Chapter 2115: Massive Troop Invasion

The Mortal World

The Mortal World

Patriarch Yuanxiang was evasive and revealed very little information, leaving Qin Sang unable to guess the true nature of Ziyun Mountain. However, for Patriarch Yuanxiang to be so cautious, Ziyun Mountain must be at least as powerful as the Zhuyan Clan.

According to Patriarch Yuanxiang, Liuli's master was a Daoist elder, suggesting Ziyun Mountain is very likely a Daoist sect as well.

"Could it be related to the Daoist Court?"

It wasn't surprising that Qin Sang had this thought. Both the Storm Realm and the Talisman Realm ascended from the Sin River to the Grand World, and both concealed significant secrets. These commonalities made it difficult not to link them. The Daoist Court, upon ascending to the Grand World, had secluded itself and was little known. Could it, like the Storm Realm, also have settled near the Fog Sea?

These were merely Qin Sang's speculations, lacking any evidence. From Patriarch Yuanxiang's tone, Liuli's master seemed more like a successor of the Elixir Cauldron Sect.

Based on Qin Sang's observations since entering the Grand World, there were no rumors of an open split between the Elixir Cauldron Sect and the Talisman Sect within the Daoist community. Any perceived discord between the two was more an inference made by outsiders based on their differing cultivation philosophies.

As both belonged to the Daoist tradition, what was the Elixir Cauldron Sect's attitude toward the Daoist Court's successors?

The Storm Realm was originally overseen by that individual, but now it had become Qin Sang's cultivation grounds. He had to carefully consider what identity he would use when facing Liuli's master in the future.

His most legitimate and presentable identity was undoubtedly that of an immortal official of the Daoist Court: a third-rank envoy of the Five Thunder Institute!

Back then, the First Sword Attendant had Master Zhang confer this official position upon him precisely so he could use it to deter others in times of crisis.

Although the Daoist Court had suffered significant losses in power and remained reclusive, outsiders were unaware of its true situation. In their eyes, the Talisman Sect could still stand on equal footing with the Elixir Cauldron Sect and was considered one of the top major forces in the Grand World.

To harm a third-rank immortal official, one would have to consider the Talisman Sect's reaction.

Currently, the system of meritorious deeds implemented in Qian Province by the Great Zhou human race and the Eight Great Heavenly Provinces bore a striking resemblance to the Daoist Court's Divine Court system, and in some respects, even surpassed it.

Times had changed, and the Grand World no longer harbored such strong animosity towards the Daoist Court.

Before coming to the Fog Sea, Qin Sang had already considered using this identity if necessary.

As he was pondering, a familiar aura approached from afar; it was Yuan Miu.

Yuan Miu descended. Seeing that the atmosphere between the patriarch and Qin Sang was not tense, his expression relaxed slightly. He bowed slightly and frankly said, "I received your talisman message some time ago, just as the Siyou Clan dispatched an envoy to visit. So, I decided to first investigate the full story before replying to you."

Qin Sang returned the bow. "You've gone to a lot of trouble, Fellow Daoist Yuan," he said. "Patriarch Yuanxiang has already explained the pros and cons to me. This time, I was reckless and made a grave mistake. We can only swallow the bitter fruit ourselves. We dare not involve innocent people, nor ask Patriarch Yuanxiang to break the rules for us and harm the reputation of the Zhuyan Clan."

Yuan Miu was surprised to see Qin Sang determined to oppose the Siyou Clan and looked towards Patriarch Yuanxiang.

Patriarch Yuanxiang squinted his half-closed, tipsy eyes, carefully scrutinized Qin Sang, and stroking his long beard, remarked, "He certainly takes responsibility."

Qin Sang humbly replied, "I wouldn't dare. The enemy is strong, and I am weak; I am not someone who doesn't know what's important. I have an impertinent request, which I shamelessly ask of you: I wonder if Patriarch Yuanxiang, for the sake of that person, could offer some assistance."

Patriarch Yuanxiang took a sip of wine and said noncommittally, "Tell me about it."

Qin Sang said without hesitation, "If the Siyou Clan hasn't sent too many high-level experts this time, we might still be able to barely manage. Furthermore, could I ask Patriarch Yuanxiang to delay the Siyou Clan's army for at least three months?"

