Arc 118A New Alliance

Ding Shuying joined Li Yan as his disciple, and Li Yan returned to the Pojun Sect amid Chunyang Hall’s attempt to claim Zuo Qiudan. He proposed an alliance with the Soul Suppressing Palace to help the Pojun Sect escape Chunyang Hall’s control, then arrived at the palace to meet its leaders.

  • Changsun Qiuhua entrusted Ding Shuying with her shop before dying, and Ding Yushan and Lin Zhiruo later died pursuing her family’s killers.
  • Li Yan found Ding Shuying in danger, made her his disciple, and helped her kill Zhang Yunhong before taking her toward the Pojun Sect.
  • Li Yan returned to the Pojun Sect and learned Chunyang Hall was pressuring the sect to hand over Zuo Qiudan.
  • Zuo Qiudan told Li Yan he planned to enter Chunyang Hall and escape later, while Bu Luo said he would follow him if he left the sect.
  • Li Yan proposed that the Pojun Sect leave Chunyang Hall’s jurisdiction and ally with the Soul Suppressing Palace as an equal partner.
  • Li Yan and Shangguan Tianque secretly left the Pojun Sect, and Li Yan traveled alone through a concealed passage to the Soul Suppressing Palace.
  • Elder Hao’s followers recognized Li Yan as the first ancestor’s disciple, and the palace’s leaders welcomed him as their Ancestor.
  • Li Yan thanked the Soul Suppressing Palace leaders for their work and asked them to call him Elder Li instead.
Chapters 2926–2950 Vol. 30 Read

Ch. 2926Only Cold Stars Shone on a Solitary Shadow (Part Six)

Ding Yushan and his wife took Ding Shuying to Star Flame City so they could hunt demon beasts for the blood essence she needed to cultivate, and arranged for her to live and work in an elderly woman’s shop. After one or two hundred years, Ding Shuying neared the Golden Core Realm while the elderly woman’s health began to fail.

  • Ding Shuying reached Foundation Establishment after her parents sacrificed their own cultivation expenses to buy demon beast blood essence, but she soon needed larger quantities and stronger varieties.
  • Ding Yushan and his wife moved their family to the North Pasture Realm, planning to hunt demon beasts in the Heavenly Demon Grassland and sell their materials in Star Flame City.
  • The couple asked an elderly shopkeeper to let Ding Shuying stay and work in her shop while they hunted; after initially refusing, the woman agreed to take her in.
  • Ding Shuying quickly became the elderly woman’s capable assistant, and her parents regularly returned from the grassland with blood essence and sold their other demon beast materials to the shop.
  • Over one or two hundred years, Ding Shuying advanced toward the Golden Core Realm, while the elderly woman’s health steadily declined.
  • Ding Yushan and his wife bought pills for the elderly woman, but she scolded them when they tried to give them to her.

Ch. 2927Only the Cold Star Shines on a Lone Shadow (7)

Changsun Qiuhua told Ding Yushan, his wife, and Ding Shuying the truth about her past and the family she had lost, then gave Ding Shuying her shop as her life neared its end. The chapter left Changsun Qiuhua’s eyes dimming after she revealed her name.

  • Changsun Qiuhua told Ding Yushan and his wife that her hidden injuries and approaching lifespan limit could no longer be cured, then waited for their return before her time ran out.
  • Changsun Qiuhua revealed that she and her Dao Companion had once been Body Integration Realm elders whose son and his family were abducted and killed by a powerful cultivator.
  • Changsun Qiuhua recounted how she avenged her family by killing the enemy and two Void Refinement Realm cultivators, but lost her cultivation and remained in Star Flame City.
  • Changsun Qiuhua explained that Ding Shuying resembled her deceased granddaughter and that this was why she had taken her in and waited to return her to Ding Yushan and his wife.
  • Changsun Qiuhua gave Ding Shuying the shop and its property deed, then revealed that her name was Changsun Qiuhua as her eyes dimmed.

Ch. 2928Only cold stars shone on a lone shadow (VIII)

Ding Shuying recounted how Changsun Qiuhua died without naming her enemies, and how her family inherited the shop and secretly investigated to avenge her. Their search led to an ambush in which Ding Yushan sacrificed himself so Lin Zhiruo could escape; after hearing the story, Li Yan reflected on Ding Yushan’s misfortunes.

