Chapter 247: Old Foxes, All Old Foxes! (6k)

This carefully laid trap was so easily shattered by two straightforward oaths?

Not only shattered, but the rumor has now brought unnecessary trouble to our sect.

As the saying goes, when a drum is broken, everyone beats it—now that Taiqingmen is about to launch a sect-destroying war, even if we can’t eat the meat, we can still sip the broth.

Done, it’s truly done now!

The two stared at each other, a deep sense of despair surging into their hearts.

Cao Zhengyang, seeing both Mo Xingjian and Zhou Qing swear oaths, couldn’t help but feel a surge of anger.

We live with clean hands—why must we swear such heavy oaths for strangers?

Then he turned to the outsiders, and a vast, overwhelming aura erupted, sweeping outward in all directions.

“Gentlemen, if you have nothing else to say, please step aside—our sect has important matters to attend to!” Cao Zhengyang snapped.

Some of them, seeing this, dared not linger and quickly cleared a path.

Even if Zhou Qing isn’t Three Flowers Converging, he still carries the legacy of Old Peng Wang, along with the Jin Wu and Su Ni divine arts!

In the next instant, a voice, impossible to pinpoint, suddenly rang out from the crowd.

Many eyes lit up—how could they have forgotten such an important detail?

Upon hearing this, Cao Zhengyang’s eyes narrowed, a flash of cold light passing through them.

Zhou Qing swiftly scanned the crowd—he was the only one who knew about Old Peng Wang’s legacy, and only those few old women had witnessed it.

After all, he had used it when fleeing from Qingyu Immortal Sect.

So, there’s someone familiar here.

Soon, when he accidentally spotted a familiar figure in the crowd, he froze.

Yuan Ya!

He still felt gratitude toward Sister Yuan Ya—not just because they were acquainted, but because she had risked her life to point him toward an escape route.

Yet when he met Yuan Ya’s eyes—filled with unfamiliarity—he frowned.

“Grand Master Cao, it’s said that Old Peng Wang’s legacy once appeared on Canglan Mountain, drawing forth several Cutting-Spirit experts…”

“Get out—”

Before the Soul Transformation elder could finish, Cao Zhengyang stepped forward with commanding authority, his overwhelming aura exploding outward.

“So if you gain a legacy, you must share it with us? Our Taiqingmen’s Scripture Hall holds countless divine arts and techniques—should we hand them all over for you to inspect?”

“Which sect or clan are you from? Don’t you have your own treasures? Why haven’t you shared any?”

“What’s in your storage pouch? Hand it over so I can take a look!”

Cao Zhengyang’s gaze turned icy; his barrage of forceful questions left the Soul Transformation elder’s face flushed crimson.

Others hadn’t expected their sect master to be this ruthless, showing not the slightest mercy.

Then Cao Zhengyang turned, facing the many warships behind him, his voice booming like a bell: “Wu Zhu, where are you?”

“Your subordinate is here!” Elder Wu Zhu stepped forward immediately.

Cao Zhengyang said: “We are about to wage war against Qingyu Immortal Sect. During this time, if anyone attacks our sect or tries to take advantage of our absence, record their actions with image stones.”

“Even if only one man remains, bring me proof. If he belongs to a sect, I will destroy his sect. If he’s alone, I will hunt him to the ends of the earth and make him pay!”

Wu Zhu felt his blood surge with passion, a fierce sense of duty rising within him—he replied loudly: “Wu Zhu accepts the order!”

When the crowd met Cao Zhengyang’s gaze again, they all felt a chill run through them.

With so many Soul Transformation elders from outside sects gathered outside his gates, he still dared to lead his forces away boldly, leaving his sect defenseless—this took more than ordinary courage and resolve.

“Go!”

Looking at the silent crowd, Cao Zhengyang snorted, gave the order, and one by one, the warships surged toward Qingyu Immortal Sect’s location.

Ji Xuan and Yun Jing, standing among the crowd, looked as if their souls had died.

This battle could no longer be avoided—Qingyu Immortal Sect was about to face an unprecedented catastrophe.

