Chapter 397 - 211: A Toll of the Blood Bell! A Family Annihilated

Chapter 397: Chapter 211: A Toll of the Blood Bell! A Family Annihilated

"Furthermore, the matter of joining forces with Qingfeng Temple cannot be delayed. I will personally go to Qingfeng Temple later to discuss this with Master Qingxu. In addition, there is also the matter of dealing with the Iron Sword Sect, the Danxia Sect, and the other members of the Three Sects."

"These Three Sects have betrayed our alliance and colluded with the Government Office. They have already fallen to the demonic path and must be eliminated."

At this, Monk Kongjian paused.

"Before the Abbot arrives, all you disciples must put this matter on hold. Be cautious. Chen Sheng is surely on guard right now. Do not provoke him, lest you give him leverage against us."

The monks looked at each other, then said in unison:

"We will obey, Martial Uncle."

.....

Similar to Golden Spring Temple, Qingfeng Temple was also discussing the matter following the destruction of Luoyun Manor. However, compared to Golden Spring Temple’s intense killing intent, Qingfeng Temple had no intention of making a move against Chen Sheng for the time being.

Their true targets were the Iron Sword Sect and the other two of the Three Sects.

Previously, the six major powers had formed an alliance led by Qingfeng Temple and Golden Spring Temple. They had naturally taken the most resources and had also been secretly instigating internal conflict among the other sects. But from beginning to end, they had never personally intervened.

But now, the situation had changed.

The alliance existed in name only. If Qingfeng Temple did not act, its former dominance would be shaken.

Therefore, Qingfeng Temple’s top priority was to deal with the Iron Sword Sect and the others.

Qingfeng Temple would make these Three Sects understand what it meant to be the true hegemon of Ning’an!

As for setting a death trap for Chen Sheng, Daoist Qingxu had no intention of getting involved personally. He knew very well that, given the habits of those bald donkeys from Golden Spring Temple, they would certainly make a move.

Rather than getting into an inextricable conflict, it was better to kill with a borrowed knife and let Golden Spring Temple handle it.

Thus, Daoist Qingxu did not agree to Monk Kongjian’s proposal to jointly set up a death trap.

"What? Does Master Qingxu not understand the threat this demon poses? As long as he remains, the situation in Ning’an cannot be restored. Only by killing this demon can we ensure our complete safety."

Monk Kongjian’s brow furrowed in displeasure. He wanted to drag Qingfeng Temple into this mess as well.

"Governor Chen is indeed a threat, but I believe that dealing with the Iron Sword Sect and the others is our top priority. What’s more, Chen Sheng is not the man he once was. He is a fifth-rank Governor of the Jingwu Bureau and has an extraordinary relationship with the Nie Family of Yunzhou. He is not someone we can move against easily."

Daoist Qingxu shook his head. ℴ

Hearing this, Monk Kongjian became thoughtful and stared at him.

"If that’s the case, then Golden Spring Temple will handle Chen Sheng. As for the Iron Sword Sect, the Danxia Sect, and the others, how about we leave them to Qingfeng Temple? Furthermore, I believe that in the current situation, neither Golden Spring Temple nor Qingfeng Temple can handle this alone. Perhaps we can make an agreement: if either of our sects is attacked by the Government Office, the other must provide its full support. Otherwise, in a fallen nest, no egg remains unbroken!"

Daoist Qingxu’s face grew thoughtful. After a moment, he lightly flicked his duster.

"Excellent!"

...

Just as Ning’an Prefecture was in an uproar over the destruction of Luoyun Manor, and just as Golden Spring Temple and Qingfeng Temple were forging their alliance, Chen Sheng, the architect of it all, chose to enter seclusion immediately after the battle at Luoyun Manor.

’Now is not the time to move against Golden Spring Temple.’

Chen Sheng certainly wasn’t going to waste this time. His top priority was to refine the Cold Marrow he had obtained from Luoyun Manor to increase his cultivation and strength.

...

At the border of Ning’an Prefecture, tens of thousands of feet in the air.

A magnificent Iron-Winged Giant Eagle soared through a sea of clouds, its wings spread wide.

The eagle’s wingspan was over thirty zhang—nearly a hundred meters wide. Its feathers were like iron, glinting with a cold, metallic luster. Every flap of its wings stirred up a violent gale.

Its ferocious aura could be clearly felt even from a great distance.

This was no ordinary Demon Beast, but a rare Spiritual Bird, meticulously tamed and suitable as transport for a Major Sect.

Even more striking were the several figures standing solemnly on the giant eagle’s broad back.

The one in the lead was a stooped old woman holding a Dragon Wood Walking Stick.

Her face was gaunt, her wrinkles as deep as ravines, and her white hair was sparse. Only her seemingly murky old eyes would, from time to time, flash with a startlingly sharp light.