  • Changsun Qiuhua died without revealing the cultivation lineage that had destroyed her family, and Ding Yushan, Lin Zhiruo, and Ding Shuying discovered her true appearance and the shop deed already bearing Ding Shuying’s name.
  • Ding Yushan and Lin Zhiruo inherited the shop, resolved to avenge Changsun Qiuhua, and secretly searched for the cultivation lineage behind her family’s deaths.
  • The family prospered in Star Flame City, Ding Shuying reached the Golden Core Realm, and Lin Zhiruo advanced to the Void Refinement Realm.
  • After the couple identified a likely enemy lineage, their inquiries led to an ambush, and Ding Yushan self-detonated to let Lin Zhiruo escape.
  • Lin Zhiruo returned to Star Flame City with a gravely injured nascent soul, borrowed money for a lifesaving pill, and later died after settling the debt by selling artifacts and the shop’s savings.
  • Ding Shuying told Li Yan what had happened, and Li Yan reflected on the hardships Ding Yushan had endured.

Ch. 2929Solitary Shadow, Moon in the Window

Li Yan revealed himself to Ding Shuying as the cultivator who had saved her family years earlier and promised to help her escape her current danger. He asked what she planned to do afterward, since he could only guarantee her safety through the immediate crisis with the Wanhua Trading Firm.

  • Li Yan sent Qianji out of the hall and sealed the room before approaching Ding Shuying.
  • Ding Shuying woke to find Li Yan inside and suspected that Zhang Yunhong had moved against her ahead of schedule.
  • Li Yan reminded Ding Shuying that he had saved her family from a man and a flood dragon in the Main Dao Realm.
  • Ding Shuying recognized Li Yan as the senior from the Desolate Moon Continent who had once rescued her family and asked him to save her.
  • Li Yan promised to help Ding Shuying survive the immediate danger, then asked what she intended to do afterward.

Ch. 2930Tracing Footsteps Across Worlds

Li Yan offered to take Ding Shuying as his disciple after discovering that her Mixed Spirit Root matched the rare five-element sequence of his own. Ding Shuying recognized him as a cultivator of the Five Immortals Sect, whose legacy Changsun Qiuhua had urged her to seek.

  • Ding Shuying thanked Li Yan for saving her and asked him only to take her beyond Star Flame City.
  • Li Yan told Ding Shuying that he had saved her partly because of her and offered to make her his disciple.
  • Li Yan recalled discovering Ding Shuying’s rare Mixed Spirit Root and realizing she was suited to inherit the Gui Water Immortal Sect’s legacy.
  • Ding Shuying recognized Li Yan as a cultivator of the Five Immortals Sect after remembering Changsun Qiuhua’s dying advice to seek that sect.

Ch. 2931Mutual Recognition

Li Yan revealed that he had questioned Ding Shuying with a technique, offered to take her into the Five Immortals Sect, and let her choose her own path. Convinced by his honesty and eager to gain the strength to protect herself, Ding Shuying became his disciple, and they prepared to leave Star Flame City after deciding Zhang Yunhong should die.

  • Li Yan told Ding Shuying about his questioning technique and offered either to make her his disciple or help her find another path.
  • Ding Shuying asked whether Li Yan would erase her memories if she refused, then bowed and accepted him as her master.
  • Li Yan introduced himself and asked what she wanted to do about Zhang Yunhong; Ding Shuying said she wanted him dead but would wait if acting now endangered them.
  • Li Yan explained why Wanhua would probably not pursue Zhang Yunhong's disappearance and said the trading house's leaders had not been involved in his scheme.
  • Ding Shuying resolved to grow strong enough to deal with her family's other enemies herself, and Li Yan told her to pack so they could leave.
  • Li Yan emerged from the hall and told Qianji that he and Ding Shuying would enter the space while he handled something before they left the market.

Ch. 2932Who Is In The Cage, And Who Is Outside?

Li Yan took Ding Shuying and Qianji away from her family shop, reassuring her that she could return to it someday. He then brought Zhang Yunhong to a remote mountain stream, where Ding Shuying confronted him over his fraud and attempted seizure of her family's shop.

