Chapter 525: The Unsuspecting Master and Disciple, Shen Zongzhu's Birthday Celebration for the Drago

Chapter 525: The Unsuspecting Master and Disciple, Shen Zongzhu's Birthday Celebration for the Dragon Consort

Within the inner gates of the Mountain Movers Sect, the sky was in turmoil as a group of exhausted White Jade Capital experts, some even in a state of semi-consciousness and requiring support from others, appeared one after another, bearing wounds on their bodies.

It was evident that they had just emerged from a fierce battle.

However, the elders who had remained in the sect were somewhat taken aback as they looked towards Yan Chongzhang, who was at the forefront.

Led by the Daoist Priest, the Mountain Movers Sect had deployed most of its experts to exterminate the Netherworld Dark Python Clan. Although they looked a bit disheveled, at least everyone had returned alive.

Based on these elders' understanding of the Dark Pythons' strength, it was clear that the Southern Flood Monks had contributed significantly to this victory.

But... what about the harvest?

Weren't they supposed to capture the Young Lord of the Netherworld Dark Pythons alive? Could it be that the situation was too dire, and they accidentally killed him?

At this thought, everyone's hearts sank.

As the saying goes, 'stirring up the grass to startle the snake,' once the news of the Mountain Movers Sect's attack on the Dark Pythons spreads, the nearby demons and monsters would undoubtedly become more vigilant. To complete the task assigned by the Boundless Dao Emperor Sect, the Mountain Movers Sect would likely have to pay an even greater price.

Oh well, they could only use this opportunity to establish a connection with this top-tier giant, which wouldn't be too much of a loss.

As they were thinking this, everyone suddenly noticed that the Senior Elder's face had turned ashen, indicating that something was amiss.

"I won't gossip behind your back. Come with me, and I'll tell it to your face."

Finally, Yang Yunheng managed to control his anger and returned to the sect. With a furious wave of his sleeves, he grabbed Yan Chongzhang's arm and rushed forward. His appearance was more like a martial artist from the Jianghu than an elder of an immortal sect.

"..."

Yan Chongzhang glanced helplessly at the old man, not struggling at all. Instead, he followed the other party towards the back of the mountain.

"Should we go?" Bai Wu tentatively looked to the side.

Even though Wei Yuanzhou was usually calm, his eyes now showed a hint of embarrassment. He had never imagined that he and the others had come to Western Hong for assistance, only to cause a conflict between the Mountain Movers Sect's elders and the Daoist priest.

If it weren't for the fact that the request for aid hadn't received a definite response yet, he would have really wanted to leave immediately.

This situation was simply absurd.

The two people who cared the most about the sect had actually quarreled in front of outsiders over a stranger they had just met not long ago.

If they had to blame someone... they could only blame Master Shen for being too exceptional.

It was unknown whether this exceptional talent would be recognized by the Mountain Movers Sect's leader. If not, even if Yan Daozi was reluctant to break his promise, he would likely have no say in assisting Southern Flood.

At this thought, Wei Yuanzhou looked towards the back of the mountain with a sense of helplessness.

At the rear mountain's spring.

An emaciated old man in hemp robes sat cross-legged, as if he had entered a state of sitting meditation. His entire body was devoid of any aura, resembling a lifeless stone.

Behind him, Yang Yunheng was chattering incessantly about the previous encounter. When he became agitated, he couldn't help but stop in his tracks, stroking his beard and glaring as he said, "How can the sect's affairs be treated so frivolously! That Daoist priest, he didn't even consult with me!"

The Senior Elder acknowledged that Little Friend Shen was extraordinary, and even he himself admired the young man. However, he didn't think that the entire sect's survival should be gambled on that youth.

What was Yan Chongzhang thinking? Since he was so generous, why not let the young man take over the position of the Daoist priest?

"What are you thinking? What are your plans?"

The Mountain Movers Sect leader opened his eyes, as if a stone had suddenly come to life.

Without turning back, his voice betrayed no emotion.

Even though the matter involved the Boundless Dao Emperor Sect, this leader of the Mountain Movers Sect wasn't flustered. He just wanted to know what his personally cultivated disciple had discovered that was so extraordinary, leading to such an absurd decision.

