Chapter 272: Xiangyu

Jiang Yan brought Sky Demon back to his cave and waited together with him for Xuan Nan’s arrival.

During this time, he observed Sky Demon’s appearance and noticed that aside from significant changes in clothing, everything else remained exactly the same as before.

“It seems the Sect only blurred their memories. I wonder if their Realms have changed as well.”

Xiang Yu wore an anxious expression, continuously urging Jiang Yan, “Junior Brother Jiang, you should leave quickly! If we don’t go now and Senior Brother Xuan Nan arrives, we’ll be in serious trouble!”

Jiang Yan thought to himself that in the outside world, Sky Demon would consider it a good day if he didn’t slap Xuan Nan upon seeing him. He never expected that after having his memories altered, he would fear Xuan Nan so much.

“Could it be that along with the blurred memories, his strength has also been Sealed?”

To unravel this mystery, it seemed they would have to wait for Xuan Nan to arrive.

While waiting, Jiang Yan chatted casually with Sky Demon, “That turtle… why does Senior Brother Xuan Nan target us?”

Sky Demon placed his hand on Jiang Yan’s forehead, looking thoughtful. “No fever?”

Jiang Yan brushed off Sky Demon’s hand and calmly explained, “Today, I’ve just recovered from a serious illness, and I can’t remember many things. I hope Senior Brother Xiang can remind me.”

“So that’s how it is.” Xiang Yu nodded, believing it without a hint of doubt. It seemed his persona in the Sect was that of a simple-minded, guileless fool.

He explained, “Junior Brother Jiang, last time when Senior Brother Xuan Nan was harassing the new Junior Sister in the back mountains, you ignored my warnings and rushed over to save her. After the girl ran away, you ended up getting beaten up by Senior Brother Xuan Nan.”

After hearing this, Jiang Yan fell into deep thought, then murmured after a long pause, “Am I really that kind?”

Xiang Yu didn’t quite catch it, “What did you say, Junior Brother?”

Jiang Yan waved his hand with a smile, “It’s nothing.”

Then he added, speaking righteously, “If something like that happens again, I’ll definitely do the same.”

Xiang Yu was moved, “That’s just like you, Junior Brother. I, as your Senior Brother, don’t have that kind of courage.”

Jiang Yan thought to himself: I doubt that. If it were Senior Brother Xiang from the outside world, he’d probably devour both Xuan Nan and the assaulted girl.

Equality.

As the two conversed, a tall and burly shadow descended upon the narrow cave.

Xuan Nan, dressed in the blue-and-white robes of an outer Sect Disciple, glared fiercely at the two in the cave.

“Well, well, you two actually didn’t run away.” He glared viciously at Jiang Yan. “You little brat, if it weren’t for you, that Junior Sister and I would have been together long ago!”

Xuan Nan cracked his knuckles, looking ready to throw a punch.

Jiang Yan remained expressionless, as if deep in thought.

Xiang Yu trembled in fear, hiding entirely behind Jiang Yan.

At that moment, the terrified Xiang Yu was suddenly pulled out from behind by Jiang Yan.

“Go on, Senior Brother, slap him twice.”

Xiang Yu was horrified, shaking his head frantically and trembling like a leaf, “Ju-Junior Brother, don’t joke around. How could I possibly defeat Senior Brother Xuan Nan?”

“Just go!” Jiang Yan shoved Xiang Yu forward.

Sky Demon accidentally flew toward Xuan Nan.

Xuan Nan saw this and said, “You bold brat, daring to challenge me?”

With that, he swung a fist.

As the fist loomed larger before his eyes, Xiang Yu instinctively raised his hands to block.

In the blink of an eye.

Xuan Nan was sent flying backward, crashing into the cave wall and leaving a human-shaped imprint.

Xiang Yu stared at his hands in astonishment: “Wh… what happened?”

Jiang Yan had finally grasped the basic rules of this Sect.

First: Everyone here had their memories erased and was implanted with recollections about the Sect, with each disciple’s memories interconnected.

Second: These people’s abilities had not disappeared—they simply weren’t aware of them.

Third: Jiang Yan was the exception.

“Could it be because I lack a Spirit Platform?”

Jiang Yan pondered, as this was the only explanation he could think of for now.

He glanced at Xuan Nan, who was embedded in the wall, and instructed Xiang Yu: “Senior Brother, please throw him out.”

“Alright, alright.” The Sky Demon scratched his head, assuming Jiang Yan had been the one to act earlier.

After dealing with the wailing Xuan Nan, Jiang Yan turned his gaze outward. “The Sect members have all lost their memories—perhaps this isn’t a bad thing for me.”

He looked at Xiang Yu. “Come with me for a walk outside.”

……

Along the way, the Sect’s magnificent scenery never grew tiresome.

There were mountains, rivers, plants, and towering peaks.

Immortals rode cranes amidst rising clouds and mist.

Palaces and pavilions stood solemn and imposing.

Being here felt as if one had truly returned to the Sect’s glorious past.

Yet only Jiang Yan knew that this so-called peace and tranquility were all false.

All the ethereal Immortal aura was nothing but emptiness.

This place should have been desolate, devoid of any human presence.

“Perhaps I can seize the Sect’s hidden treasures while the others are trapped.”

After all, he lacked a Spirit Platform and wouldn’t be affected by the mental interference here, though the entity behind the interference was worth staying alert about.

Moreover, he had no savior complex and didn’t want to waste effort rescuing these people.

Minimizing the creation of attachments might make the path of the Martial Way smoother.

[Scripture Pavilion]

“Unauthorized personnel are not allowed to enter!”

The Scripture Pavilion was reinforced by Formations and currently guarded by two formidable Martial God experts from the outside, making forced entry extremely difficult.

As Jiang Yan walked back, he lowered his head in thought: “I need to find a way to sneak into the Scripture Pavilion, along with other important Sect locations—these places could all become directions for my exploration.”

On the way, he saw three familiar figures approaching.

Xiao Chunwei, the Qilin person, and the blue-faced woman.

Among them, Xiao Chunwei walked at the front of the group, still dressed in his usual attire: green robes, white hair, and handsome features.

The Qilin person and the blue-faced woman were dressed as disciples, respectfully following behind Xiao Chunwei.

The hierarchy among the three was clear, their identities unmistakably revealed.

“Look, Junior Brother Jiang, that’s Elder Zhang!”

“Elder Zhang?” Jiang Yan murmured to himself. He had heard that Xiao Chunwei of Tianyuan Star was named Zhang Erdan a thousand years ago, though he didn’t know if it was true.

“Greetings, Elder Zhang.” Xiang Yu bowed respectfully.

Jiang Yan followed suit, not wanting to cause any trouble.

Xiao Chunwei’s group paid no attention to Jiang Yan and the others, merely glancing at them before walking straight past.

On the way, Xiang Yu chuckled and said: “Rumor has it that Elder Zhang hates it when someone calls him by his real name. Junior Brother Jiang, you must remember that.”

Jiang Yan raised an eyebrow: “Oh? What’s his name?”

Xiang Yu looked left and right, making sure no one was around before continuing: “I heard it’s Zhang Erdan, hahahaha.”

Suddenly, Xiang Yu’s laughter froze.

Because a tall shadow had already loomed over him.

Xiao Chunwei stared coldly at the Sky Demon, his gaze icy: “What did you just say?”

Sky Demon quickly knelt down to beg for mercy: “Elder Zhang, this Disciple said nothing, nothing at all!”

“Guards, punish him by sending him to the Cliff of Reflection to face the wall for ten years!”

The voice was not loud, but it carried weight, sounding truly angry.