https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-496-A-Fierce-Battle-Against-the-Dragon-Palace-General/12554830/
Chapter 497: Qingyue Daoist, White Witch
Chapter 497: Qingyue Daoist, White Witch
Chi—
The colossal noseless water elephant, as still as a statue, twitched all over, its abdomen rising and falling. Its shattered eye sockets were filled with unwillingness, and it exhaled its last breath.
A formidable beast comparable to the White Jade Capital cultivators had finally lost all signs of life.
[White Jade Capital Azure-Eyed Water Elephant slain. Total lifespan: 360,200 years. Remaining lifespan absorbed: 140,300 years. Absorption complete.]
Within the Immortal's Cave, death and slaughter were commonplace, and countless cultivators and demons had perished there.
However, the simultaneous death of three White Jade Capital beast generals was exceptionally brutal, even among the numerous battles that had taken place there.
"Heh..."
Among everyone present, Chi Yang had probably expended the least amount of effort. From start to finish, he had only been controlling the iron token, and he could be said to be completely unscathed.
However, as he watched the two lifelike spirit puppets turn into white light and merge into Shen Zongzhu's eyebrows, his expression became more incredulous than the heavily injured Liu Shiqian.
His attention had been focused on the powerful beast general from the Dragon Palace earlier, and it was only after the three beasts were slain that he realized how absurd the situation was.
And who was Chi Yang?
Qingyue Sect was one of the Seven Sons of Nanhong, and its status was unquestionable. Chi Yang was also one of the six great elders of Qingyue Sect, a position of great power.
Although the presence of several sect leaders and many Daoists kept him humble, he still possessed the confidence of a strong cultivator.
Now, however, he was being told that a being even more powerful than him was merely a lifeless puppet, a spirit puppet that Shen Zongzhu could carry with him at all times.
Even with Chi Yang's extensive knowledge and experience as an elder of Qingyue Sect, he still found this terrifying ability somewhat absurd and shocking.
Of course, compared to the spirit puppets...
Chi Yang slowly turned his head and directed his gaze towards the young man sitting cross-legged in the distance.
Just now, with a single palm strike, that young man had killed the White Jade Capital fish demon. This feat seemed even more astonishing and extraordinary.
After all, the fish demon's strength was unquestionable.
Even in the face of Chi Yang's full-powered Azure Phoenix Immortal Soldier, the fish demon had not shown any signs of weakness.
How had such a seasoned and powerful general died so inexplicably?
What had the fish demon seen in its final moments that filled its eyes with such fear?
Chi Yang's heart was filled with pressing questions, and he subconsciously took a step towards Shen Yi, intending to ask something.
However, before he could speak, he noticed the subtle reminder from Liu Shiqian.
"..."
Like Chi Yang, Liu Shiqian was also seizing the opportunity to heal his injuries. At that moment, he had finally regained some strength and struggled to his feet.
He knew what Chi Yang wanted to ask.
Even though Liu Shiqian himself was filled with doubt and uncertainty, he still stopped Chi Yang from voicing his questions.
The difference between Liu Shiqian and Chi Yang was that he had been observing Shen Yi from the very beginning.
Back in Nanyang, when they first met, Liu Shiqian had been in the form of a Daoist plaque, and Shen Yi had not yet broken through to the Returning Void stage.
At the time, Tianjian Sect's Liu Xing Shan had insincerely flattered Shen Yi, commenting on his "dragon-like appearance."
Naturally, no one took such words of goodwill, spoken purely to gain favor and claim the Nanyang treasure ground, to heart.
But Liu Shiqian genuinely thought highly of this young man.
After all, in his many years as an elder, he had interacted with countless sect disciples, and he could clearly see the admiration and gratitude in the eyes of those Nanyang treasure ground disciples as they looked at Shen Yi.
They had all come from the same treasure ground.
Yet, Shen Yi, with his mere Core Formation cultivation, had caused Ye Wenxuan, the female cultivator at the second layer of the Returning Void stage, to pale in comparison.
This was something that an ordinary person could not achieve.
The other elders must have noticed this as well.
It was just that their attention had been mostly drawn to the Nanyang treasure ground itself.
"Sigh."
Liu Shiqian closed his eyes and let out a soft sigh.
He had thought highly of Shen Yi before, but he had never expected him to be this impressive.
In just a few short months, Shen Yi had transformed right under his nose, soaring from the late Core Formation stage to the brink of the perfect Returning Void stage. Moreover, he had displayed a level of strength that even Liu Shiqian found outrageously powerful.
Had Qin Zongzhu returned?
Liu Shiqian opened his eyes again. Could it be that this once strongest of the Seven Sons of Nanhong, sensing that something was amiss, had left behind some measure before his death, requiring ten millennia to gestate and hatch, and had now returned?
Or was it that the Nanyang treasure ground itself had gathered its aura and attempted to save itself, resulting in the current Shen Zongzhu?
As a White Jade Capital cultivator who had fought his way to the top, Liu Shiqian understood fate and aura, but he had never believed in them.
These things existed, but they rarely favored a particular individual. Otherwise, why had most of the heaven-defying geniuses protected by the Primordial Purple Qi met their demise on their rise to power?