To be honest, after witnessing too many bizarre and mystical events, he had become somewhat numb. His expectations for the young monk from Southern Flood were even lower than those of the Senior Elder, Yang Yunheng.

The reason his state of mind was so calm was simply due to his trust in his disciple.

"Come, tell me!" Yang Yunheng took a step back and stood with his arms crossed.

Yan Chongzhang didn't argue with the old man, even though his attitude was poor and not at all befitting of an elder's tone towards a Daoist priest.

He knew that his actions were difficult for anyone who cared about the Mountain Movers Sect to understand. Any heart that was tied to the sect would feel enraged.

Moreover, he was about to do something even more absurd, so absurd that everyone would think he had gone mad.

Yan Chongzhang took a deep breath, suddenly took a step back, bowed, and said with a fist raised over his head, "I want... to invite Little Friend Shen to succeed me as the Daoist priest of the Mountain Movers Sect."

"..."

This time, even the leader of the Mountain Movers Sect fell silent for a long time. He slowly turned around and said, "Little Friend Shen? You don't even know his name."

The old man in hemp robes took in Yan Chongzhang's serious expression and took a deep breath. "What's your reason?"

"Huh."

Under Yang Yunheng's gaze, which had completely frozen in shock, Yan Chongzhang straightened up and said self-mockingly, "That mountain is the foundation of our sect, but it belongs to Little Friend Shen. I'm truly worried that he will take Nameless Mountain away with him..."

The Unification Realm giant, who had become the sect's heaven and earth, should have been as indifferent as the real heaven and earth. Although the Mountain Movers Sect was a bit different, preferring to call themselves martial artists and having a more lively atmosphere, they were still influenced to some extent, rarely experiencing significant emotional turmoil.

After hearing these words, the Mountain Movers Sect Master lifted his hand, barely holding back from giving him a slap.

"Okay, okay, fine. After going out once, you've given away the most precious thing of our sect to others!"

"What's the reason?" Elder in Hemp Robe suppressed his anger, and his palm pressed down again.

"He has cultivated the Divine Peak Technique..." Yan Chongzhang's face turned bitter.

Upon hearing this, the Mountain Movers Sect Master's fingertips twitched slightly, and he lifted his gaze, finally understanding why his disciple was displaying such a demeanor.

This was a sign of being deeply affected and having a damaged Dao heart.

At this thought, the Mountain Movers Sect Master's expression softened, and a thick and harmonious aura slowly emerged from his body, which was the Divine Peak Technique at its pinnacle.

He gently consoled, "So what if he has cultivated it? At my level, this is just an ordinary technique. It doesn't prove anything. Besides, you've cultivated it too, he's just a bit faster in his initial progress."

These words were somewhat forced, as the huge gap in talent was evident from these details.

However, Elder in Hemp Robe was more concerned about his disciple's mental state than an outsider.

He stood up, forced a faint smile, and patted Yan Chongzhang's thick shoulders.

"It's not... not just initial progress. His mastery of the Divine Peak Technique is already at the same level as yours." Yan Chongzhang raised his head awkwardly and added an explanation.

Before he finished speaking, Yan Daozi suddenly felt the palm on his shoulder slowly freeze and then tighten, making a creaking sound.

The Mountain Movers Sect Master silently looked into the distance, towards the direction of Nameless Mountain.

Complex emotions surged in his profound eyes, and then they turned into a hint of resentment.

If breaking through the first layer of the treasure trove in three days could be attributed to some means used by the young Master Shen, then cultivating the Divine Peak Technique to its pinnacle in such a short time...

If this had nothing to do with Nameless Mountain, he, Zhang, would devour the mountain! Years of companionship couldn't compete with the word 'fate'!

He quickly retracted his hand, turned around, and regained his calm demeanor, "So what if he has cultivated it? Why are you in such a hurry? I've always advised you to be calm, but you've thrown all that out the window."

"The mountain is still here, still in the Mountain Movers Sect."

"He begged us to come... not the other way around!" As he finished, the Mountain Movers Sect Master's face twitched.

