Chapter 81: Finding Shangguan Hong

Unfortunately, You Xiyue did not hear the rest of the story—Ye Linyi had already fainted.

“I’m going to the Immortal Realm,” Jun Yang said, rising to his feet, intent on seeking out Shangguan Hong.

You Xiyue blocked his path, handing him the Soul Condensing Dew. “You stay here and take care of the Phoenix clan’s affairs. I’ll go!”

“Little Ancestor—”

Before Jun Yang could finish, You Xiyue had vanished.

Fan Wuwei approached, his mood equally heavy. No one could bear the sight before them—this was hell itself, perhaps even more heartbreaking than hell.

“I’ll call our clansmen to come help,” Fan Wuwei said, taking out his jade slip and stepping aside to summon the members of the Candle Dragon clan. Who could have imagined that these ancient sacred beasts, once equals in the Holy Realm, would fall to such a fate?

Jun Yang lifted Ye Linyi from the pit to the ground, and with a sweep of his wide sleeve, the fallen members of the Phoenix clan floated upward from the depths, rising into the air. One by one, he laid them out neatly on the ground.

Feng Ling’er seemed to have forgotten she could fly, crawling from the pit in tears. She stumbled to the row of corpses, her expression vacant.

Jun Yang, clutching the Soul Condensing Dew, surveyed the scene and noticed a few Phoenix clan members who still had a trace of breath. He went to each and gave them a dose.

When he reached Feng You, Jun Yang paused, glancing down. He tightened his grip on the bottle—Feng You’s limbs were severed, and no life remained.

“How could the Immortal clan be so cruel?” Fan Wuwei exclaimed, following Jun Yang’s gaze. “What did the Phoenix clan do to provoke them?”

Jun Yang continued searching for any other survivors, ignoring Fan Wuwei’s question.

The Shangguan Immortal clan had already declined. It was clear this atrocity was beyond their means. Jun Yang harbored his own suspicions, though he was uncertain. But he was sure You Xiyue thought the same, which was why she refused to let him go to the Immortal Realm.

The Candle Dragon clansmen responded quickly. As soon as Fan Wuwei gave the order, they rushed over, bringing several alchemists with them.

But every newcomer was struck dumb with horror at the scene.

Naturally, Fan Lihua had followed as well. Though You Xiyue had refused to take her as a disciple, she wasn’t willing to give up so easily.

“Ancestor, what happened here?!” Fan Zhujiao ran to Fan Wuwei, bewildered.

Fan Wuwei had only told them, through the jade slip, to bring some clansmen and alchemists to the upper realms; he hadn’t given a reason.

They had thought they were coming for a fight or to support their side, so when they arrived and saw this, they were stupefied. Was this a war of annihilation?

“Save who you can first. See if anyone can still be helped,” Fan Wuwei ordered, though he himself was at a loss, then turned to Jun Yang, who still wouldn’t speak.

“Yes, sir.”

The Candle Dragon clansmen pushed aside their shock and set to work swiftly.

Jun Yang put away the Soul Condensing Dew—he had administered it to all he could, even to those with little hope. Now, all they could do was their best and leave the rest to fate.

Not long after, Yan Qingye dragged back Ming Chenyu, who was injured and unconscious.

Jun Yang approached and took Ming Chenyu from him. A bloody, five-fingered hole pierced Ming Chenyu’s chest—a gruesome sight.

“Did Little Ancestor send you out?” Jun Yang asked Yan Qingye while feeding the Soul Condensing Dew to Ming Chenyu.

“Yes,” Yan Qingye nodded. “How did the Phoenix clan end up like this? Was this really Shangguan Hong’s doing?”

Jun Yang shook his head. “There must have been others involved.”

“Others? Should we… go help Master?” Yan Qingye helped Jun Yang lay Ming Chenyu flat as he spoke.

Jun Yang pressed his lips into a thin line and sighed. “It’s best if we wait for her here.”

Yan Qingye wasn’t foolish; seeing Jun Yang’s expression, he understood that if they went, they would only be a burden to You Xiyue.

If even Jun Yang thought he might be a hindrance, then their enemy this time must be unimaginably powerful.

“Will Master be alright?”

“She will,” Jun Yang replied with certainty.

He believed his Little Ancestor was invincible.

After finding Ming Chenyu, You Xiyue called Yan Qingye from Xingruo Island, then continued on to the Shangguan family of the Immortal Realm.

These disciples truly took her words to heart—no matter the danger, they showed no fear.

The Shangguan Immortal clan had declined, living at the very edge of the Immortal Realm. You Xiyue was not one for courtesy—she unleashed a powerful spiritual pressure that pressed the entire Shangguan family to their knees.

“Is Shangguan Hong here?”

An old man with gray hair and a hunched frame knelt trembling on the ground. “Esteemed elder… Shangguan… Hong… has not returned for a very long time.”

You Xiyue had no patience for further questions. Light gathered at her fingertips and shot into the old man’s mind.

He clutched his head in agony, writhing on the ground, while the others—though furious—dared not utter a word.

After searching his memories for some time, You Xiyue was satisfied the old man spoke the truth. Shangguan Hong had only returned once after the clan’s spirit was destroyed, to accept his punishment.

After that, he left the Shangguan family and never returned.

You Xiyue withdrew her hand and darted away, heading to Shangguan Hong’s room as seen in the old man’s memories.

“Yun Xiling.”

At the summons, Yun Xiling immediately flew from You Xiyue’s arm, circling Shangguan Hong’s chamber several times before soaring out the door and into the clouds.

You Xiyue followed closely behind, until they reached a thatched hut in the Immortal Realm.

That same familiar stench of blood hung in the air. With a single palm strike, You Xiyue shattered the hut, sending Shangguan Hong and two others flying.

Feng Qinghe, covered in blood, was wrapped up and brought out by Yun Xiling.

You Xiyue shoved a Dreaming Yin-Yang Pill into Feng Qinghe’s mouth, catching bits of delirious muttering: “I… I don’t know…”

A cold laugh escaped You Xiyue’s lips, her gaze turning fierce. “Yun Xi, take Feng Qinghe back to the Phoenix clan.”

“Yes, master.”

At last, You Xiyue released Yun Xiling’s restraints.

It had been a long time since Yun Xiling had spoken; now, enveloping Feng Qinghe, she sped back toward the Phoenix clan.

Shangguan Hong couldn’t withstand You Xiyue’s strike and immediately passed out.

You Xiyue spared him only a fleeting glance before turning to the other two.

They rose from the rubble, straightening their clothes before finally meeting You Xiyue’s gaze.

Truth be told, both men were already quite unnerved. They hadn’t expected You Xiyue to track them down so quickly.

The taller, thinner man smoothed his beard and tried to maintain a calm demeanor. “Young friend, we were merely hired by Shangguan Hong. This really has little to do with us.”

The man beside him quickly echoed, “Yes, yes, we were only paid to do a job—please, let us go. Shangguan Hong is right there.”

Suddenly, You Xiyue stepped closer to the tall, thin man, meeting his eyes. The man’s gaze faltered.

“Do you really think I’d believe that?”