Chapter 598

The azure sky was silent, the wind calm and the waves still.

Only a light rain fell upon the lands and waters of Yu Nanhong amidst that faint dragon's roar.

From the Baohua Sect, situated at the border between Xi Hong and Yu Nanhong, all the way to the Qidaxian Sects at the frontier, everyone witnessed this rain.

Cultivators and living beings who had only recently felt uneasy upon seeing that massive Huang Sha Poison Dragon thrashing and fighting in the clouds now stared blankly at the horizon.

"Gulp."

The two Shen Zongzhu of the Weibanshan Sect stood side by side; the slightly younger one turned his head, opened his mouth, yet found nothing to say.

Old Huang, after a long silence, grabbed the other's arm and said sternly, "Blockade Yu Nanhong!"

It was too absurd.

He had prepared himself for a brutal battle; after all, since the Hongze existed, no cultivator had ever attempted to truly destroy a Long Gong.

Merely surviving under these dragons was already quite good; if one could live with a bit more dignity, it would already prove one's formidable strength.

Even the Liangdaohuang Sect could only claim to barely hold its own against the Northern Long Gong.

As for the Nanhongqi Sect suppressing the Southern Long Gong and holding a brief hegemonic position, counting across the Four Hongs, there was only that single case.

But Shen Zongzhu never imagined that this great war, which very well might have affected both the Xi Hong and Yu Nanhong lands and waters, would end before it even began.

Once the Nanhongqi Sect prepared to act, the Southern Long Gong, which appeared capable of rivaling the Qi Sect, was utterly slaughtered without a shred of resistance, crumbling like dry wood.

It gave him a strong sense of unreality, as if he were dreaming.

So Shen Zongzhu had arranged for the two of them to wait at the Baohua Sect because of this... With the positions of the Weibanshan Sect and the Baohua Sect, they could perfectly blockade whatever happened in Yu Nanhong here, preventing it from leaking out.

"Baohua Sect Master, thank you for your trouble."

The two Weibanshan Sect Masters reacted swiftly, clasping their hands in a bow toward the old woman.

"This old one understands."

The Baohua Sect Master gently patted her disciple's shoulder; while seemingly comforting the other, she was actually masking the shock in her own eyes that refused to fade.

Only a cultivator like her, who knew the elders of the Qi Sect so well, could understand that today's events could absolutely not have been accomplished by those elders; this decisive and swift manner of action completely did not fit the personality of the Lingyue Sect Master.

This also explained why the Qi Sect had not communicated with the Baohua Sect at all before taking action.

Furthermore, the cultivator fighting the Southern Long Wang in the clouds earlier had been only that figure in the ink-colored robe.

"Shen Zongzhu..."

The Baohua Sect Master cast a reverent glance toward the direction of the Qi Sect.

Her mind recalled the rumors she had heard while chatting with Li Xuanqing: it was said that when Shen Zongzhu first left the Nanyang sacred land, he was covered in demon blood, and the group following him, though their cultivation was low due to various factors, each possessed the temperament of a dragon among men.

Yet these people revered him as if he were an immortal or a god.

Only after truly experiencing a similar event did the Baohua Sect Master understand the feelings of that group at that time.

After the Seven Sons Assembly ended, under her and Li Xuanqing's care, Shen Zongzhu had rested for a day; at that time, she had found it somewhat amusing why this young cultivator who had not yet merged with the Dao was worried to such an extent.

Now she knew what terrifying matter lay hidden in the other's heart.

Perhaps only such an existence could truly seek justice for the Nanyang massacre caused by Li Xuanqing's matter...?

Desolate Bai Yu pillars coiled with dragons guarded a great Nanyang sun.

On the wide and level Guest Reception Platform, a single wooden body had once sat for a hundred thousand years; now, although it was somewhat livelier, the Nanyang Sect's foundation was weak and it could not participate in too many matters, so combined with the tense atmosphere in Yu Nanhong recently, only two or three figures would occasionally pass by.

