Chapter 27: Kou Zhong Makes His Move, Ye Bufan’s Superior Firstborn, and Li Xuan’s Gift! (Please Continue Reading, Bookmark, and Recommend!)

As the voice echoed throughout the Sacred Land of Dawnmoon, all the guests on the grand platform were engaged in conversation. The Dawnmoon Sovereign was speaking, preparing to present a gift to his disciple.

A sect master inquired, "Sovereign, do you require assistance in dealing with the Li family?"

The Dawnmoon Sovereign smiled and shook his head, "The Li family and Li Xuan are but insignificant ants. Our Dawnmoon Sacred Land has already dispatched an elder; that will suffice."

"Truly, the Dawnmoon Sacred Land flourishes in prosperity," another Sovereign remarked with envy, surveying the surroundings.

A faint smile appeared on the Dawnmoon Sovereign’s flawless face.

At that moment, a voice sounded, and the smile instantly vanished.

Everyone turned their gaze toward the outskirts of the Dawnmoon Sacred Land.

A towering figure stepped into the sacred land, casting a glance at Ye Bufan before fixing his eyes on the Dawnmoon Sovereign.

"Dawnmoon Sovereign, your disciples lack discipline; I was even barred from entering the sacred land," the man said sternly.

"Dou Zhong? How did this bandit show up here?" a sect master whispered.

All the guests stared at Dou Zhong in disbelief. A bandit had somehow become a Saint, yet his rogue aura remained undiminished.

Every sect in the sacred lands shunned this Saint, fearing extortion from Dou Zhong.

Although Dou Zhong was known for extortion, he never dared to enter any sacred land—until today, when he appeared at the Dawnmoon Sacred Land.

Could it be that Dou Zhong dared to cause trouble here?

How could he dare?

Setting aside the profound heritage of the Dawnmoon Sacred Land, just the name "Emperor" alone commanded respect.

The Dawnmoon Sacred Land was deeply connected to the Great Emperor!

The Dawnmoon Sovereign's face was calm as he said, "My disciples only block those who deserve it. Dou Zhong, today is my day of accepting disciples. What is your intention here?"

Dou Zhong was well aware of the gazes fixed upon him, but he paid no mind. His eyes never left Ye Bufan. Hearing the Sovereign's question, he smiled.

"Dawnmoon Sovereign, as I said, I came to offer a gift for your disciple. Truly, a gift," Dou Zhong said sincerely. He then turned his gaze to Ye Bufan and Su Wan, admiringly. "These must be the Sovereign’s two disciples—both handsome and talented. One with the essence of a dragon’s roar, the other with the aura of purple energy. They are truly blessed."

Ye Bufan furrowed his brow, sensing a dangerous undercurrent in Dou Zhong’s gaze.

He failed to notice that since Dou Zhong’s arrival, the master within his body remained motionless.

Before Ye Bufan could ponder further, the Dawnmoon Sovereign, unmoved by Dou Zhong’s words, commanded, "Speak clearly..."

In that instant, Dou Zhong surged forward. His eyes turned blood-red, killing intent boiling over. His tall figure suddenly appeared before Ye Bufan, a massive hand blotting out the sky as it reached for him.

"Scum! Sikong Shen! I’ve finally found you! Come out now! Come out!!" Dou Zhong roared, filled with murderous fury that shook the heavens.

Everyone inside the Dawnmoon Sacred Land was stunned.

"Stand back," a low growl sounded from within Ye Bufan.

Suddenly, beams of light radiated from his body as he evaded Dou Zhong’s grasp.

The Dawnmoon Sovereign finally reacted, "Dou Zhong! You’re courting death!"

Her fury ignited as she unleashed divine power against Dou Zhong. How dare he act violently within the sacred land and lay hands on her disciple!

Dou Zhong’s expression was cold, killing intent raging. Without even glancing at Chen Qing, he shattered her Moonlight Divine Art with a palm. From his mouth, he spat out a black talisman.

"Today, anyone who blocks me dies! Sikong Shen, I have you marked!"

Ye Bufan’s fleeing figure froze midair, terror written across his face. A shadow faintly overlapped him, binding him in place.

From Ye Bufan’s body emerged a spectral figure—a middle-aged man, face grave as he stared at the Soul-Binding Talisman in Dou Zhong’s hand.

"Soul-Binding Talisman! That’s from the Righteous Sect. Dou Zhong actually borrowed this!" someone exclaimed.

The Righteous Sect’s Soul-Binding Talisman was an unusual weapon—not a saintly weapon, but better than one.

"Of course! It’s no surprise that Dou Zhong’s target is the Dawnmoon Sovereign’s newly accepted disciple!"

