Chapter 114: Tianheng Sect

Chapter 114: Tianheng Sect

Seeing Shen Lian casually refine a top-grade pill, without even needing a cauldron, everyone in the Tianheng Sect froze on the spot.

Xie Ren narrowed his eyes, then shot a cold look at the person who had been gripping Kong Yun.

The cultivator had no choice but to release his grip.

Xie Ren said in a flat tone, "Take them all into custody."

It was only then that Shen Lian walked over to Kong Yun, giving both Kong Yun and He Ci a pill each.

Shen Lian whispered quickly, "Are your father and his people okay?"

He Ci shook his head. "They're fine."

After all, the Tianheng Sect was a renowned and major sect. Even if they wanted to use He Ci as leverage to capture Shen Lian, they wouldn't truly slaughter everyone on Floating Cloud Mountain.

A cold glint flashed in Shen Lian's eyes. If the Tianheng Sect truly dared to make a move, he would never let them off the hook.

After taking his pill, He Ci almost fully recovered.

The Tianheng Sect members watching couldn't help but tremble in fear.

He Ci had been beaten within an inch of his life, yet now, with just one pill, he was back to normal.

They hadn't even been able to tell what kind of pill it was.

Shen Lian, He Ci, and the others were locked up in a room. Fortunately, the room was decent enough.

Meanwhile, on the other side, Xie Ren's expression was grave.

"This Shen Lian's strength can't be underestimated. We can't handle him the way we originally planned."

They had originally picked up a trace of Yan Huaixuan's whereabouts, but unexpectedly, following that trail had led them to discover that Shen Lian was actually the demon whose demonic energy Yan Huaixuan had forcibly stripped away.

Their original plan was to force Shen Lian to talk, to get him to reveal where Yan Huaixuan was.

But they hadn't expected Shen Lian to have such a formidable identity.

One of the elders said coldly, "So what? He was a demon before. Who's to say he won't betray us?"

"But didn't Yan Huaixuan already remove his demonic energy?"

"I don't sense any demonic energy on him now. Wouldn't it be great if we could use him?"

Hearing this, the others paused, a flicker of deep thought crossing their eyes.

Until an elderly phantom slowly spoke, "I've heard... this Shen Lian has been taking part in demon-extermination squads."

"The priority now isn't for us humans to fight among ourselves, but to unite and resist the demons together."

Xie Ren said in a deep voice, "The ancestor is right. Let's hold off on Shen Lian for now."

The others could only nod.

"What's urgent now is finding Yan Huaixuan first. But since we already have Shen Lian, are we worried Yan Huaixuan won't come to us?"

Xie Ren nodded.

He Ci couldn't help asking, "Are they looking for Yan Huaixuan?"

Shen Lian was meditating. "The walls have ears."

He Ci figured as much, so he quickly shut up and went to check on Kong Yun.

Kong Yun was weaker than him, so even though his physical wounds had healed, he still hadn't woken up.

He Ci held Kong Yun, "Hey, little peacock, wake up already."

Shen Lian pressed his lips together. "I'm sorry, I've dragged you two into this."

He Ci shook his head. "Since we chose to work with you, we have to take on some risk."

Shen Lian knew that anything he said now was pointless. The best thing to do was to send He Ci back.

He gently ran his fingers over his jade token.

At the last moment, he sent Yan Huaixuan a message.

He had no idea if Yan Huaixuan had seen it.

He wasn't sure why the Tianheng Sect was after Yan Huaixuan.

But if they found out Yan Huaixuan had already developed an inner demon, the Tianheng Sect would never let him live.

Xie Ren's immortal boat landed, and Shen Lian realized that countless sect cultivators had appeared outside the Tianheng Sect out of nowhere.

They were packed in tightly, all with ill intentions.

Xie Ren's face was cold. "What are you all doing here?"

Those who had come were all big names on the rankings.

Someone laughed and said, "We're here, of course, for the one beside you."

"I heard this is the legendary Earth Immortal alchemy cultivator, huh?"

Everyone's gaze landed on the person behind Xie Ren—Shen Lian.

A cultivator who could single-handedly boost a sect ranked fifteenth all the way to the top eight—if they could recruit him into their sect...

Then...

Besides, even if they couldn't have him, they couldn't let the Tianheng Sect have him.

The Tianheng Sect was already number one. If they got this alchemy cultivator's support, could the others ever catch up?

One sect master said with a smirk, "Xie Ren, I heard you captured the young sect master of Floating Cloud Mountain to threaten this alchemy cultivator. Isn't that beneath the dignity of the world's number one sect?"

Xie Ren said coldly, "We're at a critical life-or-death moment for the Primordial Beginning Realm, and you're still worried about competing over a ranking?"

Hearing this, the cultivators from the other sects paused, then quickly shot back, "Xie Ren, what's with all the grandstanding? Aren't you just trying to keep that alchemy cultivator for yourself?"

"Xie Ren, I'll say this straight: either you hand over that alchemy cultivator, or nobody gets him."

Xie Ren let out an "oh." "And what if I refuse?"

Hearing this, the others all sneered. "It's not up to you."

"Is that so?" A suffocating, bone-chilling aura suddenly exploded from Xie Ren.

For a split second, everyone froze.

Because this was unmistakably the aura of a Supreme Golden Immortal.

Their faces changed. "Xie Ren, you've already reached the Supreme Golden Immortal realm?"

Xie Ren looked down at them. "Now, can I take him away?"

The others' eyes flickered uneasily.

Xie Ren, stone-faced, led the Tianheng Sect members straight into the sect. But he never once let anyone see Shen Lian's face.

Shen Lian's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. Xie Ren's cultivation was already this advanced?

Then did Yan Huaixuan... even stand a chance?

Especially with that inner demon inside him now.

The moment they entered the Tianheng Sect, Xie Ren split Shen Lian off from He Ci and Kong Yun.

He Ci started to speak, but Shen Lian stopped him and handed him a bottle of pills.

He Ci pressed his lips together.

Shen Lian shook his head. "Don't worry about me—or yourselves. He can't afford to cross me right now, so he won't touch you."

Basically, Xie Ren was using He Ci and the others as leverage against Shen Lian.

"I know. Be careful."

Shen Lian nodded, and He Ci and the others left.

Only Xie Ren was left in the room.

Xie Ren kept that icy, unreadable look as he stared at Shen Lian.

"I know you joined the demon-extermination squad, so you must care about the whole Taichu Realm."

Shen Lian didn't respond.

Xie Ren said, "If you really want to make a difference, joining the Tianheng Sect is your best move."

"I'll give you one day to think it over. Think hard."

Xie Ren paused, then added, "As the number one sect, the Tianheng Sect must shoulder the responsibility of guarding the entire Taichu Realm."

Shen Lian stared at him. "You keep going on about the greater good, yet you can just hurt my friends like that?"