor.

"Enough, cut the nonsense. I never liked listening to your nagging in the past either."

Li Xuanqing waved his hand to cut off that voice, then turned his body: "Today I came just to inform you of one thing—Shen Yi takes the position of Shen Zongzhu, the General Nanyang Sect is to be restarted. Within three days, return everything that belongs to us."

Having said this, he did not wait for that voice to respond.

Li Xuanqing directly rose and shot away, vanishing into the clouds and mist, heading toward the next sect.

"Xuanqing of General Nanyang, here to visit the Wushuang Sect's Shen Zongzhu!"

"Xuanqing of General Nanyang, here to visit the Lingyue Sect's Shen Zongzhu!"

"General Nanyang Xuanqing, here to visit the Sect Master of Lingyun!"

One shout after another stirred an uproar among the Seven Sons of Yu Nanhong.

Countless figures poured out of the sect's treasured land, all for a glimpse of that wooden body.

Li Xuanqing was like a competent thug.

Going from place to place to collect debts.

When his figure landed upon the relief sculpture of Qingyue Sect, the many Qingyue disciples who had long heard of him were already waiting respectfully within the sect.

"Aunt-Master Ji, Xuanqing has come to see you."

Li Xuanqing broke off a piece of wood from his body, lightly carved a few strokes on it with his fingertip, used it as a visiting card, and sent it into the hands of the graceful figure draped in white gauze ahead.

The clear moon shines upon the mortal world, yet hazy, beyond reach when one stretches out a hand.

"You brat, you really are perfunctory."

From within the white gauze came a gentle, warm woman's voice, and she casually accepted the visiting card.

"Courtesy is courtesy, but the things still have to be returned." Li Xuanqing bowed with cupped hands.

The dignified leader of the Seven Sons of Yu Nanhong, the Xian Sect of General Nanyang, wanting to reemerge in the Hongze — the first thing was to regain the recognition of those followers.

"It was only ever just looking after them for you."

The Sect Master of Qingyue Sect lightly tilted her chin and said blandly: "Hurry back, one bout of mischief is enough."

The trouble this brat had stirred up in the past, even now, left the Seven Sons of Yu Nanhong unable to rest easy.

He might possess the ability to summon many helpers.

But this ability could only be used once. Once used up, it would be the moment when the name Xuanqing resounded through Hongze once more, and then he died, bringing along a great reckoning in Hongze.

Those bevy of beauties might not care about his death, but Li Xuanqing was by no means such a cold and heartless person.

As the Sect Master of Qingyue Sect's words fell.

At the front of the crowd, Liu Shiqian suddenly sighed. He did not quite understand what Xuanqing's purpose in doing this was, whether it would put too much pressure on Shen Yi.

Could these matters truly be borne by a young man at the early stage of Returning to Void?

Instead, Yan Wencheng, Zheng Qian, and the others wore strange expressions.

The Shen Zongzhu they had always spoken of had now actually come true.

The Seven Sons of Yu Nanhong were truly going to openly acknowledge a Sect Master at the early stage of Returning to Void?!

"Many thanks, Aunt-Master Ji."

Li Xuanqing straightened his body and obediently turned and left.

Once more vanishing into the clouds, he landed upon the General Nanyang relief sculpture, instinctively took a step, then froze.

Then he sat cross-legged, waiting for Shen Zongzhu to finish his cultivation and open the door for him.

……

Within the General Nanyang Sect.

Shen Yi swallowed all the Tianhuang Pills into his belly, his whole person like a thoroughly cooked shrimp, his skin flushed crimson all over.

The third completion of the Tiangong, stepping into the mid-stage of Returning to Void.

Such a tremendous advancement was still far inferior to the changes now occurring within his body.

The Indestructible True Body of the Tianhuang had finally taken its final step.

From Great Completion to Perfection.

The five viscera of the Dao Infant within his body all shone together, making the Mount Wutong tree ever more resplendent.

A phoenix, resplendent with golden light all over, was wrapped in flames.

Its vitality gradually waned.

Until a clear, crisp cry of a phoenix.

It shed the golden flames covering its body, transformed into a five-colored form, and soared up from the sea of fire. Its long tail feathers shimmered with flowing light, like a rainbow spanning the sky.

A true Tianhuang was reborn from the flames.

Shen Yi suddenly opened his eyes, the crimson all over his body faded, turning to a jade-like Bai Xi.

As he rose, the temperature throughout the entire inner gate of the General Nanyang Sect rose considerably.

After spending nearly another thirty thousand years, he had finally earned the prompt on the panel.

【Returning to Void. Indestructible True Body of the Tianhuang: Perfection】

【Remaining Demon-Subduing Lifespan: One hundred thousand years】

With the Spirit Body, comparable to the sixth layer of Returning to Void!

He felt the vigorous vitality within his body, gazed far ahead, and was filled with a feeling of overlooking all mountains.

He unconsciously wanted to let out a long howl.

But as if remembering something, Shen Yi raised an eyebrow, clenched his five fingers, and restrained this foolish impulse.

