I'm in Yellow Maple Valley, and I have one equipment slot!

Chapter 331 Famous Throughout the Great Jin Dynasty! The Yinluo Sect's Plot! The Holy Maiden of Tianlan!

After leaving Taixing Market in Yizhou, Zhou Yuan did not go directly to the distant capital of the Great Jin Dynasty.

With nearly three years to go before the "Heavenly Treasures Gathering," he planned to use this time to collect as many rare materials as possible needed to refine the late-stage Nascent Soul puppet and the Three Flames Fan, making full preparations for the final trade fair and increasing his chances of success.

According to the information he had gathered beforehand, in the neighboring Kailong Prefecture of Fengzhou, there was a mid-level sect called "Mingjian Sect". It was said that its sect's treasury contained a rather rare "Iron Horn Rhinoceros Spirit Horn".

This item is the core essence of the single horn on the forehead of the Iron Horned Rhinoceros, containing pure earth and metal elemental spiritual power and a trace of the rhinoceros' innate divine power. It is an excellent material for strengthening the puppet's joints and defensive components, and it happens to be one of the items on Zhou Yuan's list of needs.

Although it is only a mid-level sect, Mingjian Sect is quite well-known in Fengzhou. It is said that there are two mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivators in the sect, plus several early-stage Nascent Soul elders. With such strength, it is enough to be among the top sects in Tiannan.

However, in the Great Jin Dynasty, it could only be considered a mid-level sect, which shows how profound the cultivation world of the Great Jin Dynasty was.

Zhou Yuan rode his escape light and arrived at Kailong Prefecture several days later, where he found the mountain gate of the Mingjian Sect.

The Mingjian Sect occupies a medium-sized spiritual vein of considerable size. Its mountain gate is quite magnificent, with pavilions and towers hidden in the clouds and mist. The sound of swords ringing out from time to time is quite fitting for the name of the sect.

Zhou Yuan did not conceal his presence and landed directly in front of the Mingjian Sect's mountain gate, unabashedly releasing a wisp of his aura as a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator.

The two Foundation Establishment disciples guarding the mountain felt an overwhelming, unfathomable pressure wash over them. Their faces turned deathly pale, and they nearly dropped their magical artifacts. They hurriedly bowed, their voices trembling, "N--- We didn't know which senior had graced our Mingjian Sect with their presence! We have failed to greet you properly; please forgive us!"

"Go and inform them that Zhou, a wandering cultivator from overseas, has something to ask to see your sect leader."

Zhou Yuan said in a calm tone.

"Yes! Yes! Senior, please wait a moment, I will go and inform them immediately!"

One of the disciples guarding the mountain responded immediately and scrambled towards the mountain gate.

Not long after, the gates of the Mingjian Sect opened wide, and several beams of light of different colors flew out from inside the gates, landing not far in front of Zhou Yuan. The light faded, revealing the figures of four cultivators.

Leading the group was a middle-aged man in his forties, dressed in a white robe, with a lean face and refined demeanor. His aura was steady, clearly at the peak of the mid-stage Nascent Soul realm. He was none other than Bai Mingjian, the current Grand Elder of the Mingjian Sect and the de facto ruler.

Behind Bai Mingjian were three elders at the early stage of the Nascent Soul realm, and a black-robed old man at the mid-stage of the Nascent Soul realm, but with a slightly sinister aura.

The four men looked at Zhou Yuan with obvious scrutiny and solemnity. The sudden arrival of a strange late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator was enough to make them nervous.

"I am Bai Mingjian, the Grand Elder of the Mingjian Sect. Greetings, fellow Daoist. May I ask your name, where you are from, and what brings you to my Mingjian Sect?"

Bai Mingjian bowed respectfully, his tone polite, but his eyes held a hint of wariness.

Although the cultivation world of the Great Jin Dynasty is prosperous, late-stage Nascent Soul cultivators are by no means commonplace. Each one is a figure who can shake the entire region with a stomp of their foot. Their sudden visit to their mid-level sect is definitely not without reason.

