Ling Yunhe deliberately steered the topic toward the North Sea. The others weren't fools either; they neither joined in pressuring Demon Lord Yueying nor pressed Ling Yunhe for details, content to watch the spectacle from the sidelines.
After the events in the Guixu Sea, even though the Jiuyan Sect, having lost the Bow of the Vermilion Bird, did not publicize it, the news spread rapidly throughout Yunzhong. High-level cultivators were almost all aware of it. At the time, Perfected One Yuanmu and the others had guessed that the Huayan Temple and the Yueshan Academy probably also knew of the sacrificial temples' existence. Combined with their own scheming over so many years, some rumors were bound to leak out, which was how the matter had been exposed.
However, investigating this was no longer meaningful. The Bow of the Vermilion Bird was already gone, so the Jiuyan Sect simply kept silent about it.
Nevertheless, the Vermilion Bird Sacrificial Temple, the Divine Beast's Bow, and the Numinous Treasure had left a deep impression on the hearts of many Nascent Soul cultivators, making them restless and eager. Therefore, as soon as they heard that a sacrificial temple might appear here, some of them rushed over. They weren't afraid it might be a trap; with so many people present, no one could possibly set a snare to capture them all in one fell swoop. The current situation was clearly just Demon Lord Yueying, unwilling to accept defeat, deliberately causing trouble for Ling Yunhe and his companions.
"Junior Brother Ling, what do you mean by that?" Senior Brother Yuan's brow twitched as he asked slowly.
Ling Yunhe looked directly at him and said softly, "Senior Brother Yuan, let's discuss any matters when we return to the sect."
Senior Brother Yuan paused, then finally nodded.
Ling Yunhe knew that his sect was extremely displeased with him traveling with Mo Tiange and the others without prior notice. Although Mo Tiange had stirred up great waves in Yunzhong, the ones truly offended and harmed were only their Jiuyan Sect. Losing an ancient Numinous Treasure like the Bow of the Vermilion Bird—if not for Perfected One Yuanmu's level-headedness, upon learning they were cultivators from the Tianji Xuanqing Sect, he would have already charged to Tianji to fight them to the death. And this time, they actually learned from others that Ling Yunhe was privately traveling with them. This was simply a slap to their own face.
Therefore, Senior Brother Yuan and the others also didn't notify Ling Yunhe and just came over. Firstly, they similarly didn't want to miss this opportunity. Secondly, it was a warning to Ling Yunhe not to act recklessly.
Ling Yunhe was a smart man. As soon as he saw Senior Brother Yuan appear, coupled with his demeanor when speaking, he knew their purpose. So, he merely said they would talk back at the sect. This indicated he knew what he was doing and had not forgotten his sect.
Senior Brother Yuan and the others naturally wouldn't let others enjoy the spectacle for free. Hearing this, they temporarily let the matter drop.
"Hmph!" Demon Lord Yueying snorted coldly, saying only, "Believe it or not, go or not, it's up to you." He showed no intention of explaining at all. He knew he didn't need to explain; as long as these people harbored that suspicion in their hearts, it was enough. Moreover, when he spread this news, he had made his attitude clear: he was here to cause trouble.
As soon as his words fell, Yang Chengji, who had been at the very back, stepped forward and stared at him, asking, "Senior Yueying, what do you want the Origin Demon Great Art for?"
Although Yang Chengji was only at the early Nascent Soul stage, no cultivator in Yunzhong dared treat him as merely early Nascent Soul. He possessed the Demon Lord's Sacred Relic, the Heavenly Demon Pagoda. An ordinary mid-Nascent Soul cultivator had already been defeated by him, and he had done so with ease, showing no sign of strain.
Demon Lord Yueying said indifferently, "I'm not trying to snatch anything from your Guifang City. I don't need to explain myself to you, do I?"
