Chapter 124: Night Raid on the Falling Star Mansion

The entire jar of Sanggan fruit wine was drained before the conversation officially began. With the divine wine to warm their spirits, the atmosphere among those present grew harmonious and peaceful.

Xiao Qingtian was the first to speak: "Jun Huai, most of us here belong to the sect alliance. Since you have openly confronted the Bloodshed Alliance, I will recount your tremendous contributions to everyone. So today, you need not hold back—say whatever you wish."

Ren Yinhai followed: "Indeed, ever since the two tragic incidents, the Bloodshed Alliance has been intertwined with you. Thanks to your meticulous efforts, we managed to apprehend many of their villains in time, greatly benefiting the cultivation sects of the Western Region."

Liu Junhuai replied, "All of this was purely a twist of fate and coincidence. Fortunately, the Bloodshed Alliance issue was resolved relatively smoothly. More importantly, the sects of the Western Region have strengthened their ties, and the cultivation world grows more united. That is our greatest achievement."

Ren Yinhai clapped his hands and said, "Master Liu, your words are most reasonable. I have already heard from Sect Leader Xiao that it was your accurate intelligence that helped form the sect alliance. The alliance has come collectively to the Wànxiàng Sect, first to congratulate them on their establishment, second to express our gratitude to you personally, and third to discuss the joint grand ceremony we intend to hold. Of course, before addressing these three matters, we must trouble Master Liu to provide details about Tai Shuyong and the Fallen Star Mansion."

Liu Junhuai composed his thoughts and said, "Tai Shuyong revealed some information: the Fallen Star Mansion still harbors members of the Bloodshed Alliance. Among them is a deputy sect leader named Huo Shaoying, a Nascent Soul stage cultivator, along with six Foundation Establishment stage disciples. No one knows exactly what position Huo Shaoying holds within the Bloodshed Alliance, but it is certain he is from the Chu family of the Northern Domain.

"He also knows of another Bloodshed Alliance member, likely a high-ranking figure in the Western Region's cultivation world, but he did not disclose the name. Tai Shuyong made one request—that we spare his life. This is the main reason I entrusted Uncle Wu to deliver the message to the sect alliance.

"My suggestion is to agree to his request. Tai Shuyong's cultivation has been nullified by me; keeping him alive poses no threat. We can announce his death publicly while secretly sparing him, which will not affect the sect alliance’s plans."

Ren Yinhai did not hesitate: "Master Liu’s advice is sound. We shall follow it. Wànxiàng Sect is joining the sect alliance, so your opinion represents us all. Tai Shuyong will be interrogated overnight, and once that is done, he will be spared."

Liu Junhuai said, "Before releasing him, we must use his mouthpiece to send a message to the Fallen Star Mansion—that their disciple died within Wànxiàng Sect. This must be done before Wànxiàng Sect publicly declares its alliance membership. This is crucial. My goal is to lure out Huo Shaoying. If the sect alliance negotiates with the Fallen Star Mansion, it only complicates matters."

Ren Yinhai frowned and said, "Master Liu, by doing this, you risk becoming the Fallen Star Mansion’s mortal enemy, which is not good for Wànxiàng Sect’s future development."

Liu Junhuai smiled: "I have already killed many from the Fallen Star Mansion and made many enemies. The sect alliance must appear as mediators now so that the Fallen Star Mansion will appreciate the alliance and face fewer obstacles joining it."

Those present gradually understood Liu Junhuai’s noble intent. From now on, Wànxiàng Sect no longer needed to personally capture Huo Shaoying. Liu Junhuai’s offer to help was selfless; his aim was simply to expedite the capture, even if it enraged the Fallen Star Mansion.

One early Golden Core disciple from a minor sect, eyes slightly reddened, said, "Master Liu, thank you for all you have done for the sect alliance! If Wànxiàng Sect faces any difficulties in the future, I will come at once."

Liu Junhuai repeatedly expressed his thanks inwardly, thinking, "No need to be so sentimental—I’m just trying to avoid trouble!" But indeed, this matter was quite righteous.

Just as Liu Junhuai was basking in his own thoughts, the door suddenly burst open, startling him. Shen Duoduo stumbled in, not expecting so many guests, and nervously stuck out her tongue before calling out to Liu Junhuai, "Brother Jun Huai, many people from the Fallen Star Mansion have arrived outside the mountain gate. Grandpa Bian and the others have already gone ahead and told me to call you!"

Liu Junhuai's heart jumped in alarm. He hadn’t expected the Fallen Star Mansion to arrive so quickly. Could there be a leak inside Wànxiàng Sect?

Without time to ponder further, Liu Junhuai bowed to the sect alliance members: "Well, there’s no need to discuss how to deal with the Fallen Star Mansion anymore. Please stay here and hide for a while. Now is not your time to appear."

Liu Junhuai then stepped out of the VIP room. The vast sky above Wànxiàng Sect was pitch black—it was already midnight.

