Hunyuan Immortal Sect

Chapter 305 Change of tune
Everyone was stunned by the scene before them, and their mouths were opened wide. The three captains of Luoyun Sect even changed their expressions drastically, their faces turning blue and red.

"Deputy captain of the Bianxicheng Independent Battalion, Luo Jin, deserted from the battlefield. According to the coalition regulations, he has been beheaded. In addition to him, the commanders of several other teams who deserted from the battlefield were also dealt with according to the law." Huang Jin spoke calmly, as if he was chatting about a trivial matter like eating and drinking.

Everyone stared at Luo Jin's bloody head, holding their breath and not daring to breathe.

Luo Jin is also a well-known figure in Bianxi City. He is also a foundation-building cultivator of Luoyun Sect. Who would dare to be rude in front of him?

I didn't expect that today my head and body would be separated, and my bare head was thrown in front of everyone, like a dead dog.

Especially his wide-open eyes, which looked even more terrifying.

Everyone rolled their throats unconsciously and felt a chill on their necks.

The three Luoyun Sect disciples' faces turned ashen, and although they were angry, they dared not say a word.

Huang Feng's eyes swept across everyone's faces. Seeing that his warning had achieved its purpose, he stopped threatening them and instead slowed down his tone. "I know that you must have heard what the Murong cultivator said and felt that the situation was not good. You were also afraid that the Qianqing Sect would really order a move against our sect and didn't want to be implicated, so you all dispersed."

"I can clearly tell you now that the Murong family has no support from the Qianqing Sect. They are helping Yun Xuanzong out of ambition, hoping to replace our sect. As for what they are doing under the Qianqing Sect's name, our sect will send someone to report it to the Qianqing Sect."

"This defeat is not your fault. Those who caused the army to lose morale have been executed. As long as you continue to follow the coalition's orders, this sect will not hold you responsible."

"But if someone has ill intentions and acts indecisively, Luo Jin will end up like this."

Now that the Murong family and Yun Xuanzong have united, the Beastmaster Sect needs the help of these sects even more. If they turn against them, the situation will be even worse. However, the fact that the teams deserted the battlefield this time cannot be easily ignored. Otherwise, the same mistakes will surely be made again in the next war.

However, if the punishment was too severe, they were worried that the teams would riot. Therefore, the top leaders of the Beast Taming Sect coalition discussed and decided to behead the leaders of each recruited team as a warning to others.

.........

In Bianxi City, Tianshan, in a dark secret room, Song Xian sat with his eyes closed in a stone coffin. Red flames could be seen faintly jumping around him. As time passed, the flames around him became stronger and stronger.

The next moment, the crimson flames suddenly surged and enveloped him. It looked as if his entire body had merged into one with the flames.

The blazing flames soon died down, eventually turning into a ball of flame that merged into his chest.

It was not until this moment that Song Xian came out of his meditation, opened his eyes, took a deep breath, and a hint of joy flashed across his face.

Just now, the Xuantian Ronghuo Jue he practiced finally broke through to the third level.

Every time a level of Xuantian Ronghuo Jue is broken through, the power of the fire element can be increased by 30%. In addition, every time a kind of strange fire is absorbed, the power can also be increased by 30%.

Now his skills have reached the third level, and he has absorbed two kinds of strange fire. The power of his fire-attributed skills alone can be increased to 120%.

After leaving the secret room, he returned to the mansion. As soon as he entered the inner room, a disciple reported that Huang Ye wanted to see him for an important matter and had been waiting for a long time.

He then went to the waiting room. Huang Ye inside saw him and stood up to greet him. "Master, according to the latest intelligence, the Murong family has publicly expressed their support for Yun Xuanzong. There are rumors that the Murong family attacked the Beastmaster Alliance and lifted the siege of Yun Xuanzong's mountain gate."

"The Murong family?" Song Xian raised his eyebrows, feeling surprised. He really didn't expect that the Murong family was not only involved in the struggle between the Beastmaster Sect and Yun Xuanzong, but also supported Yun Xuanzong contrary to their usual behavior.

The Murong family's status in Xijiang County is similar to that of the Kong family in Bianxi City. Although they are not as powerful as the Beastmaster Sect, they should definitely not be underestimated.

The Murong family and the Beast Taming Sect have coexisted peacefully for so many years, and the two sides have cooperated in various industries. How could they suddenly turn against them and help the outsider Yun Xuanzong?

It is probably not reasonable to say that the Murong family wants to replace the Beast Taming Sect. First of all, they and Yun Xuanzong may not be able to completely defeat the Beast Taming Sect together, and if they fail, there will be no recovery.

Secondly, even if the Beast Taming Sect was defeated, Xijiang County might not be controlled by the Murong family. Not to mention the ambitious Yun Xuanzong, the major forces in other counties of Xishu County are also eyeing them covetously. If both sides fight to a loss, there is no guarantee that they will not intervene and reap the benefits.

Overall, this is a gamble where the effort is not proportional to the reward.

