Chapter 166: Seniormost Disciple Xiao Nanfeng
"Thank you, Division Leader Zhao." Xiao Nanfeng kept the red rope. He didn't make further demands; it would be pointless if Zhao Tianheng were going to be so protective of Nalan Feng.
Zhao Tianheng gave Xiao Nanfeng a skeptical look, then motioned to his official apprentices. "Carry Qi Zhong's body and follow me."
"Yes, Division Leader!" his apprentices replied.
Zhao Tianheng stepped through the air and away from the Hall of Immortal Recruitment. He had no words of praise or encouragement for Xiao Nanfeng, and clearly no interest in making even the slightest overture between division leader and seniormost disciple.
"All disciples of the Ascended division, mark my words! Today, despite the unfortunate intercession of a cursed effigy that has taken the life of Qi Zhong, we have witnessed the appointment of a new seniormost disciple, Xiao Nanfeng! If none other doubt his ability, then may he guide our division to greater heights," Zhao Yuanjiao proclaimed.
The Ascended disciples glanced at each other. Although Zhao Tianheng's dislike for him was obvious, Xiao Nanfeng's actions had overwhelmed them and convinced them of his strength. No one raised any further objections.
"I greet the seniormost Ascended disciple!" one disciple began.
"We greet the seniormost Ascended disciple!" The first disciple's words were echoed countless times over.
Xiao Nanfeng bowed toward the gathered crowd. "And I thank all of you for your recognition."
"We greet the seniormost Ascended disciple." The disciples of the other three divisions likewise paid their respects,
and Xiao Nanfeng returned their gesture in kind. Zhao Yuanjiao himself showed Xiao Nanfeng around, introducing him to his most trusted subordinates among the Ascended division. The convivial atmosphere between the seniormost disciples of past and present released much of the tension that the Ascended disciples held.
Only Nalan Feng retreated to the side, his face dark.
"The seniormost Ascended disciple? It's just a title, nothing more. Wait until Mr. Qin steals your Immortal's Destruction away. We'll see what you can smile about then!" Nalan Feng murmured coldly.
Just then, one of Nalan Feng's subordinates blanched. "Your Highness, something's wrong with the Isle of Nalan."
Nalan Feng turned to the horizon to see flares from the Isle of Nalan rising into the air.
"The island's been attacked. Something's wrong!" Nalan Feng cried out.
He hurriedly enlisted the help of several elders from the Mortal division, who brought him flying through the air straight toward the island.
When Xiao Nanfeng saw Nalan Feng depart in a hurry, his eyes lit up. "You Jiu must have succeeded, then..."
"Nalan Feng's leaving. Aren't you going to ask for a public apology?" Zhao Yuanjiao whispered.
"Forget it. He's already been punished, if this is any indication," Xiao Nanfeng replied, smiling.
Zhao Yuanjiao glanced at Nalan Feng thoughtfully.
"Thank you for your help, Senior Brother," Xiao Nanfeng added, smiling.
Zhao Yuanjiao was silent for long moments, unaccustomed to making small talk. He simply nodded.
"Senior Brother, could I get your guidance later on how to make reports to the various peaks? I have urgent business to attend to right now in the Isle of Xiao."
Once again, Zhao Yuanjiao simply nodded.
Xiao Nanfeng bowed toward the gathered Ascended disciples. "Junior Brothers, I must return to my island at present. I'll host a celebration in the future."
The Ascended disciples bowed as they saw their new seniormost disciple off.
Xiao Nanfeng flashed toward the harbor, where he had prepared a ship in advance.
The ship brought Xiao Nanfeng straight toward the Isle of Xiao. Although he had countermeasures planned for Nalan Feng's actions, he was still worried about potential incidents.
Meanwhile, Nalan Feng, with the assistance of a group of Mortal elders, quickly landed on the Isle of Nalan. They hurriedly began to investigate the situation on the island.
"A Spiritsong-realm beast launched a sneak attack on you, someone stole all the wealth and riches that the island possessed, freed the convicts, and even claimed the island's protective formation?!" one elder cried out.
"It had to be Xiao Nanfeng!" Nalan Feng thundered.
"Nalan Feng, I know that Xiao Nanfeng has tarnished your reputation, but surely you can't blame everything on him?" One elder frowned.
"He was responsible—I understand it all now! He was deliberately provoking me so as to lure me to Taiqing Island and weakening the defenses here. Then, he had his subordinates raid this island! He was forcing me to apologize in order to infuriate me and cause me to make unwise decisions!"
"But why would a Spiritsong-realm spirit assist him?" another elder asked.
"It must be a trump card he held in reserve. And—this means that something has likely happened to Mr. Qin." Nalan Feng's face blanched.
He calmed down quickly and dissected Xiao Nanfeng's plan. Xiao Nanfeng had attacked the Isle of Nalan on behalf of Zheng Qian, so how would he have allowed Zheng Qian to return to the Isle of Xiao without being prepared for an ambush? Mr. Qin was in grave danger!
"What's wrong with Mr. Qin?" the elders asked.
Nalan Feng couldn't reveal what he had done. Commanding Mr. Qin to raid the Isle of Xiao was underhanded and improper, after all.
"Elders, I am certain that Xiao Nanfeng has raided this island. Would all of you be willing to help me reclaim what is mine?" Nalan Feng asked the elders anxiously.
The elders glanced at each other, frowning.
"Nalan Feng, have you any evidence of that claim?" one elder asked.
Nalan Feng grimaced. If I had definite evidence, would I need your help?
