Chapter 264: My Heart is Unwilling!
“I always thought it was a rumor that Ji You failed to break through in the Xianxian Holy Land.”
“If it were a rumor, it wouldn’t be so consistent. Jiang Chenfeng also returned from the Xianxian Holy Land, and he saw it with his own eyes. I was quite surprised when I heard it.”
Jiang Yan stood with Yan Qiubai, murmuring.
The two of them had a good relationship. When they first learned that Ji You could fight barbarians in close combat, they even teased each other, thinking that such a good physique should attract a son-in-law.
However, Ji You hadn't broken through to the Rongdao Realm for a long time afterward, so they didn't take any practical action. Now that they met again and talked about him, they both felt a bit of lament.
The Qingyun World never lacked those with extraordinary talent, but only those who persevered to the end could be called Prodigies.
Jiang Yan now recovered her senses and gently clasped her hands in farewell to Yan Qiubai.
When she returned to Jiang Chenfeng’s side, she found that he had been staring at Huo Hong, so she also looked over.
In fact, she had also noticed Huo Hong's strangeness, but hadn't thought much of it before. At this moment, another person came from the forest. After Huo Hong glanced at him, he slightly cupped his hands to everyone, politely bidding farewell before leaving with him.
At this time, the valley suddenly fell silent, and everyone couldn't help but look in the direction he had left.
“Young Master, the location has been confirmed, and people are being sent to follow.”
Huo Hong entered the forest and then saw five family servants gathered together: “How many?”
One of the family servants held up a finger: “Only that one named Bu Hui.”
“It seems Luck is still on my side.”
“What Young Master said is absolutely true.”
Huo Hong looked at the sky with cold eyes: “It’s getting dark. You all conceal your Qi and follow me stealthily. Don’t let anyone discover us.”
The five family servants immediately bowed and assented, then concealed their Qi and left together.
To the east of Eaglefall Gorge was a river channel formed by rainwater. The six of them galloped along the riverbank, swiftly moving through the dense forest, their steps like wind. During this time, Huo Hong turned back many times, but his speed did not decrease.
After about an hour of travel, the night was like thick black liquid pouring down from the sky, making the quiet forest even deeper.
Huo Hong led the five people past a patch of frozen earth and suddenly stopped, gently holding the long blade at his waist with his right hand, then looked back.
The five family servants following him stopped upon seeing this, exchanging bewildered glances, not understanding why their master had stopped here.
Just then, Huo Hong's voice echoed through the empty forest,
“It is indeed brilliant of you all to conceal your Qi and hide the rhythm of your movements within the footsteps of my servants.”
“However, the sixth sense of Divine Thought is sometimes truly mysterious. Even if I didn't discover anything, I still knew someone was following.”
“Since you’re already here, why not come out and meet?”
When his voice fell, the surroundings remained silent, as if nothing existed in the forest.
Huo Hong spoke again with a cold face: “Since I already know someone is following me, aren’t you afraid I’ll deliberately change my route,
and lead you in circles in the forest?”
As these words left his mouth, a sound finally broke the silence.
Figures began to flash out from behind ancient trees and bushes. They were his old acquaintances who had once traveled to the Snow Region and served as envoys to the Yao Race, as well as the Disciples they led from their respective Sects.
Jiang Chenfeng was at the very front, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword, but his smile remained unchanged: “Brother Huo, what a coincidence.”
Huo Hong also smiled faintly: “I am just like this; I can’t hide things when they are on my mind, making it easy for others to see through me.”
“Brother Huo, don’t misunderstand.” Xie Chenyu, from Tianjian Peak, stepped forward: “We are just curious as to why Brother Huo’s movements are so mysterious. We have no other intentions besides that.”
Huo Hong pondered for a long time: “Is it because I didn’t talk to you tonight, or because someone is always sending me messages?”
“Both, I suppose.”
“It seems I really should pay attention to this habit in the future—
Jiang Chenfeng lightly coughed, interrupting their casual chat: “I think Brother Huo must have confirmed the Bu family’s whereabouts?”
Huo Hong looked at them and smiled faintly: “I just saw some traces and thought that if I was extremely lucky, I might be able to claim the first credit and exchange it for a Medicinal Pill needed for breakthrough.”
“Brother Huo has such news, and you’re not willing to reveal some to us?”
“After all, you and I do not belong to the same Sect.”
Jiang Chenfeng cupped his hands upon hearing this: “It is Brother Huo’s ability to find clues, but since the news has not been confirmed, it is more likely to be false. I, Jiang, have little interest. Farewell.”
Tu Ri had originally intended to press Huo Hong, wondering why such news was so secretive, but he didn't expect his Senior Brother to leave so decisively.
After pondering for a long time, he could only hastily follow, unclear why his Senior Brother had believed him so easily.
