Chapter 473: Are You Afraid? (6K, Out of Time, Post First)

Chapter 473: Are You Afraid? (6K, Out of Time, Post First)



"Brother Nie..."

Li Qingfeng stood at the back, staring at Nie Jun, almost biting his tongue.

"Ah."

Seeing that Shen Zongzhu had already activated the sect's formation, he sighed instinctively and quickly took out a jade slip. "Everyone, hurry up and gather! We're going out on sect business with the Zongzhu!"

At the same time.

The jade slips of countless cultivators within the Nanyang treasure land lit up simultaneously.

In the next moment, nearly twenty figures swiftly arrived.

Among them were the familiar faces of the Chen family elder, the Qinghai Mansion group, and seven slightly unfamiliar faces—the seven Refinement Stage seven-layer attendants that Wen Qiujin had brought back.

This group nearly encompassed all of the Nanyang Sect's high-level combat strength.

It barely managed to assemble a procession comparable to when the other allied sects went out on business.

Looking at these powerful senior cultivators,

Li Qingfeng's eyes still held no less worry.

He knew that Great Qian was a taboo topic for Shen Zongzhu, but the problem was, when would they have the opportunity to make a move against Taoyuan Mountain Villa? Why did Brother Nie have to bring it up at this time?

Given the current situation of the Nanyang Sect, there was no one who would dare to commit such an act of demonic cultivation.

Even if they pretended not to know, it wouldn't have any impact.

The most pressing matter at hand was the Seven Sons Assembly.

As long as Shen Yi solidified her position as the sect leader, it would be easy to notify the four vassals of White Jade Capital at that time. Whichever one of them made a move would be able to annihilate Taoyuan Mountain Villa.

On the contrary, taking impulsive action now would be counterproductive.

Those vassal forces had just barely been calmed down, and there was also the merit of Wei Yuanzhou of Lingyun Sect stepping in to intimidate them.

If they were to punish Taoyuan Mountain Villa at this time,

it would inevitably give rise to various suspicions in the eyes of others.

Setting aside the question of whether they had the strength to carry out such punishment,

even if they did,

if the evidence was insufficient, it would appear that the Nanyang Sect was disregarding old sentiments and indiscriminately slaughtering their own supporters.

And if they didn't handle it swiftly and decisively, it would also easily expose the Nanyang Sect's weakened foundation.

Taking a step back, if Taoyuan Mountain Villa adamantly denied that the search for Nie Jun was decided by individuals acting on their own, and they pushed out a few scapegoats, then they could muddle through this incident.

Not only would it fail to achieve the desired effect, but it would also cause Taoyuan Mountain Villa to become vigilant prematurely.

It was truly an unwise move that would achieve nothing but provoke hostility.

As countless figures successively departed from the Nanyang Sect,

Li Qingfeng slowly retracted his gaze, a hint of helplessness appearing on his lips. But then again, if Shen Zongzhu didn't have this kind of personality, we would still be hiding in Wutong Mountain, and our lives might not even be guaranteed. How could we have had the opportunity to see the outside world?

Outside the Nanyang Sect.

The various executives had varied expressions as they quietly conveyed the news.

Upon learning that this trip was to hold Taoyuan Mountain Villa accountable, even the seven Refinement Stage Late Period attendants under Wen Qiujin's command couldn't help but have grave looks in their eyes.

They had heard that the old lord of the villa had crossed the threshold from the Refinement Stage Late Period to the Perfection Stage many years ago.

In their understanding, the other party was a figure akin to a senior exalted one.

He had a certain degree of prestige throughout Southern Hong.

To go and hold a senior like that accountable? That old lord might not even give them face.

The grand procession of the Nanyang Sect

was naturally impossible to conceal from the eyes and ears of the allied sects, and it soon attracted quite a bit of attention.

The equivalent of seven Outer Sect Elders had been mobilized.

Just what were they planning to do?

News of Shen Yi's movements was currently the hottest topic among the Southern Hong Seven Sects. Before long, the commotion reached the ears of countless cultivators in their secluded abodes.

"Oh? I thought he wouldn't be leaving his sect for the next two months."

"What new scheme is our new sect leader concocting now?"

"..."

As messages were conveyed through the sect's communication tokens, the hearts that had finally calmed down not long ago suddenly stirred once more.

