Chapter Seventeen: Riding the Wind

"Patriarch, the men from the Skywind Clan have arrived!"

The scene was in utter chaos, with people everywhere. Many noticed the commotion and hurried over.

Wang Yuan cast a cold glance in that direction and saw a number of figures flying toward them, among whom was his old adversary.

"So it’s the two from the Skywind Clan," Wang Yuan said suddenly, a thought crossing his mind. He wore a polite smile, masking his true intentions.

"Fellow Daoist Wang Yuan, it’s been a long time. I’ve missed you greatly..." said the elder Tianyi, his smile insincere, eyes shifting unpredictably—giving off a particularly cunning and treacherous air. At first glance, it was clear he was a seasoned old fox with unplumbed depths.

"Fellow Daoist Wang Yuan, may I ask what business the Wang family has here? Heh... Could it be you’ve discovered some treasure and wish to keep it for yourself?" The elder Feng Xiao arrived just after, both of them patriarchs from their respective lines of the Skywind Clan.

"How could I possibly dare such a thing?" Wang Yuan replied with a sly look. "To tell the truth, there are indeed many treasures below. If you want them, by all means, go and take them..."

He did not dare test his luck. The sword formation alone was far beyond his ability to withstand; who knew how terrifying the one within truly was.

"Treasures?" Elder Tianyi was momentarily stunned, his gaze turning toward the tavern below. Instantly, his expression changed.

"This... How is it possible? Why are there so many immortal artifacts here?"

Heavens! It was hard to believe. In the past month, they had fought bitterly without seeing even a single immortal artifact, and now so many appeared at once.

The two exchanged a glance and instantly reached an understanding.

"Such good fortune! If we could bring all of these back, our clan would surely rise. Old Feng, let’s go—" Elder Tianyi could no longer hold back; but Feng Xiao, still rational, stopped him: "Don’t be rash. For so many immortal artifacts to appear at once, there must be something amiss.

"Didn’t you notice, old Wang Yuan hasn’t made a move? With what you know of him, would he let so many treasures slip by without a reaction?"

That made sense! Tianyi suddenly realized he had almost fallen for a trap, and he glared angrily at Wang Yuan.

The wretch was trying to lure them to their deaths.

"Fellow Daoist Wang Yuan, what a schemer you are! Hoping to trick us to our doom so you can benefit as the fisherman? A fine calculation—but unfortunately..."

Elder Tianyi sneered, and Wang Yuan’s face darkened.

"Damn it, they’re not biting? These two old foxes truly are cunning..." Wang Yuan secretly admired them. Just moments ago, he had charged forward himself—thankfully the sword formation hadn’t activated, or he would have been grievously wounded.

He never imagined these two could resist such temptation.

These were immortal artifacts, said to be forged only by immortals in legend—who could resist such allure?

"Fellow Daoist Tianyi, you wrong me! How could I deceive you? The treasures lie beneath your feet; whether you take them or not is your decision.

"Suppose there is some extraordinary master below—would even such a one withstand the two of you in concert?"

Wang Yuan continued to cajole, his words striking true to their hearts.

Indeed, as Supreme-level powerhouses, few in the world could withstand their combined might.

Apart from those four monstrous beasts, on this wasteland, they were nearly unmatched.

"Old Tian, I think he’s right. Why don’t we give it a try?" Feng Xiao was tempted; the sight of the immortal swords below was too much to ignore.

Just then, a thunderbolt from the heavens suddenly descended, crashing violently toward the tavern.

"This is bad—retreat!"

It was the mightiest strike of the Suanni beast; even they, as Supremes, dared not face it head-on and could only retreat from its path.

In the confusion, everyone fell back several hundred meters. The thunderbolt struck the tavern fiercely.

But then, a startling scene unfolded—the thunder was completely absorbed by an iron needle atop the tavern, without the slightest impact.

"Incredible... Impossible! How can there be such a miraculous artifact in this world, one that can even devour the thunder of the nine heavens?"

Everyone was stunned, including Wang Yuan, their hearts seized with fear and their backs cold with dread.

"There’s truly a master within!"

The thought flashed through everyone’s mind, and none dared approach that area any longer.

Meanwhile, inside the tavern, Ye Qiu calmly manipulated the mechanism, devouring the Suanni’s thunder twice in succession. He suddenly felt a surge of confidence.

"Hmm... Well, well, it actually works? Not bad at all. The first time might have been luck, but the second proves it—the lightning rod really can absorb thunder.

