Chapter 828: May Only Watch from Afar

Yan Li looked unconcerned. "What do you mean, what happened?"

Yao Xianding shouted sharply, "That many Four Seas people came through your sector. Don't tell me Zijin Cave's eyes are so blind you couldn't see them until they reached the exit!"

"You mean why didn't I stop them?" Yan Li gave a heh and answered his own question. "There were several hundred of them. Why would I make Zijin Cave disciples throw away their lives?"

Yao Xianding said, "So you simply let them through? Is that how you intend to explain this?"

Yan Li said, "What I choose to do is my business. Do I need you to teach me?"

Cao Bing said, "We don't want to teach you anything. But if what you do makes us unhappy, we won't simply stand by!"

Chu Fengping said coldly as well, "What did Lang Jingkong mean when he said you went back on your word?"

Yan Li answered openly, "I did go back on my word. So what?"

External enemies were one thing. What people feared most were traitors within.

Everyone was shocked and furious.

Shan Hai shouted, "Yan Li, what exactly are you trying to do?"

Yan Li ignored them.

He turned and started walking away, tossing back a single sentence.

"Follow me."

The others exchanged looks, unable to understand, but followed.

Not far away in the forest, a group of Zijin Cave disciples had gathered together and were opening bundle after bundle.

Packages filled with glittering purple Spirit Seeds were revealed.

The Zijin Cave disciples were counting them.

The Spirit Seeds Zijin Cave had secretly hidden earlier had now all been brought back out and bundled together again.

Outsiders, however, had no idea that was what had happened.

They only knew that the quantity before them was obviously far greater than the amount Zijin Cave should have possessed.

The sight left the people who had followed Yan Li suspicious and uncertain.

"Are these the Four Seas people's Spirit Seeds?" Shan Hai asked.

Yan Li brazenly replied, "They're Zijin Cave's Spirit Seeds now."

Things had risen and fallen so many times that the others only half understood what was going on.

Chu Fengping frowned. "Old Ghost Yan, what exactly are you doing?"

What else could he be doing?

The Four Seas group wanted to borrow a road.

They wanted this side to raise its hand and let them pass.

Borrowing the road was possible.

But they had to pay a price.

The Four Seas people had agreed to hand over the Spirit Seeds in their possession as a toll.

After Yan Li received them, however, he felt the quantity was wrong and wanted to know whether they were still hiding more on their persons.

In other words, one could indeed say he had gone back on his word.

That was Yan Li's explanation.

Qian Fucheng said heavily, "If that was the case, you could have informed us beforehand. We could have joined forces and wiped them out."

"Joined forces?" Yan Li chuckled. "If Zijin Cave can handle something on its own, there's no need to trouble everyone else."

He waved to his disciples, signaling them to stop counting for now and bundle the Spirit Seeds back up.

Then his expression changed.

"Gentlemen, dividing the reward equally now seems a little unfair. In my view, it would be more reasonable to divide it according to each side's contribution!"

He had suddenly changed the agreement.

Everyone froze.

The faces of the leaders from Qi and Wei darkened.

At last they understood why the old bastard had secretly colluded with that pack of demons and monsters.

He had not wanted to share the benefit with everyone.

He wanted this entire batch of Spirit Seeds for Zijin Cave alone.

And he had already succeeded. The Spirit Seeds were in his hands now.

What were they supposed to do—rob him?

Chu Fengping and Shan Hai exchanged looks.

Qi and Wei together possessed only four shares. Judging by the current situation, Yan alone should now possess three.

If the three states still divided the reward equally, Yan really would be taking a loss...

...

While the leaders of the states were discussing matters, some people had already gone weak in the knees after seeing Niu Youdao escape.

Dong Jinhuan of Liuxian Sect, An Miao'er of Lingxiu Mountain, and Lin Feiyan of Fuyun Sect were all badly frightened.

Dong Jinhuan had repeatedly wanted to find Zhao Dengxuan, but Zhao Dengxuan had been busy all this time.

Finally, she could no longer bear it and went to seek him out herself.

Zhao Dengxuan was standing guard over one area when he saw her approaching.

"Why did you leave your post and come here on your own?"

Dong Jinhuan said nothing.