Given their understanding of the Nanyang Sect, these cultivators were probably gathered with the full strength of the sect, and the procession was even grander than the one assembled to face the diving water python last time.

Currently, the only one who could openly influence the Seven Sons Assembly was Shen Yi himself.

Surely there wasn't someone so foolish in this world?

...

In Southern Hong, there was a place known as Peach Blossom Mountain.

As the morning light gently illuminated the land, the peach blossoms that covered the mountain ignored the changing of the seasons, blooming with exceptional beauty.

Although it was called a mountain villa, it actually occupied a vast area.

And at this moment, within the dense mist, a hideous lion's head loomed faintly, its massive body emitting a green glow in the sky.

Three Lion Spirit Puppets had arrived at Peach Blossom Mountain.

On top of the Spirit Puppets, Shen Yi wore a black shirt and stood on a flying sword that radiated black light, quietly looking down.

No words were needed.

Ever since the incident with the Shuiyue Merchant Alliance, half of Southern Hong knew that the Lion Spirit Puppets belonged to a certain powerful force.

The Nanyang Immortal Sect has arrived!

Soon, several figures emerged from the sea of peach blossoms, ascending into the sky and responding loudly, "Taoyuan Mountain Villa welcomes the inspection of the main sect! Please come in, esteemed immortals!"

Hearing the words "main sect",

several of the Shuiyue Merchant Alliance's attendants secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

At least this attitude was much more resolute than when they had dealt with Wen Qiujin before.

The Qinghai Mansion cultivators, on the other hand, didn't feel anything unusual.

After all, the last time they came, Taoyuan Mountain Villa had taken the initiative to offer their allegiance.

That was why they were so shocked when they heard Nie Jun's words, and they still found it hard to believe even now.

Such obedient vassals were a great help to Shen Zongzhu, especially in such a complex situation.

"..."

Nie Jun remained silent, his eyes fixed on the mountain villa below as he glanced sideways at Shen Yi.

However, he didn't see any unusual reaction from her.

Shen Yi nodded slightly, her expression unreadable, and then she urged her flying sword, which radiated black light, towards the mountain villa.

Led by the cultivators of Taoyuan Mountain Villa,

the group soon arrived at a very spacious but not overly luxurious mountain villa amidst the peach blossoms. It had the feel of a secluded rural village, as if it were a hidden paradise.

"Please come this way, esteemed immortals."

Several disciples of Taoyuan Mountain Villa respectfully ushered the group into a grand hall.

There were already several figures inside the hall.

Evidently, aside from the Nanyang Sect, there were other guests in Taoyuan Mountain Villa.

"I am Zhong Guangde, the young lord of this place. Please forgive me for not coming out to greet you, esteemed immortals."

A middle-aged man in a white shirt quickly stepped forward and bowed to the Nanyang Sect group, a smile still on his face despite the unfriendly attitude of the visitors.

As he spoke, he gestured towards the people behind him, "These are the immortals from Sky Sword Sect, Clear Moon Sect, and Unparalleled Sect. They came to our mountain villa to admire the peach blossoms, and today we are fortunate to have so many immortals gather together. It truly delights me."

Before he could finish his polite greeting,

the cultivators behind him, upon seeing the figure in the black shirt, paused slightly, and then the two wearing the outer sect head attendant robes from Clear Moon Sect and Unparalleled Sect actually knelt on one knee without hesitation.

"Disciples pay respect to the Sect Leader of Nanyang Sect!"

The elder from Sky Sword Sect, dressed in an outer sect elder's robe, clearly held a higher position.

In fact, among the South Hong Seven Sects, there weren't many rules regarding the etiquette when disciples met the sect master.

This was because many disciples might never get to see the sect master in their lifetime, from birth to the end of their lifespan. Even the statues in the Ancestor Hall would only open their eyes in front of true elders and personal disciples.

After achieving unity with the Tao, one enters the realm of Heaven.

Mortals and immortals are separated, and it is not something that ordinary people can easily behold.

This Sect Master Shen was truly one of a kind.

Seeing the attitude of the immortal cultivators from the allied sects, Zhong Guangde was clearly taken aback. Soon, under the astonished gazes of the Nanyang Sect members, he knelt down without hesitation and performed a grand kneeling ritual.