Thus, people glanced alternately at the dual-colored barrier glowing with blue and red light, and at the massive, menacing warships.

After exchanging glances, their greed overcame reason, and they followed.

A sect-destroying war offered unimaginable spoils!

On deck, after receiving Wu Zhu’s message, Cao Zhengyang finally exhaled in relief.

Looking back at the swarm of outsiders clinging to his heels like flies, he sneered.

But then again, if only Zhou Qing truly were Three Flowers Converging…

With our Master having transformed into the Ghost Emperor within the first coffin, and now with the rising star Zhou Qing, Taiqingmen’s rise will be unstoppable.

Too bad they’ve both sworn oaths.

“Don’t worry—no one will dare touch Taiqingmen now, especially with the Supreme Elders still here!”

Cao Zhengyang turned to see Zhou Qing frowning deeply, lost in thought, and stepped forward to comfort him.

Zhou Qing merely shook his head—he wasn’t overly concerned; the dual-colored array alone could hold out until reinforcements arrived.

He was thinking of Yuan Ya—especially those eyes, unfamiliar yet faintly familiar—giving him a bad premonition.

Honestly, in this renewed conflict between the two sects, his greatest worry was still Sister Yuan Ya.

She showed him the escape route, yet now he was leading forces to attack her sect—this might leave her a rootless wanderer.

But none of that mattered—he could compensate her. Yet that look in her eyes, filled with hatred as she watched him from the crowd, chilled him.

“I hope I’m just imagining things,” Zhou Qing murmured.

…

Three days later!

When the massive fleet arrived at Qingyu Immortal Sect, they found its mountain gate tightly sealed.

Around it, members of Jin Leizong and Tianji Gate lurked suspiciously, watching in secret.

Hum—

At that moment, ripples spread across the mountain gate, and then Xuan You Immortal stepped out alone.

She wore a plain white robe, its sleeves fluttering, yet unable to hide the exhaustion and loneliness radiating from her.

Especially when she saw the dense ranks of Taiqingmen disciples on the warships, and the overwhelming number of Soul Transformation experts—far exceeding Qingyu’s own—Xuan You Immortal felt a sharp pain in her chest, her face filled with despair.

Then she took a deep breath, forced herself to rally, and floated upward.

Facing Cao Zhengyang’s grim expression, Xuan You Immortal slowly bowed in greeting.

“Brother Cao, I never imagined we’d meet again under such circumstances!”

Her voice was hoarse.

Cao Zhengyang waved his hand, and a chair formed instantly from spiritual energy behind him.

He turned, sat down with commanding authority, then tilted his head slightly, his gaze sharp as a hawk’s, coldly fixed on Xuan You Immortal.

“Xuan You, what do you have to say now? Your Qingyu Immortal Sect murdered our Senior Officer and attempted to assassinate our next Sect Master—such crimes deserve death!”

Cao Zhengyang’s voice rolled like thunder across the land, causing countless Taiqingmen disciples to glare at her with fury and hatred.

Xuan You Immortal made no rebuttal; instead, she slowly turned her gaze toward Zhou Qing, standing beside Cao Zhengyang, her eyes flickering with complex emotion.

“This was my fault—I apologize to you, Young Master Zhou.”

She bit her lip and bowed respectfully toward Zhou Qing.

“I’m sorry, Zhou Qing—we were wrong,” Xuan You Immortal bowed low, her long hair cascading like a waterfall.

Zhou Qing frowned slightly.

Cao Zhengyang snorted: “Apologize? If apologies worked, what use would Taiqingmen’s rules be?”

Xuan You Immortal slowly rose, her eyes filled with helplessness and pleading: “I know this battle is unavoidable—it’s our own doing—but may I speak two words?”

Cao Zhengyang paused, his gaze sweeping over Xuan You Immortal, as if weighing something.

After a moment, he nodded: “Speak.”

Xuan You Immortal exhaled deeply, her chest rising slightly.

