Chapter 122: A New Threat

After dealing with the matters in Luoyun City, Qinghe City returned to its former tranquility.

But this tranquility was only on the surface.

Su Yun knew in his heart that the Immortal Alliance would not let this go. With Supreme Elder Zhou Yuansheng dead, they would certainly take further action.

Sure enough, half a month later, Hu Meiniang brought back news from the Hehuan Sect.

The Immortal Alliance was in an uproar.

The Seven Great Immortal Sects held an emergency meeting to discuss how to deal with Su Yun. Yuxu Palace advocated for immediately sending stronger forces, but the other sects had ambiguous attitudes. Some felt it was not worth making such a big fuss over a Golden Core Cultivator, some wanted to use the opportunity to weaken Yuxu Palace's strength, and others proposed recruitment.

After three days of arguing, they finally reached a compromise.

First, send someone to test the waters and figure out Su Yun's background.

If he only killed Supreme Elder Zhou Yuansheng by luck, they would take him down directly. If he truly had real ability, they would then consider recruitment.

The person sent to test him was Liu Qingyan.

An Elder of the Hehuan Sect, at the Late Nascent Soul Stage, she cultivated charm techniques and illusion techniques, specializing in attacking the mind. She was best at infiltrating enemy camps, controlling targets, and dismantling them from within.

When Hu Meiniang mentioned this name, her expression was somewhat complex.

"Liu Qingyan is my Junior Martial Uncle, and she holds a high position in the Hehuan Sect. Her Cultivation Technique is very special; it can make people be controlled by her without them even knowing. Master, you must be careful."

Su Yun listened and smiled.

"Control me? Let her come and try."

Hu Meiniang bit her lip.

"Master, that is not what your subordinate meant. Junior Martial Uncle Liu is indeed very powerful; she once controlled a Loose Cultivator at the Peak Nascent Soul Stage, making the other party willing to work for her for three years."

Su Yun looked at her.

"Are you worried that I will be controlled by her?"

Hu Meiniang lowered her head.

"Your subordinate is just worried about Master."

Su Yun reached out and ruffled her hair.

"Rest assured. The person in this world who can control me has not been born yet."

Hu Meiniang looked up, her eyes sparkling.

"Your subordinate believes in Master."

Three days later.

A woman wearing a pale green dress appeared at the gates of Qinghe City.

Looking to be in her early thirties, her appearance was not stunningly beautiful, but there was an indescribable charm between her brows and eyes. Just by standing there, she made people unable to help but look at her a few more times.

Liu Qingyan.

She looked at this small city, her mouth curling slightly upward.

A Golden Core Cultivator, how much trouble could he stir up?

She stepped into the city.

The streets were bustling with people, with Cultivators and Mortals alike, very lively. Liu Qingyan walked unhurriedly, her Divine Sense quietly probing out, searching for her target.

Soon, she locked onto a courtyard in the east of the city.

A person was sitting in the courtyard.

Dressed in a moon-white robe, his black hair tied up, he was holding a teacup and drinking slowly.

He was indeed good-looking.

Liu Qingyan smiled.

She walked to the gate of the courtyard and knocked lightly.

The door opened.

The person who opened the door was a young woman at the Foundation Establishment Stage, looking delicate and lovely.

"Who are you looking for?"

Liu Qingyan smiled slightly.

"May I ask if Young Master Su Yun lives here?"

The woman looked at her, a hint of vigilance flashing in her eyes.

"Who are you?"

Liu Qingyan said:

"My name is Liu Qingyan, an Elder of the Hehuan Sect. I have long heard of Young Master Su's great name and have come specifically to pay a visit."

The woman hesitated for a moment, then turned to go inside and report.

A moment later, she came out and said:

"Young Master invites you in."

Liu Qingyan followed her into the courtyard.

The courtyard was planted with some flowers and plants, and there was also a small pond. Su Yun was sitting by the stone table next to the pond, still holding a teacup in his hand.

Seeing her enter, he looked up.

"People from the Hehuan Sect coming to find me, what is the matter?"

Liu Qingyan walked up to him and sat down opposite him.

"Young Master Su, I have long admired your reputation."

She looked into his eyes, her charm technique quietly activated.

Those eyes were as deep as an abyss, carrying a faint, elusive smile.

Liu Qingyan felt a surge of joy.

Hooked so easily?

She increased the intensity, her charm technique running at full power.

Su Yun was still looking at her, his gaze calm.

One breath.

Two breaths.

Three breaths.

Liu Qingyan's expression changed.

Her charm technique was completely ineffective against this person.

