Returning in Triumph

After Chen Ye's death, Lord Shan looked at the still steaming, hideous head in the hands of the Daoist Black Shoes, showing no joy whatsoever. Perhaps it was just his imagination, but Lord Yin Shan seemed to see a trace of ease and relief in it.

The Lord Shan's face turned solemn. "Alas, why go through all this?"

The Daoist Black Shoes could see that Lord Shan was severely injured. In his anxiety, he did not delay. He simply called out to Jiang Qing and then, without even turning back, took Lord Shan to find a familiar Alchemist to treat his injuries.

Jiang Qing was also anxious, but since his martial uncle had given him instructions, he had no choice but to obey and return.

After a while, a withered, slender, sharp-nosed little beast emerged from the grass a few steps away from Chen Ye's corpse.

Its eyes are large, taking up a third of its entire face, as if it had just emerged from the ground, so there are still a few specks of mud mixed in with the fur on its head, making it look quite impatient.

It looked around to make sure there were no natural enemies nearby before daring to drool over Chen Ye's corpse.

Its animal instincts told it that the fresh meat lying on the ground was no ordinary thing. Before long, a high-level Demon Beast would come and take it over. The risk was too great; it was not something a small beast with such low cultivation and not yet a spirit beast could taste.

But it still dared to come out, perhaps hoping that by using this corpse, it could escape its fate of being slaughtered and rise to the top.

The little beast had gone less than half a foot away from a piece of meat lying on the ground. The delicious aroma of blood and flesh almost made it faint, but it was still half a step too late.

An old monk in a black robe arrived quietly. His face was crisscrossed with scars, showing neither joy nor sorrow.

The overwhelming spiritual pressure forced the little beast to instantly prostrate itself on the ground, trembling like a leaf, its lower body sticky, and it dared not raise its head.

The old cultivator in black robes did not linger on this mortal beast; he merely glanced coldly at Chen Ye's headless corpse, his expression remaining unchanged.

After his gaze lingered on Chen Ye, the old cultivator summoned a small, jet-black banner. With a gentle wave, a remnant soul was extracted from his body and absorbed into the banner.

Only then did a glimmer of light appear in the old cultivator's eyes, and he murmured softly:

"As expected of a cultivator who used the Blood Foundation Pill to establish their Dao Foundation, the strength of this soul is almost comparable to that of Foundation Establishment Peak cultivator. If this remnant soul is refined properly, even reaching the Golden Core stage is just around the corner."

The old cultivator in black robes smiled slightly and said in a soft voice, "I originally intended to nurture him for a longer period of time. As long as he lived up to expectations, I wouldn't mind providing him with the resources for even False Core or Golden Core. But I had a sudden urge to go into seclusion for a while and didn't have time to clear things up with Jiang Yuan."

"Well, well, this result isn't bad. Spending another sixty or two years to raise a Golden Core Ghost School to add another main soul to my precious Soul Banner isn't difficult. This deal isn't bad."

In high spirits, the old cultivator in black robes saw the trembling little beast with its pointed snout, and then glanced at Chen Ye's almost useless corpse, and a thought struck him.

He opened his palm towards the headless corpse, then slowly clenched it into a fist. Chen Ye's skin, bones, and blood seemed to be locked and compressed into a ball by an invisible Spiritual Qi, and then it was quickly condensed into a pill rich in Blood Qi.

The old cultivator in black robes extended a finger, grasping the half-black, half-red pill in his hand. A rare look of surprise appeared in his eyes as he muttered:

"Tsk, this body has lost the head of the Six Yangs, yet the bloodline it contains is still so strong? In that case, Chen Ye's death is truly a good thing. Unless he can find an orthodox Blood Devil Dao Cultivation Method, he will definitely not be able to form a core in the future, and it will take me decades of effort and energy to achieve that."

The old cultivator in black robes smiled even more broadly. After pondering for a moment, he gently flicked the pill at the side of the small beast at his feet. Then, a large cloud of black mist emanated from the small banner in his hand, enveloping the old cultivator and causing him to disappear swiftly.

The sharp-nosed little beast waited until the old man in black robes had been gone for a long time before it dared to raise its head tremblingly. It smelled the violent and frenzied scent of the black and red pill, but without thinking, it opened its mouth, picked it up, and swallowed it.

