Chapter 482: Returning to Qinghua Jing, Tian Shiqi's Schemes

Chapter 482: Returning to Qinghua Jing, Tian Shiqi's Schemes

Every move Xu Yan made was closely watched. Outside of Tai Miao Shen Zong, Immortal Venerables from various major powers were secretly observing, and the arrival of Meng Chong and Jiang Buling was immediately noticed by these powerful beings.

Initially, they had expected a battle of the proud young geniuses, but instead, an unexpected calm settled. This led to a startling speculation—Xu Yan, Meng Chong, and Jiang Buling were likely acquaintances and possibly even disciples of the same master.

The very thought of it left them astounded. Just who was this formidable master capable of nurturing such monstrous talents, not just one but three of them?

Lao Xiao didn't leave. He waited, intending to meet the mysterious person who was Xu Yan's master. The appearance of Meng Chong and Jiang Buling only served to confirm his suspicions.

"I wonder who it is that has cultivated such exceptional disciples. Moreover, the martial arts cultivated by Xu Yan, Meng Chong, and Jiang Buling seem to be different from each other." Lao Xiao was deeply shocked.

Based on his knowledge, there seemed to be only one person capable of achieving this—Tai Cang!

However, Tai Cang was dead. If it wasn't him, then who else could it be?

"Could it be the Unchanging Temple?" Lao Xiao frowned slightly.

But he quickly dismissed the idea as unlikely. If the Unchanging Temple had reached such a level, they would have already invaded the Tai Cang realm.

"No need to rush. We'll meet him soon enough," Lao Xiao thought to himself.

On this day, Xu Yan and his group left the Tai Miao Shen Zong.

"Let's go," Xu Yan said with a smile, looking at Lao Xiao.

"Okay!" Lao Xiao nodded, his heart filled with anticipation, and he even started thinking about how to test Xu Yan's master.

The group left Tai Miao and headed towards Qinghua Jing.

"We're attracting too much attention!" Meng Chong frowned slightly.

Wherever they went, powerful beings from various forces appeared, openly tracking their movements and making their intentions clear.

These powerful beings knew that even if they tried to conceal their presence, they wouldn't be able to hide from Xu Yan and the others. Moreover, any misunderstandings might result in them being instantly slashed by Xu Yan's sword.

Hence, they chose to be blatant in their actions, making their intentions clear.

Hum!

Sword light suddenly appeared from all directions, and everything, from the grass to the trees, transformed into sharp swords. Xu Yan's voice resonated through the surroundings.

"Continue following, and you will be killed without mercy!"

As the sword light emerged, the powerful beings from the various forces changed their expressions and quickly fled.

After this incident, they no longer appeared.

After all, they feared death!

"This young man is truly domineering," Lao Xiao thought to himself. Moreover, the profundity of his swordsmanship far exceeded Lao Xiao's understanding of the sword path.

"Can all things in heaven and earth become swords? What kind of sword path is this? Is it still considered swordsmanship?" Lao Xiao's heart trembled.

If Xu Yan were at the same realm as him, Lao Xiao knew he wouldn't stand a chance against Xu Yan. Facing such profound swordsmanship, he doubted he could withstand even a few strikes.

At this moment, he finally understood why Xu Yan was able to slay Immortal Venerables as if they were mere insects.

Indeed, facing such profound swordsmanship, even Immortal Venerables were powerless to resist.

...

In Diyun Jing, the massive sky cave had disappeared, and the power of the Dao rules had faded away. However, Tian Shiqi and the others remained, continuously receiving messages from various parts of the divine realm.

They learned about Xu Yan's dragon-subduing feat, the collapse of the Dao Domain ladder, the chaos in the sky cave, the blood sacrifices of the warriors from the Underworld Prison, and the raging flames of the Witch Demons, among other things.

The turmoil in heaven and earth continued.

With the fall of a Dao Domain, it merged with the divine realm, connecting the two realms. As a result, the spiritual energy and Dao rules of the fallen Dao Domain began to spread.

Soon, the upper limit of the Immortal realm would be broken.

The Dao Domain would also give rise to powerful beings, including Supreme Warriors.

"Seventeen, who exactly is Xu Yan, and who is backing him? He actually subdued the dragon!" One of the four masked men, Tian Sha, spoke in a deep voice.

Tian Shiqi replied solemnly, "Xu Yan is from Qinghua Jing, and he holds an esteemed position there. His swordsmanship is unparalleled, marking him as a formidable monster.

"However, as for who the powerful figure backing him is, that remains unknown."

"That was a true dragon. According to what you said, Xu Yan's realm shouldn't have been enough to defeat it. Yet, he subdued the dragon without using swordsmanship, implying that he has mastered a method to counter dragons," another masked man, Tian Sha, said with a shocked expression.

To defeat a stronger opponent and subdue a true dragon was unprecedented. It was the first time such a thing had happened in the history of the world!

Xu Yan could be hailed as the number one dragon-subduer of all time!