Yan Chongzhang silently watched his master's back, and said softly, "Master, I don't think I'm in a hurry."

Just as he finished, he saw his master's hand behind his back clench again!

The Mountain Movers Sect Master turned and glanced coldly at him, "You've seen the mountain before, and after discovering its mysteries, how can you possibly restrain your emotions?"

"If you're still like this when he returns, and you make the Mountain Movers Sect seem insignificant, causing us to lose that young cultivator, don't blame me for making you recall the intricacies of my palm technique!"

The Mountain Movers Sect Master coldly laughed, "Hmph, and what's more, this is his mountain..."

He sat back down, his expression was calm yet determined, "You all go ahead and prepare. At most, he'll be back in a few days."

With the bait in hand, there was no reason to worry about not catching the fish.

This disciple was still too young and needed more tempering.

...

In the vast waters of Western Flood Domain.

Shen Yi rode on his sword, closing his eyes and recalling the map given by the Mountain Movers Sect in his terrifying memory.

No detail would be missed or forgotten.

However, the more Shen Yi recalled, the more his eyebrows furrowed.

The Mountain Movers Sect was quite large, and the beings they considered noteworthy and worth recording were at least powerful beast tribes with White Jade Capital as their stronghold.

This should have been a good thing.

But the situation in the entire Western Flood Domain was somewhat beyond Shen Yi's expectations.

The Mountain Movers Sect had meticulously annotated the intricate relationships behind each beast tribe, making the entire map resemble a densely woven web. Every tribe was either backed by the Dragon Palace or protected by a Unification Realm beast.

Some were even connected to immortal sects.

This was fundamentally different from the clear division between the Southern Flood cultivators and the beast tribes. It was like a chaotic mess.

Shen Yi found it difficult to determine whether the place he intended to visit was dangerous or not.

This wasn't the Southern Flood Domain, where he had no Unification Realm treasure land to seek refuge, nor were there several Unification Realm sect masters to help deter others. If something unexpected happened, he had almost no retreat or backup options.

"My lord, there's a water tribe aura ahead."

Just then, Yu Lan, who had been quietly following Shen Yi, spoke up and then silently returned to the Ten Thousand Demons Hall.

As a fire-attributed bird demon, she had an innate sensitivity to water tribes.

This Southern Hall Master, unlike Ke Shisan and Wu Jun, wasn't officially affiliated with the Dragon Palace, so she could temporarily accompany Shen Yi. Moreover, her beast aura made it easier for Shen Yi to conceal his identity.

As if to validate Yu Lan's words, the distant water surface suddenly churned, and a mighty black-backed dragon emerged, creating waves tens of zhang high.

It wore something like a horse bit made of chilling metal, and its wet black scales gleamed. On its dragon spine stood a tall figure holding the reins.

The figure wore silver-white armor and a long cloak, and he had two horns on his head, indicating a cultivation level of False Void Nine Layers.

He first sized up Shen Yi from head to toe, his gaze sweeping over the other's dark robe and the black light flying sword, a hint of disdain flashing through his eyes instinctively.

But when he sensed the powerful cultivation emanating from the dark-robed youth, he loosened the reins and politely bowed, saying, "I am Qi Laojiu, the Western Palace Dragon Son, sent by the Western Palace to welcome fellow Daoists like you who have come to celebrate the birthday."

"Please, Daoist friend."

As he spoke, Qi Laojiu waved his hand casually, and the water surface quickly parted, forming a bridge leading to the depths of the sea.

"..."

Upon hearing the word 'celebrate a birthday', Shen Yi's hand, which had been slightly raised, paused for a moment before lowering again as if nothing had happened, and he lightly nodded as if nothing had occurred.

It seemed like he had inadvertently stumbled into some matter related to the Dragon Palace.

Birthday celebrations, especially for demons... Although it had happened once after leaving the Nanyang treasure land, Shen Yi actually quite enjoyed it.

Although he wasn't arrogant enough to think he could hold a banquet in the Western Dragon Palace, if he could get to know some of the demons who had come to celebrate the birthday and return with them... it would be better than blindly charging into the unknown depths of the Beast Tribes' paradise.

