Chapter 542: The Hall Master Battles a Hedao Cultivator!

West Hong, Wanxiang Pavilion.

The broad welcoming platform was paved with plain, unadorned bricks and stones, appearing very low-key, yet the many statues erected around it faintly betrayed an ancient air, lending a touch of the vicissitudes of ages past.

But any cultivator who knew anything about this sect understood their true nature well.

The more newly risen a sect, the more it wants to wrap itself in a veneer of age.

The air of vicissitudes surrounding Wanxiang Pavilion was simply too deliberate, and so it fell short.

But then, their position had never been legitimate to begin with.

They had seized this Hedao treasure land by opportunistic means—while the crane and snipe were locked in their struggle and others had yet to react, relying on well-sourced intelligence, they had taken this great prize without spending a single soldier.

From a third-rate power, they had leapt in a single bound to become a true Xian Sect.

It was precisely because of this that the cultivators of Wanxiang Pavilion had all tasted sweetness.

For those dwelling in obscurity who wished to climb up in the chaotic waters and lands of West Hong, one had to dare to gamble, one had to have the boldness to seize an opportunity and stake everything!

What was the point of lingering at the bottom of the Xian Sect ranks?

If they could seize one Zhu Sect's land, then they could seize a second Fen Sect treasure land.

The Liangdaohuang Sect had stuck its hand into West Hong, and Yu Nanhong's Seven Sons had also come to grab a share—going so far as to disguise themselves and strike down Pan Boyang, which could be considered the first spark lit.

Wanxiang Pavilion had already foreseen in advance the coming storm about to crush everything.

This was a grand situation that absolutely could not be missed!

Clinging to West Long Gong was only the first step of the plan; as long as they could master enough intelligence, there were still many things they could do.

At this moment.

Inside the inner sect's main hall of Wanxiang Pavilion.

Nearly all the sect's powerful cultivators had gathered in one place, neatly divided into two sides, their expressions solemn yet carrying a barely concealed excitement.

The entire main hall was sunk in silence, with only faint sounds of breathing remaining.

Calculating the time, their own Daozi should already be making contact with Qi Qiye by now; the only question was what good price he could negotiate for Wanxiang Pavilion.

Tap, tap, tap.

Wanxiang Pavilion's Grand Elder Lu Qing sat with closed eyes in the main seat, his fingertips lightly tapping the armrest. He occasionally raised his eyelids to glance at the jade slip by his hand, and the long-delayed response clearly made his mood grow somewhat irritable.

After all, apart from his identity as Daozi, Lu Mingchuan was also his own grandson.

Generally speaking, a proper Xian Sect would absolutely never have a situation where the Grand Elder and the Daozi came from the same clan.

While elders assisted the Daozi, they also needed to serve as a check, which was more conducive to the sect making sounder judgments.

This single point alone was enough to show that Wanxiang Pavilion still retained the ways of a third-rate power.

After all... even their own Hedaojing Sect Zhu was surnamed Lu.

"Fourth Uncle, still no news?" Someone finally could not sit still. Could the Daozi really be that capable—with mere Two Cities cultivation—to chat so happily with the Qi family's Seventh Master that he didn't even have time to respond to the sect's transmission?

Or had some mishap occurred, causing him to be cold-shouldered by the Qi family's Seventh Master, leaving him temporarily unwilling to respond?

No one would think the Daozi had run into trouble; after all, the Long Gong's strength was plain for all to see, and the Daozi himself was also on guard against Qi Qiye. If they went back on their word, at least one message could still be sent back.

"What's the rush? And what occasion is this—who gave you permission to call me Fourth Uncle?"

Lu Qing frowned and glared over, about to lecture a few more times, when his expression shifted slightly.

Apart from him, the others in the hall also rose to their feet, looking toward the outside of the hall, a touch of bewilderment and wariness appearing between their brows.

Just outside Wanxiang Pavilion's treasure land, above the welcoming platform, a streak of golden radiance descended from the horizon, like a rainbow bridge spanning the firmament.

This was the manifestation of a Receiving Golden Register.

