173: Chapter 173 The Echoes of the Golden Sun

After completing the mission to incorporate Qingfeng Gate, the five-person team embarked on their return journey.

The route back to Qinglan Sword Sect passed through the former site of Jinyang Sect.

Li Changsheng had known this for a long time.

Along the way, he deliberately tried not to think about that place, but the closer they got, the clearer those memories became.

Zhou Yuan's gaze before his death, Lin Jingyun's farewell smile, and the days they fought side by side on the Jinyang Sect battlefield.

On the evening of the fourth day, they arrived at the foot of Jinyang Sect mountain.

The sight before them stunned everyone.

The once majestic mountain gate no longer existed.

The archway carved with the three characters "Jinyang Sect" had collapsed to the ground, broken into several pieces, still stained with dark red blood.

Of the buildings behind the mountain gate, some had been burned down, leaving only charred ruins; others, though still standing, were dilapidated, with shocking cracks on their walls.

But the most shocking sight was what was happening on the mountain path.

Two groups of people were fighting.

They were all wearing Jinyang Sect attire, yet they were divided into two distinct factions, fiercely attacking each other.

Sword light flashed, Spells roared, and screams rose and fell.

On the ground, more than a dozen corpses already lay, blood flowing down the stone steps, staining the entire mountain path red.

"This is..."

Zhao Qian's eyes widened in disbelief.

Chu Feng frowned, raising a hand to signal everyone to stop.

"Don't go over there."

He whispered.

"This is an internal conflict of Jinyang Sect; we shouldn't get involved."

The five stopped at a distance, silently watching the battle.

Li Changsheng gripped the hilt of his sword, his knuckles white.

He recognized the people from both factions at a glance.

One faction wore dark golden robes with a blazing sun emblem embroidered on their chests.

Leading them was a grim-faced middle-aged man, a Middle Golden Core stage Cultivator, whose attacks were ruthless, each sword strike carrying a determination to kill.

That was Elder Zhao Kun of Jinyang Sect.

The other faction wore light golden robes with auspicious cloud emblems embroidered on their chests.

Leading them was an old man with white hair and beard, also a Middle Golden Core stage Cultivator, but clearly at a disadvantage, fighting and retreating.

That was Elder Li Ran of Jinyang Sect.

Behind the two, their respective Disciples fought desperately, blades flashing, blood splattering.

"Zhao Kun!"

Elder Li Ran roared.

"You betrayed the Sect and defected to Qinglan; do you still have the nerve to call yourself a Jinyang Sect Disciple?!"

Zhao Kun sneered.

"Defect to Qinglan?"

"Old man, open your eyes and see what's left of Jinyang Sect!"

"The Sect Master is gravely injured and in seclusion, several Golden Core Elders are dead or scattered; are we just going to stay here and wait for death?"

Elder Li Ran angrily said.

"Nonsense!"

"Jinyang Sect has stood for three thousand years and has never bowed to anyone!"

"Even if only one person remains, we must protect this Legacy!"

Zhao Kun scoffed.

"Legacy? With just you remnants?"

"Old man, be sensible and hand over the Secret Realm key, and I'll spare your life. Otherwise..."

He didn't finish, but the meaning was clear.

Elder Li Ran trembled with rage, his swordplay becoming even more fierce.

But his injuries had not healed, and his Qi was unstable, so he quickly fell into a disadvantage again.

Li Changsheng stood at a distance, watching this scene, an indescribable anger welling up in his heart.

He thought of Zhou Yuan.

Zhou Yuan, who died fighting to destroy the Blood Fiend Sect's altar, Zhou Yuan, who was still murmuring "Jinyang Sect" before his death.

How heartbroken would he be if he saw this scene today?

He thought of Lin Jingyun.

His friend who smiled goodbye, Lin Jingyun, who was forced to leave his homeland.

How sad would he be if he knew Jinyang Sect had become like this?

He gripped his sword, unable to resist taking a step forward.

A hand pressed on his shoulder.

Chu Feng.

"Don't go."

He whispered.

"This is their business."

Li Changsheng looked at him, his eyes filled with complex emotions.

Chu Feng sighed, let go of his hand, and said nothing.

Li Changsheng stood still, no longer moving.

But he also didn't leave.

He just quietly watched the battle, watching those who once fought side by side, now turning their swords against each other.

An hour later, the fighting finally ended.

Elder Li Ran led the remaining Disciples, fighting and retreating, finally withdrawing into a Formation in the back mountain.

The Formation glowed with golden light, blocking Zhao Kun and his group outside.

Zhao Kun stood before the Formation, his face ashen.

"Old man, you can hide for a while, but not forever!"

He furiously said.

"Once Qinglan Sword Sect's army arrives, none of you remnants will escape!"

Inside the Formation, there was no response.

Zhao Kun stomped his foot angrily, then turned and left with his Disciples.

As he passed Li Changsheng and the others, he stopped, his gaze sweeping over them.

"From Qinglan Sword Sect?" he asked.

Chu Feng nodded.

Zhao Kun forced a smile and cupped his hands.

"Thank you for your assistance. I, Zhao, have already written to Sect Master Ling Cang, requesting a large army to eliminate those remnants."

"At that time, I hope you all will lend a hand."

Chu Feng nodded faintly, saying nothing.

Zhao Kun didn't mind, and left with his Disciples.

