Chapter 137: Sudden Changes in the Wind and Clouds

Chapter 137: A Sudden Turn of Events

Ximen Shang glanced at the several talismanist apprentices who were stumbling and crawling toward Jiang Yan. His resolve not to offend Jiang Yan grew even firmer.

The bond between talismanists was the most sensitive of all. The fluctuations radiating from these people were no different from those of the talismanist apprentices Ximen Shang had encountered before. Thus, there was a very good chance that they were talismanist apprentices, and judging from their attitude, they seemed intent on taking the young sect master before them as their teacher. If so, there was a very good chance that this young sect master was a first-grade talismanist.

Ximen Shang naturally did not dare offend a talismanist so young.

Talismanists were invincible among those of the same rank and capable of challenging opponents above their level. Based on Jiang Yan’s aura, Ximen Shang determined that Jiang Yan’s cultivation was at most one realm below his own. Given a talismanist’s ability to fight above his level, Jiang Yan’s strength was at least on par with his own.

Moreover, whenever high-grade spirit artifacts were refined or large-scale formations arranged, the cooperation of several talismanists was often required. There were only a handful of talismanists in the Heavenly Mountain Realm, and sooner or later, the West Gorge Sect might have to seek Jiang Yan’s help. How could Ximen Shang dare offend him?

Having made up his mind, Ximen Shang bent slightly and was just about to say something to Jiang Yan when, in the distant sky, a streak of golden light suddenly flared. A cultivator was flying toward them on a beam of escaping light...

Young Master Ximen bent down and handed Lu Tiannan a medicinal pill. Lu Tiannan accepted it and silently swallowed it, while his mind raced as he considered how to deal with the situation before him.

After shifting his gaze several times, Lu Tiannan suddenly lowered his voice and asked Young Master Ximen, “Young Master Ximen, was the thing I gave you last time useful?”

Young Master Ximen was visibly startled. A trace of astonishment appeared in his eyes as he looked at Lu Tiannan, but it vanished in an instant. After a moment of thought, he said, “Lu Tiannan, rest assured. Even if Ximen Shang compromises with Huashan today, I will make sure you return to Huashan safely. Put your mind at ease.”

Lu Tiannan struggled to his feet and clasped his fist over his palm in salute. “Then I thank you, Young Master Ximen.”

Standing behind Jiang Yan, Tang Wan’s delicate hand held a fully solidified Azurewood Arrow. Her eyes remained fixed on Ximen Shang, waiting for the opportunity to strike.

Jiang Yan looked doubtfully at Ximen Shang’s suddenly deferential attitude. He could not understand why this late Foundation Establishment cultivator, who had first treated him with contempt and then with respect, had changed so drastically. From the tone of Ximen Shang’s current words, it was obvious that he feared Jiang Yan. Yet Jiang Yan had not even made a move. What could possibly have frightened him?

“Leave Lu Tiannan behind, and you may go. This is a feud between Huashan and the Heavenly Mountain Sect. It has nothing to do with the West Gorge Sect.” Seeing Ximen Shang’s respectful attitude, Jiang Yan carefully chose his words.

A look of bewilderment crossed Ximen Shang’s face. The first-grade talismanist before him was not someone he could afford to offend, but neither could he botch the task entrusted to him by his sect. If he left Lu Tiannan behind, it would mean that he had failed in his mission. He would have no way to explain himself upon returning.

“Sect Master Jiang, although the dispute between your sect and the Heavenly Mountain Sect is indeed a feud between two factions, my West Gorge Sect is currently an honored guest sect of the Heavenly Mountain Sect and bears the responsibility of looking after it. I fear that leaving Sect Master Lu behind would be rather inappropriate. How about this, Sect Master Jiang? My junior brother and I will take Sect Master Lu back with us for now. Once I report the matter to the sect, I believe the sect will certainly be willing to befriend a talismanist of your standing and will surely give you a satisfactory explanation.”

After weighing the matter for a while, Ximen Shang proposed a compromise, hoping to avoid offending Jiang Yan without ruining the mission assigned by his sect.

Young Master Ximen frowned slightly. He was deeply displeased by Ximen Shang’s attitude toward Jiang Yan. Before they had set out, the sect master had expressly instructed them to place him in charge of everything. Yet now, Ximen Shang was willing to abandon the interests they had secured in Linqing Prefecture without even consulting him, making the decision entirely on his own. How could he accept that?

