Chapter Thirty-One: Beyond Control

All visitors, out of respect, would descend at the foot of Pure Yang Mountain and climb the heights on foot; the Five Elements Pavilion was no exception.

Within the ranks of the Five Elements Pavilion, beauty abounded, each female cultivator more exquisite than the last. As they gazed upon the colossal mountain gate above and the blatant display of the sect-protecting array, the disciples of the Five Elements Pavilion were filled with a complex mix of emotions. To be chosen to accompany the disciples to Pure Yang Temple was a privilege reserved for the core members of each sect. All present were aware, at least in part, of the purpose for this gathering at Pure Yang Temple—the entanglements and grudges between sects and Pure Yang were well-known.

Precisely because of this, many visitors harbored ulterior motives, especially the disciples of the Five Elements Pavilion. Though the Pavilion was nominally one of the Eight Great Orthodox Sects, it was indisputably the least among them. The grandeur displayed by Pure Yang Temple was far beyond their reach; the disparity between sects alone was enough to stir a sense of loss. To make matters worse, the Pavilion’s previous discord with Pure Yang over the affair of True Realm Master had soured relations, and recently, Pure Yang’s Xu Qingzi had personally visited to invite Tianmu Master to Pure Yang, only to take away Du Gu Yin, delivering a resounding slap to the Pavilion’s face.

Adding insult to injury, rumors had begun to circulate that the Pavilion’s prized Five Elements Divine Thunder Crystal was an essential material for crafting the artifact that encoded cultivation techniques—putting the Pavilion squarely on the hot seat. A misstep could alienate every cultivation sect.

Thus, the disciples of the Five Elements Pavilion were deeply anxious about what lay ahead.

Amidst the procession, there was an especially striking figure—a young maiden in a pale yellow gown. Her skin was as smooth as jade, features refined and delicate, her form graceful. She wore gloves woven from celestial silkworm silk that shimmered gold under the sunlight, and in her hand was a silver fan, more refined than the swords carried by her peers. Her gentle dignity embodied the very essence of beauty and grace.

This maiden was Jiang Yu, Wang Li’s fiancée, the strongest contender for the position of Saintess of the Five Elements Pavilion, and princess of the Great Wei Dynasty.

Ever since she had learned of Wang Li’s possession, her once brilliant life had seemed to lose its luster. She did not truly care for Wang Li’s fate; rather, his absence rendered their vows unfulfilled, threatening to leave a flaw within her own cultivation heart.

She understood that her master was using her as a lure, hoping to bring the newly forged artifact-wielding "Wang Li" into the Pavilion. Yet she felt no resentment, instead cooperating wholeheartedly, striving to increase her own standing in her master’s eyes.

Sadly, the scheme had failed, leaving the Pavilion disgraced. Though her master said nothing, Jiang Yu sensed a growing distance.

As the Saintess’ position slipped further from her grasp, she refused to yield, braving the gossip of her peers to come to Pure Yang Temple, hoping to regain her master’s favor.

Upon seeing the bustling mountain gate of Pure Yang Temple, however, she knew her hopes were one-sided, and that she would gain nothing here. Though outwardly calm, her spirit had already deflated. Were it not for the watchful eyes of her rivals, she would have turned back long ago.

“Ah, if only Wang Li were still here, Senior Sister would surely help you win him back. What a pity, such a fine match for you!” came a gentle voice to Jiang Yu’s ear.

Jiang Yu frowned slightly and replied via voice transmission, “My affairs need not trouble you, Senior Sister Huang. If you have such leisure, perhaps you should focus on securing greater benefits for the Pavilion.”

“Haha, you truly have a way with words. I’m only a Foundation Establishment cultivator—what could I possibly accomplish? But you might try seeking out Wang Li yourself. Perhaps your beauty will captivate him and make the Pavilion the biggest winner.”

“If we’re speaking of beauty, I pale in comparison to you, Senior Sister. Why not try yourself? The odds would surely be better.”

“I have sworn never to marry, so I cannot break my vow. It’s best you try instead; succeed or fail, Master will not blame you.”

…

It is said three women make a drama, and with women comprising seventy percent of the Pavilion, intrigues were inevitable.

Jiang Yu was seasoned enough to see through their attempts to unsettle her. Unfooled, she continued the verbal sparring. Though she claimed she would not seek out Wang Li, as soon as she entered the guest quarters within Pure Yang Temple, she vanished without a trace.

…

Aunt Zheng, burdened with worries, made her way to the Grandmaster Hall to seek out Flowing Light Master, only to be denied entry.

After querying Liu Wan Jin, who stood outside, she learned that Flowing Light Master was already meeting with Tianmu Master of the Five Elements Pavilion, Spirit Howl Immortal of the Beast Taming Sect, Golden Saint of the Divine Weapon Valley, and other heads of the seven great sects. Negotiations were underway.

Aunt Zheng understood matters had progressed beyond anyone’s control; there was no stopping it now. She went to the Pure Yang Secret Realm to seek her own master, needing to reconfirm Wang Li’s level of danger.

Once she left, Liu Wan Jin’s expression fell.

Inside the hall, the negotiations had devolved completely—so much so that fighting had erupted.

Had a battle space not been prepared in advance, the mountain gate of Pure Yang Temple might have been razed to the ground.

Within this battle space, seventeen figures clashed, unleashing vast energies that battered the area. Waves of spatial distortion rippled and faded, leaving the space battered and barely recognizable.

The powerful figures fought individually, yet subtly formed two factions. Whenever one showed signs of faltering, another would rush to assist, resulting in a stalemate.

Flowing Light Master’s mind was consumed by a single, discordant thought: the situation had spun beyond his control.

His original plan was to complete negotiations with his allies—the Eight Great Orthodox Sects—before considering whether to invite the demonic sects.

Yet the seven Demonic Sects had broken all conventions, entering the “conference hall” by unknown means.

Upon arrival, they immediately challenged the Orthodox Sects, demanding a duel to determine Wang Li’s fate.

Indeed, the Demonic Sects had no interest in the artifact recorders; they wanted to capture Wang Li himself!

The Eight Great Sects, despite their differences, were united in their stance against the demonic factions: no matter what, fight first, talk later!

Boom!

Flowing Light Master sent an attacker flying with a palm strike. Realizing the chaos could not continue, he declared, “Both the person and the artifact belong to Pure Yang Temple. If you want them, it will be on my terms.”

“Damn it! Come again!”

His words had no effect, instead drawing even more attacks upon him. Forced to unleash his ultimate move, he roared, “You bastards, stop right now! If you don’t, I’ll destroy Wang Li and all the artifacts—none of you will get a single hair!”