CHAPTER 469: CHAPTER 469 HE SCOLDS US

Outside the City of Extinction.

Many powerful figures from the Star Sea had come here. Among them were more than a dozen mighty Saint Realm experts, numerous young talents, and others, forming an imposing lineup brimming with killing intent. Powerhouses from over eighty factions had also arrived. Although they dared not make reckless moves, it was uncertain if they would ultimately take action.

It couldn’t be helped; their foundations had been plundered, dealing a great blow to their vitality. The chief culprit was right here. If they could take down the Wuji Sect, perhaps they could recover their plundered heritage. This was their only chance.

But after several days of standoff, no one dared to act rashly. Although Chen Pingping was away, who knew whether there were still powerhouses within the Wuji Sect? Did those three elders who appeared in the past truly exist? Was the ancestor of Fairy Valley, Yu Changfeng, really alive?

The atmosphere grew heavier with each passing day...

When they first invaded, the disciples of Fairy Valley were panic-stricken. However, after several days passed without an attack, their taut nerves finally began to relax slightly.

"We can’t keep waiting like this," a young talent from the Star Sea spoke up. He was in his early twenties, yet he had already reached the late stage of the Imperial Path, a truly promising youth who garnered much admiration. Many elders assessed that, given time, he would surely surpass the achievements of the Divine Body. This time, he had followed the Star Sea’s forces to see for himself what was so remarkable about this Wuji Sect. But after waiting several days without anyone coming out, he really couldn’t stand it any longer.

Du Xiaoke spoke up, "Elders, brothers, waiting like this isn’t a solution. Chen Pingping is away; this is the Star Sea’s chance to obliterate the Wuji Sect. If we continue to be afraid of the Wuji Sect’s unknown depths, we will miss our best opportunity."

These words rang with truth. But the elders of the Star Sea didn’t like to hear them. Because his words carried an underlying message: Don’t be cowards. The Star Sea is a superpower, after all, far stronger than Fairy Valley. Why flinch? Strike together and finish them off!

"Heh-heh," a Saint Realm powerhouse spoke, "Don’t be hasty. We will take action soon. Moreover, Chen Pingping will not return here alive."

"Why?" Du Xiaoke was taken aback. "Could it be?"

"Haven’t you noticed? Elder Yang Wuzong is not here," the Saint Realm expert said, his eyes narrowed.

They had divided their forces. Yang Wuzong had led a group to the Dragon Soul Secret Realm, and the Void Body was with them. With such a formidable lineup, even if Chen Pingping didn’t perish in the Secret Realm, he would face certain death if he managed to emerge alive.

And they were stationed here not only because they were ignorant of the Wuji Sect’s true strength but also because they were waiting for someone.

"Mr. Shisan of Spirit Mountain’s Heavenly Fortune Tao will arrive here soon. Then... it will be time for us to obliterate the Wuji Sect," another Saint Realm expert declared.

Yes! They needed precise intelligence. Did those three Wuji Sect elders exist? They had not appeared since that day, which was suspicious. Was Yu Changfeng still alive? This also needed verification. Once these points were confirmed, they would proceed with their plan.

At that moment, a young talent asked, "If Yu Changfeng really is alive, should we retreat?"

"No..." the Saint Realm expert replied definitively. "If Yu Changfeng is still alive, we won’t need to lift a finger."

At these words, all the Star Sea disciples present were deeply stirred. They recalled the dreadful legend: Yu Changfeng’s repeated failures in Tao Verification were not because someone was ahead of him, blocking the Heavenly Dao. Instead, it was because someone had intervened, not wishing him to achieve Tao Verification. This also related to the formation of the City of Extinction. Furthermore, the earliest accounts regarding the City of Extinction described it as a prison. It suppressed Yu Changfeng. However, as vast eons passed and Yu Changfeng never reappeared, seeming to have vanished from the world, this claim gradually faded from common knowledge.

Now, hearing their elders speak this way left them unable to remain calm.

The third Saint Realm expert spoke, "Although we cannot take action yet, you can. The struggles among the younger generation belong to you."

