Snow fell thickly across the sky. Helian Wumeng's body was wreathed in surging demonic baleful aura, his signature long-handled blade flashing as fast as thunder. Blood-colored light coiled around him, as he displayed his overwhelming and tyrannical strength.

Yet Ning Wan simply stood within the snow, two fingers held before her lips. Twenty-eight pure white flags hung suspended in the air, like a great furnace floating in the sky, drawing in the surging blood light and demonic qi, sealing it all within the formation.

Although Ning Wan had not reached the Purple Mansion Realm for long, she was already renowned in the Azure Pond Sect as a formation genius. Known for her ingenuity and adaptability, she used the twenty-eight flags to form a formation in midair, tightly containing all of her opponent's Baleful Qi.

Specks of white snowlight danced through the air, circling the long-handled blade. They were occasionally shattered, yet the falling snow continuously gathered, replenishing them again and again.

Helian Wumeng was not afraid of her methods. The [Cold Essence] Dao lineage was not particularly dominant to begin with, and Ning Wan's cultivation was still below his. Earlier, he had already charged across the shore three times. But when he pressed too hard and nearly broke her formation, she simply smiled coldly and drew out the [Frosty Absolute Sword] from her embrace.

Helian Wumeng immediately behaved himself, unwilling to cross the river even a single step.

[Frosty Absolute Sword]...

This spirit sword had long been famous. In recent years, after being wielded by Ling Mei and Louxing in succession, its name had once again resounded across the north. Pijia[1], with five full reincarnations, had been struck down, his northern temple statues and clay body shattered. Though the Great Desire Dao refused to admit it and claimed he had another reincarnation, everyone knew he had truly fallen.

If the sword still held any hidden methods, and Helian Wumeng rashly crossed the river, the formation only needed to hold him for a single moment to deliver a single strike. At that point, he would likely be meeting the Helian Family ancestors.

Thus, he remained restrained, ignoring the repeated urgings from the camp behind him. Only when several streaks of illusory light appeared faintly over the southern river did he slowly descend, landing at the shore and entering the grand hall formed by a dharma artifact in the sky.

The first thing he saw was his elder, Helian Wujiang, standing with a stern expression. To one side stood the white-robed devil cultivator Xindu and Daoist Master Yehui, Bai Ziyu. One was calm and composed, while the other was smiling faintly. Off to the side sat Murong Yan and Shilou Yingge, two ill-intentioned figures working in unison, quietly laughing among themselves.

Only Ch'i Lanyan stood at the head seat, giving a neutral nod as a greeting.

It was impossible to find even three people truly united within this northern hall. Whether it was the Pavilion Viewing faction, noble bloodlines, Devil Dao rogue cultivators, or Jiangbei Purple Mansion Realm cultivators, they all harbored their own schemes, each secretly calculating against the others.

Helian Wumeng himself was not known for his patience. He stood beside Helian Wujiang with a cold expression, saying nothing, when Ch'i Lanyan suddenly said with a smile, "Fellow Daoists, I intend to make a trip to the territory of Xuanmiao Temple to support Fellow Daoist Kong. There may be a battle. Which of you are willing to come along?"

It seemed he had been waiting for Helian Wumeng to return and did not wish to delay a moment before asking. Helian Wujiang narrowed his eyes slightly. For a moment, no one responded.

Soon, however, someone broke the silence with a cheerful laugh, saying, "I will follow the arrangements of Lord Ch'i!"

The Purple Mansion Realm cultivators did not even need to look to know it was the newly accepted Daoist Master Yehui of the Pavilion Viewing faction, ever eager to flatter. Still, everyone else was silently weighing their options, hesitating.

Since arriving in Jiangbei, Ch'i Lanyan had always been courteous, never putting on the airs of the Pavilion Viewing faction. But this matter now was far from simple.

Though the Supreme Yang is weakened, its trump cards remain. If we strike directly at Shanji Prefecture, chaos is inevitable. With the Sword Sect nearby and Purple Smoke Gate and Xiukui Dao Gate closer than ever, if we provoke the bottom lines of all three sides... it could turn into a fight to the death.

One had to remember that Shanji Prefecture had long been Jiangnan territory. Sending troops there would be the same as pressing northern forces directly into the faces of the Sword Sect and Purple Smoke Gate!

Although everyone had been sent here with thoughts of plunder, none of the factions were mere hounds of the Pavilion Viewing faction. Naturally, none were willing to act as the spearhead.

Among them, Murong Yan had the deepest background. Though polite on the surface, he often observed coldly. Now he said nothing, only nodding with a faint smile.

Ch'i Lanyan glanced around, then looked toward Helian Wujiang with a smile. "Fellow Daoist Helian?"

