Chapter 427: The Yan Meng in Turmoil, Luo Chen Arrives at Incense Fragrance Valley

Chapter 427: The Yan Meng in Turmoil, Luo Chen Arrives at Incense Fragrance Valley



That night.

Qin Taoran, the Yan Meng's Law Enforcement Elder, openly defied the Immortal City's rules, personally intervening within the city to destroy a black market.

Some said it was a Falling Cloud Sect's asset, and the Yan Meng launched a retaliatory strike.

Others claimed that Qin Taoran was envious of an item being auctioned in the black market and shamelessly seized it by force.

There were also rumors that the black market was spreading a large amount of negative information about the Yan Meng, which infuriated Elder Qin to the point of killing.

In any case, that night, several Golden Core Seniors from the outer realms flew out of the black market, glaring angrily at Qin Taoran.

If it weren't for the advantage of being on home turf, a major battle might have erupted.

Luo Chen, who did not personally attend the auction, only received accurate information from the disheveled Tian Xingzi the next morning.

"You have released all the messages you wanted us to spread."

"Here, this is the Spirit Stone from the auction of the Century Lightning Essence, a total of twenty-three Superior Spirit Stones."

Holding the Storage Pouch Tian Xingzi handed over, Luo Chen looked at him with a half-smile, half-sneer.

Tian Xingzi grew quite uncomfortable under his gaze.

Lightning Essence, a Tier Four material.

Ordinary magical treasures usually do not use this material; only a small amount of ten-year-old Lightning Essence is added when refining a Soulbound Artifact.

When it comes to refining a Soulbound Artifact, the price is far from that of a common Inferior Magical Treasure.

As one of the main materials, the price of Lightning Essence typically starts at ten thousand Spirit Stones.

And Century Lightning Essence is considered the best among Tier Four minerals!

Twenty-three Superior Spirit Stones, equivalent to 230,000 Inferior Spirit Stones.

This price, while not low, is also not considered high.

Facing Luo Chen's mocking gaze, Tian Xingzi said uncomfortably, "As per your request, we used Superior Spirit Stones for payment. As for the identity of the bidder for the Lightning Essence, it's not something we can easily disclose."

Luo Chen smiled and didn't press further.

The main goal was achieved, and a small loss was insignificant.

Whether the Century Lightning Essence was secretly kept by the Treasure Bazaar was none of his concern.

He clicked his tongue, "It seems Qin Taoran's sudden move last night caught you off guard!"

Tian Xingzi shrugged indifferently, "Just a dog's desperate leap, a madman's rage."

Luo Chen nodded in agreement.

Indeed!

The current Yan Meng dare not retaliate against the Falling Cloud Sect, nor dare they show their teeth to the Sword Sect. They can only stay at home, licking their wounds.

A swarm of flies buzzed around, ready to pounce and feed at any moment.

How could the Yan Meng not be annoyed, how could they not be angry?

But to act within the Immortal City they built, breaking the rules, and destroying the commercial atmosphere they had cultivated over the years, was truly unexpected.

"It seems the people of the Yan Meng are now very anxious!" Luo Chen muttered.

Tian Xingzi looked at him curiously.

"When do you plan to make your move?"

"Isn't the time already set?"

Tian Xingzi was taken aback, recalling the time Luo Chen had mentioned before.

One month later!

He couldn't help but ask, "Won't you be afraid that the Yan Meng will prepare in advance by revealing the exact time?"

"Prepare in advance?" Luo Chen shook his head and sneered, "How much can they prepare? Rally friends? In the Jade Cauldron Domain, the four-sect alliance led by the Falling Cloud Sect is their enemy, and the Hundred Flowers Palace remains neutral. In other words, the only ones they can seek help from are the Jade Cauldron Sword Sect."

"Regarding the Sword Sect, whether I announce it or not, if they want to help the Yan Meng, they will always be able to. When the time comes, even if I gather all my forces, it might not be enough to take down the Yan Meng, let alone if the other sects join in."

"But if the Sword Sect doesn't help, this month will only make the Yan Meng cultivators more desperate!"

