After the Saint of the Ancient Moon spoke, Yan Chuan released a quiet sigh in the canyon. Just moments ago, he had been playing with fire, realizing that his strength was inadequate for an equitable dialogue. However, this time he had successfully negotiated with the tiger; at the very least, the Saint of the Ancient Moon dared not strike against him before the crowd.
"Saint of the Ancient Moon, regarding the assistance during the incident in Liangjing, I dare not take too much credit. These two are from my Dahe Sect, and they owe you a response. I will ensure they provide you with an answer, and in exchange for your favor from Liangjing, I hope to settle this matter peacefully. Is that acceptable?" Yan Chuan spoke again.
"Mm?" The Saint of the Ancient Moon narrowed his eyes, a flicker of murderous intent escaping.
In the eyes of the Saint, overlooking Yan Chuan's provocation was already a tremendous favor. How dare Yan Chuan speak conditions to him?
"You scoundrel, you think—" Wei Jie started to curse again.
But halfway through his tirade, he caught sight of Yan Chuan's icy gaze. Instantly silenced, he glanced hopefully at the Saint of the Ancient Moon. Noticing the Saint's lack of attention to him, he let out a silent breath and fell silent, merely casting a venomous glare at Yan Chuan.
"You want me to let them go?" the Saint of the Ancient Moon replied coldly.
Clearly, the Saint was still unwilling.
Yan Chuan turned to Feng Tairan and Duan Sanshu.
"Gentlemen, may I have full authority over your matters?" Yan Chuan addressed the two.
Duan Sanshu regarded Yan Chuan with curiosity, while Feng Tairan revealed a hint of a gratified smile.
"Very well, it's in your hands!" Feng Tairan stated directly.
"Agreed," Duan Sanshu nodded as well.
With both of them in agreement, Yan Chuan's expression hardened.
"Huo Guang, execute Feng Tairan and Duan Sanshu on the spot!" Yan Chuan ordered, pointing at them.
"What?" Huo Guang was momentarily stunned.
Not only was Huo Guang dumbfounded, but so were Jiu Jian Sheng and Qi Jian Xia, along with countless cultivators around them—all were bewildered.
Just moments ago, Yan Chuan had been advocating for Feng Tairan and Duan Sanshu, yet now he ordered their execution?
"You!" Duan Sanshu's eyes widened.
Full authority? Full authority meant killing himself? Enraged and alarmed, he spat a mouthful of blood.
Only Feng Tairan seemed to understand Yan Chuan's intentions.
"Hahaha, kill them, kill them! Better to die than to suffer this torment, hahahaha!" Feng Tairan laughed with a sense of liberation.
"Master Uncle, what are you doing? You can't kill the Sect Master!" Jiu Jian Sheng exclaimed in shock.
"Ziiing!"
"Ziiing!"
...
The Qi Jian Xia also stood protectively in front of Feng Tairan and Duan Sanshu, warily eyeing Yan Chuan.
"They have already agreed to let me handle this matter. Step aside! Huo Guang, kill!" Yan Chuan commanded.
"Jiu Jian Sheng and Qi Jian Xia, heed Yan Chuan's orders!" Feng Tairan ordered.
"Ah?" Jiu Jian Sheng and Qi Jian Xia responded, perplexed.
All the powerful figures in the vicinity looked on in astonishment at Yan Chuan's actions.
Even the Saint of the Ancient Moon's expression shifted.
He intended to kill them? Has Yan Chuan gone mad?
Huo Guang advanced, gripping his spear, while Jiu Jian Sheng and Qi Jian Xia were torn, unsure whether to intervene. Had they lost their minds? Yan Chuan wanted to kill the Sect Master, and the Sect Master wouldn't allow them to save him, but also permitted his death?
Madness! Were they all insane, or was it just him? Jiu Jian Sheng and Qi Jian Xia felt their heads spinning.
"Stop!" the Saint of the Ancient Moon roared.
Turning, Yan Chuan once again looked at the Saint.
"These two are the disgraces of my Dahe Sect. They have now repented and are prepared to submit to my authority. Am I to understand that you, Saint, wish to plead for them?" Yan Chuan glared at the Saint of the Ancient Moon, enunciating each word.
The spear was already poised against their chests; with another word from Yan Chuan, Feng Tairan and Duan Sanshu would be instantly decapitated.
The Saint of the Ancient Moon glared at Yan Chuan with a dark expression.
If it weren't for the countless onlookers, he would have loved nothing more than to crush Yan Chuan's hand.
This was no longer a mere threat but an outright coercion.
