https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-548-I-Don-t-Need-Such-Instructions/12578042/
Chapter 547: Leave the Explanation to Them
Chapter 547: Leave the Explanation to Them
South Hong, the Immortal's Cave.
Two figures stood outside the cave, seemingly engaged in a heated argument.
"No, Zilan, listen to me. I never thought it would turn out like this. You know my brother is not in his right mind!"
Yue Tiance sighed repeatedly, bowing and pleading, while also using his shoulder to block Zilan's path. "Don't worry, I'll get him back for you. Just trust me this once."
"...”
Zilan glared at the man before her, anger flashing in her eyes. She recalled how he had selflessly helped her earlier, and her chest heaved as she struggled to calm her breathing. Finally, she said, "I'll give you one incense stick's worth of time. That's all I can wait."
She found it hard to imagine that the South Hong Seven had become so cautious, choosing to seclude themselves in a remote corner of South Hong.
And now, Yue Tianji, the eldest son of a major clan in North Hong, had traveled all this way to cause trouble, taking advantage of their vulnerable situation. It was despicable!
"Don't worry! That's enough! I'll go and talk some sense into him now."
Yue Tiance reassured Zilan and turned towards the cave. However, as soon as he stepped inside, the apologetic look on his face vanished.
He crossed his arms and leaned against the wall, quietly observing the scene before him.
In the ruins of the shattered grand hall, a large, tilted pillar held a wooden body bound tightly with spiritual ropes.
In front of the pillar, a man who resembled Yue Tiance, but older and more haggard, squatted. His fingers slowly traced the wooden figure, and his hoarse voice echoed within the Immortal's Cave.
"What an interesting method. So, this is how you've managed to survive all this time."
"What have you been doing for the past hundred thousand years? Hiding under a woman's skirt and trembling in fear?"
"I find it hard to believe that the person I've thought about day and night has become so..."
Crack! Crack!
His fingers crushed the wooden body, tearing off a large chunk.
"...weak."
The man lifted his head, his face a mix of tears and laughter. He opened his mouth, saliva connecting into strings, and from the depths of his throat, he let out a low growl. "Where is your foundation now? Where is your Primordial Purple Qi? Can you even summon a Dao Soldier anymore?"
Without the Primordial Purple Qi, the Dao Palace was incomplete, and thus, the Immortal City couldn't be summoned.
As the man roared, Yue Tianji punched out, his power overwhelming the wooden figure. In the instant the wood shards flew, the man clenched his fist again, and the wood shards in the air gathered once more, restoring the wooden figure to its original state.
"Look, I've mastered all the techniques you know. See for yourself."
Yue Tianji proudly placed his palm on the wooden figure's face, but then he started howling and crying hysterically. "What's the use! You're nothing but a useless waste now! How dare you think you're worthy of my painstaking efforts!"
Amidst the howls, Xuan Qing watched him quietly before finally speaking up. "That's enough. Let him go."
"Did I give you permission to speak?" Yue Tianji asked, his voice sharp.
With a burst of strength, he crushed Xuan Qing's head once more. "I know you must have a backup plan. Go ahead, try it. Even if you bring the leaders of the South Hong Seven here, will they be able to save this little bell in time? After I crush it, will they dare to offend my North Hong Yue family over a group of Returned Void cultivators?"
"...”
Xuan Qing closed his eyes. He was no fool. On the contrary, his long seclusion had made him even more clear-headed.
After the incident, the leaders, who were like brothers to him, had also learned to consider their gains and losses. It was a lesson they had learned the hard way.
No matter how angry they were, their actions would be limited to tormenting their hearts and would not extend to any practical measures.
After all, those elders had learned from the example of the Nanyang Sect and had become qualified leaders themselves.
In a hidden corner outside the Immortal's Cave, Li Qingfeng curled up, holding a Dao plaque and a mirror. As he watched the scene reflected in the mirror, he inadvertently bit his lip, drawing blood.
Among the South Hong Seven, only the Nanyang Sect would compare themselves to the major powers of North Hong.
And among this small group, Xuan Qing cared because he knew that Shen, the leader, cared.
Of course, even though he saw things clearly, Xuan Qing still came here as instructed, carrying the Dao plaque. If Yue Tianji went back on his word, no matter how slight the possibility, he was to call upon the leaders to come here in person.
Before that, the more Yue Tianji tortured his captive, the more likely the leaders would intervene.
Once again, sharp words rang out in the Immortal's Cave.
"If you want me to let him go, then stand up and fight me properly." Yue Tianji released the spiritual ropes.
Xuan Qing seemed helpless but still used the same technique to restore his head.
This "duel" had occurred countless times over the past few days.
His captor seemed to take pleasure in repeating this charade.
Without his Dao Soldier, Xuan Qing lacked the support of the Immortal City, and with his Primordial Purple Qi diminished, he was no match for Yue Tianji, let alone a regular cultivator from the White Jade Capital.
