Chapter 574: Is This What You Meant?

The dazzling white radiance gradually softened, spreading outward, spilling across the seven disciples of Yu Nanhong like a rising sun.

Many Dao disciples shot out in a daze, and before they knew it, they had landed on the Bai Yu Platform of General Nanyang Sect.

Perhaps because it had lain dormant for too long, this activation of the sect-protecting grand formation was unusually grand, so much so that it felt somewhat unfamiliar to the Dao disciples.

After all, whether it was Shen Zongzhu or the General Nanyang Sect that had reappeared in the world, the impression they gave was always one of low-key caution.

To put it bluntly, they were the sort who, every time they left the sect, would only open a sliver of the formation, and once gone, would immediately seal the entire treasured ground back up—so much so that more than a few jokes had been made about elders from other sects' outer gates getting trapped inside.

Yet at this moment, they truly felt this Meng Sect rapidly awakening.

"Our Shen Zongzhu seems to have made his decision long ago."

Beneath the great tree, the remaining five sect masters had yet to disperse, still chatting idly in the night, when they sensed the change coming from the sect's direction.

Sect Master Lingyue deliberated for a moment, then slowly rose to his feet.

"I truly don't understand why you all so inexplicably… once again take General Nanyang as the lead, and so readily acknowledge that young man."

Lingyun Sect was one of the Meng Sects that had the earliest dealings with Shen Yi; the very first time they crossed paths, their own Dao disciple had ended up suppressing his own younger sister.

But when this sect master looked toward his fellow senior brothers, a few traces of doubt still surfaced on his face.

Let alone Shen Yi—after what happened last time, it was proven that even Qin Shixiong could be impulsive; the direction General Nanyang pointed in was not necessarily always correct.

Yet without his noticing at all, Shen Yi had quietly seized the dominant authority of the Qi Sect.

Not just this time—last time in the Immortal's Cave, when dealing with the two juniors of the Yue clan, his attitude had been equally unyielding, to the point of "commanding" Zhu Shixiong Qi, that Heavenly Realm cultivator.

Shen Zongzhu's talent is indeed astonishing.

But can talent truly decide everything?

No matter how many times greater than Li Xuanqing, so long as that talent has not fully transformed into the strength to suppress all heroes, it remains a hollow thing.

"I truly can't understand him either."

Sect Master Lingyun sighed—possessing such talent, Shen Zongzhu should desire a stable environment more than anyone.

At least in his eyes, Shen Yi's cultivation seemed not aimed at becoming an immortal or an ancestor, but at venting some pent-up grievance in his heart.

As cultivators, being controlled by temperament—this hardly seemed a good thing. Yet not only did they fail to dissuade him, they even egged him on from behind. Were they to wait until something went wrong again, only to regret it too late?

"Of course, I also know this matter doesn't require my understanding. I only need to do as I did a hundred thousand years ago—follow you all and carry out everything as instructed."

The rest of his senior brothers fell silent. Sect Master Lingyun gave a bitter smile and slowly lowered his arms: "Sharing life and death together—your junior brother remembers that."

"It's just attending a banquet, yet you make it sound as if we're about to charge back into the Northern Flood." Deng Xiangjun quipped, trying to lighten the mood.

Yet Sect Master Lingyun couldn't laugh. He glanced sideways: "Ye Jiu's thoughts, Zhu Shixiong knows better than I do. But in my view, Shen Zongzhu's notions seem even more terrifying than Ye Jiu's."

Ye Jiu being impulsive was true enough, but at least he had witnessed the most fearsome side of Hongze.

But a being like Shen Zongzhu, born of a place like General Nanyang that had personally endured immortal might, on good terms with Li Xuanqing, and blessed with such talent—wanting revenge was the most natural thing in the world.

In Sect Master Lingyun's view—

Shen Yi possessed every condition needed to become an immortal or an ancestor. The only thing he lacked was experience and exposure, and that, clearly, this group of senior brothers of his all had. Yet they refused to tell Shen Yi how terrifying immortals were, and instead indulged him like this!

They were doing to Shen Yi exactly what Qin Shixiong had done to Li Xuanqing—trying to kill the greatest gift heaven and earth had ever given the seven disciples!

"What I want to say is—"

Just then, Ji Jingxi finally spoke. With a complicated smile, she looked into the distance: "If all you senior brothers don't hurry along, today's banquet may truly spiral out of control."

Everyone followed her gaze, and their expressions subtly hardened.

