Chapter 225: A Trio's Journey

Early in the morning, the sun was bright and the world was peaceful. However, the tightly shut mountain gate at the foot of Qingxuan Mountain seemed entirely out of place in such an atmosphere.

Just then, the figure of a lean young man appeared before the silent gate. With a slight frown, he pushed open the towering doors.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

"This is the restricted territory of the Qingxuan Sect! Who dares to trespass?"

Before Yang Yan could take another step, two sounds of wind being broken rang out. Two young disciples in Qingxuan Sect robes appeared, wielding long swords and glaring at Yang Yan as they shouted.

"I wish to see the Sect Master."

Yang Yan spoke slowly, his tone indifferent.

"Who do you think you are? The Sect Master is not someone you can see just because you want to! If you don't get lost now, don't blame us for being impolite!"

Seeing that the intruder was merely a boy of sixteen or seventeen, the two disciples sneered and barked at him.

"Noisy!"

Yang Yan frowned, yet his pace did not falter in the slightest.

"You're courting death!"

Seeing this, anger flashed across the faces of the two youths. Their spiritual energy surged into their long swords as they leaped into the air and thrust toward Yang Yan!

Boom!

Facing their joint attack, Yang Yan made no attempt to defend himself. The vast, ocean-like spiritual energy within his Dantian erupted suddenly, slamming into their chests like a tidal wave!

Thud!

The two men were sent flying from mid-air as if struck by a heavy blow. They collapsed to the ground in a sorry state, coughing up blood and wearing expressions of sheer disbelief.

"Spirit-Channeling Realm? How is that possible?!"

Having entered the sect years ago, they were disciples who had just returned from training elsewhere. At over twenty years of age, they had only reached the peak of the Spirit-Sensing Realm, which was already considered outstanding among their peers. Yet, before this boy of only sixteen or seventeen, they had been injured by the mere aura he released!

Yang Yan ignored their shock and continued walking toward Qingxuan Mountain.

"Could he be... Yang Yan?"

Watching the boy’s retreating figure, the two men sitting on the ground looked at each other and muttered in disbelief.

For the past few days, that name had been ringing in their ears incessantly. Surrounded by three powerful forces—the Xu family, the Dragon Guard Fortress, and the Jade Sword Pavilion—the third young master of the Zhang family, Yang Yan, had made a powerful return. With his own strength, he had successively killed Xu Tianlong of the fifth-level Spirit-Channeling Realm, Long Aotian of the seventh-level, and Leng Yuedi of the eighth-level!

Such an astonishing record was enough to leave everyone in Jin Prefecture wide-eyed with shock!

And these miracles, which ordinary people deemed impossible, had all been accomplished by a seventeen-year-old youth named Yang Yan!

To be able to reduce them—who were at the peak of the Spirit-Sensing Realm—to such a pathetic state using only the pressure of his internal spiritual energy at such a young age, it could only be that formidable returning youth!

The two swallowed hard, feeling a lingering sense of fortune.

They had witnessed the young man’s ruthless methods; the heads of the dozen or so people who betrayed the Zhang family were still hanging on the gates of Jinhuan City. If it weren't for Yang Yan remembering past ties and the fact that they were Qingxuan Sect disciples, they would likely be two cold corpses by now.

"Come out!"

Shortly after entering the mountain gate, Yang Yan faintly sensed that someone was following him in the shadows. He stopped and shouted coldly.

"It really is you. I didn't expect that in just half a year, you would have grown this strong."

As figures flickered, a familiar face appeared before Yang Yan.

"Oh, so it is Elder Li Chengfeng."

A look of realization appeared on Yang Yan's face.

Truth be told, this Elder Li had taken quite good care of him after he first joined the Qingxuan Sect, so Yang Yan bowed respectfully.

"Elder Li, what has happened to the Qingxuan Sect? Why does it look so unwelcoming?"

After a pause, Yang Yan asked.

"Alas, it is the order from above. The three major sects of the Empire will soon be at war!"

"War?!"

Yang Yan was shocked. Had the Xuantian Palace become that impatient?

"Let’s go. Follow me to see the Sect Master; he will explain everything to you."

Sighing, Elder Li said no more and waved his hand, heading toward the back mountain.

Yang Yan’s expression turned solemn, and without hesitation, he followed closely behind.

Passing several peaks along the way, Yang Yan saw some Qingxuan Sect disciples undergoing rigorous training under the guidance of elders. The entire sect felt lifeless, completely lacking the vitality it had when Yang Yan was there.

As they flew rapidly, they soon arrived at the back of Qingxuan Mountain. This was where the Sect Master lived and cultivated, and where the secret chambers were located. Outsiders without special status could never come here.

