Chapter 83: Trouble Arises

Upon hearing the word “confrontation,” Xuan Ze’s heart sank slightly.

Why was this so different from what he had imagined?

Shouldn’t Master be furious and storm off to settle the score immediately?

Yet, now they still needed a confrontation first.

If it came to a confrontation, wouldn’t all the nonsense he had made up be exposed…

But just then, from the crowd, a sturdy figure strode out.

“Very well, since it was a member of my Xuan Clan who was insulted, as an elder of the Xuan Clan, I, Xuan Bi, naturally must step forward! The Xuan Clan…”

Tian Xingluo’s brows instantly knitted together.

Upon hearing this voice, Xuan Ze also jerked his head up and turned to the robust man who had spoken.

“Third Uncle, Third Uncle, you’re here too! That Sect Master of Hehuan Sect bullies others too much. You—you must stand up for me!”

It was as if Xuan Ze had found a pillar of support.

He threw himself forward, clinging to Xuan Bi’s arm.

Seeing his nephew like this, Xuan Bi looked a bit disgusted, but still said sternly, “Xiao Ze, don’t worry. It’s just the Hehuan Sect. As your Third Uncle, I will definitely get justice for you.”

Tian Xingluo saw this and secretly thought, “Not good.”

He’d originally intended to handle things with a light touch.

But with the Xuan Clan getting involved, even if he wanted to let things slide, it wouldn’t be possible.

As for uttering some real threats…

True, the Hehuan Sect was small and weak.

But one had to remember—the Sect Master of the Hehuan Sect had already reached the Confluence Realm.

In the entire Northern Domain cultivation world, she could be considered a top expert.

For a moment, Tian Xingluo felt like he was caught in a bind, unable to move forward or back.

Helplessly, he felt he could only take things one step at a time.

Meanwhile, in a room, Chen Yuyang was still chatting with Master Ling Xuan.

“Speaking of which, Yuyang, not long ago, while searching for a suitable pill furnace for you, I heard there is a secret formula that can greatly enhance the effects of pills.”

“Originally, I didn’t pay it much mind, but just yesterday, near this Spirit Medicine City, I ran into a mysterious fellow who told me about it.”

Tai Lingxuan suddenly recalled something and said to the young man.

“A secret formula?” Chen Yuyang raised his brows slightly.

“Can it really enhance the effects of pills?”

“That’s right. It’s said it can increase effectiveness by thirty percent.”

“No matter the grade?”

“That, I am not sure about. But the person I met at the market yesterday did tell me this. However, I thought he was just a swindler, so I didn’t pay much attention,” Tai Lingxuan said, shaking her head.

“If such a formula really existed, it should’ve been researched by the Pill Sect, not come from some nameless rogue cultivator.”

Chen Yuyang nodded, not taking it to heart.

“Maybe he’s just trying to take advantage of the Pill Gathering to scam some contestants out of their spirit stones. Master, you mustn’t be deceived.”

With countless years of experience, Chen Yuyang had never heard of such a miraculous recipe, so he reckoned it was just a trick.

“That’s what I thought too. Yuyang, if you hear similar rumors, never trust them lightly. In cultivation or pill refining, the greatest taboo is aiming too high and hoping to reach the top in a single leap.”

Tai Lingxuan put on a stern look, speaking with grave earnestness.

Chen Yuyang nodded his agreement.

Just then, Chen Yuyang’s brows furrowed slightly.

In the next moment, Tai Lingxuan’s pupils also contracted, and her divine sense swept out.

Immediately after, outside the inn, a powerful voice thundered through the sky: “Where is Hehuan Sect Master Tai Lingxuan?”

“You insult my beloved nephew and disgrace my Xuan Clan—what is your intention!” Xuan Clan?

Tai Lingxuan and Chen Yuyang both frowned at the same time.

How did this get tied to the Xuan Clan now?

Still, Tai Lingxuan showed no fear.

She immediately rose and said to Chen Yuyang, “Stay here. I will deal with this myself!”

With that, Tai Lingxuan’s figure vanished from the room.

Chen Yuyang quickly moved to the window, his sharp gaze fixed on the sky. Above, several figures stood in the heavens.

At their head was a brawny middle-aged man, his face stern and imposing, emanating a mighty aura.

Beside him stood a white-haired elder—the Pill Sect’s Third Elder, Tian Xingluo.

Also, that short disciple they’d encountered before, Xuan Ze, now stood behind the two, his face no longer wronged but twisted into a smug, cold sneer.

Before them, suspended slightly higher in the air, Tai Lingxuan stood with hands clasped behind her back, her fiery red robes fluttering fiercely in the wind.

At this moment, her beautiful face was ice-cold, her eyes disdainful.

A mighty oppressive force suddenly descended from the sky, covering the whole area like a tangible shroud.

That overwhelming pressure caused Xuan Bi and Tian Xingluo below to tremble in spirit, their breathing growing involuntarily labored.

Xuan Bi immediately thought, “This is bad.”

He only knew that Ling Xuan had recently broken through to the Confluence Realm, but never imagined the aura she emitted now had already reached the sixth stage of the Confluence Realm!

What a joke!

Wasn’t the information from the Holy Sect that she had only just entered the Confluence Realm?

How could her strength be so vastly different?

Damn it… She’s stronger than me, and the Saintess still wants me to stir up trouble with her! Xuan Bi cursed the faulty intel inwardly, cold sweat seeping from his forehead.

However, from the corner of his eye, Xuan Bi quickly glanced at the equally grim-faced Tian Xingluo beside him.

Well, there was still a Pill Sect Elder standing with him.

Thinking so, he felt somewhat more settled.

