Chapter 501: Comparing the Lineup (Part Two)

The Yan family, Xuanyue City, Yunxiao Pavilion, Xuanhai Studio.

These were the four top-tier vassal forces under Nanyang Sect; any one of them making a move could stir up considerable waves in Yu Nanhong.

Now that the four great forces had gathered in one place, the scene was rather forlorn.

Especially the cultivators of Yunxiao Pavilion and Xuanhai Studio—even at this very moment, they still had no idea what exactly had offended the South Long Gong's prince and dragon grandson.

After losing the protection of the Seven Sons of Yu Nanhong, they had been models of obedience.

It was simply a bolt from the blue.

To say they felt no resentment would be a lie, but the timely support from the Yan family and Xuanyue City had temporarily soothed their emotions. Moreover, under such circumstances, if internal strife broke out, they would only end up dying without even their bones remaining.

Yet whether they stood united or not, for a calamity of this magnitude, their only hope seemed to fall upon the Nanyang Immortal Sect standing behind them—the one that, frankly, did not look all that reliable.

The Pavilion Master of Yunxiao was the most emotionally agitated of them all.

After all, the territory being besieged was his own backyard.

Based on the fact that Nanyang Immortal Sect had yet to show itself, combined with the Fifth Prince of Long Gong's arrogant bearing—completely disregarding the faces of the Seven Sons of Yu Nanhong, not in the least worried about offending those Combined Dao realm titans—

He could roughly guess the fate that awaited Yunxiao Pavilion.

Clearly, Nanyang Sect had done something out of line and been caught with the goods by Long Gong; the rest of them were simply fish caught in a dragged net.

If he were in the Sect Master's shoes, at a critical juncture like the Seven Sons Grand Assembly, he would most likely choose to abandon these vassal forces.

Barely stabilizing the foundation first would cost many allies, but as long as he could secure a proper Sect Master's seat and gain recognition from the other Meng Sect, a resurgence would only be a matter of time.

For Nanyang Sect, that never-before-met Shen Zongzhu, only such a course was the wisest.

But for vassal forces like themselves, the man was simply the worst of the worst! A gutless wretch who had the nerve to stir up trouble but could only shove his subordinates out to take the beating!

Therefore, the Pavilion Master of Yunxiao could not fathom why Yin Qizhang of Xuanyue City and Yan Xianqing had actually rushed over to help.

Especially Yin Qizhang—that old city lord who had the people at heart. He was clearly in the same boat as Yunxiao Pavilion and Xuanhai Studio, knowing absolutely nothing, never having heard of any particularly close ties between him and Nanyang Sect.

It was not until he saw an elder of Qingyue Sect step forward.

That the Pavilion Master of Yunxiao's mindset shifted, just slightly: "..."

It seemed Nanyang Sect had not abandoned them after all.

However, the rumored covetous glances from Meng Sect did not quite match reality—at the very least, that Elder Liu Shiqian, rather than a Qingyue Sect senior, looked more like a devoted follower of Nanyang Sect.

He would not even step down from the steps his own Dao Child had offered.

With the appearance of Wei Yuanzhou of Lingyun Sect, the Pavilion Master of Yunxiao was finally completely stunned silly on the spot.

Between Dao Children, there were differences.

Some still grew under the Sect Master's protection, holding little real power; others had developed the ability to stand alone, nearly qualifying as Dai Sect.

Bai Wu belonged to the former; Wei Yuanzhou clearly belonged to the latter.

This Liuyun Shangxian's words could be taken as the full intent of Lingyun Sect!

He was actually willing to step forward for Nanyang Sect's sake?

"..."

Ke Laosi shot a dark, sinister look over, but faced with that "And who the hell do you think you are," it did not immediately curse back.

Of the eight Bai Yujing great demon generals, only two belonged to the Fourth Dragon Grandson's command.

They glared furiously at Wei Yuanzhou, yet under the casual sweep of this Liuyun Shangxian's gaze, their bodies trembled lightly twice without their consent.

This Lingyun Sect Dao Child—whether in the authority he wielded or in his personal strength—was in no way inferior to the Fourth Dragon Grandson.