"I want to see their desperate faces!"

By the end, a cruel smile had crept onto the man's lips.

Watching this, Tian Xingzi felt a chill in his heart.

Luo Chen's thoughts grew deeper, his methods more ruthless and thorough.

He considered everything inside and out.

Even the mindset of the enemy was within his calculations.

Is this still a Foundation Establishment cultivator?

Even a Daoist of a sect or a Golden Core of a major sect would find it hard to make such comprehensive plans!

Feeling a shudder, he deliberately reminded him.

"If the time drags on, the Yan Meng can gather all their scattered disciples, which will make things more troublesome."

However!

Luo Chen was unconcerned.

"So what!"

"It just gives me the opportunity to wipe them all out in one go!"

Tian Xingzi opened his mouth but couldn't refute.

Looking at the incredibly confident Luo Chen, he finally said,

"The Falling Cloud Sect may not be able to act, but they can help you contact a few Golden Core cultivators. However, don't count on these people; whether they will act or not will depend on the outcome of the main battlefield."

Luo Chen raised an eyebrow.

This was an unexpected bonus!

As for whether these fence-sitters were useful?

The more, the better!

...

Meanwhile, as Luo Chen and Tian Xingzi were negotiating.

Yan Meng, Incense Fragrance Valley.

The grandeur of a major sect and the splendor of the Immortal City were long gone.

What remained were broken walls and ruins, a scene of devastation.

Large areas of buildings had collapsed, and massive craters dotted the Incense Fragrance Valley.

Low-rank cultivators walking through the area all wore looks of panic.

The slightest noise would elicit anxious inquiries.

A beam of light flew in from outside.

It paused in mid-air, slowing down as if deliberately making itself visible to the low-rank disciples.

After a while, it flew directly into the underground of Incense Fragrance Valley.

Upon entering, it passed through empty stone pillars and arrived at a stone platform.

There, a person sat cross-legged.

At his side, wisps of green flames rose and fell, sometimes expanding, sometimes contracting.

As his body continued to expand and contract, his weak aura gradually recovered.

Hearing the commotion, he slowly opened his eyes.

"Senior Brother Qin!"

Qin Taoran responded with an 'en' and looked at him with concern, "Junior Brother Xu Yang, how are your injuries?"

Xu Yang Elder sighed, and his finger, like a sword, was surrounded by green flames. In front of Qin Taoran, he thrust it into his own chest.

Then, with a hideous expression, he forcefully pulled out a silver thread from his body.

Huff!

After pulling it out, he breathed a sigh of relief.

"With the help of the Vitality Decay Flame, my injuries are gradually healing."

"The puppetry of Falling Cloud Sect has indeed exceeded our expectations. We never imagined that they would possess such bizarre and uncanny methods."

As he spoke, the silver thread he had drawn from his body slowly melted under the scorching green flames.

Seeing this, Qin Taoran's face changed slightly.

Puppetry, a field they were somewhat familiar with in the Yan Meng.

This was a technique that combined array formations, artifact forging, and soul manipulation into one.

As the grand masters of artifact forging, Yan Meng had dabbled in puppet crafting before.

However, their understanding of puppets was limited to close-range and long-range combat, as well as releasing spirit energy shockwaves.

No one had expected that the puppetry of Falling Cloud Sect had already developed to a level they had never imagined.

"This method of integrating artifacts into puppets is definitely not something Falling Cloud Sect could have achieved on their own!"

Xu Yang Elder sighed, "Indeed. I discovered significant traces of Heavenly Sail City's artifact forging techniques on them. These silver threads are made of special materials and can merge with the divine sense of Golden Core Cultivators. Once attached, they immediately pose a significant threat to the bodies and souls of Golden Core Senior Cultivators like us."

"Even if one is lucky enough to survive, these threads are like maggots in the bones, extremely difficult to remove."

Qin Taoran's heart trembled.

A weapon that can merge with the divine sense of Golden Core Cultivators!

If struck by it, it would be no less than enduring a direct divine sense attack.

Moreover, this kind of attack could be activated multiple times.