Today, however, was different.

The Qidaxian Sects sent out all their disciples; even outer disciples at the Qi Refining realm were curiously surging toward the outside of the formation, let alone the various elders and officials.

In an instant, a sea of people gathered, vast and mighty, with various treasures soaring in the sky and countless figures filling the mountains and rivers.

And what gathered them here was merely this seemingly ordinary light rain, and the dragon's roar that had suddenly echoed earlier.

"It is a bit... too sudden."

Liu Shiqian stood silently at the front of the crowd; he was already among the most steady of everyone, and his cultivation was the only one at the Dao-Merging realm outside of the seven Shen Zongzhu.

But at this moment, that slender figure wrapped in a long robe still trembled slightly.

"I thought you were already used to it."

A modest voice suddenly sounded by Liu Shiqian's ear; he turned his gaze, looking at the newcomer with some surprise.

This Daozi of the Tianjian Sect, known for his arrogance, had even used honorifics toward him.

Su Hongxiao smiled complexly: "After all... if it were not for you back then, Shen Zongzhu's impression of us would have been extremely poor."

The Long Wang was severely injured and entered the water, immediately causing strange changes in heaven and earth.

They all saw how that tall figure in the ink-colored robe was ferocious and cruel.

With such terrifying strength capable of slaying a Long Wang, he could slay others as well.

The other had never shown this side to the Nanhongqi Sect; most of this was attributable to Elder Liu standing before them.

Daozi after Daozi walked over; including Bai Wu of the Qingyue Sect, they all silently bowed to Liu Shiqian.

"..."

Liu Shiqian waved his hand and was about to speak, but suddenly sensed something, turning his gaze back to the sky.

He saw three Earth-realm Shen Zongzhu, led by Deng Xiangjun, surge forth; they did not appear as illusions but stood solemnly before the Qi Sect, gazing far toward the end of the waters.

Immediately following, two more figures swiftly swept over.

Supported by Qi Yansheng, Ye Jiu struggled to maintain his upright posture, but whether it was his tattered Shen Zongzhu ceremonial robe or the horrifying injuries all over his body, they revealed how poor his condition was.

As the sharpest sword of the Qi Sect, he should not have shown weakness to others.

After all, this would cause unnecessary panic.

But at this moment, all the Shen Zongzhu seemed to not care about this at all.

This could only indicate one situation: that there was no longer any place for this sword to be used in Yu Nanhong.

The enemies and evil ones ahead have all been annihilated; no sharp blade is needed to intimidate.

Seeing this, the elders and disciples all realized what was happening, confirming the absurd guess they had just formed in their hearts; thus, everyone's hearts heaved in unison.

For a moment, within the scope of the Qi Sect, only heavy breathing remained.

Until finally, a streak of light flashed at the edge of the sky.

As the only female Shen Zongzhu of the Qi Sect, possessing such a cold and ethereal demeanor, Ji Jingxi was always a figure of universal attention whenever she appeared.

But at this moment, all gazes converged entirely upon her side.

During the former Assembly of the Seven, that young cultivator, clad in a Nanyang white robe, had calmly ascended the stone steps to sit upon the throne; even with six experts at the Coalesced Dao realm backing him, some still questioned his identity as Shen Zongzhu in their hearts, requiring Liu Xingshan's life to win the people's trust.

Now, Shen Yi wore a blood-stained black shirt, his hair disheveled, looking somewhat ragged.

But the instant he lowered his gaze and swept a confused look over them, everyone instinctively bowed their heads.

"Hoo."

Upon seeing the other party, Qi Yansheng let out a long breath, and the heart that had been hanging finally settled.

He suddenly stepped forward, clasping his fists first: "Welcome, Shen Zongzhu of Nanyang!"

Including Ye Jiu, the remaining Shen Zongzhus raised their palms in unison.

