I Shall Be Everlasting In the World of Immortals

Chapter 313: Yan Donglai Appears?

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At the border between two nations, in a barren wilderness.

Roar!

A colossal fourth-rank Demon King, towering like a mountain, stood with horns protruding from its head and four bloodshot eyes. Its four hooves were as massive as giant pillars, exhaling clouds of mist, and its thunderous roars were accompanied by pitiful wails of pain.

Under its enormous body, the surrounding trees and human figures seemed no larger than grasshoppers.

On the Beast King’s shoulder knelt a woman, her complexion pale—she was the Peacock Saintess.

Her magnificent, multicolored robes had been torn apart, revealing snow-white skin as smooth as jade. A feathered crown formed of peacock plumage adorned her, giving her an eerie yet sacred aura.

On her pristine, alabaster back, a pair of enormous five-colored wings, drenched in blood, had emerged. These wings stretched to a length of seven or eight zhang, radiating a terrifying peacock-like energy. The overwhelming force of this aura was enough to shock even Core Formation Great Cultivators.

Upon closer inspection, her current semi-human form was her fusion with her lifebound spirit beast, the Five-Colored Peacock. The chaotic fluctuations in her magical power were a sign she was stepping into the threshold of the Nascent Soul stage.

“The Beast Harmony Technique greatly diminishes her intelligence and rationality during its use. The backlash afterward will be severe.”
“Cornered beasts fight desperately. Stall her a little longer—be wary of her escape techniques!”

In front of the fourth-rank Demon King, even the figures of the two Nascent Soul True Monarchs appeared small. Each of them carried a vast, glowing ring of magical power that spanned over a li, their greatness was majestic.

The two of them worked in sync, wielding their abilities with ease as they mercilessly shattered the Demon King’s armored scales. The colossal beast was thrown down into the forest, collapsing several mountain peaks in the process and sending dust and rubble flying into the sky.

The several Core Formation Great Cultivators, led by Liang Shaotian, formed a formation to assist in the assault, ensuring that the Peacock Saintess had no chance of escape.

“Sect Master Liang’s information was spot on—we’ve really netted a big fish this time!”

“The Five-Colored Peacock carries a faint trace of True Spirit bloodline, and the Beast Harmony Technique is terrifying—even a group of Core Formation Great Cultivators working together might not be enough to stop her.”

“If that demoness were to fully ascend to the Nascent Soul Realm, she would be an enormous threat in the future!”

The Core Formation cultivators were visibly excited.

Today’s battle would undoubtedly earn them significant merit.

After all, this Beast King Valley cultivator had violated the terms of their ceasefire by sneaking into the rear of the Righteous Dao Alliance’s territory to cause trouble.

Even if they killed the Peacock Saintess, it would be entirely justified, and Beast King Valley would have no grounds for complaint.

For the Righteous Dao Alliance, this kind of opportunity to weaken Beast King Valley’s strength was a gift they could not pass up.

Liang Shaotian spoke in a low voice, “Be cautious, everyone—don’t let the Peacock Saintess escape.”

The Core Formation cultivators maintained their formation with vigilance, while restrictions set by the Nascent Soul True Monarchs sealed off all escape routes. R𝔞ƝỔＢЁŠ

...

Several hundred li away, deep within the mountain forest.

A man wearing gray-white robe in a straw hat stood concealed among the trees, watching the earth-shattering battle in the distance.

This location was already well beyond the range of a Nascent Soul True Monarch’s spiritual sense.

Even so, this wasn’t the true body of Lan Changʼan—his real self was more than seven or eight thousand li away.

Due to the great distance and the rising clouds of dust, Lan Changʼan couldn’t clearly make out the details of the battle. However, he could still form a rough judgment.

“Beast fusion technique? Good thing I didn’t confront her directly. Even if I were to pursue her and pick my moment, my chances of victory would barely reach fifty percent.”

From what Lan Changʼan could observe, even the two Nascent Soul True Monarchs were taking the matter seriously in their efforts to capture the Peacock Saintess.

