Chapter 304: Counterattack Against the Hunters

Following the Divine Emperor's directions, Xiao Nanfeng left the peach orchard.

He was right about to set off when a sword shot toward him. He frowned and slashed at the sword, deflecting it and causing it to fly back into a man's hands. The man took the opportunity to flash behind Xiao Nanfeng, preventing him from returning to the peach orchard.

"Get over here, everyone! Xiao Nanfeng has appeared!" the man shouted.

Cultivators shot out of the surrounding mountains and forests, each one wielding an Immortal weapon shining with radiant light. All the weapons were pointed at Xiao Nanfeng.

Xiao Nanfeng frowned as he glanced at the cultivators calmly. "Six Wingform-realm cultivators? You must have been waiting for me for some time."

"Xiao Nanfeng, we heard that you obtained a large number of Immortal relics in the peach orchard. Where are they?" one asked.

Although the cultivators all had Immortal weapons, they still seemed to be particularly cautious.

"The only people who know that I've obtained any Immortal relics within the peach orchard are Nalan Yunhai and Qiangwei. They must have had you come here," Xiao Nanfeng said.

"They told us that you wouldn't be able to leave the peach orchard, but that we were to guard the perimeter just in case. You really were able to make it out!"

"I've seen dossiers about all of you before. You're from various Immortal sects around the Eastern Sea, and each of you is an important pillar of your sect. You're all working with Nalan Yunhai in an attempt to revitalize your sects, aren't you?" Xiao Nanfeng asked.

"What are you trying to get at?" the lead cultivator asked.

"Why continue this partnership with Nalan Yunhai? Haven't you heard about him hanging his followers?"

The cultivators frowned. They were all clearly aware of what had happened.

"You must have been those cultivators that Nalan Yunhai assigned to search for Immortal relics in the vicinity. You missed the opportunity to enter the peach orchard with Nalan Yunhai and the others—do you know what happened within? Do you know why no one else managed to escape?" Xiao Nanfeng continued.

"What happened?" One cultivator frowned.

𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

"They're all dead. Nalan Yunhai and Qiangwei schemed against them," Xiao Nanfeng said.

"Impossible! You're lying. His Highness said that Xiang Tanlang killed them all before he fell to a group of shadow cursed effigies."

"Oh? And you haven't suspected a thing?" Xiao Nanfeng smiled.

The cultivators frowned. They all had, of course. If even Xiang Tanlang had died within the peach orchard, how had Qiangwei and Nalan Yunhai made it out so easily? However, none of them knew the truth, and nor could they investigate it easily. They didn't dare to conjecture blindly.

"Don't listen to his nonsense. He's trying to get all of you on his side. Kill him now! He's weaker than you are!" a voice suddenly called out.

Xiao Nanfeng turned and exclaimed in surprise, "Mr. Hua? You're still alive? You're rather lucky, aren't you?"

"He took me as hostage and was preparing to lay an ambush for all of you, but ultimately gave up on his plan because he was worried about his numerical disadvantage. He's too weak to handle all of you at once. Kill him now! His Highness said that, if you manage to kill him, he would grant you the Immortal relics you wield now!" Mr. Hua urged.

The cultivators' hands tightened around their Immortal weapons. Some were tempted enough to want to strike at once.

Xiao Nanfeng continued calmly, "Who do you think would be a better leader? Nalan Yunhai or me?"

The cultivators were taken aback. Xiao Nanfeng really was trying to get them to turn on Nalan Yunhai!

"Make your move now! He's trying to lead you astray!" Mr. Hua urged.

Xiao Nanfeng's smile widened. These cultivators were all opportunists. The fact that none of them had yet to make their move meant that they weren't particularly loyal to Nalan Yunhai, and they would naturally side with the party that gave them the greater benefit.

"You should all be aware of Nalan Yunhai's personality. Do you think he would provide your sects with any compensation if you were to die here?" Xiao Nanfeng questioned.

"Don't listen to his nonsense. He's no match for you. He's the one who's going to die!" Mr. Hua urged.

"As for these Immortal relics you possess now, you risked your lives for them, didn't you? Why did Mr. Hua say that they'd only be yours if Nalan Yunhai granted them to you?" Xiao Nanfeng continued.

The cultivators frowned.

