Wayfarer

Chapter 791: Xiao Nanfeng Storms Shangqing

On Cursebane Island, Xiao Nanfeng and a group of black-robed subordinates landed on the plaza outside of the island's defensive formation.

They immediately drew the attention of several Shangqing disciples.

Before they could do anything, however, one of Xiao Nanfeng's spectral guards stationed outside the island reached him first.

"I greet Your Majesty."

"What's the situation like now?" Xiao Nanfeng asked.

"Your Majesty, the divine empire of Dahan's suitor delegation is on that island."

Xiao Nanfeng looked over to see officials and generals dressed in imperial robes. They were surrounded by an array of dazzling treasures, clearly intended as bridal gifts.

Xiao Nanfeng's eyes flashed coldly, though he didn't have much time to survey the scene. The Shangqing disciples had arrived.

"Might I ask who you are, honored guest, and why you have come to Cursebane Island?" one of the Shangqing disciples asked.

"I am Xiao Nanfeng, Eastern Aspect of the Imperial Court. I'm here to visit Lady Yaoguang. Kindly pass notice to her on my behalf." Xiao Nanfeng handed over a calling card.

"Isn't Ao Canghai the Eastern Aspect?" the disciple asked, surprised.

"You may verify that easily, I believe." Xiao Nanfeng smiled.

The disciple was taken aback, but nodded quickly. "I understand. Please wait here."

He turned to the group of disciples, who all hurried off to find someone in charge. Upon confirming his identity, shock rippled through the group.

The Eastern Aspect of the Imperial Court—such a revered position would normally draw the attention of the Shangqing hierarch himself. Why was he meeting only with Lady Yaoguang?

The calling card quickly made its way to Lady Yaoguang's residence, only to be intercepted by her uncle, Qu Jianfeng.

"Xiao Nanfeng? What's he doing here?" Qu Jianfeng's face showed a trace of panic.

"Senior Uncle, Xiao Nanfeng's waiting on the plaza by the far end of the island," the disciple informed him.

"Very well. You may leave. I'll handle this," Qu Jianfeng said.

"Understood!" The disciple nodded and left.

Qu Jianfeng stared at the card, his eyelids twitching nervously. Rather than heading into Lady Yaoguang's courtyard, he hurried to a nearby hall to confer with others.

"Elders, something's wrong. Xiao Nanfeng is here! What should we do? I don't dare face him myself," Qu Jianfeng said worriedly.

The elders glanced at each other. One took a deep breath. "It's too late now. We'll have to send him away. Let me go."

"Very well," the others replied.

Soon, the elder arrived at the plaza on the outskirts of the island and met Xiao Nanfeng there.

"I am an elder of the Shangqing holy land. Greetings, Eastern Aspect Xiao."

He sketched a bow, which Xiao Nanfeng returned. "Greetings, Elder. I request an audience with Lady Yaoguang."

"Unfortunately, Lady Yaoguang is in secluded cultivation and cannot receive guests at the moment. Once she emerges, we will contact you, Eastern Aspect Xiao. Will that be acceptable?" The elder smiled.

Xiao Nanfeng frowned. He shook his head. "I've already come. I don't intend to leave before I see her. Have you handed her my calling card?"

"Lady Yaoguang is in seclusion and hasn't been able to receive any messages."

"Is she in secluded cultivation on this island?"

"Indeed."

"In that case, I'll go find her myself."

"Eastern Aspect Xiao, the holy maiden isn't to be disturbed!" the elder exclaimed.

Xiao Nanfeng glanced at him and was certain that he was deliberately trying to keep him from meeting her. Extremely worried, he had no interest in wasting more time with him. Xiao Nanfeng didn't want to wait any longer.

He ignored the elder and flew toward the entrance to the formation.

The elder thundered, "Eastern Aspect Xiao, haven't you heard me? Do you intend to make a fuss in the Shangqing holy land?!"

He moved to block Xiao Nanfeng, only to be hauled up by the collar by one of Xiao Nanfeng's black-robed subordinates.

"What are you doing?!" the elder shouted in alarm.

The black-robed subordinate hurled the elder into the sea. He fell with a loud splash.

The Shangqing disciples were stunned by this display of brute force. Qu Jianfeng and the others, secretly watching from within the island's defensive formation, were shocked as well. None expected Xiao Nanfeng to be so bold as to attack directly.

"Eastern Aspect Xiao, this is the Shangqing holy land. You cannot act so recklessly!" A group of Shangqing disciples rushed forward.

Xiao Nanfeng's gaze turned cold. The situation seemed very amiss. He continued toward the entrance of the formation as the black-robed subordinates to his back engaged the disciples.

With a series of loud crashes, the disciples were thrown into the sea. Even the guards stationed around the formation had been overpowered.

"Stop this, Xiao Nanfeng!" a voice shouted.

Qu Jianfeng was forced to show himself.

Xiao Nanfeng frowned. "Long time no see, Qu Jianfeng."

"Yaoguang is in seclusion. Do you really intend to make a mess of the Shangqing holy land?!"

Xiao Nanfeng took a deep breath. "Qu Jianfeng, you're Yaoguang's uncle, so I'm willing to settle things amicably. If you don't want me to make a move, I insist on seeing her today."

