A Formidable Enemy Arrives

Zhang Yang left the main hall and arrived at Brushstroke Peak.

Hualingzi looked at Zhang Yang strangely and asked, "Why are you keeping them from cultivating properly and messing around with all that stuff?"

Zhang Yang said solemnly, "Martial Uncle, I have my reasons. Now, please use your Spiritual Sense to monitor those disciples and mark their locations for me."

He was only in the Golden Core Realm. His Spiritual Sense was not strong enough to cover everyone.

As a Nascent Soul Realm cultivator, Hualingzi could do it.

Hualingzi frowned. He felt it was somewhat inappropriate, but he still followed Zhang Yang's instructions and marked everyone's locations on the map.

Zhang Yang looked at those gathered in twos and threes and smiled faintly.

He began sorting through the list, but it was divided into three parts.

"What is this about?" Hualingzi asked.

"This list contains people who are most likely fine." Zhang Yang gestured toward the first sheet, which had Wang Baole, Li Er, and the others on it.

He picked up the second sheet, which had Cao Ying and the others on it. "The people on this sheet are most likely problematic. At the very least, their purpose in joining the Azure Cloud Sect was not so pure. As for the third sheet, it is impossible to determine for now. These people are targets we need to win over; they may yet become true members of the Azure Cloud Sect."

Hualingzi asked in surprise, "How can you be so sure there is something wrong with them? Just because of that so-called task you came up with? Is this reliable? Don't wrong those people and wound your fellow disciples' hearts."

Zhang Yang smiled confidently. "Don't worry, Martial Uncle. I only prepare for the one chance in ten thousand."

He was not a professional when it came to catching spies, but after seeing enough of it, he understood the basics.

Besides, with Hualingzi's Spiritual Sense observing their every move, it was practically like having a god's-eye view. The only thing missing was entering their Sea of Consciousness to take a look.

With those conditions, catching spies would be as easy as turning over his hand.

Hualingzi shook his head. "I truly don't know where you learned all this."

"Does this need to be learned?" Zhang Yang spread his hands. "I taught myself and became a talent."

Hualingzi shook his head speechlessly. He had to admit that this fellow truly was a genius. A Chaos Golden Core—having a few abnormalities was only natural!

"Now that you have finished worrying over all this, hurry up and improve your cultivation!" Hualingzi pointed toward the cultivation room.

With a Chaos Golden Core, if he did not cultivate properly, would he be worthy of that Golden Core?

Just as Zhang Yang was about to cultivate, Hualingzi suddenly sprang to his feet and looked beyond the Azure Cloud Sect. In a deep voice, he said, "There is a problem. Stay here and do not move. I will go take a look."

"What problem?" Zhang Yang hurriedly asked.

Hualingzi sneered. "People from the Cloud Mountain Empire have arrived. They are coming in force, and those who come are not friendly. You need not concern yourself with it. We will handle it."

"I should handle it instead!" Zhang Yang hurriedly said.

What could these people possibly handle? It would be best if he solved it himself.

"Martial Uncle, don't forget that I am the acting School Leader now!" Zhang Yang hurriedly said. "For something this important, it is naturally better for me to appear."

Hualingzi said seriously, "Stop fooling around. Experts have come from the other side."

"How expert? Can you beat them? Are they stronger than my master?" Zhang Yang retorted.

Hualingzi dismissed it with a sniff. "We can all deal with them, not to mention Eldest Senior Brother. It is merely that we do not wish to become enemies with the Cloud Mountain Empire, which makes this somewhat troublesome to handle."

"Then I am relieved. Leave troublesome matters like this to me!" Zhang Yang flew down the mountain, with Hualingzi following close behind. "Besides, I can wield a Spirit Artifact. It will not be so easy for them to do anything to me."

Hualingzi immediately felt reassured. Although this boy was only in the Golden Core Realm, if he could wield a Spirit Artifact, even ordinary Nascent Soul Realm cultivators would likely be unable to do anything to him.

