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Chapter 464: Chapter 45 Ignite!_1

The sky was growing dark.

Inside Yanqiao Pass.

The House of Prince Gao's separate yard.

Li Xiangyun sat cross-legged on a jade-coloured futon, her face a little pale.

Wang Ba and Zhao Feng stood on the steps in front of her, their faces respectful.

"I understand your intentions, but there's no need for you to fight on the battlelines right now. Just stay in the house and focus on your cultivation."

Despite the dire situation, Li Xiangyun's attitude towards Wang Ba and Zhao Feng remained gentle and friendly.

At the same time, she also displayed great determination and confidence.

"Understood, uncle master."

Wang Ba replied respectfully.

After the recent battle, his perception of Princess Gao had fundamentally changed.

Previously, he thought of her as only a beauty serving Prince Gao, although he respected her cultivation base, he did not show her much respect as a person.

However, the latest battle had revealed that Li Xiangyun was not the vase-like character he had thought her to be, but rather a competent individual.

No wonder Prince Gao had entrusted her alone with the defense of Yan State's gates.

This was not only indicative of his belief in her loyalty, but also a recognition of her abilities and skills.

Both of them didn't dare to waste Li Xiangyun's time, as the yard outside the residence was already filled with a variety of cultivators. The fact that Li Xiangyun took out time to meet the two of them was clear evidence of her regard for them.

Outside the yard, Wang Ba saw Yan Qing from Huifeng Valley, along with another familiar face.

"Brother Wen?"

In the crowd stood a cultivator with a face as sharp as if it were cut by a knife, his arms folded across his chest. His blue robe subtly embroidered with the insignia of the Danlong School.

"Shen! I didn't expect to run into you here!"

Wen Yong also wore a surprised expression.

"I didn't expect to see you either, I had thought that you…"

Wang Ba was equally surprised and pleased.

Previously at Yong'an City, he had lost contact with Wen Yong.

He thought that Wen Yong had probably been affected by the three major sects' attack on Zhenling Palace and died.

Only then had he decided to cooperate with Huifeng Valley and transferred the sales rights of the spirit chicken essence to them.

Unexpectedly, Wen Yong was still alive.

"Brother Wen, you're…"

Wang Ba pointed at the Danlong School insignia on Wen Yong's sleeve in confusion.

Wen Yong wore a bitter smile, "I'm ashamed to say that I went to the northwest of Yan State to expand my market, but I was targeted by the Xuli Sect. After a fierce battle, I managed to escape to Danlong School. I wanted to rush back to Yong'an City, but by that time, the three major sects had attacked Zhenling Palace. In order to prevent any leaks, I was banned from leaving Danlong School."

"When Sect Master Zhang returned, given the huge losses suffered by Danlong School, I was invited to join them."

"Now, I've just been assigned to take care of the shop matters here at Yanqiao Pass."

Understanding dawned on Wang Ba's face.

In the battle with Zhenling palace, Danlong School, besides Zhenling Palace, was undoubtedly the biggest loser.

Although they did gain some spirit mines and resources.

But originally a sect with Five Golden Core elders, by the end of the war, its sect master had lost his life, and out of the five Golden Core elders, only Zhang Jin remained.

If it weren't for the fact that Danlong School still had a foundation and Zhang Jin's power was no less than that of Lin Boyue and Zhu Rong, Danlong School might have long since been expelled.

Even so, Danlong School was having a hard time these days, it was practically unheard of in Yan State, and had hardly any presence.

"I noticed that Huifeng Valley was selling spirit chicken essence, and I was worried about you…"

After examining Wang Ba more closely, Wen Yong smiled and shook his head.

Wang Ba was at a loss for words. The two had been enjoying a nice cooperation these years, but due to an unfortunate turn of events, they could not continue to work together.

After all, he had already transferred the rights to sell spirit chicken essence to Huifeng Valley, and he had also made an oath not to go against it for a certain period. So, naturally, he felt a bit guilty.

So, he got a thought and handed Wen Yong a token.

"Currently, Incense Fire Dao is rampaging outside the city gates. If you run into any dangers while I'm still in the city, you can present this token to find me."

He also told Wen Yong the location of Tang Ji's house.

Wen Yong didn't bear much importance to this, if there was any danger, how much help can Wang Ba be as a foundation establishment competitor?

But he felt relieved that Wang Ba still cared about their friendship.

"Thanks, Brother Shen!"

