Chapter 891: Pursuing Xiao Nanfeng

In the purple moon illusory realm, where Shi Tianbei's residence had once been, there was now nothing but rubble. Shi Tianbei's disciples had been dispatched to search for the culprit, leaving the hierarch alone amidst the ruins. Soon, Sage Qingyun returned.

"Has there been any news?" Shi Tianbei pressed.

"We sealed the four Heavenly Gates immediately. Everyone who enters or exits has to register and undergo inspection. We questioned those near the gates as well, but there were no unknown individuals reported leaving. My subordinates are still searching the realm. Could one of the Yuqing disciples have done it?" Sage Qingyun speculated, frowning.

"Impossible. The formations around my residence cannot be approached by anyone below the Boundless Immortal or Deific Yin realms. All the Yuqing cultivators at those realms were at Chiyang Peak. How could it have been someone from Yuqing?" Shi Tianbei replied.

"Could it have been someone Xiao Nanfeng brought in, then?" Sage Qingyun suggested.

Shi Tianbei narrowed his eyes. He frowned.

"Only Yuqing cultivators and Xiao Nanfeng have access to the purple moon illusory realm at present. I simply can't think of any other culprits," Sage Qingyun continued.

"We're heading to Chiyang Peak," Shi Tianbei ordered.

"Understood!"

The two cultivators flew into the air and quickly arrived at Chiyang Peak.

"Hierarch, what brings you here? Have you caught the troublemaker?" Xia Xingchen asked immediately.

Beside him, Xia Zi remained calm, though his heart raced anxiously.

"Mountain Lord Xia, where is Xiao Nanfeng? I have a few questions for him," Shi Tianbei replied.

"Hierarch, I'm afraid you're too late. Xiao Nanfeng has already departed."

"Departed? This quickly?" Shi Tianbei frowned.

"Hierarch, Xiao Nanfeng must be hiding something. That's why he left in such a hurry," Sage Qingyun interjected.

Xia Xingchen glowered. "Sage Qingyun, watch your words. What reason do you have to be suspicious of Xiao Nanfeng?"

Sage Qingyun was about to argue when Shi Tianbei stopped him. "Why did Xiao Nanfeng leave so quickly?"

"Everyone knew he intended to leave after catching up with me. There was nothing unexpected about it," Xia Xingchen replied.

Shi Tianbei nodded. "I see. Thank you for the information, Mountain Lord Xia."

"It's nothing. Might I ask what you wanted with Xiao Nanfeng, Hierarch?"

"Since he's gone, it doesn't matter now."

After a brief exchange, Shi Tianbei and Sage Qingyun departed.

After they had left, Xia Xingchen frowned.

"Father, does he suspect that Yu'er and I went to his residence?" Xia Zi asked anxiously.

"Don't speak nonsense. You and Yu'er never did such a thing," Xia Xingchen replied sternly.

𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

"Understood!" Xia Zi immediately fell silent, understanding the need for caution. Others might be spying on them from afar.

As Shi Tianbei and Sage Qingyun flew away from Chiyang Peak, Sage Qingyun hurriedly said, "Hierarch, Xiao Nanfeng's departure is suspicious, isn't it?"

"Inform everyone to pursue Xiao Nanfeng. Do not let him leave the purple moon illusory realm," Shi Tianbei commanded.

"Hierarch, I'm afraid it's too late. If he really were responsible, he must have sent a Boundless Immortal to do the job."

"Even if that's the case, we must pursue him. Time is of the essence. Notify everyone to search for Xiao Nanfeng immediately," Shi Tianbei ordered sharply.

"Understood!"

Within the purple moon illusory realm, Xiao Nanfeng and Yu'er flew rapidly toward the boundary of the Eastern Sea "Where are we headed?" Yu'er asked curiously.

"I opened up a portal to the purple moon illusory realm in Yongding, so we can only leave this realm there. Just follow me," Xiao Nanfeng replied.

"Very well!" Yu'er nodded.

The two cultivators flew for some time. Just as they were about to close in on Yongding, a figure suddenly shot toward them from afar.

"Be careful!" Xiao Nanfeng immediately pulled Yu'er behind him.

A strong gust of wind blew past the two of them as Sage Qingyun overtook them.

"I've caught you, Xiao Nanfeng! As I expected, you came to Yongding," Sage Qingyun shouted triumphantly.

He had guessed that Xiao Nanfeng would approach Yongding, but not from which direction. He had rushed over without finding any useful clues whatsoever, but was lucky enough to have caught Xiao Nanfeng before he managed to escape.

"What do you want, Sage Qingyun?" Xiao Nanfeng demanded.

He swiftly retrieved a body from his storage—the body of the Boundless Immortal Li Six, which he had acquired not too long ago. He possessed the body immediately, then turned toward Sage Qingyun.

Seeing Xiao Nanfeng's guarded stance, Sage Qingyun frowned. He had wanted to attack him several times, but was worried that he had Boundless Immortal allies in the vicinity.

