Chapter 415 - 413: Support

Chapter 415: Chapter 413: Support

"Since that is the case, I shall lead a team to provide support."

When the Third Elder of the Shen Family arrived at the meeting hall and saw the awkward, heavy atmosphere, after learning of the entire situation, he pondered for a moment and directly stated his position.

"Huh? Elder Shen?"

The Third Elder of the Shen Family’s volunteering was completely unexpected by everyone present.

Wu Tianhao, who was garrisoned in Barbaric City, was especially surprised.

Although the Dragon Cloud Sect and the other factions were allies against the Demon Cultivators of the Nanyue Kingdom, there was actually no obligation for an ally to dispatch aid in the current situation.

When facing the Demon Alliance Army on the front lines, it was necessary to fight together. That was why they had to watch each other’s backs, act as one, and were obligated to rescue an ally who had fallen into danger.

But when trouble occurred in the rear, it was that Sect’s own business.

If one was free, they wouldn’t mind lending a hand to save face.

But if one had their own garrison duties, shouldering the heavy responsibility of guarding a rear hub like Barbaric City, then they were powerless to help, even if they wanted to.

After all, one couldn’t just abandon their own important tasks for the sake of a favor.

The other factions simply couldn’t spare the manpower.

And yet, the only person at the Dragon Cloud Sect’s stronghold in Barbaric City was Wu Tianhao.

As for his other senior brothers and sisters, because Wei Yuting had been there previously, they had long since followed Master Wandering Dragon to the Broken Soul Mountain battlefield.

This meant that the Dragon Cloud Sect’s stronghold in Barbaric City had no Soul Emergence Late Stage Realm experts at all.

This was precisely why the negotiations had reached a deadlock.

As for the Shen Family’s Third Elder, he was no idle person either.

In fact, his own affairs were also very important.

He had escorted many of the Shen Family’s younger generation here this time. Next, he was supposed to be looking after these young Shen descendants who had come to the Nanyue Kingdom for adventure.

The importance of this matter, to put it seriously, could even be said to concern the continued prosperity of the Shen Family.

He had his own important business to attend to.

That was why Wu Tianhao hadn’t even considered the Shen Family’s Third Elder in the first place.

Therefore, upon seeing the Third Elder volunteer, Wu Tianhao was just that surprised.

"Think nothing of it."

"As for this support mission, if all goes well, a round trip should only take ten to fifteen days."

"Leaving those young pups in Barbaric City for ten to fifteen days is not a big problem."

"We are all allies. If I can help, I will," the Third Elder of the Shen Family said with a calm expression.

"Fellow Daoist Shen is truly righteous!"

"Brother Shen is indeed a man of noble character! In the face of the Demon Dao fiends, we should unite as one and watch each other’s backs!"

"Sigh, if Barbaric City weren’t such an important rear communications hub that I cannot easily leave, I would have certainly gone with Fellow Daoist Shen to rescue them!"

Everyone present offered their praise one after another.

The Third Elder of the Shen Family nodded with a smile.

"You are all too kind."

"Since the situation is urgent, I will not linger. I shall depart at once!"

After a few more pleasantries, the Third Elder had no intention of delaying further and prepared to leave decisively.

It didn’t take long for the Third Elder of the Shen Family to quickly gather his people, and under the watchful eyes of the various Soul Emergence Realm experts from the garrisoned factions, he left Barbaric City and flew towards Golden Wind Valley.

「A short time later, high in the sky,」

The Flying Ship carrying the Third Elder of the Shen Family and the other members of the support team was already far from Barbaric City.

"Elder Shen, thank you so much for this rescue mission!"

Inside the Flying Ship, Wu Tianhao, who was accompanying the mission to guide them to Golden Wind Valley, solemnly clasped his fist in a salute to the Third Elder of the Shen Family to express his gratitude.

"Fellow Daoist Wu, you are too kind."

