Chapter 569: Returning to Nanyang, the Dragon Palace's Invitation

Chapter 569: Returning to Nanyang, the Dragon Palace's Invitation

The mountain peak soared into the clouds, and atop it stood a spacious platform resembling white jade, upon which a Nanyang relief carving hung.

There were seven such places, all located in a remote corner of Nan Hong.

Numerous cultivators hurried back and forth, and compared to before, their expressions were less relaxed and more solemn.

Even though everyone could sense the change in the atmosphere, as of today, there had not been any direct conflict between the Nan Long Palace and the Seven Sons.

However, apart from the Immortal Sect and its vassals, all the other forces, regardless of their means of livelihood, felt that the world was becoming increasingly difficult. The underwater Dragon Palace demon soldiers were harder to deal with, and the frequency of accidents among the disciples was also on the rise.

It was clear that the Nan Long Palace not only wanted to cut off the supply of the Seven Sons but also aimed to block the information channels of these Immortal Sects.

They were determined to push the Seven Sects of Nan Hong back into the corner!

The news brought back by the Daozis upon their return to the sect was not good. Although there had been some gains, they had failed to invite powerful figures from Xi Hong who could determine the situation. Instead, it only revealed the attitude of the Xi Long Palace.

Rumor had it that the group of Jade-Horned Silver Dragons in the west dared to collude with the Ten Thousand Phenomena Pavilion to set up a trap and ambush the Nan Hong Daozi, displaying a relentless determination to settle the score.

If the two Dragon Palaces joined forces and launched an attack, the Seven Sons of Nan Hong would have to pay a heavy price, even if they just defended a single location.

Even these ordinary elders and disciples could see through the Nan Long Palace's tactics of slowly boiling the frog and cutting the meat with a dull knife, so how could the sect leader and the Daozis not understand?

They would definitely take action, just waiting for the right opportunity.

Waiting—

Many cultivators looked up and saw the Clear Moon Treasure Ship flying across the sky, with two figures standing side by side at the bow.

Besides the Master of the Clear Moon Sect, there was another figure—the Nanyang Sect Leader, who had inexplicably earned the sincere admiration of many Daozis.

"They're back!"

For a moment, regardless of their status, all the cultivators who saw the treasure ship bowed and greeted the sect leader's return.

As the treasure ship flew by, they stood up one after another, each with their own thoughts.

Now that these two had returned from Xi Hong, with the seven great sect leaders gathered, facing the Nan Long Palace's aggressive stance, they would have to make a decision—whether to negotiate or restore the prestige of the Immortal Sect. Perhaps an answer would come soon.

"..."

Inside the main hall of the Sky Sword Sect, the doors were tightly shut.

The Daozis, who usually led the sect, now quietly waited on both sides, listening to Ji Shishu recount his experiences in Jade Mountain.

"A Celestial Realm Dragon Son has fallen?" The Azure Sea Patriarch looked on in astonishment, then fell into deep thought. "In a few months, the eldest of the Qi family will definitely be recalled."

To be honest, if it weren't for the sudden madness of the Nan Long Palace, the Seven Sons would not have considered coming out of seclusion.

Their already insufficient foundation had diminished further over the past ten million years.

The main reason... was the purpose of their re-emergence.

To become the top power in Hongze once again?

Even with the remaining strength of the Seven Sons of Nan Hong, as long as they were willing to stand up, they would not be inferior to the great powers like the Dong Long Palace and the Wuliang Dao Huang Sect, let alone the Xi Long Palace and the Yue family.

As long as they were ruthless and dared to fight, they could occupy several Fusion Dao Lands in North Hong or East Hong, providing a place for their disciples, followers, and vassal forces to recuperate, which would be countless times better than the current situation.

However, the problem was that the one who had 'confined' the Seven Sons of Nan Hong was the Eastern Dragon King.

That Dragon King, under Zi Ling's name, had protected the Seven Sons from the Immortal, preventing the Immortal's anger from falling upon the remaining six sects.

