Chapter 288: Yun Shan and Yun Yun of Yun Lan Sect
The three elders, though in agreement, wore deep frowns on their aged faces.
The Grand Elder leaned on his staff and sighed.
"But… as described by the Guardian Elder, Yun Lan Sect's hidden strength is formidable, with many concealed Dou Huang experts."
"And then there's the terrifying Soul Hall. We have no idea how many experts they possess…"
"Since Yun Lan Sect has already made a move against the Xiao Clan, it must mean that Yun Shan has successfully broken through to Dou Zong."
"A single Dou Zong is already terrifying. Though the three of us have advanced to Dou Huang, we are no match for him!"
"Even with Twin Headed Fire Spirit Serpent, Green Man, and Qing'er, making it five Dou Huang experts in total, facing the hidden forces of Yun Lan Sect is still an impossible battle!"
Hearing the Grand Elder's words, the hall fell into deep silence, and everyone's brows furrowed.
At best, they could defend themselves, but if they acted rashly, they could suffer devastating losses…
Green Man and Qing'er, once members of the Heavenly Serpent Mansion, remained silent.
They were simply the Guardian Elder's personal attendants, and such matters were not theirs to decide.
As for Twin Headed Fire Spirit Serpent, he was currently exploring the world of the Green Lotus Core Flame with his big brother.
And the Eight Winged Black Serpent Emperor?
He had been taken away by Xiao Yi Xian and Qing Lin.
Long ago, those two had left, unwilling to fall behind Wu Tian's pace. They had ventured to the two great empires neighboring Jia Ma Empire, and as of now, their whereabouts remained unknown.
Thus, despite the many Dou Huang experts within the Snake People Tribe, the ones left in charge… were the very same three elders who had once been taught a lesson by the Guardian Elder.
The three elders were helpless in this situation they had already retired, spending their days patrolling the Snake People territories in peace.
And yet…
Now, they were being forced out of retirement once again.
They had no choice.
Their enemies were moving, and Jia Ma Empire was no longer the peaceful land it once was.
It was the calm before the storm…
And right now, in all of Jia Ma Empire, only the Snake People Tribe and the Mitchell Clan understood this looming crisis.
As for the rest?
The Jia Ma Empire's royal family?
That old man, Jia Xingtian, was still playing with his oversized pet after his last retreat into seclusion.
The Alchemist Association's Fa Ma?
The empire's other Dou Huang expert?
He was currently buried under a massive cauldron, bent over, and tirelessly refining pills, completely unaware of the impending doom.
The entire empire basked in ignorant bliss.
But in one place…
The atmosphere was different.
Yun Lan Sect, Back Mountain, Hidden Hall.
The spacious hall was utterly silent.
In the center, a breathtakingly elegant woman in white sat quietly on a prayer mat, her eyes closed in deep meditation.
"Creak…"
The stillness was interrupted by the sound of a door slowly opening.
A soft beam of moonlight spilled into the hall, casting a silvery glow upon the woman's figure.
She appeared ethereal, as though a celestial goddess untouched by mortal concerns.
As the doors fully opened, an aged figure stepped inside and came to a halt a short distance away.
A faint chuckle echoed.
"Yun'er, are you still angry with your teacher?"
The woman in white slowly opened her gem like eyes.
Under the moon's soft glow, her gaze shimmered like precious stones, exuding an incomparable allure.
Her noble and serene face carried a quiet beauty that could shame all others into insignificance.
She was none other than Yun Yun, the Sect Leader of Yun Lan Sect.
Two years had passed since her last encounter with Wu Tian.
Time had left no marks upon her delicate features.
On the contrary, the passing years had only deepened her noble aura, making her even more breathtaking than before.
However, beneath that noble grace, there was now a hint of icy detachment that had not been there before.
"Teacher, what brings you to the 'Forbidden Hall' today?"
Her gem like eyes flickered toward the approaching figure, but she did not rise, her voice carrying a trace of self mockery.
Before her stood a man clad in a simple white robe.
As a slight breeze drifted through the open doors, his robe fluttered gently, lending him an air of unearthly detachment.
His face bore no wrinkles, only a smooth, almost translucent complexion, like a piece of polished jade.
If not for his long, flowing white hair, no one would have guessed that this man was Yun Yun's teacher the former Sect Leader of Yun Lan Sect, Yun Shan.
"Sigh…"
Yun Shan let out a long sigh before shaking his head in disappointment.
"Yun'er, you are still so stubborn."
"Would you really oppose your own teacher for the sake of the insignificant Xiao Clan and Mitchell Clan?"
"Have you forgotten everything I have taught you over the years?"
Yun Yun's expression turned bitter.
Gone was the high and noble Sect Leader in front of Yun Shan, she was merely a disciple.
With a questioning look, she spoke softly.
"Teacher… why must you exterminate the Xiao Clan?"
"And the Mitchell Clan… they are one of the three great families of the empire. If Yun Lan Sect moves against them, it will draw the ire of countless factions."
"Do you truly intend to set Yun Lan Sect against the entire Jia Ma Empire?"
"Hmph!"
Yun Shan scoffed and waved his sleeve dismissively.
"They are nothing but insects."
"If they dare resist, then good!"
"Jia Ma Empire has been peaceful for far too long. It is time to cleanse it properly. Kekekekeke…"
Yun Yun's eyes widened in shock and disbelief.
Was this truly her beloved teacher?
He had once been so kind, so wise.
He had taken her as a disciple, groomed her, and even passed the Sect Leader's position to her.
And yet now…
As she gazed at the man before her, she clenched her teeth and spoke in fury.
"Teacher, if you continue down this path… Yun Lan Sect will be destroyed because of you!"
"Yun Yun!"
Yun Shan's face darkened as he snapped at her coldly.
"You dare speak to me like this?"
With a flick of his sleeve, he turned toward the exit, his voice filled with arrogance.
"Yun Lan Sect will not be destroyed."
"On the contrary I will lead it to heights never before seen."
"I will take it to a level no previous Sect Leader has ever reached! Kekekekekeke…"
As his sinister laughter echoed, Yun Shan stepped out of the hall.
With a final wave of his sleeve, the heavy doors slammed shut behind him.
Once more, silence returned to the Forbidden Hall.
Within, Yun Yun sat motionless, her delicate fingers tightening into a fist.
A long moment passed.
Then
A sudden spark of determination flickered in her gaze.
(End of Chapter)
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