  • Ding Shuying finished packing and learned that Qianji was her Martial Uncle.
  • Li Yan placed Ding Shuying and Qianji into his Spirit Storage Space after Ding Shuying took a last look at her home.
  • Zhang Yunhong woke beside a mountain brook and found Ding Shuying and Li Yan standing nearby.
  • Ding Shuying accused Zhang Yunhong of forging a jade slip and trying to take her family's shop.
  • Zhang Yunhong sensed that Li Yan had early Spirit Transformation cultivation and realized he had been taken far from Star Flame City.
  • Li Yan dismissed Zhang Yunhong's defenses, and Zhang Yunhong hurriedly apologized to him and Ding Shuying.

Ch. 2933White Bone Flowers by the Cultivation Road

Ding Shuying and Qianji confronted Zhang Yunhong after capturing him, but his feigned apology and offer of compensation did not fool them. Zhang Yunhong attacked and fled, only to be killed by Qianji’s ice magic.

  • Zhang Yunhong tried to placate Ding Shuying and secretly blamed her for finding a powerful lover.
  • The white-robed youth mocked Zhang Yunhong’s flattery, and Ding Shuying asked her Martial Uncle to kill him.
  • Zhang Yunhong realized they saw through him and unleashed treasures, talismans, and poison as he tried to escape.
  • Qianji raised Ding Shuying out of the way and used ice magic to stop Zhang Yunhong.
  • Ice spikes pierced Zhang Yunhong’s body, and he died.

Ch. 2934Dao Heart Like a Boulder (1)

Li Yan and Ding Shuying dealt with Zhang Yunhong and left Star Flame City with Qianji. As they traveled toward the Pojun Sect, Li Yan revealed the Five Immortals Sect’s dangers to Ding Shuying and quietly tested her discretion, leaving her aware of the peril surrounding her new sect and still under scrutiny.

  • Zhang Yunhong died from the tampering within his body, and Qianji gave Ding Shuying his treasures before destroying his corpse at her request.
  • Li Yan departed with Qianji and Ding Shuying aboard Ink Cloud, while the Wanhua Trading Company’s search for Zhang Yunhong and Ding Shuying produced no results.
  • On the journey toward the Pojun Sect, Li Yan told Ding Shuying about the Five Immortals Sect’s secrecy, enemies, inheritance, and dangerous predicament.
  • Ding Shuying learned of Qianji’s history with Li Yan and her father, and she realized Li Yan had repeatedly rescued her father.
  • Over two years of travel, Qianji questioned Ding Shuying about Li Yan’s decision to take her as a disciple, but she revealed nothing about the Five Immortals Sect.
  • Li Yan grew satisfied with Ding Shuying’s discretion, while she understood that his silence about teaching her was part of a test.

Ch. 2935Dao Heart Like a Boulder (2)

Li Yan continued to keep Ding Shuying waiting before finally telling her he would teach her introductory cultivation methods, then returned to the Pojun Sect with Qianji and Ding Shuying. He reunited with Shangguan Tianque, Zuo Qiudan, and Yu Banjiang in the sect master's main hall, where they welcomed him back.

  • Li Yan spent several more years observing Ding Shuying without teaching her cultivation, then bought Qianji an artifact-refining art and ordered its missing materials from Guiqulaixi.
  • Li Yan chose to have the materials delivered to a distant market city rather than the Pojun Sect, wary that Su Hong's parents might learn of his return.
  • After Qianji led Snow Mosquitoes to fight a Red Leaf Mosquito clan, Li Yan told Ding Shuying that it was time to teach her introductory cultivation methods.
  • Li Yan flew into the Pojun Sect on the Ink Cloud, and the guards recognized his supreme elder token and let him enter the sect master's main hall.
  • Shangguan Tianque, Zuo Qiudan, and Yu Banjiang greeted Li Yan, and he noted that Shangguan Tianque and Zuo Qiudan had reached the Void Refinement Realm while Yu Banjiang had entered the Spirit Transformation Realm.