In an instant, the many figures scattered across the mountains and the blue sky, their faces flushed, vented the excitement in their hearts: "We welcome Shen Zongzhu of Nanyang!"

The shouts pierced the clouds.

Ji Jingxi stood quietly behind Shen Yi, glancing curiously at the other party.

She discovered that the handsome youth's expression was normal; only upon close observation could one notice his slightly tensed body.

This small detail made Ji Jingxi slightly startled for a moment.

Only then did she finally see a trace of youth in Shen Yi; it turned out that apart from ruthlessness and ferocity, the other party also hid such an interesting side.

"Do you need to summon them to discuss what to do next?"

Ji Jingxi slowly moved a bit closer to the front and brought up the serious matter, hoping to divert Shen Yi's attention.

After all, according to the other party's habits, he would most likely fly straight back to Nanyang Sect, but now Shen Yi's identity is different from before; even staying in Nanyang for one more moment would be a huge encouragement for the disciples of the Qi Sect.

She used the two words "summon them."

But even the most proud Ye Jiu raised no objection to this, instead feeling it was only natural.

The path of cultivation has never been determined by age.

In every aspect, Shen Yi had long surpassed us old cultivators.

"No need, I haven't figured it out yet; let's see."

Shen Yi shook his head and, under the gaze of all, stepped into the sacred land of Nanyang.

Leaving only Ji Jingxi standing dazedly in place.

Haven't figured it out yet? Let's see?

Anyone else would surely think this was Shen Zongzhu's excuse, perhaps a sign of distrust in us, but Ji Jingxi strangely felt... the other party seemed to be telling the truth.

Almost everyone thought this was a grand chess game Shen Zongzhu had long planned.

Otherwise, how could it be done so perfectly, flawlessly?

Was it merely a helpless move of taking one step and looking at the next?

Ji Jingxi did not look down on Shen Yi because of this; instead, she felt the young man was even more terrifying, and besides that, a touch of heartache welled up in her heart.

Only a helpless move could reveal how much pressure Shen Zongzhu was actually bearing.

That kind of caution, carrying the lives of tens of thousands, like standing on a thin rope above a ten-thousand-foot abyss where not even a single step could be wrong, was something ordinary people could never endure.

Thinking of this, Ji Jingxi raised her eyes to look forward.

Even though Shen Yi had already returned to Nanyang Sect, many cultivators still stared excitedly and reverently at that Guest Reception Platform, unwilling to disperse for a long time.

Nanyang sacred land, the hall atop the mountain peak.

Shen Yi sat in the hall, like a beast returning from a hunt, silently licking his wounds.

Compared to the previous liveliness, he enjoyed this hard-won tranquility more.

Only the clearest thoughts can prevent one from making mistakes.

Now that the heavenly and earthly spiritual energy of Yu Nanhong has finally been brought under control, there is still a long way to go before confronting the Immortals.

Moreover, there is only one chance.

If it fails, Hongze Daxian will surely report to the Immortal Court that he possesses such a bizarre method of stealing Immortal power.

Shen Yi currently has no knowledge of the so-called Immortal Court and is not quite sure how those beings who look down on the human world from above would view what has happened to him.

But he is accustomed to considering everything in the worst light.

"Can only win, cannot lose."

Shen Yi muttered to himself; having acted to behead the South Long Wang, there was no room for turning back on this matter.

Thinking of this, fear did not appear in his eyes; instead, they became even deeper and calmer, with only a ripple hidden deep within his pupils, a faint trace of murderous intent.

He originally had other paths to take.

For instance, he could have sent Lady Qinghua to the Immortal Court first to investigate, while paving the way for himself.

But the instant Hongze Daxian "welcomed" Lady Qinghua back to Beihong, one of the two had to die in Hongze.

Boom—

Huge dragon corpses turned into a river of blood filling the sky; the dragon sons and grandsons of the South Long Gong all transformed into the purest bloodlines and surged into Shen Yi's spiritual sea between his eyebrows.

