Two figures carried a large water vat, making their way towards the desolate borderlands. It was Huang Zhen and Chen Xian, returning from the Tianlan Mountain Range.
Under normal circumstances, with their power, they wouldn't have been this slow. But given the massive water vat in their hands, they were extremely cautious, afraid of spilling even a single drop.
"Elder Zhen, we're back."
Before landing, Huang Zhen called out towards the group by the border wall.
By the border wall, Elder Zhen and the others turned their heads towards the horizon.
Their eyebrows immediately furrowed.
What's going on here?
Why did they come back carrying a large water vat?
"What's the meaning of this?" As soon as the two landed, Elder Zhen was the first to ask, "How did the conflict go?"
"Elder Zhen, by the time we reached the Huang and Zhen realms, the conflict had already been resolved!" Huang Zhen explained.
"Resolved? Is that even possible?"
Elder Zhen pressed further.
"Elder Zhen, not only was it resolved, but the two realms are now closer than ever. Your only descendant in the Zhen realm even married into our Huang realm through an alliance," Huang Zhen elaborated.
"Even my descendant too?"
Even Elder Zhen, known for his calm demeanor, felt incredulous at this news.
The feud between the Huang and Zhen realms was deep-seated, not something easy to resolve. Even sending Huang Zhen and Chen Xian back, he hadn’t held out much hope for a complete resolution, merely hoping they could mediate and prevent further internal strife.
Now, he was being told that not only was the conflict resolved, but there was already a marriage alliance, involving his only descendant?
"What exactly happened?"
Elder Zhen pressed urgently.
"Elder Zhen, the reason for this outcome is that there's a powerful expert residing in the Tianlan Mountain Range who mediated the situation," Chen Xian quickly explained, detailing the information they had gathered.
"Tianlan Mountain Range has such an expert? It seems there are still many powerful figures in the Immortal Realm and the Eight Great Realms that we aren't aware of!" Elder Zhen was astonished and full of praise, "And this person's methods are truly ingenious to resolve the conflict between the Huang and Zhen realms so effortlessly. It’s truly unexpected!"
"By the way, based on your description of the speed he demonstrated, his strength must be formidable. Did you two not pay him a visit?" Elder Zhen inquired further.
"Elder Zhen, we immediately headed to the Tianlan Mountain Range, but when we arrived, he had already left," Chen Xian explained truthfully, "We waited there for several days, but he never returned."
Hearing this, Elder Zhen's expression was filled with regret.
"With the cracks growing larger, the pressure on us is increasing. The Luo-named expert who briefly appeared at the Heavenly Immortal Palace has disappeared without a trace. If only we could bring this Tianlan Mountain Range expert to aid us, it would alleviate much of our burden."
"Elder Zhen, don't lose heart. Although we didn't meet that expert, we brought back something even more important," Huang Zhen said excitedly.
"Something even more important?"
Elder Zhen's eyebrows shot up.
The others also turned their gazes towards him.
At this moment, what could possibly be more important than bringing a powerful expert to support them?
"Is it this water vat?"
Elder Zhen looked at the prominent large water vat beside them.
"That's right, this large water vat will definitely solve our urgent predicament," Huang Zhen said with great excitement.
At Huang Zhen's words, everyone's curiosity was immediately aroused.
Could there really be some treasure inside?
Everyone gathered around the water vat.
As they waited with bated breath, Huang Zhen waved his hand and lifted the lid off the water vat.
A pungent stench hit their nostrils.
It was so overpowering that everyone who had leaned in for a closer look was instantly overwhelmed.
Especially Elder Zhen, who felt his insides churn at the smell. His expression changed dozens of times in a moment, and he nearly passed out on the spot.
"Huang Zhen, Chen Xian, you…"
"How dare you trick us?"
Everyone reflexively backed away, holding their breath, glaring at Chen Xian and Huang Zhen with anger.
"No, we didn't trick you! It may smell like manure, but this is a priceless treasure!" Huang Zhen quickly explained, "It has an incredibly powerful effect, capable of clearing the black qi from our bodies. Don't you believe me? Take a deep breath, feel that refreshing sensation!"
The more Huang Zhen explained, the angrier everyone became.
Claiming a pool of manure to be a priceless treasure and suggesting it's refreshing? The crowd was so enraged they practically wanted to slap Huang Zhen and Chen Xian into oblivion.
"Alright, stop this pointless joke next time," even Elder Zhen, typically known for his good temper, was black-faced as he reprimanded them.
After speaking, he led the others away towards the border wall, leaving Chen Xian and Huang Zhen standing alone.
"This really is a priceless treasure!" Chen Xian tried to argue.
Why wouldn't anyone believe them?
But no matter how much the two shouted, no one paid them any attention.
A man enveloped in black qi shot up from the group seated by the border wall, accompanied by a roar.
Seeing this, Elder Zhen's expression drastically changed, his eyes instantly turning red.
The others were thrown into panic, unsure of what to do.
It was beyond their imagination that even Xiong Tian was being corrupted.
He was one of the elite border guardians, almost at the peak beyond True Immortal Stage 30. Once the Palace Master of the Heavenly Immortal Palace, his life could be written into a legendary tale. He was truly a paragon of talent.
If even someone of his stature was being corrupted, the severity of the situation could well be imagined.
In the sky, Xiong Tian roared repeatedly.
With the surge of black qi, his hair stood on end, his clothes burst apart, revealing his sturdy muscles.
Meanwhile, his eyes alternated between turning red with savagery and reverting to normal clarity.
"Kill me, quickly kill me."
"I can't control it anymore, ah... If you don't kill me now, once I fully corrupt, the losses will be too great..."
Xiong Tian roared in the air, the time his eyes stayed clear growing shorter.
"Elder Zhen, think of something, think of something!"
"Yes, we must save Elder Brother Xiong Tian! If he falls…"
"Please, you must save him!"
The other experts were thrown into complete disarray, losing their composure entirely.
Even Elder Zhen, leaning on his cane, was trembling, two lines of old tears streaming down his face. His cloudy eyes were fixed intently on Xiong Tian.
Time left no room for overthinking.
After a moment, he steeled his resolve, his expression hardening.
Having spoken these words, Elder Zhen closed his eyes, his cane falling to the ground. His entire being seemed to age significantly.
Sobs rang out as everyone, red-eyed, began to gather their attacks.
They had no choice but to act.
If Xiong Tian fully corrupted, driven mad by the power his corruption would bring, there were few among them who could stand against him.
At that time, it would be a catastrophe.