Chapter 575: Chapter 575

Yin Hanguang may not give it, but Zhouyang cannot avoid discussing it.

Tier Six Flood Dragon Spirit Blood is extremely important to him; for such a treasure, what does pride matter?

Even losing some face is worth it.

Of course, if he takes the initiative to speak, the person he seeks help from cannot be Yin Hanguang, but rather Elder Lu with whom he is most closely connected.

In this battle, Elder Lu contributed greatly; the Tier Six Flood Dragon corpse surely requires a share for him, as well as the storage ring Guo Jinhong left inside the Flood Dragon—which contains treasures taken from Haoyang Sect’s Treasure Vault, all of which should be distributed as spoils.

"Elder Lu, this junior urgently needs High-Tier Flood Dragon Spirit Blood to cultivate a divine technique. Although I seized some during the battle with the Tier Six Flood Dragon alongside several seniors, it is far from sufficient. Thus, I would ask Elder Lu to grant me the opportunity to trade!" Thɪs chapter is updated by novel fire.net

Zhouyang respectfully bowed to Elder Lu and earnestly expressed his request, eagerly waiting for the other’s response.

Upon hearing his words, Yin Hanguang and "Master Chihua" glanced at him before indifferently continuing to dismantle the Flood Dragon corpse.

Tier Six Flood Dragon Spirit Blood may not be useful for them, but they belong to the Great Brightness Immortal Palace, a sect that could use this spirit blood to refine Spirit Pills or cultivate Spirit Beasts with Jiao Dragon Bloodline, significantly enhancing the sect’s strength.

Thus, Yin Hanguang knowingly allowed Zhouyang to gather Flood Dragon Spirit Blood, coveting this Spiritual Object, yet pretended not to notice.

After all, compared to the juniors of his sect, Zhouyang is an outsider, so naturally, he prioritizes benefits for his own people.

Most importantly, he knows Zhouyang has decided to go to the Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm to work for the Profound Sun Immortal Sect. Thus, even if he bestows benefits to Zhouyang, he cannot truly recruit him to remain in the Land of the Far West to support him.

Why then should he expend effort in such a thankless endeavor of recruiting Zhouyang?

Elder Lu felt similarly, yet he had high hopes for Zhouyang’s future path, and since Zhouyang would work for their Profound Sun Immortal Sect in the future, Elder Lu was willing to offer some aid.

Therefore, upon hearing Zhouyang’s words, his eyes gleamed suddenly as he asked, "The divine technique you mentioned, is it the one engraved inside the Tier Six Magical Artifact Cauldron you possess?"

Back in the Kunxu Realm, Zhouyang and Jiang Fengxian were captured by the Wood Demon, having all their treasures confiscated, including the Beast-Faced Dragon Cauldron containing the "Azure Dragon Body Refining Technique" he learned.

Later, Yin Hanguang used the Eye of Light’s power to kill the Wood Demon, and all of Zhouyang’s belongings fell into Elder Lu’s hands, including the Beast-Faced Dragon Cauldron.

With Elder Lu’s knowledge, interpreting the Silver Talisman Texts inside the Beast-Faced Dragon Cauldron was no challenge, so learning about the "Azure Dragon Body Refining Technique" was unsurprising.

However, most cultivators of the Profound Sun Immortal Sect focus on magic rather than body refinement, and few meet the conditions for practicing the "Azure Dragon Body Refining Technique." Furthermore, not all are willing to invest time into this wealth-consuming Body Refining Divine Technique, thus although it was placed in the sect’s Scripture Pavilion, no disciple practiced it for nearly a hundred years.

Ultimately, the Profound Sun Immortal Sect, a top-tier sect with rich heritage, does not lack powerful divine techniques, making the Body Refining Divine Technique, precious to Zhouyang, merely an impressive technique from an outsider’s perspective, not indispensable.

Zhouyang candidly nodded in agreement when he heard this question: "Elder’s insight is clear, it is indeed that technique."

"That technique is indeed excellent, and it suits you very well."

Elder Lu slightly nodded, then asked, "Since it’s a trade, what do you plan to use to exchange for this Tier Six Flood Dragon Spirit Blood from my hands?"