In fact, after the Fourth Dragon Grandson's heavy losses this time, he had already quietly lost the strength to stand against Wei Yuanzhou.

Three Bai Yujing great demon generals had perished in the Immortal's Cave.

No matter how composed and unhurried the Dragon Grandson had seemed earlier, every demon in Long Gong knew perfectly well just what kind of pressure he was truly under.

If this time he could not, through the Fifth Prince, make the Seven Sons of Yu Nanhong pay an even heavier price—find a reasonable excuse for the fall of those three Bai Yujing great demon generals—

The Fourth Dragon Grandson need not even think about requesting more troops from the Long Wang; his already rather special status would plummet in the blink of an eye, and he would simultaneously face the counterattacks of the other Dragon Grandsons.

"Wei Yuanzhou, I do not wish to repeat what I said earlier."

Ke Shiliang's dragon body coiled silently, yet his voice had taken on a markedly different tone.

It carried a seriousness and gravity that had been entirely absent when he spoke with Bai Wu earlier.

"What's the situation."

Chiyang stared at the Lingyun Sect Dao Child in surprise; observing his extraordinary bearing, already carrying the poise of a Sect Master, he then glanced at his own Dao Child.

Both were Dao Children, yet the gap between them looked rather large.

Still, each had his own strengths and weaknesses.

At the very least, Elder Chiyang did not see much surprise in Bai Wu's eyes—the man seemed to have long anticipated that Wei Yuanzhou would step in.

"Wei-xiong is, as always, stubbornly principled." Bai Wu gave a helpless smile.

With his methods for sniffing out the latest gossip, how could he not know what Wei Yuanling had done back then? He just had not expected Wei Yuanzhou to truly be willing to pay such an enormous price over such a trivial matter.

However... it ended here.

Wei Yuanzhou probably did not know that Shen Zongzhu had long been sold out, down to the last detail, by the moles planted by his own Seven Sons of Yu Nanhong.

Neither Ke Shiliang nor Ke Laosi would yield an inch today.

Wei Yuanzhou simply did not have that kind of face.

And Shen Zongzhu had no other support left to lean on.

"No need to repeat it; I heard you." Wei Yuanzhou stood with his hands clasped behind his back, gazing from afar toward Ke Shiliang. Without any superfluous words, a long rainbow at his brow surged straight toward the heavens.

Between the clear vault of the sky, the phantom images of three great cities unfolded one after another.

Long Han, Chiming, Shanghuang.

These were the Yu Nanhong lands, the pinnacle realm just below the Combined Dao realm titans.

No one would question whether he could open those three cities.

"If you want to fight, then make your move."

Wei Yuanzhou's gaze was clear, his words crisp and distinct.

He had once said that when it came to apologizing, he could do it at any cost.

In truth, that was a lie.

As the Dao Child of Lingyun Sect, he could not afford to act too absurdly… Therefore, he had come alone today, without bringing a single elder of Lingyun Sect.

"I'm already having a bit of trouble understanding."

Yin Qizhang shook his head, but a long rainbow swiftly surged out from between his brows.

"I'm the one who doesn't understand after seeing you, alright." Yan Xianqing raised a brow. Only those who had dealt with Shen Zongzhu knew how dependable the man was. How could a prodigy who carried such responsibility possibly have no one willing to back him?

But if memory served, he didn't recall when City Lord Yin had ever met Shen Zongzhu.

"Prepare to make a move."

With the aid of a powerhouse like Wei Yuanzhou, there was finally a sliver of hope for survival today.

Liu Shiqian summoned his own long rainbow without the slightest hesitation.

For a moment, the entire sky seemed to transform into a city of ten thousand immortals, with spiritual lights of every color flickering, dazzlingly brilliant.

"Everyone's gone mad. Only the two of us are normal."

Bai Wu sighed, just turning his gaze back.

He saw Elder Chiyang laughing sheepishly, a long rainbow likewise connecting heaven and earth from between his brows.

"…" Bai Wu's lips twitched twice: "Can you, just once, trust my judgment?"

