Chapter 536: Viewing the Mountain Again, the Arrogant Huang Sect (Secure the Daily Check-in)

"As a disciple, how can you be so rude as to directly call out the name of our Sect's Dao Son?"

Inside the Banshan Sect, many elders' expressions changed slightly; Pan Boyang's reputation was indeed considerable, ranking within the top forty of the Dao Soldier Record, and in terms of pure strength, he was qualified to become a Dao Son of a branch sect of the Liangdaohuang Sect.

Yet regardless of the reason, the other party was not yet a Dao Son.

Coming to visit the sect with such an arrogant posture, not even bothering with superficial courtesies, was simply treating the Banshan Sect as a vassal of their Liangdaohuang Sect!

Although in West Hong, many powers wanted to climb onto the high branch of the Liangdaohuang Sect, there was an essential difference between becoming their friendly sect and becoming a dog they could summon and dismiss at will.

If it were the latter... the Banshan Sect truly had no need to grant this favor.

To put it bluntly, North Hong and West Hong are so far apart that even if the Huang Sect is strong, it would be difficult to extend its hand to West Hong under the pressure of the North Dragon Palace.

"Be quiet."

As the Grand Elder, Yang Yunheng was definitely required to step forward on behalf of the Dao Son during such an awkward moment.

It is better for an elder to lose face than for the future Sect Master to lose face.

Offending Pan Boyang at this time was not a rational move; last time Shen Xiao made a mortal enemy of him, and if the Banshan Sect added fuel to the fire, perhaps that young man from North Hong, in a fit of rage, would really go back and invite two elders... that would be trouble.

"You go invite a few Dao Sons from South Hong to tour the Outer Sect and keep them company to relieve their boredom."

Yang Yunheng signaled a few elders with a glance; on one side was the hegemon of North Hong, on the other the Hou Tu Huang Di of South Hong; even if the gap in strength was vast, who didn't have a bit of pride?

The so-called kings do not meet kings.

One could only ask the temporarily weaker side to step aside for now.

After preparing everything, Yang Yunheng adjusted his clothes, sighed, grimaced for a long time, and finally forced out a slightly sycophantic smile.

Just as he was about to step out of the sect to welcome them, he saw Yan Chongzhang leap out from the back mountain.

"Why are you making a fuss about this matter?" Yang Yunheng was clearly still angry about the last incident, and his words were still not very polite.

Yan Chongzhang rolled his eyes at him: "Being scared by a disciple of another sect into not daring to show up means this Dao Son has been a waste... let's go, do not let him find any excuse to make trouble."

Yang Yunheng fell silent for a moment, helplessly shook his head, and let out a bitter smile.

Watching the two of them head toward the outside of the sect like brothers in misfortune.

Wei Yuanzhou slowly turned around: "Enough, do not add more trouble to the Banshan Sect, just wander around casually."

Had it been the Seven Sons of South Hong, once equal in name to the Liangdaohuang Sect, with the status of three Dao Sons, even Pan Boyang might not have qualified to sit at the table at a banquet.

But the tide has turned, and when one is under someone else's eaves, how can one not bow one's head? Moreover, if a dispute truly arose, the Banshan Sect would be the one to suffer.

Just at this moment.

Yan Chongzhang froze, and even on that Fang Zheng face, a few traces of unease surged forth.

"What's wrong?" Yang Yunheng turned his head in confusion to look.

"Do you believe there is such a coincidence in the world?"

Yan Chongzhang closed his eyes, feeling that faint, deliberately self-reminding, familiar aura that was there yet not there, and secretly groaned in his heart.

Shen Xiao understands human affairs quite well; knowing he has trouble on his hands, he did not wish to bring trouble to the Banshan Sect, so he not only did not make a grand spectacle but deliberately concealed himself.

But... but the timing is too perfect!

These two mortal enemies who had sworn a blood feud actually arrived at the Banshan Sect at the same time.

"No way?" Yang Yunheng also immediately realized the situation, feeling somewhat dry-mouthed: "Should I go send him away?"

It is not that the Banshan Sect is untrustworthy; mainly, the timing is truly inappropriate.

Yan Chongzhang's eye twitched: "No."

