Wild, unrestrained laughter came from deep within the bamboo grove.
Xiang Zuofeng’s brow furrowed deeply, and he hurriedly commanded his men to stand guard.
Before long, a young man leading a group emerged from the bamboo grove, holding a wolf-tooth club.
Seeing his appearance, Shu Han immediately thought of the Hungry Wolf Gang leader who had once pursued him. Xiang Zuofeng’s brow furrowed even further. His hand slowly rested on the longsword at his waist as he angrily demanded, “Gao Wuchuan, why have you brought so many people? Do you intend to declare war on my Chaotian Sect?”
Gao Wuchuan smiled and replied, “Not at all. The purpose of this trip is the same as yours: to invite the immortal of the Dragon Profound Sect. You merely arrived first.” He then turned his gaze toward Shu Han and Goudan, immediately offering a respectful greeting: “Gao Wuchuan has arrived late, allowing the immortal to be disturbed by these vulgar people. I humbly invite the immortal to visit our Hungry Wolf Gang for a while. I am certain the immortal will find many former fellow disciples resting comfortably there!”
Shu Han narrowed his eyes. It seemed the Dragon Profound Sect disciples he had previously dismissed had all been intercepted mid-journey by the Seven Great Factions in this manner.
He had originally hoped those disciples could return home safely to live out their days in peace, but with the Dragon Profound Sect gone, these Seven Great Factions had come out to divide the spoils.
“What do you mean by this?”
Xiang Zuofeng drew his sword and shouted furiously, “The immortal has already agreed to come to my Chaotian Sect! Are you attempting to ambush and intercept our guest on the road?”
“Hmph! Intercept on the road? My Hungry Wolf Gang would naturally never treat an immortal with such discourtesy. However, when dealing with stubborn rabble like you, my Hungry Wolf Gang will certainly not be polite!”
Instantly, the atmosphere grew tense, and swords were drawn.
Shu Han cupped his fists and said, “I appreciate the Hungry Wolf Gang’s kind intentions, but I have already resolved to visit the Chaotian Sect first. Please take your leave, everyone.”
Xiang Zuofeng said smugly, “You heard the immortal! Get lost at once! Otherwise, when the immortal’s wrath descends, not a single bone of yours will remain!”
Gao Wuchuan shook his head. “Immortal, please do not be hasty. The Hungry Wolf Gang has been fortunate enough to welcome an immortal of extremely high cultivation from the Dragon Profound Sect. In terms of seniority, this esteemed senior might even be your Senior Brother. Shall we invite him out to advise you?”
At that moment, a fierce gale swept through the bamboo grove, accompanied by an arrogant voice.
“Ha-ha-ha! I wonder which fellow disciple this is? Since parting ways at the Dragon Profound Sect, how about joining Senior Brother in the Hungry Wolf Gang for some wine and reminiscence? With Senior Brother’s prestige, the Hungry Wolf Gang will certainly not mistreat my two Junior Brothers!”
A Daoist rode the wind through the air. Goudan stared and called out, “It’s Senior Brother Zhu of the eighth layer of Qi Condensation!”
Senior Brother Zhu maintained his flight on the wind and laughed heartily, “So it is Junior Brother Shu Sheng. And the person beside you is…”
When Senior Brother Zhu’s gaze swept across Shu Han’s face, the color drained entirely from his visage. His Wind-Riding Technique faltered, and he plummeted straight out of the sky.
Shu Han calmly remarked, “So it is Senior Brother Zhu. It has only been a month since we last met, yet Senior Brother has actually chosen to join a jianghu gang.
Senior Brother Zhu trembled uncontrollably, offering a weak, trembling smile. “So it is Junior Brother Shu Han. This senior brother was in the wrong and should never have meddled in jianghu disputes. I beg Junior Brother to show mercy; I shall withdraw immediately and cease to disturb the mortal world!” With that, he turned to Gao Wuchuan, cupped his fists, and said, “Young Master Gao, I have reconsidered. Cultivators should not continue to disrupt worldly affairs. Our previous agreement is hereby terminated, and I take my leave!”
Without another word, he rose on the wind and vanished from sight in a blur.
Watching Senior Brother Zhu scurry away in disgrace, Shu Han could not help but sigh inwardly.
He had once believed that once the Dragon Profound Sect was eradicated, Northern Yan would no longer be thrown into turmoil by cultivators.
Yet these Dragon Profound Sect disciples had grown accustomed to domineering lives of luxury; how could they possibly refrain from using techniques to disrupt the mortal world and seize status and wealth?
While the Dragon Profound Sect still stood, they had at least focused primarily on cultivation, providing some level of restraint. Now that the sect was dissolved, freed from all constraints, these individuals would likely redouble their efforts to plunder fame and fortune.
