Chapter 495: There is Strength in Numbers

Chapter 495: There is Strength in Numbers

Under the protection of the seven sons of Nan Hong, the tributary forces that had been peaceful for a long time suddenly found themselves in a bloody and brutal battle.

There was no rhyme or reason for this sudden violence.

A group of aquatic demon monsters had quietly emerged from the waters without warning.

The only commonality among the tributary forces under attack was that they were all under the jurisdiction of Elder Liu Shiqian.

It wasn't until the executives and outer sect elders of Qingyue Zong arrived to lend their aid that the situation was barely brought under control.

As the remaining Nan Hong forces anxiously pondered, wondering if this fierce battle would continue to escalate, the water demons suddenly retreated as if they had received a command, disappearing back into the waters, leaving behind only a grisly scene of carnage.

"...'

A Qingyue Zong outer sect elder hovered in the air, manipulating a spell formation. He furrowed his brows, his expression devoid of any joy.

Instead, his gaze instinctively turned towards a minuscule figure among the crowd of cultivators.

"Hu..."

Liu Qianyun took a deep breath, steadying her emotions.

But her fingertips still trembled uncontrollably.

These demon monsters seemed to have no clear purpose or intent to plunder, yet their choice of targets was glaringly obvious.

Now, their sudden retreat seemed to indicate that whoever was behind them had gotten what they wanted.

"Father..."

Liu Qianyun clenched her fists and quietly slipped away from the crowd. Then, she hurried in a certain direction.

With merely the cultivation of the third layer of Returning Void, she was at the bottom of the barrel compared to these cultivators who were qualified to leave the sect. Her actions couldn't possibly escape the notice of others.

The crowd simply pretended not to notice.

After all, they hadn't received any edict from the elders, indicating that Elder Liu didn't intend to blow this matter out of proportion.

What exactly had happened?

...

At the same time, amidst the tumultuous ocean, a solitary figure stood with hands behind their back, atop a lone leaf boat.

A solemn face, eyes clear, quietly gazing into the void ahead.

It seemed as if he was the only one present.

Yet, the rippling waters seemed fraught with murderous intent.

However violent the waves, they couldn't so much as dampen the hem of his robe.

Elder Liu shook his head, "You've gone through all this trouble to lure me out here, but you surely didn't think that these childish tricks would frighten me."

As his words fell, the waters suddenly stilled.

The flowing waters seemed to freeze in place, turning into a vast blue gem.

After a moment, a hoarse voice echoed from below the waters, "Then tell me, why do you think I called you out here?"

Elder Liu looked down, his expression indifferent as he replied, "It's certainly not to kill me, at least not like this."

"Why?" The voice below the waters chuckled.

"Because you dare not." Elder Liu patted his sleeve, too lazy to even summon his magical treasure. "Without evidence, a mere watchdog like you wouldn't dare cause trouble for the Dragon Palace."

The usually stern and rigid Elder Liu needed only a few words to make the being below the waters breathe heavily.

Everyone knew that among the thirteen dragon grandsons, the fourth in terms of strength and temperament was at the top, outshining most of his siblings.

But only a select few knew that the reason he was able to gain such prominence was that the South Dragon Palace didn't consider him a candidate for succession at all.

If he were in an immortal sect, he wouldn't even be considered a Daoist, at best an elder in charge of protecting the Dao.

To assassinate a Qingyue Zong elder right under the noses of the Nan Hong was not a decision he could make.

There was silence beneath the waters for a long time.

Finally, the laughter returned, "Then why did you come out?"

He couldn't do anything overt, but by creating some waves, he could cause the executives of the Qingyue Sect no end of trouble and even make them pay a heavy price.

And all this damage was because of Elder Liu.

Sometimes, being too rigid wasn't a good thing; it made one easy to manipulate.

At the very least, this Elder Liu wouldn't just stand by and let this happen.

On the contrary, Ke the Fourth didn't care about the lives of these aquatic demon monsters.

He would gladly trade their lives for those of the Qingyue Sect disciples without an ounce of hesitation or guilt.

"How about this, you tell me, who killed my brother and why. Give me a clear explanation, and I'll let you off the hook. After all, there's a clear culprit and a clear victim in this matter." Ke the Fourth's voice carried a hint of taunting.

"...'

A hint of ridicule flashed in Elder Liu's eyes, and he slowly exhaled, "Then how about this, you also tell me who sent you that letter."

With just a few words, Ke the Fourth fell silent for the third time.