"Turns out, I’m pretty impressive. Maybe it’s time to show off a little..."

Ye Qiu rejoiced inwardly.

"Senior brother, look over there—isn’t that the Grand Elder and the others?" At this moment, a disciple of Radiant Light pointed excitedly at several figures on the horizon.

Everyone looked up. Above the abyss, an elder with an immortal air flew across the battlefield with effortless grace, followed by a group of more than ten, all clad in ink-black robes.

"It’s the Grand Elder, truly the Grand Elder! Even Uncle Tian is here..."

At the sight of the Grand Elder Fufeng of Radiant Light Sanctuary, the disciples were overwhelmed with emotion.

After so many days living in fear, seeing their sect at last, how could they not be moved?

But Ye Qiu had no time for such feelings—the danger outside the tavern had not yet passed, hardly a time for joy.

In the sky, Fufeng instantly sensed Fuyao’s presence and hurried over, only to find the Heaven-Swallowing Sparrow blocking his way.

"Senior brother, beware!" the group behind him cried. Fufeng reacted swiftly, dodging the bird’s attack in a flash.

"Fuyao and the others have been found—they’re below! Judging by the situation, this place will soon be overrun. Hurry, let’s get them out—" Fufeng said coldly, inwardly tense.

"Senior brother, I believe Fuyao and the others are safer below. Look, amidst all this chaos, the tavern alone is untouched. There may be an expert within," Tian Zhong said gravely.

"Oh?" Fufeng looked closer and indeed sensed something unusual. His cultivation was second only to the ultimate masters; he instantly recognized the tavern’s peculiarity.

"Immortal artifacts? How can there be so many? There’s something strange here..."

Fufeng was startled, and he also noticed Wang Yuan and the others nearby, deepening his confusion.

He’d long heard of these men’s greed, but he hadn’t expected them to remain so calm in the face of so many treasures—there must be more to this.

"Let’s not approach for now. Once this battle subsides, we’ll pay a visit to the master within..."

Fufeng immediately judged there must be an expert inside—no ordinary person could have set up that fearsome sword formation; even he could not.

He was deeply puzzled. What kind of peerless master could arrange such a formation?

"To think that such a remote wasteland hides a supreme expert... It seems Fuyao and the others were saved by this person.

"I must find a chance to thank them properly. If I can earn their friendship, all the better..."

Resolving firmly, Fufeng turned his gaze toward Wang Yuan and his associates, frowning.

"These people covet the treasures, yet dare not act. It seems they’ve already suffered for it.

"This battle won’t end soon—come, let’s see what the Skywind and Wang families are up to."

Fufeng glanced at the four monstrous beasts in the sky. They’d been fighting for a month, yet the conflict showed no sign of ending.

The battle wouldn’t resolve any time soon. Better to see what the Skywind and Wang clans intended.

The group from Radiant Light Sanctuary set off at once, bypassing the Heaven-Swallowing Sparrow and heading straight for the tavern.

Seeing Fufeng’s approach, the three patriarchs frowned, sensing trouble.

"Damn, why did that old devil come? He’s said to be the strongest beneath the ultimate level. If he intervenes, there’ll be no chance for us to claim the treasures..." Tianyi said coldly, full of regret. If only they’d acted sooner, they could have taken everything.

Now that Fufeng had arrived, it would be much harder.

"Don’t act rashly. Beneath the utmost, this one dares claim second, and no one would claim first. Even together, we might not overcome him..." Feng Xiao said anxiously, his heart uneasy.

"Strange, wasn’t he supposed to be at Skydang Mountain? Why did he suddenly appear here? Damn it..."

The two exchanged uncertain glances, watching Fufeng’s approach with cold eyes. Meanwhile, Wang Yuan was secretly delighted.

"Excellent, just what I hoped for! I thought my chance had vanished, but with Fufeng suddenly appearing...

"With him restraining the Skywind patriarchs, won’t I be able to reap the benefits?"

Wang Yuan was thrilled, but he seemed to have forgotten—he still had no hope of taking the tavern.

"So it’s Fufeng himself; it’s been a long time, I’ve missed you greatly..." Tianyi greeted Fufeng with a professional, two-faced smile.

"Missed me? More likely you wish me dead," Fufeng replied coolly, unmoved by the flattery. These old foxes were all venomous schemers—he could not afford to lower his guard.

"You wrong me, Master Fufeng! How could we dare show disrespect? But tell me, is it for the treasures that you’ve come?"

"Not at all," Fufeng replied, "I am here in search of my daughter, Fuyao..."