“This war between our sects will end in our defeat—it’s certain. But Qingyu Immortal Sect has stood for thousands of years as one of the Five Great Sects of the Eastern Region; its hidden depths are not easily understood or measured.”

As she spoke, she glanced at the Taiqingmen peak masters on deck.

“If we fight back in our final moments, even if we can’t achieve a one-for-one exchange, we can still inflict losses of thirty to forty percent on you.”

At this, Xuan You Immortal’s eyes flashed with resolve.

“Then Cangyan Dao Palace, Jin Leizong, and Tianji Gate will be delighted to see us both crippled.”

Cao Zhengyang frowned.

He fully believed it—every sect had its secrets and legacies, and ancestors often left behind emergency survival techniques for their successors.

At this moment, Cao Zhengyang’s eyes flickered with hesitation—Xuan You Immortal’s words had struck his deepest concern.

Xuan You Immortal continued, her pace calm, each word a blade.

“So, what will you do with the remaining sixty to seventy percent of our resources? Or rather—can you even outmatch the Nascent Soul and Soul Transformation experts waiting behind you?”

As she spoke, she turned slightly, glancing toward the outsiders watching from afar.

Just a pack of vultures waiting to scavenge.

“Will the other three sects allow you to smoothly take over Qingyu’s mines, shops, and lands—and let them use those resources to grow stronger?”

Xuan You Immortal’s voice carried a hint of mockery as she looked toward the spies from the three sects.

Cao Zhengyang said nothing—they had already discussed these complex post-war Liyi entanglements and prepared for the worst.

The next moment, Xuan You Immortal’s tone shifted abruptly.

“By the way, I almost forgot—two days ago, I ordered our elders to evacuate all portable resources. Even if you breach our gates, you’ll find only an empty shell.”

Cao Zhengyang and the others frowned, but upon reflection, they could understand.

Xuan You Xianzi, watching the grim expressions of the crowd, remained calm and unhurried as she withdrew a completely black token.

As she activated it, ripples began to form at the mountain gate behind her, expanding until they vanished entirely, revealing the full sight of Qingyu Immortal Sect.

“Right now, fewer than three-tenths of our disciples remain willing to live or die with the sect—I’ve done all I could!”

Xuan You Xianzi’s voice was low, tinged with sorrow.

“Those who left will scatter across the Eastern Region, becoming people without support, and will act without restraint.”

Xuan You Xianzi’s face showed deep grief.

Cao Zhengyang rose to his feet, staring fixedly at her.

“Are you threatening me?” Cao Zhengyang said coldly.

Xuan You Xianzi immediately shook her head. “You misunderstand. You and I have both lived for over a thousand years—some things should be understood.”

“Even if they know it was my fault as Sect Master, that it was all self-inflicted.”

“But when faced with survival choices, they will naturally ignore this and blame all their misfortunes on Taiqingmen, seeking revenge.”

“This is human nature. Even if I wanted to control it, I couldn’t—because as Sect Master, I will either die today or within the next few years.”

Seeing Cao Zhengyang and the others grow angry, Xuan You Xianzi quickly explained.

Zhou Qing and the others all frowned tightly.

One had to admit, this ploy was indeed brutal—and unsolvable.

At that time, Taiqingmen’s mines, shops, and disciples on training missions or quests across the land would be under constant threat from these desperate men.

After all, the barefoot never fear those who wear shoes.

Beyond that, he believed the other three sects would disguise themselves as Taiqingmen disciples to sabotage, then openly frame them.

Then Taiqingmen would truly be running frantically across the land.

If its high-level forces were scattered, they could be picked off one by one by those with ill intent.

Thus, the Five Great Sects of the Eastern Region have endured to this day precisely because of a certain balance of power.

Cao Zhengyang simply stared at Xuan You Xianzi, rapidly weighing the pros and cons in his mind.

This woman, who entered last among them all, had become Sect Master of Qingyu Immortal Sect—she truly had some methods.

Seeing the crowd’s expressions soften slightly, Xuan You Xianzi spoke frankly: “My remaining lifespan is less than ten years. The sect now has only four senior aunts left—how many more years can they live?”

