Chapter 572: Chapter 572
Although Zhouyang looked down on Geng Zhong as a cowardly person, he still took the threat seriously.
Therefore, after rescuing Zhou Guangxiang and his siblings, he directly relocated them to the "Fallen Demon Valley" above the Rocky Wilderness, where Xu Song set up a grand array to isolate their auras, shielding against the effects of tracking magic like the "Ten Thousand Miles Soul-Chasing Technique."
Years ago, Xu Song managed to survive pursuit by a Nascent Soul Stage Cultivator by using an array that isolated tracking-type magical techniques, and he was now using it again.
As for the other Foundation Establishment Cultivators from the Zhou Family who came to the Boundless Sea of Sand Cultivation Realm, there was no need for such measures. Zhouyang instructed them to continue traveling to nearby countries to gain experience, planning to regroup in Cangyuan Immortal City after five years.
Even Zhou Guangxiang wore the disguise mask given by Zhouyang to venture out on his own for experience.
Zhou Guangxiang had also practiced the "Golden Cicada Concealment Technique" that Zhouyang had acquired earlier, allowing him to conceal his cultivation. With his cultivation and the aid of the mask, he could avoid being recognized if he stayed away from encounters with Golden Core Stage Cultivators.
On the contrary, Zhouyang, with his Golden Core Stage cultivation, found it hard to hide. Venturing out would easily attract attention, and since his identity had already been exposed, it would be too easy for others to deduce his true identity.
After all, once reaching the Golden Core Stage, one would become a notable figure. It would be suspicious if an unfamiliar Golden Core Stage Cultivator suddenly appeared out of nowhere.
Meanwhile, Zhou Tongyue and Li Hong seized the moment when Geng Zhong was preoccupied with seeking Guo Jinhong’s aid and taking full control of Cangyuan Immortal City, quickly evacuating all Zhou Family cultivators from the Cangyuan Immortal City territory to disperse beyond Yu Country.
Like a wise rabbit with three burrows, Li Hong had prepared years in advance, securing places outside of Yu Country where the Zhou Family cultivators could temporarily shelter.
Of course, their excuse for leaving was simple: the Zhou Family was previously close to the Li Family, and since the Li Family fell, they withdrew entirely from Cangyuan Immortal City to avoid Geng Zhong’s retaliation.
Though new kings bring new courtiers, the world always has those so-called "loyal ministers," doesn’t it?
This move actually earned the Zhou Family a reputation for unwavering loyalty, allowing this Foundation Establishment Clan to gain some recognition in Yu Country due to the change of leadership in Cangyuan Immortal City.
On the other side, far away in Haoyang Mountain of Jinyang Country, Guo Jinhong, upon receiving news from Cangyuan Immortal City in Yu Country, promptly ordered several late-stage Golden Core Cultivators within Haoyang Sect to head towards Yu Country with his token to search for and capture Zhouyang.
The news of the "Celestial Killer Corpse King" falling and dying was still unknown to anyone outside of Yin Hanguang in the Land of the Far West. As long as this fiend remained uneliminated, Guo Jinhong did not dare to leave Haoyang Sect easily.
Besides, Guo Jinhong believed that dealing with a newly formed Golden Core Cultivator of less than a hundred years did not require him to personally take action.
Upon reaching Yu Country, his disciples, wielding his token as the Vice Alliance Leader of the "Anti-Light Alliance," quickly enlisted Golden Core Cultivators from various Yu Country forces and their subordinates, conducting a thorough search within Yu Country for Zhouyang and his associates, even including the Li Family where Li Mubai resided.
In contrast, the Zhou Family, due to its previous lack of reputation and apparent vassal status to the Li Family, was not implicated by Zhouyang, apart from being ordered by Geng Zhong, acting as the city lord of Cangyuan Immortal City, to apprehend Zhou Family cultivators.