At worst, they could rely on their combined authority to intimidate her.

Did Tai Lingxuan really dare fight both him and a Pill Sect Elder?

Meanwhile, far off to the side, a pair of blood-red eyes was also observing the situation.

Oh?

That Xuan Bi fellow is moving quickly.

He’d barely been given his assignment, and he’d already found a pretext to cause trouble for the Hehuan Sect.

He’d even brought along a Pill Sect Elder.

Very good, very good.

Yun Lian thought to herself, a trace of nostalgia flickering in her eyes.

She wondered how her younger sister was faring in the Hehuan Sect.

And whether her fate three years from now would change.

As for herself, that didn’t matter.

As long as her sister could be safe, could live on…

As she thought, Yun Lian felt a tinge of sorrow.

But she quickly pulled herself together and continued to watch the spectacle unfold.

“Hmph, Sect Master Tai, you truly are arrogant!”

“My Xuan Clan disciple came at the behest of his master to invite you, yet you shamelessly insulted and even drove him out the door!”

Xuan Bi cleared his throat, resisting Tai Lingxuan’s oppressive aura as he shouted loudly.

Tai Lingxuan snorted coldly, more or less guessing how that brat had twisted the truth after returning, and immediately rebuffed,

“Hmph, arrogant? Just who is being arrogant! That’s your Xuan Clan disciple? Fine, let me ask you—”

“Is this how the Xuan Clan teaches its disciples? Coming to my door with an invitation and kicking down my door first, then insulting my sect’s disciples? Do you really think my Hehuan Sect is so easily bullied!”

“Nonsense! Hmph, it’s clear you look down on the Pill Sect and don’t respect my Xuan Clan either.”

Xuan Bi was here on a mission, so naturally, he insisted on this.

Beside him, Tian Xingluo wanted to speak up but didn’t know what to say.

Defend his own disciple?

Or speak on Tai Lingxuan’s behalf?

Even if he tried to play mediator, it would be awkward and make him look bad to both sides.

And besides, why did Xuan Bi keep mentioning the Pill Sect—wasn’t he from the Xuan Clan?

Damn it, was he being set up by these two from the Xuan Clan?

Tian Xingluo couldn’t help but curse inwardly.

Seeing the other side sticking so stubbornly to this point, Tai Lingxuan knew arguing further was pointless.

The aura she emitted suddenly flared even more fiercely.

Witnessing this, the many onlookers below, though unclear about the truth, were abuzz with speculation.

They didn’t know what had happened, but it didn’t stop them from enjoying the show.

“Master, why be angry?”

At that moment, a calm voice rang out.

Everyone turned to see a handsome youth of about fourteen or fifteen rise into the air and stand beside Tai Lingxuan.

“Master, for Pill Sect and Xuan Clan Elders to have cultivated to the Confluence Realm, how could they possibly be so blind and foolish?”

“Right and wrong—they surely know better than you do.”

“Yet still, they come here seeking trouble with our Hehuan Sect. Isn’t it obvious they’re here just to cause us problems?”

The youth’s voice was calm but resounded clearly throughout Spirit Medicine City.

Upon hearing this, Xuan Bi and Tian Xingluo’s faces both darkened.

From afar, hearing these words, Yun Lian was also a bit surprised.

This kid is pretty sharp-tongued.

With just a few words, he allowed those ignorant of the truth to instantly imagine the Xuan Clan and Pill Sect using their power to oppress others.

“Besides, isn’t he basically calling those two blind and foolish?”

Murmuring to herself, Yun Lian couldn’t help but cover her lips with a smile.

But it was good.

No matter what excuse they used, what she wanted was for the Hehuan Sect to offend the Pill Sect and Xuan Clan.

Most importantly, to offend the Pill Sect.

All the major sects maintained good relations with the Pill Sect.

If you offended the Pill Sect, you were cutting yourself off from the other major sects.

The Hehuan Sect was already so small, on the fringe and in decline.

If it got shunned again, there would be no place for it among the righteous sects.

At that point, with a little scheming and some help from Yun Xiu on the inside, dragging the Hehuan Sect into the Holy Sect would be a cinch.

As she thought, Yun Lian’s smile grew even brighter.

Pill Sect?

Righteous sects?

Hmph, I want you to be wiped out with no place to rest!

“You ignorant brat, how dare you spout such wild words in front of me!”

Xuan Bi roared, sending out a sharp sword-light towards Chen Yuyang.

Seeing this, the anger in Tai Lingxuan’s eyes turned to a storm of killing intent.

The spiritual power swirling around her erupted completely, instantly shattering the sword-light.

“How dare you!”

“Hmph, this boy has insulted me with his words. Today, I will cleanse the sect for you!”

No longer mentioning Xuan Ze’s matter, Xuan Bi seized on this new excuse and prepared to strike again.

Chen Yuyang’s gaze remained icy.

Unnoticed, three eighth-grade talisman scrolls had already appeared within his sleeve…

Having walked a hundred lifetimes, when had Chen Yuyang ever been an easy target?

He hated trouble.

But he was never afraid of it.

Besides, Chen Yuyang could tell that this Xuan Clan fellow was clearly picking a fight for no reason.

In this situation, bowing his head would likely do no good.

He didn’t know what the deeper reasons were, but to Chen Yuyang, that wasn’t important.

At worst, they’d pay some price, but join forces with Master to kill him quickly, then retreat with Senior and Junior Sisters, leaving the Northern Domain.

That would conveniently avoid the great battle three years from now, sidestepping even greater risks.

As the youth secretly calculated and prepared to crush the talisman, a cold shout suddenly descended from the sky.

“Stop!”