Chapter 509: Liu Xingshan Steps Forward (5k2)

Chapter 509: Liu Xingshan Steps Forward (5k2)



If one were to choose the strongest Daozi among the Southern Hong Seven Sons, there might be much debate.

But if one were to choose the most arrogant, none could surpass Su Hongxiu.

At this moment, this Heavenly Sword Daozi stood in the clouds, hands clasped, gazing up at the black-robed figure standing atop the long staircase.

Her sharp eyes sparkled with uncertainty, and her gaze slowly fell upon the purple jade rainbow bridge above.

"Hmm."

After an unknown amount of time, Su Hongxiu finally opened her red lips and exhaled, but the shock in her heart remained.

A large part of her pride came from the path she had personally walked, which could be called a near-perfect Return to Void journey.

The reason it was near-perfect was because, before this, Nan Hong had a precedent, which was Senior Xuan Qing of the Nanyang Sect. He had reached the ninth layer of Return to Void and still had the ability to forge an unparalleled heavenly treasure.

In comparison, Su Hongxiu was one layer short.

But Li Xuanqing was, after all, a genius from a distant era, and now, it was no longer his time. Even those astonishing rumors had gradually sunk into the river of time.

She wouldn't be affected by a figure from rumors.

However, at this moment, a truly perfect purple aura rainbow bridge appeared before her eyes without any warning.

It left Su Hongxiu in a daze for a while.

Fortunately, she wasn't the only one with this expression; all the cultivators present had their minds immersed in this purple rainbow, unable to free themselves for a long time.

"What's wrong?"

Suddenly, Su Hongxiu noticed that the pretty girl beside her seemed different from the others.

Logically, with this girl's cultivation, it was not enough for her to sit here, let alone share a table with Su Yuchang. But her master was a Fusion Dao Realm expert, and she was the designated heir of the Treasure Flower Sect, giving her a status equal to that of a Daozi.

At this moment, everyone was staring at the purple aura rainbow, except for the Treasure Flower Fairy, who was staring intently at the figure standing on the long staircase.

"It's... nothing..."

The Treasure Flower Fairy seemed to forget the solemnity of the occasion and instinctively rubbed her eyes. Her clear and moist eyes widened, and her breathing quickened.

She seemed to have found the youth she had been thinking about.

But she forcefully denied the thoughts in her heart.

Although they had the same face, the youth in the Treasure Flower Fairy's memory was a wandering cultivator who needed to focus his full attention on fifth-layer Return to Void demons. He was not the aloof and indifferent figure overlooking the many powerful cultivators of Nan Hong.

Even a Fusion Dao Realm grandmaster like her master was positioned below him.

"Who is he? Is he... who is the Nanyang Sect Master?"

The Treasure Flower Fairy forced herself to calm down, but her words were still incoherent.

"..."

Su Hongxiu was taken aback. In this situation, to speak that name, even she needed to use a secret sound transmission technique to avoid being disrespectful: "Shen Yi."

Hearing this familiar name, the Treasure Flower Fairy suddenly clenched her sleeve. She had indeed heard the wandering cultivators call the youth Senior Shen, but she hadn't thought that the weight of this 'Senior' would be so heavy, to the point that she had to look up to him.

No wonder she couldn't find any news about him.

With her eyes on the present, how could she see Nanyang in the sky?

But... how could such a high-status existence stoop so low as to personally go to the Treasure Flower Sect to ask for a pill?

With his identity, he didn't even need an imperial decree; he only needed to express his intention, and the Treasure Flower Sect would send the pill as quickly as possible.

"So he's been playing with me all this time."

The Treasure Flower Fairy bit her lip, lowered her head, and her face turned slightly pale.

The so-called... fourth layer of Return to Void, no need to add.

It was just that Shen Yi was a strong cultivator who had ascended to the White Jade Capital, and in his eyes, the events of that day were nothing more than child's play.

She had escaped the sect with the intention of traveling the mortal world, but it had become part of someone else's journey.

No wonder Shen Yi didn't even bother to ask her name when he left.

When an immortal descends to the mortal world, whether to do good or punish evil, how could they truly care about a village woman on the side of the road?

"His situation is a bit special; you might be overthinking it."