There, in the direction of General Nanyang Sect—

The foremost of the seven disciples and the sharpest sword among the seven disciples, though all else had changed, had at some unknown point once again stood shoulder to shoulder.

"South Long Gong is a load of crap."

Ye Jiu stood casually beside Shen Yi and said lightly: "That Crown Prince of the Ke clan, having enjoyed all the heavenly materials and earthly treasures of Yu Nanhong, managing this stretch of land and water for his father, is still only mid Heavenly Realm. In a real life-and-death fight, he might not even be a match for Junior Sister Ji."

"Apart from that Crown Prince, none of the rest of the Ke clan's dragon sons are worth looking at."

"As for the Qi clan, they do have some real strength, but forget about Eldest Qi—he's six of one, half a dozen of the other with that Ke clan Crown Prince. Two wastes."

He offered no greeting, nor mentioned any purpose to Shen Yi—walking over, he simply launched into a casual rundown of South Long Gong's strength.

His expression was calm, yet a hint of anticipation glimmered in his eyes as he looked toward the young man beside him.

Ye Jiu wanted to confirm once more whether this Shen Zongzhu truly shared similar thoughts with him.

"Mm—"

Shen Yi deliberated for a moment, then turned his head: "That's it? Why not mention that South Long Wang?"

"…"

Ye Jiu froze for a beat, then suddenly burst out laughing: "Good lad, your boldness far surpasses mine."

Whether or not one could pull it off, daring to think it already put him ahead of certain people.

After the laughter faded, a touch of reminiscence surfaced in his eyes: "Once, it was Qin Shixiong who was responsible for suppressing that old dragon, scaring it into hiding in its lair without daring to show its face. It's at the late Heavenly Realm in cultivation, and its bloodline potential has long been exhausted—now it just sits there waiting to die."

"Dragon lair?" Shen Yi recalled the pitch-black abyss he had seen back then.

"The burial ground of generations of Yellow Fiend Poison Dragons. Dragon qi converges there, requiring the Long Wang to personally guard it… It seems that dragon qi is helping the immortal watch over something. The specifics I'm not entirely clear on either. In any case, no matter which Flood's Long Wang it is, they are the ones with the densest bloodline—only such can mobilize that dragon qi."

Ye Jiu shook his head and said calmly: "At least within that bluestone palace, even Qin Shixiong couldn't kill it."

"I see."

Shen Yi gently exhaled a breath of turbid air, gradually stringing together the information he had gathered.

Clearly, the immortal wasn't entirely indifferent toward Hongze—at the very least, he still valued the forces in his hands.

That white rhinoceros guarded this stretch of sky, and these few Dragon Kings guarded this stretch of water. When he had tried to mobilize the aura of Hongze, they had reacted—and even reported upward to the immortal.

In other words, if he truly wanted to control the power of Yu Nanhong, that old dragon had to die!

"Of course." Ye Jiu suddenly smiled with amusement, lowering his voice: "If you have a way to lure it out, Ye wouldn't mind having a go at it alongside you."

"Outside the dragon lair, you could take it?" Shen Yi asked, looking over curiously.

"Mm… couldn't." Ye Jiu suddenly laughed out loud, yet the sharpness in his eyes only deepened. He said softly: "At least, that was the case before."

He suddenly found Shen Yi extremely interesting; throughout all of Yu Nanhong, probably only this person would chat with him about such wildly audacious matters. Though the chat served no real purpose, it was at least very satisfying.

"Don't even think about it. Back when Nanlong Palace was slaughtered the worst, this old dragon still wouldn't leave his dragon lair."

"..." Shen Yi speechlessly withdrew his gaze, a flicker passing through his eyes.

Only now did he finally understand the situation in Yu Nanhong.

To achieve his goal, today's banquet was a very important opportunity. He not only had to provoke Nanlong Palace, but also help several Meng Sect sect masters make up their minds completely.

In Shen Yi's judgment, no matter how united the Seven Sons were, he was after all too junior in seniority; disagreements were bound to be unavoidable—otherwise this Sect Master Ye wouldn't have come over alone.

Tsk, pity the hall masters couldn't show themselves in person, otherwise they seemed even more suited to this sort of thing than he was.

"Cough, cough."

Ye Jiu's words were suddenly cut off by a light cough.

Ji Jingxi walked slowly to the two men's side, and behind her, one sect master after another appeared in succession.

