Chapter 518: Xi Hong's Demon Catcher Comes Online

Chapter 518: Xi Hong's Demon Catcher Comes Online

Boom!

Yan Chongzhang had just leaped onto the mountain peak when his expression changed slightly, and he forcibly stopped his movement.

In the distance, a slender old man in plain robes stood with his hands behind his back, gazing toward the direction of Wuming Mountain.

"Master," Yan Chongzhang hurriedly bowed in greeting, suddenly feeling foolish.

As a Harmonious Dao Realm cultivator, his master was akin to the heavens and earth within Banshan Zong, and he would surely have sensed what had transpired on Wuming Mountain.

"You saw it too."

Excitement crept into Yan Chongzhang's voice, making it dry and hoarse.

This was a huge opportunity for all of Banshan Zong.

Ever since the mountain was moved to this location after the sect's establishment, there had always been hope that its secrets would one day be fully uncovered.

And now, there was a chance to obtain a complete set of immortal techniques!

However, what surprised Yan Chongzhang was that his master's expression didn't show much emotion, and his eyes revealed neither happiness nor anger.

He couldn't help but ask, "Don't you want to offend the Seven Sons of Nan Hong?"

At this, the Banshan Sect Master glanced at Yan Chongzhang and had no intention of explaining further, "Calm yourself, everything remains the same. Treat him as you would normally."

After all, they were just recruiting a disciple; it wasn't as if they were planning to kill one of the Seven Sons.

With the strength of the Banshan Sect, they need not fear the Seven Sons of Nan Hong, who were tucked away in their corner of the world.

However, that youth's identity was indeed peculiar.

It would be best to investigate the matter thoroughly before making any decisions.

Such a talented individual with a long life ahead of them would surely not be placed in danger by the Seven Sons. There was no need to rush things.

The only question was how great a price would have to be paid to convince him to join another sect.

The Banshan Sect Master's expression remained calm.

He wondered if offering a future Harmonious Dao treasure land would be enough.

If they could truly unlock the secrets of Wuming Mountain, he would not hesitate. However, from the youth's reaction earlier, it seemed that he had not made much progress in comprehending the true intent of the Divine Mountain...

To put it bluntly, most of Shen Yi's reactions resembled those of an extremely dull cultivator who was on the verge of being rejected by Wuming Mountain.

But the mysterious part was that he could digest these negative reactions at a terrifying speed and resist the mountain's repulsive force. It was the combination of these two factors that led to such a startling outcome.

However, after the youth left Wuming Mountain, the calm expression on his face concealed a huge potential problem that even the Banshan Sect Master felt a slight palpitation about.

The fatigue in Shen Yi's eyes was as if he had endured the weight of the mountains for countless millennia and traveled endless roads, pushing his spirit to the brink of collapse.

This was not a reaction one would have from merely sitting idly for a short three days.

If one were to draw a comparison, it was more akin to some sinister method that overdrafted one's lifespan to gain momentary improvement. However, in this case, the youth in the ink-colored shirt was overdrafting his spiritual soul, and the cost he paid was unknown.

Nevertheless, it was hard to believe that he could replicate such an action.

"Huuu."

As the master of a sect, the old man had too many things to consider and could not afford to be impulsive.

However... no matter what, it wouldn't hurt to be friendly to this young cultivator.

It was just a set of Divine Mountain techniques, and if he had the ability to obtain them, regardless of the means, it would be fitting to gift them to the Seven Sons of Nan Hong.

To make things difficult afterward would only devalue their own worth.

"Disciple understands," Yan Chongzhang bowed. He watched as his master's figure slowly walked away and then gradually disappeared.

Only after his master had left did he straighten his body and rub his nose bridge vigorously.

Treat him normally?

How could he have the calmness of mind to treat Shen Yi with indifference?

Just seeing that fair-faced youth made him feel as if the hardships he had endured for countless millennia had been for nothing... and his brain felt equally foolish.

...

At the foot of Wuming Mountain.

Yang Yunheng watched as Yan Chongzhang returned with a slight dejected look on his face, and he furrowed his brows, as if guessing something. However, with the presence of the other Nan Hong disciples, he could only indirectly ask, "Why did you come back so soon?"

"It's nothing," Yan Chongzhang forced a smile and shook his head.

It was a rare opportunity to glimpse the second style of the complete mountain technique, but he had to forcibly suppress his curiosity. Anyone would have a hard time bearing that.