As she spoke, she bowed deeply, posture humble, tone earnest.

“We will naturally pass away in peace—no one will blame Taiqingmen for this hatred. I beg you, Brother Cao, for the sake of old ties, to leave the sect a legacy.”

After bowing, she withdrew a storage bag from her robes and, using spiritual power, sent it floating toward Zhou Qing.

“We truly did wrong. Besides Elder Ji Xuan’s body being destroyed by you, we’ve prepared a generous gift as apology!”

Xuan You Xianzi spoke sincerely.

Zhou Qing stared at the floating storage bag but made no move to take it.

“Additionally, Qingyu Immortal Sect offers Taiqingmen a special compensation!”

Xuan You Xianzi withdrew another booklet and sent it floating toward Cao Zhengyang.

When Cao Zhengyang saw the list inside, his stern expression instantly changed, shock flashing in his eyes.

“This is more than half of Qingyu Immortal Sect’s wealth and all its mines and shops, isn’t it?” Cao Zhengyang exclaimed.

Xuan You Xianzi’s face remained calm, but a faint sadness lingered in her eyes. “Better than losing our legacy entirely. We only ask to quench your sect’s wrath.”

Cao Zhengyang glanced again at the list, hesitating, yet burdened with concerns.

Then his gaze slowly swept over Zhou Qing and the peak masters, filled with inquiry.

Honestly, Xuan You had already laid out the drawbacks—and now she had lowered herself to offer such compensation.

If we fought, we couldn’t easily seize these assets; a mutual ruin would leave us drowning in trouble.

Especially these younger disciples behind me—they could enter seclusion in a year or two and use Yin Spirit Stones to break through to Nascent Soul’s peak.

I don’t want any of them harmed—or lost—in this battle.

Besides, there are so many outside sects watching, waiting to reap the benefits of our conflict.

No one spoke, but all eyes turned sharply to Zhou Qing.

After all, we came here solely to avenge Zhou Qing—his stance will heavily influence the outcome.

Zhou Qing stared intently at Xuan You Xianzi, as if seeing her anew.

Truly, a masterful move.

After brief hesitation, he spoke slowly: “I want to see Yuan Ya.”

Xuan You Xianzi’s face instantly changed, a flicker of panic crossing her pale cheeks.

After a pause, she lifted her head, meeting Zhou Qing’s gaze. “She’s dead.”

Zhou Qing’s eyes narrowed slightly; a chilling killing intent, tangible as steel, radiated from him.

Yan Xiao Hu also looked stunned, immediately turning to Zhou Qing.

Zhou Qing’s face turned icy as he stepped forward, his gaze like blades piercing Xuan You Xianzi. “Was it because she helped me?”

Xuan You Xianzi nodded, offering no concealment.

At this point, any lie would be meaningless—and only make things worse.

“Yes. She was possessed by Elder Ji Xuan.”

Zhou Qing’s body trembled slightly; anger and grief flashed in his eyes.

Indeed, it was my fault that she died.

“Young Master Zhou, Elder Ji Xuan acted rashly—she had only her Primordial Spirit left, desperate…”

“Die.”

“Wh-what?”

Zhou Qing’s gaze turned glacial as he stared at Xuan You Xianzi. “She must die.”

Seeing this, Cao Zhengyang seemed to realize how important Yuan Ya had been to Zhou Qing.

He rose and added: “Xuan You Xianzi, Zhou Qing’s wish is also Taiqingmen’s wish. Given this, we may consider your proposals.”

Xuan You Xianzi’s face turned deathly pale, her lips trembling.

She shook her head, about to speak—when a figure stepped through the air from behind the mountain gate.

It was Yuan Ya, already possessed.

Seeing the stranger’s eyes, Zhou Qing clenched his fists tightly.

Ji Xuan arrived, meeting Zhou Qing’s gaze with a bitter smile.

“I was the one who advised the Sect Master, I kidnapped you, I hunted you, and I even spread rumors at Lingku Mountain.”