"His monstrous talent far surpasses my imagination!" Tian Shiqi said with a grave expression.

"A message from the lord?" The four Tian Sha masked figures asked, their voices filled with anticipation.

"Indeed," Tian Shiqi confirmed. "Now is our chance to make a name for ourselves. If we can acquire the Dragon-Subduing Art, our lord will be able to command the True Dragon clan. Great achievements await us, and the path to supremacy is within reach!"

The four Tian Sha nodded vigorously, their excitement palpable.

"Good! Good! Tian Shiqi, where is Xu Yan now? Let us go and capture him at once and await the lord's arrival!"

"It seems Xu Yan has returned to Qinghua Jing. If we want to capture him, that is where we must go," Tian Shiqi said, a hint of regret in his tone. "This opportunity for merit rests with you. As for me, the lord has assigned another task."

The four Tian Sha tried to console him, their faces beaming with joy. "Don't worry, Tian Shiqi. The task the lord has entrusted to you must be of equal or greater importance than obtaining the Dragon-Subduing Art."

Tian Shiqi nodded in agreement. "Of course. This task is undoubtedly crucial. How about we swap missions? I'll go to Qinghua Jing, and you can greet Tian San's envoy to the Divine Realm."

The four Tian Sha shook their heads hastily. "No, we dare not overstep our bounds. The lord has assigned you this task, and we must not presume to act in your stead. We four brothers will go to Qinghua Jing and capture Xu Yan."

A fleeting glimpse of disappointment crossed Tian Shiqi's face, but he quickly composed himself and spoke with feigned solemnity. "You are right. We must not shirk the responsibilities given to us by the lord."

"Yes, yes!" The four Tian Sha nodded eagerly.

"Then I bid you farewell and wish you success in your endeavor. Do not forget me when you ascend to supremacy," Tian Shiqi said respectfully.

"There's no need for such formality among us," the four figures replied, their faces wreathed in smiles.

"The lord's mission is of utmost importance. Until next time," Tian Shiqi said.

"Yes!" The four Tian Sha figures, their faces still flushed with excitement, vanished in an instant, rushing towards Qinghua Jing.

As they departed, Tian Shiqi's smile faded, and he watched them go in silence. "I hope you make it back alive," he murmured.

The mission to capture Xu Yan and obtain the Dragon-Subduing Art seemed rewarding, but only if they returned unscathed.

No news had come from Qinghua Jing, and it seemed that all traces of the Tian Sha Di Ying members had vanished. There was even a possibility that they had defected.

"Xu Yan is an extraordinary talent, and the person backing him is surely powerful. If you four fail, it would be reasonable for me not to intervene. After all, our lord values intelligence gathering and maintaining stability. He will commend me for my discretion and ability to prioritize. That is why he has entrusted me with a more important task."

Tian Shiqi's smile turned cold. "And if, by some stroke of luck, you succeed, do not blame me for being ruthless. Such a grand achievement cannot be claimed by you."

Qinghua Jing was too dangerous, and he had to play it safe. Tian Shiqi's role was that of a schemer and executor behind the scenes, not a front-line fighter or a reckless adventurer.

The four Tian Sha masked figures raced towards Qinghua Jing, confident in their strength.

"Even if there is someone backing Xu Yan, they are likely only at the Shen Zun realm. If there were a Supreme in the Divine Realm, our lord would surely know," the leader among them said. "The four of us together are more than capable of defeating him. Still, we must remain vigilant."

"We have divine artifacts bestowed upon us by the lord. Working together, we can slay even the most powerful Shen Zuns. Capturing Xu Yan will be as easy as turning our hands!" one of them boasted.

"Exactly!" the others agreed, their confidence soaring.

Qinghua Jing seemed like a tranquil sanctuary, untouched by the chaos and turmoil of the outside world. There were no signs of the tremors felt elsewhere, and the realm exuded a peaceful and prosperous aura. The spiritual energy was vibrant and active, unlike anywhere else.

"Is this the Clear Splendor Realm?" Zhou Qing asked, her eyes wide with wonder as she stepped into the realm.

Zi Yun, too, was surprised by the dramatic transformation of Qinghua Jing. "Yes, this is Qinghua Jing!" she confirmed with a smile.

"Princess, something is amiss in Clearflower Capital," an elderly woman accompanying Zhou Qing said, her face grave.

The spiritual energy was too vibrant, suggesting that the boundaries of the Immortal realm had been broken in Qinghua Jing.

"Let's go and find Ling Xiu. She can heal you," Zi Yun said, her eyes shining with happiness at the thought of reuniting with her senior and Su Ling Xiu.

Returning to Qinghua Jing and seeing her seniors again filled Zi Yun with joy. She had made up her mind never to leave again. Being with Su Ling Xiu was all she wanted.

"Meng Chong will be back soon, too!" Zi Yun thought, her smile growing brighter at the prospect.

The world was in upheaval, and the Divine Realm was in turmoil. Zi Yun and Zhou Qingfrost's journey from Dayan Jing had been fraught with challenges, but they had persevered.

