Five thousand Shadow-devouring Demon Insects, three Tier Two Corpse Beasts, nine exquisite Thunder Talismans.

Shen Xuan's three ultimate moves all require a cultivator's powerful Divine Thought to control.

An ordinary Early Stage of Foundation Establishment cultivator would find it difficult to manage even one.

Shen Xuan can manipulate them all with ease.

Not to mention Wu Yulan and Nangong Guang, even Xiao Keyuan was secretly startled.

Even as a Late Stage of Foundation Establishment cultivator, he was not confident he could escape unscathed from Shen Xuan's three ultimate moves.

Facing Shen Xuan's threat, Wu Yulan and Nangong Guang also wore solemn expressions.

In the few years they hadn't met, their strength had grown rapidly.

But Shen Xuan's growth was even faster.

Like Mount Tai, he pressed down on them, leaving them breathless.

If it were only these three ultimate moves, that would be one thing.

Wu Yulan and Nangong Guang's means could barely handle it.

But Shen Xuan was always well-hidden and liked to conceal his strength. Who knows what other high-level methods he hasn't revealed!

Not long ago, he demonstrated an Ice Technique that made the two highly apprehensive.

At this moment, Shen Xuan appeared calm on the surface, but his heart was pounding frantically.

This was the Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Evil Technique warning him.

He repeatedly used the Insight Technique, finding no anomalies around.

The Seeking Fortune and Avoiding Evil Technique couldn't be wrong.

This only meant that the enemy's concealment was extremely clever.

Even his Insight Technique and Meng Junior Brother's Colorful Winged Peacock Butterfly couldn't detect them.

The Shadow-devouring Demon Insects, Tier Two Corpse Beasts, exquisite Thunder Talismans, these were merely his conventional methods.

The Bishui Sword was being secretly raised.

Immortal-Slaying Water Qi Technique!

Ice Soul Cold Water Technique!

Thunder God's Fury!

Shen Xuan's momentum kept pouring out, the Spiritual Power in his dantian surged like tidal waves, intensely circulating.

All kinds of Talent Skills were added to the Bishui Sword in his hand.

Despite this, Shen Xuan still felt uncertain.

He urged the three Divine Thunder Treasure Talismans in his dantian, which shone brilliantly, ready to explode at any moment.

"What a pity, it's only been nurtured for three years!"

If they had been nurtured for thirty years, they could definitely crush any Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Wu Yulan and Nangong Guang, together on guard, focused all their attention on Shen Xuan.

"Fellow Daoist Shen, why go to such lengths! We are here to eliminate these scum for you!"

Wu Yulan forced a smile as she spoke.

Shen Xuan shook his head.

Continuously increasing the pressure.

Wu Yulan and Nangong Guang's expressions turned grim, staring intently at Shen Xuan.

The atmosphere was tense, swords drawn, ready to clash at any moment.

As the pressure gradually increased.

Wu Yulan seemed unable to withstand it.

She sighed lightly.

"Fellow Daoist Shen, why is this necessary!"

At this moment, Shen Xuan made a move.

The Shadow-devouring Demon Insects, Three-headed Corpse Beast, and the nine exquisite Thunder Talismans were all taken back by him.

In their place was a Bishui Sword floating in the air.

The Sword Qi was menacing, pointing at Wu Yulan and Nangong Guang.

"Three breaths!"

"In three breaths, if there is no reasonable explanation, you two shall die!"

Shen Xuan said coldly.

"Fellow Daoist Shen, you are being unreasonable!"

"Two breaths!"

"The struggle between Dao and Demons is not merely our personal affair!"

"One breath!"

"Elder Hou!"

Seeing Shen Xuan truly about to act, Wu Yulan suddenly shouted a name.

The ground in front of the two suddenly exploded like a mountain collapsing, revealing a large hole.

A small, thin figure leapt out from it, standing before Shen Xuan.

"Earth Escape Technique!"

Shen Xuan's pupils shrank.

The Five Elements Escape Technique is a high-tier technique, not often mastered by Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Among them, Water Escape Technique is the easiest to grasp.

But the most practical is the Earth Escape Technique.

This person concealed deep underground, isolating his aura.

His Insight Technique and Meng Junior Brother's Colorful Winged Peacock Butterfly were unable to detect him.

At this moment, probing with the Insight Technique.

"Late Stage of Demon Foundation!"

Shen Xuan felt a wave of fear.

This was his first encounter with a late-stage Demon Foundation cultivator, and he was a disciple of the Six Great Demon Sects.

