Chapter 549: Trouble at General Nanyang Sect

The Yunhe Sect, a colossal entity that has dominated this region for many years, was already like a local emperor; moreover, this Yunhe Sect Master is a formidable cultivator who has existed since the sect's founding until the present day.

The loftiness of his status is self-evident.

But precisely because of this, among the cultivators who experienced that hundred-thousand-year chaotic calamity and still survived, most had once received the kindness of the Purple-Bearded White Dragon.

"No need for pleasantries; saving people is the priority."

The Yunhe Sect Master lightly waved his sleeve, stopping the Purple Orchid Fairy from bowing, and instead clasped his hands to perform a courtesy between peers.

A friend from the Eastern Long Gong encountered trouble within the water and land under his jurisdiction, yet the Yunhe Sect knew nothing about it; this alone is shameful enough.

On the clouds, the crowd of cultivators, while gazing at the Purple Orchid Fairy whose name shook Hongze and being attracted by her peerless beauty, each wore a look of shame on their faces.

Even the Hongfeng Valley, a vassal power of their own, had to rely on the Purple Orchid Fairy, an outsider, for rescue.

To speak of it would simply make people laugh.

"Senior, my fellow Daoist has returned on his own."

The Purple Orchid Fairy smiled helplessly and spoke in a gentle voice to dispel everyone's anxiety.

Hearing this, the Yunhe Sect Master was slightly stunned: "The letter said there was a great demon close to the Dao-Integration Realm."

The Purple Orchid Fairy turned her gaze toward Shen Yi and fell silent.

Since the other party refused to speak, how could she know the situation? The strength of that great demon was something she had experienced personally and could not be false; even a descendant of the Northern Hong great clan with outstanding talent and thick bloodlines like Yue Tiance would absolutely not be able to return unscathed.

Following the Fairy's gaze, the dense crowd of figures on the clouds all turned to look at that young man in the black robe.

After seeing how young the other party was, the expressions of these elders and direct disciples all changed slightly.

"Do you believe it?"

Luo Changchun asked the person beside him in a low voice.

As the Dao Son of the Yunhe Sect, his strength was not necessarily top-tier among young cultivators, but it was absolutely first-rate; yet, escaping from the hands of a great demon comparable to the Dao-Integration Realm was something he dared not even imagine.

Immediately after, he received an unexpected response.

"I... believe it."

Luo Changchun turned his head in astonishment and saw Lin You staring strangely at the young man in the black robe below.

"Nothing."

As if noticing her loss of composure, Lin You hurriedly shook her head and skipped over this topic.

Before coming, she had been somewhat annoyed.

After all, it had taken so much time to finally persuade the Yunhe Sect to go to Southern Hong to support the Seven Sons, but unexpectedly, the Eastern Long Gong suddenly appeared.

Compared to this colossal entity of Eastern Hong, the face of the Seven Sons of Southern Hong was obviously much smaller.

But now her thoughts had changed.

Looking at that familiar, handsome face below, and the calm expression... who else could it be but the Shen Zongzhu of our own General Nanyang Sect!

So the friend from the Eastern Long Gong was Shen Zongzhu.

She just couldn't quite figure out how Shen Zongzhu, on his first departure from Southern Hong, had gotten involved with the master of Eastern Hong.

"Regardless, it is always a good thing that he has returned."

The Yunhe Sect Master shook his head; among cultivators who dare to roam outside, who doesn't have some means of protecting their lives?

Having said that, his expression became more serious: "However, the Fairy mentioned the Wan Yao Dian in the letter earlier. Coincidentally, I intercepted a transmission message a few days ago. Tracing its source, it was sent from Southern Hong. I wonder if there is any connection between the two."

The Yunhe Sect Master took a letter from his sleeve, unfolded it, and handed it to the Purple Orchid Fairy.

Inside the letter, there were only two characters.

"Come quickly."

Behind the handwriting was an obscure pattern, shimmering with a faint glow.

The Purple Orchid Fairy frowned and looked at it for a moment, yet still had not a single thought.

Just then, Shen Yi, who had been silent all along, finally extended his hand: "May I take a look?"

"Shen Daoist also understands this?" The Purple Orchid Fairy was stunned for a moment, handed the letter over, and after a while asked curiously: "What does this mean?"

"I don't quite understand." Shen Yi's gaze grew slightly cold, his expression remained normal, and he returned the letter to the other party's hand, then nodded politely and said: "I have urgent matters to attend to, so I will take my leave first."

Having said that, he turned directly, transformed into a purple-and-Bai Long rainbow, and vanished into the horizon.

"..."

The Purple Orchid Fairy's expression froze slightly, and she finally couldn't help but stomp her feet, almost laughing out of anger: "This strange person hasn't spoken a single truth; it's as if someone is trying to harm him."

"It's good he's gone; anyway, I don't trust him." Yue Tiance raised an eyebrow.

On the clouds, Lin You's expression suddenly became much solemn.

A letter from Southern Hong, plus Shen Zongzhu's decisive and clean-cut manner of leaving... could something have happened at home?

Just then, Luo Changchun's slightly stuttering words interrupted her thoughts: "Do you feel..."

