At the heart of Yu Wang City, within the Yu Huang Sect gates. "Gentlemen. I take my leave now." Teng Qingshan's expression was grim as he glanced at Huang Tianqin and the other two. "Do not forget our agreement. If my Xing Yi Sect discovers any of your Yu Huang Sect disciples cultivating the Nine Sovereigns Cannon Fist, things will turn unpleasant." With those words, Teng Qingshan and the Undying Phoenix, 'Xiao Qing', transformed into a streak of light and vanished toward the southeastern horizon.

Huang Tianqin, Yu Feng, and Liu Xia, the three Grand Elders, watched the receding light in the sky. "What was that? Why would the Venerable assist Teng Qingshan this time?" Once Teng Qingshan was gone, Liu Xia couldn't help but frown. "Indeed, it is strange," Huang Tianqin mused. "I assumed the Venerable would side with us, yet he actually forced us to agree to Teng Qingshan's terms... That said, all past legends about the Venerable are merely recorded in books. I have only exchanged a few words with him in passing. I know nothing of his true character." After all, since the founding of the Yu Huang Sect, Venerable Xiong had intervened only a handful of times.

"Elders, if you ask me..." Yu Feng frowned. "Venerable Xiong was entrusted by the Ancestor Yu Huang to protect the legacy of our Yu Huang Sect, not necessarily to make us stronger. Therefore... at a time like this, Venerable Xiong prefers to appease and avoid conflict with Teng Qingshan, much like how he treated the Qinling Heavenly Emperor back then—with courtesy. That is why the Qinling Heavenly Emperor never sought our utter destruction." "Mhm," Huang Tianqin and Liu Xia realized with sudden clarity. The reasoning was simple, yet they had always viewed Venerable Xiong as the Yu Huang Sect’s ultimate trump card, forgetting that the Venerable was fundamentally free, not a member of the sect, merely fulfilling a trust bestowed by Yu Huang.

"Let us put this aside for now. Teng Qingshan came here this time... claiming our Yu Huang Sect sent someone to ambush and murder disciples of the Xing Yi Sect. The evidence he presented was crystal clear," Huang Tianqin said, frowning. "However, I investigated just now, and our sect had no involvement. And I trust Teng Qingshan would not fabricate something of this nature." "Yes, something is amiss," Liu Xia nodded in agreement. "If it wasn't our people, then who carried out the attack?" Yu Feng frowned. "This feels like a conspiracy," Huang Tianqin’s expression turned serious as he commanded, "Yu Feng, issue an order immediately. I want you to investigate thoroughly... how did Guo Jiexu and Gan Zitao come to intercept the Xing Yi Sect members?" "Yes," Yu Feng acknowledged. "Daring to scheme against the Yu Huang Sect," Huang Tianqin’s eyes chilled, a killing intent faintly surfacing. "Liu Xia, Yu Feng... you two will manage the sect affairs for the time being. I have just reached the Void Illumination Realm and require a period of secluded cultivation to refine my physical body and become familiar with the power of the world," Huang Tianqin said with a slight smile. "Teng Qingshan’s visit, which resulted in my breakthrough to the Void Illumination Realm, was an unexpected joy." Liu Xia and Yu Feng finally allowed a faint smile to appear. The Void Illumination Realm... Having another expert at this level would indeed boost the sect's confidence significantly. "Martial Uncle, once your body has strengthened and your realm stabilized, defeating Teng Qingshan will be no issue," Liu Xia stated cheerfully. "By then, will I still tolerate Teng Qingshan’s arrogance?" Huang Tianqin scoffed. After issuing his instructions, Huang Tianqin immediately entered seclusion, preparing to solidify his realm and enhance his strength. ** In Yan Province, Jiangning Commandery, within the Xing Yi Sect of Dayan Mountain. Since Teng Qingshan and the Undying Phoenix 'Xiao Qing' departed for the Yu Huang Sect that morning, the high-ranking officials of the Xing Yi Sect had been anxiously awaiting news in the Donghua Courtyard. After all, their Sect Master, Teng Qingshan, was going out this time to challenge the Yu Huang Sect directly—to make an example of them! This was a monumental and perilous undertaking.

"Don't speak ill omens. The Sect Master has the protection of the Undying Phoenix; he will surely be fine." "I was only saying..." The elders' murmuring drew a frown from Li Jun, who glanced over. Meanwhile, the acting Sect Master, Yang Dong, sharply called out, "Everyone, find a seat and stop causing a commotion." Yang Dong then turned to Li Jun and the siblings Hong Wu and Hong Lin, smiling, "Martial Mother, in my opinion, Master should be returning soon. Let's have some tea; perhaps he will arrive by the time we finish." "Mm," Li Jun nodded. "Dad, Dad, please come back quickly," Hong Lin murmured, biting her lip and staring intently toward the northwest.

Teng Qingshan was the central pillar! He was the pillar of this family and the entire Xing Yi Sect. How could they not worry and feel concern? "Sister..." Hong Wu started to comfort his sister. "Dad is back!" Hong Lin suddenly shouted, pointing toward the northwest.