He didn't really intend to find out the identity of the dragon slayer from this old man. After all, the letter had already made everything clear. He just wanted to tease Elder Liu and get back at him for the "watchdog" jibe.

But it was evident that Elder Liu had already guessed everything.

The playful tone in Ke the Fourth's laughter finally faded, and he said in a deep voice, "I didn't expect Elder Liu to be so sharp-tongued."

He didn't want to waste any more words.

"The Immortal Cave, three days. If you come out alive, I'll let this matter drop. If you die, I won't pursue it further."

The so-called Immortal Cave was a secret realm in Nan Hong.

It had long been explored countless times by cultivators and was considered abandoned. Its only peculiarity was that once one entered, they were completely cut off from the outside world, making it an ideal place to kill and hide bodies.

Over time, it became an understood challenge.

Stepping into the Immortal Cave was akin to signing a life and death contract.

"Won't pursue it further...tch, and you presume to represent the Dragon Palace?"

Elder Liu shook his head, using the calmest tone he could muster, but he didn't refuse. Instead, he turned around slowly, and the leaf boat beneath his feet suddenly sped off in a certain direction.

If there was someone familiar with him, they would know that Elder Liu wasn't the type to enjoy verbal sparring, even though he was exceptionally skilled at it.

Once again, his words caused ripples below the waters, angering Ke the Fourth while also indicating a subtle shift in Elder Liu's emotions.

He gazed into the distance.

Suddenly, a jade slip flashed.

If there was evidence and reason, then it wouldn't be a problem. But unfortunately, Ke Thirteenth had never provoked the Qingyue Sect from start to finish, and even at the time, it was Shen Zongzhu who had made the first move... If the Dragon Palace wanted to quibble, Ke Thirteenth had merely borrowed a grand formation from a subordinate force. Given the Dragon Palace's overwhelming power, it definitely wasn't a capital offense.

Liu Shiqian sighed and gently crushed the jade slip.

He descended from the solitary leaf boat.

His figure appeared before a stone cave that resembled the gaping maw of a fierce beast, and then he stepped inside.

His vision began to shift.

Until a hint of putrid air drilled into his nostrils.

Liu Shiqian looked up and saw that within the dimly lit grand hall, three statues, each as massive as a small mountain, sat with their legs crossed.

Each statue bore a different head: a fat, sharp-toothed fish head; a three-headed snake with vertical pupils; and a long-nosed elephant with mottled scales.

As Liu Shiqian stood there,

the long-nosed, scaly elephant slowly opened its eyes, and its wet body began to move, revealing that it was not a statue but a living creature.

It was common knowledge that each of the dragon grandsons commanded at least five demon armies.

The leaders of these armies were no weaker than the elders of immortal sects.

Aside from the six princes of the South Dragon Palace, Ke the Fourth was the only dragon grandson with control over five demon armies.

What surprised Liu Shiqian was that

in order to deal with him, the other party was willing to send out three generals, each leading one of those armies. No wonder they dared to give him three days.

"You've come?"

The long-nosed scaly elephant stood up slowly, effortlessly lifting its hand to flip the roof of the grand hall, revealing the equally gloomy sky above.

"I have." Liu Shiqian pointed his index finger and lightly tapped his brow.

A long rainbow leaped out, starting with a bluish hue that mixed with purple and white, suddenly connecting to the horizon.

Upon closer inspection, there were about five celestial palaces, proving why he was able to become an elder.

Beyond the clouds.

The Dragon Han Grand City and the Red Light Grand City appeared one after the other. Two thick doors were pushed open by invisible hands, and then a burst of azure light shot out, bathing Liu Shiqian in its glow.

When the azure light faded,

Liu Shiqian's frail body was covered in a black robe, and on his back was a white crescent moon so bright it hurt the eyes.

In his outstretched palm, there was now a scimitar.

The two Qingluan immortal weapons illuminated the dull grand hall, making it seem like a fairyland.

However, the expressions of the three great demons did not change at all, and they said indifferently, "Since you've come, then don't leave."

...

On the vast ocean.

Chiyang Elder had a solemn expression as he looked at the flickering jade slip in his hand. "This old fellow has gone and gotten stubborn again."

Not being able to contact him should have been a cause for celebration.

After all, Chiyang Elder wasn't sure if bringing Shen Zongzhu with him would be considered a grave sin.

But at this moment, he couldn't bring himself to feel happy.

It was as if he had completely withdrawn from the whole affair, and while he believed that Old Liu could definitely handle the matter, he felt a heaviness in his heart.

