Chapter 469: Just Say It Directly Next Time (6.6K, Sending Early as There's No Time)

A burly bronze lion swept across the sky, easily accommodating over a hundred people.

Shen Yi sat cross-legged atop the lion's head, flipping through the booklet Li Qingfeng had compiled.

The three elders of the Chen family, along with everyone from Qinghai Prefecture, wore Nanyang Executive robes and stood quietly behind him.

Only Jing Jingsong, with the highest cultivation, seemed to recall something, his face showing some unease.

Oh no... in my excitement just now, I completely forgot about other matters.

He walked cautiously behind Shen Yi: "Jing Jingsong has something to trouble the Immortal."

"My surname is Shen."

Shen Yi, who did not care for the title "Immortal," turned back: "Speak."

Since the other party had returned to Nanyang Sect, as long as they didn't borrow things, everything else was negotiable.

"Shen Qianbei, it is not actually a troublesome matter. During these many years of settling in Nanyang Upper Sect, we, these Nanyang vassals, have maintained fairly close ties through ancestral connections."

Jing Jingsong smiled awkwardly: "Therefore, we have also been working for Shuiyueshang Alliance. They conduct cargo escort business between various sects, and we are responsible for helping transport some precious items. I forgot just now; I hope Nanyang Xian Sect can issue an order to inform them that the deposit received will be returned by Qinghai Prefecture as quickly as possible."

Actually, this matter did not need to be so complicated.

Qinghai Prefecture was unable to act because it was serving Nanyang Sect, not breaking the contract without cause. Even Shuiyueshang Alliance was a vassal of Nanyang Sect, so there was no need to send word, and the deposit did not even need to be returned.

But Jing Jingsong did not want to leave an impression of going back on his word; he felt extremely embarrassed, so he wanted to ask Shen Yi to help testify.

Watching Shen Yi ponder for a moment.

Jing Jingsong added another sentence: "They have a rich foundation, and the tribute they pay every time is the largest among powers of equal strength."

"..."

Shen Yi glanced sideways; did he really look that greedy?

He nodded: "Good."

Actually, the silence just now was not hesitation; it was simply that with Shen Yi's current cultivation, he could not yet employ the method of issuing a decree.

Never mind, there was nothing particularly urgent anyway.

Might as well go there directly.

If he remembered correctly, he had indeed seen the name Shuiyueshang Alliance on the previous gilded register.

Its scale was a full level larger than Gui Sect.

Thinking of this, Shen Yi formed a hand seal, adjusted the spiritual puppet's direction, and suddenly swept toward the direction recorded in the booklet!

Not long after the lion puppet disappeared.

The calm water below suddenly rippled.

Several figures surged out of the water, wearing armor from which they had specifically hacked off the identity markings with axes and knives.

They took out conch shells, their voices hoarse: "The news is true; he is indeed here."

Who knew what the other end of the conch shell responded.

A few water creatures nodded lightly, their eyes filled with killing intent, then submerged again, as if they had never appeared.

Above the endless Wang Yang, there was actually a huge floating island.

It was covered in magnificent arrays, adding a touch of mystery to the floating island.

An octagonal high tower stood above.

People came and went in a continuous stream, and the area around the floating island was filled with various treasure ships.

Shuiyueshang Alliance.

Backed by Qizixian Sect, conducting business throughout the entire Yu Nanhong.

At this moment, at the top of that high tower, in a lavishly furnished room.

A tall, thin man wore plain clothes with no decorations, except for a plain beaded bracelet on his wrist.

But anyone who knew their stuff could recognize that these beads were unique to the Long Gong.

Inside the Long Gong, they might not be too rare.

But worn on the wrist of a human cultivator, it was enough to prove his wealth and capability.

Shuiyueshang Alliance, Wen Qiujin.

As long as the money was sufficient, even items from the Long Gong, this person could somehow get them for you.

At this moment, Wen Qiujin closed his eyes to feign sleep, listening to the whisper of the person beside him.

Occasionally, he would nod.