"Xiao Nanfeng, who gave you permission to bring Xia Yu'er away?" Sage Qingyun demanded.

He didn't mention the possessions that Shi Tianbei had lost. He was merely stalling for time. He had already signaled for his disciples to summon others.

"It's none of your business," Xiao Nanfeng replied tersely.

"Xia Yu'er is a holy maiden of Yuqing, responsible for a task assigned by the Yuqing Grandmaster himself. She cannot leave the purple moon illusory realm at present. I'll be bringing her back."

Sage Qingyun had decided to argue over Yu'er to continue stalling Xiao Nanfeng.

"Her father has given me permission. You have no right to object. Don't push your luck, Sage Qingyun. You've meddled in my affairs more than you should have already. If you try to stop me, don't blame me for what happens next," Xiao Nanfeng warned coldly.

Then, he grabbed Yu'er and continued flying toward Yongding. He could guess what Sage Qingyun was planning; he would have to leave the purple moon illusory realm immediately. He would be safe outside the realm.

"Stop right there! I won't let you leave before you explain yourself!" Sage Qingyun demanded.

"Hegemon's Fist!"

Xiao Nanfeng sent a flurry of punches at Sage Qingyun, who blanched and was forced to defend himself hastily. He hadn't expected that Xiao Nanfeng would attack outright.

Both cultivators reeled back from the force of the confrontation.

Sage Qingyun was somewhat stronger than Li Six, but Xiao Nanfeng's mastery of Hegemon's Fist was enough to compensate. The two were roughly tied in terms of strength.

"Let's go!" Xiao Nanfeng shouted, pulling Yu'er along with him.

He could sense that something was amiss. They had to flee immediately.

"Hold it! You aren't allowed to leave!" Sage Qingyun shouted.

"Yu'er, keep flying toward Yongding. I'll deal with him," Xiao Nanfeng replied.

"Got it!" Yu'er flew off on her own.

Xiao Nanfeng whirled around and threw another punch at Sage Qingyun.

The punches collided in a massive explosion as Xiao Nanfeng and Sage Qingyun began to fight in mid-air.

Xiao Nanfeng continued to fly toward Yongding even as he evaded Sage Qingyun's attacks. If he weren't worried that Sage Qingyun would accidentally end up hurting Yu'er, he wouldn't have bothered with this farce at all. Flying straight for Yongding was the best strategy at present.

The intense fighting continued.

Before long, the three cultivators were within range of Yongding—only for Sage Qingyun's reinforcements to finally show up "Nanfeng, be careful!" Yu'er shouted worriedly.

"Don't worry. Portal, appear!" Xiao Nanfeng invoked.

A shimmering purple portal opened up in the void.

Ye Sanshui, Ye Dafu, and others rushed in from the other side.

"Who dares to touch His Majesty? Die!" Ye Sanshui roared.

He shot up toward Sage Qingyun and punched forward, sending him flying. Sage Qingyun spat out a mouthful of fresh blood. A Mountain Lord emerging from behind barely managed to catch him in time.

Meanwhile, Ye Dafu and the others guarded Yu'er and prevented others from drawing near.

"Xiao Nanfeng, is this the unity between Taiqing and Yuqing that you invoked?"

"Unity? I'm on good terms with Yang Chuan and the Demon Child, and allies with Mountain Lord Xia. Of course there's unity between us. But I simply can't stand Sage Qingyun's antics. Should I allow him to kill me without any resistance? If you want to fight, come at me. Bickering with words is pointless," Xiao Nanfeng replied coolly.

The Mountain Lord frowned and turned to Sage Qingyun. "Were you intending to kill Xiao Nanfeng?"

"I simply wanted to stop him from leaving."

"And what right do you have to stop me?" Xiao Nanfeng demanded.

"You stole the hierarch's treasure! You have to return it."

"And what evidence do you have that I did such a thing? You've been maligning me ever since the start of my visit here."

"Do you dare claim that the explosion at the hierarch's residence wasn't your doing?"

"Of course it's not my doing! Are you crazy? Do you intend to take me as a scapegoat for everything that occurs here?"

"Who else could it be?"

Xiao Nanfeng laughed. This was ridiculous. "Sage Qingyun, listen well. This supposed unity between Taiqing and Yuqing is no excuse for your repeated insults against me. Taiqing continues to repay Yuqing's favor from the past. I am the master of the Taiqing Immortal Sect. In terms of seniority, Shi Tianbei and I are equals. I will take any further accusations against me as a direct challenge to my sect."

"You—" Sage Qingyun shouted.

"I don't care what you've lost. If you have no evidence to suggest that I was responsible, I advise you to keep your mouth shut. If you intend to continue maligning me, very well. I will await you at Yongding," Xiao Nanfeng declared coldly.

Sage Qingyun glared at Xiao Nanfeng.

"Let's go!" Xiao Nanfeng shouted.

He, Yu'er, and his subordinates left the portal leading out of the purple moon illusory realm.

Sage Qingyun could only watch helplessly as Xiao Nanfeng disappeared into Yongding.