Chapter 138: The Patriarch of the Sun Family

The earth cracked apart under heavy footsteps.

The newcomer exuded a tremendous aura that sent shivers through the crowd even from afar.

"To be able to manipulate the momentum of the earth?"

Qingyuan was secretly startled, a thought flashing through his mind: "The fifth heavenly layer?"

Among the realm divisions of the June Immaculate Temple, a cultivator of the fifth heavenly layer belonged to the fifth floor, known as the Mountain and River Pavilion.

The approaching figure possessed formidable abilities and undoubtedly harbored profound cultivation of this magnitude.

Qingyuan turned his head slightly, his gaze falling upon the individual who had concealed his identity just moments ago.

That person, an esteemed master in disguise, now wore a look of panic.

A flash of insight suddenly dawned upon Qingyuan.

The esteemed masters of Fuzhong Mountain could be counted on one's fingers. Aside from the righteous sects and Huahua Pavilion, there were only two from the Sun family, one from the Seven Spirits Gate, and three rogue cultivators. Among them, four masters—Han Yu, Gan Huan, Sun Yu, and Daoist Master He—had all perished because of Qingyuan.

Unless another master was still lurking within Fuzhong Mountain, this person was either from the Sun family or the rogue cultivator Jin Lan.

From the looks of it, it had to be the rogue cultivator Jin Lan.

And the person approaching had come for Jin Lan, with ill intentions.

Recalling the previous battle, Qingyuan began to piece together the sequence of events: "The fight between the two masters earlier had nearly reached its conclusion. Judging by the current situation, Jin Lan must have won, while the Sun family's master likely perished. Does this mean the Sun family's patriarch has come to slay Jin Lan for revenge, and also to retaliate for ruining the Liyue Basin affair?"

Amidst the terrified gazes of the gathered cultivators, that overwhelming momentum rolled forward like the crushing weight of a mountain range.

Up ahead came a figure with an aged face, yet his frame was tall, robust, and his expression heavy.

With every step he took, the ground shuddered, and fissures burst open.

He came carrying a gathered momentum so oppressive that it made the cultivators around him barely able to raise their heads or straighten their backs.

"Jin Lan!"

The Sun family patriarch shouted in a deep voice, "Get out here!"

His voice rolled outward like thunder, causing a deafening roar in the ears of the nearby cultivators.

The Sun family patriarch swept his gaze across the crowd, his piercing glare sharp as blades. He raised his hand, preparing to press downward and unleash some formidable technique.

Yet, that palm ultimately never came down.

Because someone had blocked his path.

As Qingyuan saw clearly, it was a young Daoist priest.

The Daoist held a horsetail whisk, carried a treasured sword on his back, wore a blue Daoist robe, and sported a Daoist topknot. With a calm expression, he stood directly in the path of the Sun family patriarch.

This person was the disciple of the righteous sect guarding this sector. Qingyuan had previously sent Gucang back to Fuzhong Mountain precisely because he had spotted this young Daoist.

"This is not a place where you can run amok."

The young Daoist said with a tranquil expression, "Once the affairs of my righteous sect are concluded, seeking out whoever you wish will be your own business. For now, you shall not have your way."

A flash of anger crossed the Sun family patriarch's face as he barked, "Jin Lan murdered an esteemed master of the Sun family. He is hiding somewhere nearby, most likely right among these cultivators. I only need to weed them out one by one. Step aside!"

The young Daoist said coldly, "And if I refuse?"

Enraged on the spot, the Sun family patriarch exerted his oppressive aura, causing the earth to tremble faintly.

The young Daoist sank two inches into the ground under the pressure. His gaze tightened, but he did not retreat a single half-step.

Setting aside his identity, his sheer competence alone made him a master at the pinnacle of the fourth heavenly layer. Backed by the heritage, doctrines, and secret arts of the righteous sect, he was far beyond what mundane mortals could compare to.

While one could not necessarily say this young Daoist could defeat the Sun family patriarch, nor claim they were evenly matched, it would be no easy task for the patriarch to take his life.

