Gazing at the billowing dust and smoke below, Mo Tiange frowned.
She had never imagined that the outside world would present such a scene of chaos!
Refugees fleeing, low-level demon beasts in pursuit. Those who couldn't escape in time were caught by the beasts, either torn to bloody shreds or swallowed whole.
Her hands clenched into fists, her teeth biting her lower lip. She managed to retain a shred of reason and turned to the leader, Perfected One Suxin. "Perfected One Suxin?"
Perfected One Suxin was a woman with a stern, cold expression. Her brows were knitted in severity. With a flick of her wrist, a horsetail whisk shot towards the demon beasts below.
Seeing this, Mo Tiange and the others immediately joined the attack.
Blood splattered, limbs flew. These were low-level demon beasts. With dozens of them attacking, the area was swiftly cleared.
Mo Tiange wiped the blood from her hands and exchanged a glance with Luo Fengxue.
Luo Fengxue's face was pale. "How could it be like this..." she murmured.
Seeing her tremble slightly, Mo Tiange knew that Luo Fengxue, having grown up as a disciple of a prestigious sect, had never witnessed such bloody scenes before. She squeezed Luo Fengxue's hand. "Senior Sister Luo, we just need to kill the demon beasts."
It took Luo Fengxue a long moment to compose herself. She shook her head. "Don't worry about me, I'll adapt." She then gave a bitter smile. "Actually, our Xuanqing Sect has always emphasized preparedness in times of peace. Most disciples have experienced combat. It's just that I preferred handling miscellaneous affairs and never thought one day I'd need to fight myself. Ah, I was too indulgent."
The rescued refugees, mostly mortals who had lived in some market town or cultivation family, knelt and kowtowed in gratitude. Some even begged tearfully to be taken to a safe place.
Mo Tiange felt a pang of sorrow and looked to Perfected One Suxin.
Perfected One Suxin shook her head. "We have other urgent duties. We cannot delay here."
Mo Tiange knew Perfected One Suxin spoke the truth. Their group numbered only about twenty. If they escorted these mortals to safety and returned, who knew how long it would delay them? Every day late could worsen the situation. Since it was beyond their capability, there was no point forcing it.
But someone cried out, "Uncle-Master! If we don't help them, these mortals will likely still die!"
Perfected One Suxin cast a cold glance at the speaker. "Although our Daoist path upholds its precepts, we must distinguish priorities. The greater matter is urgent now. If these mortals leave the Kunwu Mountains quickly, they can still save their lives. We need not interfere further. Let's go!"
With that, she activated her flight treasure and left the area in an instant.
The path of immortality was not heartless, but its compassion had limits. Mo Tiange sighed inwardly but said nothing.
Several days later, the group finally reached their destination.
Taikang Mountain was protected by a grand mountain-guarding formation. Demon beasts had suffered losses against this Heaven-and-Earth Life-Severing Array before, so they dared not attack it directly. Instead, they continuously harassed the smaller sects and families affiliated with the Xuanqing Sect near Taikang Mountain. Precisely because of this, the Xuanqing Sect could not stand idly by. A major sect's disciple resources largely came from these cultivation families and minor sects. Without them, the Xuanqing Sect's foundation would be half-ruined.
Before leaving the mountain, Mo Tiange had learned that the current battles in the western Kunwu region were mainly concentrated at Falling Goose Cliff. Most of those cultivation families and minor sects had also relocated there. From afar, they could see a large array laid out on the cliff face, with tents densely packed within, covering the mountainside.
Perfected One Suxin looked at the scene, her brow tightly furrowed. She led them to a stop outside the grand array. A patrol of cultivators approached and bowed respectfully. "May I ask for the Daoist title of this Xuanqing Sect senior?"
A disciple of Perfected One Suxin stepped forward. "My master's Daoist title is Suxin. We have come under our sect's orders to provide support."
"Ah, so it is Perfected One Suxin. Forgive us for not welcoming you properly. This junior is Hong Yuan of the Shangqing Sect, currently in charge of patrols at Falling Goose Cliff. May the Perfected One please present the sect token? If we have offended, please forgive us." This Hong Yuan was polite but did not neglect his duty. Although they all wore Xuanqing Sect attire, he still remembered to check their tokens.
Perfected One Suxin gave a slight nod and produced a jade token.
Hong Yuan personally verified it and said respectfully, "Senior, please wait here a moment. This junior will notify Senior Lingxi to open the array."
With Perfected One Suxin's permission, Hong Yuan sent a sound transmission talisman. Not long after, a Core Formation cultivator wearing Xuanqing Sect robes arrived with several disciples, saying happily, "Senior Sister Suxin, you've come too."
Although Perfected One Suxin's face remained cold, her gaze softened slightly. "Junior Brother Lingxi. What is the situation?"
Mo Tiange had never met this Perfected One Lingxi before. He appeared to be in his youth, suggesting outstanding talent.
Perfected One Lingxi said, "Senior Sister, please enter first. We can discuss the details slowly." He then led the group into the array. The disciples behind him arranged accommodations for the Foundation Establishment cultivators, while he personally escorted Perfected One Suxin to the main tent.
Mo Tiange and Luo Fengxue followed their assigned arrangements. Upon entering the tent, Perfected One Suxin was taken aback. Inside, over twenty cultivators sat densely packed, all at the Core Formation realm. Most belonged to the Xuanqing Sect, with some from minor sects affiliated with it.
This likely represented the majority of combatants from the Xuanqing Sect area gathered here. What were they planning?
"Junior Sister Suxin, you've come too!" Perfected Person Xuanyin sighed upon seeing her. With Suxin added, Qingquan Peak's seven Core Formation cultivators now had four present. The other peaks were in a similar situation. Thus, half of the Xuanqing Sect's Core Formation cultivators were already committed to this demon beast rebellion.
