Nine Astra Skies

Chapter 174: Someone Entered the Island

Ye Chen’s heart trembled. Someone had secretly entered the island. Furthermore, it was two Earthly Venerable Rank combatants!

With such strength, it was not surprising that they could hide from Great Emperor Mingwu’s army and had sneaked in!

Ye Chen’s Astral Body transmitted a message to Little Tanuki, who was still cultivating in the side courtyard. Little Tanuki suddenly opened its eyes and a white figure flashed through the night.

“I wonder what these two Earthly Venerable Rank combatants came to the island for. They’re probably here for the Purple-gold Divine Fish!” Ye Chen suddenly realized. These two men’s aura felt somewhat familiar, so he used his Astral Body to sweep again and found that they were Xi Yang and Xi Li, the two Stalwarts of the Heavenly Stars Sect Elders he had encountered in the Sunken Jade Tower!

A cold light flashed in Ye Chen’s eyes. Xi Yang and Xi Li were both mid-Earthly Venerable Rank combatants! He would see what they planned to do first!

A moment later, Little Tanuki landed on Ye Chen’s shoulder with a whistle.

Ye Chen was five to six hundred meters away from Xi Yang and Xi Li. Hidden in the grass, Xi Yang and Xi Li could not detect Ye Chen at all but Ye Chen could use his Astral Body to monitor their every movement. The two intruders had landed quietly onshore and stopped in the forest.

After a while, Ye Chen felt several figures coming out of the Xuan Pavilion, heading in his direction. They were Lei Yi, Hao Feng, and Yan Cheng!

Those three guys dared to set themselves up with the people from Stalwarts of the Heavenly Stars Sect!

There was silence all around. The wind blew through the trees, causing the leaves to rustle.

“Who’s there?” Lei Yi lowered his voice and asked.

“Xi Yang and Xi Li from the Stalwarts of the Heavenly Stars Sect!” Xi Yang replied and moved forward together with Xi Li.

“Elders.” Lei Yi and the two others fist saluted.

“This is Lei Yi, the third son of the Lei Clan of the Nanman Kingdom in the Central Empire.” Xi Yang’s gaze fell on Lei Yi. The news of Ye Chen catching the Purple-gold Divine Fish and Master Apothecary Xuanyi refining a Human Tier medicinal pill was leaked by Lei Yi and the others.

“That’s right.” Lei Yi nodded and looked around a few times.

“Did Young Master Lei invite others?” Xi Li’s expression darkened as he said unhappily.

“Since the two Elders are here, why don’t we talk about working together?” Lei Yi looked at Xi Yang and Xi Li, and smiled. He thought to himself, ‘I’ve also invited the Taiyi Sword Sect and Emerald Cloud Sect but why both of them didn’t come?’

“Master Apothecary Xuanyi is a peak Earthly Venerable Rank combatant and he has seven Earthly Venerable Rank fighters by his side. There are also many fighters from Great Emperor Mingwu lying in ambush outside. In Young Master Lei’s opinion, how are we to rob the medicinal pill from Master Apothecary Xuanyi’s hands?” Xi Yang asked quietly. He could tell that Lei Yi was not a person easy to negotiate with.

“Does Young Master Lei know when Master Apothecary Xuanyi will finish refining the medicinal pill?” Xi Li asked. If they moved in too early and Master Apothecary Xuanyi had not finished the pill, then it would only end up being ruined in the furnace. However, if they were one or two days late and Great Emperor Mingwu and Master Apothecary Xuanyi had finished splitting the Human Tier medicinal pill and increased their cultivation after consumption, then it would be even difficult to rob the pill.

