Retreat Without a Fight

Su Mingyang's expression froze, his face shifting between light and shadow.

He had originally wanted to see the Azure Cloud Sect's greatest strength. After all, he was in the Primordial Spirit Realm himself, and perhaps he might have discerned some clues.

Yet he had not expected to force out an Evergreen Sword and a Spirit-Controlling Robe.

He was merely in the Primordial Spirit Realm; he had no way to break through the defense of Supreme-Grade Spirit Artifacts. Yet if either artifact struck him even once, he would be dead or crippled.

How could he dare fight under such circumstances?

How was he supposed to step down now?

After five thousand years of history, just how many good things had the Azure Cloud Sect left behind?

Seeing that the situation was turning bad, the Prince of Southern Suppression hurriedly said, "I ask that the two seniors refrain from fighting. In truth, the senior from the Heavenly Profound Sect came with good intentions this time. Our Cloud Mountain Empire has come in sincerity, carrying a great quantity of Spirit Stones and resources with us. This junior is only a Golden Core cultivator and fears that I cannot safeguard such resources, which is why I begged Senior Tian Xuan to escort us.

For such an important matter, your sect should also have sent someone in charge to receive us, rather than dispatching a disciple.

Thus, Senior Su may have lost his temper out of annoyance at this."

Anyone who could rise to the rank of king certainly spoke far more gracefully than Su Mingyang.

The implication was clear: your Azure Cloud Sect had been discourteous first, and now you still wanted to fight your guests?

Zhang Yang smiled and, seeing an opening, withdrew as well. "This matter truly is this junior's fault. I failed to make things clear. My name is Zhang Yang, and my master is Sect Master Azure Cloud Master. My master has entered seclusion, while my martial uncles are wholly devoted to cultivation. Therefore, I am currently managing the Azure Cloud Sect's affairs as acting sect master."

Su Mingyang and the others could not help looking at Zhang Yang. The Azure Cloud Sect had actually appointed a Golden Core Realm cultivator as acting sect master?

The Azure Cloud Sect truly looked as though it was finished!

When a giant dragon soared through the skies, no one dared lightly offend its majesty; but once the giant dragon fell, everyone wanted to pounce on it and take a bite.

Su Mingyang's gaze flickered as thoughts whirled endlessly through his mind.

Ling Yunzi said coldly, "You people have quite the nerve. An acting sect master personally receiving you still isn't enough, and you want to pick a fight? Are you bullying Azure Cloud because you think we've declined?"

Su Mingyang took a deep breath. "This old man was indeed presumptuous just now."

His cultivation realm was high, but Zhang Yang spoke as the sect master, making his status higher than Su Mingyang's. Moreover, Su Mingyang had other plans in mind, so he took several steps back.

"However, it is better to resolve enmity than deepen it. The Cloud Mountain Empire did indeed offend the Azure Cloud Sect before, and they have already received their lesson. They will not dare offend you so lightly again. This old man's martial nephew serves as the Cloud Mountain Empire's imperial preceptor, and at his earnest request, this old man wishes to seek some face for the Azure Cloud Sect's members. As an ancient sect, the Azure Cloud Sect might as well be magnanimous. Why not turn a major matter into a minor one, and a minor matter into nothing at all?" Su Mingyang continued.

Zhang Yang asked in return, "Senior Su, how many resources does it take to raise a Foundation Establishment Realm disciple? Let us simply convert it into Spirit Stones. How many Spirit Stones would that require?"

"Probably one thousand Spirit Stones."

Su Mingyang deliberately quoted a very low price.

Yet Zhang Yang did not care and continued, "What about a flying vessel capable of carrying three thousand people into battle? How many Spirit Stones would that be worth?"

"This... it should cost several hundred thousand Spirit Stones!"

Zhang Yang smiled faintly. "Even by Senior's calculation, three thousand Flying Dragon Army soldiers plus the flying vessel would amount to several million Spirit Stones, wouldn't it? In other words, Senior's face is worth several million Spirit Stones? Not to be rude, but Senior, your face is far too big!"

Su Mingyang was mocked to his face, and his expression instantly darkened.

As a great figure of the Primordial Spirit Realm, who did not treat him with utmost respect? Yet after coming to the Azure Cloud Sect, he had been threatened by a Nascent Soul Realm cultivator and mocked by a Golden Core Realm cultivator?

