Chapter 1174: Captured Again
"Easy? What do you mean?" asked Xiang Shaoyun in a somewhat confused manner.
As someone who owned the Light of Wisdom, he was able to see through many complications. However, this issue that was troubling him so much had actually become a simple issue for someone else.
"Since it has already happened, there is no point in continuing to think about it. You also won't be able to change the fact that you're the weaker party even by staying here. You might as well leave as soon as possible and search for help. Before finding you, they won't dare to easily destroy the sect. You can always reverse the situation after coming back with help," said Yao Qian.
Xiang Shaoyun's eyes brightened. That was true. It wouldn't matter much if he stayed or not. In that case, he might as well leave and bring help as quickly as possible. Perhaps there would still be hope if he did that.
"Little Qian, you're right. This matter should not be delayed. I will depart immediately," said Xiang Shaoyun as he patted his forehead in realization.
He stopped so suddenly that he knocked into Yao Qian, who was behind him, causing her to fall.
Xiang Shaoyun reacted quickly and pulled her into his arms. He apologized, "Sorry, I got too excited."
As Yao Qian leaned against Xiang Shaoyun, a bashful look appeared on her face. She said, "I'm fine."
"Um. I'll be going then. Keep cultivating hard. In the future, the sect will be relying on you," said Xiang Shaoyun as he rushed off.
The axe reappeared in Yao Qian's hand, and Yao Qian, looking at Xiang Shaoyun leaving in a rush, muttered, "Don't worry, Big Brother Shaoyun. I will definitely protect the sect for you in the future."
Just as Xiang Shaoyun was about to give up on everything and leave to seek help, more people from the Xiang Clan people arrived at the sect.
"Xiang Shaoyun, release our Xiang Clan members immediately, or today will be the day your sect is destroyed," Xiang Qianren's voice sounded in the sky.
"A mere defeated opponent dares to be so brazen?" roared the toad as he flew into the sky.
The turtle, the taurus, and Duo Ji also rushed out, not giving their opponent the chance to catch them by surprise. Xiang Shaoyun naturally wouldn't stay hidden either. He followed the Saints into the sky as well. He found that only a single additional person came with Xiang Qianren.
But this person gave off a feeling that he was much stronger than Xiang Qianren. The second person was a calm middle-aged man. He stood with his hands clasped behind his back. He had a straight and tall stature, his eyes akin to a pair of stars. His aura was completely withdrawn, as though he had perfectly blended into the natural world. If one wasn't paying attention to him, one wouldn't even notice his presence.
"Elder Ge, watch out. They also have a hidden Saint Realm wind cultivator here," transmitted Xiang Qianren.
The middle-aged man was Xiang Chenge, someone with incredibly high seniority in the Xiang Clan. He was two generations older than Xiang Qianren and was a seventh-stage Heaven Battling Realm cultivator.
This level of strength earned him a place among the strongest existences in the world. He had been ordered to investigate Xiang Zong's death. However, he had failed to discover anything, as though all traces had been completely erased. Thus, he eventually decided to come take a look at the Ziling Sect. To his surprise, he stumbled upon Xiang Qianren, who was fleeing miserably.
After Xiang Qianren told him the whole story, the two hurried to the sect. There were two reasons they were here: firstly, to rescue their own people and, secondly, to settle the issue of having Xiang Shaoyun return to the clan's fold.
Looking at the two, Xiang Shaoyun said, "So you really think our Ziling Sect has no other people? You are actually coming after us again and again?"
At this point, Xiang Shaoyun's only choice was to stay unyielding to the end regardless of their strength. Xiang Chenge's gaze landed on Xiang Shaoyun, giving Xiang Shaoyun the uncomfortable sensation that his entire body had been seen through.
"You indeed look exactly the same as Ancestor Xiang Dingtian. You are a descendant of his branch," said Xiang Chenge. "Return to the clan's fold. Only when you're with the clan will you be able to grow better. This place is too small for you."
Xiang Shaoyun met Xiang Chenge's gaze and said, "I won't mind if I will receive all your support after returning. But that is definitely not something you people will do. The blood that flows in my and my father's veins is merely the blood of a branch family. This was why my father left the clan back then. He saw through your hypocrisy."
"Looks like you have misunderstood the clan. We have always taken good care of outstanding young talents. We won't discriminate against anyone based on whether one is from the main line or the branch family," said Xiang Chenge. "That also wasn't the reason your father left the clan. If you find that hard to believe, feel free to get him to come to me instead."
"If my father was present, you wouldn't even be given the chance to come and go as you wish like this," said Xiang Shaoyun with a sneer.
"From how you're behaving, are you declaring war against me? You can't stop me," said Xiang Chenge as he unleashed his aura.
The expressions of Xiang Shaoyun and the others turned incomparably solemn. An expert of this level was someone they had no chance of stopping.
"I'll return them to you. As for our return to the clan, we'll talk after my father comes back," Xiang Shaoyun finally compromised.
He wouldn't be able to defeat an expert of this level even if he went invisible. He might as well compromise. If Xiang Chenge was angered, Xiang Chenge might really destroy the entire sect.
"I'll naturally take them with me. But you'll be coming as well," declared Xiang Chenge as he reached out for Xiang Shaoyun.
Before anyone could react, Xiang Shaoyun was already grabbed.
"Young sect master!" shouted the Ziling Sect Saints in alarm. They all attacked Xiang Chenge.
"Make one more move and I'll kill him," said Xiang Chenge with a sharp look.
The threat was effective. None of the Saints dared to move anymore.
"Don't mess around! Otherwise, you won't be able to withstand our sect master's fury when he returns," said Duo Ji.
"Xiang Yangzhan is a decent child. But he alone won't be able to do too much," said Xiang Chenge indifferently. He looked at Xiang Qianren and said, "Go gather up the others. Time for us to go back."
"Yes, Elder Ge," Xiang Qianren replied respectfully before rushing to where Xiang Fengchen, Xiang Zixuan, and the others were kept.
Soon, the captured Xiang Clan members were brought out, and they saluted and greeted Xiang Chenge.
"Grandpa Ge, it's great to see you capture this bad fellow," said Xiang Lingyu joyfully when she saw the captured Xiang Shaoyun.
"Hand him to me, Grandpa Ge. I'll make sure he suffers a fate worse than death," said Xiang Zixuan maliciously.
"Enough. Our mission is to bring him back. Other matters do not concern us. Follow me back," said Xiang Chenge. With a flick of his sleeve, energy enveloped everyone, and he entered the void with them.