"Alliance Leader, the situation is roughly this: Nanyang Sect has returned. We have already inquired with the Seven Sons of Yu Nanhong, and this matter is true. We have indeed been reclassified as vassals of Nanyang Sect. Their first appearance was at Gui Sect."

"However, according to the news we received, the current Nanyang Sect... might still be somewhat weak, which differs from the information released by the Zhao family. I will send people to investigate more carefully for a few more days."

"Regarding the next tribute, should we follow the usual procedure and give it to Tianjian Sect, or..."

Wen Qiujin extended his palm, stopping the man's words.

He opened his eyes and said calmly: "Give two portions, one for each side. The portion for Tianjian Sect will be increased by fifty percent, submitted in the name of another power as an apology."

The Wen family was in the business of trade; the greatest taboo was offending people.

Moreover, they rarely needed the Seven Sons of Yu Nanhong to lend a hand; they just wanted to use this tiger skin as a banner, so it did not matter who received it.

Anyway, in the eyes of outsiders, the Seven Sons were a single entity.

"This subordinate understands."

The guard bowed and agreed, just about to exit the room, when he suddenly froze, taking out a jade slip.

A moment later, he looked up in shock: "The lookout sent a message; they saw a Gui Sect green lion spiritual puppet heading this way. It is likely an executive from Nanyang Sect."

"This is too urgent!"

Shuiyueshang Alliance had just been transferred, and this group was already rushing over to eye this piece of fat meat; remember, the tribute had only just been paid once.

"..."

Wen Qiujin gave a helpless smile, then slowly rose and patted the hem of his robe.

Yet his eyes were utterly calm as he said softly, "Arrange people to welcome them."

Even if it's the Nanyang Xian Sect, rules still have to be observed.

The Shuiyueshang Alliance's piece of meat isn't off-limits to eat, but it can't be eaten however one pleases.

If seven sects come taking turns collecting tribute.

In just a few years, the Wen family's vast estate would be eaten clean by Yu Nanhong's Seven Sons.

Wen Qiujin walked slowly toward the stairs.

As the guards beside him picked up jade slips, a group of graceful female cultivators quickly gathered before the octagonal tower, then rose on clouds into the air, lining both sides.

All produced jade flutes.

Soon crimson clouds spread, an air of serenity shrouding the place.

As the celestial music began to play.

A majestic bronze lion puppet just happened to appear within the clouds.

Wen Qiujin rose into the air and bowed without the slightest air of superiority, eighteen guards following behind him: "Welcome the Nanyang Xian Sect to the Shuiyueshang Alliance! Qiujin failed to greet you from afar, I hope the Immortals will forgive the offense."

In an instant, every cultivator within the Shang Alliance looked up in astonishment at the bronze lion puppet.

For the Wen Alliance Master of the Shuiyueshang Alliance to personally welcome them—what grand treatment… The Nanyang Xian Sect, why doesn't it leave much of an impression?

"..."

When had the Chen family members and the cultivators of Qinghai Prefecture ever received such hospitality.

Glancing at the Nanyang executive robes on their bodies, they all puffed out their chests with flushed faces.

Shen Yi sat upright within the lion puppet.

His expression was calm.

It seemed today's spoils wouldn't be coming his way.

Since the other party had tracked their movements, they were clearly well-informed; if they truly wanted to give something, they wouldn't have made such a grand display and offended the other Yu Nanhong's Seven Sons.

But it didn't matter.

The other party's attitude at least showed a willingness to submit, and a willingness to abide by the rules.

Thinking of this, Shen Yi urged the spirit puppet forward, sweeping straight onto the floating island.

"Honored Immortals, please come upstairs."

Wen Qiujin descended once more, and amid the flute music of the many female cultivators, personally led the way for this group of Yu Nanhong executives: "Give Qiujin a chance to show a little sincerity."

The Shuiyueshang Alliance's efficiency was extremely fast.

From receiving the news to the blue lion spirit puppet landing, they had already prepared a table of delicacies from mountain and sea, fine dishes and good wine.

"You've gone to the trouble."

Shen Yi gave a slight nod of his chin; since he couldn't take any spoils, his interest was actually not that great anymore.

