NOVPUBAfter a round of inspection, Tang Ji returned with a look of joy, leading Enforcer Bao and a group of Golden Core Craftsmen back with him.
"They’re refugees from the Qi Dynasty."
Tang Ji communicated via telepathy.
Upon hearing this, Wang Ba also flew forward to meet them.
Although these Qi Dynasty cultivators were all somewhat panicked, they quickly settled down under Tang Ji’s arrangements.
Enforcer Bao followed suit to look after them.
It was only after being busy for a while that he returned to Yuhuang Peak to report to Tang Ji and Wang Ba.
"We encountered people from the Kingdom of Immortals at the border of Song and Qiao. They were right in the middle of capturing these Qi Dynasty cultivators. Master Song acted immediately and wiped out the people from the Kingdom of Immortals, saving them."
Tang Ji expressed his confusion:
"Since these Qi Dynasty refugees were already saved, why didn’t Master Song come back with us?"
Enforcer Bao shook his head:
"These Qi Dynasty cultivators realized something was wrong just after the Qi State capital fell and escaped in the chaos, carrying few treasures with them. According to them, there are several more groups behind them who are descendants of the Qi Dynasty Royal Clan, and they have many treasures."
"Upon learning this news, the Master dispatched me to bring back this group of people first, while they continued to delve deeper."
Tang Ji immediately frowned.
Wang Ba, standing aside, suddenly spoke up:
"May I ask Enforcer Bao, why has the Master not replied to Guardian Tang?"
Enforcer Bao hastily replied: "Master Song has specifically sealed the Spirit Rhinoceros Stone, saying that he fears the people from the Kingdom of Immortals will detect the fluctuations from the Spirit Rhinoceros Stone and discover our whereabouts."
Upon hearing this, Tang Ji and Wang Ba exchanged glances, then nodded and said:
"Enforcer Bao, it’s hard on you to take care of these people and prevent any accidents." 𝒏𝙤𝙫𝒑𝙪𝙗.𝙘𝒐𝙢
Enforcer Bao nodded and then swiftly took his leave.
"Master Song is really at ease, but it’s hard on us."
Tang Ji shook his head helplessly.
Wang Ba nodded in agreement.
Being unable to contact the people ahead was the most tormenting for the cultivators at the rear.
Not only had to worry about whether Song Dongyang and others would encounter danger, but crucially, if they did encounter danger, these people would have to figure out how to rescue them.
They needed to maintain their alertness at all times.
So much so that Tang Ji couldn’t help but sigh softly:
"Who knows when the Sect will send an Elder over, sigh..."
...
Inside the Wanxiang Sect.
Inside the Pure Yang Palace.
Xun FuJun sat cross-legged in front of the incense burner, eyes closed.
Suddenly sensing something, he opened his eyes and looked towards a side hall within the Pure Yang Palace.
Squinting slightly, he said softly, "Tianqi, go tell him."
Outside the hall, a respectful young voice promptly responded:
"Yes, Sect Master."
Before long, Xun FuJun felt the figure outside the door quickly leave and head to the side hall.
Inside the side hall, an overjoyed and robust voice suddenly erupted:
"Hahaha, I’ve finally frickin’ emerged from my retreat! Dammit Xun, where the hell are you! Let’s see how you like a taste of my fist!"
Xun FuJun’s face remained expressionless.
His slightly twitching facial muscles, however, betrayed his inner turmoil.
The voice quickly turned to astonishment:
"What? I’m to be the Guardian of Chen State? You’re joking! A good horse doesn’t eat the same grass twice... What? The Sect Master personally decreed it?"
"The Sect Master’s word... The Sect Master’s word doesn’t cut it either! Two thousand merits a year are nothing but alms!"
"I’m going to see the Sect Master. Having reached Immortal Ascension, isn’t it only reasonable to be made an Elder! Don’t stop me... Hiss—wait, that’s not right, I remember it was always that little punk Xu Ying guarding the gate, hold on, are you that personal disciple who hangs around with Xun? Called Zhou Tianqi?"
The originally boisterous voice suddenly turned stern:
"Why are you here?"
"The aura inside the Pure Yang Palace..."
Then a shocked and angry young voice exclaimed:
"This is the abode of the Sect Master, do not intrude recklessly!"
"Get lost!"
The next moment, the hall doors were blown open with a bang.
A figure staggered in as it was violently thrown backward.
Xun FuJun’s face remained calm, as he flicked his middle finger.
The figure abruptly stopped in mid-air.
Yet another imposing figure with bare upper body and bulging muscles burst in!
Upon seeing Xun FuJun seated in front of the incense burner, the muscular figure’s eyes widened in fury.
A chaotic-colored glow spread out from his body in an instant, and as he clenched his right fist, countless Divine Patterns swirled towards his fist like fish in water and he smashed his fist towards Xun FuJun furiously!
The force of the punch distorted the space!
Space compressed in an instant!
And it seemed to release in the next moment!
Zhou Tianqi, the Nascent Soul Later Stage cultivator who had just steadied himself, was uncontrollably squeezed out by the force and smashed against the wall of the great hall.
In his eyes lay uncontainable fear!
And facing the furious punch of the muscular figure,
Xun FuJun still remained calm, simply lifting a finger nonchalantly.
At that moment, the chaotic glow expanding in all directions came to an abrupt halt.
The muscular figure’s punch also froze in mid-air.
He said softly:
"Yao Wudi, you have intruded into the Pure Yang Palace. Tell me, what should your punishment be?"
"Punish... your mother!"
Yao Wudi bellowed, and his previously frozen form suddenly swelled, breaking free of some invisible restraint. The Divine Patterns concentrated on his fist flared with light as he shot a blast towards his opponent!
Xun FuJun’s calm face finally showed a trace of surprise.
The hand that had been raising a single finger now suddenly unfolded completely!
Yet the blast, as if entering an unguarded territory, instantly crossed the distance between the two and, seemingly teleporting, appeared in front of Xun FuJun.
Just as the light was about to strike Xun FuJun’s face, a hand as white as jade seemed to move both slowly and quickly to block it in front of his eyes.
