The Blazing Fire Beast was a very easy spirit beast to raise. It didn't require special food or a particularly good environment; it could survive just fine being left to its own devices. This kind of small spirit beast wasn't uncommon in Kunwu. Low-level cultivators liked to catch one or two for alchemy or artifact forging, so Mo Tiange wasn't worried about how to raise it.
After catching this little Blazing Fire Beast, Mo Tiange simply let it roam freely in the spirit beast room and the small valley behind her cave abode. After all, she didn't have many things in her cave abode, and the medicinal herb fields in the valley were all protected by restrictions. At most, this little fellow could only nibble on some grass; it couldn't cause much trouble. When it was hungry, she fed it Qi-Nurturing Pills. When it was thirsty, there was a clear spring in the valley. And with no natural predators, the little thing quickly grew plump and round.
After about a month, when she had gained some understanding of the Spirit Refining Art and the Blazing Fire Beast no longer resisted her, Mo Tiange began her alchemy.
The basic Foundation Establishment stage pill was the Foundation-Nurturing Pill. Having already refined Foundation-Solidifying Pills, it wasn't too difficult for her. However, the spiritual herbs required weren't as cheap as those for Qi Refining stage pills; she spent several thousand spirit stones. And that was only for a hundred portions of ingredients. Fortunately, she now received the stipend of an elite disciple, and combined with her original several thousand spirit stones, she could afford it.
Taking the Blazing Fire Beast to the alchemy room, Mo Tiange began secluding herself, burying her head in studying alchemy.
Several months passed in a flash like this. Suddenly one day, she heard the long tolling of a bell from outside and realized with a start that a long time had passed.
Stopping her alchemy, Mo Tiange walked out of her cave abode and happened to run into Wei Jiasi, who was walking out with a worried look on her face. She stepped forward to greet her and asked, "Senior Sister Wei, what happened?"
Wei Jiasi shook her head and replied indifferently, "I just heard the bell too, so naturally I don't know. This is the summoning bell for disciples. Disciples from all peaks must go to the main peak upon hearing it. We'll know when we get there."
Having said that, Wei Jiasi no longer looked at her, summoning her own flying artifact and heading towards the main peak.
Mo Tiange looked around. Han Qingyu hadn't returned since her disappearance, and Luo Fengxue's cave abode was also silent—she was probably at the Deacon Hall. She wasn't really familiar with the others, so she also summoned her flying sword and flew towards the main peak.
At this moment, she saw disciples all over the mountain, busy but not chaotic. Disciples at Foundation Establishment and above each used their own flying artifacts, while Qi Refining disciples rode the public Ten-Thousand-Mile Clouds of each peak, all rushing towards the main peak.
Watching this, Mo Tiange sighed inwardly. This was the bearing of a renowned great sect. These disciples encountered an incident suddenly, yet none were panicked. Thousands of disciples moved in an orderly and methodical manner. It seemed that even if something had happened, they could handle it without feeling the slightest bit flustered.
Flying to the main peak, Mo Tiange looked down and saw the plaza was already packed with people. At the entrance of the Three Pure Ancestors Hall stood dozens of Core Formation cultivators, and even two Nascent Soul Patriarchs stood with solemn expressions.
Mo Tiange quickly found the spot where Foundation Establishment disciples were to stand, landed her flying sword, and composed herself, standing solemnly.
Over a dozen Core Formation cultivators, two Nascent Soul Patriarchs... with this kind of formation, she wouldn't believe it if someone said nothing major had happened. Could it be related to Senior Sister Han's disappearance?
Although she had been secluded in alchemy for several months, Mo Tiange knew that Senior Sister Han had sent no news since her disappearance. Several uncles-master had left the mountain to search but found no clues. Occasionally when she went to see Uncle-Master Xuanyin, she saw him looking worried.
The plaza gradually filled with people. Once all the disciples were in their respective positions, the leading Nascent Soul old Daoist glanced over, and a Core Formation cultivator stepped forward, shouting loudly, "All disciples, quiet!"
His voice wasn't particularly loud, yet it was clear in every corner. The disciples who had been whispering immediately fell silent.