Su Yun suddenly smiled.

"You are Liu Qingyan?"

Liu Qingyan's heart tightened.

"You know me?"

Su Yun lifted his teacup and took a sip.

"I have been waiting for you for three days."

Liu Qingyan's expression changed drastically.

She rose to retreat, but it was too late.

Su Yun's finger tapped on the center of her forehead.

A golden light flashed.

[Enslavement successful]

[Obtained new slave: Liu Qingyan, Loyalty 43]

[Ding! Congratulations to the Host for receiving feedback from the enslaved's spiritual energy, cultivation has increased significantly]

Liu Qingyan's body stiffened, the shock in her eyes gradually turning into confusion.

She looked at Su Yun, her lips moving.

"Master."

Su Yun withdrew his hand and leaned back in his chair.

Inside his Dantian, the feedback spiritual energy from a Late Nascent Soul Stage Cultivator was pouring in.

Although the loyalty was only 43, the feedback spiritual energy was quite substantial.

He closed his eyes, feeling his cultivation climbing.

The Peak Golden Core Stage advanced a significant step forward.

There was only a thin barrier left until the Nascent Soul Stage.

He opened his eyes and looked at Liu Qingyan.

"The Immortal Alliance sent you here; besides testing me, what other tasks are there?"

Liu Qingyan lowered her head.

"Replying to Master, the Immortal Alliance wants to know Master's background. If Master's strength is ordinary, they would have me control you directly. If Master's strength is strong, they would try to win you over with recruitment."

Su Yun smiled.

"Recruitment? What do they have to recruit me with?"

Liu Qingyan said:

"The Immortal Alliance is willing to offer Master a position as a Guest Elder, with annual offerings of Spirit Stones and Medicinal Pills, and you can also choose a mountain Peak in Yuxu Palace to be your Immortal Cave."

Su Yun finished listening and shook his head.

"With just this, they want to recruit me?"

He stood up and walked to the center of the courtyard.

"Go back and tell them that I refuse. Tell them to keep sending people."

Liu Qingyan was stunned.

"Master, you want to…"

Su Yun looked back at her.

"If they don't come, how can I recruit people?"

Liu Qingyan understood.

She lowered her head and agreed.

"Your subordinate understands."

The next day, Liu Qingyan left Qinghe City.

When she left, Hu Meiniang stood on the city wall, her expression complex.

Liu Qingyan looked at her and suddenly smiled.

"Meiniang, you found a good Master."

Hu Meiniang blushed and did not speak.

Liu Qingyan turned into a stream of light and disappeared into the horizon.

Hu Meiniang returned to the courtyard and sat down beside Su Yun.

"Master, Junior Martial Uncle Liu has returned. What will the Immortal Alliance do next?"

Su Yun thought for a moment.

"They should send more people. This time it might be stronger ones, or it might be a group. No matter how many come, I will take them on."

He looked at Hu Meiniang.

"You continue to keep an eye on the Hehuan Sect. Tell me promptly if there is any news."

Hu Meiniang nodded.

In the days that followed, everything remained the same.

Zhou Yuanshuang led people to continue expanding their territory, incorporating the forces of several surrounding small cities. Fairy Ziyun was busy with Alchemy, helping those Golden Core female Cultivators achieve Breakthroughs. Lie Yunyan was busy tempering Meridians for people every day, exhausted.

Su Yun sat in the courtyard drinking tea every day, occasionally guiding Zhou Ruoyun in her Cultivation.

The little girl was progressing very fast and was already at the Peak Qi Refining stage.

That evening, Hu Meiniang returned again.

Her expression was somewhat grave.

"Master, there is news from the Immortal Alliance."

Su Yun put down his teacup.

"Speak."

Hu Meiniang said:

"The Seven Great Immortal Sects have reached an agreement this time. They are going to send a truly elite force, led by Senior Martial Brother Jian Wuchen of the Heavenly Sword Pavilion."

Zhou Yuanshuang's expression changed.

"Senior Martial Brother Jian Wuchen? That Senior Martial Brother Jian Wuchen known as the number one person below the Nascent Soul Stage?"

Hu Meiniang nodded.

"It is him. Although he is at the Peak Golden Core Stage, he once killed three Mid Nascent Soul Stage Cultivators. The Sword Cultivators of the Heavenly Sword Pavilion have combat power far exceeding those of the same rank."

Su Yun listened and smiled.

"Peak Golden Core Stage? Interesting."

He stood up and stretched his limbs.

"Let him come. I also want to see just how powerful the number one person below the Nascent Soul Stage really is."