Trading a Spiritual Object like Tier Six Flood Dragon Spirit Blood, especially in substantial quantities, cannot rely on Spirit Stones, as Elder Lu lacks no Spirit Stones, nor does the Profound Sun Immortal Sect.

Zhouyang was aware of this, thus when proposing the transaction, he had already prepared a treasure for the exchange.

He raised his hand to take out a Jade Scroll, handing it to Elder Lu, and said, "While Elder’s cultivation is highly advanced and I possess some rare items, they might still not appeal to Elder. Coincidentally, during last venture in the Kunxu Realm, I obtained a Spirit Refining Secret Technique that enhances Golden Core Stage cultivators’ Divine Sense. I wonder if Elder would permit me to use this method for the exchange?"

The Spirit Refining Secret Technique he mentioned was indeed the "Void Refining God Technique" acquired while exploring Holy Infant Valley.

Having practiced this Spirit Refining Secret Technique to the second layer, he found it immensely beneficial. Exchanging it for Tier Six Flood Dragon Spirit Blood would decidedly not disadvantage Elder Lu.

To his relief, Elder Lu, after examining the Jade Scroll for recorded secret techniques, found no such techniques already housed within the Profound Sun Immortal Sect.

"Spirit Refining Secret Techniques are undisclosed secrets within various sects. Since you are willing to offer such a technique for trade, there is no rationale for Lu to refuse. Speak, how much Flood Dragon Spirit Blood do you need?"

Elder Lu put away the Jade Scroll, then looked at Zhouyang, directly asking about the quantity he desired.

Zhouyang, hearing this, was overjoyed, immediately extending his hand and saying, "I would need approximately fifty pounds more!"

After speaking, he seemed to recall something and eagerly added, "If there is Life Essence Blood, one drop is worth a pound!"

"Don’t even think about Life Essence Blood. Although it is useless to me, it is extremely useful to Junior Brother Cyan Yang and the others. It is impossible to give it to you. However, ordinary Flood Dragon Spirit Blood can still be gathered for you after some discussion with Fellow Daoist Yin and the others!"

Lu Xuanji glanced at him with a faint smile and decisively shattered his illusion.

The Life Essence Blood of a Tier Six Flood Dragon is an extremely precious Spiritual Object. It can be used as a primary ingredient for some Tier Six Spirit Pills and can even be directly refined to enhance one’s Cultivation. No matter how highly Lu Xuanji regarded Zhouyang, he could not give such a Spiritual Object to him.

One must know that even from a hundred-foot-long Flood Dragon’s corpse, only a few hundred drops of Life Essence Blood can be refined.

Subsequently, under Lu Xuanji’s mediation, although Yin Hanguang and "Master Chihua" were reluctant, they agreed to give up a portion of their own Flood Dragon Spirit Blood, providing Zhouyang with a full fifty pounds.

With the things in hand, Zhouyang finally sighed in relief and quietly stepped aside, enviously watching the three Nascent Soul Stage Cultivators dividing and pocketing the dragon scales, dragon horns, dragon teeth, dragon tendons, dragon bones, and other parts from the Tier Six Flood Dragon.

In the end, when perhaps they finally remembered his presence, Lu Xuanji waved his hand, slicing off over a thousand pounds of Flood Dragon meat from his large share to let Zhouyang also have a taste.

However, these Flood Dragon meats, which had lost most of their blood, though still a rare tonic, surely don’t taste good. The talk of ’tasting’ it was just talk after all.

Having something is better than having nothing, so Zhouyang wasn’t greedy. After thanking Lu Xuanji, he cheerfully stored the Flood Dragon meat into his Storage Ring.

With this kind of Spiritual Object, its value is secondary. The key is its status; it would impress guests of honor in the future when presented for hospitality, making even Nascent Soul Stage Cultivators extol it as "magnificent."

By the time the entire hundred-foot-long Flood Dragon corpse was divided, it had been three to four hours since Guo Jinhong’s demise.

At this time, the Nascent Soul Stage Cultivators who initially came to the battlefield and then left, had gathered courage after combining forces with many peers from various places and dared to observe and monitor Lu Xuanji and others from afar.