This person was small and thin, like an old monkey, holding a Demon Staff, completely black, the material unknown.

"What are you shouting about!"

Elder Hou looked disapprovingly at Wu Yulan.

Then, he cast a strange gaze at Shen Xuan.

"As expected of a direct disciple of the Cyan Cloud Sect, you have some skills!"

"I thought Cyan Cloud Sect looked down on Blood Spirit Sect, only sending an old man to make an appearance!"

These words were faintly provocative.

Xiao Keyuan coldly laughed, holding the Magic Sword on his back in hand, pointing it at Elder Hou.

"Elder Hou, after all these years, you're still so caustic!"

Clearly, the two knew each other well.

Elder Hou rolled his weird eyes, sneering as he spoke.

"You old thing, instead of hiding on Qing Yun Mountain waiting to die, you come to Cyan Yang Prefecture to suffer, foolish beyond compare!"

"A hundred years ago, you were no match for me. Do you dare to engage in magical combat with me one-on-one?"

Xiao Keyuan's face turned slightly cold.

"An evil demon, duel it is, I'm not afraid of you!"

At this time, Shen Xuan unexpectedly took a step forward.

One step, ten zhang.

Only three zhang away from Elder Hou.

This is the minimum safe distance for Foundation Establishment cultivators.

"Senior Brother Xiao, please be patient. Junior Brother has made some progress in cultivation recently and would like to seek advice from Elder Hou!"

Shen Xuan's move was not to show off.

Elder Hou was at the late stage of Demon Foundation.

A hundred years ago, he had already surpassed Xiao Keyuan.

If Xiao Keyuan were to duel him, the outcome would be uncertain.

Were there an error, the Cyan Cloud Sect's layout in Cyan Yang Prefecture would need a reshuffle.

This was something Shen Xuan didn't want to see.

Previously, Wu Yulan wasn't wrong.

Between them, there was no personal grudge.

They were just pawns in the advance of their respective sects.

Even if Wu Yulan and Nangong Guang were killed.

The Blood Spirit Sect would quickly replenish with new Saintess and Saint Child.

It would not benefit the overall situation in Cyan Yang Prefecture.

Upon introspection, Shen Xuan never aspired to be a hero.

Nor does he have the grand ambition to turn the tide.

However, for a mere Demon Cultivator at the Late Stage of Foundation Establishment, Shen Xuan is confident he can negotiate a bit.

His Thunder Technique naturally restrains demon cultivators.

At worst, he'll sacrifice three Divine Thunder Treasure Talismans.

He can still manage to retreat safely.

Seeing Shen Xuan step forward to challenge.

Old Hou hesitated instead.

A few breaths later.

He shook his head and said, "No! I'm over two hundred years old, at the Late Stage of Foundation Establishment. Bullying you at the Early Stage, less than a hundred years old, would damage my reputation if word got out!"

"Fellow Daoist Xiao doesn't want to spar, so let's proceed no further!"

With those words, not only Xiao Keyuan.

Even Wu Yulan and Nangong Guang noticed Old Hou's apprehension towards Shen Xuan.

Shen Xuan also didn't want to push too hard.

To truly engage Old Hou in magical combat would be unwise.

"Since Old Hou doesn't want to bully the weak, Wu Yulan, Nangong Guang, what do you say?"

Wu Yulan gracefully saluted: "Losing the bet, Yulan naturally accepts the loss."

"From this point on, the Blood Spirit Sect will no longer expand. How does that sound?"

Shen Xuan looked at Xiao Keyuan.

He was the one in charge of Cyan Cloud Sect in Cyan Yang Prefecture.

Xiao Keyuan nodded slightly.

The punitive expedition came this far, exterminated many demon cultivators in the Foundation Establishment Realm, and won over several Foundation Establishment families, achieving considerable results.

With someone like Old Hou on the other side, he and Shen Xuan thought alike, unwilling to push too hard, risking life and death.

"For the sake of Old Hou, let's agree to this deal!"

Xiao Keyuan said coldly.

Both sides knew this agreement had no binding force.

It's simply a way for each to step down gracefully.

The three people behind Xiao Keyuan all breathed a sigh of relief.

Old Hou's pressure was immense.

At the Late Stage of Demon Foundation, dealing with Shen Xuan and Xiao Keyuan might take effort.

Dealing with them three was simply too easy.

Shen Xuan suddenly shouted, "Wait!"

