Hunyuan Immortal Sect

Chapter 407 Sudden Attack
Dark clouds covered the sky, making it gloomy.

Four hundred miles from the gate of Yunxuan Sect, there is a second-grade mid-level spiritual vein called Xuzi Mountain.

After leaving Bianxi City to join Yunxuan Sect, Luoyun Sect was assigned here.

In the dimly lit room, a middle-aged woman was reviewing file after file. It was none other than Xiao Ling.

"Uncle-Master Xiao, this is the allowance for the inner disciples' duty this month. Please take a look." A man handed over a file.

Xiao Ling took a look and immediately frowned: "Why are there so many?"

"This was all done according to the rules. This month, a total of 137 disciples went out on duty 323 times."

Xiao Ling sneered: "You're trying to play tricks on me. We don't need so many people on duty right now. Are these people heading to the market considered on duty? And what are these people going to Yuxiu Pavilion for? Explain yourself."

The man smiled wryly: "Uncle-Master Xiao, please don't make things difficult for me. Over the years, the income of my fellow disciples has been decreasing again and again. Those who have stayed to stand with the sect are truly loyal disciples. If we don't come up with a way to give them some rewards for their missions, they might have already left. We are doing this to stabilize morale."

Xiao Ling was silent for a while: "Make a new duty roster, reduce the number by half, and I'll sign it."

“Uncle Xiao, this is too much…” The man looked troubled.

Xiao Ling interrupted him without hesitation: "Otherwise, you can call everyone on the duty roster to me, and I'll ask them one by one who assigned them the mission and what they were supposed to do."

"No need to trouble Uncle Xiao, this disciple will figure out a way." The man had no choice but to take back the file.

Here, Xiao Ling was reviewing the financial reports submitted by her disciples. At the same time, inside the main hall of Xuzi Mountain, Tao Jinyuan was receiving Ma Quan, who was in charge of foreign affairs for Emperor Yunxuan.

"You want us to gather all our forces immediately?" After reviewing the jade slip, Tao Jinyuan looked at the newcomer with a mixture of surprise and doubt: "Fellow Daoist Ma, what exactly happened? Could it be that we're about to go to war with the Beast Taming Sect? You should at least give us a heads-up."

"To be honest, I don't know the specifics of this matter. It's an order from our sect leader, requiring everyone to gather at the mountain gate by tomorrow. I have other important matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave now." After saying this, Ma Quan got up and left the main hall.

"Could it be that the Yunxuan Sect is planning a surprise attack on the Beast Taming Sect?" Tao Jinyuan frowned.

Jin Yuanxing, sitting below, also frowned: "That's the only way. I can't think of any other possibility."

"With the turmoil in Xijiang County, we have a chance to retake Bianxi City." Tao Jinyuan's eyes lit up: "After so many years, we've finally waited for this day. Senior Brother Jin, immediately gather everyone in the sect."

.........

The next morning, outside the gates of Yunxuan Sect, disciples of Luoyun Sect had already gathered and were waiting. In addition to them, Fengxing Sect and other forces who had joined them also gathered there.

"It seems that Emperor Yunxuan is preparing for a major undertaking."

"Judging by this posture, are they planning to fight the Beast Taming Sect to the death?"

"Didn't they say that the Xuan Yuan Sect intervened and wouldn't allow any more unrest in Xijiang County? I thought we were going to be stuck here forever."

"Since Yunxuan Sect dared to attack the Beast Taming Sect, they must have made thorough preparations. They must have already persuaded Xuanyuan Sect."

"If only we could be sent to capture Bianxi City, then we could return to Bianxi City."

.........

Within the Luoyun Sect's ranks, the crowd was buzzing with whispers and discussions.

Around noon, several streaks of light shot out from inside the mountain gate, and a few of them arrived in front of the Luoyun Sect's group. The leader was Tao Jinyuan, followed by two Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Yunxuan Sect.

