Chapter 468: Behind the Wooden Door

Chapter 468: Behind the Wooden Door



"Shen Shangxian... Are you alright?"

Wen Qiujin, as the leader of the Water Moon Trading Alliance, quickly composed himself, but as he approached Shen Yi, he couldn't help but feel a sense of unease upon sensing the dense Demon Blood Qi emanating from Shen Yi's body.

He blurted out a rather pointless question.

The group of Demons and Monsters from earlier didn't seem to have injured Shen Yi in the slightest.

Wen Qiujin's face turned slightly ashamed, "Qiujin is just a merchant, and I can't be of much help to a Shangxian. Please accept my apologies."

These seemingly apologetic words caused the faces of those around him to change slightly.

His words almost directly expressed his dissatisfaction with the actions of the few Gongfangs.

Considering Wen Qiujin's calm and steady temperament.

This statement was almost a direct declaration of his intention to settle the score later.

"..."

The few Gongfangs floating in the air glanced at each other quietly.

Then, they sighed softly and descended towards the ground.

There were only two tasks, and they were afraid to offend the Dragon Palace for the first one, while the second one was simply beyond their capabilities.

They stood silently behind Wen Qiujin, their eyes filled with embarrassment, and they turned their gazes towards Shen Yi.

The strength displayed by this young Celestial Sect disciple had far surpassed the imagination of ordinary cultivators.

Not to mention the Dao Palace, which was solely illuminated by pure Purple Qi without any impurities, even in the legends, there were few who dared to boast so extravagantly.

With the Primordial Purple Qi empowering his Spirit Body Cultivation Technique, he was able to forcefully cross the threshold of the Late Phase Return to Void.

Not to mention the difference in their Cultivation Levels.

Relying on his mysterious and bizarre Cultivation Technique, he toyed with a group of Seventh Level Return to Void water Demons as if they were in the palm of his hand.

As the saying goes, bystanders see the clearest.

Although their auras were similar, the moment Shen Yi took action, they had already lost their chance to escape.

The profound foundation of the Celestial Sect truly made this group of Gongfangs, who relied on the Water Moon Trading Alliance for their livelihood, envious.

"..."

Wen Qiujin glanced at the few people behind him but did not make a scene.

He was only dissatisfied with their disobedience during the mission, feeling that the Heavenly Materials and Treasures he provided every month were somewhat wasted.

But if he put himself in their shoes.

If he were a Gongfang, he would probably have made the same choice.

After all, who could have guessed that a young cultivator who appeared to be at the Fourth Level Return to Void would possess an Eighth Level Return to Void Spirit Puppet and have strength comparable to that of a Spirit Puppet?

With just one person and one puppet, he had annihilated a seemingly formidable water Demon clan, wiping out their elite forces.

Such achievements were enough to spread his fame across the Southern Flood region, both on land and sea.

Based on Wen Qiujin's knowledge.

These methods were probably even more profound than the foundation of an ordinary Heaven's Pride.

Even among the famous direct disciples of the Southern Flood Seven Sons, there were few at the same Cultivation Level who could compare to Shen Yi.

Wen Qiujin wasn't afraid of retaliation from the water Demons.

Judging from the fact that those Demons and Monsters dared not reveal their identities until their deaths, it was clear that this incident had not been authorized by the Dragon Palace.

"Although the Shangxian is powerful and capable of slaying Demons and Monsters, it's still best to be cautious. After all, Demons and Monsters can never be completely eradicated, and there's no such thing as being vigilant for a thousand days..."

At this point, Wen Qiujin reminded him in a low voice.

Shen Yi looked at him and nodded lightly, "Thank you."

This was a reminder to be vigilant against potential spies.

After all, he had just arrived on the island, and while he was having a meal, the water Demons had already come knocking on his door.

It was impossible for no one to have sent a message behind his back.

But there was no point in rushing.

Shen Yi stepped away from the crowd and headed towards the Water Moon Trading Alliance.

