"I have heard about the matter from Qingqing," Elder Kaishan said. "Both Qingqing and Li Xin felt deeply regretful that they could not intervene to prevent what happened to Young Master Leng Jue. I hope the Immortal King can forgive them."
"Old Senior, you misunderstand. We have not come here to hold Qingqing accountable. I am aware this matter has nothing to do with them."
"If that is the case, may I inquire as to the true purpose of the Immortal King's visit?"
North Altar Immortal King asked in a heavy tone, "I have heard that the immortal sword nurtured by Lady Qingqing is precisely the Five Elements Cloud-Water Sword forged by You Di in the past. Is this true?"
"Indeed it is."
"And Old Senior has personally verified this, correct?"
Old Master Kaishan nodded.
"So that means the vile scoundrel You Di has truly returned?"
"This old man can only confirm that the immortal sword nurtured by Qingqing is indeed the Five Elements Cloud-Water Sword forged by You Di. As for whether that person is You Di himself, I dare not be certain."
"Good!"
North Altar Immortal King said nothing more, cupping his hands once again. "We have troubled you. Farewell."
With that, North Altar Immortal King prepared to lead his people away.
"Immortal King, please wait!"
Old Master Kaishan quickly stopped him and asked, "Allow this old man to ask an impertinent question. What exactly is the purpose of your visit this time?"
North Altar Immortal King did not respond. He did not even turn around, standing quietly with his hands clasped behind his back, facing away from Old Master Kaishan. The cold voice of Bai Yuan Immortal Lord beside him spoke instead. "Old Senior Kaishan, a disciple of our Dan Ding Valley was publicly beaten into a cripple. He now lies at home, his fate unknown. What do you suppose is the purpose of our visit?"
Hearing this, Li Xin, Qingqing, and the others from the Eternal Life Pavilion could hardly believe their ears. Old Master Kaishan pressed on, "Are you... seeking justice from You Di for Young Master Leng Jue?"
"Heh."
The speaker was a sinister-looking man, the demonic Dao Star Lord Huang Feng Demon Lord. He raised his head, staring at Old Master Kaishan with a cold sneer. "Old Senior, is this justice not something our Dan Ding Valley should seek? Or do you believe our Dan Ding Valley is unworthy of seeking such justice?"
"No! That is not what I meant. It is merely that this matter is far too risky..." Old Master Kaishan deliberated for a moment before addressing North Altar Immortal King again. "I implore the Immortal King to think this over carefully."
Immediately, the ancient elders from Dan Ding Valley spoke up with righteous indignation.
"Now the entire Myriad Heavens and Worlds knows that a disciple of our Dan Ding Valley was beaten into a cripple by You Di. If our Dan Ding Valley dares not even utter a peep, how can we continue to establish ourselves in the Great Wilderness? How could we face the founding ancestors of Dan Ding Valley, or look our fellow disciples in the eye?"
"You Di's existence is undoubtedly terrifying, but our Dan Ding Valley is not afraid. Whether he is the legendary True Lord of Original Sin is none of our concern, nor do we wish to interfere. However, by publicly beating a disciple of Dan Ding Valley into a cripple, he has shown utter contempt for our valley. In that case, Dan Ding Valley will not show him any courtesy either."
"Moreover, Old Senior, you probably are not aware—Leng Jue, who was crippled by You Di, is not merely a disciple of Dan Ding Valley. He is also a descendant of our Immortal King!"
"This..." Old Master Kaishan truly had not known that Leng Jue was a descendant of North Altar Immortal King. For a moment, he was at a loss for words.
"May I ask you, Old Senior, if a disciple of your Eternal Life Pavilion were publicly beaten into a cripple by You Di, how would your pavilion respond?"
"Let me ask you again, Old Senior, if your own descendants were killed by You Di, as their ancestor, how would you respond?"
Old Master Kaishan was truly stumped by these questions. To be honest, if a disciple of the Eternal Life Pavilion or his own descendants were crippled by You Di, he himself did not know what he would do.
At this moment, North Altar Immortal King, who had remained silent all along, finally spoke. "If a disciple of Dan Ding Valley is beaten into a cripple and I, Xuan Xingzi, do not seek justice for him, then I am unworthy of being an elder of Dan Ding Valley. If my descendant is beaten into a cripple and I do not seek justice for him, then I am unworthy of being his ancestor. If the dignity of Dan Ding Valley is scorned and I do not step forward to uphold it, then I have failed both the teachings of my revered master and the nurturing grace of Dan Ding Valley!"
"Old Senior, I appreciate your good intentions. Farewell."
With that, this time, North Altar Immortal King led the people of Dan Ding Valley away without hesitation.
Old Master Kaishan watched their departing figures, sinking into deep thought, his face clouded with worry.
"Is Leng Jue truly a descendant of North Altar Immortal King?"
"Is North Altar Immortal King truly planning to seek revenge against You Di? Heavens! With just these few people, seeking revenge against You Di is nothing short of seeking death!"
"It remains unknown whether the Nine Heaven Immortal Path even dares to move against You Di. Isn't North Altar Immortal King being far too impulsive? Hasn't he considered how terrifying You Di truly is?"
Li Xin and the others from the Eternal Life Pavilion discussed amongst themselves, all agreeing that North Altar Immortal King was acting too rashly. While it was true that the news of Leng Jue being crippled by You Di had spread far and wide, damaging Dan Ding Valley's prestige, and seeking justice was entirely understandable—even so, one must consider who the opponent is.
That was You Di, who had shaken the entire Great Wilderness! Seeking revenge against him was like seeking revenge against Death itself. Not only would they fail to achieve vengeance, they might very well lose their own lives in the process.
"This matter is probably not so simple."
Suddenly, Old Master Kaishan's voice rang out. The people of the Eternal Life Pavilion looked at him, puzzled. Li Xin asked, "Old Master, we also feel this matter is somewhat strange. From what I know, North Altar Immortal King does not seem like an impulsive person. It is unlikely he would undertake such a risky endeavor."
"You are correct. Based on my understanding of North Altar Immortal King, he is by no means an impulsive man."
Old Master Kaishan furrowed his brows deeply. "Moreover, even if he truly wished to seek justice for his descendant, the ancient ancestors of Dan Ding Valley would not permit him to act so recklessly. If North Altar Immortal King is indeed here to seek justice from You Di, then he must have received permission from those very ancestors."
"Old Master, I don't quite understand. Are you saying North Altar Immortal King has received permission from Dan Ding Valley's ancient ancestors to wage war against You Di? Aren't they afraid North Altar Immortal King will die at You Di's hands?"
"Of course they would not allow North Altar Immortal King to die at You Di's hands. If my guess is correct, it is not merely North Altar Immortal King seeking justice from You Di this time, but the entire Dan Ding Valley. I fear Dan Ding Valley's ancient ancestors have personally come as well."
Hearing this, Li Xin and the others were greatly shocked.
"Old Master, are you serious? That can't be possible, can it? Has Dan Ding Valley gone mad? To mobilize such forces over a single disciple? Even if that disciple is a descendant of North Altar Immortal King, surely they wouldn't go to such extremes?"
Old Master Kaishan said, "If it were merely for the sake of a single disciple, Dan Ding Valley's ancestors would naturally not make an enemy of You Di. Not even if that disciple were North Altar Immortal King's own son would Dan Ding Valley's ancestors confront You Di over such a trivial matter."
Li Xin, Qingqing, and the others were somewhat confused by Old Master Kaishan's words.
"Dan Ding Valley holds a deep-seated grudge against You Di. Their hatred for him runs bone-deep."