This Core Formation cultivator had a grave expression and said solemnly, "We have summoned all disciples here to inform you of one matter. Several months ago, there were unusual movements of demon beasts in the southern forest. We dispatched elite disciples to investigate, but unexpectedly, they all disappeared. To avoid causing panic, this matter has not been announced until now. Over these past months, we have continued to receive reports that many disciples outside have disappeared. Therefore, we are gathering everyone to issue the Mountain-Sealing Decree."
As soon as these words were spoken, the plaza erupted in an uproar.
The Mountain-Sealing Decree—although many disciples had not experienced it, they had heard of it. The so-called Mountain-Sealing Decree meant activating the mountain-protecting grand formation, sealing the sect gates, no longer receiving visitors. All disciples were only allowed to enter, not leave. Except for those on official orders, all contact with the outside world was cut off.
Mo Tiange had been secluded in alchemy for several months and had rarely seen Luo Fengxue, so she hadn't known the disappearance incident had such widespread impact. For a top-tier great sect in Tianji to seal its mountain gates, one could see how severe the situation had become.
At this moment, the Nascent Soul old Daoist standing in the center raised his hand, and the previous Core Formation cultivator retreated. Mo Tiange had heard Luo Fengxue mention this Nascent Soul Patriarch; he was the Chief Supreme Elder of the Xuanqing Sect—the number one figure in the Xuanqing Sect's hierarchy. It was said his cultivation was at the Nascent Soul late-stage, and his strength was among the top in Tianji.
The Chief Supreme Elder, who had been half-closing his eyes, opened them. His gaze swept sharply over the disciples in the plaza. After a long moment, he declared loudly, "Disciples, do you think that by issuing the Mountain-Sealing Decree, our Xuanqing Sect is about to face a great enemy?"
The plaza fell completely silent, but judging from everyone's expressions, this Nascent Soul Patriarch's words were absolutely correct. Since the sect's founding, the Mountain-Sealing Decree had only been issued once every few hundred years, and each time it signaled a great calamity.
The old Daoist closed his eyes again and said in a leisurely tone, "This seat tells you, it's not just our Xuanqing Sect. The entire Kunwu is currently facing another Demon Beast Rebellion. Moreover, according to disciple reports, this Demon Beast Rebellion is extraordinary. Although our Xuanqing Sect can be said to have strong strength now, we must understand the principle that extreme prosperity leads to decline. Being too powerful always invites disaster. For the sake of our Xuanqing Sect disciples, the Supreme Elders within the sect have decided to seal the mountain until the Demon Beast Rebellion ends. During this period, disciples of the Xuanqing Sect must obey orders and are not allowed to leave the mountain without permission!"
After the Chief Supreme Elder finished speaking, Mo Tiange glanced at the Foundation Establishment cultivators around her and saw many frowning tightly. Some were worried, some excited, some afraid.
She had heard of the Demon Beast Rebellion in the past. Nine out of ten immortal cultivation sects in Tianji were built on the Kunwu mountain range. To the south of the Kunwu mountain range was a boundless forest. This forest, together with the Kunwu mountain range, formed Tianji's number one spiritual land. The mountains were home to many cultivators, while the forest nurtured numerous demon spirits.
If demon spirits' cultivation became high, their intelligence gradually became similar to humans'. Under normal circumstances, they wouldn't leave the forest. But every so often, the great demon beasts inside would drive low-level demon beasts to attack the mountains, snatching pills, spiritual artifacts, and the like from human cultivators to aid their own cultivation.
Each human-demon conflict was both a calamity and an opportunity. Demons wanted to seize pills, and humans wanted to slay demon beasts to obtain their demon cores or corpses. There was no justice or evil; it was just each side fighting for what they wanted.
Mo Tiange thought for a moment and understood what her Foundation Establishment fellow disciples were thinking. Those who were excited saw it as a good opportunity. If they achieved great merit in this matter or gained some fortuitous encounters, their cultivation advancement would be very fast. Those who were afraid knew that some would surely have to leave the mountain on missions. They, these Foundation Establishment disciples, were the backbone. If something unexpected happened then, their bones would be lost without a trace.
