Chapter 719: She Bought Your Life with a Thousand Tribulations

"Zhu Shixiong, the Shenzhou is boundless; can we truly find the Taixu Danhuang by searching like this?"

In Da Nanzhou, at Xijiu Fucheng, Master Jinxue crossed the long street, arrived before an inn, and stood behind an old man.

On the other side, Jin Lei Daoist returned from another prefectural city: "The Taixu Danhuang is entangled by that Great Ming King who subdues dragons and tigers. As fellow disciples, how can we sit idly by? Even if we must overturn this entire Da Nanzhou, we cannot let those thieving monks get there first."

Although both of these two had displayed strength far surpassing that of ordinary fourth-rank cultivators.

Yet even the most formidable existence must eventually reach a time of exhaustion.

When that time comes, any minute factor could influence the outcome of the magical duel.

Moreover, we have descended the mountain this time carrying formation artifacts bestowed by our Master; even without Uncle Mu Yang present, combining the power of the remaining six is sufficient to alter the situation.

"But how do you know he will come to the Divine Court?"

Master Jinxue turned her head to look at the long street, slightly puzzled; logically speaking, regardless of the duel's outcome, as long as the Taixu Danhuang was unharmed, he should have quickly returned to Shenxu Mountain. With Master's protection, even if the Puti Sect was as bold as it was, it would not dare to come to the door and cause trouble.

Yet Zhu Shixiong stubbornly believed the other party would definitely head to the Divine Court.

"Furthermore, if the Taixu Danhuang is truly the person we know, shouldn't Lan'er be the one leading this search? Where is she now?"

"..."

Facing the curious gazes of his junior brothers and sisters, Jin Lei Daoist remained silent, sensing quietly for a long time before saying: "Call them back; they are already very close."

Having spoken, he did not wait for the two to respond.

He slowly walked back into the inn, stood before the door, and with his five fingers hidden in his sleeve, quietly traced the formation artifact in his palm, causing an invisible thin curtain to slowly split open a gap.

Only then did Jin Lei Daoist push the door and enter.

The room was silent.

Only a pretty young Miss stood by the window, her expression numb, her eyes vacant, unconsciously staring in a certain direction.

Jin Lei Daoist walked to the Miss's side and followed her gaze to look into the distance.

Before the Master struck down the seal on her soul, the thing Ye Lan most wanted to do would, like an instinct, manifest within her.

This junior niece, until she lost consciousness, had only one thought: to send a message to Tian Dan.

Therefore, wherever her gaze fell, there must be news of Tian Dan's whereabouts.

Precisely because of this reason, Jin Lei Daoist was even more convinced their relationship was close; if Tian Dan was a rare treasure herb, then this woman was the medicine box.

The Dan Peak lineage must ultimately assist the Master in ascending to power.

Once the Master crosses the number of six-six, Shenxu Mountain will correspondingly grow stronger, and its status will take another step upward.

"Heaven and Earth granted Shenxu Mountain this opportunity, yet you seek to act against the heavens; how can you survive in this world?"

Jin Lei Daoist felt the aura left by his Master become increasingly active, and cold light gradually rose in his eyes as he looked toward the distance.

As the summons was issued, several figures gradually gathered downstairs in the inn.

How could mortal eyes and common flesh know that these people, who appeared unremarkable, were each fourth-rank Taiyi Zhenxian?

The night sky was dark and heavy; the six peaks gathered together!

Jin Lei Daoist casually picked up Ye Lan, transformed into a streak of light, and darted out through the window, heading straight for Jianyang Prefecture.

The remaining peak masters hurriedly soared into the air to follow.

Only when the Jin Guang ahead stopped did they curiously look down.

They saw that on an unremarkable street of a magnificent prefectural city lay a spacious residence; it looked somewhat desolate, with no visitors at the gate, not even a gatekeeper or a servant.

"Set up the formation."

The command from Zhu Shixiong rang in everyone's ears, without a moment's hesitation.

Although the second-generation disciples of Shenxu Mountain rarely descended the mountain, they were by no means useless fools; moreover, this matter involved a duel between two peerless, rare fourth-rank experts.

Even without sensing anything unusual, they quickly retrieved their respective formation artifacts; as immense tribulation power flowed into them, the Shenxu Immortal Array, which had not appeared in the world for many years, finally displayed its immortal might once again within Jianyang Prefecture!

