Attaining Immortality, Starting From Slaying Demons-Chapter 1291 - 769: Rules in Name Only_2

What seemed reckless before, now appears unexpectedly calm and composed.

This visitor arrives with ill intent.

You Yao seeks to claim the position of chief disciple of the Three Immortals Sect; surely, more than just Qi Xian has their eyes on her.

At the same time, right at the border of Kaiyuan Prefecture.

A man in a green robe strolled along, and though his appearance was plain, standing before several disciples, he naturally exuded a kind of outstanding presence.

"Li Shan, senior brother, look!"

A disciple noticed something amiss, stepped forward a few paces, and pointed to a depression in the ground, stained crimson by Monster Blood.

Clearly, it wasn’t any soft-heartedness; last night, Kaiyuan Prefecture indeed experienced a demon calamity. Yet, it seemed these demons were swiftly and cleanly eradicated upon their arrival.

Li Shan merely glanced casually before withdrawing his gaze, turning back to the distant farmhouse.

Compared to this demon calamity, he seemed to care more about other matters.

"Li Shan, senior brother?" The disciple saw him lost in thought and couldn’t help but remind him gently.

"Phew."

Li Shan exhaled a long breath and remarked, "In terms of temperament, I am no match for this Tai Xu True Monarch."

"Why do you say that, senior brother?" Confusion in the disciples’ eyes gave way to surprise, for it was known that this senior brother was one of the top-three exceptional Heavenly Prides within the sect. Even if the Taixu Pill Emperor had indeed resisted Senior Sister You Yao’s onslaught, it shouldn’t warrant such sighs.

"Look over there."

Li Shan directed his gaze toward the group of refugees walking with water buckets, speaking softly, "Throughout the North Continent, all our fellow disciples are racking their brains on how to seize Emperor’s Aura, and even I am no exception."

"Whether it’s controlling water and grain or sending Great Demons into the city, all are means to make their lives harder, to show them the Human Emperor is unworthy and the Immortal Sect is benevolent."

"Yet, this person chose to walk the opposite path." Li Shan dropped his smile.

"What does that imply?" The disciples stood dumbfounded.

"Our unsightly greed arises from a lack of confidence, whether we admit it or not, fearing the loss of this domain, hence instinctively wanting to feast while it’s still in our grasp."

Li Shan shook his head, "It’s no different from competing with these civilians for water and grain."

"He can restrain himself, showing he is confident no one would take Kaiyuan Prefecture from him. A steady trickle, why rush for instant gains?"

Upon hearing this, the disciples exchanged glances, "Might senior brother be overthinking it? After all, Kaiyuan Prefecture was once contested by three parties. Perhaps his approach avoids open conflict with others, thus securing incense through stealth?"

"It’s possible."

Li Shan did not dismiss it completely, smiled and resumed his steps.

But would someone daring enough to contend with You Yao really care about those inconspicuous others?

For now, it’s unnecessary to dwell on such matters.

The situation is far from reaching its conclusion.

After today, the name Tai Xu True Monarch will surely echo throughout the North Continent, but how long it will last is uncertain.

After all, among disciples, victories and losses in domain struggles are normal, but You Yao is different. She cannot afford to lose, nor can the three of us; we dare not lose.

Let’s see how that woman handles this.

Just imagining her current complexion, Li Shan found it rather amusing.

...

North Continent, Qingguang Cave.

Amidst the Lingxiu Mountain Range, a long stone stairway snaked through the clouds and mist.

A woman in a black skirt, crowned with a Treasure Crown, did not ride the clouds but ascended the stone steps leisurely.

Her expression remained unchanged, betraying no joy or anger.

Until she reached the stairway’s end, and looked up at the tranquil little temple, her steps finally faltered.

Clearly, You Yao’s emotions weren’t as composed as her exterior suggested.

At the little temple’s entrance, Crane Child grabbed the arm of another rosy-lipped and white-toothed Child beside him, his eyes narrowing, silently signaling the other.

Yet, the Child hesitated for a moment, then forcefully shook off Crane Child’s hand, mustered a reluctant smile, and moved forward to greet her softly, "Senior Sister You Yao has returned... May I ask where my elder brother is?"

