In the cabin of the pleasure boat, Xi Chu Yun looked at Li Xuan, who had been silent all the way, and suddenly asked, "Brother Li, why have you been so solemn all the way?"
"Ever since I left the Yinglong Cave, a faint sense of unease has lingered in my heart. As time goes by, this uneasiness grows stronger. Perhaps, I am overthinking it." Li Xuan sighed slightly upon hearing this, then forced a smile.
"As spiritual masters, our senses are usually accurate. Moreover, your current strength has reached the advanced stage of the Hedao realm, so your perception is naturally even more acute. If you feel uneasy, then this return journey will surely not be peaceful."
"The existence that can make you uneasy must have terrifying strength. On this Shengyuan Continent, besides the Sheng Sect, I can't think of any other force capable of it." Xi Chu Yun analyzed.
"Regarding the Sheng Sect, they are naturally the first target in my mind. Moreover, in this expedition to the Yinglong Cave, only our Xuan Sect took away the Shang Kou Palace, so we are likely to become the target of public criticism. This is truly a case of 'the wind is rising, and the building is about to sway.'" Li Xuan smiled helplessly.
"Although the current strength of the Xuan Sect is indeed a bit weaker, the outside forces cannot easily assess it. And there are no major conflicts between the Xuan Sect and other forces. If we exclude these, it is likely only the Sheng Sect." Xi Chu Yun said.
"The Sheng Sect will not let us Xuan Sect leave so easily, so Uncle Master Yuan Bai has decided not to return the same way. We will take a detour." At the moment Xi Chu Yun finished speaking, Yue Mingchi's voice echoed from outside.
Li Xuan immediately turned to look at the doorway, and the figures of Yue Mingchi and Xie Yushan also walked in.
"Greetings, Senior Disciple Brother, and Disciple Brother Yushan." Li Xuan and Xi Chu Yun cupped their fists in greeting.
Yue Mingchi waved his hand with a smile, then looked at Li Xuan and said, "Disciple Brother Li Xuan, Uncle Master Yuan Bai said that the Shang Kou Palace will remain with you. We will discuss it with the Sect Master after returning to the sect."
"Thank you for coming in person, Senior Disciple Brother Mingchi. Since we are taking a detour, when can we expect to return to the sect?" Li Xuan nodded and asked Yue Mingchi.
"At our original speed, it would have taken us three days. Now that we are taking a detour, it will likely take five days. However, as long as we can return to the sect safely, a few extra days are not a problem." Yue Mingchi said with a smile.
Li Xuan nodded slightly. It seemed that Wen Yuanbai had already discussed this with Yue Mingchi and the others, otherwise, they would not have made the decision to take a detour. But this undoubtedly confirmed that Wen Yuanbai was also worried that the Sheng Sect would intercept them en route.
"Senior Disciple Brother Mingchi speaks the truth. As long as we can reach our destination safely, a few extra days are of no consequence." Li Xuan responded with understanding.
Since they were taking a detour, even if the Sheng Sect wanted to intercept them, they probably wouldn't be able to find the Xuan Sect's trace.
After some casual conversation, Yue Mingchi and Xie Yushan took their leave. After they left, Li Xuan and Xi Chu Yun discussed for a while and then returned to their rooms to enter seclusion.
As three days passed, the sense of unease in Li Xuan's heart gradually lessened. Feeling this, Li Xuan felt a bit more relaxed. It seemed that taking a detour was indeed the most wise choice.
Boom!
On the fourth day of the pleasure boat's journey through the void, Li Xuan, who was in seclusion, suddenly felt a strong shock.
Li Xuan's eyes snapped open, a sharp gleam like a bright mirror shooting out. From this shock, Li Xuan knew that the pleasure boat had been attacked. Moreover, that spiritual pressure could only be wielded by a cultivator at the advanced stage of the Dao One realm.
"I didn't expect that even by taking a detour, we couldn't avoid it. What was bound to come has finally arrived." Li Xuan murmured, then with a thought, he instantly disappeared from his room.
"Disciple Brother Li Xuan, you're here." As Li Xuan appeared, Yue Mingchi and the others, who were already at the front of the pleasure boat, called out.
Li Xuan quickly cupped his fists in return, his gaze shifting to Wen Yuanbai, who was already outside the pleasure boat.
Opposite him, over a hundred people floated in the void. Li Xuan recognized them at a glance: these people were from the Sheng Sect.
At the forefront of the group stood three old men. One of them was Rong Xixiao, who had led the expedition to the Yinglong Cave.
"Who are these two? Judging by their positions, they seem to have a higher status than Rong Xixiao." Li Xuan retracted his gaze and asked Yue Mingchi.
"These two are Wang Wenchun, the Grand Hall Master of the Sheng Sect, and Yuan Qiongjin, the Second Hall Master. The Sheng Sect has come prepared this time. There will likely be a tough battle ahead." Xie Yushan said, introducing them.
Li Xuan's eyes revealed a look of solemnity upon hearing this. The Hall Masters of the Sheng Sect were as powerful as the Peak Masters of the Xuan Sect. The fact that the Sheng Sect had deployed three Hall Masters indicated their intentions.
"Wen Yuanbai, be sensible and hand over the Shang Kou Palace. Otherwise, don't blame me for not giving you a chance!" Rong Xixiao, who had harbored some dissatisfaction with Wen Yuanbai before the Yinglong Cave, now made no attempt to conceal his killing intent.
"Rong Xixiao, I doubt that even if I handed over the Shang Kou Palace, you would let us leave easily. Save your hypocritical words. Our Xuan Sect does not covet your 'chance.'"
Wen Yuanbai snorted coldly. Even when facing three Hall Master-level experts from the Sheng Sect, his expression remained unfazed.
"Enough nonsense. He has already sent a signal; he is merely stalling for time. Let's end this quickly and eliminate the threat once and for all!" Wang Wenchun glanced at Wen Yuanbai and said slowly, his eyelids drooping.
"Grand Hall Master, rest assured. We two are enough to deal with him!" Yuan Qiongjin nodded slightly, clearly realizing that Wen Yuanbai was stalling for time. He and Rong Xixiao moved simultaneously, charging towards Wen Yuanbai.
Wen Yuanbai's eyes flashed with determination. With a thought, his spiritual pressure at the advanced stage of the Dao One realm instantly permeated the air.
"All you disciples, form ranks and face the enemy!" Yue Mingchi shouted, raising his arm. His resonant voice quickly spread.
"Disciple Brother Li Xuan, if you cannot break free, destroy the Shang Kou Palace." As the Xuan Sect disciples moved out, Yue Mingchi's gaze quickly fell on Li Xuan and said.
Li Xuan nodded slightly and replied, "Senior Disciple Brother Mingchi, rest assured, if I am truly unable to resist, the Shang Kou Palace will absolutely not fall into the hands of the Sheng Sect!"