"Senior naturally doesn't need to explain," Yang Chengji's face was pale and gaunt, but his aura grew sharper. "This junior is merely concerned that senior may have misunderstood certain matters and is wasting your efforts."
"That's none of your concern." Beneath the cloak, Demon Lord Yueying's expression was unclear, but his tone was mocking.
"Fellow Daoist Ling," Nang Guitian of the Danxia Sect said with a beaming smile, "I wonder, where are your companions?"
If they weren't in opposing positions, Ling Yunhe would have almost wanted to applaud him for this question. Their group had come here without hiding their tracks; the cultivators outside Carefree Valley had all seen who his companions were. Hearing this question, one immediately knew whom he was asking about.
Nie Wushang and Jing Xingzhi aside, Mo Tiange and Qin Xi's fame in Yunzhong was quite high. Their trip to the Guixu Sea had swindled the Jiuyan Sect; the heavenly tribulation upon their emergence caused Yiyedao to sink; and the subsequent celestial and terrestrial anomalies might also be related to them.
If you asked the Nascent Soul cultivators of Yunzhong who they hated most, aside from the Jiuyan Sect, probably no one would name those two. But if you asked who they found most detestable, those two firmly occupied the top spot, unshakable.
These two calamity stars, aside from snatching the Jiuyan Sect's treasure, hadn't actually done anything excessively terrible. But their very existence seemed like a disaster for Yunzhong.
Well, since everything was irreversible, and they were disciples of a major sect from Tianji, people were unwilling and unable to pursue the matter. But they left, so why come back to Yunzhong? Having taken the Jiuyan Sect's Bow of the Vermilion Bird, did they now want to snatch something from the Xuanwu Sacrificial Temple? If they didn't know, fine. But now that they did know, how could they let this possibility slide? Their current mindset was exactly as Old Donkey Ma had said: How can we let those two juniors take away things from our Yunzhong? Anyway, going to look doesn't cost anything.
Therefore, Nang Guitian's question resonated deeply with everyone. They all wanted to ask: Ling Yunhe, which side are you really on? Could it be you're deliberately befriending them to wait for a chance to avenge the loss of the Bow of the Vermilion Bird?
Ling Yunhe did not answer this question. He merely nodded to Nang Guitian, then said clearly, "Fellow Daoists, regardless of why you've come, Carefree Valley is not my family's property. I, Ling, have no right to stop you. Whatever you wish to do, please proceed."
As soon as his words fell, someone shouted, "Ling Yunhe, what do you mean by that? Are you truly allied with those Tianji people to snatch things from Yunzhong?"
Ling Yunhe's gaze turned cold as he stared directly at that cultivator. It was a demonic cultivator with an unfamiliar face and average cultivation, seemingly newly advanced. Yet his expression was arrogant, not at all like an ordinary demonic cultivator. For him to suddenly question like this here and now made one wonder if someone was behind him.
Ling Yunhe gave a thin, insincere smile. "As I said earlier, I came here entrusted by someone to settle a karmic debt. You are all top-tier cultivators of the Human Realm. I need not tell you how serious it is to bear a karmic debt without cause. Tianji, Yunzhong—these labels are too small; such a big hat doesn't fit me."
"Even so, why didn't you even inform your own sect? Clearly, you harbor ulterior motives!"
Ling Yunhe raised an eyebrow, asking with a smile, "Sir, may I ask your esteemed name?"
Hearing this, the demonic cultivator's momentum weakened slightly, but he still blustered, "What do you mean by that? Looking for a chance for revenge?"
"Nothing much," Ling Yunhe said leisurely. "It's just that, sir, being so enthusiastic, I almost thought you were a descendant of the Jiuyan Sect lost to the outside world..."
"Don't talk nonsense!" the man roared angrily. "Your behavior is suspicious; can't I even ask?"
"You can ask," Ling Yunhe's expression turned cold. "But, sir, what is your status? By what right do you question the affairs of my Jiuyan Sect? Are you trying to sow discord?"
