After Feng Yi left, Zi Tianjun sat inside the room and circulated his cultivation energy to heal himself. His injuries looked severe, but they were only superficial wounds and posed no real danger. After taking the healing medicine Feng Yi had given him and circulating his qi for half an hour, he had recovered completely. As he thought over everything that had happened in recent days, he realized that he had been manipulated and set up. Going to Nethershadow City had been reckless; he had probably caused a catastrophe.
Zi Tianjun had lived for nearly two thousand years and survived two sect-destroying calamities. How could he possibly have no experience at all?
Ten years ago, the twenty-six peaks led by Lingyun Peak had broken away from the Xuantian Sect, leaving it severely weakened. Over the following decade, Zi Yunshu had supported the sect with all her might. A subsequent purge had removed, one by one, the spies, informants, and ill-intentioned disciples planted by other sects.
Although the Xuantian Sect’s strength had fallen sharply, half its disciples had disappeared overnight, and almost none remained who could stand on their own. Even so, with Zi Yunshu, an eight-tribulation flood dragon, guarding it, the Xuantian Sect had remained as steady as a rock.
People said that when one person attained the Dao, even his chickens and dogs ascended to Heaven. Zi Tianjun had originally thought that once Zi Yunshu transformed into a dragon and attained the Dao, the Xuantian Sect would at least benefit from her protection and advance another step. A Xuantian Sect backed by a true dragon would surely soar and return to the ranks of the cultivation world’s ten greatest powers.
He had never expected Zi Yunshu to vanish without a trace after becoming a true dragon.
The humiliation he had suffered in Nethershadow City made him realize that Zi Yunshu had most likely suffered some kind of mishap and could no longer protect either him or the Xuantian Sect. Now that the Xuantian Sect had lost Zi Yunshu’s protection, it no longer possessed any strength capable of making others wary.
Ten years ago, the Xuantian Sect had possessed the Qingzhou Grand Formation, more than twenty Void-Tearing experts, over a hundred thousand disciples, hundreds of warships, and the cultivation world’s greatest power, Kanbang, as its backing.
What did the Xuantian Sect have now?
The mountain-protecting formation had been laid by Zi Tianjun himself. He knew exactly how much his formation skills were worth. If an expert with profound formation attainments arrived, that person could break his formation alone.
Only three Void-Tearing experts remained: Zi Tianjun, Feng Yi, and Chen Yu.
The sect’s more than one hundred thousand disciples had been reduced to fifty thousand. Fewer than five thousand had reached the Nascent Soul stage, and there were barely a hundred Deity Transformation cultivators.
The warships were still there, but those warships, along with the Xuantian Sect’s rich assets and cultivation resources, were the true source of the disaster. If the Xuantian Sect had been poor and empty-handed while located deep in Kanbang’s heartland, it might actually have enjoyed peace. No one would risk provoking Kanbang to attack a destitute little power.
Zi Tianjun remembered the glory of the Xuantian Sect when it had first arrived in the Azure Dragon Mountains five hundred years ago.
During that great war, in which every power in the cultivation world had taken part, the Xuantian Sect had profited enormously and leaped into the ranks of the ten greatest powers. Without Zi Tianjun needing to expend much effort, endless cultivation resources had poured into the sect. They had been hauled in by the cartload, forming heaps and mountains until even the treasury could no longer contain them.
And now, the Xuantian Sect had fallen into this state.
Zi Tianjun still held on to a final sliver of hope. As long as his Shu’er was still in this realm and merely made her position known, the Xuantian Sect would be safe. Its status would be too great for any power to underestimate.
However, Feng Yi returned before long, hurrying back in a panic. The instant he saw Zi Tianjun, he said:
“Sect Master, something terrible has happened.”
Zi Tianjun’s heart sank.
“What do you mean?”
Feng Yi’s expression was grave.
“News has come from the ancient powers that possess immortal-era foundations. This realm does not permit True Immortals to exist. Anyone who cultivates to the True Immortal Realm must ascend to the upper realm.
“If they refuse to ascend, they can barely remain here for a time by sealing themselves and suppressing their cultivation, but staying too long will inevitably damage them. A powerhouse who has reached the True Immortal Realm is already defying Heaven by remaining in this realm. If they act or interfere in the disputes and worldly affairs of this realm, heavenly retribution will certainly descend.
