C646 Force

Yu Yuan, adopting the alias Chen Xi, had settled into the Little Cloud Sect's courtyard for the time being. Whenever he had a moment, he would seek out Xie Bin to inquire about various matters.

In Luan Bird City, the surname Chen was common, but the Chen family there had little to do with Chen Liangquan's lineage.

He confided to Xie Bin that he hailed from the Devil Moon Empire, eager to witness the splendor of Luan Bird City.

His legacy as a Medicine God was an accidental gift from the Jade Peak.

Armed with the Flowing Flames and able to recount tales of yore, Yu Yuan never aroused Xie Bin's suspicion.

Xie Bin himself was a formidable Yang God Stage practitioner with campaigns beyond the skies under his belt. He possessed a profound and unique insight into the grand scheme of the Boundless Land and the inner workings of various sects and empires.

Through Xie Bin, Yu Yuan pieced together the three centuries of transformations in sects and empires that had occurred before his rebirth.

To Xie Bin, Yu Yuan was the esteemed direct disciple of Medicine God Hong Qi, and he spared no detail in his teachings.

Then came a day.

As Yu Yuan and Xie Bin were discussing the Chen family of the Luan Bird Empire, Huang Chuan, a limping elder, made his slow entrance.

Yu Yuan had learned from Xie Bin that Huang Chuan was another venerable member of the Little Cloud Sect.

Though younger than Xie Bin, Huang Chuan's talents in cultivation were modest, and a severe injury had left him disheartened. The Little Cloud Sect had relegated him to a life of obscurity in Luan Bird City.

Huang Chuan had long since abandoned any hopes for the future, turning to wine for solace in his idle hours.

"Old Xie, I fear that recruiting disciples will only get tougher," Huang Chuan remarked as he ambled over, tossing a jug of 'Drunken Buddha' to Xie Bin. After a moment's reluctance, he begrudgingly offered another jug to Yu Yuan.

Dispensing with cups, he took a hearty swig straight from the jug, lamenting, "Three of the youngsters we've brought in over the last few months have already departed."

Xie Bin took a sip in silence.

Yu Yuan expressed his gratitude and, following the lead of Huang Chuan and Xie Bin, took a bold gulp of 'Drunken Buddha'. The fiery liquid was intensely spicy.

He let out a scoff, finally appreciating the rich aroma of the potent liquor, and asked, "Why did they leave?"

"Zhao Jingzhi, right in front of all of us, took that girl from our Little Clouds Sect," Huang Chuan said with a look of frustration. "I was injured by Zhao Jingzhi and had no choice but to bear it. It just goes to show how weak our Little Clouds Sect has become. People always aim for greater heights, and the younger ones who haven't even reached the Profound Break Stage see our sect's weakness and they just..."

Huang Chuan let out a heavy sigh.

Xie Binn took a sip of his drink and remarked, "Let it be. Everyone chooses their own path; we can't force them."

He paused briefly before continuing, "Our Little Clouds Sect may not be as powerful as the Cold Yin Sect, and we're not a lower sect, but our mastery of lightning techniques is second to none compared to those sects! We're only lacking in cultivation resources. With a sufficient supply of pellets and spiritual weapons, our disciples could certainly rise to prominence."

"Indeed, with the right guidance from the Little Clouds Sect, there are those with exceptional talent who could dazzle the Boundless Land!"

Xie Binn's tone carried a hint of pride as he spoke these words.

"Thunder Sect's Qi Jinghai, pays respects to Elder Xie!"

A robust and cheerful voice suddenly rang out from outside.

"Thunder Sect!"

"Qi Jinghai!"

At the sound of this shout, the members of the lesser sects at the street corners erupted in excitement.

Xie Binn, who had been sharing drinks with Yu Yuan and Huang Chuan, shifted in his seat at the mention of the name.

Huang Chuan inhaled sharply and declared, "This guy is even tougher to handle than Zhao Jingzhi."

"Qi Jinghai..." Yu Yuan murmured, stroking his chin thoughtfully, "That name sounds familiar."

"He's a leading disciple of the current Thunder Sect master and the designated successor," Huang Chuan explained with a grimace. "Qi Jinghai is a scion of the Qi family from the Luan Bird Empire. In Luan Bird City, the Qi family's influence is second only to the Chen family. They may not be on par with the Chens, but within the Luan Bird Empire, the Qi family is the most formidable force after the Chens."

"Oh, it seems we're dealing with someone quite remarkable," Yu Yuan concurred.

