Chapter 1435: Broken Jade (II)

Though none of the three spoke, the situation was already clear.

If the Supreme Yang Dao lineage had won and withdrawn from Lower Luo Plains, they would have immediately moved to relieve the situation. At least one or two Daoist Masters should have arrived by now, either to hold back the Merciful Ones or at minimum, to provide cover for their retreat.

Yet not a single figure appeared. The only clue was the shattered jade talisman, a highest-level warning, calling everyone to Mount Tangdao for support. All signs pointed to one outcome. The Supreme Yang Dao lineage had not merely fought to a draw. They might have suffered a minor defeat, or even a crushing one!

Kuiqi's plan may have been unexpected, but the enemy must have handled it. If Helian Wujiang can appear here, would Lower Luo Plains be short of people? Would Mount Xiaoshi be any different?

If Yehui were not here, Timber Mountain would not have fared well either. They would have returned in defeat. Yehui did not carry a jade pendant, which meant he had not coordinated in advance with the Supreme Yang Dao lineage. Otherwise, he would have gone to Lower Luo Plains, since Timber Mountain was not the decisive battlefield!

He must have rushed back from the outer-sea to protect his gate... He may have his own motives, but even so, the other two battlefields will not have many like him to help!

If he went to Mount Tangdao, there was no telling whether it would be safe. Li Ximing had the Immortal Mirror, so if the north had won and set an ambush along the way, he would be able to detect it. But no matter what, there would certainly be one or two battles ahead, and his current condition was far too poor.

Although I've recovered two parts of my dharma body, greatly reducing the time and effort needed to repair it, those remnants are filled with Baleful Qi. They are unstable and cannot be refined in time. In the short term, it's no different from not having recovered them at all...

In this state, I may not be able to guarantee a win against even a Merciful One.

Li Ximing looked up at Daoist Master Luo and saw that his expression was grim as he said, "That's hard to say. I do need the technique in Fairy Ning's hands, but the Supreme Yang Dao lineage has many cultivators. It would be one thing if Hengzhu Dao Gate was not present, but with Chunyi Dao Gate around, he is bound to look down on me. It would not be convenient for me to head to Mount Tangdao openly...

"I will remain within the great void. I only ask that you mention me to the others. If a major battle occurs, I will appear quietly and offer assistance!"

Daoist Master Luo was a devil from the southern border and cunning by nature. Those words had pushed the matter entirely onto Li Ximing. Yet Li Ximing's thoughts were already racing,

If Lower Luo Plains has fallen, they will scatter. Whether all those supporting Daoist Masters will even head to Mount Tangdao is uncertain...

If I were those northern Buddhist cultivators, where would I go now? Mount Tangdao? It would be Mount Xiaoshi!

The grand formation of Mount Tangdao could not cover the entire mountain range. The remaining ridges were only protected by smaller formations. Ahead lay Mount Xiaoshi, where Tinglan was stationed. While many cultivators were present, it was manageable. But once it fell, the north could break straight into White River Stream. Those Buddhist and devil cultivators would never choose the hardest target.

If White River Stream was lost, all the families along the banks would be in danger. Their retreat would be cut off. Even Li Ximing himself would have to withdraw to the northern shore!

His expression turned grim as he cupped his hands and said, "My apologies, everyone. I must first head to Mount Xiaoshi. If Fellow Daoist Tinglan withdraws... the north may push straight into White River Stream. The fire will reach my own doorstep!"

Li Ximing did not wait for a reply as he transformed into light and departed in haste. Daoist Master Luo seemed about to speak, then stopped. He looked in the direction Li Ximing had gone, confusion on his face.

"In Zhaojing's condition, even if someone truly attacks Moongaze Lake, what can he do? Wouldn't he just be throwing his life away? If you ask me, he should stay hidden and recover. Both sides are dangerous. Why walk straight into a trap?"

Daoist Master Luo glanced at Yehui again and saw that the young man's expression was no better. He thought to himself,

...White River Stream lies before the Li Family. Does that not apply to his Capital Immortal Dao as well?

