Chapter 2232 - Daybreak

When Li Sanjiu looked over, he saw Xiao Jian reclining on deck, still perfectly calm and quiet.

He saw nothing strange whatsoever, yet he could say with certainty that he’d just sensed an indescribably terrifying murderous intent emanating from Xiao Jian!

Yet now, it had vanished, or rather, been hidden.

Li Sanjiu furrowed his brow, but in the end, he retracted his gaze and looked away.

Neither Qi Wei nor Wei Zhong noticed any of this.

“Has Xi Ning fallen into the Three Purities Daoist Court’s hands?” asked Su Yi. His voice was calm, but the depths of his gaze surged with terrifying coldness.

He’d overlooked something.

He could keep his cool, but the Xi Family had long since descended into chaos. That unquestionably put Xi Ning in grave peril!

After all, everyone thought that she was the one who’d brought disaster upon them!

Xi Ning was stuck in the middle of this. How much agony and torment was she enduring? How sad must she have been when her own family tried to give her to their enemies?

“She hasn’t,” said Qi Wei. Only then did she notice that Su Yi’s mood had shifted, but it was subtle; he remained outwardly calm. Neither his expression nor his words carried any overt emotional fluctuations.

“Ancestor Xun Hong refused to accept their deal. Instead, he domineeringly announced that if Su Yi didn’t show up, he’d slaughter everyone in the Xi Family, Xi Ning included,” Qi Wei said at top speed.

Su Yi’s eyes flashed with mockery. “They lowered their heads before their enemies and tried to make concessions, even offering up their clanswoman in a bid for survival, only for their enemies to refuse. How can the old-timers of the Xi Family bear this?”

“The Xi Family’s decision really was far too cruel to Xi Ning,” Qi Wei sighed. “But in the face of annihilation, I’m afraid most people would make the same choice to ensure the survival of their clan.”

After a moment’s silence, Su Yi suddenly got up. “I’ll leave on my own first.”

Before his voice had even finished echoing through the air, his figure blurred and whooshed into the distance.

“Argh...” Qi Wei rose and tried to say something, but she didn’t even get the chance. She couldn’t help but find this vexing. “He’s just infuriating! He acts all calm and composed, but the moment he heard that Xi Ning was in danger, he immediately lost his cool!”

Wei Zhong was unwittingly astonished.

Xiao Jian actually has a relationship with Xi Ning?

“Young Mistress, Xiao Jian really isn’t simple,” the silent Li Sanjiu said out of nowhere. “Someone like him wouldn’t rush to his death lightly.”

“What do you know?” snapped Qi Wei. Still, she obviously calmed down after hearing him say that.

She said hurriedly, “Pick up the pace. We’ve got to reach Skybright Mountain as soon as possible!”

Here, something suddenly occurred to Qi Wei, and she looked at Wei Zhong. “There’s something I’d like to ask you to help me with, Grand Elder.”

Wei Zhong shook from head to toe, but he nodded. “Please, go right ahead and ask, Miss Qi Wei.”

“To ensure your safety, we’d like to request your cooperation. Please hide in the treasure ship for now.” Qi Wei gestured to the treasure ship’s cabin. “We’ll naturally let you leave once the situation with the Xi Family blows over.”

Wei Zhong’s expression filled with uncertainty. He was a lofty One-Tribulation Master God. Being treated like this naturally made him uncomfortable.

But in the end, he forced a smile and said, “I understand. You’re doing this out of consideration for my well-being, Miss Qi Wei. After all, this storm is truly immense. Someone like me is in no way capable of getting involved.”

With that, he faced Qi Wei, clasped his fist, and walked into the ship’s cabin.

“Young Mistress, why bring a burden like him along?” Li Sanjiu asked suddenly.

“Fellow Daoist Xiao spared his life, and he naturally had his reasons. Given that, how could I simply abandon Wei Zhong? Wouldn’t that make me a villain?” Qi Wei glared at Li Sanjiu. “If you dare try anything on this operation, I won’t let you off!”

Li Sanjiu grumbled, “Rest assured, Young Mistress. The ancestor sent me here. I’ll naturally risk my life to carry out your orders.”

Qi Wei pondered briefly, then said, “When we get to Skybright Mountain, let’s sit tight and avoid doing anything hasty. Let’s see just how many cards Fellow Daoist Xiao prepared to stave off the coming storm...”

Su Yi had repeatedly expressed that he didn’t want the Qilin Divine Race getting involved. Qi Wei naturally hadn’t just disregarded that.

“As you say, Young Mistress,” said Li Sanjiu.

“Tell me, do you think Fellow Daoist Xiao left suddenly to get to the Xi Family’s territory faster, or to avoid us and make secret preparations?” Qi Wei asked with a frown.

Li Sanjiu fell briefly silent. “To tell the truth, young mistress, I can’t see through Xiao Jian. I can just tell that... he’s dangerous!”

Qi Wei pursed her lips. “What do you know?”

Inwardly, she thought,

That guy is the reincarnation of both Yi Daoxuan and Li Fuyou. It’s only natural that he wouldn’t reveal his identity casually, and he naturally isn’t someone just anyone can compare with!

That aside, even the ancestor commanded that we were to do everything in our power to help him, no matter the cost. That alone proves that he isn’t simple!

𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

......

Biting winds howled past, then quickly vanished from the foot of the mountain.

Su Yi hurtled through the sky with all his might. Learning of Xi Ning’s predicament infuriated him, but more than that, he couldn’t help but blame himself.

He should have made contact with her a long time ago and told her not to worry. It wasn’t too late to make contact with her now, but... There was no longer any need.

Su Yi understood Xi Ning’s disposition. If she knew he was on his way to Skybright Mountain, she would inevitably object.