In the past, Guo Jinhong did not target Li Mubai and the Li Family, who were Dao Companions of Zhou Guangxiang, because "Cangyuan Wanderer" Li Cangyuan had rendered great service to the Anti-Light Alliance. Li Cangyuan, himself, was a formidable cultivator capable of rivaling a ninth-layer Golden Core Cultivator, and Guo Jinhong found no need to vent his anger on the irrelevant Li Mubai.
However, now that "Cangyuan Wanderer" Li Cangyuan, who sheltered the Li Family, had passed away, and Li Mubai and his children were seen leaving with Zhouyang by countless cultivators of Cangyuan Immortal City, Guo Jinhong did not hesitate to wipe out everyone associated with Zhouyang.
The one leading the eradication of the Li Family was Geng Zhong, the current city lord of Cangyuan Immortal City.
Geng Zhong detested Zhouyang and the Li Family. In the past, even though he coveted the Li Family’s accumulated treasures and resources, he had to endure for the sake of his reputation temporarily.
But now, his reputation had already been tarnished by Zhouyang; his name as a cowardly villain was spreading throughout Yu Country, leaving him with nothing to endure!
Especially since he was acting under the order of Guo Jinhong, the Vice Alliance Leader of the "Anti-Light Alliance," which made it righteous and justified.
Unfortunately for the Li Family, even though they received Zhouyang’s warning through Li Mubai, they did not heed it enough to scatter and leave as advised.
As a result, when Geng Zhong led his forces to attack, the once prestigious Li Family of Cangyuan Immortal City, with a history of hundreds of years, was exterminated overnight. Hundreds of cultivators and clan members had their heads severed by Geng Zhong and displayed outside Cangyuan Immortal City as a warning and provocation to Zhouyang.
And yet, none of this reached Zhouyang and his group, who were sequestered in the isolated Rocky Wilderness.
Not long after, the succession battle for the next Palace Master of the Great Brightness Immortal Palace erupted, drawing the attention of the entire Land of the Far West. Apart from those cultivators from Haoyang Sect continuing to fulfill Guo Jinhong’s orders to search for Zhouyang and others, few people paid any more attention to the situation.
Zhouyang, isolated from information, was equally unaware of these events.
It wasn’t until everything had settled, and Yin Hanguang, with Lu Xuanji’s support, successfully became the next Palace Master of the Great Brightness Immortal Palace by claiming the credit for retrieving the inheritance immortal artifact, the "Eye of Light," that he personally came to the Rocky Wilderness to inform Zhouyang of the outcome.
"I have heard about what you did in the Land of the Far West. Guo Jinhong, that post-autumn grasshopper, can have his last jump," he said.
Rocky Wilderness, Yin Hanguang and others congratulated Zhouyang on successfully securing the position of the next Palace Master of the Great Brightness Immortal Palace, and then he laughed and spoke about the matter, his face full of ease.
The current Yin Hanguang can be described as enjoying his success.
The current Palace Master of the Great Brightness Immortal Palace, "Master Chihua," has little remaining lifespan, at most a hundred more years before he ascends to the next realm, which means Yin Hanguang will officially take over the position in a century, becoming one of the most powerful people in the Spirit Realm.
In reality, since "Master Chihua" will soon enter a life-or-death seclusion to attempt to reach the Tribulation Crossing Stage, Yin Hanguang’s time in power will be advanced by many years.
"Old Thief Guo is really hateful, I wonder when Elder Yin might need me? As long as Elder has orders, I am ready to face any challenge for you!"
Zhouyang said with a look of resentment, yet in front of Yin Hanguang, he expressed his loyalty.
He truly wanted Guo Jinhong dead, but to show loyalty to Yin Hanguang was mainly because he knew that the latter would be pleased by his words, yet due to Lu Xuanji’s influence, would not truly take him as an intimate confidant.
In other words, by suffering a little loss of dignity, he could gain the goodwill of the future master of the Great Brightness Immortal Palace. How could he not do such a good deed?
