Chapter 423: My Esteemed Teachers Arch-Rival

Chapter 423: My Esteemed Teacher's Arch-Rival

The Flying-Dragon Fortress in the Emerald Sky Waters.

If someone were to gaze down from a high altitude, they would see a vast stretch of water extending for hundreds of li, interspersed with towering mountains that resembled isolated islands.

With endless green mountains and clear waters, the entire area looked like a piece of jade that the gods had dropped from heaven.

As a gust of black wind descended upon a spot within the lake and mountains, it revealed a huge walled city hidden among the misty hills. It appeared to be a large village situated halfway up the mountain. However, the squads of burly men armed with sharp blades patrolling the area made it clear that this was no ordinary place.

Whoosh—

The black wind settled in the central clearing of the walled city, revealing the figures hidden within. A towering giant stood out among them, surrounded by several fierce-looking, burly men. Yet, the passing villagers showed no fear; instead, their eyes reflected a mix of respect and admiration.

It seemed they greatly envied these powerful fighters who had the privilege of going out to battle.

Long before they landed, Chu Liang had already scanned the surroundings with his divine sense, allowing him to gain a rough understanding of the nature of this place.

Over the years, the bandits and pirates of the Emerald Sky Waters had developed their own way of life. They were bandits when they were on the back of horses, but when they dismounted, they blended in as ordinary folk. When the government sent powerful forces to eliminate them, they presented themselves as simple farmers and fishermen. Yet, when merchant ships sailed by, they could instantly transform into bandits, which was why they had never been completely eradicated.

Otherwise, with the power of the court, any group that dared to openly rebel, no matter how strong, would be swiftly crushed.

Some powerful villages could rival the sects of immortal cultivation and even the most formidable gangs. Among them, the Flying-Dragon Fortress stood out as one of the best.

"Chief, we've brought the advisor back!" the giant shouted as soon as he landed.

"Wu Lei, you could have let us down before calling out to the chief," the frail middle-aged man said, his face twisted in discomfort. It was clear that the rough journey had shaken him so much that he just wanted to throw up.

Chu Liang's cultivation level was much higher, which was why he remained unaffected.

During the trip, Chu Liang learned that the middle-aged man's name was Wu Qingfeng. The Flying-Dragon Fortress was primarily made up of people bearing the Wu surname. Although his cultivation wasn't among the strongest in the fortress, Wu Qingfeng was renowned for his wisdom and strategic mind, earning him the title of advisor, or Mister Qingfeng.

Though Wu Qingfeng appeared somewhat disheveled when he first met Chu Liang, the moment he stepped onto the grounds of Flying-Dragon Fortress, he straightened up and once again displayed his composed, strategic demeanor.

"Oh, Advisor!" A burly, one-armed man clad in a thick gray robe emerged from the main hall.

With a headband tied around his forehead and dark stubble shadowing his rugged face, he exuded a powerful aura of the martial world. As he stepped out, he greeted, "You're finally back."

This man was likely the chief of the Flying-Dragon Fortress, known as the One-Armed Flying Dragon, Wu Yinhai—the very person Wu Qingfeng had mentioned. As a powerful sixth-realm cultivator, his name was renowned throughout the hundred li of the Emerald Sky Waters.

"Heh, I ran into some trouble in Wu'an City and ended up embarrassing the Flying-Dragon Fortress, Wu Qingfeng said with an awkward smile.

"Nonsense," Wu Yinhai said, giving him a hearty pat on the shoulder before turning to Chu Liang. "Huh? This young man isn't from our fortress, is he?"

"This is Ye Wen, a brother I met in prison," Wu Qingfeng said with admiration. "Don't let his youth deceive you; his cultivation is extraordinary. None of our young ones here can match him. That's why I had Wu Lei bring him along."

"Hahaha! This young brother is clearly a gifted talent. Now that you're here, you must stay!" Wu Yinhai laughed heartily.

Chu Liang returned the smile, thinking to himself, Those who know you would see this as a friendly recruitment, but to others, it might seem like we have a grudge.

