Chapter 576: Chapter 576

The sudden intervention of "Master Celestial Sword" was evidently beyond Zhouyang’s expectations, almost causing him to fall for the opponent’s trap.

It was clear that if he publicly admitted being a traitor of the "Anti-Light Alliance," "Master Celestial Sword," as the Alliance Leader, could naturally slay him with a single stroke.

No matter what reasons he had, betrayal is betrayal! The rıghtful source is novｅlfire.net

Fortunately, he quickly realized and stopped talking, avoiding answering the question.

Lu Xuanji also reacted swiftly, promptly raising his hand to move Zhouyang to his protection behind him.

Upon witnessing this scene, "Master Chihua" also frowned, and coldly mocked "Master Celestial Sword," saying, "Why, Celestial Sword, are you angered and intend to vent your rage on a junior?"

"Master Celestial Sword" did not deny but simply stated indifferently, "A disciple who betrays his master and ancestors deserves to die!"

"What a might of yours, Dao Friend!"

Lu Xuanji laughed coldly and narrowed his eyes at "Master Celestial Sword," saying, "I also had a hand in Guo Jinhong’s death. Would you kill me as well?"

"You are not from the Land of the Far West, yet you came here to kill. Naturally, I will not ignore it!"

With a firm response, "Master Celestial Sword," as soon as he finished speaking, drew the long sword from his back with a "clang."

"Today, allow me to experience your exceptional skills!"

With this remark of dissatisfaction, "Master Celestial Sword" indeed was a pure sword cultivator.

Although Lu Xuanji was not a sword cultivator, he was adept at sword control, and immediately released his flying sword to engage "Master Celestial Sword" in a sword duel.

His flying sword was a crimson-golden sword named "Profound Sun Evil-Slaying Sword," a Tier Six High-grade flying sword passed down from ancient times, refined and used by several Supreme Grand Elders of the Profound Sun Immortal Sect, with top-notch quality.

"Master Celestial Sword’s" flying sword, a silver blade measuring three feet, emitted an extreme sharpness at the unsheathing, refined with the secret method of the Supreme Mysterious Sword Sect as his Lifebound Flying Sword, named "Supreme Profound Slash Dao Sword," had been nurtured and refined to Tier Six High-grade.

The gold and silver swords clashed back and forth under the control of two "Half-Step True Immortal" Ninth-Layer Nascent Soul wielders, creating countless gold-and-silver sword glimmers in the sky, unseen by the likes of Zhouyang, whose cultivation wasn’t enough to discern the flying sword’s actual form.

Luckily, the two "Half-Step True Immortals" had mastered sword control to perfection, so few sword qi emanated from their combat, focusing power entirely on the swords.

The sword duel lasted about half a quarter hour, ending as Lu Xuanji voluntarily withdrew his sword.

"Your swordsmanship is exquisite, almost into the Dao; the name Celestial Sword is well-deserved!"

"In mere sword control skill, I, Lu, admit defeat."

Lu Xuanji retracted his flying sword, letting it hover above him, looking solemnly at "Master Celestial Sword" opposite him, openly admitting his inferior technique.

"Whatever divine techniques you have, feel free to use them."

"Master Celestial Sword," hovering with his suspended blade, was unwilling to stop here.

Lu Xuanji knew "Master Celestial Sword" sought to gauge his true strength to decide the resolution of today’s matter.

If his performance was unspectacular, "Master Celestial Sword" wouldn’t drop the matter easily, likely summoning "Master Celestial Thunder" Lei Wanpeng and others watching to besiege, endeavoring to retain one or two of them.

Hence, without wasting words, he straightforwardly responded, "Since Dao Friend asked, Lu shall experience your exceptional skills once more."

With his words spoken, he waved his sleeve, unleashing several powerful Tier Six spiritual artifacts to battle "Master Celestial Sword" in midair, utilizing his cultivated divine techniques.

The two battled straight into the "Nine Heavens Forbidden Realm," where the eternal "Nine Heavens Gang Wind" could dissipate the ripples caused by their magical combat, reducing damage to the earth below.

Otherwise, the combat of such experts on the ground, a displacement of sword qi could split mountains and land, causing substantial earth damage.