At the moment, the Peacock Saintess and her fourth-rank Demon King were akin to two weakened versions of Nascent Soul True Monarchs.

“The fourth-rank Demon King’s mobility is inferior, and it’s not skilled in escape techniques—there’s no way it will get away.”

Lan Changʼan came to this conclusion after a moment of contemplation.

The fourth-rank Demon King was a product of Beast King Valley’s technique to artificially accelerate the creature’s growth, sacrificing its lifespan and potential in exchange for its massive size and strength.

While its combat power rivaled that of the Nascent Soul stage, its intelligence and mobility were notably inferior.

Of course, this reduced mobility was only in comparison to Nascent Soul cultivators—it was still faster than a late-stage Core Formation cultivator.

The fourth-rank Demon King accompanying the Peacock Saintess had been fighting on the battlefield for decades. Its injuries had yet to heal, and it was far from its peak state.

In Lan Changʼan’s eyes, even if the Peacock Saintess possessed life-saving techniques, it would be extremely difficult for her to escape this predicament.

A Nascent Soul-level trump card could intimidate those below the Nascent Soul stage, but it wasn’t enough to deal with two Nascent Soul True Monarchs simultaneously.

The Peacock Saintess’s current dire situation had been carefully orchestrated by none other than Lan Changʼan himself.

Under normal circumstances, he wouldn’t have been able to predict the exact route the Peacock Saintess would take to retreat.

However, when the Peacock Saintess arrived at Xuan Yin Pavilion, Lan Changʼan had sent his puppet clone that was stationed in Gutian Immortal City, to set things in motion.

Lan Changʼan himself followed behind the Peacock Saintess at a distance, remotely controlling the puppet.

At the mid-Core Formation stage, Lan Changʼan’s ability to control his puppet clone had extended significantly. As long as he wasn’t actively fighting, he could maintain contact even at a distance of 20,000 li.

The Peacock Saintess had intended to pass through the gap between Liang Kingdom and Jing Kingdom to return to Chen Kingdom, a territory occupied by the demonic forces.

This route was shorter and lacked any stationed Nascent Soul forces.

However, it was perilously close to Xuan Yin Sect.

Xuan Yin Sect’s head, Liang Shaotian, had been suppressed by the Peacock Saintess on the demonic battlefield. Naturally, someone who carried a fourth-rank Demonic King like her wouldn’t regard him with much importance..

Lan Changʼan controlled his puppet to visit Xuan Yin Sect’s stronghold ahead of time, leaving behind critical intelligence.

He left a jade slip containing the information, marked with the insignia of a “Flying Swallow,” to make sure Liang Shaotian would pay attention to it.

Over the years, Liang Shaotian had never exposed the secret of “Yan Donglai.” Lan Changʼan was confident he would continue to do so.

Liang Shaotian’s caution was entirely within Lan Changʼan’s expectations.

A century or two ago, Liang Shaotian had been infamous and widely despised. Even if he were to leak the secret, it was uncertain whether anyone would believe him—or whether they’d dare provoke a Nascent Soul-level old monster who had possessed another body.

As long as he was intimidated by the reputation of Yan Donglai, revealing the secret would bring him no benefit and only harm, while also leaving him to fear the potential reckoning of a legendary Great Cultivator in the future

For the same reason, Lan Changʼan back when he was only at the Foundation Establishment stage didnʼt dare to expose a cultivator possessed by the Hundred Abodes Soul Gu, because the latter had too many sub-bodies, which were bizarre and difficult to deal with. The risk of retaliation from the horrifyingly cunning creature was too great, even for higher-level cultivators.

As the foremost Core Formation cultivator in the Righteous Dao Alliance, Liang Shaotian held significant sway, trusted and heavily relied upon by Alliance Leader Chu.

With the critical intelligence in hand, Liang Shaotian had contacted the higher-ups of the Righteous Dao Alliance, prompting them to dispatch two Nascent Soul True Monarchs without hesitation.

Had it been Zhang Tieshan instead, he might not have had the same influence.

If Zhang Tieshan had delivered the information, the operation would have been directly linked to Lan Changʼan, jeopardizing his plans.

