Unexpectedly?

As expected, the space they had entered was nothing more than a trap prepared by whom they were assuming was the Sect Master, a Heavenly Sun Expert. Despite it all, Julong couldn't help but be impressed, that was because this person had two Purple-Gold Suns, commonly known as the second most powerful Heavenly Suns one could achieve. Even so, it served to prove that they would most likely have to break their Jade Tablets to have Qing Yang save them.

"Foolish children of the Sacred Palace! You dare come to my territory without protection in hopes of taking the Ancient Serpent Scales?!"

A booming voice rang throughout the void directed at the two mistakenly identified Disciples. Even their voice alone was enough to make Julong's body tremble like it was about to implode. Even throughout the incredible pressure, he was more taken aback by what he was hearing from the Heavenly Sun Expert.

In what world would they be part of the Sacred Palace, especially if their main force wasn't there? ...Then again, sending two envoys to accumulate information before the main force arrived wasn't a bad idea. This Elder's thought process wasn't exactly stupid, but it was too ill-informed.

"Elder we are not of the Sacred Palace! We are from the Cangxuan Sect!"

His words seemed to achieve nothing as the pressure on both of their bodies increased. It was getting to the point that his Spirit would soon have to intervene so he could even have the chance of pulling out his Jade Tablet. Stupidly neither of them had thought to reach for it before they entered.

"Silence, insolent child! You cannot trick me, especially after what your cursed Sect has done in the past years!"

A certain type of hope was brought to Julong. He seemed to be exclusively angry at the Sacred Palace, or so he hoped. If his hope was properly placed, proving they were from another Sect could save them.

"But this is no trick! Is there any way for us to prove our allegiance with the Cangxuan Sect?!"

"Present me something from your Sect that I will be able to recognise, only then will I believe you!"

Julong quickly tried to think of something he could show the Heavenly Sun Expert. He was lost for a few moments, he had left all of the Sect belongings that he owned back in his Dwelling on the 'Second Peak'.

He thought for a few more seconds as the Heavenly Sun Expert became more agitated, shown by the pressure beginning to increase yet again.

"Elder, please allow me to reach into one of my pockets momentarily, and I will present you with something that will surely prove our identities!"

The pressure on Julongs' body alone relieved itself, creating what was only a small safe zone around him and only him. He looked over to Qingchan who was crumpled on the ground as he had been a few moments earlier.

Reaching into his pocket like he said he would, he pulled out the Jade Tablet. The rune on the tablet was linked directly to the Spirit of Qing Yang, a figure with a very recognisable power about him, at least in the Cangxuan Heaven. If the Heavenly Sun Expert was to examine it and find traces of Qing Yangs' power, surely that would prove their allegiance.

"Elder, please look at this!"

The Jade Tablet momentarily took off, flying toward the Heavenly Sun Expert. He only uttered a few words upon examining the rune on the tablet.

"Qing Yang..."

A few moments later light and colour began appearing all around the spaceless domain. All the pressure and heat that was present in the void had disappeared. In the next instant, they were kneeling in front of a throne-like seat with none other than whom they could only assume was the Heavenly Sun Expert sat upon it.

He was middle-aged with not many special features about him but his mid-length black hair with streaks of grey, representing his age.

Before anything could be said, the powerful figure directed his gaze toward Julong, carefully looking him in the eyes.

"I'm surprised."

Julong was silent for a moment, seeing him address him so casually. He proceeded to just give him a look of inquiry, confusion staking him.

"Why is that, Elder?"

Julong was expecting him to say something along the lines of his allegiance to the Cangxuan Sect, but was surprised when it was something completely different.

"You didn't break the tablet. If you did, you could have escaped and even had me killed by your Sect Master."

Julong laughed awkwardly, "I have no such intention."

Qingchan who finally came to from her stupor which had been brought on from the sheer stupidity of the power of a Heavenly Sun, held a perplexed expression before it became one of gratitude.

"Thank you for sparing us Elder."

The Heavenly Sun Expert shook his head.

"Don't be ridiculous, I should be apologising for incriminating you like that. Had I known you were from the Cangxuan Sect from the start, perhaps this encounter would not have been so rocky." He looked between them quickly. "Even so, I would like to inquire as to what it is you are searching for. I have not received any word of the Cangxuan Sect moving in to take part in the search for the Ancient Serpent Scales."

As the leader of the two-strong group, Qingchan took the initiative to answer.

"It is indeed as you say, the Cangxuan Sect are not coming to search for the Scales, at least not officially. As to avoid any attention being brought to the Sect, since the Sacred Palace, regrettably, are stronger than our Sect, we have come unofficially by order of our Sect Master to try and steal the Scales."

The Elder nodded his head slowly.

"That makes sense and is actually quite smart. Despite sending a Heavenly Sun to make sure I do not interfere, their main force to find the scales is quite minuscule, acting as if it will be a rather easy operation."

"Mmm~ that's why Sect Master deemed it appropriate to at least try and steal them."

"I see."

A small silence took over the room before Julong decided to speak up. He had become rather intrigued by the Heavenly Sun Experts' motives.

"Elder, if you don't mind me asking, why is it that you do not want the Sacred Palace taking the Ancient Serpent Scales, but you are okay with us taking them? Wouldn't you want them to yourself?"

"While what you say is true, and I would prefer them to myself, it is almost impossible for me to contend with the Sacred Sects. Because of this, I would prefer that the Scales at least end up in a Sect of my choosing, that being any Sect but the Sacred Palace."

Julong nodded in understanding, but there was still one thing that perplexed him. While Julong hated the Sacred Palace for being dogs of the Sacred Race, he wanted to know why this esteemed Elder resented them.

"What about your distaste for the Sacred Palace?"

The Elder stopped for a few moments, almost like he was uncomfortable with the question.

"After the death of the Patriarch, which they dared to play a role in, they have opted to oppress our Territory in ways that you cannot even begin to imagine. For example, one thing they did was purposefully add Genesis Beasts to the wastelands, forcing my hand to expend large amounts of resources to build the wall surrounding the town."

Qingchan couldn't help but express her distaste at his words, "How hateful."

The Elder merely laughed at her words. Understandably, there was nothing he could do about it. Their Palace Master, Sheng Yuan was nearing the stage of False-Saint after all. There was a very big difference between a Peak Advanced Stage Law-Domain and a False-Saint, let alone a Heavenly Sun Expert like himself.

"Elder, do you mind if I ask for your name?"

He nodded.

"My name is Won Feng. Would you tell me your names in return, young ones?"

"Wan Julong."

"Li Qingchan."