Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
5,000 kilometers southwest of the Immortal Du Sect, black figures were sitting cross-legged quietly in a valley that was covered by an array formation.
Outside the array, there were a few figures hiding in various spots, guarding against any surprise attacks.
There were also three to four people underground…
In the deepest part of the valley, the three cultivators sat in the air in a triangular shape. There was a seven-petaled blood lotus beneath each of them, that was gently spinning.
They had already absorbed half of the three blood lotuses from the Nether Blood Ocean.
A mosquito-like voice sounded in their hearts. The three of them stopped cultivating and listened attentively.
Soon, the three of them opened their eyes and lowered their heads.
“Yes, sir.”
The sound of the mosquitoes gradually faded into the distance.
Yuan Ze took a deep breath and said firmly, “Although the vanguard suffered a setback this time, both of us have yet to achieve our Dao and are unable to make a move in time. When we obtain these good fortunes from Master, I will definitely be able to!”
“Fellow Daoist! Stop talking!”
The middle-aged Daoist priest on the left quickly interrupted, “Instead of just talking, we might as well take action. We should have done it earlier and completed the arrangements made by the Lord!”
“Yes!”
The old Daoist priest Yuan Ze laughed awkwardly.
He slowly closed his eyes and muttered, “We’re about to condense a Golden Immortal Dao Fruit. It’s merely the Immortal Du Sect. Wouldn’t it be easy for us to take it down?”
After he finished speaking, the old Daoist priest’s lips curled into a smile, seemingly confident that they would be safe…
The two Qi Refinement cultivators on Golden Ao Island, who had also had their Essence Soul Dao corroded by the Blood Mosquitoes, could not help but frown and look at each other.
He still said it in the end.
Why don’t we give Lord a warning… to change it?
The two of them shook their heads and pondered. However, they soon regained their composure and slowly closed their eyes.
Their minds were completely occupied by that voice…
Absorb lotus flowers, condense Dao Fruits, and destroy the Immortal Du Sect.
There were no longer many opportunities for them to think on their own…
The three blood lotuses spun slowly once again. Rays of sanguine light darted out and entered their Daoist robes, before filling their void Dao Fruits…
…
“Xuanya, there have been some disturbances in the sect recently. The situation in the sect is not stable. Don’t go into seclusion for the time being. If the sect gets into trouble, head to the Hundred Mortal Hall in time.”
Standing on the white cloud, Youqin Xuanya felt a cool breeze blowing at her. Her master’s advice echoed in her heart.
Disaster…
If the sect gets attacked, what should I do as the current Head Disciple?
If a powerful enemy comes to attack the sect, we the disciples who have yet to be immortalized, would not be able to withstand it.
If such a disaster really happens, and the mountain-protecting array slips into danger, the disciples of the various peaks would allow the sect to have more power to defend against external enemies by taking good care of themselves and not causing trouble for the Immortals in the sect.
She hated the fact that she had yet to become an immortal. Hence, she could not help her Master and Grandmaster solve their problems.
She had to do something.
Youqin Xuanya pursed her thin lips. Her gaze was filled with more determination as she turned around and flew to the Hundred Mortal Hall.
Soon, she received the Hundred Mortal Hall’s permission and took the Token of Permission from the elder. She was about to visit every peak and notify the disciples of her generation that there were earth meridians in their sect that had gone off-path.
After leaving the Hundred Mortal Hall, Youqin Xuanya thought for a while and headed straight… to Little Qiong Peak.
The Little Qiong Peak only has the support of Uncle-Master Qi Yuan, Senior Brother Changshou, and Junior Sister Ling’e. It’s naturally the most prone to encountering enemies. It’d be reasonable to inform them first.
Youqin Xuanya found a reason for herself and flew to the Little Qiong Peak with some uneasiness.
From afar, she could already see Ling’e floating on the surface of the lake. She instantly felt much more relaxed. She stepped on the clouds and slowly descended.
As soon as she entered the isolation array outside the Little Qiong Peak, she heard some noises…
Croak…
Croak…
The frogs that were both near and far away kept croaking while jade shadows flickered by the lake.
The place was originally a spiritual land meant for cultivation, but it seemed to offer carefree pastoral pleasure.
Youqin Xuanya landed by the lake and scrutinized the lively jade frogs. She was elated.
Ever since Li Changshou gave her an extremely adorable pink spiritual beast that was a boar, he had unexpectedly opened a door to a new world for her.
Although she had gone into seclusion too frequently and accidentally caused the death of the spiritual beast, which she mourned over for several months before burying it under the Heaven-Breaking Peak… Youqin Xuanya developed a strong penchant for such adorable spiritual beasts.
