168: Chapter 168 The Dignity of Xuanyu Palace

Outside the gates of the Tiangang Sect.

A sea of clouds billowed, and cranes circled above.

The rolling mountain range resembled a coiled Dragon, and atop the peaks, majestic palaces stood with spiritual light flowing, presenting a truly celestial atmosphere.

The plaza in front of the mountain gate was already packed with people.

Cultivators from all over the Southern Region gathered here in groups of three or five, some whispering to each other, others resting with their eyes closed, yet all their gazes were unanimously fixed on the peaks shrouded in mist deep within the Tiangang Sect.

That was where the Old Ancestor of the Tiangang Sect was in secluded cultivation.

"Have you heard? The Old Ancestor of the Tiangang Sect has been in secluded cultivation for three years. It is said that once he emerges, he will surely become a Saint!"

"Tsk tsk, the fourth Holy Land of the Southern Region! The Tiangang Sect is about to take off!"

"Indeed. The Three Great Holy Lands have dominated the Southern Region for so many years, and finally, someone is going to break the status quo."

"What do you think will be the reaction of the Three Great Holy Lands if the Old Ancestor of the Tiangang Sect truly becomes a Saint?"

"Reaction? What kind of reaction could there be? Once a Saint is made, could they possibly stop it?"

Whispers spread through the crowd; some were excited, some expectant, but most were simply envious.

The Tiangang Sect, the head of the Seven Great Sects in the Southern Region, had a Legacy spanning ten thousand years and an unfathomable foundation.

If the Old Ancestor achieved a Breakthrough to the Saint Realm, the Tiangang Sect would become the fourth Holy Land of the Southern Region!

By then, the status of the Tiangang Sect would be unshakable!

In a corner of the plaza, a few Loose Cultivators gathered together, discussing in hushed tones.

"However, I heard that several Elders of the Tiangang Sect were killed recently."

"What? Who is bold enough to kill Elders of the Tiangang Sect?"

"It is not clear yet, but I heard it has something to do with Guangnan City."

"Guangnan City? Isn't that just a place with a few Dharma Image Realm Families? How could it be related to the death of the Tiangang Sect Elders?"

"Who knows... But I heard that the Tiangang Sect lost several Elders over in Guangnan City, and even the Grand Elder, Supreme Elder Li Tianxiong, died!"

"What?! Supreme Elder Li Tianxiong is dead?! That was an expert at the seventh layer of the Asking Dao Realm! How did he die?"

"It is said that he failed his Undergoing Tribulation and was struck to death by lightning... But who knows? Some say it has to do with the Shen Family."

"Related to the Shen Family? Impossible! How could a small Family like the Shen Family have the ability to kill an expert in the Asking Dao Realm?"

"Exactly, it must be a rumor."

The few Loose Cultivators shook their heads and stopped discussing it.

The Shen Family of Guangnan City had a Legacy of eight thousand years; although they had some fame in the Southern Region, compared to the Tiangang Sect, the gap was not just a little bit.

If anyone said the Shen Family could kill a Grand Elder of the Tiangang Sect, they wouldn't believe it even if they were beaten to death.

Just then—

"Move aside, move aside!"

A domineering voice came from behind the crowd, and immediately after, over a dozen figures pushed their way into the crowd with an aggressive Aura.

Leading them were a man and a woman. The man was about twenty years old, with handsome features, wearing a white robe and an ink-colored belt around his waist, from which hung a jade pendant of emerald green.

The woman was also young and extremely beautiful, wearing a light purple dress. Her waist was slender, her figure graceful, and her peach-blossom eyes were watery, revealing a hint of charm.

The Aura around both of them was deep; they were both clearly at the Dharma Image Realm!

"People from Xuanyu Palace!"

"That is Young Palace Master Yu Wushuang of Xuanyu Palace, and his Dao Companion, Su Wanqing!"

"Xuanyu Palace arrived so early; it seems they attach great importance to this Saint-Sealing Ceremony."

"Heh, the Tiangang Sect was already the head of the Seven Great Sects before, and now that they are about to ascend to a Holy Land, Xuanyu Palace naturally dares not be negligent."

Whispers arose from all sides, and the crowd retreated one after another, their eyes filled with awe.

Xuanyu Palace was one of the Seven Great Sects of the Southern Region. Although its strength was not equal to the Tiangang Sect, it was also an established force with a Legacy of thousands of years and a deep foundation.

Young Palace Master Yu Wushuang stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze sweeping across the surroundings, and the corners of his mouth curled into an arrogant smile.