Ch. 2936Reunited after many years

Li Yan reunited with Shangguan Tianque, Zuo Qiudan, and Yu Banjiang at the Pojun Sect, where he learned that Yu Banjiang and Bu Luo had both reached Spirit Transformation and that Zuo Qiudan had joined the sect. He also asked after Ren Yanyu and learned she had given birth to Shangguan Jingyu, whom he hoped to meet during his visit.

  • Li Yan arrived at the Pojun Sect with Qianji and Ding Shuying and introduced them to Shangguan Tianque, Zuo Qiudan, and Yu Banjiang.
  • Li Yan congratulated Yu Banjiang on reaching Spirit Transformation, and Yu Banjiang thanked Li Yan and Zuo Qiudan for their help.
  • Li Yan asked Zuo Qiudan whether he had joined the Pojun Sect, and Zuo Qiudan confirmed that he had.
  • Li Yan asked about Bu Luo and learned that Bu Luo had advanced to Spirit Transformation through the normal process and had stabilized his cultivation.
  • Li Yan asked about Ren Yanyu and learned she had given birth to Shangguan Jingyu, who was now cultivating in the sect.
  • Li Yan congratulated Shangguan Tianque and asked to meet his martial nephew, Shangguan Jingyu.

Ch. 2937Misunderstanding

Li Yan reunited with Shangguan Tianque and learned that his unexpected arrival had coincided with a crisis facing Pojun Sect, rather than being prompted by Shangguan Tianque’s message. Shangguan Tianque began explaining that the crisis stemmed from the sect’s growing strength and Zuo Qiudan’s arrival, leaving the details of the threat for further discussion.

  • Li Yan agreed to give Shangguan Jingyu greeting gifts and asked whether Shangguan Tianque had sent him a message.
  • Li Yan discovered he had not received Shangguan Tianque’s message and had come to Pojun Sect on his own.
  • Shangguan Tianque confirmed the misunderstanding and said Li Yan’s early arrival meant they could discuss an urgent matter concerning the sect.
  • Zuo Qiudan blamed himself for bringing trouble to Pojun Sect, but Shangguan Tianque said the problem arose from others’ jealousy.
  • Shangguan Tianque explained how Pojun Sect had carefully grown its strength and how Zuo Qiudan’s pill-making abilities had helped the sect produce powerful pills.

Ch. 2938A treasure in the house brings stones through its walls

Chunyang Hall ordered the Pojun Sect to transfer Zuo Qiudan, whose rare pills and recent breakthrough to the Void Refinement Realm made him even more valuable to the superior sect. Shangguan Tianque told Li Yan that Ma Peijin had leaked the pills and that Chunyang Hall’s decision seemed impossible to reverse.

  • Chunyang Hall ordered Shangguan Tianque to send Zuo Qiudan to Chunyang Hall, but Zuo Qiudan refused and said he wanted to remain with the Pojun Sect.
  • Shangguan Tianque delayed the transfer by claiming Zuo Qiudan was experiencing an insight, then sent jade slips to Li Yan at the Tianli Clan and Wangliang Sect.
  • Shangguan Tianque learned that someone had given Chunyang Hall pills Zuo Qiudan had reserved for the Pojun Sect, and his contacts warned him the leadership’s transfer decision was settled.
  • Zuo Qiudan entered secluded cultivation, experienced a genuine sudden enlightenment, survived his Heavenly Tribulation, and advanced to the Void Refinement Realm.
  • Chunyang Hall ordered Zuo Qiudan to report as soon as he stabilized his realm, and Shangguan Tianque explained the situation to Li Yan.
  • Shangguan Tianque identified Ma Peijin, an elder who had joined the Pojun Sect at the Nascent Soul Middle Stage and secretly sought a position in Chunyang Hall.

Ch. 2939Unexpected Help

Li Yan learned that Ma Peijin had betrayed Pojun Sect by using Zuo Qiudan to gain Chunyang Hall’s favor, while Chunyang Hall still intended to conscript Zuo Qiudan. The order had stalled after Chongyangzi publicly protested, leaving Pojun Sect uncertain how long it could keep Zuo Qiudan.

