Following the Heart's Choice

"Fourth Elder!"

The deafening explosion behind them sent a shiver down Zhang Xuntong's spine.

The Fourth Elder is dead.

He could have left, but for their sake, he shielded three Foundation Establishment with his own body.

He died by self-destruction.

"Damn it! It's all my fault for being too weak!"

Get stronger!

I must become stronger!

I will avenge the Fourth Elder!

Ninglu Sect!

Wait!

At this moment, Zhang Xuntong's anger had reached its peak!

He secretly vowed to wipe out the Ninglu Sect with blood!

Now, their main task is to return the Storage Ring containing the Yaoyang Sword Leaf Grass to their Lineage!

Just then, from the spot where Zhang Zu'an self-destructed, dozens of Qi Refining cultivators dressed in the Jiang Clan disciple robes rushed out of the flames.

The leader was a Qi Refining Peak cultivator, and a Black Tiger Hound beside him was sniffing something intently!

His gaze then locked onto the direction of Zhang Xuntong and the others.

The dog barked twice and then rushed out.

"Quick! The Zhang Family is over there!"

After several fierce battles, they will surely be exhausted and on their last legs.

Chase!

If we let him escape, we will be severely punished!

As soon as he finished speaking, the leading Qi Refining cultivator strode off in the direction of Zhang Xuntong and the others.

The rest followed closely behind.

Hearing the voice behind him, Zhang Xuntong forcibly suppressed his urge to attack and said in a deep voice:

"Escape!

Now is not the time for revenge!

Anyone who dares to leave the team without permission will have their cultivation abolished and be expelled from the Lineage!

He ranked third in the Family Grand Competition, and at that time he was one of the Three Heroes of Xuanxiao.

Their status is equal to that of the hall master!

Of course I have the right to say these things!

Upon hearing this, the others forcefully suppressed their thoughts of fighting to the death with the pursuers behind them.

"Yes!"

The word was squeezed out from between their teeth, their eyes bloodshot.

This feeling is worse than killing them!

Zhang Xuntong understood this feeling better than anyone else.

They may die, but they must die with meaning.

I absolutely cannot die here!

Everything... for the Lineage!

The fourteen people took out Qi Replenishing Pill from their Storage Ring, put them in their mouths, and then activated the First-grade Top-tier Gale Talisman, flying rapidly towards Xuanxiao Mountain.

This scene also played out with the rest of the Zhang Family.

The Zhang Family cultivators fought and retreated, relying on Law Artifact Spirit Talisman, magical artifacts, and pills they possessed.

They showed no intention of continuing the fight.

Despite their large numbers, the three major powers —Ninglu Sect, Cloud Mountain Sword Sect, and Yunmeng Jiang Clan— did not gain any advantage.

They are even at a disadvantage.

It's just that there were so many people that it wasn't noticeable at first glance.

In the void, several figures silently watched everything below.

His eyes were devoid of any emotion, as if he were watching a trivial battle.

Bai Zijing saw that Zhang Zu'an was trying to protect the clan's rear and bring the Yaoyang Sword Leaf Grass back to the clan.

My eyelids are twitching.

Is this still the cruel world of cultivation he knows?

Throughout his spiritual practice, he has witnessed far too much darkness.

Because of a rare and precious heavenly materials and earthly treasures, dramas of fratricide and father-son conflict are constantly unfolding.

Few can achieve what the Zhang Family has!

A pitifully small number!

"Master, I also want to stay in this kind of Lineage and live a peaceful life."

"What? You want to get beaten up?" Jun Xiaoyao raised an eyebrow, his gaze fixed on Bai Zijing.

Seeing this, the latter coughed twice and immediately changed his tune:

"Ahem, um, Master, you misheard me."

I wanted to ask Brother Zhang when he will be returning.

Staying at the Zhang Family all the time is getting too boring.

I want to improve.

Upon hearing this, Jun Xiaoyao finally looked away.

"Have no idea.

But it should be soon.

Don't even think about lying down.

Your fortuitous opportunity does not lie in the South Sea.

Now that Zhang Xuanchen has returned, you and Wu Tianlei should return to the Central Land Immortal Continent.

Don't even think about taking Tianyan away.

She also wanted to make tea and massage my feet, and have a deeper conversation with me.

As she spoke, she raised an eyebrow at Mu Tianyan, who was standing next to Yan Ruyu.

A wicked smile curled up on his face.

This caused a blush to spread across Mu Tianyan's originally cool and aloof face.