But now was not the time for chit-chat. Wen Yong came here to meet Li Xiangyun because he had a mission. Wang Ba, realising this, took his leave.

As Wang Ba left, the smile gradually faded from Wen Yong's face, leaving a regretful expression:

"It's all about time and fate…"

He had hoped that he could gather resources for core formation through Shen, but he had missed the opportunity, after all.

Shaking his head in frustration, he quickly adjusted his mood and joined the queue. However, as a representative of one of the three major local sects of Yan State, he soon received an audience with Princess Gao.

But just when he was about to enter the yard, he saw Yan Qing from Huifeng Valley coming out of the yard with a joyous face.

"Master Yan…"

Wen Yong quickly regained his composure and greeted Yan Qing.

Upon seeing Wen Yong, Yan Qing was surprised by the change in his attire, a flash of surprise appeared in his eyes, but he also didn't look down on him because he was a competitor at the foundation establishment stage and nodded slightly:

"Mm, how is Sect Master Zhang doing now?"

"Sect Master is very good, thank you, Master Yan, for your concern."

Wen Yong answered humbly.

Yan Qing nodded, "That's good. Now our two sects are one, if anything happens, feel free to come to me."

Unsure of what crossed his mind, he subconsciously touched his waist, a glint of chill flickering in his eyes.

Although Wen Yong didn't understand what he meant, he quickly nodded.

Chapter 465: Chapter 45 Ignite!_2

"Alright, I'll go first then, I still need to prepare the spirit materials for Princess Gao!"

Yan Qing revealed a smile once again, intentionally or unintentionally indicating his close relationship with House of Prince Gao, then promptly left with quick steps.

Upon hearing this, Wen Yong seemed thoughtful, but he didn't have time to contemplate as he followed the other Cultivators into the mansion.

…

Moonlight poured down.

Less than a hundred miles from Yanqiao Pass.

In front of a gigantic teleportation array.

A Golden Core Craftsman flying from Yanqiao Pass hastily landed in the array.

"Quick! Teleport me to Linglun Mountain in Qiao State immediately!"

"Yes."

The few Foundation Establishment Cultivators maintaining the teleportation array responded in unison, slowly speaking.

"Huh?"

The Golden Core Craftsman immediately sensed something was wrong.

His expression changed, and he quickly leapt out of the teleportation array with an alert manner.

However, he was horrified to find that the formation quickly transformed into a deep well, reflecting the bright moon in the sky and an unfamiliar, ordinary face.

And he was shrinking rapidly, falling into the well!

"The Well God Lineage!"

The Golden Core Craftsman was greatly shocked!

On the surface of the well, that face revealed a slightly strange smile:

"Hehe, since you're here, don't leave."

During this time, countless pallid palms emerged from the well, grabbing onto the Golden Core Craftsman's thighs.

The Golden Core Craftsman hastily activated talisman and magic tools, severing these hands.

Yet, strangely, the severed hands fell into the well, immediately extending more arms, filling up the well crowdedly.

Hand by hand, grabbed hold of him, gradually sinking.

He hastily removed a talisman from his storage ring and affixed it to his forehead.

However, to his confusion, the arms before his eyes showed no sign of disappearing!

"Not… not an illusion…"

In his eyes, a touch of extreme horror and confusion flashed.

He immediately struggled frantically.

However, no matter how he struggled, he was still slowly dragged into the well.

"Mmm…glug glug…"

Quickly, the last trace of him also entered the well.

The well water rippled, disrupting that ordinary face into shreds.

Vwhich soon gradually calmed.

Above the face, a hint of enjoyment and mockery appeared:

"Huh…"

"Illusion? Hehe…here, everything is my real body!"

Quickly.

In the well, that face gradually protruded from the water surface, and then a drenched gray-robed Cultivator figure floated out of the water.

The well water, just like liquid, quickly flowed into his body and soon disappeared.

The gray-robed Cultivator, back in his human form, looked towards Yanqiao Pass in the distance with a solemn expression.

"This Princess Gao is indeed difficult to deal with. The Well Body couldn't find an opportunity in Yanqiao Pass, so I could only make the Moon Body act outside…"

"It seems that I will have to resort to the previous plan…"

In the eyes of the gray-robed Cultivator, a cold gleam flashed.

But at this moment, he seemed to sense something, and a look of surprise rose in his eyes:

"It really is what you think comes to you…"

"This person… his name is 'Zhuang Yi', right?"