Standing by the lake, she leaned over gently. The water of the lake reflected her intoxicating looks and her charming figure.
Youqin Xuanya stared at the two small Spirit-Eating Jade Frogs. There was a faint smile on her face that was usually cold and beautiful.
However, the two little frogs that had just been “abnormal” seemed to have noticed her gaze as they jumped back into the shallow water beside the lake at the same time. With a kick, they disappeared along with the ripples in the water.
Youqin Xuanya raised her hand to adjust her hair, but her gaze was very gentle.
At that moment, ripples appeared on the surface of the lake. Three pearls slowly rotated, emitting a gentle glow.
Next, a beautiful figure slowly rose and emerged from the lake with two water balls in her hands. The one in her left hand contained a spiritual fish, while the one in her right contained a jade frog…
Under the soft light, Ling’e squinted and said leisurely, “Beautiful Senior Sister, Do you want this delicious snakehead or this delectable jade frog?”
“Or do you want your cute and virtuous Junior Sister, Ling’e, to make some tea and some snacks for you?”
Youqin Xuanya could not help but burst into laughter. In an instant, she looked just like a plum blossom blooming, and a snow lotus that was starting to bloom.
Ling’e jumped over from the lake and said with a smile, “Senior Sister, go take a seat inside. Senior has gone to Pill Tripod Peak.”
“Okay,” Youqin Xuanya replied gently and took two steps forward with Ling’e.
Youqin Xuanya suddenly snapped back to her senses. She seemed to have thought of something and was slightly stunned…
Delicious?
“Are these all edible?”
Ling’e blinked. “What do you think?”
“Snakeheads are delicious. They can be fried, steamed, or brewed with soup. They can also be cooked with the seasoning specially made by Senior!”
“The head of the Jade Frog can also be turned into a dish, a gluttonous Jade Frog… Senior imparted his culinary skills to me back then!”
Youqin Xuanya frowned. “Since we have already abstained from eating. Why must we eat these?”
Ling’e smiled and said, “Perhaps Aunt-Master Jiu Jiu can explain this. Wine is useless for cultivation, but Aunt-Master Jiu Jiu still values it like it’s her life. Isn’t it the same with appetite?”
“That’s true…”
“I’ll have to prove it to you.” Ling’e rolled up her sleeves, took out a bag of seasoning, and headed towards the kitchen beside the lake. “Senior Sister, please wait a moment. I’ll show you what I can do today!”
Youqin Xuanya blinked. Just as she was about to say something, Ling’e was already humming a tune and leaping towards the stove.
Some flames flew out from Ling’e’s fingertips and there was suddenly fire beneath the stove.
With a snap of her fingers, a spiritual fish jumped out of the lake as if it had jumped onto the chopping board.
Ling’e took out a sharp Dharma artifact which was a dagger meant for removing the fishiness of fish, patted the spiritual fish until it was unconscious, and started to get busy…
Youqin Xuanya walked over curiously, but she temporarily forgot about the important matters.
An hour later…
“It looks pretty good.”
“Senior Sister, try it. My skills are not inferior to Senior’s.”
“Mmm… How fragrant!”
Youqin Xuanya held onto a pair of jade chopsticks, and her eyes were glistening.
At the side, Ling’e had already taken out a short table. She took out a bottle of fruit wine that would not make one drunk. She and Youqin Xuanya enjoyed the fish over some drinks by the lake.
Soon, a white cloud emerged from Pill Tripod Peak…
Ling’e looked at the white cloud’s height and immediately said, “Senior is back. Senior Sister, don’t you have something important to discuss with me and Senior?”
“Yes.” Youqin Xuanya quickly put down her chopsticks and stood up to welcome him.
This time, Li Changshou did not hide. He rode the cloud and floated over.
“Senior! Senior Sister Youqin has been waiting for you!” Ling’e called out.
“Senior Brother Changshou,” Youqin Xuanya greeted gently and bowed to Li Changshou.
“Junior Sister Youqin, you don’t have to be so polite.” Li Changshou bowed to return the courtesy. “Why are you looking for me?”
Youqin Xuanya looked at Li Changshou and told him about the Earth Meridian Teleportation Array. Then, she said, “If there are external enemies attacking the mountain, the mountain-protecting array will be in danger. Senior Brother Changshou and Junior Sister Ling’e, you guys should head to the Hundred Mortal Hall. There is a way to escape there.”
“We have yet to become immortals. If we remain here, it would be a waste because we will just cause the elders in the sect to be distracted.”
Li Changshou frowned and asked, “Junior Sister Youqin, have you told the disciples of the various peaks about this?”