"Once Dou Zhong arrives, there’s no escape. This is the Dawnmoon Sacred Land!"

Everyone frowned, knowing Dou Zhong’s vendetta. They never imagined the enemy would be connected to Ye Bufan.

This was highly... unusual.

"Sikong Shen! Why won’t you let me be?!" the lingering spirit of the Saint, Sikong Shen, whispered angrily.

Dou Zhong remained silent, spitting out a mouthful of saintly blood to empower the talisman, fully activating it. He intended to take Sikong Shen away.

Sikong Shen’s face darkened, "Dou Zhong! I am now the master of Ye Bufan, disciple of the Dawnmoon Sovereign! Dare to strike me and you’ll find death! I implore the Dawnmoon Sacred Land to intervene! I can help Ye Bufan retrieve what you seek."

The Dawnmoon Sovereign wiped blood from her mouth, her expression cold. Even without Sikong Shen’s plea, she must stop Dou Zhong.

Dou Zhong causing havoc within the Dawnmoon Sacred Land and attacking her disciple would not go unanswered.

"Form the grand array!" she commanded coldly.

A sigh sounded from a corner. All eyes turned to see a refined Taoist urging, "Old Dou, hurry! The old patriarch of Dawnmoon Sacred Land is about to appear!"

"Yeah, Dou Zhong, can you handle this?"

"Time to go!"

Voices echoed as Dawnmoon Sacred Land’s powerful figures emerged, their expressions indifferent as they faced Dou Zhong’s group.

"None of you will leave!" the Dawnmoon Sovereign’s face darkened.

Ye Bufan, suspended in the air, was filled with anxiety. Damn it, how could this happen?

His master’s enemy had arrived just now—and was about to be taken away!

"No! Bufan! Save me! Sovereign, save me!" Sikong Shen screamed in agony, roaring that he must not be taken by Dou Zhong.

Ye Bufan knelt abruptly before the Dawnmoon Sovereign, desperation in his eyes. "Sovereign, please save my master!"

He could not lose his master, or disaster would follow!

The Dawnmoon Sovereign gave a low hum but had yet to respond when Dou Zhong shouted, "Save your master? Today, no one can save your master!"

In an instant, Dou Zhong waved the Soul-Binding Talisman, and Sikong Shen was sucked into it.

"No! No! Ah!!" Sikong Shen roared, struggling with all his might. As a mere lingering spirit, he stood no chance against Dou Zhong, a full Saint.

Especially with Dou Zhong’s rage fueled by the desire to kill his arch-enemy Sikong Shen.

Dou Zhong clenched the talisman, swallowing it without hesitation. His gaze fell on Ye Bufan, whose eyes were bloodshot with rage.

"Master!!"

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He had never imagined his master would be taken from him!

Ye Bufan could not accept it. His entire journey had been guided by his master.

The disciples of the Dawnmoon Sacred Land were furious; Dou Zhong and his crew were far too brazen!

The guests stood aside, unwilling to intervene—after all, this was the sacred land’s internal matter, and none wished to provoke Dou Zhong’s wild group.

"Ye Bufan, Elder Li sent me to tell you this is just the beginning," Dou Zhong’s voice whispered into Ye Bufan’s ear.

Ye Bufan was stunned, coughing up a mouthful of blood. His eyes widened, "Elder Li?!"

Who was Elder Li?

Dou Zhong laughed heartily then turned to shout, "Let’s go!"

"You won’t leave," a calm voice interrupted, and Dou Zhong’s body stiffened.

In a corner of the Dawnmoon Sacred Land stood a figure perfectly blending into the surroundings: an elderly man with graying hair, dressed in simple robes. The moment he spoke, all eyes fixed on him as if he were the center of the universe.

Immediately, all guests and disciples rose to their feet in salute.

"Welcome, Sage."

One of the sacred land’s foundational powers had appeared—the Sage Realm!

At once, everyone felt assured.

"Patriarch, please save my master!" Ye Bufan knelt, relief flooding his heart. Their sacred land was truly formidable, possessing a Sage Realm presence.

The Dawnmoon Sovereign’s expression sharpened as she looked at Dou Zhong’s group. "Patriarch, please intervene."

Dou Zhong glared at the elder, exhaling harshly. "Old beast of the Dawnmoon Sacred Land!"

Dou Zhong patted his belly. Sikong Shen’s wails came from within the Soul-Binding Talisman. Dou Zhong laughed, "As I said, today no one can stop me."

"Old Dou, stop pretending! I’m dying here!"

"It’s over! This time it’s really over! Old Dou, brother, see you in the Underworld!"

"Use whatever means you have! Hurry, Dou Zhong!"

