533: Chapter 534 Arrival

Where there was one, there were soon a second, a third, a fifth...

More and more people stepped forward, beginning to accuse Zhou Yang and his companions, as if they had truly committed some heinous crime.

Zhou Yang and the others stood in the center of the crowd, facing the condemnation of a thousand fingers, surrounded by countless angry faces.

They tried their best to defend themselves, but no one was listening. Dong Pingan's face was deathly pale, Zhang Li's eyes were bloodshot, and his fists were clenched so tightly they creaked.

Zhou Yang took a deep breath, suppressing the anger in his heart. He looked up at Sect Master Yi Qing, who was the cause of all this.

He hadn't expected that even after they had yielded, the other side would still want to drive them to extinction.

At this moment, Sect Master Yi Qing was also watching him, his eyes filled with mockery, as if he were looking at a group of rats struggling in their death throes.

Sect Master Yi Qing's lips moved slightly, and a Divine Sense transmission quietly entered Zhou Yang's ears.

"Zhou Yang, I am not an unreasonable person. How about this: if you kneel and pledge your loyalty to me in public, I might spare you."

It wasn't that he had nothing better to do; he had other motives.

Although True Person Tianxing had forcibly incorporated the Qingxuan Sect back then, causing much dissatisfaction, the majesty of a Golden Core True Person had long been deeply ingrained in people's hearts.

In succeeding as Sect Master, he not only needed to establish his authority but also needed to eradicate the influence that True Person Tianxing had over the Tianxing Immortal Sect.

It could only be said that Zhou Yang and his group were unlucky, running straight into the line of fire.

Upon hearing the transmission in his mind, Zhou Yang's expression turned extremely ugly.

Sect Master Yi Qing lacked the demeanor of a Golden Core True Person; he was the spitting image of a petty man who had achieved success.

But he knew even more clearly that he had no choice. It wasn't that he didn't know that a man's knees held gold, but rather that they had no way to contend with a Golden Core True Person.

"Sigh, forget it." Zhou Yang sighed in his heart, knowing that there was only one path before them. That was to submit.

Although he was extremely unwilling, the situation was stronger than the people; when under another's roof, one had to bow one's head.

The few of them looked at each other, seeing the helplessness in each other's eyes. Just as their knees were slightly bending, preparing to agree to Sect Master Yi Qing's demand.

"Crack—" A loud noise suddenly erupted from the Void Realm, instantly attracting everyone's attention.

The Void Realm where the sound originated seemed to be gripped by an invisible giant hand and then violently torn apart.

A pitch-black rift now spanned the sky above the Tianxing Immortal Sect, stretching for a thousand zhang. Within the rift, grey, turbulent Chaos churned endlessly, boundless and vast.

A figure with fluttering robes stepped out from the Chaos with hands behind his back.

At this same time, the entire protective Formation of the Tianxing Immortal Sect roared into operation, like a giant beast awakened, shrouding the entire Sect in a pale golden curtain of light.

"What happened? Why has the protective Formation been activated?" "Who is that? How did he appear?" "Enemy attack! Enemy attack!" Exclamations erupted throughout the crowd.

Looking at the figure stepping out from the rift, an instinctive fear welled up from the depths of their Souls. It was like the bone-deep feeling of powerlessness when an ant looks up at the vast sky.

Sect Master Yi Qing could no longer concern himself with Zhou Yang and the others. He stared at the figure in the Void Realm in astonishment, his lips trembling slightly.

Tearing through the Void Realm to cross over. He had only seen fragments of such methods in ancient texts, and they were mostly used for spatial paths like teleportation Formations; he didn't know much about them.

But to tear through the Void Realm out of thin air—was this truly something a Cultivator could achieve? Sect Master Yi Qing did not know; he was completely ignorant of the Realms above the Golden Core.

After all, his Foundation was too shallow, and he had only just achieved his Golden Core Breakthrough; he hadn't even figured out how his own Golden Core Dao path should proceed in the future, let alone anything else.

However, Sect Master Yi Qing knew that this existence stepping out of the rift was not someone he could provoke.

Yet, Sect Master Yi Qing had not lost his composure; he even began to carefully observe the figure. Since the person had appeared, there seemed to be no intention of attacking; he was merely looking around with great interest.

At this, Sect Master Yi Qing felt slightly relieved. It didn't look like he was here to cause trouble, and the protective Formation had already been activated. That was a Peak Third Tier Formation; even a Golden Core Cultivator would not find it easy to break through by force.

So he took a deep breath and rose into the air. However, he did not leave the Formation; instead, he stood within the curtain of light, observing the figure from across the barrier. He did not want to easily put himself in danger.

"Who is Your Excellency? What business do you have coming to my Tianxing Immortal Sect?" Sect Master Yi Qing's voice was neither servile nor overbearing, but his lack of composure could not be hidden.

