Chapter 86 All Factions Make Their Appearance (Part 1)

Meanwhile, in the back hall of the Bai family residence.

This was the place where the Bai Family's Old Ancestor, Bai Haochuan, cultivated in seclusion; normally, others did not dare enter at will.

But today, three strange faces had appeared here.

Judging by their attire, they were clearly either wealthy or noble, and their hidden auras were even a notch stronger than Bai Haochuan's across from them.

They were people from the Fu Family of Cangzhou's Five Surnames and Three Sects.

No one knew that the Bai Family was actually supported by the Fu Family; Bai Haochuan's ability to achieve a Breakthrough to the Sixth Realm back then was inseparable from the Fu Family's help.

At this moment, three items were placed before Bai Haochuan.

One was a night-luminescent pearl radiating a lustrous glow; when illuminated by its clear light, the people present seemed to grow a few years younger.

Another was a broken sword with intricate patterns and a piercing edge, though it carried a slight scent of earth, clearly having been unearthed recently.

Finally, there was a painting scroll.

On it was a beauty whose gaze and movements were lifelike; every frown and smile was filled with a myriad of charms.

Bai Haochuan smiled and said, "Brother Guanlin, these three treasures are the most precious ones my Mingtong Trading Company has collected over the past ten years."

"Using them as birthday gifts for the Old Marquis's 180th birthday celebration surely won't lose us face, right?"

Fu Guanlin picked up the night-luminescent pearl and observed it carefully.

"A thousand-year pearl from the depths of the Eastern Sea; consuming it can preserve the Physical Body, and even if ground into powder, it can bring the dead back to life and regrow flesh on bones."

"Not bad! Not bad!"

Setting down the pearl, he picked up the broken sword.

"A burial object of Princess Yongning from the previous dynasty. I've heard this sword once slew a Mountain Shaking Realm expert; it is an existence infinitely close to a divine weapon, practically a semi-divine weapon."

"Very good! Very good!"

Finally, the painting of the beauty.

After picking it up, even Fu Guanlin showed a look of obsession, unwilling to put it down for a long time.

"The noble consort of the last emperor of the previous dynasty, once ranked fourth on the beauties ranking list as 'The One Who Topples Cities and Kingdoms.' Just a painting is this captivating; I truly wonder how stunning her real appearance must have been."

"Brother Haochuan, this painting won't be necessary, lest it invites gossip from others and harms the Marquis's reputation."

"Yes!"

Bai Haochuan carefully put away the painting, placing it into a specially made brocade box, and said:

"Then let it be kept by Brother Guanlin; a vulgar person like myself truly cannot appreciate it."

A flash of satisfaction crossed Fu Guanlin's eyes as he nodded and said:

"Then I shall keep it for Brother Haochuan for a while; if you ever wish to have it back, you can come to me at any time."

Bai Haochuan smiled and said nothing.

Fu Guanlin added:

"The Bai Family has put a lot of thought into the gifts for the Marquis this time. Once I return, I will certainly report this to the Family Head and credit the Bai Family for this achievement!"

"Oh?"

Joy appeared on Bai Haochuan's face. "Then I must thank Brother Fu for your kind words!"

At this moment, the Family Head, Bai Qixian, rushed in.

Bai Haochuan's expression darkened slightly. "What are you doing? Can't you see I'm hosting a guest?"

Bai Qixian said anxiously, "It's bad, Third Uncle. Yan Chu has arrived in Longhua Prefecture City, and now four captains from the Six Doors are requesting an audience."

"What? Yan Chu is here?"

A flash of shock passed through the depths of Bai Haochuan's eyes.

Although he hadn't met Yan Chu face-to-face, he had heard the name so often lately that his ears were growing calloused.

In all honesty, he did not believe he was Yan Chu's match.

Even though the other party was several times younger than him, his track record since his debut was too dazzling. Especially since even Ma Qingzong was no match for him, Bai Haochuan had no confidence in facing him either.

Bai Qixian nodded hurriedly and said:

"According to news from informants in the city, Commander Ma is also by his side, appearing to be held under duress."

"Hmm? How is Ma Qingzong now? Is he injured?"