The Master's confident three days have now become thirty days, indicating that Shen Xiao perhaps does not value the Nameless Mountain that much.

Now that he has finally come to the door, if the Banshan Sect shows a posture of making excuses, making him feel that our heart is not sincere, then there likely will not be a next time.

As for telling the other party directly about Pan Boyang...

Recalling Shen Xiao's ferocious act last time of dragging that Huang Sect disciple down from the sky.

Yan Chongzhang's heart gave a thud; if the other party really learned of this, it would be a miracle if they didn't fight.

"I will deal with Pan Boyang; you take Shen Xiao to view the mountain via a small path, find a quiet place, and do not make any commotion."

Yan Chongzhang quickly made up his mind, then went alone to meet them outside the sect.

Yang Yunheng rubbed his temples hard; it sounded feasible, but for some reason, he felt something strange in his heart.

In the blue sky at a distance from the Banshan Sect, Shen Yi waited quietly for Yan Chongzhang's response.

Yu Lan and You Chang had been withdrawn into his sea of consciousness, and only the little tiger demon An Yi accompanied him.

Mainly because in West Hong, he had offended many great demons comparable to the Dao Integration Realm.

For instance, that Haoyue Shuanghu clan leader.

If luck was bad and they met, Shen Yi worried he would not even have time to summon the reactions of several Hall Masters.

That golden bracelet treasure could indeed resist the means of the Dao Integration Realm, but it was after all someone else's property; once used, the aura would inevitably be detected, so it could only be used to deal with true moments of crisis.

Although carrying a little girl around seemed a bit strange, there was no other way for the time being.

Moreover, An Yi also had a taciturn personality and did not have a strong presence.

"Shen Xiao, you have finally arrived."

Accompanying the words, Yang Yunheng leaped from the sky, and after clearly seeing the figure ahead, he was slightly stunned.

A tall and handsome young man in a black shirt, accompanied by a delicate little girl, also wearing a horse-face skirt dyed like ink.

Under that identical temperament, even their facial features bore a resemblance.

Shen Xiao has been missing for these days; could it be he went to find his daughter?

"Trouble you, Elder."

Shen Yi did not engage in much formalities; although it was strange that Yan Chongzhang had not come, he did not ask further, lightly nodded his chin in response, and then clasped his hands to express gratitude.

Seeing this, Yang Yunheng was stunned for a moment, then shook his head and let out a bitter smile again.

People compared to people will die; goods compared to goods will be thrown away.

Both were born noble and possessed astonishing talent; that one over there could barely contain the urge to write "Liangdaohuang Sect" across his face, while this one, so long as he didn't offend the other, gave off the air of a modest gentleman.

Too bad—this is no longer Yu Nanhong's world.

"Comrade Shen, my sect's Daozi is currently bogged down in trivial matters and cannot spare time to greet you; I hope you understand. This way, please."

Yang Yunheng's warmth carried a touch more sincerity—befriending such a young prodigy would bring nothing but benefits to Banshan Sect.

Shen Yi wasted no time; he immediately detached himself and followed the man toward the distant colossal pillar.

As they drew nearer, his anticipation for the secret treasure hidden within the nameless mountain grew ever stronger.

Shen Yue Fa had already grown this formidable—what terrifying power must the subsequent techniques possess? If this truly were a divine art, then this journey to Xihong would not have been in vain.

"Comrade Shen, please follow me this way."

Yang Yunheng did not lead Shen Yi toward the original massive palm print, but instead entered Banshan Sect from another secluded spot.

He had intended to explain—that there was no disrespect—but had not expected Comrade Shen to seem already well aware, even deliberately suppressing his aura further.

"Truly… I dare not offend."

Yang Yunheng pursed his lips and offered the young man a slightly awkward, rueful smile.

"Understood. I'll move quickly."

Shen Yi nodded—he knew that after offending Liangdaohuang Sect, any normal person would dare not openly associate with him.

He turned his gaze toward the low mountain ahead.

He immediately sat cross-legged and cleanly plunged his soul into it.

"Miss, if you need anything, just tell me," Yang Yunheng strained to make his aged face appear kinder.

