Hunyuan Immortal Sect

Chapter 380 Comeback
The wind howled and the rain poured down.

In the dimly lit room of Luoyun Sect, everyone was gathered together. The atmosphere was so oppressive that it was hard to breathe, and everyone had a solemn and uneasy expression.

Jin Yuanxing has brought the latest news from Xijiang County: the Beast Taming Sect has decided to make an example of someone, and unfortunately, they have been chosen as the chicken to scare the monkeys, while the other one is the Windwalking Sect.

Yang Jinzhang also revealed that the Beast Taming Sect had sent people to win over the sects in Tianshui City and Yongning City, asking them to send troops.

Although Yun Xuanzong and the Murong family said they would support them, they did not take any actual action.

"The Beast Taming Sect leader has already given the order. It won't be long before they launch a large-scale attack on us. We don't have much time left, and we must make a choice. We only have two paths before us: one is to fight to the bitter end, and the other is to preserve our strength and withdraw from Bianxi City." Jin Yuanxing spoke slowly with a solemn expression.

Jiang Jian's face was grim: "Didn't Yunxuan Sect and the Murong family say they would support us? If the Beast Taming Sect sends troops to attack, will they send reinforcements?"

Jin Yuanxing shook his head: "From what I understand, the Murong family is in dire straits. Everyone in the family is worried that the Xuan Yuan Sect will help the Beast Taming Sect to deal with them. There are rumors that Murong Yun is currently praying to gods and Buddhas everywhere. The situation of the Yun Xuan Sect is not much better, but the Yun Xuan Sect is still within the three-hundred-year protection period, so it is not as urgent as the Murong family."

"They'd love for us to fight the Beast Taming Sect to the death, so they can weaken the Beast Taming Sect's strength. Their so-called support is just empty talk. Under these circumstances, they can't possibly send a large force to support us like they did with Anyuan City before."

"We can only rely on ourselves. If we want to resist, besides joining forces with the Wind Sect, it would be best to also win over Tianshui City and Yongning City."

"However, the Beast Taming Sect has announced that it will only target us and the Windwalking Sect, and has already sent people to contact the sects in Tianshui City and Yongning City, asking them to send troops to attack us."

"Our chances of winning over the sects of Tianshui City and Yongning City to fight against the Beast Taming Sect are extremely slim."

Jiang Jian's face was ashen: "So, choosing to resist means certain death. Without reinforcements from Yun Xuanzong and the Murong family, what can we possibly use to fight the Beast Taming Sect?"

Duan Quan frowned deeply: "But if we withdraw from Bianxi City, where can we go? If we lose this base, can our sect continue to exist?"

"Due to pressure from the Xuan Yuan Sect, the Yun Xuan Sect will not send a large number of troops to support us in a direct confrontation with the Beast Taming Sect. However, if we seek refuge with them, I believe they will still be willing to protect us. As far as I know, the Xuan Yuan Sect has not given clear instructions on how to deal with the various sects in Xijiang County, nor has it required the Yun Xuan Sect not to protect us."

"Our sect has developed in Bianxi City for hundreds of years, are we just going to abandon it like this? Is there no other way?"

"As long as the green hills remain, there will always be firewood. The important thing is to preserve our strength so that we can have hope of making a comeback. As long as Yunxuan Sect is still in Xijiang County, there will be a chance to help us take back Bianxi City in the future. Aren't Mingyue Sect and Hunyuan Sect the same? With the strength of our sect, if we go head-to-head with Yushou Sect, it's like an egg hitting a rock, a sure way to die."

Silence fell in the hall once more. Tao Jinyuan's gaze swept over the group: "Does anyone have a better solution?"

The group looked at each other and remained silent.

Although they were reluctant to leave Bianxi City, which they had built up over many years, no one wanted to stay and wait to die.

"Then let's do as Senior Brother Jin says! You all go and prepare." Tao Jinyuan waved his hand, and the group got up and left.

