Hunyuan Immortal Sect

Chapter 367 Celebration Banquet
As soon as the lightning attack stopped, Jiang Feng gave another order, and the team quickly rushed towards the defensive light barrier.

Taking advantage of the gap in the attack of the restriction, the group finally arrived in front of the array light screen. Without saying a word, they each used their spells to attack the light screen in front of them.

After an unknown amount of time, the defensive light barrier shattered with a deafening roar, and the cultivators stationed inside had already fled.

The group then stopped to rest.

According to statistics, the Allied forces suffered more than 300 casualties in this attack on Kongque Mountain, while the enemy's death toll was less than half that. Although they captured the camp, it cannot be described as a great victory.

The only notable achievement was the killing of the enemy leader. For this, Jiang Feng specifically praised Song Xian during the meeting and said he would recommend him for credit.

After resting for only one day at Peacock Mountain, Jiang Feng ordered the team to set off again, heading towards Biannan Valley.

When the group arrived at Biannan Valley, they discovered that the troops stationed there had fled at the first sign of trouble.

This aligns with Jiang Feng's earlier prediction: they captured Biannan Valley without bloodshed, and the team rested there.

.........

As night fell, the stars shone brightly, and in the desolate mountains, a huge fire shot into the sky, and one corpse after another was burned in the flames.

Song Xian stood solemnly in front of the fire, with the disciples of Hunyuan Sect standing behind him, all of them silent.

The bodies being burned here are those of Hunyuan Sect disciples. Song Xian brought out all the identifiable corpses of sect disciples from the Peacock Mountain Formation and cremated them one by one, leaving the ashes in different boxes, intending to take them back to Guzi Peak for burial in the future.

As they watched the corpses burn to ashes, everyone's faces were solemn and saddened. Even the most selfish and heartless person couldn't help but feel a sense of sorrow at the death of their comrades-in-arms.

"Sect Leader, these are Senior Brother Zhang Ningyuan's ashes." A disciple approached, carrying an urn containing the ashes of a cremated corpse, and presented it to Song Xian with both hands.

“These fellow disciples all died for the sect. When we return to Bianxi City, we must give them a proper burial.” Song Xian solemnly accepted the box: “Senior Brother Lu.”

"What are your orders, Sect Leader?" Lu Yuan stepped forward from behind him and bowed.

"You shall keep the ashes of these fallen comrades safe. Their relatives and families shall also be properly settled, ensuring they have enough to eat and drink, and receive a monthly salary."

"Yes."

Song Xian then spoke words of comfort and encouragement.

After the bodies of all the disciples were cremated, they returned to Peacock Mountain.

……

Several days passed in the blink of an eye. On this day, the sky was clear and the spirit ship sped through the air, heading south.

Jiang Feng received a notice requiring his team to join forces with the main force of the allied army to encircle and annihilate Qi Yueshan, the stronghold of the Fengxing Sect stationed in Humen City.

After traveling for half a day, the team arrived at the headquarters of the Allied forces.

The next day, the grand procession set off towards Qiyue Mountain, and everyone's expression was solemn along the way.

Everyone knows that this is a tough nut to crack. Qi Yue Mountain is not only guarded by a third-grade high-level array, but also has most of the elites of the Fengxing Sect and the cultivators supported by the Yunxuan Sect gathered there.

On the left and right sides of Qiyue Mountain, there is a camp, each guarded by a third-tier low-grade array.

The three are arranged in a triangular shape, forming a triangular relationship with each other.

Of course, Zhan Yuanqiu had also sent troops to attack those two camps.

“Husband.” On the bow of the spirit ship led by Jiang Feng, Song Xian stood alone gazing into the distance. Su Zhirou walked over slowly and stood beside him, her slender hand tightly holding his palm.

"This battle will be tough, and we don't know how many people will die. I told you long ago to stay in Huayuan Valley, but you insisted on coming. This war is no child's play; I might not even be able to take care of you."

Su Zhirou pouted and rested her head on his shoulder without saying a word.

"Remember to stay close to me, don't be like last time, when I turned around and you were gone." Song Xian gently stroked her smooth, black hair.

"After this battle, we can go back to Luojia Mountain, right?"

"Who knows? Let's do our best and leave the rest to fate!" Song Xian looked towards Bianxi City, his expression not as resolute as when he made his vows to the sect disciples.

He was truly uncertain. Bianxi City was now under the control of the Luoyun Sect, and the Luoyun Sect must have already negotiated the terms with the Yunxuan Sect. Even if he could win this battle and defend Bianxi City, it didn't mean he could take it over.

Ultimately, it depends on how determined the Beast Taming Sect is, and whether the Yunxuan Sect and the Murong family are determined to defend Bianxi City to the death.

"Husband." Su Zhirou looked at him tenderly.

"Ok?"

"What if the Beast Taming Sect also fails to reclaim Bianxi City?"

"I don't know either, let's just take it one step at a time!"

"If all else fails, let's just leave this sect and save my husband from worrying about these things all the time."