...

”Huh! The power of a fourth-rank Spirit Talisman!”

Moments later, as Lan Changʼan continued observing from afar, he suddenly sensed an intense fluctuation of spiritual energy.

In the battle zone several hundred li away, a terrifying wave of energy erupted, manifesting in the sky as a jade-like Ruyi Scepter.

The temporary formations and restrictions that had been set up were torn apart, creating a massive breach.

At the fourth rank, talismans were no longer mere tools—they were called Spirit Talismans. These rare treasures contained the sealed powers of Nascent Soul-level magical techniques or Nascent Soul-level magical treasures.

Fourth-rank Spirit Talismans were extremely rare. Even in the vast Liang Kingdom, it would be hard to find more than a few.

Only someone like the Peacock Saintess, from a top-tier sect, could produce such a precious item.

”It’s not just one talisman! There’s another—a fourth-rank Escape Talisman!”

Lan Changʼan’s expression shifted slightly.

The first talisman was a divine ability-type Spirit Talisman, and when paired with the Five-Colored Peacock’s restriction-breaking power, it created an opening in the hastily constructed formations and restrictions.

Whoosh!

A black, sinister gust of wind enveloped the Five-Colored Peacock, allowing it to break through the encirclement. The Core Formation cultivators blocking its path were sent flying by the immense force.

The black wind’s power not only enhanced speed but also provided a protective shield.

Roar!

The colossal fourth-rank Demon King, as massive as a mountain, seized the opportunity to break through the blockade and flew southeast toward Chen Kingdom.

Meanwhile, the Peacock Saintess flew in the opposite direction, toward the northern of the Black Fog Mountain Range, in the direction of the boundless desert.

The two split up, taking completely opposite paths.

“Split up and pursue them! The demoness is already at the end of her rope—after using the Beast Harmony Technique, she’s in a weakened state,” one of the Righteous Dao Alliance’s Nascent Soul cultivators instructed.

The two Nascent Soul True Monarchs had no choice but to divide their forces.

The more powerful Six Sun True Monarch, who had once defeated the Master Lihuo, took charge of pursuing the Peacock Saintess.

Meanwhile, Heavenly Net Old Ancestor stayed behind with two late-stage Core Formation cultivators to handle the fourth-rank Demon King.

“As expected, the Peacock Saintess found the only possible route to escape.”

Far away, over seven or eight thousand li distant, Lan Changʼan chuckled lightly.

Whether going forward, left, or right, all paths led deeper into the Righteous Dao Alliance’s territory.

Once her location had been exposed, it was impossible for the Peacock Saintess to cut through the Alliance’s sphere of influence and return to Beast King Valley.

Her only viable path lay behind her—the endless desert in the Fengyuan Kingdom, where she had a slim chance of survival.

Fengyuan Kingdom was protected by the Heavenly Master, who prohibited foreign Nascent Soul cultivators from stirring up trouble on their territory.

Furthermore, the desert’s harsh environment, filled with endless flying sand, limited both spiritual sense detection and tracking techniques.

Essentially, it was the same as Lan Changʼanʼs escape strategy back then.

Unfortunately for the Peacock Saintess, this option had also been anticipated by Lan Changʼan.

When it came to Nascent Soul big shots, deductions and calculations became less reliable due to the overwhelming resistance of their cultivation realm.

However, with Lan Changʼan’s extensive experience accumulated over several lifetimes, judging the general flow of events was not difficult.

Half a day later.

The Peacock Saintess had dispelled her Beast Fusion state and entered the Flying Sand Desert.

However, she could still sense a distant Nascent Soul True Monarch locking onto her general location.

Clearly, her pursuers had the assistance of either a divination master or a tracking expert.

“Que’er! If we stay together, neither of us will escape.”

The Peacock Saintess, pale-faced and weakened, spoke bitterly.

The Five-Colored Peacock let out a mournful cry.

Reluctantly, it separated from its master and flew in another direction at a speed far surpassing that of a typical late-stage Core Formation cultivator.

The Peacock Saintess and her spirit bird split up.