No wonder when Yan Meng's foundation was shaken, and despite having over ten Golden Core Cultivators, they still suffered defeat under the siege of Falling Cloud Sect.

It was no wonder that Falling Cloud Sect dared to challenge the Sword Sect.

With such a powerful weapon in hand, even if Jade Cauldron Sword Sect's cultivators were known for their formidable combat strength, Falling Cloud Sect's puppet masters would not be intimidated.

"Give me some more time. Once I thoroughly remove these bone-embedded threads, I can recover eighty percent of my strength. By then, the burden on you, Senior Brother, will also be lighter." Xu Yang Elder said with a forced smile.

Qin Taoran shook his head, "I'm fine. Junior Brother Xiao Lian has already started to take over the responsibilities of the Sect Leader and reorganize Yan Meng."

The Junior Brother Xiao Lian he mentioned was Yan Meng's current Daoist, Xiao Lian, who had reached the Foundation Establishment Grand Completion stage.

He should have been preparing to break through to the Golden Core stage, but due to Yan Meng's crisis, he had no choice but to leave seclusion early and take over the position of Sect Leader.

Hearing this, Xu Yang Elder nodded.

Although the situation was critical, Yan Meng still had a successor, and things hadn't reached the worst-case scenario.

Looking at Qin Taoran, who was in a hurry and seemed to carry a hint of anger, Xu Yang Elder asked curiously, "Did you go out, Senior Brother?"

Qin Taoran snorted coldly, "Falling Cloud Sect hasn't given up on destroying our Yan Meng. They've been spreading unfavorable rumors about our sect in the black market. I had to make a move to intimidate those petty rascals. Otherwise, others would really think that Yan Meng is easy to bully."

Xu Yang Elder opened his mouth but couldn't think of what to say.

Not easy to bully? They had been invaded, and their people had been slaughtered.

In the end, the invaders left triumphantly, and all Yan Meng could do was condemn them.

Perhaps, in the eyes of outsiders, Yan Meng had become an easy target!

Qin Taoran probably guessed what he was thinking and frowned.

"Don't overthink it, Junior Brother. Falling Cloud Sect will never dare to make a move again!"

"Is this a promise from the Sword Sect?" Xu Yang Elder asked.

Qin Taoran nodded, "Yes, I personally asked Yao Guang from Jade Cauldron Sword Sect, and he made this promise to me."

However, facing this good news, Xu Yang Elder still wore a worried expression.

A promise from the Upper Sect was just a promise.

It wasn't a grand oath, so how could it be trusted?

Qin Taoran stood with his hands behind his back, slowly pacing in the empty underground stone forest.

"Now that Yan Meng is in crisis, it seems to be on the verge of collapse, but isn't this also an opportunity for rebirth from the ashes!"

"We used to have too many Golden Core Cultivators, but they were all old and useless, contributing nothing to the sect."

"Now that they're dead, various resources can be freed up."

"Junior Brother, Yan Meng was also founded by our ancestor alone. If we unite and work together, we can definitely create another glorious era."

"Perhaps, with this opportunity, we might even have a chance to break through to the Primordial Soul stage!"

As Qin Taoran spoke passionately, his face showed an uncommon fervor, rarely seen.

It seemed that he didn't mourn Yan Meng's past at all.

Xu Yang Elder silently watched this scene.

He knew that his Senior Brother had always had a strong desire for power.

Before, when suppressed by the Sect Leader, it was fine.

But now, with so many deaths in Yan Meng, a sudden power vacuum had formed.

Qin Taoran, a mid-stage Golden Core Cultivator, had suddenly become the leader of tens of thousands, and it was inevitable that he would become a bit arrogant.

He shook his head, not wanting to continue this topic.

"Senior Brother, you mentioned that Falling Cloud Sect was spreading unfavorable news about our sect in the black market. What was the news?"

Qin Taoran paused and frowned, "It seems they were saying that a powerful enemy will come to our sect for revenge in a month. Humph, it's just nonsense!"

Revenge!

Upon hearing this news, Xu Yang Elder's expression changed.

"Senior Brother! Such a significant matter cannot be taken lightly!"

