Chapter 1129: Chapter 1129: Pavilion Master of the Heavenly Guardian Pavilion
Seeing his hiding place being uncovered, the Heavenly Guardian Pavilion Elder, hidden within the soil, could no longer hide. His only goal was to repel Pei Yan. Now that the opponent was within arm’s reach, all he needed to do was leap out of the soil to launch an attack.
However, this short distance turned into a vast chasm for him. Just as he jumped out of the soil, he was greeted by dozens of magical swords with blue arcs of electricity. He wanted to rely on his superb Body Technique to force a breakthrough, but the swords were connected by lines of electricity, creating a large, inescapable net. With no other choice, he decided to temporarily retreat and consider other options.
Zheng Jia Ru and Xia Yu successfully repelled two reinforcing enemies. At this moment, Zhangsun Zhize had also completed his spell. Facing Junior Brother Shi, who was blocking his attack path towards Pei Yan, he shouted, "Junior Brother, move aside!"
Elder Shi heard his brother’s rebuke and knew the situation was set. What he was doing was meaningless, so he resentfully gritted his teeth, changed his posture, and moved aside to make way for his senior brother’s attack.
"Pei Yan, take this from me...."
"Foolish!"
Zhangsun Zhize formed a seal with his hand and pointed at Pei Yan. Before he could finish speaking, a steady and deep voice echoed inside the pavilion, and the doors of the Heavenly Guardian Pavilion swung open, releasing an intangible force that swept out. At the critical moment of casting his spell, Zhangsun Zhize was forcibly pulled from his position, spitting a mouthful of blood before collapsing in front of the pavilion, his body rapidly weakening.
"Pavilion... Pavilion Master!" Zhangsun Zhize, interrupted during his ultimate technique, felt not anger but a tinge of guilt. Holding his chest, he spoke weakly.
"Alas! In combat, you should have sensed the disparity between you and your opponent. Using a technique that trades life for life, what good would it do even if you won? If you were to die in vain over such a trivial matter today, would it be worth your millennium of cultivation?" A sigh sounded softly from within the pavilion.
"But Pavilion Master, Pei Yan has gone too far, forcing my hand to protect the reputation of our Heavenly Guardian Pavilion!" Zhangsun Zhize struggled to get up, pointing at Pei Yan in a plaintive tone.
"What reputation is there to speak of? The moment we decided to gamble with him without seeing his true strength, our reputation was already lost!" With these words, a powerful presence emanated from within, locking onto Pei Yan. The voice continued, "Pei Xiaoyou, impressive methods; our Heavenly Guardian Pavilion concedes defeat."
"Much obliged!" Seeing the opponent concede, Pei Yan then stepped away, cupping his hands towards the building.
"Since our Heavenly Guardian Pavilion made an agreement with you, we shall honor it. However, Elder Changsun and Elder Ge are severely injured and unable to act for the next few days. Elder Shi, due to issues with his Cultivation Technique, is unable to speak. Even if sent to interpret texts for you, his efficiency would not be ideal."
Pei Yan, feeling an itch in his ankle from standing too long, frowned slightly with displeasure upon hearing this.
"Hehehe, Pei Xiaoyou, don’t overthink it. Our Heavenly Guardian Pavilion has no intention of breaching the agreement. Since these three are inconvenient, I will instruct others to assist you. Let’s consider this matter settled with no further objections! Let’s talk about another issue, Pei Xiaoyou, did you enjoy absorbing the magical pressure formed by the Array within my Heavenly Guardian Pavilion?"
"Ah~ Hmm~!" A moment ago, Pei Yan was somewhat angry, ready to erupt, but found himself embarrassed and scratching his nose awkwardly when his actions were exposed. Not knowing how to reply, he finally broke out into a chuckle, saying, "Hehehe, you found out, huh?"
"Initially, I didn’t notice anything, just that the aura on the mountainside seemed much weaker than usual. I merely thought the Array had aged, so I planned to check it later after this matter. It was only after seeing you, Pei Xiaoyou, that I noticed something was amiss with a few masterful applications of your Qi Control Technique. Upon closer inspection, I discovered you, the little thief, had been absorbing the momentum of my Array. Hehehe, Pei Xiaoyou, you have quite the audacity; you’ve siphoned off a third of the aura that my mountain had nurtured for nearly a millennium. Taking without asking is considered theft in any realm, wouldn’t you say?"
"Uh...."
"No matter, what’s taken is taken! Consider it an apology from my Heavenly Guardian Pavilion for our previous neglect. Seeing Pei Yan’s eyes darting around, seemingly seeking an excuse, the person inside beat him to it, exonerating him. "However, there’s one thing I’m unclear about and wish to ask Pei Xiaoyou."
"Happy to help! It’s not worthy of your praise; feel free to ask, old senior." Seeing the other party not pursuing the matter of stealing the Array’s aura, Pei Yan’s expression improved considerably, responding with a cheerful smile.
"Pei Xiaoyou, with your status and position, you and I both know that if you were to appear directly, our Heavenly Guardian Pavilion would certainly open the doors wide for you. Why go through so much trouble just for revenge over our previous procrastination, or are you worried that we would fail to honor our word even after acquiescing?"
"Oh, is that what you’re asking?" Pei Yan nodded upon hearing the Pavilion Master’s doubts. He pulled out a cigar box, opened the lid wanting to take a cigar, only to find one left, realizing he had been too busy lately to re-stock. With a sigh, he closed the box and switched to taking out a cigarette, placing it in his mouth. After lighting it, he exhaled a smoke ring and said wistfully, "A bit of both, I suppose, but it’s more for your own good!"
"For our good?"
"Of course, for your good. Pavilion Master, I’ll share these words with you and the Five Mansions of the Immortal Palace. You may pass my words on to them." As Pei Yan spoke, he flicked the ash from his cigarette and spread his hands questioningly. "I’ve never understood why the Immortal Palace harbors such resistance to our arrival. Don’t talk to me about camaraderie between your various sects; I believe the former Pavilion Master knows the true nature of your relationships better than I do. In plain terms, it’s about benefits, status, and power—you don’t want other sects."
At this, Pei Yan gestured behind him to Lin Daozi, who was leading the Embroidered Robe Envoy, and laughed, "and them robbing you of those things."
"Pei Xiaoyou, though hard to hear, your words are straightforward," the old Pavilion Master admitted with a reluctant sigh after a moment.
"But you’ve forgotten who granted you your power and its foundation! Without the Spirit Lord’s support and the nurturing land of the Daoist Realm, everything you possess now is but an ephemeral illusion." Pei Yan took another drag of his cigarette and sneered, "Knowing the dangers an insider poses to the entire organization, yet you’re still obscuring for immediate gain. It’s as if a ship with a hole isn’t being repaired, while those who try to do so are hindered. Hehehe, when the ship sinks, who on board will get away unscathed?"
