Chapter 555: First, the Main Business

Inside the Ancestral Master Hall.

Xuanqing sensed that heaven and earth had regained consciousness, and that wisp of aura was drawing closer to him.

He suddenly grew uneasy, and began fussily tidying the scattered twigs and leaves on his own body, then stood respectfully in place, and said in a slightly choked voice:

"Disciple Xuanqing welcomes the Sect Master."

"……"

Shen Yi landed slowly, and looking at Elder Xuanqing in such a state, could not help but pause briefly.

Surely it wasn't that serious — the man was, after all, someone who could remain composed and calm in front of so many powerful elders; was he really going to cry just because he had broken through to Dao Merging?

Something was off.

Shen Yi shook his head, then suddenly recalled something — what could make Elder Xuanqing lose his composure like this was probably still the matter of crossing the Five Tribulations.

This matter might well become the lifelong knot in the other's heart.

Enough — better wait until he found a way to mend the other's Dao Palace before discussing the specifics of the Bitter Tribulation.

If Xuanqing were to learn that back then he had been only a single push of the door away from completing the Five Tribulations, the man would probably either dash his head against the foot of the Ancestral Master's statue, or instantly become a second Yue Tianji.

Wouldn't that just be deliberately sickening?

Thinking of this, Shen Yi gently patted Xuanqing's shoulder and comforted him: "It's not appropriate right now, we'll speak of it later."

"……"

Xuanqing stared blankly at the hand on his shoulder, then redirected his gaze to Shen Yi, standing rooted to the spot as if struck by lightning, his expression wooden, no longer making a single superfluous move.

Not appropriate — what was not appropriate?

Presumably it was not appropriate to reveal his identity, not appropriate to disclose his plans to them.

So, what was that plan?

Surely it couldn't be… to look after his worthless disciple all the way, and even if this disciple had offended an immortal and committed a monstrous crime, this Master would still return, to vent that grievance on his behalf.

"Disciple, disciple understands."

Xuanqing suddenly became somewhat at a loss, wanting to wipe his face, but his hand stopped halfway and immediately dropped again, his words growing much more jumbled: "Xuanqing won't ask, Xuanqing knows nothing, saw nothing."

He simply couldn't figure it out — soldier merged with earth, body merged with heaven, soul merged with Dao — his Master had once been a Heaven-realm cultivator, and a standout among them at that, only a single step away from the Dao realm.

But even if his Master had regained his cultivation, or even taken that step completely, how could he afford to offend an immortal, let alone that purple-whiskered white dragon that had already ascended to the heavens.

And compared to taking revenge and venting anger, what he wanted even more now was to be a Dao boy, quietly attending his Master at his side just like this.

"……"

Watching Xuanqing's strange reaction, Shen Yi raised his brows slightly in some puzzlement.

What kind of affliction was this — acting as if he were about to silence him by killing.

Shen Yi was very clear about what matters could be shown to others, such as Dao Merging, because no matter what it could not be hidden; but matters like using the Suppression Stone to cross tribulations needed to be concealed, which was why he had gone to the Scripture Pavilion to open the fifth city.

"Enough, I need to go out again, I'm not sure when I'll be back — pass word to the other Sect Masters for me, that old dragon has come out."

Shen Yi truly had no time to linger, because Ke Thirteen had already found those two great demons that had come from the Western Flood, and because he had been glanced at by the rhinoceros earlier, he had suffered grave injuries — this matter could only be handled by himself.

Of course, before leaving he still had to give the Meng Sect a reminder.

Although he didn't know much about the Flood Marsh.

But anyone who wasn't a fool would know whose palace that at the deepest part of the Southern Flood belonged to, let alone that the other party seemed to also bear part of the duty of guarding the Southern Flood on behalf of that rhinoceros dharma treasure.

Only after truly breaking through to Dao Merging did Shen Yi finally see clearly the gap between himself and these older-generation demon cultivators of the Flood Marsh.

Four Tribulations counted as Earth-realm completion, and he had even made up for the final Bitter Tribulation; speaking purely of cultivation, he could be considered above all Earth-realm cultivators — given that the Flood Marsh had no second Five Tribulations cultivator, calling himself the foremost person below Heaven-realm was not unwarranted.

But the disadvantage lay in the General Nanyang Blessed Land's insufficient foundation, somewhat inferior compared to other blessed lands, and Shen Yi's current methods were also somewhat lacking.

When it came to the Dao Merging level, the techniques he could bring out were only the Suppressing Peak Art and the treasured-grade Divine Peak Art.

His methods were overly one-sided, and their grade was not at a level that could thoroughly crush others — what was worth mentioning was only the cultivation of the techniques, all of which had reached completion.