But normally speaking, West Hong cultivators visiting one another's sects rarely used such a thing—it was too formal, and made one look like a lost fool.

In their hearts, everyone unconsciously thought of that group of South Hong savages.

"What's the situation?"

The Daozi had not yet responded, and now these South Hong savages had come to visit the sect first?

The expressions of quite a few people grew somewhat tense.

Lu Qing said nothing for a long while, merely silently sensing that golden rainbow bridge, until he discovered that there was only a single figure upon it—a person in dark robes, with a handsome, youthful face—none of the six giants of the Hedaojing Sect.

He quietly let out a breath of relief, a fierce glint appearing in his eyes: "What are you nervous about? It's nothing more than a blind fish that slipped through the net, delivering itself to our door of its own accord. This is a good thing—it's worth celebrating!"

Probably one of the South Hong Daozi; perhaps he hadn't coordinated with the others, and their targets for requesting aid had collided.

Since that was the case, then keep him here first—don't let him ruin Wanxiang Pavilion's great undertaking!

Thinking of this, Lu Qing put on a warm, smiling face, then strode out, his figure vanishing from the great hall.

He stepped on auspicious clouds and rose, letting out a hearty laugh, and called out loudly: "Wanxiang Pavilion has failed to greet you from afar—please do not take offense, honored guest! Please, come in!"

"..."

Outside Wanxiang Pavilion, Shen Yi quietly surveyed everything before him.

Watching the formation that rapidly unfolded beneath his feet.

A trace of incomprehension passed through his eyes. After all, for a Shen Zongzhu who even had to specifically shut his own sect's formations when going out, inviting someone into the sect without asking their identity was truly a very dangerous thing to do.

But it suited his purposes perfectly.

Shen Yi did not hesitate in the slightest. He nodded politely, then stepped into the formation.

This action of his, falling into the eyes of the many Wanxiang Pavilion cultivators, made them all collectively heave a sigh of relief. Just as the Grand Elder had thought—if this boy truly knew their plans, how would he dare to enter the treasure land?

Call out to heaven and get no answer, call out to earth and get no reply.

No matter how great the power behind him, he could only despairingly remain here.

"Look at that, he even has to thank us." An elder shook his head, unable to hold back a chuckle.

Lu Qing casually glanced back, and the many cultivators below understood his meaning. With calm expressions, they retreated toward the rear and silently began their preparations.

Since they had decided to act, they had to be ruthless enough.

Rather than exchange pleasantries with this South Hong Daozi and trick him into staying within the sect, it was better to simply strangle all hidden dangers in the cradle.

"Fellow Daoist, this way, please."

Lu Qing always felt something was off, because the demeanor this young cultivator displayed was far too quiet; he didn't look like someone coming to request reinforcements, nor did he look like someone coming to cause trouble.

It was more like... some shyness?

"Please take the seat of honor in the main hall."

Lu Qing invited him again, and immediately saw Shen Yi follow obediently behind him; though the other did not respond, he looked left and right with a hint of curiosity.

Could he be a mute?

Lu Qing silently cursed to himself but showed nothing; no matter who this person was, he would capture him first and interrogate him slowly later.

Under the gaze of all, the two walked slowly toward the main hall.

Lu Qing glanced to the side and noticed several elders below sending him a prepared signal; only then did he withdraw his gaze, and immediately saw that young cultivator in the black robe also withdraw his gaze at nearly the same moment.

The instant their eyes met, Lu Qing looked into those pitch-black eyes and instinctively felt a trace of heart-pounding fear.

"Fellow Daoist, what is wrong? If there is anything, let us enter the hall and discuss it in detail."

Lu Qing covered his embarrassment and smiled kindly.

The others stood far off on both sides, the ferocity on their faces becoming increasingly obvious.

"No need to go inside; everyone is already here." Shen Yi finally spoke.

Surprisingly, this young cultivator was not only not mute, but his voice was strangely clear and moist.

Hearing this, the unease in Lu Qing's heart finally overflowed; he stopped smiling and asked tentatively, "I almost forgot... may I ask, where are you from?"

