Chapter 125: Legend of the Han Frontier

Liu Junhuai arrived shortly after, leaping forward and delivering two strikes to remove the poison fangs from the mouths of the two men.

The three returned to the Vientiane Sect, where the remaining disciples of the Meteor Mansion had already been detained by Wu Yaohan and his group. Liu Junhuai produced the list of the six Foundation Establishment cultivators and had Bian Jizhong compare it one by one against the captives. They successfully identified three of them and removed the poison fangs from their mouths as well.

The battle tonight had been truly spectacular. The Vientiane Sect disciples watched in stunned silence; their Sect Master’s divine, unpredictable movement techniques and that savage, overwhelming "Sky-Covering Hand" left the onlookers in a state of shock mixed with fervent excitement. They wondered what other hidden methods this young Sect Master might possess; following such a leader would undoubtedly open doors to even greater prospects.

Liu Junhuai and his two companions returned to the guest chamber, where members of the Sect Alliance immediately gathered around. The battle outside the mountain gates had certainly not escaped their spiritual senses. Everyone was full of praise for Liu Junhuai’s various techniques, and the terrifying destructive power of the "Sky-Covering Hand" had left them trembling.

Liu Junhuai addressed Ren Yinhuai: "We have captured two Nascent Soul cultivators, one of whom is indeed Huo Shaoying. Of the six Foundation Establishment cultivators, only three survived, and they have been detained together as well. Sect Master Ren, would you like to interrogate them immediately, and then we can discuss further based on any new information?"

Ren Yinhuai agreed repeatedly and turned his attention to Fang Keyin and Bian Yanshan. Xiao Qingtian quickly stepped forward to introduce them: "These are Seniors Bian Yanshan and Bian Rongjin, both Supreme Elders of the Vientiane Sect. Seniors, this is Sect Master Ren Yinhuai of the Sea-Sky Pavilion, also the first leader of our Sect Alliance."

Ren Yinhuai was naturally very respectful toward the two late-stage Nascent Soul seniors. He humbly dismissed their polite words of mutual respect and promptly invited them to be seated. He then said, "Sect Master Liu, your cultivation earlier was truly remarkable. A dignified early-stage Nascent Soul cultivator couldn't even survive a single exchange against you; it truly makes this old man sweat!"

Liu Junhuai laughed, "Not at all, not at all. I merely launched a surprise attack. If we were to fight face-to-face, the outcome might be harder to predict."

Concerned about the captives, Ren Yinhuai took his leave. Led by Wu Yaohan, he headed to the detention area, followed closely by Xiao Qingtian.

Seeing that no outsiders remained, Fang Keyin laughed and scolded, "I wanted to give you a hard time the other day, you rascal! Changing a name for your grandfather was one thing, but it wasn't until I went back that I realized the name 'Bian Rongjin' held such profound meaning!"

Liu Junhuai and Mo Sitong exchanged a look and burst into laughter. Bian Yanshan, looking confused, asked, "What is it? Does this name have some special meaning?"

Mo Sitong suppressed a giggle and said, "Grandfather, haven't you noticed anything about the names Fang Keyin and Bian Rongjin?"

Bian Yanshan carefully compared them. After a moment of realization, he burst into a fit of wild laughter. The old man’s face crinkled with wrinkles, his laughter rippling out like a stone thrown into a pond.

Fang Keyin slapped Liu Junhuai lightly and laughed as well, "You brat, no one has ever dared to tease me like this. I didn't expect you to make up a fake name with such a suggestive meaning."

Liu Qingman smiled, "No wonder Yinshan looked so strange when he returned yesterday. So that’s where the situation originated."

Mo Sitong looked around and whispered, "It’s fortunate that Duoduo isn't here; otherwise, who knows what might have slipped out of her mouth."

At this moment, Wu Wanyin walked in. After greeting the two elders, he said to Liu Junhuai, "Huo Shaoying hasn't said anything yet, and the three Foundation Establishment cultivators don't know anything too sensitive. However, they all claim that the Meteor Mansion’s attack tonight was prompted by information received from someone inside the Vientiane Sect."

Only then did Liu Junhuai remember the cowering Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Yanfu Palace hiding in the corner of the main hall. He stood up and walked out immediately.

Using his divine sense to locate the man, Liu Junhuai informed Bian Jizhong in the main hall. Upon hearing this, Bian Jizhong was furious and stormed off toward the man's location. Before long, Bian Jizhong returned to the hall, dragging the disciple by the collar.

With a loud thud, Bian Jizhong tossed the man onto the floor and said to Liu Junhuai, "Second Brother, this brat is called Lin Sanmu. He is a cousin to one of the Foundation Establishment cultivators captured tonight. That cousin sent him a message to spy on the inner workings of the Vientiane Sect, which is how Lin Sanmu leaked the information."

"Big Brother, go fetch Sect Master Wan. Let him handle this person; I will interrogate him myself." Liu Junhuai pulled Lin Sanmu up and sat him in a chair, asking, "I, Liu Junhuai, believe I have done nothing to wrong you or any of the newly joined brothers. What were you thinking? The Vientiane Sect has only been established for two days, and you are already colluding with outsiders to slaughter your fellow disciples."

Lin Sanmu had a small head that seemed to be shrinking into his shoulders. Covered by a layer of horse-mane-like hair, his pale, grey face featured two sunken eyes. He stared blankly at the floor, saying nothing.

Liu Junhuai shook his head helplessly. Lin Sanmu looked like a timid, cowardly person; it was a miracle he had even reached the middle stage of Foundation Establishment. He couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy; his intuition told him that Lin Sanmu was not a deeply evil person and must have had some unspeakable hardship.

