Chapter 784: 783
Accompanied by Zhuge Cang and Wang Changchun, Yang Fei, Helian Rong, Wang Lei, and Xu Jian followed Sect Master Zhang as they hurried toward Central State City.
Half an hour later, Central State City was in sight.
Upon entering the city, the bustling metropolis was exceptionally lively. In taverns and teahouses, discussions were endless. Storytellers, who seemed to have acquired information from mysterious sources about the incidents that had occurred on Qingtian Sect’s mountain, spoke with such fervor it was as if they had witnessed the great battle firsthand.
As Yang Fei and his companions passed through the city, some recognized Sect Master Zhang and others recognized Duanmu Fourth Master (Xu Jian), immediately attracting many curious glances.
Soon after, people noticed the captive Wang Changchun and Zhuge Cang, which prompted exclamations of surprise and drew even larger crowds of onlookers. Some boldly inquired with Sect Master Zhang about what had happened.
For those who were acquainted with the older generation of cultivators, Sect Master Zhang would respond with a smile and a brief explanation. However, he paid no heed to the rest of the onlookers who were unfamiliar faces.
Even so, as the news spread, more and more curious bystanders from Central State City flocked to follow the group toward the direction of Qingtian Sect. By the time they left the city through the northwest gate, the procession was impressive, numbering several hundreds.
Everyone was eager to learn the truth and outcome of the battle that had occurred at Qingtian Sect, continuously pressing Sect Master Zhang and Duanmu Cheng (Xu Jian) for answers along the way.
As the crowd grew, some recognized Helian Rong and Wang Lei. Moreover, there were those who had seen Yang Fei at the teleportation passage before who recognized him.
People were buzzing with questions, wondering why Yang Fei was involved with these individuals, why Duanmu Cheng participated in the battle, and upon hearing that Duanmu Wuwang had perished in combat, why Duanmu Cheng would be seen with these people.
Their ears were almost deafened by the relentless queries as they finally approached the front gates of Qingtian Sect. The disciples of Qingtian Sect, with fierce expressions and swords in hand, guarded the gate. Upon seeing Sect Master Zhang return, the disciples respectfully greeted him and dispatched a hawk back to the sect upon capturing the significant figures of Zhuge Cang and Wang Changchun.
With Sect Master Zhang and Helian Rong present, Yang Fei, Wang Lei, and Xu Jian easily entered Qingtian Sect’s gate. However, the curious martial artists who had followed them from Central State City were barred at the gate, not permitted to enter.
Among these onlookers were some well-known experts, but given the major battle that had taken place at Qingtian Sect and the presence of strong fighters from various families within the sect, these renowned experts, in comparison, didn’t count for much and hesitated to disrupt the sect at such a time.
When it was reported that Zhuge Cang and Wang Changchun had been captured alive, key figures such as Zhao Wannian and Qin Sizhong from Qingtian Sect, along with a group of powerhouses, came forward to greet them.
At the mid-slope, where everyone met, Sect Master Zhao Wannian’s eyes fell on Zhuge Cang and Wang Changchun, and he was immediately overjoyed, bowing to Sect Master Zhang, "Family Head Zhang’s blade is as sharp as ever, his heroism unparalleled—it’s truly remarkable that he has captured these two individuals."
Qin Sizhong and other prominent figures also spoke up in praise.
Sect Master Zhang laughed heartily, shaking his head, "My old friends, don’t make fun of Sect Master Zhang. It wasn’t I who captured Wang Changchun and Zhuge Cang; the credit goes to these young people. Especially this little princess from the Helian Zhan Family, who has studied poison techniques under Brother Ouyang for many years, mastering the Poison Technique to perfection. Zhuge Cang and Wang Changchun were both ensnared by her tactics and toppled by her poisons."
Zhao Wannian and Qin Sizhong’s expressions brightened upon hearing this, especially Qin Sizhong who looked at Helian Rong, "Miss Rong, was it really your doing?"
Under the watchful eyes of these influential figures, Helian Rong was not the least bit nervous; her master was Ouyang He, her father was Helian Zhan, and with the backing of Qingtian Sect and Poison Sect, she was truly the number one princess of the Hidden Sect World.
However, she was quick to clarify, not daring to take all the credit alone, "It wasn’t just my doing. We four worked together to defeat these two."
"Oh?"