After all, even the Hongze Immortal wasn't sure if Zi Ling, who had ascended to the heavens, still cared about these clansmen of Hongze... Most likely, she did care, as the heavens were too lonely, and after a long time, one couldn't help but yearn for the familial ties of the past.

He had worked hard to send Zi Ling to the heavens, so it was natural that he wouldn't risk offending Zi Ling, not even a tiny bit, just for the sake of six small sects.

This was the current situation.

If the Seven Sons of Nan Hong took the initiative to leave, they would be breaking this agreement. Who knew what the Hongze Immortal would do, but those sycophants who tried to curry favor with the Immortal would definitely not mind taking action against this group of Nan Hong cultivators to please the Immortal.

So, the current state of affairs was actually the last bit of face the Hongze forces were giving to the Seven Sons, and this 'gentle treatment' was mostly due to the respect for the Dong Long Palace.

Since the eldest of the Qi family was going to be recalled, as long as they could hold on until then, this conflict in Nan Hong seemed to be coming to a ridiculous end.

After all, no matter how crazy the Ko family's crown prince became, he would never believe that the Nan Long Palace alone could truly rival the Seven Sons.

That old Dragon King, without the Dragon Cavern, lacked the power to suppress the heroes.

"..."

Even the remaining sect leaders slightly lost their focus, their gazes wavering.

The sect leaders of Ling Yun and Wushuang sects subtly sighed in relief.

The Ling Yue Sect Leader remained silent.

But the Sky Sword Sect Leader, although he also withdrew his gaze, still had a faint trace of disappointment in his eyes.

As the sword of the Seven Sons of Nan Hong, he had taken on the mission of the sacred ground, to clear the path for the Nanyang Great Sun to shine peacefully upon this land and sea.

Now, this sword was becoming sharper, but it seemed like it would never have the chance to leave its sheath again.

For Ye Jiu, this was undoubtedly a tragedy.

"I have some matters to attend to, so I'll return to the sect first."

Shen Yi slowly stood up, feeling a little uncomfortable with this casual gathering. For these sect leaders with their long lifespans, even sitting idly for a few decades was just a fleeting moment, but for Shen Yi, it was truly boring.

He took out a jade slip and placed it on the table next to Ye Jiu.

Then, with a bow, he bid farewell and left the main hall.

"Why is it that every time he goes out, he returns with such aloofness?"

Deng Xiangjun curiously looked at Ji Jing Xi. Shen Yi had left in a hurry, but in the end, he returned with Ji Shimei. Deng Xiangjun had thought that their relationship was quite good.

Without waiting for a reply, he turned his gaze back to the jade slip on the table, "And what is this?"

Ye Jiu picked it up and glanced at it, then furrowed his brows, "A communication treasure from the Master of the Moving Mountain Sect? What, does the Moving Mountain Sect really intend to follow us and fight to the death with the Dragon Palace?"

As he spoke, he couldn't help but chuckle.

Following the Seven Sons of Nan Hong, one could only expect to be beaten up and have no chance to benefit.

However, Ji Jing Xi glanced sideways, "That Yellow-robed cultivator said that all the cultivators in the two major sacred lands of the Moving Mountain Sect, including himself and the Branch Sect Master, are at the disposal of Lord Shen."

"..."

With these words, the hall fell into silence.

Ye Jiu's smile hadn't faded when he looked at the jade slip in his hand again, and he suddenly felt it was a bit too hot to handle.

The Master of the Moving Mountain Sect was not a formidable figure in his eyes.

But the act of entrusting one's life and possessions to another was a gesture of trust that even made Ye Jiu's heart race.

Even if Shen Yi was the long-lost father of the Yellow-robed cultivator, it wouldn't be enough to make a Sect Master make such a decision.

Ling Yun and the Patriarch of the Azure Sea, whose cultivation was relatively lower and who didn't have much interaction with Shen Yi, were even more astonished.

Don't forget, Senior Sister Ji didn't say that the Moving Mountain Sect was at the disposal of the Seven Sons, but specifically mentioned Shen Yi, indicating that this matter had nothing to do with the Seven Sons and was solely for the face of the Nanyang Patriarch.