Zhou Yuan returned the greeting with a cupped hand and got straight to the point: "Fellow Daoist Bai, fellow Daoists, I am a rogue cultivator from overseas. I have long heard that the Mingjian Sect possesses a spirit horn of an Iron Horned Rhinoceros, which is exactly what I need. I am willing to exchange it for a suitable price or treasure, and I hope your sect will be willing to part with it."

"Iron Horn Rhinoceros Horn?" Upon hearing this, Bai Mingjian frowned slightly and exchanged a glance with the elders behind him. The black-robed elder's expression darkened further.

Bai Mingjian shook his head, his tone leaving no room for negotiation: "Fellow Daoist Zhou, I am truly sorry. That Iron Horned Rhinoceros horn was obtained by one of our Mingjian Sect's founders in his early years from slaying an eighth-level Iron Horned Rhinoceros. It has always been one of our sect's most prized treasures, and our sect never sells it to outsiders. Please leave, Fellow Daoist."

He refused quite decisively, leaving no room for negotiation.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Yuan remained unperturbed, merely smiling slightly, his tone still calm: "Fellow Daoist Bai, everything in this world has its price. Anything can be traded, it just depends on whether the bargaining chips are sufficient. Fellow Daoist, why don't you tell me what conditions you would require to part with this item? Spirit stones, magic treasures, pills, cultivation techniques—as long as it's within my power, we can discuss it."

Bai Mingjian shook his head again, his attitude resolute: "Fellow Daoist Zhou, there's no need for further words. This item is the most precious treasure of our sect, its significance is extraordinary and cannot be measured by spirit stones or wealth. Fellow Daoist, please return to avoid damaging our harmony."

, 7

"Oh? In that case—" Zhou Yuan's smile gradually faded, and his tone became calmer. An invisible pressure, belonging to a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, slowly spread out like a tide, enveloping the entire mountain gate area. "Then I, Zhou, will have to use some means to take it myself."

Sensing the sudden sharpness and undisguised threat emanating from Zhou Yuan, Bai Mingjian and the three Nascent Soul elders behind him instantly turned extremely ugly!

"Fellow Daoist Zhou! Although you are at the late Nascent Soul stage, my Mingjian Sect is not one to be trifled with! Our sect has been established for thousands of years, and our protective mountain array and various restrictions are no ordinary things!"

Bai Mingjian shouted sharply, and at the same time, his internal magic power circulated rapidly. A flying sword with a hazy blue light appeared in front of him, emitting a buzzing sword sound.

The other elders also unleashed their magical weapons, as if facing a formidable enemy.

"Is that so? Then I, Zhou, would like to see for myself." Before Zhou Yuan finished speaking, without even making any movement, he simply pointed his fingers like a sword and lightly slashed at the void in front of him!

"laugh--!"

A sword thread, condensed to its extreme, as thin as a hair, yet shimmering with dazzling golden light, burst forth from his fingertips!

The sword threads seemed to possess a life of their own, and with a twist in the air, they instantly split into thousands of identical golden sword threads.

These sword threads intertwined and entangled with each other, forming in the blink of an eye a golden sword net that covered an area of ​​dozens of feet in diameter!

The sword net silently extended forward!

Bai Mingjian and the others only saw a flash of golden light before their eyes, and an invincible, sharp sword intent that seemed capable of slicing through the soul completely enveloped them! They didn't even have time to make any effective defensive or evasive maneuvers!

"Snap! Snap! Snap!"

Several crisp cracking sounds rang out! The flying sword with its shimmering blue light in front of Bai Mingjian, as well as the defensive magic treasures summoned by the other two elders, were easily cut and shredded as if made of paper the moment they came into contact with the golden sword net!

It turned into several pieces of ordinary iron, which clattered and fell to the ground!

Bai Mingjian and the others turned deathly pale. They felt a chilling sword aura brush past their protective spiritual light, sending a shiver down their spines and instantly soaking their backs in cold sweat!

