Chapter 369

Chapter 369: Touching Heaven Realm Level Three

At that moment, Liu Town erupted in cheers and celebration.

They had survived a great calamity.

Even more astonishing was the sight of a goddess confronting a sage at the Great Boundless rank without being overwhelmed, she had even fought her way up to the nine heavens.

This feat undoubtedly catapulted Bing Yuyan’s reputation across the Western Desert and ensured her name would be known throughout the land.

What followed caused even greater uproar: the praise she received from Yan Donghuang, the second most powerful sage of the Crimson Flame Dynasty.

“A sword soaring to the heavens, a sage cannot compete. The first Great Boundless of the Southern Region is worthy of being the first Great Boundless in the history of the vast world since Eternal Night.”

Such a declaration was bound to shake the world.

Yet Bing Yuyan only nodded lightly, maintaining her usual calm, and returned to her quarters.

Yan Donghuang raised an eyebrow. It was rare for a sage to be treated with such indifference. Unbothered, he descended into Cold Thief Tian’s base.

He scanned the room, giving Cold Thief Tian a subtle nod of recognition. The others were unfamiliar to him, though he knew the youngest Lord of the Sacred Forest, Chi Zhenyi, was among them.

“Vast Lord of the Sacred Forest, may I have the honor of speaking with you?” Yan Donghuang said.

His words caused several faces to tighten. It was clear he was asserting his own status while subtly diminishing Zhang Yang’s, who, though titled Lord of the Sacred Forest, had yet to attain saint-level cultivation.

Demon Sword Yi rolled his eyes. To him, it felt like Yan Donghuang saw himself as nothing more than a tool offered up for someone else’s use.

Just as expected, a cold voice rang out from within the chamber.

“Does the Crimson Flame Dynasty intend to offer this Lord of the Sacred Forest a reasonable explanation? If so, please proceed.”

Yan Donghuang’s expression stiffened. He was not used to being addressed in such a tone.

Had it been anyone else, he would have slapped them without hesitation. A sage of his rank, ruling the Western Desert with divine authority, rarely tolerated disrespect.

But this was Zhang Yang, the Lord of the Sacred Forest, famed across the vast world, and an unrivaled figure even among sages. He was a peer of the Star Flame Saint.

Yan Donghuang’s voice remained even. “This was an accident. We will, of course, clarify the matter.”

“Ha ha.”

A mocking laugh came from behind the door.

Yan Donghuang’s expression darkened.

“I, the Vast Forest’s Lord of the Sacred Forest, came here by invitation, only to be ambushed by a sage upon arrival. If I hadn’t had someone to stand and fight beside me, I’d be dead by now. As hosts, the Crimson Flame Dynasty not only failed in its duty but now acts as if it’s of no consequence. Very well. Truly admirable. I have every reason to suspect that the saint who attacked me is tied to your dynasty. Otherwise, why hasn’t the mighty Yan Donghuang gone after him?”

“Now, I deeply question your motives for inviting me here. I question the Crimson Flame Dynasty’s true purpose for this so-called conference. If I don’t receive a clear answer, I will leave immediately, and one day, I will return to uncover the truth myself.”

His final words carried the weight of fury and deep dissatisfaction.

Yan Donghuang looked around and saw that the others present also wore expressions of resentment, all directed at him, the highest-ranking sage in the Western Desert.

“Hmph.”

Who was he? The second saint of the Crimson Flame Dynasty—a man revered as a sacred figure. He had already shown what he considered sufficient respect. Yet here they were, treating him like an intruder.

With a wave of his hand, Yan Donghuang turned and left.

Even Demon Sword Yi was enraged by his attitude.

“What is this? They clearly don’t take us seriously.”

“Too arrogant!”

“They only sent Tong Lieyang with an invitation, already a sign of disrespect.”

“Now that we’ve left the Falling Star Mountain Range, they think we’re no longer a threat.”

Grumbling spread among the group.

Zhang Yang sneered.

He was eager to see what stance the Crimson Flame Dynasty would take next.

They chose not to leave, instead waiting silently.

Before long, a noble-looking man arrived, surrounded by attendants.

He exuded an air of dignity and power, walking with the confidence of someone born to rule.

At the doorway, he called out loudly, “Yan Chihuo requests an audience with the Vast Lord of the Sacred Forest.”

Zhang Yang remained seated, eyes closed, unmoving.

Yan Chihuo was the prince of the Crimson Flame Dynasty, the heir apparent.

According to tradition, the prince would ascend the throne a hundred years after the current peak conference, a ritual of transition in the dynasty’s highest seat of power.

In other words, Yan Chihuo was the future emperor, far closer to the throne than the Dragon Prince of Moon Return.

But Zhang Yang remained motionless, silent.

The others in the courtyard also found seats and settled in, ignoring the call, as if they hadn’t heard it at all. In moments like this, they knew everything hinged on Zhang Yang’s lead.

Outside, murmurs began to ripple.

Some whispered that Zhang Yang was being too aloof.

Others felt dissatisfied, believing Zhang Yang was not showing the Crimson Flame Dynasty the respect it deserved.