Zhouyang looked up from below, seeing only fierce sword light and flashing thunder above the sky, unable to discern the figures of the combatants, only perceiving the sound and light caused by their power release.

Occasionally, some sword qi unexhausted by the "Nine Heavens Gang Wind" would descend, instantly carving a long fissure spanning hundreds of feet, thousands of feet, breaking flowers, trees, birds, beasts, insects, and fish within a thousand feet into dust.

Sometimes, purple lightning would also fall, collapsing the ground and sparking fires, spreading for dozens of miles.

These are merely the remnants among remnants. One can see how terrifying the power is when two "Half-step True Immortals" fight with all their might unleashing the True Flames.

The great battle lasted nearly half a day before it ended.

When the two of them returned, both looked somewhat disheveled.

Lu Xuanji’s magic robe was torn in several places by Sword Qi, resembling tattered beggar’s clothes, and his cheek showed fresh, pink new skin.

"Master Tianjian," on the other hand, had simply changed into a new magic robe, but the white hair on his head was significantly shorter, seemingly freshly grown.

"This matter will not rest here. Fifty years from now, I shall confront you, Chi Hua, and decide life and death over the West Sea!"

The returning "Master Tianjian" cast a profound glance at Lu Xuanji, then shifted his gaze to Master Chihua, coldly stating his decision.

This was his response to Guo Jinhong’s death.

"Fine, as you wish, we shall decide life or death in fifty years!"

Master Chihua’s face darkened, yet he did not back down and agreed on the spot.

To have two Ninth-Layer Nascent Soul "Half-step True Immortals" fighting to the death over oneself, Guo Jinhong could be said to have died without regret.

Thus, even Peng Yuanjing, the only Nascent Soul Stage cultivator of Haoyang Sect, did not object in the slightest when hearing "Master Tianjian’s" decision.

And so, this matter was settled.

Afterward, Zhouyang naturally departed together with Lu Xuanji and others, escorted by a group of Nascent Soul Stage cultivators from the "Anti-Light Alliance," leaving the territory of the "Anti-Light Alliance" and entering the realm of the Great Brightness Immortal Palace.

It is foreseeable that after this incident, Zhouyang’s bounty within the "Anti-Light Alliance" will not only remain but will also see an addition of further rewards.

However, this is of little consequence for his future plans in the Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm, as the benefits he gained this time are substantial enough that such a small price is deemed overwhelmingly worthwhile.

Moreover, despite the increase in reward, given that Guo Jinhong, with whom he had the deepest enmity, is dead, even if Zhouyang were to show up within the territory of the "Anti-Light Alliance," at most he would face attacks from a few Golden Core Stage cultivators. It is unlikely that Nascent Soul Stage cultivators would personally pursue to kill a Golden Core Stage cultivator over such a small bounty unless he killed someone they cared about.

But with his current strength, would he fear some attacks from cultivators at the same realm?

"Zhou Xiaoyou, now that this incident is resolved, I plan to return to the Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm. Would you care to journey with me?"

Atop a mountain peak within the realm of the Great Brightness Immortal Palace, having already bid farewell to Yin Hanguang and "Master Chihua," Lu Xuanji and Zhouyang spoke words of goodbye.

"I still have some unfinished business in this Land of the Far West, so I won’t be accompanying Elder Lu in departing. Here is the map of the location of the Teleportation Array. There, I have a Ghost Servant kept to guard it. Elder, if you wish to use the Teleportation Array, feel free to go there."

Zhouyang respectfully offered the map of "Fallen Demon Valley," expressing his response.

"There’s no need for the map, using such a large remote Teleportation Array alone is rather extravagant, no matter how much quicker I might be, it’s only less than a month’s time. Unless there’s an emergency, I do not need to be so lavish."

Lu Xuanji slightly shook his head, neither accepting Zhouyang’s map nor intending to use the Teleportation Array to depart.

Indeed, even someone like him, a Ninth-Layer Nascent Soul "Half-step True Immortal," spending thirty-six top-grade Spirit Stones just to briskly shorten the journey by less than a month is too extravagant.

The purpose of such large remote Teleportation Arrays is mainly for use by cultivators below the Nascent Soul Stage who cannot easily traverse the "Sea of Death," or to be used for rapid support.