“The Little Martial Sister has transformed into a true dragon. She can no longer involve herself in this realm’s disputes and worldly affairs. If she protects the Xuantian Sect again, she will not be able to save herself.”
Feng Yi paused before continuing.
“There is another piece of news. Word has already spread throughout the cultivation world that the Xuantian Sect possesses five Great Luo Scarlet Gold warships, each one hundred zhang long. Bao Gu brought back an incalculable amount of Great Luo Scarlet Gold from beyond the realm. Given her style, the Xuantian Sect must have received a generous share.”
Zi Tianjun’s body went limp, and he collapsed onto his meditation cushion. No one knew better than he did how much Great Luo Scarlet Gold the Xuantian Sect possessed. It was enough to attract the covetous eyes of any major power.
Without Zi Yunshu’s protection, the Xuantian Sect had no power to defend itself.
After thinking for a moment, he said:
“With the Xuantian Sect’s strength, we have no hope of protecting ourselves. Feng Yi, we must seek outside aid. Aren’t you on good terms with Clearwind Pavilion?”
“The news came from Brother Lu,” Feng Yi replied. “At present, all ten great powers except Kanbang are making moves. To prevent a conflict, the other nine have already met in private. Clearwind Pavilion’s foundations are too shallow. Even if it committed everything it had, it could not protect the Xuantian Sect. The only power capable of protecting us is Kanbang.”
“Kanbang?” Zi Tianjun looked up at him. “If Kanbang were willing to help the Xuantian Sect, would we be in such a crisis?”
“Kanbang only needs to state its position, and our crisis could be resolved. It’s just…”
Feng Yi sighed heavily.
“The Xuantian Sect, Kanbang, and the Xuantian Cult have already fallen out with one another. The fact that Kanbang and the Xuantian Cult have not attacked the Xuantian Sect is already the fullest possible consideration for their old ties.”
Zi Tianjun thought for a moment.
“After all, we share the same roots. Feng Yi, put aside this old face of mine and go ask them for help. Even if we have to pay a fortune in cultivation resources, lower yourself and beg them.”
Feng Yi sat down on the meditation cushion beside Zi Tianjun.
“Master, you should know that Kanbang does not care about the Xuantian Sect’s cultivation resources. Trying to buy its help with lavish rewards will not work. As for appealing to our old ties as fellow disciples, if Bao Gu were still here, perhaps there would be some room to maneuver.”
Zi Tianjun frowned.
“Did Bao Gu truly enter life-and-death seclusion?”
Feng Yi nodded firmly.
“The Little Martial Sister’s tribulation to become a true dragon was actually a death tribulation. Bao Gu took that death tribulation for her, drawing down Heaven’s execution. Grandmaster Granny rescued her afterward.
“There are countless rumors outside. The most credible one is that Bao Gu survived but was gravely wounded. She certainly cannot recover within a few decades, and perhaps not even in a thousand years or more. The claim that she entered life-and-death seclusion came from Bao Nianhui, so it is highly credible.”
Zi Tianjun’s lips trembled. Then he let out a heavy sigh.
“Back then, I was blinded for a moment and actually believed the instigation of those bastards. I brought this situation upon us. It is too late for regret.”
Feng Yi remained silent. He had warned Zi Tianjun before, but at that time, Zi Tianjun had not listened to a single word. Now that matters had come to this, regret was useless.
“Master, disaster is imminent. Please make your plans quickly.”
“I know that you have always been close to Lingyun Peak. I will pass the position of Sect Master to you. Go to Yu Jianming and Bao Nianhui and ask them for help. Might they be willing to act?
“And Yu Mi—her standing in the cultivation world is pivotal. A single word from her could preserve the Xuantian Sect. Of everyone in the Xuantian Sect, only you have any influence with her.”
“Master, you know that Yu Mi has never liked meddling in affairs. Kanbang is now under Bao Nianhui’s control. Given Yu Mi’s temperament, whatever decision Bao Nianhui makes will be Yu Mi’s position as well.
“Besides, Bao Gu is so gravely wounded that she has entered life-and-death seclusion. Yu Mi may not even have the heart to concern herself with this.
“As for Nianhui and Jianming, they have always acted as one. Since entering the Xuantian Sect, they have endured no end of resentment and cold treatment from its various peaks. It would already be fortunate if they refrained from harming the Xuantian Sect. Help us?”
