Ye Qiu and the other two remained concealed in the void, hearing every word of the conversation below with perfect clarity.
“My guess was right. That fellow is indeed the first divine son of the Yin-Yang Sect.”
Ye Qiu gazed at Qi Tian, killing intent glinting in his eyes.
Of the Yin-Yang Sect’s three divine sons, only Qi Tian, this lone seedling, now remained.
“I wonder whether, if this fellow died, Wuji Heavenly Venerable would spit blood in fury.”
Ye Qiu glanced once more at Chen Tianming and sighed inwardly. “The people from the Qingyun Sword Sect have come at truly the worst possible time.”
If the Qingyun Sword Sect contingent had not arrived, he could have unleashed the emperor-grade anomalous flame and burned everyone from the five forces in the valley to death.
But now that the Qingyun Sword Sect people were here, Ye Qiu could not do that.
After all, his relationship with Yun Xi was deep and complex.
Moreover, Chen Tianming’s background was formidable. Not only did he come from an extraordinary family, but as the first divine son of the Qingyun Sword Sect, he was certainly highly valued by Yun Shan.
If Chen Tianming were also killed, his future father-in-law would absolutely take up his sword and hack him to pieces.
“Master, what do we do now?” Elder Niu asked.
“Wait and observe,” Ye Qiu replied, glancing at the formation in the centre of the valley. “This place must conceal treasures. Otherwise, all six supreme forces of the Eastern Wasteland would not have gathered here.”
“Furthermore, not only have geniuses of the younger generation arrived, but saint-level powerhouses as well.”
“This only proves that what they seek is extraordinarily precious.”
“We stay here, bide our time, and strike when the moment is right.”
…
Meanwhile,
tens of millions of li away,
at the Qingyun Sword Sect.
Atop a sword peak shrouded in swirling clouds and mist stood a grand and imposing palace.
At that moment, Sect Leader Yun Shan and the Wine Sword Immortal were discussing matters inside the great hall.
“Sect Leader, the Burial Dragon Nest is about to open. Why not send disciples to seek the opportunity?”
The Wine Sword Immortal continued, “I have heard that a Dragon Emperor is buried within the Burial Dragon Nest.”
“That Dragon Emperor, in life, possessed heaven-defying cultivation that even Saint King powerhouses could not withstand.”
“I have also heard that the Burial Dragon Nest contains the inheritance left by the Dragon Emperor.”
“I received word that people from the Yin-Yang Sect, the Butian Sect, and the three great holy lands arrived at the Burial Dragon Nest several days ago.”
“Each faction dispatched a saint-level powerhouse along with their most talented disciples, including no shortage of divine sons and holy sons.”
“If our Qingyun Sword Sect sends no one to contest it, the Dragon Emperor’s inheritance will inevitably fall into the hands of those five factions.”
“This is a tremendous stroke of fortune.”
“Sect Leader, are we truly going to abandon it?”
Yun Shan gave a long sigh. “Everything you say, I already know. But what choice do I have?”
“Those five factions have already formed an alliance. If I send disciples, those who go to the Burial Dragon Nest may very well leave their lives there.”
“Then, should I seek vengeance for those disciples, or swallow the insult in silence?”
“In recent times, those five factions have repeatedly provoked our Qingyun Sword Sect. I have endured it without retaliation, and already many within the sect resent me for it.”
“If more disciples die in the Burial Dragon Nest, and I seek vengeance, the Eastern Wasteland will surely plunge into war, with rivers of blood. But if I do not seek vengeance, the voices of discontent within the sect will only grow louder, and before long, internal strife may tear the Qingyun Sword Sect apart.”
“Therefore, I can only refrain from sending disciples, to avoid direct conflict with those five factions.”
Having said this, Yun Shan sighed again. “To be honest, relinquishing the Dragon Emperor’s inheritance is truly regrettable, but for the greater good, I have no alternative.”
“Alas!” The Wine Sword Immortal also sighed.
Though the Qingyun Sword Sect was the foremost great faction of the Eastern Wasteland, in recent years the Yin-Yang Sect, the Butian Sect, and the three great holy lands had risen too swiftly, while the Qingyun Sword Sect’s strength had waned considerably.
The five forces now teemed with experts. If full-scale war broke out, the Qingyun Sword Sect would struggle to hold.
Most critically, harmony within the Qingyun Sword Sect itself was currently fragile.
“Forbearance in small matters preserves greater plans. We have endured silently for so long. A little more patience will do no harm,” Yun Shan said. “Once the Supreme Elder emerges from seclusion, no one will dare infringe upon our Qingyun Sword Sect.”
“Whoever dares to come will find no path back.”
The Wine Sword Immortal glanced at Yun Shan, hesitating to speak.
“In my presence, speak freely if you have something to say,” Yun Shan said.
Only then did the Wine Sword Immortal continue. “Since the Supreme Elder entered seclusion, there has been no word. Recently, rumours have spread within the sect that the Supreme Elder has long since perished, and furthermore…”
He faltered, his expression uneasy.
Yun Shan’s face darkened. In a grave voice, he demanded, “And furthermore what? Speak!”
The Wine Sword Immortal went on. “They say that the matter of the Supreme Elder’s seclusion was in fact orchestrated by you, Sect Leader. That your purpose was to borrow the Supreme Elder’s prestige to maintain your position as sect leader.”
“Utter nonsense!” Yun Shan roared in fury. “Who is spreading such rumours?”
“It is…” Just as the Wine Sword Immortal began, the palace doors swung open and a graceful figure hurried in from outside, interrupting them.
“Xi’er, why are you here?”
The newcomer was none other than Yun Shan’s only daughter, Yun Xi.
Yun Shan softened his expression and asked gently.
“Father, I heard the Burial Dragon Nest is about to open. Your daughter wishes to go and see,” Yun Xi said.
“Absolutely not.” Yun Shan’s face hardened. “I was just telling the Wine Sword Immortal that this time, the Qingyun Sword Sect will send no one to the Burial Dragon Nest.”
“Why ever not?” his daughter asked in puzzlement. “I also heard that the Burial Dragon Nest holds a Dragon Emperor’s inheritance. Whoever obtains it will surely soar to the heavens. Your daughter wishes to try her luck as well.”
“Father, my dear father, please let me go, pretty please?”
Yun Xi began to act coquettishly.
Yun Shan gave a humph. “Do not think I am unaware. Going to the Burial Dragon Nest is merely a pretext. Your true aim is to seek out that Ye Changsheng.”
Though her thoughts had been seen through, Yun Xi refused to admit it. Pouting, she said, “Father, your daughter is not going to find Ye Changsheng. I truly wish to visit the Burial Dragon Nest…”
“Enough,” Yun Shan cut in. “In any case, you are going nowhere. Remain on the mountain and cultivate diligently.”
Yun Xi was deeply dissatisfied. “Father, if you will not let your daughter go, then why did you allow Chen Tianming to go to the Burial Dragon Nest?”
“When did I allow Chen Tianming to go?” Yun Shan demanded. “I clearly stated long ago that no one in the Qingyun Sword Sect, regardless of status, is permitted to go to the Burial Dragon Nest.”
Yun Xi replied, “But Chen Tianming has already gone.”
“What?” Yun Shan cried in shock, turning hurriedly to the Wine Sword Immortal.
The Wine Sword Immortal shook his head. “Sect Leader, this subordinate knows nothing of the matter.”
Yun Shan flew into a rage. “How dare Chen Tianming be so bold? Who gave him permission?”
At that very moment, a vigorous voice rang out from the doorway.
“I gave him permission!”
