novelraw Chapter 486: Sui Bian, I Finally Caught You
Chapter 486: Sui Bian, I Finally Caught You
Elder Qun Fang laughed coldly: “No one has ever dared threaten me on Lingyin Sect’s turf.”
She raised a hand and sent a streak of light skyward; a burst of fireworks blossomed above. The Heng Nan Sect Master led a group of elders and disciples from the palace and formed up behind Elder Qun Fang, their momentum like a rainbow. At the same time, crowds of Lingyin Sect disciples surged out from within the gate, faces solemn, magical treasures at the ready. The two sides faced off; the air grew so heavy even the sky seemed to dim.
Just then, a clear laugh drifted over the horizon: “Is it not a joy to have guests come from afar?”
All eyes turned. Several figures strode through the air; at their head was the Sect Master of Qingxu Sect. Elder Qun Fang’s friend, Ancestor Fei Hong, and Du Wu Xiang were among them.
Tu Zhen Yue’s brows drew together. He cupped his hands with measured politeness: “This humble one comes from Earth Realm and is Tu Zhen Yue, Patriarch of Earth Clan.”
The Sect Master smiled lightly and said: “So it is Patriarch Tu. I have long admired your name. I am Wending, Sect Master of Qingxu Sect. May I ask why you have come with such force? Is there perhaps some misunderstanding?”
Tu Zhen Yue snorted: “Lingyin Sect is sheltering enemies of my Earth Clan. I have come to seek justice.”
“And who, may I ask, are these enemies?” Sect Master Wending asked in mild surprise.
“Yu Zhao and Sui Bian. They are mortal enemies of my Earth Clan. If Lingyin Sect insists on sheltering them, that is to make an enemy of Earth Clan.”
Sect Master Wending shook his head with an easy smile: “Patriarch Tu, you must be mistaken. Earth Realm is a world away from our Bifang Realm. As for Lingyin Sect, they have only just engaged us in a sect debate on Divine Mountain. When would they have found time to harbor the two you name? Why not return and verify the matter, lest good relations suffer needlessly?”Ancestor Fei Hong nodded as well: “Indeed. We have never heard of such a pair. It must be a misunderstanding.”
Tu Zhen Yue laughed in anger: “You all claim not to know them, yet I heard Yu Zhao represented Lingyin Sect in the debate.”
Sect Master Wending and the others wore timely, puzzled looks and maintained that Tu Zhen Yue was mistaken; there had never been anyone named Yu Zhao.
Though nearly apoplectic, Tu Zhen Yue dared not strike. These few represented Bifang Realm’s greatest powers; to start a fight would be to ignite a war between worlds, the consequences of which he could not bear. After a moment of shifting expressions, he gave a sharp snort: “Since you insist you have not seen Yu Zhao, I will grant you face today. But this matter will not end here. Yu Zhao must die.”
With a sweep of his hand, he led Earth Clan’s clansmen away. In an instant, thousands of cultivators ebbed like a tide; calm returned to Lingyin Sect’s mountain gate.
Once the others had gone, Elder Qun Fang turned at once and bowed to Sect Master Wending and the rest: “Many thanks for coming to our aid. Lingyin Sect is deeply grateful.”
Sect Master Wending waved it off: “Elder Qun Fang is too polite. Earth Clan came with a crowd and no notice; they were rude first. Bifang Realm is not a place for them to run wild.”
The Valley Master of Burning Heaven Valley smiled: “We share Bifang Realm with Lingyin Sect. How could we sit on our hands?”
Ancestor Fei Hong added with a slight smile: “We came the moment we received your message. It seems we made it in time.”
After a few more words, Sect Master Wending and the others took their leave. Elder Qun Fang watched them go, then told the Heng Nan Sect Master: “Earth Clan has withdrawn for now, but they will not let this go. From this day forward, Lingyin Sect will strengthen its defenses. Do not slacken for an instant.”
“Understood,” the Heng Nan Sect Master replied gravely, and he began issuing orders at once.
Elder Qun Fang looked toward the distant mountains and murmured: “Fair winds to you.”
The light of the passage gradually faded. Yu Zhao, Ancestor Sui Bian, Old Black Daoist, and Elder Xiu Yu emerged into the starry sky beyond Bifang Realm. Stars glittered all around; now and then a meteor traced a bright line across the dark.
Elder Xiu Yu smiled sweetly: “Since you have already visited my big sister Qun Fang’s Lingyin Sect as guests, it is time you came with me to Lingxiao Realm.”
Ancestor Sui Bian hesitated: “Earth Clan is on our heels. Going to Lingxiao Realm might bring trouble to your doorstep.”
Old Black Daoist bobbed his head: “Yes, yes, better not go to Lingxiao Realm. Let’s pick another place.”
Elder Xiu Yu slanted him a gentle glance, voice soft but edged: “All this prevaricating—are you perhaps afraid of meeting my big sister?”
Old Black Daoist stiffened, scratched his head, and tried to sound casual: “What are you saying? Why would I fear that madwoman?”
The always-kind Elder Xiu Yu changed expression in an instant. Sensing danger, Ancestor Sui Bian slapped the back of Old Black Daoist’s head and barked: “Apologize.”
Knowing he had misspoken, Old Black Daoist mumbled a quick apology. Elder Xiu Yu’s smile bloomed anew: “With my big sister here, not to mention Earth Clan, even those great families of the Nangong line won’t be taking you anywhere.”
Remembering the terror of being under that madwoman’s thumb back then, Ancestor Sui Bian and Old Black Daoist swallowed hard and voiced reluctant agreement.
“Enough, that settles it,” Elder Xiu Yu said with a charming smile as she raised her hand to open a new spatial passage.
Suddenly the surrounding space congealed; the spatial rift she had just torn open snapped shut. Several powerful auras surged in from all directions, hemming the four in at once.
“How convenient.”
The chill voice came from a blue-robed middle-aged man who stood not far away, brows drawn in a cold sneer, more than a dozen deep-aura cultivators arrayed behind him.
Yu Zhao took one look at his face and sent a quiet voice transmission to the other three: “It’s Shui Jian, Patriarch of Water Clan.” Not only had Earth Clan’s patriarch come, Water Clan’s patriarch had also arrived early to lie in wait beyond Bifang Realm, ready for them to walk into the net.
“What are you people? Surrounding us here—looking for trouble, are you?” Ancestor Sui Bian feigned anger, hoping to muddle through.
Shui Jian’s gaze fell first on the old daoist’s face; a flash of surprise flickered there before he forced his eyes away. At last his stare settled on Old Black Daoist, and he said with disdainful relish: “Sui Bian, I finally caught you.”
Old Black Daoist: ?
Ancestor Sui Bian: ??
“Hey, what game are you playing? Open your eyes and see who I am,” Ancestor Sui Bian snapped. He planted his hands on his hips, about to dramatically reveal his identity, but Old Black Daoist clapped a hand over his mouth and hissed: “Quit the nonsense; getting out comes first.”
“The main force of Earth Clan is right behind us,” Old Black Daoist added quickly. “If we don’t move now, we won’t be moving at all.”
Ancestor Sui Bian glanced at Elder Xiu Yu; the three exchanged a firm nod. Without a word, they reached an accord.
Someone shouted from behind the encirclement: “Madam!”