Chapter 235: Hell Gate Sect Helmsman

As a prominent figure of the Azure Cloud Sect, he naturally understood the reason for Nangong Batian's silent departure.

The Illusory Moon Sect has long been renowned on the vast Mystic Cultivation Continent; as its sect master, Nangong Batian is proud and arrogant, and his conduct is extremely meticulous.

In Nangong Batian's eyes, Lin Yang's arrogant, disrespectful demeanor toward his seniors clearly shows a lack of reverence for elders—how could such behavior earn his approval?

Although Jiang Shanhai said his ancestor Jiang Tai Mu had become Lin Yang's disciple, deep down he harbored doubts about this youth not yet twenty.

Lin Yang still retained a youthful air.

Moreover, he appears utterly ordinary.

Jiang Shanhai pondered to himself.

What virtue or ability does this boy possess that could make even the venerable ancestor Jiang Tai Mu bow in submission?

Could he truly possess some hidden, astonishing trump card?

Just as Jiang Shanhai's thoughts grew tangled and he sank into contemplation,

a faint transmission silently slipped into his ear.

The voice was icy and sinister, as if coming from the Nine Netherworld Hell.

"Sect Master Jiang, your son Jiang Suan is in my hands—come at once to the Returning Son Tower for a meeting."

Jiang Shanhai's pupils contracted; his gaze instantly turned frosty, and his aura sharpened.

He knew well that his son Jiang Suan possessed great talent in cultivation, a key protégé of the Azure Cloud Sect, yet now he had been abducted—this was undoubtedly a provocation against him and the sect.

Jiang Shanhai hesitated briefly, weighed the pros and cons, then turned to the Grand Elder and said, "I suddenly have an urgent matter; I must go ahead first."

Having spoken, his spiritual power surged like a rising tide, condensing behind him into a massive spiritual-energy wing.

With a clear whistle, he transformed into a streak of light, racing toward the Returning Son Tower.

Elsewhere, in the bustling heart of Cloud City, stood a magnificent pavilion—the Returning Son Tower.

The tower has nine stories, with carved beams and painted rafters, flying eaves and bracket sets, each layer adorned to the utmost luxury.

Inside, a constant flow of people comes and goes; it is the gathering place of Cloud City's officials and dignitaries, cultivators alike, bustling with lanterns and wine day and night.

Outside hangs a gigantic Mystic Crystal Lamp.

It emits a soft, brilliant glow that illuminates part of Cloud City's night sky.

Yet at this moment, in the luxurious top-floor chamber of the Returning Son Tower, the atmosphere was heavy as the stillness before a storm.

Chu Xiong slammed the table with a bang and rose to his feet.

The red‑wood table instantly bore a deep crack from his strike.

His eyes blazed with fury like twin flames, and he shouted at the man on the main seat, "Supreme One, what is unbearable cannot be endured!"

"The Azure Cloud Sect has repeatedly slaughtered our brothers; if this grudge goes unanswered, I, Chu Xiong, swear I will not live as a man!"

"I beg the Supreme One to allow me to kill that old wretch Jiang Tai Mu and avenge our brothers!"

The gruesome sight of Xiu Luo's death, Meng Po's betrayal in despair, and now Gui Feng has also perished at the hands of the Azure Cloud Sect.

Each incident is like a sharp blade viciously stabbing his heart—how could he swallow this anger?

Beside him, the white‑haired Yang Cheng likewise rose to his feet.

His hands trembled violently from anger and grief, his voice tinged with sorrow as he said, "Supreme One, I, Yang Cheng, was blessed with a son late in life—hard‑won, I had hoped to enjoy family bliss and watch my son grow strong."

"But now my son Yang Kang has been brutally killed."

"As his father, if I cannot seek justice for him, what face do I have to live on?"

"I hope the Supreme One will grant me the chance to avenge my son!"

Saying this, Yang Cheng's eyes reddened, tears welling in his sockets.

Seeing the two men agitated, they shouted back and forth.

To the side, Li Tian Yuan leisurely took a sip of tea.

The tea gave off a faint fragrance, but in this oppressive atmosphere no one had the heart to savor it.

Li Tian Yuan spoke slowly: "Since the Supreme One has summoned us here, he must have a full plan."

"We have struggled for years on the Mysterious Yellow Continent; we are no hotheads—could we not set aside personal grudges and put the greater good first?"

Chu Xiong snapped his head toward Li Tian Yuan, eyes blood‑red, and snarled, "It's not your limbs that were broken, not your kin that died—of course you can stand there talking without back pain!"

"If it were your loved ones struck by this hand, could you still remain so calm?"

"You'd surely have rushed out to fight them to the death!"

Yang Cheng chimed in from the side: "Exactly, Li Tian Yuan—if you had lost a son like me, you'd probably be even more furious!"

Li Tian Yuan did not anger but smiled; he gently set down his tea cup, his gaze turning to the man on the main seat who always wore the Golden Dragon Mask, offering no further excuse.

In his view, any further words now would be worthless compared to a single utterance from the Supreme One.

Chu Xiong turned again to the Golden Dragon Mask–clad man, dropped to one knee, clasped his fists, and pleaded, "Supreme One, please grant your approval!"

Yang Cheng followed suit, dropping to his knees with tears and voice intertwined: "Yes, Supreme One, regardless of your plans, please let us go first to take revenge!"

At that moment, the Golden Dragon Mask–wearing man slowly rose to his feet.

In an instant, a mighty aura so overwhelming it could choke spread out.

That aura seemed substantive, like an invisible shackle, causing the several sect masters and Great Emperors present to fall silent instantly.

Within the chamber, the air seemed to freeze; no one dared to breathe, for fear that the slightest misstep would invite catastrophe.

The Golden Dragon Mask man swept his gaze around; his eyes like two cold rays made everyone present instinctively lower their heads.

He spoke slowly: "Very well, I understand all your demands."

"But everything must prioritize the greater good—tomorrow is the Azure Prefecture Grand Tournament."

"Several days ago, I observed the stars and calculated with my fingers; I foresaw that at the time of the Azure Prefecture Grand Tournament, a Vast Heaven Opportunity would descend."

"This opportunity concerns the rise and fall of our Hell Gate Sect, and the future of every person present here."

"We have poured countless efforts into coming here, all for this once‑in‑a‑thousand‑years chance."

"All grudges will be settled after the grand competition ends."

"Furthermore, the five major powers of Zhongzhou — the Great Dao Sect, the Heavenly Sword Sect, and the Profound Ice Sect — have already submitted to me."

"As for the other two major sects, I am also determined to obtain them."

"At this critical moment, unless absolutely necessary, no one is allowed to act on their own. Understood?"

The voice of the man wearing the golden dragon mask was low and solemn, reverberating like a great bell in the private room, leaving no room for doubt.

Li Tianyuan took the lead in clasping his hands in salute, respectfully saying, "Subordinate understands."

Chu Xiong and Yang Cheng exchanged a glance; although they still felt unwilling in their hearts, under the mighty intimidation of the golden‑masked man, they could only helplessly nod.

They said in unison, "Subordinate understands."

After all, this person before us is the high‑ranking helmsperson of the Boundless Gate, whose strength is unfathomable.

No one dared to lightly defy his command.