Ripples rose in the void, as if an invisible thin gauze descended from the sky, quietly covering this residence, even shielding the vast human imperial qi of the heavens above.

Although the view was all darkness, this residence presented a sense of void, as if it were completely cut off from heaven and earth!

Such is the foundation of the Bansanxian Sect lineage; even an Immortal Venerable Bodhisattva could be trapped by it!

After setting up the great formation, everyone retrieved their respective magical treasures and stood ready, staring intently at the courtyard deep within the residence.

However, what was somewhat startling was...

Zhu Shixiong, as the one controlling the formation, aside from operating the array, actually walked alone into that courtyard.

He was the cultivator on Shenxu Mountain closest to third-rank, yet his entire person constantly radiated a deathly aura, appearing even more aged than the Master in everyone's memory.

But at this moment, as he stepped forward, immortal light gradually surged in Jin Lei Daoist's eyes.

His spine also quietly straightened, finally showing the bearing of a senior brother of a lineage!

After all, he was only slightly older in years, but in terms of seniority, he was still a second-generation disciple, an elder disciple of the immortal sect just like Elder Yu Chi, Lady Tiandong, and the Black Crow of Mount Tianwu!

"..."

Jin Lei Daoist slowly stopped in the courtyard, quietly gazing at the house ahead.

His emotions, rarely stirred, rose into waves, and grew increasingly violent.

The person inside was a prodigy capable of slaying eight Great Rank Arhats with his own strength, an existence capable of contending with the Great Ming King who subdues dragons and tigers.

But now, the other party's life was entirely in his hands.

This is the effect of choosing the right path.

He served his Master all his life, always placing Shenxu Mountain first, which is why he now had the opportunity to personally capture the Taixu Danhuang.

Talent is innate and unchangeable, but who can go further is determined by what comes after.

"Tian Dan, why do you dare not show yourself?"

At the moment he softly spoke these words, Jin Lei Daoist felt an excitement he had not experienced in a long time.

Upon hearing these words, the others' expressions all froze slightly, and confusion appeared in their eyes.

These words did not sound like someone coming to offer assistance.

In the next moment, the eldest senior brother casually waved his hand, and a dazed figure appeared out of thin air, standing right before him.

"Lan'er?!"

Master Jinxue, holding the array instrument, froze for an instant upon seeing that person's face.

Moreover, the state of this nephew of theirs was obviously wrong at a glance; it was clear their soul had been sealed by someone.

While everyone was shocked, a faint creaking sound rang out in the courtyard.

The tightly closed door was finally pushed open.

A long boot crossed the threshold, and amidst the fluttering black sleeves, the figure that emerged was that Bai Xi, handsome young man.

"It really is you!"

Although Shenxu Mountain had long suspected, the moment he saw Shen Yi, Qianfeng Daoist still shouted out with some excitement.

To know, he and Master Jinxue were among the few peak masters who had dealt with Shen Yi the earliest.

At their first meeting, the other party was just an inconspicuous young man following behind Ye Lan; even when that brat from Yan Shidi Uncle Mu Yang's family clashed with Ye Lan, this young man had quietly watched from the side.

Even though Shen Yi's subsequent series of actions, in a way no one had anticipated, successfully helped Ye Lan reclaim the Alchemy Peak and rise to become one of the Eight Great Peak Masters, in the eyes of the others, the other party was merely a junior with profound alchemical attainment.

Who would have thought that in the blink of an eye, this "junior" had become the renowned Taixu Danhuang of heaven and earth!

"Zhu Shixiong, hasn't the person been found?"

Master Jinxue frowned tightly and asked in a low voice: "What exactly is the situation?"

Seeing the Danhuang like this, where was the look of fighting someone? Not to mention sensing even a trace of the aura of the Great Ming King who subdues dragons and tigers tigers; then what was the point of setting up the Shenxu Immortal Array?

"..."

Jin Lei Daoist did not respond to the confusion of many fellow disciples but instead directly scrutinized Shen Yi's face.

The image of the other party on Shenxu Mountain back then floated in his mind.

Tsk... truly impressive.

What a pity; this rascal is disloyal, and no matter how good the talent, it is wasted.

At that very moment.

The black dog behind Shen Yi was also silently observing the crowd.