His thoughts hadn't changed. Within the Seven Sons of Yu Nanhong, having only one fool like Wei Yuanzhou was clearly not enough.

A sudden change.

Clearly, this caught Ke Shiliang somewhat off guard—not that he feared anything, after all, counting Wei Yuanzhou, the Long Gong still held the advantage.

It's just that it had been far too long since it had seen the Seven Sons of Yu Nanhong display such an unyielding attitude, and for a moment it wasn't quite used to it.

"Though you and I are evenly matched in strength, our ages differ by quite a bit. This King needs to remind you—think before you speak, don't be too arrogant. Let alone the fact that you haven't yet merged with the Dao, even if you truly had, would my elder brothers fear you?"

Ke Shiliang raised his dragon head and said in a low voice: "For instance, earlier—how dare you ask what thing it is? It is a dragon grandson of the Southern Palace, with the bloodline of the Long Wang flowing through its veins. Take that back, and I'll pretend I didn't hear it."

At these words, the expressions on everyone's faces grew strange.

They hadn't even started fighting yet, and already they were bringing out their old Long Wang to pressure people.

Had this brood of dragon sons and grandsons grown too comfortable for too long, lost their ferocity entirely?

But to tell the truth, this move really was quite effective.

At least Wei Yuanzhou did not reply, merely silently raising his gaze to look up at the sky.

Seeing his movement, the others also looked up curiously.

Before their gazes found anything, an indifferent voice reached their ears first.

"What thing do you count as?"

"Hm?"

"I asked. What, you have an objection?"

Under three consecutive interrogations, the field fell utterly silent.

As her long robes swayed gently, the woman's tall figure hovered above the mortal world. Her black hair was bound behind her back, and from her sleeves emerged arms fair as white jade, sharp as swords, their edge impossible to block.

She appeared to be of a slightly mature, graceful age.

Yet between her brows and eyes lingered a vigor belonging solely to the younger generation—pride and unyielding spirit.

The Dao Child of Heavenly Sword, Su Hongxiu.

She and Wei Yuanzhou, one before and one behind, had surrounded three thousand demon soldiers, eight demon generals, and two dragons hundreds of zhang long in the center.

"This is this King's grief over the loss of his son—" Ke Shiliang suddenly rose, but before he could finish, he was cut off.

"One incense stick's time. Either scram, or die."

Su Hongxiu was clearly not as polite as Wei Yuanzhou. Impatience flickered in her eyes—her mouth couldn't kill demons, so she didn't much care for using it.

In the long years since Nanyang Sect had become a name without substance, this was perhaps the first time the Seven Sons of Yu Nanhong had shown their edge before the Long Gong.

The attitude of these young Dao Children would represent how the Xian Sect would henceforth interact with the Long Gong.

Even given Ke Shiliang's status, he could not help but feel a twinge of fear at this moment.

"Gulp."

Yan Xianqing suddenly heard the sound of himself swallowing.

As if there were echoes.

He stealthily glanced sideways, only to find that everyone around him was instinctively gulping.

When everyone wanted to keep the situation under control—reducing the big to small, the small to nothing—the Heavenly Sword Dao Child seemed to fear things weren't big enough. Not only did she want to kill Ke Shiliang, she also seemed itching to lead the Seven Sons of Yu Nanhong into a full-on clash with the entire Long Gong.

The cultivators of Yunxiao Pavilion and Xuanhai Studio were utterly silent.

Shen Zongzhu had not only made arrangements, but the terrifying scale of this lineup had far exceeded their imagination.

It even gave one the feeling that… Nanyang Sect had never fallen into decline at all.

"You—!" Fourth Elder Ke could no longer keep up the act, completely tearing apart his surface composure, his eyes blood-red.

Fifth Uncle had merely lost a son; enduring it was just enduring. But he still needed to use this incident to turn his fortunes around. Thinking of this, he couldn't help but let out a low growl: "This is too much!"

Yet Ke Shiliang abruptly calmed down.

Three Dao Children had stepped forward, representing Qingyue Sect, Heavenly Sword Sect, and Lingyun Sect respectively.

