Chapter Four: Having Desires!

Seeing that Bailang had no murderous intent and truly harbored no hostility, Yang Nan calmly said, "Brother Bai, you wanted to test my strength, and now you have. What is your true purpose? You may speak of it directly."

Since this Bailang was neither an enemy nor a friend, why else would he block the path in such a bizarre manner if not for a purpose?

Regardless of the other party's intentions, it ultimately amounted to seeking help for a matter!

Yang Nan's straightforward demeanor did not annoy Bailang. With a smile on his face, Bailang cupped his fists and said, "Does Brother Yang not know that disaster is imminent?"

Yang Nan raised an eyebrow and replied indifferently, "I am unaware. From whence does this disaster come for Yang?"

Speaking of disasters, was Qingyan's injury not severe enough?

In the current world, what other disaster could possibly move Yang Nan?

Bailang's lake-clear eyes swept calmly across Yang Nan's face. Seeing his nonchalant attitude, Bailang understood in his heart that this disciple of Kunlun possessed high cultivation and numerous magical treasures. Without giving a concrete reason, there was no way to stir his concern. Thus, Bailang spoke warmly, "Brother Yang has obtained the Thirty-Six Hetu Luoshu Heavenly Mechanism Diagram, making you the thorn in the eyes of all demons across the world. This item is useless to Brother Yang, yet to the five great demon clans of the world, it is a fatal object. With this item in your possession, Brother Yang has become the public enemy of the world. How is this not a disaster descending from the heavens?"

When Venerable Blue Star failed to snatch the Heavenly Mechanism Diagram that day and later went to Mount Qingming attempting to seize it by force, Yang Nan had long anticipated this outcome. His expression remained unchanged as he replied detachedly, "Oh? So you mean all the demons in the world view me as meat in a cauldron, eager to devour me?"

Bailang frowned, his exquisite face filled with incomprehension. Even with the Kunlun Sect as his backing, Yang Nan should not so lightly dismiss all the demons of the world. One must know that the five demon clans numbered in the tens and hundreds of millions; how could Yang Nan alone be a match for them?

Since Yang Nan remained unperturbed, Bailang had no choice but to up the ante. "The Phoenix Valley has already proclaimed that anyone in the world capable of capturing Brother Yang may choose one of thirty-six cultivation methods to practice, and the Phoenix Valley will marry a maiden of the avian clan to him, making that person a formal member of the Phoenix Valley. Among the Ten Great Demon Saints of the world, four or five intend to strike and capture you. Brother Yang must be cautious!"

Feiyu the Feather Saint, Yuanjia the Turtle Saint, Hanxing the Phoenix Saint, the Dragon Saint of the Dragon Clan, Yuangji the Flower Saint, Wugen the Tree Saint, Kuixing the Lion Saint, Poluo the Fish Saint, Baixuan the Cicada Saint, and Moyan the Qilin Saint—these were known as the Ten Saints of the World!

Every single one of them was a master at the level of a Grand Venerable or a Demon Saint. Such experts were naturally the pinnacle figures of the world. However, if they wished to strike against Yang Nan, they would also have to consider the consequences of angering the Kunlun Sect!

The seventy-two venerables and twelve martial saints of Kunlun could not be resisted by any random demon valley!

Could Buxu possibly sit by and watch his own disciple be bullied to such an extent without intervening?

If they wished to seize the Heavenly Mechanism Diagram, they should first ask themselves if they had the life to practice it!

Yang Nan was not afraid that these so-called demon saints would dare to deal with him personally. At most, they would send subordinates at the master or venerable levels to snatch it. Under equal cultivation realms, Yang Nan would have nothing to say if it were snatched away. But if the strong bullied the weak, the Kunlun Sect Master's Kunlun Heaven-Opening Divine Sword had not been unsheathed for several centuries!

Had they not heard of the sharpness of the Kunlun Divine Sword?

"Thank you for the warning, Brother Bai. This humble Daoist is deeply grateful. If Brother Bai has nothing else, you may linger here for a few days. Although I have nothing special, a few cups of clear wine are available." Yang Nan answered offhandedly. Venerable Blue Star losing the Heavenly Mechanism Diagram was already a massive loss of face for him, and later turning the valley's maidens into bargaining chips was truly laughable to the extreme.

However, could Venerable Blue Star's actions make Yang Nan cower?

Of course not!

Seeing that Yang Nan still wore an airy and untroubled expression, Bailang said with slight anger, "Brother Yang, do you truly not care at all? What if the thirty-six sects of the talisman lineage were added as your enemies?"

"The thirty-six sects of the talisman lineage? Why would they make an enemy of me?" Yang Nan's heart skipped a beat, yet he still responded leisurely.