"This lowly cultivator didn't know of the Sect Master's arrival, I deserve to die ten thousand times over!"

"..."

As soon as he made this move, not only the Qinghai Mansion cultivators but even the attendants from the Shuiyue Merchant Alliance were stunned.

If he wasn't mistaken, this humble young lord, who called himself a lowly cultivator, was at least tens of thousands of years old and a cultivator at the eighth layer of Returning Void.

How could he... How could he not have any of the bearing of an immortal?

"Hmm."

Nie Jun closed his eyes and slowly loosened his grip on the sword handle.

He just didn't like to involve himself in worldly matters; it didn't mean he couldn't read the situation.

Such a sizable and extremely loyal force would undoubtedly be of great use to Sect Master Shen in her current situation.

At this moment, even Nie Jun began to doubt if he had done something wrong.

Was it really... necessary? If he had kept this matter to himself, would that have been the biggest help to Shen Yi?

"Get up."

Shen Yi remained calm and composed as she stepped past the crowd and took her seat at the head of the hall.

The allied sect cultivators quickly straightened their postures.

Zhong Guangde was quick to get up as well. He shooed away the maids and personally made tea for Shen Yi.

He also shot a fawning smile towards the head seat.

Just then, the atmosphere in the simple yet grand hall became slightly tense.

Shen Yi looked calmly at Zhong Guangde. In the palm of her hand that was resting on the table, a storage artifact had appeared without anyone noticing.

"This..."

The young lord slowly put down his teacup.

Confusion appeared on his face, "This looks vaguely familiar. Isn't this the tribute I prepared for the Sect Master earlier... No, it seems a bit smaller. Tch! Those damn things!"

His face turned angry as he shouted towards the door, "Find out who dared to embezzle the tribute I prepared for the Sect Master! They're tired of living!"

The disciples outside had strange expressions on their faces, and soon they quickly retreated into the distance.

The allied sect cultivators quietly observed the storage artifact, and they subconsciously averted their gazes. Then, they all hid their hands behind their backs and took out their transmission jade slips.

The Nanyang Sect executives siganced helplessly and glanced at Nie Jun.

Who would have thought that despite the courteous treatment from Taoyuan Mountain Villa, it still wouldn't be as effective as a few words from this Returning Void first layer junior cultivator?

If this matter were to blow up, no one would be able to save face.

Moreover, the allied sects were present to witness it all.

Fortunately, Taoyuan Mountain Villa didn't keep them waiting.

Soon, several disciples with pale faces were brought in. They glared at Nie Jun with malicious eyes before kneeling and kowtowing repeatedly to Shen Yi.

"We were bewitched and muddled our priorities, neglecting the Sect Master. We deserve to die!"

"You deserve to die indeed!"

Zhong Guangde's features twisted with rage as he stepped forward, his palm glowing with spiritual energy.

Finally, he exuded the aura of a cultivator at the eighth layer of Returning Void.

He raised his palm and was about to strike the disciples' foreheads without hesitation.

Just then, a slight clinking sound echoed in the hall.

Zhong Guangde turned his head subconsciously.

He saw Shen Yi looking at him calmly. Next to the original storage artifact, she had placed another one that was slightly larger.

"..."

The spiritual energy in Zhong Guangde's palm gradually dissipated.

The malicious look on his face also vanished.

He remained silent as he stared at Shen Yi, and after a long while, he let out a soft sigh.

As the young lord of Taoyuan Mountain Villa, he had been the one handling the exchanges of gifts and favors over the years.

But even now, he still didn't quite understand what this young sect master truly wanted.

Face? He had already given her enough.

Precious treasures? After this matter was over, she could just ask, and he would provide them.

Why... why wouldn't she give him a step down and let both sides save face?

No one was a fool; they could all guess why the Nanyang Sect had come.

When Shen Yi threw out the second storage bag, it was clear that she didn't intend to let this matter go and wanted to handle it openly.

"Sect Master Shen, we have beautiful peach blossoms here. Why don't you stay for a few more days? Guangde will definitely give you an explanation for this matter."

Zhong Guangde performed another ritual, but when he raised his head, he was met with those calm, black eyes once more.

Since Shen Yi had taken her seat, she hadn't uttered a single word.

She quietly observed the scene, as if she were watching a ridiculous monkey show.