"Yes! The messenger said one of Commander Ma's shoulders is gone, but he looks to be in decent spirits, so there shouldn't be any life-threatening danger."

Bai Haochuan's eyes flickered. "Then what is the meaning of the Six Doors' people coming here?"

"They want to beg you to go and rescue Commander Ma!"

Bai Haochuan's mouth twitched.

That was something he couldn't do.

Just as he was about to refuse, Fu Guanlin suddenly interjected:

"Are you two speaking of the recently famous 'azure nether blade demon' Yan Chu, who is ranked tenth on the heavenly pride ranking?"

"Brother Fu has heard of him too?"

Bai Haochuan turned his head.

Fu Guanlin smiled. "How could I not have heard of someone who made it onto the heavenly pride ranking? To be honest, this Yan Chu has already caught the attention of all the major forces in Cangzhou; even the Marquis's Estate knows of him."

"However, this person makes enemies everywhere, and his personality is disliked by many."

"Cangzhou's Six Doors has already invited the Abbot of Dalin Temple to descend the mountain. Before I came to Longhua Prefecture, I heard that the Abbot had already accepted the invitation and will arrive in Longhua Prefecture in a few days."

"With a Grandmaster taking action, no matter how extraordinary his talent is, his life will be forfeit!"

"In that case, we only need to avoid his edge for a while, and Yan Chu will be dead before long?"

Hearing Bai Qixian's words, Fu Guanlin narrowed his eyes and shook his head.

"Since this person is holding the Six Doors' commander captive, we might as well take action once to help rescue him."

"If that Yan Chu's strength is truly formidable, we'll just leave after saving the man."

"If he doesn't live up to his reputation, then we'll take his head and use a Prodigy from the heavenly pride ranking to sacrifice to the sword!"

As he spoke, he picked up the broken sword on the table.

The sword's edge was sharp and revealed, clearly reflecting his face.

Bai Haochuan hesitated slightly and asked, "How much confidence does Brother Guanlin have?"

Fu Guanlin chuckled. "Brother Bai, including you and me, there are five people here in the Aperture Opening Realm. Such power would make us a major force even in Cangzhou City."

"Though Yan Chu is a Prodigy, he is but a single person."

"Five against one, we have a massive advantage. What is there to fear?"

"Hmm... Brother Fu is right..."

Bai Haochuan slowly nodded.

...

Inside Cangchun Tower, in an underground secret chamber.

The courtesan Meng Dong'er carefully entered through a secret passage; in the dim secret chamber, a handsome and elegant young man was resting with his eyes closed.

Across his knees lay a longsword.

This was his personal famous sword, "Chengying."

A powerful sword intent radiated from Shen Yunyi, pulsating within the secret chamber as if it were alive; the Chengying sword jumped on his knees from time to time.

Beside Shen Yunyi were two blood-robed elders with profound auras, their sleeves embroidered with lotus flowers.

The Qi within the two of them constantly resisted the sword intent, helping Shen Yunyi temper his sword aura.

Meng Dong'er's pretty face turned pale; standing at the entrance of the secret passage, she didn't dare to approach at all.

Shua!

At that moment, Shen Yunyi's eyes snapped open, a flicker of a sword shadow passing through them in an instant.

Meng Dong'er felt as if her heart had stopped beating, a sense of death creeping into her mind.

Startled, her hands quickly formed a lotus treasure seal in front of her chest as she spoke:

"The Sacred Lotus first blooms, its clear radiance spreads!"

"The Unborn Mother protects the mortal world!"

Shen Yunyi's cold voice rang out: "What is it?"

Meng Dong'er hurriedly said:

"Reporting to the Envoy, the Blade Demon Yan Chu has entered the city. He is currently heading towards the Lu Family of the Mingtong Trading Company. Is there anything we should do?"

"Yan Chu has entered the city?"

A bright white light shone from Shen Yunyi's eyes.

He had just arrived in Longhua Prefecture yesterday, intending to polish his state to its Peak before going to the Raging Flood Dragon Gang to find Yan Chu.

As it turned out, before he could go there, Yan Chu had actually entered the city?