Qin Sizhong followed the direction Helian Rong pointed, finally noticing Yang Fei, Xu Jian, and Wang Lei.
Speaking of Yang Fei, his reputation in the Hidden Sect World was significant, widely known to nearly everyone, though few had actually met him in person.
Zhao Wannian and Qin Sizhong had never met Yang Fei, thus did not recognize him at first glance, but they did recognize Xu Jian (Duanmu Cheng), and their faces showed astonishment as they turned to Xu Jian, "How are you here?"
Duanmu Cheng had once managed all the secular affairs of the Duanmu Family and had extensive connections within the Hidden Sect had previously visited Qingtian Sect, and met several of its leaders, so they recognized him immediately.
However, they were unaware that the current Duanmu Cheng had been replaced by Xu Jian in a case of body seizing, and thus they were profoundly shocked to see Duanmu Cheng appearing here.
The Duanmu, Zhuge, and Giant Sword Manor formed a tripartite alliance, so why would Duanmu Cheng be walking with Helian Rong and the others?
Xu Jian found it inconvenient to let others know that he had seized Duanmu Cheng’s body. Upon hearing the conversation, he clasped his fists and said, "I have met the two seniors. I, the junior, have already abandoned the dark and turned to the light, leading many people away from the Duanmu Family."
"Oh?" Zhao Wannian and Qin Sizhong, among others, were greatly surprised and full of doubt.
Duanmu Cheng had once been a major figure in the Duanmu Family, and even more, he was the dear grandson of Duanmu Wugou. How could he betray his own family?
Could there be some deception?
Just then, Helian Rong lightly coughed and pointed at Yang Fei, "Uncle Master Zhao, Uncle Master Qin, this is Yang Fei."
"Yang Fei?"
Immediately, several exclamations were heard.
Zhao Wannian, Qin Sizhong, and the other powerful experts around them focused their attention on Yang Fei.
Being stared at by four or five Divine Travel Realm experts at the same time, Yang Fei instinctively tensed up, feeling a surge of wariness.
"Are you the Taoist Inheritor who entered the Hidden Sect, left behind the Taoist Cultivation Technique, and then safely left?" Zhao Wannian asked, staring at Yang Fei.
Yang Fei clasped his fists to greet these influential figures, nodding, "Junior Yang Fei, has met all the seniors here."
Seeing that these people were about to say something, Helian Rong quickly pointed at Wang Lei, "His name is Wang Lei, from the Langya Wang Family. The capture of Wang Changchun and Zhuge Cang was largely due to these three, I merely took advantage of their battle to quietly employ some tactics and made a small contribution."
Zhuge Cang and Wang Changchun’s mouths twitched, and they glared fiercely at Helian Rong.
At that time, although the two of them were being suppressed, they definitely had a chance to escape and would not have been captured alive.
But just at the crucial moment, they realized they had been poisoned.
So now, when Helian Rong claimed she had only made a small contribution, they couldn’t help but retort internally.
If it weren’t for you, the demoness of the Poison Sect, secretly poisoning us, how could we, the grand Divine Travel Realm masters, be captured alive?
This was truly an embarrassing and humiliating defeat.
Having capsized in the gutter, being captured by a few youngsters was enough to ruin their lifetime reputation, likely becoming the butt of many jokes in the future.
Sect Master Zhang laughed and said, "When I arrived, Zhuge Cang and Wang Changchun had already been severely poisoned and were utterly powerless to resist. These young people are truly impressive."
Zhao Wannian and the others regained their composure and swept approving glances at Yang Fei and Helian Rong, nodding, "The younger generation will do us proud, very comforting indeed."
"Let’s go, head back to the mountain first, and see if others have also made similar achievements."
"That’s right, we can say this time it was a complete victory, instantly killing five people, and now we’ve captured two alive. Even if the others escaped, they are no longer a threat."
During their conversation, the group made their way toward the direction of the Qingtian Sect’s main peak.
Upon reaching the summit, they were greeted by Divine Travel Realm experts like Huang Chengcheng, Helian Zhan, Wang Chunyang, Ouyang He, Ji Bangying, and Gong Haichao.
Right away, Huang Chengcheng’s gaze locked onto Yang Fei, and he beamed with joy, rushing forward and loudly exclaimed, "Good apprentice, you really came too, haha..."