In his spiritual sense, he saw a group of people flying from a distance, looking anxious.

The gray-robed Cultivator seemed to think of something and a meaningful smile quickly appeared on his face.

Soon, under the moonlight, he slowly disappeared.

After he disappeared.

A teleportation array appeared silently once again in its original place.

It appeared as if all that transpired previously hadn't occurred at all.

A few seconds later.

Zhuang Yi of Xuli Sect and Qiao Yushan, leading a few Foundation Establishment Competitors, hurriedly passed over the teleportation array.

Zhuang Yi subconsciously scanned below with his spiritual sense, but did not detect any problems.

…

The moonlight was like water, and the lights were bright.

I, Zhuang Yi of Xuli Sect (Qiao Yushan), am following House of Prince Gao's orders, specially delivering spirit materials."

At the entrance of Yanqiao Pass.

A few Xuli Sect Cultivators were stopped by the city guards.

Zhuang Yi and Qiao Yushan promptly went up to negotiate.

"Xuli Sect?"

The city guard glanced at them, then scanned them with his spiritual sense, and gestured.

The Cultivators behind him immediately stepped forward, each holding a compass, cautiously walked around Zhuang Yi and others, then returned to the city guard, shaking their heads slightly.

The city guard then nodded his head, took out two talismans, and threw them to Zhuang Yi.

Zhuang Yi's gaze scanned over, quickly recognizing the type of talisman, his face showed hesitation.

"Seal Talisman? This…"

The city guard said expressionlessly:

"House of Prince Gao ordered it! The Incense Fire Dao runs rampant, there is no guarantee there won't be evildoers of Incense Fire Dao mixed in. Now, all Cultivators entering the city must limit their power to below the Golden Core stage. So, will you enter or not?"

A hint of hesitation flashed across Zhuang Yi's face immediately. Then the expectant look of his senior brother flashed in his mind. Without any hesitation, he immediately said:

"We'll enter, enter! Thank you all."

Saying this, he infused his mana into the talisman. As the talisman consumed his mana, it quickly attached to Zhuang Yi's Dantian, immediately disappearing inside.

Zhuang Yi's aura immediately declined.

Seeing this, Qiao Yushan, although not very willing, had no choice but to infuse his mana in.

Seeing that the only two Golden Core masters' mana had been sealed, remaining only at the Foundation Establishment stage, the city guard nodded:

"Let them pass!"

Zhuang Yi and the others relaxed, quickly stepped into the city.

"This city gate seems even more bustling than Yong'an City of the past, almost comparable to the small cities in Chu."

Zhuang Yi swept his gaze across the city, remarking with admiration.

Chapter 466: Chapter 45 Ignite!_3

Upon hearing this, Qiao Yushan's face remained expressionless and he offered no reply, as if he were a mindless puppet.

Zhuang Yi was not surprised, after all, since the man was enslaved by his own Sect, such an attitude was quite normal.

Of course, with urgent matters at hand, he dared not waste time here and immediately set off for the House of Prince Gao with Qiao Yushan and others.

Along the way, they saw numerous cultivators from the House of Prince Gao, who were using a large amount of spiritual materials to repair the formation bases.

From the damaged state of these bases one could discern the intensity of the battle that had taken place earlier.

Zhuang Yi who was previously unfamiliar with the Princess Gao, now had a new understanding of her.

"It appears that the Princess Gao is not one to be trifled with!

The ones repairing here are all from the House of Prince Gao, which indicates her caution and vigilance towards the local Yan cultivators."

Zhuang Yi retracted his gaze, pondering over how to reverse the Xuli Sect's image in the eyes of the Princess Gao.

Just then, an angry shout suddenly rang out from not too far away.

"Zhuang Yi? You dare to show your face!"

Taken aback, Zhuang Yi rapidly lifted his head, only to see a figure was already charging towards him!

"Yan Qing?!"

The person was none other than Yan Qing of the Huifeng Valley, who had been nearly killed in an ambush led by Lin Boyue not long ago. Luckily, he had managed to escape back into Yanqiao Pass in time. Upon seeing Zhuang Yi of the Xuli Sect, like sworn enemies meeting face-to-face, his eyes reddened with spite.

He attacked out of anger, losing all rationality. Though he did not use any Magic Tools, under the infusion of his Mana, he quickly formed a sword with Mana and slashed down with a single stroke!