Su Zhirou had brought this up more than once before, and Song Xian had always rejected it, but this time he didn't say anything.

Since leaving Bianxi City, he has often felt exhausted. If he cannot return to Bianxi City this time, he does not know what to do next.

Su Zhirou knew him best and felt sorry for him worrying about the sect's affairs, so she couldn't help but bring it up again.

The couple remained silent, simply watching the distant clouds drift by.

……

Everyone initially thought a major battle was imminent, but when the group arrived at Qiyue Mountain, the headquarters of the Fengxing Sect, they were taken aback.

The entire Qiyue Mountain was deserted. Unexpectedly, at the last moment, the Fengxing Sect chickened out and chose to withdraw from Humen City, rather than confront the Yushou Sect head-on.

When everyone saw the empty Qi Yue Mountain, they were both surprised and delighted. A cheer immediately broke out on the spirit ship, a joy that came from the bottom of their hearts.

For the allied cultivators, there was nothing better than being able to take Qiyue Mountain without bloodshed and drive Fengxing Sect out.

...In Humen City, on Peacock Mountain, in a brightly lit room, Jiang Feng sat in the main seat and conveyed Zhan Qiuyuan's order to everyone.

Although Feng Xingzong withdrew from Humen City, it was unknown whether he would make a comeback and launch a counterattack. Therefore, the allied forces did not relax their vigilance. Zhan Qiuyuan left a group of people to guard Qiyue Mountain, while the rest of them retreated to their respective positions. Song Xian's troops returned to Kongque Mountain to defend it.

"In short, we cannot afford to be complacent until we are absolutely certain that the Fengxing Sect has retreated entirely to Anyuan City and will not attack Humen City again." After giving his final instructions, Jiang Feng announced the end of the meeting, and everyone present rose and left.

Song Xian remained seated and did not leave.

"Fellow Daoist Song, is there anything else?" Jiang Feng knew he had something to say when he saw his expression.

Song Xian glanced outside and, seeing that everyone else had already left, spoke up: "Sect Leader Jiang, when does your sect plan to take action against the Luoyun Sect?"

"Didn't I just say that we can't be sure if the Windwalking Sect will make a comeback? Once things are completely stable, our sect will send troops to attack the Falling Cloud Sect."

"Our disciples are all eager to return to Bianxi City as soon as possible. We hope that when Master Jiang meets Senior Zhan next time, he can mention this matter on behalf of our sect."

"Okay, don't worry! If I have the chance, I will definitely speak to Uncle Zhan on his behalf." Jiang Feng said gently.

After witnessing Song Xian use his black flame magic to defeat the burly man at the eighth level of the Foundation Establishment stage in one move, Jiang Feng's opinion of him rose to a new level, and he unconsciously showed more respect for him during their daily conversations.

Although he had not personally experienced the power of the black flames, he could see their strength by comparing them to the methods he had used.

He had no doubt that even without his help, Song Xian could kill the burly man single-handedly. In the cultivation world, strength was the only true measure of power.

Although he had never looked down on Song Xian before, he simply admired him and recognized his talent and ability. Deep down, he always regarded him as a subordinate or a card in his hand.

Only now have they come to regard him as a cultivator of equal status.

"Thank you very much, Manager Jiang. I'll take my leave now."
Only after Jiang Feng's promise did Song Xian get up and leave, satisfied.

Upon returning to his room, disciples from various sects came to inquire when the Beast Taming Sect would attack the Falling Cloud Sect and when he could return to Bianxi City.

Song Xian could only try to calm them down and reassure them, telling them not to worry.

.........

As night fell, starlight fell like rain, and the moon hung high in the sky.

Inside the brightly lit hall of the Bright Moon Sect's mountain gate, the cultivators of the allied forces gathered together. All cultivators above the Foundation Establishment level from each division were invited to a victory celebration banquet hosted by the Bright Moon Sect.

Clear news has arrived that the entire Fengxing Sect has returned to Anyuan City, which means that the Battle of Humen City has been a complete victory.

"Thank you all for your righteous assistance. The entire Mingyue Sect will forever remember your kindness. Today, our sect has prepared a small feast to express our gratitude. We hope you will all enjoy yourselves and not leave until you are drunk." After a concluding speech by Xu Zhuoxuan, the sect leader of Mingyue Sect, the cultivators of Mingyue Sect stood up and expressed their gratitude to everyone.

Then came singing and dancing, with the sect leader of the Bright Moon Sect personally leading his Foundation Establishment cultivators to toast everyone present.

"This is Fellow Daoist Song Xian, the leader of the Hunyuan Sect, and this is his wife, Fellow Daoist Su Zhirou." Surrounded by several disciples of the Mingyue Sect, Xu Zhuoxuan toasted everyone present and then approached Song Xian. A man introduced them.

Xu Zhuoxuan, nearing fifty, was thin and frail, with a smile on his face as he held up a wine cup: "The Song family, headmaster and his wife, have come to our aid, and our entire sect is deeply grateful. I toast to Headmaster Song and Fellow Daoist Su, thank you both and your disciples; our sect will remember this forever."