They had no doubt that if Zhou Yuan had intended to kill them, the sword net would have struck their physical bodies instead of their magical artifacts!

"Such profound and unfathomable swordsmanship—turning swords into threads, and threads into a net, controlled at will—this is absolutely beyond the reach of ordinary late-stage Nascent Soul cultivators!" Bai Mingjian murmured in disbelief, his eyes filled with shock and awe as he looked at Zhou Yuan!

He knew that his opponent had already shown mercy! Given the swordsmanship and terrifying strength displayed by his opponent, even if everyone from their Mingjian Sect attacked together, including activating the mountain-protecting formation, they would probably still be no match for them! Forcibly resisting would only lead to the annihilation of their entire sect!

"Fellow Daoist Zhou—Your Divine Sword is Profound, I—I am convinced." Bai Mingjian gave a bitter smile, bowed deeply to Zhou Yuan, his tone filled with bitterness and helplessness, "My sect is willing to part with that Iron Horn Rhinoceros Horn and trade it with you. I apologize for any offense I may have caused earlier, and I hope you will forgive me."

"Fellow Daoist Bai, you are too kind. I, Zhou, am only seeking materials and have no intention of harming anyone."

Zhou Yuan dispersed the sword net, his expression returning to calm, as if the earth-shattering sword strike he had just unleashed was not his doing.

He flipped his hand and took out five high-grade spirit stones, handing them over.

"These are five high-grade spirit stones of excellent quality. Consider them payment for the spirit horn I purchased. What do you think, Fellow Daoist Bai?"

Five high-grade spirit stones are a considerable fortune for a mid-level sect like the Mingjian Sect.

It would be more than enough to exchange for that Iron Horn Rhinoceros Horn.

Zhou Yuan did not want to bully others or rob them for nothing.

Seeing that Zhou Yuan was so generous and did not make things difficult for him because of the previous unpleasantness, Bai Mingjian's last bit of displeasure vanished. He quickly accepted the spirit stones, thanked him repeatedly, and instructed the elder behind him to go to the sect's treasury to retrieve the Iron Horned Rhinoceros spirit horn.

Before long, a giant horn, completely black, several feet long, spiraling, and emitting a faint metallic and earthy smell, was presented to Zhou Yuan.

Zhou Yuan checked it and found it to be correct, then put it into his storage bag.

"Thank you, Fellow Daoist Bai. I have other important matters to attend to, so I will take my leave now." Zhou Yuan cupped his hands to Bai Mingjian and the others, then, without lingering, his figure flickered and transformed into a pale golden stream of light, soaring into the sky and disappearing into the horizon.

Only after Zhou Yuan's figure completely disappeared did Bai Mingjian and the others breathe a long sigh of relief, feeling as if they had just walked through the gates of hell.

"Zhou Yuan, a rogue cultivator from overseas—his swordsmanship is truly terrifying!"

An elder said with lingering fear.

"This matter should not be publicized!"

Bai Mingjian gave the order in a deep voice.

However, secrets don't stay hidden forever. The news that Zhou Yuan had displayed astonishing swordsmanship at the Mingjian Sect and used force to obtain the Iron Horn Rhinoceros Spirit Horn spread like wildfire among the high-level cultivators in Fengzhou.

In no time, the name "Zhou Yuan, the overseas rogue cultivator" began to circulate in the cultivation world of Fengzhou and even several surrounding states, attracting the attention and speculation of various forces.

Three months later.

Fangmang Mountains.

This mountain range spans several states, with treacherous terrain, miasma, and rampant monsters, but deep within it lies a giant Yin-attribute spiritual vein of extremely high quality.

The Yinluo Sect, one of the ten great demonic sects of the Great Jin Dynasty, has its mountain gate located on this spiritual vein, occupying a territory spanning thousands of miles.

Yinluo Sect was once one of the most powerful and influential sects in the Great Jin Dynasty.