Whether from the perspective of the relationship between the two parties or the interests involved, it is hard to understand why the Murong family would help Yun Xuanzong. There must be some unknown secrets involved.

"It's said that when the Beastmaster Sect's coalition forces were besieging Yunxuanzong's mountain gate, they were stabbed in the back by the Murong family. The Murong family even used the Qianqing Sect's slogan, claiming to be aiding Yunxuanzong on Qianqing Sect's orders. It's also said that the Beastmaster Sect suffered heavy casualties, and even the leader of the Beastmaster Sect coalition forces, the Beastmaster Elder Xu Qingyuan, was killed."

"Qianqing Sect? Is this true?"

"That's the rumor, but its authenticity has yet to be confirmed."

Song Xian's eyes flickered and his mind raced.

Sect Master Yun Xuanzong was originally a disciple of the Qianqing Sect. Now the Murong family is helping Yun Xuanzong under the banner of the Qianqing Sect. Could it be that the Murong family is really following the orders of the Qianqing Sect? Otherwise, how dare they rashly use the name of the Qianqing Sect?
If the Qianqing Sect was really involved, then the Murong family's betrayal would make sense, but would the Qianqing Sect get involved because of the internal struggle in Xijiang County?

"Continue to investigate the situation in Xijiang County and report any new information immediately. Also, Luoyun Sect and the Kong family are keeping an eye on it. If any major incident occurs in Xijiang County, they will definitely take action."

"Yes." Huang Ye responded and left.

Song Xian then ordered someone to call Zhong Wenyuan, and soon he arrived. He bowed and took a seat.

After failing in his foundation-building attempt, Zhong Wenyuan's cultivation level plummeted to the seventh level of Qi Refining, and he seemed to have aged a lot.

Although he has returned to his post, he has lost his previous spirit and looks much more decadent, like an old man in his twilight years.

"Brother Wenyuan, have you heard about what happened in Xijiang County?"

"I wonder what the master is referring to?"

"I just heard a report from the Intelligence Headquarters. They said that the Murong family betrayed the Beastmaster Sect and stabbed them in the back, causing heavy casualties to the Beastmaster Sect's coalition forces."

"Really?" Zhong Wenyuan frowned deeply.

"It's said that the Murong family has also used the Qianqing Sect's banner. This is a serious matter. If the Murong family really obeyed the Qianqing Sect's orders, then wouldn't those of us who helped the Beastmaster Sect be traitors? If the Beastmaster Sect is defeated, will the Yunxuan Sect settle accounts with us? So I want to send someone to Xijiang County to inquire about the situation. If that's true, we must quickly have Senior Brother Zixiang and the others withdraw." "Okay, I'll send someone right away. What are the Luoyun Sect and the Kong Family doing?"

"We don't know yet. We can't completely rely on them to make judgments, otherwise we would be too passive."

Just as the two were discussing countermeasures, thousands of miles away at the Luoyun Sect's mountain gate, Sect Master Tao Jinyuan was also having a secret discussion with Elder Jin Yuanxing.

"The Beast Taming Sect is really going too far." Tao Jinyuan slapped the table with his palm, cracking it directly, his eyes filled with anger.

He was holding a file in his hand, which was the intelligence that Luo Yun Sect had just obtained. It clearly stated that Luo Jin was executed by the Beast Taming Sect.

Jin Yuanxing's face was also very ugly. The Beastmaster Sect killed Luo Jin directly on the charge of desertion in battle, which was obviously to make an example of him. This move also showed that they did not take the Luoyun Sect seriously at all.

Even if they arrested Luo Jin and detained him, at least they could save face, but they killed him without even saying hello.

Sooner or later, the news would spread throughout the sect, inevitably causing dismay and indignation among the disciples. Unfortunately, they couldn't bring themselves to trouble the Beastmaster Sect over this matter, as this would inevitably dishearten the disciples and damage the prestige of the sect's leadership.

Originally, those recruited disciples were unwilling to go to Xijiang County to fight for the Beast Taming Sect. Now the Beast Taming Sect has privately executed the sect's foundation-building cultivators. The most difficult person here is Tao Jinyuan, the sect's head.

"Junior Brother Luo was murdered. This is irreversible. Now we should consider the safety of the three hundred disciples of the sect and how to explain this to the other disciples. Now that the Murong family and the Yunxuan Sect have joined forces, if nothing unexpected happens, Xijiang County will not be at peace in the near future. If fighting breaks out again, the Beastmaster Sect will definitely use the conscripted troops as cannon fodder, and may even continue to recruit cultivators from various sects in the city."

After Tao Jinyuan finished his outburst, he quickly calmed down: "So what does Senior Brother Yi Jin mean?"

Jin Yuanxing pondered for a moment. "According to reports from our disciples, Junior Brother Luo originally wanted to return with the Bianxi City conscription team and had already sent people to contact several other conscription teams. However, he was stopped by the Beastmaster Sect cultivators. The other conscription teams had already gone with the Beastmaster Sect, so he returned to the Beastmaster Sect team."