"Nalan Yunhai's miserly and only looks out for himself. Do you really want to work with someone like that?" Xiao Nanfeng asked.

"Nalan Yunhai's the second prince of the Tianshu Empire. Once the Tianshu Empire becomes an Immortal empire, the second prince's status will surely rise, and ours as well. We'd be compensated with an incredible wealth of fortune."

"Is that so?" Xiao Nanfeng asked. "You know how miserly he is. Would all that fortune really go to you?"

The cultivators fell silent.

"Don't listen to his nonsense! Deal with him now—or I'll report this to His Highness!" Mr. Hua threatened.

"Everyone, I believe I've made my case. Now's your chance. If anyone still wishes to strike at me, do so now." Xiao Nanfeng raised his divine undying blade.

"Strike now! Seize the initiative!" Mr. Hua urged.

Suddenly, Mr. Hua was kicked into the air. He spat out a mouthful of fresh blood as he fell to the ground.

"Chongshan Sect Master? What are you doing?!" Mr. Hua exclaimed.

Everyone looked toward the cultivator who had struck Mr. Hua in surprise,

a hulking man who suddenly bowed toward Xiao Nanfeng. "Young Master Xiao, the Chongshan Immortal Sect is willing to pledge allegiance to you and support your ventures. Would you accept our support?"

Xiao Nanfeng's eyes brightened. "Chongshan Sect Master, the Xiao clan welcomes you with open arms."

"Chongshan Sect Master, you've gone crazy! Do you really dare betray His Highness?!" Mr. Hua exclaimed.

"Chongshan Sect Master, aren't you being a little hasty?"

"Xiao Nanfeng's known to be virtuous, but he's far too weak. You might be the downfall of your sect."

The other cultivators questioned his decision, but they didn't reject it outright. After all, they all wanted to find the best possible path forward for their respective sects.

"Everyone, you're well aware of Young Master Xiao's benevolence and integrity. As for his strength, what's there to doubt? Even Immortal Qiangwei fears Young Master Xiao. How could he be weak? Not long ago, my avatar received word that Yongding was infiltrated by a large number of shadows, but a cultivator at Yin Body within the Xiao manor easily destroyed them all. In addition, red rope cursed effigies assisted Young Master Xiao in quelling the disturbance. Young Master Xiao is far stronger than you can imagine."

"What?" The cultivators were taken aback by this revelation.

The Chongshan sect master continued, "In these tumultuous times, we must consider not only the feud between the Nalan and Xiang clans, but also the rise of the Xiao clan. I'm willing to wager the Chongshan Immortal Sect on the Xiao clan and pledge my allegiance to him. I've fought side by side with all of you, and I consider you allies. I invite you to join me in pledging allegiance to the Xiao clan."

Now that he was one of Xiao Nanfeng's followers, if he could successfully convince others to switch their allegiance, that would count as significant merit in his favor.

"Young Master Xiao, the Lanshui Immortal Sect pledges its allegiance to you," another cultivator said immediately.

The other cultivators likewise seemed to be convinced by the Chongshan sect master's words.

"The Qingyang Immortal Sect is willing to support Young Master Xiao!"

"Young Master Xiao, the..."

The cultivators all decided to follow Xiao Nanfeng.

"Are you all crazy? His Highness stationed all of you here to kill Xiao Nanfeng. Why would you switch your allegiance to him?!" Mr. Hua howled.

Xiao Nanfeng remained cautious against the cultivators that had suddenly decided to change their allegiance even as he said, "The Xiang clan welcomes you and the Immortal sects you represent."

"We greet Young Master Xiao!" Everyone kowtowed to him.

Xiao Nanfeng nodded.

"Young Master Xiao, Mr. Hua is the worst of the lot. Even though you spared him, he still tried to scheme against you. He volunteered to remain behind and serve as guard for Nalan Yunhai, demanding that we kill you if you were to make it out. I shall kill him now to prove my allegiance!" the Chongshan sect master exclaimed.

"What? N-No!" Mr. Hua shouted.

The Chongshan sect master thrust his blade into Mr. Hua's body. The other cultivators emulated him, striking simultaneously.

Mr. Hua cried out in pain as he fell to the ground. How could he have expected that his attempt to curry favor from Nalan Yunhai would lead to his death?

