Chapter 66: The Clue Is Right There

“Nangong Yin! Give my cousin back!”

Tushan Yu was beyond enraged, ready to fight Nangong Yin.

The Medicine God Sect elders grabbed onto him, but he forcefully shook them off. Today he had to demand an explanation from Nangong Yin.

Nangong Yin merely glanced at him, that look as if regarding an ant, which once again provoked Tushan Yu.

Tushan Yu flicked his hand, and his jade folding fan spun twice in the air before landing in his grip. He swung it back, sending over a dozen qi blades hurtling one after another, each aimed at Nangong Yin’s vital points.

Yet these ferocious wind blades, in Nangong Yin’s eyes, were nothing more than child’s play.

With a casual snap of her fingers, space itself warped and swallowed the blades whole.

All dozen-plus wind blades vanished without a trace. Tushan Yu’s pupils constricted, and Yao Shenzi, who was closest, also paled dramatically.

Without hesitation, Yao Shenzi stepped forward and clapped his palms together. A yin-yang diagram manifested out of thin air, transforming into a magical array that enclosed Tushan Yu within it.

At the same moment, sharp cutting sounds rang out for no reason. The wind blades that had been swallowed earlier sprang forth from nowhere and reversed direction, hurtling straight toward Tushan Yu.

The blades struck the yin-yang array like lightning, erupting in a clatter of metallic clangs before dissipating completely.

Had Yao Shenzi not intervened in time, that attack just now would have either killed Tushan Yu or stripped a layer of skin off him.

Tushan Yu was still in shock.

In a single instant, he had taken a trip to the Gates of Hell and back.

The cultivators below were terrified. Nangong Yin was actually going to kill the Tushan Clan’s Little Young Master in public?!

Everyone broke out in discussion, but though they were panicked, aside from the Medicine God Sect’s Sect Master, not a single person dared to step forward and uphold justice.

They were facing Nangong Yin!

The mightiest of the Devil Clan, who could naturally only be matched by the strongest of the Cultivation World.

Since Yan Yuanqing died three hundred years ago, the Mortal Realm could no longer find a cultivator capable of matching Nangong Yin alone.

Below the Mahayana Realm, numbers held no meaning to her.

In the Medicine God Sect’s main hall today, there were two Mahayana Realm grandmasters—one was Yao Shenzi, and the other was the Peak Lord of Fuyun Sect’s Xuanjing Peak, Daoling.

But whether Yao Shenzi or Immortal Venerable Daoling, neither had a relaxed expression.

Because even if the two of them joined forces against Nangong Yin, their chance of victory would not exceed twenty percent.

Thinking that way, Tushan Yu—like a newborn calf unafraid of a tiger—dared to attack Nangong Yin and didn’t die on the spot; he was already blessed with tremendous luck.

But how long would his luck last now that Nangong Yin was angered?

Nangong Yin had always acted without restraint. If Tushan Yu delivered himself to her door, why would she care about the Demon Clan’s influence?

Just then, a red blur shot out from the crowd, whooshing onto Tushan Yu’s shoulder and baring its teeth at Nangong Yin.

Nangong Yin’s lifting hand paused for a moment.

It was a red fox, the one that had been with Yan Zhao earlier.

Tushan Yu felt a weight on his shoulder and turned his head, utterly shocked. “Cousin!”

The little red fox jumped down from his shoulder, transforming into a human form as it landed. Unlike her usual elegant scholar’s attire, she now wore a brilliantly enchanting red dress.

The women of the Qingqiu Fox Clan were blessed by heaven. None were unattractive.

The moment Bai Jin appeared, many cultivators were dazed, men and women alike.

Though she was angry at Nangong Yin for attacking Tushan Yu, there was something even more urgent she needed to tell him.

“Elder Cousin!” Bai Jin spoke rapidly, “The one who injured me was not the Devil Clan, it was this man!”

She pointed toward a spot in the crowd. Everyone unconsciously followed her gaze and saw a strange figure sitting not far behind Immortal Venerable Daoling, wearing a conical hat and wrapped entirely in a black cloak.

Fox Clan members excelled at distinguishing scents. Bai Jin had arrived at the main hall and blended into the crowd just to find the one who had ambushed her.