Qin Taoran furrowed his brows, "Yan Meng does have some enemies, but where would such a powerful enemy come from?"

"What about Ailao Mountain?" Xu Yang Elder asked.

Qin Taoran snorted, "We have already handed over the Blackwater Swamp, and with the Sword Sect’s intimidation, how dare they make a move?"

Xu Yang anxiously said, "It's not the usual we fear, but the unexpected!"

"And what if the unexpected happens?" Qin Taoran said confidently, "Ailao Mountain only has four Golden Core cultivators, and the strongest is only at the Sixth Layer of the Golden Core Stage. Even if they attack as a sect, with the remaining means of our Yan Meng, we can handle it. Besides, would they dare?"

Even a cornered dog can jump over a wall!

Although Yan Meng had weakened to the extreme, it still maintained the name of a major sect.

No one knew how many means they had not used when the Falling Cloud Sect launched a surprise attack.

Moreover, Ailao Mountain itself was not strong. In the past, it was said to have five Golden Core cultivators.

But during the Blackwater Swamp battle, one of them perished along with a Yan Meng Golden Core cultivator. Now, they were already in a weakened state, so how could they dare to launch a full-scale attack?

However! Xu Yang sighed, "You must not forget that our sect’s protective array has been destroyed. If a battle truly erupts, the foundation of Incense Fragrance Valley will truly be irreversibly destroyed."

Qin Taoran hesitated.

The sudden control of a sect had made him extraordinarily arrogant.

But he was not unreasonable.

Without the protective array, if the enemy invaded Incense Fragrance Valley, regardless of victory or defeat, it would be an even heavier blow to Yan Meng.

In that case, all his fantasies would turn into mirages, floating castles in the air.

Xu Yang sighed, "We should be more cautious!"

"Then what do you think we should do?"

"First, have Junior Apprentice Brother Xiao Lian recall the disciples scattered across various properties in the name of the sect leader. In times of crisis, it is precisely the moment for everyone to unite and overcome the difficulties together. Perhaps, we can even use this opportunity to rekindle the younger generation’s confidence in the sect."

"Second, have Junior Apprentice Brother Wang reorganize the array formations of Incense Fragrance Valley. Even if we cannot rebuild the protective array, we should at least construct a temporary Third Stage defensive array."

"Finally, you will have to visit the Sword Sect."

Qin Taoran said unhappily, "The first two are not a problem, but visiting the Sword Sect? I don’t think it’s necessary!"

As he spoke, his expression was very poor.

It was easy to imagine that his previous interactions with Sword Sect’s Yaoguang Senior had been unpleasant.

"Senior Brother!" Xu Yang sternly called out.

Qin Taoran sighed, waving his hand, "Fine, fine, I’ll visit Jade Emperor Mountain again. Don’t worry too much, just focus on recovering."

With that, he was about to leave the underground cave.

As he walked to the center of the stone pillars, he stopped by the fire pit.

"This Withering and Flourishing Fire, after being nurtured by the Incense Fragrance Soul Seizing Array for so many years, has not only failed to advance to the Fourth Stage but has also consumed the lifespans of many of our Yan Meng Golden Core cultivators."

"What use is it to keep it? Better to destroy it!"

As he spoke, he gathered his magical power, ready to strike.

"Senior Brother, no!"

Qin Taoran turned his head.

Xu Yang shook his head solemnly, "This is a legacy of our ancestor, and it has great use. How can we easily destroy it?"

Qin Taoran pouted, thinking about how the Withering and Flourishing Fire occasionally produced true withering and flourishing true withering and flourishing, and thus abandoned the idea.

After he left, Xu Yang gazed through the stone pillars at the deep green flame.

"Fourth Stage?"

"Senior Brother, after all these years, your eyesight hasn’t improved at all!"

He exhaled a breath.

The breath drifted into the pit, merging with the green flame, subtly connecting with him.

...

Time slowly passed.

For some, each day was just a flick of the finger.

But for Yan Meng cultivators, it felt almost suffocatingly slow.

At some point, more and more loose cultivators began to spy around Incense Fragrance Valley.