Shen Yi did not answer; instead, he lifted the hem of his robe and sat decisively on the stone steps of the main hall, like an outsider.

He clearly did not open his mouth, yet a cold, rough voice rang in everyone's ears.

"Wan Yao Dian."

"Hiss!" Many cultivators of Wanxiang Pavilion felt their body hair stand on end, suddenly turned sideways to look, and then instinctively raised their heads.

There, a towering figure had appeared at some unknown time.

Though the other clearly maintained a human form, he was still several zhang tall, with extremely broad shoulders, looking like a small mountain.

Those magnificent dragon horns, the scales all over his body as if cast in gold, and the indifferent, ferocious dragon head all made everyone's breathing heavy several times over.

A great demon!

More accurately, a dragon demon with an incredibly noble bloodline, even far surpassing the Western Palace!

In its palm, its sharp five fingers were as if clutching a small bowl; its nails were firmly embedded in Elder Lu Qing's skull, holding him casually in its hand.

"Crunch! Crunch!"

Lu Qing's face was covered in fresh blood, his features twisted, his eyes nearly bulging from their sockets.

He struggled with all his might, trying to unleash his powerful aura, but under the suppression of that demon qi as surging as the Dahe River, he could only make his body swing back and forth like cured meat, appearing ridiculous.

To achieve such overwhelming suppression.

The realm of this powerful dragon demon was already self-evident.

Recalling those three words just now.

Wan Yao Dian...

A newly acquired piece of information surged simultaneously into everyone's minds, specially revealed by the Crown Prince of the Southern Long Gong, regarding the Hall Master.

In that piece of information, there was also a strange great dragon demon, ruthless in killing.

The cultivators of Wanxiang Pavilion gradually matched the figure of the Eastern Hall Master from the rumors with the appearance of this demon before them.

So... it was not at all that the Seven Sons of Nan Hong were bluffing.

The West Hong had truly brought in a transcendent giant daring to act against the Liangdaohuang Sect!

We guessed wrong!

And now, this group of stupid pigs had, without any defense, welcomed them into the sect.

"This... Eastern Hall Master! I wonder where my Wanxiang Pavilion offended you all; you all have honored us with your presence today, but for what purpose?"

An elder stepped back a few paces tremblingly and asked with a quivering voice.

Pfft—

Under the infusion of overwhelming demon power, Ke Shisan responded to them with actual action.

There, in its palm, Elder Lu Qing's body suddenly exploded, turning into a mist of blood filling the sky.

This act became two silent large characters, echoing in everyone's minds.

Annihilate the Sect!

How could there be such an unreasonable and tyrannical force in the world, with no grievance and no hatred, coming straight to exterminate an entire family?

How dare Hongze, under the protection of immortals, be so ferocious?!

But precisely because of this, the cultivators of Wanxiang Pavilion completely abandoned the notion that this Demon Hall was disguised by the Seven Sons of Nan Hong; those Nan Hong barbarians would never dare to associate with such a cruel demon, nor did they have the qualification to command such a dragon of noble bloodline.

"Shen Zongzhu!"

Lu Qing being suppressed and killed without any resistance made this group of Wanxiang Pavilion cultivators truly recognize the terrifying gap in strength between the two sides; it was something that could not be bridged by courage or methods.

Therefore, their final action was to scream hoarsely toward the sky!

In other places, given Shen Zongzhu's personality, he might have ignored their lives and deaths and chosen to protect himself, but here, within the treasure land, unless the opponent wanted to fall from the Heavens and Earth Integration realm, there was no retreat.

Moreover, being within the treasure land, this was also Shen Zongzhu's strongest state.

After all, the opponent was the Heaven of this place!

Ke Shisan's figure vanished; with a casual swipe of its sharp claws, it easily tore apart a cultivator's body.

Under such one-sided slaughter with no resistance.

Everyone frantically cast teleportation techniques and summoned various Dao soldiers, trying to escape this place; however, those skills they relied on were no stronger than tofu under those golden sharp claws.

Clang—

Just as that dragon claw attempted once more to pierce a cultivator's body, it was finally blocked by an object.