  • Shangguan Tianque explained that Ma Peijin had used Zuo Qiudan to attract Chunyang Hall’s attention and had been exposed as a traitor, though he did not know the sect had uncovered him.
  • Shangguan Tianque told Li Yan that Pojun Sect had eight Spirit Transformation cultivators and only two Void Refinement cultivators, himself and Zuo Qiudan, with Ren Yanyu also having some hope of advancement.
  • Zuo Qiudan revealed that his realm had stabilized and that he had left seclusion a month earlier, prompting Shangguan Tianque to explain why Chunyang Hall had not yet enforced its order.
  • Shangguan Tianque said Chongyangzi had caused a public uproar by protesting Chunyang Hall’s forced conscription of Zuo Qiudan, and had been severely punished and injured.
  • Li Yan suspected Chongyangzi had intervened to repay him for avenging Tinglan’s family, and asked how badly Chongyangzi had been hurt.

Ch. 2940All Countermeasures

Li Yan learned that Chunyang Hall intended to force Zuo Qiudan to join it within five years, while Pojun Sect considered ways to protect him, including raising its rank. The group postponed a decision, and Zuo Qiudan asked Li Yan about the timing of his stay with the Tianli Clan after hearing that Wei Zhongran had visited Pojun Sect.

  • Li Yan inferred that injured Chongyangzi may have left the sect to seek protection from his brother-in-law’s clan.
  • Shangguan Tianque told Li Yan that Chunyang Hall planned to make Zuo Qiudan join it within five years, and Zuo Qiudan proposed going willingly before seeking a chance to escape.
  • Shangguan Tianque explained that raising Pojun Sect’s rank might block Chunyang Hall’s pressure, but the sect’s odds of qualifying were below ten percent.
  • Li Yan asked for time to consider a response, then met Zuo Qiudan in his cave residence while Yu Banjiang took Qianji and Ding Shuying to Li Yan’s cave residence.
  • Zuo Qiudan asked when Li Yan had stayed with the Tianli Clan, and Li Yan realized that his master had already visited Pojun Sect.

Ch. 2941Probing for News

Li Yan questioned Zuo Qiudan about Wei Zhongran’s visit and learned how the four phoenix clans had crossed realms and settled in the Heavenly Demon Grassland. The chapter left Li Yan reassured about the clans’ safety before he asked Zuo Qiudan to speak frankly about Chunyang Hall’s conscription.

  • Zuo Qiudan told Li Yan that Wei Zhongran and Li Yuyin had visited the Pojun Sect and later traveled to the Tianli Clan to look for him.
  • Li Yan learned that Zuo Qiudan had crossed realms with help from Ming Feng and the four phoenix clans, who had not revealed Li Yan’s identity.
  • Li Yan explained that the Black Devil Race had helped him save the four phoenix clans, resolving Zuo Qiudan’s doubts about his role.
  • Zuo Qiudan told Li Yan that the four phoenix clans had settled in the Heavenly Demon Grassland and shared their location with him.
  • Li Yan asked Zuo Qiudan for his frank thoughts about Chunyang Hall’s conscription.

Ch. 2942Still Waters, Hidden Ripples

Li Yan heard Zuo Qiudan’s plan to enter Chunyang Hall and later flee, but warned him that the escape would require careful planning. He then spoke privately with Bu Luo about the conscription threat and why Chunyang Hall sought to restrain Pojun Sect.

  • Zuo Qiudan told Li Yan he intended to enter Chunyang Hall before escaping to another great domain, in part to repay Pojun Sect for its kindness.
  • Li Yan said he opposed Zuo Qiudan’s plan as it stood and would consider the dangers and possible contingencies before they acted.
  • Li Yan summoned Bu Luo, teased him about his manners, and praised his breakthrough without the Great Fruitless Fruit.
  • Li Yan and Bu Luo left Zuo Qiudan’s cave residence and discussed Zuo Qiudan’s conscription and Chunyang Hall’s pressure on Pojun Sect.
  • Li Yan explained that Chunyang Hall wanted to curb Pojun Sect’s growth and that Zuo Qiudan’s valuable pills had merely given it an immediate pretext.

Ch. 2943Trust

Li Yan reassured Bu Luo as they discussed the possibility that Zuo Qiudan might leave Pojun Sect rather than accept Chunyang Hall’s conscription. After returning to his cave dwelling, Li Yan sent Qianji and Ding Shuying to settle in and began weighing the sudden threat to Zuo Qiudan.