“Ximen Shang, abandoning the Heavenly Mountain Sect is not for you to decide, is it?”

Young Master Ximen’s mocking voice rang out behind Ximen Shang.

Ximen Shang suddenly froze. He remembered the sect master’s instructions before their departure, and his heart sank. Young Master Ximen was the grandson of an outer sect elder. After finally being given the chance to act independently, the young wastrel would likely oppose him simply to assert himself, rejecting what was plainly the best decision.

“Jiang Yan, you are nothing more than the sect master of a second-grade sect. Perhaps you have some ability and possess a few remarkable techniques, but in this place, I, Ximen Shao, have the final say. If I order Ximen Shang to kill you, he must obey and carry out my command. So what if you are a first-grade talismanist? It is not as though my West Gorge Sect lacks first-grade talismanists. If I wanted to destroy your tiny Huashan, Ximen Shang and I alone would be more than enough.”

Young Master Ximen’s arrogant roar reverberated through the scene. Cold sweat immediately broke out across Ximen Shang’s forehead. Hope returned to Lu Tiannan’s eyes. Jiang Yan frowned, while the Azurewood Arrow in Tang Wan’s hand quivered with eagerness. Behind her, Zisu’s delicate hand also pressed against the spirit artifact, the Water-Circle Shuttle, strapped to her back...

Lu Tiannan stepped forward and said humbly to Young Master Ximen, “Young Master Ximen, my Heavenly Mountain Sect is merely an insignificant little faction. I am not worth your offending Huashan on our behalf. This is at the foot of Huashan, and Huashan possesses overwhelming power. Even if you hand me over to those Huashan bandits, the cultivators of the Eastern Wood Region will not say a word.”

Ximen Shang’s expression changed. Lu Tiannan was plainly adding fuel to the fire. Young Master Ximen had already been unwilling to hand Lu Tiannan over to Huashan, and now Lu Tiannan was provoking him further by suggesting that the West Gorge Sect feared Huashan’s strength and would be mocked behind its back by the cultivators of the Eastern Wood Region. How could such a spoiled young master possibly submit before Jiang Yan?

Ximen Shang seemed already able to foresee that, after this incident, the West Gorge Sect was certain to become enemies with Huashan.

Young Master Ximen reached into the Cosmos Bag at his waist. A spirit beast as large as a tiger suddenly appeared in the midst of the gathering...

The spirit beast was extremely tall, standing nearly as high as a person. Beside it, Ximen Shang was completely obscured. Three horizontal stripes on its forehead formed a crooked character resembling a king, while all four paws were tipped with razor-sharp claws. Its appearance was truly intimidating.

Jiang Yan fixed his gaze on the tiger-sized spirit beast, and a transparent information panel appeared before him.

Spirit Beast: Golden-Winged Tiger
Grade: Lower Second Grade
Innate Skills: Tiger’s Roar Shaking the Mountains and Forests, Lower Second Grade; Golden Wings, Upper First Grade

It was actually an offensive spirit beast of the second grade. No wonder Young Master Ximen was so arrogant with such a beast at his side. The strength of a fourth-grade sect was indeed astonishing. An ordinary disciple who had not even reached Foundation Establishment could casually leave home carrying a second-grade spirit beast.

Freshly released from the Treasure-Coiling Bag, the Golden-Winged Tiger seemed somewhat addled. It shook its head and spun around several times. When its head turned westward, it happened to see the streak of golden escaping light rushing toward them. Excitement immediately gleamed in its eyes...

“Roar!”

The Golden-Winged Tiger unexpectedly unleashed its innate skill. It let out a delighted cry at the escaping light speeding toward them from the distance, and its deafening roar instantly resounded throughout the entire area.

“Damn it!”

Jiang Yan shouted angrily. Through his connection with the Thousand Illusion Crystal Ball, he had known for some time that the streak of light belonged to Mu Yun and the other two, who were returning from Linqing Prefecture. Among the three, Mu Yun possessed the highest cultivation, yet he had reached only the eighth level of Energy Refinement. How could they possibly withstand the attack of a second-grade spirit beast?

“Ah!”

The golden light collided with the sonic attack, and its forward momentum abruptly halted. A scream came from within the beam, followed immediately by a plump figure shooting into the sky...