Chapter Thirty-Eight
"Yan'er!" He Ming's brow furrowed, a hint of reproach in his gaze as he looked at Cen Yan. "You're joining in their foolishness too?"
Pei Zhan was always bold, so his shocking suggestion wasn't surprising. But Cen Yan thinking the same way?
The mountain-guarding formation was of utmost importance. Destroying it would make the sect a target. The consequences would be unimaginable. This was no joke.
Lian Ci's expression was also disapproving. Qingyang Tianzong was a minor sect, overlooked by everyone. Which immortal sect would come to their aid?
If anything, the spread of the evil energy had to be kept secret. Not a breath of it could leak out.
"It's not foolishness." Cen Yan understood He Ming's thoughts—they wanted to defend the sect to the death, even if it meant its annihilation, rather than give outsiders an opportunity.
But that would mean the end of Qingyang Tianzong among the immortal sects. Cen Yan didn't want to see that outcome. He explained patiently: "I know the immortal sects are deeply suspicious of each other. If they knew Qingyang was corrupted by evil energy, most would either exploit the situation or stand by and watch. But if they knew Qingyang was about to open its formation and release the evil energy, which would eventually harm them too, then considering their own interests and safety, they'd have no choice but to help."
It was a somewhat underhanded tactic—dragging all the immortal sects down, sharing the danger. But it was better than the entire sect waiting for death. Once the energy fully corrupted the formation, it would spread and threaten the other sects anyway; it was only a matter of time.
There was logic in this.
One path led to certain death; the other was uncertain. Neither was good, but the latter at least offered a glimmer of hope.
Lian Ci and He Ming exchanged glances, deep in thought.
After a long silence, Lian Ci's expression grew serious: "Then do as you say. He Ming, use the transmission talisman to inform our disciples outside. Ask for support from the immortal sects."
The Transmission Spirit Talisman was a high-grade talisman that could send messages despite the mountain-guarding formation. Qingyang Tianzong had only one, meant for a life-or-death crisis. But there was no time to worry about that now. Even if the energy completely eroded the formation, it would take a few years. Qingyang Tianzong had some time.
Sacrificing a high-grade talisman was regrettable, but if it bought the sect a few more years of existence, it wouldn't be a total loss.
He Ming accepted the order grimly and immediately went to send the message.
In a short time, the water-blue talisman flew out of Qingyang Tianzong's front hall, disappearing into the mortal realm, floating into a guest room at an inn.
The person inside woke groggily, saw the talisman before him, and scrambled off the bed, throwing on an outer robe as he rushed to gather his fellow disciples.
Soon, letters requesting aid, sent in Qingyang Tianzong's name, were dispatched to all the immortal sects.
-
The next day.
When Chu Rong opened his eyes, he immediately felt clean and dry, as he had after previous episodes.
He knew who was responsible.
"Thank you, sir..." He smiled, turning his head toward the bedside. But the bedside was empty. The two tall white figures that had been there every night were gone.
"Sir?" Chu Rong paused, sitting up. His jade-white feet appeared beneath the hem of his robe, his pale soles tinged with pink.
He looked around. Still no sign of anyone.
Had the man hidden himself again? He usually did.
Chu Rong called out again. Still no response.
His lashes lowered, shadows falling on his eyes. A thought crossed his mind: had the man left?
He didn't mind. They had met by chance; it was natural for him to go. Chu Rong was more relieved than anything.
The man's identity was unknown. Though he meant no harm, he was still a potential threat. His disappearance was a good thing.
Pushing aside his thoughts, Chu Rong put on his mask and opened the door. He saw a tall figure entering Wusong Residence.
The man's handsome face was grim, unusually without a smile. Meeting Chu Rong's gaze, his expression softened. His lips curved in a smile.
Chu Rong didn't want to greet him. He turned to close the door.
Xu Ziyang moved quickly, bracing his hands against the door, blocking Chu Rong's way.
The man's warm scent was too close. Chu Rong's voice behind the mask was cold: "Move."
Xu Ziyang ignored his displeasure. His dark eyes fixed on Chu Rong, his voice low and hoarse: "The evil energy has invaded. The Sect Leader has decided to open the mountain-guarding formation early. The sect will be dangerous soon, and you..."
