Chapter 1332: Dispute (I)

Wilderness.

The rain poured down in torrents as dark clouds drifted south with the wind from Jiangbei, setting off surging, waterfall-like floods across the barren hilly land. Low buildings on the ground vanished rapidly in the heavy rain. Ant-like black silhouettes struggled briefly in the torrent before disappearing even faster, while streaks of flashing escape light lit up the sky and rushed in at high speed.

At the forefront was a man clad in black robes. His aura was fierce and savage, and his eyes were brimming with sinister energy. Riding strands of black qi, he halted by the riverbank with an extremely grim expression as a group of black robed cultivators followed closely behind him.

At his waist hung the hazy yet dazzling Gui Dusk Profound Token. He cast a heavy glance ahead, then raised the token and murmured several incantations, his eyes lighting up.

The cultivators behind him called out, "Hall master! This is already the Wilderness. If we pursue further south, we will reach the Azure Pond Sect!"

The devil cultivator's expression grew even uglier. The command token in his hand trembled as he replied darkly, "There is no escape light to the south. That man could not have flown so fast. According to the Gui Dusk Profound Token, he should have fallen into the Wilderness. Search! The Gui Dusk Profound Token can track his position at every moment. We must not let him escape!"

The cultivators immediately dispersed. The one addressed as hall master held the command token and scanned the land with sinister eyes. Below, chaotic arguments soon broke out. Then, a woman rose on the wind to float before him.

The woman held a gray ring in her hand and possessed a fair degree of beauty. The man's eyes brightened as he heard her speak softly, "So it is Hall Master Bai. I am Miaoshui. May I ask what matter has brought you to our Wilderness?"

Daoist Bai glanced at the woman and saw that his subordinates were being held back below by merely two early Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators. He immediately knew the other party's background was not simple.

Suppressing his displeasure, he raised an eyebrow and said, "The Wilderness is ownerless land. Who is your master?"

If Daoist Bai had not encountered a fortunate opportunity, Eastern Sea rogue cultivators like him would have been inferior even to Miaoshui and would have had to treat her with great respect. But now he could assume the bearing of a master.

Miaoshui could only grit her teeth and say quietly, "Although the Wilderness is ownerless, the large and small families near Moongaze Lake all originated from Moongaze Lake. By reason and sentiment alike, they are under our protection."

Moongaze Lake?

Daoist Bai hesitated inwardly, but said aloud, "A few days ago, elders of your esteemed family were also attacked. Now something major has happened at the White River. It is likely the same group. Let us search together."

Without waiting for Miaoshui's consent, he lightly waved his hand and the cultivators on both sides swiftly spread out into the surroundings. Miaoshui's expression changed drastically as she shouted, "Hall Master Bai, what do you mean by this?!"

Daoist Bai's subordinates were a group of devil cultivators. There was not a single one among ten who could be considered normal. How could such people be allowed to act without restraint in the Wilderness?

Yet Miaoshui and her few companions were outnumbered. She could only crush a jade talisman and say coldly, "Hall Master Bai, think carefully. Many of our cultivators are on the river and can arrive in just a few moments. If this triggers a war between our two sides, it will not be a good outcome!"

Cui Jueyin and Ding Weizeng are both engaged in battle with the Capital Immortal Dao. Can they really rush back? We raced here at full speed. Cultivators along both banks of the river must already know. If these people leave, can the Capital Immortal Dao truly stand by and do nothing?

The devil cultivator found an excuse and offered a few perfunctory responses, but then saw Radiant Fire light up the western sky. Several dazzling rays arrived one after another, revealing figures within the clouds.

The man in front had golden eyes and an expressionless face as he spoke coldly, "Hall Master Bai... what is this supposed to be?"

Behind him, Chen Yang looked stern, while the slightly late Li Minggong and Qu Buzhi stood quietly within the clouds.

When Daoist Bai saw Li Jiangqian, his irritation deepened, yet his expression shifted as he smiled. "Family head of the Li Family, someone killed a Dharma Protector in my Locust Soul Hall and fled into the Wilderness. I am here to conduct a search..."

Li Jiangqian glanced at the motley crowd beneath him and replied indifferently, "Then this really is a delay. Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators fly exceedingly fast. Anyone who should have left has already left. What need is there to search? Could it be that the hall master is using the pretext of catching someone to harbor some ulterior motive?"