Decades ago, the sect not only had two late-stage Nascent Soul cultivators in charge, but also nearly thirty Nascent Soul elders and countless Core Formation and Foundation Establishment disciples, making it a powerful and influential force in the region.

However, it was also decades ago that the then-Sect Master of the Yinluo Sect, ambitious and eager to expand his power and acquire resources, personally led nearly ten Nascent Soul elders to the south of the world to participate in the great war between the Mulan people and the cultivation world of the south of the world.

In that battle, the Yinluo Sect lost four or five Nascent Soul cultivators and returned in defeat, its vitality severely damaged.

But an even greater disaster was yet to come. Shortly after that great battle, on the day of the founding ceremony of the Ascension Sect, Zhou Yuan, the newly promoted late-stage Nascent Soul Sect Master, actually killed the Yinluo Sect Master and the four other Nascent Soul elders accompanying him in front of many cultivators from Tiannan!

Ten Nascent Soul cultivators were lost in one fell swoop, including the sect leader, a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator!

This was a devastating blow to the Yinluo Sect, one that severely damaged its very foundation!

The sect's top combat power was almost completely wiped out, nearly causing it to fall from the ranks of the Great Jin's Ten Great Demonic Sects and become a second- or third-rate force. This blood feud was already deeply etched in the hearts of every Yinluo Sect cultivator.

At this moment, deep within the Yinluo Sect's mountain gate, in a dark and eerie hall built of obsidian.

The main hall was dimly lit, and the atmosphere was solemn. Four or five Nascent Soul cultivators dressed in black robes or dark red attire sat on chairs on either side.

In the central seat sat a middle-aged man with a gloomy face, sharp eyes like an eagle, and an aura that had reached the peak of the mid-stage of the Nascent Soul realm.

He is none other than Li Gu, the current sect leader of Yinluo Sect, appointed by the only surviving late-stage Nascent Soul Grand Elder, Qian Laomo, to succeed him after the sect suffered heavy losses.

"Sect Master! We have news of Zhou Yuan!" An elder in the early Nascent Soul stage, responsible for intelligence, strode into the main hall, his face a mixture of excitement and hatred, and loudly reported.

"Speak!" Li Gu suddenly raised his head, his eyes flashing with cold light.

According to reliable information from the Mingjian Sect in Fengzhou, several months ago, a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator claiming to be Zhou Yuan, a rogue cultivator from overseas, appeared in Kailong Prefecture, Fengzhou, and forcibly obtained the Iron Horned Rhinoceros Horn from the Mingjian Sect! Based on his appearance,

Judging from his cultivation level and the signature golden flying sword technique, this person is most likely Zhou Yuan from Tiannan! He really did come to the Great Jin!

"Fine! Fine! Fine! You have a path to heaven but choose not to take it, you barge into hell when there's no way out!" Li Gu slammed his hand on the armrest of his chair, abruptly standing up with a ferocious grin on his face. "Back then, you killed my sect leader and slaughtered my elders, severely weakening my Yinluo Sect. This enmity is irreconcilable! Now you dare to come to my Great Jin alone, to the territory of my Yinluo Sect? You're simply courting death!"

He swept his gaze across the elders below and said in a deep voice, "Gentlemen, this fiend Zhou Yuan has appeared in the Great Jin! This grudge must be avenged! However, this man is incredibly powerful, his swordsmanship is divine, and he has already reached the late Nascent Soul stage. With the current strength of our Yinluo Sect, I'm afraid we cannot be certain of victory. What are your thoughts?"

A gaunt-faced elder in black robes slowly spoke: "Sect Master, Zhou Yuan's strength is indeed extraordinary. Back in Tiannan, he was able to kill our sect's former sect master. Now, his cultivation has advanced even further, making him even more difficult to deal with. If we want revenge, we'll probably have to ask the Grand Elder, Old Demon Qian, to personally take action! With the Grand Elder in charge, and with our support from the sidelines, we'll have a much better chance of success!"

