With a flip of his wrist, Yi Hongchen produced a square, bronze-colored token and presented it to Shen Lang with both hands. "I can only activate this Mirror Image Transmission Spiritual Artifact when I’m at full strength. I’m afraid I’ll have to trouble you now."
Shen Lang nodded slightly, took the bronze token, and with two fingers extended like a sword, tapped it. A surge of Spiritual Qi poured into the token.
The bronze token trembled violently, and a ripple emanated from it before a screen of light slowly ford in front of them.
This was a Mirror Image Transmission Spiritual Artifact, a communication tool possessed by many sects.
The token was engraved with a Space Array and a spatial marker. Once activated, it could connect to a fixed receiving end.
This artifact could only be used when the surrounding Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi was stable, and it consud an imnse amount of Spiritual Power. That was why, even when cornered, Yi Hongchen hadn’t used it.
The mont the screen of light appeared, the Holy Light Sect’s mbers would have destroyed it, giving him no chance to send his ssage.
...
The screen of light slowly took shape. A middle-aged man with graying temples appeared on it, his hands clasped behind his back.
When the man saw Yi Hongchen and the others covered in blood, with a figure in an Evil Ghost Mask standing beside them, a sharp light flashed in his eyes. He spoke with authority, "Hongchen, what happened?"
Yi Hongchen coughed and recounted everything that had happened, including the events after Shen Lang’s arrival.
The man’s expression was grim at first, but then his furrowed brow slowly relaxed, and he laughed heartily. "So, it was this friend who saved my son and several of my disciples. I, Yishu Saint, offer my thanks. How may I address you?"
Shen Lang lightly touched the mask on his face and said coolly, "You may call Mr. Ghost, Valley Master. I wonder, what are your thoughts on what has transpired?"
Without a mont’s hesitation, Yishu Saint laughed. "My thoughts are the sa as my son’s. We would be honored if an expert such as yourself would beco an Honored Elder of our Evil Wind Valley. As for the Demon Iron Vein... the profits from the mine will be split as you proposed: forty percent to you, sixty percent to Evil Wind Valley!"
"The Valley Master is indeed a man of his word. In that case, I thank you," Shen Lang said with a slight nod.
Overjoyed, Yishu Saint turned his gaze to Yi Hongchen.
As if he had expected this, Yi Hongchen flipped his wrist and produced a strange, snake-shaped token. He began tracing patterns over the Elder Token with his finger, seemingly removing a restriction placed upon it.
A mont later, the token emitted a faint purple glow, and he respectfully presented it to Shen Lang.
Shen Lang’s eyes narrowed as he examined the token. It was purplish-red and strangely shaped like a python, but with two horns on its head, it resembled a Flood Dragon. It was quite a peculiar design.
"Please, take a look, sir. This is the Honored Elder Token of Evil Wind Valley. Once you place a drop of your blood upon it, the token will be soul-bound to you, and no one can ever impersonate you. With this token, all disciples of Evil Wind Valley must obey your command!"
"It seems your father is very good to you..."
Shen Lang chuckled, took the token, glanced at it casually, and dripped a drop of his blood onto it.
Yi Hongchen looked slightly embarrassed for a mont before his expression returned to normal.
Shen Lang’s guess was right. His father was indeed very good to him. Theoretically, the son of Evil Wind Valley’s Master had no right to possess sothing like this Honored Elder Token.
And yet, Yi Hongchen had one.
The item served as a form of protection for him.
If he ever faced a crisis or was being hunted by a powerful expert, he could use this token to recruit soone on the spot and resolve his predicant.
After all, the position of Honored Elder in a Profound Iron Level Influence was a very tempting offer.
It was a simpler and more reliable thod than offering a treasure to save his own life.
...
As Shen Lang dripped his blood onto it, he felt an instant connection form with the token.
He then discovered that the token was more than just proof of his authority as an Honored Elder; it was also a Third Grade Spiritual Artifact that could transform into a Giant Shield for defense.