Sure enough, when Yin Hanguang heard his words, even though he knew that Zhouyang’s heart was not sincere, he still felt very satisfied, and the smile on his face became softer.
He immediately laughed and said, "I’m very pleased with your willingness. I have already informed the Palace Master about Situ Xuan Yue’s matter, and he has agreed to my proposal to use this issue as a pretext for action. I am here precisely for this!"
Upon hearing this, Zhouyang immediately said, "In that case, I am ready to depart with Elder at any time."
Immediately, after instructing Zhou Guangxiang and others, he left the Rocky Wilderness together with Yin Hanguang and quietly headed to Jinyang Country.
On the road, Yin Hanguang elaborated on the plan of action to Zhouyang.
According to the plan, this action against Guo Jinhong needs to be quick, quick enough to prevent the "Anti-Light Alliance" Nascent Soul Cultivators from intervening.
Otherwise, even if they have evidence of Guo Jinhong plotting against Situ Xuan Yue, it wouldn’t be possible for the Nascent Soul Cultivators of the "Anti-Light Alliance" to stand idly by as they storm Haoyang Sect’s mountain gate to kill Guo Jinhong, the Vice Alliance Leader of the "Anti-Light Alliance."
So, to achieve this beheading effect, the current Palace Master of the Great Brightness Immortal Palace, "Master Chihua," and Lu Xuanji, both Ninth-Layer Nascent Soul "Half-Step True Immortals," will simultaneously take action to ensure breaking the Haoyang Sect’s mountain gate as quickly as possible, preventing Guo Jinhong from holding out for support.
"Come to think of it, we should thank that ’Celestial Killer Corpse King’; if it hadn’t destroyed Guo Jinhong’s body back then, forcing him to repossess and reincarnate, that fellow could have timely abandoned his body, emerged with his Nascent Soul, and sought rescue."
"But now, if he dares to abandon his body and emerge with his Nascent Soul, he is just courting death!"
Yin Hanguang described his plan with confidence, having full control of the situation.
Zhouyang also had to admit that though the plan was simple and crude, it was indeed effective.
Since Guo Jinhong already possessed once, he cannot possess again, so even knowing the Haoyang Sect’s Mountain Gate Array wouldn’t withstand long under the attack from "Master Chihua" and Lu Xuanji, both Ninth-Layer Nascent Soul Cultivators, he can only grit his teeth and hold on for help.
Under this straightforward strategy, Guo Jinhong’s only way to break the situation is to lead the disciples of Haoyang Sect to resist with all their might until reinforcements arrive.
But Zhouyang knows Guo Jinhong won’t hold out until then.
Because this time, the three Nascent Soul Cultivators taking action all wield Tier Seven Spiritual Artifacts, and their combined attack power might even require serious attention from a Tribulation Crossing True Immortal.
Along the way, to avoid alerting the enemy, Yin Hanguang did not exhibit the escape speed of a Nascent Soul Cultivator but disguised himself along with Zhouyang as humble Foundation Establishment Cultivators.
Though this approach resulted in them spending several extra months reaching Jinyang Country where Haoyang Sect is located, it was ultimately foolproof.
When the two of them arrived within a thousand miles of Haoyang Mountain, Yin Hanguang used his means to contact both "Master Chihua" and Lu Xuanji, who had previously infiltrated, quickly gathering with them.
At this time, even the Nascent Soul Cultivators within the Great Brightness Immortal Palace believed that "Master Chihua" and Lu Xuanji, who had come from the Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm, were exchanging insights on reaching the Tribulation Crossing Stage in their caves.
As a result, when "Master Chihua" and Lu Xuanji stopped concealing their Ninth-Layer Nascent Soul "Half-Step True Immortal" realm aura and appeared powerfully outside the mountain gate of Haoyang Sect, both Guo Jinhong and another Nascent Soul Cultivator of Haoyang Sect, "Master Yuanjing" Peng Yuanjing, were shocked and their expressions changed drastically.
Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!
On Haoyang Mountain, the alarm bells rang, sharp and urgent, awakening even those who were secluded in closed-door training chambers.
All disciples of the Haoyang Sect who heard this bell and had cultivation above the Foundation Establishment Stage turned pale and immediately flew out of their cave residences, rushing towards the nearest node of the Mountain Protection Array.
Their training of rushing to the Mountain Protection Array node to guard it during the sect’s life-and-death crisis was something they had to undergo after successfully reaching the Foundation Establishment. They thought that as disciples of this top major sect, Haoyang Sect, they would never encounter such a moment in their lifetime. Unexpectedly, it happened now, causing every Haoyang Sect cultivator heading to the battlefield to feel panicked.
While those Haoyang Sect cultivators on Haoyang Mountain were rushing to the Mountain Protection Array nodes, a violent attack had already descended. Chapters fırst released on NoveI(F)ire.net
At the current moment, the Palace Master of the Great Brightness Immortal Palace, "Master Chihua," an Ninth-Layer Nascent Soul Cultivator wielding the Tier Seven Middle Grade Spiritual Artifact "Scepter of Light," attacked with boundless brilliant white light transforming into meteor-like white stars continually falling down, causing the Haoyang Sect’s Mountain Protection Array to shake violently.
Compared to this formidable attack, Lu Xuanji’s attack appeared simpler.
But simplicity did not mean weak power.
With Lu Xuanji’s control, every time the crimson gold divine spear struck the Haoyang Sect’s Mountain Protection Array, cracks would appear in the local area of the protective shield, almost shattering it.
Although the cracks would quickly be repaired, the power of Lu Xuanji’s attacks often penetrated through those cracks, causing significant damage to the cultivators and the mountain within the Mountain Protection Array.
Many Haoyang Sect cultivators rushing to the battlefield were suddenly killed by the red spear energy descending from the sky, leaving no bones behind.
Compared to these two "Half-Step True Immortal" Ninth-Layer Nascent Soul cultivators, Yin Hanguang’s offensive was significantly weaker.
Although he too had summoned the "Eye of Light," a Tier Seven Spiritual Artifact, his attack seemed conventional, merely supplementing the assault of "Master Chihua."
Zhouyang watched the grand offensive of the three great Nascent Soul stage cultivators, feeling a surge of excitement and nearly joined the attack formation.
However, whenever he had such thoughts, seeing the young man on Haoyang Mountain wearing a golden robe immediately calmed him, restraining such impulses.
Despite a somewhat changed, much younger appearance, Zhouyang recognized that the young man in the golden robe was indeed Guo Jinhong, the Sixth-Layer Nascent Soul Cultivator.
After possession, Guo Jinhong found it hard to progress his cultivation further, but relying on the heritage of the top sect Haoyang, he managed to recover eighty percent of his cultivation in just a hundred years.
Now, looking at "Master Chihua" and Lu Xuanji fiercely attacking the Mountain Protection Array from outside, a rare expression of fear appeared in his eyes.
While ordering his junior brother Peng Yuanjing to command sect cultivators to firmly defend the Mountain Protection Array, he shouted loudly, "Chi Hua Old Monster, you attacked without warning and infiltrated the territory of our [Anti-Light Alliance] to attack our Haoyang Sect, do you intend to fight us to the death?"
"If that’s the case, Guo and all Haoyang Sect cultivators will fight you to the death, ensuring you won’t leave the borders of Jinyang Country alive!"
Fighting between the Great Brightness Immortal Palace and the "Anti-Light Alliance" had raged for thousands of years, and sudden strikes on major sects by powerful experts had occurred many times. Each such occurrence meant an escalation in the war’s intensity.
The fact remained, however, that just a hundred years ago both sides had just had a great battle, losing a Nascent Soul stage cultivator each. What gave the Great Brightness Immortal Palace the courage to initiate another war? Was it due to the newly emerged Ninth-Layer Nascent Soul cultivator reportedly from another cultivation realm?