It was still better to keep a low profile.

He also did not know what Senior Xuanqing's earlier words had meant.

The other party seemed to have left something behind.

Shen Yi took a step forward, his form like a phoenix, even swifter than when he had previously employed Dragon Leap to the Sky.

He appeared upon the General Nanyang relief sculpture and saw the Bai Yu tablet lying quietly there.

"……"

Shen Yi looked at the stone tablet in his hand.

So Senior Xuanqing had been holding the key all along.

What does this mean?

They handed the Sect Master's Token to me?

Shen Yi didn't quite understand these formalities, but the Sect Master's Token was clearly more precious; he casually stored it inside his signet ring.

Now he possessed strength that was considered extremely good even in Yu Nanhong.

It was time to plan the path ahead.

"Hmm?"

Sensing someone waiting outside the sect, Shen Yi peeked slightly, then opened the Great Sect Protection Array.

Li Xuanqing finally stepped in, though this time he did not return to kneel before the Ancestral Master's statue.

He watched Shen Yi silently and said gently, "It is done."

"What matter?" Shen Yi lazily stretched his arms, looking over with slight curiosity.

"I went and told them about the new Sect Master of General Nanyang Sect taking his seat," Li Xuanqing smiled.

"..."

Shen Yi's movement paused slightly.

He indeed wanted this Dao-Comprehending General Nanyang Baodi, but his thought had always been to delay as long as possible, waiting until his strength was sufficient to seize it in one go.

"I know what you are thinking."

Li Xuanqing shook his head and explained, "But although they are foolish, they have some experience. Given the progress in strength you have shown, it will frighten them, even causing them to do irrational things."

"If you want to give up, then give up. If you want to fight for it... then bring the matter into the open as soon as possible."

"Of course, this is just my personal opinion. If you have different thoughts, I can go back again, take back my previous words. It doesn't matter."

Li Xuanqing rarely spoke so much at once; it was clear he was truly considering the interests of General Nanyang Sect.

Shen Yi sighed lightly, "Whatever."

"Hmm?" Li Xuanqing raised his brows curiously, "What does 'whatever' mean?"

"It means either is fine."

Shen Yi casually stepped forward, entered the Ancestral Master's Hall, picked a spot to sit, and asked, "What will happen next?"

Hearing this, Li Xuanqing was stunned for an instant, then let out a helpless laugh.

The Sect Master's unconcern made even his direct disciple feel a bit envious.

"I'm not entirely sure either."

Li Xuanqing returned to his original seat, "Wait for the news. It shouldn't take too long. Xuanqing still has a little bit of face."

These words seemed calm, yet were full of certainty.

Shen Yi had just broken through and had nothing else to do, so he simply asked about the use of the Hongmeng Chen Ziqi, "I found that the Hongmeng Chen Ziqi can enhance the Spirit Body Technique. With three strands of Chen Ziqi, can it allow one to surpass the realm and challenge a late-stage Killed Fanxu cultivator?"

Li Xuanqing pondered for a moment and replied, "Not necessarily. It depends on who the opponent is. For spiritual techniques like Xiang Tianyan's Tianyan Sijiu, every direct disciple has the opportunity to cultivate them. If you meet them, your battle will be extremely difficult."

"If it is an ordinary rogue cultivator..."

"... it should be no major problem."

"So you had better first rely on other methods to recover those former vassals of General Nanyang Sect. Although their strength is mediocre, they are enough to hold up the face. With their help, your travels in Yu Nanhong will be smoother."

Speaking to this point, Li Xuanqing showed an apologetic expression, "Perhaps it will be a bit troublesome, but the path to rebuilding the Xian Sect is already very difficult... at least I am not up to it."

He might have been acting on impulse, seeing a shadow of his former self in Shen Yi.

But this matter truly left no room for entanglement.

A cultivator who rushed straight to the mid-stage of Killed Fanxu in just a few months, and who also possesses three layers of Heavenly Palaces—any cultivator with a normal brain would not be able to watch Shen Yi continue cultivating without blinking.

This is a dispute over a Dao-Comprehending General Nanyang Baodi!

Rather than waiting to be injured by hidden arrows, it is better to stand out openly and swallow the spears they throw at you in the open.

The matter came faster than Li Xuanqing had said.

In just one afternoon.

Six Bai Yu tokens, accompanied by many followers from Bai Yujing, with auspicious clouds clustering around, hung outside General Nanyang Sect.

"The Seven Masters of Yu Nanhong, the Sect Master's Edict arrives!"

"Congratulations, Daoist Shen, on taking charge of General Nanyang Xian Sect. We present two humble gifts."

The deep voice nearly spread across the entire sky, causing all living beings who heard these words to fall into Tianyan Siji.

Before the words had fully fallen, a gilded and jade-inlaid register was sent to the General Nanyang relief.

It recorded all the former vassals of General Nanyang Sect.

