Chapter 221
Chapter 221: The Strongest Elder
With a soft echo, the zither melody suddenly shifted, as if invisible fingers plucked strings dancing upon the empty air.
Wang Jie’s heart thumped heavily, beyond his control. Though he stood far from the center, he saw clearly that all those surrounding Li Tong He were forced to sit down, struggling desperately against the power of the zither, including experts like Yue Bai, Wu Jiang, and Lan Ning.
Even Li Tong He stood still, staring at Su Su with deep wariness in his gaze.
Behind them, countless warriors collapsed, unable to even grip their weapons. Blood dripped from their mouths, their faces as pale as winter snow.
Wang Jie exhaled deeply, feeling the zither’s melody like countless blades clashing within him. He yearned to retreat, but every small movement quickened his heartbeat. [I must not move now, absolutely not.]
The battlefield belonged entirely to the music of the zither, under absolute control.
A force that could subdue all.
Yue Bai called out loudly to Su Su, though his voice betrayed weakness: “Su Su, surely you don’t intend to suppress us all alone?”
Opposite him, Wu Jiang lifted his gaze and said simply: “Elder, go.”
Li Tong He wished desperately to escape, yet his injuries were severe. The zither melody pressed heavily upon him, adding wound upon wound.
Qing Ge looked toward Su Su, speaking with careful respect: “Divine Maiden of Crying Phoenix Palace, your renowned Ming Huang Bridge Technique is legendary. Could you perhaps grant us a glimpse?”
Su Su spoke not a single word, her fingers dancing on the strings, raising the music to ever greater heights, perfectly in tune with the battle around her.
Li Tong He spat blood, swayed, and sank down to the ground.
A wandering-star-realm cultivator near Li Tong He forcibly moved against the melody, but on his third step, his body exploded into nothingness.
Elsewhere, Lan Ning drew back her bow and released an arrow, but it shattered mid-flight, leaving her coughing blood, glaring helplessly at Su Su in defeat.
Suddenly, behind Li Tong He, space rippled violently, and a hidden dagger bearer was forcibly thrust into view.
Su Su finally spoke, her voice gentle like a clear spring, flowing into the hearts of everyone present: “Please, do not act rashly.” She turned calmly toward Li Tong He and said, “Senior, allow me, this junior, to see you on your final journey.”
Li Tong He stared back at Su Su, voice hoarse with defiance: “Junior, you still lack the power to claim my old life.” He closed his eyes, channeling star force desperately within, ignoring completely the battle raging above in the Hundred Star Realm.
To focus on that starry realm meant certain death here.
He preferred to perish at the hands of Hundred Star warriors rather than fall to a mere junior.
At that moment, Yue Bai slowly rose.
Su Su’s gaze snapped toward him.
He sneered coldly at her: “In a fair battle, you might not be able to subdue me. Now, while restraining so many masters at once, what can you possibly do?”
Across from him, Wu Jiang also stood, gripping the hilt of his blade.
Then, Qing Ge stood.
From another side, a wandering-star-realm middle-aged man rose as well.
Su Su’s brows furrowed slightly. Holding down this many masters at once was indeed strenuous. [Why have my Crying Phoenix Palace reinforcements not arrived yet?]
[Hmm?]
[Who is that? Fellow disciple—my junior sister? When did she appear? How did I not notice her before?]
Su Su called out clearly, looking into the distance: “Junior Sister, take Senior Li away.”
Everyone’s eyes followed hers, seeing a woman from Crying Phoenix Palace. Dread filled their hearts. [Someone from Crying Phoenix Palace is already here?]
Li Tong He couldn’t help but open his eyes to see; his face paled instantly. [Heaven truly wishes my doom.]
Far away, the woman bowed respectfully toward Su Su and replied, “Yes, Senior Sister.”
Su Su intensified her zither music, allowing no one to interrupt the woman’s path.
Step by step, the woman approached Li Tong He, unhindered by the melody, moving as naturally as any normal person.
Li Tong He watched helplessly as she neared him. He tried to resist but only coughed more blood.
The woman swiftly seized Li Tong He and departed, heading toward the second Nebula battlefield.
Lan Ning wanted to shoot another arrow, but Su Su’s zither held her immobilized. All watched helplessly as Li Tong He was spirited away, a monumental reward vanishing before their eyes.
As they distanced themselves from Su Su, Li Tong He gradually regained some strength.
He tried struggling free, but the woman holding him spoke suddenly in a man’s voice: “Where is the return battleship? Has it not arrived yet?”