Zhuang Yi's gaze turned cold as he quickly drew on his own Mana to counterattack, but his complexion immediately changed!

"Damn it! Seal Talisman!"

No sooner had his Mana risen than it got trapped at the Foundation Establishment stage by the Seal Talisman in his Dantian, causing his Mana to stagnate in a flash!

"Qiao Yushan! Block it!"

In the face of crisis, Zhuang Yi shouted out loudly.

Qiao Yushan, standing by Zhuang Yi's side, watched as Yan Qing's sword swept down. Unbidden, memories of his past humiliation in the Xuli Sect flashed through his mind, and a chilling gleam flickered in his eyes.

Immediate as his response, he purposefully delayed by a beat!

Zhuang Yi, sharp-witted as he was, immediately caught something amiss and his face turned white with rage. "Qiao Yushan, you…"

His words died on his lips.

A sudden stiffening overtook Zhuang Yi's face!

He couldn't help but lower his gaze.

Yan Qing's Mana sword penetrated his chest unhindered, swiftly tearing his body apart.

A faint talisman could be discerned binding tightly around his Golden Core in his Dantian…

"You… why didn't you dodge?!"

Right in front of Zhuang Yi, a moment of clarity flashed across Yan Qing's eyes as he exclaimed disbelievingly. Then he finally noticed the anomaly in Zhuang Yi's aura.

"How could you…"

He immediately withdrew the Mana sword from his hand.

However, Zhuang Yi had only just recovered from serious injuries, and this blow was like the last straw that broke the camel's back. All around Zhuang Yi, his previously healing sword wounds rapidly reopened, and blood spurted out!

"Brother Zhuang Dao!"

At Zhuang Yi's side, a fleeting sense of pleasure crossed Qiao Yushan's face. Immediately, his expression changed and he rushed forward to hold up Zhuang Yi in an attempt to help him.

However, he subtly infused a bit of his Mana into Zhuang Yi's body, further accelerating the collapse of Zhuang Yi's body.

Zhuang Yi struggled to lift his hand and pointed at Qiao Yushan, blood quickly seeping out from his nostrils, mouth, and every pore…

"You…you…"

After struggling for a few breaths, Zhuang Yi's pointing finger suddenly fell limp, his eyes fixed on Qiao Yushan in death.

Qiao Yushan embraced Zhuang Yi's body.

"Brother Zhuang Dao!"

His wailing echoed all around!

The grief in his voice was as though he were crying…as though he were lamenting…

Taking this opportunity, he wiped out Zhuang Yi's remaining soul unseen. Then, turning sharply around, his eyes filled with fury, he grabbed a magic sword and charged at Yan Qing who stood nearby in disbelief!

"Yan Qing, you dog! Return my brother's life to me!"

Yan Qing was still immersed in the shock of his unexpected kill when faced with Qiao Yushan's rage-filled attack. In an instant, even though Qiao Yushan merely had a Foundation Establishment cultivation base and was only defending with all his might, Yan Qing was forced to retreat step by step.

Nevertheless, the disturbance had eventually attracted the attention of the cultivators of the House of Prince Gao.

Instantly, several Golden Core Masters appeared and intervened, separating Qiao Yushan and Yan Qing.

In front of them were both Golden Core Masters from the local three great Sects of Yan State, along with the fact that a Golden Core Master had just died. The cultivators were unsure of what actions to take, and quickly ushered everyone to a separate courtyard within the Prince's Mansion.

After they departed.

In the nearby area, a face sank quietly into a well hidden in darkness.

…

A separate courtyard within the House of Prince Gao.

Li Xiangyun lifted her head from the case files.

After dealing with the various issues that had cropped up within the city due to the Incense Fire Dao without a break.

Her previously gentle and refined face couldn't help but show a hint of fatigue.

However, upon hearing the news of a Golden Core Master's brutal death within the city, Li Xiangyun set her work aside to pay full attention.

"Xuli Sect…Huifeng Valley…"

Li Xiangyun couldn't help but rub her temples, and glanced at Yan Qing beneath her.

Among the three local Yan Sects, she still remembered the first one that had expressed their willingness to support her.

Hitting her desk lightly with her fingers, she looked down from her high position, questioning:

"Yan Qing, is there anything you want to say?"