Even in its prime, the Great Brightness Immortal Palace did not have any Nascent Soul Stage cultivators extravagant enough to single-handedly use such large remote Teleportation Arrays to save less than a month of time for personal travel.

After hearing this, Zhouyang could only retract the map and look at him with a face full of admiration, exclaiming, "Elder Lu, with your cultivation yet such frugality, you truly make this junior both admire and feel ashamed!"

Unexpectedly, when Lu Xuanji heard these words, he looked at him with a peculiar expression and said, "You really know how to flatter, didn’t you already know the old man wouldn’t use the Teleportation Array before you said this?"

This was all seen through by you!

Zhouyang said inwardly.

But his expression showed no embarrassment at all as he said, "If Elder Lu were not inherently frugal, there would be no way for this junior to express admiration for the elder, so my words are truly heartfelt and completely sincere!"

Lu Xuanji was slightly taken aback, then couldn’t help but burst into hearty laughter, "Hahaha, you’re amusing, if I had met you a few hundred years earlier, I might have had the desire to take you as a disciple, just like Junior Brother Qingyang did. Alas, it’s a shame, such a pity!"

It’s a pity that his lifespan is now limited, and Zhouyang is growing his wings, so the matter of taking disciples is out of the question.

Lu Xuanji left, quickly transforming into a red stream of light that disappeared from Zhouyang’s sight.

However, before he left, he gave Zhouyang a gift: ten scales peeled from the Tier Six Flood Dragon "Chi Xiao".

If the quantity is enough, and if a Tier Six Artifact Refining Grandmaster with refined skills gets involved, it’s very possible to refine a rare Tier Six Defensive Spiritual Artifact from these scales.

But such Tier Six Refining Grandmasters are even harder to find than the Tier Six Flood Dragon Scales, and the cost of employing them wouldn’t be less than the value of the scales used for refining.

Therefore, Zhouyang quickly gave up on this idea. He decided to wait until his artifact refining skill improved to Tier Five, then use the scales to make a powerful defensive artifact for himself.

Next, Zhouyang secretly infiltrated the territory of the "Anti-Light Alliance" and maneuvered into the borders of Great Yun Country, adjacent to Yu Country.

Great Yun Country lies between Yu Country and Jinyang Country. When Zhouyang first went to the Land of the Far West, he traveled through Great Yun Country to get from Yu Country to Jinyang Country.

Moreover, Great Yun Country has a mountainous and complex terrain, and because this country has only three major cultivation sects, unlike Yu Country with its numerous sects, it’s actually an excellent environment for cultivation for some small clans and loose cultivators.

In the remote mountains of Great Yun Country, there are many Tier Two Spiritual Veins or Tier Three Spiritual Veins that the major cultivation sects and cultivation clans do not value. These veins are either poorly located or the regions are barren with no spiritual objects produced, hence they’ve never been taken seriously by big forces.

But to some loose cultivators and small clan cultivators who only seek a place to stay, these places are worth fighting for.

The Zhou Family of Cangyuan Immortal City occupied a remote area in the Gray Rock Mountain Range within Great Yun Country over thirty years ago with a Tier Two High-Grade Spiritual Vein and upgraded it to Tier Three Lower Grade with spirit stones.

Nowadays, most of the Zhou Family cultivators who retreated from Cangyuan Immortal City have relocated here.

To the remote Gray Rock Mountain Range, the Zhou Family, with over ten Foundation Establishment cultivators, is undoubtedly a colossal presence. Therefore, since their migration, other small family and loose cultivator groups residing and cultivating on other veins have submitted, sending local special spiritual objects as tributes.

Zhouyang was currently on the Zhou Family’s Spirit Mountain, enjoying a Tier Two Spirit Fruit known as "Mouse Fruit".

This "Mouse Fruit" resembles peanuts but is much bigger, the size of walnuts, and is a special product of the Gray Rock Mountain Range. Because the mountain range is inhabited by various mouse demons and since this spirit fruit grows extensively in their nests, it got this name.

