Chapter 223 : The Chaotic Battle Begins
Like Zhong Heng, most people from Xuanqing Sect were completely bewildered. They didn't know why the demonic path had suddenly begun fighting amongst themselves, but as bystanders, they were naturally happy to see their opponents fighting each other to the death.
The disciples who were about to board the ship stopped in their tracks, watching the commotion in the distance like spectators at a show.
Su Hao, as the leader of the younger generation, also curiously observed for a while before being the first to look away. Considering their current situation, he turned to the three Peak Masters who were also monitoring the developments and asked with clasped hands: "Uncle Masters, the demonic path is fighting among themselves. Should we still proceed with our departure as planned?"
He asked this out of concern that setting off rashly might attract the enemy's attention, and if the demonic cultivators then turned to attack the Light Feather Boat, it would be counterproductive. If they were to leave, they should perhaps choose another time.
The Peak Masters had naturally considered this, and knowing more about the situation than Su Hao, they had thought of more implications—if nothing unexpected had occurred, those fighting on the other side were likely Nine Abyss Sect and Crimson Blood Sect. However, only disciples had engaged so far, with no Elder-level cultivators of Spirit Division or above participating, let alone the Sect Leaders.
But who knew if the Nine Abyss Sect Leader had arrived? If he was already there, his hatred toward Jianbing, who had personally killed Chu Yang, would definitely be stronger than toward the Crimson Blood Sect Leader. Sending disciples away now would be like throwing dumplings to a dog.
After careful consideration, Peak Master Qingyuan looked toward his Senior Brother and Junior Sister: "Given the uncertain situation, it's probably unwise for the disciples to depart now."
Peak Masters Qingyu and Qingxu exchanged glances, also having to abandon the arrangement to send the disciples away immediately. But as Peak Master Qingyu looked at the two sides fighting in the distance, she felt an inexplicable irritation in her heart: "Has there been any word from the sect?"
Peak Master Qingxu replied: "The Sect Leader has invited Elder Mingxi to come out of seclusion. He will arrive in a few days."
Elder Mingxi was one of Xuanqing Sect's three Supreme Elders and also the sect's top Grand Achievement realm combat power. Usually, these Supreme Elders stayed in the sect's small secret realm in closed-door cultivation, and they wouldn't be disturbed unless something major happened to the sect. The reason they could so easily disturb a Supreme Elder this time was because a Grand Achievement cultivator had already appeared at Mount Mingzong, and a second might appear.
Currently at Mount Mingzong were Xuanqing Sect's three Peak Masters and the next generation's most talented disciples, all invaluable to the sect. Upon receiving the news, Elder Mingxi had set out without hesitation.
Of course, if it were purely a matter of travel speed, even a Grand Achievement cultivator going all out couldn't compare to a casual stroke from a Tribulation Crossing stage Black Tortoise. Unfortunately, Divine Lord Zhiming had long been in a deep sleep, and unless the sect was on the verge of destruction, no one could wake the sleeping Black Tortoise.
Learning that Elder Mingxi was coming, everyone felt a sense of reassurance, as if a great weight had been lifted, and Peak Master Qingyu's expression also softened somewhat.
Su Hao had been standing very close to the Peak Masters due to their conversation and had heard everything. Now he was filled with curiosity, both about the current situation and the soon-to-arrive Elder Mingxi. After some thought, he couldn't resist asking: "Uncle Masters, what exactly has happened that even a Supreme Elder has been alerted?"
Due to Su Hao's status as Mount Tianyang's head disciple, the Peak Masters clearly treated him differently. They hadn't avoided speaking in front of him earlier, and now hearing his inquiry, they exchanged glances before answering: "Chu Yang is dead."
These four short words made Su Hao draw in a sharp breath: "Who did it?"
Chu Yang's special status was beyond doubt. Although both were heirs to their respective sects, Su Hao as the Sect Leader's head disciple clearly couldn't compare to Chu Yang's position as the Sect Leader's son. After all, no matter how close a master-disciple relationship might be, if a disciple died, another could be taken; but if a son died, it was almost impossible for high-level cultivators to have another... Some people didn't care about bloodlines, while others valued them extremely highly.
In the current situation, which was already on the verge of exploding, Chu Yang's death had undoubtedly shattered the peace.
Thinking of this, Su Hao suddenly turned to look at the distant battle, believing he had found the answer: "It's internal strife within the demonic path? Someone killed him?"
A look of helplessness appeared on Qingxu and the others' faces, but in the end, they didn't conceal the truth: "It was Jianbing who did it, though the Crimson Blood Sect Leader was also involved, so those fighting now should be Crimson Blood Sect and Nine Abyss Sect." After a pause, he suddenly added: "But I don't think it will be easy for us to stay out of this."
Su Hao noticed something odd in the Peak Masters' tone and instinctively looked back, only to see that the demonic cultivators, who had been fighting fiercely, had somehow drawn much closer. And at the very moment he turned his head, a blood-red attack was directed straight at Xuanqing Sect's spirit ship.
It must have been launched by an Elder-level figure who hadn't acted before. The attack was extremely powerful, and Su Hao's pupils couldn't help but contract at the sight.
Fortunately, the Peak Masters were present. Peak Master Qingxu casually raised his hand and blocked the attack. But even so, the disciples on the deck couldn't help but feel alarmed, not understanding how the flames of war had suddenly reached them.
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Due to the uncontrollable factor of war, Xuanqing Sect disciples' withdrawal plan was forcibly shelved.
