Free Web NovelChapter 695: Chapter 257: Shen Chongxu’s Revenge
The Nascent Soul True Monarchs guarding Danzhou and Yangnao Land can hardly directly intervene to help the Shen Family seize the Spirit, can they?
If their relationship were truly so close, the Shen Family would likely have already acquired a Spirit and be watching the tigers fight from the mountain.
"As a Purple Mansion Influence, Celestial Sandalwood Mountain would naturally act so."
Shen Wen’an suddenly spoke up.
Jiang Xiuqi, standing beside him, was momentarily stunned but quickly realized that the Shen Family and Luoxia Mountain were indeed in no position to negotiate with others.
Especially since Luoxia Mountain was now facing turmoil.
"What does Fellow Daoist Jiang say?"
Seeing Shen Wen’an had agreed, Feng Changyou’s smile grew wider, then he turned to look at Jiang Xiuqi.
Jiang Xiuqi glanced at Shen Wen’an, whose expression was calm, and he slightly cupped his hands, saying, "Luoxia Mountain also agrees."
Feng Changyou laughed.
"That’s great then!"
"From today, our three families will remain solid allies in attack and defense."
"Rest assured, Brother Feng swears by the True Spirit that once Celestial Sandalwood Mountain acquires the Spirit, it will never abandon the Shen Family and Luoxia Mountain."
He also knew that Celestial Sandalwood Mountain’s request was somewhat excessive.
Now that the two families had agreed, he also had to reassure them to prevent them from thinking Celestial Sandalwood Mountain would disregard them after obtaining the Spirit.
"Brother Shen mentioned earlier that the Shen Family has some leads regarding the Spirit, could you elaborate...?"
Shen Wen’an organized his thoughts and said, "My father analyzed through some ancient texts, and I personally went to verify. We can roughly determine that there is a Spirit near Zhili Celestial Aromatic Mountain."
"But as Brother Feng previously mentioned, until the Spirit manifests, even we as Golden Cores cannot determine its exact location."
Upon hearing this, Feng Changyou’s face showed a trace of disappointment.
He thought the Shen Family had some crucial information, but it turned out to be just a conjecture.
According to the message from the Observing Heaven Pavilion in the Southern Border, it will take sixty years for a Spirit to manifest.
Even if what Shen Wen’an mentioned about Celestial Aromatic Mountain having a Spirit is true, who knows how long it will take to fully manifest.
Forget it; let’s treat it as a backup option.
With thoughts swirling in his mind, Feng Changyou smiled faintly and bowed, saying, "Thank you, Brother Shen, for informing us."
"With that, once I return to Beidi County, I will send people to guard Celestial Aromatic Mountain. Should there be any precise news of a Spirit, I hope the Shen Family and Luoxia Mountain will help Celestial Sandalwood Mountain obtain it with all their might."
Shen Wen’an cupped his hands, "That is only natural."
Jiang Xiuqi also nodded.
Feng Changyou slowly rose and said, "Since this affair is settled, I will not take up more of your time."
"Farewell, gentlemen."
Shen Wen’an and Jiang Xiuqi also stood up, escorting Feng Changyou to the door where they watched him turn into a stream of light and disappear into the distance.
After confirming Feng Changyou had left, a trace of anger appeared on Jiang Xiuqi’s face.
"How domineering Celestial Sandalwood Mountain is!"
"Wen’an, we shouldn’t have agreed to him!"
"This isn’t an alliance, they’re clearly using the Shen Family and my Luoxia Mountain as mere laborers!"
"There are only a few Spirits in total; if we get even one, we are already favored by the heavens. Hoping for three is simply delusional."
Shen Wen’an nodded, "I understand all this."
"But Elder should know that under the current circumstances, having one more ally is better than having one more enemy."
"Otherwise, once a Spirit appears, all forces will certainly engage in a chaotic battle. The resources of our two families cannot withstand such turmoil."
Upon this mention, a trace of sorrow appeared on Jiang Xiuqi’s face.
Shen Wen’an asked with curiosity, "Elder, is there something on your mind?"
Jiang Xiuqi sighed heavily, "Recently I asked Luo Yao to send a message to Danzhou, but..."