  • Li Yan told Bu Luo that he had no solution yet, and Bu Luo guessed that Zuo Qiudan might flee alone to keep Pojun Sect from being implicated.
  • Bu Luo admitted that he would follow Zuo Qiudan if he left, but would return immediately if Pojun Sect faced trouble; Li Yan accepted his choice and urged him not to feel guilty.
  • Bu Luo took Li Yan’s refusal to offer a plan as a sign that he was secretly working on one, while Li Yan left the mountain peak.
  • Li Yan returned to his cave dwelling, instructed Qianji and Ding Shuying to choose rooms and focus on cultivation, and told Qianji he would visit Zi Kun later.
  • Qianji reassured Ding Shuying that Li Yan would handle the crisis, while Li Yan considered why Chunyang Hall was using forceful conscription against Zuo Qiudan.

Ch. 2944Rain Comes, Wind Fills the Tower

Li Yan saw Chunyang Hall’s requisition of Zuo Qiudan as an opportunity to persuade Shangguan Tianque to take the Pojun Sect out from under Chunyang Hall’s control and secretly ally with Soul Suppressing Palace. After weighing the risks, Li Yan went to discuss his plan with Shangguan Tianque.

  • Li Yan considered how Chunyang Hall’s treatment of Zuo Qiudan had made Shangguan Tianque dissatisfied and could give the Pojun Sect reason to leave its jurisdiction.
  • Li Yan concluded that leaving before the Pojun Sect grew stronger would avoid falling directly under the Moji Dao Sect and facing greater obstacles later.
  • Shangguan Tianque reflected on the failed proposal to raise the Pojun Sect’s rank and reaffirmed that Zuo Qiudan could not be allowed to leave.
  • Shangguan Tianque sensed Li Yan outside his cave residence and expected him to have a plan about Zuo Qiudan’s requisition.
  • Li Yan met Shangguan Tianque and said he wanted to discuss Elder Zuo’s matter in detail.

Ch. 2945Fire, Thunder, Lightning, and Thunder

Li Yan argued that Pojun Sect was trapped between submitting to Chunyang Hall and resisting its pressure, and warned that rising to second-rate status would only draw the Moji Dao Sect’s demands. He proposed breaking free of that cycle, but Shangguan Tianque feared the plan would destroy the sect and suspected Li Yan meant to take it to Wangliang Sect.

  • Li Yan laid out the costs of submitting to Chunyang Hall or reporting it to the Moji Dao Sect, then challenged Shangguan Tianque to consider Pojun Sect’s future.
  • Li Yan warned that even if Pojun Sect became a second-rate sect, it would face the Moji Dao Sect’s control and demands for resources and war.
  • Shangguan Tianque realized Li Yan was considering betraying Chunyang Hall and the Moji Dao Sect, and urged him not to risk the sect’s destruction.
  • Li Yan explained that Pojun Sect was trapped in a cycle whether it handed over Elder Zuo or tried to raise its rank.
  • Shangguan Tianque objected that the sect could not escape Chunyang Hall’s pursuit, even with help from Wangliang Sect, and suspected Li Yan planned to take Pojun Sect there.
  • Li Yan asked whether Shangguan Tianque thought he intended to take Pojun Sect to Wangliang Sect, and Shangguan Tianque stared at him without answering.

Ch. 2946Fire, Thunder, Lightning, and Thunder (2)

Li Yan explained to Shangguan Tianque that he wanted Pojun Sect to cooperate with Soul Suppressing Palace and leave Chunyang Hall’s jurisdiction. Shangguan Tianque reconsidered the proposal after learning about Li Yan’s ties to the powerful soul-cultivation sect and asked where Pojun Sect could relocate.

  • Li Yan clarified that he wanted Pojun Sect and Soul Suppressing Palace to cooperate, not to place Pojun Sect under Wangliang Sect’s control.
  • Li Yan recounted how he encountered Soul Suppressing Palace in the Dizhen Domain and helped its members escape, leading him to consider a partnership.
  • Shangguan Tianque learned that Soul Suppressing Palace had powerful Body Integration Realm cultivators and could support Pojun Sect’s departure.
  • Li Yan proposed relocating Pojun Sect to territory controlled by Soul Suppressing Palace, or finding and taking suitable territory together.