How... how could a cultivator from another sect trust Shen Yi more than they, the allies of the Nanyang Sect?

"Hmm."

Ye Jiu exhaled and held up the jade slip, asking, "So, shall we fight?"

The other Sect Masters looked at him with peculiar expressions.

Although the Moving Mountain Sect's actions were indeed shocking, even if these two Earth Realm cultivators were included, they could only provide a bit more composure for the Seven Sons when facing the Dragon Palace's sinister moves, but it wouldn't be decisive.

"I was just asking casually."

Ye Jiu put the jade slip away. Compared to the Moving Mountain Sect, the real reason he asked this question was because of Shen Yi himself.

For a Fusion Dao cultivator to have such trust, this young man must have something extraordinary about him.

Moreover, why did the other party give the jade slip to him and not the other Sect Masters?

Perhaps this Lord Shen shared similar thoughts to his own?

...

Nanyang Sacred Land.

Li Qingfeng and Xuan Qing had been standing in the Ancestral Hall to welcome them, and even without using their eyes, after reaching the Fusion Dao Realm, the moment that dark-robed figure stepped into the sacred land, the entire world seemed to celebrate.

"I'm back."

Xuan Qing felt the changes in the world's energy and respectfully bowed to the sky, paying his respects to his master.

Although their cultivation was slightly lower, they each took on the responsibilities of a disciple and a grand elder, managing the entire sacred land with precision.

"You've been busy... I also wanted to report to the Sect Master about the care we've received from the allied sects during this time."

Although Li Qingfeng couldn't sense the changes in energy, he could tell from Xuan Qing's actions that the Sect Master had left.

Currently, the Nanyang Sect didn't have the strength to protect its vassals; it even relied on the allied sects for self-preservation.

He remembered when the Sect Master had just advanced to the Nascent Soul Realm, he could still take him out of the sect to attend banquets. As the Sect Master's cultivation grew, it seemed like no one in the entire sacred land could keep up with his pace.

However, it seemed like everyone else's lives became more peaceful, except for the Sect Master.

In the Hongze Water and Land, peace was a luxury for every cultivator, and everyone knew how this peace was achieved.

"The Sect Master is aware and will not mistreat the allied sects," Xuan Qing said as he turned and returned to the Ancestral Hall. Perhaps he was the disciple who understood Shen Yi the most among the Seven Sons. The other party even had the thought of going against the Immortals for him. The contributions of the senior cultivators now would probably be the most profitable deal of their lives.

"..."

Shen Yi arrived at the most familiar mountain peak and paused slightly.

To his surprise, a grand palace now stood atop the once empty mountain, surrounded by tranquility. Wisps of blue smoke floated inside the palace, bringing a sense of serenity to the heart.

Only a few disciples were present, and upon seeing Shen Yi, they forced themselves to suppress their excitement, bowed respectfully, and then quickly left the cultivation hall, not daring to disturb him.

Compared to these disciples, the last figure in a plain dark robe stood out. Her face didn't show the awe that the rumors suggested, but instead, it held a deep sense of reminiscence.

"Not cultivating, but coming here to offer incense?"

Shen Yi, for once, stopped his hurried steps and paused for a moment.

"Reporting..."

The dark-robed woman respectfully cupped her hands in greeting, but before she could finish, she saw Shen Yi slightly raise his eyebrows.

She pressed her lips together, her eyes filled with a warm smile, and then slowly lowered her palms. Although her expression still held a hint of awkwardness, her standing posture with her hands at her sides regained the carefree demeanor she had when they first met at the Creek Terrace Mountain.

"I've been diligently cultivating, but when I think of you, I can't help but come here to see."

Although she was a Core Formation Realm disciple, facing a Grand Perfection Earth Realm Sect Master, there was a vast chasm between them. But as long as Shen Yi allowed it, she was still the silent and reticent Jiang Qiuluan who never feared expressing her thoughts.