Dealing with ordinary Earth-realm cultivators would certainly be more than enough.

But don't forget, when the Southern Long Gong faced the Seven Sons at their peak, it did suffer terribly, but it wasn't destroyed.

According to the records in the treasured pearl, Qin Zongzhu was a great cultivator at Heaven-realm completion — to survive under his nose until now, the Southern Long Wang couldn't be that weak no matter how you looked at it.

Moreover, another hundred thousand years had passed; the other party might well have made further progress.

Shen Yi's earlier rash move had startled this old dragon, and he was somewhat worried something might go wrong.

After all, at present he couldn't even talk about defeating the Southern Long Wang — he didn't even have a clue about breaking through to Heaven-realm.

Merging with heaven — the most important thing was to derive one's own "rules" within the blessed land.

Of course, one could also call it a divine ability.

This thing couldn't be learned through techniques; it was related to the Dao method comprehended at the Return-to-Void realm — using Dao method to transform into divine ability required outstanding talent, plus supreme perseverance to immerse oneself in comprehension.

When had Shen Yi ever comprehended any Dao method? Even the Boundless Dao Palace he had cultivated at the time was a defective version, forcibly altered by the Suppression Stone into something barely usable.

As for the few "Dao methods" he had comprehended through the Suppression Stone, after coming into contact with the Body-Tempering Spirit-Flesh Art he rarely used them anymore.

Moving too fast inevitably led to many gaps.

Fortunately, Shen Yi had long been accustomed to moving forward while simultaneously seeking a way to break through — whether it ultimately worked or not, it was still better than standing in place worrying.

First collect the lifespans of demons and monsters, then go to the Banshan Sect to fetch the final form of the technique.

If that truly wouldn't work, then he'd go find Haoyue Shuanghu and the Green Phoenixes to help, try to pile together two Heaven-realm Suppression Stones — at the very least it could help stabilize the situation in the Southern Flood.

"I'm off."

Thinking of this, Shen Yi gave a slight nod of his chin, took his leave of Xuanqing, and his figure vanished within the General Nanyang Blessed Land.

……

The border of the Southern Flood, Baohua Sect.

A group of elders stood outside the sect, cupping their hands toward that Qingyue treasured ship, and said gratefully: "Then we'll trouble Elder Liu."

Their Sect Master had gone to attend the Seven Sons Assembly and remained at the Qingyue Sect as a guest.

A few days ago, a disciple said he seemed to have seen a messenger demon soldier from Long Gong passing through the area. Given the current tense situation, not a single detail could be overlooked, which was why he had sent word to the Sect Master to ask whether they should investigate.

He hadn't expected the Seven Sons to be so generous — over such a small matter, they had actually dispatched two Bai Yujing elders directly.

"No need for pleasantries. It was always a family matter to begin with."

On the treasure ship, a thin-faced middle-aged man shook his head and returned the courtesy in earnest — it was Elder Liu Shiqian.

The Baohua Sect might not know that the reason their Sect Master had stayed at the Qingyue Sect was because Sect Master Ji had gone to West Hong. The Baohua Sect Master was not a guest there — he was carrying out a garrison duty.

Under such circumstances, the Qingyue Sect naturally had to return the favor and could not let anything happen to the Baohua Sect.

As the words fell, the Qingyue treasure ship swiftly changed course, streaking toward the direction where the Baohua Sect had previously spotted the messenger demon soldier!

"Tsk tsk, as expected of someone who's broken through — the more composed he speaks, the calmer he gets." Elder Chiyang shot him a sour look.

"..." Liu Shiqian glanced at him and smiled helplessly.

He had already dawdled at the realm of two cities for many years. The experience of the immortal's cave last time — dangerous as it was — could still be called thoroughly exhilarating.

After his injuries healed, he gained quite some insight and finally managed to weather that tribulation of illness.

Now Liu Shiqian's standing within the Qingyue Sect faintly carried the same bearing Liu Xingshan once had at the Heavenly Sword Sect. Were it not for his naturally indifferent temperament, he would even have the qualifications to vie for the position of Grand Elder.

"You know I don't care about these things."

Liu Shiqian withdrew his gaze. Opening the third city was, for him, a matter of mixed joy and worry.

He had finally crossed that threshold, yet he had also reached the end of the road.

With his foundation and talent, when he first ascended to Bai Yujing, straining with all his might, he could only see three cities.

Now that he had opened them all, a sense of emptiness inevitably welled up in his heart.

From the very beginning of Qi Refinement until today, his path of cultivation — Liu's path — could be considered to have drawn a perfect full stop.

