NOVPUBChunyang Palace.
Cold and fierce snow in the high sky melted quietly before reaching the palace.
Inside the ancient and spacious great hall.
It was abuzz with people’s voices.
"What exactly does the Primitive Demonic Sect mean by this? Why would they suddenly move against the Qi State’s formation?"
"Not a single one of the six Immortal Ascension Elders managed to escape!"
"The Qi State had amassed tens of thousands of cultivators, the majority of whom were annexed by the Kingdom of Immortals… Does the Primitive Demonic Sect not realize how dangerous the situation is?!"
"To the west, we have the calamity of the great flood and the frequent transgressions of the Three Continents’ cultivators; to the east, the Kingdom of Immortals is preparing for war; and to the north, the attitude of the Primitive Demonic Sect remains ambiguous and unclear. Sect Master, we need to plan ahead!"
The cultivators’ voices were either agitated or calm, each voicing their opinions.
Shao Yangzi stood at a high place in the great hall, his expression grave.
Hearing the words of the cultivators below, his eyebrows furrowed slightly as he looked down at a group of Immortal Ascension Elders not far below him.
Among the Immortal Ascension Elders, the one at the fore was a pale, beardless man dressed in a meticulous moon-white robe.
"Does the second elder have any opinions?"
Shao Yangzi suddenly asked.
As Shao Yangzi’s voice sounded, the hall instantly fell silent.
Everyone couldn’t help but turn their attention to the figure standing at the very front of the Immortal Ascension Elders.
Under their gaze,
That figure, however, remained indifferent, stating calmly:
"My apologies, Sect Master. Xun FuJun has been facing the wall in the Ancestral Temple and is not aware of the current situation in the outside world; therefore, I dare not speak rashly."
Shao Yangzi frowned slightly but did not speak.
Standing behind Xun FuJun, among the elders robed in dark black, the Third Elder Ren Xiao could not help but speak up:
"Senior Brother Xun, it has already been made very clear. The Kingdom of Immortals mobilized twenty-three Evil Gods to besiege the capital of the Qi State. When the siege failed to progress, the Primitive Demonic Sect suddenly intervened, breaking the capital’s formation from behind. What’s unclear about that? Since the Sect Master has asked, you might as well speak freely; the Sect Master will be the judge."
Hearing Ren Xiao’s words,
Xun FuJun’s face showed no ripple, but he simply looked at Shao Yangzi, fell into a slight silence, and then said:
"The Primitive Demonic Sect has never been truly united with our Greater Jin, and any previous alliances were merely due to pressure from the cultivators of the Three Continents. Thus, I wouldn’t be surprised by any of their actions... The only concern is for that individual who emerged like a flash after three thousand years of silence over a hundred years ago."
"That individual?"
The expression on Shao Yangzi’s face darkened as he showed a touch of solemnity.
And many who were aware of that entity’s presence, upon hearing Xun FuJun’s words, their expressions involuntarily changed.
Ren Xiao, with an impatient tone, then spoke in the hall:
"What is this ’that individual’—is the name ’Han Yanzi’ forbidden to be said?"
"So what if he is a Void Refining cultivator? The world is decaying. Once a Void Refining cultivator makes a move, they will face the rejection of the world’s rules, either to ascend through a tribulation or to be killed by it! What is there to fear?"
"Senior Brother Xun, please speak openly."
Despite being directly challenged so disrespectfully by Ren Xiao, Xun FuJun showed no signs of anger and said indifferently:
"Junior Brother Ren is correct. It is just Void Refining after all, and it’s proper to call him by his name. However, this Han Yanzi made a move over a hundred years ago, yet did not face the consequences you speak of—either ascending through a tribulation or dying from it. It seems he has a way to avoid these world rules."
"It seems you may not understand what this means. Simply put, if the day we complete our Tribulation Crossing Raft, he suddenly seizes it, what should we do then?"
Upon hearing the last sentence from Xun FuJun, many in the hall among the Immortal Ascension and Nascent Soul cultivators showed a hint of deep apprehension.
Even Ren Xiao, who had not been very polite before, couldn’t help but show a serious expression.
After pondering for a moment, he responded:
"After Han Yanzi slew several Evil Gods of the Kingdom of Immortals in one go over a hundred years ago, he has not shown himself since then. It is presumed that even if he can avoid the world’s rules, the cost must be considerable, and by then, he might not have the means to snatch away the Tribulation Crossing Raft."
"Moreover, even if he captures the raft, he would likely have to face Thunder Tribulation himself—either ascend or die—so he would not need the raft for himself. Given the rumors of his cold-hearted nature, I can hardly believe he would take such a risk for the sake of the younger Demon Sect disciples. Therefore, what Senior Brother Xun suggests seems perilous, but in reality, it’s highly unlikely."
In response to Ren Xiao’s doubts, Xun FuJun merely smiled lightly:
"Why so worked up, Junior Brother? I was merely mentioning a possibility, discussing the matter as it is."
"Besides, the unusual actions of the Primitive Demonic Sect this time might just indicate that Han Yanzi has recovered from the losses of his last move, right?"
Upon hearing this, Ren Xiao huffed but before he could say anything more,
Shao Yangzi’s voice timely resonated:
"Both the Second and Third Elders make cogent points. Third Palace Master, what do you think?"
The Human Virtue Palace Master Fei Hua glanced at the Tianyuan Hall Master Lv Zhuangmei, who appeared as if he had not heard anything, then sighed softly and stepped forward to say:
"Fei believes that regardless of the Primitive Demonic Sect’s plans or what moves the Kingdom of Immortals might make, as long as we ourselves grow stronger, we need not fear. Besides, the Three Sects and One Family of the Greater Jin are united as one; we shouldn’t be afraid of them."
"Now that Qi has collapsed, there will surely be many talented cultivators and various heritages scattering in different directions, a chance we must not miss. My suggestion is to immediately send people to the borders to select suitable individuals to join our Sect."
Hearing Fei Hua’s words, Shao Yangzi nodded slightly, approvingly said:
"Hall Master Fei is prudent and mature. Indeed, one more capable person could potentially accelerate the construction of the Tribulation Crossing Raft."