Although Monk Zhikong had shallow experience and low cultivation, as a follower of the Three Teachings, he had a certain understanding of the famous great immortal sects of heaven and earth.

Moreover, the array instruments held by this group revealed their extraordinary nature at a single glance; even compared to the Buddhist artifacts of the Puti Sect, they did not fall behind.

He never expected that even if Lord Shen did not leave the Divine Dynasty, these elders of Shenxu Mountain would still come to the door seeking revenge!

Under the cover of this immortal array, even the powerful ones of the Divine Dynasty and the Prefect's court officials would likely detect nothing abnormal.

Thinking of this, Monk Zhikong's eyes could not help but show a bit more worry.

Shenxu Laozu was a cultivator far stronger than the Thousand-Armed Bodhisattva, and he was not in an injured state; plus, he had made preparations in advance, so the danger was entirely incomparable to what the Bodhisattva had faced before.

He silently looked at the young man beside him.

But he saw that Lord Shen still maintained that calm appearance, likewise showing no intention of paying attention to others; he simply took a light step and walked to stand before the other two people in the courtyard.

Jin Lei Daoist merely watched, with no intention of retreating.

On the contrary, as Shen Yi drew closer and closer, the fire in his eyes burned even hotter.

He even had a thought expecting the other party to fight back.

The Taixu Danhuang and the Great Ming King who subdues dragons and tigers are already recognized as the leaders of the younger generation.

And where would he be placed if he could personally capture one of them?

Unfortunately, to Jin Lei Daoist's slight disappointment, Shen Yi showed no intention of acting; he simply casually raised his palm and tapped his fingertip on Ye Lan's forehead.

Immediately, he pinched lightly with two fingers and pulled a thread of silk from the Miss's forehead.

This light and casual act made Jin Lei Daoist squint slightly and sigh inwardly.

Just by this skill, he already lives up to the great name of Taixu Danhuang; he is absolutely not some mere showman.

"Run quickly! He wants to eat you!"

Ye Lan's scattered pupils gradually gathered; before she could come to her senses, a cry of shock and anger burst from her lips.

Once her vision cleared, she stared at Shen Yi's familiar face, paused slightly in a daze, and then suddenly turned to look around.

What came into view was precisely the several peak masters, and the Shenxu Immortal Array that blocked out the sky!

Clearly, the mountain gate had successfully found Shen Yi through her.

Ye Lan's thoughts finally cleared, and her face turned deathly pale.

She actually did not feel she had helped Shen Yi much.

After all, with the other party's talent, as long as he was willing to reveal even a fraction, no sect whatsoever would have turned him away.

On the contrary, she had led him into Shenxu Mountain, yielded her position as a peak master, and step by step delivered this young junior uncle to the old thief of Shenxu; now she had even personally brought that old thief here.

Thinking of those eyes in the gray mist, Ye Lan felt a chill run through her body, and even her palms trembled uncontrollably.

Her lips quivered as she swept her gaze over the many senior uncles and aunts, roaring like a small beast:

"My master did not refine that cauldron of pills badly!"

"My Alchemy Peak has never been ashamed before Shenxu Mountain!"

"He is greedy and gluttonous; using the lives of my fellow disciples just to help him cross the number three-three; you all are food and do not even know it; are you not afraid of becoming the next Alchemy Peak?"

"..."

Jin Lei Daoist watched silently, with no intention of stopping her.

These matters were simply impossible to hide.

Moreover, if one wants to enjoy the benefits brought by Shenxu Mountain but is unwilling to bear even this small responsibility, how can one have the qualification to share in the supreme heavenly blessings?

"This—"

All were cultivators of many years; from Ye Lan's demeanor and those few words, how could the crowd not judge what the situation truly was?

Qianfeng Daoren's face twitched several times, and he looked at the Eldest Zhu Shixiong in disbelief.

So the "greater good" spoken of before, the destruction of the Dan Peak to deplete the Shenxu Mountain reserves, the Sect Master being unable to survive the great calamity with his life in peril, and the entire Immortal Sect facing the threat of overthrow—thus the forced action... was not truly forced.

It was simply because the Sect Master could not restrain his temper and was unwilling to wait even a little longer.

This scandal is tens of thousands of times uglier than anyone imagined?!

"The Heavenly Dan is disloyal. The Sect Master ordered us to subdue and suppress him; this is the Master's command."

"Hold your array instruments firmly; do not make a mistake." Jin Lei Daoren said coldly without turning his head.