Several Chen family elders and the Qinghai Prefecture group hurriedly followed him, and compared to the others, they knew of an even more terrifying matter.

That was before this group of water Demons.

Shen Yi had just destroyed a Demon Cave and almost killed a Sixth Level Return to Void Heaven's Pride.

If it were any other cultivator, they would probably still be recovering, let alone regulating their Qi. But Shen Shangxian seemed completely unaffected, which was truly baffling.

"Hiss!"

They watched as the figure in the black robe returned.

The numerous Water Moon Trading Alliance cultivators who had gathered together earlier now instinctively moved away from him.

They didn't have the same insight as Wen Qiujin or the Gongfangs.

They only knew that this young cultivator was incredibly powerful and had a strong killing intent. In terms of experience in escorting goods, a person like him was one who should be avoided as soon as one heard the wind.

Zhang Wei watched as Shen Yi approached him, swallowed his saliva, and felt the questioning gazes from those around him.

He subconsciously straightened his back, his face flushed with red light, and he cupped his hands in greeting, "Junior cultivator Zhang Wei pays his respects to Senior Shen!"

By the heavens, when had he ever had such prestige? Even within the Water Moon Trading Alliance, if Senior Shen agreed to his request, he would have more confidence when negotiating prices in the future.

It was all thanks to these eyes that he had initially recognized Senior Shen as an extraordinary person...

"How much did she give you?" Shen Yi casually asked.

Right now, he was in dire need of treasures, and he couldn't let even a fly's leg slip by.

Zhang Ye was taken aback for a moment, but quickly realized that the other party was referring to Treasure Flower Fairy. Without hesitation, he took out the storage bag, "Reporting to Senior Shen, it's all here. Please take it."

"I'll take care of the people."

Shen Yi didn't reach out to take the bag, but nodded, "Take your share, and the rest is mine."

They were all risking their lives to gather resources to aid in cultivation. Although he was a bit poor now, there was no need to make a scene.

"As you say..."

Zhang Ye was about to use the usual excuses he gave when delivering goods, but after seeing Shen Yi's serious expression, he hesitated for a moment. Then, still a bit unaccustomed, he opened the storage bag and carefully divided out eighty percent, storing it separately.

"If it weren't for your help, I would have probably gotten the same amount elsewhere... Moreover, as someone from an Immortal Sect, your choice of location is definitely more suitable."

"Rest assured."

This time, Shen Yi didn't refuse and accepted the storage treasure, "Thank you for your hard work."

In the vast waters of Southern Flood, it would be hard to find a safer place than the Fusion Dao Land.

"If you have any matters in the future, feel free to come and find me." Zhang Ye rubbed his face vigorously. It was just a normal transaction, yet he inexplicably lost his composure.

Suddenly, a scene from the Xiao family fortress appeared in his mind.

The price they had agreed upon beforehand was a bit high, but Senior Shen had handled the matter efficiently. At the Treasure Flower Fairy's most helpless moment, he didn't ask for any additional compensation.

Senior Shen might not be a particularly kind person, but he was definitely not a bad one.

"..."

Wen Qiujin quietly observed the scene before him.

As the leader of the Water Moon Trading Alliance, such a small transaction usually wouldn't catch his attention.

But at this moment, he quietly turned around and instructed the guards behind him, "Add the Heavenly Sword Sect's share to the Southern Yang Sect's and deliver them together to me."

"We just handed them over..." The guards were puzzled. Even if Shen Yi was a bit overbearing, he was still within the Late Phase Return to Void realm. It wasn't enough to change the rules.

If he developed a habit of coming to collect tribute whenever he wanted, how would they deal with it in the future?

"Go and do it."

Wen Qiujin didn't offer further explanation.

He withdrew his gaze.

With Shen Yi's abilities, it was impossible for him not to have supporters among the Southern Flood Seven Sons.

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that as the personal disciple of the sect leader, he would become a giant in the Fusion Dao realm in the future.