In another inconspicuous corner of the chaotic crowd, Bi Lan’s eyes flew open in shock.

That black-robed person… was the same coachman who had casually extended his whip to steady her on the way up the mountain!

And the carriage he drove back then had the Fuyun Sect’s insignia on it!

Her gaze shifted to Daoling. So the expert who had been sitting inside the carriage and killed the fierce beast was Immortal Venerable Daoling!

The black-robed man had gone up the mountain with Daoling. There had been many witnesses along the way, and naturally, the Medicine God Sect people also recognized his identity.

Seeing this, Yao Shenzi’s expression turned icy. He asked in a deep voice, “Daoling, how do you explain this?!”

Although demon and devil clan members were unwelcome in the Mortal Realm, demons were more observant of rules than devils and had a more harmonious relationship with human cultivators. For the Immortal Alliance to maintain stability in the Three Realms, it naturally had to show some courtesy to the Demon Clan.

Assaulting the Demon Clan’s Princess within the Immortal Alliance’s territory was a serious crime.

Bai Jin’s appearance was too sudden. Not only was Tushan Yu unprepared, but Daoling and his coachman were caught even more off guard.

The coachman’s face paled in panic. He swiftly turned to Daoling. “Immortal Venerable, I…”

Before he could finish speaking, a hand had already pressed down on the crown of his head.

His pupils contracted violently.

It was too late to retreat.

Blood mist sprayed from his eyes, and then thick blood gushed like a fountain from his seven orifices. His body swayed and collapsed like a broken sack.

Nearby cultivators screamed and flew backward, afraid of being caught in the crossfire.

Daoling withdrew his hand and casually shook his sleeve. “This old man had no idea there were such insubordinate traitors within Fuyun Sect, so I cleansed our doors on behalf of the Sect Master as an explanation to everyone. Will that suffice?”

Nangong Yin narrowed her eyes and snorted coldly. Old fox!

When it came to ruthlessness, if this man claimed second place, no one would dare claim first.

Yao Shenzi’s expression also darkened, while Tushan Yu and Bai Jin were too stunned to speak.

Within the crowd, Bi Lan sucked in a sharp breath and instinctively took a few steps back.

This Immortal Venerable Daoling was so cruel even to his own. If he recalled her earlier unintentional offense…

Bi Lan didn’t dare to imagine.

The man had already been silenced by Daoling, and his words were flawlessly evasive. No one had any reason to press the matter further.

Tushan Yu could only swallow his bitterness, thankful at least that Bai Jin had escaped and returned unharmed.

He snorted quietly to himself. A grudge with Fuyun Sect was now forged!

While everyone harbored their own ulterior motives, Nangong Yin’s languid, raspy voice rang out again: “You all are quite amusing. You drag This Seat into things without cause, then chatter among yourselves for quite some time. What, is This Seat not worthy of coming to your Mortal Realm to buy something?”

Only then did they remember this was the Medicine God Sect’s auction.

Their attention had been entirely on Bai Jin and the coachman, almost forgetting the day’s main event.

The cultivators present belatedly realized that among those gathered at the Medicine God Sect right now—Tushan Yu and Bai Jin, Devil Lord Nangong Yin, Yao Shenzi himself, and Immortal Venerable Daoling of Fuyun Sect—each represented a separate power.

Human, Devil, and Demon Clans: right here at this auction, one could glimpse a tripartite power struggle.

Such a sight was so rare they might never be lucky enough to see it again in this lifetime.

Yao Shenzi came back to his senses and lightly struck the wooden gavel in his hand. “One hundred million, going once. Any further bids?”

Silence beneath the platform. Who present dared to compete with Nangong Yin for something?

Yao Shenzi struck the gavel again. “One hundred million, going twice.”

As he raised the gavel for the third time, a figure suddenly appeared out of nowhere, and a leisurely drawl drifted over: “How can such a lively occasion be without this Envoy’s participation?”

His gaze swept over the platform, locked onto the jade box in Elder Wu’s hands.

“Good stuff.” Xie Xinrong laughed heartily. “In that case, this Envoy will simply add another one hundred million.”

