Chapter 51: The Huilan Sect

The Huilan Sect was one of the many sects within the vast territory of the Mangya Kingdom, founded by the Huilan Dao Lord, with deep roots.

Within the Dongyan branch of the Huilan Sect, the residences of the sect's high-ranking disciples.

On one of the peaks, there was a cave dwelling.

Outside the cave dwelling, a full eighteen World-level cultivators sat cross-legged.

"Hmph." A woman in white at the entrance of the cave dwelling glanced outside and couldn't help but snort coldly.

"Junior Sister Qingfan, you'd better advise that Fire Fairy Su Youji not to resist," said one of the eighteen seated World-level cultivators, an old man in black robes. "Let her obediently hand over the puppets, the insect beasts, and that statue of the 'Flying Immortal Saint Lord'... and naturally we won't make things difficult for her. Otherwise, once the order from the main sect arrives, she will perish, body and soul!"

"Sister Youji saved fellow disciples of our sect, and instead of being grateful, you now scheme to seize her treasures. That statue of the Flying Immortal Saint Lord was something Sister Youji obtained at the risk of her life," the woman in white said angrily. "An order from the main sect? You can cover the sky with one hand in the branch, but in the main sect, that fool has no say."

The eighteen World-level cultivators said no more, silently keeping watch.

"Hmph."

The woman in white angrily returned to the cave dwelling.

Inside the cave dwelling.

In one of the rooms, Fire Fairy Su Youji sat cross-legged in quiet cultivation. Clad in fiery red robes, Su Youji exuded a stunning allure, as if she were the most beautiful and seductive woman in the world, capable of affecting even World-level cultivators. Suddenly she opened her eyes, and her allure instantly receded. She looked outside and smiled: "Sister Qingfan."

"Sister Youji." The woman in white walked in.

"I have implicated Sister Qingfan," Su Youji said. "I've made your situation within the sect so difficult."

"Don't worry. This is my cave dwelling. The cave dwellings of World-level disciples within the sect are forbidden to other fellow disciples without permission. Only with an order from the sect leader can someone enter," the woman in white said. "As long as you're in my cave dwelling, no matter what they try, they can't get in. The sect leader is a great being of immense power; they want him to issue an order... hmph."

Su Youji sighed inwardly.

This matter...

Back when she left the Star Island, she had also sensed the chaos and barbarism within the Mangya Kingdom, so she had been cautious enough to obtain a star chart early on, knowing the general map of the entire Mangya Kingdom. She had intended to go to the 'Flame Palace' among the Twelve Palaces to try her luck, but on the way, she had inadvertently fallen into a perilous place... There were many dangerous places within the Mangya Kingdom.

Some were personally created by the great sovereign, others left behind by Dao Lords. Many dangerous places were unknown before being discovered.

Su Youji had stepped into a perilous place left by the 'Flying Immortal Saint Lord'. There, she encountered danger and was rescued by 'Qingfan Fairy' and others who were also exploring the same place. To be precise, it was Qingfan Fairy who came to her aid... This made Su Youji very grateful, and so Su Youji joined Qingfan Fairy and two others in their travels.

They ventured and took risks, experiencing many dangers. Su Youji also used her puppets and insect beasts, and eventually she even passed the trial of the 'Flying Immortal Saint Lord' and became his personal disciple.

The many treasures left by the Flying Immortal Saint Lord all fell into Su Youji's hands. Most of the treasures were stored in a cave-heaven magic treasure and were easily taken by Su Youji. Only the statue of the Flying Immortal Saint Lord was placed at the highest point of the palace, and Su Youji took it down with her own hands. This scene was witnessed by Qingfan Fairy and the other two.

Qingfan Fairy and the other two, having gone through life-and-death situations with Su Youji, trusted each other considerably. Especially since Qingfan Fairy had saved Su Youji's life, Su Youji had no suspicions.

"Sister Youji wants to go to the Twelve Palaces, which happens to be on our way. We also need to return to the Dongyan branch. Let's go together," Qingfan Fairy said.

Su Youji and Qingfan Fairy felt an instant connection and had excellent rapport, so they traveled together. Since Qingfan Fairy and the others had grown up in the Mangya Kingdom, they were very familiar with the route and encountered no dangers before arriving at the Dongyan branch. Just as they sat down in Qingfan Fairy's residence and had drunk two cups of wine, they were immediately surrounded.

It turned out that another World God who had been with Qingfan Fairy, 'White Crane World God', had reported the matter to the 'Dongyan Sect Leader' of the Dongyan branch. That Dongyan Sect Leader was merely a World-level cultivator himself, and he coveted Su Youji's puppets and insect beasts. Since Su Youji was not a disciple of their sect, he naturally gave the order to kill Su Youji and seize her treasures.

