Protect Our Patriarch

……

"Are you Wang Lici?" Yao Chengchao stared at Wang Lici with a not-so-friendly look after his initial shock. "Did you once ship five little wolf cubs through our Yao's Air Transport?"

"Yes, yes," Wang Lici replied with bright eyes. "The five little ones are just well-behaved wolf cubs. They didn't cause you any trouble, did they?"

Well-behaved? Didn't cause trouble...?

Yao Chengchao's vision went dark, nearly fainting from anger. What kind of talk was this? In all his life, Yao Chengchao had never seen such mischievous little wolf cubs.

They had caused him so much trouble that he almost wished he were dead, and Wang Shouzhe had caught him in a bind, using benefits to lure him, forcing him to betray his "conscience" and severely trick Gongyang Ce.

Although it was later proven that Wang Shouzhe's "pirate ship" was indeed lucrative, and Yao Chengchao made a fortune following him, elevating his status within the clan.

But ultimately, the source of all this trouble was those five little wolf cubs.

Now, the real mastermind appeared, none other than the seemingly naive and harmless girl in front of him.

Yao Chengchao was so angry he trembled, turning his head away to show he didn't want to talk to Wang Lici. Don't expect me to forgive you anytime soon.

Beside him, Gongyang Ce's expression was also uncertain.

He looked at Wang Lici with a complex gaze. In his life, the most profound imprint on his heart was undoubtedly Wang Shouzhe.

It was Wang Shouzhe's appearance that completely changed his once glorious life.

That terrifying man who calculated everything to the smallest detail and thoroughly crushed you into the ground, how could he be easily erased from one's heart?

He had traveled in the Immortal Dynasty for a long time before calming down and accepting reality, regaining his confidence before returning to the Great Qian to participate in the Holy Son Struggle.

Yet, as soon as he boarded the Yun Yao flying boat, he encountered Wang Shouzhe's niece.

Not only that, but due to Jiang Xingyuan's foolish attempt to chat them up, both of their immortal crystals were lost.

Wait, this naive girl seems to be going back to participate in the Holy Son Struggle? And she acts like the position of Holy Son is already in her pocket.

Where does this naive girl get her confidence from?

Does she think she can win just because she can eat?

Gongyang Ce felt a vague displeasure in his heart.

Is the position of Quasi-Holy Son so worthless these days?

Is the Holy Son Struggle like a street banquet where anyone can join?

Even Gongyang Ce, when facing formidable opponents like Wang Liyao, only had a fifty percent chance of winning, not to mention other branches might have hidden cards.

Even with all his calculations, Gongyang Ce felt he only had a thirty percent chance.

"The position of Saintess of Lingyun Holy Land?" Jiang Xingyuan was equally shocked, glancing at Gongyang Ce and then at Wang Lici, suddenly realizing, "Gongyang, so this Lici girl is your competitor?"

Heh~ Gongyang Ce didn't answer but couldn't help but sneer internally. This girl who can eat a lot is probably just brought back by Wang Shouzhe to bolster his reputation, making it seem like the Wang's Clan is full of talent.

"Competitor?" Now it was Wang Lici and Lan Wan'er's turn to be surprised.

Then, Lan Wan'er looked Gongyang Ce up and down, pouting her lips.

She didn't quite understand why this Gongyang Ce, who didn't even seem as strong as that Jiang something, had less presence than a minor character whose name she couldn't remember.

Where did he get the courage to compete with Sister Lici for the position of Holy Son?

He should just wash up and go to sleep early. The position of Saintess is definitely Sister Lici's. Don't think that just because you treated us to a meal, Sister Lici will let you have it.

Even the little green dragon poked its head out, looking at Gongyang Ce with a sideways glance. Although it had a big opinion of Wang Lici, it had to admit the terrifying nature of the great demoness Lici.

A super demoness who almost ate all the descendants of its green dragon clan and nearly devoured it, the "ancestor dragon," would lose to this little brat?

The atmosphere on the scene was somewhat subtle and awkward.

None of the three parties wanted to speak.

Finally, Yao Chengchao broke the deadlock, taking out a written IOU and handing it to the two young talents: "You two spent 168,531 immortal crystals on this meal. After rounding off, it's 168,530 immortal crystals. You actually paid 130,000 immortal crystals, so sign the IOU for the remaining amount and put your fingerprint on it. The interest is calculated at twenty percent per year."

