They had only spoken with Dao Lord Jinghe for a short while when a message arrived from Wanhe Tower, summoning Mo Tiange and Qin Xi to go there.
Dao Lord Jinghe immediately jumped up gleefully: "Let's go, watch the show!"
Mo Tiange was speechless: "Master..." So they were the ones going to put on a show?
Dao Lord Jinghe said: "Why not watch if there's a show? That old thing Liu Dingyuan has been arrogant for a thousand years, I've long been sick of him. Finally, there's a chance to see him make a fool of himself, I must go."
"..." Mo Tiange thought to herself, Master, you're far more arrogant than him. Although Liu Dingyuan also cultivates demonic arts, he maintains his status and has a relatively stable mindset—at most, he uses his influence to pressure others in daily life. But who told the Tiandao Sect to always be so powerful?
Qin Xi said: "If we don't let Master go, how could he sit still?"
"Exactly! Our master and disciples, all three of us, will go together. We won't be done until we've angered Liu Dingyuan to the point of vomiting blood!" Dao Lord Jinghe declared so haughtily, then led his two precious disciples, charging toward Wanhe Tower...
The process cannot be described in detail. Briefly put, their master-disciple trio, plus Dao Lord Zhenyang, successfully angered Liu Dingyuan to the point where his demonic energy surged, nearly losing control of his emotions and starting a fight. Then Dao Lord Buyan and Daoist Ji rushed over, confronting them.
The Xuanqing Sect and the Tiandao Sect had come to blows.
This news spread among the high-level cultivators of Kunzhong City within a day, causing immediate unrest and anxiety. One must know, among the seven late-Nascent Soul cultivators of the Tianji Region—not counting that Perfected One Songfeng who either disappeared or went on killing sprees—the remaining six were split between the two major sects, two each. If they truly fought, it would be earth-shattering for the Tianji cultivation world. By then, forget about resisting the demonic path and demon cultivators; merely surviving the turmoil caused by four late-Nascent Soul great cultivators going all out would be considered good enough.
And the calmest were undoubtedly the disciples of the Ancient Sword Sect and the Danding Sect, because their leaders were late-Nascent Soul great cultivators—from this perspective, the existence of a late-Nascent Soul cultivator was immeasurably important to a sect, far beyond mere powerful strength.
For this reason, the various Nascent Soul cultivators remaining in Kunzhong City reached a consensus, urgently sending messages to the other two late-Nascent Soul cultivators, along with notable figures among the Nascent Soul cultivators like Ding Luan of the Biyun Sect, Hua Lingyun of the Spirit Beast Sect, etc., to come and mediate.
At this time, Jushi Tiancao was stationed in the Demon Cultivator Forest, while Sword Sovereign Yuan Ying was guarding Tianmo Mountain. Upon receiving the messages, both were greatly alarmed and rushed back to Kunzhong City.
Jushi Tiancao arrived first. Kunzhong City bordered the Demon Cultivator Forest, so he arrived in just half a day.
Originally, Sword Sovereign Yuan Ying wouldn't have been that fast. From Tianmo Mountain to Kunzhong City spanned over half of Kunwu; even if he drove his Wind Feather Sword desperately, it would take three or four days. Fortunately, after establishing contact with Yunzhong, the Tianji Region had also set up long-distance teleportation arrays. Although not used under normal circumstances, this clearly fell under special circumstances. Sword Sovereign Yuan Ying immediately activated the teleportation array to return to Kunzhong City.
Sword Sovereign Yuan Ying, Jushi Tiancao, Ding Luan, Hua Lingyun, even that Dao Lord Wusi of the Zhengfa Sect who usually kept a low profile rushed over in a hurry. For a time, any Nascent Soul cultivator in Tianji with a bit of reputation flocked to Kunzhong City. Fortunately, the war situation was currently stable, and Nascent Soul cultivators generally only provided oversight; otherwise, the Immortal Alliance's defense lines would have completely collapsed.
Mo Tiange knew that killing Fairy Fengqing would lead to troublesome aftermath, but she still underestimated the extent of the trouble. Almost the entire Tianji Region was bustling over this matter. Probably even Fairy Fengqing hadn't expected that while alive, she was just an ordinary Nascent Soul cultivator, but her death would cause such a huge uproar.