"..."

Shen Yi paused for a moment and took off a golden bracelet from his wrist.

Seeing this, the girl took a step back and shook her head, not saying anything to decline. Instead, she smiled and hesitated for a moment before asking the question she had long wanted to ask but never had the chance.

She looked at him seriously, "Are you doing well?"

"I'm fine," Shen Yi nodded slightly.

"That's good," Jiang Qiuluan breathed a sigh of relief and then bowed again before quickly descending the mountain.

She was already very familiar with the rumors about Shen Yi, to the point of being able to recite them by heart.

Now, she couldn't help him with this lofty mountain anymore, but at least she wouldn't become a stumbling block on his path. After all, Shen Yi was no longer the Demon-Subduing General of Qingzhou but the pillar of the entire Nanhong Sacred Land.

To walk alongside him for a journey is an experience worth cherishing.

Moreover, compared to the gold bracelet that was obviously taken from a woman's wrist, she still preferred her own demon core from the blood ox demon.

"Hmm."

Shen Yi stood quietly for a moment, a rare smile on her face, and then stepped into the grand hall.

For these people to continue living peacefully in the Hongze aquatic realm, he still had a long way to go.

Thinking of this, Shen Yi calmed her mind and sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion in the hall.

First, she checked the harvest of the several Hall Lords on this trip, and under the nervous gaze of Ke Shisan, she chose to turn these corpses into a river of blood and pour it into the body of the Foundation Stone.

Although there was a significant gap between the Jade Horn Silver Dragon and the Yellow Plague Poison Dragon, and some of the bloodline might be wasted, as Shen Yi's cultivation realm improved, she also discovered that in battles between cultivators, quality was far more important than quantity.

Ke Shisan was the Hall Lord with the highest potential.

If the four Hong Dragon Palaces could be gathered to forge the Foundation Stone, perhaps when facing a true immortal, it could still play a significant role.

The vast river of blood poured into his brow.

Shen Yi simultaneously condensed the origin of the demon race to nurture this first Hall Lord.

Similar to Yu Lan, even with nearly three hundred thousand years of demon lifespan poured into him, Ke Shisan still couldn't reach the immortal realm, but his demon soul also advanced to the Fusion Realm.

Even with the difference in bloodlines causing significant losses.

But Qi Zhao Yang's strength was too formidable, surpassing even An Ting Feng, and with Qi Zhao Ping and other demon generals with dragon blood, Ke Shisan's aura began to surge.

Soon, he surpassed Yue Tianji, then Yu Lan, until he was on par with An Yi... The speed of his aura's growth finally slowed down.

"Hmm—"

Accompanied by a majestic dragon breath, Ke Shisan finally opened his eyes and looked provocatively at An Yi.

However, he soon found it uninteresting because the petite Western Hall Lord, despite her calm expression, stared silently at the gold bracelet on her master's wrist, biting her lips, lost in thought, but not giving him a second glance.

"Xuan Jian is grateful for the master's generous reward!"

Having become the strongest Hall Lord, Ke Shisan couldn't hide his joy.

Shen Yi glanced at him; with so many corpses, he still couldn't close the gap in quality with An Yi, and it was a waste to be so proud.

However, on the Foundation Stones of An Yi and Yu Lan, there was now an additional blood talisman with slight differences.

That was the mark left by killing the Dragon Son.

Before they were completely unafraid of retaliation from the Western Dragon Palace, it was better for these two Hall Lords to minimize their appearances. Ke Shisan's breakthrough to the Celestial Realm could also make up for his own lack of strength.

At this moment, Shen Yi sensed something amiss. He closed his eyes and examined the five immortal cities covered by the Ten Thousand Monsters Hall.

Among them, three cities had changes in the light at their gates.

At some point, a piercing red light had tainted the originally pure golden light, as if a malevolent aura had stained the Dao weapon with blood.

Shen Yi slightly frowned.

Something was wrong; if it was due to excessive slaughter, why would it happen to be the immortal cities corresponding to the three Celestial Realm Hall Lords?