Yan Ruyu chuckled softly and said:

"Master, you need to change your habit of flirting with beautiful women, otherwise Eldest Senior Sister might turn evil."

"She's gone too far!"

"I am the master!" Jun Xiaoyao said seriously, but his confidence was clearly lacking.

His gaze then fell on Yan Ruyu. "What?"

Are you jealous of Tianyan?

Indeed, there aren't many men as handsome, dashing, and powerful as your teacher.

It's normal for you to be jealous.

Alright, tonight, you'll wash my feet and make me tea.

As he spoke, he reached out his right hand and hooked it around Bai Zijing's neck.

He chuckled slyly, "Tsk tsk tsk."

Isn't that Second Senior Brother?

I asked your Fifth Junior Sister to wash my feet and make me tea. You won't be angry, will you?

Looking at the shameless Jun Xiaoyao.

Bai Zijing gently touched his forehead.

He didn't respond to that comment.

Looking at the battle below, he said with a solemn expression:

"Master, are we really going to just stand by and do nothing?"

Upon hearing this, Jun Xiaoyao's smile vanished.

Stepping into the void, he took a few steps forward and slowly spoke:

Who is at fault? Whom should we side with?

"Of course..." Bai Zijing subconsciously wanted to say help the Zhang Family.

But the words stuck in his throat.

Yes.

Who is at fault?

If you side with the Zhang Family, then the three major powers of the Ninglu Sect are in the wrong.

If you side with the Ninglu Sect, the Zhang Family is in the wrong, since they were the ones who discovered the Yaoyang Sword Leaf Grass.

They just didn't have the ability to hold onto it.

"Why did you stop talking?" Jun Xiaoyao pressed.

Bai Zijing knew that Jun Xiaoyao wanted to take this opportunity to teach him.

He immediately bowed and respectfully said:

"This disciple is unaware; please enlighten me, Master."

"Of course the Ninglu Sect is at fault. If we intervene, we will naturally help the Zhang Family!" Jun Xiaoyao said firmly.

This left Bai Zijing completely dumbfounded.

Before he could speak, Jun Xiaoyao continued:

"Don't be surprised, because we know Zhang Xuanchen, and what is the Ninglu Sect anyway?"

Do you know him?

Does she know her?

Or do I know him?

Jun Xiaoyao's words were rough, but they made a lot of sense.

"Zijing, always follow the choices of your heart."

It won't make any mistakes, and it certainly won't harm you.

If the result is not as expected, it's someone else's fault, not yours.

"Then why..."

Why shouldn't I help the Zhang Family? And why shouldn't you help the Zhang Family either?

Instead, they chose to stand by and do nothing?

At this point, Jun Xiaoyao looked at the Zhang Family members who were being chased.

He said calmly:

It's not that I don't want to save them.

It's not that they can't be saved!

"A calm sea cannot forge a skilled sailor; a comfortable environment cannot produce a great man of the times."

"Without sufficient pressure, even if Zhang Xuanchen possesses an extraordinary fortuitous opportunity, he will not be able to truly rise to prominence before disaster strikes!"

"What truly compels Zhang Xuanchen to fight with all his might is the blood ties and kinship he feels for seeking revenge for his clan!"

"And what is happening right now is the opportunity to propel Zhang Xuanchen, and even the entire Zhang Family, to new heights!"

"Ruyu, didn't you notice that when the Zhang Family destroyed the Bihai Immortal Sect and unified the Penglai Islands?"

Has the will to become stronger waned?

Jun Xiaoyao joined the Zhang Family before the Bihai Immortal Sect was destroyed, which explains the changes in the Lineage over time.

He took it all in.

It's not that the Lineage have become lax in their cultivation, but rather that they have lost that vital energy.

At this point, Jun Xiaoyao looked up at the sky.

With a grave expression. "We don't have much time left."

We must become stronger as soon as possible, or this entire starry sky will be shrouded in endless darkness.

"Of course, that's only one reason."

Another one is the strict rules of my Horizon Pavilion.

Previously, out of consideration for Zhang Xuanchen's role in making a fortune for the restaurants under my Horizon Pavilion, I stepped in to protect the Zhang Family from the Luo Clan's attack.

To make another move would break the rules.

If the Luo Clan finds an opportunity to exploit this situation, it will damage the prestige of my Horizon Pavilion.

After all, we weren't the only ones watching here.

As he spoke, Jun Xiaoyao's gaze drifted to a certain point in the void.

That was the place where the three members of the Luo Clan were hiding.