Chapter 264

Chapter 264: You Scheme Against Me

Outside the small courtyard, Mu Lanxin stood solemnly.

Behind her, eleven Great Boundless experts were lined up.

To the sides, several Small Boundless cultivators from Green Sparrow Palace stood as well.

It was clear that these were all the prominent figures of Green Sparrow Palace.

To everyone’s surprise, Bing Yuyan did not appear.

Zhang Yang frowned.

"Grand Elder, what is this about?"

Mu Lanxin bowed respectfully.

"The palace master has issued an order."

Her voice was solemn, yet resolute.

"From today onward, Green Sparrow Palace will cease to exist."

"We are all willing to join the Vast Forest and await the Mighty Battle God’s command!"

The moment she finished speaking, silence fell.

Then, the line of Great Boundless experts bowed in unison.

"We pay our respects to the Mighty Battle God!"

Zhang Yang was stunned.

Green Sparrow Palace joining the Vast Forest was a shocking turn of events.

It was a pleasant surprise. Yet, at the same time, it was not entirely unexpected.

A slow smile spread across Zhang Yang’s face.

This meant that the strength of the Vast Forest would increase tremendously.

It also meant that the Great Boundless powerhouses of the Vast Forest would gain significant reinforcements.

His heart surged with excitement.

Although there were only twelve Great Boundless experts, the number of Small Boundless cultivators was quite substantial. With the Vast Forest to nurture them, more would naturally step into the Great Boundless rank over time.

"This is wonderful news!" Zhang Yang exclaimed.

The women of Green Sparrow Palace, who had just begun to regain their composure, suddenly erupted into cheers.

Some of the younger girls even screamed excitedly, "We no longer have to hide!"

"We can finally go out and see the mountains and rivers of the Southern Region!"

"We come from a sacred land—the eleventh Major Holy Place of the Southern Region!"

Their joy was overwhelming.

For years, under the influence of the palace master, Green Sparrow Palace had been forced to act discreetly. The fact that they were all women had made them feel even more restrained. Their excitement was entirely justified.

Zhang Yang, still smiling, asked, "Grand Elder, what about the palace master?"

Mu Lanxin returned his smile and replied, "The five Suppressing Evil with the Green Jade Bamboos have successfully eradicated the curse in the palace master’s bloodline, and he has fully recovered. The palace master had already achieved enlightenment in the past, and with the consumption of the Great Path Sacred Fruit, breaking the curse naturally led him back into enlightenment. This was also an order given by the palace master before he went into seclusion."

Zhang Yang laughed heartily.

"The Vast Forest welcomes Green Sparrow Palace!"

That day, Green Sparrow Palace held a grand banquet to celebrate!

They also announced the news to the outside world.

Immediately, the Southern Region erupted with excitement.

Who in the region didn’t know?

The Great Path Sacred Fruit Tree became the reason for the Top Ten Saint-Level Forces to challenge the Vast Forest once again. In the holy war that followed, Chi Zhenyi regained his reputation, and the Nine Tribulations Holy Blade claimed the lives of six Saints. Meanwhile, the Small Tree King utilized the mysterious formations within the Vast Forest to trap and eliminate two more Saints. With the arrival of Chi Zhenyi’s Saint-level ally, the Vast Forest solidified its position as the eleventh Major Holy Place in the Southern Region.

This shook the power structure of the Southern Region to its core.

Now, with the notable addition of Green Sparrow Palace, which was itself a Saint-level force, the Vast Forest had grown even stronger.

The greatest deficit in middle-level power was finally being compensated.

However, this development further provoked the Top Ten Saint-Level Forces.

They declared that while the holy war had ended, the battles below the Saint level had just begun.

Thus, they dispatched their Great Boundless experts to challenge the Vast Forest.

At this rank, the Vast Forest was at a disadvantage.

Realizing this, Li Kunhai and Shang Zhu chose to retreat into the forest, avoiding direct conflict.

But this only shifted the enemy’s focus elsewhere. Their eyes now turned to Green Sparrow Palace.

Since Green Sparrow Palace had joined the Vast Forest, and since Bing Yuyan was now considered the top Great Boundless expert of the Vast Forest, she became a prime target.

The Great Xia Empire and the Golden Cauldron Sacred Land in particular were determined to seek revenge for Mu Yujing and Ying Wuji.

Once again, the Southern Region fell into turmoil.

Many Great Boundless experts headed toward the westernmost part of the Southern Region.

When Xue Feishuang heard the news, she immediately arrived.

At last, she could shed her disguises and walk freely under the open sky.

As soon as she arrived, she knelt before Mu Lanxin and wept.

Mu Lanxin was shocked.