"It's over..."

Liu Shiqian slowly exhaled a long breath.

"Selling cheap after getting a bargain, are we? What, want me to ask Bai Daozi to come down and lend you the Qingyue treasure land?" Elder Chiyang's teeth itched with envy. They had been brothers in hardship for nearly a lifetime — how had the other man suddenly risen up!

Still, jokes were jokes.

Chiyang was also genuinely happy for Old Liu. Now that the chaos was gradually rising, every bit of cultivation gained meant one more chance of surviving this killing game.

"Watch your mouth."

Liu Shiqian glared at his old friend in exasperation. In the past, saying such a thing would have been taken as a joke by everyone. But now, if Bai Wu Daozi happened to hear it, no matter how magnanimous the other party was, some wariness would surely arise in his heart.

After all, once one had opened three cities, one truly possessed the qualification to control a treasure land.

One had to know that even among the current Sect Masters, half of them were Three Tribulation Unity, never in their entire lives touching the threshold of the Heavenly realm.

"I really hope we run into someone from Long Gong later — just the chance for our Elder Liu to try out the third Dao weapon."

Chiyang played it off with a laugh. The fact that he and Liu Shiqian were ostracized by the other elders of the Seven Sons — besides their personalities, his mouth was also one of the main reasons.

"..."

Liu Shiqian couldn't be bothered with him and turned his gaze toward the mountain range ahead.

The Baohua Sect sat at the border of Yu Nanhong and West Hong — a very sensitive location. If anything truly happened, it would very likely involve the schemes of the South Long Gong, and they had to be extremely cautious.

Thinking of this, he took out a heavy golden plate, upon which rested a crescent moon, surrounded by a cluster of stars.

This object was a treasured artifact of the Qingyue Sect. Not only could it seek out demons and discern Qi, it could even sense in advance the approximate strength of demons and devils. Had his cultivation not advanced, he wouldn't even have qualified to bring this thing out of the sect.

Liu Shiqian's fingertip brushed past star after star, channeling his Qi as he went.

The Qi surged through the stars, causing them to flicker once before quickly dimming again.

"Tsk, a wasted trip."

Chiyang shifted his gaze away from the golden plate.

Liu Shiqian, however, did not let his attention wander, continuing to probe the surroundings. Until all the stars had flickered once, the Qi finally flowed into that crescent moon.

Based on the previous situation, this crescent moon should have quickly dimmed. But at this moment, Liu Shiqian's thin face had been lit by the moonlight until it was somewhat pale.

"..."

His expression seemed unchanged, but on the hand gripping the golden plate, veins were gradually bulging.

This crescent moon was used to probe beings comparable to Unity-realm great demons.

Both men fell silent at the same time, watching the moon slowly reverse, aiming its brighter end toward what was behind them.

"What are you looking at? Let me see too."

A curious voice rang in both men's ears, accompanied by a wave of foul stench.

Liu Shiqian slightly turned his gaze and discovered that right next to his face, an ugly visage had suddenly appeared — part deer, part camel, with a high, protruding lip curled outward, revealing a mouth full of yellow teeth.

It stared at Liu Shiqian with a smile, then turned its head to grin at Chiyang: "Looking for someone? Shall I help you look?"

"Heh."

Chiyang held his breath, the corners of his eyes twitching uncontrollably.

A great demon — while the Seven Sons of Yu Nanhong were completely unaware, an unfamiliar Unity-realm great demon had appeared in Yu Nanhong!

Because of the frenzied state the South Long Gong had recently displayed, the Sect Masters rarely left their sects anymore, almost all of them garrisoned within the Seven Sects, worried something might happen. As for the Baohua Sect, the closest to this place, it likewise had no Unity-realm titan stationed there.

This was a very correct decision.

Because if a real fight broke out, the South Long Gong had to keep track of the full movements of the six Sect Masters. If they dared strike the Baohua Sect first, besides alerting the enemy, it would serve no decisive role in victory. It would also easily expose the Long Gong's weakness, allowing the Seven Sons' Sect Masters to make judgments in advance.

But that was from the perspective of the grand strategy.

When it came down to the individual — say, oneself...

Chiyang tugged at the corner of his mouth and instantly recognized the fate of the two of them.

"Hehe, looks like you've figured it out."

Noticing the change in Chiyang's expression, the deer demon held a smile, draped its arms over both men's shoulders, then its face suddenly turned cold: "I'll give you the time of one incense stick. This Seat wants to know all of the Seven Sons of Yu Nanhong's current arrangements."

"If This Seat is satisfied, perhaps I can give you the chance to serve the Long Gong."