"What?" Lin You turned her gaze to look.

Luo Changchun swallowed his dry throat; he had originally only given the other party a bit more attention because Miss Lin had been staring at that young man, making him feel a bit jealous.

However, at the moment Shen Yi turned, he saw a strong sense of familiarity in the coldness of his eyes and in that tall, slender back.

"That person just now... looks a bit like the one we saw at the Dragon Consort's birthday banquet?"

"..."

Lin You stared blankly at the horizon; although that black robe without any identity markers could be seen everywhere, those with equally high strength and carrying nothing else... seemed to be not very many.

Especially the timing of that person's intervention last time happened to be exactly when she was confronting the Haoyue Shuanghu.

Could it be that Shen Zongzhu had been secretly protecting us all along?

"If it really is that person, then I also believe he could escape from the hands of a Dao-Integration Realm great demon." Luo Changchun smiled bitterly; after all, not everyone has the confidence to be so arrogant.

While the two were talking, the Yunhe Sect Master had already withdrawn his gaze and looked back at the Purple Orchid Fairy: "Speaking of Southern Hong, this old man has one more request to make."

"Senior, please speak without hesitation." The Purple Orchid Fairy put away that letter, preparing to hand it to her aunt to see after the matter was concluded.

"I wish to request the Eastern Long Gong to mediate on behalf of Yu Nanhong. Based on my years of withered experience, the Southern Long Gong certainly did not act merely to vent momentary anger, and the eldest of the Qi family is surely not simply trying to help the Ke family; these two houses must be plotting something."

The Yunhe Sect Master sighed: "The momentum for chaos is rising; for my sect to remain uninvolved is like a madman dreaming. Yet, relying solely on Yunhe Sect's aid will affect nothing. In my humble opinion, only the Eastern Long Gong intervening can suppress this momentum."

Zilan Xianzi pondered for a moment, then nodded: "I understand. I will send a message to my family shortly. Please trouble you, Senior, to convey a word to the Seven Sons: do not act rashly, remain calm. The Eastern Long Gong will never stand by and watch them come to harm."

"Rest assured, Xianzi, those six Seniors are not the type to cause trouble," the Yunhe Sect Master smiled.

"That is good. Coincidentally, I also have business to attend to in Yu Nanhong. I will go speak with the Ke family then. As for this place, please, Senior, watch over it for now. My aunt will send someone over very soon. Whether or not there is a connection to the Wan Yao Dian will be known once we investigate."

Having spoken, Zilan looked at Yue Tiance with a hint of apology: "Trouble you. Let us go."

"Why be so polite with me? Although my elder brother has lost all hope of He Dao due to that incident, below the He Dao realm, even the one ranked first in the Dao Soldier Record of all past eras, including the former Xue Yan, would dare not so much as glance at him. Moreover, this is Yu Nanhong, a small place; nothing will happen."

Yue Tiance actually seemed not very anxious; he was just hoping to seize this opportunity to spend a little more time with Zilan.

The two summoned their magical treasures and soared into the sky together.

The Yunhe Sect Master watched them depart. With the Eastern Long Gong's promise, at least he could ensure this matter would not truly escalate to a life-or-death struggle.

In the boundless sea of clouds.

Shen Yi stepped upon a black-glow flying sword, his expression unreadable between joy and anger, streaking straight toward the direction of Yu Nanhong.

The instant that letter appeared, Xiong Lu in his sea of consciousness had already reacted.

This letter was indeed a secret missive from the eldest of the Qi family. As for the obscure pattern above it, it was actually a map, used to notify them where to gather once they reached Yu Nanhong.

Shen Yi had originally planned to take them by surprise and turn all these great demons, carefully prepared by the Qi Eldest, into Stabilizing Stones.

Unexpectedly, they had already burrowed into Yu Nanhong.

Inside there were two fierce demons with a high probability comparable to the He Dao realm. Letting them sneak into Yu Nanhong silently... to put it bluntly, they might not be able to move the Qi Sect, but if they targeted an existence like the Baohua Sect, they could certainly inflict heavy losses upon them.

Moreover, compared to the two demons themselves, the significance behind this matter was what truly caused concern.

Since they began gathering troops, it meant the two Dragon Palaces were already prepared to make their move.

Although Shen Yi did not place his hopes on Lady Yushan of the Long Gong, time was too short. Even with preparations made, it still looked far from enough.

It was said there were three He Dao-level Stabilizing Stones, but even combined, they might not be able to match a single An Tingfeng.

The Dragon Palaces possess so many heavenly treasures and materials, and enjoy a uniquely favorable living environment. Would those dragon demons comparable to the He Dao realm have power lower than An Tingfeng?

And until now, aside from the Stabilizing Stones, he was completely unable to intervene in battles of that level.

"Hah."

Shen Yi closed his eyes; he was only one tribulation away from attempting to merge with the Dao.

He hoped there was still time.

He opened his eyes again, a hint of killing intent appearing in his black pupils.

Day and night cycled. The figure in the black robe transformed into a streak of light, streaking south without pause until he crossed an invisible line in the surging ocean. At that moment, a familiar aura instantly flooded his entire body.