But now, he found himself believing, if only a little.
Otherwise, it was difficult to explain why that figure shrouded in ink-like robes had repeatedly left him in awe.
Of course, setting aside his strength...
Elder Liu finally understood why the group of Nanyang treasure ground cultivators had looked at Shen Zongzhu with such admiration back then.
"Hmm?"
Shen Yi slightly raised his eyes and then casually pulled out a piece of yellow paper from his sleeve.
Of course, he kept such a life-saving item within easy reach at all times.
Fortunately, he never had to use it.
He handed over the decree, saying, "Here."
Liu Shiqian took the decree, flicked his finger, and turned it into ashes before bowing again and saying, "From now on, there's no need for such things. Sect Master Shen, please give any orders you have."
"Elder Liu, you flatter me," Shen Yi said, shaking his head. To be honest, when he first left the Nanyang treasure ground, if it hadn't been for Elder Liu sending people to guide him, he might still be hiding in the sect, pondering where to find the blood of a fire-attributed fairy bird.
Charity in times of need far outshines favors in times of comfort.
"Let's go," Liu Shiqian said, wasting no time on pleasantries. One of the main reasons for his silence was his lack of eloquence; if he spoke more, he might offend Sect Master Shen.
Elder Ke had said it would take three days, but in reality, it would take no more than one day for the other party to send their people to investigate.
This Long Sun was not one to follow rules and stick to his principles; otherwise, with his background, he wouldn't have achieved his current status.
Not to mention that Chi Yang's involvement was already irregular.
"Wait a moment," Shen Yi said as he stood up, quickly collecting the scattered remains of the three demon monsters and storing them in his finger-worn storage ring. Only then did he walk out of the Immortal's Cave, also collecting the remains of the previous two demons, not even leaving behind a single bone fragment.
Earlier, he had been in a hurry to save people and hadn't paid much attention.
Now that the matter was resolved, he didn't want to waste anything.
"..."
Liu Shiqian and Chi Yang exchanged glances, bewildered.
Demons and monsters were indeed useful to cultivators in many ways—their fur, scales, blood, flesh, and bones could all be utilized. But did Shen Yi have to be so thorough?
However, as they thought about it, their pupils narrowed.
They suddenly remembered the previous spirit puppet, which also seemed to be made from the remains of demons. Could it be that it wasn't a puppet-making technique but a method of refining the flesh and blood of living beings? That would be an evil art.
Even the sect elders might be stripped of their identities if they dared to use such means.
After all, human nature was unpredictable. If one dared to practice with demons today, they might offer their fellow sect members as sacrifices tomorrow. Who could resist the temptation of completely controlling another living being?
It wouldn't reflect well on the sect if word got out.
Moreover, there were already excellent cultivation techniques within the Immortal Sect. Why bother with such sinister practices?
Even the stoic Liu Shiqian quickly averted his gaze, pretending he hadn't seen anything.
As an elder of the Immortal Sect, how could he, with his full belly, go and plead for the demons?
Shen Yi wasn't an elder, and as the sect master, there was no one above him to discipline him.
Could they ask Sect Master Shen to use such means to "invite" Sect Master Qin back?
"Alright, let's go back," Shen Yi said, not wanting to linger. Although he had only used one move, the No Life Palm, it had exhausted his inner foundation.
The two town stones were also badly injured and needed time to recuperate.
If they were ambushed by demons now, it would truly be a loss.
Chi Yang promptly summoned the Clear Moon Treasure Boat and carried the other two at the fastest speed toward the direction of the Seven Sons of Nanhong.
When they were about halfway there, he suddenly stopped.
"..."
A figure crying with tears streaming down her face appeared in the clouds in front of the treasure boat.
"Who allowed you to act alone outside the sect?" Liu Shiqian asked, his eyebrows furrowed, still exuding the aura of an elder despite his injuries.
According to sect rules, executors below the late Returning Void stage must travel in groups of at least three; otherwise, they were not permitted to leave the Clear Moon Sect.
"I..."
Liu Qianyun stared at the boat, and upon seeing her father's tragic state, her eyes turned red again. However, a weight was lifted from her heart.
For cultivators, injuries were common.
As long as the foundation was not affected, with the sect's resources, they could quickly restore one to their original state.
Fortunately, nothing irreparable had happened.
Liu Qianyun rubbed her eyes and then looked at the three people on the boat again.
She saw a familiar figure.
Shen Yi sat cross-legged, his eyes closed as he adjusted his breath, his ink-black robe fluttering in the wind.
But what surprised Liu Qianyun was that both her father and Chi Yang stood behind Shen Yi, as if escorting him—a treatment reserved only for sect masters.
Her father was always rule-abiding, so that wasn't surprising.
But Chi Yang... Had he also acknowledged Shen Yi as the sect master? And there was no discomfort on his face; it seemed only natural.
"Alright, little girl, you were just worried about him. I'll let it slide this time, no punishment," Chi Yang said with a smile, waving his hand. "Come on up. Don't let there be a next time. If not for Sect Master Shen's help, your father wouldn't have been able to protect himself, let alone you."