Seeing a trace of strange emotion finally flash in Yang Nan's eyes, Bailang felt immensely relieved and said, "Brother Yang has done a great deed in Divine Continent! In the battle of Tianfang, you nearly wiped out the Heavenly Talisman Sect and even seized the Heavenly Origin Qingxu Divine Talisman. Mount Longhu is the orthodox direct lineage of the talisman lineage across the world; how could they let you go? They have long since issued the Tiangang Talisman Edict, commanding all talisman sects under heaven to treat you as an enemy!"

The Tiangang Talisman Edict commanded all disciples of the talisman lineage under heaven to execute the target together!

This edict was equivalent to the Divine Weapon Edict of the Kunlun Sect, the Heavenly Dao Edict of the Styx Sect, the Righteous Qi Edict of the Confucian School, and the Tathagata Edict of the Buddhist School!

All branch sects honored this edict as one, and it was never lightly issued!

'So this talisman lineage really intends to fight me to the death!'

Yang Nan raged inwardly, but his face remained as calm as water. Mount Longhu had lost the Heavenly Origin Qingxu Divine Talisman and, instead of sending people to ask for it amicably, wanted to use him to vent their spleen. Did they think Yang Nan was so easily bullied?

"Since I could destroy one Heavenly Talisman Sect, I can continuously destroy thirty-six talisman sects! If they anger me, what would it matter to sever the talisman lineage's lineage entirely?" Threads of murderous intent bloomed in Yang Nan's eyes. His cultivation of the Martial Sect's divine abilities was growing increasingly profound, and as this killing intent was released, the surrounding air truly congealed like solid ice!

If Yang Nan feared these thirty-six talisman sects, that would be a joke. Which disciple of Kunlun descending the mountain to temper themselves would not challenge experts from various sects? Aside from those unfathomable ancient monsters, Kunlun disciples had always been renowned for their arrogance and dominance. Without this domineering spirit, how could there be three thousand miles of Kunlun?

The talisman lineage belonged to a branch of the law lineage and had always been at odds with the martial lineage. At this moment, they were merely trying to make a fuss and exploit the situation!

Kill anyone who blocks the path! Smash the Buddhas if they block!

Without this kind of daring and spirit, what cultivation of immortals or attainment of the Dao was there to speak of?

Seeing Yang Nan's towering murderous intent, Bailang was also inwardly terrified. He thought to himself, 'This Yang Nan's cultivation appears to be merely at the second stage of the Grandmaster realm, yet why is his killing intent so heavy? I fear it is no less than that of an expert above the fifth stage...'

"Brother Yang, these righteous talisman sects have always been sanctimonious. If Brother Yang invites high-level experts from Kunlun, you will certainly remain safe and sound." Although Bailang had formed a new understanding of Yang Nan in his heart, his expression remained as calm as water.

Yang Nan snapped out of it, reined in his killing intent, and smiled faintly, "Brother Bai coming to report this news makes this younger brother deeply grateful. Please come inside to sit and talk leisurely." His gratitude this time was far more sincere than before. Good or bad, Bailang's act of reporting the news was clearly a personal favor, and how could Yang Nan fail to appreciate kindness?

Hearing Yang Nan's words, Longyao hurriedly instructed the maidservants to set up a banquet and prepare everything properly. Bailang finally saw a hint of amiability in Yang Nan and was overjoyed. Following Yang Nan into the boat, he saw that the entire interior was decorated with fresh and elegant taste. Exquisite delicacies were arranged across tables, a row of refined and peerless maidservants stood quietly at attention, and several noble-tempered demon housekeepers were bowing in welcome. Such pomp and luxury were indeed beyond the reach of ordinary people.

'This Yang Nan is said to come from a mortal aristocratic family, but where in the mortal world would one find such an atmosphere?' Seeing that every single maidservant possessed a cultivation of at least the master level, Bailang was inwardly shocked. A mere banquet was more magnificent than an imperial palace in the mortal realm. Hailing from an extraordinary background, Bailang knew that only an ancient and enduring family could possess such splendor.

Doubts swirling in his heart, he restrained a few points of his arrogance and seated himself gracefully. Several maidservants stepped forward with warm towels and water, serving him meticulously.

Although Yang Nan did not pay much heed to these formalities, seeing Bailang—who had previously been arrogant and imposing—react this way to the dragon palace's grandeur, he was also inwardly delighted and glanced sideways at Longyao with eyes full of praise.

Seeing the praise from the one she held in her heart, Longyao became infinitely happier. Such grandeur was nothing much in the Dragon Palace; the dragon race enjoyed long lifespans, and any maidservant or servant hailing from the Dragon Palace far surpassed those elsewhere. This was the advantage of a long life.