To reach the White Jade Capital realm and have a confidant with whom one could speak openly was truly a rare treasure.

Chiyang only had one such old friend, and the same was true for the other party.

"Why don't you go back first?"

Chiyang adjusted his mood and turned back with a forced smile. "I'll keep looking."

At this moment, he suddenly didn't want to bring a burden along or exchange pleasantries with the other party.

"I'll come too."

Shen Yi didn't seem to notice Chiyang Elder's concealed worry.

He simply closed his eyes slowly.

With a slight movement of his heart, he communicated with Ke Thirteenth, who was connected to his brow.

"If the Dragon Palace finds out about your death, and Ke the Fourth wants to take revenge for you, what do you think he'll do?"

"Uh... ah... uh..."

Zhen Shi, looking a bit dazed, replied, "If he doesn't have evidence, he probably won't do anything too obvious. He'll probably invite Elder Liu to the Immortal Cave."

"I see."

Shen Yi nodded slightly, reopening his eyes, "Let's go, then, and take a look."

"Hmm?" Chiyang was taken aback. What did he mean? Had he found something? No, did Shen Zongzhu have connections under the water as well?

And... did that mean he was determined to get involved in this matter? But now, Chiyang suddenly stopped his advice, even if it would really bring great disaster, he really wanted to see what Old Liu was doing now.

Leaving Ke Thirteenth to rest, Shen Yi, guided by the soul of the Meat Wing Silkworm, took Chiyang Elder straight to the Immortal Cave.

...

Outside the Immortal Cave.

As soon as the two figures landed, they saw two late Returning Void water demons standing guard at the cave entrance, their bodies adorned with exquisite fish-scale armor.

"Water Clan business, nothing to do with outsiders..."

Before the words had finished leaving their mouths, the two great demons seemed to recognize the identities of the visitors, and they hesitated.

They hadn't mentioned the South Dragon Palace before, probably not wanting to make a big deal out of it. But if it was someone from Nan Hong's Seven Sons, there was no need to pretend anymore.

"So it's the Qingyue Sect Elder who has come in person."

The water demon glanced at the cave behind him, then turned his gaze back to the old man with white hair and a youthful face, and also swept his eyes over the young man beside him.

The two demons cupped their hands in greeting, "Elder Chiyang, we mean no offense, but we advise you not to get involved. This has nothing to do with you. Cultivation is not easy, so don't throw your life away for nothing, and don't cause trouble for the Qingyue Sect like Elder Liu."

"Please leave."

As they spoke, the two demons stretched out their hands in a shooing motion.

"..."

Elder Chiyang clenched his fists tightly. Old Liu was indeed here.

As he had guessed, Old Liu had gotten himself involved with the Dragon Palace, and from the looks of it, it might even be one of the dragon sons.

In the end, they decided to handle it privately.

Seeing the two demons' calm and relaxed demeanor, the situation was likely not looking good.

"This should be Shen Zongzhu, right?"

The water demon looked at Shen Yi again, a playful smile on his face, "You can go in, after all, Elder Liu treated you well. But we also advise you not to get involved for now. It's not your turn yet, and it's better for Elder Liu to die with his eyes closed."

As he passed by the two demons, a gentle breeze seemed to brush past, lifting the hem of his sleeve.

Crunch! A dull explosion sounded, and the two demon monsters' heads collided, sending bone fragments and blood splattering everywhere.

Shen Yi lightly wiped the bloodstains from his palms, his figure disappearing deeper into the cave.

"Ah?"

Chiyang froze for a moment. Just a second ago, the two demons had been smiling, and in an instant, they had become warm corpses.

And not even a ripple of energy had stirred from Shen Yi's body.

With just this one move, it was clear that his strength far exceeded his apparent late Returning Void stage cultivation.

"Damn your rules."

Chiyang cursed and took a large step forward as well.

Just at that moment.

Heavy breathing, like thunder, reverberated within the Immortal Cave.

Clearly, the three large demon monsters had expended a significant amount of energy.

But the result of this expenditure was quite pleasing.

The thin figure, leaning against the wall with the scimitar in hand, quietly watched as the black moon robe on his body shattered, transforming into a blue light that returned to the Dragon Han Grand City. The tightly shut gates were an impenetrable barrier, seemingly cutting off any chance of escape for the middle-aged cultivator.

Perhaps Liu Shiqian could have defeated any one of the three demons on his own.

But when they joined forces, their strength, combined with their years of working together, made them far more formidable than a simple sum of their powers.