Su Hongxiu seemed to guess something. Given Sect Master Shen's habit of wandering outside, it wasn't surprising that he had gotten to know the Treasure Flower Sect's young lady.

This girl was probably thinking about something else.

Out of respect for the Treasure Flower Sect Master, she rarely spoke softly: "After the assembly is over, I'll explain it to you."

"Okay."

The Treasure Flower Fairy nodded lightly and looked back at Shen Yi's face.

There was no change in his expression or features... it had only been less than a year, so it would be strange if there were any changes.

He didn't deliberately create an aura of authority.

He only needed to sit quietly, and it would make others feel that even looking at him was an offense.

The shock of the purple aura rainbow might not subside for a long time.

But everyone present was composed, and after completing the ceremony, they quickly raised their heads and forced themselves to continue the Seven Sons Assembly, suppressing the strangeness in their hearts.

Of course, many also showed strange expressions.

The Daozis were the most stimulated group, while the direct disciples and elders who had originally coveted the Fusion Dao Realm treasure site suddenly felt relieved.

When virtue doesn't match position, the Nanyang treasure site is the real prize.

But when Shen Yi was not inferior to, or even surpassed, the other Daozis, the Nanyang treasure site became something he was naturally entitled to.

"It's finally over."

Liu Shiqian stood in the corner, glancing at the Elder Chiyang, and the two exchanged a smile.

From the beginning, when he had no confidence and was merely fulfilling the alliance agreement, to later, when he had more contact with Sect Master Shen, he couldn't help but have some expectations. He hoped that one day, he would see Shen Yi firmly seated on that treasure site.

Unexpectedly, the wait was over, and the fulfillment of their expectations came so swiftly that it left onlookers dumbfounded!

"I thought I'd be humiliated." As a vassal of Nanyang, the White Jade Capital cultivators from Yun Xiao Pavilion and Xuan Hai Zhai had never seen Sect Master Shen before, and his performance far exceeded their expectations.

Unconsciously, they straightened their backs, proud to be associated with him.

On the other hand, Yan Xianqing quietly heaved a sigh of relief. Now that the Sect Master had returned safely, there was no need for Senior Xuan Qing to lead the way in causing trouble for the Southern Dragon Palace. Nanyang Sect could finally catch a breath, which was a good thing for its vassals.

Thinking of this, he and the remaining cultivators looked up, their gazes sweeping past the black-robed figure and toward the sky behind him.

There, six ethereal shadows stood, their auras powerful and distinct. Although they stood high, they seemed to be surrounding Shen Yi, emphasizing his central role.

Today's Seven Sons Assembly was convened for the Nanyang Sect, with a clear primary purpose.

Now, they only needed to wait for the six Sect Masters to issue their decree, and with their golden words, the matter would be settled, leaving no room for change.

The six ethereal shadows exchanged glances, each seeing the complexity in the other's eyes.

But they said nothing more.

In a moment, the Treasure Flower Sect Master from Qingyue Sect lowered her gaze and spoke softly to Shen Yi, "Put on the Zongzhu's robe."

Perhaps this young man lacked experience, as he hadn't considered such details. Usually, he didn't care what he wore, but today was different. At the very least, he should let the Nan Hong cultivators know which sect he represented.

Everyone focused their attention on the long staircase.

As long as he donned that white robe, from this day forward, he would be the true Nanyang Sect Master.

However, at this tense moment, Shen Yi did not take out the robe. Instead, he looked up at the sky.

The next moment, a calm voice, yet one that caused everyone's faces to change, slowly echoed through the sky.

"Am I the Sect Master?"

Shen Yi's expression was serious, as if he wasn't provoking or questioning, but simply curious about the answer.

Everyone was stunned.

Even the vassals of Nanyang Sect and the numerous Immortal Sect Overseers led by Li Qingfeng were filled with confusion.

Why would he suddenly ask such an irrelevant question at this time?

After completing the Seven Sons Assembly, wouldn't he be the true Sect Master? Was there another explanation?

The six Daozi were also stunned, unsure of Shen Yi's intentions.

Only the ethereal shadows in the sky remained silent, as if carefully contemplating the deeper meaning behind the question.

Soon, the Heavenly Sword Sect Master nodded, "Of course you are."

"Okay."

With an affirmative response, Shen Yi lightly nodded and withdrew his gaze.