Daoist Master Luo suddenly understood and spoke at once, "Brother, shall we make a trip?"

Yehui’s eyes narrowed as he shook his head. He was not Li Ximing. To put it plainly, aside from the Guan Gongxiao siblings, he cared for no one. He did not concern himself with the lives of commoners or cultivators under his domain.

He waved his hand and said, "How can you care about all that? My gate is protected by a Purple Mansion Realm formation. It won't be broken anytime soon. At worst, the people and spirit materials will be looted. Those siblings are still at Mount Tangdao. I'll go with you. At the very least, I'll bring them away."

The devil sighed and summoned a blue-black wind. Riding his divine ability, he headed south toward Mount Tangdao and asked, "You've been out all these years. Did you gain anything worthwhile?"

Yehui had an unexpectedly close relationship with him. He waved his hand and said, "It's nothing much. I fought Changxiao over a Douxuan treasure and spent a few years recovering. Now that I've returned, I think he'll defect to the north."

Daoist Master Luo considered this and replied, "This time is different. Wei Xuanyin is not easy to scheme against. He will definitely come. If the Compassion Dao also provides their full support, there will certainly be deaths."

Yehui remained indifferent. Daoist Master Luo chuckled and said, "It has nothing to do with me... Who cares? As long as I get the technique, that's enough. If the situation drags on and the fighting lasts, taking a bit more along the way wouldn't be bad. That would be a fine outcome.

"Look at it. The north plays the villain and cuts their flesh. Are we, the so-called good side, not doing the same? Something always has to be carved off and fed. Look at Zhaojing. His Dao lineage is more orthodox, yet how much has he already taken? It's just aligned interests. The Supreme Yang side is simply more generous.

"And now that a devil cultivator like me finally gets a share, even you came to take a cut too!"

Daoist Master Luo pointed at him with a grin. Yehui stood with hands behind his back, not angered, and laughed lightly. "You devil!"

Daoist Master Luo sneered and replied, "A devil? I'm a devil? At least I don't scheme against my own disciples or children. Even when I take blood qi, I take it from backwater villagers and petty landlords, people unrelated to me. If I am a devil, then what are people like Sumian and Qulei? Beasts would be a better name."

That word 'beasts' made Yehui lower his head slightly. His lips moved silently as his gaze dropped, and he finally murmured, "The pursuit of survival, strength, and freedom has never been measured by conscience or morality."

"

Hah!

" Daoist Master Luo spat. For years, people from Jiangnan and further north had called him a devil. Though he had never spoken it aloud, the resentment was clear. With a mocking look, he shot back, saying, "Then tell me. Aside from conscience itself, what else is judged by conscience? Li Jiangqun would know best how bright the Supreme Yang Dao lineage truly is! The play being staged today was already performed on the lake five hundred years ago!"

————

White River Stream.

Lush vegetation swayed in the violent wind, bending low. Hardly a figure could be seen. Only a sky-obscuring gale churned above the clouds.

Thunder rolled across the horizon. The sounds of formations shattering rose and fell. Streams of golden light shot through the sky, sweeping up leaves. A figure moved close to the ground, riding the cold wind.

The one-armed man’s body was in disarray, his face stained with blood. Though handsome, he looked utterly wretched from fleeing and injuries. Blood rose to his mouth again and again, yet he dared not let it freeze into frost and reveal his trail. He could only swallow it back.

Mount Xiaoshi is finished... Outside the main formation of Mount Tangdao, it's all blood... Master Monks everywhere, yet not a single Daoist Master in sight...

Deep fear still lingered in his eyes. Fei Chingyi had not been stationed at Mount Tangdao for long. The first group of Li Family cultivators had followed Li Jiangxia into White River Stream. After stabilizing the situation, they left behind several detachments and led the Capital Immortal Dao forces toward Mount Tangdao.

As the number of Buddhist cultivators grew, the Li Family's second wave of cultivators arrived as reinforcements under Fei Chingyi's command. The official surnamed Wun[1], who was assigning troops, heard his name and placed him on the relatively quiet southern side...