"Ai."

Yang Yunheng couldn't help but sigh.

Wei Yuanzhou and the other two remained silent, deliberately ignoring the exchange.

The intentions of the Banshan Sect were written all over their faces, and as top talents themselves, they could easily see through it.

However, previously, no one had paid much attention to the Banshan Sect's scheming. Even Bai Wu had found it amusing, as who could offer what the Seven Sons of Nan Hong had—a Harmonious Dao treasure land and the position of sect master—to keep Shen Yi.

But now, things were different.

After Sect Master Shen's astonishing reaction, if the Banshan Sect gritted their teeth and made an offer... perhaps they might really be willing to let go!

After all, the Banshan Sect was larger than two Tianjian Sects combined.

Being the sect master here was far more attractive than being the sect master of the declining Nanyang Treasure Land.

From Yan Chongzhang's attitude, it seemed that he didn't mind giving up the main sect's treasure land for Shen Yi and settling for a branch sect's treasure land himself.

Therefore, even Su Hongxiao would not bring up the matter again at this moment.

She didn't want to return to Nan Hong empty-handed, having inadvertently caused a sect master to defect to another sect.

With differing thoughts, the two groups fell silent.

Shen Yi, on the other hand, seemed like an outsider to all of this. He held the Spirit Nurturing Pills in his hand and popped them into his mouth one by one.

"Gululu."

Yang Yunheng swallowed, his heart pounding as he watched, "Slow down, Shen Yi... those are pills..."

"I know," Shen Yi nodded politely. He might not have much experience, but he had once personally refined the Tianhuang Dan and could be considered a pill concoctor himself.

After speaking, he casually took another seven or eight pills.

Of course, the spirit soul is one thing, but after forcefully cultivating for 3.7 million years under the oppressive pressure of Wuming Mountain, the tremendous mental torture he endured could only be slowly digested through willpower.

"...' Yang Yunheng could only look at Yan Chongzhang with a pleading expression.

"My friend, don't be polite. If it's not enough, there's more." Yan Chongzhang heeded his master's instructions. Besides, with his current emotional state feeling a bit off, he didn't know what it meant to treat someone normally, so he just wanted to avoid causing any offense.

"Me—?" Yang Yunheng was choked up and glared at Daozi resentfully.

Was that what he meant?

These pills didn't belong to him, so why should he be stingy? The problem was that one shouldn't take pills so casually, as it could lead to unknown complications.

Even if Shen Yi's talent was exceptional, it would still be heartbreaking if his spirit soul was tainted by pill toxins, even if only slightly.

"Aren't you going to observe the mountain anymore?" Yang Yunheng changed the subject.

"No, I'm not going to observe anymore." Yan Chongzhang sighed. After receiving such a huge blow, he probably wouldn't come here to "relax" for a long time.

As he spoke, his eyes suddenly sharpened.

This was a good opportunity to vent the frustration in his heart.

Aptitude and comprehension were innate, and if one couldn't compare, they could only resign themselves to fate. However, as a Daozi, his cultivation and strength, which overshadowed the Banshan Sect, were something he had achieved through his own hard work.

As the saying goes, diligence makes up for one's shortcomings, and with him being older by so many years...

For Shen Yi, who was his age, it wouldn't be easy to catch up.

"Let's get down to business."

Yan Chongzhang rubbed his wrists and looked at the Great Elder, "This time, I need you to come with me."

Upon hearing this, Yang Yunheng was taken aback, "Are you serious?"

Within the Banshan Sect, aside from the Harmonious Dao Realm Sect Master, Daozi and the Great Elder were the two strongest individuals. There were rarely any tasks that required the two of them to join forces, and most of the time, one of them would leave the sect while the other guarded it.

The fact that Daozi had made this decision meant that his intentions were clear.

There weren't many demon hordes near the Banshan Sect that warranted such a response.

"I really don't want to deal with those arrogant bunch anymore."

Yan Chongzhang lowered his arms and smiled at the Nan Hong group, "After I finish this matter, if I'm not too badly injured, I'll immediately pay a visit to Nan Hong... Although the Banshan Sect isn't as influential as you, the Seven Sons of Nan Hong, in the western part of Hong, we have also made significant contributions in resisting the Dragon Palace."

Obviously, he could guess what the Nan Hong disciples were seeking.