Yang Yan followed Elder Li to a quiet hut near a cliff and knocked on the door.

"Sect Master, Yang Yan is here."

Upon hearing Elder Li’s voice, there was a momentary silence inside the bamboo hut, followed by a voice.

"Let him in!"

Yang Yan was stunned. The Sect Master’s voice carried a sense of weariness and desolation. When he first met Xie Xuantian, although the man was nearly fifty, he had been full of pride and ambition, nothing like he sounded now.

It seemed the pressure from the three major sects was enough to crush even a Sect Master at the Spirit-Sea Realm to this state!

Creak!

After the bamboo door opened, Yang Yan stepped inside. A face that had once been familiar came into view.

The middle-aged man before him still wore plain grey coarse robes, but his once-arrogant face now showed wrinkles, and his hair was turning grey-white—a stark contrast to what Yang Yan remembered.

"Disciple greets the Sect Master!"

After Yang Yan entered, Elder Li tactfully retreated.

"Sit."

Seeing Yang Yan enter, Xie Xuantian squeezed out a smile and gestured for him to sit.

Yang Yan did not stand on ceremony and sat down on a nearby bamboo chair.

"You really know how to cause trouble for me. But I never expected that in just half a year, you would have grown this strong. And you acted so earth-shatteringly, destroying the Jade Sword Pavilion and the Dragon Guard Fortress in a single day."

Xie Xuantian stared at Yang Yan with a bitter smile, his eyes reflecting a complex emotion.

He had greatly appreciated Yang Yan's talent, even taking him as a disciple and naming him a candidate for the next Sect Master. Although much of this was a move to secure a powerful asset for the Qingxuan Sect, he had still provided Yang Yan with his first opportunity, and Yang Yan felt a sense of respect for his master.

Now that Yang Yan had reached his current level of strength, he could finally feel the pressure emanating from a Spirit-Sea Realm powerhouse in front of Xie Xuantian. Yang Yan was certain that even if he used all his trump cards, he would have no chance of winning against Xie Xuantian!

This close-range encounter made Yang Yan fully understand the gap between the Spirit-Channeling Realm and the Spirit-Sea Realm—a gap far greater than that between the Spirit-Sensing and Spirit-Channeling realms!

It was no wonder that only those who reached the Spirit-Channeling Realm had any real say on this continent; otherwise, one was destined to remain an ant in a remote corner.

"Sect Master, you must understand the grudge between my Zhang family and the Xu family. If I had allowed them to join forces with the Jade Sword Pavilion and the Dragon Guard Fortress to wipe us out without responding, others would treat us like soft persimmons!" Yang Yan smiled.

"You’ve only been back for three or four days, and you've already made such a scene, leaving me to deal with the aftermath!" Xie Xuantian smiled helplessly.

"What do you mean, Sect Master? Has something happened to the Qingxuan Sect? Is it the Xuantian Palace?!" Yang Yan asked with alarm.

"Indeed. I have been making a choice these past few days," Xie Xuantian said, looking at Yang Yan with deep meaning.

"What choice?" Yang Yan was confused.

"Choosing between you and the Xuantian Palace!"

Xie Xuantian's words struck Yang Yan like a thunderclap!

Yang Yan knew the power of the three giants—the Martial Path Sect, the Xuantian Palace, and the Wind and Cloud Pavilion. Anyone with a brain would not hesitate between them. That Xie Xuantian could even say this was a testament to his recognition of Yang Yan’s strength and potential.

"What does the Xuantian Palace intend to do?" Yang Yan asked, recovering from his shock.

"They ordered me to send people to destroy your Zhang family and capture you alive to be brought to the Xuantian Palace."

"What?!"

Yang Yan stood up abruptly, unable to believe it. He knew the Xuantian Palace would come for him eventually, but he never expected them to be so impatient—not only coveting his spirit energy but also planning to exterminate his family!

Such an act touched Yang Yan’s reverse scale. His father was his closest relative; if he couldn't even protect him, what was the point of all his hard work and cultivation?

Thinking of this, Yang Yan clenched his fists tightly.

"Then why didn't the Qingxuan Sect move against the Zhang family earlier?" Yang Yan asked after a long silence.

With the Qingxuan Sect’s power, if Xie Xuantian had given the order, even with Yang Yan’s strength and the help of Lan Xue, he wasn't sure he could have saved his family.

"Hehe, as I said, I was making a choice. If your Zhang family had failed to resist the joint attack of the three forces, then my sect would not have needed to intervene for you to be destroyed. Fortunately, you not only crushed them but annihilated all three factions in one day. That gave me my answer!" Xie Xuantian smiled.