The aura around her was obscure and hard to discern, as if she were one with the world, yet also separate from it. She was clearly an expert of unfathomable cultivation.

Behind the old woman, three people stood side by side.

On the left was a young man in splendid blue robes. He was handsome but wore an undisguised air of arrogance. Standing with his hands behind his back, he gazed down condescendingly, seemingly uninterested in the mountains and rivers rushing by below.

On the right was a woman in a long, pale-blue, flowing dress. Her hair was swept up in an elegant coiffure, and her face was stunningly beautiful. As her gaze shifted, her eyes sparkled with a mix of curiosity and amusement.

She was looking down with considerable interest at the landscape of Ning’an Prefecture, which was gradually coming into view.

And standing slightly in front of these two, with an expression that was both respectful and faintly urgent, was none other than the Young Master of Luoyun Manor, Lu Xuanzhou, whom Chen Sheng would have certainly recognized had he been there.

After learning that his family was in danger of being annihilated, Lu Xuanzhou hadn’t dared to delay for a second, rushing to the Vast Sea Sect at top speed.

By leveraging Luoyun Manor’s century of tribute and the imminent crisis of the manor’s destruction, he had finally managed to persuade Granny Wuhua, the Sect Elder with the closest ties to the Lu Family, to intervene.

As one of the few Major Sects in Yunzhou, the Vast Sea Sect’s power was extensive and complex, with numerous vassal forces. Luoyun Manor was merely one of them.

The sect did not place much importance on Luoyun Manor.

But this Granny Wuhua was different.

She had received a great deal of tribute from the Lu Family over the years. If she remained indifferent to Luoyun Manor’s destruction this time, not only would she lose face, but her credibility in maintaining her own influence within the sect would also be damaged in the future.

Therefore, she had no choice but to take a stand for Luoyun Manor.

The two young people with extraordinary auras beside her were among the most outstanding of the Vast Sea Sect’s current generation of True Disciples.

They were originally on a mission to Nanzhao Prefecture and were simply being escorted part of the way by Granny Wuhua.

Granny Wuhua had her own reasons for bringing them along.

’Directly using my power to intimidate and clashing with the Government Office isn’t the best strategy. But if that Governor named Chen Sheng doesn’t know what’s good for him, I can have these two exceptionally talented True Disciples teach him a lesson in the name of a "friendly spar." That way, I’ll save face without letting things escalate to an irredeemable point. Of course, the best outcome would be for Chen Sheng to be sensible and accept a reconciliation with Luoyun Manor.’

"Senior Sister Yu," Lu Xuanzhou said attentively to the woman in the blue dress, temporarily suppressing his anxiety for his family’s fate and forcing a smile.

"This Ning’an Prefecture can’t compare to the Vast Sea Immortal Mountain, but it has its own unique scenery and local color. Once this matter is settled, I will make arrangements to show you around, Senior Sister. Perhaps it might inspire your cultivation."

Hearing this, Yu Suzhen gave a dazzling smile. Her gaze lingered on Lu Xuanzhou’s face for a moment, and her voice was soft and delicate. "Then I’ll thank you in advance for your kind offer, Junior Brother Lu. But... shouldn’t you be more worried about the situation at home right now? How do you have the leisure for such things?"

Lu Xuanzhou’s smile didn’t falter, but his tone carried a new confidence. "You jest, Senior Sister. It’s only been a few days since I left home. I doubt the Government Office could have acted so quickly, even if they made a move. Now that Granny Wuhua is here in person, and with you and Senior Brother—two peerless talents—accompanying us, I’m sure this little local dispute can be resolved smoothly. My father... must be eagerly awaiting good news."

As he spoke, Lu Xuanzhou’s gaze couldn’t help but follow Yu Suzhen.

Ever since he joined the Vast Sea Sect and first laid eyes on this peerlessly beautiful and highly talented senior sister, he had been utterly smitten.

He had spent years trying his best to win her favor, but for some reason, she always kept him at a distance—sometimes she would flash a charming smile, other times she would be as cold as ice, leaving him with an insatiable longing, unable to figure her out.

The arrogant young man in splendid robes, hearing Lu Xuanzhou’s words and catching his barely concealed gaze fixed on Yu Suzhen, couldn’t help but curl his lip into a faint, mocking sneer before looking away.

It was as if looking a moment longer would make him burst out laughing.

Yu Suzhen glanced at the young man in splendid robes, her brow furrowing almost imperceptibly, then quickly turned back with a smile. "Well... thank you then, Junior Brother Lu."

"No need to thank me, no need at all! It’s what I should do. After all, I’m practically a host here."

Seeing his senior sister agree, the smile on Lu Xuanzhou’s face widened.

Suddenly, the Iron-Winged Giant Eagle let out a long cry that could shatter stone, then with a beat of its wings, it accelerated again, breaking through the clouds and heading toward Luoyun Manor.

————