He had only come to discuss the matter of Qinghai Prefecture.

But since the other party was so courteous, there was no harm in staying for a meal.

"The Immortal is too kind, it's all what Qiujin should do."

Wen Qiujin, dressed in plain white, was respectful yet not mercenary; as he led everyone upstairs to their seats, he discerned at a glance the status of each person in the group.

Without seeming deliberate, he brought Shen Yi to the seat of honor.

Then he summoned another group of female cultivators to pour wine and serve dishes for everyone.

Though Shen Yi was unaccustomed to such treatment, he said nothing more about it.

Several guards stood with arms crossed behind Wen Qiujin.

Their gazes swept quietly over the group, secretly recording information.

The leader was at the fourth layer of Killed Fanxu, while the old man with the highest cultivation was at the sixth layer of Killed Fanxu; the rest were all at the fifth or fourth layer.

It did befit the style of a Xian Sect executive on inspection.

Only, apart from that young man, the rest of them seemed a bit on the older side… and rather familiar-looking; the more he looked, the more they seemed like people from Qinghai Prefecture.

Wen Qiujin clearly saw through the identities of the few, but did not expose them, raising his cup to Shen Yi: "I heard the Immortal passed through Qinghai Prefecture. The Shuiyueshang Alliance previously had dealings with them as well, but compared to our small business, the matters of the Xian Sect take priority."

Shen Yi raised his cup in response, giving a slight nod of his chin.

Facing this sort of thing he wasn't good at, next time he should bring Li Qingfeng along.

But the other party was clearly sharp-witted, saving a lot of trouble.

As cups clinked and toasts flew back and forth.

A guard suddenly walked to Wen Qiujin's side and transmitted his voice: "Alliance Master, our ship has been sunk. The Aquatic Clan did it; we don't know their identities."

"..."

Wen Qiujin deliberated for a moment, glanced at Shen Yi, and did not disturb him.

It was the Nanyang Sect's first visit to the Shuiyueshang Alliance; judging by these people's cultivation, they clearly hadn't prepared to stand up to trouble either.

There was no need to make the Nanyang Sect lose face.

He replied via voice transmission as well: "Send a letter to ask the reason clearly, whether we offended them unintentionally. Don't skimp on the courtesy owed; don't let things blow up today."

Having said that, Wen Qiujin forced a smile once more and toasted Shen Yi again.

"If the Immortal is interested, why not let Qiujin show you around the Shuiyueshang Alliance? After all, it's been many years since we've had contact; some estrangement is inevitable."

He had never intended to pay another tribute today, but letting the Nanyang Sect understand the current scale of the Shuiyueshang Alliance, so they would know how much to collect and avoid future discord, was also what should be done.

"That works."

Shen Yi happened to want to use this opportunity to learn more about the outside.

At the same time.

At the liveliest spot on the floating island.

An old man was arguing with someone, spittle flying everywhere: "A piece of worthless land, and you want to charge me this much? Is your head full of shit?!"

"Elder Zhang, watch your mouth. We're all part of the Shuiyueshang Alliance — you don't know the price yourself?" the young cultivator rolled his eyes, while glancing at the clearly distinguished man behind Elder Zhang.

The man's face still bore freshly healed wounds.

His entire aura was listless.

A cultivator who looked like a refugee like this must be desperate — if you let an opportunity like this slip, you'd deserve to be struck by lightning.

"Sigh."

Xiao Yuanlin looked helplessly at Elder Zhang. The price Baohua Xianzi offered was enough to buy two plots of that land.

But the other party had taken such a huge risk, bringing all the common folk of Xiao Family Fort here, so wanting to earn a bit more was only natural.

"I…"

Elder Zhang's face flushed with rage as he grabbed the young cultivator by the collar: "Don't push it!"

Just then, something caught the corner of his eye.

The fury on his face instantly drained away; he had no mind left for pretense, and it turned into blank stupefaction.

Xiao Yuanlin noticed the change in his expression and curiously looked to the side as well, immediately spotting Wen Qiujin in plain white clothes — but his gaze quickly shifted to the side, to that tall figure in a dark robe.