Zhong Heng and the others couldn't say they were disappointed, as they hadn't wanted to leave in the first place, so staying actually suited them perfectly. But when enemies were right before them and the elders were preventing them from taking action, it was somewhat frustrating.
They still stood on the deck, and the spirit ship's defensive formation had been activated, sufficient to repel all current attacks—when the defense formation wasn't active, it was fine; those demonic cultivators were fighting amongst themselves, only occasionally letting stray attacks come through, as if teasing. But once the defense formation was activated, those demonic cultivators seemed to suddenly drop all pretense, and all kinds of attacks fell on the defensive formation like rain.
"Are these demonic cultivators deliberately causing trouble?" Zhong Heng held his greatsword, frowning as he observed the situation outside.
The current scene did indeed look like the other side was deliberately provoking them—first pretending to fight internally, then gradually directing their attacks toward the righteous sects. As they attacked Xuanqing Sect, the people from Tiandao Sect and Buddha Sect couldn't just stand by and watch, so more and more people joined the chaotic battle.
Finally, Bei Luo and the others could no longer bear to watch and requested permission from the sect leaders and elders to join the battle.
Qingyuan and Qingyu initially didn't want to agree, knowing the inside story and fearing their disciples would be targeted, but in the end, Qingxu made the decision: "There's no reason they can't go. Eliminating demons and upholding righteousness is what we should do. However, remember to be careful. If you encounter an encirclement or opponents you can't defeat, prioritize self-preservation. Don't act on impulse."
With these words, the disciples' eyes immediately brightened, and they readily agreed.
Seeing this, Peak Master Qingyu didn't say anything more, but walked to her head disciple's side and said: "Qingyue, your injuries haven't healed, and the current situation doesn't require your intervention. Take Jianbing and return to the cabin to wait."
Yun Qingyue had remained silent throughout, and hearing this, she paused before responding without insisting otherwise: "Yes, Master."
The Little White Tiger was taken away by her Senior Sister, unusually obedient and well-behaved, with her tail tucked in. Only when the human and tiger had entered the cabin did she cling to her Senior Sister's arm and apologetically say: "Senior Sister, did I cause trouble? Chu Yang's status was so special—should I not have killed him? Or if I had to kill him, should I have done it secretly, not letting that avatar see..."
From different standpoints, Chu Yang needed to be killed, but the consequences of this action had exceeded the Little White Tiger's expectations—she hadn't meant to implicate the sect, but in fact, the sect had been implicated because of her, which made the tiger feel guilty.
More importantly, if she hadn't killed Chu Yang, Senior Sister would probably have returned safely to the sect to recover, rather than staying here to continue being involved.
Hearing this, Yun Qingyue shook her head and said firmly: "No, you did right to kill him."
The Little White Tiger felt there was more to her Senior Sister's words, but hearing her affirmation, she was undoubtedly pleased. Her tucked tail began to wag as she perked up again: "Yes, I think so too. That Chu Yang was clearly a troublemaker."
Yun Qingyue stroked her head without adding anything else, then walked to the window to observe the battle outside through the formation.
By now, Zhong Heng and the others had all joined the battle. Although they couldn't participate in the high-level cultivators' fights, they cut through ordinary demonic cultivators like slicing vegetables. And Zhong Heng's group wasn't an exception—Buddha Sect's Tanming and Tan Xin, Tiandao Sect's You Yi and Ruan Le, had all joined the fray and were locked in fierce combat with the demonic cultivators—this was the first true large-scale battle since the secret realm had closed. Not only were the demonic cultivators giving it their all, but the righteous disciples, who had suffered in the secret realm, were equally determined to retaliate.
Both sides fought fiercely. Not only the initially engaged Nine Abyss Sect and Crimson Blood Sect, but after all three righteous sects had joined the melee, the other two demonic sects also entered the battle. Moreover, it wasn't just disciples fighting; high-level cultivators had gradually joined the battle as well.
The Little White Tiger was held by her Senior Sister, with her paws gripping her arm and her entire body leaning forward: "Senior Sister, Master has joined the fight."
Hearing this, Yun Qingyue shifted her gaze and indeed saw Peak Master Qingyu appear in mid-air, engaging with a demonic elder. The latter's cultivation was evidently no match for hers; after just a few moves, he was knocked down, and Peak Master Qingyu quickly faced another enemy.
"Master is formidable," the Little White Tiger exclaimed excitedly, waving her paws and feet.
Yun Qingyue had long since accepted the Little White Tiger calling her Master by the same title, and now her gaze closely followed her Master's movements. She watched as her Master displayed her divine prowess, striking down one enemy after another with her sword, and also witnessed enemies gathering in increasing numbers, putting her Master in a surrounded position... but she wasn't worried at all, because Peak Master Qingyu's strength was still overwhelming.
In mid-air, Peak Master Qingyu formed a sword seal with her fingers and tossed her spiritual sword into the air. The sword divided into two, then four, then eight, and in the blink of an eye, it had transformed into countless sword shadows. Following her sword seal's direction, the myriad swords fell, not only injuring all the enemies surrounding her but also claiming the lives of many lower-level demonic cultivators.
The demonic sect elders quickly noticed this and naturally couldn't allow Peak Master Qingyu to continue her rampage.
An elder from Harmony Sect was the first to meet her, blocking one of her strikes before staring at her for a moment, then suddenly saying: "Such a beautiful woman, it's just a pity you're too cold."
As his words fell, he inexplicably felt a chill in his heart and unaccountably shuddered.