"Three months? That's not difficult!" Patriarch Yuanxiang replied. "As for the strength of the Siyou Clan's arrivals, the ancient alliance has its own regulations. As long as they don't threaten my clan, I cannot go too far myself."

Patriarch Yuanxiang stood up from the tree branch, and a sharp glint flashed in his eyes. "Are you truly confident that you don't need to avoid their main force?" he asked.

Qin Sang's expression turned serious. He bowed his hands and said, "I am willing to give it a try!"

After learning these hidden circumstances, the significance of this battle had changed. It was not just about driving away the enemy, but also about proving to Liuli's master that he had the power to protect the Storm Realm and establish it as his cultivation grounds.

"Good! What courage! I shall wait and see!"

The wooden staff in Patriarch Yuanxiang's hand tapped the air, clouds formed beneath his feet, and he rode away on them.

Yuan Miu did not leave with the patriarch and regretfully said, "In this time of peril, it would be inappropriate to spar with you again, lest it distract you. Do you have any other needs? Feel free to mention them. I cannot directly intervene to help, but I can still do some small things that would not be breaking the rules."

"Once the great enemy is driven away," Qin Sang declared, "I will certainly have a good spar with you, Fellow Daoist!"

Qin Sang accepted his kindness and generously promised a future spar. Then, without hesitation, he requested some spiritual materials needed for the upcoming battle.

Yuan Miu nodded repeatedly and noted them down one by one.

Finally, Qin Sang remembered something. "Fellow Daoist Yuan," he said, "there's no need to go to the Changyou Clan to mediate anymore. Patriarch Minzhuo is determined to have his own way; he must have received promises from the Siyou Clan and won't turn back."

It might even be the Changyou Clan who leaked the information and attracted the Siyou Clan, but delving deeper into that now is meaningless.

Yuan Miu sighed, "Both the Changyou Clan and the Siyou Clan have grievances with you, so their alliance is perfectly natural. Both emotionally and logically, it's inconvenient for us to intervene. It's good that you understand, Fellow Daoist."

After some conversation, Yuan Miu also bid farewell to Qin Sang.

After seeing Yuan Miu off, Qin Sang thought for a moment and went alone to the North Sea. Soon after, he entered the Hidden Sun Realm and arrived at Xuantian Palace.

The North Sea Branch was overseen by Su Nü, with Tong Lingyu, the Palace Master of Xuantian Palace, assisting her.

Qin Sang flew across half of the Hidden Sun Realm, and the Snow Pavilion was visible in the distance.

The terrain near the Snow Pavilion had not undergone significant changes due to the ascension. The peaks were still capped with white, and the air was biting cold.

The grand formation of the Snow Pavilion exuded white mist, obscuring the mountain gate, but it could not block Qin Sang's sight.

He had not stayed long at the Snow Pavilion, yet his memories were very vivid. Scenes from the wedding ceremony were as if before his eyes.

It was a fake wedding, yet it was the only major wedding ceremony of his life. Even now, it was hard to tell what was real and what was fake.

He revealed himself outside the mountain gate, immediately alarming the Snow Pavilion cultivators.

The Pavilion Master of the Snow Pavilion was still Shi Xue, who was currently building a ritual altar. Upon receiving the message, she hastily welcomed Qin Sang into the main hall of the sect.

"Brother-in-law is here!"

Shi Xue's pretty face was wreathed in smiles, and she didn't treat Qin Sang as a Void Refinement expert at all. She had, after all, heard many rumors from the Moon Concealing Nunnery.

Grandmaster Yunxin was mature and steady, and presumably wouldn't spread rumors about her junior sister.

These two might have already turned their fake arrangement into reality, but their temperaments were both awkward, and they hadn't made it public yet.

Feelings couldn't be faked. Over the years, her junior sister cared more about Qingyang Temple than Xuantian Palace and Moon Concealing Nunnery, and treated Li Yufu and the others as her own children.

More than once, when no one was around, she had seen her junior sister's lonely figure. Finally, the clouds had parted to reveal the moon, and bitterness had given way to sweetness. She was also happy for the two of them.