Li Tong He stared dumbly at her.
She glanced back sharply at him. “The real Crying Phoenix Palace people will soon arrive. Quickly, where is the return battleship?”
Li Tong He snapped awake. Ignoring who this woman truly was, he pointed urgently in a certain direction.
She immediately changed course, bringing Li Tong He with her.
Soon, they found a battleship quietly docked within a cave on a shattered planetary fragment.
Supporting Li Tong He aboard, the woman urged: “Quickly, return to the Central Command.”
Li Tong He issued the order, and the battleship swiftly launched, heading rapidly away from the Hanhai Sea battlefield. The heart of the battlefield remained completely focused on Su Su; no one stopped their escape.
Only once surrounded by familiar depths of starry darkness did Li Tong He breathe a sigh of relief, turning again toward the woman. “Who exactly are you?”
She smiled faintly. “Elder, recover first. We’ll speak afterward.”
Li Tong He nodded slowly. [Yes, recovering my strength comes first.] He assumed this woman was likely a spy placed in Crying Phoenix Palace by Black White Heaven—such plots were common.
Li Tong He quickly entered the rest chamber.
The woman entered a separate chamber, stepping through a nine-form diagram to recover. Yet beneath that woman’s form was none other than Wang Jie himself.
Saving Li Tong He right under Su Su’s eyes had been exceedingly difficult. Had he not disguised himself as a Crying Phoenix Palace disciple, it would have been impossible. Su Su had the power to suppress everyone and simply wait for reinforcements.
Luck was on his side—true Crying Phoenix Palace reinforcements arrived later than anticipated.
He glanced back at the Hanhai Sea battlefield. [I wonder how Su Su will react when she learns the truth. I can’t use this woman’s identity again.]
Back at the Hanhai Sea battlefield, after Li Tong He was taken away, Su Su ceased playing her zither.
Everyone slowly recovered their senses, immediately tempted to attack Su Su, but Crying Phoenix Palace reinforcements had already arrived. Seeing numerous maidens standing protectively behind Su Su, they swallowed their rage and reluctantly dispersed.
Wu Jiang’s eyes dimmed. [Black White Heaven has lost a Hundred Star Elder. The tides of war have turned against us.]
Su Su gazed down proudly at the defeated masses. Suppressing so many masters alone was a feat worthy of pride.
Her name was Su Su, the Divine Maiden of Crying Phoenix Palace.
Her true goal was the legendary prodigies from the first Star Cloud.
One of the arriving Crying Phoenix Palace disciples stepped forward, confused. “Senior Sister, where is Li Tong He?”
Su Su froze, turning quickly, “You didn’t take that junior sister back?”
“Which junior sister?”
Su Su sketched lightly in the air, forming the image of the young woman.
Behind her, a maiden from Phoenix Cry Hall paled and hurried forward, respectfully answering, “Reporting to senior sister, that’s Senior Sister Chen Qi, but she passed away several days ago.”
Su Su’s expression instantly darkened. She turned and swiftly rushed off, following the direction Li Tong He had taken.
But after searching thoroughly, she found nothing.
Her face twisted with fury.
She’d been tricked.
But by whom?
Who dared deceive her like this? It was impossible. If someone disguised themselves, how could she not notice? Unless the imposter was a Hundred-Star Realm cultivator. But why would someone of the Hundred-Star Realm need to use disguise? Or perhaps some powerful star artifact for disguise?
Who was it exactly?
She, the dignified Su Su, the divine maiden of Phoenix Cry Hall, had actually been deceived. If word of this got out, it would be the greatest joke imaginable. While she was suppressing everyone at the front, someone dared to deceive her openly and rescue Li Tong He right under her nose. Such humiliation, such unbearable disgrace.
“Pass down my order—investigate every faction thoroughly. Find out exactly who rescued Li Tong He. I want every detail about this person,” Su Su commanded with icy rage.
The maidens of Phoenix Cry Hall bowed deeply, immediately acknowledging her orders.
In the depths of space, aboard a battleship.
Li Tong He finally saw Wang Jie.
“Disciple Wang Jie pays respects to elder.”
Li Tong He stared blankly at Wang Jie, “You…you’re male?”
Wang Jie laughed lightly, “I am.”
“You were the one who rescued me?”
“I was fortunate enough to succeed.”