And Zhong Guangde was that monkey, jumping around.

But this monkey had the cultivation of Returning Void eighth layer, and Taoyuan Mountain Villa wasn't a small force that anyone in South Hong could afford to offend.

"Sect Master Shen, why don't you just speak your mind?"

Zhong Guangde withdrew his smile and stood with his hands behind his back.

In an instant, the atmosphere in the entire hall became tense.

Although the Nanyang Sect cultivators felt that it wasn't worth it, they all stepped forward together, and their overwhelming auras instantly enveloped the hall.

They hadn't practiced any combined attack techniques.

But in just one breath, they had silently trapped Zhong Guangde, leaving him with no escape route.

"Sect Master Shen... Why is this necessary?"

Xie Chaoyu of Sky Sword Sect forced a smile. Technically speaking, even the outer sect elders didn't have the right to speak up in front of the sect master.

But setting aside the matter of face, he obviously didn't view Shen Yi as the true sect master.

After all, the Seven Sons Assembly hadn't been held yet, so things weren't set in stone.

However, Shen Yi not only didn't give face to the allied sects but also completely ignored them.

He slowly stood up and threw the slightly smaller storage artifact onto Zhong Guangde, saying calmly, "First, take me to see what your life-buying money has bought."

As soon as these words were spoken, the allied sect cultivators' faces changed.

The executives from Clear Moon Sect and Unparalleled Sect had already subconsciously grabbed their transmission jade slips.

With just a simple description from them, Shen Yi's questioning of Taoyuan Mountain Villa spread among the allied sects.

At the same time.

Communication between the South Hong Seven Sects through their tokens became more frequent.

"He intends to take action against Taoyuan Mountain Villa?"

"Tsk, our Sect Master Shen, has she forgotten who the followers of Taoyuan Mountain Villa belong to?

Was this something a sane person would do?

"... "

Wei Yuanzhou listened to the reply transmitted through the wooden plaque, his eyebrows furrowing slightly.

This was an internal matter of a main sect disciplining its subordinate forces, and it was not appropriate for outsiders to interfere.

Even he would never dare to intervene at such a time. The reason was simple: if the Lingyun Sect were to assist in handling the Nanyang Sect's internal affairs, it would be an insult to Shen Yi.

On the other hand, Liu Shiqian looked at his daughter and asked, "You seem to have something on your mind?"

"No, no," Liu Qianyun shook her head repeatedly, her hands hidden behind her back, twisting the sleeve almost to the point of tearing it.

She had secretly given the imperial decree to Shen Yi, hoping that it would serve as a life-saving talisman in times of danger, but she never intended for it to be used in front of everyone from the South Hong Seven Sects.

Somehow, I feel that Father is going to be in trouble...

Just as the South Hong Seven Sects were stirring up a ruckus again.

Inside Taoyuan Mountain Villa.

A cold light flashed in Zhong Guangde's eyes as he fixed his gaze on the tall and slender figure in the ink-colored shirt. After a long silence, the corners of his lips slowly curved upwards, "I'm sorry, I don't quite understand what you're saying."

For a subordinate force to speak to their main sect in such a manner was undoubtedly insubordinate and a blatant show of defiance.

The cultivators from the allied sects wore strange smiles on their faces, curious to see what would happen now that Taoyuan Mountain Villa no longer recognized the Nanyang Sect as their main sect.

Bullying and intimidation required strength to back it up.

The Nanyang Sect of the past had not gained its 182 subordinate forces through mere words.

"... "

Shen Yi retracted her gaze and walked slowly towards the exit of the hall.

Although the Nanyang Sect cultivators were a bit tense, they quickly followed suit.

Upon seeing this, Zhong Guangde stood with his hands clasped behind his back, a faint hint of malevolence in his eyes.

He, too, took a step forward, slowly exiting the hall.

The silver ropes binding the disciples fell away, and they stood up, merging with the countless figures that appeared amidst the peach blossoms, on both high ground and low, all of them staring at the Nanyang Sect cultivators.

In an instant, a murderous aura permeated throughout the entire Taoyuan Mountain Villa, which resembled a secluded rural village.

However, no one made a move.

The reason was simple: the complexity of Taoyuan Mountain Villa was not something that a newcomer could easily comprehend.

