"How about this, let's vote by raising our hands. Raise your hand if you agree that Tian Yuanzi should go find Li Yang." After saying this, Xu Kong raised his hand first.
Master Xuan Yang and Master Dan Dong also raised their hands, agreeing with Tian Yuanzi's decision to negotiate with Li Yang. Finally, Zhang Tianyi sighed and said, "I abstain." Even if Tian Yuanzi objected now, it was useless; everyone had agreed, and he could only obey. Even if he was indeed the strongest, his strength was only slightly higher than any of them. If two of them attacked him simultaneously, he would only face certain death.
Tian Yuanzi was furious, almost to the point of madness, but he was powerless. What could he do? He was all alone, and everyone was putting him on the spot. He didn't want to go, but there was nothing they could do. "Do you want me to go and die?" Tian Yuanzi said coldly, looking at everyone.
"No. You've witnessed Li Yang's strength yourself. His indestructible body and the righteous Buddhist techniques give him a significant advantage against the Blood Demon. Furthermore, after learning your identity, he didn't kill you; instead, he let us go without a second thought. He didn't even pursue the matter of us injuring his pet. He's definitely not a bad person. Besides, he killed two of your disciples. I think you know better than us why he killed them. The fact that he didn't kill you suggests there's something between you two, and since you're the strongest and the leading representative of the righteous sect, we had no choice but to let you intervene. Don't worry, we're all behind you." Master Xukong stroked his beard as he spoke. His mood had relaxed again. If Li Yang was willing to intervene, none of them would face death—what a wonderful thing!
"Fine... you guys. I guess I know you all now. Fine, let's go!" Tian Yuanzi coldly pointed at the group, finally having no choice but to agree. So the group began to ascend and leave the Western Heaven Profound Yin Cave, returning to their respective sects in the Central Plains. They agreed to accompany Tian Yuanzi to Jiangdong City three days later to negotiate with Li Yang.
Chapter 967: Unfit for any important task
After returning to Kunlun, Tian Yuanzi, his face grim, headed straight for the cave where Fei Hua and Fei Ling were. The Seven-Colored Lotus was a celestial herb with immense power, capable of reviving the dead and restoring flesh to bones. If someone applied magical power, it could even rebuild a person's physical body. Fei Hua and Fei Ling had used this power to rebuild their bodies. As soon as Tian Yuanzi returned to his cave, he heard voices inside.
"Brother, your strength is too weak. You're only slightly stronger than an ordinary person now. You've barely reached the early stage of Qi Induction by relying on the power of the Seven-Colored Lotus. Don't go looking for revenge on Li Yang. You're no match for him. I've also figured out these past few days why he saved us but then turned around and killed us." Fei Hua earnestly advised Fei Ling.
"Hmph. What reason could there be? Isn't it just because you have a guilty conscience?" Fei Ling said disdainfully.
"That's right. He killed us because we discovered he practiced demonic arts. But before we discovered his practice, although he was quite sleazy, he wasn't inherently bad. You see, the people he dealt with were all scum of the earth. He never targeted good people. We were just unlucky, and besides, he had saved us once before..."
"Shut up! If you say another word, I'll disown you as my sister! You're siding with outsiders!"
"Big brother—" Fei Hua called out with a slightly flushed face.
“Feihua is right. Feiling, I order you to give up the idea of dealing with Li Yang right now—you are not allowed to seek revenge on him,” Tianyuanzi suddenly walked in and said in a deep voice.
"Master! How could you say that too?" Fei Ling said, feeling hurt and indignant.
"Because you will never be his match," Tian Yuanzi sighed.
"Master, how can you say that to me? Do you look down on me? Do you think I'm no match for that bastard?" Fei Ling said defiantly.
"Yes. It's not that your master looks down on you, but he has already reached the Earth Immortal realm. Even your master is no match for him. It can be said that there are very few people in the cultivation world who can match him. How could you possibly be a match for such an opponent when you are only at the early stage of Qi Induction? Your master advises you not to dwell on this anymore. Letting go of this hatred is indeed for your own good," Tian Yuanzi said earnestly.
