Chapter 226 : Wait and See
The Canglán Secret Realm had been open for a year, and the conflict between righteous and demonic paths on Mount Mingzong had lasted just as long. Various large and small battles had occurred—if not a hundred, then at least eighty. Both sides were familiar with this situation and expected this time to be the same.
However, this chaotic battle had already lasted a full half-month, with losses on both sides far greater than before.
True disciples like Zhong Heng could neither serve as pillars to match the enemy's upper-tier fighting power nor be used as cannon fodder merely for attrition. So on the second day of the chaotic battle, those who were injured or whose spiritual energy was exhausted returned to the spirit ship. They took shelter on the spirit ship to heal while still observing the battle situation outside.
As one of the only two true disciples brought by Peak Master Qingyu, Zhong Heng quickly discovered his Master's disappearance after returning to the spirit ship. He hurriedly sought out Yun Qingyue, and seeing that his Senior Sister wasn't in seclusion, asked: "Senior Sister, have you seen where Master went?"
Yun Qingyue naturally didn't know, and the Little White Tiger, who knew the inside story, couldn't respond—she knew that Peak Master Qingyu had been taken away by the Crimson Blood Sect Leader, and the system had confidently told her that those two definitely had something going on. But she couldn't say such things, because she had no way to explain how she could see through a Grand Achievement cultivator's barrier, nor could she convince anyone to believe such an absurd fact.
So the Little White Tiger could only remain silent, watching the siblings worry.
Finally, Yun Qingyue decided to enter seclusion with a heart full of concern. The strange fire within her body had not been transformed, the Ice Soul Condensation Pearl had not been completely refined, and consequently, her meridian injuries had not healed—she was almost no different from a cripple now.
But with a major battle imminent, she couldn't leave to return to the sect, yet staying here she couldn't be a burden—truly, she could hide in Jianbing's Innate Space where no one could harm her, and she wouldn't hinder anyone. But as one blessed by heaven, Yun Qingyue had her own pride. Even her Junior Brother Zhong Heng had contributed significantly to the current battle; how could she bear to hide in a place of comfort like an invalid?
To this, everyone naturally had no objection. Except for the Little White Tiger who guarded her specifically, everyone's attention was primarily drawn to the chaotic battle outside. Even when their injuries improved slightly or their spiritual energy was replenished, these disciples ran back to the battlefield for several more rounds of fighting.
Thus, time passed quickly, with people falling every day.
On the third day of the chaotic battle, just after Yun Qingyue had begun her seclusion, Peak Master Qingyu returned. She didn't see the Crimson Blood Sect Leader on the battlefield but thought nothing of it, rejoining the battle.
On the fifth day of the chaotic battle, Xuanqing Sect's Supreme Elder Mingxi arrived at Mount Mingzong. The appearance of a Grand Achievement cultivator finally began to cool the situation—although both righteous and demonic paths now had Grand Achievement cultivators present, Elder Mingxi truly acted as a deterrent, her attitude diligent. The Crimson Blood Sect Leader, on the other hand, was clearly too capricious, having not only never taken action from start to finish but even being completely absent for several days.
Though demonic cultivators were known for such willful temperaments, having such a leader truly vexed them. Therefore, seeing a Grand Achievement cultivator on the opposing side, the demonic cultivators' hot blood had to cool down, instantly changing the battle situation.
It was unclear which side instigated it, but although the battle atmosphere began to cool, this chaotic conflict didn't cease easily.
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At the foot of Mount Mingzong, beneath where Xuanqing Sect's spirit ship was moored, a military camp-like base was completed in just three days.
This was built after Elder Mingxi's arrival. Due to the demonic cultivators' persistent entanglement, plus the involvement of Grand Achievement cultivators, Sect Leader Qingxiao and the elders had discussed and felt that this conflict between righteous and demonic paths wouldn't end anytime soon. To avoid having too few personnel at the Mount Mingzong front line, Elder Mingxi hadn't come alone—besides some elders, she had also brought many disciples using her pocket dimension.
Most of these Xuanqing Sect disciples were not high in cultivation—some at Golden Core, some at Foundation Establishment—and their talent and strength couldn't compare with the true disciples. But they had all volunteered to come, both to eliminate demons and uphold righteousness, and to temper themselves.
The sect naturally agreed readily. In fact, this was standard procedure. After Elder Mingxi brought the people, she casually set up a formation to mark out territory. These disciples then utilized the space as they saw fit, either taking out portable houses or setting up tents on the spot, arranging the base in good order within half a day. Then they added various alerts and defenses, working hard to fortify the base.
In total, it took less than three days—not only was everything at the base prepared, but these disciples had even found time to fight against the demonic cultivators. Although those who faced these ordinary disciples were also ordinary demonic cultivators, both sides fought with great intensity.