"Thank you, I don't need anything," An Yi stood with hands clasped behind her, responding politely, yet her youthful voice carried a faint detachment; after speaking, she returned her gaze to Shen Yi's back.

It really does resemble her… Yang Yunheng's earlier suspicion grew firmer.

He immediately turned and walked out toward the mountain path, dismissed his attendants, and stood there with a solemn expression, guarding the place.

"… "

An Yi silently watched Shen Yi—for her, waiting was perfectly normal.

She barely even perceived the passage of time.

After some time, on the Bai Xi face of the youth, his central brow suddenly furrowed, beads of sweat continuously seeping out.

A faint scent of withered stillness emanated from his entire body.

Seeing this, An Yi instinctively lifted her gaze; her moist pupils flickered uncertainly.

This scent—she had found it familiar from their first meeting.

The barely perceptible changes on Shen Yi's face now, the emotions they carried—all were things she had personally experienced before.

Not knowing what he was doing, An Yi dared not disturb him; she only knew he was suffering as she once had.

After a slight hesitation, she stepped forward, leaned down slightly, and gently wiped the sweat from his brow with her sleeve, then stepped back.

…

In the main hall of Banshan Sect.

Yan Chongzhang sat on the main seat, his expression grim, glancing sideways at Pan Boyang; without the Jiangshan Map to enhance him, this man appeared merely a slightly arrogant young cultivator—his voice not deep, but sharp.

"Comrade Pan, isn't this going too far?"

Yan Chongzhang withdrew his gaze and swept it across the elders seated on either side: "Are you here as a guest—or to lecture us?"

"Too far?"

Pan Boyang wiped his bloodless lips with a handkerchief and smiled lightly: "Last time near your Banshan Sect, I suffered considerable injury. The fact that I sit here calmly now, rather than summoning my sect's elders to demand justice, is already giving Banshan Sect great face."

"You should know my master is the Zongde Sect's Zongzhu."

The Zongzhu of the Dijiufen Sect… Yan Chongzhang silently muttered in his mind, but kept his expression neutral: "Demand justice? I don't understand what you mean—I don't recall Banshan Sect ever offending your sect. If we're being precise, I helped your sect capture two demonic prodigies, yet you still haven't paid the reward."

"Reward… hah."

Pan Boyang suddenly sneered, his gaze turning icy as he fixed it on Yan Chongzhang: "I'll tell you straight—why Liangdaohuang Sect seeks these demonic prodigies."

"As everyone knows, my senior brother Xue just ascended to the position of Zongzhu and now governs the Second Sacred Land. Even if you come from the barren Xihong, surely you've heard his name?"

"Senior Xue Yan once held the top spot on the Dao-Bing Register; his name, Chongzhang, I have indeed heard." Yan Chongzhang slightly raised his palm and bowed toward empty air.

The reason for "once" was not that he was surpassed, but that he had merged with the Dao, hence his name vanished from the Dao-Bing Register.

"Good that you've heard."

Pan Boyang leaned back in his chair, speaking calmly: "Senior Xue has a younger brother who, before reaching the Void-Refining stage, was likewise an unparalleled genius—but he carries the blood of a great demon and cannot cultivate the Liangdaohuang Palace."

"With your sect's resources, finding other profound Dao-palace techniques shouldn't be difficult," Yan Chongzhang replied without objection—he was happy to chat, so long as this brat stayed put in the hall and didn't disturb Comrade Shen Xiao.

"Hmph. To become Zongzhu, one must cultivate the Liangdaohuang Palace—that is our sect's iron law… Does this sound tedious? Do you think it has nothing to do with you?" Pan Boyang closed his eyes, a strange curve lifting his lips.

Two brothers, if both became Zongzhu of Liangdaohuang Sect, their status would be self-evident.

"… " Hearing the threat in Pan Boyang's words, Yan Chongzhang's expression changed slightly.

"Our sect possesses a divine stele, upon which all disciples' Dao-palaces are depicted. Not long ago, a unique demonic palace appeared upon it."