"On our own, we can't resist the Beastmaster Sect. We don't even have the right to refuse. If we want to escape the fate of being manipulated by the Beastmaster Sect, we must unite with the sects in other cities. Once we all reach a consensus, we can say no to the Beastmaster Sect."

"Otherwise, relying on the power of one or two families alone, they would likely be suppressed by the Beastmaster Sect with an iron fist. This time, the Beastmaster Sect not only killed Junior Brother Luo, but also several leaders of various sects in several other cities."

"They must be very angry with the Beast Tamer Sect. It shouldn't be difficult to contact them now and reach a consensus. I believe no one is willing to work for the Beast Tamer Sect."

"Now that Yun Xuanzong and the Murong family have joined forces, if we can unite, we can maintain a middle ground."

Tao Jinyuan nodded and said, "Then we'll do as you say and send someone to contact the other sects in the other cities. This matter must be kept secret. If the Beastmaster Sect learns of it, they might cause trouble for us."

"Okay, I'll make arrangements right away."

"The Murong family claims to have been ordered by the Qianqing Sect. How is the investigation going?"

"I haven't received any news related to the Qianqing Sect yet. I think this is unlikely. If it were true, it would have been widely circulated long ago. I suspect Qi Xiaofeng and the Murong family may have secretly reached some kind of agreement, so they used the Qianqing Sect's name to turn against Yun Xuanzong. I've already sent people to Xishu County to inquire, and I'll report back as soon as I get any news."

Tao Jinyuan stared blankly outside. "Qi Yunxuan has established his own sect in Xijiang County and continues to provoke the Beast Taming Sect. Now even Qi Xiaofeng has jumped in, instructing the Murong family to aid Yunxuan Sect. Why are they doing this? I have a feeling there's something deeper going on here, and it's not just a matter of competing for Xijiang County's resources."

"This matter is indeed strange, and the Xuanyuan Sect's attitude is also unpredictable. Up to now, they have not made any statement on this matter."

While the two were talking, there was a sudden knock on the door.

Jin Yuanxing stood up and opened the stone door. A Luoyun Sect disciple walked in and bowed respectfully. "Master, a Foundation Establishment cultivator wearing a bamboo hat has come to the mountain gate. He said he is an old friend of yours and wants to see you."

"Didn't he give his surname?"

"No."

Tao Jinyuan thought for a while. In such a sensitive period, a person with unknown origins and secretive behavior came to visit, which must be an important matter.

"Take him to the waiting room of my house."

"Yes." The disciple responded and left.

"The arrival of a Foundation Establishment cultivator who is hiding his true identity at this time must be related to the current situation in Xijiang County. I guess he is either a sect from another city or a cultivator from the Yunxuan Sect. Otherwise, I will go meet him first and see what's going on."

"No, we'll go see him together."

The two of them arrived at the waiting room of the mansion. The foundation-building cultivator wearing a bamboo hat was already seated. Upon seeing them, he stood up, bowed, and took off his bamboo hat. "Master Tao, long time no see."

"I was wondering who it was, so mysterious. It turns out to be Fellow Daoist Murong." Tao Jinyuan glanced at the other person. This person was Murong Bai, the son of the Murong family who was in charge of external affairs. His purpose of sending someone here at this time was self-evident.

"The situation in Xijiang County has changed. I don't want to cause trouble for you. If I walk into your sect's mountain gate openly, I'm afraid you will be asked to explain yourself by the Beastmaster Sect the next day."

"Fellow Daoist, you are not here just to chat. Please tell me what you want to say." Tao Jinyuan sat down in the main seat and gestured to the other party to sit down.

Murong Bai took his seat and spoke slowly, "Master Tao must have heard that this government has announced an alliance with the Yunxuan Sect to jointly resist the Beastmaster Sect. The Beastmaster Sect has always been rampant and committed evil in Xijiang County, and this government has long been dissatisfied with them. Now the Beastmaster Sect has besieged the newly settled Yunxuan Sect's mountain gate. This action completely violates the laws of the Qianqing Sect. Therefore, this government has decided to maintain peace in Xijiang County and fight against the Beastmaster Sect."

"As the leading sect in Bianxi City, your sect has been oppressed by the Beastmaster Sect for many years. If you can abandon your evil ways and join us, all of the Beastmaster Sect's assets in Bianxi City will be handed over to you."

Tao Jinyuan had a blank expression on his face. He had expected Murong Bai's words. It was obvious that his visit at this time was to win over Luoyun Sect.

"I heard that when your palace was supporting the Yunxuanzong Mountain Gate, they shouted slogans, saying that they were under the order of the Qianqingzong. I wonder if this is true?"

"That depends on how Sect Leader Tao understands it."

"Oh? How do you say this?"

"The Beastmaster Sect's siege of Yunxuan Sect's mountain gate is a violation of Qianqing Sect's rules. This government is upholding Qianqing Sect's laws and providing assistance. Isn't this just following Qianqing Sect's orders?"

"So, your mansion did not receive any clear instructions from the Qianqing Sect."

(End of this chapter)