C1416

Near the Nether Abyss, deep within the azure sea, Chi Nandou, with his delicate demeanor, joined Hou Tianzhao of the Red Devil Sect and several practitioners of the secret arts from the northern reaches of the Quietus Continent on a journey.

Most of these travelers were at the Yin God Stage or Soul Wandering Stage. In times past, practitioners at these levels were drawn to Horror Land to refine their souls, as the Yin Qi there was incredibly dense, perfect for tempering the soul. Whether one was at the initial Yin God Stage or traversing the Soul Wandering Stage, they stood to gain much from Horror Land.

But ever since the Horror Land came under the rule of a singular, dominant ghost, the sects aligned with the five supreme forces became hesitant to send their disciples there, fearing they might fall prey to the ghosts and meet an untimely end.

Below the Yang God Stage, the two factions were not forbidden from clashing; such was the established order. Disciples from the Silver Moon Sect, Ancient Desolate Sect, and Clouds Sect were also sent to Horror Land. Should conflict arise, the ghosts of Horror Land would undoubtedly take sides, and the outcome was all too predictable.

"I've heard Lau Ying is in seclusion, refining her Yang God," Chi Nandou remarked while aboard a sailboat, his face a portrait of envy. "Tianzhao, we're still in the middle of our Soul Wandering Stage. Yet, she's on the verge of becoming a Yang God. Doesn't that make you feel a bit disheartened?"

Hou Tianzhao, with his plump cheeks, bare chest, and copper rings dangling from his earlobes, chuckled heartily. "What's so impressive about that? My sect's Junior Sister Yuan Lianyao achieved her Yang God even earlier than Lau Ying!"

Hearing Yuan Lianyao's name, the other Red Devil Sect members, all at the Yin God level, couldn't hide their admiration.

"She's different," Chi Nandou replied with a wry smile.

"Different how? Lau Ying's rapid advancement is surely because she had the company of Ghost King Luo Yue in Horror Land. It's common knowledge that the Silver Moon Sect now walks hand in hand with the Divine Soul Sect and the Chamber of Commerce," Hou Tianzhao boasted loudly. "We all understand the implications of a Yin God or Soul Wandering Stage breakthrough in Horror Land with the Ghost King's aid. If I were there, I too could strive for the Yang God Stage!"

"Lau Ying is truly formidable."

"Ah, the Silver Moon Sect has really come into its own."

"Just thinking about Lau Ying heading off into the heavens fills me with envy."

The men and women from the Filthy Spirit Sect, the Red Devil Sect, and the Fiend Sect began to chatter animatedly.

Chi Nandou was about to speak when a string of bells at his waist chimed suddenly.

He reached out with a tendril of his soul's consciousness and, moments later, his striking face was clouded with dismay. "Just my luck..."

Hou Tianzhao, intrigued, glanced at the bells and inquired, "Who's that?"

"That mad dog, Lee Tihai! He's nearby, summoning members of the Fiend Sect to help him hunt down Master Chiu Muge and Lyu Geng!" Chi Nandou quickly corrected himself, cautious not to let those present spread his slip of the tongue.

Chiu Muge and Lyu Geng were individuals Chi Nandou held in high regard, hence his habit of referring to them with respect.

"I heard that Lee Tihai and Lin Tianming from the Voodoo Cult, along with several unaffiliated cultivators from the Crack Archipelago, nearly killed Senior Chiu with their Gu poison techniques," Hou Tianzhao said, astonished. "Senior Lyu's cultivation talent is modest; he's still in the Early Yang God Stage. And Senior Chiu... shouldn't pose much of a threat."

Hou Tianzhao hailed from the Red Devil Sect, not the Fiend Sect, and with his own sect's influence on the rise, he had little to fear.

He continued to refer to Chiu Muge and Lyu Geng as seniors, unconcerned with others' opinions.

"I'm not sure myself," Chi Nandou admitted, shaking his head. "I'll act as if I never received the message and won't respond."

"Don't do that!"

Hou Tianzhao's spirits lifted. He produced his transformed Fire Fan and suggested, "We're not doing anything else, so let's go have a look. If there's a chance, we could covertly lend a hand to the two seniors."

"How can I assist? I'm a member of the Fiend Sect," Chi Nandou said with a wry smile.

"I'll handle it!"

Hou Tianzhao chuckled mischievously. "The rogue cultivators Lee Tihai and Lin Tianming have recruited aren't listed in the Fiend Sect's records. If I'm in a foul mood and end up killing them, so be it. Besides, I highly doubt your Sect Master Yun would confront the Red Devil Sect over a few unaffiliated cultivators."

The Sect Master of the Red Devil Sect had achieved the status of a Primordial Spirit, and the entire sect was brimming with formidable experts.