After everyone left, he slowly closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and his originally upright body instantly slumped down. His entire demeanor changed, and he even showed signs of aging.

"You may have a chance to come back in the future after this temporary departure from Bianxi City, so don't be too discouraged." Wen Yiren, who had been silent all along, looked at Tao Jinyuan, who looked exhausted, and spoke in a rare gentle tone.

"I never expected it to turn out like this. One wrong move and the whole game is lost." Tao Jinyuan leaned back, his eyes closed as if he were asleep, his voice heavy with worry: "Whether I can return to Bianxi City in the future depends on fate."

Wen Yiren gently squeezed his hand: "If I had known this would happen, I should have killed Song Xian back then."

Tao Jinyuan opened his eyes and shook his head: "Whether Hunyuan Sect exists or not, whether Song Xian is killed or not, it will not change the current situation. If anyone is to blame, it is the misjudgment of the situation back then."

.........

The sky is clear and the air is fresh, with not a single cloud in sight.

The spirit ship, fluttering the banner of the Hunyuan Sect, took off and sailed out of Huangyu Mountain. On the spirit ship, all the disciples of the Hunyuan Sect were overjoyed, and everyone's face was filled with happiness.

"Finally, we can go back to Bianxi City." On the left side of the ship, Jiang Zichen leaned against the railing, gazing at the ever-flowing clouds above, a gentle smile on his face, his arms outstretched as if enjoying the sunshine.

As soon as the news of the Beast Taming Sect's plan to annihilate Anyuan City and Bianxi City spread, Luoyun Sect fled Bianxi City like a frightened rabbit and went to join Yunxuan Sect.

Originally, the Beast Taming Sect planned to wait until it had gathered the troops of Tianshui City and Yongning City before taking action against the rebellious sects in Bianxi City and Anyuan City. However, the Luoyun Sect received advance notice and decisively abandoned Bianxi City, which it had occupied for many years, and led its disciples directly to join the Yunxuan Sect.

Upon learning this news, Song Xian immediately gathered everyone and left before the Beast Taming Sect team could assemble.

With the Luoyun Sect retreating, the other sects and forces in Bianxi City are all opportunists. Now leaderless, they dare not resist.

Even more importantly, by arriving in Bianxi City first, he can seize the resource territory of Luoyun Sect before Beast Taming Sect does, without having to depend on Beast Taming Sect.

If he enters Bianxi City with the Beast Taming Sect's team, how many resources he will receive will depend on the Beast Taming Sect's mood.

He occupied the land first, so even if the Beast Taming Sect demanded that he return the land under the jurisdiction of the Falling Cloud Sect, he would have leverage to negotiate.

"Fortunately, the sect leader made a wise decision to let us withdraw from Bianxi City, otherwise, we probably wouldn't have lived to see this day." Yu Lian echoed with a smile on his face.

"Don't be too happy yet. Although Luoyun Sect has withdrawn from Bianxi City, its strength has not been diminished. They might launch a counterattack at any time. Besides, Yunxuan Sect is still around, and the situation in Xijiang County is still uncertain." Lu Yuan remained calm.

Jiang Zichen laughed and said, "These years have been tough enough. Don't dampen my spirits, Senior Brother Lu. Besides, with the Xuan Yuan Sect keeping things in check, the Yun Xuan Sect won't dare to do anything. By the way, Senior Brother Lu, it's been a few years since you broke through to the tenth level of Qi Refining. When are you planning to establish your foundation? This time, taking back Bianxi City and seizing the spiritual vein of the Luo Yun Sect's mountain gate will be just what you need to help you break through to the Foundation Establishment realm."

Yu Lian continued, "Senior Brother Zhang Ningyuan has unfortunately passed away, and the position of Chief of the Sect's Inner Cabinet is still vacant. Once we return to Bianxi City, these positions will definitely need to be filled. I think this position is perfect for Senior Brother Lu!"