Outside the door, Liu Junhuai released his divine perception and found a dense crowd gathered before the mountain gate. Wu Shaoyuan was busy setting up a simple formation, hoping to hold them back for a while. Seeing Bian Yanshan and Fang Keyin arrive, he put down the spiritual stone he was using.

Liu Junhuai did not rush out immediately. He extended his divine perception to every corner of Wànxiàng Sect and spotted a disciple from Yanfu Palace skulking timidly in a corner of the main hall.

He ignored the insignificant figure and teleported directly to the mountain gate.

Fang Keyin and Bian Yanshan did not attack but quietly watched as Wànxiàng Sect disciples desperately resisted the Fallen Star Mansion’s assault.

The Fallen Star Mansion had sent 120 cultivators, none below Foundation Establishment stage. Their leader was a mid-Nascent Soul cultivator, with two other early Nascent Soul cultivators silently extending their divine senses to observe the situation within Wànxiàng Sect.

Liu Junhuai smiled inwardly, retracted his divine perception, and said to Fang Keyin, "Grandfather, please hold back for now. If those three Nascent Soul cultivators try to escape, capture them. I will first deal with the others."

Without waiting for a reply, Liu Junhuai soared into the enemy ranks.

In midair, a vast shadowy hand manifested, covering the heads of the Fallen Star Mansion cultivators. The five fingers spread wide, enveloped in a purple glow.

Seeing Liu Junhuai unleash the Overarching Hand Seal again, even as Wànxiàng Sect disciples retreated, one after another the Fallen Star Mansion disciples were shredded to pieces with sharp tearing sounds.

The Overarching Hand, infused with Heavenly Lotus Heartfire, mercilessly burned the fleeing Fallen Star Mansion disciples. The fiery flames mingled with the purple light of the seal, creating a dazzling spectacle against the night sky.

The two early Nascent Soul cultivators’ faces turned pale. According to their intelligence, two Nascent Soul cultivators from Wànxiàng Sect were guarding the sect. They had planned to send lower-level disciples first but never expected an early Golden Core disciple to slaughter their weaker opponents so thoroughly.

More terrifying was the ferocity of the Overarching Hand technique—a nearly unheard-of attack—whose attached flames clung to the body and could not be extinguished.

"That must be Liu Junhuai, the sect leader of Wànxiàng Sect. Brothers, guard against those Nascent Soul cultivators; I will deal with him first!" one early Nascent Soul said, drawing a double-edged long knife and charging at Liu Junhuai.

Liu Junhuai sneered inwardly and, with a sudden teleport, appeared right before the Fallen Star Mansion disciple.

The fleeing crowd suddenly sensed a flash of purple light beneath their feet. As they hesitated, the vast purple-red hand slammed down.

Before they could react, Liu Junhuai vanished and reappeared repeatedly, each time leaving a sea of blood beneath his hand.

The early Nascent Soul cultivator screamed in fury, "Do not harm my disciples!" But before he finished, his body shot forward like a white streak toward Liu Junhuai.

Caught in the heat of battle, Liu Junhuai had no intention to confront him. Before the Nascent Soul cultivator could close in, Liu Junhuai vanished again.

When the Nascent Soul looked around in confusion, Liu Junhuai reappeared behind him. The Overarching Hand smashed down again, blood splattered, and countless screams were abruptly silenced.

In mere moments—only a few dozen breaths—the more than one hundred Fallen Star Mansion disciples brought by the three Nascent Soul cultivators were reduced to fewer than twenty survivors.

Among the dead were three Golden Core cultivators.

Liu Junhuai’s strength was astonishing. The remaining two Nascent Soul cultivators rose and charged toward him in anger.

To their frustration, Liu Junhuai vanished again. They hurriedly looked toward the gathering of Fallen Star Mansion disciples.

Before they could understand, Liu Junhuai appeared behind the first early Nascent Soul cultivator. His Divine Slayer Spear gleamed golden, swift as lightning. Before the cultivator could turn, the spear pierced through his chest.

The early Nascent Soul cultivator only left behind a terrified gaze before collapsing dead.

The remaining two Nascent Soul cultivators shrank back in fear, a chilling sensation rising within them.

Their younger brother had perished without even a single exchange with Liu Junhuai.

Though Liu Junhuai was only an early Golden Core cultivator, his ghostlike movements were impossible to counter. Moreover, two Nascent Soul cultivators had yet to engage—how could they win this battle?

Almost simultaneously, the two exchanged glances and abruptly turned away, fleeing in the face of an early Golden Core cultivator.

Fang Keyin and Bian Yanshan instantly took flight, soaring like two giant roc birds in pursuit.

The two fleeing cultivators suddenly felt a fierce wind rise behind them. Two figures, like arrows released from a bow, closed in swiftly. Sharp palm winds suddenly struck their backs.

Terrified, the two hastily activated their true energy shields. The fierce palm strikes hit their backs, causing two sprays of blood as their bodies crashed toward the ground.

Before they could recover, two oppressive pressures descended upon them, immobilizing them completely.

With a swoosh, two palm strikes landed on their dantian areas, sending agonizing tearing pain through their cores. Their cultivation was utterly destroyed.