She simply threw herself into his arms and hugged him tightly face-to-face.

"Dear Zhao, you haven't come to see me at all."

Her rubbing against him stirred him somewhat, but not enough to make him lose his head.

Zhao Dengxuan looked around, patted her back, and said, "This isn't appropriate right now. I'm on duty. It won't look good if someone sees us."

Dong Jinhuan only wanted reassurance that he cared about her.

Uneasily, she said, "Dear Zhao, Niu Youdao got out. I'm afraid."

Zhao Dengxuan knew exactly what she feared. "What is there to be afraid of? Chu Fengping blasted him wildly with a Heavenly Sword Talisman. No one even knows whether Niu Youdao is alive or dead. Besides, do you think first place is so easy to take?"

Dong Jinhuan said, "But what if he's still alive? What if he really does take first place?"

Zhao Dengxuan smiled bitterly and shook his head. "Don't worry. Niu Youdao won't dare refuse Xiaoyao Palace face."

Dong Jinhuan wrapped both arms around his neck, her eyes full of expectation.

"If he's still alive, will you really step forward and speak to him for me? Dear Zhao, I gave you my virgin body. I'm already your woman. You absolutely cannot abandon me!"

Zhao Dengxuan sighed. "I've already explained everything clearly. As a Xiaoyao Palace disciple, marrying a woman from outside into the sect is difficult. The screening requirements are strict. I can't promise I can marry you into Xiaoyao Palace, but protecting your safety won't be a problem."

"Jinhuan, don't worry. Once we're out, as long as Niu Youdao survives the hurdle waiting for him, I'll immediately go find him. Not only will I speak to Niu Youdao, I'll personally make a trip to Liuxian Sect and say a word to your Sect Leader."

"If you still don't trust me..." He paused, then said solemnly, "I, Zhao Dengxuan, swear to Heaven that if I break this promise, may Heaven strike me down!"

Hearing him swear such a vicious oath eased much of Dong Jinhuan's fear, though she still remained nervous.

She gazed at him affectionately.

"Dear Zhao, I want to bear you a child."

For the sake of preserving her life, she felt that carrying Zhao Dengxuan's flesh and blood might be the safest guarantee.

She even regretted not preparing for that possibility earlier.

The crucial problem was that she had never imagined Niu Youdao could still escape from the Secret Realm.

Her words startled Zhao Dengxuan badly.

Xiaoyao Palace did not demand celibacy from its disciples, but casually fathering children with an outsider was ridiculous.

How would that differ from casually marrying an outsider into Xiaoyao Palace?

In some ways it was even more serious.

A wife could be separated from whenever necessary.

How did one sever flesh and blood?

If something like that truly happened, the matter would have gone too far.

He would have no way to account for it.

His voice immediately turned grave. "Jinhuan, don't act recklessly. If we violate the sect rules, neither of us will be able to bear the consequences!"

His eyes dropped instinctively toward her belly.

He even sent spiritual power through her to inspect it.

Dong Jinhuan was somewhat disappointed by how nervous he became.

Putting aside the matter of Niu Youdao, Zhao Dengxuan was still her first man.

Since she had already given herself to him, and since his identity and position benefited her, she genuinely wanted to bind him to her.

Forcing a smile, she said, "Mm. I'll listen to you. We can talk about it after you've settled things with Xiaoyao Palace."

Once Zhao Dengxuan confirmed she had merely been speaking and was not already pregnant, he breathed easier.

Her teasing had also nearly made him loosen his clothes on the spot.

But circumstances were different now.

He was on duty.

If he fooled around while on watch and the matter was investigated, the consequences could be minor or severe, and he might very well be punished heavily.

He quickly pushed her away and glanced around nervously, afraid one of his fellow disciples might see and report him.

"Jinhuan, now isn't the time. Go back first. I'll come find you later."

Dong Jinhuan gave a gentle "Mm."

She left reluctantly, looking back every few steps.

...

Niu Youdao actually came out alive?

Long Xiu, Meng Xuan, and Gong Lince had all personally seen Niu Youdao blasted out of the exit.

He had looked miserable, but he had undeniably emerged alive.

All three were surprised.

Their feelings were complicated as well.

Gong Lince's mood was particularly mixed.