Zhou Qing's strength was exceptionally high even among Undying Paramounts, and her status as the Great Yan's First Princess was enough to intimidate countless powerful beings.

"Zi Yun is back."

Zi Yun had sent a message ahead of her arrival.

"And she brought a patient with her."

Su Ling Xiu's eyes lit up with anticipation; she loved a good medical challenge.

"Ling Xiu! Yue'er!"

Zi Yun's figure swiftly approached.

"Sister Zi Yun!"

Yue'er's face lit up with joy. "Sister Zi Yun, your strength has fallen behind!"

Zi Yun sighed. "I know. The Great Yan is ultimately not as advanced as the Evergreen Pavilion."

Next, Zi Yun introduced Zhou Qing. "This is the Great Yan's First Princess!"

"And this is the Divine Physician, Su Ling Xiu!"

At this moment, Princess Zhou Qing and her attendant were utterly stunned.

Although Su Ling Xiu exuded a friendly aura, her gentle and serene demeanor, and her ethereal grace, her strength was overwhelming to the princess and her attendant.

"As expected of Meng Chong's junior sister. With her strength, killing Undying Paramounts is like slaughtering baby chicks!"

Princess Zhou Qing couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.

"Qing Frost pays her respects to Physician Su."

Princess Zhou Qing didn't dare to put on any airs as the Great Yan's First Princess and bowed respectfully.

"No need for formalities. Your condition has already been explained to me by your Second Senior Brother. Now that you're here, let's not waste any time. I'll give you a check-up!"

Su Ling Xiu's eyes sparkled with excitement as she eagerly prepared to examine her patient.

"Alright!"

Princess Zhou Qing nodded.

Since she was already here, she might as well make the best of it. If Su Ling Xiu had any ill intentions, her strength would make resistance futile anyway.

Su Ling Xiu and Yue'er proceeded to examine Princess Zhou Qing and treat her illness.

Meanwhile, Zi Yun made her way to the back courtyard.

"Zi Yun pays her respects to Senior!"

Zi Yun respectfully knelt and greeted Li Xuan.

Li Xuan smiled and nodded. "No need for such formalities."

"Thank you, Senior."

After her greeting, Zi Yun stood up.

"Senior, is there no future for the Tai Cang Martial Arts?"

Zi Yun hesitated for a moment before plucking up the courage to ask.

Li Xuan's smile remained unchanged. "The pinnacle of Tai Cang Martial Arts is indeed Tai Cang himself. However, it doesn't mean that there's no room for further improvement. It's just that Tai Cang has passed away, and there's been no one to take his place.

"Tai Cang's strength is still formidable, but for you, it's still too far-fetched. Don't aim too high, just focus on cultivating diligently for now.

"Exploring new paths requires you to first reach Tai Cang's level."

"Zi Yun understands!"

Zi Yun respectfully replied.

"Mhm, cultivate well."

Li Xuan nodded.

With a slight movement of his finger, he enhanced the jade talisman on Zi Yun, elevating her status within the sect.

With Zi Yun's return, the Dan Yi Hospital became livelier. Princess Zhou Qing and her attendant were astounded by the art of divine medicine.

Moreover, Princess Zhou Qing's soul illness had been cured.

Although her illness was cured, the long-term effects remained, leaving Princess Zhou Qing with a cold and aloof demeanor.

Even after her illness was cured, Princess Zhou Qing didn't return to the Great Yan Realm. Instead, she chose to reside near the Dan Yi Hospital. She brought out numerous divine medicines and treasures and purchased a large number of pills.

Furthermore, she sent the elderly woman back to the Great Yan Realm to retrieve more divine medicines and treasures.

Seeing this, Feng Yan couldn't help but be amazed. "This woman sure knows how to seize an opportunity and is quite decisive in using her wealth to win over Su Ling Xiu and the others."

Even he had received invaluable treasures from Princess Zhou Qing!

"I never expected to meet someone who understands the importance of seizing opportunities as well as I do!"

Feng Yan marveled inwardly.

However, no matter how thoughtful Princess Zhou Qing was, she couldn't match his level of integration. After all, he had started working diligently for Fang Hao and Su Ling Xiu when they were still weaker, and he had performed his tasks beautifully, which was why he had managed to seize this tremendous opportunity.

Xu Yan and his group had already entered the Nine Mountains Realm.

At Da Gai Mountain, Xu Yan met with an old acquaintance, Wan Tianlin.

"Brother Xu's reputation shakes the Divine Realm!"

Wan Tianlin exclaimed in admiration.

He was only half a step away from the Undying Realm, and he was confident that he could break through within half a year.

However, what was the point of breaking through to the Undying Realm?

Xu Yan had slain countless apex Undying Paramounts, and he had even subdued a true dragon.

"It's because those Undying Paramounts were too weak. They're not worth mentioning!"

Xu Yan waved his hand dismissively.

Wan Tianlin was momentarily lost for words.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end