Chapter 677: Returning to Yuqing

Chapter 677: Returning to Yuqing

Afar, Li Qianjun seemed to be mired in conflict with some Yuqing cultivators.

Xiao Nanfeng and Blue Lantern took advantage of the opportunity to slip away.

They had reaped tremendous rewards by uprooting the Southeastern Aquatic Palace, and properly digesting those rewards would take significant effort.

Shortly after the two cultivators left, Ao Canghai and his subordinates returned, though they were focused on stealth and only observed the palace from a distance.

"Eastern Aspect, what happened to the Southeastern Aquatic Palace?" a Martial Aspect exclaimed.

Ao Canghai deflated. "We were too late. Xiao Nanfeng has likely claimed the entire palace for himself."

"What?!"

"Li Qianjun was the leader of Long Yi's true reinforcements. To think the Southeastern Aquatic Palace would be supported by the Immortal Emperor of Hongyue..." Ao Canghai exclaimed.

"What are Li Qianjun and the cultivators from the Yuqing holy land fighting over?" the Golden Immortal asked.

Ao Canghai narrowed his eyes. "We suffered huge losses today. Regardless of what they're fighting over, it'll be ours in the end."

"Understood!"

Xiao Nanfeng ignored the ongoing fighting in the Southeastern Aquatic Palace. He fled with Blue Lantern by sea for some time before finally emerging into the sky and flying off.

They stopped on a certain island shrouded by fog, clearly the result of some formation or another.

Ao Zhou, Zhao Yuanjiao, Ye Dafu and the others were all glancing excitedly at a huge sphere of water, hundreds of meters wide.

The sphere of water was pinned in place by countless nails and was no longer gushing out water.

"The Cage of the Sea really is perfect for this." Xiao Nanfeng smiled.

"Xiao Nanfeng, why don't you give me this Eye of the Sea? I don't want any other reward," Ao Zhou begged shamelessly.

Ye Dafu glared at him. "Ao Zhou, how can you be so shameless?"

"What do you mean? I'm hardly being shameless. If I hadn't borrowed the Cage of the Sea, how would all of you have managed to uproot the Southeastern Aquatic Palace?" Ao Zhou sniffed.

Xiao Nanfeng shook his head. "You won't be getting any treasure from me. We helped you finish your Martial Aspect mission, after all, so you'll be rewarded by the Imperial Court."

"What? But this Eye of the Sea—" Ao Zhou didn't want to give in at all.

"This Eye of the Sea is mine," Xiao Nanfeng said firmly.

Ao Zhou sighed, though he hadn't really expected his shameless begging to bear fruit.

"Your Majesty, this Eye of the Sea is the source of water, and is imbued with various forms of natural law at its core. It's a rare treasure," Blue Lantern said.

"Indeed. It's a Boundless Immortal relic, and I intend to consume it."

Ao Zhou widened his eyes. He gaped. "Don't you cultivate a fire-attuned technique? What's the point of consuming an Eye of the Sea? You're wasting an incredible treasure!"

Xiao Nanfeng ignored Ao Zhou. He turned to Blue Lantern. "Do you have any advice?"

"Many peak Golden Immortals have advanced to Boundless Immortals by attuning to Eyes of the Sea. It's an incredible treasure for cultivation, and being able to attune to it would provide a tremendous boost. However, there are two points worth noting," Blue Lantern began.

"Oh?"

"First, the cursed nature of this Eye of the Sea, which was obtained from the black coffin. Considering the quality of this relic, it surely contains more cursed spiritual power than lesser treasures—ten times that within my Golden Immortal pill, at the very least, and maybe even a hundred times."

Xiao Nanfeng nodded slowly. "It won't be a problem."

Xiao Nanfeng's eyes widened in amazement.

He hadn't paid much attention to the sect's history in the past; this was the first he was learning about the city of Taixu.

"You should leave first. I'd like to head to Taixu and have a look," Zhao Yuanjiao said.

"Be careful, Senior Brother. I'll be in the Yuqing holy land for some time. If anything happens, send word to me immediately. I'll have spectral guards head to Taixu to get in touch with you."

"No, there's no need. Some of my blackguards are already there, and they can contact you if necessary."

Xiao Nanfeng nodded.

Zhao Yuanjiao flew off, leaving Xia Lan, Xiao Nanfeng, and the twelve golden cultivators behind.

"Xiao Nanfeng, you intend to return to the Yuqing holy land? Whatever for?" Xia Lan asked.

"I'm going to marry Yu'er, of course."

Xia Lan rolled his eyes. "We haven't promised to marry her off to you just yet."

"I'm not in a hurry," Xiao Nanfeng replied. "I can wait."

Xia Lan growled, "You really are shameless!"

"I'm going to the Yuqing holy land not just to await Yu'er, but also to support you. Can't you tell? No wonder Yu'er says that you aren't smart."

Xia Lan stiffened, then thundered, "Who needs your support? We're doing just fine! Who would dare cause trouble for us within the Yuqing holy land?"

"A group of Mountain Lords who can't make their way into the purple moon illusory realm, of course. If they force you to tell them Yu'er's whereabouts, what are you going to do? Your father's with Yu'er. Do you think you alone can handle the matters of your father's station? Are you going to make your mothers stand up to those Mountain Lords on your behalf? Do you have any filial respect at all?" Xiao Nanfeng demanded.

"That's none of your business!"

"My in-laws' business might as well be my business."

Xia Lan glared again. "My father hasn't approved your marriage just yet!"

"Don't talk nonsense. Let's hurry up and go. Your mothers must be quite worried by now."

"Hmph!"

They headed straight for the Yuqing holy land.

Days later, as they neared the holy land and were spotted by some Yuqing disciples, the disciples' eyes lit up as they quickly ran off. By the time Xiao Nanfeng's group had reached the mountain pass, there were already a large number of Yuqing disciples waiting for them.

"What's with this grand welcome? There's no need for all this." Xia Lan smiled.

The Yuqing disciples ignored Xia Lan and instead bowed politely toward Xiao Nanfeng.

"Senior Brother Xiao, thank goodness you've returned to the Yuqing holy land! You have to stay longer this time."

"Senior Brother Xiao, thanks to your pointers, my cultivation has improved rapidly!"

"I've managed to obtain some excellent alcohol, Senior Brother Xiao. Let's share some together!"

"I have a few cultivation questions on my mind, Senior Uncle Xiao. Would you please resolve my concerns?"

The Yuqing disciples were all raring to get a little of Xiao Nanfeng's time.

"I'm grateful for all your support, everyone. Allow me to greet my seniors for the moment—I'll be with all of you shortly." Xiao Nanfeng smiled.

"Thank you, Senior Brother Xiao!" The Yuqing disciples beckoned him forth as they flew back into the holy land together, leaving Xia Lan behind alone. His hair was windswept from all the currents they had stirred up. Were all these Yuqing disciples crazy? Why were they all sucking up to Xiao Nanfeng, an outsider?