"Bullshit array instruments!"

Just as the other Peak Masters were stunned, Qianfeng Daoren disdainfully smashed the object in his hand onto the ground.

He had a fiery temper to begin with; otherwise, he would not have kept mocking Uncle Mu Yang Daoren under those circumstances back then.

Everyone had felt something was wrong back then.

They were simply accustomed to following the Eldest Zhu Shixiong's arrangements, and truly cherished their reputations, fearing this scandal would spread, so they were perfunctorily brushed aside by their senior brother in a muddled state.

Now that their suspicions were confirmed, they only felt nauseous and sick to their stomachs.

"..."

The invisible thin veil in the sky rippled slightly.

Master Jinxue bit her lip; although she did not act as violently as Qianfeng Daoren, she directly withdrew the calamity force to show her stance.

"We are the orthodox sect of the Immortal Gate. If you claim the Taixu Danhuang is disloyal, you must produce some evidence, not just empty words."

"Surely... your so-called disloyalty is that he was unwilling to sacrifice himself to feed our Sect Master's big belly?"

As Master Jinxue's words spread, the remaining Peak Masters hesitated slightly, and unexpectedly began to withdraw the calamity force from their array instruments in unison.

The Immortal Array, which originally required the combined effort of eight Peak Masters, first lost Uncle Mu Yang and Shen Yi; with only six controlling it, it could not even achieve seventy percent of its effect.

Now, as they withdrew one by one.

The turbulence of the invisible veil became increasingly obvious, even showing a trend of collapse.

Only the main array instrument in Jin Lei Daoren's hand was barely maintaining it.

But its effect was barely enough to obscure the perception of the Imperial Qi, let alone trap a true Bodhisattva Immortal Venerable.

"Heh."

Jin Lei Daoren suddenly shook his head, sighing somewhat: "Seeing with his own eyes the disciples he personally cultivated, all with wolf hearts and dog lungs, I wonder how heartbroken he will be."

"But it is for the best."

"Seeing clearly now is better than being hurt even deeper by you later."

Having said that, he looked back at the youth before him and said calmly: "If you are willing to surrender, at least the Dan Peak can have one life spared."

Clearly, what Jin Lei Daoren referred to was Ye Lan.

"No need."

Ye Lan stared fixedly at the old man before him and finally stopped hiding the killing intent in his heart: "It is a pity my aptitude is dull and I was born many years too late; otherwise, I should have cut you all down with a single sword to repay the Master's grace!"

"Tsk."

Jin Lei Daoren raised his eyes slightly and smiled at Shen Yi.

Gray mist began to generate from his palm.

This Immortal Array was merely to trap the famous Taixu Danhuang; the one to take it would naturally be the Sect Master himself.

And my role was merely to guide the way.

I wonder if my fellow disciples will regret their actions just now.

Just then, Jin Lei Daoren suddenly sensed something strange.

He realized that from start to finish, Shen Yi had been looking at him, yet it seemed he did not care about him at all; every strand of emotion in those clear black eyes was not generated for him in the slightest.

This person knew the Sect Master would come long ago.

In his eyes, I am not even a person, merely a ladder to usher in the Sect Master!

When he realized this point, a deep sense of shame and anger suddenly surged in Jin Lei Daoren's heart!

While ushering in the Sect Master, he actually mobilized the power of the Immortal Array to strike down heavily upon the other: "Ignorant stupid thing, not knowing the rules, kneel and welcome the Sect Master's arrival!"

"..."

Shen Yi's gaze finally moved away from the gray mist and fell upon the old man's face.

With just one glance, Jin Lei Daoren's face changed drastically; his bones cracked and exploded throughout his body, and he even lost contact with the Taixu Jin Lei Great Grade Dao Fruit.

His entire face went blank, and he was crushed down to his knees on the ground with a boom.

Shen Yi withdrew his gaze and gently patted Ye Lan's shoulder: "Stay quiet and wait to collect the debt."

Collect the debt?

Ye Lan turned back in confusion, finally managing to react... If one had to say there was any debt, it was only the casual promise the other person made long ago.

One thousand calamity Imperial Qi to buy a life.

To buy the life of the Shenxu Laozu!

The next moment, Shen Yi stood calmly, simply watching as the surging gray mist completely swallowed him.

(End of this chapter)