Having practiced cultivation for over a thousand years, these sly old fellows had realized that Yin Hanguang and others stayed after killing Guo Jinhong instead of heading back to clean up the unattended Haoyang Sect, evidently intending to negotiate.

Of course, those qualified to negotiate with Yin Hanguang and others were certainly not these Early or Mid-Stage Nascent Soul Cultivators. It would be figures of true authority like "Master Tianjian" and "Master Celestial Thunder" from the "Anti-Light Alliance."

Therefore, they simply waited from afar for now, with no one eager to step forward and bring it up.

Gradually, as the number of "Anti-Light Alliance" Nascent Soul Stage Cultivators converged to ten, even Peng Yuanjing, who previously broke out and escaped, returned upon receiving word.

A silver thunderbolt suddenly descended from the sky, landing tens of miles away from the group of Yin Hanguang, revealing the mighty figure of Lei Wanpeng, "Master Celestial Thunder."

"Chi Hua Old Monster, you invaded our ’Anti-Light Alliance’ territory without notification and killed our Vice Alliance Leader Guo Jinhong, breaching one of our major taboos. If you don’t provide a satisfactory explanation today, even if we can’t retain you here, you’re aware of the consequences!"

Upon revealing himself, Lei Wanpeng locked his eyes, crackling with electricity, on "Master Chihua," and thunderously brought up Guo Jinhong’s fall.

As a Vice Hall Master of the "Anti-Light Alliance," Lei Wanpeng was naturally furious and somewhat fearful of Guo Jinhong’s fate.

Even though Guo Jinhong’s power was much weaker than his, the situation he learned just now confirmed that Guo Jinhong’s strength was by no means less than an average Seventh-Layer Nascent Soul Cultivator.

The fact that such a strong Nascent Soul Stage Cultivator fell here without even his Nascent Soul escaping naturally filled him with dread.

After all, if "Master Chihua" could use such means to kill Guo Jinhong today, he could also use the same means in the future to kill him Lei Wanpeng, or any other Nascent Soul Stage Cultivators within the "Anti-Light Alliance."

They, being Nascent Soul Stage Cultivators from different sects, couldn’t all possibly cultivate crammed together on a single Spirit Mountain like the Nascent Soul Stage Cultivators of the Great Brightness Immortal Palace, could they?

Therefore, even considering his future safety, Lei Wanpeng certainly wouldn’t let today’s matter pass easily.

Faced with Lei Wanpeng’s questioning, "Master Chihua" just glanced at him and calmly replied, "Lei Wanpeng, you may have enough weight, but you are not the one in charge of the ’Anti-Light Alliance’ right now. If you want me to give you an explanation, you better wait until Master Celestial Sword arrives!"

"Fine, I, Lei, will wait for your explanation."

A cold glint flickered in Lei Wanpeng’s eyes, evidently displeased with "Master Chihua’s" words. But upon glancing at Lu Xuanji, his pupils contracted, and he forcefully swallowed his anger, replying coldly before retreating to sit cross-legged in the air at a distance.

"Master Celestial Sword’s" Supreme Mysterious Sword Sect is a million miles away from the Haoyang Sect, and even using some Teleportation Arrays, it still took him a day and a half from the time Haoyang Sect sent out a plea for help to arrive on the scene.

As the Alliance Leader of the "Anti-Light Alliance" came, Zhouyang couldn’t help but cheer up, seizing the opportunity to observe this great expert, a Ninth-Layer Nascent Soul on par with "Master Chihua."

This figure lived up to his name, appearing as lean and upright as a solitary, indomitable sword. He arrived silently several thousand feet away from "Master Chihua," carrying nothing but a longsword on his back.

Hmm, saying it like that might not be accurate. At least Zhouyang noticed that there is still a storage ring worn on the index finger of his left hand.

Generally, cultivators wear storage rings on their right hand; for example, Zhouyang, Lu Xuanji, and the others are all .

But "Master Celestial Sword" is a pure sword cultivator. Sometimes, he needs to wield his sword with his right hand, and when he does, he wouldn’t want anything to block between the sword hilt and himself, not even the slightest bit.

This might be his way, or maybe just an obsession, who knows!