"Don't talk nonsense." Lu Yuan frowned slightly, glanced around, and seeing that no one was around, added in a low voice: "In the future, let's not discuss such things. The sect leader will make his own arrangements."

Knowing that he was a steady and reliable person, the two exchanged a glance and said nothing more.

"I wonder how Junior Brother Shen Fan is doing? They should be holding on these past few years at Guzi Peak! Sometimes I really miss Guzi Peak."

Jiang Zichen changed the subject and started talking about past trivial matters.

.........

In the dimly lit interior of the Ding family mansion in Bianxicheng, Bianxia Town.

Ding Wenxiang stared out the window, his brow furrowed. The incessant chirping of cicadas filled him with anxiety and irritation. The Luoyun Sect had withdrawn from Bianxi City. Before leaving, they had extended an invitation to all the sects and forces in Bianxi City, inviting them to join the Yunxuan Sect. They also boasted that the Beast Taming Sect was prepared to eradicate all the sects and forces in Bianxi City, threatening that if they did not leave, the Beast Taming Sect would slaughter all the sects and forces in Bianxi City upon their arrival.

Apart from a few families who heeded the orders of the Luoyun Sect and left with them, most people chose to stay.

The Luoyun Sect did not force the issue. They were too busy with their own affairs to forcibly take away these sects and forces one by one.

Like most sects, Ding Wenxiang did not follow them away.

Compared to other forces, he had more confidence.

The Ding family is protected by the rules and regulations of the Qianqing Sect. Within three hundred years, no force is allowed to attack or seize their mountain gate.

Even if what Luoyun Sect said is true, and the Beast Taming Sect intends to eradicate all forces in Bianxi City as a warning to others, they can simply retreat back to their mountain gate.

"Master," Ding Yuan pushed open the door and bowed to Ding Wenxiang, "we have already occupied Tianshan."

Ding Wenxiang nodded slightly. After the Hunyuan Sect withdrew from Bianxi City, Tianshan was taken over by the Luoyun Sect.

Now that the Luoyun Sect has withdrawn, Tianshan is temporarily without a master, so he sent people to occupy that place.

He did this not because he really wanted to seize Tianshan; with the Ding family's strength, they simply couldn't afford to take on such a lucrative opportunity.

He merely wanted to do Hunyuanzong a favor, so that when Hunyuanzong returned to Bianxi City in the future, he could return Tianshan intact, using the excuse of preventing Tianshan from being occupied by the Muhe Grassland forces and causing trouble.

When they first settled in Bianxia Town, the two families had a pretty good relationship. Later, when Hunyuanzong occupied Tianshan and intended to move the market there, the relationship between the two families became tense.

For this matter, he made a special trip to Xijiang County to see Yang Jinzhang, because he knew that Yang Jinzhang had a conflict with Emperor Hunyuan.

Therefore, the news that Tianshan wanted to build a market town was told to Yang Jinzhang. As expected, Yang Jinzhang intervened and ultimately ruined the plan.

After Song Xian established his foundation, Hun Yuanzong gradually grew in power. He also made many attempts to win over Song Xian and ease the tension between them.

The current Hunyuan Sect is far superior to the Ding family. With this comeback, it is a foregone conclusion that they will become the leaders of Bianxi City.

But that's not the most important thing. What's important is whether the Beast Taming Sect will settle scores with them.

Besides the fact that before the Luoyun Sect withdrew, they threatened and intimidated the Beast Taming Sect that if they did not leave together, the Beast Taming Sect would retaliate and wipe out all the sects in Bianxi City. Now, rumors are spreading throughout the entire Xijiang County that the Beast Taming Sect will carry out a major purge of the sects that have betrayed them in various cities.

This caused widespread panic in Bianxi City. Although the rumors were not very credible, there were tens of thousands of cultivators from all the sects and forces in the five cities under Xijiang County. If the Beast Taming Sect were completely wiped out, they would unite to resist, and the Beast Taming Sect would not fare well either. Moreover, the Yunxuan Sect was still around!