It’s my fault. I thought I’d grasped the whole picture, but I didn’t anticipate how dangerous the Xi Family would be for Xi Ning right now...

Su Yi sighed.

Irrepressible fury and murderous intent welled in the depths of his heart.

No matter who his enemies were, he’d always disdained involving the innocent in his affairs.

This time, however, the Three Purities Daoist Court was threatening both Xi Ning and the entire Xi Family, all to force him to reveal himself. In doing so, they’d crossed his bottom line!

The depths of his gaze surged with cold light.

Since you’re acting without the slightest reservations, don’t blame me for what I’m about to do!

......

The territories of the ancient Xi Family.

It was still pouring rain. The skies were still cloudy and bleak.

Within a grand hall.

Xi Ning gazed through the window lattice and whispered, “Father, you don't need to worry about me, and you don’t need to worry about the clan, either.”

Xi Jingshan had been sitting there in silence this entire time. When he heard that, he was unwittingly stunned.

Before he could ask any questions, Xi Ning continued, “I understand Fellow Daoist Su’s character. If he learns of our predicament, he’s sure to come save us.”

A hint of sadness appeared on her delicate brow. “Even though I don’t want him to come, he’s sure to come anyway.”

“Is that so?” Emotions coursed through Xi Jingshan’s heart, and his gaze was conflicted. “A’Ning, you’ve never told me about Su Yi. How about you take this time to tell me all about it?”

“Mm!” Xi Ning took a moment to calm herself. Then, her eyes shone with reminiscence. “Fellow Daoist Su and I first met in the Immortal Realm’s Precious Gem Workshop. I wanted to find the ruins of the Dragon Palace and search for the Book of Karma...”

Xi Ning suddenly thought back to how she and Su Yi had first met in the Immortal Realm. Scenes of their time together flooded into her mind. The look on her extraordinarily beautiful face softened.

Xi Jingshan sat beside her and listened quietly, but inwardly, he struggled to stay calm.

He was Xi Ning’s father. When he heard her describe her time with Su Yi, it was obvious to him that the two of them had long since developed feelings for each other!

After hearing the full story, Xi Jingshan let out a long sigh. “At the time, did you know that he was the reincarnation of both Yi Daoxuan and Li Fuyou?”

“I didn’t.” Xi Ning shook her head.

“Now that you know... do you regret meeting him?” asked Xi Ningshan.

Xi Ning didn’t even pause to think. “I’ve never regretted it!”

Xi Jingshan said warmly, “No wonder you’re unwilling to see Su Yi step forth. As your father, I think you’re doing the right thing.”

Xi Ning was stunned. “Father, you... don’t blame me?”

Xi Jingshan shook his head. “Not only do I not blame you, I support you. A’Ning, you needn’t blame yourself for this. You aren’t in the wrong, and neither is the Xi Family. It was the Three Purities Daoist Court that caused all of this. Why torment ourselves over what they’ve done?”

The rims of Xi Ning’s eyes reddened, and she said softly, “But Father, I... I still find it hard to bear.”

“That’s because you’re neither cold nor unfeeling. It’s only natural that you’d find this painful,” said Xi Jingshan. “In the course of human life, there’s no avoiding the entanglements of the seven emotions and the six desires. That’s true even after you become a god, but then, it isn’t a bad thing.”

Xi Ning sighed. “But the clan elders don’t understand at all.”

Xi Jingshan fell silent.

......

Time slipped by. One day passed after another.

It was late at night, but countless experts from all over the God Domain had long since gathered around Skybright Mountain. Their ranks stretched as far as the eye could see, and they stood in different camps.

However, none of them dared draw near.

This was because the Three Purities Daoist Court and their allied top factions had sealed the place off completely. There were even multiple Master Gods overseeing the situation!

“If Su Yi doesn’t show up tonight, the Three Purities Daoist Court will crush the Xi Family at daybreak!”

“Strange. It’s the last of the allotted seven days. Does Su Yi really not care whether the Xi Family lives or dies?”

“If I were Su Yi, there’s no way I’d show up to throw my life away!”

“Just keep waiting.”

...The crowd discussed the situation amongst themselves.

After tonight, the Three Purities Daoist Court’s seven-day deadline would run out. They planned to attack the Xi Family at daybreak!

Yet even now, there was no sign of Su Yi.

Countless people couldn’t suspect that Su Yi was too afraid to show himself. After all, all of them knew that the area around Skybright Mountain was like a tiger’s den or a dragon’s pool. There were countless terrifying existences lying in wait for him.

Even a Nine-Tribulation Master God would just be throwing their life away! Given the circumstances, how could Su Yi dare to show himself?

But no one could offer any clear answers.

Time slipped away.

Meanwhile, in the Xi Family’s ancestral hall.

The higher-ups hadn’t slept a wink all night. All of them were frantic, haggard, and ill at ease, like conflicts awaiting execution.

“I just knew that Su Yi wouldn’t take responsibility for this!” Xi Qingsong slammed his fist into a nearby table, shattering it. “And no one deserves death more than that criminal Xi Ning! She could obviously make contact with Su Yi if she wanted to, but she’d rather watch us all die than see Su Yi take responsibility!”

The crowd’s faces were incomparably unsightly, and the atmosphere in the hall was increasingly stifled. All was silent save for Xi Qingsong’s voice still echoing through the air.

“The sun is rising,” an elder suddenly said hoarsely.

The crowd was stunned. All of them instinctively gazed into the distance.

Indeed, the first light of the new dawn cut through the darkness, illuminating the dome of heaven.

The crowd’s hearts sank into the pits of their stomachs. Time had run out, but Su Yi still hadn’t come for them.

We’re finished!