Chapter 1289: Hidden Struggles

Qing Huanxiang had no desire to speak further, having already seen through everything.

Turtle Longevity Tian was even more direct, outright refusing on the spot!

"Star Lord, we are powerless to assist in this matter. Farewell!"

The two turned to leave, causing Nan Gong Yifang's face to turn pale with anger. Finally, he slammed the table and rose, unleashing his thunderous wrath!

"Scoundrels!"

"With such important matters at hand, how dare you think of leaving so casually!"

As his curses echoed, the two old men paused in their steps.

Slowly turning their heads, a cold glint appeared in their eyes!

Nan Gong Yifang was now in a full rage, having completely shed his facade of calm. He arrogantly rose to his feet, slamming the table again.

"Outrageous!"

"Though you are the leaders of your respective clans, you should know that there are always greater powers beyond! I hail from the Sub-Star, blessed by destiny, and my cultivation is far beyond what you mere natives of Lan Star can comprehend!"

"Today, you dare to defy the heavens' will? You’ve truly rebelled! If I don’t teach you a lesson, you’ll have no respect for the lords of the Sub-Star!"

Qing Huanxiang and Turtle Longevity Tian coldly observed his outburst, their faces filled with disdain and indifference.

In the past.

They might not have been a match for this Star Lord, and for the sake of the greater good, they had once endured in silence.

But now.

Watching this so-called "Sub-Star dignitary" throw a tantrum, the two felt no ripple of emotion, no anger, only a faint sense of amusement.

The once-feared aura, the unfathomable cultivation, even the mysterious background—all now seemed like childish nonsense, naive and shallow.

Even that air of superiority now appeared like the antics of a clown, no longer carrying any weight.

Calmly watching the Star Lord rage, channeling his full cultivation.

Qing Huanxiang's eyes were unperturbed, no longer harboring the suppressed frustration of the past. Turtle Longevity Tian, on the other hand, felt as though he were watching a child putting on airs, and could only sigh inwardly.

Nan Gong Yifang, still oblivious, remained immersed in his long-held sense of superiority.

He continued to channel his unparalleled cultivation, sending a wave of dark energy crashing down, the terrifying pressure blotting out the surrounding light, as if day had turned to night in an instant!

With this move, no living being could survive!

Just as his eyes gleamed with cold intent.

Qing Huanxiang simply waved his sleeve, without any other movement, and the world returned to clarity, as if nothing had happened.

"Whoosh..."

A gentle breeze swept by.

Nan Gong Yifang stood frozen in place, his face filled with disbelief!

His mighty attack had been effortlessly neutralized?

How was this possible!

Wide-eyed, he stared at the two old men, who remained calm and composed, as if nothing had occurred. Their serene eyes showed not a hint of disturbance...

Unfazed, profound, and inscrutable.

Instantly!

Nan Gong Yifang's eyes trembled, completely overwhelmed by their demeanor!

Never in his wildest dreams could he have imagined.

That the Lan Star natives he once looked down upon had grown so powerful over the years. Now, facing them, he felt as though he were in the presence of revered elders, his psychological pressure mounting!

This sudden reversal of fortunes was too much for Nan Gong Yifang to accept.

But the truth was undeniable!

The natives he had never taken seriously had become unimaginably strong. Though tens of thousands of years had passed, it was but a blink in time for them. Yet, their cultivation had skyrocketed, far surpassing his own by multiple times.

Nan Gong Yifang's heart was filled with shock, and when he spoke again, his voice trembled with emotion.

"Impossible..."

"This can't be!"

"How have you suddenly become so strong!?"

Seeing that Nan Gong Yifang had finally come to terms with reality and was unlikely to continue putting on airs or causing trouble.

The two men saw no need to say more and casually prepared to leave.

"There are always greater powers beyond the heavens, and greater people beyond oneself."

The same words echoed once more, causing Nan Gong Yifang's heart to twist.

His face flushed with shame, as if he had suffered a great blow.