"Hah! The Alliance Leader's here, scared now? Are you buying or not? If not, I've got things to do."

The young cultivator gave a cold laugh.

But he saw Elder Zhang casually release him, staring fixedly in the direction of the Alliance Leader.

Then, with trembling fingertips, he said to Xiao Yuanlin: "It's… it's… it's him!"

Since their last parting, the thing Elder Zhang regretted most was losing track of Shen Qianbei — he didn't even know the other's identity.

He had guessed many possibilities, but never imagined the man would have any connection to the Shuiyueshang Alliance!

Simple logic — a person whom even Alliance Leader Wen personally accompanies couldn't possibly still need to travel by teleportation art, or personally go to Baohua Sect for pills.

"…"

Xiao Yuanlin silently stepped forward, walking to the edge of the path cleared by the guards.

Under the gaze of everyone present, he suddenly dropped to his knees with a thud, and kowtowed forcefully several times toward that dark-robed back!

No words were spoken, until the freshly healed wound on his forehead split open again.

Only then did he gasp heavily for breath a few times.

To Shen Qianbei, it might have been nothing more than a transaction between him and Baohua Xianzi.

But for him, Xiao Yuanlin, it was a life-and-death grudge for his Lady.

"This…"

Wen Qiujin heard the commotion, glanced back, then turned his gaze to Shen Yi.

"An old acquaintance."

Shen Yi didn't pay it much mind, merely signaling Jing Jingsong with his eyes.

He had previously wanted to earn another sum from Baohua Xianzi.

He just felt it was too much trouble.

He hadn't expected them to deliver themselves to his door — Nanyang Nanyang Baodi lacked everything except land.

"Hah."

Elder Zhang looked at that Return-to-Void cultivator, then looked at Xiao Yuanlin — "Tch, what's there to be afraid of? That Return-to-Void elder doesn't even look twice at me!"

He pulled out the payment Baohua Xianzi had given him and hurried off in the direction Xiao Yuanlin had left.

This was nothing more than a trivial little farce.

Wen Qiujin quickly steered the conversation back, continuing to show Shen Yi around the Shang Alliance.

At this moment, the cultivator who had left earlier hurried back again.

His face looked even worse.

He walked to Wen Qiujin's side and continued transmitting: "The letters we sent hadn't even reached the water before they were torn to shreds. Another treasure ship has been sunk — it seems they've already surrounded the Shuiyueshang Alliance."

"This doesn't look like a casual raid at all. It's obvious they came with hostile intent."

"…"

Wen Qiujin listened quietly, his hands slowly clenching inside his sleeves.

He pondered for a moment, but still couldn't figure out where the Shuiyueshang Alliance had offended the Aquatic Clan recently — with something this big, his subordinates wouldn't dare hide it.

And they wouldn't even accept letters — that clearly carried a whiff of fight-to-the-death.

The Shuiyueshang Alliance was large in scale, but its own strength wasn't that great. It had recruited quite a few late Return-to-Void experts, but they were all at Return-to-Void Seventh Layer.

Compared to living cultivators, Wen Qiujin trusted dead objects more.

He had invested a great deal of his assets into the formations on the floating island — without the strength of Return-to-Void Perfection, it would be absolutely impossible to break through the grand formation.

But with the Aquatic Clan surrounding the area, business couldn't be conducted.

"First tell them to stop their ships, and send Old Three to take a look."

Wen Qiujin withdrew his gaze, regretfully unable to force a smile this time.

He had already searched himself for the cause.

Yet truly couldn't think of anything.

If he ruled out factors related to the Shuiyueshang Alliance, then the remaining possibility…

He stared intently at Shen Yi.

The other's sudden grand arrival at the floating island had already seemed somewhat abrupt, and during the meal he hadn't even mentioned the matter of tribute, leaving the evasive words Wen Qiujin had prepared in advance with no use.

All things in the world have their reasons.

The other party could not possibly have come over to sit for a while without cause.