"Congratulations, Elder!" Luo Fengling and the others shouted in unison.
At this, the smile on Yishu Saint’s face within the screen of light grew wider. He nodded and said, "From now on, Evil Wind Valley is your ho, sir. You may visit whenever you wish. I will personally select a cave residence abundant in Spiritual Qi for your Cultivation. As for the profits from the Demon Iron Vein, you can co and collect them at any ti, or I can arrange for disciples to deliver them to a location of your choice."
"My thanks, Valley Master," Shen Lang said, cupping his fists. "Our business here is concluded. We should all leave now to avoid further complications. The Holy Light Sect mbers seem to have sent a Sound Transmission Talisman back already. Their sect likely knows about the Demon Iron Vein by now."
Hearing this, a terrifying coldness flashed in Yishu Saint’s eyes. He said grimly, "The Holy Light Sect dares to plot against my Evil Wind Valley, even luring Hongchen and the others into a death trap. I will personally visit the Holy Light Sect and demand justice! Rest assured, sir. I will imdiately dispatch experts to the Tala Prairie; I will not give them any opportunity. To think they dare touch sothing within Evil Wind Valley’s sphere of influence... they are simply courting death!"
"That would be best."
Shen Lang nodded. Then, as if he had just rembered sothing, his expression turned serious. "Right, there are a few more things I need to say."
"Please, sir, speak freely." Yishu Saint was being exceptionally respectful.
Shen Lang paused in thought for a mont. "I believe you and the Young Valley Master have already noticed that there are many suspicious aspects to this incident. In truth, the matter is quite simple..."
He trailed off, turning to glance at Luo Fengling and the others.
Yishu Saint imdiately said, "Hongchen, take the others and leave first. I need to discuss so matters with Elder Ghost."
"Yes, Father, I understand."
With a quick word, Yi Hongchen led Luo Fengling and the others away from Halan Valley.
Shen Lang was doing this for their own good. This matter involved the Imperial Dragon Sect and Yuwen Huaji; knowing too much would not benefit ordinary disciples.
If Yishu Saint was a ruthless enough man, he might secretly kill Zhao Qing and the others as a precaution.
Only when their figures had vanished did Shen Lang say softly, "Since I am now an Honored Elder of Evil Wind Valley, there are so things I no longer need to conceal. You can choose to believe or not, Valley Master. I will simply state the facts as an observer, and you can investigate and confirm the information I provide."
Yishu Saint bowed slightly. "I am in your debt, Elder."
Nodding lightly, Shen Lang began, "It’s all quite simple, really. Yuwen Huaji of the Imperial Dragon Sect intends to use the Xu Family of Celestial Phoenix City to expand his own power. His plan is to help the Xu Family beco a Profound Iron Level Influence after he breaks through to the King Martial Realm in the coming years."
"Is that so!" Yishu Saint exclaid, his expression turning grave. "What does this business with Yuwen Huaji have to do with the Holy Light Sect ambushing my son...?"
"As vassal powers of the Imperial Dragon Sect, Evil Wind Valley and the Holy Light Sect have voting and veto rights over any new Profound Iron Level Influence rising within Imperial Dragon Sect territory. Furthermore, the relationship between your two sects is quite good... After discovering that the Young Valley Master’s group had entered the Tala Prairie, Xu Daolin, son of the current Xu Family Clan Leader, also noted the arrival of the Holy Light Sect. He then orchestrated a plot to have your two groups fight to the death, after which he would eliminate the survivors. His goal was to shatter the relationship between the Holy Light Sect and Evil Wind Valley. In the anti, they would secretly use their connection to Yuwen Huaji to curry favor with both your sects and win your support."
"Xu Daolin? The sheer audacity!" Yishu Saint roared in fury.