For Qi Cultivation Stage cultivators, this fruit can heal internal injuries and restore essence blood and primordial qi, making it one of the tributes offered to the Zhou Family by small clans and loose cultivators in the Gray Rock Mountain Range.

But to Zhouyang, whose cultivation is at the Golden Core Stage, it’s just a food with a unique taste.

"So, you all seem to be doing quite well here now?"

In the cave dwelling, after hearing the report from Zhou Tongyue and Li Hong about the Zhou Family’s relocation to Great Yun Country, Zhouyang’s face showed a contemplative expression.

"To say it’s good is merely finding joy in hardship!"

"This Gray Rock Mountain Range is so barren that people break their skulls fighting for a single Tier Two Spirit Elixir. In terms of resources, it’s not much better than when we were in the Boundless Desert Sea. Even if the Zhou Family occupies the entire Gray Rock Mountain Range, it still cannot sustain so many cultivators in the clan."

"Right now, thanks to the spirit stones and treasures bestowed by you, Ancestor, we can temporarily appease the clan members. But once these resources are exhausted, and if we don’t take action, I’m afraid the people’s hearts will start to scatter!"

Li Hong shook his head with a bitter smile, daring not to agree with Zhouyang’s words.

The loose cultivators and small clans in the Gray Rock Mountain Range may think the Zhou Family is prestigious and grand, but how could they know that beneath the glamor lie countless hidden dangers?

He then, seemingly worried that this wasn’t enough to draw Zhouyang’s attention, added with a worried face:

"Moreover, this Gray Rock Mountain Range, though remote, has not escaped the observation of those major clans and sects in Great Yun Country. Since our Zhou Family relocated here, several major clans have been openly and discreetly trying to recruit us."

"Earlier, I could use the excuse that our former lord is not gone and that we haven’t settled to fend them off, but as the years go by, I’m beginning to feel their patience wearing thin. If we don’t quickly choose a family to belong to and refuse to leave the Gray Rock Mountain Range, I’m afraid they will join forces to destroy us and divide our assets!"

People are undervalued when away from home; it is the same in any world.

The Zhou Family moved from Yu Country’s Cangyuan Immortal City to the Gray Rock Mountain Range in Great Yun Country, the local powerful forces of Great Yun Country would surely be aware and would certainly not remain indifferent.

If not for their prudence, temporarily settling only in this remote and barren Gray Rock Mountain Range without expanding outward, someone would have long since found an excuse to destroy them to seize their wealth.

Nevertheless, it’s impossible for them to develop steadily here, as the clans in Great Yun Country with Purple Mansion Stage cultivators wouldn’t want to see a Zhou Family with over ten Foundation Establishment cultivators settle nearby, and someday be on par with a Purple Mansion Clan.

If the Zhou Family is willing to depend on them and become a vassal, they may still allow the Zhou Family to continue existing based on circumstances.

Of course, afterward, there will surely be all kinds of excuses to send Zhou Family’s Foundation Establishment Cultivators to fight with Demon Beasts, ultimately weakening the Zhou Family’s power, making it impossible for them to threaten the main family.

Smart as Li Hong is, naturally he can see through these, so he has no intention of staying in these Gray Rock Mountain Ranges for long.

"So, you still want to return to Cangyuan Immortal City, right!"

Zhouyang gazed at this shrewd and capable junior of the clan, helping him say the words he meant but didn’t explicitly express.

"Please have mercy, Ancestor!"

Li Hong knelt to the ground, started kowtowing repeatedly.

Beside him, Zhou Tongyue, seeing this, quickly followed suit and began kowtowing, saying, "Please have mercy, Ancestor!"

"I can help you kill Geng Zhong and his trusted followers, but without Geng Zhong, you still won’t be able to rule Cangyuan Immortal City. With your strength, you would at most become a somewhat influential family there!"

"Now that the Li Family has been destroyed, and Li Mubai is wanted, my original plan to have them ascend to power cannot be realized. Once you return to Cangyuan Immortal City, you will have to fight alone in the future!"

Zhouyang continued, shaking his head repeatedly.

Things shouldn’t have turned out !