Daoist Bai's expression turned cold and grim at the blunt words.

This old devil cultivator did not truly regard Li Jiangqian highly and cursed resentfully,

I have inherited a Purple Mansion Realm Dao lineage and am destined for the Purple Mansion Realm. At Moongaze Lake, only Li Zhouwei has a chance at the Purple Mansion Realm and can be considered my equal. You, Li Jiangqian, a junior of a later generation, dare show me a cold face? You do not know what is good for you!

After years of arrogance and tyranny, he had formed his own theory, and placed his status nearly on par with Purple Mansion Realm cultivators. His face darkened, but he never expected that Chen Yang standing across from him, hand on the sword at his waist and with eyes filled with vicious intent, harbored a remarkably similar thought,

A useless dog. You scraped together a bit of luck and were pushed out as a scapegoat, yet you dare oppose my family...

Li Jiangqian would never allow Daoist Bai to venture into the Wilderness willy-nilly. He did not retreat an inch and calmly met his gaze as an air of drawn swords filled the space. Just then, a group of cultivators flew in from the east, clad in golden robes.

The leader wore a broad smile and called out, "Hall Master Bai, what brings you to the Wilderness?"

Daoist Bai was actually somewhat familiar with this person and smiled as he said, "So it is Daoist Tian of Profound Grace. I am here to search for someone, who killed my men. He was severely injured, and could not have gone far. I ask everyone to make some allowance. He stole my belongings and is afflicted by a killing art. Once my people draw close, they will be able to find him!"

"Very well, very well."

The cultivators of the Profound Grace Dao lineage agreed at once and let people descend. The Locust Soul Hall lacked many things, but it certainly did not lack hordes of devil cultivators. There were plenty of them, and a few leaders took groups down below.

The Profound Grace Dao lineage had been a Devil Dao in its early years and was internally chaotic. Matters concerning the True Monarch would certainly not be disclosed to lower cultivators. Li Jiangqian glanced over them and indeed saw no direct descendants of the Dai Family. He thus knew these were all minor figures. With Zhugong heading north, who knew how tense things had become within Grace Covenant Gate.

Unexpectedly, just as Daoist Tian agreed, a burly man wearing a golden mask spoke in a deep voice from the side, "Daoist head, the Locust Soul Hall has many devil cultivators. If they are allowed to act unchecked, I fear the common people of the Wilderness will be harmed."

This remark left Daoist Tian in an awkward spot. A cold glint flashed in his eyes as he smiled and said, "Since Fellow Daoist Fuyuezi has a compassionate heart, you may as well go along with them."

Fuyuezi clearly had not been living well since joining Grace Covenant Gate, yet he was straightforward. Having said he would go, he truly went down. Qu Buzhi recognized him and revealed a look of indignation. Meanwhile, Li Jiangqian frowned as he watched the coordinated exchange to the north, a sense of foreboding gradually forming in his heart.

Despite a brief response, Daoist Bai saw that Li Jiangqian remained unmoved. He raised the command token in his hand and performed a brief calculation, anxiety appearing on his face.

Turning to Li Jiangqian, he said softly, "Family head of the Li Family! I will not go around in circles with you. The item that person took is of vital importance to my Mifan Dao lineage. I ask Moongaze Lake to grant me some face. If there are any casualties afterward and a few people die, my side will make up the numbers for you!"

To these outer-sea devil cultivators, people were nothing more than countable resources. Li Jiangqian gradually understood this and stood in the air, smiling as he said, "Hall master, you may return the way you came. I cannot permit you to pass."

No matter how the Locust Soul Hall struggled, it would never be a respectable force in the eyes of a True Monarch. Moreover, someone who escaped from the hands of the Locust Soul Hall possessed considerable value for exploitation. Even if he was not a good person, withdrawing from the eastern shore merely to avoid offending the Locust Soul Hall would have extremely adverse consequences for the reputation of the Li Family and the overall situation.

They have brought matters right to our doorstep. I absolutely cannot refrain from intervening.

Yet as soon as he spoke, Daoist Bai seemed to have anticipated his words as his eyes darkened.