"Brother Bai, let us drain this cup together. Today, thanks to Brother Bai's warning, this younger brother can be somewhat on guard. I am truly deeply grateful." Yang Nan raised his wine cup and invited Bailang to drink.

After drinking a few cups of wine, the atmosphere grew even warmer. Having received such lavish hospitality, Bailang felt deeply pleased and spoke warmly, "To not hide it from you, younger brother hails from the Cicada Saint Valley, and this visit is precisely to form an alliance with Brother Yang. With the world in chaos, whether human or demon, all wish to occupy immortal mountains and reign supreme on one side. Brother Yang possesses great talent and has Kunlun as a backing; my visit today is indeed meant to forge a powerful alliance. I wonder what Brother Yang thinks?"

Yang Nan smiled faintly and said, "Thank you for your kind intentions, Brother Bai. Presumably, that Cicada Saint Baixuan has a very close relationship with you, right?"

Bailang said solemnly, "To not conceal it from Brother Yang, the Cicada Saint is my father!"

Yang Nan had already anticipated this in his heart and remained utterly unsurprised as he said, "How disrespectful, how disrespectful. The Cicada Saint's profound arts penetrate the divine. I have long heard of the marvelousness of the Rebirth Art of All Mysteries, and it truly fills one with yearning!"

The Rebirth Art of All Mysteries was a saint-level cultivation method. This art went through a reincarnation every millennium, shedding the physical body to reshape a saintly physique, achieving a state akin to true immortality—hence its terrifying power. The Rebirth Art of All Mysteries, alongside the Dao of Life and Death Annihilation, each had their own strengths, coupled with the cicada clan's proficiency in feigning death to escape. In combat, if one was not careful, it would lead to endless future troubles. Relying on this art, Cicada Saint Baixuan had consecutively slain several grandmasters of the venerable level, making his name renowned far and wide!

Living yet dead, dead yet living—by practicing this art, one could nearly cast off the cycle of life and death. The profound and miraculous nature of this divine ability was beyond the power of language to describe!

Hearing Yang Nan's praise, Bailang wore a bitter smile and said, "Brother Yang flatters me too much, making this younger brother ashamed. Although this art can clearly penetrate life and death, it cannot reshape the divine soul. To not hide it from you, younger brother has come today precisely to borrow the Thirty-Six Hetu Luoshu Heavenly Mechanism Diagram for a single perusal. If Brother Yang permits, the entire Cicada Valley will henceforth look to Brother Yang as our leader!"

Yang Nan sneered inwardly. As expected, he came for this Heavenly Mechanism Diagram! Did he think he could take away this supreme demon technique with just a verbal promise? Did Bailang really think a single warning could be traded for a peerless cultivation manual?

Yang Nan pondered in silence. Bailang reached out and withdrew several items from his Qiankun ring, saying, "Brother Yang, this is said to be the legendary Mother of All Formations left by the primordial ancestor—the Zhou Tian Puxi Formation Diagram. Also, my Cicada Valley's exclusive magical treasure, the Bright-Colored Twin Flying Wings, and the water-element divine weapon, the Profound Weapon Canghai—all of these are peerless treasures. If Brother Yang grants permission, I will add the Rebirth Art of All Mysteries to them. This matter is of great consequence; younger brother only hopes to borrow the Thirty-Six Hetu Luoshu Heavenly Mechanism Diagram to read! Brother Yang may rest assured, this technique will only be passed between my father and me, and will never be leaked. If a single word is leaked, may Bailang suffer destruction by heaven and earth! If Brother Yang has any commands in the future, Cicada Valley will obey without fail! Should I violate this oath, may heaven, earth, gods, and men execute me together!"

Bailang's expression was earnest, carrying almost a trace of entreaty. For someone of his naturally aloof and extraordinary pride to make such a move was truly shocking!

As the son of the Cicada Saint, his status was barely inferior to Yang Nan's. To pay such a price for the Thirty-Six Hetu Luoshu Heavenly Mechanism Diagram, and even swear a demonic heart oath, truly left Yang Nan astonished. At that moment, a figure rushed into the Undying Thunder Skiff in a hurried flurry, shouting loudly, "Where is the Zhou Tian Puxi Formation Diagram? Quickly bring it out for me to see!"

Yang Nan raised his head. Was this noisy fellow with a head full of messy hair none other than Ni Cai, who had left the boat to search for items? He saw Ni Cai's eyes blazing with brilliant light, wishing nothing more than to immediately lay eyes on that legendary formation diagram personally deduced by the primordial ancestor Puxi!

The Mother of All Formations—which practitioner of the formation lineage would not be moved by it? Rumored to deeply harbor the marvelous realm of the Great Dao as One, it was incomparable to ordinary treasures!