"Since I am free and an ally is in trouble, it is only natural that I offer my full support."

"After all, in this land of the Nanyue Kingdom, we are the outsiders."

The Third Elder quickly helped Wu Tianhao up as he spoke.

Wu Tianhao’s face was filled with gratitude. He didn’t say any more words of thanks, but he had already committed this favor to memory.

Seeing this, a subtle, almost imperceptible glint flashed in the depths of the Third Elder’s eyes.

’Very good,’ he thought, heaving a sigh of relief. ’This favor has been delivered!’

’With the favor I’ve granted today, if Shen Changchuan grows to the Divine Travel Realm like the old ancestor, or even surpasses him, and decides to purge the Zhou Family’s branch from within the Shen Family, then with this favor to his sect brother, I’ll have some leverage in the future to secure a chance of survival for my descendants.’

And this was precisely the main reason why he had decided to temporarily halt his family’s mission and volunteer for this support mission!

’The road ahead is uncertain!’ The Third Elder of the Shen Family lamented internally.

’It can’t be helped. That Shen Family junior named Shen Changchuan is just too Heaven-defying!’

’In just ten short years, he soared from the Qi Introduction Third Layer all the way to the Soul Emergence Fourth Layer, an achievement most people wouldn’t even dare to dream of in their entire lives!’

’And as for the First Wife, who made several attempts on his life as he was growing up, bringing him to the brink of death, once Shen Changchuan rises to power, he is bound to seek revenge and settle the score!’

This was not good news for the Third Elder.

Because, his branch of the family was aligned with the First Wife!

In the past, the Third Elder had been somewhat like an ostrich, burying his head in the sand and pretending not to see the problem.

But the scene outside Barbaric City three years ago had undoubtedly been a rude awakening.

Shadow, an expert at the Soul Emergence Sixth Layer with quite a reputation in the Nanyue Kingdom, had fallen at the hands of the young Shen Changchuan just like that.

And from start to finish, the battle didn’t even last a quarter of an hour!

Having witnessed that scene with his own eyes, he finally realized that this young prodigy of the Shen Family possessed talent far beyond his imagination!

His future prospects were likely something he couldn’t even begin to fathom!

As a branch of the Shen Family aligned with the First Wife, for the past three years, the Third Elder had been tossing and turning, unable to sleep day or night!

He couldn’t help but worry. ’In a few decades, if that Shen Changchuan successfully advances to the Divine Travel Realm, and the old ancestor passes away, what will become of them? The First Wife will be purged, and the fate of our branch will be no better!’

The Third Elder had more than once regretted throwing his lot in with the First Wife back then, all for a chance for his own descendants to train in the Central State.

But unfortunately, there were no second chances in this world.

This time, returning to Tian Nan City, he had finally managed to come up with a plan.

It was said that the Shen Family junior had a good relationship with his fellow sect brothers.

’In that case, could I befriend his sect brothers and thereby secure a future path for my own branch? Could I even use this as a chance to mend our relationship? After all, although our branch is aligned with the First Wife’s faction, truthfully, it seems we have never acted directly against that Shen Changchuan. Based on the information gathered about Shen Changchuan’s character, he doesn’t seem like the type to hold a grudge against others without cause. Especially not those who manage to establish a connection with him.’

’What’s more, getting close to his sect brothers wouldn’t be too conspicuous, and it wouldn’t arouse the First Wife’s suspicion.’

Right now, the First Wife still wielded considerable power within the Shen Family, thanks to the support from her maiden family.

Although he didn’t know the situation with the Central Zhou Family, confronting the First Wife head-on... now was not the time.

So, when he set out from the Tian Nan Domain, the Third Elder of the Shen Family had already had a plan in mind.

And as soon as he arrived in Barbaric City, he encountered this matter.

Naturally, he didn’t hesitate and agreed to provide support for this trip.

’Thankfully, there’s finally a turning point...’ the Third Elder sighed inwardly.