"Please, come in!"

Xie Binn had already stepped out and was standing in the courtyard, taking a moment to straighten up his appearance.

Dressed in green, Qi Jinghai approached with a confident stride.

With a calm and steady presence, Qi Jinghai's eyes were like deep pools, exuding an air of mystery.

His skin was a healthy bronze, and his arms, left bare, were etched with fierce scars.

The scars, dense and resembling the marks of sharp blades, spoke of many battles.

Given his level of cultivation, he likely had the means to heal the scars on his arms, yet he chose not to, not even bothering to cover them with long sleeves.

Qi Jinghai, standing in the courtyard, respectfully bowed to Xie Binn and Huang Chuan. Noticing Yu Yuan by the door, he offered a slight nod in acknowledgment.

"How is your master doing?" inquired Xie Binn.

"My master's physical form and Yang God preside over the Outland Star River, leaving only his Yin God at the Thunder Sect," replied Qi Jinghai with a no-nonsense tone. "My master is in excellent health, as is the Thunder Sect. My visit is on his behalf. He..."

"He wishes for Senior Xie to leave the Small Thunder Sect and join our Thunder Sect."

"My master intends to find a way to reunite the fragments of your shattered Yang God soul. Just announce your separation from the Small Thunder Sect, and the Thunder Sect will welcome you. Furthermore, my master has mentioned that should you succeed in reassembling your Yang God, and eventually reach the Unrestrained Stage, the position of vice sect master in the Thunder Sect could be yours."

Qi Jinghai spoke with earnestness and sincerity.

Outside the courtyard, disciples from various sects were abuzz with Qi Jinghai's declaration.

A flurry of whispers and speculation about Old Xie's origins ensued.

Many were unaware of Xie Binn's history, ignorant of his former status as a prodigious cultivator within the Little Thunder Sky Sect, one who had ascended to the Yang God and glimpsed the vistas beyond the stars.

While Xie Binn's story was unknown to them, Qi Jinghai's reputation as a rising star within the Thunder Sect was unmistakable.

"I acknowledge the generosity of your offer," Xie Binn said, shaking his head decisively. "He has been our old sect master's nemesis for centuries. The old sect master has been good to me. I could never abandon the Little Thunder Sky Sect to join the Thunder Sect."

"I see," Qi Jinghai replied, his voice tinged with disappointment. "In that case, Elder Xie, would you consider returning the Ice Thunder Mark to our Thunder Sect?"

"The Ice Thunder Mark!" Huang Chuan exclaimed, staring at Xie Binn in astonishment. "You have it in your possession?"

"Since when did the Ice Thunder Mark belong to your sect?" Xie Binn retorted angrily. "It has always been the most prized treasure of our Little Thunder Sky Sect from the very beginning!"

"Our sects were once united, you know this as well as I do," Qi Jinghai responded calmly. "Don't you agree that the Little Thunder Sky Sect no longer has the standing to wield the Ice Thunder Mark? It should be returned to the Thunder Sect. Under my master's control, its true potential could be fully realized."

"I disagree," Xie Binn declared firmly.

After a moment of silence, Qi Jinghai continued, "The situation beyond the Heavenly Source Continent is perilous. My master needs the Ice Thunder Mark!"

"And what concern is that of mine?" Xie Binn scoffed.

"I'll be traveling to the Crimson Desert. Upon my return, before I head back to the Heavenly Source Continent, I expect you to hand over the Ice Thunder Mark," Qi Jinghai stated plainly, no longer seeking Xie Binn's consent. "You may hold onto the Ice Thunder Mark a bit longer. But when I return, you'll either accompany me back to the Thunder Sect or relinquish the mark to me."

"You're living in a fantasy," Xie Binn replied, shaking his head.

"Elder Xie, I truly regret this. The demand for the Ice Thunder Mark's return isn't just my master's wish. The three great upper sects share this sentiment, given the external pressures they face."

With those final words, Qi Jinghai bowed once more and departed.

Left alone, Xie Binn seemed to age years in mere moments, murmuring to himself, "The three great upper sects feel the same? By what right do they demand we surrender the Ice Thunder Mark? Our Little Thunder Sky Sect is in this state because of the Boundless Land and their commands, isn't it?"

As he continued to speak, tears streamed down his face unabated.

Huang Chuan plopped down on the ground, suddenly finding the wine in his flask had lost all its flavor.

"Ice Thunder Mark!"

Yu Yuan's expression turned dark.

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