Chapter 145: Azure Cloud

This news spread like a butterfly grown wings, quickly flying through the Five Domains.

"Azure Cloud colluding with the demon clan? Where did this rumor come from! Don't you want to live?"

"Flustered Azure Cloud Imperial Sect, first eliminate Blood Slaughter, then exterminate the monster clan—if Azure Cloud really colludes with the monster clan, I'll write my surname upside down!"

In an inn in the East Domain, a man spoke indignantly.

A friend at his table stood up to advise: "Brother Wang, I know you're angry, but don't get angry yet—everyone now believes this is a rumor!"

"This rumor came from the Central Domain; I don't know which long‑lived faction started it. We'll see how the Imperial Sect handles it—maybe some nt actually believes it."

Meanwhile, Azure Cloud Sect.

This news also quickly spread within Azure Cloud.

Every Azure Cloud disciple and all the elders, upon hearing the rumor, were all furious.

How dare they spread rumors that Azure Cloud colludes with the demon clan!

I'll hook your grandma's leg!

"Where did this nt‑spread rumor come from?"

"I don't know; this person seems like their cerebrum isn't fully developed and their cerebellum isn't developed at all. Our Azure Cloud upholds the righteous path first—just look at the sect's eight major precepts and you can tell."

"Besides, this is the East Domain—the Ancient Fracture is deeply etched in every East Domain cultivator's mind; we don't coexist with the demon clan, so who would dare spread such a rumor?"

Menial disciples, outer sect disciples, and inner sect disciples all angrily discussed it; each disciple's heart filled with endless fury.

Those within Azure Cloud can best feel Azure Cloud's righteous aura.

Although they act decisively in slaughter, they never indiscriminately kill the innocent, let alone collude with the demon clan.

The disciples all reported to the various sect elders, requesting an investigation into who or what faction fabricated the rumor, so it could be eradicated.

On another side, atop the Azure Cloud Immortal Peak.

Feng Qingyang stood with hands behind his back at the summit of Azure Cloud Peak, the Three Grand Supreme Sect Masters guarding him, Lone Invincible, Alluring, and Mo Feng standing respectfully behind him.

Feng Qingyang gazed into the distance, then coldly muttered: "How dare someone say that Azure Cloud colludes with the demon clan!"

Back when he first learned of the Ancient Fracture, he had said that if the demon clan dared to invade the East Domain again, he would let them know Azure Cloud's might.

Let the demon clan truly realize who is the butcher and who is the meat.

Feng Qingyang checked the system's prestige interface; it had been over twenty days since the last redemption of a Great Emperor, with a few days of cooldown left, after which he could summon a Great Emperor again.

【"Ding, detected someone deliberately spreading rumors to slander Azure Cloud."】

【"As the future Supreme Divine Sect of the Myriad Heavens, can you tolerate this?"】

【"Issue a mission: eradicate those spreading the rumor, clear Azure Cloud's name; completing the mission will grant a huge reward."】

Just then, the system's voice echoed again in Feng Qingyang's mind.

Another side quest was added.

"Heh, although Azure Cloud has grown strong enough to ignore rumors,"

"but if you're looking for death, what can our sect do? We can only oblige you."

The strong have never feared rumors, for their own strength is sufficient—strong enough to make everyone tremble, so any gossip cannot affect them.

For example, the current Azure Cloud—many cultivators of the Five Domains regard that news as a rumor.

"Go to the Central Domain, find that lurking rat, and eradicate it."

Feng Qingyang said indifferently without turning back.

"I will obey the Sect Master's command."

Behind them, the Three Grand Supreme, Lone Invincible, Alluring, and Mo Feng, hearing this, respectfully clasped their fists.

In an instant, the mighty aura of the Supreme Realm surged skyward.

Half-step Dao power erupted from within his body.

The three shot straight up into the firmament, tearing through space as they departed.

After they left, Feng Qingyang continued muttering: "I originally wanted to play with you before acting, but it seems there are still clueless fools! Then the main quest to dominate the Martial Wasteland can be completed ahead of schedule."

Feng Qingyang finished thinking silently, let out a cold snort, and flicked his sleeves away.

Inside the sect.

All the disciples and elders sensed the three powerful auras shooting up from the main peak.

This must be the strong ones sent out by the Sect Master to slaughter those spreading the rumor.

Sect Master, mighty!

Now let's see how those behind-the-scenes folks can still jump around!

Meanwhile.

Turbulent Flow Star Domain.

This is the junction where the Martial Wasteland Continent connects with the outside world; strictly speaking, this place is not considered part of the Martial Wasteland Continent, because the Martial Wasteland Continent's heavenly dao does not extend here.

Free from the heavenly dao's constraints, the Turbulent Flow Star Domain has long been rumored to hold a secret for ascending to immortality.

Thus, the strongest Great Emperor Realm experts on the continent usually come here to try their luck.

Moreover, since this place is also a link to the outside world, the continent's various Great Emperors and major forces station powerful guardians here to ward off external invasion, especially to resist the Demon Realm of the Void Flow Domain.

Turbulent Flow Star Domain, Borderland City.

This is a city built by countless Martial Wasteland cultivators who came here; there are many other cities, but Borderland City is the largest, and only renowned experts from the Martial Wasteland Continent can reside there.

Meanwhile, in Borderland City.

Inside a sacred and solemn hall.

Two cultivators with deep, solemn auras sat above the hall, conversing.

One of the men wore a white gold‑trimmed robe, his black hair casually draped behind him.

Though his aura was not overt, every movement perfectly manifested the Grand Dao power flowing through him, which suffused his face with a mist, obscuring his features.

The white-clothed man said in a low voice, "Lin Yao, what do you think of this newly emerged Qingyun Emperor Sect?"

"Our plan is imminent; do not allow any mistakes."

"I, the Emperor, have heard that the Qingyun Sect has four Great Emperors stationed there; I do not know where this Qingyun Great Emperor came from—clearly everything is under our control."

The white-clothed man spoke solemnly, yet his words carried a hint of puzzlement.

The woman facing him, called Lin Yao, wore a scarlet robe, her expression cold and stern; she was now seated in her place.

Though he emitted no aura, a superior's oppressive presence pressed upon him, clearly the mark of long-held high position.

"Qingyun Emperor Sect? I've never heard of it before."

"I, the Emperor, do know that in antiquity there was a Qingyun Great Emperor who founded the Qingyun Emperor Sect; could these two be the same sect? Though Qingyun has long since fallen into decline."

Lin Yao spoke coldly, then after a pause asked indifferently, "How? Could it be that you, Wuchen Great Emperor, fear this Qingyun?"

"Fear Qingyun?"

"Ridiculous!"

"I, Wuchen, have suffered only one defeat since becoming Emperor, and still do not know what fear is."

"The Imperial Source needed for the plan is still lacking a few; eliminating this Qingyun would exactly fulfill it."

"By then……"