Chapter 683: The Hongze Incident
Chapter 683: The Hongze Incident
Even as a bystander, Yelan could sense the desperation of the father and son before their deaths.
She herself was still in the process of exploring her path, and thus, she understood how challenging it was to complete this journey.
Although Dao Fruits and Achievements were not of the same category, they both followed the principles of the Seventy-Two Numbers. The Taihuo Dao Fruit was among the top ten, far surpassing the Dragon Tiger Fruit, which was ranked over thirty.
However, after completing his path, Shen Yi's Achievement surpassed the power of Muyang's Taihuo Divine Yang Dao.
What kind of heaven-gifted talent could fathom such profound insights into the Great Dao!
"Luck."
Shen Yi wasn't being modest; his intention was not to reshape the two demonic souls to help him through the tribulations. It was merely a subtle misunderstanding that arose when he first saw the Dragon Tiger Luohan Golden Body manifested by the two Bodhimanda cultivators.
But then again, even if other cultivators had similar ideas, without the help of the panel, it would have been difficult to reshape complete demonic souls. Moreover, it was even more challenging to guide two demonic souls through a thousand tribulations while ensuring they wouldn't disperse under the torment of the tribulations.
This was almost impossible.
"..."
Hearing this, Yelan was at a loss for words.
After all, she was also a cultivator and had always considered herself a semi-senior. Even with her high opinion of Shen Yi, when she witnessed him surpassing her with her own eyes, she couldn't help but feel a sense of emotion.
If there were so many lucky chances in the world, how could she have been stuck at the Fifth Rank for so long?
Shen Yi didn't have time to spare for the intricate thoughts of these geniuses.
He casually reached into the Taihuo Realm and retrieved a neatly folded letter.
Spreading out the bloodstained letter, Shen Yi skimmed through its contents.
As expected, his guess was not far off.
He wasn't some naive novice to be fooled by Muyang's few words.
Based on the letter's content, not only was there no evidence for conviction, but Qing Luan probably didn't even have a single clue and was merely speculating.
Of course, it was somewhat unexpected that they had sent someone to Shen Xu Mountain to investigate.
Fortunately, he didn't have much interaction with Shen Xu Mountain, so even if Muyang wanted to betray his fellow disciples, he wouldn't have any useful information to offer.
"Phew."
Shen Yi refolded the letter.
Even so, he couldn't afford to be careless.
"How is it?" Yelan, although aware that her junior brother had gotten into trouble, hadn't inquired much about his background, but she still felt a bit worried.
After all, if even the backing of Shen Xu Mountain couldn't cover up the matter, it was definitely not a minor issue.
Yelan had only recently become acquainted with Shen Yi, but from her perspective, his actions throughout the journey, though decisive and ruthless, had always been justified. He was by no means an evil person.
"It's fine. Let's finish things up and return to Juyang Prefecture as soon as possible."
Shen Yi put away his belongings. No matter what, returning to Juyang Prefecture was the right decision. That way, he could reach Qing Hua or Hongze quickly if any issues arose.
With that, he stepped into the void and headed towards Shen Xu Mountain.
"Ah."
Yelan clenched her palm, feeling a bit helpless.
But upon further thought, it was only natural. Shen Yi had earned the trust of her and others because he was inherently reliable.
In contrast, she wondered what she had done to earn Shen Yi's trust.
It was reasonable for him not to want to talk about it. If he had been so easily trusting, he might not have made it this far and would have met an untimely end.
...
The moment the two figures emerged from the Taihuo Realm, the various peak masters sensed it.
One by one, the peak masters rose into the air.
"You're back so early; I thought you'd be a few days late," Jinxue Daoist said with a smile.
"..." The withered old man, the eldest senior brother and master of the eight peaks, known as Jinlei, didn't speak, but his attitude had clearly improved.
His expectations of his fellow disciples were not high; remembering the matters of their master and being so dedicated was enough.
"Some time ago, Hong Jing from the Jade Pool Immortal Sect became a Celestial General in the heavens. He came to Shen Xu Mountain to seek you out, saying that Qing Luan wanted to befriend you after you two hit it off. But then, Muyang intervened and welcomed him in."
Qianfeng Daoist looked at Shen Yi, seemingly chatting casually, but with a hint of warning.
Even if the Celestial General truly came to befriend him, he had to be cautious of Muyang's meddlesome nature and his tendency to gossip, which could tarnish one's reputation.
"Thank you."
Shen Yi nodded slightly.
Yelan stood behind him, feeling a surge of emotions. Seeing the youth's calm expression, who would have thought that not long ago, he had personally crushed Muyang Daoist to death?
How did he cultivate such a strong heart?
"Let's not waste time on idle chatter. Everything needed is prepared, so let's get to the main task," Jinlei Daoist said, interrupting the conversation.
The Shen Xu Dao Fruit was one of the Third Rank Great Dao Fruits.
Its profound mystery lay in the ability to roam the Taihuo Realm.