Under Master Qingguang, there were Crane and Deer, the two Children.

This youth was none other than Lu Tong.

In this moment, he was visibly unsettled, even his courtesy appeared distracted, his attention fixed intently on You Yao’s face.

"What did you call me?" You Yao coldly glanced over.

"Mas..." Lu Tong stopped halfway, realizing the slip, promptly bowing, "Immortal Master You Yao."

Even though he was just a step away from being accepted under Master Qingguang, at present, he remained merely a Child. The term ’Senior Sister’ could pass unchallenged normally, but if fault were found, it wouldn’t escape being deemed as overstepping bounds.

"Remember your place."

You Yao gently waved her sleeve, bypassed him, and proceeded directly into the small temple.

It was only when her silhouette vanished from view.

Lu Tong slowly raised his head, his whole body lightly trembling.

"Alas."

Crane Child approached quietly, gently patting his shoulder, neither spoke, but the understanding was mutual.

If nothing had happened, why would You Yao act in such an evasive manner? What seemed authoritative was in fact tinted with self-doubt. The former Senior Sister would never have responded in such a way.

Avoiding the issue was an answer in itself.

"Who is managing Kaiyuan Prefecture?" Lu Tong’s eyes welled with a flicker of hatred.

Crane Child remained silent for a long while before slowly uttering, "Taixu Pill Emperor."

It was hard to imagine, the one who, back in the Southern Continent, dared not show his face when targeted by the likes of Tianwu, relying on his Master’s protection, could hold onto Kaiyuan Prefecture even from the clutches of that Deer Demon.

And to guard so silently at that.

Thinking of this, he casually glanced back at the elderly woman emerging from the small temple.

"..."

Jade Pond Ancestor forced a smile and nodded in greeting to the two Children.

Then she bowed her head again, heading down the mountain in silence.

No one noticed the sweat in the palm of her hand hidden within her sleeve... her speculation was indeed correct: there truly was talk of a fated calamity.

Though You Yao had yet to report to her Master.

But—

Jade Pond Ancestor swallowed hard, recalling that Master Shu Yu and Shen Mountain Ancestor, who had yet to return, were likely now spirits of the heavens and earth.

This group underestimated the Southern Continent, thinking we were unexposed, little knowing the fear instilled by the Dragon Subduing and Tiger Suppressing Bodhisattva, which was no less terrifying than You Yao’s.

The Taixu Pill Emperor, who managed to escape from this Bodhisattva, how could he be easy to contend with?

Offending someone tied to calamity in Qingguang Cave, Jade Pond was now considering whether to seek another sect.

And now, in that small temple.

A slender figure stood with his back to the kneeling woman, saying indifferently, "Lost?"

You Yao bit her red lips; it took her a long while before she said, "Disciple did not lose, nor dare to lose..."

"Sophistry!"

Master Qingguang glanced at her impassively, "What do you intend to do?"

"He killed Junior Brother Shu Yu..."

You Yao took a deep breath, but before she could finish, her master interrupted.

"Any evidence?"

You Yao raised her head, exhaled deeply, her pupils quivering with frustration, "No."

Master Qingguang averted his gaze. By this stage, he naturally assumed his second disciple met a grim fate, yet this current disciple merely sought his consent.

The demons were slain, so now only a direct intervention would suffice.

Yet, in the North Continent, there’s no precedent for cultivators fighting directly over domains, hence the desire to use a personal vendetta as a pretext to reclaim face.

"Do you remember what you said when Master Chi Yun asked you last time?"

"Disciple said... that person was innocent." You Yao paused in confusion.

"He was innocent, and this Southern Continent cultivator is naturally innocent as well—after all, wasn’t it your Junior Brother who invited his own demise? Correspondingly, you can be innocent too."

Master Qingguang’s face grew more indifferent, "So stop seeking excuses; you have little time, and must act swiftly."

The Sect Hierarch keeps an eye on the impending calamity, seeking to choose the exceptional. Under these circumstances, the Qingguang Cave lineage must not fall behind. Since it is a tribulation, there is no way to avoid death.

Since the turmoil has begun, let it escalate further.