Under the reverent bows of numerous cultivators, the six Dao Merging realm titans—who normally appeared only as illusory projections—were now gathered together on the Bai Yu Terrace.

Counting that young General Nanyang Sect Master, the Seven Sons were finally complete.

From deep within the mountain range encircled by the Qi Sect, a palanquin that blotted out the sky, like a majestic palace, slowly rose. Its somewhat antiquated aura was swept clean in an instant when every pearl and jade within burst into radiant brilliance.

Bai Yu ribbons like clouds across the sky; beneath the General Nanyang emblem, one could faintly make out verdant waves and spirit mountains, with exquisite carvings vivid and lifelike.

Seven thrones, with General Nanyang at the head and Qingyue beside.

On the right was Heavenly Sword at the point, with the remaining sects arranged in order, forming a stars-and-moon-encircling-the-sun formation.

The sect masters took their seats. As the Bai Yu ribbons swayed gently, rosy light veiled their figures, and the entire palanquin immediately swept toward the waters!

Behind the bowing General Nanyang cultivators.

Li Xuanqing stood with his hands at his sides, quietly watching that treasure palanquin. He looked at the foremost seat, where General Nanyang white robes fluttered, and beneath the rosy light, the figure leaning back quietly was faintly visible. After a long silence, he finally let out a satisfied breath.

After so many years, to see this familiar scene once more—what a blessing from the heavens.

Yu Nanhong waters, Green Stone Long Gong.

This was the true Long Wang's Hall, yet unlike other splendid and lavish underwater treasure halls, it appeared extremely ancient and simple.

Yet the dragon qi pervading the hall reached a level no other dragon hall could ever match.

The Ke family Crown Prince sat upright in the main seat; beneath his crown of beads, his dragon face was shadowed and unreadable, his mood indiscernible.

The side seat was given to an outsider—Qi family eldest son Qi Zhaoyi lounged there lazily. Only after him came the various Ke family dragon princes; as for dragon grandsons, apart from Fourth Ke who was involved in this matter, the rest didn't even qualify to enter the hall.

Faced with this arrangement, the dragon princes seemed to have no objections.

After all, Qi Zhaoyi's strength spoke for itself, and he was here to help—no one could find fault with that.

Only one dragon demon, only slightly younger than the Crown Prince, seemed somewhat dissatisfied. He poured and drank wine by himself. While everyone else wore splendid robes, he alone was covered in armor from head to toe, looking fierce and savage, as if eager to prove himself.

"Is this the answer you give me?"

The Ke family Crown Prince gazed indifferently at the two below—one was his brother, Fifth, the other his nephew. But in the Crown Prince's tone, they seemed to be nothing more than two unrelated servants.

Before dragon demons comparable to Heavenly realm, two Bai Yujing demons could hardly earn any respect merely by blood ties.

"Tsk."

Qi Zhaoyi smiled at an inappropriate moment. As far as he knew, this Yu Nanhong Crown Prince had issued only two edicts recently, yet they had turned Nanlong Palace into a complete laughingstock.

These Yellow Sha Poison Dragons—even with an immortal's help to intimidate them, and after a full hundred thousand years—faced with the Seven Sons minus the General Nanyang Sect, had still ended up in this state.

Looking at the shivering Fifth Prince of the Ke family below.

Qi Zhaoyi said calmly: "Why must Brother Ke get angry? You only wanted to use this matter to test things out. Haven't the results already come out?"

The attitude of the Seven Sons of Yu Nanhong was already clear enough. As for strength, one could infer a thing or two from the fact that General Nanyang Sect Master had shut himself behind closed doors.

Clearly they were unwilling to accept it, but didn't want conflict right now either.

"..."

The Ke family Crown Prince swept a silent glance at him, knowing this Qi family eldest son was displeased with his own aggressive pressure last time and was trying to take the chance to talk back a few words. He let him be.

He turned his gaze back to his fifth brother, waved dismissively with contempt: "Enough, take your seat."

Holding his own edict, scared back by a mere Soul Transformation cultivator—truly left one speechless.

"Many thanks to His Highness for his mercy!"

Fifth Prince of the Ke family hurriedly clutched the edict and returned to his seat.

"Your Highness." Fourth Ke swallowed hard, stood in place and cupped his fists in salute. After seeing the Crown Prince give a slight nod, he said: "What Your Highness doesn't know is that General Nanyang Sect Master... at best is only a Bai Yujing cultivator. It's normal for him to be too cowardly to come."