“I’ll find out when Master Apothecary Xuanyi will finish refining the pill. I’ll be in charge of the internal affairs and the Elders of the Stalwarts of the Heavenly Stars Sect will be in charge of grabbing them. How about that?” Lei Yi said. Things were a bit off from his expectation. If the Three Major Sects moved at the same time, it was guaranteed that they would get the medicinal pill. Then, the Three Major Sects would be each other’s check and balance, and share the spoils, and they could even share some of the forces to the back. However, now that only the Stalwarts of the Heavenly Stars Sect had arrived, it was very difficult to get the medicinal pill. Even if they had obtained it, it would most likely be monopolized by the Stalwarts of the Heavenly Stars Sect. Although the power of the Lei Clan behind him was even greater than the Three Major Sects, they were far in the Central Empire. At this rate, they would be working without reaping any benefits! Lei Yi had to think of other countermeasures!

“The Stalwarts of the Heavenly Stars Sect alone can’t steal the medicinal pill!” Yan Cheng could not help but reminded from the side.

“Is this Young Master Yan Cheng? Does Young Master Yan Cheng not believe in the Stalwarts of the Heavenly Stars Sect’s strength?” Xi Li snorted coldly.

“My Junior Brother has spoken recklessly. Please don’t blame him!” Lei Yi hurriedly grabbed Yan Cheng. They were weak now and could only endure silently.

“We have a few bags here that we ask Young Master Lei to keep. If they’re eaten, it would cause the body to feel weak and unable to use Celestial Chi. It’s made by a secret technique from the Stalwarts of the Heavenly Stars Sect and even Master Apothecary Xuanyi would not be able to detect it. The day Master Apothecary Xuanyi finishes refining the medicinal pill, slip this into Master Apothecary Xuanyi and his guards’ food. Then, we’ll surely be able to steal the pill.” Xi Yang chuckled and handed Lei Yi several bags.

“That’s impossible. When Master Apothecary began his work, food from the outside will not be allowed in…” Lei Yi’s expression darkened. Poisoning so many Earthly Venerable Rank combatants was very dangerous.

“Young Master Lei is Master Apothecary Xuanyi’s favorite disciple, so you’ll certainly have a chance. Even if he doesn’t eat, doesn’t he still have to drink?” Xi Li said darkly.

Lei Yi could only accept the items and continue to scheme.

“This is the Earth Varmint. It’s the mystical beast in charge of communication in our Stalwarts of the Heavenly Stars Sect. It can easily avoid others’ sight and pass on the news. We have to return to report back to the Sect Leader. Senior Brother Xi Yang will be responsible for the liaison on the island. I shall await good news from Young Master Lei.” Xi Li chuckled and pointed to a furry gray mouse by Xi Yang’s foot.

Lei Yi and the others’ expressions twisted.

Xi Li jumped into the lake and left while Lei Yi and the other two turned back to the Xuan Pavilion. On the other hand, Xi Yang hid deep in the woods.

Ye Chen watched Lei Yi and the other two walk away with his Astral Body.

“Senior Brother Lei, what do we do? Why didn’t people from the Taiyi Sword Sect and Emerald Cloud Sect come?” Yan Cheng asked doubtfully.

“It’s odd. Even if people from the Emerald Cloud Sect didn’t come, the people from the Taiyi Sword Sect have already arrived in the Capital City. Could it be that our second messenger hawk didn’t reach the Taiyi Sword Sect Leader?” Hao Feng frowned.

“Those fools from the Stalwarts of the Heavenly Stars Sect. What use do they think one bag of medicine will be? With Li Xu and Ye Chen whispering in his ears, Master is now on guard against us. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be so difficult to even meet Master, let alone drug him! No. Hao Feng, send another two messenger hawks tonight. We have to let your clansmen contact the Taiyi Sword Sect!” Lei Yi said lowly. If they had only cooperated with the Stalwarts of the Heavenly Stars Sect, they would be swallowed until not even bones were left! They had to find people from the Taiyi Sword Sect. Only if two forces were balanced would they, in the middle, have meat to eat!

Lei Yi and the other two discussed in low voices as they walked away.

Ye Chen laughed coldly after hearing Lei Yi’s conversation. Lei Yi and the others were driven to desperation and thought that they could use the Three Major Sects. However, the Three Major Sects had stood for so long in the Xiwu Empire. Which one of them was easy to deal with? They were just wasting their time!