Perhaps they have run into trouble and taken a fancy to the Shuiyueshang Alliance's formation.

"Is there something you need?"

Shen Yi turned his gaze to meet theirs.

After all, they were guests; he had no intention of eavesdropping on their voice transmission, nor did he possess the means to do so for the time being.

"Nothing."

Wen Qiujin smiled and shook his head.

To borrow a tiger's skin to pull a big flag always comes with a price; although tribute has been paid, one must in turn protect the other party, which sounds somewhat absurd.

But in this region of Yu Nanhong, there is little reason to be had in the first place.

However, his smile lasted for less than an hour.

Just after Wen Qiujin had led Shen Yi and the others to finish touring the Shang Alliance market, the guard rushed over for the third time in haste.

This time, blood-red had already appeared in his eyes.

Without even using voice transmission, he blurted out, "Reporting to the Alliance Leader, the Third Elder has been captured."

The instant the words fell, before the Nanyang Sect and the others could react, the cultivators of the Shuiyueshang Alliance all had their faces change drastically.

The so-called Third Elder was one of the seven revered elders hired by the Shuiyueshang Alliance at great expense.

All were powerful figures at the seventh layer of Return to Emptiness.

Having stepped into the late stage realm.

They were figures of great renown throughout all of Yu Nanhong.

Even losing one would be a tremendous loss for the Shuiyueshang Alliance.

"..."

Wen Qiujin clearly had not expected this matter to be so severe.

Matters involving the late stage of Return to Emptiness could not possibly occur without a single sound, only to present such a posture directly.

As if seeing through his doubts.

The guard glared resentfully at the crowd from Nanyang Sect, then took a letter with messy handwriting from his sleeve.

The letter bore no signature, containing only a single line of blood-red characters.

"Hand over Shen Yi, or there will be no more Shuiyueshang Alliance in Yu Nanhong."

After reading that letter.

Wen Qiujin closed his eyes; when he opened them again, a trace of anger had appeared.

He looked again at the youth beside him: "I do not recall such a person within the Alliance. May I ask, Immortal, do you know Shen Yi?"

Merchants fear trouble the most, but they also dislike suffering losses.

To act so brazenly on the territory of the Seven Masters of Yu Nanhong means either a deep blood feud or power that blocks the sky.

Whichever kind of trouble it is, it is not something the Shuiyueshang Alliance should bear.

"I know him."

Shen Yi nodded, turned, and headed toward the edge of the floating island.

After a moment of dazed silence, several Nanyang Sect executives spoke out in unison: "Shen Qianbei, do not act rashly!"

They were not greenhorns fresh out of the nest.

Though not as comprehensive as Wen Qiujin imagined, they could still guess a little.

On this island, there is still the protection of a formation; notifying the sect for reinforcements is the best choice, and there is absolutely no need to fight over a moment's anger.

Even if the Long Gong itself came, would they not give Nanyang Sect a little face?

"Shen Qianbei?"

Wen Qiujin had been calling him Immortal all along, but only now realized that the person mentioned in the letter was none other than the youth before him.

So the other party truly concealed the news and came here to seek refuge?

He suppressed his anger and regained his reason: "Just now, Qiujin spoke too heavily. Please, Immortal, inform the Seven Masters of Yu Nanhong to send reinforcements. The Shuiyueshang Alliance's formation can still hold out for some time; if they could break it, they would not merely be shouting from the outside."

Where are the reinforcements?

Apart from that hermit who turned into wood, the strongest of Nanyang Sect are all here.

Surrounded by the crowd, Shen Yi left the scope of the octagonal high tower at a leisurely pace.

Walking to the edge of the floating island, he looked down upon the rolling waves.

Since leaving the blessed land of Nanyang, if there truly was any life-and-death grudge that had not been dealt with cleanly, it actually belonged to only one faction.

It is just worth pondering where the other party obtained information about him.

With Shen Yi's appearance.

Wen Qiujin followed closely behind, also looking out at Wang Yang.

Whether he sensed something or not.

His expression changed abruptly; he used a jade slip to notify the guards, and the next moment, a dense light curtain enveloped the entire floating island.

