Chapter 1117: Aid

"They brought people from the Sacred Race?!" By the bonfire, when Zhou Yuan heard Zuoqiu Qingyu say this, not only did his expression darken, but Qin Lian's brows also furrowed tightly, her face turning somewhat cold. After all, it was a universally known fact among all races that the Sacred Race was a formidable enemy. How dared the Sacred Palace of Cangxuan Heaven, at this very moment, still associate with members of the Sacred Race?!

"How dare the Sacred Palace do such a thing? Aren't they afraid of isolating themselves from the powers of all heavens?" Mu Youlan couldn't help but ask. If something like this happened in Hunyuan Heaven, even if the force was one of the Nine Regions, it would undoubtedly be met with hostility from all sides, and they would immediately unite to eradicate it. Therefore, to Qin Lian, Mu Youlan, and the others from Hunyuan Heaven, this matter was simply unbelievable.

Seeing the many strange looks around them, Zuoqiu Qingyu and Luliu felt somewhat uncomfortable. After all, the emergence of a force like this, betraying the heavens in Cangxuan Heaven, was indeed likely to draw ridicule.

Zhou Yuan waved his hand, explaining, "The overall strength of Cangxuan Heaven is considered the weakest among all heavens. That's why the Sacred Race has been plotting there for many years; the Sacred Palace is a force they supported. Initially, the Sacred Palace was well-hidden, but by the time they revealed themselves, their power had already become top-tier in Cangxuan Heaven, beyond anyone's control. I left Cangxuan Heaven back then precisely because of the Sacred Palace's persecution."

Qin Lian and the others all nodded. They understood that other forces in Cangxuan Heaven could not be blamed for this situation. After all, Cangxuan Heaven did not possess the same formidable strength as Hunyuan Heaven, making it difficult to completely erase the Sacred Race's influence. Moreover, even a powerful entity like their Hunyuan Heaven remained extremely wary when facing the mysterious and potent Sacred Race. If they were so cautious, how much more so Cangxuan Heaven, the weakest among all heavens?

"What is the situation with Cangxuan Heaven's main forces now?" Zhou Yuan asked, his expression grave.

"After this recent attack, the various forces in Cangxuan Heaven collectively nominated Senior Brother Chu Qing of the Cangxuan Sect to be their leader," Zuoqiu Qingyu explained. "He is leading the remnants of the various forces in resisting the Sacred Palace's offensive. However, the situation isn't good; the enemy has Sacred Race teams, and our casualties have been very heavy."

"Senior Brother Chu Qing?" Hearing the familiar name, Zhou Yuan felt a pang of nostalgia. He recalled the carefree and unconventional man with an exceptionally lazy personality and a shiny, brilliant bald head. However, for Senior Brother Chu Qing, with his indolent nature, to have to step forward and become a leader, it was clear that the situation in Cangxuan Heaven was indeed dire.

"We were sent by Senior Brother Chu Qing," Luliu added, puffing out her cheeks in annoyance. "He told us to find forces from other heavens and seek help, as we're all on the same side when facing the Sacred Race. Then, when I arrived here, I ran into those people from before. They didn't even listen to me and attacked me, trying to snatch Xiao Lan."

Zhou Yuan nodded lightly, then suddenly asked, "Who is the leader of that Sacred Palace team?"

"Li Xuan," Zuoqiu Qingyu replied, her expression grave. "He was the previous generation's Saint Son of the Sacred Palace, and is now considered the strongest Heavenly Sun Stage expert in the Sacred Palace and even all of Cangxuan Heaven." When she mentioned his name, she displayed extreme hatred and apprehension. "That person is exceptionally sinister and ruthless, just like a venomous snake!" Luliu added.

This name was quite unfamiliar to Zhou Yuan, which was normal. When he was active in Cangxuan Heaven, he was only at the early Divine Dwelling Stage. Since Li Xuan was the previous generation's Saint Son, he must have already entered the Heavenly Sun Stage by then. Perhaps he had heard of Zhou Yuan at that time, but most likely dismissed it with a laugh; a cultivator at the early Divine Dwelling Stage wouldn't warrant much attention from him.

"Zhou Yuan, can... can you help us?" Zuoqiu Qingyu asked, hesitating for a moment. Although she knew Zhou Yuan held an extraordinary position in Tianyuan Region now, this matter was of great importance. Getting involved might mean confronting the Sacred Race, which was no small affair. Therefore, Zuoqiu Qingyu wasn't certain if Zhou Yuan would be willing, as he was now an elder of Tianyuan Region and also responsible for the safety of their teams.

Luliu said nothing more, only fixed her large eyes on Zhou Yuan, a hint of expectation in them.