Those words sent the entire crowd into an uproar.

Though some cultivators still hadn’t recognized the significance of the token at his waist, within moments, the title of Immortal Alliance Deputy Envoy spread rapidly through the crowd.

Nangong Yin’s normally unruffled expression finally showed a flicker of change.

She furrowed her brows and cast a cold glance at Xie Xinrong, but didn’t immediately bid again.

Yao Shenzi held the wooden gavel, his expression calm as he swept his gaze over the audience, gently tapping the gavel once. “Two hundred million, going once.”

Behind him, Elder Wu was already drenched in cold sweat.

Troubles had come one after another today. If Yao Shenzi hadn’t arrived in time, how could he and a few elders alone have kept the situation under control?

Nangong Yin lowered her eyes, deep in thought.

Seeing that no one spoke, Daoling promptly cupped his hands toward Xie Xinrong. “Congratulations to the Deputy Envoy on winning the treasure!”

Xie Xinrong basked in the moment, feeling rather elated. He exchanged a glance with Daoling and said, voice softening, “It was just a passing interest, a casual move. Not worth congratulating. This Envoy has come today for another matter.”

Daoling took the initiative to ask, “May I ask why the Deputy Envoy has graced us with his presence?”

“I am here for the treasure stolen from the Heavenly Palace three hundred years ago.”

Xie Xinrong had no concern about others knowing his purpose and announced it loudly. “Yan Yuanqing stole the treasure of the Heavenly Palace. The Heavenly Emperor ordered the Immortal Alliance to thoroughly investigate this matter and recover the treasure at all costs. Immortal Venerable Daoling, do you have any clues?”

Immortal Venerable Yuanqing stole the Heavenly Palace’s supreme treasure?!

These words struck like a bolt from the blue, blasting everyone’s ears into ringing.

Yao Shenzi’s face changed drastically. Nangong Yin’s eyes also darkened.

“Oh?” Daoling’s mouth practically stretched to his ears, his smile impossible to hide. “I won’t hide it from the Deputy Envoy, but I do indeed know a certain clue.”

Without waiting for Xie Xinrong to press further, he suddenly raised a hand and pointed toward the edge of the crowd. “The clue the Deputy Envoy needs is right there.”

Everyone turned to look behind the crowd.

The people blocking the view parted, revealing a slender young woman holding a silver fox.

It was Yan Zhao!

Yan Zhao had no idea what was going on. She had come looking for Yao Shenzi.

But just as she spotted Yao Shenzi in the distance, everyone around her simultaneously turned their heads toward her.

Their gazes were like knives, filled with deep curiosity and prying, as if wanting to strip her clean with their eyes.

Yan Zhao tilted her head in confusion.

In the blink of an eye, Yao Shenzi appeared right in front of her.

He spread his arms, shielding Yan Zhao behind him, and simultaneously roared curses: “Despicable!”

“Why do you say this girl is the clue?” Xie Xinrong asked with curiosity. “What is her relationship to Yan Yuanqing?”

Daoling answered, “Mother and daughter.”

Another heavy hammer slammed down on the peak of the Medicine God Sect.

Xie Xinrong was stunned, then burst into loud laughter. “Such a thing exists!”

He was about to step closer and see exactly what Yan Zhao looked like, but the moment he lifted his foot, his body suddenly froze.

A hand pierced through his back from behind, clutching his heart as it trembled in his chest.

Nangong Yin stood behind him, her gaze traveling past his shoulder to look distantly at the utterly bewildered Yan Zhao.

Xie Xinrong heard the woman’s cold sneer from behind his ear.

“Seeking death.”

In the next instant, his heart exploded.

His shoulders jerked, his eyes bulged, and a spray of blood burst from his mouth.

Even then, he still couldn’t believe it. He looked down at the now hollow cavity in his chest.

Nangong Yin withdrew her hand. He swayed and crashed to the ground with a thud.

His eyes were wide open; he died with a grievance unredressed.

Beneath the auction platform, silence reigned. No one knew how long it lasted before a scream erupted from the crowd.

“Nangong Yin killed the Immortal Alliance Deputy Envoy!”