"I heard that a Grand Elder of the Tiangang Sect died. Is this true?"

An Elder of Xuanyu Palace beside him nodded slightly: "There is indeed such news. Yesterday, a Lightning Tribulation appeared in the Tiannan Mountains, and it is said that the one who triggered the Lightning Tribulation was Supreme Elder Li Tianxiong."

"Supreme Elder Li Tianxiong was only at the seventh layer of the Asking Dao Realm, still a long way from becoming a Saint, so how could he trigger a Lightning Tribulation?" Young Palace Master Yu Wushuang narrowed his eyes and glanced again at the depths of the Tiangang Sect. "Is it possible that the one who triggered the Lightning Tribulation was the Old Ancestor of the Tiangang Sect?"

The Elder shook his head, "No, that Lightning Tribulation was not a Saint-Ascension Tribulation."

"Not a Saint-Ascension Tribulation?" Su Wanqing, standing to the side, frowned slightly, her Face showing confusion. "If it was not a Saint-Ascension Tribulation, how was that Lightning Tribulation triggered?"

The Elder pondered for a moment, "The Palace Master and the Elders are also not clear about this matter. It is only heard that Supreme Elder Li Tianxiong left the Sect this time to investigate the death of Elder Senior Brother Sun Zhengyang, which indeed has something to do with the Shen Family of Guangnan City."

Young Palace Master Yu Wushuang sneered, "Then the Shen Family is out of luck. Once the Old Ancestor of the Tiangang Sect becomes a Saint and has time to investigate, even if the Shen Family has nothing to do with these matters, the Tiangang Sect will not let them off."

"I think this is an opportunity." A glimmer of light flashed in Su Wanqing's eyes. "With the Tiangang Sect ascending to a Holy Land, the gap between them and the rest of our Six Great Sects will widen in the future. We can send people to capture the Shen Family and earn a favor in front of the Old Ancestor of the Tiangang Sect."

Young Palace Master Yu Wushuang nodded slightly, his gaze scanning the surroundings. "There is no need to make a special trip, making it seem like our Xuanyu Palace is specifically currying favor with them; that would truly be losing Face."

He raised an eyebrow and continued: "During this Saint-Sealing Ceremony, people from the Shen Family will also come; we can just take them down while we are at it."

The Elder beside him nodded slightly and replied approvingly: "What Young Palace Master said is correct. This will not lose the Face of our Xuanyu Palace, and we can also show our Faces before the Old Ancestor of the Tiangang Sect."

Below the mountain gate of the Tiangang Sect, there was a small city.

It was named Tiangang City, a city of Cultivators built in reliance on the Tiangang Sect. It spanned a hundred miles, had tens of thousands of permanent Cultivators, and was fully equipped with markets, restaurants, and inns.

Usually, Tiangang City was bustling, but today it was overcrowded.

Cultivators from all over the Southern Region gathered here; some were representatives of Sects invited to attend the Saint-Sealing Ceremony, some were Loose Cultivators here to watch the excitement, and others were merchants wanting to take this opportunity to do business in Tiangang City.

On the busiest Tiangang Street in the city, a three-story restaurant stood at the corner. The plaque was inscribed with the three characters "Yunlai Restaurant" in a powerful, vigorous calligraphy, with spiritual light faintly flowing over them.

In a private room on the third floor, the beaded curtain was half-rolled.

Shen Qingyuan leaned lazily on the soft couch by the window, holding a cup of spiritual tea in his hand, his gaze passing through the window and looking at the peaks shrouded in mist in the distance.

The Tiangang Sect was in that direction.

"Little Nine, are we not going directly up the mountain?" Elder Ancestor Shen Haocang sat opposite him, picked up his teacup, took a sip, and frowned slightly. "Experts from all the Sects in the Southern Region are rushing over now. If we wait any longer, I'm afraid it will be difficult to make a move..."

"It doesn't matter." Shen Qingyuan chuckled, his tone indifferent. "Wait until he finishes Undergoing Tribulation, then we will go up."

Elder Ancestor Shen Haocang was stunned, looking slightly puzzled: "Wait until he finishes Undergoing Tribulation? Wouldn't he become a Saint then? Little Nine, wouldn't it be easier to just kill him now?"

"Second Grand-Uncle, don't you want to see how one becomes a Saint?" The corners of Shen Qingyuan's mouth curled slightly into an arc. "A Saint Tribulation is not common. Let's watch how others undergo the Tribulation first; it will be good preparation for the future."

Elder Ancestor Shen Haocang looked astonished, "Little Nine, can I also become a Saint?"