Immediately afterward, Ling Yunzi, Danchენzi, and the other six flew to the Azure Cloud Sect's mountain gate and looked into the distance.

Far off on the horizon, an enormous dragon-headed flying boat forty to fifty meters long flew toward them.

The flying boat was packed with people, banners fluttering in the wind.

At the front stood a man in a bright yellow brocade robe. With his hands clasped behind his back, he stood proudly at the bow, his gaze fixed directly on the Azure Cloud Sect.

As the massive flying boat flew, it stirred up powerful spiritual energy fluctuations. This was why Hualingzi had discovered it so early.

Gradually, the flying boat drew near. Everyone could see that the people of the Azure Cloud Sect had been alarmed.

"That is the Cloud Mountain Empire's Flying Dragon Army!" Situ Mingyue stared into the distance in surprise. "The Cloud Mountain Empire actually dispatched so many Flying Dragon Army soldiers. They do not intend to go to war with the Azure Cloud Sect, do they?"

Chunxiao said worriedly, "Miss, what should we do now? Should we reveal our identities? If Miss reveals her identity, surely the Cloud Mountain Empire would not dare harm you."

Situ Mingyue curled her lips. "The Flying Dragon Army is indeed famous. They have hunted down many cultivators and even slaughtered many sects that opposed the Cloud Mountain Empire.

"But this is the Azure Cloud Sect. Its five-thousand-year foundation is no empty boast.

"If the Flying Dragon Army dares make a move, we only need to wait and watch the show. Come, let us go to the mountain gate. That is the best place to watch the spectacle."

She smiled strangely. "No matter how formidable the Flying Dragon Army is, can it be more formidable than Tan Qiushui of the Langya Sacred Land?"

Not many people knew that Azure Cloud Master had defeated Tan Qiushui!

At this moment, the younger disciples on the mountain also discovered the Flying Dragon Army.

"Look, it is our Flying Dragon Army! The Flying Dragon Army has come!" Cao Ying excitedly pointed at the flying boat in the distance and said to the people beside her, "The Flying Dragon Army is here. Let us go down and take a look."

Everyone hurried toward the mountain gate.

At this moment, Zhang Yang, standing at the Azure Cloud Sect's mountain gate, became grave.

The flying boat was already about to reach the Azure Cloud Sect's gate, yet it showed no intention of slowing down. It looked as though it intended to fly directly into the Azure Cloud Sect?

For any sect, this was an enormous insult.

Ling Yunzi and the others looked extremely grim.

They did not wish to become enemies with the Cloud Mountain Empire, but now it seemed that the Cloud Mountain Empire had come with ill intent!

"We must quickly notify Eldest Senior Brother about this!" Danchენzi said.

Zhang Yang took out the Sect Master Token. "They have already come crashing right up to our doorstep. It is too late to notify Master. Since someone dares insult the Azure Cloud Sect, we will fight first and talk later. Martial Uncle Ling Yun, make them stop. If they refuse, just attack."

He was issuing orders in his capacity as acting School Leader.

Ling Yunzi glanced at Zhang Yang, then soared into the air and shouted, "Stop!"

A middle-aged man wearing the standard uniform of the Flying Dragon Army flew out from the flying boat. He looked at Ling Yunzi coldly and said, "I am Xu Bai, commander of the Flying Dragon Army. Your Azure Cloud people beat my men. Today, I have come to reclaim our honor!"

"Then let us see!"

Ling Yunzi's Flying Sword shot forth in a flash.

Once he truly attacked, his Flying Sword was many times faster than before.

At the same time, Xu Bai also made his move. He controlled a shuttle-shaped magic treasure that wheeled and darted around him.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The sounds of the Flying Sword and the shuttle-shaped magic treasure colliding rang out without end. Neither side could gain the upper hand.

Xu Bai sneered. "Azure Cloud is nothing more than this! Is your Azure Cloud Sect only capable of relying on your higher realm to bully my Flying Dragon Guard? If you dare bully my people, then you must pay the price. Flying Dragon Army, attack!"