Dou Zhong’s companions shouted. The Sage Realm had appeared! It was the end!

Most of them were at the peak of the Harmonization stage, quasi-Saints. Against a Sage Realm, they were powerless.

Dou Zhong was just bluffing.

They were all doomed!

Dou Zhong insisted they did not understand—Elder Li had promised to assist him!

The elder’s eyes were indifferent as he looked at Dou Zhong. The pressure of the Sage Realm made Dou Zhong tremble.

The elder said calmly, "You can call for help. I want to see who dares to rescue you under the grand formation of the Dawnmoon Sacred Land, in my presence."

"In my Great Emperor’s sacred land!"

All eyes turned to Dou Zhong. Dou Zhong grinned but cocked his head toward the Dawnmoon Sovereign.

"Elder Li sent me to tell you this: you reap what you sow."

The Dawnmoon Sovereign’s eyes turned cold. Li? That name reminded her of Li Xuan!

"Haha, farewell!" Dou Zhong laughed loudly, tilting his head to the sky as he shouted triumphantly, "Elder, save me!"

Everyone looked upward. The elder also gazed skyward.

One moment passed. Two moments. Three...

Dou Zhong’s forehead beaded with sweat, drenched in it.

"Damn you, Dou Zhong!" his companions cursed loudly.

"Damn! This isn’t over!"

"Run!"

"Brothers, I’m retreating first!"

Dou Zhong wiped his cold sweat. "Don’t rush, don’t rush."

Someone chuckled, shaking their head. Dou Zhong’s group was finished. The Sage Realm presence was here—who would dare save them?

The elder’s eyes calmly fixed on Dou Zhong. "It seems no one will come."

Dou Zhong’s heart chilled. He hastily said, "Don’t be like this. I came to give a gift to the Dawnmoon Sacred Land, to remove a calamity from the Sovereign’s disciples. You should thank me..."

The elder smiled faintly. "I said no one can save you. Then die."

With that, he pressed a finger toward Dou Zhong.

At that moment, a transparent thread wrapped around Dou Zhong and his companions, and in an instant, they vanished from the Dawnmoon Sacred Land.

Xu Geng frowned, his face cold. "Someone actually dared to save them! Reckless!"

He stepped forward and disappeared.

Silence fell over the Dawnmoon Sacred Land. No one recovered from the shock.

Dou Zhong’s group had left?!

In front of the Sage Realm, within the grand formation, they vanished instantly, taken away?!

A gasp escaped someone’s lips.

Dou Zhong’s group had been completely surrounded, yet no one expected them to be rescued so easily.

Too simple, too effortless.

What was that white thread?

"Did Dou Zhong really get away? This..."

"What was that white thread? Could it be a saintly weapon? Or some forbidden artifact?"

"The Dawnmoon Sacred Land won’t let this go. Wait and see. I don’t think Dou Zhong can escape."

People whispered anxiously.

The Dawnmoon Sovereign’s expression darkened. She had not expected Dou Zhong to be saved.

And it happened right after their patriarch spoke.

Had the Dawnmoon Sacred Land been thoroughly humiliated?

Ye Bufan’s body trembled stiffly. His master had been taken!

Damn it!

Ye Bufan’s heart roared.

"Master, this is all my fault. I trust the patriarch will bring Dou Zhong back! No one steals from our Dawnmoon Sacred Land, no matter who they are! They will pay the price!"

Ye Bufan shouted loudly, "With a saintly weapon, it’s delusional to steal from the Dawnmoon Sacred Land!"

The Dawnmoon Sovereign nodded slightly upon hearing Ye Bufan’s words.

The disciples of Dawnmoon Sacred Land roared in anger.

"Kill! Anyone who dares provoke the Dawnmoon Sacred Land shall die!"

The Dawnmoon Sovereign believed Ye Bufan was right. Someone wielding a saintly weapon was aiding Dou Zhong outside. With the patriarch’s intervention, it was only a matter of time.

Ye Bufan, with his double pupils, should be able to see what that thread was.

A guest spoke, "With the patriarch’s intervention, it should..."

Before finishing, the Sage appeared again, wearing a puzzled expression.

The Dawnmoon Sovereign hurriedly approached, "Patriarch..."

Xu Geng shook his head, "Someone intervened, Dou Zhong and his group were taken away."

The Dawnmoon Sovereign was stunned, pursing her lips. Dou Zhong had broken in, taken Sikong Shen, and now escaped.

The disciples exchanged glances.

Xu Geng said calmly, "It’s nothing. He only relied on the weapon’s advantage. He won’t come again."

Ye Bufan coughed up blood upon hearing Dou Zhong was not brought back.

His master!

He wanted to roar but only managed a bitter smile.