"Brother-in-law, please sit down quickly," Shi Xue said. "This is the spiritual wine you drank together during your wedding. Taste it and see if it's still the same flavor as back then?" Shi Xue personally picked up the wine pot and poured a cup for Qin Sang.

Qin Sang picked up the wine cup and indeed carefully tasted it, but didn't comment on anything. He put down the jade goblet and said, "According to custom, the ebb of the Land of Filth should occur within the next few years."

Seeing Qin Sang get to business, Shi Xue put away her smile.

She guessed what Qin Sang really wanted to say and said seriously, "My junior sister personally said before leaving that she would rush back before the ebb."

Qin Sang calculated with his fingers; more than seventy years had passed since his return to the Storm Realm.

The interval between each ebb of the turbid qi was roughly around a hundred years, but could vary by a few years.

If it happened earlier, the ebb might occur by the end of this year. To be absolutely safe, Liuli should return this year.

Knowing that Liuli had an elder master backing her, Qin Sang no longer worried about her safety and was genuinely happy that she could obtain such an opportunity.

The Siyou Clan probably wouldn't wait for Liuli to return. Moreover, Qin Sang also wanted to resolve this matter before Liuli's return, to welcome her back.

Qin Sang nodded and pressed further, "After Liuli broke through to the Nascent Soul stage, did she change her cultivation technique?"

"She did not."

Shi Xue shook her head. "My junior sister's Ice Soul Divine Light has now reached a state of perfection and has repeatedly achieved remarkable feats. Brother-in-law, why do you ask these things?"

"I previously obtained many treasures, some of which might be able to help Liuli," Qin Sang casually explained. He secretly thought to himself, 'That person did not make Liuli change her cultivation technique. I wonder if Liuli was unwilling to switch sects, or if that person was also a powerful practitioner of the Ice Dao.'

There must be a reason why Liuli was valued by that person; of course, her own talent was also outstanding.

"Brother-in-law is thoughtful; it's not in vain that my junior sister worked so hard," Shi Xue said with relief.

Qin Sang chatted with Shi Xue for a while longer but did not get any useful information. He hadn't expected Liuli to hide herself so deeply that even Shi Xue, who spent every day with her, hadn't noticed anything unusual.

...The Zhuyan Clan.

Before the teleportation hall.

The atmosphere was heavy, filled with a chilling aura.

Countless Zhuyan Clan elites, now fully armored, were lined up in formation in front of the hall, exuding a murderous aura.

Countless eyes watched the teleportation hall; the interior of the hall was unusually quiet.

Suddenly, a powerful aura appeared within everyone's perception. This aura did not belong to a single person, but was an accumulation of the auras of countless individuals.

To achieve such perfect unity was not easy; it had to be elites tempered through rigorous training.

Feeling this aura, the Zhuyan Clan soldiers' eyes lit up as if they had encountered worthy opponents. Their spirits soaring at the prospect of a challenge, everyone's aura erupted simultaneously without needing orders, like a mountain roar and a tsunami, bearing down on the teleportation hall.

Boom! Invisible surging waves erupted in the void. Fortunately, the hall was sturdy enough and remained unmoving.

Those inside the hall were about to step out when they suddenly paused. The number of people the grand formation could teleport each time was limited, and the newcomers were certainly fewer than the Zhuyan Clan soldiers outside. Their momentum was instantly greatly suppressed, like a candle flame in the wind, almost extinguished, but finally condensed into a stubborn, unyielding mass.

Then they stirred restlessly, as if about to counterattack.

At this moment, a person walked out of the hall. This individual had crane-white hair and a childlike complexion, with the demeanor of an immortal. A round bead rested on his brow, with ever-changing scenes within, making him seem unfathomable. Positioned at the center of the two clashing auras, he walked casually, completely unaffected.

He stopped in front of the hall entrance, stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze sweeping over the Zhuyan Clan soldiers, and then looked up at the sky.

His gaze was like a sword, as if piercing through the clouds to see above the nine heavens. He praised loudly, "Indeed worthy of being the elites of the Zhuyan Clan! What an impressive spirit!"