"From this day forward, our Meng Sect will no longer participate in any General Nanyang internal affairs; all are returned to Sect Master Shen for his own disposal."

"This is the first gift."

"From this day forward, we send the Sect Master's Immortal Invitation to feast the Four Seas and Eight Desolations. In three months, we will convene the Qi Sect Assembly, so that the land and water of Yu Nanhong may jointly celebrate our General Nanyang Sect Master!"

"This is the second gift."

"The tribute gifts are now complete."

The Bai Yujing elder holding the edict slowly ceased speaking, and with over a hundred Bai Yujing cultivators, they bowed in unison.

Then they straightened their bodies again and continued, "Now we speak the heartfelt words of several Sect Masters: If Sect Master Shen feels his strength is insufficient, our Meng Sect will still open our sect gates to you. At that time, everything will remain as before."

The six Bai Yu Dao Tokens remained silent.

Clearly, they agreed with this statement.

Xuanqing's face had grown so great that the entire Seven Masters of Yu Nanhong were willing to join him in this folly, even going so far as to make it widely known.

But while shouldering such honor, one must also be able to bear the responsibilities of a Dao-Comprehending Giant.

"We take our leave!"

The group of Bai Yujing cultivators bowed once more, then rode clouds back.

Such dense auras gathered together, causing heaven and earth to change color.

It came quickly and left just as quickly.

Until the clouds dispersed and the winds lightened, and the outside of General Nanyang Sect returned to peace.

A light curtain surged up, swallowing that register.

"..."

Shen Yi sat inside the Ancestral Master Hall, holding that register, looking at Li Xuanqing with a slightly speechless expression: "Is that all? Not a single tangible benefit?"

After all that talk, how is it all empty words?

Have the Seven Sons of General Nanyang become so destitute?

"Sigh." Li Xuanqing smiled and shook his head, looking seriously at Shen Yi: "You are the Sect Master, equivalent to a giant of the Dao-Integration realm; only Heaven and Earth can congratulate you, and those of the same realm can congratulate you. Why need the mundane gifts of others?"

Mundane worldly things would only soil the immortal hands.

"According to the rules, it is your duty to bestow blessings upon them." Li Xuanqing reminded softly.

"I can't bestow a single thing."

Shen Yi directly withdrew his gaze, having previously passed through the Sect-Protecting Formation.

In the expressions of those Bai Yujing cultivators, he saw envy, he saw dissatisfaction, and deep greed.

But it was very hard to see sincere congratulations.

These open spears will likely be hard to defend against as well.

"Let me introduce them to you." Li Xuanqing reached out to take the register, then slowly opened it: "These four families all have Bai Yujing in command, and their hostility toward you is the least."

"Hostility?" Shen Yi glanced sideways.

"Of course there will be hostility; after all, these vassals were once protected by giants of the Dao-Integration realm, but now only we remain, yet the tribute is not a single bit less."

Li Xuanqing continued flipping down, a touch of desolation flowing in his eyes: "Only one hundred and eighty-two families remain."

It could be seen that within these one hundred thousand years, the vassals of General Nanyang Sect had not lived very well.

"At least stabilize the current situation first, avoid their rebellion, drag it until three months later when the Meng Sect officially convenes the Seven Sons Assembly; this is the Meng Sect making things difficult for you, but we have no other choice." Li Xuanqing closed the register.

"How to stabilize?" Shen Yi frowned slightly.

"You once went out with an official from Qingyue Sect; you should know that for vassals like these, whenever they encounter trouble, they report to the Xian Sect."

"Solve their troubles for them... or solve them."

Speaking to this point, a few more degrees of indifference appeared in Li Xuanqing's expression.

The Xian Sect is inherently the path of slaughter.

Whether guarding General Nanyang Hong or killing the chicken to scare the monkey, either is fine; follow your own heart.

"It shouldn't be too many, right?"

Shen Yi let out a long breath; he needed to know that right now, he was alone.

Thinking of this, he slowly walked out of the Ancestral Master Hall.

At some unknown time, the outside was already filled with crowds.

Da Qian, the Xu Family, Mount Wutong, the Yu Clan, the Chen Family...

"Congratulations, Sect Master!"

Hearing the voices echoing in his ears.

Shen Yi's face became even more calm; he didn't know from when the people needing his protection had become so many.

Those familiar faces swept past his line of sight.

Jiang Qiulan stood quietly within the crowd, lightly biting her red lips, gazing up at her Gaoshan.

"..."

It doesn't seem like such a big problem after all.

Shen Yi waved his hand, dispersing the crowd.

He then opened the Sect Gate and welcomed in several officials from the General Nanyang Relief.

Liu Qianyun walked at the very front with a strange expression on her face.

First, she respectfully lowered her head and called out "Sect Master Shen."

Then she seriously handed over the pile of registers she was holding, which were almost higher than her head.

Crack.

Shen Yi clenched his five fingers tightly.

He turned back to glance at Xuanqing, who had entered meditation again, and a few dangerous auras surged in his eyes.

Damn it!

(End of this chapter)