"Sect Leader." Jin Yuanxing led several Foundation Establishment cultivators forward and bowed to Tao Jinyuan.

"Senior Brother Jin, lead the disciples of our sect onto the spirit ship, and we will follow the Yunxuan Sect's group later." Tao Jinyuan's expression was solemn.

Jin Yuanxing glanced at the two Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Yunxuan Sect behind him, asked no further questions, and replied "Yes." He then ordered everyone to board the spirit ship one after another.

Everyone quickly boarded their respective spirit ships, including cultivators from the Windwalking Sect and other forces.

Before long, several spirit ships carrying numerous Yunxuan Sect cultivators sailed out from outside the Yunxuan Sect's mountain gate.

The spirit ships outside also took off and followed Yun Xuanzong's spirit ship.

Inside the cabin of the Luoyun Sect's spirit ship, Tao Jinyuan, Jin Yuanxing, and the two Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Yunxuan Sect gathered in one room.

Tao Jinyuan's expression turned solemn as he looked at the two men and asked, "Fellow Daoist Chen and Fellow Daoist Xu, now you should tell us whether our purpose in coming here is to attack the Beast Taming Sect's mountain gate or to conquer other territories?"

The two men exchanged glances, and one of them shook his head: "Neither."

"Neither?" Tao Jinyuan exchanged a surprised glance with Jin Yuanxing, both of them able to see doubt and astonishment in each other's eyes.

"If this large-scale gathering isn't for attacking the Beast Taming Sect, then why is it like this?"

Our destination is Huayang County.

"What, going to Huayang County?" Tao Jinyuan was shocked. He never expected that Yun Xuanzong's big commotion was about going to Huayang County. Could it be that he was going to withdraw from Xijiang County and establish himself in Huayang County? If so, it would be even more impossible for him to return to Bianxi City.

"We are going to Huayang County to join forces with the Yunxiao Sect to launch a major counterattack against the Beast Taming Sect and take over the entire Western Frontier County in one fell swoop."

Upon hearing this, Tao Jinyuan was immediately overjoyed, realizing that Yunxuan Sect had secretly reached an agreement with Yunxiao Sect.

The Cloud Soaring Sect was already far more powerful than the Beast Taming Sect, and with its assistance, the Cloud Profound Sect would naturally have no problem reclaiming the Western Frontier County.

However, Jin Yuanxing frowned slightly, keenly sensing that something was amiss: "Since your sect has reached an agreement with the Yunxiao Sect to jointly deal with the Beast Taming Sect, why should we go to Huayang County to join them? Shouldn't the Yunxiao Sect send troops to Xijiang County to join forces with your sect? Isn't this redundant?"

Tao Jinyuan also realized what was happening and looked at the two of them suspiciously, waiting for their reply.

"This is the sect leader's order, and we are simply following orders. As for why we are doing this, the sect leader has his own reasons."

Jin Yuanxing pressed further: "Won't the Xuan Yuan Sect intervene if the Yunxiao Sect joins forces with your sect to take Xijiang County?"

"This is not something that people like you and me should be concerned with. The sect leader must be confident to do this."

"But our sect's assets are still in Xuzishan. What will happen to them when we go to Huayang County?"

"We will pass by Xuzi Mountain. When that time comes, you can load your valuables onto the spirit ship and head to Huayang County together. Once there, the Yunxiao Sect will arrange a place for you."

Tao Jinyuan and Jin Yuanxing exchanged a glance. Although they sensed something was amiss, there was nothing they could do but nod.

The spirit ship sailed south and arrived at Xuzishan. Tao Jinyuan emerged from his cabin and appeared before the crowd.

"Sect Leader, where are we going?" Jiang Jian and several other Foundation Establishment cultivators went up to him, all looking at him with puzzled expressions.

The reason was that the Beast Taming Sect's mountain gate and territory were located in the north, while the spirit ship kept heading south, even returning to Xuzi Mountain, which left everyone completely confused.

"Give the order to move all the sect's valuables onto the spirit ship. We're going to Huayang County."