Yan Qing had lost his composure for a moment earlier, but by now, he had come to his senses. Without any hesitation, he firmly denied the allegations, saying:

"To Master, I admit that I had a grudge against the Xuli Sect for trying to kill me. I wanted revenge, that's true. But could I possibly kill a Golden Core Master with a single sword, even if his Mana was partly sealed?"

Chapter 467: Chapter 45 Ignite! _4

"Yan Qing feels that there must be a conspiracy involved, possibly instigated by Incense Fire Dao!"

Upon hearing this, Li Xiangyun couldn't help but take a deeper look at Yan Qing.

This scheme of deflecting blame has been well played.

Qiao Yushan, however, wore a mournful expression. He said, "Brother Zhuang Dao was already severely injured and was just beginning to recover. Hearing that Incense Fire Dao was wreaking havoc outside Yanqiao Pass, he rushed to assist the House of Prince Gao without hesitation. Who could've thought that Yan Qing, this vile creature, would seize the opportunity and murder him with a single strike!"

"I urge Master Li to discern right from wrong and bring this criminal, Yan Qing, to justice!"

"Shut up! You're nothing but a loss-stricken cur and dare to bark here!"

Yan Qing interjected.

"Master Li, I implore you to arrest Yan Qing!"

"Master Li, please do not be swayed by this loss-stricken cur's one-sided tale…"

"Master Li…"

"Enough!"

Li Xiangyun reprimanded, then couldn't help but rub her temples again.

She faintly understood why her husband, Xiang Huang, was reluctant to involve himself in Yan State's affairs year after year. It was indeed because these matters were just too complicated.

She pondered for a moment and eventually reached a decision.

"Zhuang Yi died heroically to support Yanqiao Pass! He shall be posthumously honored as the 'Immortal Master of the State for Yan'…"

"Yan Qing committed murder, a crime worthy of the harshest punishment! But considering that he has also made merit and now is a time when everybody is needed, his death sentence shall be spared. However, he won't escape his due suffering! In the ensuing battle with Incense Fire Dao, if he fails to behead a Class III cultivator, he shall be sentenced to serve Xuli Sect for a hundred years!"

Upon hearing this sentence, Yan Qing rejoiced greatly within his heart.

This was far better than paying for his life. And even if he didn't manage to decapitate a Golden Core Craftsman, serving Xuli Sect for a hundred years wasn't a rigid requirement; it offered much wriggle room.

Upon hearing this sentence, Qiao Yushan also quickly grasped the underlying principle.

However, his expression slightly faltered, and he refrained from making any further comments.

Instead, he submitted the spirit materials prepared by Xuli Sect.

He wore a sorrowful face and said, "Time was against us, and we could only gather a portion of the materials. The rest was planned to be delivered after our return…"

Upon hearing this, Li Xiangyun felt a twinge of regret, and she glanced at Yan Qing.

Chagrined, Yan Qing could only accept his bad luck, hastily stuffed some treasures into his Storage Bag and handed it to Qiao Yushan.

"Consider this as a token of my apology… I admit that I truly lost my senses back then."

Qiao Yushan didn't even give Yan Qing a glance. After respectfully bowing to Li Xiangyun, he led the remaining disciples of Xuli Sect away without further ado.

As Qiao Yushan and the others left, Li Xiangyun coldly snorted and said to Yan Qing:

"If you ever dare to repeat today's reckless act, I will kill you first!"

Hearing this, Yan Qing instantly broke out in a cold sweat and hastily nodded in agreement:

"Yan Qing will never dare to repeat it!"

"However… Yan Qing finds it quite strange. Even though I was extremely angry at Xuli Sect, I wouldn't have let it hinder the bigger picture… earlier, it was as if I had truly lost my senses."

After hearing this, Li Xiangyun's expression changed, as if she had thought of something.

Her gaze flickered. She didn't say anything but just waved her hand.

Yan Qing promptly excused himself discreetly.

"Lost his senses…"

Li Xiangyun wore a contemplative expression and unconsciously tapped her fingers on the desk. Then suddenly, she gave an order:

"Investigate within the city and seal all locations with old locust trees, old temples, wells, mirrors, and old books… everything of this sort!"

A female Golden Core Craftsman stepped forward and respectfully accepted the order. However, she showed a hint of uncertainty on her face: "The first ones are manageable, but restricting mirrors and old books… is truly difficult…"

"Do your best."