But as he watched the two men effortlessly manipulate space with their profound techniques, all his emotions were instantly suppressed. His eyes burned with fervor, as if he had glimpsed a monumental opportunity!

In that moment, he understood.

Hurriedly, he called out, his tone now several times more respectful.

"Fellow Daoists..."

"Fellow Daoists, please wait!"

Hearing the familiar address, Qing Huanxiang and Turtle Longevity Tian turned back in confusion.

"What else is there?"

Before they could ask further, Nan Gong Yifang approached with a smile, gesturing respectfully.

"Fellow Daoists, it has been so long since we last met. Why leave in such a hurry? I was out of line earlier, and I won’t bring up the past. Please, do me the honor of sitting down and sharing a few words..."

Nan Gong Yifang, after all, was a figure of some standing, and he truly knew how to adapt.

As the saying goes, one does not strike a smiling face.

Seeing the Star Lord suddenly repentant and so humble, and given that there was no deep-seated enmity between them, Qing Huanxiang and Turtle Longevity Tian decided to grant him a bit of face.

They sat down once more.

Before they could speak, Nan Gong Yifang personally brewed a pot of his treasured tea.

The fragrance was soothing, calming the mind.

Both the treatment and the attitude were now worlds apart from before!

After finishing their tea.

Qing Huanxiang, having already guessed something, calmly asked.

"Star Lord, the three of us have known each other for tens of thousands of years. If you have something to say, speak plainly. There’s no need to beat around the bush."

Hearing this, Nan Gong Yifang's eyes showed a hint of nervousness.

"In that case, I’ll be bold and speak my mind..."

"Your sudden surge in cultivation must mean you’ve encountered a tremendous opportunity, right? I apologize for my earlier offenses. If you could forgive my past transgressions and allow me to join you in seeking this opportunity, I would be willing to honor you as my superiors from this day forward!"

Hmm?

At these words, Qing Huanxiang and Turtle Longevity Tian exchanged puzzled glances.

They spoke in turn, their voices filled with surprise.

"Star Lord, you hail from the Sub-Star, with its endless resources. What need do you have for opportunities?"

"Indeed, the Sub-Star is so formidable. How could you..."

The once-proud origins now sounded somewhat painful, even tinged with mockery, but Nan Gong Yifang paid it no mind. Instead, he let out a bitter sigh.

"Ah..."

"Fellow Daoists, you don’t understand."

"Though I hail from the Sub-Star and hold the position of Star Lord of Lan Star, appearing to be in a position of great honor and prestige, in truth, I am nothing more than a discarded pawn..."

"You think I can command the winds and rain on Lan Star, with the protection of the Sub-Star’s great figures, and that I am destined to ascend to the Great Dao?"

"In reality, I am merely a pawn, tasked with managing Lan Star’s affairs while constantly currying favor with the Sub-Star’s dignitaries. For tens of thousands of years, I’ve walked on thin ice, with no chance of returning to the Sub-Star. My life is destined to end here!"

"Now that there are no others around, I no longer need to maintain the facade of the Star Lord. To be honest, this position is nothing but a burden. I’ve endured it only because I had no other choice."

After this heartfelt outpouring, the two men were stunned.

Who would have thought that the seemingly illustrious Star Lord was actually a pitiable figure?

Truly, every family has its own struggles.

Hearing this candid confession, they finally understood why Nan Gong Yifang had suddenly expressed a desire to follow them.

But faced with such a request, the two were at a loss.

They could only privately discuss via telepathy.

"Nan Gong Yifang is indeed a figure of some standing, and the master is known for his open-mindedness. Shadow Island has always welcomed all. Given his cultivation, it might not be a bad idea to bring him along?"

"As long as he is sincere in his desire to join, Shadow Island naturally welcomes all. That said, we must first gauge his sincerity—whether he truly intends to reform and pledge loyalty to Shadow Island."

"Indeed, brother, you speak wisely. We cannot allow someone with such a high opinion of himself to enter Shadow Island and tarnish the master’s reputation!"