Great Elder Lu Chenyuan only then withdrew his gaze and landed it on the Cultivator before him. Given this level of cultivation, if he dared to speak to him in this manner in the Qingwei Grotto-Heaven, he would have been slapped to death long ago.

However, his mission this time was to deliver resources to an old acquaintance of the Buddha Lord, not to kill people. Before understanding the situation here, he did not want to be so overbearing.

Otherwise, although the protective Formation before him was Peak Third Tier, in his eyes, it was no more than paper. If he had wanted to attack, he would have trampled it when he arrived.

"Is this the Tianxing Immortal Sect?" Great Elder Lu Chenyuan asked in a rare, calm tone, even squeezing out a stiff smile. Perhaps because he hadn't smiled in too long, this expression looked anything but kind in the eyes of others.

"Hm?" Sect Master Yi Qing looked vigilant, his mind racing to calculate the man's origin and purpose, but after thinking for a long time without coming to any conclusion, he nodded. "That is correct."

"Then do you know if there is a person named Zhou Yang here?" Sect Master Yi Qing's heart skipped a beat. Zhou Yang? Zhou Yang again! This person was here to find Zhou Yang!

Judging by the tone, he didn't sound like a friend; he sounded like he was here for revenge. Countless thoughts raced through Sect Master Yi Qing's mind, and he cursed inwardly. This Zhou Yang was truly a jinx. However... this was an opportunity.

If he could use this Senior's hand to eliminate Zhou Yang, not only would he remove a major threat, but he could also curry favor with this Senior. Two birds with one stone, why not?

Thinking of this, Sect Master Yi Qing immediately turned around to face the thousands of Disciples below, his voice suddenly raised. "Zhou Yang! You cause trouble outside and bring the trouble back to the Sect! What is your intention!!!"

Sect Master Yi Qing's voice was righteous and stern; he intended to use these words to state his position—that he had no relationship with Zhou Yang, and that he even wanted to punish Zhou Yang. In this way, he could boost his favorability with the mysterious Cultivator while clearing his own name.

The Disciples below looked at each other, but soon some reacted. "So this Senior arrived because he was provoked by Zhou Yang!" "Hmph, disregarding the safety of fellow Sect members like this, what crime should be committed!"

For a time, shouts demanding Zhou Yang admit his guilt and be executed rose one after another. Great Elder Lu Chenyuan stood outside the Formation, watching this scene. He ignored the jumping-about Sect Master Yi Qing, his gaze passing over him to land on that figure in the crowd.

Hmm, it seemed to match the portrait given by the Buddha Lord. At this moment, Zhou Yang felt that gaze land on him, and he felt numb. He didn't know this person at all!

He didn't even know why the other party was looking for him right off the bat. Could he have really offended this person inadvertently? But he searched his mind countless times and could never find any memory of this face. Besides, if he had really offended such an existence, could he have really survived?

Just as he was lost in wild thoughts, Great Elder Lu Chenyuan spoke. "Little Friend, are you Zhou Yang?"

Zhou Yang was stunned; he hadn't expected this Senior to address him that way. It seemed, perhaps, that he wasn't here to cause him trouble? So he took a deep breath, trying to make his voice sound steady, and bowed to Great Elder Lu Chenyuan.

"That is this Junior." Confirming his identity, Great Elder Lu Chenyuan smiled, his expression becoming much gentler. He then glanced at the stunned Sect Master Yi Qing, and asked Zhou Yang with a smiling tone, "It seems, Little Friend, that you have encountered some trouble?"

As soon as these words were spoken, before Zhou Yang could say anything, Sect Master Yi Qing's expression changed. The relationship between these two did not seem to be what he had imagined. Could it be... not revenge? Was it just his own wishful thinking! It's over!

"Senior..." Sect Master Yi Qing still wanted to struggle, trying to say something to salvage the situation. But Great Elder Lu Chenyuan ignored him completely, his gaze remaining on Zhou Yang. "Come up and let us speak."

"Yes, Senior!" Although he didn't know the other party's purpose, Zhou Yang was certain that this person was not here to cause him trouble. That was enough! In any case, nothing could be worse than the current situation; if he could connect with this Senior, perhaps the previous crisis would be resolved.

So he did not hesitate and was about to rise into the air, but his body suddenly stalled. In an instant, he felt as if he were carrying a mountain, unable to mobilize any magic power.

Only then did Zhou Yang realize that his body had been entangled by countless green wood Qi, tightly imprisoning him. He suddenly looked up at Sect Master Yi Qing. At this moment, Sect Master Yi Qing's face was as gloomy as water, with green wood magic power surging in his hands. It was he who had just acted to imprison him!

"Who exactly are you?" After doing this, Sect Master Yi Qing turned his head, staring fixedly at Great Elder Lu Chenyuan, his voice no longer polite, but instead carrying a hint of questioning. "Although my Tianxing Immortal Sect is small, it is not a place to be bullied. If Your Excellency does not state your purpose, do not blame me for being impolite!"