Guo Jinhong felt things weren’t that simple, for as Vice Alliance Leader of the "Anti-Light Alliance," he had received no reports of any unusual movements along the borders.
If the Great Brightness Immortal Palace truly wanted to start a major war, there would certainly be signs of unusual activity around the borders first; such large-scale war preparations couldn’t be hidden from view.
So what situation prompted "Master Chihua," the current Palace Master of the Great Brightness Immortal Palace, to suddenly bring Yin Hanguang, the upcoming Palace Master, to infiltrate the heart of the "Anti-Light Alliance" and attack their Haoyang Sect’s mountain gate?
Was it that old man rumored to be from the Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm?
Guo Jinhong looked at Lu Xuanji with a mix of shock and anger.
Regarding Lu Xuanji’s origins, Yin Hanguang had explained during the Great Brightness Immortal Palace’s next Palace Master competition, and the "Anti-Light Alliance’s" informant within the Great Brightness Immortal Palace had passed this information back to the "Anti-Light Alliance."
Honestly speaking, the fact that Yin Hanguang managed to find such a formidable ally from another cultivation realm to help him contend for the position of Palace Master surprised the top beings in the Land of the Far West.
By the unwritten rules of the cultivation realm, top beings wouldn’t easily interfere with other realms’ internal affairs, as doing so risked enmity from all top beings throughout the cultivation realm, posing a grave danger.
No matter that Lu Xuanji, as a Ninth-Layer Nascent Soul "Half-Step True Immortal," belonged to the most elite in the "Spirit Realm," he still faced the risk of falling if all top beings from a great cultivation realm turned against him.
However, the unique situation in the Westernmost Cultivation Realm also made such an circumstances of being universally opposed by the entire cultivation realm less likely to occur.
First, when the Nascent Soul Stage cultivators within the "Anti-Light Alliance" learned that Lu Xuanji was interfering in the competition for the next master of the Great Brightness Immortal Palace, their initial reaction was not to be outraged and assist the Great Brightness Immortal Palace in expelling Lu Xuanji. Instead, they observed the situation with folded arms, enjoying the show. They even incited their informants within to stir up trouble among the lower-level disciples, indirectly forcing the top figures of the Great Brightness Immortal Palace to expel Lu Xuanji.
In the eyes of these cultivators from the "Anti-Light Alliance," if they could make the Great Brightness Immortal Palace expel Lu Xuanji, this outsider interfering in their sect’s internal affairs, causing both sides to engage in conflict, it would undoubtedly be greatly advantageous for the "Anti-Light Alliance."
If Lu Xuanji was unwilling to leave easily and fought a battle with the Nascent Soul Stage cultivators of the Great Brightness Immortal Palace, killing one or two of their Nascent Soul Stage cultivators, that would be even better.
Guo Jinhong also thought this way at that time.
But now, as he watched the "Master Chi Hua" and Lu Xuanji who were jointly attacking his Haoyang Sect’s mountain gate, he realized he was wrong, utterly wrong!
It turned out that besides expelling Lu Xuanji, the Great Brightness Immortal Palace could also use Lu Xuanji’s external force to attack their "Anti-Light Alliance."
The joining of a "Half-Step True Immortal" at the Ninth Layer of the Nascent Soul was enough to tilt the balance of power that was originally evenly matched between the two sides.
If they could use Lu Xuanji to inflict severe damage on their "Anti-Light Alliance," then supporting Yin Hanguang to sit on the next master of the Great Brightness Immortal Palace would undoubtedly be a matter worth considering for the current master, "Master Chi Hua."
After all, who cares who sits on the master’s seat?
Yin Hanguang and those competitors did not differ much in strength, and he had accomplished the great achievement of retrieving the missing Inheritance Immortal Artifact, "Eye of Light." It’s not unacceptable to let him become the next master of the Immortal Palace.