Blood flowed from his hand. Damn it, how could this happen? He was now a disciple of the Dawnmoon Sovereign, yet his master could still be taken!!

Rage surged within Ye Bufan.

Suddenly, an old man stepped on stage and looked at Ye Bufan.

"Ye Bufan, you’ve become arrogant."

Ye Bufan heard the voice, looked down, and was stunned. Instinctively, he called out, "Great-uncle?"

Everyone in the Dawnmoon Sacred Land stirred. What was happening? Another person?

And they all sensed this was directed at Ye Bufan, the Sovereign’s disciple.

The old man cupped his hands, "I am Ye Bufan’s great-uncle. I came today to expose Ye Bufan’s true nature. Since his parents left, the Ye family has provided all cultivation resources without lacking anything. Yet this man stole our family’s ancestral treasure, a relic from the Refining Void stage."

"Though just a Refining Void artifact, Ye Bufan is a traitor who betrays his master and ancestors, intolerable by heaven and earth—a great scoundrel!"

"Our Ye family will never tolerate such a beast!"

"Today, I sever all ties with Ye Bufan!"

"From now on, the Ye family has nothing to do with him!"

His words left the hall in silence.

Ye Bufan trembled with fury. "No! What lies are you spreading? Who sent you to slander me?"

Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth. The great-uncle’s harsh words left him coughing blood.

The great-uncle sneered, "Slander? Our Ye family doesn’t need a superior beast like you!"

The Dawnmoon Sovereign’s eyes were cold as she glanced at the old man. "Do you think we’d believe you?"

The great-uncle cupped his hands again, "Believe or not, I don’t care. I came only to sever ties with Ye Bufan. My task is done; I shall leave."

The Dawnmoon Sovereign scoffed, "Every scoundrel dares to come and go in my Dawnmoon Sacred Land? Do you take it for a latrine?"

The great-uncle suddenly recalled something and looked at the Dawnmoon Sovereign.

"Before I came, Elder Li told me to deliver a message to the Dawnmoon Sacred Land—‘You reap what you sow.’"

He then turned to Ye Bufan. "Ye Bufan, Su Wan, and the Dawnmoon Sacred Land, Elder Li said his gift will soon arrive."

Su Wan was stunned. She was already overwhelmed by recent events, and now this?

A gift? What gift?

Li? Could Elder Li be Li Xuan? Su Wan’s heart skipped a beat.

Xu Geng opened and closed his eyes, looking at the great-uncle. "Who is this Elder Li you speak of?"

The great-uncle shook his head. Xu Geng said calmly, "You’ve come, but you don’t think you can leave, do you?"

The great-uncle steadied himself. "Elder Li will take me away." He paused. "I believe him. At worst, I’ll die here, but I won’t let Ye Bufan’s name remain in our family records."

With that, he slammed two ancestral tablets to the ground, looking at Ye Bufan. "These are your parents’ tablets. Your parents and you have been struck from the Ye family genealogy!"

"Pfft." Ye Bufan looked at the tablets on the ground and spat blood.

His parents...

His eyes burned with rage.

After finishing, the great-uncle cupped his hands. "Farewell."

Xu Geng shook his head. "Nonsense. Since you won’t speak further, stay. Anyone who causes trouble in my Dawnmoon Sacred Land—no matter who they are—will die."

Suddenly, a transparent thread appeared. Xu Geng sneered, "So they’re in cahoots. Still dare to come? Seeking death!"

"Once more, no second chance!"

Xu Geng pointed down, his saintly body a supreme weapon.

Yet the thread lightly avoided him, hooking onto Ye Bufan’s great-uncle and instantly whisking him away.

Xu Geng withdrew his finger, expression indifferent.

Silence engulfed the Dawnmoon Sacred Land as the Sage’s aura rippled, the colors of heaven and earth shifting.

Everyone knew—the Sage was enraged!

Xu Geng’s eyes opened and closed as radiant light bathed heaven and earth.

"Elder Li? Very well. I want to see if you dare strike my Dawnmoon Sacred Land. Summon the saintly weapon, the Saint Ancestor! Gather the disciples! Kill!"

Xu Geng’s voice thundered across the land, shaking every heart.

The Dawnmoon Sacred Land had long refrained from action; many had forgotten its majesty.

The sacred land’s dignity would tolerate no provocation.

Today, the Dawnmoon Sacred Land had been challenged twice!

"Master, Patriarch! Three gifts and a letter were delivered outside the sacred land! They bear the name of a powerful figure surnamed Li—Li Xuan!" a disciple reported, placing three boxes and a letter inscribed with intricate runes before them.

Everyone’s minds thundered.

A third provocation!