But he had not expected Mount Xiaoshi to fall, with three Merciful Ones attacking... No Daoist Master emerged from the main formation, even the troops were in crisis. Fortunately, the formation Fei Chingyi guarded was remote enough that he could still receive news. He had never intended to exert himself for the Supreme Yang Dao lineage. As he watched the formations collapse one after another, he abandoned the formation and fled, leaving the other cultivators behind.

He had not expected several Master Monks to pursue him along the way. Their numbers only grew as their momentum soon became overwhelming. He did not dare to fight and could only flee with his injuries. He ran all the way into the territory of White River Stream. Only then did the Master Monks seem to hesitate and disperse.

He barely clung to life as he reached this place, already at the end of his strength. A glance at the terrain showed it was Mount Manghua, still some distance from the lake. Suddenly, violent winds surged around him. Dark clouds blotted out the sky, as if he had entered a demonic realm!

His limbs went weak and he turned to flee. After only a short distance, a burst of demonic light descended from the sky. With a loud crash, it struck the cold wind beneath his feet, sending icy currents surging. He spat out blood. The demonic light twisted and coiled around his chest and back. Darkness filled his vision.

He heard the wind roaring in his ears. Darkness gave way to light again.

Thud!

In that instant, he had no idea how high he had been thrown. He tumbled among the clouds and landed amid thick black Baleful Qi. He knew at once that something was wrong. He scrambled to his feet, but did not dare to look up. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw rows of cultivators standing on either side.

He immediately kowtowed and cried out, "Greetings, my lord! Greetings, my lord!"

"

Oh?

"

At the head stood what seemed to be a young man. His voice sounded youthful. From the left came a trembling voice, "Re...reporting, my lord... this subordinate failed in vigilance... and let an immortal cultivator slip through..."

"

Hahaha!

" A hearty laugh came from above, casual in tone as the man said, "What of it? My forces are scattered across several counties, plundering everywhere. Who has time to watch the rear?"

Sweat poured from Fei Chingyi like rain. A pair of silver-white boots stepped before him. A voice came down from above, "Even if your defenses were watertight, you couldn't have stopped this man. Xuwang sent him down personally. He belongs to Moongaze Lake. He's useful right now. If he makes contributions, Xuwang will want him back. If he dies in your hands, who would Xuwang answer to?"

A chill spread through Fei Chingyi's entire body. He could not move. He was, after all, a Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator and had heard much of both north and south. How could he fail to grasp the meaning behind those words? For a moment, he did not know how to respond. Then his throat tightened as he was lifted into the air by a powerful force.

The Purple Mansion Realm Daoist Master before him wore armor beneath a feathered robe. His features were handsome. One hand rested on a long-handled blade, while the other held Fei Chingyi up before him.

His eyes were cold as he said, "Don't play dead with me. Li Ximing is still at Timber Mountain and cannot come now... Even if he escapes with his life, he will only crawl back into some corner. Even if he does come, he will likely be on the brink of death from his injuries...

"I may not be able to break the Purple Mansion Realm formation for now, but I will not let such fat prey sit untouched before me!"

The man before him broke into a bright smile and said softly, "I know your Fei Family is on the northern shore... You need not worry. If this fails, you will die anyway. The northern shore is nothing. It can be taken in the span of a thought. Your Fei Family can leave this place and head for Monan... If you succeed, the northern Buddhists will grant you a good position."

𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Held in his grasp, Fei Chingyi's will to survive surged. He suddenly grew calm as he stared straight into the man's eyes and said, "I only ask that you keep your word..."

"

Hahahahaha!

" The silver-armored man set him down with a smile. He planted the long-handled weapon on the ground and clapped his hands, laughing as he said, "You need not worry about that. I am Helian Wumeng of the royal family of Tiefo State. I do not go back on my word!"

1. The surname of characters like Wun Wu and Wun Qingzhou (Daoist Master Zimu). ☜