Red Flame Valley, at the border between Qingxu Temple and Liyang Sect's spheres of influence. The terrain was peculiar, both mountain sides were crimson red, as if perpetually scorched by flames. The air carried faint sulfur smell and active fire-attribute spiritual energy. At the valley bottom, a branch of the underground fire spirit vein flowed, nurturing many fire-loving spirit plants and that newly discovered, decent-quality fire-attribute spirit stone vein.
At this moment, the valley atmosphere was razor-sharp tense. Boundary markers that once clearly demarcated were pushed over and shattered, scattered on the ground. On Qingxu Temple's side, about twenty-plus patrol guard disciples, led by a Golden Core early-stage Elder Liu, formed a defensive formation. Each was wounded, expressions indignant yet somewhat resigned.
Before them, dozens of Liyang Sect disciples in crimson robes spread in a fan, demeanor arrogant. Their leader was a proud-faced elder named Han, Golden Core mid-stage cultivation. More infuriating, behind Liyang Sect's group lay three young disciples in Qingxu Temple inner disciple robes. Their clothes torn, obvious scorch wounds on their bodies, spirits withered.
They were the herb-gathering disciples from the valley's outer buffer area, now being guarded like captives by Liyang Sect people. "Han Feng! Your Liyang Sect destroyed our markers for no reason, forcibly occupied our vein, now injured my herb-gathering disciples, what do you want?!" Elder Liu suppressed rage, demanding. That red-faced Elder Han sneered, arms crossed, tone contemptuous: "Liu brother, do not speak so harshly.
This Red Flame Valley has been our Liyang Sect ancestors' hunting grounds since ancient times. Every plant, stone, mine within the valley naturally belongs to our sect. Your Qingxu Temple people repeatedly crossed boundaries, stole our resources, injured them, so we showed mercy considering past relations!" "Absurd!" Elder Liu trembled with anger: "The boundary markers stood for over three hundred years! When did they become your hunting grounds?
These three disciples were clearly gathering herbs in the recognized buffer area, where is the crossing? You are clearly provoking deliberately!" "Buffer area?" A Liyang Sect elite disciple sarcastically interjected: "We never recognized any buffer area. From now on, this valley's midline is the border. The south belongs to Liyang Sect.
The north, seeing your current difficulties, we will let you use it temporarily, but you must pay fifty percent of output annually as 'ground rent'!" This caused an uproar among Qingxu Temple people. This was naked humiliation and plunder! Not only seizing the newly discovered vein but also claiming half the valley that originally belonged to Qingxu Temple, even demanding "ground rent" in reverse! "Overbearing!" "Fight them!" Qingxu Temple disciples were incensed, raising artifacts, spiritual energy fluctuating intensely.
Han Feng's eyes flashed satisfaction, yet he deliberately assumed dignity, releasing Golden Core mid-stage spiritual pressure to intimidate: "What, want to fight? Liu brother, do not forget, you are outnumbered and wounded now. If we really fight, who suffers is obvious. I advise you accept reality, leave those thieving scoundrels as compensation, then get out of Red Flame Valley!
Otherwise, do not blame me for being merciless!" Liyang Sect disciples behind him also jeered, various obscenities and mockery constantly striking Qingxu Temple disciples' psychological defenses. Those three injured disciples looked even more desperate. Elder Liu's face was ashen, fists clenched, nails almost piercing his palms. He knew his side was at disadvantage.
If he fought recklessly, consequences would be dire. But sect dignity could not be so trampled, disciple safety could not be ignored. Just as he was caught between a rock and hard place, as Liyang Sect's arrogance peaked, a calm yet crystal-clear voice, like spring wind brushing the hot valley, entered everyone's ears: "Oh? I was not aware when Liyang Sect gained authority to redraw other sects' borders?" The voice was not loud, yet carried an odd penetrating and soothing effect, instantly suppressing all clamor.
Everyone looked. A green light streaked across the sky, instantly landing before the Qingxu Temple formation. The light faded, revealing a tall figure in cyan garments, young face yet deep eyes like an abyss, precisely the hastily arrived Tang Xiaoqi. First his gaze swept those three injured disciples, brow slightly frowning.
A strand of pure, balanced purification spiritual power had already silently transferred, stabilizing their wounds. Then he raised his eyes, looking at the facing Han Feng whose expression shifted. "Tang. Tang Xiaoqi!" Han Feng obviously recognized the newcomer, eyes flashing wariness then replaced by stronger jealousy and some backing, forcing composure: "You came just in time!
Your Qingxu Temple disciples crossed boundaries and stole, injured our people, this you must explain!" Tang Xiaoqi did not acknowledge his reversal of truth. His calm gaze swept the fallen marker fragments and the land clearly on Qingxu Temple's side Liyang Sect disciples stood on: "Elder Han, those markers stood for three hundred years, mutually respected by both sects. You led people destroying markers, crossing borders, occupying veins, injuring my disciples, imprisoning my people. This matter, your Liyang Sect needs to give my Qingxu Temple an explanation." As he spoke, he released no powerful spiritual pressure.
Yet that intangible might from absolute strength and past battle achievements made the originally arrogant Liyang Sect disciples involuntarily quiet, instinctively stepping back half a pace. Han Feng felt his disciples' fear behind him, face somewhat embarrassed, falsely stern: "Tang Xiaoqi! Do not quibble! Red Flame Valley matter is settled!
If you are wise, accept my conditions! Otherwise, this is your Qingxu Temple deliberately provoking war, then we will meet in battle, bloodshed, responsibility entirely yours!" He tried to pin the provocation label on Qingxu Temple. Hearing this, Tang Xiaoqi suddenly smiled slightly. That smile carried faint mockery, yet his eyes suddenly turned sharp as blades, directly piercing Han Feng's heart: "War?" "Elder Han, are you declaring war on my Qingxu Temple?" The final four words he emphasized slightly.
Though not loud, they were like thunder, exploding in every Liyang Sect disciple's heart, making their faces instantly pale. Qingxu Temple's side felt injected with adrenaline, every disciple straightened, gazing intently at that cyan-robed figure before them, hearts filled with confidence and pride. Han Feng was stumped by Tang Xiaoqi's sharp gaze and unwavering counter-question. He opened his mouth, yet that word "declare war" would not come out.
His orders were to provoke, probe, create friction, extract maximum benefit, but definitely not to start full sect war! Especially facing this unfathomable "World-Purifying True Lord." The scene fell into strange silence. Liyang Sect's provocation, after Tang Xiaoqi's appearance, was like a punch hitting cotton, then being casually countered by the opponent, leaving them in embarrassing limbo.