Great Elder Lu Chenyuan looked at the imprisoned Zhou Yang, and the gentleness on his face gradually faded, replaced by an indifference, like gazing at an ant, as he looked at Sect Master Yi Qing.

"I advise you not to do this. This Little Friend Zhou is an old acquaintance of my Master. If any harm comes to him..." The voice was not loud, but every word was like iron.

Great Elder Lu Chenyuan's gaze swept over the pale golden curtain of light. "Do you think this mere Peak Third Tier Formation can stop me?"

My Master? Old acquaintance? Sect Master Yi Qing's heart thumped, and a guess that chilled him to the bone flashed through his mind. He remembered Zhou Yang's previous identity—that was the servant of that Golden Core True Person. Could it be that the Master this person spoke of was that Golden Core True Person?

But how was this possible? That person had left the Southern Wilderness Region only a few decades ago, and at the time of departure, he was only at the Early Golden Core Stage. Although he could not see through this person's Realm, he was at least a Great True Person of the Late Golden Core Stage. To be so respectfully addressed... could it be that that person had already reached Golden Core Perfection?

Sect Master Yi Qing's heart sank to the bottom. Before he achieved his Golden Core Breakthrough, these people were existences he looked up to. After he achieved his Golden Core Breakthrough, he thought he could finally stand on equal footing with them. But now, someone was telling him that the Golden Core who had left back then had not only not fallen, but had grown into an existence to whom even Late Golden Core Stage Cultivators had to bow.

And he, Sect Master Yi Qing, was still here feeling smug about the position of Sect Master, and was even bullying someone's old servant. However, Sect Master Yi Qing felt not so much regret as extreme unwillingness.

Why? Why did he have to exhaust all his efforts to reach this point today, while some people reached heights he could never reach as easily as eating or drinking? Even though he had already tried so hard...

Sect Master Yi Qing's fists clenched until they creaked. But unwilling as he was, he knew that this was not the time to act on impulse. He had already offended Zhou Yang, and he had offended him thoroughly.

Now that the other party's backer had arrived, if he just handed over Zhou Yang like that, he would probably lose his life. He was not willing to die just after achieving his Breakthrough; he still had a great life he hadn't enjoyed yet.

Therefore, not only did he not loosen the restraints, but a surge of magic power flowed from his palm into Zhou Yang's body, sealing his Dantian and Qi Sea tightly.

It was clear that this person cared deeply about Zhou Yang; in this way, it would surely make the other party hesitate for fear of harming the hostage, and not dare to act rashly against him. Sect Master Yi Qing even thought: if he used Zhou Yang as a bargaining chip to threaten the other party into doing things for him, would that work? In any case, at least for now, his life was safe.

Thinking of this, Sect Master Yi Qing felt slightly relieved. He turned to look at Great Elder Lu Chenyuan and said impolitely, "Your Excellency, do not be aggressive. If you take one more step forward, I cannot guarantee that Zhou Yang will remain alive!"

This was a threat. Great Elder Lu Chenyuan's lips curled slightly, revealing a mocking arc. He was not angry; he felt it was laughable. An ant that had just achieved its Golden Core Breakthrough, with an unstable Foundation, dared to threaten him?

"Seeking death." Spitting out these two words indifferently, Great Elder Lu Chenyuan raised his hand and pressed down with a palm. There was no dazzling spirit light, no grand phenomenon, just a simple palm strike.

A giant palm suddenly magnified in the Void Realm, blocking out the sun and sky, its five fingers like five giant pillars supporting the heavens, descending slowly toward the pale golden curtain of light.

Sect Master Yi Qing's expression changed instantly; he hadn't expected the other party to flip the table without a word. If you aren't satisfied, you can keep talking; his bottom line was very flexible!

But it was too late to say anything now; the other party's posture clearly indicated that he was going to force his way into the Sect. He could not allow such a thing to happen! Based on the move the other party had just displayed, Sect Master Yi Qing was certain that he was absolutely no match for him. If he really let him in, things would be troublesome.

So he immediately took out the central token for the protective Formation and desperately channeled his magic power to activate it. The Formation curtain lit up suddenly, and countless runes emerged from the curtain, layer upon layer, not only reinforcing the defense but also shielding the entire Sect within.

However, the speed at which the palm descended did not slow down in the slightest. The moment the palm print touched the curtain of light, there was no earth-shattering roar, only a soft sound. "Crack—"

The Formation was like glass struck by a heavy hammer, cracking from the center. The cracks spread in all directions, and in the blink of an eye, they covered the entire curtain of light. Then, it shattered with a roar. Countless points of light scattered and splashed, like a golden rain. The Peak Third Tier Formation, which had taken True Person Tianxing countless efforts to set up, was reduced to nothingness under this palm strike.