Along with the fourth-rank Demon King, which had already fled in a different direction, it effectively split into three escape routes, dispersing the strength of their pursuers.

Before long, Six Sun True Monarch, accompanied by Liang Shaotian and three late-stage Core Formation cultivators, arrived at the spot where the Peacock Saintess and her lifebound spirit bird had parted ways.

One of the Core Formation cultivators was an experienced tracking master. After briefly examining the scene, he quickly provided an answer.

“Sect Master Liang, capturing the Peacock Demoness will be no trouble for me. The three of you should track down the Five-Colored Peacock.”

Six Sun True Monarch made his decision without hesitation.

The Peacock Saintess was injured, in a severely weakened state, and had already exhausted her fourth-rank Escape Talisman. As a key figure in Beast King Valley, capturing her was a task Six Sun True Monarch intended to personally undertake.

...

The Flying Sand Desert, infamous for its environment, was plagued by fierce winds during the dead of night. Dust storms of varying sizes swirled across the region, making the already dangerous terrain even more treacherous.

Compared to the central area of the Fengyuan Kingdom, the outer edges of the wastelands were ten times harsher in scale and environmental hostility, forming a natural barrier.

Whoosh!

A streak of five-colored light, in the form of a glowing pair of wings, zipped through the chaotic sandstorms that loomed over the dark desert.

”You wretched beast! Already injured and exhausted—where do you think you’re running to?”

Behind it, a dark cloud of demonic flames surged forward. At its center was a sinister man with long hair, wearing a robe embroidered with black patterns—a robe denoting his status as the head of a demonic sect.

This man was none other than Liang Shaotian, the Righteous Dao Alliance’s top Core Formation cultivator, who also practiced demonic escape techniques. These techniques were among the most advanced and had previously allowed him to narrowly escape a Nascent Soul True Monarch’s pursuit on the battlefield.

Among the group of late-stage Core Formation cultivators who had been chasing the Five-Colored Peacock, only Liang Shaotian’s speed was barely sufficient to keep up.

The Five-Colored Peacock, bearing a heavenly-grade bloodline, was naturally faster. However, its energy had been drained heavily during the earlier battle, and after flying for a long period of time, its speed had inevitably slipped.

Eh?

Suddenly, as Liang Shaotian continued his pursuit, a chill ran through his very soul.

He felt an intense and spine-chilling sense of mortal danger.

At that moment, a piercing metallic screech echoed in his mind, as if his soul was being torn apart. Even as a late-stage Core Formation cultivator, Liang Shaotian couldn’t help but tremble from the overwhelming pressure.

The Five-Colored Peacock, sensing the same danger, let out a mournful and fearful cry.

Swish!

From the dust-covered void ahead, a dim and indistinct arrow materialized—a ghostly, barbed arrow—shimmering with an eerie, bone-chilling aura that would make even Nascent Soul cultivators hesitate in fear.

Its speed was far beyond the limits of any Core Formation cultivator to comprehend.

Shing!

By the time Liang Shaotian and the Five-Colored Peacock noticed its presence, it was already too late. They only caught a fleeting afterimage of the spectral arrow.

Thud!

The Five-Colored Peacock’s massive body stiffened mid-air. A bloody hole appeared in its abdomen.

The spectral barbed arrow, infused with a bluish, blood-soaked glow, had pierced straight through the Heavenly Beast’s body, delivering a chilling death blow.

Its mournful cries echoed across the windswept desert night.

The Peacock’s once-vivid eyes now reflected fear, chaos, and despair. Not only had its heart been pierced, but its soul had suffered a devastating blow. Its consciousness was thrown into disarray, racked with searing pain that shook its very essence.

The Five-Colored Peacock struggled weakly in a futile attempt to flap its wings but ultimately fell from the sky, plummeting toward the desert below.

”One strike… instant kill!”

Liang Shaotian, who had been pursuing from behind, froze in shock. His flying light faltered, and his scalp tingled with fear.

A powerful sense of foreboding flooded his mind.