Without looking back, it plunged into its simple underground cave, ready to seize this hard-won opportunity.

The old cultivator in black robes stood in the void, an unknown distance away, yet he observed every single detail of the sharp-beaked beast's behavior. "It all depends on your fate."

As the old cultivator in black robes was about to depart, he glanced once more at the battlefield of Old Ox Mountain, which was engulfed in flames, and his face returned to its usual expressionless state.

The passing of those vibrant lives seemed to stir not even a ripple in his heart. Even the confrontation between Yuan Buwen and Yue Lin, two top-tier False Core, seemed as trivial as children playing around in his eyes.

But even the seemingly omniscient and omnipotent old cultivator in black robes failed to notice that his small banner, which had been his companion for hundreds of years, seemed to be undergoing some changes due to the presence of a wisp of remnant soul.

At this moment, the vast Old Ox Mountain was filled with fireworks. On his way back, Jiang Qing saw Ye Zhen and others fighting fiercely against the three fleeing families.

Led by Ge Qinglan, the Ge Household was more skilled. After sacrificing several Second Tier corpse refiners, they slipped away and left most of the True Spirit Gate behind.

The Foundation Establishment of the New Cloud Alliance relentlessly pursued the Snow-Feathered Night Owl, leaving it battered and bruised.

Given Jiang Qing's personality, even if the great battle had just ended, he would not sit idly by.

Admittedly, his swordsmanship was nothing to look at in the eyes of Yuan Buwen and other first-rate False Core, but once he encountered his peers from the True Spirit Gate, Jiang Qing's prowess became apparent.

Both being at the Foundation Establishment Early Stage, Jiang Qing and Hemu Dao, the Daoist Master of Li Mingyuan, blocked two Second-Tier Lower-Grade Red-Eyed Ape in front of them, and the White Dew Sword instantly cut through the two mixed iron rods in front of them.

Unable to discern the danger, the two Red-Eyed Ape still dared to attack without displaying any ferocity.

Jiang Qing didn't give an inch. With a soft shout, a large patch of flames appeared on the White Dew Sword, its sword light crisscrossing, turning the two short sticks red-hot and quickly melting them away.

The two foolish creatures winced and grimaced from the heat of the weapons they gripped tightly in their hands, their flesh sticking to their sides, yet they were unwilling to let go. On the contrary, they were full of courage, relying on Movement Method agile and swift movements to dodge the sword light, then opened their mouths wide, revealing a mouthful of sharp teeth, and charged forward.

Jiang Qing raised her eyebrows slightly, neither dodging nor avoiding, and recalled the White Dew Sword to her hand.

Over the years, he had mastered the Three Yang Sword Instruction to a high degree, achieving great mastery. In the history of the Chongming Sect, his skill was only slightly inferior to that of the learned and Celestial Person Patriarch Zhang.

After completing his Foundation Establishment, Jiang Qing diligently studied the "Ten Discourses on Qingfuzi's Sword Classic." Based on this treatise, Jiang Qing also found some errors and shortcomings in the "Three Yang Sword Instruction" and made improvements.

This is something that even the founder of the school, Patriarch Zhang, was unable to accomplish.

Jiang Qing felt that through these measures, he had raised the power of the Three Yang Sword Instruction to a new level. At this moment, facing just two Red-Eyed Apes with mixed bloodlines, he naturally had no fear whatsoever.

To be honest, Old Sect Leader He's first three disciples were truly extraordinary and deserved the high praise given to them by the Ming Household elder back then.

A foul wind, carrying the stench of Blood Qi, swept in. Before Jiang Qing could even move his sword, the wind from his sword rose first, instantly dispelling the foul wind.

Before the Red-Eyed Ape could react, they suddenly felt a crimson glow before them, making it almost impossible to see. Their Divine Sense detected a powerful enemy approaching, and the Red-Eyed Ape raised their clubs to strike, but their blows repeatedly missed their mark.

Jiang Qing lunged forward, the flames on his sword dissipating, replaced by a sharp glint, and with a flick of his wrist, he sliced through the throat and slit the neck.

The thick, hard skin, as tough as black iron, failed to protect the lives of the Red-Eyed Ape. The two ferocious beasts, which had been so menacing just moments before, became a pile of spoils for the Double Brightness Sword Immortal in the blink of an eye.

