For a moment, it seemed as though Wu Ruyan's face flushed red before returning to normal, and she smiled calmly. "This... is good."
Su Ming nudged Zhang Yong's ribs lightly. "Ahem," he coughed to get Zhang Yong's attention.
Zhang Yong turned his head toward Su Ming, who pointed to the other side. Long Yuliang stood there with a grim expression.
"Yuliang," Zhang Yong called out in a slightly cheerful voice, ignoring her expression. "What is it?"
Long Yuliang frowned even more, but the corners of her lips twitched slightly. "I don't like it when you get close to other girls."
A mocking smile appeared on Su Ming's face before he whispered to Zhang Yong, "Hehe, look what you've done."
While Zhang Yong was calmly chatting with the group, Elder Gu and Sect Leader Zi Yan approached them.
Upon seeing them, everyone bowed toward Elder Gu. "Greetings, Elder."
"Greetings, Sect Leader," Long Yuliang said in a polite tone as she bowed.
"Hehe, it seems this trip was fruitful for you," Elder Gu said happily upon seeing his disciples return in one piece.
"Yes, somewhat. The place was strange, especially the last part where—" Su Ming spoke but suddenly fell silent when Zhang Yong covered his mouth.
Su Ming looked at Zhang Yong in confusion before Zhang Yong raised his finger to his lips, signaling he should remain silent. This was neither the place nor the time to discuss this, especially before prying eyes.
Sect Leader Zi Yan noticed Zhang Yong's behavior and immediately set up a soundproof barrier. "It would be best not to speak of this here, especially your gains. If you have achieved too much, many will see you as a threat that must be eliminated early."
Everyone immediately understood the Sect Leader's meaning before she promptly lowered the barrier.
Then Elder Gu gestured calmly. "Now, upon your return, you must enter seclusion to digest what you have absorbed."
At that same moment, several meters away, the elders of the other sects gathered in a cluster.
They were elders from the Heavenly Path Sect, the Grand Magic Sect, the Great Sun Sect, and the Brilliant Divination Sect.
The elder of the Bloodstorm Sect, a massive man with thick mustaches and eyes like burning coals, strode heavily toward the group.
"Where is Shen Wan Ying?" he roared in a voice like thunder. "And where is Liang Shen? Qing Tian Lin? Cai Fu?"
A heavy silence fell. None of them were present.
Elder Gu slowly turned toward Zhang Yong, but Zhang Yong showed no reaction.
Only his blood-red eyes flickered briefly, as if reflecting some mysterious inner light.
"What does the elder mean by asking us?" Sect Leader Zi Yan displayed a hostile expression toward the elders.
The Bloodstorm Sect elder took another step forward, his eyes scrutinizing Zhang Yong carefully. "You clearly harbored enmity toward Shen Wan Ying. You seized the opportunity to eliminate him and disposed of the rest to cover your tracks."
Zi Yan moved swiftly, placing herself between Zhang Yong and the elders. "Are you accusing my disciple of murder? In front of me?" Her voice was calm but carried lethal threat.
The massive elder did not retreat. "I ask Sect Leader Zi not to interfere. This is a matter between the Bloodstorm Sect and Purple Star. The Pure Jade Sect has no place here."
A heavy silence followed the Bloodstorm Sect elder's words. Zhang Yong remained silent, but his blood-red eyes flickered with a hidden glow.
Zi Yan pressed her lips together, then let out a cold laugh. "Oh, the Pure Jade Sect and Purple Star are allied. That means their problems are my problems as well. Or are you afraid to fight?" She moved her fingers lightly, as orbs of crimson light began to orbit around Zi Yan.
The Bloodstorm Sect elder's eyes widened. Simply put, the Pure Jade Sect was not to be underestimated. If it were otherwise, would the Golden Family or even the Imperial Family send their heirs to it? This meant only that it was worthy of trust.
Elder Gu sighed as he stepped forward. "Zi, there is no need for violence." Then he looked coldly at the Bloodstorm Sect elder. "The Sky Boundary Realm is indeed a dangerous area, and entering it is tantamount to abandoning one's life. The benefits equal the risks. If your disciple could not endure it, that is his own fault. There is no need for you to continue this discussion."
The massive elder of the Bloodstorm Sect stiffened for a moment, his eyes shifting between Zi Yan and Elder Gu Zixian.
Finally, he muttered venomously, "An alliance? Between Purple Star and Pure Jade? What a ridiculous joke." But his voice had lost some of its edge.
Zi Yan did not raise her voice, but every word was sharp as a blade. "Since the beginning of the martial era, the strong have always had the final word. Are you prepared to wage war on a mere assumption? Because your disciples' blood will not be the last to spill today if you insist."
In the background, the disciples of the other sects began retreating in subtle steps. Even the most enthusiastic among them understood that this battle was not for them.
Clearly, the elder was from a sect weaker than another sect's leader, and both were from the Venerable Realm, but Zi Yan was evidently stronger, which made the elder hesitate.
Sect Leader Zi Yan released a killing intent toward the elders, causing the air around her to ripple. Zhang Yong stepped forward coolly. "Elder, I understand your concern." His voice was calm. "But your accusations require evidence."
The massive elder snarled, "Evidence?! Six of our most outstanding young talents suddenly vanish? And you were the only one who had a conflict with one of them!"
"Ridiculous." Zhang Yong let out a short laugh, while his blood-red eyes gleamed with intelligence. "The Sky Boundary Realm swallows hundreds every year. Or are you looking for a scapegoat for your disciple's weakness?"