The Xuanqing Sect and the Tiandao Sect had been confronting each other in Wanhe Tower for two days. During these two days, besides Lu Daquan guarding the sect, the Tiandao Sect's only remaining Nascent Soul cultivator, Dao Lord Heifeng, also came to Kunzhong City. On the Xuanqing Sect's side, Miao Yi and Xuanyin were on their way.
Both sides were still in a standoff. Although some cultivators from the two sects had good personal relationships, this matter concerned the rise and fall of their sects, forcing them to set aside personal ties and prioritize sect interests.
Six against four—the Xuanqing Sect clearly had the upper hand. This was also what Liu Dingyuan hated most. Originally, their Nascent Soul cultivators outnumbered the Xuanqing Sect's seven to five, with one more late-Nascent Soul cultivator, giving them a great advantage. But in the past two hundred years, the Tiandao Sect's fortunes had declined, turning it into five against eight. If not for him and Buyan being able to hold on for a few more centuries, the Tiandao Sect might have collapsed right then.
Thinking of this, Liu Dingyuan hated it even more. Although Feng Qing's strength was lacking, her existence at least made the Tiandao Sect's number of Nascent Soul cultivators look better. Her fall wasn't significant for the strength she represented, but for the number she represented. Nascent Soul cultivators falling one by one seemed to herald the Tiandao Sect's inevitable decline.
This cast a shadow over Liu Dingyuan's heart that was difficult to dispel. He truly could not tolerate the Tiandao Sect declining under his watch.
This was the situation when Sword Sovereign Yuan Ying arrived. At the central long table, the Xuanqing Sect and the Tiandao Sect sat on opposite sides in confrontation, while the various Nascent Soul cultivators sat casually around them. Among these people, he saw Dao Lord Wusi, Ding Luan, Feng Xiao, Hua Lingyun, Jushi Tiancao...
Leaving aside the others—they more or less had some personal ties with cultivators from the two major sects and leaned slightly—Jushi Tiancao wore an expression of utter calm, as if he had no intention of intervening at all.
Sword Sovereign Yuan Ying understood his thinking. The Danding Sect had nearly lost its lineage because the six major sects delayed rescue. Although there was no deep-seated hatred, if he could make the six major sects fight each other, he would absolutely enjoy watching the show. So, hoping for Jushi Tiancao to resolve the enmity between the two major sects was impossible.
Therefore, it was still up to him to step in. Sword Sovereign Yuan Ying's face showed no expression, but inwardly he felt somewhat helpless. He was the most impatient with mundane affairs; otherwise, the Ancient Sword Sect wouldn't have separately established an Executive Supreme Elder. Yet now, all these matters fell on his shoulders.
"Fellow Daoists," he stepped forward and said, "if there's something, why not discuss it properly? Your two major sects are the pillars of the Immortal Alliance, bearing on its rise and fall. Such a tense standoff is not good."
Although his tone was aloof, the meaning was clearly conveyed. Seeing him, both sides eased their expressions.
Among Nascent Soul cultivators, Sword Sovereign Yuan Ying was a peculiar existence. He wasn't like Liu Dingyuan and Dao Lord Zhenyang, shrewd and tactful; nor was he like Ding Luan and Feng Xiao, who had extensive social connections and many friends. He ignored all matters except those concerning the sword, yet no one dared to look down on him; he had almost no friends, yet everyone respected him greatly. Because of his non-competitiveness and his detachment, he was actually the most upright person. It was said that Sword Sovereign Yuan Ying had maintained self-discipline throughout his life, never acting with bias, not even favoring his own disciples. No one had ever opposed this statement.
In short, Sword Sovereign Yuan Ying's character was a shining golden badge in Tianji. Almost everyone believed he would stand in the most impartial position.
Liu Dingyuan, his anger not yet subsided, said stiffly: "Fellow Daoist Yuan Ying, it's good you've come. Regarding this matter, I hope the Xuanqing Sect gives us an explanation!"