It was a wisp of aura, merely three feet long, resembling an invisible sword.

Judging by its appearance, let alone comparing it to the Dao soldiers of the Bai Yujing cultivators, even many techniques of the Qi Refining realm looked far more conspicuous than it.

Yet, this very sword of aura, while saving that cultivator's life, also caused Ke Shisan to be injured for the first time.

A chasm had appeared between its sharp claws; had its body not been made of stone, its hands would now be covered in bright red blood.

A sigh came from the sky, carrying a calmness that seemed to look down upon worldly affairs.

"My Lord of the Eastern Hall, why go to such lengths? Is there anything that cannot be discussed while seated?"

The moment these words sounded, almost all the cultivators of the Wanxiang Pavilion, as if having swallowed a calming pill, stopped their panting flight.

"..."

Ke Shisan silently gazed at the sword of aura in his palm.

In an instant, a grotesque arc suddenly appeared at the corner of his mouth; it was a smile of extreme ferocity, revealing sharp, bone-white dragon teeth.

The smile contained dense killing intent; it was the furious rage of losing face before his master!

Ke Shisan did not like the noise of someone like Wu Jun.

Thus, he suddenly clenched his fist, causing that sword of aura to shatter violently.

Before anyone could react, he fiercely swung his arm, and a massive dragon claw that blocked the sun and sky appeared in the world between heaven and earth; it was like five Gaoshan mountains lined up, tearing this canopy of heaven apart as roughly as ripping clothes!

"Do you even deserve to discuss matters with this Hall Master? You only need to be responsible for dying."

Beneath that giant dragon claw, an elderly figure in a long gown tumbled out from behind the clouds in a disheveled manner, no longer possessing the calmness and composure he had displayed earlier.

He continuously formed hand seals, and suddenly, countless swords of aura like the one just now appeared, covering the entire firmament.

Crack! Crack! Crack!

The swords of aura gathered into a Dahe river flowing wildly, then crashed with a boom against the dragon claw that was like five Dashan mountains.

One after another, they shattered, leaving dense scratches on that dragon claw.

This was a duel between two beings of the Dao Integration realm, yet it caused the entire Wanxiang Nanyang Baodi to tremble!

In the mundane world far from the inner sect, it was as if the sky collapsed and the earth cracked, with the sun and moon both fearing it, resembling the appearance of world destruction!

"That Hall Master, please listen to one word from this old man!"

The Shen Zongzhu of the Wanxiang Pavilion was caught off guard; having temporarily blocked that fierce demon, he finally spoke again.

Without the concealment of heaven and earth, he looked like just an ordinary old man, with a cunningness in his eyebrows and eyes that could not be erased, even appearing somewhat wretched.

This time, however, he was not speaking to Ke Shisan, but looked far away at the young man sitting on the stone steps in front of the main hall; behind the other party, a well-behaved Miss had appeared at some unknown time.

Compared to a dragon demon, it was clearly better to communicate with a cultivator.

Moreover, judging by the other party's composed demeanor, he was most likely the true person in charge of the Wan Yao Dian's actions this time, and his status was likely higher than that of this Eastern Hall Master.

"..."

Shen Yi raised his eyes to look, not expecting that this matter involved him as well.

He actually wanted to use this opportunity to observe the techniques of the Dao Integration realm, which would also help him make plans for the future.

At least for now, judging by Ke Shisan's strength, he was actually subtly falling into a disadvantage; it was just unknown exactly how much he was losing to that old man.

"Listen to me; no matter how the Wanxiang Pavilion offended your Hall, this old man is willing to apologize... Why must it end in mutual destruction? You know, we Dao Integration cultivators all still have our final means; relying solely on you, this Eastern Hall Master..."

As a giant of the Dao Integration realm, this Shen Zongzhu of the Wanxiang Pavilion showed not a trace of a strong person's demeanor; this was probably because the Nanyang Baodi was one he had picked up.

Hearing the term "mutual destruction," Ke Shisan's face once again turned ghastly; he suddenly slapped his palm, shattering that river of sword qi, and pointed it directly at the old man!

"You..."

