At the Di Sect, all sorts of rumors started spreading.

"Have you heard? The previous young master, Xiang Shaoyun, is back."

"That trash? He actually has the guts to return? Is he trying to die?"

"Seems like you are uninformed. That trash has gotten really strong. Not long ago, the sect deployed an army against him, and the entire army was destroyed. He has grown into an extremely powerful person."

"He's really that strong? So you're saying that after swallowing humiliation, he decided to work hard and is now back to retake what was his? That feels like overconfidence!"

"What's the point of working hard now? This is no longer the same sect. He is only struggling pointlessly."

Most of the sect members had been in the sect since before Di Batian's time. But with the rise of Di Batian, everyone's mindset had started changing. Additionally, new members had joined the sect. Thus, the sect, as a whole, was indifferent toward Xiang Shaoyun.

In the main hall, Di Batian's clone appeared on the main seat once again. This time, his expression was unsightly, and the people before the seat did not dare to make a single sound.

"Di City has been taken over by that little bastard. He has even publicly declared war against me. Di's Four Qins are all dead. Looks like all of you have been living too well over the years. You can't even deal with an invasion anymore," said Di Batian. His gaze landed on Old Winter and Old Summer as he said, "Back then, the two of you were in charge of hunting that little bastard. Now that he has managed to grow, the fault lands on you two."

The two knelt down and said, "We beg the sect master's forgiveness."

"Seeing as the two of you have toiled hard for the sect, I will give you the chance to make up for your mistake. Lead an army and return with Xiang Shaoyun's head," commanded Di Batian.

Di Luoyang stepped out and said, "Father, please calm your anger. Xiang Shaoyun has indeed brought some capable helpers with him. Since he dares to challenge us, it is clear he has enough strength to fight us. If we want to kill him, we need to send our elites. Sending the two elders is almost the same as sending them to their deaths. It won't bring us any benefit."

"The third young master is right. Sect master, please reconsider," advised someone else.

Di Batian gave it some thought before saying, "Fine. Since that little bastard is acting so arrogant, I will send someone strong to destroy him. Let's see just how capable he is."

He then ended the meeting and activated the sect's formation to be in a battle-ready state before calling an old man over. At a glance, the old man looked like he was on the verge of death. Even so, his pair of old eyes were still incredibly penetrative.

"Elder He, I need to inconvenience you with something. Xiang Yangzhan's son is back for revenge. He has taken over Di City. I need you to go and destroy him," requested Di Batian with a respectful tone.

"Xiang Yangzhan's son? Sure, I'll capture that little bastard for you," said the old man before vanishing into thin air.

Looking at the departing old man, Di Batian clasped his hand behind his back and thought, It will be better if he can kill that little bastard. And if he can't, he can at least get rid of some of those ungrateful wretches for me.

Then, Di Batian's clone vanished into thin air as well. Meanwhile, his main body continued cultivating in a secluded location. He was at the crucial point of reaching a higher level of cultivation.

...

Above Di City's four city gates were four signboards with Di City written on them. All four had been taken down by Xiang Shaoyun and replaced with Ziling City signboards. Nobody in the city dared to object, as those who dared to object were all killed.

Standing atop the city wall, Xiang Shaoyun looked in the Di Sect's direction and muttered, "It won't be long before I return. Di Batian, just you wait."

And as he was about to return to the governor's manor, an indescribable aura descended from the sky with a powerful, suffocating pressure. Xiang Shaoyun was completely helpless against the pressure, and he nearly collapsed to the ground.

"Impudent!" At this time, Scarlet Flame Monarch, who had been protecting Xiang Shaoyun from the dark, roared and charged out. He sent a flaming fist toward the sky.

Even space itself cracked from the might of his punch. A figure appeared from thin air. This newcomer was none other than He Wuyou, the Saint who had arrived from Di Sect.

"No wonder Di Batian sent me here. So you actually have a Saint here as well," said He Wuyou as he focused his gaze on Scarlet Flame Monarch.

"Cut the nonsense. Wherever you come from, anyone daring to lay hands on the young master shall die," said Scarlet Flame Monarch as he charged He Wuyou.

Scarlet Flame Monarch had yet to recover to his peak strength, but he was strong enough to deal with fifth-stage Saints. In any case, He Wuyou was only a peak fifth-stage Saint. The moment the two clashed, a world-shaking explosion erupted, frightening everyone in the city. Xiang Shaoyun took the chance to slip back into the governor's manor so he wouldn't be hit by a stray attack.

"That old dog sure is cautious. He actually sends a Heaven Battling Realm cultivator right away? I wonder if Scarlet Flame can deal with this opponent," muttered Xiang Shaoyun. He looked at Ye Chaomu and said, "Little Mu, send someone to help Scarlet Flame. I'm worried that he won't be able to deal with this opponent alone. This person wouldn't dare to come alone if he wasn't capable."

Ye Chaomu did not hesitate. She nodded and sent the middle-aged man behind her. Ye Chaomu had two Saints by her side. One of them was an old woman called Granny Luo, while the other, a middle-aged man, was called Grandpa Chen. Both of them were extraordinarily strong and were the dao guardians Ye Chaomu's master had assigned her.

Grandpa Chen soared into the sky, and when he was about to join the battle, Scarlet Flame Monarch refused his help.

"We don't need two people to deal with someone like this. Just be on standby. I alone am enough to defeat him," said Scarlet Flame Monarch confidently.

He was somewhat inferior in terms of battle strength, but he was still confident he could win.

"How confident of you. Let me see just how strong you are," said He Wuyou with a sneer. He increased the strength of his attacks, trying to defeat Scarlet Flame Monarch as quickly as possible.

Grandpa Chen did not say anything. However, just by being there, he gave He Wuyou an incorporeal presence, keeping him on constant alert. Because of that, he became more irritated the longer the battle went on. Relying on his rich experience, Scarlet Flame Monarch was able to fight better and better, and slowly, he started gaining the upper hand.

The two exchanged numerous attacks, creating a massive spectacle in the sky. If they were fighting on the ground, the entire city would have probably been flattened by now.

Eventually, He Wuyou couldn't hang on anymore. After a feint attack, he turned tail and ran.

Scarlet Flame Monarch was completely stunned. He asked Grandpa Chen, "Why didn't you stop him?"

"You said you could deal with him alone, right?" said Grandpa Chen.

Scarlet Flame Monarch was speechless.