He shook his head.
“Then what plan do you have?”
“Without Bao Gu’s Xumi Treasure Realm, the Xuantian Sect cannot even retreat. The sect has no power to fight. If we fight, we will be annihilated. Our only option is to seek outside aid.
“Those sects that were once friendly with the Xuantian Sect are either far too weak or harbor ulterior motives. We cannot rely on them. The only external support we can count on now is the Yue Kingdom and Soul Chasing Pavilion.
“Looking across the cultivation world, apart from Kanbang, the Yue Kingdom fears no power. Kanbang may not help us, but it will certainly not harm us. The Yue Kingdom need not worry about Kanbang, and if we offer it sufficient benefits, there is a very high chance it will help the Xuantian Sect.
“As long as the Yue Kingdom takes action, eighty percent of the cultivation world’s powers will withdraw. If Soul Chasing Pavilion joins them, the Xuantian Sect’s current crisis will certainly be resolved.
“The Empress of the Yue Kingdom, Si Ruo, and the master of Soul Chasing Pavilion, Qu Yirou, are both on good terms with Shu’er and the Demon Saint. For their sake, and with enough benefits offered, they will surely help the Xuantian Sect overcome this disaster.”
Zi Tianjun frowned deeply and fell silent.
“What gives you pause, Master?”
Zi Tianjun took a deep breath. His expression was heavy with grief as he looked at Feng Yi.
“Do you think those two powers will ask for a low price if they come to help the Xuantian Sect? I fear the sect’s entire foundation will be drained.
“The spiritual energy of the Azure Dragon Mountains is growing thinner by the day. If we lose our abundant cultivation resources as well, it will not take long for us to follow the same path as before. Back then, the Xuantian Sect’s legacy still offered us a sliver of hope. Now we have no foundation left. If we lose our cultivation resources too, then even if the Xuantian Sect survives this disaster, its extinction will not be far away.”
By the time he finished speaking, Zi Tianjun had made up his mind.
“We will not rely on outside aid.”
“Then what do you intend, Master?”
Zi Tianjun waved his hand lightly.
“Leave. I have my own plans.”
Feng Yi looked at him and opened his mouth, wanting to speak.
Zi Tianjun did not wish to say anything more. He waved Feng Yi away.
“Yes.”
After leaving, Feng Yi immediately gathered the disciples of the Xuantian Sect and prepared them for a sect-wide battle. He also began transferring the young disciples below the Golden Core stage to safety.
Watching those young disciples step into the teleportation gates and leave, Feng Yi felt a deep pain in his heart. He had never expected the Xuantian Sect to face another sect-destroying calamity.
For an instant, a thought crossed his mind: If Yu Mi had not been made the young sect master back then, and Bao Gu had instead become head of the Xuantian Sect, wouldn’t the Xuantian Sect be the greatest power under Heaven by now?
But he immediately realized that thinking this was disrespectful to his master. Besides, what use was there in thinking about it now? He dismissed the thought.
By securing Shang Qingying’s backing, Bao Nianhui successfully stabilized Kanbang’s situation.
As far as Kanbang’s members were concerned, they could not come into contact with the organization’s highest-ranking figures. They merely followed orders. Whoever issued those orders made no difference to them.
Once the overall situation had stabilized, Kanbang’s people continued doing what they had always done, completely unaffected by Bao Gu’s situation.
To the cultivation world, Bao Gu’s existence had been a form of deterrence. Her combat strength and the forces at her command had made every power deeply wary. With her, Kanbang possessed its greatest guarantee.
Now Bao Gu was absent, but an ancient Ba had come to hold down the fort—a drought fiend that had kept this realm without an immortal for tens of thousands of years. This deterrence was even more terrifying than Bao Gu’s presence.
Over the years, everyone had gained some understanding of Bao Gu’s conduct. They knew her taboos and her bottom line, so she was relatively easy to deal with.
But Bao Nianhui had only emerged in recent years. She was barely in her twenties and had just entered the Nascent Soul stage. With her taking charge, the outside powers could not immediately gauge her temperament or methods.
Anyone planning to move against the Xuantian Sect now had to pay close attention to Bao Nianhui’s actions. Her conflict with Zi Tianjun was one matter, but she had ultimately come from the Xuantian Sect. If the sect was in danger, could Bao Nianhui truly sit back and do nothing?