Whoosh! Almost simultaneously, everyone looked up toward the northwest. A streak of fiery red light swiftly traversed the sky, approaching at astonishing speed before curving gracefully and descending directly into the courtyard of the Donghua Courtyard. It resolved into a youth in white robes and a massive divine bird shrouded in flame. "Dad!" Hong Lin was the first to rush into Teng Qingshan's embrace. "Everyone is here," Teng Qingshan smiled, surveying the surroundings. "Master!" Teng Shou, Xue Xin, and Yang Dong all bowed respectfully. "Sect Master!" Zong Lu and the other elders also paid their respects. Teng Qingshan smiled, then his gaze settled upon Li Jun. Li Jun finally revealed a hint of a smile and walked over, asking softly, "Are you alright?" "Do I look like I'm not alright?" Teng Qingshan chuckled. "Elders, Enforcement Elders, there are countless matters within the sect that require your attention. You may all retire for now," Teng Qingshan said with a smile. "Qing Hu, Ah Shou, Xue Xin, and Ah Dong, you remain!" Within the Xing Yi Sect, positions were granted based on achievements, similar to the Gui Yuan Sect; upon reaching the 'Grandmaster Realm' or 'Innate Realm,' one was awarded the title of Enforcement Elder. "Yes." The elders departed with smiles, leaving only Teng Qinghu and the three disciples, including Yang Dong. "Master, how did it go this time?" Yang Dong couldn't help but ask. "Yes, Qingshan, tell us quickly," Qing Hu also pressed. Teng Qinghu at this point was a 'General' in the Xing Yi Sect's Blood Wolf Army, holding a very high status. Teng Qingshan smiled. "Is that even a question?"

Saying this, Teng Qingshan took out two secret manuals, packaged in wooden boxes, from his robes and placed them on a nearby stone table. "Take a look, all of you." "What are these?" Teng Shou, Yang Dong, and the others, including Teng Qingshan's two children, rushed over and opened the wooden boxes. "Heavenly Central Mind Codex?" "Shimmering Wave Mirror?" Including Li Jun and the others, everyone was greatly astonished by these two profound manuals. The Yu Huang Sect possessed an extremely long history, and its most coveted Heaven-Grade secret manuals were naturally famous throughout the lands. "They are Heaven-Grade secret manuals?" Yang Dong exclaimed with delight. "This is excellent! With these Heaven-Grade manuals, many of our Xing Yi Sect disciples who cultivate the Daoist lineage will have superior texts to practice once they reach the Innate Realm. This is far better than the Tianfeng Family’s manuals." "How could the Yu Huang Sect bear to part with such profound manuals?" "Master, how did you obtain these?" They were all incredibly excited. A significant advantage of Internal Martial Arts was the ability to cultivate in the Daoist lineage concurrently while training the former. Just as Teng Qingshan once cultivated the Raging Ox Great Strength Art, many within the Xing Yi Sect undoubtedly pursued both paths. There would certainly be those who reached the Innate Realm via the Daoist path. Heaven-Grade manuals would ensure that any disciple of the Xing Yi Sect could receive the best possible scripture. "Of course, they are from the Yu Huang Sect, why ask?" Teng Qingshan shook his head and smiled. "Alright, Ah Dong, you must personally make copies of these two manuals. After copying, place one copy in the 'Martial Repository Hall.' As for the originals, return them to me." "Yes, Master," Yang Dong replied, bowing. "After this incident, other sects across the Nine Provinces will surely learn the general details! Perhaps few sects will dare to steal our Xing Yi Sect's manuals again," Teng Qingshan frowned. "However, Ah Dong, the instruction of the Five Elements Fist within our Xing Yi Sect must be even stricter. We absolutely cannot let the wrong people learn it!" "Yes, Master." Yang Dong felt the weight of responsibility increase. Teng Qingshan frowned deeply. "Actually, when I went to the Yu Huang Sect this time, I discovered something... the force that previously ambushed and murdered our Xing Yi Sect members was likely not related to the Yu Huang Sect after all." "What?" Everyone present was shocked. "Father, if it wasn't the Yu Huang Sect, then someone else must have been manipulating things," Hong Wu declared. "Mm, I also suspect it was a conspiracy." Teng Qingshan nodded. At this moment, among the three individuals previously identified, two were from the Yu Huang Sect, and one was from Qinghu Island. "Could it be Qinghu Island?" This thought crossed Teng Qingshan's mind, causing his brow to furrow. "No, there has been no activity from Qinghu Island for seventeen years. Could it be that after being shattered and severely weakened, they still dare to provoke me recklessly?" Once a sect is destroyed, the survivors should focus on recovery and consolidation. ...

Upon returning, after issuing numerous commands, Teng Qingshan entered closed-door cultivation, aiming to reach the Void Illumination Realm. Meanwhile, across the Nine Provinces, many sects, including the Heavenly God Palace, received news that Teng Qingshan had brazenly attacked the Yu Huang Sect headquarters. With their intelligence networks, they quickly uncovered many details. The major sects were all stunned by Teng Qingshan’s audacity... yet, Teng Qingshan had not caused total devastation. The major sects deduced that the Yu Huang Sect must possess some powerful hidden reserve unknown to the outside world.

In Yan Province, within an ordinary small city, inside a tranquil mansion. "My Lord, this is a secret letter from You Province," a man in green respectfully presented a scroll. A mysterious man with long, unbound hair, wearing a loose linen robe and a golden mask, accepted the letter and waved his hand. "You may leave." "Yes." The servant quickly withdrew. The mysterious man with the golden mask walked to a stone table, sat down, and finally opened the letter to read. "The ambush last time failed, and this time, Teng Qingshan returned to the Xing Yi Sect completely unharmed... How could the Yu Huang Sect be so useless! A sect existing for six thousand years, without a single truly powerful expert? Letting Teng Qingshan walk away unscathed?" The mysterious man angrily slammed the letter onto the stone table, causing it to tremble slightly. Rustle~~ The entire stone table, along with the secret letter, instantly disintegrated into sand and fine powder, slowly flowing onto the courtyard ground, reflecting the sunlight that glinted off the golden mask with a chilling light.

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