Therefore, the Shen Xu Ancestor usually remained in this state, only returning to the mortal world when he needed to replenish his energy, temporarily awakening from his slumber.
The peak masters wished to seek guidance on their cultivation path or report important matters to their sect, but they could only wait for their Master to finish his replenishment and return to the Taixu Realm before approaching him.
"You take him there."
Jinlei Daoist first stopped Jinxue Shimei with a glance, then turned to Yelan.
"..."
Perhaps due to spending so much time with Shen Yi, Yelan had also grown accustomed to keeping her emotions hidden.
She nodded, "Alright."
With that, Yelan led Shen Yi towards the towering Shenxu Mountain, surrounded by the eight peaks.
After the two of them left, Jinxue Daoist sighed helplessly, glancing sideways, "Big Brother, why put her through this? You know that place holds memories she can never forget..."
Jinlei Daoist's expression remained calm, without a ripple of emotion, "Since she chose to stay in Shenxu Mountain, she must learn to let go."
The other peak masters sighed softly, but none dared to say more.
They could only hope that the events of the past would never repeat themselves.
At that moment, Yelan also arrived at the entrance to a cave on Shenxu Mountain.
She slowed her steps and led Shen Yi inside.
The cave was dim but not damp, like a long corridor leading to a spacious stone palace.
The stone palace resembled a pill refining chamber, filled with pill refining equipment arranged neatly. At the deepest part of the palace was a tall, tightly shut, copper-colored archway.
From the moment she stepped into the palace, Yelan's expression became somewhat dazed.
She paced within the palace, her slender fingers lightly tracing the pill bottles and pill furnaces, and although the tables in front of each furnace were empty, she seemed to vaguely see the familiar, busy figures.
Perhaps her emotions were in turmoil.
Yelan didn't notice that the young man in ink-colored robes behind her had also turned pale.
Shen Yi clenched his fists, his eyes fixed on the copper-colored gate.
A thick layer of gray mist seemed to swirl over the heavy gate, resembling the Taixu Realm.
Within the mist, a pair of enormous eyes emerged.
They were lifeless eyes, yet they seemed to perceive everything in the world.
"Heh—"
Shen Yi's breathing quickened, feeling as if his entire being was exposed.
The gaze pierced through his body, landing on the Taixu Dao Fruit on the Cangmu Silver Wheel, and then penetrated straight into it, unreservedly probing the round golden core within.
The next moment, a strong greed emerged in those lifeless eyes.
It was like a glutton feasting upon the rarest of delicacies.
"That's where our Master is in seclusion," Yelan finally snapped out of her daze, seemingly unaware of the eyes. She spoke only because she noticed Shen Yi staring at the copper gate.
Outside, she usually referred to the other party as Divine Void Ancestor, but here, even with a myriad of emotions in her heart, she had to call him Master.
Even if the other party was still in a state of confusion and oblivion.
As a Great Immortal, listening to the voices of all things was one of the most basic abilities.
The divine and immortal beings were no longer human.
"Don't linger here, let's begin," Yelan took a deep breath, clearing her mind of distracting thoughts.
Without sufficient strength, any grudges were meaningless.
The reason she joined the Demon Slayer Bureau was to rely on the Imperial Qi Golden Pill bestowed by the court, so she no longer needed to depend on the resources of Shenxu Mountain.
One day, if she could reach the realm of an Immortal, when she returned to this place, she would draw her sword with a mind free of distractions.
"..."
Shen Yi watched as the eyes sank back into the gray mist, until the mist dissipated, and the copper gate returned to its normal state, as if everything that had just happened was merely an illusion.
But the feeling of being a lamb waiting to be slaughtered still lingered in his mind.
Not a single mistake, not a single hair, not a single change, not a single word, not a single look, not a single book, not a single glance!
He knew that cultivators were no different from ordinary people; they had the same desires and could resort to any means.
Even the relationship between master and disciple was not as unbreakable as it seemed.
Shen Yi could understand his master 'eating' his disciples, such as using them to the extreme, even imprisoning their souls to refine treasures, but he never imagined it to be in the literal sense of eating.
It was the most primal greed for food!
Shen Yi glanced at Yelan, and at that moment, he finally understood the calamity that had befallen Dan Peak.
Led by the peak master, a group of fellow disciples entered this stone palace and began refining pills as usual, until the ancestor opened his mouth and swallowed them all.
The reason Yelan had survived until now was probably because she didn't understand the art of pill refining and thus didn't join them.
And the situation Shen Yi faced now was even more perilous.
Yelan probably never imagined that Shen Yi's Taixu Dan Dao cultivation involved refining himself into a fragrant and delicious golden core.
Even more despairing was that it was just a difference between the fourth and third ranks...
But after being observed by the other party for a while, Shen Yi clearly understood his current predicament; no matter if he chose to flee or fight to the death, the outcome would remain unchanged if that greed took hold.
"Huh."