At this time, the others also seemed to ponder for a moment, then followed Jiang Chenfeng’s example, cupping their hands and departing.
It wasn't until the last person left and the forest returned to silence that the five family servants looked back at Huo Hong.
However, Huo Hong did not leave. Instead, he chose a flat bluestone to sit on, staring intently in the direction those people had left.
The night grew thicker, and dark clouds obscured the moon. Only a faint sliver of moonlight illuminated his cold face.
A long time later, footsteps began to sound in the forest, coming from far away and drawing nearer.
The departed acquaintances returned, gradually walking back to their original departure point.
However, this time, only the old acquaintances from the Snow Region returned, while the fellow Sect Disciples who had been tracking Huo Hong earlier did not follow.
“Why have you all returned?”
“Nothing, just wanted to lend Brother Huo a hand. Earlier, I was afraid Brother Huo would refuse, but now it seems Brother Huo was specifically waiting for us.”
Jiang Chenfeng spoke upon hearing this, his smile unchanged.
Huo Hong had acted secretly all along, completely unlike his usual personality. Even without thinking, it was clear that things were far from as simple as he made them out to be.
More importantly, Huo Hong claimed he wanted to rely on Luck to gain merit and exchange it for a breakthrough Medicinal Pill.
But the problem was that none of the five people around him were Mountain and Sea Pavilion Disciples; they were all his personal attendants.
So, they never believed that statement from the beginning.
And it seemed they vaguely understood Huo Hong’s intentions in their hearts.
He wanted to leave the Mountain and Sea Pavilion out of it and monopolize the Opportunity.
Coincidentally, they had also had such thoughts.
In fact, ever since they entered the Dongping Mountain Range, they had almost no contact with the outside world, and they were not clear about the specific details of the Bu family members.
However, no one who could cultivate to the Rongdao Realm was truly foolish.
They had long held doubts in their hearts: why was a small, declining Worldly Family so powerful in combat, and why did the major Immortal Sects insist on capturing them alive?
After much thought, they felt that there must be something more enticing hidden within.
Their status within their own Sects was actually not low, but they didn't expect to be treated as outsiders.
And based on their many years of experience, even if they truly found some Opportunity in the end, it probably wouldn't have much to do with them.
So they dismissed their accompanying Disciples, leaving only their own people, and returned to this place.
Huo Hong remained silent for a long time before speaking: “It seems you don’t believe me, but what I said just now was indeed true, and I wasn’t playing any guessing games.”
Jiang Chenfeng glanced at him: “A few days ago, I heard someone mention something. It is said that the Mountain and Sea Pavilion’s Immortal Master has decided to let your direct Saint, Huo Xingzhong, try to control the Sacred Artifact. Does Brother Huo know if this news is true or false?”
The voice, like casual chatter, fell, and who knew Huo Hong’s face instantly darkened, with even a hint of ruthlessness appearing in his eyes.
He was the son of the Mountain and Sea Pavilion’s Immortal Master, a half-brother to Huo Xingzhong, and his status should have been incomparably noble.
But unfortunately, his mother was merely a humble woman whom the Immortal Master had favored due to his chaotic Dao Heart.
Because of this status, the humiliations he suffered in the Mountain and Sea Pavilion were countless.
His Elder brother, Huo Xingzhong, the direct Saint of the Mountain and Sea Pavilion, would even call him a “bastard.”
But they clearly shared the same blood, so why couldn’t he become a direct Disciple? Why couldn’t he acknowledge his ancestors?
That's why, back in Demon Emperor City, he thought of pursuing Princess Feng Yang to elevate his status. And after returning from the Xianxian Holy Land this time, he heard a piece of news: his father had decided to let Huo Xingzhong try to wield the Sacred Artifact.
At that moment, the unwillingness in his heart reached its Peak.
Therefore, Jiang Chenfeng’s previous words were nothing short of plucking at the most painful thorn in his heart.
“Dou Yuankong’s whereabouts were first discovered by our Mountain and Sea Pavilion. I also participated in the siege in the city at that time, so I know some things more than you do.”
After a long time, Huo Hong’s voice finally echoed in the silent forest.
Xie Chenyu immediately stepped forward: “What is Brother Huo referring to?”
“There is a branch of the Bu family that operates a winery for the main family. The head of this branch is named Bu Qirong. A year ago, he was only a Tong Xuan Realm cultivator, but now he is an Yingtian Realm expert.”
Huo Hong’s gaze swept over them: “The major Immortal Sects are spending so much time trying to capture them alive precisely for the secrets they possess.”
Upon hearing this, everyone’s eyes narrowed.
Because what Huo Hong said was almost identical to what they had thought previously.
Jiang Chenfeng now looked up: “I have always felt that Brother Huo’s talent is no less than your Elder brother’s, so I, Jiang, truly want to help Brother Huo.”