Put on the spot, Helian Wujiang remained calm and replied respectfully, "In the past, when our land fell into chaos, only the Pavilion Viewing faction came to our aid. The two of us have no way to repay that debt and will follow your orders."

Ch'i Lanyan laughed. "Good!"

Among the group, the devil cultivator, Daoist Master Xindu, whose background was the weakest, still hesitated and was about to speak, but Ch'i Lanyan said instead, "In that case, I will invite another Purple Mansion Realm cultivator from the north. That should be enough manpower."

Daoist Master Xindu was not defying him. He simply feared losses for himself. Though he had taken part in the battle at Lower Luo, that had been northern territory. It was nothing compared to venturing deep into the south.

With just that moment of hesitation, Ch'i Lanyan easily let him off, then turned to smile at Murong Yan and said, "I'll trouble you all!"

Murong Yan nodded with a smile, watching him leave. He turned to Shilou Yingge beside him and said with a teasing scold, "What, even you are unwilling to go?"

Shilou Yingge had not come south for personal gain but to shed the label tied to Wei's Li. Naturally, he was unwilling to take risks. Yet seeing Ch'i Lanyan's demeanor left him uneasy.

Though troubled inside, he replied with a smile, "I can't be bothered to move around."

As the two chatted casually, Ch'i Lanyan had already left the hall with his group without looking back. He made his way to Xuanmiao Temple, where Kong Tingyun hurried out on the wind to greet him.

Ch'i Lanyan quickly helped her up and said seriously, "Has the [Central Palace Profound Brocade Pill] been working well? A few days ago, my junior sister even wrote to ask about you. She is planning when to bring you into the temple to receive the techniques."

Kong Tingyun's expression was no longer as radiant as before. She clearly understood her current situation. Forcing a warm smile, she replied, "Thank you for your concern, my lords. For such a superior spirit pill... I truly do not know how to repay you."

Ch'i Lanyan merely shook his head. He pointed to Helian Wumeng and the others, introducing them. Kong Tingyun acknowledged them, though she treated the quietly standing Yehui as if he did not exist.

After exchanging a few polite words, Ch'i Lanyan led them up the mountain, saying, "I came today to resolve the grievance between the two of you. You have both already formed divine ability..."

Yehui remained smiling throughout, revealing no change in emotion, his eyes deep as a clear pool. But Ch'i Lanyan had no real intention of resolving anything. After a few idle words, he found an excuse to send Yehui away.

Kong Tingyun felt somewhat suffocated. Ch'i Lanyan took a sip of tea, glanced at Helian Wujiang, who was quietly observing his surroundings, and said casually, "Fellow Daoist Helian... you will not regret coming to Xuanmiao Temple."

At those words, Kong Tingyun's expression changed slightly as Helian Wujiang felt a chill in his heart.

Ch'i Lanyan's expression finally showed a hint of teasing amusement. "No matter whether Shanji Prefecture can be taken... if you follow the Pavilion Viewing faction... the Helian Family will not lose anyone."

By now, dusk had deepened. Xuanmiao Temple followed ancient customs and lit no lamps. The entire courtyard was enveloped in a faint purple night, softly radiating from the three of them. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Helian Wujiang felt both alarmed and chilled. He first expressed his thanks, then cautiously probed, "Even when the sun sets in the west, it still retains a fraction of its brilliance. My lord should be cautious."

"Hahaha..." Ch'i Lanyan let out a low laugh, his voice carrying a sharp edge as he said, "In terms of insight, none of you can match Bai Ziyu. Even now, you still treat this as a dispute between one or two Dao lineages. Even Kuiqi has understood it, yet you still do not see how everything has come to this point!"

He stood up and slowly turned around, beginning to recite, "Those who cultivate beyond their bounds act against the natural order. In times of chaos, there will be strife between nations, war, plague, and the fall of ministers. When they rise, hearts grow treacherous, punishments run rampant, crimes overflow, generals are executed, nobles imprisoned, and clans face calamity.

"The one in the north may have suffered a setback, but do not forget what kind of figure He once was. Yet the Supreme Yang Dao lineage has declined ever since. Where do you think the problem lies?"

Both fell silent. Helian Wujiang stared at him with blazing eyes, words on the tip of his tongue.

Ch'i Lanyan smiled. "It lies in Jade True returning to position, proving the seat was unoccupied!"

He turned back and said softly, "From the moment Jade True Six Nine Void Uniting returned, it seemed that the Orthodox Dao flourished and a sword immortal attained the Dao. In truth, the force of deviation had already taken shape. Yet all the southern Dao lineages celebrated, unaware they had already placed their necks upon the blade, merely waiting for death."

1. Previously known as Pi Jia. ☜