"Yao Chengchao, your air transport is too black-hearted!" Jiang Xingyuan jumped up angrily, his face dark. "This price is at least three times higher than in the state capital."

"This is the Yun Yao flying boat, where every piece of cargo is precious," Yao Chengchao said disdainfully. "And our menu is clearly priced. If you think it's expensive, you don't have to order. If you can't afford to flirt with the fairy, don't flirt. If you default, our Yao's Clan naturally has personnel who will go to the Immortal Palace to find your senior sisters and junior sisters."

Is this a threat to expose his contact list?

"Yao Chengchao, you're going too far." Jiang Xingyuan's aura surged, looking like he was about to fight Yao Chengchao.

Gongyang Ce quickly pulled him back: "Brother Jiang, hold your temper. This Yun Yao flying boat is quite expensive, and Yao's Clan charges are quite high. Aren't you afraid of breaking it and having to pay even more?"

Jiang Xingyuan calmed down immediately. If he broke the Yun Yao flying boat, wouldn't he have to work for a lifetime to pay it off?

Then he wrote the IOU with a grim face.

His heart was filled with regret. He hadn't even exchanged a few words with the two "fairies" he was trying to flirt with, and they had started eating... Mainly, his face was too thin. Every time the waiter asked if they wanted to refill the plates, his pride wouldn't let him refuse.

Just like that, a meal cost over a hundred thousand immortal crystals...

But he couldn't blame the fairies. They had clearly stated before eating that they had a big appetite. He was the one who patted his chest and said they could eat as much as they wanted.

The most important thing was, if he blamed them now, wouldn't the hundred thousand immortal crystals be wasted?

The sunk cost was too high; how could he bear to "blame" them? At worst, once he reached the Eastern Qian Kingdom, he would find a job. With his status and strength as a great prodigy of the Purple Mansion, making money in that small place would be easy.

Immediately, Jiang Xingyuan resumed his gentlemanly demeanor and said, "I must apologize for the embarrassment. This time, I decided to visit the Eastern Qian Kingdom on a whim and didn't prepare enough funds. I, Jiang Xingyuan, am a young and promising great prodigy of the Immortal Palace, with a bright future..."

"Sorry, our ancestor instructed us not to make friends with bad people when we're out," Lan Wan'er said, pulling Wang Lici to her feet.

"Bad people? How did I suddenly become a bad person?" Jiang Xingyuan looked bewildered. Did he have the words "bad person" written on his forehead?

"That Gongyang is Sister Lici's enemy, and my sister's enemy is my enemy. Since you're friends with my enemy, you're a bad person," Lan Wan'er explained her simple yet complex worldview with a serious face.

"Uh, this... it's just a different camp, not about good or bad."

"If we're in different camps, then we definitely can't be friends. Would you make friends with the bad people of the Red Moon Demon Dynasty?"

"Uh, this..."

Then, Lan Wan'er quickly pulled Wang Lici away, looking rather disdainful.

In that instant, Jiang Xingyuan felt full of grievances. Over a hundred thousand immortal crystals were wasted, and he hadn't even made friends with the two fairies, let alone the deeper relationship he had hoped for.

"How about we stop being friends for a while?" Gongyang Ce kindly suggested.

"No, Brother Gongyang, you must win, win beautifully, and avenge me. Boohoo~"

As the saying goes, men don't cry easily, but it's just not the time for heartbreak.

……

While the Lingyun Holy Land was in turmoil due to the Holy Son Struggle, far away in the extreme west, another storm was gradually brewing.

In the northwest of the extreme west, there was a vast and majestic mountain range, stretching endlessly like a barrier between heaven and earth. The peaks of the sacred mountains were covered with eternal snow, appearing like an icy world from afar, extremely desolate.

This mountain range was known as the "Wu Ji Sacred Mountain."

The Yinsha Sect was located atop this celestial sacred mountain.

Legend has it that this Wu Ji Sacred Mountain was once an immortal realm, where a Profound Ice Phoenix with ice attributes was born, its cultivation infinitely close to the True Demon Realm.

Because of this, the mountain range earned the name "Sacred Mountain."

Later, that Profound Ice Phoenix was slain by a powerful being, and its lingering resentment transformed into endless Yinsha energy, permeating the heavens and earth, eroding the land, and polluting the spiritual veins. Gradually, the entire mountain range underwent a transformation, changing from a once vibrant immortal realm to a ghostly domain.