With such backing, not only was Hou Tianzhao emboldened, but all disciples of the Red Devil Sect felt supremely confident in their activities.

They would occasionally go out of their way to provoke members of the Primordial Yang Sect.

Had it not been for a common enemy and the presence of the Divine Soul Sect and various trading guilds, the Red Devil Sect and the Primordial Yang Sect might have already been at war.

"Alright, try to keep a low profile, will you? Don't make things too difficult for me."

Chi Nandou made his stance clear. He genuinely sympathized with Chiu Muge and Lyu Geng and was keen to see if there was a chance to discreetly spare their lives.

"Are you still worried about how I handle things?" Hou Tianzhao laughed heartily, unfurling his Fire Fan with a flourish, and declared boldly, "Who else wants to come and have a look? Come join me! But let me warn you, anyone who talks nonsense will have to answer to me afterward!"

"Me!"

"Count me in!"

"Senior Brother Hou, please include me as well!"

...

Outside the cave, Chiu Muge appeared extremely weak.

His lips trembled slightly as he gazed at the somewhat unfamiliar figure of Yu Yuan, trying to muster a word of gratitude.

"Enough of that, focus on assimilating the blood essence energy. It's rightfully yours, after all. Your recovery depends entirely on your own fortune."

Yu Yuan gestured dismissively, signaling for Chiu Muge to drop the formalities and for the overly enthusiastic Lyu Geng to keep his distance.

"Yu Yuan, I've always known we're kin! You're the descendant of the Evil King, and it was he who laid the foundations for our Fiend Sect's prosperity! The Evil King has ascended to unprecedented heights, becoming a legendary figure. But I know he still holds us dear!"

"Yu Yuan, why not lead us to Horror Land?"

"With your intercession, even if we can't settle in Horror Land, living nearby would be just as good!"

Lyu Geng was practically leaping with excitement at the thought of establishing his own faction near Horror Land.

"There are others in the Fiend Sect who share our dissatisfaction with Sect Master Yun. We could emulate the Thunder Sect, establishing our independence just like them!"

He was filled with anticipation, fueled by Yu Yuan's arrival and his extraordinary abilities. Hope had been kindled within him.

"Enough!"

Yu Yuan commanded, his voice tinged with impatience.

"You're truly not planning to lend us a hand?" Lyu Geng inquired somberly.

"I'm simply waiting for Lee Tihai to show up. I'll deal with him first. As for Yun Hao, I believe... he's probably biding his time for the right moment," Yu Yuan stated with a composed demeanor.

Following the Evil King's demise, his disciple Yun Hao failed to protect the Yu family. Instead, he permitted Lee Tihai's misdeeds, leading to tragedies befalling Yu Ying, his father Yu Jue, and his mother Kin Rourou. Given the Evil King's disposition, it was improbable that he would let these transgressions slide.

Yu Yuan wasn't rushing to act, constrained by the recent accord between the Divine Soul Sect, the Chamber of Commerce, and the five paramount powers.

Yun Hao seemed too wary to leave the vicinity, cautious of giving the Evil King an opening.

The Evil King was only interested in confronting leaders like Yun Hao. A rabid cur like Lee Tihai was beneath his notice.

Regarding the rise of the Fiend Sect and individuals like Chiu Muge, Yu Yuan's current status and level meant he wouldn't be overly concerned.

He stood too high in this life, only taking notice of those at a similar altitude or just a notch below.

People like Chiu Muge and Lee Tihai were far beneath him.

"Uh, how did they get here first?"

Pondering for a moment, Yu Yuan then watched in astonishment as a swath of scarlet streaked across the sky.

The crimson blaze was the Fire Fan, wielded by Hou Tianzhao, a Heaven Level spiritual weapon now more potent than ever and one of the Red Devil Sect's renowned treasures.

Seeing the Fire Fan, Yu Yuan also spotted the corpulent Hou Tianzhao and the starkly contrasting Chi Nandou.

As for the rest, he barely gave a second glance to the practitioners from other sects in the northern Quietus Continent.

"Qi, Chi Nandou!"

Lyu Geng was baffled, rubbing his eyes and muttering in bewilderment, "When did this kid start running with that mad dog, Lee Tihai? Chi Nandou used to be a breath of fresh air in the Fiend Sect. Has he too been sullied by Lee Tihai's influence?"

"Oh my god!"

Perched atop the Fire Fan, Chi Nandou rubbed his eyes and sprung to his feet. "What did I just see? Tianzhao! Could my eyes be deceiving me?"

"No mistake! It's definitely him!"

Hou Tianzhao, with his chest bared and his youthful frame quivering with excess weight, eyes gleaming, exclaimed, "I never saw it coming!"

"Who is it?"

"Who are we talking about?"

The young men and women on the fan, whose realms were not as advanced as theirs, perked up with curiosity.

"Yu Yuan!"

​