Chapter 1361: Chapter 67: Disrespecting the Supreme Treasure, Changing the Old Rules (Part 2)
When he succeeded as the Sect Leader, it hadn’t been long. However, the previous Sect Leader, with the support of several Protective Elders, had greatly reformed the sect’s cultivation techniques, leading to the emergence of extraordinary individuals like Rong Junzhong. When he took over the sect, he relied on this strong foundation to defeat the Zhongtai Sect twice in a row, significantly boosting his prestige and thus securing his position as Sect Leader.
Compared to the elders of the Zhongtai Sect, he chose a different path, believing there was nothing left by the Ancestors that could not be replaced.
Just now, he deliberately took out the sect’s treasure to let his daughter play with it, and now he spoke of rewarding it, intending to use this move to test the reactions of people within the sect, to see if there were any dissenters. If there were, it would be necessary to use this opportunity during the fighting to clear them out.
Chunyu Ji, noticing the heavy atmosphere, proactively stepped forward and said, "Sect Leader, please take a look, Zhongtai has come in large numbers this time."
Yang Shuyong glanced over and said, "There seem to be more than forty of them? Qiao Huanjuan, Du Shixun, Hui Xuan, Zhao Ru, they’ve all come. Zhongtai is leaving no room for retreat this time."
Although Xuanyue had won decisively the past two times, it had also suffered considerable losses and wasn’t much better off than Zhongtai. As a result, after Zhongtai started recruiting cultivators from other clans, Yang Shuyong followed suit. For this battle, he had invited all the Nascent Soul cultivators he could find, making their numbers roughly equivalent.
This bout of magical combat gathered nearly half of the Nascent Soul cultivators of the entire East Victory Continent. For a moment, the attention of the continent’s various sects was entirely focused here.
Guardian Jin Ling observed carefully for a moment, calculating, "Sect Leader, the Zhongtai Sect originally had nine elders. In the previous two fights, three perished, leaving six. There are eleven Immortal City Lords, and this time, half of the practitioners are from outside the sect, exactly as the secret report indicated."
Yang Shuyong sneered, "What secret report? Zhongtai hasn’t concealed anything. Guardian Jin Ling, there’s no need to boast. I acknowledge your contributions."
Jin Ling coughed. This Sect Leader was sharp-tongued and never spared anyone’s dignity. Though he was used to it in private, being criticized in front of everyone still caused some hidden annoyance.
Chunyu Ji said, "Sect Leader, Zhongtai may seem strong, but if we can find a way to eliminate those six and Sect Leader Qiao’s couple, the rest will not fight us to the death."
Yang Shuyong waved his hand, "Those who oppose our Xuanyue cannot be easily forgiven. Remember, not a single person from Zhongtai today is to be spared. Ensure they are all exterminated. As for others, we’ll see if they know how to act with discretion."
His words were murderous, and both Chunyu Ji and Jin Ling showed slight changes in expression. With many Nascent Soul cultivators opposing them, if it turned into a fight to the death, Xuanyue might suffer excessive losses, making it difficult to deal with the Southern Three Sects afterward. Moreover, Xuanyue and Zhongtai ultimately shared the same origins. Even if they lost, it shouldn’t lead to an undying enmity.
Yang Shuyong, seeing no response, mocked, "Are you all afraid? Hmph! In the Zhongtai Sect, aside from Du Shixun, only Yan Luoqing and Qiao Huanjuan have slightly higher Daoist cultivation. The rest are all Nascent Soul First Realm, how can they compare to us, Xuanyue?"
Since transforming their cultivation techniques, Xuanyue had not only produced an outstanding figure like Rong Junzhong but also had four cultivators step into the Second Realm. Along with Sect Leader Yang Shuyong and Guardian Jin Ling, there were six Nascent Soul Second Realm cultivators in total, their strength surpassing Zhongtai’s significantly.
Guardian Jin Ling stepped forward to remind, "Sect Leader, Zhongtai still has Ancestor Hui Xuan, whose Daoist cultivation is unfathomable. We must not be careless."
Yang Shuyong replied impatiently, "That old fox will be handled by Master Rong. There’s no need for you to fear him. You’re not qualified to go up against him. Move back."
Jin Ling had no choice but to retreat awkwardly.
Chunyu Ji observed a while longer, then suddenly pointed and said, "Sect Leader, the person sitting next to Du Shixun seems to also have Nascent Soul Second Realm cultivation."
Yang Shuyong made a sound of acknowledgment, his eyes narrowing as he gazed intently at the indicated spot, frowning, and asked, "Do any of you recognize this person?"
Although having one more Second Realm cultivator on the opposing side could add some trouble, Xuanyue still held the upper hand and was not worried. His main concern was that Zhongtai might have brought in outsiders and formed an alliance with the North Sea Demon Tribe. However, observing closely, this person’s aura was righteous, not a demon cultivator but rather seemed to come from a great sect, yet he could not recall such a figure among the Five Major Sects.
Guardian Jin Ling quickly approached again and said, "Sect Leader, that person’s surname is Zhang, and he is the Master of Han Yuan Sect of the Beishen House."
Yang Shuyong muttered to himself, "Han Yuan Sect, why does that sound familiar? To cultivate to the Second Realm, the Five Major Sects at most can produce twenty people, all renowned. Who is this person?"
Jin Ling hesitated and said, "He claims to be from the same lineage as Shen Baishuang two hundred years ago, supposedly a descendant."
Yang Shuyong pondered and asked, "Is it the same Shen Baishuang who killed Elder Qu?"
Jin Ling replied, "Sect Leader’s insight is as far-reaching as ever, it is indeed that person."
Yang Shuyong let out a cold laugh, making a swift decision, he immediately said, "No wonder, I was considering whether we could recruit such a gifted person, but since there’s an old grudge, we cannot let him remain. Inform everyone, whoever can slay this person, I will reward with an immortal city."
Jin Ling nodded heavily and said gravely, "Indeed, since he has delivered himself to us, we cannot let the opportunity slip. I had a close relationship with Elder Qu, and I request the Sect Leader to allow me to handle this matter."
When Shen Baishuang arrived in the East Victory Continent, an elder from Xuanyue clashed with him and ended up fighting. However, due to the disparity in their Daoist cultivation, the elder was killed almost instantly.
At the time, Xuanyue’s Cave Heaven True Master He Su was attempting to extend his life and was powerless against Shen Baishuang, already a Nascent Soul Third Realm cultivator, and could only tolerate the situation. What was even stranger was that afterward, for reasons unknown, he inexplicably ordered the disciples not to retaliate against the Han Yuan Sect. Only He Su knew the full story after the previous Sect Leader’s death.
Yang Shuyong said, "Good! Since Guardian Jin Ling has made a rare request, it should be granted. But be warned, if you fail and damage our Xuanyue’s reputation, I will have to punish you."
Since Jin Ling had spoken up, there was no turning back. Confident in his own abilities, he said, "Old Daoist complies with your command."
Just then, a female cultivator approached from a distance and stopped a few miles away, addressing them with a bow, "Is this the Sect Leader True Master of Xuanyue? Sect Leader Qiao requests the True Master to Upper Extreme Heaven for a talk."
Yang Shuyong sneered dismissively, "Qiao Huanjuan still likes to play these little tricks. Very well, this time let’s see what he can come up with."
He instructed, "You all stay here and do not follow. I shall return shortly." Finishing his words, he rode a green-yellow escape light towards the sky.
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...(To be continued. If you enjoy this piece, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for it with recommendation or monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)