At that moment, the elder of the Grand Magic Sect, a gaunt man with serpentine eyes, interjected. "If not you, then who else would harbor enmity toward them!"
Zhang Yong smiled calmly. "I do not know. But one thing is certain: I could not have done it. My dantian is broken, while they were six with sacred bodies. It is impossible that I could have survived against them. Or are you suggesting that I conspired with my companions against them?"
A heavy silence followed Zhang Yong's words. Even the Bloodstorm Sect elder seemed momentarily uncertain. The idea that a boy with a broken dantian could overcome six of the most outstanding young talents seemed impossible.
Without even mentioning it, they could not even blame him. If they did, they would be admitting that he had conspired with his companions, which would be a disaster for the elders themselves!
Who were Zhang Yong's companions?
Three from the highest families in the Empire, and one was the Emperor's daughter. The moment they accused them, they would become their enemies.
Without even mentioning the Emperor's daughter, those three alone were more than enough to make the situation hopeless. It would be no different from enmity with the entire Empire.
Such was the power of backing.
Under these circumstances, there was no choice but to save face.
A heavy silence followed Zhang Yong's words. The Bloodstorm Sect elder bit his thick mustaches, his coal-like eyes flickering with suppressed rage.
"In that case, we apologize for our haste. We will investigate this matter further." The Bloodstorm Sect elder bowed slightly, as did the other elders.
"Not at all. I understand what the elders are facing." Zhang Yong displayed a sympathetic smile. "But... the elder's tone was hostile, and it has affected my heart. I am very fragile inside. If not for my companions here, I would not have even dreamed of surviving. Although I am saddened by what happened to you, do I not have the right to compensation?"
A stunned silence followed Zhang Yong's words. Even Zi Yan raised an eyebrow in surprise, while the corners of Elder Gu's mouth seemed to twitch as if he were trying to suppress a laugh.
The Bloodstorm Sect elder's face turned as red as glowing coal. "Compensation?!" he snarled in a voice that shook the ground beneath their feet.
"Yes." Zhang Yong placed his hands on his chest with a feigned expression of pain. "My weak heart... my broken dantian... profound psychological trauma." His blood-red eyes gleamed with feigned innocence. "Does this not deserve... say, twenty thousand low-grade spirit stones? I am sure the elder is compassionate enough to sympathize with me. I am but a poor alchemist; my alchemical talent is all I possess."
In the background, Su Ming suddenly began coughing to hide his laughter, while Long Yuliang bit her lower lip to stop herself from smiling.
An alchemist was one of the wealthiest professions in the continent. A poor alchemist would be a laughingstock. Zhang Yong was simply mocking them.
After a moment of murderous staring, the Bloodstorm Sect elder pulled a crimson velvet pouch from his inner pocket and tossed it toward Zhang Yong. "Ten thousand... and not a word more."
Zhang Yong caught the pouch lightly, then bowed in an exaggerated manner. "Thank you, generous elder. If you ever wish to have pills made, you may come to me at any time."
The elder paid no heed to Zhang Yong's words. "Let's go." The Bloodstorm Sect elder commanded the others with a glance. "We will investigate our disciples' matter ourselves."
Zi Yan relaxed her shoulders, but her eyes remained watchful. "Zixian, this disciple of yours... is a dangerous schemer," she murmured softly.
Elder Gu laughed quietly. "I know. But he is my disciple, and that is all that matters."
Just as the atmosphere returned to normal, a tall young man suddenly appeared. He was about nineteen, with bluish-black hair.
He approached the group with confident steps, completely ignoring the previous tension.
"Sister Ruyan, it has been a while." A smile was on his face. This was Yun Weilian.
Wu Ruyan turned abruptly, her sullen expression melting away instantly. "So you finally appear? It seems you survived."
Zhang Yong, who was still flipping the pouch of spirit stones between his fingers, smiled secretly. This was that foolish disciple of his whom he had deceived while impersonating Master Ghost Yu.
Zhang Yong approached the two with a smile and asked, "Oh, Ruyan, who is this young man? I remember he was with us when we entered the the heavenly Boundary Realm, but I did not know you were so close to him."
Yun Weilian turned toward Zhang Yong, his eyes sparking with animosity, but he replied with a slight bow. "My name is Yun Weilian, a disciple of Lightning Peak."
Wu Ruyan quickly interjected, "Yun Weilian is a promising talent, so I was giving him some guidance."
Zhang Yong raised an eyebrow, his smile still fixed on his face. "Welcome, then, Yun Weilian. It seems our sect is full of talent."
Nevertheless, Zhang Yong was optimistic. This young man had applied what he had told him last time to get close to Wu Ruyan, and this was useful for his next step.
At that moment, the remaining disciples of Purple Star Sect began appearing one by one, until the total number reached nine.
Then a piercing wind arose, carrying the scent of snow and wild thyme.
Everyone suddenly stopped when a woman in shimmering silver robes appeared, her long black hair fluttering like a banner in the storm.
"Elder of Silver Frost Peak!" a disciple whispered reverently.
The elder descended before them and looked at Gu Zixian with a serious expression. "The Sect Master has issued orders. The disciples must return immediately. The Devil Spring Sect has begun moving over the past month."
"The Devil Spring Sect?" Elder Gu said with a calm expression, but his tone suddenly became grave. "Have they finally begun their assault?"
The silver-robed elder nodded, her ice-cold eyes sweeping over the group. "They have been roaming around our territory, attacking and killing our outer disciples. The Sect Master calls for an emergency meeting."
The elder moved her hand, and a sword of ice materialized from nothing.
With a single leap, everyone boarded the sword and set off toward Purple Star Sect.