Li Xiangyun's countenance was fraught with tension: "Each branch of the Incense Fire Dao has its own unique abilities, but when they combine forces, their plans become unpredictable and cunning. While the Five Dragons Imprison Array might withstand their frontal attacks, it can't guard against their devious schemes. We must tread carefully, leaving no room for errors. Once Prince Gao returns, those evildoers from Incense Fire Dao won't pose a threat anymore."

"Yes!"

The female Golden Core Craftsman immediately took her leave to carry out the orders.

Seated behind her desk, Li Xiangyun did not immediately dive back into her documents. Instead, her gaze pierced through the Formation outside, looking into the distance.

There, everything was pitch black.

Not a single speck of light could be seen.

…

"Yushan is incompetent! I allowed Master Zhuang to die at Yan Qing's hands in Huifeng Valley! I implore the Sect Master to punish me!"

It was the dead of night.

Within the Xuli Sect, the atmosphere was eerily tense.

Despite being a Golden Core Master, Qiao Yushan was kneeling on the ground, sorrow etched across his face.

The disciples of Xuli Sect stood behind him, their faces filled with outrage.

"How dare Yan Qing murder Martial Uncle Zhuang! If we don't avenge this, how can we face the world!"

"Destroy Huifeng Valley!"

"Avenge Martial Uncle Zhuang!"

Only Lin Boyue still remained in shock. His gaze looked past the cultivators surrounding him and fell upon the corpse amidst them.

The body was covered with a white cloth.

But he could faintly make out the blood stains seeping through…

"Junior brother…junior brother…"

Lin Boyue's throat tightened, momentarily unable to approach.

However, he was ultimately the Sect Master of Xuli Sect, so he clenched his teeth tightly and, with a resolute march, he strode until the cloth-covered body was right in front of him.

He paused slightly, then abruptly uncovered the cloth.

The sight of the familiar face, now disfigured by the violent wound, made Lin Boyue clench his fist abruptly!

Chapter 468: Chapter 45 Ignite! _5

The disciples around immediately fell silent.

In the deathly still wind, one could faintly hear Lin Boyue's heavy breathing.

Without turning around, he intoned each word, his voice bone-chillingly cold,

"Tell me everything, one detail at a time, don't leave anything out!"

"Yes!"

Qiao Yushan knelt on the ground, dared not rise, and hastily recounted everything.

When he heard that Princess Gao, Li Xiangyun, had posthumously conferred the title 'Immortal Master of the State' on Zhuang Yi, and Yan Qing's punishment was essentially non-existent.

"Li Xiangyun pushes too far!"

Finally unable to bear it any longer, Lin Boyue murmured in rage.

However, this time, the disciples' echoing voices were much lower.

As if even mentioning this name was like an unspoken form of intimidation.

Noticing this, disappointment and sadness flashed through Lin Boyue's eyes.

In that moment, turmoil surged in his heart, but his face showed no signs of it. He waved his hand: "You all, leave!"

The disciples, feeling as if they'd been granted amnesty, quickly dispersed and left.

Seeing that Qiao Yushan was still kneeling on the ground, not daring to get up,

Lin Boyue crouched down, and patted a somewhat disheveled Qiao Yushan.

A strained smile appeared on his face: "Yushan, you can leave now."

"Yes, Sect Master, I truly am… Master Zhuang… alas!"

With a choked voice, Qiao Yushan gave a long sigh, covered his face and left.

Looking at the departing figure of Qiao Yushan, Lin Boyue's gaze was a bit cold.

But his gaze then soon fell on the corpse of Zhuang Yi.

He couldn't help but think of when Zhuang Yi had left not long ago, looking forward to his meeting with Li Xiangyun…

Only in a short half-night, this disciple, who had accompanied him for over two hundred years, who had spent a lifetime being simple, only to have a brief moment of clarity before death, was now lying silently before him.

He gently picked him up, not using any Mana, and didn't mind at all that blood had rubbed onto his clothing.

He entered the main hall.

Finally, he could no longer hold back his tears, and his eyes, dry for almost two hundred years, quickly reddened.

"Junior Brother!"

"Junior Brother!"

"Huifeng Valley… Li Xiangyun…you were the ones who first wronged our Xuli Sect!"

After saying this, he suddenly took out a joss stick from his Storage Ring.

Hesitation and conflict filled Lin Boyue's gaze as he held it in his hand.

However, when his gaze fell on Zhuang Yi's body, he finally made up his mind.