As he spoke, the deer demon exerted slight force, and under its body comparable to a Hedaojing cultivator, Chi Yang and Liu Shiqian's shoulder bones shattered instantly.

At such close range, the two had no chance to summon their Dao weapons… though even if they had, it would've done no good.

"What are you thinking about?"

The deer demon seemed to have identified which of the two was in charge, and turned its gaze back to the silent Liu Shiqian, sneering: "Lost your voice? Or scared senseless, forgot to breathe?"

Liu Shiqian set down the golden tray, met its gaze, and slightly furrowed his brow: "Your breath stinks. I'm holding my breath."

"…"

Had it not been for wanting to bring back some intelligence to claim a reward from the Dragon Lord, the deer demon would've crushed his Dao body on the spot!

It forced down its rage and snarled: "Need I remind you? You have seven sects, six Hedaojing Sect Masters, plus the Lady Baohua Sect Master—perfectly enough to cover everything."

"Even if you abandon the General Nanyang Sect and let the Lady Baohua Sect Master break free, how could she possibly save you two from us?"

Two?

Chi Yang instinctively looked ahead and saw, not far off, another bat demon with wings sprouting from its back—its ugly face now staring down with cold, indifferent eyes.

Another completely unknown Hedaojing great demon!

"Huh."

Liu Shiqian clenched the golden tray again; the appearance of two great demons comparable to Hedaojing in Yu Nanhong meant the Prince Nanlong Palace was preparing to strike.

Yet with his own strength—even after exhausting the path of cultivation—he couldn't even send a message back.

This was undeniably regrettable.

"Leave one."

At that moment, the bat demon seemed to have sensed something, and pointed at Chi Yang: "Leave just him."

"No! Kill us both together!"

Chi Yang panicked suddenly—if Old Liu died, he couldn't keep his mouth shut. Damn it, this old demon had sharp eyes.

"Fine."

The deer demon wasted no more time, opened its massive mouth, and prepared to swallow Liu Shiqian whole.

At that instant, Liu Shiqian suddenly saw the deer demon's yellow teeth shatter—then as if an invisible weight had settled upon its face, its high cheekbones cracked apart inch by inch, its flesh and skin blurring into a formless mess.

Immediately, in its terrified, bewildered gaze, its entire body helplessly plummeted toward the ground.

Boom—

Amid the violent roar, the entire ridge of the mountain snapped apart!

"Who?!"

The bat demon, seeing the mountain suddenly shrouded in shadow, snapped its head upward and roared.

Then it saw the swirling, malevolent black clouds—within them, a white robe embroidered with golden characters "General Nanyang" stood out starkly.

The young man stood with hands hanging loosely, flicked a finger lightly.

Without any aura disturbance, the bat demon underwent the same transformation as the deer demon—its invincible demon body erupted with muffled cracks, its fleshy wings flapped desperately, yet achieved nothing; its entire body fell helplessly, offering no resistance.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The already fractured ridge now collapsed further downward!

The two great demons roared furiously in the abyss, yet could not move—an invisible divine mountain pinned them to the earth, forced to watch helplessly as their bodies were crushed into piles of meat paste.

Shen Yi flicked his finger again, collected the two piles of meat paste into his ring, then dismissed the black clouds and darted toward the two elders.

"I'm pressed for time. Let's get to the matter at hand."

"…"

Liu Shiqian and Chi Yang had not yet recovered from the shock—the two great demons comparable to Hedaojing had vanished utterly from the world.

Even when captured by the great demons, they had not been this stunned; they stared blankly at the young man, unsure if they'd imagined it.

Matter at hand? What could possibly be more important… more terrifying than what had just happened?

"Elder Liu, go to Xi Hong."

Shen Yi saw no need to explain what had just occurred—when An Yi killed the Wan Xiang Pavilion Master, it had been no harder than this.

Honestly, a fully cultivated Dijing cultivator crushing two barely Dijing-level demons was no different than Bai Yujing killing a Killed Fanxu.

Shen Yi withdrew a golden scroll from his ring: "Follow the aura. When you arrive, someone will tell you what it's about… don't worry—it's good news."

He wasn't ready to reveal his connection to Wan Yao Dian—not even to a Meng Sect elder.

"Good… good news…"

Liu Shiqian was still dazed—he couldn't comprehend what matter could possibly outweigh reporting to the Sect Masters what he had just witnessed.

Two great demons—gone, as if erased without effort. To call it like slaughtering pigs and dogs would be an overstatement of effort.

The one who struck was their Yu Nanhong Seven's youngest Sect Master.

(End of Chapter)