In Heaven Fire Immortal City, unfamiliar faces became increasingly common.

These unfamiliar cultivators were all trying to gather information about Yan Meng’s recent situation.

Moreover, Yan Meng disciples frequently detected the divine sense of Golden Core Senior scanning Incense Fragrance Valley.

The unique spiritualpressurefromhigh-rankcultivatorswasextremelyoppressive.

QinTaoranhadalreadyreturnedfromtheSwordSect.

Anotherunhappydeparture!

InfrontofYaoguang,heoutrightlystatedthattheSwordSect’srefusaltoaidYanMengwoulddisheartenallies.

ButYaoguangSeniorjustsmiledindifferently.

Intheend,heonlygavethemvagueexcusesabouttheSwordSecthavingtheirownconsiderations.

What considerations!

What major sect disputes, not convenient to intervene!

All excuses!

Qin Taoran, seething with anger, was extremely furious!

Every time a divine sense scanned IncenseFragranceValley, he would rush out, roaring.

Such a loss of composure was truly shocking!

But when the Golden Core Elder Feng Ming of Ailao Mountain personally stepped within a hundred miles of Incense Fragrance Valley, everyone knew what Qin Taoran feared.

The great enemy of Yan Meng had arrived!

...

"Something’s wrong! Something’s wrong!"

In the underground cave of Incense Fragrance Valley.

The three Golden Core cultivators and the current sect leader Xiao Lian gathered together.

Each of their faces was very grim.

In recent days, more and more cultivators had been patrolling around Yan Meng.

The repeated scans by divine sense were even more terrifying.

Initially, Qin Taoran and others did not take it seriously.

But gradually, they realized that the divine sense was not from one person.

Upon careful observation, they discovered no fewer than ten divine senses!

What didThisMean?

TenGoldenCoreCultivators!

AndeveryonestillrememberedclearlywhatsoManyGoldenCorecultivatorsdidthelasttimeinIncenseFragranceValley.

Could history repeat itself?

Among the four, Xiao Lian was only at the Foundation Establishment Grand Completion stage and had the lowest seniority. Thus, despite being the sect leader, he was very respectful in front of the three.

He asked anxiously, "Elder Qin, Senior Uncle Xu Yang, Elder Wang, what should we do now? So many people are gathering nearby. They won’t really attack, will they?"

"

Seeing his panicked state, Elder Wang scolded, "What are you panicking about!"

Qin Taoran glared at Xiao Lian, "When the enemy comes, we'll face them. Those people aren't all united; most of them are just fickle-minded. There's nothing to fear!"

Xu Yang sighed.

"Senior Brother, will the Sword Sect really not take action?"

It was fine until the Sword Sect was mentioned.

Qin Taoran became visibly annoyed.

"They say that the conflict between major sects is limited by the 500-year covenant of the New Region, and it's inappropriate for the upper sects to get involved. To hell with the covenant! When they dealt with Green Cauldron Valley, they didn't seem to care about this agreement."

Xu Yang's eyebrows furrowed slightly, "That time, we could explain it as the Falling Cloud Sect's involvement. It's indeed a bit awkward to take action this time. The only thing I'm confused about is, without our Yan Meng, who will refine the sword pills for them?"

Elder Wang, who was standing nearby, hesitated, "There have been rumors that the Sword Sect has been trying to perfect the original sword pill refinement method over the years. Could they have succeeded?"

Have they succeeded?

Perhaps they have!

Only this reason can explain why the Sword Sect abandoned the Yan Meng.

Firstly, the Yan Meng is useless to them, and secondly, no one wants their lifeblood to be controlled by another sect.

But if that's the case, then the Yan Meng has become a disposable pawn!

Seeing the worried expressions on their faces, Elder Wang tentatively suggested, "Why don't we split up?"

Upon hearing this, Qin Taoran flew into a rage.

"Don't mention this again!"

Elder Wang sighed helplessly, "The Yan Meng was never a proper inheritance sect. If we disband the Yan Meng and separate, no one will covet us. When we develop and grow individually, we can reunite and revive the Yan Meng without any issues!"