Shen Yi exhaled softly.
With a calm demeanor, he walked over to the pill furnace and waved his hand, bringing over the medicinal ingredients that had long been prepared.
A puff of flame lit up the stone palace.
Since he was powerless, it was better to let nature take its course.
...
Eight Directions Valley.
Numerous fierce-looking divine generals surrounded the demon cave, attacking relentlessly and coordinating perfectly.
Among the many figures, a golden streak of light stood out.
The Righteous Gods, born from the nurturing of the Heavenly Dao, represented law and order, and could be reborn through blood, making them nearly immortal.
With such divine abilities, they were fearless in the face of death.
But among this group of monsters, the Celestial General Qian Qing still managed to stand out. Not only did he always charge at the forefront, but when fighting the demons, he seemed to be willing to trade his life for theirs!
This golden-bodied divine manifestation not only killed the major demons under his responsibility but also didn't spare those assigned to his colleagues.
Some of the divine generals had to lower their arms, looking slightly dazed as they hovered in mid-air.
"Can he also be reborn through blood?"
Everyone looked at each other in confusion.
Hearing the doubts of his subordinates, Qifeng Star Residence burst into silent laughter.
Such a fierce general should belong with the Righteous Deity Sect. Why bother with those Daoists and monks, wasting time in their petty schemes?
Just then, a streak of light streaked across the sky.
"Star Residence Divine General, the Phoenix Palace has issued an order for General Qian Qing to immediately withdraw from the Eight Directions Valley and head to Hongze to investigate a major case."
Upon hearing this, Qifeng's already ferocious face furrowed, making him look even more menacing.
He glanced at the order in the hands of the messenger general without reaching out to take it, "The person I transferred is not due back yet, and he wants to recall him now? Is he making a mockery of the Heavenly Court's laws, or does he not take me seriously?"
"Have I given you too much face, General Qing Luan?"
"Th-This..."
The messenger general's mouth went dry, unable to utter a word for a long time.
"Take your order and scram."
Qifeng turned his body, speaking indifferently, "If they want someone, let them come to me personally."
As his words fell, a powerful force sent the messenger general flying.
The Righteous Gods, hearing the news, turned their attention to the scene, eager to witness the spectacle.
Have the Bodhimanda Sect and Three Immortal Sect become too comfortable, forgetting who holds the power in the Immortal Court? Their usual squabbles were one thing, but to dare bring their dirty internal struggles under the noses of the Righteous Deity Sect was absurd.
Just then, a chaotic divine general was enveloped by a divine aura, stabilizing his form.
The next moment, a tall and mighty armored man emerged from the clouds.
His handsome face and extraordinary aura commanded respect, even in the presence of the Star Residence Divine General.
"This subordinate, Qing Luan, pays respects to General Qifeng," the man bowed respectfully.
Qifeng's face immediately turned cold. He slowly turned back, glancing at the figure in the air.
After a long while, a cruel smile curled his lips, "So, you really want to come to me to retrieve your man?"
"Qian Qing is under my command and not under the jurisdiction of the Righteous Gods. I hope the Star Residence Divine General will release him," Qing Luan replied calmly, showing no fear despite the change in the Star Residence's expression.
"Do you mean I don't have the ability to transfer a divine general to my command?" Qifeng finally laughed coldly.
"Of course not, but until your order is approved by the Heavenly Court, at least for now..."
Qing Luan slowly turned his gaze to Qing Hua in the distance, "He is still my man."
Qifeng took a step forward, knowing that Qing Luan was highly regarded in the Immortal Court and favored by the Three Immortal Sect. There was an implicit intention to support him in ascending to the Lingxiao, and it was likely that he would surpass Qifeng in rank before long.
But as Qing Luan had said, at least for now, Qifeng's position was still one rank higher than this young man.
Just as the atmosphere became tense, Qing Hua finally snapped out of her daze upon seeing the words "Investigate Hongze."
She clenched her fingers tightly, "Reporting to the Divine General, Qian Qing is willing to accompany General Qing Luan."
That matter could no longer be kept hidden.
"..."
Qifeng looked on in astonishment, his gaze sweeping back and forth between the two several times.
His indifference to their struggles didn't mean he was ignorant of them.
Judging by their attitude, it seemed they had some leverage over him.
After a long while, Qifeng's smile faded, "Fine, we've just cleared out a demon cave, and I have some free time. I'll accompany you, and we can consider it a leisure trip."
As long as it didn't violate the laws of the Heavenly Court, it was better to handle it straightforwardly and resolve Qian Qing's issue once and for all, eliminating any lingering concerns.
It was rare for the Righteous Gods to involve themselves in the internal affairs of the two sects.
This alone demonstrated how highly Qifeng regarded Qian Qing.
However, upon hearing these words, Qing Luan's face remained calm, without a hint of emotion.
He was known in the Immortal Court for his upright behavior and proper conduct.
And so it was on this day.
(End of Chapter)
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