There were no fools among Nascent Soul cultivators. Hearing Ling Yunhe's words, this demonic cultivator shut his mouth. He realized that someone who had been a sect master had better eloquence than him. If he continued, besides losing face, he would gain nothing.
"Everyone," Senior Brother Yuan timely stepped forward. "The affairs of the Jiuyan Sect require no concern from outsiders. Regardless of what my Junior Brother Ling has done, he has not acted against righteousness. Ownerless treasures belong to the capable by nature. If you wish to contend for them, Junior Brother Ling has not stopped you. Whether you wish to fight or snatch, please proceed. However, if anyone continues to sow discord, do not blame the Jiuyan Sect for being impolite."
With the last sentence, Senior Brother Yuan revealed a hint of killing intent. Although none of the Jiuyan Sect cultivators present were at the late Nascent Soul stage, no one dared to take these words lightly. For tens of thousands of years, the Jiuyan Sect had been a major power in Yunzhong, its strength far surpassing other sects. Not to mention anything else, Perfected One Yuanmu was still holding the fort within the sect.
"Hehe," amidst the silence, Old Donkey Ma suddenly let out a light laugh, his chrysanthemum-like old face wrinkling into a ball as he said in a gentle, unhurried voice, "What are all you Fellow Daoists waiting for here? Competing for treasures naturally depends on one's own abilities."
The atmosphere relaxed, and Venerable Xuxiang's loud voice also rang out: "Exactly! So much nonsense, wasting time! If you're going, go quickly!"
The late Nascent Soul cultivators who came this time were only Demon Lord Yueying, Demon Lord Yeshuang, Old Donkey Ma, and Venerable Xuxiang. This was different from the Guixu Sea; it was only Demon Lord Yueying's one-sided claim. Getting these few late-stage cultivators to come was already quite good. The Yueshan Academy and the Huayan Temple had only sent Han Shizhi and Juewu.
More than fifty years had passed since the Guixu Sea. The five individuals whose Sacred Relics had recognized masters back then, leveraging the power of the relics and the gains from the Guixu Sea, had successively stepped into the Nascent Soul stage. First Han Shizhi and Ling Yunhe, then Mo Tiange and Yang Chengji. Juewu's original cultivation was slightly lower, but not long ago, he had also successfully formed his Nascent Soul.
Their ages at forming their Nascent Souls were astonishing. Except for Han Shizhi being slightly older, none of the others had exceeded three hundred years. In the past, this would have been considered earth-shattering. Their strength was also astonishing. Except for the Nameless Record, the other four were all top-tier magical treasures. Yang Chengji easily defeating a mid-Nascent Soul cultivator with the Heavenly Demon Pagoda was one example. As for Han Shizhi, although the Nameless Record was originally not a magical treasure, the effects of its cultivation art surpassed that of a treasure. Coupled with his own extraordinary comprehension—he was a top-tier genius among Confucian cultivators—after making the Nameless Record his own, his progress was astounding. He was only one step away from advancing to the mid-stage, and he had also refined the Nameless Record into a magical treasure, no different from the other Sacred Relics.
"Old Yue, hurry up!" Venerable Xuxiang urged impatiently.
Having his perfectly good name called "Old Yue" displeased Demon Lord Yueying greatly. "What does that have to do with me? I didn't invite you here."
"Ai, why so petty? After all, we've had dealings for over a thousand years..."
Leaving aside that tangled mess over there, Senior Brother Yuan here sent a low voice transmission: "Junior Brother Ling, won't you travel with us?"
Ling Yunhe replied apologetically, "Senior Brother Yuan, I'm sorry. What I said earlier was all true. After I settle this karmic debt, I will return to the sect and explain everything to you."
Senior Brother Yuan nodded and said no more. "Then be careful yourself." Having said that, he led the other Jiuyan Sect cultivators to follow Demon Lord Yueying.
Ling Yunhe stood for a moment, then turned and left alone.