“No…”
Youqin Xuanya was a little embarrassed. “I… decided to come to Little Qiong Peak first.”
She continued, “I was thinking if I could ask you to help me and go to the various peaks with me to discuss this matter with the other disciples of the same generation.”
Ling’e blinked and did not say anything else.
Li Changshou heaved a sigh of relief in his heart. He reminded, “You should change the way you break the news to them. Do not mention the Earth Meridian Teleportation Array.”
“Junior Sister Youqin, have you ever thought that the number of disciples in the current generation have probably only joined the sect for between tens to hundreds of years?”
“If an external enemy intentionally plants a snitch among them, wouldn’t breaking the news to them explicitly be akin to cutting off the escape route for the disciples when an external enemy attacks the mountain?”
Youqin Xuanya was stunned. Then, she frowned slightly. “What you said makes sense, Senior Brother Changshou. However, if you don’t trust others, how can you convince them?”<
Li Changshou said seriously, “Trust should come only after you know someone well. If you don’t know them well, how can you believe them? There were twists and turns in human hearts. It’s hard to know what their true colors are.”
He continued, “Furthermore, Junior Sister Youqin, why do you think that there is no one in our sect who is afraid of death and is willing to submit to the enemy to survive?”
“But…”
Youqin Xuanya was at a loss for words. However, she did not know how to defend herself. She pondered continuously.
Li Changshou said warmly, “We are grateful to the sect, but we can only speak for ourselves. We cannot ask others to be like us. The Dao of Heaven and Earth comes from the heart. Whether or not a Dao is proper, will also depend on the human heart. Junior Sister Youqin, you can see that in this world, no two people have exactly the same Dao, not even a master and his disciple.”
Youqing Xuanya said, “I’ve been enlightened…”
Youqin Xuanya bowed deeply to Li Changshou, her eyes filled with admiration. She said softly, “It’s my fault for being careless. Thank you for reminding me, Senior Brother Changshou.”
“Senior Brother, please teach me how to deal with this matter.”
“Junior, you don’t have to be so formal.” Li Changshou even bowed to her. However, he concluded in his heart.
To deal with someone like this toxic girl, it is surprisingly effective to reason with her…
Li Changshou smiled and said, “Since you want to inform the disciples of the various peaks in advance, why don’t you change your words? Just tell them to hurry to the Heaven-Breaking Peak to hide if any emergencies crop up in the sect.”
“By then, you will guide them to the Hundred Mortal Hall. It will be better than having everyone rush to the Hundred Mortal Hall at the same time.”
Youqin Xuanya’s eyes lit up. She said softly, “That’s right. If it wasn’t for your guidance…”
“Junior Sister Youqin, you’re just a little anxious. You can think of that idea if you just give it some thought.”
Li Changshou cut her off without a trace. Then, he made an inviting gesture. “We should not delay this matter. Junior Sister Youqin, don’t procrastinate any longer.”
“Yes.” Youqin Xuanya nodded slightly, bowed to Li Changshou, and rode a cloud towards the Heaven-Breaking Peak.
Naturally, she had gone to discuss this matter with the elders of the Hundred Mortal Hall in a bid to remind them not to leak the news.
After hearing Senior Brother Changshou’s advice…
It is very likely that… there is really a spy!
Beside the lake, Ling’e winked at Li Changshou. Li Changshou smiled at her and rode a cloud to the Pill Chamber.
A moment later.
Li Changshou was seated by the desk in the secret underground chamber of the Pill Chamber.
Li Changshou played with the storage ring that Elder Wan Linyun had given him, which was marked by the Sect Leader. He stared at the terrain map which he had previously drawn, on the flat table in front of him.
There were huge amounts of poisonous herbs in the storage ring. It was likely a reward from the sect to Elder Wan Linyun.
He had once again received a bunch of poisonous pills and incapacitating agents from Elder Wan Linyun…
Li Changshou decided to return the favor. He decided to use that batch of poisonous pills as “public funds” by using them on the guards who were secretly keeping watch.
Now…
Li Changshou tapped his fingers on the table and began to analyze.
If I were those guys, which direction would I choose to launch a sneak attack from?
…
Half a year later, three thousand kilometers from the north-west of the Immortal Du Sect.
Black shadows flew close to the ground and quickly rushed through a desolate valley. However, those people did not notice that there was a cobweb on a rock on the side of the cliff, that was floating gently in the wind.
At the same time, they moved towards the dense forest more than 300 kilometers ahead.
A wooden box that was buried under the tree was gently pushed open. A paper effigy covered in cloth jumped out and used Wood Escape immediately to delve into… the trunk of the old tree beside it.