At the same time, Qi Laojiu was also observing Shen Yi's expression.

As the Western Palace Dragon Son, those he came to receive were all well-known figures in Western Hong. As for this one, judging by his attire, the treasure he used, and his cultivation compared to others, he seemed a bit shabby.

Either he was an extremely talented wanderer or an elder of a small sect who had changed his appearance.

Qi Laojiu's evaluation was justified by the youth's silent and aloof demeanor, which also carried a hint of inexperience.

Qi Laojiu was qualified to make this assessment.

A cultivator who had ascended to the White Jade Capital might be an extraordinary existence elsewhere, but in front of the Western Dragon Palace, it wasn't much to speak of.

It was likely that he had heard about the Dragon Consort's birthday celebration from somewhere and wanted to get involved, perhaps without even having an invitation.

"Daoist friend?" Qi Laojiu called out again.

Shen Yi pondered for a moment, sensing the three hall masters in the Ten Thousand Demon Hall and the Underground Hell Naga Head, whose strength surpassed that of Four Cities cultivators, which gave him a bit more confidence.

Finally, he raised his gaze and casually said, "Thank you."

If he wasn't even brave enough to go there, then he might as well just return to Southern Flood.

"You're welcome, Daoist friend," Qi Laojiu said, waving his hand again. A wave rose and fell at Shen Yi's feet, gently guiding him into the water.

Until they were completely submerged.

Shen Yi turned to look back and saw that Qi Laojiu hadn't followed, so he summoned Yu Lan again, indicating that they should separate and scout ahead, informing him if there was anything amiss.

After making these preparations, he finally focused his attention on the area below the water.

The water bridge that Qi Laojiu had created seemed to connect to another place.

After reaching a fairly deep area, Shen Yi saw numerous figures traveling together, all treading on the river waves and chatting as they headed in the same direction.

Among them were cultivators and demons.

Shen Yi raised an eyebrow, feeling a bit out of place, and it was at this moment that his sharp eyes caught sight of a "fellow" in the crowd.

She was a girl in casual clothes, with an outstanding appearance and a somewhat exceptional demeanor, and there were no signs of her identity.

She was obviously following a certain sect, slightly lowering her eyes to conceal her displeasure.

Shen Yi withdrew his gaze, with no intention of recognizing her.

Mainly because they weren't very familiar.

They had only traveled together for a short period after leaving Southern Flood.

He vaguely remembered her as a Daoist from the Blue Sea Sect, but her name escaped him.

For Shen Yi, the most important thing at the moment was to figure out whose birthday banquet it was, as he had made enemies in Western Flood and Treasure Flower Immortal was barely a normal person. The Treasure Flower Sect elder he had communicated with via jade slip earlier was obviously connected to the Western Dragon Palace, and if she had sold him out to the Dragon Palace...

But there was no need to scare himself; it was unlikely to be that bad.

Thinking of this, Shen Yi carefully listened to the conversations around him.

But the first sentence he heard made him instinctively raise his eyes.

"You say the Dragon Consort is celebrating a birthday, do you think Dragon Grandpa will return?"

"Return? He dares to."

"I heard that he's already found an excuse to go to Southern Flood and is lying low."

It was well known that this was the Western Dragon Palace's territory, and although the cultivators had lowered their voices, they clearly weren't afraid of others overhearing.

It was enough to show that the matter of Qi Laojiu being henpecked was no longer a secret in Western Flood.

"..."

Shen Yi followed the water flow, his expression unchanged, except for a hint of complexity in his eyes.

It was fine; although it was a bit coincidental, at least the Dragon Demon comparable to the Unification Realm wasn't there, and as for this Dragon Consort, to speak bluntly, even if she found out that he had killed the snake demon at Xiao Family Fortress, she should thank him.

Jokes aside, Shen Yi also understood why the Blue Sea Sect Daoist had looked so glum.

The eldest son of the Qi family was leading an attack on Southern Flood to deal with the Seven Sons, and as a sect Daoist, he was wasting time celebrating his wife's birthday. Anyone would be annoyed.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end