CHAPTER 211: CHAPTER 211: DEFYING THE EDICT, XIAHOU QINGSHAN IN THE TRAP

The arrivals were none other than Xia Guanglin and Nangong Xue.

As Golden Core cultivators, the Xiahou Family gate guards dared not neglect them and quickly reported their arrival to the clan’s Golden Core elders.

In no time, a number of Golden Core elders from the Xiahou Family came to inquire about their intentions.

Being part of one of Wu Country’s top families, the Xiahou Family’s Golden Core cultivators naturally did not take Golden Core True Men too seriously.

Even though Xia Guanglin and Nangong Xue stated they were from East Mountain Pass,

the Xiahou Family’s Golden Core elders still had no intention of inviting them in.

Their words even carried a hint of arrogance.

To this, Xia Guanglin and Nangong Xue did not take offense.

They each presented an edict and said to the Xiahou Family’s Golden Core elders before them:

"By the order guarding East Mountain Pass, we summon you to head there. Do you have any objections, fellow Daoists?"

"Hmm...?"

Upon hearing these words, the expressions of the Xiahou Family’s Golden Core elders immediately tensed up.

They stared at the edicts in Xia Guanglin and Nangong Xue’s hands for a long moment before a man named Xiahou Qingfeng spoke up solemnly:

"Are you two joking with us?

Guard East Mountain Pass? We know nothing of this.

Furthermore.

Even if East Mountain Pass wanted to issue this edict, we would need our ancestor’s command first."

Evidently, the Xiahou Clan was unaware of the upheaval that occurred at East Mountain Pass eight months ago.

And Xia Guanglin and Nangong Xue had no intention of explaining much to them.

Upon hearing their words, they also spoke solemnly:

"Fellow Daoist Qingfeng, you should think carefully.

Our East Mountain Pass is currently under a massive beast tide attack, with the risk of falling at any moment.

As our race’s Golden Cores, you are duty-bound to protect the border.

Or do you intend to defy East Mountain Pass’s edict?"

"Ha..."

Their words made Xiahou Qingfeng and the others laugh.

Simply holding an unknown edict, trying to press them with so-called righteousness, was utterly laughable.

Moreover, would East Mountain Pass fall? Could the Xiahou Family not know?

With their ancestor there, Xiahou Qingfeng and the others believed there was no news they wouldn’t know.

In other words, even if East Mountain Pass truly couldn’t hold, it would be up to their ancestor to return and inform them, not these two unknown Loose Cultivator Golden Cores to rant.

Therefore.

At this moment, Xiahou Qingfeng and the other Golden Core elders gave no face to Xia Guanglin and Nangong Xue, they outrightly refused:

"Apologies, we know nothing of any edict.

We only know that our Xiahou Family has important matters right now, and we cannot spare anyone to head to East Mountain Pass with you.

If there’s nothing else, please leave."

Upon hearing this, Xia Guanglin and Nangong Xue remained calm.

Exchanging glances, Nangong Xue said:

"It seems your Xiahou Family is unwilling to heed East Mountain Pass’s edict. I only hope you don’t regret it later."

Having said this, Nangong Xue and Xia Guanglin did not linger and disappeared from the Xiahou Clan’s entrance.

Watching them leave, one Xiahou Golden Core elder’s eyes flashed with coldness.

He looked at Xiahou Qingfeng, making a cutting gesture with his hand, then said solemnly:

"Third Brother, those two, should we...?"

The others also turned their eyes to Xiahou Qingfeng.

Xiahou Qingfeng’s eyes also showed a flash of coldness.

But ultimately, he shook his head and said:

"No, something feels odd.

I’ll send a message to the ancestor to see what this is all about."

...

Elsewhere.

After leaving the Xiahou Family, Xia Guanglin and Nangong Xue waited for a long time.

No one from the Xiahou Family showed up; Xia Guanglin then said:

"Let’s go, Fellow Daoist Nangong, it seems they won’t act against us."

This was part of the plan they had before coming here.

To see if the Xiahou Family, known for its dominance, would act irrationally after their visit.

If such a thing were to occur.

The entire Xiahou Clan could vanish today.

Even if they did nothing eventually.

With their prior behavior, should they fail to recognize the situation, their demise was only a matter of time.

East Mountain Pass, eastern defense line.

When Xia Guanglin and Nangong Xue handed a Memory Stone to Ji Haoyuan, a satisfied smile appeared on his face.

He nodded to them and said, "Fellow Daoist Xia, Fellow Daoist Nangong, thank you for your efforts.

For now, rest well.

These two bottles of True Technique Pills are a token of my appreciation, I hope you won’t refuse."

"True Technique Pills?"

Seeing the jade bottles Ji Haoyuan handed over, Xia Guanglin and Nangong Xue couldn’t help but feel excited inside.

True Technique Pills, an elixir with a sliver of realm breakthrough potential.

With a thirty percent chance to help one break from the early peak of the Golden Core stage to mid-stage.

A rare resource for many Loose Cultivator Golden Cores.

Unexpectedly, their trip to the Xiahou Clan earned them this reward.

A moment of time, when they looked at Ji Haoyuan, their eyes were filled with gratitude.

This further confirmed their belief that following Ji Haoyuan wasn’t a mistake.

Watching them leave, Ji Haoyuan toyed with the Memory Stone, a subtle smile on his face.

"Xiahou Qingshan, I am curious to see the choice you make between Bi Chenzi and your family."

Several days later.

Northern defense line.

Inside Xiahou Qingshan’s cavern dwelling.

Staring at the message from his family, Xiahou Qingshan’s face darkened.

In anger, he crushed the message into powder, through gritted teeth, he forced out a few words.

"Master Nanhua, what a deep calculation and ruthless means!"

After saying this, his furious face revealed a touch of bitterness.

He truly hadn’t expected Ji Haoyuan to have such a plan.

Faced with Bi Chenzi’s overt scheme, he would attack from his family’s very core.

Gripping their vital point tightly.

Leaving him not an inch of room to maneuver.