He saw Nangong Guang tidying up the battlefield, collecting the corpses, storage pouches, and demon treasures of six demon cultivators.

This prompted him to think of something.

"Nangong Guang, send over the heads of these six people!"

Nangong Guang was stunned.

Soon, he understood the connections involved.

He didn't respond, but looked toward Old Hou.

Wu Yulan's lips moved slightly, transmitting thoughts to Old Hou.

Old Hou shouted, "Shen Xuan, if you want these heads, fine! Trade them for those three demon treasures!"

Shen Xuan pondered.

Three demon treasures, exchanging for six demon cultivators at the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment, worth sixty thousand sect merit points, nearly two hundred thousand spirit stones.

This deal is worthwhile!

After all, he hasn't practiced Demon Sect Techniques and can't fully utilize the demon treasures' power.

These three demon treasures, although each has unique applications, are practically useless in his hands.

"Okay!"

Shen Xuan tossed the three demon treasures aside.

Nangong Guang swiftly severed the heads of the six demon cultivators, packed them into a bag, and threw it to Shen Xuan.

Both sides smoothly completed the transaction.

Ultimately, neither side was confident of certain victory.

At this moment, the sound of spaceships came from behind.

Junior Brother Meng issued an alarm, Cyan Cloud Sect's three spaceships were rapidly approaching.

"Let's go!"

Old Hou summoned a patch of magic cloud, taking Wu Yulan and Nangong Guang to escape.

The spaceship stopped near Xiao Keyuan.

Junior Brother Meng, Zhao Zhiliang, and Tie Wenda all breathed a sigh of relief.

Xiao Keyuan said, "Junior Brother Shen, come with me. I have things to discuss with you."

"Sure!"

Shen Xuan followed Xiao Keyuan into the captain's cabin of the main spaceship.

Xiao Keyuan closed the door, activated the array, and shielded the surroundings.

"In this expedition against the Wu Family, it was thanks to Junior Brother Shen's assistance."

"Senior Brother Xiao, there's no need to be polite! We're both disciples of Cyan Cloud Sect, it's natural for me to assist you!"

He was discussing with Shen Xuan whether he could leave some merit points of the six demon cultivators.

Shen Xuan individually killed three, he killed one, and Junior Brother Meng and the other three collectively killed two.

This way, reporting to the sect would benefit Xiao Keyuan and the others significantly.

However, Xiao Keyuan wouldn't let Shen Xuan suffer losses.

They planned a four-to-one ratio, exchanging spirit stones for three demon cultivator merit points.

"Since Senior Brother asked, Junior Brother has no objections!"

Shen Xuan agreed readily.

Anyway, he didn't lose anything.

"Junior Brother Shen, I'm somewhat aware of your matters!"

"To be honest, someone advised me not to associate with you!"

Shen Xuan immediately understood.

"The struggle between Tao and demon is actually a contest between Sect Master's direct disciples and Demon Sect's Saint Child and Saintess in their training."

"In another three to five years, the sect will send direct disciples of Sect Master to oversee matters in Cyan Yang Prefecture."

"At that time, Senior Brother will surely return to the sect embarrassed!"

Xiao Keyuan sighed.

"That Old Hou has been a renowned demon cultivator of the Blood Spirit Sect for years. Without Junior Brother Shen, they would surely ambush us after clearing out dissidents."

"This person is most cunning and treacherous. They changed their minds likely fearing Junior Brother Shen!"

Shen Xuan quickly denied: "Senior Brother Xiao is joking. In my view, those demon cultivators were all intimidated by Senior Brother Xiao's presence, which is why they hurriedly retreated."

Shen Xuan spoke calmly.

There was not the slightest hint of ridicule.

He didn't want to stand out in this manner.

Xiao Keyuan gave Shen Xuan a meaningful look.

"Alright! This favor from Junior Brother Shen, Senior Brother will remember. If Junior Brother Shen has issues requiring my intervention, just ask!"

"Sure! If I encounter trouble, I'll definitely ask Senior Brother Xiao for help."

Facing hardships together is easy, but sharing prosperity is hard.

Shen Xuan didn't hold back and accepted openly.

Can't count on it for major matters.

For smaller tasks, Xiao Keyuan can always help.

The two exchanged pleasantries for a while.

Shen Xuan inquired about the next candidate for Cyan Yang Prefecture.

Xiao Keyuan, after some thought, said: "On the candidate list for the successor, there's Lei Yaoyang of Celestial Thunder Peak."

Shen Xuan was instantly taken aback.

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