If we push them too far, they'll abandon their families and flock to the Yunxuan Sect. Wouldn't that be a pain to our loved ones and a joy to our enemies? The Beast Taming Sect shouldn't be that stupid.

However, it's possible that the Beast Taming Sect might make an example of a few sects to deter others.

Even so, Ding Wenxiang felt he wouldn't be the one to be killed. First of all, he wasn't close to the Luoyun Sect, and he hadn't done anything to harm the Yushou Sect. In addition, his own sect was under the protection of the Qianqing Sect.

Even if the Beast Taming Sect wanted to make an example of him, they probably wouldn't choose him.

The remaining sects and forces also harbored this wishful thinking, while those sects and forces closely related to the Luoyun Sect had already followed the Luoyun Sect in withdrawing from Bianxi City.

However, it's better to be safe than sorry.

He sent people to occupy Tianshan Mountain in order to curry favor with the Hunyuan Sect and prevent that possible event from happening.

If Song Xian could put in a good word for them with the Beast Taming Sect, they could rest easy.

On the one hand, the Hunyuan Sect and the Beast Taming Sect have a close relationship; on the other hand, the Hunyuan Sect's comeback will surely replace the Luoyun Sect's position.

If the Beast Taming Sect wants to single out a few chickens to make an example of, the Hunyuan Sect should be able to voice their opinions.

Even if they can't decide who to eliminate, it's not difficult to preserve one or two insignificant sectarian forces.

"Patriarch, the Jade Abyss Sect has sent someone, saying they have important matters to discuss." At this moment, another Ding family cultivator entered from outside and bowed to him.

Ding Wenxiang frowned slightly; he had never had any dealings with the Yuyuan Sect.

Currently, only one Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Jade Abyss Sect is stationed in the entire Bianxi City. During this special period, the Jade Abyss Sect has become the de facto leader of the sects in Bianxi City. The fact that they sent someone here at this time is likely to discuss the situation in Bianxi City.

"Bring the person here!" After much deliberation, Ding Wenxiang decided to meet the person in person. The reason for his hesitation was that he knew that Yuyuan Sect and Hunyuan Sect had always been enemies, and it would not be wise to get involved with Yuyuan Sect at this time.

But now that he was here, he also wanted to know what the Jade Abyss Sect planned to do, as their situation was far more difficult and complicated than his own.

Soon, a disciple of the Jade Abyss Sect was led here. After bowing and paying his respects, he flipped his hand and took out a jade slip: "I have come on the orders of our sect leader to invite Lord Ding to our sect to discuss important matters."

Ding Wenxiang took the jade slip from his hand and probed it with his divine sense: "Please reply to your sect leader that I understand."

"I'll take my leave now." The Jade Abyss Sect disciple didn't waste any more words and turned to leave.

"Patriarch, what is the purpose of the Jade Abyss Sect sending people here?" Ding Yuan asked impatiently as the people had already left.

"The Jade Abyss Sect wants to convene a meeting of sects and factions in Bianxi City and has invited us to participate. However, the jade slip did not specify what the matter was."

Ding Yuan pondered and said, "The situation in Bianxi City is unclear right now, and people on all sides are in a state of panic. Could it be that the Yuyuan Sect is gathering everyone at this time because they want to replace the Luoyun Sect and become the leading sect in Bianxi City?"

"The Jade Abyss Sect is barely able to protect itself, so what can it use to replace the Falling Cloud Sect? They have a grudge against the Hunyuan Sect, so they are definitely more worried about being retaliated against than we are. I estimate that their purpose in convening this meeting of various sects is to win everyone over in order to prevent the Hunyuan Sect from retaliating."

"Should we go or not?"

"Given the current situation, no one knows what might happen. Since the Jade Abyss Sect is willing to step forward, let's see what their countermeasures are. I won't go; you go and listen. Remember to be careful with your words and actions, and no matter what happens, don't express any opinion. Just be an observer."

(End of this chapter)