But he didn't say much more before skillfully manipulating his spiritual arts. Countless sword shadows materialized from all directions, attacking him.
Yue Tianji didn't dodge or evade, instead watching indifferently as the sword shadows smashed into him.
Then, taking large strides forward, he slapped Xuan Qing, sending him flying to the ground, and proceeded to stomp on him. "Are you joking with me?"
He took in this scene, committing it to memory.
"Tsk."
Yue Tiance couldn't help but laugh out loud. It was extremely rare to see the once proud and mighty genius of the Hong Clan in such a comical and pathetic state.
He shook his head. If his brother could make his older brother lose some of his arrogance, then he would have served his purpose well.
As long as his brother left him with a life, it would be enough for him and Zilan to explain themselves.
Until then, Yue Tiance had no intention of intervening.
After all, because of Xuan Qing, the genius of the Yue family had fallen, turning into this insane state, never again to set foot on that path. This was a huge blow to the clan.
Considering all that Xuan Qing had done, the price he was paying now was actually quite cheap.
"I'll let him go when you can hurt me. Then I'll release him." Yue Tianji suddenly pulled the wooden body up and slapped it back onto the pillar, tying it up again with the spiritual ropes.
In a corner, some distance away from the Immortal's Cave.
Li Qingfeng forcefully resisted the urge to look away from the mirror's surface. As per Xuan Qing's instructions, he had to keep his eyes on the bell tied to Yue Tianji's waist at all times.
But perhaps, aside from Shen Zongzu, he was the only one in the Nanyang Sect who knew that Xuan Qing wasn't as hopeless as he seemed on the surface. At the very least, he disliked others calling him by his Daoist name.
In other words, within that wooden body, there still remained a spark of pride.
And now, Xuan Qing was doing his best to hide that spark, willing to be trampled upon like a dead dog, rather than let others see that he still held onto hope.
What Yue Tianji wanted to see was probably this.
"Hiss."
At that moment, Li Qingfeng couldn't help but make a sound, temporarily forgetting the risk of being discovered.
He stared intently at the mirror, and the image within flashed, moving to the outside of the Immortal's Cave.
And in the mirror, a figure appeared, a pitch-black silhouette that Li Qingfeng least wanted to see... Why did Shen Zongzu have to return at this time, and alone, no less!
In that instant, Li Qingfeng almost fainted. Without any hesitation, he immediately used his qi to activate the Dao plaque that Xuan Qing had prepared in advance!
If there was anyone in the Nanyang Sect who must not come to harm, it was Shen Yi.
"Zongzus! Help!"
...
Outside the Immortal's Cave.
Zilan Xianzi was anxiously waiting when her expression suddenly changed, and she turned around.
Then, a familiar face appeared in her line of sight. However, compared to when they were in Hongfeng Valley, the young man now exuded a murderous aura that made him seem like a stranger.
"Shen Daoist? What are you doing here?"
Zilan Xianzi suddenly remembered the previous letter from South Hong. She raised her eyebrows. So, this kid had understood its meaning! Otherwise, why would he travel thousands of miles to South Hong?
But she didn't have the time to think about other things now. Slightly flustered, she advised, "Shen Daoist, it's not safe here right now. Please leave quickly."
The situation was already chaotic enough without adding more trouble.
Under Zilan Xianzi's astonished gaze, Shen Yi seemed not to have heard her, his eyes fixed straight ahead as he walked towards the Immortal's Cave.
She remembered that although he had been cold before, he hadn't been like this.
"Could it be that Shen Daoist knows someone inside?"
Zilan Xianzi suddenly thought of something and explained, "Rest assured, he promised me one incense stick's worth of time, and half of it is still left. Once their lives are safe, I will definitely give you an explanation."
As if sensing the commotion outside.
Yue Tiance slowly stepped out of the cave, but the smile on his face faded the moment he saw Shen Yi.
He crossed his arms again and said coldly, "What are you doing here again? Do you really think the East Dragon Palace is your personal servant, always ready to solve your problems?"
"I don't want to lose my temper in front of Zilan. Take advantage of my good mood now and scram."
"...!"
Shen Yi slightly raised his eyes, and then, without warning, he kicked Yue Tiance in the abdomen.
There was no sign, no warning, and yet a violent force appeared out of thin air! Caught off guard, Yue Tiance didn't even have time to change his expression before he was sent flying back into the cave.
Zilan Xianzi's red lips parted slightly, and her eyes narrowed in shock.
In that instant, she seemed to sense a unique aura... Those who possessed this kind of aura might not be stronger than the top-tier demons below the Unity of Heaven and Man, but in terms of fame, they were far more renowned.
That group of people would definitely achieve Unity with Heaven and Man, and barring any accidents, they would be at the very forefront of those who did.
But she swore that she had never heard of anyone with the surname Shen among this group, and that they were located in barren lands like West Hong or South Hong.