Ch. 2947Fire, Thunder, Lightning, and Thunder (3)

Li Yan persuaded Shangguan Tianque to cooperate with the Soul Suppressing Palace, offering the Pojun Sect a chance to secure its future through an alliance with soul cultivators. Shangguan agreed to meet them in person, and the two set out immediately, leaving the story at the edge of their dangerous mission.

  • Shangguan Tianque weighed the risks of Li Yan’s proposal and agreed that the Pojun Sect should ally with the Soul Suppressing Palace as an equal partner.
  • Li Yan invited Shangguan Tianque to accompany him, and Shangguan’s offer to go showed that he intended to cooperate openly and trusted Li Yan.
  • Li Yan and Shangguan Tianque left the cave residence at once to contact the Soul Suppressing Palace before the Chunyang Hall could issue a forced conscription.
  • The narration described the Heavenly Demon Grassland as a vast, lush forest concealing deadly dangers.

Ch. 2948Traveling Day and Night

Li Yan and Shangguan Tianque secretly left Pojun Sect to travel to Soul Suppressing Palace and discuss the Chunyang Hall situation. Li Yan reached a hidden entrance in the Heavenly Demon Grassland and teleported into Soul Suppressing Palace, where its guarded plaza revealed how carefully the Dizhen Domain protected access to the outside.

  • Li Yan and Shangguan Tianque told Zuo Qiudan they were leaving to seek acquaintances and resolve the matter involving Chunyang Hall, then secretly departed Pojun Sect.
  • After entering the Heavenly Demon Grassland, Shangguan Tianque asked Li Yan to keep him in the Spirit Storage Space so he would not learn the route to Soul Suppressing Palace.
  • Li Yan reached a concealed passage opened by Tang Feng and used a token and soul power to teleport into Soul Suppressing Palace.
  • Li Yan arrived alone on a plaza surrounded by teleportation arrays and learned that soul cultivators faced strict limits on traveling outside the Dizhen Domain.
  • Nascent Soul guards and hidden Spirit Transformation and Void Refinement cultivators probed Li Yan as he arrived at the heavily protected gateway.

Ch. 2949Changes, Then and Now (Part One)

Li Yan returned to the Soul Suppressing Palace and discovered that Elder Hao had made him its revered ancestor and placed its forces under his lead. After confirming that Elder Hao and Elder Tang were present, Li Yan contacted the palace to arrange a discussion about the major decisions ahead.

  • Li Yan passed the Soul Suppressing Palace's identity check and left the teleportation valley.
  • Wu Xingguan and Zeng Yidie followed Li Yan, and he confronted them on the mountain path.
  • Li Yan learned that Elder Hao had revealed his status as the first ancestor's disciple and ordered the palace and its affiliated forces to follow his lead.
  • Li Yan identified himself to Wu Xingguan and Zeng Yidie and told them not to attract attention.
  • Wu Xingguan told Li Yan that Elder Hao, Elder Tang, and the old sect master were in the palace, and Li Yan sent a message through his token.

Ch. 2950Changes Then and Now (2)

Li Yan returned to the sect’s main hall and found its leaders had advanced greatly in cultivation and were treating him as their Ancestor. He asked them to call him Elder Li instead, then prepared to hear about the sect’s affairs.

  • Li Yan rushed to the main hall after receiving replies from Tang Feng and Elder Tang, but none yet from Elder Hao.
  • Elder Tang, Xue Tieyi, Master Lan, Tang Feng, Elder Liu, and Elder Hua welcomed Li Yan as their Ancestor and offered him the central seat.
  • Li Yan thanked the group for managing the North Ice Continent and the Soul Suppressing Palace while he was away, then congratulated Xue Tieyi, Master Lan, Elder Liu, and Elder Hua on their cultivation breakthroughs.
  • Xue Tieyi began to update Li Yan on the sect, but Li Yan stopped him and asked everyone to address him as Elder Li rather than Ancestor.
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