Chapter 780

Chapter 780: Disciple of the Immortal Dao Sect

Ye Yun hadn’t wanted to stir trouble in Lingxiao City. Mo Tianxiao had explained the city’s rules clearly – even elders couldn’t defy them, let alone someone who wasn’t yet a sect elder. But seeing the trembling girl curled into herself, he found he couldn’t remain indifferent.

This wasn’t about supporting the Devil Race. He simply wanted to defend the girl’s dignity. Since the oppressor lacked true strength, he’d show them how the human race’s so-called superiority truly looked.

"Just a Nascent Soul cultivator who’s grasped spatial laws," sneered the sneering cultivator, though his initial fear at Ye Yun’s arrival still lingered. "You know our Immortal Dao Sect’s rules. Those who fight in Lingxiao City face punishment, especially after injuring my friend. Protecting her means sharing her crime."

His eyes flicked contemptuously toward Qing Li. "Though if you’d let your little sister have private words with me, the sect might consider her for outer disciple status."

"So this is an Immortal Dao Sect disciple’s arrogance?" Ye Yun’s hand rested on the Purple Shadow Divine Sword, its faint hum resonating through the air.

"My brother’s Partyan Blaze – Eighth Level Earth Immortal realm for over a century!" The cultivator puffed his chest. "Step aside now, and maybe I’ll extend the offer to you too."

Partyan frowned internally. By now, this fool should’ve yielded. While he enjoyed charming young girls, actual kidnapping in Lingxiao City? Even his renowned brother couldn’t shield him from that scandal.

"Move or I withdraw!" Partyan forced sobriety, evaporating alcohol from his system. This had started simply – a veiled girl admiring captured spirit beasts, what perfect prey for casual flirtation. But then…

The yellow-clad man he supported groaned, internal organs displaced. The idiot had lunged at the girl, only for her to shatter a jade tablet. That teal sword arc still burned in Partyan’s memory – how it had bisected air and ribs alike.

Why play hero? Their "friendship" was mere shared debauchery. His iron-faced brother’s discipline loomed large – strict even towards family. The mere thought of those fiery judgmental eyes made Partyan’s neck itch.

"Since she’s unharmed," he declared abruptly, dumping his companion on cobblestones, "settle this with the actual culprit." Disregarding stares, he strode away. Their usual sycophants scattered like startled mice.

The yellow-clad man coughed blood, glaring at Partyan’s retreating back. "Traitor," he rasped. "Letting juniors shame us…"

"Shame?" Partyan crouched, voice dripping mock concern. "We all saw your drunken groping. Deny it and we’ll pretend blindness. But consider – wouldn’t death be kinder than your sister’s wrath?"

The man – An Shan – paled remembering his elder sister’s temper. The alcohol haze clearing, he shuddered at his recklessness. That teal flash… had the girl been some sect leader’s beloved disciple?

"F-fine." An Shan tossed several top-tier Immortal Spirit Stones. "Take your blood money."

Ye Yun shattered the stones with a pulse of true qi. As they left in spatial distortion’s white glow, An Shan noted bitterly: "Sending Nascent Soul brats to trials? Must be some backwater sect."

Partyan watched the spatial ripples. Useless law for combat, good only for fleeing. That sword arc though… Sect leader’s protection charm? He helped An Shan up, compensating the spirit beast vendor with extra stones.

"Minor characters," Partyan shrugged. "Focus on the coming sect competition."

As night deepened, cultivators drifted to shadowy deals or fleeting comforts. Ye Yun guided Qing Li to the Drunken Immortal Pavilion’s soundproofed chamber.

"Forgive me," he murmured. "I shouldn’t have left you."

Qing Li shook her head, cheeks pink. "I used the jade tablet before he touched me. The other just… watched."

At her question about human demon spirits, Ye Yun explained while ordering dishes: "Most are weak beasts. True powerhouses battle in places like Red City’s arenas."

"We have Eternal King Beasts too!" Qing Li’s eyes lit up. "They devour foes across countless battles until becoming demon gods!" Her enthusiasm faltered as Ye Yun smiled. "I… I talk too much?"

"Not at all." The barrier hummed softly around them. For this moment, in the candlelit booth, a demon girl’s stories of home held more truth than any sect’s posturing.