"But his claim to the position was illegitimate in the first place, which already caused much dissatisfaction among the Seven Sons' cultivators. They feel he's disgraced Yu Nanhong's Seven Sons... There was even a Xian Sect Elder who once contacted me, trying to join forces to ambush and kill him. I wager he'll most likely come this time too—otherwise he absolutely won't be able to command respect."

"Precisely because of this, Fifth Uncle and I indulged him like this today, deliberately letting him have his moment. The bigger the fuss, the less he can back down; even if he has to force himself, he still has to attend the banquet."

Fourth Ke forced a smile: "From what I know, he has a fairly good relationship with Qingyue Sect, but no real ties with the other sects. It must be that Sect Master Ji accompanying him... Perhaps they still think this is a small matter, but today with Qi family elders and Your Highness here—if willing, why not use that Shen Yi as a hostage to try and hold that Sect Master Ji?"

Hearing this, the Ke family Crown Prince and Qi Zhaoyi exchanged a glance, both falling silent.

Of course they wouldn't believe a dragon grandson's shirking words, but if that General Nanyang Sect Master really was this weak, there might genuinely be a chance to gain some advantage.

Even if they couldn't hold Ji Jingxi, merely being able to seriously wound him would help Nanlong Palace seize the initiative.

Just then, a panicked voice came from outside the hall: "Your Highness! Your Highness!"

Before the messenger demon soldier could finish speaking.

Blazing light illuminated the entire Green Stone palace as if it were broad daylight!

Even the face beneath the Crown Prince's crown of beads was lit up clearly, letting those nearby see his faintly twitching brow: "..."

The next moment, accompanied by a boom like a great bell.

It was as if another palace slowly descended, landing outside the Green Stone Long Gong.

Immediately after, that demon soldier stumbled in panic, dodging as he fled inside.

Sensing the majestic aura coming from outside the hall, the Ke family Crown Prince quietly clenched his teeth, instinctively stood up, glanced toward the dragon lair, and only then looked toward the outside of the hall.

Qi Zhaoyi also shed the laziness from his face and rose to his feet, his expression slightly solemn.

Even two Heaven Realm great demons were like this; let alone the other dragon sons, who all rose somewhat at a loss.

Ke Laosi, who had just felt he had regained a shred of attention before the Crown Prince, turned back dazedly to look outside the hall.

He did know that the Seven Sons shared one breath and were connected like branches.

But he never imagined that young lad would even be considered within the scope of the "Seven Sons" in the eyes of the master of the Qunxian Sect!

To the point of using a celestial carriage for the sacrifice and pouring out the entire city!

Was this coming to a banquet, or coming to a decisive battle?!

In the next moment, six Dao Sons with indifferent expressions stepped into the hall, ignoring the many dragon sons and dragon grandchildren, and stood on either side.

Under the reflection of the Bai Mang, figures walked in with composure and ease.

Every face had once been the deepest fear etched in the hearts of these dragon sons!

Qi Zhaoyi and the Ke family Crown Prince were slightly stunned, their gazes turning toward the wide General Nanyang white robe at the very front of the Seven Sons. The handsome and youthful face was devoid of ripples; he calmly raised his eyes to sweep over, as if treating this vast Green Stone Long Gong as his own backyard garden...

After being dazed for a long time, the Ke family Crown Prince finally came to his senses; this person was the one he had invited for today's banquet.

He silently swept his gaze toward Ke Laosi.

This was the "Bai Yu Jing" minor cultivator the other party had spoken of?! This was the "clashing with other sects" the other party had mentioned?!

This young cultivator was standing in the main seat! That was the position Old Qin had once occupied!

"Heh! Heh!"

Ke Laosi's breathing was heavy; the moment Shen Yi walked over slowly, his whole body shuddered. He instinctively retreated to the side, hiding his body among the many uncles and elders.

His mind was completely blank at this moment; he could not imagine at all that the existence he had once attempted to ambush was someone like this.

Was there manure in Old Liu's brain at the Heavenly Sword Sect?

However, Shen Yi did not give this dragon grandson a single glance from start to finish. His steps were steady as he crossed the entire palace. In the silent great hall, he walked slowly to the side of the Qi family Crown Prince.

Only at this moment did he slightly turn his eyes, casting a glance at this Crown Prince.

Then, he casually withdrew his gaze, leaned lazily against the treasure seat, propped his chin with one hand, and said softly, "No need for courtesy. Everyone, sit."