This was completely different from his imagination of leeches relying on the reputation of the Southern Flood Seven Sons to suck the Water Moon Trading Alliance dry.

Just from this disciple, one could deduce that the Southern Yang Sect was truly an Immortal Sect.

When dealing with an Immortal Sect, one should show the appropriate respect.

A loyal subject does not serve two masters.

Moreover, helping in times of need is always more useful than adding to one's wealth.

Wen Qiujin remembered that the Southern Yang Sect members had arrived on the Green Lion Spirit Puppet. After a moment of contemplation, he also instructed someone to bring a simple, yet elegantly crafted, black flying sword pendant.

Along with the prepared tribute, he walked forward.

"Senior Shen, this is the tribute prepared by the Water Moon Trading Alliance for the Southern Yang Sect. I, Wen Qiujin, have been busy with various matters and couldn't make it in person. I hope Senior Shen will convey my apologies to the sect leader. This Step Replacement Flying Sword is a small token of my appreciation. Please do not refuse, Senior Shen."

"..."

Shen Yi looked at the storage bag respectfully handed to him and glanced at the flying sword pendant.

After a moment's contemplation, he lightly nodded, "Thank you. Consider this for next time."

If he had truly owed a tribute, he wouldn't have put on such an extravagant display when he came and would have never mentioned it.

Hearing this, Wen Qiujin smiled ambiguously.

Indeed, those in business rarely misjudge people.

Moreover, judging from this statement, the other party's status in the Southern Yang Sect was not low at all.

...

Without the female cultivators' musical performance.

Wen Qiujin, accompanied by a few disciples, respectfully saw the Green Lion Spirit Puppet off into the clouds.

After leaving the Water Moon Trading Alliance.

Shen Yi casually took out the pendant, which transformed into a black flying sword. He lightly stepped onto it.

Although this object was sword-shaped, it wasn't a combat treasure, only serving as a means of transportation.

Although its function was simple, it was much faster than the Dragon Leap Heavenly Yin that the Fairy had comprehended while bathing.

With a slight infusion of spiritual energy, it could leave the Green Lion Spirit Puppet far behind.

"The Water Moon Trading Alliance's generosity is truly remarkable."

Jing Jingsong clicked his tongue in admiration. This flying sword was undoubtedly a rare treasure. With the Qinghai Prefecture's background, they wouldn't even dare to dream of such a luxurious item.

However, it was indeed the case that to establish a good relationship with Senior Shen, ordinary items wouldn't suffice.

After familiarizing himself with the flying sword, Shen Yi soon arrived at the location Zhang Ye had mentioned. He saw the numerous Xiao family fortress residents, all looking exhausted, stretching as far as the eye could see.

With a slight wave of his hand, nearly twenty Green Lion Spirit Puppets hovered in the air.

"You are responsible for bringing them back. It's fine to take your time, but if you encounter danger, inform me through a jade slip."

"Since we've recruited so many executives, it's only natural to utilize them at times like this."

Although it was a trivial matter, even a cultivator like Jing Jingsong, who was close to the late phase of Returning to Emptiness, had no objections. After all, when it came to slaying demons and eliminating monsters, Shen Shangxian didn't need them at all. If they didn't do something, it would truly be a waste of this executive robe they wore.

"Rest assured, I guarantee not a single one will be missing."

"Mhm."

Shen Yi nodded and once again rode his sword into the clouds.

With the Step Replacement Flying Sword, it had taken him four to five days to arrive, but the return trip took less than two hours.

He returned to the familiar Nanyang bas-relief.

He opened the grand formation, as if remembering something, and took out a stone Dao token, sending it into the Ancestor Hall: "I've been busy lately. As for the opening and closing of the formation, I'll have to trouble Senior Xuanqing."

It would have been fine to give it to Nie Jun as well, but his cultivation level was too low, and he had just come into contact with numerous cultivation methods, being at a stage where he was eager to cultivate.

After much thought, it seemed that Xuanqing was the most idle.