Pan Boyang lowered his voice: "Senior Xue observed it for a long time and finally found a new path for his brother. It has already shown initial success—if we can obtain the Luli Qing Phoenix, it will help his brother cross a major threshold, surely bringing Senior Xue great joy… but now, that Luli Qing Phoenix has died, utterly worthless."

"Dead—due to your Banshan Sect's aiding the tyrant!"

At these words, all present were stunned.

Yan Chongzhang instantly straightened, his expression cold: "Comrade Pan, you may eat whatever you wish, but don't speak recklessly—where did you get the phrase 'aiding the tyrant'?"

"Why the hurry?"

Pan Boyang rose slowly as well: "You watched him attack me and did nothing—what were your intentions? That's all it takes for me to say one word."

"Now, do you still think I've gone too far?"

He casually brushed his sleeve: "Don't worry—revenge has a target, debts have a debtor. As long as I vent this anger, I'll pretend I never saw the Luli Qing Phoenix. Don't dawdle, Yan Daozi—call out everyone who was present that day. I'll interrogate them one by one until I uncover that boy's identity."

"..."

Yan Chongzhang's gaze swept quickly over the elders below.

The elders quietly clenched their fists, all knowing full well in their hearts.

Of course they knew what that mysterious cultivator from Yu Nanhong meant to the Banshan Sect — Shen Xiao was the key to unlocking the secret cache of the Unnamed Mountain, and for now, the only one.

Since the Dao Child planned to seize this hard-won opportunity, they certainly couldn't hold him back.

"Since you don't believe it, then please yourself." Yan Chongzhang slightly turned his gaze and sat back down.

Don't forget, Shen Xiao was currently inside the Banshan Sect, so no matter how great the fury in their hearts, they could only press it down for now.

"Quite composed." Pan Boyang chuckled lightly. That day, when this Banshan Sect Dao Child had stepped forward to urge peace, the act itself was bizarre to the extreme — given the Banshan Sect's current predicament, having a chance to climb up to the Liangdaohuang Sect was the kind of good fortune that only came when one's ancestral graves were spewing green smoke.

Yet the other party had made such an abnormal move.

Saying it had nothing to do with anything — really treating them like fools.

"You, come here."

Pan Boyang pointed downward and summoned an elder.

His contemptuous gesture made that elder's face instantly turn ashen. Having come from a top-tier power in the Western Hong, where had he ever suffered such humiliation? But under Yan Chongzhang's signal, he still swallowed his fury and walked over.

As time passed.

Pan Boyang, as if merely making idle conversation, chatted with everyone below one by one.

Fortunately, Yang Yunheng had long since arranged everything, so they simply ignored all matters concerning Yu Nanhong. No matter how Pan Boyang tried to probe from the side, the answers he got were all identical.

"Are you satisfied now, my lord? If you are still satisfied, then since you bear the name of a gentleman, you surely wouldn't do something so reckless with your words." Yan Chongzhang struck a posture of seeing the guest off.

"Satisfied?"

Pan Boyang didn't seem anxious at all; his smile deepened, and a cold glint surged in his eyes: "If I remember correctly, your esteemed Sect's Grand Elder seems to have yet to show himself even now. You wouldn't tell me he's left the Sect on some errand, would you?"

After dawdling for so long, this young cultivator had finally bared his fangs.

From the moment of his visit to the Sect, seeing that it was Yan Chongzhang personally coming out to greet him, and with no one accompanying him at his side, Pan Boyang had already grown suspicious.

Such a disgraceful matter — the Grand Elder actually let the Dao Child face it alone?

Why avoid it? Nothing more than a guilty conscience.

Added to that, earlier when slaying that Glazed Green Phoenix, that Grand Elder had worn a look as if wanting to say something yet holding back, the whole man restless and uneasy.

Pan Boyang grew all the more certain of his suspicions.

"Now I'll trouble you, Dao Child Yan, to go invite that Grand Elder over."

Just as Yan Chongzhang finally could no longer hold back and was about to make a move, he saw Pan Boyang sit back down again, looking utterly composed.

He clenched his teeth. Only now did he realize the troublesome nature of these Northern Hong cultivators.

"Then I can only ask you to wait for now."

Yan Chongzhang turned and strode out of the main hall.

(End of chapter)