He had been reluctant to mention it before because he simply didn't want to have too much interaction with the Seven Sons of Nan Hong. The Banshan Sect wasn't a small force, and even if they had to go to Nan Hong to fight the Dragon Palace, there was no need to act like subordinates of the Seven Sons, obeying their every command.

"Thank you, Daozi Yan."

Wei Yuanzhou nodded in gratitude, but his enthusiasm had diminished.

He wasn't foolish. He knew that the change in attitude of the Banshan Sect's Daozi was mostly due to Sect Master Shen's face.

This wasn't about seeking help from Nan Hong, it was clearly about coming to Nan Hong to poach talent.

As the saying goes, when you eat another's food, you have to submit to their wishes.

Asking for aid was one thing, but to offer Sect Master Shen in return, making it seem like a marriage alliance, was unacceptable and far too unreasonable.

With these thoughts, Wei Yuanzhou suddenly noticed Shen Yi beside him.

He saw Yang Yunheng standing by his side, offering pills as if they were free, and Sect Master Shen accepting them without hesitation, already on his sixth bottle...

Wei Yuanzhou clenched his teeth, suppressing the urge to have Bai Wu send a message to Qingyue Sect Master. He exchanged a glance with Su Hongxiao and then took a step forward, cupping his hands, "If the situation in the western part of Hong is truly as Daozi Yan says, we have nowhere else to go. May I ask what Daozi Yan intends to do? Could we lend a hand?"

What Sect Master Shen consumed could be repaid in other ways, but asking for him was definitely out of the question!

"Hmm?"

Shen Yi, still digesting the pill's effects, glanced over curiously.

Although his spirit was still somewhat listless, he was curious if it had something to do with demons.

That black-haired giant lion, which had died without any value, was still on his mind.

With that in mind, Shen Yi held out his palm toward Yang Yunheng.

He wasn't an ignorant fool. He knew that there was no such thing as a free lunch.

But only those who had truly witnessed the true face of Wuming Mountain and were awestruck by its wonders could empathize with the urgency the Banshan Sect felt.

At least for now, it seemed that no one in the sect could unlock its secrets, or else the Daozi wouldn't have shown such an expression.

Shen Yi wasn't arrogant, but he believed that with enough demon lifespans, he still had a chance.

As long as he could unlock the secrets, he could share the techniques within with the Banshan Sect. Given the mountain's mystical nature, even if they asked for more than just a few bottles of pills, the Banshan Sect probably wouldn't refuse.

Moreover, he would need to deduce the Godly Mountain Technique later, and a depleted spirit soul would affect his performance. He had earned these demon lifespans with difficulty, so he might as well save where he could.

It could be considered an advance on his payment.

"Lend a hand?"

Yan Chongzhang was taken aback, then cupped his hands and sighed, "You're too kind, everyone. Although I'm not very familiar with Nan Hong, my eyes aren't blind. With your strengths, even if you come to the western part of Hong, you would still be top-notch, peerless geniuses. Having your help on this journey would ensure absolute success."

As he spoke, his eyes swept over Su Hongxiao and Wei Yuanzhou.

Those sparkling eyes also held a hint of eagerness to test their skills.

"Let's get down to business," Su Hongxiao said, lowering her gaze and standing still. She didn't refuse, as she knew this matter didn't require consulting with Sect Master Shen. Based on her understanding of Shen Yi, he should already be eager to take action.

"The aspirations of the Wu Liang Dao Emperor Sect are growing increasingly grand. Initially, they sought fourth or fifth layer demons and devils who had returned to the void, but now even twelfth-layer demons and devils are no longer up to their standards." Yan Chongzhang grit his teeth.

It was common knowledge that the Wu Liang Dao Emperor Sect sought the pride of the demon race. These so-called prodigies would naturally possess extraordinary divine channels and bloodlines that set them apart from their kin.

Such beings were not easy to find.

Furthermore, the campaign to sweep through the demon hordes had been ongoing for quite some time. Those who could escape had already fled, while those who were captured remained in their grasp. Any demons who were still sitting pretty at this point were not to be trifled with.

"After careful consideration, I believe that only the young master of the Di Ming You Mang clan would meet their requirements," Yan Chongzhang said through gritted teeth.

"...' Yang Yunheng furrowed his brows, concerned about the implications of such a significant decision.