"Indeed, it may also be a good tempering experience."

"Go on then!"

The elders smiled.

Upon hearing this, the young geniuses of the Star Sea were delighted.

Du Xiaoke grinned. "I want to see what’s so special about this Wuji Sect!" With that, he was the first to rush out.

The disciples of Fairy Valley held their breath, thinking the Star Sea forces were about to attack. Only when they saw the newcomer’s youthful face did they relax.

Under the gatehouse, Wang Xiaodao glanced at him once and then lost interest.

"Du Xiaoke of the Star Sea is here to challenge the Wuji Sect!" Du Xiaoke announced loudly, his gaze sharp as he stared at the City of Extinction.

"Oh, he’s challenging the Wuji Sect, not us."

"Right, it has nothing to do with us."

"Uh... but aren’t we part of the Wuji Sect too?" a young disciple said timidly.

Fairy Valley had suffered successive setbacks, and its vitality was greatly damaged. Although they were now part of the Wuji Sect, they had yet to gain true acceptance. Moreover, they harbored grievances and were reluctant to identify as Wuji Sect members. Therefore, when the Star Sea powerhouses invaded, they all had the same thought: This has nothing to do with us. They’re all here for the Wuji Sect.

Now Du Xiaoke was here challenging the Wuji Sect. What does that have to do with us, the people of Fairy Valley?

Seeing no one answer his challenge, Du Xiaoke sneered, "Heh! I thought the Wuji Sect was capable of something. Turns out they’re just a bunch of clowns, too scared to show their faces."

His words were harsh.

Just then, Li Qi spoke up, "Young Martial Uncle, he’s insulting us."

"I heard," Zi Ji replied.

For the past few days, she had been contemplating strategies: Should I strike directly and drive them away? Or should I maintain a low profile and observe the situation? What should I do if the Star Sea experts attack? She wasn’t skilled at strategizing, nor was she experienced in handling such situations independently, so she found the predicament very troubling.

However, when it came to struggles and challenges among the younger generation, she had plenty of experience. Senior Sister Xiaoyu had once told her that when faced with a challenge, there are two choices: if the challenger isn’t too outrageous, just injure them; if they’re too excessive, then kill them. However, her Senior Brother had also advised her to avoid conflict if possible, as peace was paramount. The real meaning behind this advice was to prevent Zi Ji from revealing too much about herself; after all, she was a princess of the Netherworld with an extraordinary background.

With this in mind, she scanned the young disciples of Fairy Valley. "Do any of you wish to accept the challenge?"

One young man chuckled. "Our strength is meager, and our combat prowess is lacking. If we were to accept the challenge, we fear we would lose and disgrace the Wuji Sect’s reputation."

"Right, we aren’t strong enough."

"Please, Lady Zi Ji, take action to suppress him."

"Hmm... Are there any young talents within the Wuji Sect? Perhaps one of them could fight." This statement was a test.

At this, Bai Yisheng furrowed his brows. He believed that despite any lingering grudges, they should unite against their common enemy, the Star Sea. That was what truly mattered. Moreover, Du Xiaoke wasn’t very strong. The fact that the Star Sea’s upper echelons had sent him likely meant this was just a minor probe. For the Fairy Valley disciples to shirk their responsibility in such circumstances was disappointing. He was also curious to see how Zi Ji would handle this situation, given that Chen Pingping and Guang Xiaoyu were absent.

"Then Li Qi, you go," Zi Ji decided after a moment of thought.

Bai Yisheng was astonished. Li Qi? He admitted that Li Qi possessed decent strength and had indeed defeated many of Fairy Valley’s young geniuses. However, those opponents were mostly new recruits or disciples with only a year or two of training. They didn’t really count. At best, Li Qi’s strength was around the fifth level of the Imperial Path, while Du Xiaoke was a powerful late-stage cultivator in the same realm.

To outsiders, this scene might be misinterpreted as: The Wuji Sect has no one capable.What difference was there between an early-stage Imperial Path cultivator battling a late-stage one and simply courting death?