But he still did not dare flare up.

Ling Yunzi wielding two Supreme-Grade Spirit Artifacts was enough to threaten him. Coupled with the Azure Cloud Sect's rumored grand formation, how could he dare act rashly?

Still, in his heart, he had already marked the Azure Cloud Sect with several enormous red crosses.

Zhang Yang's expression also turned grave as he said coldly, "There is another matter Senior may not understand. The three thousand Flying Dragon Army soldiers came to Azure Cloud not as guests. They brazenly attacked Azure Cloud. If Azure Cloud had not possessed some remaining foundation, what would our fate have been?

If someone treated the Heavenly Profound Sect this way, would Senior also intend to turn a major matter into a minor one and let it go just like that?

If Senior is willing to stand there and let me stab you a few times, then Senior may also smile and let it go. This junior will certainly let the matter with the Cloud Mountain Empire end there as well.

What does Senior think?"

"You insolent junior! How dare you speak to me like that!" Su Mingyang could not help roaring in fury.

Zhang Yang looked at Su Mingyang with amusement. "What? When it concerns Senior himself, Senior can no longer be magnanimous? I have not even made a move. It was only a few words, yet Senior is already this enraged. It seems Senior's tolerance is truly quite limited."

He was certain that although Azure Cloud Master had not shown himself, he was definitely watching this place.

Thus, he was not afraid in the slightest that Su Mingyang might make any other move.

If he had to grovel and cower even on his own territory, then what the hell was he cultivating immortality for? He might as well just die.

Ling Yunzi gave a cold laugh. "It seems some old fellows really do not know the pain when they speak while standing."

A Primordial Spirit Realm cultivator dared come to Azure Cloud and run wild?

Tan Qiushui, a Dao Integration Realm cultivator, had been beaten senseless. What the hell did a Primordial Spirit Realm cultivator count for?

"I'm furious to death!" Su Mingyang roared. He said fiercely to the Prince of Southern Suppression, "This old man will no longer concern himself with your Cloud Mountain Empire's affairs."

After saying that, he took Tong Lu and flew away.

If he remained any longer, he feared he would be unable to stop himself from attacking.

After the two had flown more than a hundred li away from the Azure Cloud Sect, Su Mingyang slowly said, "The Azure Cloud Sect's foundation is truly terrifying. A Nascent Soul Realm cultivator possesses two Supreme-Grade Spirit Artifacts... I, a Primordial Spirit Realm cultivator, do not even have one. Why does he?"

"Senior Brother Su, the Azure Cloud Sect has five thousand years of history. The treasures it accumulated are simply too numerous. If not for the great upheaval a thousand years ago, the Azure Cloud Sect would probably still be a top-tier sect even now, and we could only live by their favor."

Su Mingyang snorted coldly. "But this is no longer a thousand years ago. Their era is gone and will never return. If we can destroy the Azure Cloud Sect, the Heavenly Profound Sect may soar into the heavens in a single leap. We must discuss this matter properly after returning. Ling Yunzi is only a Nascent Soul Realm cultivator; Azure Cloud Master's cultivation cannot be much higher. The others are even less worth mentioning. The only thing we need worry about now is the Azure Cloud Sect's protective grand formation. That is the real trouble."

"This matter cannot be rushed!" Tong Lu said with a smile, shaking his head. "We have already sent people into Azure Cloud. Once they grow up, they will surely become the backbone of Azure Cloud, and they should be able to uncover the strength of the sect-protecting grand formation. Once we understand the grand formation, when several of our sects join forces, will we still fear being unable to deal with the Azure Cloud Sect?"

Su Mingyang nodded. He looked toward the Azure Cloud Sect, then shook his head again. "The Azure Cloud Sect got lucky this time. Those fools from the Cloud Mountain Empire delivered them a batch of resources for free."

Tong Lu said with a chuckle, "It's good that they delivered them! Only by sending the resources over can our people grow quickly!"

After thinking it over, Su Mingyang found that reasonable and was relieved.

Meanwhile, atop the Azure Cloud Sect, after Su Mingyang and Tong Lu departed, the Azure Cloud Sect and the Cloud Mountain Empire officially sat down at the negotiating table.