Chapter 397: Coming for Blood

"I've said it a thousand times—those two tiger demons belong to the Senior! Why won’t any of you take me seriously?"

In the crowd, Wang Shouyi’s face was flushed red with anger, and he was trembling all over.

Kneeling in front of him were two shivering Ascenders—exactly the two who had been assigned to guard the tiger cubs.

"What’s going on?"

Chen Huaian stepped through the crowd with Li Qingran at his side.

The first thing he saw was an enraged Wang Shouyi, two pale-faced Ascenders on their knees,

and two Demon-Sealing Ropes lying unfastened on the ground—

the tiger cubs that had once been tied there were nowhere to be seen.

"Senior, I’m sorry."

Wang Shouyi walked up to Chen Huaian. His lips twitched, and then he raised his hand and slapped himself.

Slap!

The murmuring crowd immediately fell silent.

Chen Huaian didn’t even notice Baji flaring up on his shoulder.

He quickly grabbed Wang Shouyi’s hand as he raised it for a second strike and said in a deep voice,

"Wang, there’s no need for this. Tell me what happened. We’ll deal with it together."

"Senior… those two tiger demons you were interested in—they were taken by my Senior Brother.

He said he’s going to use their hearts to brew Spirit Wine as a birthday gift for the Honored One…"

Wang Shouyi clenched his fists, his toes curling, clearly wishing he could dig a hole and bury himself.

He immediately promised,

"Don’t worry! Even though those two tiger demons are gone, I’ll definitely find two identical ones to guard the gates for your Exorcist Division!"

Chen Huaian stiffened slightly as he held Wang Shouyi’s hand.

His expression also darkened.

He had no doubt Wang Shouyi could find demons with identical cultivation levels.

But that wasn’t the point.

What mattered was that those two tiger cubs, already saved, had now been snatched away.

Was this what people meant by fate being inescapable?

"Take me to your Senior Brother!"

Chen Huaian’s eyes turned cold.

He, Chen Huaian, wanted to see just how this so-called ‘fate’ was supposed to be unchangeable!

"Senior, you…" Wang Shouyi bit his lip, hesitating.

Originally, he thought: less trouble is better.

The tiger cubs were gone, but he could always find replacements.

Though it had been a mistake on their part, it wasn’t a major issue.

After all, Li Buyi was on par with him in rank.

These two Ascenders had no ability to resist. That was understandable.

But now it looked like the tiger cubs being taken had truly angered the Senior.

Maybe only confronting his Senior Brother could fix this.

"What? You can’t take me to your Senior Brother?!"

Chen Huaian’s tone was laced with killing intent and cold indifference.

Wang Shouyi felt like a sword was suspended above his head,

about to come crashing down. That chilling Sword Intent made him swallow hard.

"I can!"

He nodded immediately.

"I’ll take you right now! But I should warn you… my Senior Brother has been gone for a while already.

It’s highly likely those two tiger cubs are already dead, so—"

"Lead the way!"

Chen Huaian drew the Black Scales Sword and stepped onto its blade.

Seeing this, Wang Shouyi didn’t say another word.

He took to the sky on his own sword and led the way.

Inside the Black Scales Sword, Zhang Yibai’s remnant soul was about to ask Chen Huaian why his Sword Intent was suddenly so refined,

even touching upon true Sword Dao comprehension.

But sensing that Chen Huaian was in no mood to talk, he wisely kept quiet.

…

Qingfeng Sect.

As the core affiliated sect of the Kunlun Immortal Palace, it was a regular stopover for disciples of the main palace.

Li Buyi was a frequent guest of Qingfeng Sect.

Within Kunlun, he was a personal disciple of the Honored One.

At Qingfeng Sect, his status was not far off from that of the Sect Master or the Elders.

"Wow, Immortal Li, what a haul!"

"Those two tiger demons have glossy coats and strong blood energy—they’re clearly no ordinary beasts!

Where did you catch them, Immortal Li?"

Receiving all this praise from Qingfeng Sect disciples, Li Buyi smirked with satisfaction.

"They’re from the Demon-Sealing Tower. Fine specimens, right?"

"No wonder! I’ve heard the monsters in the Demon-Sealing Tower carry ancient bloodlines passed down from their ancestors.

Far more precious than the average beasts spawned from the Spiritual Revival. Seeing them now, they really do live up to the name.

What a treasure trove!"

"Of course."

Li Buyi clapped his hands and tossed the two still-struggling tiger cubs onto the sect’s arena platform,

then waved the Qingfeng Sect Elders over.

"The Honored One’s birthday banquet is in three days.

As her personal disciple, I’ve got to prepare a gift that shows my sincerity.

She’s seen everything under the sun, so the only way to impress her is with something heartfelt.

But even something heartfelt can’t be sloppy, right?

So I’m planning to brew a batch of Spirit Wine using the hearts of these two tiger demons!"

The Qingfeng Sect’s Ascenders were not only envious that Li Buyi had an invite to the birthday banquet,

they also immediately chimed in with flattery.

"Immortal Li, you’re not only clever but so thoughtful as well.

Even someone as experienced as the Honored One will be touched by Spirit Wine personally brewed by you."

"Elder Wang is right! I think Immortal Li might have a shot at becoming the next Sect Master of the Kunlun Immortal Palace!"

Li Buyi basked in their praise, but he didn’t forget his main task.

He kicked the two tiger cubs toward the Qingfeng Sect Elders and ordered,

"Handle these two for me. I want the hearts, bones, tails, and pelts.

You can keep the meat."

The Ascenders were overjoyed.

Tiger meat was no ordinary fare—anyone below Golden Core who consumed it would gain robust blood and a strengthened body.

Li Buyi didn’t want to get his hands dirty with such lowly tasks—

worried it would sully his status.

But they didn’t mind at all~

Helping Li Buyi butcher two demons was expected.

Getting rewarded with tiger meat on top of that? Who could say no?

So the Qingfeng Sect Elders happily carried the tiger cubs away.

Li Buyi, thoroughly pleased with himself, lounged in a chair under a tree, basking in the afternoon sun.

His mind was completely focused on the Honored One’s banquet,

thinking of ways to shine and, ideally, totally outshine Wang Shouyi.

Just the thought of Wang Shouyi made Li Buyi grit his teeth in frustration.

And that damn Exorcist Division Governor from S Province too!

When he got the chance, he’d definitely…

Buzz—!

Suddenly, wind and thunder cracked in the sky.

It was the sound of a cultivator slicing through the air at high speed on a flying sword.

Flying sword travel was prohibited over Qingfeng Sect.

Once inside sect grounds, no matter who you were, you had to walk.

The rule existed to prevent the noise from disturbing disciples’ cultivation.

A few rule-breakers were tolerable, but if everyone flew around all day,

it would be pure noise pollution.

Even someone like him, with special privileges, didn’t dare fly too high or too fast.

Let alone cause such a huge disturbance.

"Who the hell has the nerve?"

Li Buyi narrowed his eyes and stood up to see what was going on.

The next moment, three figures descended on flying swords right in front of him.

All three were familiar faces.

That girl had nearly killed him with a single sword strike.

The other two were Wang Shouyi—

and the Governor of the S Province Exorcist Division.

Just seeing them made rage shoot straight up to his skull.

His expression turned stormy.

"You dare trespass on the Qingfeng Sect Master’s domain—do you realize the crime you're committing?"

He immediately slapped a big accusation on them.

Unexpectedly, Wang Shouyi didn’t even bother responding.

He just pointed at his face and roared,

"Li Buyi, f*** your wine!"

…

…