He wasn't a fool; he had long understood that in most cases, reason needed to be supported by strength.

For example, the ownership of Nanyang's treasure land should belong to the Nanyang Sect disciples.

But this reason had never been enforced with might.

Senior Xuan Qing might be considered half a success, but it was clearly not enough.

In other words, as long as these Dao Fusion Realm giants were willing, they could take away this treasure land at any time, or at least seal themselves within it forever.

But regardless of their secret plans.

On the surface, the allied sects still left a difficult path for the Nanyang Sect.

This was already considered a decent attitude.

Therefore, Shen Yi was willing to cooperate with them and undergo their so-called tests.

But the test was two-way.

Now it was the turn of the allied sects to be tested.

Shen Yi didn't stand up but calmly took out a letter from his sleeve, and in full view of everyone, he flicked his fingers, causing the letter to shoot out like a blade and pierce the long table below.

His fair and handsome face turned indifferent.

His deep, dark eyes were like a bottomless well, and his gaze enveloped the figure behind the table.

His voice carried an unyielding tone as he softly spoke two words, "Come out."

As his words spread, everyone's attention focused on the figure behind the table.

Liu Xingshan, who had just been disciplined by Su Hongxiu, had been sitting quietly in his place until this moment. He stared at the letter, which was within arm's reach, and his eyes twitched slightly as he finally raised his head.

The aura emanating from the letter caused the Heavenly Sword Sect Elders to instinctively furrow their brows.

"What is this?" Someone reached out to take it, but Liu Xingshan forcefully held down his wrist.

"What do you mean?" The Elder looked at Liu Elder in astonishment, only to see Liu Elder's face contort like a raging beast as he roared, "Mind your own business!"

"..." Upon hearing this, everyone on the square and in the sky sensed the atmosphere's eerie change.

Among the Daozi, the others hadn't made any moves yet.

Su Hongxiu seemed to have guessed something, and she also swept her gaze indifferently, sighing inwardly as her intuition proved to be as accurate as ever.

Liu Xingshan didn't intend to destroy the letter.

But if he dared to touch it, it would be the same as admitting guilt and asking for punishment, and he wouldn't leave this place alive today.

Ke Lao Si! This useless waste!

Even after obtaining such detailed information, he still couldn't deal with a Return to Void cultivator, and even his letter was taken away.

Liu Xingshan forcefully suppressed his resentment, clenched his teeth, and looked back at the figure on the long staircase.

His voice was hoarse, and his breath trembled as he struggled to find the right words, "Today is the grand occasion for Sect Master Shen... Don't let trivial matters ruin the mood... After the Seven Sons Assembly, Xingshan will give you a satisfactory response."

In just a few words, the Elder who had been the most unruly not only acknowledged Shen Yi's noble status but also promised to make up for it with all his might, as if it were a painful sacrifice.

His posture was extremely low.

Even in front of the entire Nan Hong, he didn't mind losing face.

It was only because he was clear in his mind that only by fooling them first would there be a glimmer of hope.

If this letter was opened, there would be no room for negotiation.

Since Shen Yi didn't open the letter but sent it to his side, it meant the other party was still willing to discuss.

However, in the moment Liu Xingshan raised his gaze, he caught a barely perceptible trace of ridicule on the black-robed youth's lips, accompanied by a hint of cruelty.

That intense mocking tone seemed to be laughing at him for still harboring thoughts of escape. The youth's calm demeanor, like a celestial being high above, overlooked the mortal world.

In everyone's eyes, he was composed and graceful, the elegant Nan Yang Sect Leader.

At this moment, in Liu Xingshan's eyes, a hint of murderous intent finally revealed itself.

"..."

Liu Xingshan's pupils constricted slightly, gradually realizing the other party's attitude.

He rose unsteadily, subconsciously looking around in all directions. He saw the six ethereal shadows in the sky standing silently without making a sound. This didn't mean they disagreed with Shen Yi; when a Zongzhu was handling matters, they needed to maintain basic respect.

Even if it was a Celestial Sword Sect Elder being dealt with, he was still one of the most powerful among the elders.

The disciples in the square were filled with confusion, but it was clear that no one dared to question the decision of the Nan Yang Sect Leader.

As for the invited guests, they remained silent, coldly observing the scene.