"Well, the Eternal King Beast clan was indeed formidable. During the invasion of the human realm, one of them that reached the demon god realm transformed into a devouring demon beast. But before it could cause much damage, a woman called Blood Qi Celestial Maiden among the masters tore it apart with her bare hands. Though she perished too, unable to withstand the overwhelming karmic forces after slaying that Eternal King Beast," Qing Li explained while munching dough in her hand.

"I see." Ye Yun nodded. He recognized the Blood Qi Celestial Maiden the girl mentioned. Though humans and devils used different names for that demon beast’s head, it was fortunate the Ancestor had devoured the Eternal King Beast. Had it broken into the human realm, major disasters would’ve followed.

While confident someone would intervene, Ye Yun knew success wasn’t guaranteed. This wasn’t disrespect toward human experts – even a remnant soul of a demon god surpassed ordinary warriors. Only those nearing the Tenth Level of Earth Immortal could withstand such power.

"Watching wine yet forbidden to drink – truly life’s greatest torment." The Ancestor sighed as Ye Yun kept drinking. Without Drunken Berries to sober up, he reluctantly gazed at Lingxiao City’s scenery. Though familiar, these views always stirred memories of old companions.

He too had once ruled from lofty heights. But after certain events extinguished his ambitions, he’d resigned himself to this diminished state despite lingering regrets.

"Master, are we visiting the major sect here?" Qing Li wiped grease from her lips, crimson eyes trembling as she stared at the city-enveloping Barrier. "Lingxiao City’s great formation terrifies me. Ancient tablets say such world’s rules-aligned arrays helped the human race destroy many demon gods."

"Formations have fixed locations – that’s their fatal weakness. Unless we solve this, they’re just stationary targets." Ye Yun showed little faith in his race’s arrays. Unless fighting in preset locations, escaping remained easy. Moreover, the Immortal Spirit Stones required to maintain them cost astronomical amounts.

Qing Li nodded uncertainly. When Ye Yun prepared to leave, anxiety gripped her – the formation’s heart housed the Immortal Dao Sect, and its unknown dangers worried her.

"Wait calmly. No serious trouble will occur." Ye Yun smiled at her concern.

He wasn’t worried about the elder position. His ability to challenge Seventh Level Earth Immortals while at Nascent Soul stage proved his qualifications. With Mo Tianxiao’s recommendation, success was nearly assured.

"Qingli believes in Master, but must accompany you!" Her veiled face showed determination, making Ye Yun relent. Bringing her posed little risk anyway.

"As you wish."

"Shouldn’t we meet that other senior? You said he’s influential in the Immortal Dao Sect. His help would be useful." Qing Li suggested after contemplation.

"He’ll aid us when needed." Ye Yun chuckled. "Surprised you understand such tactics. I thought you only cared about eating."

"Master!" She pretended anger before clinging to his arm. "Qing Li will stay with you forever. Never leaving."

"You’ll suffer then, for my life may stretch endlessly." He smiled, feeling her warmth.

"Forever? Then strive to achieve it." The Ancestor understood Ye Yun’s meaning – the youth was shedding his pure-hearted nature. This was his fault; wanting Ye Yun to rival Mo Wenxian had left emotional wounds during the demonic path initiation.

Now grasping the difference between pure-hearted nature and childlike innocence, the Ancestor felt shame. Had his advice doomed Ye Yun to heartless immortality, the sin would’ve been unforgivable. But merging demonic aspects with pure-heartedness could still achieve true self – easing the mental demon trials during heavenly tribulation.

"Still, beware those old men." The Ancestor warned. "Who knows their schemes? Losing the elder position would be disastrous."

"No matter. The Immortal Dao Stone’s what I need. Once obtained, the Thundercloud Lightning Sword can be perfected – though I’ll need your help refining it."

Ye Yun remained unworried. As the Ancestor explained, elder selections prioritized strength over connections. The true challenge was securing three elder-level recommendations – nearly impossible for a stranger.

But Ye Yun had already infuriated the Devil Race beyond reconciliation. Surrender meant death; fighting offered slim hope. Still, he kept Celestial Tower secrets hidden – none would believe a Nascent Soul cultivator’s claims anyway.

Concealing his identity was crucial. Exposure would bring sealed demons hunting him immediately. Though fearless, he avoided unnecessary trouble. His importance outweighed most on Lingyao Continent – recklessness served no purpose. Everything was self-preservation; the Ancestor warned the Heavenly Demon’s escape would overrun the Celestial-Demon battlefield, dooming them all.

Faced with annihilation, Ye Yun chose battle. Survival required victory. Let others gossip – he acted for himself alone.