As for the safety of the treasure land, if Xuanqing truly had the intention, he would have taken out the Sect Master's Dao token long ago.

"Uh."

Sitting on a meditation cushion, Li Xuanqing received the stone Dao token and propped his chin with one hand, deep in thought.

Opening and closing the formation... It seemed like it meant being a doorman?

Had Li Xuanqing really fallen to such a state?

"Huff."

Shen Yi didn't have time to sympathize with Senior Xuanqing's predicament.

He put away the flying sword pendant and landed in front of a light screen, then stepped inside.

"Paying respects to the Sect Master."

Many figures rose in unison, among them many familiar faces, such as Xu Qing'er and Nie Jun. These cultivators, who had spent many years in the Nanyang Treasure Land, were now tirelessly absorbing the treasures within the Law Concealment Pavilion day and night, not daring to slack off for a moment.

"You all carry on."

Shen Yi nodded and headed straight for the spiral staircase.

He still remembered.

There was another wooden door on this floor that couldn't be opened.

If his guess was correct, the key should be the white jade Dao token belonging to the Sect Master.

Upon reaching the top floor of the Law Concealment Pavilion, he looked at the wooden door before him with slight tension, took out a Dao token from his finger ring, and infused his entire aura into it.

He hadn't noticed it before.

But now, with just a touch of his aura, Shen Yi felt the difference in this white jade Dao token.

If it was possible to barely activate the stone token upon entering the Returning to Emptiness realm, and open the grand formation of the sect within half an hour, then now, having entered the middle phase of Returning to Emptiness, he had already exhausted most of the aura in his Dao Palace.

Yet it was like a drop in a river, not causing even the slightest ripple.

Fortunately, opening a door wasn't a big deal.

As white light spilled out from the door gap, Shen Yi's entire body was suddenly sucked in. When his vision cleared, his surroundings had turned into a white, hazy expanse.

It was like being within a sea of clouds, pure and without a trace of impurity.

In the middle sat a figure with kind eyebrows and benevolent eyes, white-haired and clad in a plain blue robe.

The old man opened his eyes and smiled, saying, "Xuanqing has come. What law do you wish to learn today?"

"Tsk."

Shen Yi furrowed his brows slightly, staring at the old man before him, gradually sensing something amiss.

After a moment, he tried to take two steps to the side.

But the old man continued to stare at the door, saying, "Xuanqing has come. What law do you wish to learn today?"

"..."

Shen Yi slowly clenched his fingers, feeling that something was off with the mental state of everyone in the Nanyang Sect, from top to bottom.

He had figured it out; it was just an illusory form.

Not only was there no vitality, but there was no consciousness either.

Perhaps its only function was to provide a sense of care and companionship when that former direct disciple entered.

"What law do you wish to learn?"

"You..."

The old man sighed and said gently, "Xuanqing, you're biting off more than you can chew again. The spirit arts here all require great perseverance to cultivate to perfection. You keep learning one and abandoning another. If you don't mend your ways, I'll have to kick you out."

Hearing the words 'spirit arts', Shen Yi raised his eyebrows.

It seemed he had found something extraordinary.

But soon, he heard a proud voice in his mind, a faint memory carried within his Heavenly Derivation Nine-Nine insights.

"With my talent, I can comprehend all laws, understand Yin and Yang, ascend to the Heavenly Court, and achieve the supreme immortal name!"

The old man seemed to hear these words as well, or perhaps Xuanqing always answered in this manner. He didn't refute but instead showed a helpless smile: "You! You're going to suffer a great loss!"

At the same time.

Within the Ancestor Hall, Xuanqing seemed to sense the opening of that door.

He stood in a daze for a long time, then his body trembled, and he walked towards the tall statue of the ancestor, leaning his rigid face against the ancestor's boots.

"You were right."

Only a soft whisper and wafting wisps of blue smoke remained in the Ancestor Hall.

Unfortunately, some mistakes could never be rectified, and some things were too distant to even dare to think about.

The gap between mortals and immortals was still too vast.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end