Zhang Rongfang breathed a sigh of relief, realizing he had managed to muddle through this time.

But he knew from Shang Dingye's look that the man had grown to resent him, and next time, he would surely be watched closely.

'Trouble!'

He roughly gauged whether he could take out Shang Dingye.

But except for Kongwu back then, he hadn't had a life-or-death battle with another Grandmaster of the Worship Sect, so he wasn't sure of the other's level.

According to Zuo Han's words back then, Kongwu had just entered the Grandmaster level and immediately sought divine worship. His level shouldn't be high.

But Zhang Rongfang felt that he had gotten stronger since the time he killed Kongwu, and his blood and flesh had been replenished and improved somewhat.

He was stronger than before.

Therefore... to determine who is stronger or weaker, he can only know by fighting.

In the inn, as Shangguan Feihua retracted his aura and left, everyone finally let out a breath of relief.

Several people looked at Zhang Rongfang with eyes of admiration.

"Impressive!" A young Daoist with his hair tied into many small braids approached and spoke softly to Zhang Rongfang.

"I'm just standing on the side of reason, nothing impressive about it." Zhang Rongfang shook his head.

"That's easy to say, but to stand your ground like this under the pressure of the Shangguan Palace Master, that's not something just anyone can do!" The Daoist shook his head and gave a thumbs-up.

"Do you know how strong the Shangguan Palace Master is?" he looked around and whispered.

"How strong?" Zhang Rongfang's heart stirred, suddenly thinking he might be able to learn something about Shangguan Feihua and Shang Dingye, especially the latter's real strength, from these old-timers in the Jade Void Palace.

After all, with the passage of time, there would inevitably be many records of their actions, and for martial artists, when would they lack opportunities to make a move?

"The Shangguan Palace Master is ruthless enough to stand against the Palace Master, ranking first among the Twelve Mansions.

There was a record of it. A Grandmaster of the Thousand Teachings Alliance, due to casualties among his descendants, held a grudge and went to war with the Shangguan family. At the final showdown, that Grandmaster couldn't last a stick of incense under the Shangguan Palace Master," the Daoist explained quietly.

He looked around and added.

"That Grandmaster from the Thousand Teachings Alliance, if you were a bit older, you should have heard of his name. He was once Xue Che, the Right God Guardian of the Sensing Sect."

"Right God Guardian?" Zhang Rongfang was slightly shocked.

Ever since he befriended Zuo Han, his understanding of the Sensing Sect had been increasing day by day.

The whole Sensing Sect was, in fact, a more vast and powerful organization than the Thousand Teachings Alliance, Western Sect, Eastern Sect, Celestial Lock Teaching, and so on.

From top to bottom, the Sensing Sect consisted of the Moon King and the Moon Queen.

Then came the Right and Left God Guardians.

After them were the Four Seasons Envoys, followed by the Five Weapon Kings.

Following that were the Five Lands and Thirteen Sects.

The Taiqing lineage, Thousand Stone Sect, etc., were part of the Five Lands and Thirteen Sects.

The four major forces of spring, summer, autumn, and winter were under the Four Seasons Envoys.

However, since the mysterious disappearance of the Four Seasons Envoys, suspected to be assassination, their subordinate forces fragmented.

The Five Lands and Thirteen Sects under the Thousand Stone Sect barely remained in the world but had to hide in the shadows due to suppression.

"The Sensing Sect was immense, but after we defeated it head-on, it broke apart and went underground. Xue Che, as the Right God Guardian, joined the Thousand Teachings Alliance, but later was killed by the Shangguan Palace Master.

So, how strong do you think his lordship is?" The Daoist shook his head and sighed in admiration.

Grandmasters are strong too, huh?

Zhang Rongfang sighed inwardly.

Why, in the novels he read in his past life, were the protagonists' opponents always just a bit stronger, making it convenient for leveling up by defeating them,

but when it comes to him... it's directly akin to facing the final boss challenge...