Ten years ago, so many experts had infiltrated the Xuantian Sect, believing that victory would be effortless. No one had expected Bao Gu and Zi Yunshu to suddenly return. Every infiltrator had been wiped out.
That lesson was still fresh. Bao Nianhui had become the greatest variable in any move against the Xuantian Sect—and the most dangerous one.
Si Ruo and Qu Yirou went directly to the Envoy Manor and found Bao Nianhui. They often visited the manor, and their relationship with Bao Nianhui was quite close. After meeting her, they immediately explained their purpose and made their position clear.
If Bao Nianhui still intended to protect the Xuantian Sect, they would not move against it. If she did not, every cultivation power under Heaven would take action, and the Yue Kingdom and Soul Chasing Pavilion would naturally claim a share of the spoils as well.
Bao Nianhui had already received reports from Nethershadow Pavilion before Si Ruo and Qu Yirou arrived. She had exchanged information with Yu Mi and Yu Jianming, consulted the Xuantian Cult’s Council of Elders, and summoned Kanbang’s Left Wealth Envoy, the Finance Envoy, and the chief hall masters of the various divisions to discuss the matter.
She had already made her decision.
After Si Ruo and Qu Yirou explained their purpose, Bao Nianhui replied frankly:
“The Xuantian Sect and Kanbang are separate powers. Whether the Xuantian Sect lives or dies has nothing to do with Kanbang.
“However, the Azure Dragon Mountains lie deep in the heart of Kanbang’s territory. Kanbang can hardly tolerate another power putting down roots here and driving a nail into its heart. If the Azure Dragon Mountains pose a threat to Kanbang, Kanbang will certainly send troops.
“Martial Uncle Yu says Martial Uncle Feng is a good man. In the past, he often looked after the disciples of the various peaks, so I want to protect his life.
“As for Sect Master Zi, he is ultimately the father of the Little Martial Ancestor. We should preserve both their lives.
“Their lives only. Nothing else.”
Si Ruo and Qu Yirou left after receiving Bao Nianhui’s definite answer.
After seeing them off, Bao Nianhui went to a side hall, where Hua Sheng, Feng Menglong, and Yu Jianming were drinking tea.
“The Yue Kingdom and Soul Chasing Pavilion will soon make their moves,” she said. “All the other factions have already gathered their forces. The Xuantian Sect will not last more than a few days.”
As she spoke, a Nethershadow Pavilion spy arrived to report that the Xuantian Sect was mobilizing its forces and preparing to resist. The city-protecting formations in every city around the Azure Dragon Mountains had already been activated.
However, everyone knew that when Zi Tianjun had held his grand banquet, the combat forces of the various factions had already entered the cities surrounding the Azure Dragon Mountains. The Xuantian Sect’s forces stationed in those cities could not possibly hold them.
Once the various factions launched their attacks, the cities around the Xuantian Sect would collapse in an instant. Kanbang’s forces responsible for taking over those cities had already been arranged.
The Xuantian Sect could not protect the Azure Dragon Mountains, but Kanbang could not allow a mountain range less than a few hundred li from Nethershadow City to fall into the hands of another cultivation power. Once the Xuantian Sect lost control of the cities, Kanbang would have to take them over.
Yu Jianming drained the tea from his cup and stood.
“Let’s go. Heaven knows how long the Xuantian Sect can hold out. If we arrive too late, we may go there intending to cover their retreat only to end up collecting their corpses.”
Hua Sheng stood as well and sighed.
“To be honest, I still can’t stomach helping them, but I can’t quite bear watching them die either. Fine. We’ll count it as doing one good deed today. Let’s go.”
Yu Jianming, Hua Sheng, and Feng Menglong went to summon the disciples who had come with them. They boarded the Great Luo Scarlet Gold warship Bao Nianhui had lent them, a vessel capable of crossing realms and traveling through the void, and quietly headed toward the Azure Dragon Mountains.
Kanbang had always been intertwined with the various sects and powers of the cultivation world. Not long after Bao Nianhui summoned the chief hall masters to discuss Kanbang’s attitude toward the Xuantian Sect, those hall masters passed the Young Leader’s decision down to the branch masters beneath them.