He clasped his fists and politely declined, "Thank you, Mister Qingfeng and esteemed heroes, for rescuing me from the prison. However, I am already committed to a sect and cannot join another. I must return and report to my elders."

"Chief!" one of them yelled. "A Trifloral Goldgrass showed up in the Green-Fish Pond. Ah Liu and the others tried to pluck it, but they ran into a golden draconic python guarding it and barely made it out alive!"

Chu Liang's eyes lit up. Huh?

...

While the tension eased on one side, the other side was on the brink of conflict.

In Wu'an City, dazzling sword lights lit up the sky, leaving the entire city in shock. Every household quickly shut their doors, fearing they might be implicated in the fierce battle between cultivators.

Meanwhile, hundreds of martial artists from the garrison camp outside the city were mobilized. Clad in silver armor and mounted on exotic beasts, they advanced in a grand formation through the clouds.

Such a massive gathering of cultivators was beyond what the City Supervisory Division could manage. And so, the general of the garrison in Wu'an City immediately led his troops to the scene.

Given the immense strength of these cultivators, he knew his troops stood no chance against them. Yet, he couldn't just stand by. If he did, the military might of the Yu Dynasty would be called into question, and the people would no longer feel safe!

And so, the garrison forces of Wu'an City had no choice but to press on. They surged forward like a wave of silver-scaled clouds, moving relentlessly toward the sword lights of Mount Shu!

"May I ask which immortal sect you belong to, daring to wield such power over Wu'an City? Do you truly believe there's no one here who can oppose you?" General Meng Yuan shouted.

Behind him, a row of exotic beasts stood ready, their swords and halberds raised, presenting an imposing show of force.

These martial artists in the military were carefully trained and nurtured by the imperial court. Most had reached the third realm of cultivation, with some elite members advancing to the fourth or fifth realms. With a sixth-realm general leading the garrison and the support of a ferocious formation, even Eminent Ones would struggle to defeat such a force. This garrison was formidable enough to defend any inland city .

However, this garrison was clearly outmatched as they faced off against the formation of sword-wielding experts.

At that moment, a voice rang out from the opposing formation, "We are disciples of Mount Shu, here under the command of the Discipline Master. If the general has any objections, you may take them up with her."

"Very well!" the general responded loudly. "Then I shall go and see for myself!"

In reality, General Meng Yuan had a different plan in mind. These cultivators were clearly from a righteous sect, so it was unlikely that things would get so bad that both sides would end up burning bridges. A fight seemed improbable. Matters between cultivators were usually handled by the City Supervisory Division, and he was there mainly to show support. By stepping forward now, he might even earn some praise afterward.

However, when he arrived at the City Supervisory Division and saw the situation, he immediately changed his mind and wanted to leave.

Unfortunately, it was too late.

As soon as he landed, General Meng Yuan was struck by a chilling sight. The Discipline Master of the Mount Shu Sect exuded an aura of deadly intent. The chief official of the city and the city supervisor dangled helplessly in mid-air, bound by two menacing black spiky horns. Of the three highest-ranking officials in Wu'an City, two were now suspended in this unsettling display.

Seeing this, Meng Yuan realized that these cultivators were ready to burn bridges. In fact, things had escalated so far that it felt like they were already lighting the flames to do so! Clearly, he had walked straight into a trap.

Just as he was about to leave, the Discipline Master shouted, "You're just in time! I was about to execute them, but I worried there wouldn't be any witnesses."

Meng Yuan's scalp prickled with fear, but he turned back and kept his composure. "Discipline Master, isn't this a bit too hasty? Even if you are from the immortal sect of the Divine Nine, you should still respect the laws of the Yu Dynasty."

"Law?" The Discipline Master sneered. "What should we do when the officials of the imperial court are the ones breaking the law?"

"This..." Meng Yuan hesitated for a moment, then said, "We can hold a court trial and execute them only after they have been proven to be guilty."

"Okay!" The Discipline Master said, "Let's arrange for a trial and judge them accordingly!"