"Sect Leader Xu, you are too kind. Your sect was invaded by the Fengxing Sect, which turned against us, and my sect was also pressured by the Luoyun Sect, which also turned against us. In a way, we are in the same boat."

The man next to Xu Zhuoxuan chimed in: "Master Song put in a lot of effort this time. When his troops attacked Kongque Mountain, Master Song single-handedly killed the commander-in-chief, Yun Xuanzong Huang Yuehua, who was stationed at Kongque Mountain, causing Yun Xuanzong's troops to collapse."

After the battle at Peacock Mountain, Jiang Feng gave him credit for killing the burly man at the eighth level of Foundation Establishment and reported it for him. This gave him more face among the allied forces, and at this banquet, his position was also improved accordingly, and he was ranked fourth on the left.

Jiang Feng was already a member of the Beast Taming Sect's inner circle and the team's commander, so whether or not he had the merit of killing an enemy Foundation Establishment cultivator was not important to him. Therefore, he went along with it and gave the credit to Song Xian separately, doing him a favor.

"Oh! Is that so?" Upon hearing this, Xu Zhuoxuan's eyes lit up: "Sect Leader Song is so young, yet he not only possesses such cultivation, but he can also kill a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator from the enemy army against all odds. His future is limitless!"

"I dare not accept such praise. In fact, Huang Yuehua was killed by Fellow Daoist Jiang and myself. Fellow Daoist Jiang is of noble character and does not wish to claim credit, so he gave the credit to me."

"I am somewhat aware of your sect's plight. I never imagined that the Luoyun Sect would collude with the Yunxuan Sect. I have heard that the Beast Taming Sect is planning to send troops to reclaim Bianxi City. It seems that your sect's return to Bianxi City is not far off. Once the Luoyun Sect is eliminated, Bianxi City will be under your sect's control. Our two sects must unite sincerely and strengthen our cooperation!"

"If the Beast Taming Sect ever summons cultivators from Tiger Gate City to retake Bianxi City, we hope your sect will provide support."

"Of course, as long as the Beast Taming Sect gives the order, our sect will go through fire and water without hesitation." Xu Zhuoxuan chuckled and downed the wine in his cup in one gulp: "Sect Leader Song, Fellow Daoist Su, please wait a moment. If you need anything, please let me know. I'll take my leave now."

As he spoke, he led the group to the next person. After Xu Zhuoxuan finished toasting, Song Xian found an opportunity, raised his wine cup to Zhan Qiuyuan, and said, "Senior Zhan, on behalf of my sect, I would like to offer you a toast to thank you for your care."

Zhan Qiuyuan glanced at him and nodded slightly: "You performed well in this battle. You are a promising young man."

"Senior Zhan, if I may be so bold as to ask, when will your sect launch an attack on the Luoyun Sect? Our disciples are already eagerly awaiting the opportunity. As long as your sect gives the order, our entire sect will go through fire and water and be shattered to pieces without hesitation."

Zhan Qiuyuan withdrew his gaze, no longer looking at him, and his voice turned cold: "Our sect has its own plan for this matter."

Seeing his displeasure, Song Xian dared not say anything more. Whether or not they could return to Bianxi City depended entirely on Zhan Qiuyuan. Without his support, it would be impossible to launch a counterattack. He simply replied "Yes" and returned to his seat.

During the banquet, the guests and hosts enjoyed themselves immensely. With the battle of Humen City over, everyone was happy, except for Song Xian, who seemed somewhat out of place.

It remains to be seen when the Beast Taming Sect will send troops and whether they can recapture Bianxi City. For him, the real battle has only just begun.

.........

In the blink of an eye, another month had passed. In the spacious and bright room of Peacock Mountain, Song Xian entered from outside and bowed to Jiang Feng, who was sitting upright inside: "Master Jiang, what brings you here?"

Jiang Feng glanced up at him, then quickly looked away: "Please sit down first!"

Song Xian took his seat as instructed, but for some reason, a bad premonition suddenly arose in his heart.

He didn't know where this premonition came from, but he just felt that something was not right. Although Jiang Feng's expression was no different from usual, he still keenly sensed a slight abnormality.

Since the end of the battle at Humen City, he has been visiting Jiang Feng every few days to ask when the Beast Taming Sect will set off to attack the Falling Cloud Sect, hoping that he will have the opportunity to bring up the matter more often in front of Zhan Qiuyuan.

Jiang Feng would always brush him off with excuses like the battle had just ended and the team needed to rest, telling him not to rush. Later on, he would even show obvious annoyance.

Song Xian had no choice. The disciples of the sect were all waiting to return to Bianxi City and couldn't wait to fly back to Bianxi City. He was under a lot of pressure.

Today, Jiang Feng actually sent someone to summon him. He originally thought that the Beast Taming Sect had finally made a decision to attack the Falling Cloud Sect, but as soon as he entered the room, he felt something was wrong. It was probably not what he had imagined.

(End of this chapter)