The You Mang clan was known for their formidable demon bodies, rarely encountering cultivators who could match them in direct combat at the same level. This innate advantage aligned with the principles and habits of the Banshan Sect, which led to a close relationship between the two groups.

However, this clan had been expelled from the waters by the Dragon Palace, resulting in meager resources and a lack of protection from a powerful Harmonious Dao Realm demon.

Fortunately, they had found a decent backer to rely on.

With the support of this patron, they managed to live quite comfortably.

Yang Yunheng's concern was that, given Yan Chongzhang's prudent character, he would hesitate to seek help from the sect master. After all, in the Hongze area, each Harmonious Dao Realm giant maintained a delicate balance of power, which was why this group of giant pythons had survived for so many years.

However, if they relied solely on Bai Yujing cultivators to eradicate the You Mang clan, it would be a challenging task.

With the assistance of the South Hong Dao sons, he felt much more relieved.

The only thing left to consider was...

"What about the backer behind them...?" Yang Yunheng asked quietly.

"The Wu Liang Dao Emperor Sect should not be afraid of demons. If we can't even intimidate them, who will help them in the future? Moreover, our Banshan Sect is not afraid of them either," Yan Chongzhang replied, raising his eyebrows. When discussing such matters, he seemed to have regained his confidence.

"Fellow Dao sons, it's better to be early than late. If there's nothing else, I, Chongzha, will set off now," Yan Chongzhang said, clearly not intending to interact further with those people. He was only fulfilling his duty as a Dao son for the sake of the sect's future.

"How long will it take to recover?" Su Hongxiao asked, ignoring the question and walking towards Shen Yi instead.

However, what surprised her was that Sect Master Shen's answer was completely contrary to what she had expected.

This killing embryo actually refused?

"I won't be going with you," Shen Yi said, shaking his head at Yan Chongzhang after a moment's thought. He then continued to adjust his breath.

"Indeed, it's best to properly nurture your spirit soul. You should rest here at the Banshan Sect for a while," Bai Wu said, equally puzzled by Su Hongxiao's intentions. Even if Shen Yi was truly powerful, there was no need for the sect master to accompany him everywhere.

Moreover, Shen Yi had just experienced the strange secrets of the mountain; it was unrealistic to expect his spirit soul to be unaffected.

"...'

Su Hongxiao paused for a moment before suddenly realizing the implication of Shen Yi's words.

He didn't say he wouldn't go; he just said he didn't want to go with them.

With this in mind, Su Hongxiao slowly turned her head to look at Yan Chongzhang.

As expected.

The Banshan Sect Dao son also seemed to have understood the underlying meaning.

Yan Chongzhang remained silent, his gaze fixed on Shen Yi. Just when everyone thought he would get angry...

A complex smile appeared on his firm lips, and he sighed, "Shen Yi, your honesty is admirable!"

If Yan Chongzhang had been impressed by Shen Yi's talent and insight before, it was only now that he truly began to see the person behind those qualities.

The meaning behind his words was clear.

Shen Yi also wanted to compete for this demon and intended to get involved in the affairs of the Wu Liang Dao Emperor Sect.

For someone who had just consumed the Banshan Sect's pills, these words seemed inappropriate.

However, instead of pretending one way and acting another, ultimately leading to an unpleasant parting, Shen Yi's upfront declaration of his intentions was a testament to his character.

Moreover, Yan Chongzhang didn't think Shen Yi would fail to notice his hidden agenda.

Shen Yi could have used this matter as leverage to gain even more significant advantages, not just a single demon, but possibly much more.

Yan Chongzhang cupped his hands and bowed again, "Then let's split into two groups, fellow South Hong Dao friends. We shall each rely on our own abilities."

With the strength of the Banshan Sect, they could openly compete with these South Hong Dao sons and would never fall short.

Although Wei Yuanzhou didn't understand Shen Yi's intentions, he followed the sect master's instructions without question.

At that moment, Wei Yuanzhou and Bai Wu walked towards the other side, leaving only Su Hongxiao standing still.

A strange expression appeared in her eyes.

As expected, the next moment, she saw Shen Yi frown in confusion, probably realizing that they had misunderstood something. He quickly explained, "When I said 'you,' I meant all of you."

He wanted to act alone, separate from both the Banshan Sect and the South Hong Dao sons.

This ambiguous statement left everyone in the field silent.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end