The Nine Cauldrons

Trapped

It was the evening of the 28th of March.

In Yi City of Jiangning County:

“Teacher, you found him?” A rare joyful expression showed on Teng Qingshan’s face.

“Yes.” Zhuge Yuanhong heaved a long sigh of relief. He gazed at the blood-red sun setting in the west and said, “We investigated for three to four days, asking around in Jiangning County if anyone heard sounds of explosion on the 22nd of March. Our efforts were not wasted. Someone living in the village at the bottom of the Great Yan Mountain said that he heard sounds of explosions. He also heard a terrifying roar. I then sent people to the Great Yan Mountain, and they found Martial Ancestor’s body.

“Martial Ancestor’s body had been in the Great Yan Mountain for three to four days, yet his body was not eaten by wild beasts. It’s indeed a miracle. The gods protected his body,” Zhuge Yuanhong said with a sigh.

However, Zhuge Yuanhong didn’t know that…

The demonic dragon Violet Rain had emerged at that very location during that day and even roared furiously, leaving a strong demonic dragon aura. As the aura of the demonic dragon remained, the ordinary wild beasts had no audacity to approach that area. Thus, Elder Wu’s body was preserved.

“What about the Elder Wu’s funeral?” Teng Qingshan looked at Zhuge Yuanhong as he asked.

“We can only have a quiet funeral,” Zhuge Yuanhong said with a helpless smile. “Martial Ancestor doesn’t have any living relatives or descendants… Sigh. His only great-grandson fought with someone over a woman and lost his life. The death of his great-grandson hit him really hard.

“Ever since then, Martial Ancestor had immersed himself in novels of popular historical legends. However, the strange thing is that the Martial Ancestor, who had been a Golden Dan Innate Expert at that time, actually managed to achieve breakthrough and attain Emptiness Realm while he was reading novels of popular historical legends

“However, even though he had attained the Emptiness Realm, Martial Ancestor had still kept a very low profile and spent most of his time in the Martial Pavilion. When I attained the Innate Realm, I was considered the phenom of the sect. Martial Ancestor was the one who instructed me later on. Although he’s the Martial Ancestor, he’s like my teacher.” Tears welled up in Zhuge Yuanhong’s eyes as he spoke.

If Elder Wu had not helped, Zhuge Yuanhong wouldn’t have been able to accomplish so much.

“Teacher,” Teng Qingshan sighed emotionally inwardly.

Then suddenly—

“Bang!” “Bang!” “Bang!” Urgent knocking sounds rang out, disturbing the quiet atmosphere. The knocks were like hammers pounding on their hearts.

“Eh?” Teng Qingshan’s and Zhuge Yuanhong’s facial expressions became slightly shocked.

Normally, their subordinates had no audacity to knock this way.

“Sovereign! Sovereign! Open the door! Quickly!” Impatient shouts sounded outside.

“I will open the door.” Teng Qingshan immediately ran to the courtyard and opened the door.

Before his eyes stood an ordinarily clothed man with big eyes and thick eyebrows. The man couldn’t even salute as he immediately dashed into the courtyard.

“What happened?” Zhuge Yuanhong stood up and asked.

“Sovereign!” The man said eagerly, “I have just received news from the sect. Qing Hu Island has deployed armies at the south, north, and west of Jiangning County. Those armies are advancing towards Jiangning County.”

“Boom!”

Zhuge Yuanhong and Teng Qingshan felt as though their minds had been struck by thunder. They froze in astonishment. Although Teng Qingshan and Zhuge Yuanhong had expected this, it was difficult for them to accept that their expectations had now become reality. If a battle against Qing Hu Island ensued, it might be the end for the Gui Yuan Sect!

The moment that happened, their thousand-year-old foundation would collapse.

“They still came in the end.” Zhuge Yuanhong calmed himself, and a cold glint flashed in his eyes. “Go out first,” Zhuge Yuanhong said as he waved his hand. Although that ordinarily clothed young man felt very worried, he still left with respect.

Now, Zhuge Yuanhong and Teng Qingshan were the only ones left in the courtyard.

“Teacher,” Teng Qingshan said while staring at Zhuge Yuanhong.

“As expected, the Blind Swordmaster is going eradicate the Gui Yuan Sect in a spurt of energy.” Zhuge Yuanhong instantly made up his mind. He looked at Teng Qingshan and said, “Qingshan, when the time comes, you should show up as a friend of the Gui Yuan Sect and see if it will intimidate the Blind Swordmaster. As for me, I have to go back now.”

