23: Shen Chuyun's crisis

The Monster Beast Mountain Range stretches for a vast hundred thousand li.

Initially, it was merely a gathering place for billions of beasts, having no impact on the continent's situation. On the contrary, it was an excellent treasure trove for nearby hunters to make a living.

However, tens of thousands of years passed, and the wild beasts within gradually gained sentience, learning to absorb the essence of heaven, earth, sun, and moon to strengthen themselves.

The combination of bestial nature and the tempering of Spiritual Qi gradually gave birth to many powerful Spirit Beasts. As time progressed, they began to seriously threaten the survival of the entire continent.

Therefore, the various Sects and aristocratic families of the Primordial Continent would regularly organize Disciples to sweep through the Monster Beast Mountain Range.

Firstly, to curb the reproduction rate of Demonic Beasts; secondly, to provide experience for their Disciples; and thirdly, Demonic Beasts are treasures from head to toe, through which unimaginable profits can be obtained.

However, as time went on, in the process of battling against various Cultivators, the Demonic Beasts in the Monster Beast Mountain Range gave birth to countless more powerful clans that entrenched themselves deep within the mountain range, cultivating in dormancy, and even began to organize and actively launch group attacks on the territories of Cultivator Sects.

The people of the Primordial Continent called such a phenomenon a “Beast Tide”.

Where the Beast Tide passed, not a blade of grass grew.

The most severe incident occurred seventy thousand years ago when over a million level nine Demonic Beasts, led by three level twelve Demonic Beasts, caused unprecedented damage to the entire continent, almost leading to the annihilation of humanity.

In a moment of crisis, all the Sects joined forces for the first time, using the Primordial Grand Array and sacrificing tens of thousands of Sect Disciples in the Tribulation Crossing Realm, to Seal the Beast Tide deep within the Monster Beast Mountain Range, finally alleviating the crisis of the continent's destruction.

Since then, the Primordial Continent ushered in a rare period of prosperity. Although the Seal would loosen every once in a while, it would always be timely repaired by the elite Disciples dispatched by the various Sects.

The last time the Seal was repaired was a hundred years ago, led by Shen Lian, who almost destroyed his own cultivation Foundation and risked his life to Seal it.

Now, a hundred years have passed, and the Beast Tide Seal once again shows signs of loosening. The various Sects dared not act rashly, leading a hundred thousand Disciples to once again venture deep into the Monster Beast Mountain Range to the Seal location.

High up on Yunlan Mountain, a woman holding a jade-green cold sword, with a cold and stunningly beautiful face, clad in a cyan silk robe, coldly observed a gigantic Demonic Beast stone statue in the distance.

That was the relic site where the Beast Tide was sealed.

The woman's name was Shen Chuyun, Sect Master of Heavenly Feather Sect, with an Immortal Realm second-level cultivation, an absolute powerhouse of her generation.

Her beauty was unparalleled on the Primordial Continent, and she was recognized as one of the Ten Beauties.

However, although Shen Chuyun was the Sect Master of Heavenly Feather Sect, she was naturally indifferent and never paid much attention to things that didn't interest her.

Her current visit to the Monster Beast Mountain Range to repair the Seal was not her original intention; she was completely forced by the Sect's Old Ancestor to reluctantly come.

Due to her outstanding beauty, her appearance immediately attracted the fawning attention of Prodigies from other Sects.

However, Shen Chuyun's personality was cold and aloof, always maintaining an attitude that kept people at a thousand li's distance, as if nothing could pique her interest.

There was only one person she couldn't stop worrying about.

That was Shen Lian.

"Shen Lian, during my absence, you must protect yourself. I hope you remember my instructions,

Do not go near Ye Fan, do not get involved with those seven Junior Sisters again. Hold on, in a few more days, your Revered Master will return."

Thinking of Shen Lian, a rare trace of unusual tenderness appeared on Shen Chuyun's cold face.

However, this tenderness was tinged with unspeakable sorrow.

"Sect Master, the Sect Master of Qinglan Sect requests your presence to discuss the Seal matter."

Just as Shen Chuyun closed her eyes, worrying about Shen Lian, the voice of Chi Chao, the Peak Revered Master of Sumeru Peak, sounded behind her.

"No."

A simple and direct reply, devoid of any emotion.

This made Chi Chao somewhat troubled: "Sect Master, isn't that a bit inappropriate? The Sect Master of Qinglan Sect is still an ally of our Heavenly Feather Sect. His request..."

"Do I need to repeat myself?"

Her icy tone carried an unquestionable authority.

Chi Chao was stunned, and could only bow and reply: "Understood, Sect Master. I will go back and inform Sect Master Zhuang."

Shen Chuyun did not reply further, but merely flicked her sword, causing bursts of spiritual light to emanate, then leaped into the Void Realm.

In an instant, with a ringing clang, two three-winged Demonic Beasts high in the sky instantly fell to the dust under the crisscrossing Sword Qi.

On the other side, at the Sect Master Alliance camp.

When Zhuang Jinghao, the Sect Master of Qinglan Sect, learned that Shen Chuyun was unwilling to attend the discussion, his face immediately darkened.

Xu Tianchuan, the Sect Master of Moon Shadow Sect, who was beside him, couldn't help but say: "This Sect Master Shen is truly difficult to deal with. We've tried to curry favor with her multiple times, yet she hasn't even given us a proper glance, hmph."

Fu Hanqing, the Sect Master of Tianqing Sect, chuckled: "Since ancient times, capable beauties have always been this arrogant. Everyone just needs to get used to it, especially a peerless beauty like Sect Master Shen."