Could this Dao weapon continue to improve?

In addition, Shen Yi looked at the empty Ten Thousand Monsters Hall. Previously, he had given the Earth Realm's Di Ming You Mang to Wu Jun, and later, several Fusion Realm bear and bat demons to An Yi.

The more demon race members in the hall, and the stronger their cultivation, the more Shen Yi felt an indescribable sensation, as if their bloodlines were nurturing something under the Hall Lords' guidance.

"Innate Divine Ability?"

Shen Yi pondered for a moment, suddenly realizing the difference between the Earth and Celestial Realms.

Using Dao techniques to deduce divine abilities, like the moonlight used by Senior Ji earlier, was one of her divine abilities and a sign of entering the Celestial Realm.

Not to mention, just by grasping a bit of aura, she could forcefully deprive the Green Phoenix Clan Head of part of his soul; such a method was both eerie and terrifying.

No cultivator would leave their aura behind when attacking, and it was unthinkable for someone's soul to be mysteriously damaged.

Could it be that his divine ability was in the Ten Thousand Monsters Hall?

"Never mind, at least there's a direction now."

Shen Yi opened his eyes and grabbed Yue Tianji and Ke Shisan, pulling them into the Ten Thousand Monsters Hall.

Since there was nothing new to condense, these four million years of demon lifespans could only be shared with the two Hall Lords.

Even if the immortal art devoured their lifespans, with such a terrifying number, Shen Yi was determined to obtain the Ten Thousand Tribulation Blood God Art and the Divine Mountain Calming Heaven Art.

As the lifespans poured in,

The grand hall fell silent again, with only the figure in the ink-colored robe sitting motionless, accompanied by wisps of blue smoke.

...

The Clear Moon Treasure Ship had returned several days ago.

The anxious cultivators from the seven sects, including the elders, had not received the news they desired.

The seven sect leaders had clearly discussed the matter but had not come up with a clear plan.

The vassals' pleas for help flooded in like snowflakes.

Under the arrangements of the Daozi, the Seven Sons of Nan Hong sent countless cultivators to provide support, but from start to finish, they never mentioned how to calm this dispute or whether they should continue to compete with the Nan Long Palace.

"Wait?"

Liu Shi Qian looked at the White Witch. After Wu Jun brought him back to Nan Hong, he had not told anyone about his breakthrough to the Fusion Realm, except for Elder Chi Yang.

For his current strength, handling these trivial matters was effortless.

But the disciples and elders had to constantly take risks outside, which was never a good thing.

"Wait for Qi Lao Da to return, and all will be resolved."

The White Witch sighed, feeling frustrated, but even with their youthful exuberance, they couldn't find a valid reason to start a fight.

Even if they defeated the Southern Dragon Palace, it would only provoke the other Hongs' jealousy and bring wave after wave of suppression.

Perhaps there were a couple of sect leaders who wanted to fight, but most hoped to return to the situation of the past.

"Let's hope so."

Liu Shi Qian thought of what he had seen and heard in West Flood Domain, and he couldn't shake the feeling that things might not unfold as most sect leaders imagined. Hong Ze was becoming more chaotic, and the Seven Sons of Nan Hong had to find a way to extricate themselves.

It was better to take the initiative...

As this thought flashed through his mind, Liu Shi Qian broke out in a cold sweat.

After spending some time in the Ten Thousand Demon Hall, how could he have such thoughts?

But who wouldn't want to face the Dragon Palace with the same domineering attitude as that dark golden-robed senior?

It was a matter of strength.

As they spoke, both sensed something amiss and furrowed their brows, looking out beyond the sect.

The next moment, a rolling wave of demon energy with a pungent aquatic stench swept over the seven sects.

"By the decree of the Southern Dragon Palace's Crown Prince, we have come to question you!"

A terrifying roar, like that of a ferocious beast, echoed through the sky.

Outside the seven sects of Nan Hong, the sky was filled with huge water demons, each with a ferocious and savage appearance. Among them were yellow dragons covered in spikes and red dragons lashing their tails.