"Going to Huayang County?" "What for?"

"Does Emperor Yunxuan intend to evacuate Xijiang County?"

Upon hearing this, the group immediately erupted in a commotion.

"The Yunxuan Sect has reached an agreement with the Yunxiao Sect to jointly deal with the Yushou Sect. This trip will be to join forces with the Yunxiao Sect and then fight our way back to Xijiang County. To prevent the Yushou Sect from attacking the Yunxuan Sect's mountain gate and stealing our valuables from Xuzi Mountain during this period, we should bring all these things with us now. Once we arrive in Huayang County, the Yunxiao Sect will arrange a place for us."

Tao Jinyuan repeated the Beast Taming Sect disciple's statement. Although he had doubts, his eyes were very firm at this moment.

As the sect leader, especially at this time, he cannot show any wavering attitude in front of his disciples.

If even he is shaken, the entire sect will surely be filled with anxiety. The most important thing now is to maintain stability and give the sect's disciples confidence and a sense of security.

"If the goal is to deal with the Beast Taming Sect, why didn't the Cloud Soaring Sect send people to join us instead of making us travel all the way to Huayang County?"

"Could there be a trick involved?"

"Could Emperor Yunxuan be lying to us?"

The group discussed the matter amongst themselves, all finding it strange.

"We don't need to care what the Yunxuan Sect's higher-ups are thinking, and everyone doesn't need to worry. The Yunxuan Sect has basically come out in full force this time, along with the Fengxing Sect and other forces that have joined us. This shows that they are determined to fight the Beast Taming Sect to the death. Our return to Bianxi City is just around the corner. Now let's hurry up and move all the wealth from Xuzi Mountain onto the spirit ship."

Hearing him say this, the others stopped asking questions and immediately sent people to transport the valuables, box by box, onto the funeral ship.

Before long, the spirit ship set sail again, traveling swiftly to the border between Xijiang County and Huayang County, and was about to reach Huayang County's territory when several streaks of light appeared behind them, chasing after them at an extremely fast speed.

Inside the cabin of the spirit ship, Tao Jinyuan and several core members of the Luoyun Sect were still discussing how to persuade Yunxuan Sect to send troops to attack Bianxi City after the counterattack.

Suddenly, a loud boom was heard, and the spirit ship shook violently.

Caught off guard, the group staggered and nearly fell over. The next moment, they heard shouts of enemy attack.

The expressions on their faces changed drastically, and they immediately left the cabin.

The outside was in complete chaos. Several Foundation Establishment cultivators dressed in the robes of the Beast Taming Sect were attacking the spirit ship. Various spells struck the spirit ship's defensive light barrier, causing the runes on it to shatter visibly, and the light barrier itself to become distorted and deformed.

Not only their spirit ship, but also more than a dozen other spirit ships traveling with them were besieged by the Beast Taming Sect cultivators.

Beside the main ship of the Yunxuan Sect, Golden Core cultivators from the Beast Taming Sect were unleashing their supernatural powers to attack it, with various colored lights enveloping the entire world.

In the far distance, one could vaguely see spirit ships speeding towards them in pursuit.

"Don't panic, everyone. Once we cross this mountain, we'll be in Huayang County. The Beast Taming Sect won't dare to pursue us," shouted a Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Yunxuan Sect who was traveling on the spirit ship.

As soon as he finished speaking, the defensive light barrier of the spirit ship shattered with a roar, and a golden giant sword smashed straight down.

Tao Jinyuan let out a cold snort and struck out with his palm. A huge palm print formed in mid-air, meeting the giant sword.

With a deafening roar, the golden greatsword trembled violently.

At this moment, the spirit ship was falling uncontrollably.

The disciples above either rode their flying magical artifacts or jumped down, creating chaos.

The other Foundation Establishment cultivators on the spirit ship were not idle either, and they all used their spells to attack the Beast Taming Sect disciples who were attacking the spirit ship.