Mo Tiange wasn't worried. After all, she was Patriarch Jinghe's named disciple. They definitely wouldn't send her to her death on overly dangerous missions. Besides, she wasn't afraid. During those seven years of wandering with her second uncle, she had been everywhere and encountered danger countless times. She didn't feel there was anything to fear.
"Alright, Qi Refining disciples, return to your cave abodes. Cultivate peacefully and do not disturb people's hearts. Foundation Establishment disciples, stay."
Upon hearing this, the Qi Refining disciples began to leave. The looks they gave these Foundation Establishment disciples held both sympathy and envy.
Once the Qi Refining disciples had completely withdrawn, the previous Core Formation cultivator stepped forward again. "Junior Nephews and Nieces, many among you experienced the Demon Beast Rebellion fifty years ago, so I probably don't need to explain in detail. The Demon Beast Rebellion isn't something that can be resolved just by sealing the mountain; we still need to go out and exterminate the enemy. Qi Refining disciples have not yet entered the immortal gate. You Foundation Establishment disciples are the cornerstone of our Xuanqing Sect. This matter still requires your efforts. We will dispatch six Core Formation cultivators and over a hundred Foundation Establishment disciples. Go prepare yourselves and await further notification."
Having said that, the Core Formation cultivator signaled that today's gathering was over. Mo Tiange was full of questions. As she followed the crowd back to Qingquan Peak, she wondered to herself: Shouldn't they have announced the list of disciples leaving the mountain to participate in the demon-slaying battle? Why did it end so simply?
"Tian Ge!"
She had just landed on Qingquan Peak when she heard a voice from behind. Mo Tiange turned around and saw it was Ye Jingwen.
"Brother Ye!" She sized up Ye Jingwen and saw his expression was similar to Luo Fengxue's—exhausted, as if he had been constantly busy. But that wasn't right; Ye Jingwen, like her, held no official position. Why would he be so tired?
Ye Jingwen waved his hand, tucking his sleeves as he walked towards the dwelling. "Let's talk inside."
Mo Tiange quickly opened her cave abode and invited him in.
As soon as he entered, Ye Jingwen said, "Tian Ge, in a few days, I'll be leaving the mountain on a mission."
"Ah?" Mo Tiange was startled. Ye Jingwen was already at the Foundation Establishment mid-stage at a young age, a standout among elite disciples. Logically, they shouldn't send him out before the situation was clear. "Brother Ye, why were you chosen?"
Ye Jingwen gave a bitter smile. "No choice. My master was chosen, so I can only follow."
"Huh? Does that mean the people going were decided long ago?"
Ye Jingwen nodded. "Before announcing this matter, the uncles-master already knew about it and had long since decided who would leave the mountain to slay demons. Each of the six peaks will send one Core Formation senior. For our Qingquan Peak, it's my master, Perfected One Qingyuan, who will go."
"Oh..." In that case, with a master present, it shouldn't be too dangerous.
"As for Foundation Establishment disciples, a small portion are elite disciples like us, most are ordinary disciples. Don't worry, you probably won't be chosen. However, this also depends on the battle situation. If the situation is bad, maybe everyone will have to go. If it's too good, maybe they'll send you newly advanced Foundation Establishment disciples for experience. I just came to tell you, so you can prepare too."
"Mm, I understand."
Seeing her acknowledgment, Ye Jingwen stood up, not even taking a sip of tea. "Alright then, I'll be off."
"Brother Ye, be careful."
Ye Jingwen turned back with a smile and hurriedly left.
Mo Tiange turned and returned to her cave abode, her mind full of thoughts.
What Ye Jingwen said didn't scare her. Those leaving the mountain to slay demons would have Core Formation cultivators leading them, so the danger wasn't too high. It was just that she had just advanced to Foundation Establishment, couldn't use the Spirit Refining Art yet, and her methods were slightly lacking. If she really had to participate in a major battle, she wouldn't feel confident.
Forget it. She should still prepare. If it really came to her turn, she wouldn't be caught off guard. She needed to prepare some life-preserving methods.