Facing Li Mingyuan directly, the gray-robed Foundation Establishment instantly lost two of his most relied-upon spirit beasts. He panicked and lost his composure, which allowed the Hemu Dao to find his mistake.

Li Mingyuan made a sudden change in his hand gesture, and a surge of water vapor suddenly appeared in the void. Twelve drops of Yang Radiance Heavy Water instantly condensed. This was a water-based orthodox cultivation method that only the direct descendants of the Yao Mountain Li Household in neighboring Ye Prefecture could practice, and it was not to be underestimated.

Li Qingyuan pointed his halberd, and Yang Radiance Heavy Water Shui, having formed a neat line, crashed one after another into a second -Second-Tier Lower-Grade rock shield that the Hui Kuzhi Foundation Establishment had hastily prepared for.

After a series of loud booms, stone chips flew everywhere, and dust filled the air.

Just as the ninth drop of heavy water was about to smash the rock shield Foundation Establishment into dust, a red halberd slashed through the air. With a clang, the heavy water vanished, and the gray-clad Foundation Establishment was spared.

"Cease fire! Stop fighting!" Yuan Buwen's voice wasn't loud, but it seemed to shake the chaotic battlefield, indicating that he had also used some kind of high-level Technique Method.

Yue Lin followed closely behind, saying nothing, but gesturing for the two Foundation Establishment, who were locked in fierce combat, to separate.

After Yuan Buwen uttered those four words so casually, countless others around Old Ox Mountain, just like the man in gray trousers who had just Foundation Establishment, narrowly escaped with their lives.

Kang Rongquan withdrew the silver ring he was about to smash the other man's head, then looked at the azure dagger that had just been about to pierce his heart, still feeling lingering fear.

The Lin Lineage soldier pressing down on Kang Rongquan, whose face had been full of madness, had his expression fade after hearing the False Core's command. The two who had just been fighting to the death now felt relieved at the same time, and turned to look at Yue and Yuan Er in the clouds.

At the same time, the Sect Leader Kang Da flicked the Ink Abyss Flag, shaking off all the flesh and bone fragments on it, and then turned his gaze into the clouds.

"The New Cloud Alliance has won this time. The Changning Sect will withdraw from Old Ox Mountain from today. The Jingnan Yuan Household will also withdraw from White Sand County." Yuan Buwen's tone was displeased. Judging from his expression and the result, it was clear that he had been outmaneuvered by Yue Lin in their confrontation.

Fang Yi Yuan Buwen finished speaking, Yue Lin simply nodded in agreement. "Let both sides cease hostilities, and hopefully live in harmony and peace thereafter."

When Yue Lin spoke, there was not a trace of self-satisfaction on his face. He remained as calm and composed as before, as if he did not feel any joy at winning the battle.

After the two fake alchemists finished speaking, Old Ox Mountain, which was still a battlefield of a thousand cultivators, became eerily silent.

This silence did not last long; soon, sobs could be heard from both sides. In just one night, countless cultivators had lost their beloved family and friends.

Since it's clearly a matter that a high-ranking cultivator could decide with a single word, why force these low-level cultivators to fight to the death and shed blood before declaring a temporary cessation of hostilities?

Sect Leader Kang Da was equally puzzled, but he stopped thinking about it.

He only knew that there would always be people in this world who would cry, regardless of right or wrong. As long as the Chongming Sect prospered even a little more, the tears that would fall would certainly decrease.

Then, he transformed the Ink Abyss Flag into a great banner and raised it high to gather his disciples, patrolmen, and guards.

The New Cloud Alliance began cleaning up the battlefield, while the various factions of the Changning Sect could only watch helplessly as their treasured possessions, accumulated over many years, were seized and distributed by the enemy, tears welling in their eyes.

One side is happy while the other is sad; the only thing they have in common now is that they both have to go back to their own lives and lick their wounds.

Whether it's the Two Instruments Sect or the Cloud Horn Prefecture Court, there will always be a time when they can wield these knives again.

As night faded and the sun rose, its rays bathed the ravaged and unrecognizable Old Ox Mountain, dispelling much of the somber atmosphere and adding a touch of warmth to everyone present.

Yuan Buwen sulking and left without even discussing the arrangements with the Changning Sect.

Yue Lin lingered a while longer, his gaze finding Kang Dabao, who was painedly counting the casualties. He intended to summon him for a talk, but then abandoned the idea and rode his magical cloud Law Artifact toward Xuanwei City.