Even the Qi Refining disciples who rode flying magical artifacts joined the battle, using their artifacts or spells to attack the enemy.

Those Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Beast Taming Sect were also quite clever. After destroying the spirit ship, they did not linger and immediately retreated.

Tao Jinyuan watched as the other group retreated, but dared not pursue them further.

"Sect Leader, what should we do? The spirit ship is destroyed, and many disciples of the sect do not have flying artifacts." Jin Yuanxing looked back and saw that the main force of the Beast Taming Sect had caught up with them on spirit ships.

"All disciples, listen to my command! Assemble in Huayang County!" Tao Jinyuan shouted, leading everyone towards Huayang County.

At this moment, looking around, all of Yunxuan Sect's dozen or so spirit ships had crashed under the attack of the Beast Taming Sect disciples.

Thousands of cultivators fled towards Huayang County, either on foot or on flying magical artifacts, creating an extremely chaotic scene.

Meanwhile, the Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Beast Taming Sect kept harassing them from the side.

Meanwhile, Tao Jinyuan and his group were heading towards Huayang County when seven or eight Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Beast Taming Sect surrounded them, each unleashing their spells to attack them.

Tao Jinyuan and the others could only fight and retreat at the same time. The two sides' spells intertwined and collided, and their light shone brightly.

Just then, blood-red clouds surged high in the sky and rained down, covering the entire area.

In an instant, Tao Jinyuan, Wen Yiren, Jin Yuanxing, and Jiang Jian were all caught up in it, as the Golden Core cultivators of the Beast Taming Sect had made their move.

The blood cloud transformed into a rolling sea of ​​blood, stretching for thousands of feet. Tao Jinyuan and his companions were caught in the surging blood sea, and their figures were gradually submerged.

The other Foundation Establishment cultivators were further away and managed to escape in time, thus avoiding being enveloped and engulfed by the blood cloud. Upon seeing this, they were all shocked, as none of them expected that a Golden Core cultivator would suddenly attack them.

It turns out that there was no Golden Core cultivator on Yunxuanzong's spirit ship.

Of the thousands of people in the Yunxuan Sect's army, only Zhuang Buyi, the leader of the Fengxing Sect, was a Golden Core cultivator who accompanied them. He was currently being chased by two Golden Core cultivators from the Beast Taming Sect and had already moved further and further away.

Zhuang Buyi only had the cultivation level of the early stage of the Golden Core realm, while the two people chasing him were both at the middle stage of the Golden Core realm.

Two early-stage Golden Core cultivators from the Beast Taming Sect did not participate in the pursuit; instead, they stayed behind to deal with the remaining forces.

With the addition of the Golden Core cultivator from the Beast Taming Sect, the situation on the field instantly reversed. The crowd was already in a state of chaos, and now they were even more terrified.

The other Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Falling Cloud Sect were leaderless and harassed by Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Beast Taming Sect. Their minds were in chaos, and they were at a loss, unable to organize the Falling Cloud Sect disciples to launch an effective counterattack.

The Qi Refining cultivators had no intention of fighting and scattered in all directions.

The main force of the Beast Taming Sect, riding spirit ships, had also caught up. A large number of cultivators jumped off the spirit ships and chased after the Qi Refining cultivators who were scattering and fleeing.

"Listen up, cultivators of Yunxuan Sect! Xuanyuan Sect has given orders to wipe out Yunxuan Sect in one fell swoop. If you surrender now and pull back from the brink, you may still live. If you remain obstinate, you will only face death."

A majestic voice rang out, clearly reaching everyone's ears. It was Elder Xu Xiansheng of the Beast Taming Sect who spoke. Behind him were a group of Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Beast Taming Sect, as well as many people dressed in the robes of the Xuan Yuan Sect.

The Yunxuan Sect members, leaderless, scattered and fled, paying little heed to his words and surrendering without resistance. Xu Xiansheng waved his hand, and the group of cultivators behind him immediately rushed into the battlefield, giving chase to the fleeing group.

(End of this chapter)