"You!" Qin Taoran was so angry that he pointed at Elder Wang, his hand visibly trembling.

"Is there really a need to disband?" Xiao Lian was afraid of the future, but he couldn't bear to give up the position of Sect Master that he had obtained with great difficulty.

Xu Yang raised his hand and calmed down the furious Qin Taoran.

He took a deep breath and said, "The enemy hasn't arrived yet, how can we create chaos within our ranks? Moreover, the only open enemy is Fei Ming from Ailao Mountain."

"He's just one person, but who knows if he's colluding with other Golden Core Cultivators," Elder Wang muttered.

Xu Yang shook his head and said seriously, "All the disciples who could be recalled have been summoned, and although the affiliated forces are wavering, they can still be relied upon. If we invite one or two Golden Core friends, we might be able to overcome this tribulation. As I said before, if we can unite and work together to overcome this difficulty, the Yan Meng will be able to rise from the ashes."

Hearing this, Qin Taoran couldn't help but praise him.

"Indeed, Junior Brother sees things clearly!"

Elder Wang's expression softened slightly.

Indeed, if they could meet the conditions Xu Yang mentioned, even if Ailao Mountain colluded with several Golden Core Cultivators, they might not be their match.

"In that case, let's do our best for the Yan Meng!"

"Senior Brother Qin, I'll take care of the affiliated forces."

"Elder Wang, I'll handle the communication with Golden Core allies."

"Junior Brother Xiao, you take charge of the sect's disciples."

The three of them nodded in agreement.

Before leaving, Xiao Lian looked at Xu Yang with confusion.

"Senior, what about you?"

Xu Yang smiled slightly, "My injury will be mostly healed soon. When the time comes for a major battle, I'll take action!"

Hearing this, Xiao Lian felt a sense of relief.

The situation didn't seem as dire as it could be!

However!

When the rumors from the outside world came true a month later, and Xiao Lian saw the countless cultivators gathered outside the Incense Fragrance Valley, his heart sank.

"How could Fei Ming, that old dog, gather so many allies? Even if Ailao Mountain emptied its nest, it couldn't have reached this level!"

Just as he was feeling desperate, a roar reached his ears.

"What are you staring at? Activate the Fire Burning Array!"

Xiao Lian's body trembled, and he immediately issued the order.

The next moment, within the underground chamber of the Incense Fragrance Valley, twenty stone pillars broke through the ground and rose into the sky.

Flames erupted one after another, like fireworks exploding.

Amidst the fireworks, a crimson light screen instantly enveloped the entire valley.

Qin Taoran rose into the air, glaring at all directions, and finally fixed his gaze on one person.

Facing this scene, countless cultivators who had come to watch subconsciously followed Qin Taoran's gaze and landed on an old man leading dozens of Foundation Establishment True Cultivators.

Ailao Mountain's Golden Core Elder, Fei Ming!

"Fei Ming, you defeated opponent, how dare you come to provoke me again? Do you want to die?" Qin Taoran asked with killing intent.

Facing this interrogation filled with murderous intent, Fei Ming didn't back down.

"Old fool, today is your death day!"

But in his heart, he cursed, "I'm not the one in charge, why are you all looking at me?"

He took a deep breath and shouted, "Dan Chenzi, you called everyone here, why are you hiding? Show yourself!"

Countless cultivators were stunned.

Is Ailao Mountain not the enemy of the Yan Meng?

Dan Chenzi?

This name sounded familiar!

It seemed like he was a powerful pill concocting master!

How did he become the enemy of the Yan Meng and gather multiple forces here?

Just as they were wondering, a voice filled with true qi approached.

"It's not that I'm hiding, but you were too impatient and took the lead!"

"Luo, I'm here!"

This voice started softly, as if it was coming from a great distance.

But as it drew closer, it became thunderous, like a roaring tide.

It didn't sound like a spiritual energy amplification, but rather like a terrifying beast from the wilderness, roaring with its pure physical strength.

Wherever it passed, thunder rumbled, and boundless killing intent surged!

Happy Mid-Autumn Festival!

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end