He appeared on the scene, turning a knife-like thin face to Zhouyang and the others, his expression cold as steel, glaring coldly at "Master Chihua" and said, "I need an explanation!"

"Zhou Xiaoyou, you explain to him."

Yin Hanguang reminded him from behind Zhouyang.

Zhouyang’s heart tightened, taking a deep breath before stepping out to testify against Guo Jinhong’s crimes.

But before he could speak, "Master Celestial Sword" turned his gaze horizontally, sweeping him with his sword-like eyes, forcing Zhouyang to swallow his words.

"I’m asking you, Chihua!"

"Master Celestial Sword" didn’t linger his gaze on Zhouyang for even a moment, quickly returning to "Master Chihua" with a hint of displeasure in his voice.

Clearly, in the eyes of this big figure, little Zhouyang couldn’t even qualify to speak to him, so he didn’t plan to listen to Zhouyang at all.

Yin Hanguang also fell silent, no longer urging Zhouyang.

Seeing this, Zhouyang inexplicably relaxed.

He didn’t mind being ignored by "Master Celestial Sword," as at that moment, he indeed didn’t have the qualifications to speak fairly on a battlefield with such powerful figures.

What he feared was accusing Guo Jinhong and then "Master Celestial Sword" slicing over him with any excuses saying he was speaking nonsense, at which point he could only hope Lu Xuanji and the others could save him in time.

Handing life over to others, it’s best not to do it if possible.

"A hundred years ago, or rather, before the war a hundred years ago, my Great Brightness Immortal Palace’s Cold Moon Hall Vice Hall Master Li Qiuyue’s disciple Situ Xuan Yue, a genius bearing the Profound Yin Spirit Body, was kidnapped by your Anti-Light Alliance cultivators and taken to the underground auction in Jinyang Country, sold as a Dual Cultivation Cauldron."

"Back then, our Great Brightness Immortal Palace team infiltrated Jinyang Country to rescue this girl, but got ambushed, leading to the rescued girl being lost again, later offered to Guo Jinhong."

"Originally, this would have been fine. Both sides are enemies; the disciple unfortunately falling into your hands is our failure as elders. If you want to fight or kill, we can’t interfere!"

"But Guo Jinhong sealed and altered our disciple’s memory and used the Cultivation Realm’s forbidden Divine Control Art to enslave her soul, even planting the Barbaric Strange Insect Yin-Yang Soul-Devouring Insect’s egg in our poor disciple’s body, intending her body to be the Gu Bed to hatch these strange insects!"

"Celestial Sword, your Supreme Mysterious Sword Sect is a righteous sect as well. Thousands of years ago, when dealing with Demonic Cultivators, you also contributed significantly. Now, knowing about Guo Jinhong’s actions, shouldn’t we kill him to appease our sect’s disciple’s spirit?"

"Master Chihua" sternly faced "Master Celestial Sword," talking about anger-inducing matters in a plain tone.

Because both knew that Qin Yue’Er’s matter was a mere excuse. If Yin Hanguang hadn’t mentioned it, "Master Chihua" hadn’t even heard of this disciple before.

As for sympathy and outrage for Qin Yue’Er’s tragic fate, he might have felt so before forming his Nascent Soul, but with nearly three thousand years of life, having witnessed countless tragic events, how could he passionately be upset for a disciple whose name he hadn’t heard of before?

In front of those who know, pretending sadness and outrage would only make others mock his poor acting.

"Master Celestial Sword," after listening, first tightened his gaze, his mouth slightly moving, communicating with someone through a transmission.

After a while, he coldly looked at "Master Chihua" and asked, "Where’s the proof?"

"This Fellow Daoist Zhou, originally from your Anti-Light Alliance, participated in the deadly battle a hundred years ago representing your alliance, killing three of our Great Brightness Immortal Palace cultivators, which led Guo Jinhong to summon him to Haoyang Mountain, forcing him to become a registered disciple under threat of life, to help in dark deeds!"

"Guo Jinhong’s true intention of recruiting Fellow Daoist Zhou was actually to use him as a tool to hatch the Barbaric Strange Insect Yin-Yang Soul-Devouring Insect. Thus, he specifically renamed our disciple Situ Xuan Yue to Qin Yue’Er and bestowed her as a concubine to him."