The Shen Zongzhu of the Wanxiang Pavilion stared fixedly at Shen Yi, but discovered that after listening, this young man casually shifted his gaze away, seeming to have no interest whatsoever in the matter he proposed.

He knew there was no room for further negotiation in this matter.

The old man glanced with his peripheral vision at the dragon claw coming on fiercely, and a few traces of ferocity suddenly surged in his eyes: "Do you truly think this old man fears you? I could use the strength of Bai Yu Jing to seize a Nanyang Baodi in West Hong; who among us is not a villain?"

"Who is more ruthless? You lot are still too young!"

In the next moment, his body quietly sat back into heaven and earth.

At the same time, the cultivators watching from the side suddenly changed color; instinctively wanting to flee, they suddenly realized that they had nowhere left to run.

Immediately, they knelt on the ground with a thud, thud, and the wailing cries for mercy echoed all around: "Spare us, Shen Zongzhu!"

In an instant, their bodies actually began to vaporize, as if returning to their essence, gathering towards the figure in the sky.

Amidst the turbulent aura, an invisible great sword spanning heaven and earth, condensed into solid form, quickly took shape; it casually used its blade to push aside the attacking dragon claw, and then the sword tip actually pointed at the figure on the stone steps.

Compared to severely injuring that golden dragon.

The master of the Wanxiang Pavilion knew the principle of catching the thief first by catching the king.

He cast a cold gaze downward, and then his pupils flickered uncertainly.

He saw that the young man, facing the Xuanqing Sword which even he himself greatly dreaded, merely lightly adjusted the golden bracelet on his wrist, showing no intention to dodge at all.

Thinking of this, the Shen Zongzhu of the Wanxiang Pavilion began to sacrifice more living beings: "This old man actually wants to see what qualification a mere Bai Yu Jing has to put on airs before me!"

Accompanying these words, that great sword finally plunged down fiercely!

However, under the watchful and suspicious gaze of the Shen Zongzhu of the Wanxiang Pavilion, it failed to touch Shen Yi's body, and could not even approach the flowing aura emitted by that golden bracelet.

In front of the Xuanqing Sword, which was hundreds of zhang long, the petite figure was like an ant, almost negligible.

She stood suspended in the air, her white and tender palm pressing against the sword tip.

Then she gave a slight tremor.

Fine cracks, with an unstoppable force, covered the entire Xuanqing Sword in the blink of an eye; immediately following, it collapsed with a boom like a mountain crumbling and the earth splitting.

The black horse-face skirt rippled slightly; her exquisite, well-behaved, and youthful face was now so terrifying that no one dared to look directly at it.

"..."

The Shen Zongzhu of the Wanxiang Pavilion sat cross-legged in mid-air, stunned.

Ke Thirteen retracted his dragon claw, rubbed his wrist, and said coolly, "This was your own choice to switch people, don't regret it… Evil Brothers, heh."

Listening to the playful mockery faintly lingering in the dragon demon's words.

Though the old man's face flushed crimson, he had no thought of retorting. He suddenly flung open both palms, and the original sacrificial intent began spreading outward, even shrouding the entire mortal world within the treasure land.

Only this way could he ease the immense pressure in his heart when facing this Miss.

Taking in the old man's actions.

Shen Yi finally stood up and cast his gaze toward Ke Thirteen: "Together, move faster."

Hearing this, Ke Thirteen grew excited once more.

It had originally thought its earlier performance would greatly disappoint its master.

It hadn't expected there would still be a chance.

The next moment, the towering golden-blue Azure Dragon finally revealed a massive form even more terrifying than the Xuanqing Sword from before. As its dragon whiskers soared, a horrifying dragon roar shook the surroundings!

And in the instant the old man glanced sideways, a small ink-black figure had already silently landed beside him, a vicious knee strike brutally slamming into his jaw!

An Yi interrupted his sacrificial gesture, then with an expressionless face delivered another elbow strike, smashing fiercely into the old man's face!

Accompanied by a low tiger's roar, the head of the Wanxiang Pavilion Shen Zongzhu exploded with a boom!

Roar—

(End of this chapter)