"What? Impossible, absolutely impossible. How could such a thing happen? I don't believe it, I absolutely don't believe it!" Fei Ling's expression changed drastically, her face filled with pain and disbelief.
“Facts are facts. Do you think Master would deceive you and Feihua?” Tian Yuanzi shook his head.
“But Master, how could this be? How could someone as worthless as him achieve such things? How could he have such cultivation?” Fei Ling shook his head violently as he spoke.
"The ways of Heaven are unpredictable; they neither favor anyone with sunshine nor rain. They always operate according to their own laws. We ordinary mortals cannot fathom such divine power. Although Li Yang's actions have sometimes gone too far, upon closer examination, they contain some profound truths, completely different from our way of thinking. Perhaps his path is correct, and ours is wrong," Tian Yuanzi said with some anguish. After all, his centuries-old thoughts and understanding had been overturned, and his mind was struggling to accept it. However, having lived for hundreds of years, his knowledge and experience were so rich and powerful that, although unwilling, he quickly forced himself to accept it. Then he made a decision.
"Impossible, Master, impossible. I don't believe it, I don't believe it~" Fei Ling still refused to accept this.
"Master, has he really reached the level of an Earth Immortal?" Fei Hua asked with a complicated expression.
“Yes. Your master can guarantee it for you. Fei Ling, whether you believe it or not, I have decided to do something. And this is something that you two need to do.” Tian Yuanzi said through gritted teeth.
"What decision, Master?" Fei Hua asked curiously.
"You should all know the story of 'carrying thorns to apologize' from ancient times, right?" Tian Yuanzi said.
"I know. It's about the story of Lin Xiangru, the prime minister of Qi during the Warring States period, and Lian Po, the general. Lian Po was resentful that Lin Xiangru held the high position of prime minister despite not having much merit or experience. After all, he had accumulated his military status through countless battles. So, he blocked Lin Xiangru's path in the street, wanting to make things difficult for him. However, Lin Xiangru not only didn't argue with him, but also gave way and took a detour. The servants were puzzled; Lin Xiangru's position as prime minister was no less than that of the general, so there was no need for him to be afraid. But Lin Xiangru..." It wasn't that he was afraid of Lian Po, but rather that he was acting for the sake of the Zhao state. He felt no shame in suffering a little injustice. Upon hearing this, Lian Po felt deeply ashamed, after all, he was a patriotic general. He voluntarily took off his upper garment, tied it with thorns, and went to Lin Xiangru's doorstep to apologize, asking him to punish him with the thorns. Lin Xiangru not only didn't punish him, but also warmly helped him up. From then on, the two became friends, helping and supporting each other in the court, and working together for the future of the Zhao state. "Feihua said softly.
"But Master, do you want us to go and apologize to Li Yang?" Fei Hua was highly intelligent and immediately understood her master's intention.
"No! I'd rather die than go. I'm not going!" Fei Ling roared.
"Feihua, what about you?" Tian Yuanzi shook his head slightly, a hint of disappointment in his voice. Feiling was just like that; in favorable circumstances, she could be carefree and unrestrained, but in adversity, she would become irritable and narrow-minded, making it difficult for her to achieve great things. Now it seemed that this was indeed the case.
Feihua pondered for a moment, then nodded slightly and said, "Master, I understand your good intentions. A moment of patience brings peace, a step back opens up a vast sky. If I were to go and apologize, Li Yang wouldn't suddenly find out we're still alive, and who knows what he might do then. But now we're going to him. He's already an Earth Immortal; he's unlikely to make things difficult for juniors like us. Otherwise, he'd damage his reputation and be looked down upon. It would also prevent him from harboring resentment towards Kunlun. Otherwise, if he secretly held a grudge against Kunlun, with his strength, if he wanted to deal with us, Kunlun would truly face annihilation." Feihua spoke eloquently, and Tianyuanzi nodded secretly. He thought to himself, "Feihua has potential. Good aptitude. This matter still depends on Feihua. As for Feiling, even if she gains strength in the future, she'll probably be controlled by inner demons and is very likely to go down the demonic path. Unfit for great use."