Amidst this terrifying display, two long dragons transformed into human forms, holding a decree and appearing before the multitude of cultivators.

They were the Dragon Sons and Grandsons of the Southern Dragon Palace, and they were all familiar faces.

The red one was the fourth-ranked Dragon Grandson who had previously guarded the nearby waters of the Seven Sons.

The older one was the Fifth Prince of the Cole family, who had lost nearly all his Demon Generals.

The last time they put on such a show was to blockade the Nanyang Sect's vassals, and they left in disgrace with heavy losses, thanks to the help of several Daozi.

Now they had returned, even more arrogant than before.

Their confidence came from the decree they held.

The Cole family's Crown Prince rarely issued decrees, and the two most recent ones were about the Nanyang Sect.

"His Highness the Crown Prince asks."

The two Dragon Sons and Grandsons looked down at the Immortal Sect below, taking in the group of cultivators brimming with killing intent, but they remained calm and indifferent.

The next moment, a sharp and mocking question echoed in the air.

"The banquet is ready, will Nanyang attend?"

The words quickly faded, reaching the ears of every cultivator. Those residing in their caves took out their treasures and flew out, riding the clouds and mist.

The entire Nan Hong Seven Sons were stirred up.

This was not an invitation to a banquet but a blatant provocation.

Under the pressure of recent events, the Immortal Sect cultivators were already seething with anger, and now someone had come knocking on their door.

However, without the sect leader's command, they could only stare at the sky with gritted teeth.

Under a large tree, several figures slowly stood up, and Ye Jiu couldn't help but raise his lips in a smile, coldness seeping into his expression.

"Is it possible that they know about what happened in West Flood Domain... and want to drag us into this chaos while the Qi family hasn't retreated yet?"

Ling Yun Sect Master hesitated but couldn't resist offering a piece of advice.

Ye Jiu glanced at him without speaking, but a chill spread over Ling Yun Sect Master's body.

"Enough, we're fellow disciples who have trained together for tens of thousands of years, don't bring up internal strife."

Ling Yue Sect Master stepped between them, breaking their gaze: "I'll handle this."

Even sworn brothers who had endured ten thousand years of hardship together might have differing opinions.

No one truly feared the Southern Dragon Palace, but some didn't want to take further risks.

Before the words had finished, several sect leaders, including the silent Ji Jing Xi, slowly raised their heads.

The many cultivators of the Nan Hong Seven Sons all looked in the same direction.

The formation of the Nanyang Sacred Ground suddenly flickered.

A figure stepped out.

He looked young and immature, with extremely low cultivation, just at the Nascent Soul Realm.

In this situation, he seemed insignificant.

But facing the sky full of giant water demons,

this young-looking cultivator remained calm.

He slowly walked to the edge of the White Jade Platform, stood with his hands behind his back, and stared at the two Dragon Sons and Grandsons with their arrogant expressions.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Li Qingfeng nodded slightly: "My sect leader knows, wait here."

His calm words lacked the ferocity of the water demons, but they left all the cultivators and demons stunned and uncertain.

"Heh!"

The Fifth Prince of the Cole family suddenly laughed: "What do you mean by 'wait here'? You little brat, why don't you help your sect leader, who dares not show his face, and make things clearer?"

The other cultivators also snapped out of their daze... They all knew the purpose of this banquet, and the death of the Cole family's Dragon Grandson required an explanation.

Lord Shen sending a disciple to represent him, perhaps he feared someone would notice something.

"Ah."

Li Qingfeng had already turned and started walking towards the formation.

Hearing these words, he sighed slightly.

He looked back at the sky and said word by word: "Waiting here means to prepare the banquet and wait for my sect leader to find time to attend."

"Nonsense!"

The Fourth Dragon Grandson laughed sinisterly: "What if he never has time?"

Upon hearing this, Li Qingfeng straightened his clothes, and a hint of disdain finally appeared in his youthful eyes.

He said indifferently: "Then you'll have to keep waiting."

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end