Ke Shisan had long since risen from the throne.

It spread its arms, welcoming the power of the entire clan.

Indeed, as the first branch hall master to follow the master, how could the other party treat him poorly?

"Roar!"

Under that intense scorching sensation, Ke Shisan could not help but let out a deafening dragon roar!

Apart from a few Dragon Sons at the Dao-Integration realm and numerous Dragon Grandsons of Bai Yujing, that invincible Southern Long Wang at the late Heaven realm was the most precious medicinal supplement.

Powerful demonic energy raged through Wan Yao Dian, turning into a crimson storm.

Pushing Ke Shisan's realm to an unprecedented peak.

"This is not enough?"

Shen Yi felt the changes on Ke Shisan's body and raised an eyebrow slightly.

This threshold from the late Heaven realm to perfection was surprisingly difficult to cross; no wonder the Southern Long Wang had not been able to fully take this step in a hundred thousand years.

However, besides these delicacies, Shen Yi still had many fly legs in hand.

Dragon nature is inherently lustful.

The most loyal guards of those Dragon Sons and Dragon Grandsons all carried some Yellow Fiend Poison Dragon bloodline to a greater or lesser extent, though it was quite impure.

Shen Yi carefully stripped them all out to help his Eastern Hall Master take the final step!

"Xuan Jian is willing to use his broken body, for a thousand lives and ten thousand generations, to forever protect my Lord's supreme Dharma!"

Amidst a desolate chanting voice, a sharp light surged in Ke Shisan's eyes.

Without the support of Dragon Qi, he successfully ascended to the perfection of the Heaven realm!

However, the changes had not yet stopped.

Under the continuous infusion of the demon and monster origins gathered by Shen Yi, the remaining two million years of demonic lifespan rapidly flowed away; dozens of demon souls successively reshaped themselves, flesh and blood gathered, and one after another, guardian stones flew into the Wan Yao Eastern Hall.

Making the already dense black qi even more terrifying.

Numerous Dragon Clan demon generals all awakened; among them, those with more of their own kind successfully ascended to the Dao-Integration realm, with at least six or seven of them.

Following the Western Hall, the thing nurtured in the Eastern Hall also began to flourish with life.

"Hah."

Shen Yi finally understood why others said Yu Nanhong was barren.

He had already obtained the vast majority of resources, yet only exchanged them for one guardian stone at the perfection of the Heaven realm, which was not even enough for his own breakthrough to the mid Heaven realm.

Fortunately, this foundation was enough for him to return to Xi Hong; even Bei Hong was not unreachable.

Shen Yi sank into internal observation.

Quickly taking control of the Golden Body Dharma Image.

When he opened his eyes again, a misty high mountain appeared in his line of sight.

An immortal palace stood among the clouds.

Under the leadership of the Black Dragon and the Liangdaohuang Sect and others.

Shen Yi controlled the Guardian Prison Golden Body, walking step by step to the entrance of that immortal palace, whereupon he saw a figure shrouded in clear qi sitting high above on the steps.

The other person's face was not very clear, to the point that one could not discern their approximate age.

On the hem of the clothes as white as fresh snow, there were flowing clouds embroidered with green silk, resembling living things, slowly swaying.

"Immortal Friend, meeting you today brings great joy."

That person raised a hand slightly, his voice carrying a smile.

In an instant, the same command rang in the minds of the Black Dragon and the people of the Liangdaohuang Sect.

The next moment, they turned back in unison; ropes like golden flowing light suddenly bound Shen Yi, and talismans were tightly pasted on his forehead and limbs.

"..."

Shen Yi did not struggle, only silently looking up.

Hongze Immortal seemed somewhat surprised by his reaction, but did not care; he simply rose slowly and smiled lightly, saying, "I will borrow your merit for a while; when this Venerable One returns to the heavens, I will surely praise your name a thousand or a hundred times in my heart to thank you for your kindness."

(End of this chapter)