Numerous gazes from around them converged on Zhou Yuan. He stared at the rising bonfire, showing little hesitation, and chuckled, "Although I am now an elder of Tianyuan Region, I originated from Cangxuan Heaven, and that is an unchangeable fact. My feelings for the Cangxuan Sect are no weaker than my feelings for Tianyuan Region. Therefore, if the people of the Cangxuan Sect encounter a crisis, I will certainly go to their aid. Of course, I am only speaking for myself, not for the Tianyuan Region teams. How they choose to act is their own decision."

Zuoqiu Qingyu bit her red lip with her pearly teeth, her beautiful eyes sparkling as she stared at Zhou Yuan.

"Zhou Yuan, you've touched me so much, but if you go alone, won't you be walking to your death?" Luliu said, rubbing her eyes, clearly moved. "You're the one walking to your death! I'm strong now," Zhou Yuan retorted, pouting.

"Hey, you're the leader of our Tianyuan Region team now; how can you act alone?" Qin Lian, standing nearby, shot Zhou Yuan a glance. "You're also an elder of Tianyuan Region. If something happens to you, how are we supposed to report back to Grand Elder Zhuan Zhu? So, it's best to speak less of such pointless things!"

Then she looked at Zuoqiu Qingyu and Luliu, her expression softening somewhat. "What is the size of that Sacred Palace team? What is their overall strength level? And what is the scale of the Sacred Race team they invited?" As she asked, Qin Lian glanced at Zhou Yuan again, adding, "At the very least, we need to clarify this intelligence before we can decide how to respond, right?"

Zuoqiu Qingyu quickly and truthfully recounted all the information Qin Lian had asked for in detail, naturally limited to what she knew.

After listening, Qin Lian pondered for a moment and said, "The Sacred Palace's strength isn't much of a threat. The only uncertainty is that Sacred Race team. However, from what we know, it shouldn't be the entire force of a Sacred Race Heaven, but merely a detachment."

"Just a detachment?" Zuoqiu Qingyu couldn't help but interject. A single detachment had managed to annihilate elite experts from various forces in Cangxuan Heaven in one encounter. In that situation, had Senior Brother Chu Qing not ultimately stepped forward, Cangxuan Heaven's casualties would likely have been even more devastating.

Qin Lian calmly stated, "If it were the entire force of a Sacred Race Heaven, you would likely have been completely wiped out." This was a somewhat cruel but extremely truthful statement. Cangxuan Heaven was the weakest among all heavens, and with its strongest force, the Sacred Palace, being traitors, such strength encountering the full might of a Sacred Race Heaven would undoubtedly lead to crushing destruction. Those who could escape with their lives would probably be few and far between.

"However, if it's just a detachment from a Sacred Race Heaven, our Tianyuan Region should have a decent chance of handling them." Qin Lian looked at Zhou Yuan, a faint smile playing on her lips. "Please remember your identity. You are an elder of Tianyuan Region, and you have the authority to command everyone in our Tianyuan Region. Don't think of facing this alone just because it's a personal matter. We absolutely cannot agree to let you leave by yourself."

Zuoqiu Qingyu's and Luliu's eyes instantly brightened with fervent hope. They understood Qin Lian's meaning; clearly, the entire Tianyuan Region would help them with this matter. And this, undoubtedly, was all due to Zhou Yuan's influence.

Although Tianyuan Region's assistance was primarily due to Zhou Yuan's standing, they clearly couldn't let Tianyuan Region make sacrifices for nothing. Some price would have to be paid for both sides to be pleased.

Qin Lian nodded, feeling quite pleased that the other party was so understanding. She immediately continued, "However, even if it's only a detachment of the Sacred Race, we cannot afford to be careless. No one knows if it might attract the main forces of a Sacred Race Heaven later. So, before we go to assist, we must inform the other forces in Hunyuan Heaven about this. If any unexpected situation arises, we can then call for reinforcements."

Zhou Yuan nodded upon hearing this. If they truly encountered the main forces of a Sacred Race Heaven, Tianyuan Region alone certainly couldn't stop them. Qin Lian's plan was indeed the most prudent.

He then gave Qin Lian a thumbs-up, his eyes full of admiration. "That's very thoughtful. Elder Qin Lian, you don't have a partner yet, do you? My Senior Grand Brother Chu Qing from Cangxuan Sect is a decent fellow, just... hairless. Would you like me to introduce you two later?" He thought it was a rather good idea. Qin Lian was capable and decisive, so encountering someone with Senior Brother Chu Qing's indolent personality—who wouldn't lift a finger unless a blade was at his throat—would surely be quite interesting. However, at his suggestion, a vein seemed to twitch on Qin Lian's forehead.

"Get lost!"