Wayfarer

Chapter 332: Xiang Shaoyin

Word that a blood peach had turned Ye Sanshui into an Immortal spread far and wide across the Eastern Sea. In just a few days, countless cultivators had snuck into Yongding.

They were all wondering how many of these blood peaches Xiao Nanfeng had: one, or perhaps multiple? If there were many, then there would surely be plenty of cultivators here to steal them. Many of the cultivators decided to lie in wait, prepared for such a heist to occur and to take advantage of the commotion to grab what they could.

Within the study of the Xiao manor, Zheng Qian smiled wryly at Xiao Nanfeng. "King Xiao, I believe dozens of Wingform-realm cultivators have infiltrated the city."

"There's no need to worry, Mr. Zheng. This is normal. The world of cultivation and the mortal world are one and the same in many regards. Those without sufficient strength to protect their treasures ought not display them flagrantly—or precisely such a situation will occur."

"But—"

"Worry not. These Wingform-realm cultivators are here to take advantage of opportunities that might arise, not to create them on their own. None of them dare to be the first one to make a move," Xiao Nanfeng declared confidently.

Zheng Qian nodded. "As you say, King Xiao. They really are rather weak compared to our forces."

Just then, a huge boom resounded from outside the manor. The entire city of Yongding rumbled.

"Has someone made a move?" Zheng Qian's eyes widened.

Xiao Nanfeng strode out of the study immediately, only to see that the defensive formation around Yongding had activated. Eight strong cultivators stood outside the formation, surrounded by radiant light and an Immortal aura. One of them had struck the defensive formation protecting the city.

"King Xiao, upon seeing a group of enemy Immortals, I immediately activated the defensive formation around the city to block them!" one guard shouted from afar.

"Deactivate it! The defensive formation won't be able to hold Immortals out," Xiao Nanfeng commanded.

"Understood!" the guards replied from afar.

The defensive formation deactivated, revealing the eight figures outside—six Immortal cultivators and two crow Immortals. The eight Immortals gave off a fearsome aura.

"King Shaoyin, that's Xiao Nanfeng. He was the one who killed King Lianzhen!" One crow Immortal pointed at Xiao Nanfeng with fangs bared.

The Immortals all looked toward Xiao Nanfeng with killing intent. They awaited the orders of a man in white, with silver hair scattered over his shoulders. His features were grave and stern, and his eyes unusually calm.

"It's Xiang Shaoyin, second-in-command of the Xiang clan! He came himself?"

"Xiang Shaoyin is an absolute genius of the Xiang clan. A hundred years ago, he was already at the peak of Lunar Deluge. I heard that, some days ago, he slew two Immortals from the Tianshu Empire one after another. He's frighteningly strong!"

"With Xiang Shaoyin around, Xiao Nanfeng won't be able to escape a calamity today."

The cultivators in the city were all whispering to one another.

Nalan Changkong arrived at a secluded valley outside Yongding. He, along with two others, watched the impending fight with glee.

High in the air, Xiang Shaoyin stood with his hands clasped behind his back. He stared at Xiao Nanfeng and demanded coldly, "Are you Xiao Nanfeng? You look just like your father."

"You knew my father?" Xiao Nanfeng asked.

"Knew? Xiao Hongye was a cultivator of immense talent. When he came to the Taiwu Empire for training back then, I had intended to take him on as a disciple. Unfortunately, he was too prideful and rejected my offer, missing out on this opportunity," Xiang Shaoyin recollected.

"Xiang Shaoyin, do you enjoy such idle gossip?" Xiao Nanfeng demanded.

Xiang Shaoyin shook his head. "I spoke only the truth. Xiao Nanfeng, do you know what I'm doing here?"

"Holding me accountable for Xiang Lianzhen's death?"

"Exactly. Xiang Lianzhen is my nephew, and he possessed tremendous talent. He would have been a pillar of the clan from the younger generation, and I naturally have to avenge his death. However, I don't want to be taken advantage of by the Nalan clan, either. What say you?"

"Oh?" Xiao Nanfeng frowned.

"A few days ago, Nalan Changkong specifically instructed Ye Shuangcheng to head over to Yongding and clarify the relationship between him and you. In doing so, he made you the object of retaliation while he gets off scot-free. If I'm not mistaken, he's hidden somewhere in the region, waiting to see how I'll slaughter you. What do you think I should do with him?" Xiang Shaoyin smiled.

In the distance, shrouded in darkness, Nalan Changkong blanched.

"Need I teach you what you should do?" Xiao Nanfeng demanded.

"In that case, why don't I take you all down today, once and for all?" Xiang Shaoyin smiled, then commanded, "Crow Immortals, search for any traces of Nalan Changkong!"

"Understood!" the two crow Immortals replied. They unfurled their wings and began patrolling the area, in search of any trace of Nalan Changkong.

In the darkness, Nalan Changkong's eyes twitched. He sensed that he was in danger.

"What should we do, Your Highness?" one of his subordinates asked, worried.

"Rein in your aura. Wait and see what happens, Nalan Changkong replied.

"Understood!"

In the air, Xiang Shaoyin pointed at Xiao Nanfeng once more. "This time, don't be careless. Start by capturing Xiao Nanfeng. Make your move together!"