Furthermore, the Sun family would never dare to strike, because... the Sun family utterly lacked the courage to offend the righteous sect.

The Sun family patriarch took a deep breath and asked, "May I ask for your Daoist name?"

The young Daoist replied calmly, "Zhengxing of the righteous sect."

"It was this old man who was rash." The Sun family patriarch offered a slight cupped-fist salute, saying, "Since the righteous sect has its rules, this old man shall abide by them. However, I trust Jin Lan will not manage to escape from here before I am permitted to act."

Zhengxing stated, "I have been ordered to guard this perimeter and permit no entry or exit; naturally, Jin Lan will not escape through here. As for what happens afterward... whatever transpires, I shall naturally pay it no mind."

Taking a deep breath, the Sun family patriarch said, "I hope the Daoist master keeps his word."

"Keep my word?" Zhengxing glanced at him and remarked, "This is no promise. Should unforeseen circumstances arise, that is your affair—what has it to do with me?"

With that, he flicked his sleeve and strode away.

A cold glint flashed across the Sun family patriarch's face as his gaze swept over the crowd.

Meeting his eyes, everyone lowered their heads and averted their gazes.

"Jin Lan, don't even dream of leaving Luoyue County."

Snorting coldly, the Sun family patriarch turned to leave, but at that exact moment, a voice suddenly rang out.

"Patriarch!" A figure dashed out, fell to his knees in prostration, and cried out loudly, "Sun Wenjie pays respects to the Patriarch."

Seeing the person who had emerged, Qingyuan felt a sudden chill grip his heart, a sharp frost rising within him.

For this person was missing an arm—it was none other than the brilliant Sun family disciple who had been wounded by Qingyuan.

"You..." Seeing the severed stump of Sun Wenjie's arm, the Sun family patriarch said in a deep voice, "What happened?"

Gritting his teeth, Sun Wenjie replied, "Your disciple's skills fell short, and I was injured by another. However, that person is right here at this moment."

The Sun family patriarch asked, "Who?"

Qingyuan tightened his grip on his iron rod, and the next instant, he saw Sun Wenjie raise his single arm and point directly toward him.

The Sun family patriarch shifted his gaze, his killing intent biting and severe.

Qingyuan felt a heavy weight press down upon his shoulders, yet he stood his ground without retreating.

A flicker of surprise crossed the Sun family patriarch's eyes. Having stepped into the fifth heavenly layer, his cultivation was so high that it surpassed ordinary cultivators; even a mere glance from him was enough to intimidate the vast majority of cultivators in the third heavenly layer. He had not expected this young man to withstand it head-on.

"Truly a talent capable of overpowering Sun Wenjie. Pity he is not a member of the Sun family after all."

Without striking immediately, the Sun family patriarch turned his gaze instead toward Zhengxing of the righteous sect.

The earlier intervention had been because the patriarch intended to hunt for Jin Lan, which would inevitably disrupt order. But dealing with a single third-layer cultivator could be done with the mere flick of a finger—why bother disturbing the peace?

Zhengxing furrowed his brow slightly, yet ultimately remained silent.

Silence was tacit consent.

This was already a concession.

When the righteous sect handled matters, concessions were hardly necessary. This was merely because the Sun family patriarch's cultivation was indeed formidable enough for Zhengxing to grant him a tiny shred of face.

For the Sun family patriarch, this concession meant the other party had given him ample face. The displeasure he had felt over being blocked earlier instantly dissipated, and he cupped his fists slightly in thanks.

Zhengxing closed his eyes and offered no further words.

The Sun family patriarch's gaze followed Sun Wenjie's direction, falling squarely upon Qingyuan.

Taking a deep breath, Qingyuan slung the twelve-foot Thunder Gold Halberd across his back, gripped his iron rod, and amidst the astonished gazes of countless onlookers, pointed it straight at the Sun family patriarch.

Since it could not be avoided, he would meet the battle head-on!

Even if his opponent was a cultivator of the fifth heavenly layer with powers comparable to the Mountain and River Pavilion, it would not make him submit without a fight.