Ye Chen’s Astral Body locked onto Xi Yang’s body in the woods and a dark light flashed in his eyes. Xi Li had left, leaving only Xi Yang behind. However, Xi Yang was a mid-Earthly Venerable Rank combatant and Ye Chen did not know if he could go up against him. After all, Ye Chen had just advanced levels and his cultivation was not stable yet.

Should Ye Chen tell Master Apothecary Xuanyi about Xi Yang’s arrival on the island?

Ye Chen pondered silently for a moment. Even if Master Apothecary Xuanyi knew about Xi Yang’s presence on the island, he would not do anything to Xi Yang and only expel him at most. If the news that Xi Yang was killed spread to the public, it was tantamount with breaking off relations with the Stalwarts of the Heavenly Stars Sect! Master Apothecary Xuanyi had always been free from disputes with others and had never took part in fights between sects.

After thorough consideration, Ye Chen decided to wait until after midnight. He sat cross-legged and cultivated. The Celestial Chi Flying Dagger continued to fly in rotations in front of him. He was not very skilled in moving the Celestial Chi Flying Dagger.

After cultivating in the woods for some time and stabilizing his cultivation, Ye Chen looked up at the sky. It was already past midnight.

Ye Chen’s heart was always filled with compassion for weak and innocent people. However, toward people like Xi Yang, Ye Chen’s heart was as hard as iron. There was the blood of countless people on Xi Yang’s hands. Killing this kind of person was for the greater good!

Just by relying on the strength as a beginner Earthly Venerable One, Ye Chen did not dare to make a move. Killing Xi Yang would inevitably lead to a chain reaction. However, he had a powerful Astral Body to rely on now. With Little Tanuki, an Earthy Adept’s help as well as the deadly Flying Dagger, Ye Chen grew bolder.

The Stalwarts of the Heavenly Stars Sect only had one Heavenly Venerable Rank combatant but that person most likely could not defeat Great Mingwu Emperor, who was peak Heavenly Venerable Rank. With the friendship between Master Apothecary Xuanyi and Great Emperor Mingwu, the Stalwarts of the Heavenly Stars Sect Leader would probably not come to the island to behave atrociously!

So what if a large battle broke out? Ye Chen felt slightly antsy. He wanted to see the strength of a Heavenly Venerable Rank combatant although he knew that even if he had used his Astral Body, he would be no match for a Heavenly Venerable Rank combatant now.

The night wind whistled and the bright moon hung high. The distant lake rippled under the breeze, reflecting the shimmering light.

Ye Chen’s Astral Body extended into the distance and locked onto Xi Yang in the woods. Xi Yang sat down and cultivated, just like a statue. The moonlight shining on his face made him seem pale.

“Little Tanuki, let’s go!” Ye Chen said. Little Wingsy had stayed in the room without leaving for several days. He might still be sleeping but with Little Tanuki and his current strength, they were more than enough to deal with Xi Yang. There was no need to call Little Wingsy.

Little Tanuki jumped on Ye Chen’s shoulder. Ye Chen leaped forward, gradually approaching the deep forest where Xi Yang was.

At Xi Yang’s foot, the Earth Varmint dug at the soil. It held onto something in one claw and continued to stuff it into his mouth, chewing incessantly. Suddenly, it seemed to sense something and stood up, looking around with his black eyes.

Although the Earth Varmint was only a Fifth Level mystical beast, it was extremely human-like. After the secret training from the Stalwarts of the Heavenly Stars Sect, they worked even better than messenger hawks. They were naturally sensitive to danger and could avoid ordinary dangers in time.

The Earth Varmint’s unusual behavior had caught Xi Yang’s attention. Xi Yang opened his eyes and watched the surroundings warily. There was nothing in the empty forest.

The Earth Varmint watched for a moment longer before squatting down again, continuing to look for something to eat. It probably did not find anything.

Xi Yang relaxed. It seemed like that was just a false alarm.

However, Xi Yang did not know that the Earth Varmint did not voluntarily squat back down to eat. At the moment, the Earth Varmint had been completely controlled by Ye Chen’s Astral Body!