The True Demon Sect and the entire demonic path were in an uproar.
"The Qianyang Holy Son is challenging the Sect Master, aiming to ascend to the position of Sect Master?"
"There were no prior signs; the Qianyang Holy Son is indeed bold."
"If he dares to challenge the Sect Master, he must at least be at the Venerable realm... When did he break through to the Venerable realm?"
"We haven't heard any news of the Qianyang Holy Son in recent years. He must have been in secluded cultivation... To think that in just three years, he has advanced from the fourth level of the Heavenly realm to the Venerable realm. Such a promotion speed is somewhat terrifying."
"When he makes a move, it's always a major event."
"It is a good thing that our Holy Path has such an ambitious prodigy. In a few days, we should head to the True Saint lineage to witness this battle."
...
"Daddy, are we going back to Fourth Mother's house?" Chen Nianxuan asked Chen Jiuyang.
"Yes," Chen Jiuyang replied with a smile. "We'll stay at your Fourth Mother's house for a few days. Daddy has some work matters to attend to."
"Holy Son, you are ready. We can depart and return to the Holy Sect," a Nascent Soul stage cultivator from the guard team reported.
"Let's go."
A grand and luxurious convoy departed from Ziyang City and headed onto the highway. Chen Jiuyang's family was traveling in a luxurious two-story RV.
While high-speed rail was faster, for freedom and safety, it was considered more secure to travel with their own convoy.
It took about a full day to drive from Fengcheng to Suhang.
After driving for two hours, they left the borders of Feng Province, and the convoy was forced to stop at a service area.
The people from the Lotus Sect had blocked their path.
Chen Jiuyang's subordinates went to negotiate.
Soon.
Ming Huatong appeared before them, her voice reaching into the RV: "Brother Jiuyang, could you come out for a moment?"
Chen Jiuyang stood up, left the RV, and approached Ming Huatong. "What is it? Is your grandmother nearby?"
Ming Huatong giggled charmingly, "Grandmother is not nearby, but I have other matters to trouble Brother Jiuyang with..."
"What trouble?" Chen Jiuyang asked.
Ming Huatong's relaxed, charming smile slowly faded from her face. She gritted her teeth and said, "That lunatic Gong Liexian, along with the Sword Keeper, is hunting me. My younger sister's strength cannot withstand their combined assault, so I can only seek help from Brother Jiuyang."
Chen Jiuyang looked at her with a half-smile. "You really know how to find trouble for me."
"What benefit do I get from helping you?"
A blush appeared on Ming Huatong's face, and she said somewhat shyly, "This little sister can only repay Brother Jiuyang by offering herself."
Chen Jiuyang waved his hand, his expression calm. "You flatter yourself. No need for that. Let's discuss another condition."
Ming Huatong's large, watery eyes gazed at Chen Jiuyang, and she said, "Then please state your conditions, Brother Jiuyang. I will agree to anything I can do."
Chen Jiuyang said, "Go and capture three people from the Heavenly realm or Nascent Soul stage from the Five Great Holy Lands for me. Can you do that?"
"People from the Five Great Holy Lands... It seems Brother Jiuyang can no longer hold back and wishes to retaliate." Ming Huatong replied, "I can do it. I can accomplish this."
"Boom!!!"
At this moment, the sound of a helicopter echoed from the sky.
It was clear that Gong Liexian and the Sword Keeper had tracked them down.
Gong Liexian, clad in golden armor and holding a long spear, stood by the helicopter, her other hand gripping the railing. Upon seeing Ming Huatong below, she and the Sword Keeper leaped from the aircraft.
"Demoness, you're not running this time?"
Gong Liexian glared at Ming Huatong with murderous intent.
Ming Huatong, however, was completely unfazed, smiling at Gong Liexian. "Why should I run?"
Chen Jiuyang stood with his back to Gong Liexian and the Sword Keeper.
Gong Liexian and the Sword Keeper observed the person and the convoy with their backs turned to them, sensing the strength of the group, their expressions darkened slightly.
Gong Liexian said coldly, "To dare wait for us here, you have helpers. But no matter who your helper is, the Sword Keeper handles matters. If you obstruct us, we will kill without mercy!"
Chen Jiuyang slowly turned around, his expression calm as he looked at Gong Liexian and Wan Xiu. "Liexian, you are still as impetuous as ever in your actions."
"!!!"
Gong Liexian and Wan Xiu looked at Chen Jiuyang, their expressions instantly stunned. Gong Liexian exclaimed, "How are you here?"
Chen Jiuyang smiled, "I am a member of the True Demon Sect, and Ming Huatong is also from the demonic path. You are hunting her, and she has come to me for help."
Gong Liexian and Wan Xiu were surprised to encounter Chen Jiuyang here, and their killing intent immediately faltered.
Gong Liexian frowned slightly as she looked at Chen Jiuyang. "Are you going to help this demoness against us?"
Chen Jiuyang said, "It shouldn't come to that. We are all old acquaintances; there's no need for conflict."
"Liexian, do me a favor and don't target Ming Huatong anymore."
"She is of great use to me."
"..."
Gong Liexian fell silent. After a long while, she finally spoke, "My Gong family owes you a favor, Jiuyang. Do you truly intend to use her?"
Three years ago, Chen Jiuyang had healed Gong Wang.
Chen Jiuyang nodded slowly. "This favor is due. Liexian, please send my regards to Gong Wang."
Gong Liexian's expression became complicated. She lowered the long spear in her hand, its tip sinking into the ground.
The matter of Chen Jiuyang's wife being abducted three years ago made them unsure how to face him.
Gong Liexian lowered her head slightly. "Alright."
Wan Xiu looked at Chen Jiuyang with a complex expression, and in the end, said nothing, merely cupping his fists in a salute.
The Sword Keeper system also felt indebted to Chen Jiuyang.
Chen Jiuyang also cupped his fists in return at the opportune moment, smiling. "Thank you both for giving me face. Then, we shall meet again if fate allows."
Afterward, Chen Jiuyang said to Ming Huatong, "Take your people and go."
Ming Huatong was somewhat disappointed, having expected a confrontation between the two parties. She led the people of the Lotus Sect and drove onto the highway.
Then, Chen Jiuyang's convoy resumed its journey.
Gong Liexian and Wan Xiu stood in place, watching Chen Jiuyang's convoy depart. Wan Xiu then sighed, "After not seeing him for several years, he has been hiding in Feng Province for so long. His reappearance now, who knows what he intends to do."
"Whatever he intends to do, it has nothing to do with us. We are already people from different worlds," Gong Liexian raised her head, her expression indifferent. "If we meet again in the future, it's hard to say."
"Life is unpredictable..."
...
A day passed, and they arrived at the Han clan's territory in Suhang, settling in at the Han clan's grounds first.
It wasn't until the next morning that they returned to the True Demon Sect.
"Greetings, Holy Son."
Qiu Yangzi and his three disciples had successfully joined the True Demon Sect and were ranked as true disciples. They had changed into the True Demon Sect's true disciple attire and were respectfully awaiting Chen Jiuyang at the sect's main gate, bowing and cupping their fists upon seeing him.
"En."
Chen Jiuyang, clad in the dark Holy Son's ceremonial robe, was accompanied by Qiu Yihan, who wore the Holy Maiden's phoenix robe, and a hundred guards behind him.
As Chen Jiuyang stepped into the sect, the vast plaza was filled with the Sect Master Su Jinglun at the forefront, with numerous elders of the True Demon Sect and all the disciples of the True Demon Sect standing on either side.
Su Jinglun stared at Chen Jiuyang with a blank expression.
An oppressive aura washed over them.