140: Tianjishan Conference

"Kid, you look pretty brave, huh? Keep being brave! Keep going!"

The members of the Azure Dragon Gang relentlessly kicked and punched Meng Huaijing, who was curled up on the ground.

"Don't hit my brother! Please, stop! Don't hit him anymore!"

Meng Yu could only cry and beg the Azure Dragon Gang members for mercy.

Unfortunately, no one cared about the crying of a young girl.

It wasn't until Meng Huaijing had been beaten to the brink of death that the tattooed man finally spoke up to stop them: "Alright, that's enough."

The Azure Dragon Gang Disciples then ceased their assault.

The tattooed man glanced at the curled-up Meng Huaijing and spat on his face: "Take a look at your pathetic state. How dare you show off in front of us? Do you even deserve to?"

After saying this, he twisted his neck and waved his hand: "Take him away!"

As soon as he finished speaking, two thugs grabbed Meng Yu and started walking away.

"Brother…"

Covered in pain, Meng Huaijing reached out a hand toward Meng Yu, his youthful face filled with unwillingness and a sense of powerlessness.

"Brother, you must take care of yourself."

Tears streamed down Meng Yu's face as she bid a final farewell to Meng Huaijing.

The tattooed man snorted coldly and led the way out the door.

But the moment he stepped out, a cold wind rushed toward him, forcing him to squint his eyes.

"Damn it, where did this strange wind come from? It's blowing so hard I can't even open my eyes."

He rubbed his eyes, and when he opened them again, a cold and arrogant figure stood with their back to him.

"Who are you?"

As soon as he said this, a wave of Aura Pressure forced his eyes wide open, making him feel as if blood was surging toward his brain, and the pain was enough to make him explode.

The other thugs felt the same; they all clutched their heads and knelt on the ground, their faces turning purple as they gasped violently for air.

"Brother!"

Only the young girl, Meng Yu, was unaffected. Once her restraints were released, she immediately turned and ran back into the room to check on Meng Huaijing.

Once the girl was gone, Shen Lian spoke coldly to the group: "You dare to lay a hand on someone I, Shen Lian, intend to protect? What gave you ants such confidence?"

By now, the tattooed man's eyes were bloodshot, blood was flowing from his seven orifices, and his body was turning a deep purple from severe oxygen deprivation, twitching and shaking uncontrollably.

Just as Shen Lian was about to finish off these ants, his gaze fell upon the Meng Huaijing siblings who had just come out of the house.

With just a brief exchange of glances, Meng Huaijing seemed to understand what was about to happen and moved behind Meng Yu to cover her eyes.

"Be good, little sister, don't look."

"Okay."

As soon as Meng Yu agreed, the bodies of the dozen or so Azure Dragon Gang thugs were instantly crushed into blood mist by the surging Aura Pressure.

The entire process took less than a single breath.

"Wait here; I will be back shortly."

Shen Lian left this sentence behind and instantly transformed into a beam of light, flying away.

Fearing that Meng Yu might be frightened, Meng Huaijing immediately helped her back into the house.

About half a cup of tea later, Shen Lian returned to the Meng family courtyard, gently waving his Folding Fan.

"The ants from the Azure Dragon Gang and the nearby bandit dens will never bother you again. Pack your things quickly, find a safe place, and live a good life with your little sister."

Meng Huaijing pulled Meng Yu and knelt before Shen Lian: "Thank you, Immortal Venerable, for saving us! Please accept this bow from me and my little sister!"

"There is no need. Leave quickly."

Meng Huaijing looked up, wanting to say something, but upon meeting Shen Lian's deep eyes, he ultimately said nothing.

Seeing this, Shen Lian said impatiently: "If you have something to say, just say it. With your stuttering and hesitation, how do you plan to protect your little sister?"

Only then did Meng Huaijing ask: "Immortal Venerable, are you truly unwilling to take me as your Disciple?"

After saying this, he immediately regretted it.

After all, on Wuji Mountain, Shen Lian had already clearly stated that he would not allow him to embark on the path of cultivation, even if his only goal was to protect his little sister.