However, the prince, Yan Chihuo, remained composed and said again, “I, Yan Chihuo, apologize for my late arrival. I ask for the Vast Lord of the Sacred Forest’s understanding. The arrangements for your invitation were poorly handled, giving the thief a chance to strike. That is the fault of the Crimson Flame Dynasty. I vow to apprehend the culprit and deliver them to you for judgment.”

“To express my sincere apology, I present a meteor pendant personally crafted by the first sage of our dynasty. In the event of a sage-level attack, it can serve as a powerful defense. I humbly ask the Vast Lord of the Sacred Forest to accept it.”

This attitude was clearly a marked improvement compared to Yan Donghuang’s.

Yan Chihuo had lowered his stance significantly.

The people in the courtyard all turned their attention toward the chamber.

Inside, it remained silent.

Dissatisfaction outside began to build, but a single glance from Yan Chihuo was enough to quell it.

Finally, after a moment, Zhang Yang’s voice broke the silence.

“How interesting. The Crimson Flame Dynasty truly does not regard me, the Lord of the Sacred Forest, with any importance. First, they send a fool like Tong Lieyang to invite me. Then, when trouble arises, they send a sage with a cold face. And now, they send a prince simply to placate me. Heh. How delightful.”

Yan Chihuo quickly attempted to explain.

However, Zhang Yang offered no further response.

Instead, he pulled out a Spirit Saint Stone and entered seclusion.

Since the Battle at Heavenly Reaching Mountain, he had experienced a string of misfortunes and distractions, leaving him with no time for proper cultivation.

Now, he seized the opportunity to make a breakthrough. The moment he began his seclusion, the potent energy of the Spirit Saint Stone radiated across the surroundings. It was instantly clear to all, he was in seclusion, and no one was to disturb him.

His stance was firm and unmistakable.

Yan Chihuo sighed, gave a slight bow, and departed.

Some among his entourage muttered in dissatisfaction.

Suddenly, the sharp sound of swords echoed from the courtyard in Liu Town, stunning the murmurers as if struck by lightning. Their blood surged, and a few nearly coughed up blood.

They quickly fell silent, though their expressions remained tense with anger, as if shouting inwardly, “How dare they act so arrogantly in our territory?”

Yan Chihuo sternly rebuked them, and no one dared to speak again.

The prince soon left, but returned just over an hour later, bringing with him two cultivators who had reached the Great Boundless Perfect Stage. They arrived at the courtyard gate and requested an audience once more.

This time, Bing Yuyan raised her hand, and the courtyard door opened.

The three of them entered.

Bing Yuyan spoke calmly, “The Lord of the Sacred Forest is in seclusion and will not be meeting anyone. If the prince has urgent business, I suggest you return.”

Yan Chihuo stared silently at the chamber, sensing the powerful aura radiating from within. His expression shifted from confusion to a bitter smile, eventually settling into helplessness.

This was nothing short of a slap in the face.

Should he stay?

If so, who knew how long Zhang Yang would remain in seclusion, for three days, five, perhaps even longer?

Should he leave?

That would imply a complete lack of sincerity, retreating without even entering the imperial capital, damaging both his reputation and that of the Crimson Flame Dynasty. Worse still, he was expected to preside over the peak power conference.

He found himself in a dilemma.

Thinking quickly, Yan Chihuo instructed one of the Great Boundless cultivators to step forward and relay a quiet message.

The Great Boundless swiftly departed.

Not long after, he returned, this time accompanied by the prince of the Cold Moon Dynasty, the moon-returning dragon, along with Gu Qianmu, Liu Yuewu, and Gu Jianyun.

Yan Chihuo cupped his hands respectfully. “Brother Yue, thank you for your assistance.”

The moon-returning dragon smiled and replied, “Brother Yan is too polite. Zhang Yang is known for being reasonable, I doubt he’ll make things too difficult.”

However, he failed to notice the glimmer of cold light flickering in Bing Yuyan’s eyes. She still suspected that the moon-returning dragon was the mastermind behind the Spirit Saint Stone Mine incident.

The moon-returning dragon raised his voice and called out.

Inside the chamber, Zhang Yang, who had been cultivating, paused. He responded to the call, interrupting his seclusion. His previously cold stance had its reasons.

On one hand, he wanted to make it clear to the people of the Western Desert that they should not underestimate the young Lord of the Sacred Forest.

On the other hand, he wanted the Crimson Flame Dynasty to take their delegation seriously. If such an ambush had already occurred upon arrival, who knew how many more sage-level threats awaited them in the imperial capital?

He exhaled a breath of stale air and moved slightly.

Surprisingly, in less than three hours of seclusion, he had broken through, successfully advancing to the third level of the Opening the Sky realm.

He was extremely satisfied, especially with the assistance of the Moonlight Saint Stone. This sacred treasure had proven more effective than thousands of Spirit Saint Stones.

Zhang Yang stepped out of the chamber.

Yan Chihuo immediately bowed and offered another formal apology, this time presenting five meteor pendants capable of defending against sage-level attacks, one for each member of the group.

Demon Sword Yi sighed dramatically. “A swindler is still a swindler… It seems I’m destined to be a lackey for a hundred years. I could almost cry!”