No need to think; he could guess that Shangguan Feihua was invincible.

Perhaps in the distant future, he might surpass this person by far.

But now, he probably couldn't withstand a single blow from the other.

A powerhouse among the Grandmasters of divine worship... just thinking about Great Uncle-Master Jin Yuyan's demonstration back then, he knew how terrible they could fight.

"But let me tell you, the Shangguan Palace Master is such that as long as you follow his rules, he won't make a move lightly.

The more you follow the rules, the more he appreciates you. His lordship acts the same way. He rewards merit and punishes faults," the Daoist explained softly.

"Thank you, Dao Brother, for your explanation. May I ask Dao Brother's name?" Zhang Rongfang cupped his fists.

"I'm Ding Wuyou. My Daoist name is also Wuyou," the Daoist introduced himself. "After today's slaughter, we should be heading to the next stop soon. I, Ding, admire people like Brother Zhang, who are bold and courageous."

"You're too kind. The same goes for you, Brother Wuyou. Look at others. Knowing that I've offended Grandmaster Shang, they are all eager to distance themselves from me," Zhang Rongfang shook his head, "only Ding Brother."

"...My Ding family is also one of the Twelve Mansions and not afraid of the Shang family. We are long-time rivals anyway, nothing major," Ding Wuyou replied. "But Shang Dingye is narrow-minded; after suffering such a silent loss, he won't let it rest. Brother Qiankun should be more cautious in recent days."

"Thank you, Ding Brother, for the reminder. I'll keep that in mind," Zhang Rongfang nodded.

The group didn't stay long in the inn before someone sent by Shangguan Feihua came to notify everyone to gather outside the city.

Some were left behind again; those set to depart together were only fifteen in number.

The group slowly headed toward the final stop, in the direction of Ning'an Prefecture.

Shang Dingye was left speechless by Zhang Rongfang, seething with anger, now racking his brain for a way to retaliate.

Suddenly, he thought of something.

'Wait, since the people that kid rescued are ones he's willing to kill all the soldiers present for, it means those people are very important to him. Looking at it this way, if we start with those people....'

Shang Dingye made up his mind.

The tunnel was still there, so it could be forced open and followed all the way to another exit.

Perhaps he could find some clues.

Immediately, he pulled aside someone from the Shang family, whispered a few words.

The person nodded, then stealthily retreated, disappearing into the woods.

Zhang Rongfang also noticed the person's departure, frowning slightly.

He could easily guess that this person was off to find traces of Master Zhang Xuan and the others.

If they followed the tunnel all the way down, they might really find them.

He was slightly worried, but there was nothing he could do about it.

He could only hope that Xiao Qingying and the others wouldn't be discovered by that Daoist just now.

In the lush green forest.

Leaving the county town, a group of fifteen, led by Shangguan Feihua, rushes once again toward their final destination.

Including Zhang Rongfang, everyone accelerates purely by walking.

"By the way," Shang Dingye suddenly spoke.

"Since Qiankun Daoist was so proactive earlier, at the last stop, Daoist shouldn't hide behind; join in the action. Anyway, with Super Grade strength, it's considered safe inside the city."

"....." Zhang Rongfang remained silent, not responding. This was a loophole.

Previously, he was unwilling to harm innocents, later claimed he fancied a woman but was robbed, thus angrily murdering.

Inconsistency.

On the side, Ning Hongli frowned.

"This time, Qiankun is brought to broaden his horizons, not necessarily to take action himself. Shang Dingye, are you deliberately causing trouble? Don't forget whose disciple he is!?"

"Hey...." Shang Dingye was about to speak.

Suddenly, a black eagle circled down from afar, gently landed on Shangguan Feihua's raised right arm.

"Black and White Swift Eagle!?"

At the sight of this eagle, everyone was momentarily stunned, their hearts sinking.

For general communication within Great Dao Teaching, ordinary messenger birds are used, varying by region.

After all, different places have different climates, suitable for different birds.

And in Great Spirit, there are many types of messenger birds.

