Chapter 323: Chapter 323: Return to Yun Lan Sect
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Clan Estate – Front Courtyard
At this moment, the previously empty courtyard was now filled with over a hundred figures dressed in black, standing silently.
A faint scent of blood lingered around them. As it gathered, it became increasingly pungent, enough to make the timid shiver with fear at just a glance.
In front of this elite force stood Lin Yan, Zi Yan, Old Yin Gu, Su Mei, and other powerful experts—all standing quietly in place.
A stifling pressure blanketed the entire courtyard.
"Is everyone ready?"
The silence was suddenly broken by a light, smiling voice.
In a flash, a figure in a black robe appeared on the steps, looking down at the group below with a smile.
Boom!
Behind Lin Yan and the others, the black-clad warriors dropped to one knee in perfect unison. Though they said nothing, the momentum they released was immense.
Seeing this, Xiao Yan smiled with satisfaction. A faint heat surged within his pitch-black eyes.
Today was the day of life and death.
His chest surged with battle intent. A green flame emerged behind him and flickered briefly. His figure slowly rose into the air, and suddenly, he tilted his head back and let out a long howl.
"Ha——!"
The shout rolled like thunder, echoing across the skies above the entire city.
Almost immediately after Xiao Yan’s cry, several other howls rang out from different directions within the imperial capital, as if in response.
Each roar was wrapped in powerful Dou Qi, reverberating through every corner of the city.
"Yun Lan Sect is overbearing and seeks to seize power. The Imperial Family stands with the Xiao Clan to purge the traitors!"
"The Mitell Clan will lend its full support!"
"The Alchemist Association stands ready to aid!"
"The Mu Clan will fight alongside you!"
"The Nalan Clan joins the cause!"
"Hahaha——!" Stirred by the cries from all sides, Xiao Yan’s black hair flowed wildly as his laughter exploded like thunder.
The immense wave of heroic spirit made countless people across the city turn to look up in awe.
"Yun Lan Sect—Xiao Yan of the Xiao Clan has come to collect the debt!"
Meanwhile — Yun Lan Sect
In stark contrast, Yun Lan Sect was enveloped in an oddly festive atmosphere.
Everywhere one looked was decked in vivid red, adorning the massive mountain like floating lanterns.
The wedding of former Sect Leader Yun Yun was a significant event for the entire Yun Lan Sect.
What’s more, the groom was none other than Pill King Gu He, a man of great renown across the Jia Ma Empire.
Thus, today’s wedding would undoubtedly be the most extravagant and celebrated event Yun Lan Sect had hosted in many years.
The real reason Yun Shan had arranged this wedding was clear—he wanted to draw Gu He in and tie him completely to Yun Lan Sect’s ship.
Gu He was a Tier 6 alchemist, and the influence of a Tier 6 alchemist was far beyond ordinary.
If he wanted, he could summon five or six of the top ten experts in the Jia Ma Empire with just a word.
At such a crucial moment, Yun Shan would never let such power go to waste.
From early morning, the festive sounds echoed across the entire Yun Lan Mountain.
As the sun climbed higher in the sky, the jubilant mood only intensified.
Within a large hall inside Yun Lan Sect, two people sat alone.
The man in the seat of honor was, of course, Yun Shan, and seated slightly below him was none other than today’s groom—Gu He.
"Hehe, Gu He," Yun Shan chuckled, eyes narrowing with a sly smile. "After today, you’ll be one of us. In the future, if this old bag of bones is no longer around, the Yun Lan Sect may have to rely on you."
Hearing the laughter and cheers from outside, Yun Shan’s voice was light and pleasant as he spoke to Gu He.
Gu He hurriedly waved his hand with a smile. "Sect Leader, you’re now a Dou Zong expert. Even in terms of age, you’re still in your prime. How can you say such unlucky things?"
Yun Shan chuckled lightly, tapping his fingers on the table.
After a moment, he glanced outside and said casually, "If I’m not mistaken, Wei Yang, Xiao Yan, and the others will come attacking Yun Lan Sect today."
"That Xiao Yan brat seems to have always been infatuated with Yun Yun. At some point in the past, he secretly got close to her. She actually believed his sweet-talking lies and even turned against me, her teacher."
"Today is your wedding day, and that Xiao Yan, in a fit of rage, actually chose today to charge into our Yun Lan Sect. Tell me, Gu He, isn’t that quite the coincidence?"