When the Dragon Profound Sect flourished, the common people suffered.
When the Dragon Profound Sect fell, the common people still suffered.
As Shu Han pondered this, a sudden realization struck him.
The root cause of the common people’s suffering did not lie with the Dragon Profound Sect at all, but rather within the nature of the world itself.
For this world showed no mercy to the weak.
Goudan watched Senior Brother Zhu flee and asked in a low voice, “Big-Head Brother, are we just going to let him leave so easily? I suspect all his nonsense was merely spoken for your benefit.”
“Let it be! Some things cannot be controlled!”
Shu Han’s gaze then swept over the members of the Hungry Wolf Gang, causing Gao Wuchuan to feel a sudden chill down his neck.
“Brothers of the Hungry Wolf Gang, kindly clear the path.”
Gao Wuchuan swallowed hard. He could not fathom what had just transpired; the mere sight of this young man had caused Immortal Zhu to flee in terror. Yet the youth did not look old-could his cultivation truly surpass that of Immortal Zhu?
Not daring to act presumptuously, he immediately bowed, led his men aside, and hastily retreated.
Seeing Shu Han dismiss an eighth-layer Qi Condensation expert with a few simple words, Xiang Zuofeng drew in a sharp breath, suddenly regretting his earlier lack of courtesy.
Even so, deep down he still did not hold Dragon Profound Sect disciples in excessive awe. Based on his years of dealing with them, regardless of their cultivation realm, their methods were always much the same. New chapters come out on novelping(.)com first.
A slightly higher realm might make them more troublesome to handle.
Yet they possessed nothing matching the legendary, overwhelming might of Daoist Dragon Profound.
After offering perfunctory thanks to Shu Han, Xiang Zuofeng led his party back toward the Chaotian Sect.
After riding at a gallop for an entire day, the group finally reached the foot of the Chaotian Sect’s mountain.
Looking up at the mountain gate, Shu Han could not help asking, “How many Dragon Profound Sect disciples has the Chaotian Sect managed to recruit?”
“Replying to Immortal Shu, our Chaotian Sect has recruited very few immortals-we have the fewest among the Seven Great Factions, numbering only five in total. However, with your esteemed presence added to our ranks, our Chaotian Sect will certainly have nothing to fear from the other factions!”
Shu Han smiled faintly. “I have not yet agreed to join the Chaotian Sect.
“Immortal jests! Please, this way!”
Xiang Zuofeng gestured for Shu Han to ascend the mountain, thinking to himself that once inside the Chaotian Sect, joining would no longer be a matter of choice. Cultivators were formidable indeed, but without a sect behind them, a single tree could not stand against the wind. Did he truly expect to maintain his former arrogant airs here?
As they followed the mountain path upward, Shu Han noticed fresh traces of fighting scattered along the route. He paused to ask, “Was the Chaotian Sect attacked recently? Why are there signs of battle everywhere?”
Xiang Zuofeng explained, “Ever since the old sect master perished on Yandang Mountain ten years ago, our Chaotian Sect has been on the verge of collapse. Those with conflicting views wrangled for nearly a decade, gradually splitting the sect into two unyielding factions. A clash broke out not long ago, resulting in severe internal depletion, which is why we failed to recruit many immortals.”
Internal strife?
Shu Han could not help but feel concerned for Mu Wan’er’s safety.
Xiang Zuofeng continued, “Ever since the chaos at Yandang Mountain a decade ago, the Seven Great Factions suffered heavy oppression from the Dragon Profound Sect. Yet, intimidated by the fierce might of that old monster, no one dared to disobey. The Dragon Profound Sect’s endless demands nearly bled the sects dry. The Hungry Wolf Gang was the first to cast aside jianghu principles, openly occupying territory as bandits and plundering everywhere to replenish their stores, eventually becoming the dominant force among the Seven Great Factions. The other factions soon followed suit, barely managing to recover.
“Only our Chaotian Sect has continued to suffer, with our expenditures far exceeding our income. It is because the faction loyal to the late sect master stubbornly clings to traditional jianghu principles, dragging the sect further into decline. Although the rest of us repeatedly attempted to unite and take control, the legacy left by the old sect master was too deeply rooted, leading to a decade of stalemate without resolution.”
Xiang Zuofeng added, “However, that outcome will finally be decided in the next day or two.”
“Why is that?”
“The internal infighting has caused massive losses. Everyone has agreed to resolve the dispute according to jianghu rules through a martial competition. Whichever faction proves superior in martial arts will establish a new sect master, and all parties will submit to unified rule over the Chaotian Sect!”