Kill? If Yan Chuan killed them, he would be left with no knowledge of the sealing location, and the Demon Tian Shang would seize the opportunity first.
"Saint of the Ancient Moon?" Yan Chuan feigned 'confusion' once more.
Yan Chuan's feigned uncertainty felt like a sharp blade, pressing relentlessly against the Saint's heart.
Countless cultivators surrounding them gradually comprehended Yan Chuan's intentions.
Desperate times call for desperate measures! Yan Chuan was employing a roundabout method to save Feng Tairan and Duan Sanshu.
"Very well, according to your earlier words, consider the favor you once received from me settled. Now, state what I need!" the Saint of the Ancient Moon replied coldly.
This concession felt as if he had been forced back in a confrontation with Yan Chuan, leaving him seething with frustration.
The onlooking cultivators also displayed their astonishment. Who would have thought the Saint of the Ancient Moon would actually relent? At this moment, he truly backed down?
Mr. Wen Ruo marveled at Yan Chuan's strategy. Although their exchange had been brief, it resembled a battle; first, Yan Chuan had built an invulnerable barrier with favors, then he continuously probed and attacked, gradually cornering the Saint of the Ancient Moon until he struck decisively, forcing the Saint to lower his head.
While many sensed this dynamic, none grasped it as deeply as Mr. Wen Ruo did.
In a matter of moments, Yan Chuan's stature in Mr. Wen Ruo's eyes soared.
Surrounding them, shock persisted— the Saint of the Ancient Moon had compromised.
Yan Chuan nodded appreciatively, "Thank you for your understanding, Saint of the Ancient Moon!"
With that, Yan Chuan immediately turned to Feng Tairan and Duan Sanshu.
Feng Tairan beamed with gratitude, while Duan Sanshu finally comprehended Yan Chuan's meaning, a benevolent smile gracing his features.
Duan Sanshu pointed to a large stone nearby, saying, "Go lift that stone!"
"Boom!"
The three sword-wielding heroes swiftly overturned the large stone, revealing a rolled-up hide beneath it.
The hide displayed a map.
"The terrain in the depths of the Wind Demon Mountains is complex; one can easily get lost if not careful. This is the map I recorded, with the red dots marking the locations you seek!" Duan Sanshu explained to the Saint of the Ancient Moon.
The Saint of the Ancient Moon shot a cold glance at Duan Sanshu and reached out to grasp the map.
"Whoosh!"
The map soared into the Saint's hands.
Examining the map closely, he responded, "Rest assured, should this map prove false, you can have my Dahe Sect buried alongside you!" Duan Sanshu declared confidently.
As he regarded Duan Sanshu below, the Saint of the Ancient Moon's expression darkened. "You wouldn't dare deceive me!"
"Then it seems we shall take our leave," Yan Chuan smiled at the Saint of the Ancient Moon.
"Leave? You think you can leave? Hmph!" Wei Jie suddenly sneered.
"Alliance Leader Wei, what do you mean? The Saint of the Ancient Moon has already agreed to conclude this matter; do you wish to defy his wishes? Do you intend to entrap the Saint in injustice?" Yan Chuan replied coldly.
"Hmph! The Saint is the Saint; I am I. The Saint has agreed to spare you, but I have not. The Day and Moon Alliance has always been at odds with your Dahe Sect; my grievances with you are personal. What now?" Wei Jie sneered.
"You shameless fiend!" Duan Sanshu berated.
Yan Chuan turned to the Saint of the Ancient Moon.
At this moment, the Saint regarded them with a frosty stare and remained silent.
"Saint of the Ancient Moon, do you have nothing to say?" Yan Chuan asked, looking toward the Saint.
"This is a private dispute between the Dahe Sect and the Day and Moon Alliance; I shall not intervene! Those I brought with me will not intervene either!" the Saint of the Ancient Moon said coldly.
"Hahahaha, did you hear that? Yan Chuan, your Dahe Sect has only sent a handful of people, and with Feng Tairan and Duan Sanshu heavily injured, today, I shall see how you plan to escape!" Wei Jie laughed triumphantly.
Wei Jie's arrogance immediately drew the ire of many.
The strong warriors who had followed Yan Chuan had previously said nothing, but just moments ago, when Yan Chuan engaged the Saint of the Ancient Moon in a verbal duel, it had been immensely satisfying, prompting many to unconsciously align themselves with Yan Chuan.
Especially when Yan Chuan forced the Saint to bow his head, although the strong cultivators remained expressionless, their hearts surged with excitement,