Yang Yan understood. Xie Xuantian had been testing his strength and potential. The three factions were a force even the Qingxuan Sect couldn't easily ignore, and Yang Yan’s decisive, clean victory had convinced him.

Yang Yan understood why Xie Xuantian hadn't helped; as Sect Master, he had to prioritize the sect. If he had defied the Xuantian Palace to help the Zhang family, the Palace would have come for them the next day. Remaining neutral was the greatest help he could provide.

"Yang Yan, you don't blame me, do you?" Xie Xuantian asked tentatively after a long silence.

"How could I? What you have done is already a great favor. In fact, I am the one who is ashamed. As a disciple of the Qingxuan Sect, I haven't brought any honor to the sect, but have instead brought disaster upon it!" Yang Yan clasped his hands in a salute.

"Hehe, let’s not talk about the past. Now the Qingxuan Sect and the Zhang family are one. We prosper together and perish together. As for the Xuantian Palace, don't worry too much for now; they are busy preparing for war with the Martial Path Sect."

Yang Yan nodded. In such a difficult situation, Xie Xuantian choosing to stand by him was a true act of kindness, and Yang Yan would remember it.

"To ensure safety, you should bring the Zhang family to the mountain after you return. It will be easier for the sect to look after them," Xie Xuantian said, patting Yang Yan’s shoulder.

"Understood. I will go and prepare." Yang Yan nodded. He could fully trust Xie Xuantian now.

Just as Yang Yan was about to step out the door, he stopped and turned back. "Sect Master, how are my friends, Sun Zhixin and Liu Zhengqing?"

"Oh, those two little ones. I’ve kept an eye on them. The girl named Sun Zhixin was taken as a disciple by a fifth-grade alchemist from the Martial Path Sect, so you don't need to worry about her safety. As for the Liu family, Liu Zhengqing and his family left Jinhuan City shortly after you were taken by the Snow-Winged Ice Dragon."

"Left Jinhuan City? Where did they go?"

Yang Yan was glad Sun Zhixin was safe, especially since her master was from the Martial Path Sect. Although the Xuantian Palace and Wind and Cloud Pavilion were targeting the Martial Path Sect, as a superpower, the sect had deep foundations and wouldn't be defeated quickly.

As for Liu Zhengqing, he was curious.

"Hehe, the Liu family of Jinhuan City is not as simple as you think. It is said that Liu Zhengqing is a descendant of the Liu clan of Shang Prefecture. For some reason, he and his grandfather left the main clan long ago to come to Jinhuan. The Liu clan’s status in Shang Prefecture is like the Qingxuan Sect’s in Jin Prefecture, and their cohesion is even stronger. Their overall strength might even exceed ours."

Yang Yan was shocked. He never expected Liu Zhengqing to have such a background.

"It seems that after I settle the Zhang family, I must find time to go to Shang Prefecture," Yang Yan thought to himself.

"Those two little ones were very worried about you. After you were taken, they ignored the sect’s opposition and searched the outskirts of the Duanyun Mountain Range for nearly a month. That girl Sun Zhixin was crying so much her eyes were swollen like peaches. You better not let them down!" Xie Xuantian laughed, patting his shoulder.

Yang Yan’s body stiffened. He knew they were friends, but he hadn't realized they would risk their lives for him. He would never forget their kindness.

"Sect Master, I’ll return to arrange for the Zhang and Sun families. I’ll leave for Shang Prefecture tomorrow!"

"Rest assured, as long as I live, not a single hair on your family will be harmed."

"Thank you, Sect Master!"

Yang Yan bowed deeply and left for the foot of Qingxuan Mountain.

Back at the Zhang residence, he told Zhang Tai his plan, and after a moment of hesitation, his father agreed. They knew that as long as Yang Yan was there, the Zhang family would stand; territory and wealth meant nothing compared to lives.

The migration of the Zhang and Sun families drew the attention of other forces in Jinhuan City. Many watched in confusion as they moved into the Qingxuan Sect. No one dared to touch the empty Zhang residence; for the sake of the genius Yang Yan, no one would dare come within ten yards of the walls.

Within a day, the migration was complete. The Qingxuan Sect’s gates were shut tight, and the mountain-protecting formation was activated, appearing ready for battle.

That night, Yang Yan slept early. He felt that his trip to the Liu clan in Shang Prefecture would not be easy, but he had to go—for the sake of the friendship Liu Zhengqing had shown him.

At dawn, Yang Yan walked out of the Zhang residence, but just as he was about to set off, a graceful figure appeared before him—it was Qing'er.