Although the Rainbow Cloud Law Artifact was not of high grade, Yue Lin was not in a hurry to return victorious. He only hoped that by the time he returned, the news of the New Cloud Alliance's forced retreat of the Changning Sect and the recapture of White Sand County would have spread throughout the state court.

It took Yue Lin twice as long as usual to reach Xuanwei City during the Foundation Establishment. After the death of Gun Qiushou, the position of gatekeeper was still filled by a member of the clan selected by the Acting Sima Gun family.

Although the new Guan Cheng was from the capital region, he did not dare to make things difficult for the fake Dan Master in front of him. As soon as Yue Lin entered the city, people from the governor's mansion, the Sima's mansion, and the Demon Suppression Bureau came to greet him.

Of the three, Yue Lin had no reason not to go to the Demon Correction Office. After politely thanking the officials of the other two divisions, Yue Lin followed a Foundation Establishment commander to the Demon Correction Office.

Tie Liuyun personally came out to greet him, displaying utmost humility. "Senior Yue, you've worked hard."

Yue Lin nodded without speaking. The two dismissed their attendants and went into a quiet room to discuss matters.

Tie Liuyun spoke first, and despite his usual image as a capable and efficient official, his words now carried a hint of flattery:

"The news that Senior, leading the New Cloud Alliance, forced back the henchmen of the Two Instruments Sect and recaptured White Sand has already reached Lord Bo. Yesterday, he summoned the officials of the state court to discuss this matter, and the meeting was filled with praise. Everyone knows that Senior has made great contributions."

When Yue Lin faced Tie Liuyun, his expression softened slightly. He said calmly, "It's just relying on Lord Tie's power; it's nothing serious."

Yue Lin reached out to interrupt Tie Liuyun's praise and asked in a low voice, "What were Zhu Tong and Fei Nanying's reactions?"

Without hesitation, Tie Liuyun humbly replied, "Senior has performed such a great service that even the Earl praises him highly. What right do those other people have to criticize?"

Yue Lin did not fully believe Tie Liuyun's words.

Since their own daughter had won the favor of the Marquis of Earl of Nan'an, the local cultivators of Cloud Horn Prefecture, who were as powerful as Tie Liuyun, naturally regarded the Yue Household as the leader who could rival the people from the capital.

Yue Lin was well aware that whenever he heard such flattering words, he had to take them with a grain of salt before they could be considered true.

"But as long as even 50% of what Tie Liuyun said is credible, then my plan will have a very high chance of succeeding, and all my hard work will not have been in vain," Yue Lin thought to herself.

In just two or three decades, Yue Lin, the head of the Han City Yue Household, had a completely different view of Kuang Liuting.

The latter is indeed worthy of being the leading figure of the new generation of imperial clan members. If the Yue Household can really catch up with this train through their own eldest daughter, their future prospects will be extremely bright.

Rumors circulate that Cloud Horn Prefecture Court is a shallow and treacherous place, and the so-called conflict between the locals and the Hakka is nothing more than a struggle over this tiny territory.

But Yue Lin knew in his heart that most of those people from the capital region came to the border prefectures to seek their future and had no interest in the meager benefits of Cloud Horn Prefecture.

The core of the conflict between the two sides is actually the unresolved issue of Kuang Liuting's position as the principal wife.

Yue Lin could see clearly that this member of the imperial family was different from ordinary people; he was not one to follow the rules.

If the Yue Household does well, they might still have a chance.

After all, although the Yue Household's eldest daughter did not have a maternal family as prominent as those noble ladies from the capital, the Han City Yue Household was much more obedient and submissive than those large Lineage. They could wholeheartedly serve Kuang Liuting, which was something that other competitors who cast their nets everywhere could not match.

Even if one cannot obtain the position of principal wife, obtaining a concubine of a higher status would still bring honor to the Yue Household.

But if people like Zhu Tong wouldn't even grant the Yue Household this small wish, how could Yue Lin, who could be called the number one False Core in Shannan Circuit, swallow this insult and let the Capital Region Faction get away with it?

Yue Lin said nothing more to Tie Liuyun and stayed alone until noon the next day, after having his spiritual meal.

Kuang Liuting's personal attendants casually came to invite him, saying, "The Earl summons me."

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