But now....

Even Shangguan Feihua, upon seeing this eagle, had a sinking expression.

"Only extremely important news warrants the use of Black and White Swift Eagle! We're in trouble...." Ning Hongli's face turned solemn, her voice tinged with deep worry.

Zhang Rongfang hearing this, understood the weight of such messenger birds. His heart slightly sank.

He immediately thought of his master and others heading to Great Capital.

Over there with the master..... could something have happened?

He sensed trouble.

Hiss.

Shangguan Feihua took off the bamboo tube, quickly opened it, and slowly unfolded the paper scroll inside.

At the instant he saw its contents.

His pupils contracted sharply, and his hand, though a revered Grandmaster, trembled violently.

"Celestial Treasure Palace was attacked!? Yue Dewen is dead!?"

The team suddenly slowed down, stopped, stood frozen, no longer moving.

On both sides were deep, chilling bamboo groves, waves of cold swept in from the sides.

But this slight chill paled in comparison to the cold in Zhang Rongfang's heart at the moment.

"Palace Master!" He suddenly stepped forward, saluted Shangguan Feihua, and asked, "What you just said, is it about my master....!?"

He suspected he misheard, wanting to verify again!

"You didn't hear wrong." Shangguan Feihua's expression showed considerable shock as well. "Celestial Treasure Palace was attacked, Sect Leader Yue is in trouble.... It's been several days now, just on the day of the Great Spirit royal ceremony."

He glanced at Zhang Rongfang, took a deep breath.

"Though I don't want to admit it, the message mentioned... Zhenyi and people from Western Sect found Sect Leader Yue's broken corpse in the suburbs.... Everyone has confirmed that it is the Sect Leader...."

A sudden roar.

Zhang Rongfang felt as if something exploded in his ears, unable to hear anything for a moment.

In his mind was only Shangguan Feihua's recent words.

Yu Dewen, his corpse?!

"Sect Leader Yue had mentioned his health issues, declining power some time ago. After all, he is almost ninety, nearing a hundred. To maintain to this level is already strong.... Anyway...."

Shangguan Feihua seemed to be comforting him.

But at this moment, Zhang Rongfang could barely hear the sound.

He slightly closed his eyes, his heartbeat raced, breath quickened, body heated.

A peculiar feeling surged in his heart.

"May I ask, did the message mention how he died?" Zhang Rongfang's voice was low, slightly dry.

"Can it be confirmed that the corpse is indeed his?"

He didn't believe that old Yue Dewen would die so easily?

With that cunning old fox, how could it be!

How could he die so easily??

"It was murder. The scene was chaotic, but the message mentioned, it could be deduced that at least five Grandmasters besieged him. All in peak condition."

Shangguan Feihua sighed.

Looking at the motionless Zhang Rongfang. Slightly shaking his head.

He knew, with Yue Dewen's death, originally shielded under his wing, the fate of Zhang Ying Daoist would face upcoming storms of oppression.

Yue Dewen's former enemies, rivals, may disdain targeting a junior like him.

But Zhang Ying himself, due to his Daoist status, blocked by his master from many enemies. Plus, previous rivals who feared Yue Dewen.

Now, they won't miss this chance.

"Rest assured, with me here, no one can harm you." Shangguan Feihua said in a deep voice.

"Yue Dewen was good, but in terms of strength, I'm much stronger."

"Thank you..... Thank you, Palace Master Shangguan." Zhang Rongfang took a deep breath and saluted gratefully.

He opened his eyes, determination flashing in his eyes.

"No matter what, we must confirm whether my master is truly dead! I don't believe he'd be killed so easily!"

"So.... What do you plan to do? Head to Great Capital?" Shangguan Feihua asked in a deep voice, "Impossible, Great Capital is chaotic now, going would be suicidal. Those people dared attack your master, even more so you."

"Of course not, I know my limits. But... unless I see the teacher's body myself, I will never believe he's dead!" Zhang Rongfang said firmly.