In an instant, the entire world seemed to have turned into a silent death zone.

"Is there really no room for negotiation?"

"Okay, okay, okay..."

Liu Xingshan nodded repeatedly, laughing bitterly, knowing that there was no way out for him. He ruthlessly touched his forehead with his fingertips.

Even in death, he wanted to make the Zongzhu lose something.

For example, let the Nan Hong forces see that the other party was still just a White Jade Capital Cultivator. Under the grandeur created by the Nan Hong Seven Sons, he was still just a weakling in need of protection from other Zongzhus.

The next moment, two great cities opened one after the other.

Even though the Celestial Sword Sect's Dao Soldiers in the third city had been destroyed by Su Hongxiu and needed time to recover, with the Hongmeng Tianjian and that heavy armor, he was still not an ordinary Elder who could be dealt with.

"Ignorant fool."

Wei Yuanzhou's face turned slightly cold, and he quietly took a step forward.

Daring to openly disrespect a Zongzhu at the Seven Sons Assembly, Liu Xingshan no longer cared about saving face.

Beside him, Su Hongxiu suddenly reached out and stopped him, then placed her fingertips on her forehead. Her expression was unreadable, but the killing intent in her eyes had almost solidified. She said indifferently, "I'll handle the Celestial Sword Sect's matters myself."

The other Daozis watched the spectacle as if it had nothing to do with them.

The purple aura rainbow that Shen Yi displayed was indeed terrifying, but what truly piqued their curiosity was how much strength he actually possessed.

Of course, if Su Hongxiu wanted to take action, that was fine too; after all, there would be plenty of opportunities in the future.

However, just as Su Hongxiu was about to strike, Shen Yi remained seated at the highest point in the clouds, quietly observing Liu Xingshan below. He took in the other party's furious expression and their desperate, fierce determination.

He didn't stand up but instead lightly raised his right arm, causing the black sleeves of his robe to lift slightly, revealing a white, slender hand with prominent knuckles.

The palm of his hand, stained with blood talismans, casually covered the area below.

Nothing changed in the arena, except that the six ethereal shadows in the sky simultaneously turned their gazes towards him, and one of them spoke up, "Huh?"

Boom—

Liu Xingshan held a long sword and wore heavy armor. He was a White Jade Capital Cultivator who had opened three cities, and even with hidden injuries, he was now unleashing all his vitality and foundation.

The sky and earth trembled, and the clouds churned as if the surrounding mountains and waves were all shaking. There probably weren't more than two people in the arena who could handle him swiftly and decisively.

This Celestial Sword Sect Elder's peak strength even surpassed some Daozis, like Bai Wu and others.

The distance that seemed to span the sky was but a stone's throw away for him.

"..."

Liu Xingshan drew his sword with a determination to die.

Then, his entire body froze in mid-air.

His eyes gradually filled with countless stars, and just as he was about to figure them out, the stars actively dispersed! The old man's cloudy eyes returned to pitch black.

In that darkness, a tall figure clad in close-fitting black armor and holding an ink saber merged with the night.

This change only occurred in Liu Xingshan's eyes.

Almost no one noticed that his wide-open eyes were suddenly filled with bloodshot lines, as if he had seen something indescribably terrifying! In the eyes of the onlookers, Liu Elder soared into the sky and then stood still, covered by that distant hand.

In an instant, a faint bloody smell spread through the clouds.

Liu Xingshan's heavy armor shattered, and his skin was covered in bloodstains that followed the patterns and split into pieces.

Mixed with the blood mist, it fell to the ground with a clattering sound.

Until the Dao Soldiers turned into smoke and clouds, returning to the Immortal City, the shredded flesh fell into the clouds and disappeared into the depths of the mountains, as if nothing had happened.

Su Hongxiu slowly lowered her hand from her forehead: "..."

Numerous Daozis stared blankly at the spot.

In the square, whether guests or disciples, no one understood what had happened; they could only look up at the sky like wooden statues.

At the top of the tall staircase that soared into the clouds.

Shen Yi was already wearing a dazzling Nan Yang white robe, and the wide sleeves fluttered in the wind.

He slightly lowered his gaze, sitting on the armchair, wiping off nonexistent bloodstains from his hands.

Then he adjusted his collar and raised his head, lightly nodding, "Continue."

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end