The next moment, Shen Yi had completely stepped into the Immortal's Cave.
Zilan Xianzi hesitated no longer and quickly followed. As soon as she entered, she was stunned by the scene before her eyes.
Yue Tianji seemed like a mad dog as he viciously tore into Xuan Qing's body, reducing him to a bare wooden stick.
"..."
Zilan Xianzi found it hard to imagine that the direct eldest son of the Yue family could do such a thing.
Just then, she noticed Shen Yi turning back to look at her, a faint smile on his handsome face. His tone was gentle, but his words were laced with sarcasm, "Rest assured?"
"Let me explain," Zilan Xianzi didn't know why she was being so submissive to a cultivator whom she had only met a few times. Perhaps it was because of the aura he had just displayed, or maybe it was because she felt guilty for breaking her promise to him.
"You can leave the explanation to them."
Shen Yi retracted his gaze and continued walking towards the ruins with steady steps.
Indeed, no matter how human-like they pretended to be, demons were still demons.
"You despicable thing, how dare you ambush me!" Yue Tiance endured the pain and struggled to his feet. Repeatedly provoked by this cultivator, he finally stopped pretending in front of Zilan, and the fine scales on his face rapidly spread, after which he rushed forward.
Shen Yi raised his hand, his fingers curled into a sword gesture, and placed it on his brow.
In an instant, the dim Immortal's Cave was illuminated as if it were daytime, and auspicious clouds parted to reveal four majestic Immortal Cities!
Dragon Han, Crimson Clarity, Upper Emperor, and Opening Emperor.
This was the limit of all Hongze cultivators!
Zilan Xianzi stared in awe, and it was only at this moment that her earlier guess was finally confirmed.
This young cultivator had indeed opened the fourth city!
However, the shock in her eyes had barely risen when it intensified severalfold.
In the open gates of the Immortal Cities, a never-before-seen golden light emerged! In the face of this golden radiance, the rest of the dazzling purple light that had once impressed her now seemed dull in comparison.
The entire process took only a breath's time.
Shen Yi's ink-colored robe transformed into a tight-fitting dark golden armor, with a dark golden crown on his head and the Yin-Yang Jade at his waist.
As his hair fluttered, he swallowed a blood-red phoenix pill, and the aura around him surged once more!
Although Shen Yi's eyes had been fixed on Yue Tianji in the distance, when Yue Tiance rushed forward, his long fingers landed precisely on his forehead.
Scorching heart flame roared out, enveloping Yue Tiance's entire body.
The art of the Azure-Glazed Green Phoenix was inherently vicious, and without the protection of his soul, even with the noble bloodline of the Yue family, his eyes bulged, and his features contorted as he let out a silent howl.
His body instinctively flipped over, and he frantically slapped at his body, but to no avail.
Shen Yi paid no further attention to him and took another step forward, arriving next to the pillar where the two men were. He pressed his right palm against Yue Tianji's face, forcibly stopping his biting, and then swung his palm to shatter the spiritual ropes binding Xuan Qing.
"..."
Xuan Qing, who had maintained a calm demeanor throughout, closed his eyes for the first time upon seeing Shen Yi.
He clenched his teeth but soon opened them again, his voice barely audible, "Leave... He's insane... We can't afford to offend him for now."
Xuan Qing was well aware of the value of a group of Returned Void cultivators.
If it were ten thousand years ago, he might have been even more indifferent than the current sect leaders.
However, value was a relative concept.
For example, himself.
At present, the South Dragon Palace and the Seven Sects were on the brink of breaking their alliance, and for the Seven Sects, there were only two possible outcomes.
If they lost, the seven sects would be annihilated, and he had no intention of surviving alone.
If they won, the seven sects would inevitably return to the Hongze level, and at that time, he, who could attract the attention of Immortals at any moment, would not only be worthless to them but also a huge nuisance.
Moreover, Xuan Qing occasionally recalled Shen Yi's initial response, and he genuinely feared that the young sect leader might make an impulsive decision because of those few insignificant strands of Primordial Purple Qi.
Considering all this, no matter what they exchanged Xuan Qing for, even if they got nothing in return, it would still be a profitable deal.
"He really is insane! There's no need to gamble your bright future to play with a madman... Let's go." Xuan Qing swallowed hard.
Upon hearing this, Shen Yi pondered for a moment before baring his teeth in a grin, revealing his neat, white teeth, "I'm a bit of a madman myself."
"Four Cities cultivator... Four Cities cultivator..."
Yue Tianji peered through the gaps in his fingers at the four Immortal Cities and burst into raucous laughter.
As his laughter grew more unrestrained, anyone could hear the ridicule in it.
Ten thousand years ago, Xuan Qing was also a Four Cities cultivator and had even mastered the Myriad Laws, yet he was only slightly superior to Yue Tianji.
So many years had passed, and an ordinary Four Cities cultivator, no matter how famous, didn't seem that impressive in Yue Tianji's eyes.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