The branch masters then informed the rudder masters and commanders, who in turn “quietly” leaked the news to their own sects.
Once the exact news spread, the factions that had long been eyeing the Xuantian Sect began to move.
If they arrived too late, the fat meat would be gone.
Almost simultaneously, every city in the outer territory of the Xuantian Sect fell. The defending disciples had no time to react before they were surrounded and attacked. Anyone who offered even slight resistance was killed. Those who threw down their weapons and surrendered were stripped of everything except their underwear.
The Xuantian Sect’s outer-sect businesses were completely looted by forces that had long been watching them.
After the outer-sect stewards received orders from the sect to transfer the valuable materials from the Xuantian Sect’s properties, they were attacked before they could even act. They had no chance of transferring or protecting the valuables. Those who reacted too slowly and failed to escape could not even save their own lives.
The Xuantian Sect’s mountain-protecting formation had already been broken before the various factions attacked. The invaders used teleportation gates to enter the Xuantian Sect without obstruction, immediately running into Feng Yi, who was arranging the evacuation of disciples below the Golden Core stage.
Feng Yi had gathered the disciples from the various peaks on Xuantian Plaza and prepared them for battle. They had only just received word that the sect was under attack. Before they could collect the combat supplies distributed by the Sect Master, before they could even bring out the warships, the forces pouring in from every direction had already surrounded them.
Tens of thousands of disciples stood gathered on Xuantian Plaza. When they saw hundreds of teleportation gates suddenly appear in the sky, along with the countless armies and warships packed densely across the heavens, they were all dumbstruck.
Far too many forces had attacked the Xuantian Sect. They were like a dark cloud covering the sky above the sect, blotting out even the heavens.
Even Feng Yi, who had been mentally prepared, was stunned by the sight. It was no different from the great war in Qingzhou.
The various forces emerged from the teleportation gates and immediately rushed toward the Xuantian Sect’s peaks and every other location. Not a single one paid attention to the army standing on Xuantian Plaza.
The Xuantian Sect’s disciples had been so frightened by the spectacle that they no longer possessed the slightest will to resist. Many of them did not even understand why this was happening.
They could only watch as the forces that had stormed the Xuantian Sect looted Xuantian Hall clean. They even dismantled the hall itself, digging all the way down to its foundation and removing the foundation stones.
Then cultivators rushed into the crowd gathered on Xuantian Plaza and shouted:
“Hand over your storage treasures and you will not be killed!”
Only then did the Xuantian Sect’s disciples react. When they saw people from other sects rushing over to seize the treasures on their bodies, they naturally refused to submit. They resisted, and the fighting erupted at once.
Xuantian Plaza instantly descended into chaos.
The Xuantian Sect’s wealth was famous throughout the cultivation world. Its disciples were immediately slaughtered and robbed. The Deity Transformation disciples received special attention. Those who resisted were killed and stripped completely naked. Those who did not resist were stripped just as thoroughly.
Some people even rushed toward Feng Yi, but his cultivation was profound. After killing several reckless fools, he became someone that cultivators below the Void-Tearing stage did not dare approach. Those above the Void-Tearing stage were too busy with the larger battle to bother robbing him.
Feng Yi guarded the teleportation gate and shouted:
“Go! All of you, go! Take as many as you can! Go!”
Faced with such a terrifying scene, the Xuantian Sect’s disciples fled toward the teleportation gate in a panic.
Seeing the fat sheep trying to escape, the various forces attacking the Xuantian Sect bombarded the gate. Countless magical treasures struck toward it.
Feng Yi desperately raised a huge defensive barrier to protect both the teleportation gate and the disciples rushing toward it.
Suddenly, a tremendous energy fluctuation surged through the sky. A dazzling warship burst out with overwhelming momentum, frightening the forces pursuing the Xuantian Sect’s disciples into retreating several dozen zhang.
Only Kanbang possessed a strange-looking Great Luo Scarlet Gold warship capable of crossing realms through the void.
Kanbang had intervened.
A hundred-zhang Great Luo Scarlet Gold warship loomed above the teleportation gate of the Xuantian Sect. The protective barrier over the forward deck retracted, revealing several people standing upon it.
Feng Yi looked up and saw Yu Jianming, Hua Sheng, and Feng Menglong leading more than a thousand disciples from their faction on the deck of the Great Luo Scarlet Gold warship.