She had once thought that Xue Feishuang had chosen death, unable to bear the difficult choice between Zhang Yang and Green Sparrow Palace.

Now, seeing her alive, her emotions were a mix of joy, disbelief, and relief.

The master and disciple talked for hours, their reunion filled with laughter and tears.

Xue Feishuang hugged Zhang Yang and whispered, "It feels so good under the sunlight."

Zhang Yang held her tightly.

But such warm and touching moments never lasted long.

When word spread that the Great Boundless experts from the Top Ten Saint-Level Forces were approaching, Green Sparrow Palace fell into tension once again.

Xue Feishuang had brought with her an ancient teleportation array.

Now, the Vast Forest had gathered enough of these ancient arrays, not only could they transport everyone from Green Sparrow Palace to safety, but they could do so without disturbing the palace master, who was still in seclusion, striving to become a Saint.

Thus, aside from Zhang Yang and Bing Yuyan, everyone else evacuated.

This included Xue Feishuang, Feng Daoer, and Shuang Jianer.

At last, Feng Daoer and Shuang Jianer felt the burning urge to break through to the Great Boundless rank.

"Why do I have to stay?" Bing Yuyan asked coldly.

Her gaze was sharp.

"Your suggestion makes Xue Feishuang look at me with disapproval. I am a goddess—pure as ice and jade. Your actions could ruin my reputation. You had better explain yourself. Otherwise… hmm, there’s no one here but me, and I will definitely make you regret it!"

Zhang Yang sighed.

"Can you stop overthinking? Why do you always dwell on such trivial things?"

Bing Yuyan clenched her teeth, resisting the urge to punch him.

"Call me ‘Master,’ and I’ll give you a great opportunity," Zhang Yang said.

Bing Yuyan instinctively wanted to hit him again, but then she hesitated.

There was no one else here.

For some reason, she felt that it wouldn’t be a big deal to go along with it.

This sudden realization made her furious at herself.

How could she let herself be swayed by this arrogant man?

Her dignity as a goddess was at stake!

She glared at him and said coldly, "You better not be lying to me. If you are, I will make your life a nightmare."

"Hurry up and say it," Zhang Yang urged.

Bing Yuyan gritted her teeth.

"Master."

Zhang Yang frowned. "You sound like you’re about to kill me."

Bing Yuyan sighed, forcing herself to soften her tone.

"Master."

"Still not convinced."

Bing Yuyan’s face turned red. After a moment of hesitation, she whispered in a sweet, charming voice, "Master~~"

Zhang Yang shivered, his skin covered in goosebumps.

He muttered, "You really do have a flirtatious nature."

"How dare you slander me!" Bing Yuyan brandished her sword.

Zhang Yang remained calm. "I can help you become the top Great Boundless expert in the Southern Region."

Bing Yuyan hesitated, retracting her Ice Spirit Holy Sword in surprise. "Really?!"

Zhang Yang laughed. "What did you think I was going to do? Come with me."

He led the way, and Bing Yuyan followed behind.

The two returned to the Realm of Thunder.

"Do you remember? During the bloody battle in front of Green Sparrow Palace, the Forbidden Land shone brilliantly, and later, there were strange dark thunderclaps?" Zhang Yang asked.

Bing Yuyan nodded.

Zhang Yang explained, "That was the Immortal Light. A will of an immortal destroyed the Forbidden Land, but in doing so, it disturbed the Mystery of Eternal Night, causing the entire Forbidden Land to vanish. Look to the west—there lies the Falling Star Mountain Range in the Western Desert."

Bing Yuyan was left speechless.

Zhang Yang briefly recounted the entire process before concluding, "The Thunder Saint Monarch, the Palace of Immortal Intent, this realm should not be low among the immortal paths. He left behind this handprint, and I believe he might have also left a legacy here."

Bing Yuyan looked at him, both shocked and curious. "Then why don’t you want it?"

Her question made Zhang Yang realize just how intelligent and composed she was. Anyone else might have been overcome with excitement at the thought of obtaining such a legacy.

Her next words, however, made Zhang Yang roll his eyes.

"Are you really scheming against me?"

"If it’s truly a legacy from an immortal, I might—just might—allow you to have some as a concession. At most, it would be like being bitten by a dog."

Zhang Yang slapped her lightly in annoyance.

"Ouch!"

Bing Yuyan covered her back with one hand, glaring at him. "You took advantage of me! If you don’t give me a share of the legacy, I’ll ruin you!"

Zhang Yang’s mouth twitched. This woman was playing mind games with him. Her earlier words had been deliberate, and now he realized he hadn’t put her in her place properly.

For a moment, he was seriously tempted to slap her again.