However, amidst all these gazes, no one noticed the numerous demon souls returning from all directions.

As Shen Yi walked deeper into the peach blossom mountain, even Nie Jun was taken aback. It seemed that she was more familiar with Taoyuan Mountain Villa than those who had been here before.

Zhong Guangde and the group of cultivators from the allied sects wore increasingly ugly expressions on their faces, their eyes filled with disbelief.

They watched as Shen Yi walked up to a smooth mountain wall that reflected the surroundings like a mirror.

"Are you going to open it yourself, or should I?"

Shen Yi paused in her steps, standing atop the clear spring, her ink-colored shirt fluttering slightly as she gazed at the mountain wall.

Countless Taoyuan Mountain Villa cultivators had already filled the surrounding mountains, creating a dense crowd.

A few cultivators from the allied sects who had come to watch the spectacle now had thoughts of retreat in their minds. It was clear that this Sect Master Shen had come prepared, and they wondered how much information she had gathered about them.

"Huuu."

Zhong Guangde closed his eyes, a black light flickering between his eyebrows, and soon, an eight-layered dark palace rose into the sky.

Indeed, he was the heir of a powerful force, and his talent was worthy of admiration even among the immortal cultivators of the Nanyang Sect.

Although he was not a direct disciple like Li Yu, who had the opportunity to succeed a sect elder, he was qualified to receive personal guidance from one.

"Sect Master Shen, I advise you to stop here," Zhong Guangde said, his eyes opening as his deep voice echoed through the sky. "Think about the Nanyang Sect's current predicament, and then open your eyes to see the strength of Taoyuan Mountain Villa. Don't let your judgment be clouded by vanity, nor your vision obscured by the words of petty people. It's not too late to stop now."

"We should be the force closest to the Nanyang Sect."

"Moreover, the price of taking one more step forward is something you cannot afford."

As his words fell, three more eight-layered palaces emerged at the edge of the mountain, and several figures soared into the sky.

A dense oppressive aura instantly overshadowed the momentum of the Nanyang Sect cultivators.

"... "

Shen Yi nodded slightly, her eyes narrowing as she filtered through the unnecessary words, and what remained was a simple message.

It was up to her now.

The next moment, a massive figure made of jade-green material appeared out of thin air.

Accompanied by arrogant laughter, the enormous green rhinoceros charged through the sky and slammed into the mountain wall with full force!

Cracks!

The mirror-like stone wall was now covered in dense cracks, a sign that the formation was about to shatter.

"Stop him!"

Zhong Guangde made a hand seal and shouted.

Immediately, a figure flew towards the green rhinoceros from the air, clearly having cultivated a similar spiritual body technique. He viciously attacked the rhinoceros from behind!

However, before he could reach his target, his body was smashed to the ground, causing the mountain springs to cease flowing and the high mountains to collapse.

As the dust settled, a silver-armored figure emerged, his expression cold as he gripped the cultivator's neck.

"I'm so scared... I'm so scared!"

It muttered, its fist smashing into the cultivator's head, staining its knuckles with blood.

"How dare you look directly at the sky?"

It punched again, shattering the cultivator's eyes.

The actions of the silver-armored figure carried a hint of the Heavenly Four-Nine technique.

"Aren't you afraid? How dare you not be afraid!"

In full view of everyone, the silver-armored figure went berserk, pounding the cultivator's body relentlessly and smashing him into the mountains.

In the moment that Zhong Guangde was taken aback.

The green rhinoceros had already smashed through the stone wall, revealing a teleportation formation below.

It charged into the formation without hesitation.

Shen Yi finally took a step forward, walking through the air and entering the formation.

At that moment, Zhong Guangde's face turned slightly pale.

He subconsciously wanted to move forward.

But before he could take any action, a bloodied and mangled body was flung back at him.

As he pushed the body away with difficulty, he found himself face to face with a twisted yet expressionless face.

"Aren't... you afraid?"

A hoarse voice whispered in his ear.

Zhong Guangde's body trembled involuntarily, and he instinctively leaped backward!

"Hmm."

The Nanyang Sect executives swallowed their saliva, feeling a sense of familiarity with this spiritual puppet. Moreover, it seemed even more ferocious than the green rhinoceros from before.

They quickly took to the air, following Shen Yi into the stone wall.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end