"An Tingfeng’s only daughter was abducted, and a young child of the Glazed Green Phoenix Clan has gone missing... I had assumed that it was the work of the Infinite Dao Emperor Sect."
"After all, even the Dragon Palace has no need to offend these two great Demon Race powers at the same time in the Western Hong terrains."
"That was, until Pan Boyang also fell."
Lu Mingchuan seemed to lead the way with a smile, but his master’s voice echoed in his mind.
The Wanxiang Pavilion had deployed spies all over the Western Hong lands to gather as much information as possible. This was the foundation of their ability to seize a Union Dao treasure land amidst the chaos of Western Hong and establish themselves as an Immortal Sect.
The death of Pan Boyang was strange enough, but what was even stranger was the speed at which the news spread—it was truly exaggerated.
Clearly, someone was helping to spread it.
Perhaps there really was a powerful unknown force trying to settle in Western Hong, after all, the Heavenly Origin Illusion Thunder Ruler was easily shattered, but considering they still needed to resort to such petty schemes, they certainly hadn’t reached the level to confront the Infinite Dao Emperor Sect head-on yet.
The Wanxiang Pavilion had become an Immortal Sect not long ago and its status was not yet secure, desperately needing a strong ally... or a backer.
The original idea was to utilize their intelligence-gathering capabilities to curry favor with this powerful new force. After all, what the newcomers needed most was a competent spy.
But as the Wanxiang Pavilion’s investigations went deeper, they began to notice the oddities of this matter.
If any large force had truly intervened in Western Hong recently, it would undoubtedly be the barbarians from South Honglai.
Just before An Tingfeng’s daughter was abducted, the entire Frost Tiger Clan of the Azure Sky had been offended, and it was An Tuxiao who had gone to attend the birthday feast of the Dragon Consort at Mount Yu.
According to the information received, An Tuxiao had offended a strange young Cultivator, who was accompanied by a Glazed Green Phoenix.
The cause of the incident was traced back to an equally strange woman, who was one of the Seven Sons of the Blue Sea Sect from South Hong, known as Lin You.
Then there was trouble at the Great Tomb.
The Wanxiang Pavilion started with the Glazed Green Phoenix again and discovered that someone had seen the young child of that Clan chief visiting the Earthly Dark Python clan, which in turn had been wiped out by the Ban Shan Sect.
Similarly, before the news of Pan Boyang’s death was released, the last place he visited was the Ban Shan Sect!
If the spies’ reports were correct, the South Hong Seven Sons had split into two groups, and the other group seeking help seemed to be headed for the Ban Shan Sect.
At this point, everything seemed to be interconnected all of a sudden.
Even the Unity Realm Stage powerhouse of the Wanxiang Pavilion was a bit shaken, as they seemed to have gotten hold of a piece of information that was extremely valuable in today’s Western Hong.
The only thing to consider was to whom they should sell this information.
After careful consideration, the Wanxiang Pavilion still excluded the Infinite Dao Emperor Sect, which seemed to be the most formidable presence. After all, a local official holds more sway... What could truly look after the Wanxiang Pavilion in Western Hong had to be a local power!
Moreover, aside from the Western Dragon Palace, even the Ke Family Crown Prince from South Hong had sent someone to the Wanxiang Pavilion to inquire about a "Hall Master".
How could there be so many unknown forces all acting so arrogantly?
The South Hong Seven Sons really were senile, trying to come back without the guts and still using such laughable tactics, posing and posturing.
No wonder the Southern Dragon Palace suppressed them in remote areas for a full hundred thousand years, unable to turn the tables.
Now that the timorous turtle can’t pretend anymore, it finally remembers to resist, isn’t it a bit too late?
With such meager skills, they still want to ask for help? Pfft, better stay put.
Lu Mingchuan politely nodded and took another glance at the silent girl in the black dress: "I haven’t asked yet, who is this?"
Since these were goods he had sold, he naturally needed to know their exact value in advance. When it came time to claim credit from the Dragon Palace, he would have more to say.
"The daughter of an old friend, entrusted to my care."
Shen Yi nodded slightly, casually explaining.
As a young Cultivator handling affairs outside, it indeed seemed odd to have a little girl with no Cultivation by his side.
But there was no helping it, having offended so many Great Demons, especially after witnessing the terrifying methods of the Frost Tiger chieftain, it was somewhat unsettling not to have someone of the Unity Realm Stage by his side.
"She’s very young and inexperienced and quite shy."
Seeing even Dai Jianshu and Zhong Xiu periodically casting curious glances at her.
To make himself appear somewhat normal, Shen Yi pretended to be older and casually ruffled the little one’s head.
He had thought this West Hall Master who had given up wouldn’t react, but to his surprise, An Yi was lost in thought, yet instinctively rubbed her head against Shen Yi’s palm.
When she realized what she was doing, her tiny frame stiffened slightly: "..."
Shen Yi quietly withdrew his hand.
It was this gesture that led to a flicker of regret in Lu Mingchuan’s eyes. Despite her impressive demeanor, she turned out to be just an ordinary little girl, still at an age of shyness and reluctance, it seemed there was no unexpected gain after all.
Dai Jianshu and Zhong Xiu exchanged a glance, feeling puzzled.
Others might not know, but didn’t they know that Sect Master Shen came from the Nanyang Treasure Land, leaving South Hong alone, a total of eight people, when did he have an old friend in Western Hong?
However, since he was a Sect Master and there were outsiders present, the two of them quietly followed behind Shen Yi.
Under the guidance of Lu Mingchuan and others, the group quickly left Teng Yun Market, traveling between the azure sea and sky, far from human habitation.