Bringing it up now, would it displease the Immortal Venerable?

For a moment, he felt anxious and uneasy, terrified of angering Shen Lian.

The deaths of the Azure Dragon Gang Disciples were still fresh in his mind.

Unexpectedly, Shen Lian asked in return: "Do you truly wish to embark on the path of cultivation?"

Meng Huaijing was stunned, and his eyes instantly lit up: "Immortal Venerable, are you willing to take me as your Disciple?"

"I told you to answer me whether you truly wish to step onto the path of cultivation. Do not give me that nonsense."

"I am willing!"

Meng Huaijing answered very decisively.

Shen Lian: "Then I will give you one chance. Within two months, if you can make it to Buming Mountain in the Eastern Region on your own, I will make an exception and teach you a Cultivation Technique. If you cannot, then honestly find a place to live safely with your sister. Do not expect me to help you along the way; I do not have that much time to waste on such trivial matters. Regardless of the risks you encounter on the road, you must face and resolve them independently. Do not expect anyone to help you. If you can do it, set off now. If you cannot, then do not mention it again."

After finishing, Shen Lian turned around, summoned his netherworld chariot, and left the village in the blink of an eye.

"Little sister, we are leaving right now. I will definitely pass the test and be accepted as a Disciple by the Immortal Venerable, so I can protect you forever."

Such an Opportunity is hard to come by, and Meng Huaijing naturally did not want to miss it. He held Meng Yu's hand, his face full of excitement.

Meng Yu was also happy for her brother and said to him with a smile: "Brother, don't worry, I won't be a burden to you on this journey."

"Silly sister, let's get moving."

Meng Huaijing took his sister's hand and immediately walked toward the outside of the village.

Ten days later, in front of the Alliance Leaders Mansion on Tianji Mountain, a vast crowd had gathered.

Lord Youyang, in the name of the Chess Sword Pavilion, widely distributed the Profound Sect Posts, spreading the news that Shen Lian had betrayed his master and ancestors and fallen into the Demonic Path throughout the East, West, South, North, and the Holy Domain in the shortest possible time.

Upon learning of Shen Lian's atrocities, apart from the Goddess Palace, Shadow Kill Sect, and other Sects that already had grievances with Shen Lian, many third- and fourth-rate Sects, eager to make a name for themselves, also gathered at Tianji Mountain, intending to just tag along.

Of course, there were also Sects like the Lingyun Sect that did not want to participate but were forced by the situation to attend this assembly.

In short, Tianji Mountain was now livelier than ever before; everywhere one looked, there was a sea of people.

"The Alliance Leader has arrived!"

Accompanied by a cry of surprise, seven-colored glazed silk descended from the sky.

A graceful figure sat upon a blue-green bamboo staff, drifting down to the center of the venue.

"Greetings, Alliance Leader!"

As soon as Song Xiangyun arrived, all the Sect Disciples present bowed to pay their respects.

Feeling herself the center of attention, Song Xiangyun was filled with pride.

"Fellow Daoists, thank you all for your trust in allowing me to preside over this Oath-Swearing Assembly. My knowledge is shallow, so if there are any oversights, I ask all Fellow Daoists present to please forgive me."

Song Xiangyun's attitude immediately won the favor of everyone.

A monk in the front row stood up and said: "Eliminating devils and defending the Dao, upholding justice—these are the duties of our Righteous Path Sects. Although my Bodhi Temple is a place of Buddhist cultivation, we must also shoulder this heavy responsibility."

Song Xiangyun smiled slightly: "Great Master Virtuous and Universal's words are very true, but before that, I must apologize to all Fellow Daoists."

Profound Mechanism Master, who was beside Virtuous and Universal, hurriedly asked: "Alliance Leader Song, what are you apologizing for? I am unaware of any fault!"

Song Xiangyun sighed softly: "The Devil Head Shen Lian was my fellow apprentice. Now that he has committed such acts that anger both heaven and man, as his Junior Sister, I am heartbroken. Therefore, I ask all Fellow Daoists to accept my apology."

After saying this, she bowed to the crowd.