Before he finished, the fragrance of orchids grew stronger. Chu Rong leaned close, looking up at the man's jaw. The red at the corners of his eyes was startling: "You're opening the formation early?"
The evil energy invasion was expected—it was in the original text. But in the original plot, the evil energy was discovered just before the formation opened. He Ming used the Heavenly Shield to seal it until the opening, only then sending Cen Yan for help.
Why was it opening two months early?
Xu Ziyang's gaze lingered on Chu Rong's eyes. His breathing quickened. He lowered his arms, forming a loose embrace, and explained everything.
Chu Rong didn't notice the subtle gesture. His lashes fluttered, surprise in his eyes. The evil energy had possessed a patrolling disciple?
That explained why it had spread faster than in the original text.
But opening early was good. It meant he could leave early. Far from these leads, he could finally escape the original owner's fate.
His lips parted, a note of urgency in his voice: "When?"
Not until the immortal sects replied. Xu Ziyang couldn't reveal that. "Probably in the next few days."
Sooner than he expected. Chu Rong's eyes flickered, a smile forming at the corners. He was captivating.
He should prepare to dissolve the engagement.
Lost in thought, he didn't see the depth of feeling in Xu Ziyang's eyes. He was happy the formation was opening early?
-
The immortal sects' mountain-guarding formations opened at different times. Recently, several sects' formations were open.
Qingxu Sect, the premier immortal sect, was the most notable.
Qingyang Tianzong's plea for help soon reached Qingxu Sect.
Qingxu Sect.
Jiutian Peak stood above all others, with a spirit-gathering array drawing spiritual energy from hundreds of li around. It had the most abundant spiritual energy of any immortal sect.
In the main hall at the peak's summit, white jade pillars stood at the four corners, the walls carved from white jade. On a seat of three-hundred-year-old white spirit wood sat a black-haired, kindly-faced elder, his eyes bright.
"Qingyang Tianzong?" Sect Leader Jin Tuo rested his chin on his hand, looking at the letter before him. "Is there a sect by that name among the immortal sects?"
He had never heard of it.
An elder below stepped forward to explain: "Qingyang Tianzong ranks low among the immortal sects. It's been obscure for centuries. Only thirty years ago, they luckily found a talented disciple and gained some small reputation."
That reputation hadn't reached Jin Tuo's ears.
The elder continued: "I heard that disciple opened his spiritual aperture at a young age, and after drawing in qi, he reached the late Qi Condensation stage. Now he seems to be at the late Golden Core stage, likely to become a Nascent Soul within a century. Such talent is rare, almost on par with Xingye."
At these words, the young man standing to Jin Tuo's left looked up.
He wore black training robes, tall, with straight nose and thin lips, handsome. His whole being was like an unsheathed sword, sharp and proud.
Even a glance carried weight.
Genius?
Nan Xingye's gaze darkened. His talent and comprehension were exceptional. When praised, he was called peerless.
But since this Cen Yan appeared, people always compared them.
Nan Xingye had long wanted to meet this genius.
The elder's reminder sparked Jin Tuo's memory. He slapped the seat, his voice carrying authority: "Release evil energy? What is Qingyang Tianzong to threaten Qingxu Sect?"
Presumptuous!
Pressure spread through the hall. The elders lowered their heads, not daring to speak.
Jin Tuo gathered spiritual energy to destroy the letter when a golden light shot from distant Wangxian Peak.
It pierced the sky. Waves of spiritual energy fell from above. Even from this distance, the overwhelming pressure reached Jiutian Peak.
Those standing moments before broke out in cold sweat, their faces pale. They involuntarily bowed.
"It's Venerable Ning Yuan!"
Jin Tuo gripped the armrests, barely keeping his balance. "The Venerable has come out of seclusion!"
It had been a hundred years since Ning Yuan entered seclusion to reach the Mahayana stage. No one had dared approach Wangxian Peak, fearing to disturb him.
Now that he was out, he must have succeeded.
Jin Tuo was overjoyed. He ignored the letter and hurried towards Wangxian Peak.
Author's Note:
Sorry for the wait~