Li Changsheng watched his retreating figure, a wave of disgust rising in his heart.

This person, to protect himself, betrayed his own Sect.

Does such a person deserve to be called a Cultivator?

After Zhao Kun left, Li Changsheng didn't rush to depart.

He stood on the mountain path, gazing at the back mountain Secret Realm shrouded in golden light.

The Formation was very strong, clearly the foundation of Jinyang Sect.

Zhao Kun couldn't break in, and even if Qinglan Sword Sect's army arrived, they might not easily breach it.

But how long could it hold?

He didn't know.

Just then, a crack suddenly appeared at the edge of the Formation.

A figure flashed out from the crack, stumbling down the mountain.

It was a young Jinyang Sect Disciple, at the Foundation Establishment Initial Stage, covered in wounds.

He ran a few steps, then finally couldn't hold on, falling headfirst to the ground.

Li Changsheng's heart stirred, and he quickly walked over.

The Disciple looked up, revealing a face covered in blood and dirt.

Li Changsheng was stunned.

He recognized that face.

Qin Hao.

On the Jinyang Sect battlefield, he had fought alongside this person.

At that time, Qin Hao followed Elder Li Ran to defend the front line, fighting extremely bravely.

Once, he was severely injured, and it was Li Changsheng who bandaged his wounds.

"Senior Brother Li..."

Qin Hao saw him, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes.

Li Changsheng knelt down, took out a Medicinal Pill for healing from his embrace, and put it into his mouth.

Qin Hao swallowed the Medicinal Pill, took a few breaths, and finally recovered some strength.

He looked at Li Changsheng, his lips moving, wanting to say something, but not knowing where to start.

Li Changsheng softly said.

"Brother Qin, you all..."

Qin Hao gave a bitter smile and shook his head.

"Jinyang Sect... is finished."

He recounted what had happened in these past few days in broken sentences.

After the Old Sect Master was gravely injured and went into seclusion, the internal affairs of the Sect fell into chaos.

Several Golden Core Elders quarreled incessantly over resources.

Zhao Kun was the first to defect to Qinglan Sword Sect, gaining Ling Cang's support, and began a massive purge of those who did not obey him.

Elder Li Ran, along with a group of Disciples, held fast to Jinyang Sect's Legacy, refusing to submit.

The conflict between the two sides continued, finally erupting into a decisive battle today.

"Elder Li Ran said that Jinyang Sect has stood for three thousand years and has never bowed to anyone."

Qin Hao's voice was hoarse.

"Even if only one person remains, we must protect this Legacy."

He looked up at Li Changsheng, his eyes filled with grief and indignation.

"But that traitor Zhao Kun, he... he asked Qinglan Sword Sect for help."

"Ling Cang agreed, and a large army will be dispatched soon."

Li Changsheng fell silent.

He remembered what Sect Master Ling Cang had said.

"Integrate the various Sects of Yunzhou, unify command."

So, this was his method.

Those who obey prosper, those who defy perish.

Qin Hao looked at him and suddenly said.

"Brother Li, I know you are from Qinglan Sword Sect. But I ask you one thing."

Li Changsheng looked at him.

Qin Hao said.

"If one day, Qinglan Sword Sect's army truly arrives, can you... can you..."

He couldn't continue.

Li Changsheng understood his meaning.

He wanted him to help, yet he knew the request was too much.

Li Changsheng was silent for a moment, then took out a small cloth bag from his embrace and placed it in Qin Hao's hand.

"There are some healing Medicinal Pills here; take them."

Qin Hao was stunned.

Li Changsheng looked at him earnestly.

"Brother Qin, I can't help you much."

"But I promise you, if one day you truly encounter danger, I will do my best to help."

Tears welled up in Qin Hao's eyes.

He tightly clutched the cloth bag, choking back tears, unable to speak.

Li Changsheng stood up, giving him one last look.

"Take care."

He turned and left.

Behind him, Qin Hao's voice came.

"Senior Brother Li... thank you."

Li Changsheng didn't look back.

He just gripped the sword in his hand and strode forward.

Back with the team, Chu Feng glanced at him, saying nothing.

Zhao Qian leaned over and whispered.

"Senior Brother Li, that person..."

"It's nothing."

Li Changsheng interrupted him.

"Let's go."

The five continued their journey.

Behind them, Jinyang Sect's mountain gate grew increasingly distant.

But Li Changsheng knew he wouldn't forget what happened there.

Those who upheld the Legacy, those who refused to bow down, those who would rather die fighting than submit.

They were the true Cultivators.

And he was one too.

Half a month later, news spread throughout Qinglan Sword Sect.

Zhao Kun's request to dispatch troops to eliminate the conservative faction of Jinyang Sect was approved by Ling Cang.

A hundred-person team led by three Golden Core Elders had already departed for Jinyang Sect.

At the same time, another piece of news was circulating secretly.

The conservative faction of Jinyang Sect did not sit idly by.

They were accumulating strength in the Secret Realm and, at the same time, secretly contacting other small Sects oppressed by Qinglan Sword Sect, attempting to form a resistance Alliance.

The situation in Yunzhou was quietly changing.

And Li Changsheng stood by the Spirit Tea Tree in the Hundred Herb Garden, gazing at the distant sky, motionless for a long time.

He knew that a greater storm was still to come.