"..." Liu Shiqian glanced helplessly at this old fellow but didn't say anything further.
What kind of matter was so difficult that even her father couldn't resolve it, yet Shen Yi could get involved?
"Thank you, Sect Master Shen."
Liu Qianyun pursed her lips and bowed again, even more sincerely than before, before stepping onto the treasure boat. She remained quiet and kept to the back.
She stared silently at Shen Yi's back.
Suddenly, she felt a sense of unreality. It was still the same ink-black robe as a few months ago, but the procession behind him seemed to become more and more formidable.
...
The Clear Moon Treasure Boat passed by the Nanyang bas-relief and sent Shen Yi back to the sect.
Only then did it slow down and head towards the Clear Moon Sect.
Back within the sphere of influence of the South Hong Seven Sons, even matters involving the slaying of Long Sun's descendants didn't seem to cause much worry.
Moreover, they couldn't afford to appear too anxious.
They had to avoid arousing suspicion from certain people.
Just as the treasure boat entered the Clear Moon bas-relief, it came to a halt once more.
"..."
Liu Shiqian shifted his gaze to the side, while Liu Qianyun timidly lowered her head.
Chi Yang squeezed out a slightly embarrassed smile. "Ahem."
"That person" wore a snow-white robe with golden threads, and the Clear Moon emblem on it represented his identity.
Qingyue Daozi Bai Wu was a young man who looked rather effeminate. He lacked Wei Yuanzhou's uprightness and Su Hongxiu's proud spirit.
He appeared extremely mild-mannered and easy to talk to.
His thin lips parted slightly as he spoke in an extremely gentle voice, "Elders, could you please inform Daozi what you are doing here? Of course, I'm just asking. If you two mind, you don't have to say anything."
"Elder Chi Yang pays his respects to Daozi."
Chi Yang smiled and nodded, then used his Daoist plaque to secretly send a message to Liu Shiqian, "This sissy is still as ambiguous as ever, damn annoying. Why did they make him a Daozi? They should've made him a Clear Moon Xianzi instead."
"Makes sense," Liu Shiqian replied expressionlessly through his Daoist plaque.
"What should we do? You do it?" Chi Yang raised his eyebrows.
"Liu Shiqian pays his respects to Daozi."
Liu Shiqian nodded and forced himself to stand up, performing the rituals meticulously before speaking indifferently, "We mind."
He was a very rule-abiding person.
But there wasn't a rule in the sect that required elders to report everything to the Daozi.
Moreover, the matter between Elder Ke and the Clear Moon Sect had already been settled, and there was no longer any enmity between them. There was no need to say anything further, lest it create a rift between them and the Daozi.
"..."
Daozi Bai Wu was left speechless.
He stared at the two elders, remaining silent for a long time before finally waving his sleeve and taking out his Daoist plaque, "This is strange. It seems like my Daoist plaque is broken. Your Daoist plaques are lighting up non-stop, but mine isn't making any sound."
After speaking, he turned and walked away, chuckling, "What's the point of discussing Daozi or not? I'll go ask the Sect Master to change it to a new Daozi, one that will be more pleasing to the two elders."
"Tsk, tsk." Elder Chi Yang rolled his eyes.
Every time, it was the same old act. If they let him continue like this, the Clear Moon Sect would be done for.
Ask Liu Qianyun to leave first.
The two elders then put away the Clear Moon Treasure Boat and flew towards the bamboo house on their clouds.
Just then, a sinister voice rang out from the sky.
"Oh right, I forgot to mention earlier, if you two mind, then if something happens later, don't come looking for me."
As the voice dissipated, Chi Yang clicked his tongue, "Who's going to look for you?"
"..."
However, Liu Shiqian slowed his steps and looked towards the sky.
Although Daozi's way of speaking was uncomfortable to listen to, he had a good heart. What he meant... was that he seemed to be warning them about something bad that he had foreseen.
At the same time, he was also implying that they could look for him if needed.
What was this bad thing that was going to happen?
Liu Shiqian exhaled slowly and looked towards the outside of the sect.
Daozi Bai Wu wasn't diligent in his cultivation. Although he had seen the talent and foundation of the Four Cities, he had barely managed to open the third city.
However, he was extremely interested in gathering information and discussing gossip.
This was also the reason why the two elders didn't want to waste time talking to him. Regarding this matter, the other party had probably already known about it before coming to find them, yet he was still putting on an act and asking them questions.
This sudden reminder was definitely not baseless.
Could it be...
That the inside traitor had really sent evidence to the Dragon Palace? No, if that were the case, Ke Laosi wouldn't have come looking for him, but would have directly confronted the Nanyang Sect.
"Daozi, please wait."
Liu Shiqian raised his hand slightly.
The clouds parted, and a figure appeared with his hands behind his back, facing away from the two elders. He had deliberately created the illusion that his voice was drifting further and further away earlier.
"What? You don't mind now?"
Daozi Bai Wu raised an eyebrow and looked at them sideways, pursing his lips, "But I still need to go ask the Sect Master to change my Daoist plaque, so it won't offend your eyes. I don't have time to listen to your nonsense."
(End of Chapter)
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