Upon hearing this, Gu He frowned slightly. A faint glint flashed through his eyes as a hint of displeasure and resentment rose in his heart.
He wasn’t stupid—Gu He understood clearly that the reason Yun Shan had hastily set the wedding for this particular day was to force him to pick a side.
And yet, even knowing this, Gu He still found it hard to reject the offer.
After a moment of silence, Gu He spoke in a low voice, "I won’t allow anyone to ruin my wedding with Yun Yun."
"Hehe, with your reputation as Pill King Gu He in the Jia Ma Empire, if someone truly disrupted your wedding, that would be quite the public disgrace," Yun Shan chuckled, his words laced with subtle provocation.
"Sect Leader, once today’s wedding is over, I ask that you remove the seal inside Yun Yun’s body. I’ll take her out for a while, and maybe once she calms down, she’ll come to understand your good intentions," Gu He said with a smile, then suddenly changed the topic.
Yun Shan stroked his beard thoughtfully. After a moment of silence, he smiled and nodded. "Of course. That girl was raised by me, after all. Keeping her sealed like this doesn’t sit well with me either."
Whether there was sincerity in Yun Shan’s words or just hypocrisy, Gu He didn’t really care anymore.
He simply smiled, cupped his hands in thanks, and said, "On behalf of Yun Yun, I thank the Sect Leader."
"No need to be so polite—we’re family now," Yun Shan replied with a warm smile.
After a few more casual words, Gu He said, "There are many matters to handle today. I won’t stay any longer—please excuse me."
Seeing Yun Shan nod, Gu He rose and slowly exited the hall.
As he watched Gu He’s departing figure, the smile on Yun Shan’s face gradually faded. His eyes narrowed, and a cold glint flickered within them.
"Jie jie jie... You actually went as far as marrying off Yun Yun just to pull Gu He over to your side."
Not long after Gu He’s departure, the hall’s grand doors slammed shut without warning.
From the shadows in a corner of the hall, a strange black mist began to drift out, accompanied by an eerie, raspy laughter.
"Gu He holds considerable influence in the Jia Ma Empire. The power he can mobilize is no small matter. It’s still a force worth using," Yun Shan replied with a cold chuckle. "Let him go and clash with Wei Yang and the others. With any luck, they’ll all end up wounded. Then we can swoop in and claim victory without lifting a finger."
"You’re overestimating him. That little strength Gu He commands won’t affect the outcome," the voice in the mist sneered. "But if you want to play it this way, that’s fine by me."
"After all, once today is over... that Gu He—his soul as a Tier 6 alchemist—is quite exceptional. I can’t help but salivate at the thought. Jie jie jie..."
At those words, Yun Shan’s brow furrowed slightly. He felt some reluctance.
A Tier 6 alchemist was a rare and valuable asset to any faction.
"Heh... What’s wrong? Don’t tell me you’re having second thoughts? I went through quite the trouble to acquire this new source of power, and Gu He was the price that was requested. You agreed to it yourself—backing out now isn’t an option."
"In the Hall of Souls, once a deal is made, payment is due whether the job gets done or not."
"And Yun Shan... don’t forget—it was us, the Hall of Souls, who saved you from the brink of death and helped you rise to the rank of Dou Zong."
"If we could give you everything you have now, we can just as easily take it all back. Jie jie jie..."
Sensing Yun Shan’s hesitation, the sinister voice grew colder and more mocking.
Hearing that, Yun Shan’s expression changed slightly. Then he forced a dry laugh and said, "Protector Wu, you’re absolutely right. The Hall of Souls has been generous to me—I wouldn’t dare forget that. Hehe... Since your master has taken an interest in Gu He, then after today, I’ll make sure his soul is delivered."
"Jie jie... Sect Master Yun truly knows what’s good for him. No wonder the Hall of Souls has invested so much in you."
"In the future, there will be many more chances for cooperation. And rest assured—the Hall of Souls never treats its allies poorly."
"And one more thing—consider this a warning: stay sharp today. Don’t let yourself fall into the gutter while you’re busy playing puppet master."
"Thank you for the reminder, Protector Wu. I understand." Yun Shan bowed his head with a smile.
"In that case, I’ll just sit back... and enjoy the show. Jie jie jie..."
The black mist trembled briefly before gradually fading away, and moments later, it completely vanished from the grand hall.
As he watched the mist disappear, Yun Shan’s facial muscles twitched. A glint of viciousness flickered in his eyes, only to be hidden the next second.
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