Venerable Supreme of Myriad Dragons

Shangguan Yiran’s eyes lit up the moment she heard Fu’s words.

But Fu continued, "However, the Sacred Land has issued a kill-on-sight order. If anyone encounters Shen Daoxing, they are to kill him without question, regardless of the reason!"

Shangguan Yiran froze, murmuring, "Why? He’s such a genius, the kind the East Continent hasn’t seen in a thousand years. And yet, he just had to be the Celestial Slaughter Demon Star, an existence the Sacred Land absolutely cannot tolerate. Is this truly his destined fate?"

Fu opened his mouth, wanting to say something.

Shangguan Yiran looked at him. "Fu, what is it you want to say?"

Fu paused for a moment before speaking. "Commandery Princess, do you believe in fate, or do you believe more in yourself?"

"Of course I believe in myself."

Shangguan Yiran replied without hesitation, "When I first came to the Daqian Empire, it was partly for my cultivation, but more importantly, to resist the marriage my father arranged for me—to fight against so-called destiny."

"In that case, Commandery Princess, you’ve watched Shen Daoxing grow up, so to speak. Do you believe he is the monster they claim he is? Or do you believe he is a good person who values loyalty and friendship?"

Fu smiled and shook his head. "In this old servant’s opinion, Young Master Shen is no monster. But if he keeps being pushed like this, I’m afraid he really will become one!"

Shangguan Yiran was taken aback for a moment, then her thoughts cleared. ’Fu is right. Shen Daoxing is a person who values loyalty and friendship.’

Suddenly, Shangguan Yiran felt a weight press down on her body as an invisible, majestic aura appeared in the sky above the Shangguan Mansion.

She immediately rose from her seat. "The senior brothers from the Sacred Land are here."

Then, Shangguan Yiran walked to the entrance of the main hall, looked up at the sky, and cupped her fists. "I respectfully welcome you, Senior Brothers."

Instantly, three dazzling rays of light descended from the sky, landing inside the Shangguan Mansion.

Shangguan Yiran was slightly startled when she saw who had arrived.

The first to appear was a young man in green robes.

He wore cyan robes, and his long hair flowed freely. He had a refined air, and the faint smile always on his face gave him a very approachable feeling.

This was Wang Mingxuan, an Inner Sect senior brother who had joined before Shangguan Yiran. He was one of the Celestial Secret Elder’s Direct Disciples and was deeply trusted by him. His strength had already reached the ninth layer of the Spirit Transformation Realm. He had been the most talented disciple in his year, placing first in the entrance tournament.

The next to appear was a gaunt-looking man.

He was dressed in black, with a very thin frame. His face always wore a shameless grin, a stark contrast to Liu Xuan’s temperament, giving him a look that just begged to be punched. But when people saw the black saber in his hand, no one would ever dare to underestimate him.

This was because he was Wu Feihua, a Direct Disciple of the Luojia Mountain Master. His Desperate Saber Technique was unpredictable and terrifying. He was a genius on par with Wang Mingxuan and also a master who had reached the ninth layer of the Spirit Transformation Realm. Back in the entrance tournament, the two of them fought for three days and three nights, nearly destroying the entire Heroes Tower. It was only thanks to the timely intervention of the Sacred Land’s elders that a disaster was averted.

But when she saw the last person, Shangguan Yiran was even more shocked.

It was a man with a cold expression, radiating an intimidating aura without being angry. His mere presence was terrifying.

It was Yuwen Wuji, one of the Pilot Disciples of the Steward Hall and the older brother of Yuwen Sword Fool. He was the youngest Pilot Disciple in history, already in charge of a branch of the Steward Hall at a young age. A year ago, he had already reached the Earth Profound Realm.

’Two masters at the ninth layer of the Spirit Transformation Realm, plus a Sailing Master Steward in the Earth Profound Realm, all just to kill a mere Grotto Heaven Realm cultivator. The Sacred Land is really going all out.’

Shangguan Yiran couldn’t help but be astonished.

Seeing the three land, Shangguan Yiran hurried forward and bowed respectfully. "Senior Brother Mingxuan! Senior Brother Feihe! Senior Brother Wuji!"

Wang Mingxuan gave Shangguan Yiran a gentle, refined smile. "Junior Sister Shangguan, I’ve heard you have close ties to that Celestial Slaughter Demon Star. When you encounter him this time, you must not be merciful. He is an unforgivable monster who will destroy our Sacred Land in the future. The Sacred Land has dispatched you this time to give you a chance to atone for your mistakes!"

’Shen Daoxing can’t be a monster!’

Shangguan Yiran wanted to refute him, but she knew she couldn’t say anything. In the end, she could only lower her head in silence.

Wu Feihua looked at Shangguan Yiran with a slight smile and chuckled slyly. "Junior Sister Shangguan, you’re getting more and more beautiful!"

His gaze made Shangguan Yiran very uncomfortable, and she quickly looked away.

Yuwen Wuji glanced coldly at Shangguan Yiran but said nothing.

"Alright, time is short. Junior Sister, hurry and prepare. We’re heading to the Ghostly Mist Abyss now," Wang Mingxuan reminded her.

Shangguan Yiran nodded.

Beside them, Wu Feihua, his eyes still fixed on Shangguan Yiran, said dismissively, "He’s just a minor Grotto Heaven Realm cultivator. Why go to all the trouble of having us act together? In my opinion, we don’t even need to do anything. That so-called Demon Star is probably already dead at the bottom of the Ghostly Mist Abyss. Even if he was lucky enough to survive and escape, Sword Fool and Wuchen are still there. There’s no need for us to intervene."

Wang Mingxuan shook his head. "Feihe, don’t be careless. This Celestial Slaughter Star concerns the future survival of our Sacred Land. It’s better to be safe than sorry!"

Just as Wang Mingxuan finished speaking, a Celestial Profound Disciple suddenly ran in, flustered. "Senior Brother Mingxuan! Senior Brother Feihe! Senior Brother Wuji! We’ve found Shen Daoxing! He has emerged from the Ghostly Mist Abyss," the Celestial Profound Disciple said nervously.

"Oh?"

Wu Feihua was stunned for a second, then he started to laugh. "Looks like I underestimated that kid. To be able to get out of the Ghostly Mist Abyss... he must have some skill."

Hearing this, Shangguan Yiran felt a wave of relief, which was quickly followed by worry. ’That Shen Daoxing... since he managed to escape the abyss, why didn’t he stay hidden? Why reveal himself now?’

"What are you so nervous about?" Seeing the messenger disciple’s panicked state, Wu Feihua shot out a foot and irritably kicked him to the ground. "So what if the Demon Star escaped the Ghostly Mist Abyss? Aren’t Yuwen and Wuchen standing guard outside? Are you actually afraid the Demon Star will get away?"

The messenger disciple froze, then scrambled back to his feet, a look of utter shock on his face. "But... but... Senior Brother Yuwen and Senior Brother Sword Fool were both killed by that person!"

"???" Wu Feihua.

"???" Wang Mingxuan.

"???" Yuwen Wuji.

"!!!" Shangguan Yiran.

"What did you say?"

Yuwen Wuji, who had been silent all this time, suddenly spun around, grabbed the messenger disciple by the neck, and lifted him up like a helpless chick. "What did you say? Say it again!"

The man, choked by the grip on his neck, couldn’t breathe and could only stammer incoherently.

The next moment, several Celestial Profound Disciples slowly walked in, carrying two headless corpses.