"Hmph!" Before Sword Sovereign Yuan Ying could speak, Dao Lord Zhenyang already said angrily, "How laughable! Clearly, I'm the one demanding an explanation from you. When did it become us giving you an explanation?"
"Xu Zhenyang, are you still trying to play the villain who accuses first?"
Dao Lord Zhenyang retorted sarcastically: "I thought you were pitch black all over, so dirty even the East Sea couldn't wash you clean. Do you think you're a good person?"
"You—"
"Both of you!" Sword Sovereign Yuan Ying spoke, his voice still cool, but successfully stopping the war of words between the two late-Nascent Soul great cultivators, the leaders of the two major sects. He said: "If you keep arguing, you'll only waste time and solve nothing."
The two fell silent for a moment, then spoke in unison: "What do you suggest?"
Sword Sovereign Yuan Ying raised his gaze, sweeping over the silently standing Qin Xi and Mo Tiange, and said: "If you accept my mediation, each of you tell me the course of events."
Dao Lord Zhenyang and Liu Dingyuan glared at each other, then both relented: "Fine."
Dao Lord Zhenyang knew when to stop. He had taken the initiative to gain the upper hand; however it was told, he could stand on reason. As for Liu Dingyuan, although furious inwardly, he wasn't a fool. Since Feng Qing was already dead, stubbornly opposing the Xuanqing Sect would bring no benefit to the Tiandao Sect. It was better to temporarily resolve this enmity under Sword Sovereign Yuan Ying's mediation, sharpen their weapons, and plan for development. However, the Tiandao Sect's face still had to be preserved. Xu Zhenyang shouldn't think he could distort right and wrong.
Sword Sovereign Yuan Ying's gaze shifted between the two of them and said: "Since it concerns Feng Qing's death, let Fellow Daoist Liu speak first."
Liu Dingyuan nodded and began: "All Fellow Daoists know that our Tiandao Sect is currently lacking in talent. For the Immortal Alliance's affairs, I and Junior Brother Buyan are stationed here long-term, leaving only Lu Daquan and Feng Qing within the sect. Not long ago, when the sudden change occurred in the East Sea and demon cultivators invaded, the Bixuan Pavilion came to our Tiandao Sect seeking aid, so Feng Qing went to the Bixuan Pavilion."
He paused, his gaze resting on Qin Xi and Mo Tiange, and continued: "What happened next, everyone knows. The Xuanqing Sect's Qin Shoujing and Mo Qingwei accepted the mission, replacing Feng Qing to guard the Bixuan Pavilion. The strange thing is here: after they took over the mission, Feng Qing never returned, and we received no news until a few days ago, when Feng Qing's Life Lamp in the sect suddenly went out."
Sword Sovereign Yuan Ying listened and slowly nodded: "What is Fellow Daoist Liu's view on this matter?"
Liu Dingyuan took a deep breath and said: "Before Xu Zhenyang came, I had no particular view. I only thought that when there was some free time, I would send someone to the East Sea to see what happened to Feng Qing."
Sword Sovereign Yuan Ying turned to Dao Lord Zhenyang: "And Fellow Daoist Zhenyang?"
Dao Lord Zhenyang had perfectly maintained an expression of displeasure throughout. At this moment, he said: "Regarding Feng Qing's matter, we were previously unaware. Two days ago, when Shoujing and Qingwei returned, they mentioned that because demon cultivators breached the Bixuan Pavilion, they lingered in the East Sea and encountered Feng Qing, who had long since left. For some reason, Feng Qing had never returned. After meeting them, she grew jealous, launched a sneak attack, but her skills were inferior, and she was killed by them in self-defense."
"Hmph!" As soon as Dao Lord Zhenyang finished speaking, Liu Dingyuan snorted coldly. "Nonsense! How could Feng Qing possibly sneak attack them?"
"Liu Dingyuan..."
"Both Fellow Daoists!" Sword Sovereign Yuan Ying sternly shouted. Seeing the two of them fall silent, he then said: "Since the matter involves Fellow Daoists Shoujing and Qingwei, then please let the two Fellow Daoists explain."
Qin Xi gave Mo Tiange a slight nod and said clearly: "Senior Yuan Ying, let me explain!"