Chapter 105: Three Days

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Three days ago, Hong Yun waited nine thousand miles away from the Rising Moon Sect.
On the first day, Hong Yun simply commanded his followers to remain where they were, unmoving, yet no one from the Rising Moon Sect came forth.
The second day passed in the same manner.
It wasn’t until the third day that a moonlight radiance spread out from within the Rising Moon Sect. Under the protective formation, two Butterfly Transformation cultivators and a group of Nirvana experts appeared within the array.
Seeing such a display, they naturally understood it was a tactic of the Phoenix clan. A middle-aged man dressed in splendid robes stepped forward a few paces, his voice deep and resonant:
“I am Li Jiangtao, the current sect leader of the Rising Moon Sect. I do not know what has transpired to draw the Phoenix clan here to pay respects at our gate, but I ask you all to grant us a clear path.”
However, no one from the Phoenix clan responded. Their silence was like a heavy fist striking cotton.
He had intended to speak again, but knowing that one attempt had gone unanswered, he realized a second would be futile.
Yet retreating now seemed awkward and undignified. For a moment, he was torn and forced to maintain a composed expression, trying to preserve his dignity.
...
This man was no longer the former sect leader; Hong Yun had no impression of him at all. It was likely the result of internal power struggles.
Watching the man’s smiling face, Hong Yun pondered silently: Would it be better to simply strike him down with a single blow?
But in the end, he abandoned such thoughts.
His purpose was to uncover the cause of his master’s death, not to vent frustrations by killing a powerless sect leader.
Yes, powerless indeed.
From his perception, the current sect leader’s cultivation was at the peak of late Nirvana, just a breath away from true Nirvana Pinnacle.
But someone like him could have been cut down by Hong Yun back when he was only in mid-Nirvana.
After a moment’s thought, under the gazes of the Phoenix clan, Hong Yun stepped down from the Phoenix carriage.
This scene was not hidden from the Rising Moon Sect’s gaze. As the atmosphere grew tense, Hong Yun laughed aloud:
“This is somewhat interesting. I wonder if any of you recognize me?
In my memory, the sect leader I know is only Wang Hechuan. As for you, whoever you are—Jiang something—step aside.”
Wang Hechuan was no stranger: he was the Rising Moon Sect leader Hong Yun remembered.

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It seemed that with the change of power, the original identity had long since vanished.
Wang Hechuan, known as Sha Yue, had already reached the Nirvana Pinnacle when Hong Yun’s host, Zhao Jingcheng, first entered the Rising Moon Sect. He was one of the top cultivators just below the Butterfly Transformation stage.
“Ahem, senior, you may not know—Sha Yue, the former sect leader, perished several years ago attempting the Butterfly Transformation Thunder Tribulation... It was only after the elders’ endorsements that Li here became the sect leader.”
Dead?
Hearing this, Hong Yun understood: if the original leader were still alive, someone so easily obliterated by him would never have become sect leader.
But with the original sect leader gone, many matters became easier to handle.
He glanced again at the current sect leader, who was still forced to smile awkwardly, then sat back on the Phoenix carriage. His words caused many hearts to rise and fall:
“Today I have come with these people not to fight.
I am here to ask one question—
If I learn the cause and effect behind it, then we can discuss what comes next.
But if no one knows, then I will have no choice but to turn the world upside down.”
Having said this, he studied the faces of the Rising Moon Sect cultivators, settled into a comfortable posture, and continued:
“As for what the matter is, I will not say for now. I want to see if any of you human experts can recognize me.
If you can, then the details will surely not be a problem.
But if you cannot, then there is no use in my saying more.”
The sect leader of the Rising Moon Sect stared intently at Hong Yun’s face a few times, then awkwardly stepped back. Given the current situation, he clearly understood that the imposing figure on the carriage was the true master, and that there was a past connection with the Rising Moon Sect.
From this tone, repaying kindness was impossible; as for revenge... since it hadn’t been explicitly stated, there must be other calculations at work.
For someone like him, who was completely ignorant, it was better not to get involved.
On either side stood two elders of the Phoenix clan: the Supreme Phoenix Flute Demon King Luan Qingliu and the Phoenix Feather Demon King Luan Qingshan. Even if just these two took action, it would be difficult to resolve matters peacefully today.
At present, the Rising Moon Sect was divided into two factions. Even from the sect leader’s stance, one could glimpse some clues.
He withdrew and, somewhat ashamed, bowed to the red-haired elder standing at the front. With the elder’s consent, he stepped behind him.

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In a corner, Ying Yue watched Hong Yun seated on the Phoenix carriage, his heart filled with doubt. He had recognized the host behind Hong Yun’s face: Zhao Jingcheng, a discarded disciple of the Rising Moon Sect.
Yet he still dared not be certain, so he observed every minute detail repeatedly. Zhao Jingcheng’s cultivation had been at Nirvana Pinnacle then; after all these years, it had remained unchanged.
But this did not alter his judgment: he felt this person was indeed the one in his memories!
As for why Hong Yun sat there, that was no longer his concern.
After a moment’s hesitation, he transmitted his suspicions to the withered elder in front of him.
The elder’s eyebrows rose slightly upon hearing this. Without showing emotion, he silently instructed Elder Ying Yue once more.
With no other choice, Ying Yue stepped forward from the crowd again, his expression unchanged but inwardly surprised beyond expectation.
He hesitated slightly, and given his diminished status, could only cautiously ask:
“Senior... is this Zhao Jingcheng from before?”
...
Hong Yun paid no mind to what they were doing. Instead, his thoughts drifted beyond the heavens, pondering the instructions given by Yue Sansi: he had not contacted him for some time, but now that he had appeared in the human territories and caused such a stir, he need not worry about being found.
Hmm?
Hong Yun heard this and found it somewhat familiar. Looking up, he saw it was Elder Ying Yue, surprised by his presence here. His tone softened somewhat as he got straight to the point:
“I truly did not expect it would be Elder Ying Yue here in person. Though we parted years ago, all remains unchanged;
However, today is not a time for idle chat. Since the elder has recognized me, I believe you also know what I seek.”
Having said this, he no longer looked at Elder Ying Yue but turned his gaze to the two Butterfly Transformation cultivators standing at the front:
“I know there is some doubt in your hearts. Since you have recognized me, a little investigation should reveal the cause and effect.
I had hoped three days would be enough for you to sort things out, but I am disappointed.”
After speaking, he ignored them and spoke to himself in a tone impossible to read:
“Even so, I will wait another three days to see how the elders and grandmasters of this sect explain the events of the past to me.”