Li Tong He exclaimed with surprise, “To think even I was fooled by your disguise. If even I didn’t notice, it’s no surprise Su Su couldn’t either. Wait—Wang Jie? That name…” He looked again at Wang Jie, suddenly realizing, “It’s you, the same Wang Jie who kidnapped juniors from my Elder Hall, and who caused my son great loss during the battle for the Devour Star.”
Wang Jie smiled awkwardly, knowing Li Tong He’s son was Li Cai. Although strictly speaking, he hadn’t tricked Li Cai himself. Wang Jie had merely stolen Wen Yuan’s token after Wen Yuan had already taken it from Li Cai. At most, he triggered the chaos that followed. He respectfully replied, “This disciple unintentionally caused offense; I hope elder can forgive me.”
Li Tong He waved his hand lightly, “Bold yet meticulous, with extraordinary methods. Wang Jie, you’re very impressive.”
Wang Jie breathed a sigh of relief. It was good enough that this elder wasn’t holding grudges.
Elder Ming was already targeting him, and Wang Jie didn’t want another Elder Li against him.
“Do you know the relationship between me and Senior Xing Xue?”
Wang Jie looked puzzled, “This junior does not.”
Li Tong He invited Wang Jie to sit and sighed, “My father, Li Xiang, was once a close friend of Senior Xing Xue.”
“So there was such a connection.”
“But that bond was severed when Senior Xing Xue left home. My father never forgave him, even to his dying day.”
Wang Jie felt awkward.
Li Tong He gazed deeply at Wang Jie, “You saved my life. Such merit is equal to killing a Hundred-Star Realm expert. No need for exchanging military credits—tell me what you desire. As long as I can accomplish it, I will.”
Wang Jie stood up respectfully, “This junior wishes for elder’s protection from Elder Ming’s persecution.”
He didn’t refuse. Refusing would have been hypocritical.
Li Tong He nodded, “Elder Ming belongs to Senior Zhi Qing’s faction. It’s natural he would target you. No wonder you were tossed into the Hanhai Sea Battlefield. It’s impressive you survived until now.”
“Very well. From this moment forward, in the Yin Yang Battlefield, you will no longer be troubled.”
Wang Jie gratefully replied, “My deepest thanks, elder.”
The two continued conversing for a while longer. Li Tong He still needed to recover from his injuries. He had come out only briefly, curious about who saved him—never expecting it would be Wang Jie.
After some time, Li Tong He stopped the battleship.
“Wang Jie, have you heard of Elder Wu Yuan?”
“I’ve heard the name. It’s said he’s the youngest elder.”
Li Tong He stood with hands clasped behind his back, gazing into the stars, “The youngest elder indeed—and also the strongest.”
Wang Jie looked surprised.
Li Tong He smiled, “Wu Yuan was once the strongest among the Six Dao Wanderers. But after breaking through to the Hundred-Star Realm, he left the ranks of disciples.”
Wang Jie exclaimed, “The Six Dao Wanderers are already terrifyingly strong; Elder Wu Yuan’s strength must be unimaginable.”
Li Tong He laughed, “Imagining such power isn’t easy. The difference in strength within the same realm can be far greater than you think.”
Wang Jie deeply understood that.
“He once defeated a Six Dao Wanderer at the same realm in a single move, but also lost to a Star Guardian just as swiftly. Don’t try to measure such people’s strength—it’s beyond ordinary comprehension.” As Li Tong He finished speaking, another battleship approached from afar.
Wang Jie was startled. Defeated by a Star Guardian in a single move? Was it someone from the Four Traveling Gods, or perhaps from the Tian Cang side?
When Wang Jie finally saw Wu Yuan, he appeared as a sharp and capable young man, not unlike Zhi Ye.
It was common for cultivators to preserve youthful appearances, but Wu Yuan was genuinely young.
Had his cultivation not advanced so swiftly, he would still be among the disciples.
It hadn’t been long since Wu Yuan was promoted from disciple to elder, yet Li Tong He already confirmed him as the strongest among the elders. His power was indeed unimaginable.
“I was ambushed by Third Nebula,” Li Tong He said to Wu Yuan, “We were well aware of each other’s strength, but Qin Mo unexpectedly broke through to Hundred-Star Realm. He must have completed his breakthrough outside the Hanhai Sea Battlefield, avoiding detection. Together, they seriously injured me.”
Wu Yuan calmly nodded, “I understand.” Without another word, he turned away.
Watching the battleship retreat into the distance, Wang Jie whispered curiously, “Elder Wu Yuan is…?”
Li Tong He’s eyes flashed coldly, “Qin Mo is doomed.”