"Dream on! Xiao Nanfeng, don't think that you can act recklessly here just because you've made a name for yourself in the south. The hierarch has already analyzed the situation. Your success was only due to the Heavenly Emperor's help. You aren't qualified to stir up trouble here in Shangqing!"

Suddenly, one of Xiao Nanfeng's black-robed subordinates grabbed Qu Jianfeng by the throat and lifted him off the ground. "Say another word against His Majesty and I'll snap your neck."

Qu Jianfeng trembled in terror. "Xiao Nanfeng said he won't use force. How dare you attack me!"

"His Majesty said he wouldn't use force, but he said nothing about us. I'm Ye Dafu, and I've slain countless cultivators. Are you going to test me?" the black-robed man threatened.

Qu Jianfeng stiffened.

"Qu Jianfeng, are you going to lead the way, or do I have to find someone else?" Xiao Nanfeng demanded coldly.

Now that he had the power to free Yaoguang from this prison, there was no need for him to hold back. Yaoguang had remained in Shangqing only because of him. Though she was revered as a holy maiden, she might as well have been imprisoned. He intended to take her away today; no one could stop him.

"Hurry up and summon the grand elders! Someone's causing trouble in Shangqing!" a voice shouted from nearby.

Simultaneously, the island's protective formation activated. It glowed with a bright green light as it blocked Xiao Nanfeng's path.

"Break it!" one of the black-robed cultivators shouted.

He struck the formation with a single punch, which exploded in a wave of fiery energy. The disciples nearby were thrown into the sea as a tsunami surged outward, causing the island to shake.

The protective formation shattered as the Shangqing disciples reeled.

"Who dares cause trouble in the Shangqing holy land?!" a voice boomed from the depths of Cursebane Island.

Streaks of light shot into the sky as the grand elders of Shangqing, disturbed from their seclusion, rushed to the scene.

Xiao Nanfeng flew into the air, his black-robed subordinates following closely behind him.

"Who are you? Who dares to stir up trouble here?" a middle-aged female Golden Immortal demanded.

"I am Xiao Nanfeng, Eastern Aspect of the Imperial Court. Greetings, elders."

"Isn't the Eastern Aspect Ao Canghai? Has there been a change?" the female Golden Immortal exclaimed.

"I was recently appointed to the position. Verifying my identity shouldn't be troublesome. You may ask your disciples who keep track of Imperial Court matters."

The female Golden Immortal eyed a group of Shangqing disciples in the vicinity, all of whom nodded.

"Even if you are the Eastern Aspect, how can you simply destroy our island's defensive formation?" The female Golden Immortal frowned.

She was deeply uneasy. The defensive formation around Cursebane Island was no simple formation. Even a Golden Immortal would have trouble breaking it quickly; how could it have shattered in an instant?

"I came to see Holy Maiden Yaoguang, and had my calling card presented to her. I was obstructed and had no choice but to use force."

"You want to see Yaoguang?" the female Golden Immortal exclaimed.

"Indeed. Please allow me to meet with her. I've come with good intentions and would prefer not to leave on bad terms."

From her tone, Xiao Nanfeng could tell that this Golden Immortal seemed to have a close relationship with Yaoguang. He made sure to show her respect.

The female Golden Immortal frowned and looked toward Qu Jianfeng, whom Ye Dafu had caught. "Qu'er, are you the one preventing Yaoguang from receiving this guest?"

"Ah, I..." Qu Jianfeng stiffened.

"That's enough. Since the Eastern Aspect of the Imperial Court is here, have Yaoguang come out to speak to him. If he acts improperly, I'll take up the matter with the Heavenly Emperor myself."

"I..." Qu Jianfeng stammered, his face pale.

"What's the matter? Summon Yaoguang!"

"She's not on Cursebane Island," Qu Jianfeng forced out.

"Yaoguang needs my permission to leave the island. What do you mean, she's not here? Where have you taken her?!"

"The Immortal Emperor of Dahan came as a suitor, and we sent her to him," Qu Jianfeng said.

"The Immortal Emperor of Dahan? Why didn't you inform me? Yaoguang is a holy maiden of Shangqing. Even if an Immortal Emperor is proposing to her, the proper rites have to be followed. What do you mean, you 'sent her to him'? Did she agree to this?" thundered the female Golden Immortal.

Xiao Nanfeng's face grew cold. "Qu Jianfeng, how did you send her off the island?"

Qu Jianfeng grimaced. He didn't know what to say; he seemed too ashamed to explain.

Xiao Nanfeng's eyes gleamed with killing intent. Something seemed terribly wrong. Yaoguang could very well be in danger.

Xiao Nanfeng looked toward the distant island. "Capture the entire Dahan delegation. Don't let anyone escape. Kill whoever resists!"

"Understood!" Xiao Nanfeng's black-robed subordinates replied.

Half their number flew off toward the distant island.

Meanwhile, the Dahan delegation spotted the incoming black-robed figures and were about to confront them when a series of deafening booms were heard. The black-robed cultivators swiftly overwhelmed and severely injured them.

For the black-robed cultivators, the fastest way to handle the situation wasn't through threats or negotiations, but rather by beating their opponents into submission.