He felt both excited and worried.

He still did not know about Sha Rulai's demand that Niu Youdao take first place. Otherwise, after seeing Niu Youdao emerge with nothing but himself, Gong Lince would never have felt excited.

As for his concern, Niu Youdao had come out, yet Yan Li and the others who were supposed to protect him had not emerged with him.

Niu Youdao had been blasted out in such terrible condition.

Had something happened to Yan Li and the others?

Before the affairs of the Secret Realm were officially declared concluded, outsiders could only watch Tiangu from afar.

No one was permitted to enter.

No one was permitted to disturb matters inside.

Everyone could only stand outside Tiangu's entrance and observe from a distance.

No one was allowed to make noise or interfere.

Before the official conclusion was announced, and before the results had been verified without error, those inside Tiangu were likewise not allowed to come out.

Everyone had first seen the people from Myriad Beasts Sect, Ling Sect, and Tianxing Sect emerge.

After that, they saw Niu Youdao, who had obviously been blasted out by someone and looked badly wounded.

Niu Youdao actually hadn't died?

Dachan Mountain Sect Leader Huang Lie was deeply disappointed.

He knew Dachan Mountain's plan was probably going to fail.

The Sect Leaders of the three factions—Fei Changliu of Liuxian Sect, Zheng Jiuxiao of Fuyun Sect, and Xia Hua of Lingxiu Mountain—breathed easier.

As long as this man had returned, the situation in Nanzhou could be stabilized.

For those three sects, changing banners had only ever been a choice forced by necessity.

There were too many uncertainties involved.

No one could say how a new master might treat them in the future.

Continuing to follow Niu Youdao was far safer.

The people from Zhao, Song, Han, and Jin were also surprised to see Niu Youdao emerge.

Such a perfect opportunity.

So many people wanted him dead.

And somehow they still had not managed to kill him?

He had actually come out alive?

Mr. Yucang kept staring at Niu Youdao as he sat beneath the cliff wall treating his injuries.

After nearly half a day, Niu Youdao rose and disappeared from everyone's sight.

He walked into a recessed area deeper inside Tiangu and no one knew where he had gone.

From beginning to end, there had been no sign that Niu Youdao had carried out a huge quantity of Spirit Seeds.

Mr. Yucang was extremely nervous.

The others here did not know, but he knew about Sha Rulai's deadly demand.

...

The next day, a stir ran through the crowd waiting outside Tiangu.

The Four Seas people began emerging one after another.

Once they saw their own people coming out, the Great Sage of the Eastern Sea, Demon King of the Western Sea, Dharma King of the South Sea, and Nether Lord of the Northern Sea all breathed easier.

The Great Sage of the Eastern Sea said heavily, "Looks like only five or six hundred remain. Their losses weren't small."

Beside him, Qiyun Sect Leader Taishu Feihua chuckled. "I don't see any bundles. Don't tell me they came out empty-handed?"

There was a teasing note in his voice.

The Demon King of the Western Sea sighed. "You seven states have overwhelming numbers. We couldn't rob anything away from you. We never held much hope to begin with. If there is something, fine. If there isn't, we won't be disappointed."

"Hm? What are they doing?" The Nether Lord of the Northern Sea suddenly voiced his confusion.

Inside Tiangu, the Four Seas cultivators looked around repeatedly after emerging.

Then, like a swarm, they all disappeared into the recessed area deeper within the valley.

"Forget it. At least some of them made it out. There's no need for us to stand here waiting endlessly," the Dharma King of the South Sea said.

The Four Seas sovereigns had already waited here for a day or two.

Now that they had seen their people, they finally had some certainty and no longer needed to remain until the three-day deadline expired.

They openly departed.

As he walked away, the Demon King of the Western Sea joked with everyone, "Take your time waiting, gentlemen. We're going drinking. We'll come back tomorrow when everything ends and see how the rankings turned out. Whoever wins a heavy reward had better not be stingy! You owe us a feast—and good wine!"

The people from Myriad Beasts Sect, Ling Sect, and Tianxing Sect had left even earlier.

Once they saw their own disciples come out safe and sound, they departed immediately.

They did not care about the rankings.

[End of Chapter 828]