"But Guo Jinhong didn’t know that Fellow Daoist Zhou had long seen through his intention, endured humiliation to negotiate with him, later finding a chance to escape his control, and upon eventually befriending Junior Brother Yin Hanguang informed him of this, allowing us to learn the truth!"

"Celestial Sword, if you don’t believe, you can directly confront Fellow Daoist Zhou, using your Sword Heart to verify if he’s lying!"

"Master Chihua" pointed at Zhouyang, presenting his evidence.

Indeed, a witness is also evidence.

Currently, material evidence is certainly impossible to present.

But fortunately, compared to material evidence, cultivators often emphasize witness testimonies.

Mortals need both witness and material evidence to convict; it’s because they can’t judge if the criminal is lying.

But high-tier cultivators have means to judge if a low-tier cultivator is lying in front of them; material evidence, while nice, is not crucial.

"Master Celestial Sword" didn’t ask about the material evidence at that moment. After hearing "Master Chihua’s" words, he shifted his gaze directly to Zhouyang, speaking coldly, "I ask, you answer. Lie once and death won’t be spared!"

No one doubted "Master Celestial Sword’s" ability to fulfill his words, neither did Zhouyang.

Don’t be fooled by Yin Hanguang’s earlier kind words. In fact, if "Master Celestial Sword" truly attacks at all costs, the three Nascent Soul cultivators can surely escape easily, but Zhouyang most likely couldn’t.

But that is the worst case scenario. What benefit does killing him, a Golden Core Stage cultivator, serve "Master Celestial Sword"?

Could that offset Guo Jinhong’s death?

Doing so would simply start a full-scale war.

Faced with Lu Xuanji and "Master Chihua," two Ninth-Layer Nascent Soul "Half-Step True Immortals" from Great Brightness Immortal Palace’s side, the now absent Guo Jinhong’s Anti-Light Alliance is likely at a disadvantage in a full-scale war.

Thus, under "Master Celestial Sword’s" gaze, Zhouyang steadied his mentality, affirmatively saying, "Ask away, senior. I will answer everything I know and hide nothing."

"What is your relation to the Celestial Killer Corpse King?"

Unexpectedly, "Master Celestial Sword’s" first question was entirely unrelated to Guo Jinhong, focusing on the Celestial Killer Corpse King instead, seemingly aware of Zhouyang’s past conspiracy against Guo Jinhong.

He didn’t want to answer unrelated questions but feared "Master Celestial Sword" might really slay people impulsively.

Only sneaking a glance at "Master Chihua," seeing no response, he gritted his teeth and replied, "I am naturally its enemy, wishing nothing more than to kill it myself!"

"Master Celestial Sword" continued unfazed, asking, "Where is the Celestial Killer Corpse King now?"

"It’s been jointly slain by Elder Lu and Elder Yin in the Boundless Desert Sea."

Upon hearing Zhouyang’s response, not only did "Master Celestial Sword" show a hint of surprise, but other Anti-Light Alliance cultivators present were also exceptionally astonished.

If they had heard this good news before today, even as adversaries, they would’ve said well done.

Only now, under these circumstances, naturally none would raise another’s prestige and diminish their own awe, breathing a sigh of relief while continuing to observe "Master Celestial Sword’s" interrogation of Zhouyang.

"Master Celestial Sword" quickly suppressed his amazement over the Celestial Killer Corpse King’s fall and continued asking, "Is Chihua’s accusation against Guo Jinhong completely true, without any falsehood?"

Zhouyang immediately nodded without hesitation, "Of course true, Guo Jinhong sealed Situ Xuan Yue’s memory, used the Divine Control Art to enslave and control her, renaming her Qin Yue’Er, handed her to his cherished concubine Qin Zhiyun for training. If senior doesn’t believe, you can question Qin Zhiyun later."

The conversation seemed to be concluding here.

Yet, "Master Celestial Sword" showed no sign of finishing, instead sharply gazing at Zhouyang, sternly questioning, "Since you were once from the Anti-Light Alliance, why did you betray and side with Great Brightness Immortal Palace?"

Zhouyang snapped awake, looking at "Master Celestial Sword" with a shocked and angry gaze.