"Rest assured, sister. That Dongyan Sect Leader is just a branch leader," Qingfan Fairy said. "His status is not much higher than mine. He only got the position of branch leader because he has some background in the main sect. Without an order from the main sect leader, he can do nothing to you. Feel free to stay here as long as you like."

Su Youji nodded.

...

High in the clouds above the Dongyan branch of the Huilan Sect, a flying boat appeared.

On the deck of the flying boat, a white-robed youth sat cross-legged, a divine sword resting on his knees. He looked down below.

"My token is down there."

"According to the star chart given to me by Huicang Dao Lord, this should be one of the nine branches of the Huilan Sect," Ji Ning mused with some confusion. "How did Youji end up in this Huilan Sect?"

The Huilan Sect was founded by the Huilan Dao Lord.

The entire sect had a total of four Dao Lords! Huilan Dao Lord was profound and powerful, while the other three were weaker, all Black-armored Dao Lords.

The Dao Lords in the Twelve Palaces were divided by status into Black-armor, Green-armor, Silver-armor, and Gold-armor. Black-armor was the lowest level.

"No fluctuations?" Ji Ning's gaze swept over the Dongyan branch of the Huilan Sect below. "There's no Dao Lord stationed here."

That made sense.

With a total of four Dao Lords, the Huilan Sect had a main sect and nine branches. According to the star chart, the four Dao Lords generally stayed in the main sect.

"Youji is in this Dongyan branch..." Although puzzled, Ji Ning put away the flying boat and flew downward.

"Quite a spectacle." Ji Ning looked from afar at the Dongyan branch. The entire Dongyan branch occupied a vast surrounding area, probably covering tens of millions of li. "According to the star chart, this branch has over three hundred World-level cultivators. The Mangya Kingdom is indeed different from the Dao Alliance. In the Dao Alliance, sects are very cautious about accepting World-level cultivators, and their numbers are very small. Here, the more the merrier."

The Dao Alliance practiced non-interference.

For example, the Da Mo Institute, with Da Mo Dao Lord as its head, had only about a hundred World-level cultivators under him. Although the entire Da Mo Domain had over ten thousand World-level cultivators, they were actually scattered among many different forces.

But in the Mangya Kingdom, it was different. Some forces created by Dao Lords, like the 'Huilan Sect', had over five thousand World-level cultivators in the main sect and nine branches combined! It was truly the more the merrier... The reason was that within the Mangya Kingdom, Dao Lords were forbidden from fighting each other, because all Dao Lords belonged to the Twelve Palaces.

Since Dao Lords were forbidden from fighting, the conflicts between various sects within the Mangya Kingdom relied on their World-level subordinates. The more, the better, and they fought fiercely and brutally.

...

"Fellow Daoist, stop right there. This is the Dongyan branch of the Huilan Sect." A tall, thin World-level cultivator suddenly flew out and called out to stop him.

"I am Beiming," Ji Ning said with a smile. "I have come hoping to join the Huilan Sect."

"Fellow Daoist wishes to join our Huilan Sect?" The tall, thin World-level cultivator looked him over carefully. A World-level cultivator was considered a backbone force in the Mangya Kingdom. If it were a Ancestral God or Ancestral Immortal seeking to join, his attitude wouldn't be so good. "Haha, our Huilan Sect welcomes all. Please follow me."

Ji Ning smiled and followed him in. Under the guidance of the tall, thin World-level cultivator, he soon passed through the formations and entered the interior of the Dongyan branch.

After all, this was a branch of the Huilan Sect, with formations personally laid by 'Huilan Dao Lord'. Although the cultivators controlling the defensive formation were all World-level, making its power not too strong, a group of World-level cultivators operating the defensive formation... Ji Ning wasn't confident he could break through, so naturally he wouldn't force his way in.

"Fellow Daoist, follow me." The tall, thin World-level cultivator and Ji Ning both flew at high altitude. The branch covered over ten million li, truly vast.

"What's going on over there?" Flying in the air, Ji Ning pointed to a distant place, which was exactly where he sensed Su Youji was.

"The disciples within the sect vary in strength. That area is where the more powerful World-level cultivators reside," the tall, thin World-level cultivator said, pointing there.

"Oh." Ji Ning nodded in understanding.

Then, without warning, he stretched out his hand. His palm expanded to ten zhang in size and grabbed the tall, thin World-level cultivator as if catching a small mouse. The World-level cultivator responsible for guarding and receiving visitors was only at the 'top-tier World-level' and had no power to resist before Ji Ning.

"Fellow Daoist." The tall, thin World-level cultivator was terrified.

"Taking your life would be as easy as turning my hand. If you want to live, don't resist," Ji Ning transmitted. Then, with a whoosh, he collected the tall, thin World-level cultivator into his own cave heaven.

Ji Ning then transformed into a streak of light and flew toward the place where he sensed Su Youji.

...