With the new disciples settled, Xuanqing Sect's spirit ship still remained suspended in mid-air, serving as a place for Peak Masters and elders to rest and hold discussions.
In the largest cabin of the spirit ship, Elder Mingxi sat in the main seat. She was the only female cultivator among Xuanqing Sect's three Supreme Elders, her cultivation neither the highest nor the lowest.
Sect Leader Qingxiao had sent her simply because she happened not to be in seclusion.
She was now saying seriously to everyone: "On those demonic vessels opposite, I sensed only one Grand Achievement aura, which should be that Crimson Blood Sect Leader. As for the Nine Abyss Sect Leader you mentioned, either he doesn't plan to come, or he's still on the way. However, this is the western region, closer to demonic cultivator territory—if he wanted to come, there's no reason he would arrive later than me."
Hearing this, no one felt relieved; instead, they became even more vigilant—his only son was dead, and Grand Achievement cultivators could almost never have other offspring. It was almost impossible for the Nine Abyss Sect Leader to let this go. Moreover, his avatar had uttered threats when dissipating; retaliation was inevitable. His absence now could only mean he was hiding in the shadows preparing some major move.
Yet even Elder Mingxi, who was also at the Grand Achievement realm, couldn't find any trace of the Nine Abyss Sect Leader. For those with lower cultivation to discover anything was almost wishful thinking.
Everyone exchanged glances, then Qingxu suddenly asked: "If Elder were to battle the Crimson Blood Sect Leader, what would be the odds of victory?"
Hearing this, Peak Master Qingyu's fingertips, hidden in her sleeves, trembled imperceptibly. However, with her habitually cold expression, her demeanor didn't change, and no one noticed the momentary fluctuation in her emotions.
Elder Mingxi pondered for a moment, then said: "That remains to be seen." After a pause, she added: "From what I know, the demonic path traditionally follows the law of the jungle, with no Supreme Elders—a Sect Leader is often the strongest. And Crimson Blood Sect's overall strength is not weak. In my perception, that Crimson Blood Sect Leader's cultivation is not lower than mine, and her vital energy is even more vigorous."
Vigorous vital energy represents youth, and even with tens of thousands of years of lifespan for Grand Achievement cultivators, they couldn't escape this rule. However, lower-level cultivators had no ability to perceive such things, and even cultivators of the same level would find it difficult to probe the other's details.
Elder Mingxi clearly had her own methods, and by saying this, she tacitly acknowledged that the other's natural talent was superior to her own. At the Grand Achievement realm, even newly advanced cultivators would have people willing to offer heavenly treasures to curry favor. Therefore, there was no need to compare resources; what remained to compare was strength and talent, wasn't it?
Qingxu and the others couldn't help but frown. They had long heard of the Crimson Blood Sect Leader's reputation but hadn't expected her to be so young. After some hesitation, they abandoned their earlier thoughts—if the other side hadn't made the first move, there was no need for them to provoke and make enemies.
Peak Master Qingyu suddenly spoke up: "Since the cause of this matter is Jianbing killing the Nine Abyss Sect Young Master, and it's likely Nine Abyss Sect stirring up trouble now, with possibly the Nine Abyss Sect Leader hiding in the shadows, why should we take the long way around? Since we've decided to take the initiative, we might as well first strike at Nine Abyss Sect. If we can draw out the Nine Abyss Sect Leader, all the better..."
Qingxu raised his hand to interrupt her, appearing disapproving: "This approach may be inappropriate. On our side, we have only Elder Mingxi at the Grand Achievement realm. If the Nine Abyss Sect Leader truly appears on the demonic side, that would make two Grand Achievement cultivators. They may have some grudges, but Chu Yang wasn't killed by the Crimson Blood Sect Leader, and their grudge isn't a blood feud. If they join forces, it could be disadvantageous for Elder Mingxi."
Upon hearing this, Qingyu blurted out: "She wouldn't."
Qingxu was taken aback and asked puzzledly: "Who wouldn't?" Then he seemed to understand: "You mean the Crimson Blood Sect Leader? She hasn't acted these days, but demonic path people are unpredictable in temperament. Who can be certain what she would do then?"
Hearing this, Qingyu lowered her gaze and didn't mention the Crimson Blood Sect Leader again, even seeming to regret having brought her up.
But as she stopped speaking of it, Qingxu and the others began to reconsider. They thought that given the Crimson Blood Sect Leader's temperament, perhaps if they fought with the Nine Abyss Sect Leader, she truly wouldn't interfere.
They discussed back and forth but couldn't reach a conclusion, finally deciding only to wait and see how things developed.
Well, that would have to do for now. After all, the disciples had just arrived and needed practice, and other matters weren't urgent. However, when battle began, they could give the disciples some guidance, focusing their attacks on Nine Abyss Sect. Perhaps if enough Nine Abyss Sect disciples were killed, the Nine Abyss Sect Leader would grow impatient and show himself?