"Your subordinates are unconscious, but none are dead. This incident would only be classified as theft, nothing more serious. Were it before today, we could well have investigated the Isle of Xiao on your behalf; after all, Xiao Nanfeng was just an ordinary disciple then. Now, however, things have changed. Xiao Nanfeng has been instated as the seniormost Ascended disciple, a symbolic position that trumps that of the majority of elders. Without any evidence, with nothing but suspicion, barging into the territory of a seniormost disciple would be a difficult decision. It would be acceptable if we did find evidence, but highly awkward otherwise. The moment he reports it to the sect leader, we elders would all be punished," one elder explained.
"But I'm certain that this theft was his doing!" Nalan Feng cried out. He was very worried about Mr. Qin's safety.
"Let's assume that he was responsible. Would he be foolish enough as to leave his spoils in the Isle of Xiao?" one elder countered.
Nalan Feng frowned. He knew that the elders wouldn't be willing to help him search the Isle of Xiao now, but he quickly calmed down. Perhaps if he were to do so, he would play right into Xiao Nanfeng's hands.
"I understand. Thank you, everyone," Nalan Feng replied, taking in a deep breath.
"Xiao Nanfeng's father was the best of friends with yours. There's no need for such enmity between the two of you—why not try to resolve matters amicably? Otherwise, things might become quite difficult for us, stuck between a rock and a hard place as we are," one elder replied.
The others all nodded. Xiao Hongye and Emperor Tianshu had been the most prominent elders of the Mortal division, and it would be inconvenient for them to go against the son of either elder. Although Xiao Hongye had been missing for a decade, if he were to suddenly return and see them oppressing his son, they would surely suffer.
"I am aware. Thank you once again." Nalan Feng nodded, his face still dark.
Xiao Nanfeng had rushed back to the Isle of Xiao at great speed. He stood on a promontory as he observed the Isle of Nalan.
"Benefactor, Nalan Feng won't come again," Zheng Qian promised, smiling.
"If he did, we might very well earn more gold off him. It's a shame," Xiao Nanfeng sighed.
"Benefactor, he's the third son of Emperor Tianshu. If the right of enmity between the two of you deepens, I worry that it will prove disadvantageous to you," Zheng Qian remarked.
"I wasn't the one who wanted to be enemies with him. He incited everything. The fact that I had You Jiu spare his subordinates' lives is more than enough clemency. These titled lands of the Xiao clan belong solely to me. I might respect Emperor Tianshu, but that doesn't mean that I have to cede my authority to Nalan Feng. Furthermore, the future success of these lands will depend not on others' alms, but rather on our own strength," Xiao Nanfeng replied.
"I will give it my all." Zheng Qian nodded solemnly.
"Go on. Tell You Jiu and the others to head back onto the island. I wonder how many more refugees you'll be able to save with their spoils," Xiao Nanfeng instructed, smiling.
Zheng Qian walked excitedly alongside Xiao Nanfeng to a valley nearby.
Two hours later, Croak, Warble, and You Jiu all gathered there. Everyone was staring at an ancient sea turtle chained to five copper spikes. A golden fist on the turtle's shell prevented it from moving.
"A sea turtle spirit?" Xiao Nanfeng asked curiously.
The sea turtle looked all around before settling on Xiao Nanfeng. "This operation on the Isle of Nalan was your idea, wasn't it?"
"How might I address you?" Xiao Nanfeng asked.
"You can just call me Old Turtle. I heard someone mention that you used the Immortal's Destruction to break through the protective formation around the Isle of Nalan. Can I have a look at a talisman for the Immortal's Destruction?"
Xiao Nanfeng was a little surprised by the turtle's request, but obliged it.
The ancient turtle's eyes flashed with surprise. It then smiled. "How lucky you are, young cultivator. This is the Immortal's Destruction of the divine empire of Great Wei, isn't it?"
"Oh? You recognize it?" Xiao Nanfeng asked in surprise.
The ancient turtle nodded, then sighed wearily. "I thought the attacks were somewhat familiar, and seeing this talisman has confirmed my suspicions. It's been so long since I've seen it."
"Oh? You've seen the Immortal's Destruction before?" Xiao Nanfeng asked curiously.
The ancient turtle nodded. "More than a millennium ago, Emperor Wei borrowed a number of treasures from the Eastern Sea Draconic Palace. The Immortal's Destruction was one such. I was still a youngling at the time, and I was responsible for polishing that treasure daily."
"The Eastern Sea Draconic Palace?" Xiao Nanfeng's eyes widened. He recalled that Blue Lantern had left for that palace along with the serpent.
"The Eastern Sea Draconic Palace was the jewel of the sea a millennium ago, whose name was famous throughout the world. Now, however, it's a pile of ruins." The ancient turtle sighed.
"Oh?"
"I was captured by Emperor Tianshu precisely because of its dereliction. Do you see this golden fist to the back of my shell? It's an ardent seal by Emperor Tianshu himself, which has been suppressing my strength ever since," the ancient turtle continued.
"Why did Emperor Tianshu capture you?"
"Although the draconic palace has become a pile of ruins, everyone knew that it was once adorned with countless treasures. The ten thousand dragons of the palace may have died, but their treasures live on. All the sects of the Eastern Sea, all the spiritbeast lairs, and even the powers in the surrounding lands, eye the ruins for treasures. Everyone wants what lies within, and they've been capturing and interrogating the spirits in the region about the location of the palace's treasure. I was one such spirit," the ancient turtle explained.
"You survived Emperor Tianshu's interrogation?"
The ancient turtle shook its head wryly. "If I knew the location of the treasures, I would claim them for myself. How would I have ended up in such straits? Emperor Tianshu knew that he would get nothing from me, but he was reluctant to free me in case I knew any important information. I've been trapped in the Isle of Nalan since."
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