I was just making up techniques… how did all of you become Emperors? Chapter 551 Outside North Jade Mountain

The massive beast descended upon a secluded, barren hillside.

Four figures were seated upon its back, consisting of two men and two women. One man had the appearance of an honest, stout fellow with a simple-minded air, while his companion was a drunkard with drooping eyelids. Despite his disheveled look, every gesture he made radiated an unparalleled sense of carefree ease.

The two women were both top-tier beauties. One possessed a noble and sophisticated aura, while the other resembled a refined jade from a modest background.

This quartet presented a strikingly mismatched image, yet no one in the vicinity dared to approach or provoke them. Instead, the onlookers instinctively kept their distance, whispering among themselves as they traded rumors.

They were desperate to uncover the true identities of these four individuals.

These four were none other than Wang Baole and his traveling companions. Once they reached the ground, Kunkun immediately began to shrink his massive frame.

Taking a long drag from his wine jug, Nie Xiuyuan remarked: "Junior Brother Wang, I will leave the upcoming matters in your hands. I do not intend to intervene unless absolutely necessary."

Wang Baole gave a slight nod. "Senior Brother, I understand how to proceed."

While the four were talking, a group of disciples from the Wen Dao Academy began to congregate nearby. A member of the Outer Affairs Hall whispered: "Isn't that Senior Uncle Nie?"

His companion responded immediately: "That is certainly Senior Uncle Nie. And the person beside him looks like Senior Brother Wang from the Miscellaneous Dao Hall. Should we head over to pay our respects?"

"Let us go."

After a brief consultation, the group began making their way toward the small hill.

The surrounding cultivators had been watching the hillside intently. Seeing the disciples of the Wen Dao Academy approach the four newcomers, their expressions became filled with anticipation.

The Wen Dao Academy was, after all, one of the Ten Great Sacred Lands. No matter how formidable the background of those four might be, they surely could not stand against such a power.

Wang Baole and his group remained calm as their fellow sect members drew near.

The disciple leading the group cupped his hands in greeting. "Disciple Chen Xueli pays his respects to Senior Uncle Nie and Senior Brother Wang."

"Junior Brother Chen, there is no need for such formality," Wang Baole replied.

He then asked in a neutral tone: "What brings you all here to seek us out?"

Chen Xueli explained: "We were hoping to enter North Jade Mountain under the protection of Senior Brother Wang."

"Very well."

Wang Baole did not turn them away. He felt a sense of duty toward the Wen Dao Academy for his upbringing, so he would not refuse his fellow disciples when they sought his aid.

"We thank Senior Brother Wang!" the group exclaimed in unison.

Wang Baole then inquired: "Aside from your group, are there any other experts from the Wen Dao Academy present?"

Chen Xueli answered: "Elder Huang from the Outer Affairs Hall is also here. He is currently leading some disciples on a circuit around North Jade Mountain and should be joining us shortly."

"Could that old fellow be Huang Tao?" Nie Xiuyuan suddenly interjected.

Chen Xueli’s expression shifted slightly as he replied respectfully: "Indeed, it is Senior Uncle Huang Tao who is spearheading this expedition."

"It has been a long time since I shared a drink with that old man. I'll have to have a few jars with him later," Nie Xiuyuan said with a grin.

Wang Baole looked at him and asked: "Senior Brother, are you well-acquainted with Senior Brother Huang?"

Nie Xiuyuan nodded. "I am. During my early years in the Outer Affairs Hall, I had a few drinking companions, and Old Man Huang was one of the regulars."

As they spoke, a red light suddenly pulsed from the jade tablet hanging at Chen Xueli’s waist. His face paled instantly upon seeing it. "Senior Uncle Nie, something is wrong! Senior Uncle Huang and the others have run into trouble."

Having served in the Outer Affairs Hall himself, Nie Xiuyuan recognized the signal immediately. The jade tablets were the standard communication tools for their hall, with different colors indicating specific situations.

Red was the signal for extreme peril, a warning for all nearby disciples to retreat immediately.

Nie Xiuyuan’s eyes narrowed. "I did not expect someone would have the nerve to target the Wen Dao Academy. Chen Xueli, show us the way. I want to see who possesses such reckless audacity."

The morale of the disciples surged at his words.

Senior Uncle Nie was a prized disciple of First Seat Chu and a powerful expert in the Nirvana Realm. With his involvement, they felt secure even if a Great Sage were to appear.

"As you command!"

Chen Xueli led the disciples into the air to show the way. Nie Xiuyuan gave Kunkun’s head a light pat, and the group followed behind the Wen Dao Academy disciples while seated on the beast's back.

This display left the cultivators from other factions in a state of shock.

An elder watching the scene sighed deeply. "That ancient demonic beast was actually tamed by a powerhouse from the Wen Dao Academy. I wonder which high-ranking figure that man is."

"If we want to find out, we should follow them and watch the show. Anyone brave enough to provoke the Wen Dao Academy is likely an expert from another Sacred Land."

The eyes of the onlookers brightened. If that were true, they might witness a clash between Sacred Lands even before the Immortal Mountain fully opened.

Since North Jade Mountain remained sealed, anyone arriving early had to navigate around its perimeter.

Before long, Nie Xiuyuan and his companions reached the northern side of the mountain. Before they could even land, they witnessed a fierce battle between two powerful cultivators at the Path Union Realm.

One was dressed in the ceremonial robes of a Wen Dao Academy elder, while his opponent wore the second-rank official uniform of the North Abyss Sacred Dynasty.

The Wen Dao Academy elder was clearly struggling, retreating with a faint trail of blood at the corner of his mouth.

In contrast, the official from the North Abyss Sacred Dynasty was growing increasingly aggressive, his attacks becoming more ferocious as he prepared to drive the elder into a corner.

The Wen Dao Academy disciples watching were visibly demoralized, while the followers of the North Abyss Sacred Dynasty were shouting with arrogance.

Just as Elder Huang reached his limit, a mocking voice echoed from above.

"Old Tao, it’s been decades. How is it that you, you old geezer, haven't improved in the slightest?"

As the voice faded, the overwhelming pressure of the Nirvana Realm descended, pinning both combatants in place.

"Who goes there?"

The official from the North Abyss Sacred Dynasty halted his attack and glared at the sky, only to see a massive shadow looming over him.

He gasped instinctively: "A Kun Peng!"

"You have a good eye. Now, get lost," Nie Xiuyuan said nonchalantly from the beast's back.

Though he intended to rescue Huang Tao, he felt it was beneath him to seriously bully a mere Path Union Realm old man.

"Hmph!" The cultivator from the North Abyss Sacred Dynasty snorted with disdain.

"Daoist, the affairs of the North Abyss Sacred Dynasty are not for a simple Nirvana Realm cultivator to meddle in. Be smart and leave now. Otherwise, you will face the wrath of our Crown Prince when he arrives!"

"Hehe," Nie Xiuyuan chuckled softly. "Old man, you've already injured an elder of my Wen Dao Academy, and now you have the nerve to tell me to leave? Do you hold my Wen Dao Academy in such low regard?"

Without another word, he casually unsheathed his treasured sword.

Clang!

With a sharp ring, a streak of sword qi plummeted from the heavens toward the Path Union Realm official.

"No!"

Before the man could even scream for mercy, the sword strike struck him. With a violent explosion, his body and soul were completely erased from existence.