Xie Chenyu and the others also spoke with difficulty concealing their excitement: “We are all old acquaintances with Brother Huo, so naturally, we cannot bear to see Brother Huo take risks alone.”
Under the gloomy sky, everyone couldn't see each other's expressions.
However, Huo Hong's subsequent sneer was exceptionally clear.
In fact, the moment he realized he had been discovered, he already knew very well that if he didn't let them have a share, today's plan would surely be difficult to achieve.
Because he knew that the people in front of him were actually the same as him.
Ambitious, but their status was neither high nor low, unable to match.
Such people have the heaviest greed.
If he didn't agree to them, the Mountain and Sea Pavilion would surely find out about this matter.
His Elder brother's nature was even more brutal than his, and he would surely make him die without a single surviving family member.
However, on second thought, Huo Hong felt that joining forces with them was not a bad thing.
Because he had been thinking before, how to take the person away under the noses of the various Immortal Sects after catching them. This kind of thing was actually very difficult for him to do alone.
But if there were a few more, the chance of success would naturally be greater.
Cultivating the Dao and Immortality emphasizes following the natural course. He felt that since it was pushed by the will of Heaven, it would be better to go with the flow.
After a long silence, Huo Hong spoke, “Bu Hui, Bu Qirong’s third son, is at the initial stage of Rongdao Realm. His combat power is the lowest, and he is currently alone in the mountains. This person is quite favored and must know the secrets within, and I happen to know his location.”
A hint of suspicion flashed in Jiang Chenfeng’s eyes, “The core members of the Lower Three Realms have never shown themselves, and even the Elders of the Immortal Sects can’t find them. How did Senior Brother Huo find them?”
“Because I let them escape from the city.”
“???”
When investigating Dou Yuankong, the Mountain and Sea Pavilion acted the fastest.
At that time, they found the winery and fought a battle with the Bu family, but unexpectedly, several key figures still escaped from the city without a sound.
No one knew how they did it, but now there was an answer.
“Actually, I know a little about the Bu family, because I also went there to drink before. I knew there was something wrong with their cultivation, so I realized this was an immense Opportunity.”
“But if they were caught in the city, I wouldn’t have any chance at all.”
“So I pretended to make a mistake, and secretly sent people to follow them into the mountains until today, when someone finally got separated.”
Jiang Chenfeng looked at him deeply, “Senior Brother Huo is truly patient.”
Huo Hong clenched his fists, “Since ancient times, those who achieve great things must endure what ordinary people cannot. Everyone here, like me, is not inferior to others in terms of talent and Comprehension Ability. We should have greater achievements.”
Among the seven emotions and six desires, greed is the most common.
They were not true Immortals, so they were no exception.
As the words fell, everyone's gaze began to grow fervent, and a scent of ambition began to waft in the wind.
Under the gloomy sky and heavy dark clouds, rumbling sounds continued.
Nine swaying figures flew through the air, gracefully descending onto a solitary Peak, standing as nine black silhouettes on the cliff.
Then they looked towards the dense jungle and saw three figures.
On the left and right were servants, and in the middle was a thin man, who was Bu Hui, the person Huo Hong mentioned.
As previously stated, these three seemed to have accidentally gotten lost and were anxiously looking for a way.
And with just a glance, they confirmed that this person was not yet twenty years old.
His face, still bearing a childish innocence, looked harmless, but his entire Aura was undoubtedly that of the Rongdao Realm.
Seeing this scene, the gazes of Jiang Chenfeng and the others on the mountain became even more fervent.
One must know that a Junior Third Realm Completion who is not yet twenty years old is already a Prodigy that is difficult to find.
If the Qingyun World didn't have a small Master Jian from Lingjian Mountain, then a Rongdao Realm who was not yet twenty years old would simply be a pipe dream.
But precisely because of this, this Opportunity became even greater in their hearts.
At this moment, only Jiang Yan and Yan Qiubai showed a hint of hesitation in their eyes.
On one hand, the idea of using an Incarnation Evil Seed as an Opportunity was truly heart-stopping; on the other hand, there was the ethical dilemma of concealing their actions from the Immortal Sect and acting privately.
The Immortal Sect held Sacred Artifacts and stood tall throughout the Qingyun World, to the extent that thousands of Worldly Families submitted to them.
For cultivators, daring to harbor thoughts of betraying the Immortal Sect was not an easy matter.
However, there was no time to think carefully now, as a faint metallic clang suddenly rang out.
Five figures were the first to strike, descending from the mountain like swift lightning in the dark night, instantly surrounding the entire foothills.
Amidst the whistling Killing Intent, the man named Bu Hui instantly revealed a look of terror.
His two old servants immediately protected him in the middle, one in front and one behind.