The Five-Colored Peacock was of a heavenly-grade bloodline, and had cultivated to the late third rank, making it comparable to a top Core Formation Great Cultivator.

Even in its injured and weakened state, Liang Shaotian would have needed to put up a hard fight to take it down.

That barbed arrow magical treasure was undoubtedly a full-force strike from a Nascent Soul True Monarch that was imbued with a sinister and venomous soul attack.

With just one strike, it took down the late-stage third-rank Five-Colored Peacock.

”Dare I ask… which senior it is?”

Suppressing his fear, Liang Shaotian turned toward the direction where the Five-Colored Peacock had fallen, his voice trembling with caution.

Amidst the darkness of the sandy desert night, a figure emerged.

It was the silhouette of a man in azure robes, standing with his hands behind his back. His form was faint and ethereal, exuding an air of mystery.

The howling winds and swirling sand seemed unable to approach within three feet of this azure-robed figure.

Liang Shaotian immediately felt the oppressive Nascent Soul-level pressure emanating from the man’s spiritual sense.

This aura was far more terrifying than that of Six Sun True Monarch or Heavenly Net Old Ancestor.

The man’s presence was surreal—at one moment, he seemed close enough to touch; the next, he felt as though he were separated by an infinite chasm of mountains and rivers.

It was a power that Liang Shaotian could only describe as an insurmountable higher realm.

”Liang Shaotian, we meet again.”

The man’s clear and calm voice echoed. With a wave of his sleeve, he retrieved the barbed arrow magical treasure.

”You are… Senior Yan!”

Liang Shaotian’s eyes widened in realization. His long, narrow eyes flashed with reverence and dread. Without hesitation, he bowed deeply toward the azure-robed figure’s back.

Even though the figure’s true appearance was obscured, the silhouette of this legendary Nascent Soul Great Cultivator standing amidst the storm seemed to dominate the boundless desert, becoming its very center.

So much so that Liang Shaotian didn’t even notice the Five-Colored Peacock’s body being swallowed by a spinning vortex of sand on the ground, vanishing without a trace.

”A complete Five-Colored Peacock… acquired!”

Far away, Lan Changʼan couldn’t suppress a smile of satisfaction.

In the past, he was beaten to a pulp and forced to flee in the face of this very same Five-Colored Peacock.

Now, with careful planning, he had killed it in a single strike.

Obtaining the corpse of a heavenly bloodline spirit beast would greatly aid his future plans to create an exotic spirit puppet imitating the form of a True Spirit. With this, the main material was no longer a concern.

”Little Liang, have you ever leaked any information about me to the Righteous Dao Alliance?”

The azure-robed figure, still standing with his hands behind his back, spoke slowly.

”Senior Yan, I have always kept your information strictly confidential. Even regarding the intelligence for this operation, I have not revealed a single word to the Righteous Dao Alliance.”

”If necessary, I am willing to swear a heart demon oath.”

Liang Shaotian, treading as if on thin ice, replied with utmost caution.

In the entire Righteous Dao Alliance, only a select few could refer to him as “Little Liang”.

Even if one ignored the prestige and unfathomable nature of this Legendary Great Cultivator, a strike from the barbed arrow would leave him severely wounded, if not outright dead.

This soul Dao magical treasure, the speed of its attack was simply too fast, and he had no possibility of escaping.

”Not bad, you’re a smart man.”

The azure-robed man nodded slightly.

Liang Shaotian exhaled softly, sensing that this legendary figure held no hostility toward him.

Moreover, this time when he ambushed the Peacock Saintess, he had more or less helped Senior Yan.

”Senior Yan, your ability to calculate events is truly godlike. To think that even a high and mighty figure like the Peacock Saintess, as well as the fourth-rank Demon King, would be effortlessly ensnared and taken down. I am deeply impressed.”

”Heh, those calculations weren’t mine. I was merely in the right place at the right time.”

The azure-robed figure chuckled, shaking his head in denial, appearing inscrutable.

”If itʼs not you, then it must be...”

As Liang Shaotian pondered these words, the azure-robed man’s gaze subtly shifted toward the skies of Fengyuan Kingdom.