Six more figures emerged simultaneously, hovering in the sky above the floating island, looking forward with solemn expressions.

Almost at the same time.

The water surface instantly churned up massive waves; by the time the wave crests dispersed.

Twelve figures in total appeared silently.

All wore armor covered in marks of sword slashes and axe chops, leaving not even a single thing that could prove their identity.

Completely different from ordinary water-dwelling creatures.

Not even a single shrimp soldier or crab general was brought to bolster their presence.

Their gazes were cold and sinister; they had come solely for slaughter.

Among them, the one with the lowest cultivation was at the sixth layer of the Killed Fanxu realm, and they made up only half the group.

The rest were all great water demons of the seventh layer of Killed Fanxu.

One fish demon with horns, expression cold, pinched a cultivator's neck by the throat, stepped upon the waves, and faced the crowd: "Hand over Shen Yi, and this person may live."

"..."

Wen Qiujin was renowned for his calmness and composure, yet even now, he could not help but clench his five fingers until they cracked.

As an affiliate of the Seven Sons of Yu Nanhong, when had he ever suffered such humiliation?

Yet he had no way to truly push the Xian Sect cultivators forward; if he committed such an act of treason, the Shuiyueshang Alliance would truly be finished.

"Shen Qianbei, return for now; let us discuss further."

He took a few deep breaths, his voice slightly colder; anyone who truly knew Wen Qiujin could see that he had truly reached his limit of endurance.

Watching a patron die while trying to stabilize the minds of the other patrons; who knew what price would have to be paid again.

Before his words had even faded.

He suddenly heard the roar of a ferocious beast.

Upon the surface of Wang Yang, a massive shadow abruptly appeared.

A gigantic object fell from the sky.

Boom! It smashed up a wave tens of zhang high!

The water-dwelling fish demon that had spoken earlier vanished without a trace.

"..."

The remaining water demons had not yet reacted.

When suddenly they saw a shadow streak across the long sky, crashing down toward the floating island.

In an instant.

The waves churned again, and a suffocatingly powerful oppressive pressure erupted from below.

A strong and majestic figure slowly surfaced.

Its entire body resembled green jade.

It was the form of a ferocious rhino demon.

A sneer played on its lips as its five fingers tightly gripped the fish demon's neck; the armor on the opponent's body had long since shattered, leaving only frantic thrashing of limbs.

But no matter how the fish demon struggled, it could not move that green jade hand at all.

Under the infusion of the demon origin, twenty thousand years of torment.

For the first time, it reappeared in the world.

The green jade rhino demon stared mockingly at the many demons before it.

After receiving the command of its master's soul and spirit.

It split its mouth, revealing huge, bone-chilling teeth, and its five fingers exerted force with a sudden burst.

Crushing the fish demon's head into a spray of blood.

A mighty aura comparable to the eighth layer of Killed Fanxu instantly silenced the surroundings, plunging everything into Tianyan Siji.

"Next time something like this happens."

Shen Yi turned his head to look at Wen Qiujin and said calmly: "You can just say it directly."

Not every time will there be such a lucky chance to save someone.

"They... they are..."

Hearing these words, Wen Qiujin was somewhat stunned; could he have misunderstood?

Was it truly not a deliberate act by this High Immortal, but merely a coincidence?

And why would this rhino demon fight on behalf of the Tixian Sect?

No.

Wen Qiujin fixed his gaze and immediately spotted the anomaly.

How could this be a demon? It was clearly a powerful spiritual puppet; whether in its lifelike appearance or the distinction of its realm, it was far beyond anything the Gui Sect could compare to!

It was virtually indistinguishable from a living creature.

What kind of ghostly craftsmanship that stole the creation of heaven and earth was this!

"..."

Shen Yi withdrew his gaze and looked back at this group of demons.

Coincidentally, he also did not wish to expose the other party's identity.

After all, his current foundation was not yet enough to confront the Long Gong.

Those who came today should not be only these.

That old dragon fish has not yet shown itself.

(End of this chapter)