Chapter 968: Are you out of your mind?
"Indeed. You're absolutely right. It seems Master was right after all. You truly are Kunlun's best successor," Tian Yuanzi said with satisfaction, nodding. Fei Ling, standing to the side, paled. He had once been the undisputed heir to the Kunlun sect leadership, but now, due to a lack of strength, he wasn't even qualified to succeed him. Actually, he couldn't blame anyone else. Tian Yuanzi had already given him a chance, but he hadn't seized it. In fact, if Fei Ling had been able to endure the humiliation and accept Tian Yuanzi's suggestion to apologize to Li Yang, then he would have passed the leadership to Fei Ling, not Fei Hua. But now it seemed Fei Ling was indeed unfit for the task.
"Master. No, no. I cannot be the sect leader." Seeing Fei Ling's expression, Fei Hua hurriedly waved her hand and refused.
“I’ve made my decision, so don’t refuse. Also, the sooner you apologize, the better. Don’t wait until he knows about your existence. The effect will be greatly reduced then. And once he forgives you, if possible, persuade him to help you deal with the Blood Demon. After all, the Blood Demon is our common enemy. And without his help, none of us are a match for the Blood Demon,” Tian Yuanzi said.
"Master, I know what to do. Just wait for my good news~" Fei Hua nodded heavily and said earnestly.
"Good master, we're waiting for your good news~" Tian Yuanzi nodded with satisfaction. This female disciple was indeed worth taking in. He then glanced at Fei Ling with exasperation and said, "You really have the heart to let your sister go to that person like this? Aren't you afraid she'll be killed by that person?"
"Hmph~ Killing me would avenge her! I'd rather die than go now~" Fei Ling said resolutely and ruthlessly.
"Good. Very good, you truly are a disciple I am proud of~ Feihua, go now~ If possible, go to Master Dandong's villa and see if the other person is willing to go with you." Tian Yuanzi said. In his heart, however, he thought, "You old fogies want to hide and push me out to my death? Don't think it's so easy. I won't let you get away with this."
"Huh? Master Dandong? Who is that?" Feihua asked in surprise.
"Don't you know? The woman who was with you, her soul power wasn't weak either, she didn't disappear. That old bald monk Dandong pretended to save her. He used a Tianshan snow lotus, I think that should be enough. That old bald monk doesn't have much skill, but he does have some skill in saving people~" Tian Yuanzi said unhappily.
"Huh? Director Wang Gui? She's alive too? What about the others?" Fei Hua suddenly felt a sense of shared misfortune, which resonated with her.
“Everyone else is dead. There are no survivors except for a few of you. I think you all have some connection with him. Going together should be quite effective,” Tian Yuanzi said.
“Alright, I will definitely go to Master Dandong’s villa to find her,” Feihua nodded and said.
"Okay. Go ahead," Tian Yuanzi nodded. Fei Hua stepped out of the cave, saw the sunlight again, and breathed in the fresh air. She was in an exceptionally good mood.
Jiangdong City.
Inside the hardened criminal prison, Li Yang slept soundly until dawn, feeling quite comfortable. He opened his eyes, yawned, and sat up. Looking around, he saw that several of the men who had tried to wake him were now stiff corpses due to lack of timely treatment, destined to become flies' food. The others, whose injuries were extremely severe, had also become critically wounded overnight, their lives hanging by a thread.
Several unharmed dogs were also terrified by Li Yang, almost to the point of madness, their rabies flaring up and wanting to bite people indiscriminately to relieve their psychological stress. Seeing Li Yang's gaze, they cowered in a corner, letting out a collective scream of terror, like vicious dogs seeing a tiger. A dripping sound came from their groins, and Li Yang frowned, looking over to see drops of fluid dripping from their crotches, a faint odor emanating from their nostrils. Li Yang immediately snapped, "Hold it in! Trying to pollute the air or something?"
"I can't hold it in!" one of the men said in fear.
"Don't make any noise or smell!" Li Yang said unreasonably.