Realization dawned on Liang Shaotian.

At Senior Yan’s level, having already regained his Nascent Soul cultivation, there was no need for such intricate schemes to deal with a mere demonic sect saintess.

This must have been the work of Fengyuan Kingdom’s Heavenly Master who was skilled in divination and schemes.

Lan Changʼan secretly chuckled to himself.

With the soul of the fourth life attached, combined with his expertise in divination and the protection of several rare magical items, ensured that his presence remained obscured within the grand machinations of fate.

Even the Heavenly Master of Fengyuan Kingdom, with their fourth-rank divination expertise, would not be able to deduce the truth behind today’s events.

The fourth lifeʼs possession was a secret of the Nine Seal Stele, something that the Heavenly Master could not calculate, as it was obscured by the mysterious veil of heavenly secrets.

This was one of the reasons for his nascent soul possessoin. Moving forward, he has to be cautious of the hidden threat lurking behind.

Even though the Heavenly Master was notoriously a recluse and rarely ventured out, it was unlikely he would leave Feng Yuan Kingdom.

This Heavenly Master who never leaves his home is still capable of calculating the world, and thus cannot be left unguarded.

”Itʼs good that you know, but without a True Monarch by your side, do not speak carelessly, or that person might foresee it.”

Lan Changʼan gave a simple instruction.

Liang Shaotian immediately agreed, and his understanding of the situation began to clear up.

The capture of the Peacock Saintess was orchestrated by the Heavenly Master, who was attempting to stir conflict between the Righteous Dao Alliance and Beast King Valley.

”Senior Yan...”

Liang Shaotian was about to ask more questions.

Suddenly, the man in the azure robe turned around, his gaze fixing on the back of Liang Shaotian, where a domineering, intense nascent soul presence was approaching.

Liang Shaotian, unable to detect the level of the presence, guessed it might be one of the two nascent soul true monarchs.

”Unfortunately, itʼs not Ancestor Heavenly Net whoʼs coming.”

The azure-robed man muttered, and his figure became indistinct, disappearing from Liang Shaotian’s sight, blending into the endless desert under the night.

Not Ancestor Heavenly Net?

Liang Shaotian’s heart skipped a beat, pondering the meaning of those words.

Could it be that Senior Yan had been waiting here to strike and kill Ancestor Heavenly Net of the Heavenly Net Sect?

Liang Shaotian had been paying attention to the conflicts between Heavenly Net Sect and Lan Changʼan.

”Worthy of being a Nascent Soul Great Cultivator. Just recovering to the nascent soul level, and already possessing the power to kill opponents of the same rank.”

Liang Shaotian was very clear about how difficult it was to kill someone of the same rank during the nascent soul stage.

...

After a while, the Six Sun True Monarch of the Golden Sun Sect returned, carrying the gravely injured and unconscious Peacock Saintess.

Her once-pristine and luxurious robes were in tatters, barely covering her body. Her fair arms were tied behind her back, her long, snow-white legs and bare feet bound by shimmering chains.

”Congratulations to Six Sun True Monarch for capturing the Peacock Saintess,” Liang Shaotian said with a faint smile.

He took a brief glance at the Peacock Saintess. Her injuries were severe, her spiritual energy completely drained, and her aura weakened to the extreme.

Though she might recover in the future, after using the Beast Harmony Technique and suffering such devastating wounds, it would take immense care and resources to avoid permanent damage to her cultivation foundation.

”And the Five-Colored Peacock? Was it not captured?”

Six Sun True Monarch casually asked.

”Senior, my speed could not compare to that of the Five-Colored Peacock. During the pursuit, I had a growing sense of unease, as if I was being watched.

”...Eventually, it managed to escape toward the Fengyuan Kingdom.”

Liang Shaotian had already prepared his explanation and delivered it smoothly.

Six Sun True Monarch wasn’t surprised by this result.

The Five-Colored Peacock, as a late third-rank spirit beast with a heavenly bloodline, was naturally faster than both the fourth-rank Demon King and the Peacock Saintess.