The various forces could not determine the purpose of their sudden appearance and did not dare advance.
With the pressure around them reduced, the Xuantian Sect’s disciples seized the chance. At this life-or-death moment, they had no time to think about anything else. They rushed toward the teleportation gate at top speed.
The Great Luo Scarlet Gold warship suddenly released an energy barrier that enveloped Xuantian Plaza. After that, it made no further move.
Feng Menglong addressed Feng Yi, who was standing beside the teleportation gate:
“Martial Uncle Feng, go. Take the Xuantian Sect’s disciples and save yourselves. We will cover your retreat.”
Feng Yi understood that the Xuantian Sect was now nothing more than a lamb waiting to be slaughtered. Without these people coming to protect them, they might not even be able to preserve their lives.
He clasped his fists and bowed deeply.
“Thank you. My master has shown me kindness as weighty as a mountain. I cannot abandon him and flee alone. Please, Sect Master Yu, Elder Feng, and Elder Hua, look after these disciples.”
“Elder Feng, go,” Yu Jianming said. “We will protect these disciples.”
Feng Yi clasped his fists and bowed again before rushing out to search for Zi Tianjun.
He could find no trace of Zi Tianjun. When he used a voice-transmission jade talisman to contact him, he discovered that he could no longer reach him.
Feng Yi’s heart sank.
Could his master already have been killed?
That seemed impossible. Even if Zi Tianjun had been at his weakest, the various factions would not dare casually take his life out of consideration for Zi Yunshu, the Demon Saint, Yu Mi, Feng Menglong, and the others.
But then he thought of the many precious treasures Zi Tianjun possessed. There was always the possibility that some greedy and vicious person had risked everything out of covetousness.
Overcome with worry, Feng Yi contacted Zi Tianjun again and again through the voice-transmission jade talisman.
Suddenly, Feng Yi saw Chen Yu leading the Xuantian Sect’s experts who had been stationed in seclusion at the rear mountain. They fought their way through the attackers and reached Xuantian Plaza.
Feng Yi rushed over to Chen Yu and cried out urgently:
“Senior Brother Chen, have you seen Master?”
Chen Yu gritted his teeth.
“Go!”
He grabbed Feng Yi by the arm and dragged him toward the teleportation gate.
Feng Yi pulled back against him and shouted:
“Master is still in the Xuantian Sect! How can we leave on our own?”
Chen Yu’s face was ashen.
“The sect treasury was already empty before the Xuantian Sect fell. It was Master who emptied it!”
He pointed toward a capable-looking steward among the people behind him.
“Look at them!”
Feng Yi’s entire body shook. His eyes nearly split open.
“What are you saying?”
Chen Yu gave a cold laugh.
“What am I saying? Before the disaster struck, Master looted the Xuantian Sect’s treasury and abandoned us, fleeing alone! To prevent anyone from learning his whereabouts, he told no one and took no one with him!”
The steward said:
“The Sect Master came to the treasury and suddenly attacked me. If I had not been alert, protected my vital points, and escaped—and if the Sect Master had not been in such a hurry to carry away the treasures that he did not pursue me—I would never have survived to reach the rear mountain and report what happened.
“When we reached the various vaults, every one of them was empty. The formation guarding the Xuantian Sect’s treasury was personally laid by the Demon Saint. Apart from the Sect Master, who else could open all of it instantly without damaging the formation and empty it completely?”
Chen Yu dragged Feng Yi toward the teleportation gate.
“Go. We no longer have such a master.”
“This is impossible to believe!”
Chen Yu suddenly took out an extinguished soul lamp.
“Believe it or not?”
Feng Yi examined the identity information carved into the soul lamp. He and Chen Yu joined hands and cast a technique.
With the Sect Master absent, the ritual was one person short. They could only summon the trace of aura within the soul lamp for an instant. The lamp’s projection flashed and vanished almost immediately.
But that single instant was enough for them to see clearly that the person who had dealt the killing blow was Zi Tianjun.
Chen Yu said:
“Something this serious—would I have drawn that conclusion without verifying it with the soul lamp?”
Feng Yi suddenly remembered how Zi Tianjun had rejected the suggestion to seek outside aid when the Xuantian Sect was facing disaster. He remembered Zi Tianjun saying that he had his own plans.