Channeling Mana into it, the end of the joss stick suddenly lit up with sparks.

The sparks quickly extinguished, but on top of the joss stick, a pillar of bluish smoke rose straight up.

The mysterious smoke swirled in the great hall, and then gently floated towards the moonlight in the corner.

And at that moment,

In Lin Boyue's ear, suddenly rang out a desolate voice:

"Tsk, tsk, seems like you've encountered some trouble."

In the corner of the great hall, where the moonlight shone, a figure of a gray-robed Cultivator slowly appeared.

He was smiling, leisurely looking at Lin Boyue.

Unfazed, Lin Boyue calmly said,

"It seems you've also encountered trouble."

The smile on the gray-robed Cultivator's face froze, then he put it away, said helplessly, "You're indeed not easy to deceive. Indeed, things aren't going well on our side…. "

"You mean you didn't make any progress at all, right?"

Lin Boyue exposed him coldly.

The gray-robed Cultivator's face darkened, his eyes flashing dangerously,

"Just because I think highly of you doesn't mean I'll tolerate your disrespect!""

"If you only have such a narrow mind, you'd better not think about taking over Chu. You're not worthy."

Lin Boyue's expression remained indifferent.

Upon hearing Lin Boyue's words, the gray-robed Cultivator's face darkened, and he finally stopped his retort.

"Speak, what's your demand?"

"Help me attain Nascent Soul, once Yan State is taken, it will all belong to my Xuli Sect!"

Lin Boyue stated his condition straightforwardly.

The gray-robed Cultivator thought about it seriously, Finally, he shook his head and said,

"I can help you advance to the Nascent Soul stage now, and you won't have to experience Thunder Tribulation, but to make the whole Yan State belong to the Xuli Sect… it's probably not possible. We need a massive amount of followers, and followers need land…""

"I just want the cultivation resources of Yan State, I don't care about the land. In addition, you must guarantee the survival and continuation of my Xuli Sect."

Lin Boyue insisted.

"Fine! I agree with you!"

After some contemplation, the gray-robed Cultivator finally agreed.

"Then, let's begin!"

"I'll help you achieve the Nascent Soul state and step onto the Nascent Soul's Dao!"

…

The next morning,

Prince Wang Ba, who was training Mysterious Dragon Soldiers in the house, was suddenly disturbed by frantic knocking at the door.

Wang Ba's heart tightened.

With a wave of his hand,

The two hundred Mysterious Dragon Soldiers who were in training quickly shrank and fell into Wang Ba's sleeves.

Meanwhile, Zhao Feng, who was also in the midst of cultivation, involuntarily opened his eyes. Seeing Wang Ba's caution, he nodded slightly, then quickly moved in front of the door.

Wang Ba also landed behind Zhao Feng, Mana surging, ready to provide support at any time.

"Creak–"

The front door opened, revealing a Golden Core female Cultivator dressed in the garb of the House of Prince Gao.

Wang Ba's heart relaxed slightly, and Zhao Feng took the initiative to speak,

"Fellow Daoist, may I know why you are here?"

"She sent me here to inform you two not to go out unnecessarily. The city is likely infiltrated by Incense-burning Dao Cultivators!"

"In particular, be wary of old locust trees, old temples, wells, mirrors, ancient books… and the like, which are likely places for Incense-burning Dao Cultivators to take refuge."

"Thank you for the reminder!"

Zhao Feng was focused on cultivating his sword, absent of worldly distractions to keep his sword spirit pure. Wang Ba, spotting the lapse, quickly handed two doses of chicken essence to her.

The Golden Core female cultivator received it subtly, her smile becoming warmer.

Wang Ba quickly took the opportunity to ask,

"May I ask, has anything happened in the city since last night?"

The female Golden Core Cultivator replied casually,

"Nothing much, oh, you must know the Xuli Sect, right? One of their Elders was supposedly killed by someone from Huifeng Valley while delivering spirit materials… It's said that the Sect Master of Xuli Sect came here not long ago, probably to settle the score with Huifeng Valley."

"The Sect Master of Xuli Sect, Lin Boyue?"

"Did he come to Yanqiao Pass?"

Wang Ba was taken aback.

Just as he was about to ask some more questions, a huge burst of light suddenly erupted in the sky!

Multiple flames were rising from within the city gate!

At the same time, a woman's voice, rough like scraping stones, echoed in the air:

"Princess Gao… let's battle!"