Although they didn't know this person's identity, his demeanor alone revealed him to be a peerless master. Receiving his praise, the Zhuyan Clan soldiers all puffed out their chests. At this moment, a streak of light descended from the sky. Yuan Miu appeared, bowed to the person, and said, "Are you the Grand Enshrinement of the Lu family from Hanjiang? I am Yuan Miu."

"That would be me!"

The Grand Enshrinement did not belittle Yuan Miu due to his cultivation. He returned the bow and said, "This time, to quell the rebels, King Lu personally led the expedition, and Emperor Si also dispatched the Young Tutor to assist, ordering me to be the vanguard. I apologize for disturbing your esteemed land and hope for your understanding."

"The Young Tutor?"

Yuan Miu was startled. He hadn't expected Emperor Si to send the Young Tutor.

The Young Tutor was Emperor Si's right-hand man, with a formidable reputation and cultivation no weaker than that of the Grand Enshrinement.

This meant the Siyou Clan had sent at least two late-stage powerhouses, and it was unknown how many mid-stage and early-stage cultivators.

Breaking out in a cold sweat for Qin Sang in his heart, Yuan Miu's expression remained normal as he said, "Previously, my clan had already made an agreement with your envoy. I hope you will strictly adhere to the rules. I will personally oversee your army."

"That is as it should be!"

The Grand Enshrinement's expression was amiable. After the negotiation, he ordered the vanguard to exit the hall.

The vanguard were all elites among elites, but facing the menacing Zhuyan Clan soldiers, they felt immense pressure. They tremblingly passed through the formations and lined up outside the mountain to wait.

Immediately after, the grand teleportation array was activated again, and detachments of the army were successively teleported over.

Outside the mountain, it quickly became a dense mass of black, with banners fluttering, gradually becoming able to contend with the Zhuyan Clan's side. But the Grand Enshrinement strictly forbade them from clashing with the Zhuyan Clan, so they could only suppress their own aura and allow the other side to exert pressure.

It was impossible to count how many elites the Siyou Clan had sent. Suddenly, a royal carriage emerged from the main hall, with light gauze curtains, faintly revealing a throne inside and a blurry figure. Another person sat beside the throne, their aura obscured.

"Reporting, King Lu! This is Fellow Daoist Yuan Miu," the Grand Enshrinement said, stepping forward to bow and introduce Yuan Miu.

"Thank you, Special Envoy Yuan," King Lu said, his voice gentle, not as majestic as one might imagine.

The royal carriage flew to the front of the army formation and waited quietly.

Next, more detachments of Siyou Clan elites emerged from the hall. Yuan Miu's brow gradually furrowed, and he hesitated to speak.

Just then, a golden light suddenly appeared, descending from the sky, extremely brilliant and illuminating the netherworld.

The Grand Enshrinement's expression subtly changed, and his fingers trembled slightly, but he made no move, letting the golden light land before him. It was a precious staff, blocking the hall entrance.

Inside the hall, a Void Realm second-level expert was about to step out when he couldn't help but show a look of alarm, a chill running down his spine.

"Enough! The rest of you, please return," an ethereal voice came from the sky.

The Grand Enshrinement's eyes flashed, recognizing the owner of the staff. The number of people was about to exceed the agreement, but he had not stopped them, as this was a test. He hadn't expected it to actually alarm Patriarch Yuanxiang.

"You all go back," the Grand Enshrinement said, waving his hand. "Tell those behind you there's no need to come anymore."

"Yes!"

Those inside the hall dared not argue and sheepishly retreated.

On a distant mountain.

The peaks were uniquely beautiful, and the scenery was delightful.

In a pavilion in the mountains, two people were playing chess. One was dressed in white robes, with a pair of golden eyes and a dignified appearance. Opposite him was a young man who seemed to have encountered a problem, staring at the chessboard, holding a piece and pondering. Another person stood behind him, also deep in thought; their facial features were ninety percent similar, suggesting they were brothers.

Just then, the young man holding the chess piece had a premonition. He turned his head to look outside the mountain and exclaimed in surprise, "Uncle's calculations are indeed flawless; Patriarch Yuanxiang truly intervened!"