A moment later, Wan Xingyun hurried in. Seeing Lin Sanmu's demeanor, he grew even more enraged, stepping forward to kick Lin Sanmu to the ground.

Liu Junhuai quickly held back the furious Wan Xingyun, saying, "Sect Master Wan, calm down. Question him properly about his motives, but don't be too hard on him. After all, his tip-off actually saved me quite a bit of trouble. Once you've clarified everything, hold off on dealing with him until the Sect Alliance members have left."

After saying this, Liu Junhuai turned and returned to the guest chamber. He quietly explained the situation to Mo Sitong and then approached the Sect Alliance members who had finished their interrogations.

Xiao Qingtian said to Liu Junhuai, "Sect Master Ren is still interrogating Taishu Yong, but I have finished my side. Huo Shaoying is indeed a distant relative of the Chu family. The Chu family of the Western Region has an insatiable appetite; they have already infiltrated many sects in other regions. Because the Western Region is barren in spiritual energy and the cultivation sects there are weak, they didn't attract too much attention from the main Chu family. They only sent out outsiders like Huo Shaoying. The true members of the Chu family are almost all stationed in regions rich in spiritual energy and powerful sects, such as the Central, Eastern, and Southern Regions. The only place the Chu family has not fully infiltrated is the Han Frontier."

"What kind of relationship does the Chu family maintain with the Blood-Slaying Alliance?"

"Huo Shaoying only knows bits and pieces. The Chu family is simply too vast. In the Western Region alone, there are nearly three thousand family disciples. Someone like Huo Shaoying, who barely manages to claim a connection to the Chu family, cannot access much information, let alone core secrets!"

"Why hasn't the Chu family infiltrated the Han Frontier? Is there a family or sect there more powerful than the Chu family?"

"How should I put it? Junhuai, do you know why cultivators in the Western Region leave for other regions to seek cultivation resources once they reach the Spirit Severing stage?"

Liu Junhuai only had a vague understanding of these rumors, having heard from Fang Keyin that the reason they don't stay in the Western Region is merely for resources or to connect with other cultivators who have ascended to the Immortal World. He shook his head and waited silently for Xiao Qingtian’s explanation.

Xiao Qingtian laughed heartily, "Finally, there is something you, Liu Junhuai, don't know! Your Uncle Xiao finally has a moment of triumph!"

Looking at Xiao Qingtian's childlike pride, Liu Junhuai said helplessly, "Alright, Uncle Xiao! How old am I? You have met more people than I have drunk water; how could I compare to you?"

Hearing this humble remark, Xiao Qingtian restrained his joy and said solemnly, "The Han Frontier is the paradise of ascenders. Every Tribulation Transcending stage cultivator on the Star Heaven Continent gathers there before ascending. The Han Frontier can also be called the most powerful place in the cultivation world. Many Tribulation Transcending experts who failed their ascension remain there, severing ties with their former sects and focusing entirely on preparing for the next tribulation. Consequently, Rogue Immortals from the first to the eighth rank are everywhere. Do you think the Chu family has the capability to meddle in the Han Frontier? Any third or fourth-rank Rogue Immortal could wipe out the entire Chu family!"

"This is the first time I've heard this! Uncle Xiao, does this mean that once a cultivator reaches the Tribulation Transcending stage, they never return to their former sects? If those sects encounter a crisis, won't they go to the Han Frontier for help?"

"No! The Han Frontier has its own rules. One of them is that no one shall interfere in any affairs outside the Han Frontier again. Once a Tribulation Transcending cultivator returns to other regions to participate in conflicts between sects or families, they are forbidden from re-entering the Han Frontier. If discovered, they are attacked by all!"

"Then do the Tribulation Transcending cultivators in the Han Frontier form new sects? After all, there are countless masters there, and they would still need to rely on a powerful organization for self-preservation."

"Sects are not allowed to appear there. All Tribulation Transcending cultivators are governed by the Cultivator Alliance; it is impossible to move a single step without joining. Moreover, participating in the Alliance is a great help for future ascension. Even after ascending to the Immortal World, Tribulation Transcending cultivators are at the very bottom. With the help of friends from the Alliance, it is easier to survive in the Immortal World."

Liu Junhuai remained silent for a long time. The news he had just heard stirred deep emotions within him. For a moment, he even felt his own insignificance; compared to the cultivators of the Han Frontier, he was perhaps nothing at all. But then he realized that he had always been working hard to ascend to the Immortal World. As his own strength grew, the level he reached would continue to rise, and his horizons would broaden accordingly. Places like the Han Frontier were things he would have to face in the future. He believed that no matter what level he entered, he would become a top-tier existence.

With this thought, his heart felt suddenly enlightened, and his state of mind improved almost imperceptibly.

Watching Liu Junhuai lost in thought, Xiao Qingtian was also filled with emotion. A boy only in his teens who, in terms of strength, experience, and intelligence, did not lose to an old fellow like himself who had been cultivating for decades—this was something that could not be summed up by the word "genius" alone. Not to mention his incredible cultivation skills, his judgment and foresight were beyond what ordinary people could imagine. His mysterious background and influence, along with his endless plans and calculations, all displayed extraordinary courage and spirit. Building a connection with such a promising young man was an immense and valuable resource for both himself and his sect.

Seeing that Liu Junhuai was still immersed in deep contemplation, Xiao Qingtian feared that someone might disturb him and ordered the others to go and check on the interrogation progress.