Added to that was Nanyang Sect itself, which the matter concerned.

Four of the Seven Sons of Yu Nanhong had come out.

Let alone losing a son—even if he himself died, the Southern Long Gong would have to think twice, and consider whether to consult with the Western Long Gong.

How long has Nanyang Sect reappeared? How could those natives from the Blessed Lands possibly earn such strong support from the Seven Sons of Nan Hong?

Or perhaps Nanyang Sect is merely an excuse.

In truth, have the Seven Sons of Nan Hong themselves changed their stance toward the Long Gong, and after long silence, now wish to reemerge and reclaim their voice in Nan Hong?

If it's the latter, then this becomes somewhat troublesome.

Ke Shiliang temporarily forgot about Ke Shisan's death—he had more than just this one son.

As a prince, he has many other matters to consider.

Of course… the main reason is that it came here to reason, without enough troops—if a real fight broke out today, it would surely die.

As for what price the Seven Sons of Nan Hong must pay after its death, it seems unrelated to it.

"Give me an explanation."

Ke Shiliang ignored the female madwoman overhead and turned her gaze toward Wei Yuanzhou in the distance.

In comparison, she even found this Lingyun Sect's Dao Heir becoming more amiable and easier to deal with.

"The Seven Sons of Nan Hong are not unreasonable."

Wei Yuanzhou raised an eyebrow—someone had finished singing the red face; now someone had to take the white face.

Su Hongxiu merely had a strong killing intent—she wasn't foolish.

Among this group of Dao Heirs, a single glance was often enough to understand each other's thoughts.

"But that's not how reason works."

Wei Yuanzhou casually pointed at the nearby demon soldiers: "If you wish to meet Shen Zongzhu, then follow the rules properly—have your elder brothers submit formal invitations and prepare banquets. When Shen Zongzhu has free time, he will attend and give you an explanation."

"If I recall correctly, the Seven Sons' Assembly hasn't been convened yet—he isn't even Zongzhu yet, is he?"

Ke Shiliang ignored the murderous Ke Lao Si—the little wildling had no path back; he wanted to fight to the death, but why should she die with him?

Hearing this, Wei Yuanzhou's fingertip brushed past Bai Wu and Su Hongxiu, then pointed at himself, calmly saying: "He already is."

"Not…," Bai Wu's lips twitched again.

When had he ever said he'd join this matter? He wasn't as carefree as these two—Qingyue Sect's family discipline was brutal; he had no authority to make decisions.

Moreover, Bai Wu truly couldn't understand.

Wei Yuanzhou's actions were understandable—he was mentally unstable, and the matter of Wei Yuanling could barely serve as an explanation.

What madness had possessed Su Hongxiu?

This woman wasn't the type to meddle in others' affairs.

Even Bai Wu couldn't understand—how much less could others? All stood frozen, stunned.

Even Yan Xianqing, who knew Shen Zongzhu best, now gaped speechlessly—being a vassal of Nanyang Xian Sect, how could they not know Shen Zongzhu possessed such immense influence?

He didn't even need to show his face.

Yet he could make Dao Heirs of other sects willingly stand up for him.

As for past events, Yan Xianqing admired Shen Yi's character and strength, but had to admit: personally handling every matter didn't suit the identity of a Zongzhu.

A single edict, dispatching three Dao Heirs.

Unconsciously, Shen Zongzhu had already attained such terrifying status.

"I understand."

Ke Shiliang nodded, then looked behind: "Withdraw the troops."

Saying this, she turned back again: "I will prepare the invitation and banquet—nothing missing. I only hope that Shen Zongzhu won't pretend not to see it, and let Nan Hong laugh at him."

"…"

Su Hongxiu said not another word from start to finish; only her subtly flickering fingertips slowly stilled.

The incense stick had burned out.

In an instant, thick white light filled everyone's vision.

Everyone's sight and hearing were obscured by the white light.

When the light faded, all demon soldiers and generals, including Ke Shiliang, instinctively plunged into the sea, leaving behind dozens of fresh corpses in the ocean, their dark red blood turning the surface murky.