“I accept responsibility—but—”

As Ji Xuan spoke, a strand of Primordial Spirit emerged from Yuan Ya’s body.

Yuan Ya’s body slumped lifelessly, caught gently by Ji Xuan.

When Zhou Qing sensed Yuan Ya still had a faint breath, his icy eyes suddenly brightened.

Ji Xuan said: “When you destroyed my body, I wanted to tear apart everyone close to you—just to ease my rage. But my sister Yun Jing reminded me of something.”

She turned slightly, her gaze sweeping over Taiqingmen’s several Supreme Elders—they were from the same era, and old acquaintances.

“At our age, we have little time left. The body is merely a temporary vessel. So I left a precaution—I didn’t fully possess her.”

“After all, she is someone close to you, Zhou Qing. In a critical moment, she might prove unexpectedly useful.”

Zhou Qing stared at Yuan Ya’s body, exhaling a quiet sigh of relief.

Among the crowd, Pei Yan recalled how Sima Yaoji had once done the same to deceive Zhou Qing.

Fortunately, Zhou Qing had discovered it in time and eradicated the spiritual consciousness within her mind.

Knowing her friend still lived, Zhou Qing felt a small measure of comfort.

Doubtless, being tricked twice had made this old fox far more cautious.

“Don’t make her feel cold!” Zhou Qing turned away, refusing to say another word to them.

As for Ji Xuan—he had already destroyed her body. That debt was settled.

Moreover, Qingyu Immortal Sect now had only four Supreme Elders left, and with Xuanjizi of Tianji Gate dead, they were already in decline.

Once the balance breaks, the Eastern Region will descend into chaos again—especially these outside sects, each harboring hidden agendas.

If we must settle accounts, let it be between our five sects later.

Hearing Zhou Qing’s words, Ji Xuan’s expression grew complex, her face flushed with shame as she knelt directly before him and bowed three times.

“I’ve lived a lifetime, yet my heart is narrower than a youth’s. We have erred—please, Young Master, forgive us!”

Ji Xuan’s voice trembled with regret.

Zhou Qing said nothing more.

In truth, he had lost nothing in this affair—on the contrary, he had used it to dispel all suspicion about his Three Flowers Gathering at the Crown.

Moreover, he had secured immense benefits for his sect without a single blow. He should be satisfied.

If he pushed too hard, as Xuan You Xianzi had warned, he might drag Taiqingmen into the mud.

Besides, this sect had once sheltered his Second Uncle, who had praised it highly—otherwise, he wouldn’t have revealed the Three Flowers secret to Xuan You Xianzi.

Seeing Zhou Qing relent, Cao Zhengyang smiled.

Thus, all was well—and Qingyu Immortal Sect now owed Taiqingmen a debt they could never repay.

If used wisely, this debt might prove invaluable someday.

Cao Zhengyang murmured softly, his voice low but laden with meaning.

Xuan You Xianzi and Ji Xuan’s eyes widened, hesitation flickering across their faces—then, after exchanging glances, they nodded slightly.

Seeing this, Cao Zhengyang directly sent the booklet flying back.

In no more than three years, Taiqingmen, together with its eight Supreme Elders, will have twenty-one Nascent Soul realm cultivators at the peak.

He truly had no interest in these things.

Since we’re going to use them, we must not restrict their development, lest we one day fall even below Tianji Sect.

Zhou Qing did not take the compensation items from the storage bag; he trusted his Sect Master’s arrangements.

“Thank you!” The two bowed again, deeply respectful.

Soon after, Taiqingmen’s warship began its grand return, provoking countless onlookers to curse and grumble.

Are we being made fools of again?

Boring!

The spies from Tianji Sect and Jin Leizong, seeing this, wore expressions of bitter resentment and quickly slipped away to report.

No one noticed that Sikong Yan had come in person.

He stood at a distance, silently watching it all.

Seeing this scene, he let out a faint, knowing smile before leaving.

“This pool of water is fine to stir a little, but it really shouldn’t be shaken too violently!”

……

(End of Chapter)