"Understood!" the five Immortals shouted. They rushed at Xiao Nanfeng, Immortal swords in hand.

Five frightening auras descended from the skies. Even before they had emerged, howling gales swept over the city and shocked the countless people within it.

All the cultivators in the city felt that Xiao Nanfeng was done for. Even if the cultivator at Yin Body from the Xiao manor made his move, or even if the red rope cursed effigy did, he wouldn't be able to block the combined assault of five Immortals. After all, the Xiao clan was far less well equipped than the Xiang clan.

Just then, a blood-red sword streaked through the air toward the foremost Xiang Immortal.

The Immortal frowned, sensing incredible danger. The Immortal sword in his hand slashed forward, clashing against the blood-red sword. A huge shockwave formed at the point of impact, sending the Immortal flying. Zhao Yuanjiao gave chase, his sword drawn.

"Insolence!" The other four Immortals attempted to make their move in shock and fear.

Just then, two more beams shot out from the Xiao manor, claiming the attention of two more Immortals. They were struck and sent flying as Yu'er and You Jiu rushed out of the manor.

The final two Immortals were unable to provide any assistance to the others, because Croak and Warble had closed in on them. They slammed their palms forward, sending both Immortals flying from the impact.

Within moments, the skies above the city of Yongding were filled with the sound of battle. Immortal light flashed as blazing flame continued to pour out from the firmament. The fight among the ten Immortals shocked everyone in sight, including the spies ensconced within the city.

"How could the Xiao manor have harbored this many human and spirit Immortals? What a frightening force—thank goodness I didn't try to attack it!"

"No, isn't there still Ye Sanshui? Just how many Immortals are hidden within the Xiao manor?"

"We'd better not try to steal any blood peaches. We would die!"

Countless cultivators shuddered. The threat that Xiang Shaoyin had posed had vanished in an instant. The cultivators whispered to one another in fear.

"King Shaoyin, those are the two humans and spirits that we encountered during the crisis at sea. They've all become Immortals!" one Crow Immortal exclaimed.

"King Shaoyin, shall I and the others join the battlefield?" the other crow Immortal asked.

Xiang Shaoyin glanced at the rubble-strewn street. He smiled gently and shook his head. "It's too late. We'll end things here. Stop fighting!"

"What?" the two Crow Immortals exclaimed.

The Immortals fighting in the distance were likewise shocked. Even so, following their orders, they flew straight toward their opponent before splitting up from them amidst the chaos.

Zhao Yuanjiao, Yu'er, and the others glanced at Xiao Nanfeng beneath them in surprise.

Xiao Nanfeng hesitated. He nodded toward everyone, who flew back to the Xiao manor in confusion.

The fight among the Immortals ended as quickly as it began. The cultivators within the city were confused by just what had happened; even Nalan Changkong, skulking outside the city, was perplexed.

"Xiang Shaoyin? Were you just trying to gauge my strength?" Xiao Nanfeng demanded.

He found that Xiang Shaoyin didn't seem at all surprised to see that he had Immortals of his own. Rather, he looked at them as though he had expected their presence. This was very unusual.

"Gauge your strength? Not quite. If you can't even take down my subordinates, what's the point of leaving you alive? I'd rather kill you. The fact that you did manage to defend against my subordinates makes me very pleased." Xiang Shaoyin smiled.

"You're trying to determine what trump cards I have? What are you planning?" Xiao Nanfeng demanded.

Xiang Shaoyin stared at Xiao Nanfeng, momentarily silent, before he took a deep breath. "Xiao Nanfeng, declare yourself a king!"

"What?" Xiao Nanfeng exclaimed.

The countless cultivators within the city were likewise taken aback. What was Xiang Shaoyin planning?

"Stockpiling grain for an explosive rise—well, you do know how to play to your strengths, and you understand the importance of keeping your word. You skulk in the shadows, secretly developing the strength of your forces, as you wait for the Xiang and Nalan clans to wound each other before you strike. That's what you're planning, isn't it?" Xiang Shaoyin smirked.

"What do you mean?"

"Do you really think that people wouldn't realize what you were doing? No. The Xiang and Nalan clans are both paying careful attention to you. Do you really think Nalan Qiankun was going to leave you be? He's planning to slaughter you, a malicious plan that can dissolve any ties between you and the Taiqing Immortal Sect. You would become a traitor and sinner of the sect, which would come at you with full force."

"What nonsense are you spouting?"

"For the moment, you stand as the Mortal division leader, and you have the support of the Ascended division leader. It might look as though the Taiqing Immortal Sect will surely side with you, but once Nalan Qiankun's devious plan succeeds, all that advantage will be lost. If you don't claim kingship and make use of your control over the Taiqing Immortal Sect now, you;ll lose everything," Xiang Shaoyin warned.

Xiao Nanfeng frowned. He immediately guessed why Xiang Shaoyin was telling him all this. Why would the Xiang clan benefit from his titling himself a king? It had to be because the Xiang clan was unable to withstand the pressure from the Nalan clan any longer, and was searching for someone to split the burden! Was Xiang Shaoyin intending to force him to announce his kingship to start a three-pronged conflict?