Chapter 715: Hell Wild Beast Bronze Statue

"Sect Master Kong," a stern voice, tinged with anger, resonated throughout the area, "I summoned Jiang Fan, yet you blocked his path. Do you question the authority of this Deputy Pavilion Master?"

Kong Yuanba flinched. A flicker of reluctance and inner turmoil crossed his eyes before he released the power from his palm. He cupped his hands and bowed, saying, "I wouldn't dare." He shot a cold glance at Jiang Fan, then a fierce one at Li Qingfeng. Unwillingly, he stepped aside, and the elders behind him, equally reluctant, also moved out of the way.

Jiang Fan scoffed, "Thanks. A good dog doesn't block the way." The members of the Giant Sect glared, furious. Backed by Ye Cangyuan, this brat was utterly lawless! Li Qingfeng chuckled, "Well said!" Even before all the powerful experts of the Giant Sect, Jiang Fan still displayed fearless courage. Which of the Nine Sects could boast such a junior? Li Qingfeng sheathed his sword and stepped forward. He clasped Jiang Fan's arm, squeezing it firmly. "You've grown sturdy," he said, "but your face is thinner. You must have suffered a great deal, haven't you?" As he spoke, his old eyes misted over, and his voice trembled slightly.

Jiang Fan's disappearance was undoubtedly the most devastating blow to the Azure Cloud Sect. Their rising star had fallen, and it was a reality no one could accept. Li Qingfeng, in particular, had personally brought Jiang Fan from Lone Boat City to the Azure Cloud Sect. He had witnessed every step of Jiang Fan's journey, from a dependent orphan to his current standing. His emotions were palpable.

Jiang Fan apologized, "I'm sorry to have caused Elder Li so much worry. I truly am."

Li Qingfeng quickly wiped his tears away. "What nonsense are you speaking?" he chided. "We were the ones who failed to protect you. Why are you apologizing?" He scrutinized Jiang Fan from head to toe, confirming he was completely unharmed. An irrepressible joy spread across his face. "Heaven be praised," he murmured. "Heaven truly be praised! You've returned alive from the demon territories!"

"I was just below the mountain caring for Elder Zhao when I heard someone say you were back. I thought they were playing a trick on me. I never imagined... it really is you..." As he spoke, his eyes welled up again with old tears, which began to fall.

With Jiang Fan's disappearance and presumed death, the once-flourishing Azure Cloud Sect had plummeted from its esteemed position. It was inevitable that envious individuals would seize the opportunity to mock them. Over the past month, they had heard countless rumors of Jiang Fan's return, tricks that had repeatedly sent them to Boundary Mountain, only to stand there foolishly, becoming objects of ridicule. People laughed at their persistent, naive hopes, their unwavering belief that Jiang Fan might still be alive.

This time, Li Qingfeng still suspected it was a prank. Yet, he came, holding onto a sliver of desperate hope. What if, just what if, it truly was Jiang Fan? To his astonishment, he actually saw Jiang Fan! It took him a moment to fully process it; Jiang Fan had already been harassed by the Giant Sect for some time before he snapped out of his daze.

A wave of warmth washed over Jiang Fan. "Not only have I returned," he said, "but I've also brought some surprises for everyone." He then added, "By the way, where is the Sect Master? And the others? Why are you the only one here?"

Li Qingfeng wiped away his tears with his sleeve. "The Sect Master, the Grand Elders, the Elders, and the elite disciples have all been searching for you within the demon territories for the past month," he explained. "Only Elder Zhao, Xu Yining, and I remain here."

Jiang Fan's heart tightened. "They're not in danger, are they?" he thought, remembering that this was the time the Demon Emperor was leading his army south. But then he quickly dismissed the worry; if the demon race had truly killed so many powerful Azure Cloud Sect members, there would undoubtedly have been news.

He paused, then asked with surprise, "Did you just say you were caring for Elder Zhao? Why? Wasn't Elder Zhao's injury healed by Concubine Yunxia?" Zhao Wuji's fatal wound had indeed been treated by Concubine Yunxia's nine tails at the time. Why was he still unwell after so long?

Li Qingfeng sighed. "He fell ill from self-reproach," he said. "He believes he held you back."

Jiang Fan quietly sighed. "Elder Zhao is overthinking it," he said. "I'll speak with Deputy Pavilion Master Ye first, then I'll come with you to see him."

Li Qingfeng nodded, his face alight with joy. He knew that with Jiang Fan's return, Elder Zhao Wuji's condition might instantly improve.

Under everyone's watchful eyes, Jiang Fan entered the tent. Ye Cangyuan sat at a table, a faint smile gracing his otherwise stern face. "It's truly a miracle you're still alive," he said. "If the Pavilion Master hadn't personally sent word, I wouldn't have believed you could still be alive after all this time."

Jiang Fan chuckled softly. "Just fortunate, I suppose." He shifted his gaze slightly. "May I ask, Deputy Pavilion Master Ye, who informed the Heavenly Dao Pavilion Master that I was alive and had appeared in the northernmost reaches of the demon territories?"

Jiang Fan had always assumed it was Grand Elder Qin Wangchuan and the others who had sent the message. However, they were still on their way back. Clearly, it wasn't them. "Could it have been Lingyin, the demon priestess?" Jiang Fan probed. He knew that woman had gone as far as to set a trap for Concubine Yunxia, perhaps to protect her daughter Yao Yue from being implicated by Jiang Fan's death. The possibility of her notifying the Heavenly Dao Pavilion Master wasn't low.

"How could that be?" Ye Cangyuan flatly denied. "Our Pavilion Master wouldn't have contact with a demon priestess. The informant was a highly respected individual among the demon race. As for who it was, you needn't ask."

Jiang Fan frowned. Who among the demon race would aid humanity? While they might resent the Heaven's Dome Demon Emperor, they would never align with humans. However, from Ye Cangyuan's tone, this was clearly confidential. Jiang Fan decided not to press further and cupped his hands. "May I ask what instructions the Pavilion Master has for me?" he said. "This junior will spare no effort to carry them out."

Ye Cangyuan smiled faintly. "No need to be nervous," he said. "The Pavilion Master merely requires your assistance in translating a document."

He produced a peculiar bronze artifact: a fierce, unknown beast. It had a gaping maw filled with dense fangs, and its eyes were terrifyingly malevolent. Its body was covered in scales, each adorned with menacing barbs. Its four hooved feet glowed with blood-red fire. Even as a bronze statue, the sight of it sent a shiver through Jiang Fan.

"What is this?" Jiang Fan asked.

Ye Cangyuan answered gravely, "A Hellish Desolate Beast."

"What?" Jiang Fan's pupils constricted. "The Hellish Desolate Beast sealed in the Tiger Demon Emperor's lair? Is this its true form? What I saw then was only a single claw extending."

"What exactly is a Hellish Desolate Beast?" Jiang Fan's expression showed confusion.

Ye Cangyuan's expression grew serious. "Historical records are scarce," he explained. "The last mention of it dates back to ancient times. It seemed to appear on the continent out of nowhere, without any discernible origin. But shortly after its appearance, the ancient giants mysteriously descended. When the War of Ancient Giants concluded, the Hellish Desolate Beast vanished once more."

He paused for a moment, a trace of fear in his eyes. "After a thousand years, it has appeared again."

Jiang Fan understood the dread in Ye Cangyuan's gaze. He drew a sharp breath. "Are you suggesting, Deputy Pavilion Master Ye... that the Hellish Desolate Beast is a precursor to the ancient giants' return?"