Xie Chenyu held a long sword and spoke indifferently, “Surrender. We don’t want your life. As long as you obey and answer our questions, you can leave on your own.”
“Young Master, go first!”
Buzz!
As a furious roar sounded, a dense Evil Qi instantly surged out.
In the blink of an eye, the two old servants transformed into the appearance of Evil Seeds, their strong bodies fiercely crashing forward, while sharp claws pierced through the air.
Xie Chenyu’s pupils suddenly constricted. He stepped back and raised his hand. Spiritual Qi quickly gathered in his hand, and the iron sword, with its rolling Aura, slashed down through the air, colliding with the sharp claws.
Clang!
The sound of clashing metal echoed, and sparks flew in the night.
Xie Chenyu seemed to have underestimated the Qi of the two Evil Seeds, as he was sent flying with just one clash.
Before he could regain his balance, the old servant leaped into the air. With Evil Qi entering his mind, he was filled with savagery, attacking decisively. The sharp claw of his left hand instantly tore through the air.
But fortunately, Xie Chenyu was not alone.
As the sinister claw descended, a burst of purple lightning struck through the air, sweeping one of the old servants away with a boom.
Jiang Yuerou hovered in the sky, her palm gathering thunderous Magical Artifact.
However, with the strong attack of the two Evil Seeds, the terrified Bu Hui successfully darted out of the encirclement, frantically running forward with a panicked expression.
Seeing this scene, Jiang Chenfeng and Huo Hong on the cliff instantly rose from the mountain.
Rustle-
—
As their robes flapped loudly in the strong wind, a long sword and an iron saber, two cold lights, chased after him in the direction he fled.
And the two old servants who had transformed into Evil Corpses instantly swung their claws like a fierce wind. Their dark and sharp finger-blades pressed down on the five people like a wheel of blades, and then immediately chased after Jiang Chenfeng and Huo Hong.
In fact, this ambush was best resolved quickly, otherwise, it would increase the risk.
Seeing this scene, Jiang Yan and Yan Qiubai no longer hesitated, their figures disappearing from the mountain Peak.
Clang!
The Dao sword rose into the sky, and bright Sword Qi slashed from back to front.
The old servant on the left was directly cut down, his hard body scraping against the gravel road with an ear-piercing shriek until he crashed into a green rock and stopped.
Then an iron saber came through the air. Tu Ri used his entire body's Qi as a bow and Spiritual Qi as a string, completely disregarding the swelling pain in his arm, and plunged the saber into the Evil Seed's heart.
At the same moment, Lu Dacheng raised his arm, and a light flashed in his hand.
A black, fork-shaped Magical Artifact shot through the air, firmly pinning the other Evil Seed to the mountain wall.
At this moment, the Prodigies stood in a row, heads held high, approaching Bu Hui step by step with an arrogant expression.
The panicked Bu Hui kept retreating, finally falling to the ground with a thud.
Seeing this, Huo Hong and Jiang Chenfeng couldn't help but chuckle, “Young Master Bu, there's no need to be nervous. We said before that we wouldn’t harm your life. As long as you tell us what we want to know, you can leave on your own.”
Bu Hui immediately spoke tremblingly, “I’ll tell you, I’ll tell you everything!”
“Do you know what we want to ask?”
“No matter what you want to ask, I will tell you everything I know!”
“?”
The Prodigies were slightly surprised, as they had not expected Bu Hui to be so cooperative.
In their line of sight, Bu Hui clenched his sleeves, his pale face trembling as he looked up.
“Father said someone had been following me, but they didn’t seem to intend to act, so Big Brother said these people must want to catch us alone, behind everyone else’s back.”
“Second Brother said this was a good thing, because those Immortal Sect Immortals are elusive and hard to avoid, but you are not.”
“The path you took must have been carefully chosen, avoiding everyone. No one will know, and there will be no reinforcements, so it must be the safest. You can come and go, as long as you are kind enough to lead the way.”
“I cried and begged Father to come with me, but Father said that squeezing together would make us too big a target, too high a risk, and would lead to endless pursuit. Only if he stayed behind could he ensure our brothers’ safe departure, to leave an heir for the family outside.”
“Because I’m the youngest, Big Brother and Second Brother always bully me and often make me do things I don’t want to do.”
“This time, they forced me to come too. If you don’t believe me, ask them. It’s really not my fault! It’s really not my fault!”
Bu Hui’s voice was hoarse and trembling, truly crying and sobbing, clearly terrified.
But the nine Prodigies who had just been holding their heads high suddenly changed their expressions upon hearing this, a hint of fear appearing in their eyes.
Boom!
In the mountain forest, two even larger, chilling Evil Qi rapidly approached.
Before he could react, Jiang Chenfeng felt a sharp pain, and his entire body was sent flying.