"Coincidentally, I have a bit of a history with Yuwen Huaji. So when I spotted that old fiend in the Tala Prairie, I followed him to investigate. I happened to overhear everything. That’s the long and short of it."
As Shen Lang gave this half-true account, a glint flickered in Yishu Saint’s eyes, and his respect for the man before him deepened.
’Yuwen Huaji of the Imperial Dragon Sect is at the Half-Step King Martial Realm, an expert who might break through to the King Martial Realm in a few years,’ Yishu Saint thought. ’Shen Lang said he had ’a bit of a history’ with him... doesn’t that imply his own cultivation has reached, or is at least approaching, that sa level?’
’If that’s true, then Evil Wind Valley has truly struck gold.’
Although Yishu Saint didn’t entirely believe Shen Lang’s story, the speculation brought him a secret delight.
"If there is nothing else, I will take my leave. I will visit Evil Wind Valley to pay my respects to you when I have the ti... I am aware the Elder Token contains a Mirror Image Transmission Array. Should you need to contact , Valley Master, you can do so through the token at any ti."
Shen Lang cupped his fists once more. A pair of pitch-black wings of light materialized behind him, and with a single flap, he shot into the sky and vanished over the horizon.
Only after Shen Lang’s figure disappeared from view did Yishu Saint’s expression return to a calm mask. He glanced to the side and said lightly, "State your opinion."
From the screen of light, the figure of an old man erged. "Mr. Ghost’s cultivation is profound and unfathomable. He is ruthless and decisive. He is soone to be won over, never to be made an enemy. By agreeing to his terms, Valley Master, you’ve done him a favor and built goodwill. I believe he will be a great asset to us in the future."
Yishu Saint mulled this over for a mont. "When he left, the wings on his back were wreathed in roiling black qi; it wasn’t a Flying Spiritual Artifact. I roughly estimated his speed to be around the Xuanwu Realm Fifth Heaven... I don’t know what his true cultivation level is, but to be an enemy of Yuwen Huaji and still be alive and well... Heh. I hope to et our new Elder in person very soon."
At this, his expression suddenly darkened. "And as for what he said about Yuwen Huaji and Xu Daolin, how much of it do you believe?"
The old man was silent for a mont before uttering two words: "Ninety percent!"
Yishu Saint snorted coldly. With a wave of his right hand, the screen of light vanished.
...
「The Zuoge Ruins, on the outskirts of the Phoenix Mountain Range.」
The competition between Tayun Academy and Celestial God Academy was nearing its end.
By now, students from both academies had gathered, and no one was bothering to collect herbs or hunt Demon Beasts any longer.
Now was the ti to see who was stronger.
Without Nalan Ziyun to keep Chu Qingcheng in check, Celestial God Academy was being suppressed at every turn, and its students were complaining incessantly.
Fortunately, that Chu Qingcheng was exceptionally lazy and rarely attacked, which was the only reason Celestial God Academy was still holding on.
But Xue Dangdang’s body technique was uncanny. She ca and went like a ghost and was utterly rciless, beating the students of Celestial God Academy until they were crying for their mothers.
In the end, Celestial God Academy had to dispatch three masters at the Qi Martial Realm Fifth Heaven just to keep her occupied.
On the ruins, the students of the two academies were now locked in a chaotic brawl, kicking up clouds of dust. Tayun Academy had a clear advantage, but it wasn’t a complete rout yet.
Shen Lang landed in the jungle a couple of hundred ters from the ruins and brought Nalan Ziyun out as well.
"I’m getting a little hosick. I want to go ho... You’d better convince those idiots from your Celestial God Academy to behave themselves. Otherwise, I’ll make sure their academy has a few more cripples..."
"Get lost!"
Nalan Ziyun shot him a vicious glare but didn’t say anything else to refuse.
’If that little bastard really decides to get involved, Celestial God Academy is in for a world of hurt.’
No one could have known that in that mont, Nalan Ziyun felt an inexplicable sense of joy...
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