"Hmph, I think you, upon seeing a beautiful woman, can't even walk straight."

Xu Tianchuan slapped the table, very displeased with Fu Hanqing.

"Alright, enough talk."

After a long while, Zhuang Jinghao stopped them.

"Fellow Daoists, right now, it's best to consider how to Seal the Beast Cave. It's been two months since we arrived here.

Having finally fought our way through the outer array and into the depths of the Monster Beast Mountain Range, it's time to conclude this expedition."

He paused, then added: "However, the conditions for the Seal are extremely stringent, and without Sect Master Shen's Spiritual Phoenix Immortal Body, it cannot be fully accomplished. But Sect Master Shen's attitude is like this, it's difficult..."

Fu Hanqing laughed: "Fellow Daoist Zhuang, it is rumored that the Spiritual Phoenix Immortal Body is an excellent Cauldron Physique. Dual Cultivation with it can accelerate one's own cultivation,

It's not just as simple as sealing a Demonic Cave, you mean to say..."

"Fellow Daoist Fu, what time is it, and you still have time for jokes?" Zhuang Jinghao glared at Fu Hanqing. "The Demonic Beast Seal concerns the lives of all beings under heaven. If it's not sealed in time, how many lives will be devastated!"

Fu Hanqing, however, was unconcerned: "Fellow Daoist Zhuang, stop pretending. In fact, your affection for Sect Master Shen is obvious to us outsiders.

Moreover, Sect Master Shen is so beautiful; how can any man not be moved upon seeing her? If you're unwilling, then don't blame me for getting there first."

"Fellow Daoist Fu!"

Zhuang Jinghao was instantly enraged.

"What exactly do you want to say?"

Xu Tianchuan also asked curiously: "Indeed, Fellow Daoist Fu, you rarely joke. Why now..."

"This is not a joke."

Fu Hanqing suddenly said seriously.

"To be honest, someone hopes that we can seize Shen Chuyun's Spiritual Phoenix Immortal Body while we are repairing the Beast Tide Seal.

Our three cultivations will undoubtedly greatly increase after absorbing the nourishment of the Spiritual Phoenix Immortal Body, and we can also experience the beauty of the aloof Fairy of this era. It's truly killing two birds with one stone."

Zhuang Jinghao was greatly astonished: "Who dares to harm Sect Master Shen!"

Fu Hanqing gave a cold laugh: "A Disciple under Heavenly Feather Sect, now the Sect Master of Flower Language Sect, Lu Qinghuan."

As soon as these words came out, Xu Tianchuan and Zhuang Jinghao were simultaneously shocked.

They never expected that Lu Qinghuan would actually try to harm her own Revered Master?

What was her intention?

Fu Hanqing spread his hand, and the Flower Language Sect Sect Master's token appeared in his palm.

"Every word I've said is true. If you don't believe me, you can see if this item belongs to Sect Master Lu."

With that, he pushed his palm, sending the Flower Language Token into their hands.

After confirming it was the Flower Language Sect's token, Zhuang Jinghao frowned: "She is, after all, a Disciple under Sect Master Shen. Why would she be so vicious?"

Fu Hanqing said: "That's not for us to ask. You should also know the methods of the Flower Language Sect; you should be clear about the consequences if you don't comply."

Xu Tianchuan: "But, the three of us are only at the Primordial Unity second-level cultivation. Even if we agree, how can we fight Shen Chuyun?"

Fu Hanqing smiled: "You can rest assured about that. Sect Master Lu has already prepared a backup plan. She specifically prepared the 'Ten Sinews Soft Fragrance Powder' from Medicine King Glazed Valley.

As soon as the Demonic Cave is successfully sealed, we will drug Shen Chuyun while her Origin Qi is greatly depleted, and then we can do whatever we want with her.

Don't worry, the three Peak Revered Masters accompanying Shen Chuyun are also on our side, so there's no need to worry too much."

Xu Tianchuan was greatly surprised: "What? Even Valley Master Mu is involved?

Hahaha, that bitch Shen Chuyun truly has some nerve, raising a bunch of traitors as Disciples!"

"This..."

Zhuang Jinghao was still hesitant.

"Isn't this going too far?"

Fu Hanqing said coldly: "Fellow Daoist, at this point, do we have a way out?

You don't know what our fate will be if we offend both Medicine King Glazed Valley and Flower Language Sect, do you?

Moreover, Shen Chuyun is such a beauty, and she possesses the Spiritual Phoenix Immortal Body. With such an opportunity before you, are you willing to give it up?

How about this, I'll make the decision: Shen Chuyun's Tingni will be opened by Fellow Daoist Zhuang. You have no objections to that, right?"

Upon hearing this, Zhuang Jinghao immediately stopped resisting.

"Since things have come to this, there's nothing else we can do. It's just tough for Sect Master Shen, alas."

Xu Tianchuan, however, was impatient: "Actually, I've long wanted to take down this aloof woman.

I really can't stand her high-and-mighty attitude. This opportunity is rare, and I will absolutely not give up!"

The three immediately leaned in together, beginning to discuss specific countermeasures.

Shen Chuyun, however, was completely unaware of this.

After consecutively eliminating over thirty level five and six Demonic Beasts and confirming that there were no Demonic Beast threats around the camp, she turned and headed back to the camp.

Meanwhile, on the outskirts of the Monster Beast Mountain Range, a heavy sound of hooves approached from afar, rapidly drawing closer to the depths of the mountain range.