Usually, the three days it took to pass through the trial felt like an instant. But now, it seemed interminably long.

And in less than two hours, the victor had already been decided.

"Huh."

Liu Shiqian silently looked towards the third city, faintly visible behind the clouds.

Unfortunately, he was not a cultivator blessed with good fortune.

A breakthrough in the midst of battle, like this, was unlikely to happen to a cultivator like him, who had always been steady and cautious. From the first Qingluan Immortal Palace, he had taken a step-by-step approach, and while he might be blessed with insight into the Heavenly Palaces, he had also encountered many ordinary Spirit Palaces.

After entering the White Jade Capital, he had barely glimpsed three cities.

And as for the doors that he couldn't open before, he might as well give up on them now.

"Tsk."

Liu Shiqian spat out a mouthful of blood.

Straightening his body once more, the scimitar in his hand, on the brink of shattering, pointed forward once more.

A smile appeared on the faces of the three demons, and they were about to speak when their eyes narrowed, a hint of mockery flashing in them.

A pale hand gently rested on the back of the scimitar.

Then the figure walked forward, the fluttering ink-black robe obscuring Liu Shiqian's vision as he stood in front of the three massive demons.

"So you really let them beat you up like this?"

Panting, Chiyang rushed in a step too late, propping up Liu Shiqian's body and scolding him, "Are you stupid? Going to lecture demons about morality and rules?"

"How did you two get here?"

Liu Shiqian frowned, wiping the blood from his nose with the back of his hand.

He glanced reproachfully at Chiyang.

Chiyang Elder understood his old friend's meaning and sighed, "It wasn't me who brought him here, it was Shen Zongzhu who brought me."

Liu Shiqian didn't say anything more, simply tightening his grip on the scimitar.

With a touch of emotion, he looked at the figure in front of him. Under the ink-black robe, his shoulders didn't seem exceptionally broad.

But his bearing was truly no less impressive than that of any Daoist.

Though Liu Shiqian wasn't good with words, he had always been accurate in judging people.

"Block the demons and let the Sect Master leave first."

Liu Shiqian no longer stood on ceremony with his old friend, and the scimitar in his hand shone with a clear light once more.

The long-nosed water elephant slowly raised its arms, its eyes fixed on Chiyang Elder, "If you had come earlier, there might have been a glimmer of hope... but now, it's a little too late."

Liu Shiqian's strength had already diminished to less than a quarter of what it had been.

Even with Chiyang's help, the situation couldn't be turned around.

As for the youth in the ink-black robe, the three demons didn't even consider him a threat.

"Bullying us with your numbers, huh? Look at you, so proud of yourselves." Chiyang sneered, his finger pressing against his brow, and a rainbow, slightly dimmer than Liu Shiqian's, connected heaven and earth, summoning the shadows of the Dragon Han and Red Light Grand Cities.

"We, who serve in the Dragon Palace, never mind bullying with numbers. In fact, we quite enjoy it."

The three-headed snake demon didn't seem angry at all, instead letting out a deep, sinister chuckle.

Then, one of the three heads slowly turned towards the youth in the ink-black robe, "Shen Zongzhu, what do you say? Have you grown tired of living, coming here to offer yourself up so that we brothers can add another merit to our names? Or do you want to include yourself in the count, making it three against three?"

In full view of everyone.

A smile suddenly appeared on Shen Yi's handsome face, "No need."

"Oh?" The snake demon mocked, its tongue flicking.

But then the youth lifted his head, the smile fading as he said seriously, "I also enjoy bullying with numbers."

As his words fell, two beams of light shot out.

Transforming into two equally massive bodies, they appeared silently behind the three huge demons.

The Meat-Wing Silkworm, towering at a hundred zhang high, spread its wings, which seemed to block out the sky, like a terrifying giant awakening.

The golden tortoise, its body shimmering like flowing gold, crouched on the ground, gently stroking the water elephant's bald head with its front claws before viciously slapping it, cackling, "More numbers? Is that enough? Tell me, is it enough! Speak!"

"Cat got your tongue?"

"Speak when I tell you to!"

The tall water elephant looked frail in front of the giant tortoise, its head being slapped forcefully, its body shrinking in silence.

Something seemed amiss with the situation.

The other two great demons also became alert, losing their previous nonchalance.

"..."

Liu Shiqian and Chiyang exchanged glances.

The two stone puppets looked vaguely familiar, but they were completely different from what they remembered.

And the dense aura they exuded made the two of them feel like strangers.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end