"There was no reply from the Sect Leader."
"I’m worried that our Luoxia Mountain’s sect in Danzhou might have... might have suffered at the hands of others!"
Jiang Xiuqi did not want to believe his guess, but he was also aware that the disappearance of Sect Leader Le Zhiyi from Luoxia Mountain was highly unusual.
Unless she was already no more.
Upon hearing this, Shen Wen’an felt a heaviness in his heart.
For over a century, the Shen Family had formed alliances with various forces, driven by benefits.
Luoxia Mountain initially was the same.
But as he and Wei Qiuling became Daoist partners, the relationship between the two families transcended mere exchanges of interests and became genuine, intimate assistance.
Now that Luoxia Mountain’s sect in Danzhou had been wiped out, though some forces remained in Yangnao Land, they had ultimately suffered a great loss.
"Elder, please don’t speculate like this. Elder Le might just be in secluded retreat..."
Jiang Xiuqi waved his hand.
He understood Shen Wen’an’s attempt to comfort him.
But having lived over three hundred years, he no longer needed such comfort.
"Wen’an, I have a request I’d like to ask of you."
After some consideration, Jiang Xiuqi cupped his hands and said, "You have some rapport with the Elder at the barrier, could you possibly..."
"Possibly confirm this for me?"
"If our sect from Luoxia Mountain is truly gone, I will immediately have people rebuild in Yunzhong and have Qiuling take over the sect leadership."
Shen Wen’an pondered briefly and said, "I can give it a try, but whether that Elder agrees will depend on his mood."
Jiang Xiuqi nodded repeatedly.
"If not, don’t force it and certainly don’t anger that Elder."
He was unaware of the relationship between the Shen Family and Nascent Soul True Monarch Luo Tianxing, having only seen Luo Tianxing delivering things to the Shen Family twice, and wanted Shen Wen’an to try.
In his view, regardless of the relationship, there should at least be some connection, and it shouldn’t immediately lead to conflict.
"Elder, stay at the Shen Family for now. I will go immediately."
After saying goodbye to Jiang Xiuqi, Shen Wen’an transformed into a sword light and flew towards the Danzhou Barrier.
Once through the barrier, he immediately saw Luo Tianxing sitting on a boulder.
Luo Tianxing also noticed him.
"Young one, rules are rules. Don’t compel this old man to act."
Shen Wen’an quickly cupped his hands, "Greetings, Elder."
"I didn’t come to force my way through; I just wish for Elder’s assistance in verifying something."
Luo Tianxing paused for a moment, "What is it?"
Shen Wen’an cupped his hands again, "I wish to ask Elder to verify whether Luoxia Mountain in Qishan is still there."
Upon hearing this, Luo Tianxing immediately closed his eyes, and a powerful consciousness unique to a Nascent Soul True Monarch radiated out instantly.
Moments later, he slowly opened his eyes and said, "The buildings have collapsed, the Grand Array is broken, no living beings remain."
Despite having prepared himself for this, Shen Wen’an still felt a tightening in his heart!
After a moment of standing still, he respectfully cupped his hands towards Luo Tianxing, "Thank you, Elder, for your assistance. I have troubled you."
Seeing him ready to leave, Luo Tianxing hesitated for a moment and then spoke, "Young man, there’s something I must warn you about: that group has allied with the Underworld."
"The situation in Yangnao Land will be more chaotic than you can imagine."
"The Shen Family must take care of themselves."
Shen Wen’an paused briefly, memorizing Luo Tianxing’s words, and turned to bow, "Thank you, Elder."
"Go now."
Luo Tianxing nodded and waved his hand.
Shen Wen’an did not linger, transforming directly into a sword light and flying through the barrier toward Yunshui City.
Upon his return to the manor, Wei Qiuling had already brought Jiang Xiuqi to their small courtyard.
Jiang Xiuqi apparently had already informed her of his concerns.
Wei Qiuling, seeing Shen Wen’an return, approached hastily with red eyes.
"Husband, how is the situation?"
Shen Wen’an sighed and shook his head slightly.
Facing the hopeful gazes of his wife and Jiang Xiuqi, he spoke in a heavy voice, "Luoxia Mountain... is no more."