"Young Master Xiao, these are the Immortal relics that Nalan Yunhai promised us. I hand mine now to you." The Chongshan sect master proffered his Immortal sword to Xiao Nanfeng.

He knew that words alone wouldn't suffice to evoke trust from Xiao Nanfeng; he was willing to give up his Immortal relic as a measure of sincerity as well.

The other cultivators were somewhat reluctant to do so, but likewise emulated his actions. "We hand the Immortal relics that Nalan Yunhai promised us to your possession, Young Master Xiao."

Xiao Nanfeng wasn't too interested in the Immortal relics, but he still claimed them all. If these cultivators were truly loyal, he would return these Immortal relics to them at a later date. On the other hand, if they were doing so solely to secure his trust where it wasn't deserved, he would at least gain an Immortal relic from it.

The cultivators' eyes flashed with reluctance as they parted with their Immortal weapons.

"I acknowledge and appreciate your sincerity. I intend to have you leave the Spirit Emperor's hidden realm now. Are you willing to do so?" Xiao Nanfeng asked.

"As you will, Young Master Xiao!" the cultivators said.

"Very good. At noon ten days later, gather by the Southern Heavenly Gate. My avatar will be there to open a portal to allow you to leave."

"Understood!" everyone replied.

Xiao Nanfeng gave everyone a series of directions. "Now, depart!"

The cultivators bowed and left.

Xiao Nanfeng watched them go. He hadn't expected it to be so easy to recruit them, but he didn't fully trust them just yet. He had no intention of keeping them by his side for the time being.

The cultivators conversed with each other as they left.

"Chongshan Sect Master, we handed our Immortal relics to Young Master Xiao. Was that foolish of us?" someone asked.

"Would you rather have stuck with Nalan Yunhai before being betrayed or used as a stepping stone for him?" the Chongshan sect master replied.

"But—"

"We wanted to pledge our allegiance to Emperor Tianshu, but he cared little for us and assigned us to Nalan Yunhai. We had no choice but to follow suit. We've just had a second chance," the Chongshan sect master replied disdainfully.

"But those Immortal relics!"

"How do you expect to show your sincerity otherwise? On what grounds should Young Master Xiao accept your allegiance? Furthermore, did you think that Nalan Yunhai really would have allowed us to keep those Immortal relics?" The Chongshan sect master laughed.

"What?" The other cultivator stiffened.

"The Xiao manor is protected by a cultivator at Yin Body and has the support of cursed effigies and the Taiqing Immortal Sect. It has forces of rapidly growing strength, officials and administrators that are effective, loyal, and fair. The Xiao name inherits the valor and righteousness of Xiao Hongye himself, and Young Master Xiao is gaining renown for his own virtue. Haven't you noticed that Young Master Xiao is poised to succeed? You would be crazy not to join him at such a critical period," the Chongshan sect master replied disdainfully.

"But isn't that precisely why Xiao Nanfeng would be targeted by the Tianshu Empire? No—he's already being targeted! Cui Haisheng, Nalan Yunhai, and Qiangwei all want to kill him. What if he dies? Our sects would be eradicated along with him!"

"You're right. It's a huge risk, but it bears commensurate rewards," the Chongshan sect master replied.

The other cultivators swallowed their saliva as they considered the riches that awaited their sects in the event of Xiao Nanfeng's success.

"We've already made our decision, so let's stick to it. We've turned traitor, so many won't trust us—but Young Master Xiao encouraged us to pledge our allegiance to him. No one would dare to disparage us, and we won't have a second chance. If we try this again, we'd lose all our trust. No one would dare to give us any responsibility worth having, and we would never be as well positioned," the Chongshan sect master emphasized.

Everyone nodded, hesitantly at first and growing ever more resolute. They bowed. "Thank you for elucidating matters for us, Chongshan Sect Master."

"In the Xiao manor, the Taiqing disciples form a faction. The Sanyuan sect master and Sage Hong'e form another faction. All of us here represent a faction as well. We all have a share in our collective honor and reputation. If any of you betray the rest of us, it'll affect us all as a whole and damage our collective merit. I hope you'll all keep an eye on each other to ensure a prosperous future for us all," the Chongshan sect master emphasized.

"Understood!" everyone shouted.