"Huh??"

The Ke family Crown Prince stared dazedly at the youth before him, looking at the position beneath the other's body that originally belonged to him.

He had stood up because he was startled by the gathering of the Seven Sects, then casually offered a polite welcome; he did not intend to yield the seat...

Several Dao Sons stood at the hall entrance. Though their expressions remained indifferent, they all saw the strangeness in the other's eyes.

This scene inexplicably reminded them of the time of the Seven Sons Assembly.

At that time, Shen Zongzhu had slightly raised his hand, and then Liu Xingshan was gone.

The smiles that had just been forced onto the faces of the many dragon sons now froze completely. Even several sect masters quietly slowed their steps; among them, Qi Zongzhu of the Lingyue Sect raised an eyebrow.

This time, putting on such a grand display was indeed his intention.

After all, the General Nanyang relief was radiating brilliance again, indicating that this Shen Zongzhu wanted to restore the sect's prestige. He did not mind helping the other party.

But now it seemed that restoring prestige was something Shen Zongzhu was quite skilled at, and it seemed he didn't really need help from others.

"..."

Lingyun Zongzhu remained silent, merely casting a slight glance at Zhu Shixiong Qi.

Obviously, just as he had thought, the moment they entered the hall, things began to develop in an out-of-control direction.

"Tsk."

Only Ye Jiu stepped over to Qi Zhaoyi's side, frowned and looked at him, then unceremoniously reached out and pushed this dragon son of the Western Long Gong, who still hadn't figured out the situation, to the side. Then, he sat down with the same leisure.

Uneducated thing. Don't you understand any rules?

To the right of General Nanyang is the position of the Heavenly Sword; this is something everyone in Hongze knows.

He liked this new sect master more and more; his way of doing things was much more straightforward than Old Qin's.

Ji Jingxi smiled and shook her head, then quietly walked over and sat on the other side of Shen Yi.

Even his own Crown Prince and Qi Zhaoyi were standing dazedly in place; where would the other dragon sons dare to argue? They consciously yielded their positions to facilitate the remaining sect masters taking their seats.

"..."

The Ke family Crown Prince turned back dazedly to look at the entire great hall, unable to distinguish for a moment who was inviting whom today.

A moment later, he turned his head again. His facial features had not changed; only in those silent eyes did the purest killing intent slowly surge forth.

The Xiong Xiong fire in this Crown Prince's heart at this moment even surpassed the time when his imperial decree was trampled underfoot by the Wan Yao Dian.

He closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, his voice had become hoarse: "This palace has seen little. This way of attending a banquet is the first I have ever seen. Truly worthy of the General Nanyang Seven Sons."

The Ke family Crown Prince leaned forward slightly, his sharp dragon claws pressing onto the jade table, staring fixedly at the youth before him: "You should know that this palace invited all of you here today to ask..."

Inside the Green Stone Long Gong, for the General Nanyang Seven Sons to bully others by relying on their power was still lacking a bit.

At least the reason was still on his side.

Hearing this, Qi Zhaoyi slightly bared his teeth, his gaze cold and fierce as he glanced at Ye Jiu before him.

The many Dao Sons and sect masters also slightly raised their eyes. Obviously, this Crown Prince could no longer restrain his emotions and was preparing to make a move immediately.

Just then, Shen Yi calmly met his gaze, interrupting this Crown Prince's words.

The distance between the two was only three feet.

Facing this mid-stage Heaven Realm dragon demon, he casually raised his palm, his sleeve fluttered slightly, and his five slender fingers gently spread open.

He displayed the blood talisman in his palm before the Ke family Crown Prince's eyes, as if he were about to press it against his forehead.

Shen Yi's lips curled slightly, revealing a calm smile. Curiously, he asked, "Are you talking about this?"

"..."

The Ke family Crown Prince swallowed hard. His arms began to twitch wildly, and his sharp fangs clenched tightly together.

Beneath the crown's tassels, a pair of eyes was almost covered in bloodshot veins.

He did not care about the death of a mere dragon grandson — let alone a nephew; even a blood brother, apart from the one who had just broken through a realm, the rest meant nothing to him.

But he could not accept it, nor could he understand it.

Someone, inside the Green Stone Long Gong, before the Dragon Lair, right under his own eyes and his father's, had so comfortably produced a blood talisman, and then asked him with a smiling face…

Is this it?!

(End of Chapter)