Now he understood.
In his master’s heart, the Xuantian Sect was already beyond saving. Since it could not be saved, and Zi Tianjun could not bear to part with those precious treasures, he had chosen to take everything and flee.
Feng Yi felt utterly chilled.
Chen Yu dragged Feng Yi to the teleportation gate. He clasped his fists toward Yu Jianming and the others aboard the Great Luo Scarlet Gold warship.
“Thank you for protecting us!”
Then he forced Feng Yi and the final group of Xuantian Sect experts through the teleportation gate and out of the sect.
The Xuantian Cult’s disciples aboard the Great Luo Scarlet Gold warship, along with the scouts observing from afar, had heard Chen Yu and Feng Yi’s entire conversation. They had also seen the brief projection from the soul lamp clearly.
The scouts immediately reported what they had discovered.
Yu Jianming and the others were left completely stunned.
The people from the Yue Kingdom and Soul Chasing Pavilion had long since located the Xuantian Sect’s treasury. They brought formation masters with them and rushed to the vaults.
When they arrived, the treasury doors stood open. The guards lay dead at the entrance, and the treasury had already been emptied.
After examining the wounds on the dead guards, they reached a conclusion that shocked everyone.
The guard had been killed by a single frontal strike while completely defenseless. The aura and marks left on the wound were unmistakably those of Zi Tianjun’s bonded natal treasure.
No one had imagined that Zi Tianjun, the Sect Master of the Xuantian Sect, would abandon his position, cast aside the entire sect, and flee alone with all the treasures in its treasury when disaster struck.
As the master of a sect, even if he knew he could not protect it, he should have taken his trusted disciples with him, preserved his strength, and planned to rise again. Yet he had not taken a single person.
Was he planning to take all those cultivation resources and find an unknown place where he could cultivate alone?
A sect master doing such a thing left everyone stunned and incredulous.
When Si Ruo and Qu Yirou, who had come for the Great Luo Scarlet Gold, stood before the empty treasury and the corpse at its side, they were utterly dumbfounded. Even with the truth right in front of them, they could not bring themselves to believe that Zi Tianjun had killed the treasury guard.
When the scouts reported what had happened, Si Ruo and Qu Yirou stared at each other in astonishment, completely at a loss for words.
They had considered countless possibilities, but never that a sect master would loot his own treasury and flee alone.
He had abandoned his sect and forsaken all morality. If a sect master could even abandon his own sect, what was there that he could not abandon? How could someone like that establish himself in the world in the future?
The moment he appeared, the entire cultivation world would unite to kill him. He would be like a rat crossing the street, hated and attacked by everyone.
No one would have the face to protect someone like him.
Even if his biological daughter, Zi Yunshu, were not bound by the laws of Heaven and could act to protect him, she would no longer be able to do so. If Zi Yunshu protected him, how could she face the tens of thousands of Xuantian Sect disciples whom Zi Tianjun had betrayed? How could she face the founding ancestors of the Xuantian Sect? How could she face the cultivators of the world?
No one had expected such an act of betrayal—betraying the entire world and cutting himself off from society.
Zi Tianjun had fled with so many precious treasures. He was practically inviting the entire cultivation world to hunt him down.
Si Ruo and Qu Yirou issued the same order almost simultaneously:
“Find him! Turn the earth upside down if necessary, but find Zi Tianjun!”
As news spread from Soul Chasing Pavilion and the Yue Kingdom, the various cultivation powers under Heaven began spreading the same information.
Zi Tianjun had fled with his treasures, and the various factions had mobilized such enormous forces. Naturally, they could not return empty-handed.
The Azure Dragon Mountains were almost stripped bare. The surrounding cities were looted as well.
When the various powers finished taking control of the region, Kanbang inherited nothing but ruins.
The surviving disciples of the Xuantian Sect, led by Feng Yi and Chen Yu, announced that they were leaving the sect. Afterward, they gradually faded from the sight of the cultivation world.
Yu Jianming eventually contacted Feng Yi and learned that the former Xuantian Sect disciples had died or scattered. Fewer than a thousand remained. They occupied a small mountain range and settled there, honoring Xuantian as their founding ancestor.
They established neither a sect nor a school, instead living as rogue cultivators.
From that point onward, the Xuantian Sect disappeared from the cultivation world.