“Teacher, you can’t go back.” Teng Qingshan persuaded with a solemn expression, “Even if you go back, you can’t do anything. If the Gui Yuan Sect gets breached, the Blind Swordmaster will definitely kill you then. Going back is equivalent to committing suicide! If you don’t go back, you will stay alive, and you will attain Emptiness Realm in the future.” Teng Qingshan did not believe that his teacher could not even see this point.

“No,” Zhuge Yuanhong shook his head gently and stared at Teng Qingshan as he replied, “Qingshan, I am the Sovereign of the Gui Yuan Sect.

“The Gui Yuan Sect is facing great difficulties right now. The others can leave, but I can’t!

“Qing Hu Island’s main forces are advancing toward us. If the courageous disciples who have prepared to die for the Gui Yuan Sect suddenly realize that their Sovereign has fled Jiangning County-City in fright, do you think they would still fight for the Gui Yuan Sect? They would probably feel betrayed!” Zhuge Yuanhong said sternly.

As Zhuge Yuanhong spoke, he stared at Teng Qingshan and said, “Moreover, the future of the Gui Yuan Sect is not me, Zhuge Yuanhong, but you, Teng Qingshan!”

“No, no…” Teng Qingshan frowned and began pondering as quickly as he could.

“Don’t stop me.” With this, Zhuge Yuanhong walked outside.

“Teacher.” Teng Qingshan moved and intercepted Zhuge Yuanhong’s path. He stared at Zhuge Yuanhong and said with a serious expression, “The attack of Qing Hu Island is a disaster for the Gui Yuan Sect. However, we still have a chance to survive. The Blind Swordmaster may be intimidated by my existence. Additionally, there’s another existence that can aid the Gui Yuan Sect’s survival.”

“Another existence?” Zhuge Yuanhong froze.

“Yes, the Heavenly God Palace,” Teng Qingshan answered.

“The Heavenly God Palace?” Zhuge Yuanhong frowned and asked, “Qingshan, are you going to…” Zhuge Yuanhong knew well of the relationship between Teng Qingshan and the Heavenly God Palace.

“It’s currently evening. I will head to Qingzhou right now.” Teng Qingshan said in haste, “If the Heavenly God Palace is willing to help, the Gui Yuan Sect will definitely survive. Mm, Teacher, I will be leaving first.”

There was not enough time. Teng Qingshan mounted the Six Legged Bladelike Chi and left immediately.

“Whiz!”

The Six Legged Bladelike Chi rocketed instantly. The speed of the Six Legged Bladelike Chi was so fast that the ordinary people could only see a blur for a brief second.

Yangzhou was two thousand Li away from Qingzhou. If Teng Qingshan wanted to arrive in Huyue County-City of Qingzhou, he would need to fly a distance of three thousand Li.

At this moment, the sky had already darkened.

The Six Legged Bladelike Chi was above a layer of clouds, and his entire body was enveloped by a golden radiance. Through the help of Teng Qingshan, the speed of the Six Legged Bladelike Chi was now even faster than that of the Blue Luan. They headed toward Huyue County City at a terrifyingly fast speed, tearing the space between the heavens and the earth while creating a whizzing sound.

“If Little Blue was here, we would be able to intimidate Qing Hu Island.

“If the Six Legged Bladelike Chi achieves a breakthrough and attains the Emptiness Realm, both of us would also be able to intimidate Qing Hu Island.

“If Teacher can achieve breakthrough and attain the Emptiness Realm, he can work with me too. Just two Emptiness Realm Experts would be enough to save the Gui Yuan Sect.” Teng Qingshan gazed at the stars in the sky. He felt extremely worried as everything he had thought of were merely thoughts. It was extremely difficult for both the SIx Legged Bladelike Chi and his teacher, Zhuge Yuanhong, to attain the Emptiness Realm.

That one last step was as great as the distance between the heavens and the earth.

Many people were stuck at this step for a very long time.

“Go down.” Teng Qingshan pointed downwards, and the Six Legged Bladelike Chi pierced through the layers of clouds. In the meantime, Teng Qingshan stared down at the vast and endless great earth, and the cities and villages on it.

Fifteen minutes later, Teng Qingshan finally saw Huyue County-City.

……

Huyue County-City was the location of the headquarters of the Snowy Lotus Cult. The luxurious mansion in Huyue County-City was Li Jun’s residence.