After exchanging greetings with everyone, Perfected One Suxin sat down beside Perfected Person Xuanyin. "Senior Brother Xuanyin. What is the current situation?"
Perfected Person Xuanyin shook his head. "Several Core Formation fellow Daoists fell in battle a few days ago."
"What?!" Perfected One Suxin frowned, scanning the surroundings. Seven or eight of the Xuanqing Sect's Core Formation cultivators were absent. "What about Junior Brother Qingyuan and Junior Brother Shoujing?"
Perfected Person Xuanyin said, "Junior Brother Qingyuan is out on a mission. As for Junior Brother Shoujing..."
He paused. Perfected One Suxin pressed urgently, "What about him?"
"Junior Brother Shoujing is missing." Perfected Person Xuanyin's brow was deeply furrowed. "During a major battle a few days ago, Junior Brother Shoujing faced a seventh-rank Bright Light Beast. We haven't been able to contact him since. Several other Core Formation fellow Daoists fell, and a few others have also lost contact. We are currently discussing this matter."
"Missing..." Perfected One Suxin shook her head, speaking calmly. "Although a seventh-rank Bright Light Beast is equivalent to late Core Formation, Junior Brother Shoujing has always been resourceful and possesses escape treasures. His life should not be in danger. He's likely injured and hiding somewhere to recover."
"That's what I think as well." Perfected Person Xuanyin nodded, but his worried expression did not lessen. "However, the battle situation is truly unfavorable. Having Junior Brother Shoujing out there is ultimately worrisome."
Perfected One Suxin nodded. After a moment, she asked, "Senior Brother Xuanyin, what is the enemy's strength? With so many of our Core Formation cultivators, we still can't gain the upper hand?"
Perfected Person Xuanyin gave a bitter smile. "The other side has five or six seventh-rank demon beasts, plus over a dozen sixth and fifth-rank ones. They outnumber us, and their cultivation is higher on average. It's truly..."
"There are that many seventh-rank demon beasts?" Perfected One Suxin was shocked. Seventh-rank demon beasts were equivalent to late Core Formation, and they didn't have many late-stage Core Formation cultivators among them!
"Exactly. It's very troublesome..." Perfected Person Xuanyin shook his head.
"What!" Mo Tiange, having settled into a temporary tent, was shocked upon hearing the news Luo Fengxue had gathered.
Luo Fengxue continued, "I heard Uncle-Master Shoujing was fighting a seventh-rank demon beast, and then contact was lost. It's been seven or eight days now."
Mo Tiange stopped what she was doing and sat down. "What about Senior Brother Qin?"
"...Also missing." Luo Fengxue glanced at her. "Don't worry. Didn't you say no news is good news?"
Mo Tiange sat dazed for a moment, then asked, "Have they searched for them?"
"I only heard that Uncle-Master Qingyuan might have gone to look for Uncle-Master Shoujing. There's no news yet, so it's uncertain."
Mo Tiange fell silent. Her heart was in her throat, unable to relax, yet reason told her she couldn't help in this matter, and anxiety was useless.
She stood up, thought for a moment, sat down again, repeating this several times. Luo Fengxue couldn't bear to watch. "Calm down. With Uncle-Master Shoujing's cultivation, he'll be fine."
"I'm not talking about Uncle-Master Shoujing!" Mo Tiange closed her eyes and took a deep breath, but found it futile. Her heart still pounded wildly in her chest. She wanted to rush out, but didn't know what she could do.
Luo Fengxue looked thoughtful, watching her for a long time before suddenly saying, "Do you like Senior Brother Qin?"
Mo Tiange was startled, shaking her head. "No..."
"Then why are you so anxious?"
"I... I'm just very worried..."
"If you don't like him, why worry?" Luo Fengxue frowned, speaking seriously. "Tiange, I advise you, if you've truly developed such feelings, rein them in. He..."
"I know!" Mo Tiange slumped into her seat, covering her face. "I admit I once... But I know everything you want to say. I can also swear that right now, I harbor no delusions. I merely regard him as a friend. If it were Elder Brother Ye or you who went missing today, I would be just as anxious!"
Luo Fengxue was silent for a long moment before sighing softly. "Alright, I won't say more, though I think you certainly don't know..."
"Know what?" As soon as she finished speaking, a voice came from outside. Then a woman lifted the tent flap and stepped in.
"Head Senior Sister!"
Hearing Luo Fengxue's address, Mo Tiange looked up and saw Han Qingyu smiling at them. She quickly stood up. "Senior Sister Han."
Han Qingyu was a woman who appeared kind and gentle. Though not exceptionally beautiful, she was pleasant to look at and always wore a smile.
Luo Fengxue rushed over, exclaiming with joy, "Head Senior Sister, are you alright?"
"I'm fine." Han Qingyu affectionately patted her head. She was much older than Luo Fengxue; in mortal terms, she could have been her great-grandmother. Having watched Luo Fengxue grow up, she treated her like a junior.
After comforting Luo Fengxue, Han Qingyu turned to Mo Tiange with a smile. "Tiange, I haven't yet congratulated you on reaching Foundation Establishment. Was the journey tiring?"
Mo Tiange smiled. "Thank you, Senior Sister Han. It's great that you're safe. We were all worried."
Han Qingyu gave a gentle smile and sat down. She chided Luo Fengxue softly, "Fengxue, don't speak carelessly like that in the future. There are many people here. Who knows who might overhear."
Luo Fengxue nodded obediently. "Understood, Head Senior Sister."
Han Qingyu smiled and nodded, then turned back to Mo Tiange. "I came to see you both and also to inform you of the current situation. You may soon face demon beasts directly, so it's best you're mentally prepared."