"Excellent! We must ask the Grand Elder to emerge from seclusion!" another elder echoed. "At the same time, we can also spread the word and contact other demonic sects that have a grudge against Zhou Yuan or are interested in him! This person possesses numerous treasures, including the Void Heaven Cauldron and other supreme treasures; I believe many will be willing to share in his wealth!"

"That's right! The title of the number one person in Tiannan may not be useful in Dajin! This is our home ground!" The elders all nodded in agreement.

A resolute glint flashed in Li Gu's eyes: "Good! Immediately send someone to the forbidden area in the back mountain to report to Elder Qian, the Great Demon, that Zhou Yuan has appeared in the Great Jin Dynasty, and ask him to make a decision! At the same time, use all intelligence channels to track down Zhou Yuan's whereabouts and movements!"

"Yes, Sect Master!"

Just then, footsteps suddenly came from outside the main hall.

A middle-aged deacon on duty strode in, bowed to Li Gu, and said, "Reporting to the Sect Master, a female guest has arrived at the mountain gate. She claims to be Lin Yinping, the Holy Maiden of the Tianlan Grassland, and says she has important matters to discuss with you. She has also brought a token from the First Elder, Qian Laomo!"

"The Holy Maiden of Tianlan? Lin Yinping?" Li Gu frowned and exchanged puzzled glances with the elders.

How could the Holy Maiden of Tianlan Grassland suddenly arrive at Yinluo Sect? And why does she possess the Grand Elder's token?

"Please let her in!" Li Gu said in a deep voice.

Before long, a woman dressed in a silver robe, with a graceful figure, a white veil covering her face, and an ethereal, aloof air, entered the main hall, led by two disciples of the Yinluo Sect. It was none other than Lin Yinping, who had traveled a great distance from the Tianlan Grasslands to the Great Jin Dynasty to investigate Zhou Yuan's whereabouts!

Lin Yinping entered the main hall, her gaze sweeping over Li Gu above and the elders on both sides. She bowed slightly and spoke in a clear, melodious voice: "Lin Yinping, the Holy Maiden of Tianlan, greets Sect Master Li and fellow Daoists."

Li Gu's gaze swept over Lin Yinping, a smile appearing on his face. His tone became more polite: "Holy Maiden, you have come from afar; I am sorry for not welcoming you properly. May I ask what brings you to my Yinluo Sect?"

Lin Yinping raised her head, a cold glint flashing in her beautiful eyes, and slowly said, "Sect Leader Li, let's not beat around the bush."

I have come here to cooperate with the nobles to jointly deal with Tiannan Zhouyuan!

Upon hearing this, the atmosphere in the hall instantly froze!

Li Gu and the elders all showed expressions of surprise and amusement.

"Oh? The Holy Maiden also has a grudge against Zhou Yuan?" Li Gu asked.

"He stole my Tianlan Clan's sacred beast!" Lin Yinping's voice was filled with suppressed rage. "I tracked him down and learned that he had come to the Great Jin. There is also a deep-seated blood feud between the Yinluo Sect and Zhou Yuan. We have a common enemy. I hope to join forces with the nobles, share intelligence, and, if necessary, act together to reclaim the sacred beast and slay this fiend!"

Upon hearing this, Li Gu remained silent for a moment, then let out a low laugh: "Hahaha! Good! The Holy Maiden speaks her mind!"

"Since that's the case, then my Yinluo Sect will ally with the Holy Maiden to jointly deal with Zhou Yuan! This fiend is currently in the Great Jin Dynasty; this is the perfect opportunity for us to avenge ourselves and reclaim the Sacred Beast!"

His eyes flashed with a cold killing intent and a greedy light: "With the Holy Maiden and the power of the grasslands joining us, plus my Yinluo Sect, and other demonic allies we may invite—"

"Zhou Yuan, let's see where you can run to this time!"

Inside the main hall, a web of conspiracy, woven by multiple forces and targeting Zhou Yuan, is quietly tightening.