Li Jun was alone in the study room, while two guards stood outside it.

“Hm. It looks like the eradication of Hong Tian City in Youzhou is extremely difficult.” Li Jun shook her head as she read the pages of information in her hands.

“Whiz!”

A bright beam of light sped through the door and entered the study room.

The two bodyguards outside the studyroom turned their heads hastily. As they saw a figure appear in the study room, they immediately shouted out loud, “Who is that?!”

“Quickly, quickly.”

There were many guards in the mansion. When the other guards heard the shouts, they immediately rushed toward the study room.

Li Jun stared at the person in shock and joy. She hastily waved her hands and instructed the guards, “All of you, go out! Don’t let anyone disturb me.”

“Yes.”

The two bodyguards then saw that the person who came through the door was their Substitute High Priestess’ husband, who had lived in the mansion before. As the guards realized this, their faces flushed. They left the study room and closed the door hastily.

“Qingshan, why have you come here at this time? It’s night time.” Li Jun walked over with a smile and held Teng Qingshan’s arm.

“I have urgent matters.” Teng Qingshan frowned and said worriedly, “Little Jun, the armies of Qing Hu Island which were stationed in the three areas at the border of Jiangning County have begun advancing toward Jiangning County. Additionally, several days ago, the Blind Swordmaster of the Qing Hu Island borrowed the help of an Emptiness Realm Demonic Beast and killed Elder Wu, whom I have mentioned before.

“What? This…!” Li Jun was greatly shocked by this news.

Even the Heavenly God Palace had not received news of Elder Wu’s death.

“How did this happen?” Li Jun was stunned.

“Little Jun, the Gui Yuan Sect is in a very dangerous situation now. I may not be able to intimidate the Qing Hu Island alone.” Teng Qingshan frowned and said, “Plus, if the Qing Hu Island takes precaution and sends their elite members out of Qing Hu Island, I won’t be able to revenge even if I wanted to.”

Li Jun also nodded in agreement.

“Qingshan, what do you plan to do?” Li Jun asked.

“Can you contact the Heavenly God Palace?” Teng Qingshan asked, “Tell them the situation. Just tell them that if all of Yangzhou unites as one, it will be much more troublesome if the Heavenly God Palace wishes to conquer Yangzhou. Ask them to send an Emptiness Realm Expert there and help the Gui Yuan Sect for this reason.”

“Indeed. If this is the reason, they may help.” Little Jun nodded and replied, “This time, the Heavenly God Palace is facing some difficulties in the battle against Hong Tian City in the northeast of Youzhou. I think the Sovereign probably won’t want the same thing to happen in Yangzhou.”

“Difficulties?” Teng Qingshan said with a frown.

“Yes.” Li Jun nodded and said, “The Heavenly God Palace has hidden within Qingzhou for over a hundred years. They infiltrated Qingzhou long ago and established many forces. Therefore, Qingzhou was conquered very quickly. However, the conquest of Youzhou was very troublesome. Due to what had happened to Xiao Yao Palace, Hong Tian City learned a lesson. They managed to unify the entire Youzhou with the use of even some shady methods.

“Hong Tian City refused to battle against the Heavenly God Palace directly! Firstly, the elite soldiers scattered and led numerous small troops, stealthily attacking our great army like wolves.

“Secondly, Hong Tian City even offered rewards and began recruiting soldiers throughout the entire Youzhou. If a soldier who joins kills one soldier of the Heavenly God Palace, then he will receive five hundred silver taels!

“Five hundred silver taels! Such a high reward for just the killing of one person. This reward was enough to tempt and make the bandits to go crazy.

“For a period of time, several hundred to several thousand troops appeared everywhere throughout the entirety of Youzhou. The greater troops consisted of twenty to thirty thousand men, while the smaller troops consisted of around one thousand people. These troops relied on their familiarity of the landform, skills, traps, stealthy attacks, or poison to attack the forces of the Heavenly God Palace.” Li Jun shook her head as she said with a helpless smile, “The Heavenly God Palace does have Emptiness Realm Experts, but the few Emptiness Realm Experts can’t do anything to the innumerable troops that are everywhere in Youzhou.

“Sigh… The forces of the Heavenly God Palace are going through great troubles in Youzhou.

“Therefore, the Sovereign of the Heavenly God Palace may agree to send an Emptiness Realm Expert to aid the Gui Yuan Sect,” Li Jun said while nodding.