If only "Cangyuan Wanderer" Li Cangyuan could live a few more years, live till now, Zhouyang could have allied with "Cangyuan Wanderer" and put on a play. Using the identity of "Cangyuan Wanderer’s" friend to act, he could have killed the arrogant and domineering Geng Zhong, then "Cangyuan Wanderer" could entrust his orphan to him, ask him to oversee Cangyuan Immortal City, help the Li Family continue to hold power.

Yu Country does not have a Nascent Soul Stage Cultivator, and at that time, Zhouyang had the Disguise Mask given by Lu Xuanji to conceal his appearance. With "Cangyuan Wanderer" himself vouching for him, there was a great chance of successfully accomplishing this task.

Unfortunately, fate toys with people, plans cannot catch up with changes, he didn’t expect "Cangyuan Wanderer" to pass away so quickly, nor did he estimate that Geng Zhong’s infiltration of the Li Family would be so deep, Zhou Guangxiang’s secret meeting with his Dao Companion and children would be exposed.

This series of changes made his original plan simply infeasible.

Prior to coming to the Gray Rock Mountain Ranges, Zhouyang also considered how to settle this Zhou Family issue. He prepared two options for Li Hong and the others.

One was to go to the territory of the Great Brightness Immortal Palace, to depend on the Great Brightness Immortal Palace. With his relationship with Yin Hanguang, as long as he asks him to say a word, the Zhou Family over there would definitely not be troubled.

The second was to let the Zhou Family develop in Great Yun Country, anyway, the relationship between Zhou Family and him, Zhouyang, has not been exposed, they can completely find a Cultivation Sect or major clan to rely on within the borders of Great Yun Country, then he can still secretly provide some Spiritual Objects to support their development.

At this moment, after shaking his head and sighing, he still voiced his two options.

"The kind intentions of Ancestor, we are grateful, but if we go to Great Brightness Immortal Palace, our relationship with Ancestor will then become fully exposed. Without Ancestor’s presence, if Haoyang Sect wants to take revenge on Ancestor, vent their anger on us, we won’t be able to resist. I suppose the Great Brightness Immortal Palace won’t particularly send experts to constantly station in our Zhou Family, right?"

"As for this Great Yun Country, that can’t be considered either. Our Zhou Family’s scale, even if we find someone to rely on, those major clans surely won’t completely trust or accept us, and how could those Major Sects accept a clan without mortal foundation? Do we have to send all our clan disciples into the Sect in the future?"

Li Hong also shook his head, firmly rejecting Zhouyang’s two proposals, and explained the reasons for the rejection.

These disadvantages are known to Zhouyang, but despite these disadvantages, it’s still a way out.

But still, the point is that the situation here in the Zhou Family is controlled by Zhou Tongyue and Li Hong, they understand the situation the best, he can’t rashly intervene and force them to follow his suggestions.

Otherwise, if something goes wrong in the future due to his forced arrangement, taking responsibility is one thing, the worst is if the Zhou Family here becomes completely estranged from the main family.

"Alright then, since you insist on returning to Cangyuan Immortal City, I, Ancestor, will not stop you."

He nodded, respecting the decision of Li Hong and Zhou Tongyue, then waved his hand, and took out two Jade Bottles to hand to them.

"Coincidentally, not long ago, I bought three portions of [Purple Heart Jade Marrow] in the Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm, these two portions are rewards from me, Ancestor, and the clan for your hard work over the years. Though you are already over two hundred and ten years old, not meeting the conditions for using this spiritual object set by the clan, I am specially approving this exception, hoping you value yourselves, do not disappoint my expectations and the clan’s expectations!"

To be honest, whether to give these two precious "Purple Heart Jade Marrow" to Zhou Tongyue and Li Hong, these two old men over two hundred and ten years old, Zhouyang had struggled internally for a long time.

The Zhou Family may be wealthy now, but obtaining such Spiritual Objects still heavily depends on luck, and those young clansmen within the family who meet the conditions are still not enough!

But Zhou Tongyue and Li Hong indeed have made great contributions, rewarding outstanding merits has always been his principle.

Especially Li Hong, Zhouyang now highly regards this junior, he hopes very much that he can continue working for several hundred more years, very much wants to see what surprises this junior can bring him in the future.

ps: There’s a big update, don’t walk away after reading, there are three more Chapters behind!