Even Wei Yuanzhou couldn't help raising an eyebrow.

This Heavenly Sword Dao Heir had brought the Hongmeng Heavenly Weapon in advance.

Did she truly intend to fight?

Even if Ke Lao Si's cultivation wasn't as high as Su Hongxiu's peak, it wasn't far behind—but she didn't resist. At the instant Su Hongxiu moved, she fled with her two remaining demon generals.

One-on-one, against a Su Hongxiu in this state, she might have had some chance.

But she couldn't kill her.

And her two remaining subordinates would surely die here.

Then it would truly be over.

The Long Gong demon soldiers arrived quickly and retreated even faster—so swiftly it caught everyone off guard.

In a few breaths, the overwhelming demonic aura vanished completely.

The azure ocean returned to stillness.

"Is it over?" Yunxiao Pavilion's master stared blankly to the side.

This matter that had terrified them all ended without even granting Shen Zongzhu the need to show his face.

No wonder the Yan family and Xuan Yuecheng had come so willingly—they'd secretly climbed a higher branch without telling me.

As everyone remained stunned, the golden-threaded white robe figure above finally moved, slightly restrained.

"Aren't you worried Ke Lao Si might really fight you to the death?" Wei Yuanzhou sighed, looking at the woman.

"Just suffered a setback—temper flared a bit."

Su Hongxiu gave a brief explanation, swept her sleeve, and a dense purple light returned to the heavens, vanishing into the gates of Xiancheng.

Her intention to play the good cop was real, but so was the killing intent when she struck.

Perhaps it was just annoyance at that old dragon — even as he was about to leave, he still had to get in a jab at Shen Yi. A cultivator as decisive as himself would never hide.

He simply still needed time.

"I will send someone to deliver a message to Nanyang Sect. Once the Seven Sons Assembly arrives, everything will be fine."

Wei Yuanzhou said softly. Though he did not know why Su Hongxiu had come, it was probably much the same as his own reason — both had something to do with that young Sect Master: "You should also pay attention to controlling your emotions. Being able to recover to this state so quickly — was it Uncle-Master Zhang who helped? He shouldn't have brought you out to cause trouble."

"So much nonsense. You really do think you're the leader of the Dao Sons."

Su Hongxiu transformed straight into a streak of light and vanished on the spot.

"..."

Wei Yuanzhou seemed to have long been accustomed to her pride, and did not say any more.

He merely shook his head with a touch of awkwardness.

"Tch."

Bai Wu watched Wei Yuanzhou with great interest, and, as if finding it especially amusing, opened her mouth and let out a few clicking sounds.

Some people had stood here for half a day without getting a chance to chat even half a sentence more — on the surface it seemed like nothing, after all the temperament of the Heavenly Sword Dao Son was known to all.

But by contrast, another person didn't need to say a single word, and Su Hongxiu would still rush over from a thousand miles away.

This visible disparity really does make Brother Wei look a little pitiful — truly moving... hahaha.

"I can't figure out what you're laughing about."

Elder Chiyang and Liu Shiqian exchanged a helpless glance. Both were Dao Sons — how was it that their own had not a shred of ambition?

They had no idea where his mind had wandered off to.

"Still, it's good that we've at least bought Shen Zongzhu some time, and let him rest easy for a while," Elder Chiyang remarked with feeling.

"..." Liu Shiqian did not pick up the thread, but between his brows lingered a faint, indistinct worry.

For now he was not worried about Long Gong — what weighed on his mind was something else entirely.

After all, that Shen Zongzhu had, through sheer hard strength, in the space of mere months, offended his way all the way up to a prince of Long Gong...

Just as Elder Liu's thoughts wandered unsettled—

Nanyang Sect, top floor of the Scripture Depository Pavilion.

The black-robed youth, seated in lotus position, quietly opened his eyes. He took out his jade Dao token and silently listened to the message Xuan Qing had left.

His fair, handsome face showed not a ripple.

Only within those deep, pitch-black eyes did a dangerous aura slowly surface.

"..."

(End of chapter)