Ordinary spiritual plants and fierce beasts could no longer survive in this mountain range. Only special varieties of exotic plants, demon plants, and demonic beasts tainted with Yinsha energy could thrive here.

For thousands of miles, it was desolate and uninhabited.

Whether this legend was true or not was untraceable, but the dense Yinsha energy within the Wu Ji Sacred Mountain was undeniable. The founding ancestor of the Yinsha Sect chose this location precisely because of this, establishing the sect here.

The Wu Ji Sacred Mountain was already rich in Yinsha energy, and over the years, the strong of the Yinsha Sect continuously relocated discovered Yinsha pits here. Gradually, the Yinsha energy within the sect became increasingly dense, reaching an awe-inspiring level.

Ordinary people without cultivation could not survive in such an environment.

At the back of the Yinsha Sect.

This was the place with the densest Yinsha energy within the entire Yinsha Sect, so dense it was almost liquid. Amidst this incredibly dense Yinsha energy stood a small black hall entirely made of metal.

This small hall was the retreat of the Yinsha Sect's leader, the Yinsha Demon Lord Qi Hongzhao.

The place was heavily guarded, protected by formations, with disciples patrolling constantly, strictly prohibiting any unwelcome cultivators from approaching. It was the most heavily defended area within the Yinsha Sect.

White bone lamps floated in the air, emitting a pale yet bright light.

Under the light, several young men in Yinsha Sect disciple robes marched in formation. Behind them followed corpse puppets, almost two to three times their number.

These corpse puppets were of high rank and had clearly undergone special refinement, their bodies gleaming with a metallic sheen and moving with surprising speed.

A strong stench of decay emanated from them, making the surrounding area for dozens of meters unbearable, yet the Yinsha Sect disciples were unfazed, clearly accustomed to it.

Suddenly, a dark green light flashed in the darkness.

A figure appeared before the patrolling disciples as if by teleportation.

It was a thin, elderly man who appeared to be in his fifties.

He had a distinctive hooked nose and deep-set eyes, yet he didn't seem sinister, instead exuding a certain elegance. His luxurious purple robe added a touch of nobility, giving him an extraordinary aura. Even standing casually, he commanded respect and awe.

"Deputy Sect Master."

Upon seeing him, the patrolling disciples tensed, quickly bowing in salute.

This purple-robed middle-aged man was the acting leader of the Yinsha Sect, Yin Futu.

In the absence of the sect leader Qi Hongzhao, he was the decision-maker of the Yinsha Sect, overseeing all major and minor matters.

Of course, like any large organization, the internal structure of the Yinsha Sect was not so simple. There were many real power figures at the Divine Realm within the sect. Yin Futu's position as the decision-maker was due to being a disciple of the Yinsha Sect's leader, Qi Hongzhao, and currently the most powerful among his many disciples.

"Has there been any movement in the Yinsha Hall lately?" Yin Futu nodded and asked casually.

"Reporting to the Deputy Sect Master, there has been no movement."

Yin Futu nodded: "You may go."

"Yes, Deputy Sect Master."

The disciples dared not delay, immediately resuming their patrol with diligence.

Yin Futu stood in place, quietly gazing at the small hall ahead, a hint of worry in his deep-set eyes.

Since his master Qi Hongzhao entered seclusion, he had often come here. Yet his master never emerged, and he often stood for a while before leaving.

This time, he truly had something to report but dared not disturb.

After standing quietly for a moment, he sighed and was about to leave.

Suddenly.

A powerful aura erupted from the direction of the black hall, sweeping across the vast area in an instant. The heavens and earth seemed to change, and even the sky appeared to darken slightly.

The patrolling disciples, who hadn't gone far, shivered, nearly kneeling.

"Master!"

Yin Futu's expression brightened, quickly flying forward to land on the small square in front of the hall.

As he landed, the door of the black hall opened, and a figure slowly walked out.

It was a middle-aged man with an impressive demeanor.

He wore a pristine white robe, and despite his middle-aged appearance, he remained handsome and charismatic, enough to captivate countless young women.

However, he was enveloped in dense Yinsha energy, so thick it was almost tangible, creating a chilling sight.

His eyes were as black as ink, seemingly hiding whirlpools within, exuding an indescribable terror and deterrence.

Looking at him was like facing an abyss.

"Greetings, Master."