Following Xiong Lu's guidance, Shen Yi soon descended to a secluded cave.

He summoned the three He Dao Stabilizing Stones, and his figure quickly vanished into the darkness.

Moments later, Shen Yi swept his cold gaze over the empty cave and quietly clenched his five fingers.

Even with day and night travel, he had still arrived a step too late.

This not only meant he had lost track of those two great demons, but also that Xiong Lu's matter was half-exposed. He would likely no longer receive secret missives from the Qi Eldest, and there was even a risk of being hunted down.

"My Lord..."

Xiong Lu looked over cautiously. Although its cultivation far surpassed the youth before it, the other only needed a thought to crush it to death.

Clearly, because they had been busy threatening those vassal factions, their minds were not at all on Yu Nanhong, which allowed the Yunhe Sect to intercept the letter beforehand.

Thinking of this, Xiong Lu quickly made amends: "Previously, the Qi Eldest also had us record many locations in Yu Nanhong to prevent us from getting lost. Those two beasts should be hiding in these places."

"Go find them."

Shen Yi exhaled. Besides Xiong Lu, he also sent out Ke Shisan, leaving only An Yi to guard by his side.

"I humbly obey my Lord's decree!" Ke Shisan suddenly bowed with clasped hands, then quickly led that stupid, dull bear away from the cave.

After the two departed, Shen Yi turned and walked out of the cave dwelling.

He was not an arrogant person. Even though he had made great progress during this trip to Xi Hong, when it came to the killing between the Southern Long Gong and the Seven Sons, he still had to rely on the other six Sect Masters to hold the line.

He must send news about Qi Da back as soon as possible.

Shen Yi summoned the black-glow flying sword again. Having just flown several hundred li with An Yi, his figure suddenly paused slightly.

He lowered his eyes slightly and took a silver bell from his ring.

After leaving the General General Nanyang sacred land, Shen Yi had never imagined he would receive an aura left by a Demon Hunter outside.

Quickly, the aura in the air drilled into the silver bell, transforming into a familiar, crisp voice containing a hint of a crying tone.

"Brother Shen, where are you? Something has happened in the sect!"

"..."

An Yi suddenly raised her head, looking at the youth before her in shock. She had followed him for so long; even when the Wanxiang Pavilion Sect Master devoured living beings, she had never seen such pure indifference on his face.

The next moment, a streak of black light suddenly crossed the long sky, heading toward the direction indicated by the aura!

Not long after.

On a Clear Moon Treasure Ship, Liu Qianyun, who was steering the ship, suddenly shivered, then looked back in horror.

Before she could react, a swaying black robe had already appeared on the ship.

Shen Yi looked at the young lady in the white robe sitting dazed on the ship, quickly scanned her, then calmly turned his head to look: "You brought her out?"

For some reason, under the gaze of those black eyes, Liu Qianyun even stuttered when speaking: "She... she..."

Before she could finish, the young lady in the white robe suddenly hugged Shen Yi's calf, suppressing her crying tone: "I begged Sister Qianyun to bring me out. They couldn't find you. I thought... I thought if I left some aura outside, perhaps you could see it."

Shen Yi exhaled, reached out to grab Lin Baiwei's collar, pulled her up, gazed seriously at those reddened eyes, and said indifferently: "Without my permission, if you dare come out again, I'll break your legs."

Having spoken, he placed her back in her seat, his eyebrows slightly furrowed: "Speak of the matter."

Shen Yi truly could not figure it out — with five Sect Leaders currently stationed at the Qi Sect, even if a real fight broke out, they would never send the foundationless General Nanyang Sect up to die first. Li Qingfeng and Senior Xuanqing were no fools; they at least knew how to shut a door.

Although Lin Baiwei was young, she was by no means some little girl who had never experienced anything.

She quickly steadied her emotions and said concisely, "Senior Qingfeng told me that every steward from General Nanyang Sect who was out on errands — including Senior Nie Jun and Senior Ling Xi — was abducted. They then sent word into the Sect, demanding Senior Xuanqing come alone to exchange for them, and he was not to inform the other Meng Sects…"

"He went?"

"He went."

Listening to Lin Baiwei's reply, Shen Yi's eyelid twitched.

"Senior Qingfeng said that whether or not to notify the Meng Sects needs Big Brother Shen to come back and decide." Lin Baiwei said softly.

On one side were his own senior brother and sister; on the other, Xuanqing, to whom the General Nanyang treasure land owed a great debt. Even if Li Qingfeng racked his brains, he could not make a decision.

"Understood." Shen Yi gave a slight nod. "Do you know the place?"

Clearly well-prepared, Lin Baiwei immediately took out another wisp of aura from her bell.

"Shen Zongzhu, we…" Liu Qianyun suddenly had a bad premonition.

Shen Yi took a single step, his figure vanishing straight from the boat, leaving only a single sentence echoing in the air.

"You take her back first."

Though his tone was no different from usual, Liu Qianyun heard within it a flavor that brooked no refusal — like… a true decree from a Sect Leader.

(End of chapter)