Chapter 169: The Sect Leader's Order

Jiang Yan stayed in the Hundred Prisons for another week.

His War Ruins Engravings broke through to eighteen.

Every day, Jiang Yan spent several hours fighting the stitched monsters within the Battle Space. In his spare time, he accepted Chang Yin’s challenges and later headed to the Gale Cliff to train his Spiritual Power.

Jiang Yan looked at the Dueling Arena, which was becoming increasingly sparse.

While there were still many people, it no longer possessed the glorious spectacle of a week ago.

There were simply too many people, and resources were limited.

Jiang Yan estimated that it would be impressive if the Hundred Prisons Hunting Ground could hold out for another week.

Once the Hundred Prisons Hunting Ground was completely drained of its use, it would be time for Jiang Yan to leave.

What he didn’t expect was just how much of a stir his week here had caused in the outside world.

Myriad Pottery Academy.

Fan Wei sought out Han Wu at his residence.

“Say, Han Wu, how about you go to the Hundred Prisons and ask Chang Yin exactly when he plans to come back?”

Fan Wei had already waited for over a week but had yet to hear any news from Chang Yin, making him inevitably anxious.

Chang Yin was vital to both him and Myriad Pottery Academy; he absolutely could not be allowed to fall into someone else’s hands.

Over the past few days, he had sent several people to the Hundred Prisons to scout for information, but the response they always received was:

“I still have to challenge Jiang Yan; I can’t come back yet.”

Fan Wei was furious. What kind of intoxicating potion did that kid give you to make you so obsessed?

But there was nothing he could do. The current reality was that Chang Yin seemed unwilling to return.

Rumors were spreading outside that Chang Yin was being held under house arrest by Jiang Yan, forced to work as manual labor every day in that damn Dueling Arena.

Whenever these rumors reached their ears, Myriad Pottery had to handle the public relations, which was utterly exhausting.

If your academy’s seed player stayed on someone else’s turf and refused to come back, didn’t that imply incompetence?

Han Wu knew exactly what was going on in his heart, aware that these old fogies valued face above all else.

However, he didn’t expose them, merely offering a perfunctory reply.

“When the time is right, Senior Chang will naturally return.”

Meanwhile, on the outskirts of the city.

Peach Blossom Village.

In that same dark underground space.

“Zhang Sheng has likely met with an accident. What should we do now?”

“It seems Jiang Yan’s strength is indeed great if he could slay Zhang Sheng in his Half-Demon state. However, our Heaven Demon Sect has likely already provoked Jiang Yan. We might as well… pull him out by the roots.”

“Helmsman, he is currently staying in the Hundred Prisons. That is the Martial God’s territory. Wouldn’t we be like turtles in a jar if we rushed in?”

“Then we wait. I don’t believe he can stay inside for his entire life. We have plenty of time to wear him down.”

The Helmsman’s gaze was icy, a faint killing intent flickering within.

No potential enemy was allowed to exist in this world.

He had sent Zhang Sheng to meet Jiang Yan seemingly to offer an olive branch, but in truth, it was to lure him into the Heaven Demon Sect’s branch.

Now that Zhang Sheng was most likely dead, Jiang Yan had likely formed a blood feud with their Heaven Demon Sect.

Right then, a rhythmic knocking suddenly came from the basement door.

Thud, thud-thud, thud-thud-thud.

The Helmsman’s face changed instantly upon hearing it.

“Someone from above is here!”

Exchanging a look with his subordinate, the Helmsman immediately went forward to open the door. Upon seeing the visitor, he dropped to his knees at once.

“Elder Liu.”

For someone as dignified as a Helmsman to kneel without a moment’s hesitation was enough to show the visitor’s noble status.

The man addressed as Elder Liu was draped in a gray robe, his face hidden behind a black-and-white mask.

“This Elder has come today by order of the Sect Leader.”

As he spoke, a red token appeared in his hand.

The token was exquisitely carved and extraordinary. Even in the dim basement, it emitted an eerie red glow that was soul-stirring.

The two men lowered their heads even further, nearly pressing them against the floor.

“Your subordinates await your command!”

“Hmm. The Sect Leader is very interested in that child named Jiang Yan. You must find a way to capture him alive and bring him back to the Holy See.”

“Yes!”

The two kneeling men spoke in unison, their voices firm, demonstrating their loyalty.

“Remember, he must be captured alive.”

“Your subordinates accept the command.”

“Good.” Elder Liu nodded in satisfaction before adding, “If this matter is successful, you will be able to enjoy the Heaven Demon Sect’s latest research results.”

As soon as these words were spoken, the pupils of the two men trembled. They asked together, their voices shaking.

“El… Elder, our Heaven Demon Sect has new results again?”

“Hahahaha, of course. And they are unprecedented results. As long as you are loyal to the Holy See and to the Sect Leader, the Holy See will not forget you.”

“Ten thousand thanks to the Holy See! We are willing to remain loyal to the Sect Leader and Master Sky Demon for all eternity, even at the cost of ten thousand deaths!”

“Alright, my time is limited. A group of troublesome maggots has already set their sights on me. Handle this matter yourselves.”

“If it comes to the absolute worst, you may kill Jiang Yan. But if you leave behind a future problem, you know what will happen.”

With those words, the shadow looming over the two disappeared, and the basement returned to silence.

Only after a long while did the two look up. Seeing the man had gone, they exhaled a heavy sigh of relief.

The Helmsman’s expression was complex as he murmured, “To think even the Sect Leader is interested in that kid. This is getting… more and more interesting…”

Beside him, Li Yuansheng’s expression was fervent as he looked excitedly at the Helmsman.

“Helmsman, the superiors have new research results again. If our mission succeeds, we might be one step closer to becoming true Demons!”

The Helmsman was equally energized.

Every person who joined the Heaven Demon Sect was a psychological deviant. They had abandoned their dignity as humans, desiring to be tainted by the supreme existence known as “Demons.”

This was the core desire of every cultist.

And now, that wish was about to be fulfilled?

“Quite the grand promise…”

The Helmsman narrowed his eyes slightly and said to Li Yuansheng, “Go and arrange for the mobilization of our people in the East District. Have them stir up some trouble.”

“The rest of the men are to stay put. Then, send people for me to stand guard at the exit of the Chiba Plaza Secret Realm. The moment there is news of him coming out, inform me immediately.”

After giving his orders, the Helmsman stood up and placed a hand on Li Yuansheng’s shoulder.

“When the time comes, we will strike personally.”

Li Yuansheng was startled to hear this.

“Helmsman, your identity is special. If you act rashly, accidents might occur. It would be better to let us handle it. No matter how strong Jiang Yan is, he cannot possibly withstand the encirclement of my thousands of cultists!”

“Besides, for a Genius who has yet to grow, I, Li Yuansheng, pride myself on being able to capture him alone!”

Slap!

The Helmsman struck Li Yuansheng heavily across the face, fuming.

“Li Yuansheng, I see you’ve lived long enough to lose your wits. Don’t you understand the principle of pulling up roots to kill the weeds? If there is even a one-in-ten-thousand chance that Jiang Yan escapes, both you and I will fall into a situation of eternal damnation.”

“But Helmsman, if you are surrounded by the police…” Li Yuansheng still tried to argue.

“We are already at a dead end. When the time comes, we either kill Jiang Yan or capture him alive and bring him back to the Holy See. As for me…”

“Hehe, I’m afraid it will be a certain death with no chance of survival.”

“Do you really think the grand promise Elder Liu dangled is that easy to swallow?”

The Helmsman questioned Li Yuansheng in return.