Yin Futu quickly bowed, his gaze filled with fervor and joy. With his master out of seclusion, he felt a sense of security and stability.

"Futu, during my century of seclusion, has anything significant happened within the Yinsha Sect?" the middle-aged man glanced at him and asked calmly.

This white-robed middle-aged man was naturally the leader of the Yinsha Sect, Qi Hongzhao.

He was also the only Void Realm expert in the Yinsha Sect, a terrifying figure capable of altering the heavens and earth.

"Reporting to Master, everything within the Yinsha Sect has been as usual, with no major events," Yin Futu paused, "However, in the Eastern Qian Kingdom, the Imperial Heir Struggle unexpectedly ended early, involving smuggling issues, causing the Southern Qin Dynasty to lose a prince, and many of our planted agents were compromised, resulting in significant losses."

"Oh?" Qi Hongzhao's expression remained unchanged. "What about our people?"

"Our people hadn't acted yet, so we suffered minimal losses," Yin Futu replied respectfully.

Qi Hongzhao nodded and said indifferently, "Since Yuan You ascended the throne, the Southern Qin has been restless, always thinking they're the best, refusing to listen to advice. It's good for them to suffer some losses this time."

"If Long Chang and Jiang Zhencang were so easy to deal with, the war among the three kingdoms wouldn't have been deadlocked for so long."

"Master is wise," Yin Futu cupped his hands, then reported another matter, "Additionally, news from the Demon Dynasty mentioned that a significant figure from the True Demon Hall is coming to our side, asking us to prepare."

"A significant figure from the True Demon Hall?" Qi Hongzhao frowned slightly. "Did they specify who?"

"They didn't specify, only saying there's an important matter to be completed within the Eastern Qian Kingdom, requiring our assistance," Yin Futu replied respectfully.

"I understand," Qi Hongzhao nodded and casually instructed, "Immediately summon the elders of all branches in the Yinsha Sect for a sect meeting in my name."

"Also, go to the royal palaces of Jin and Qin, and inform Emperors Yuan You and Yan Qing. Invite them to the Yinsha Sect, saying I have important matters to discuss."

"Yes, Master," Yin Futu bowed respectfully, "I will personally visit the Jin and Qin kingdoms shortly."

With that, he stood aside, continuing to listen to his master's orders.

After giving these instructions, Qi Hongzhao fell into deep thought.

The Demon Dynasty was far from here, and while there were occasional exchanges, they were mostly trade-related, with few strong figures traveling between the two places. A figure referred to as a "significant figure" was likely a Void Realm Demon Lord. Such individuals usually needed to oversee a place and couldn't leave easily.

Unless it was a truly crucial matter, even the True Demon Hall wouldn't send a Void Realm Demon Lord to the Yinsha Sect.

This was only the second time he had encountered such a situation since inheriting the Yinsha Sect.

Who would be coming this time?

And what matter could prompt the Demon Dynasty to dispatch a Void Realm Demon Lord?

This time, it seemed a storm was brewing.

"Futu, do you have any other important matters?" the Yinsha Sect leader Qi Hongzhao asked with a slight frown.

"Reporting to Master, there's one more joyous matter I haven't reported," Yin Futu said.

"Oh, let's hear it."

"Twenty years ago, while handling affairs outside, I encountered a female rogue cultivator. However, since Master hadn't emerged from seclusion, I could only take her as a named disciple," Yin Futu earnestly said, "I ask Master to allow me to accept her as a direct disciple."

Qi Hongzhao frowned slightly, "You know that rogue cultivators often have untraceable backgrounds and can only serve as ordinary disciples, used as cannon fodder. What if she's a spy?"

"She can't be a spy," Yin Futu said firmly, "Her talent is too exceptional and defies the heavens. No one would use such a person as a spy."

"How exceptional?" Qi Hongzhao raised an eyebrow. He had seen countless geniuses in his life, but how many could compare to him, Qi Hongzhao?

"A mutated Profound Ice Yinsha Demon Body, with peerless prodigy-level talent, and most importantly, a pure Yin body," Yin Futu's eyes showed a hint of excitement, and even his sinister expression softened. That named disciple was truly exceptional.

Qi Hongzhao paused, his expression shifting from serious to excited and joyful, until he finally burst into laughter, "Good, good, good! The treasured disciple I've waited three thousand years for has finally appeared."

Wait, Master, that's my disciple...

Yin Futu's smile froze instantly, and a sense of foreboding arose.

……