Chapter 296: Senior Hàn Shān

The people of Youyun Sect knew the truth, but those from other sects did not.

Hearing Wang Fan's words, many showed expressions of wariness.

The art of theft, when cultivated to an extremely high level, was also terrifying; stealing from someone of a higher rank was not difficult.

"You! This is slander!" Mei Zhen trembled with rage.

Provoked by Wang Fan, Youyun Sect might become a target of public criticism, greatly increasing the danger of this trip.

"Slander? Then explain to me, where did your disciple at the Spirit Liquid Realm go earlier? When we met before, he was still in your group, but since arriving here, he hasn't been seen!" Wang Fan sneered.

"He... he went to handle some business!" Mei Zhen faltered but still defended.

"Business? What business? Stealing?" Wang Fan pressed aggressively.

Mei Zhen was prudent and steady but not good at rhetoric.

Pressed by Wang Fan, he stammered and couldn't speak, his demeanor appearing even more guilty.

At this moment, Ye Yuan stepped forward, cupped his hands toward Wang Fan, and said, "May I ask this senior, is the main cultivation technique of your Shangqing Sect the 'Hàn Shān Divine Art'?"

Wang Fan was startled, then said contemptuously, "Ignorant! In this Southern Domain, who doesn't know that the main cultivation technique of my Shangqing Sect is the 'Shangqing Imperial Control Art'?"

Ye Yuan said with a look of regret, "Is that so? What a pity. Senior's face can even shake the Yunmeng Mountain Range, yet such a divine art is not the main cultivation technique of your Shangqing Sect?"

"Hahaha..."

At Ye Yuan's words, everyone burst into laughter.

Just now, Wang Fan said Ye Yuan practiced the art of theft, and now Ye Yuan retorted that Shangqing Sect had thick skin—a truly sharp counterattack.

Everyone knew a thing or two about Shangqing Sect's conduct; they were bullies who feared the strong.

In short, they were shameless.

Ye Yuan's description was too fitting.

Wang Fan's face darkened like the bottom of a pot, and he said in a deep voice, "Boy, are you looking for death, daring to slander my Shangqing Sect?"

"Slander? As one of the eight great sects, you robbed two weak women on the road—that's already shameless enough. But it seems you didn't succeed, or maybe you succeeded and wanted to grab more. Either way, your 'Hàn Shān Divine Art' is indeed strong. You'd better be careful in the secret realm, lest you shake it down." Ye Yuan said leisurely.

The other six great sects were watching, and at Ye Yuan's words, many couldn't help but snicker.

These elders and disciples were all shrewd; Ye Yuan's Yuan power was deep and pure, not at all like someone who took crooked paths.

On the other hand, Shangqing Sect had always had a bad reputation. Everyone had their own judgment of right and wrong.

Wang Fan was furious and said, "Fine, very fine! Youyun Sect has indeed produced a tough bone. Today, I'll loosen your joints!"

"Stop!" Just as Wang Fan was about to act, a cold voice rang out.

Everyone turned to look, and it turned out that the Tianqian Sect group had arrived.

The Heavenly Qian Sect was indeed worthy of being the top sect in the Southern Domain. This time they sent nearly twenty people, including as many as three elders at the Sea Transformation Realm!

Such a lineup was truly luxurious for today's occasion!

Li Changyu, who had previously served as an envoy to the Nether Cloud Sect, was now clearly among the ranks of the Heavenly Qian Sect.

Li Changyu spotted Ye Yuan confronting Wang Fan at a glance, and a murderous intent instantly arose in him.

However, with all eight sects gathered now, it was the time for the Heavenly Qian Sect to display its grand sect demeanor, so naturally it was not a good opportunity to strike.

Once they entered the secret realm, he would definitely kill Ye Yuan!

After the last incident, Ye Yuan had become Li Changyu's inner demon!

Once an inner demon arises, it greatly affects a martial artist's cultivation.

Although after a period of recuperation, Li Changyu's strength had returned to its original level, the difficulty of breaking through to the fifth level of Crystal Condensation had greatly increased.

Of course, Li Changyu was exceptionally talented, so the fifth level of Crystal Condensation was not a problem for him, but the issue was that Li Changyu's goal was the Soul Sea Realm!

If he did not eliminate Ye Yuan and uproot this inner demon, when he later attempted to break through to the Soul Sea Realm, he would never be able to pass the heavenly tribulation!

So no matter what, Ye Yuan had to die!

The Heavenly Qian Sect's group arrived before everyone in a grand manner. One of the elders stepped forward and said, "Your two sects came to the Yunmeng Mountain Range to explore the secret realm. Now, before even entering the secret realm, you are already wearing each other down. Doesn't that seem inappropriate? Do me a favor—regardless of any grievances between the Supreme Purity Sect and the Nether Cloud Sect, let's settle them after this matter is concluded."

This man was the most senior elder of the Heavenly Qian Sect on this trip, named Wu Zhao. The shout of "Stop!" earlier had come from him.

It wasn't that he wanted to meddle in this idle matter, but that he didn't want to see internal attrition before even entering the secret realm.

They had brought so many elites from other sects precisely to serve as cannon fodder. If they fought and got injured or killed outside, wouldn't that reduce the cannon fodder?

In that case, the danger to their own sect's disciples would greatly increase.

Among the younger generation, the strength and potential of the Heavenly Qian Sect's disciples were absolutely the greatest. As long as this cannon fodder existed, their Heavenly Qian Sect could reap the greatest benefits in the secret realm. How could they allow internal attrition?

As soon as Wang Fan saw Wu Zhao, he immediately changed his expression and said with a beaming smile, "So the Heavenly Qian Sect's trip is under Brother Wu's charge. Naturally, I must give face to Brother Wu!"

Saying this, Wang Fan turned to Ye Yuan and snorted coldly, "You're lucky, kid. Wait until we come out of the secret realm, and see if I don't tear that mouth of yours! Hmph... but that's assuming you can come out first!"

Ye Yuan cupped his hands and smiled, "Then I thank Senior Harsh Mountain for showing mercy! I don't know if I'll come out or not, but... Senior might not necessarily be able to come out."

Wang Fan paid it no heed and sneered, "I didn't know the Nether Cloud Sect had such a sharp-tongued brat. I do hope you come out, or else who will I vent my anger on?"

Wu Zhao looked at Ye Yuan's inscrutable smile and felt a start: Could this kid know something?

"Changyu, when you went to the Nether Cloud Sect, you didn't say anything you shouldn't have, did you? I have a feeling this kid seems to know something?" Wu Zhao transmitted to Li Changyu.

Li Changyu replied, "How could that be? While at the Nether Cloud Sect, I relayed exactly what the Sect Master instructed, not a single word off!"

"Hmm, maybe I'm overthinking it!" Wu Zhao replied.

This secret realm did not allow the existence of power beyond the Crystal Condensation Realm. This was a secret the Heavenly Qian Sect had only learned after sacrificing an elder. How could other sects possibly know?

The Heavenly Qian Sect had sacrificed a Sea Transformation Realm elder, but they didn't want the other sects to fare well either. So they concealed this information and induced the other sects to send Sea Transformation Realm elders along.

As long as those Sea Transformation Realm elders used power beyond the Crystal Condensation Realm inside, they would die without a burial place!