Moreover, Guo Jinhong quickly realized where they had erred, understanding how these top figures of the "Anti-Light Alliance" had gone wrong.
Their mistake lay in judging others by their own standards!
From the perspective of their own sect, they naturally felt that allowing an outsider to influence the selection of their sect’s successor was unprecedented; otherwise, if the successor were to be lured by an outsider in the future, wouldn’t the millennia-old foundation of their sect be ruined overnight?
However, they all overlooked one thing at the time, which was that a grand sect like the Great Brightness Immortal Palace had no need to fear external takeover, as in this "Spirit Realm," no other sect had an appetite large enough to swallow a behemoth like the Great Brightness Immortal Palace whole.
This is also the major difference between an alliance power like the "Anti-Light Alliance" and a pure sect power like the Great Brightness Immortal Palace.
But now, Guo Jinhong realized these facts, and it was clearly too late.
"Fellow Daoist Lu, as long as you are willing to stop, whatever benefits the Great Brightness Immortal Palace promised to give you, our Haoyang Sect can offer double, and Guo himself can swear upon the honor of our sect’s ancestors!"
Guo Jinhong, with a pale face, looked at Lu Xuanji, who was continuously attacking the Mountain Protection Array. Although he knew such persuasion efforts would unlikely be effective, he still attempted one last effort.
He was acutely aware that if Lu Xuanji didn’t interfere, the chances of them holding the mountain gate until reinforcements arrived were still substantial. But if Lu Xuanji continued his assault, he wouldn’t even have a twenty percent chance.
However, Lu Xuanji couldn’t be bothered to pay him any heed; his offensive showed no sign of weakening.
Finally, it was Yin Hanguang who felt that if he couldn’t make Guo Jinhong understand why he was being killed, and let the other cultivators of the "Anti-Light Alliance" understand why the Haoyang Sect was being attacked, it would undermine his prestige.
He then shouted sternly, "Guo Jinhong, don’t you know what you’ve done? I ask you, where is our Great Brightness Immortal Palace’s talented disciple Situ Xuan Yue, who possesses the Profound Yin Spirit Body? And the female cultivator Qin Yue’er, whom you controlled using such a Forbidden Technique as the Divine Control Art, what is her origin? Do you dare to tell the truth?"
Upon hearing Yin Hanguang’s words, Guo Jinhong couldn’t help but glare fiercely at Zhouyang outside the mountain. Of course, he knew that Qin Yue’er was captured by Zhouyang and the "Celestial Killer Corpse King," but was explaining this to Yin Hanguang any use now?
Yin Hanguang’s questions were merely intended to inform him that the Great Brightness Immortal Palace had already discovered his deeds and intended to use this as an excuse to kill him to establish their authority.
Thus, he couldn’t be bothered to respond to Yin Hanguang; instead, he took a deep breath and shouted, "All disciples of the Haoyang Sect, hear the command: our sect is now at a critical juncture of life and death. Next, I shall swear to guard the mountain gate with my life, awaiting the arrival of reinforcements. I hope you will also serve the sect loyally, finding rebirth through certain death!"
This proclamation was to reassure the people and inform all sect cultivators that he would never abandon them to flee alone. It was also a warning to all sect disciples not to entertain thoughts of seeking peace or surrendering.
Upon hearing his words, there was a momentary silence on Haoyang Mountain, followed shortly by some Haoyang Sect disciples joining in shouting: "Sworn to defend the mountain gate, Haoyang Sect will surely triumph!"
Once this cry resounded, everyone on the mountain quickly joined in the shout.
Outside the mountain gate, Yin Hanguang heard the unified voices shouting, his expression changing slightly at first. Then, after glancing at Lu Xuanji and "Master Chi Hua," seeing that neither paused for a moment because of it, he regained his composure, coldly smirking as he continued the fierce attack on the Haoyang Sect’s Mountain Protection Array.