”That feeling of being watched… To make someone like you, the top Core Formation cultivator of the Righteous Dao Alliance, feel uneasy in these wastelands… it can only be that person.”

Six Sun True Monarch’s deep eyes glowed faintly with a red light as he gazed coldly in the direction of Fengyuan Kingdom.

...

Half a day later.

By the time Six Sun True Monarch and Liang Shaotian returned to the border of Jing Kingdom, the rest of the team had already completed their mission.

On the other side, Heavenly Net Old Ancestor, along with the Righteous Dao Alliance’s Core Formation experts, had successfully killed the injured fourth-rank Demon King.

Capturing the Peacock Saintess and killing the Demon King were major victories for the Righteous Dao Alliance.

The Five-Colored Peacock’s escape was a minor regret, but ultimately irrelevant to the larger success of the operation.

Liang Shaotian, having provided crucial intelligence, was credited with a significant contribution.

A gathering was held in the main hall of Xuan Yin Sect. Both Nascent Soul True Monarchs and the Core Formation cultivators who participated in the operation convened for what was effectively a small victory banquet.

”To both True Monarchs, I have already sent word of our success to Alliance Leader Chu,” one of the Core Formation cultivators reported.

After the official reports, the group began to reflect on the events that led to this victory. Even the Nascent Soul True Monarchs couldn’t help but feel that something was odd.

For the Peacock Saintess and the fourth-rank Demon King to show up in Righteous Dao Alliance territory—and for their exact movements to be so easily discovered—there had to be an underlying scheme at play.

It was as if this opportunity had fallen into their laps, too perfectly aligned to be a coincidence.

”Hmph! There’s no need to overthink this!”

The youthful-looking Heavenly Net Old Ancestor, with his handsome features and a hint of mockery in his tone, downed a bowl of spirit wine and sneered.

”This is clearly the work of that old fox, the Heavenly Master of Fengyuan Kingdom. He wouldn’t dare openly offend Beast King Valley, so he hides in the shadows, using us as tools to stoke the fire between the two factions.”

Heavenly Net Old Ancestor’s current body was a recently possessed one, the younger cousin of Xia Wenyue’s biological father. Thus, his appearance bore some resemblance to Xia Wuji.

As an experienced Nascent Soul cultivator, Heavenly Net Old Ancestor was familiar with the Heavenly Master’s methods.

A reclusive figure, the Heavenly Master rarely left his residence, avoided direct combat, and was reluctant to involve himself in karmic entanglements.

If something could be resolved through scheming and manipulation, he would never resort to force.

”Yes, this does resemble the style of the Heavenly Master,” Six Sun True Monarch agreed, nodding slightly.

”Still, his scheming this time helped us earn merit. We’ll let it slide for now. But if he dares to overstep again, I’ll propose to Alliance Leader Chu that we pay that old fox a visit and remind him of his place.”

After several rounds of wine, Heavenly Net Old Ancestor coughed lightly and raised a suggestion.

”Cough! Old friend Six Sun, I am skilled at interrogation and soul-searching. Leave that little Peacock to me—I’ll personally extract all the information she has.”

“Fellow Daoist Heavenly Net need not bother.”

Six Sun True Monarch shot Heavenly Net Old Ancestor a cold glance. Even if they were separated by an entire cultivation nation, he could see through the man’s intentions.

Heavenly Net Old Ancestor, infamous for his countless wives, concubines, and descendants, had turned the Heavenly Net Sect, a lineage spanning tens of thousands of years, into what was essentially the Xie Family Sect.

”The Peacock Saintess holds a special status in Beast King Valley. Her sea of consciousness is protected by a powerful restriction. Forcing a soul search could destroy her sea of consciousness entirely.”

Six Sun True Monarch’s tone turned firm.

”This woman, she will remain in my Liang Kingdomʼs Golden Sun Sect as a hostage. Her fate will be decided later.”

Six Sun True Monarch knew that the Peacock Saintess was a critical bargaining chip. She had to be carefully safeguarded, not handed over to someone like Heavenly Net Old Ancestor, who might “play her to death.”