Chapter 312: The Crisis Isn't Over Yet

Before returning to the Hua Republic's border, Dale gave a supplementary oral account. With her testimony, the Special Investigation Unit pieced together the entire sequence of events.

However, Shelley had been unconscious ever since she had been struck. Many details were still missing. Wang Sheng's strike had been a bit too powerful. Although it had not resulted in a concussion, she wouldn't be waking up anytime soon.

This incident had originated from a secret Dark Faction meeting half a month ago. The Special Investigation Unit had even obtained video footage of it.

Ironically, Gucci Vlad wasn't the Blood Race representative at the time; a vampire princess had taken the lead in devising the plan against the Hua Republic's cultivation world. Yet in the end, the one Wang Sheng had killed was Gucci Vlad.

With the vampires at the helm, a third of the Dark Faction's forces helped formulate a series of plans to lure Hua Republic cultivators into a trap. They ended up using Gelan's "noble houses" as bait, specifically the Cecil family. Hence, they deployed a sleeper agent that they had planted within the Cecil household—Siri Shelley.

Such pawns often had tragic backgrounds. Shelley was no exception.

However, unlike those who were coerced or threatened, Shelley seemed to have been ideologically indoctrinated. Under her sunny and valiant exterior lay a cold and ruthless heart.

Having once sparred and chatted with such a woman rendered Wang Sheng speechless. He had almost added her as a friend, too! It felt strangely similar to nearly being roped into a pyramid scheme.

𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Since the Cecil family was going to return three treasures to the Hua Republic, Shelley used it as a pretext to persuade Dale to embark on a misleading journey. The Dark Faction controlled their pace the entire time.

To help her avoid suspicion, the bomb that had destroyed the plane was deliberately detonated right in front of Shelley. The bomb wasn't that strong; she was powerful enough to protect Dale and herself in time.

However, Shelley did not expect the

sarira

that they had brought to suddenly release its power, enveloping them and over a dozen passengers seated nearby. The high monk who had created the

sarira

had likely once vowed to save all living beings, and the relic still retained a trace of spirituality. In that moment of crisis, it had acted on its own to save lives.

When the plane crashed, the seventeen to eighteen people whom the

sarira

had shielded fell safely onto the snowy plains, surviving by sheer luck.

In response to the surprise attack, Dale immediately tore open a scroll and brought Shelley and the three treasures underground. She tunneled away from the crash site until they reached the gorge, far from the wreckage.

The unexpected development made Shelley conclude that their entire plan had now been exposed. Hence, just as Dale was about to make a call with the phone that the Special Investigation Unit had given her, Shelley dropped all pretenses and smashed the gadget. She then assaulted Dale.

Dale was quick to react, however. Though shocked, she instinctively pulled her necklace and released the spell within, freezing her and Shelley.

After some time, a particularly beautiful young fox passed by overhead. Having lost her way, she had been flying aimlessly when she discovered the two, sparing all parties from expending vast resources to search for them.

The Special Investigation Unit never asked about the

sarira

. It was clear that they were tacitly allowing Xi Lian to keep it for herself. They already considered themselves fortunate that the ancient scripture and the scroll had been safely returned to the Hua Republic anyway.

Near the national border, several dozen Daoist elders and Daoist masters instinctively stopped. Following Qing Yanzi's gaze, they all turned to the north.

"Their sacrifices will not be in vain," Qing Yanzi whispered.

This was the first time that Wang Sheng had seen his master look so full of emotions, including anger and remorse.

"Though we don't want to meddle in affairs beyond our borders, the foreign corrupt cultivators have come to us." A Daoist elder sighed. "It is said that one should remain vigilant in times of peace. We grew complacent in tranquillity and forgot that the path of cultivation can never be separated from the word 'struggle.'"

Another Daoist elder gravely added, "We were outmaneuvered this time partly because of our own arrogance. We never regarded the foreign corrupt cultivators as a true threat."

"There are still lingering troubles in the south. We should not have been so careless."

"Fellow Daoists, let us return for now," Qing Yanzi said. "The investigation unit will handle the rest."

The Daoist elders and Daoist masters turned back and returned to the Hua Republic. Wang Sheng used his enchanted power to carry Shelley, while Mu Wanxuan supported Dale. Together with Xi Lian, they followed Qing Yanzi.

Qing Yanzi stared north for a while longer before finally turning back. Clearly, he still hadn't let go of his anger.

They headed to a nearby military base, where Dale and Shelley were handed over separately. Wang Sheng and Mu Wanxuan had finally run out of tasks.

"Let them handle the work. Let's find a place to relax first," Xi Lian casually said. She pulled Mu Wanxuan away until they vanished from sight.

Wang Sheng couldn't help but wonder if Xi Lian was actually taking his senior sister somewhere proper. Though a bit worried, he accompanied his master around the base.

Wang Sheng couldn't care less about the commendations he received. What truly mattered to him was the follow-up to the incident and the results of Shelley's interrogation.

After circling halfway around the base, Wang Sheng began to feel uneasy. Modern phones had two modes. Privacy mode projected a panel visible only to the user, like the smartphones from more than a decade ago. The other was a three-dimensional projection interface. Except for confidential information, anyone nearby could see the 3D projections of the videos.

Currently, 3D projections were visible throughout the base. During their downtime, many staff watched the same short video that was rapidly spreading online. It lasted only a minute and a half, and it was composed of several clips, yet it flowed seamlessly.

In the 3D projection, a cultivator in a Flowing Celestial Robe stood in midair. Above him gathered countless thunderbolts, and beside him coiled a seven-colored celestial-grade sword.

He pointed with his finger, and the flying sword swept through the sky. When he swung his longsword, numerous lightning dragons roared down to the earth. His boundless heavenly might was unstoppable, and his cold sword radiance reaped lives across ten thousand meters.

Wang Sheng extended his spiritual consciousness slightly and instantly heard discussions from all directions.

"Daoist Master Wang is too powerful. Has he already ascended to immortality?"

"Fairy Bu Yu is so fortunate. After enduring patiently, her hero has finally returned."

"That uploader got Daoist Master Wang's name wrong. It's the 'Fei' of 'extraordinary'[1], and the 'Yu' of 'language'[2], not Wang Flying Fish!

"Someone contact the uploader from Saros and correct it. It's seriously damaging Daoist Master Wang Flying Fish—Daoist Master Wang Fei Yu's reputation."

"Zeus's Illegitimate Son? That's from Greek mythology! Considering his Daoist background, Daoist Master Wang should be called Leizhenzi's[3] Illegitimate Son."

"Nonsense. Leizhenzi is from the novel

Investiture of the Gods

. He should be known as the Illegitimate Son of the Thunder God and Lightning Mother[4]."

Wang Sheng quickly withdrew his spiritual consciousness, pretending not to hear a thing.

Following his master into a spacious tent, he saw several high-ranking officials already waiting. A seat had been prepared for him, but Wang Sheng moved it behind his master, intending to stay out of the discussion.

Although the conflict had temporarily ended, it had served as an open declaration of war. The real battle had only just begun.

His master and the others discussed the implications of this incident, the cultivation world's reaction, and the relationship between the two foreign cultivator factions. Beginning to feel drowsy, Wang Sheng focused on the questions that still puzzled him.

He wasn't familiar with the situation in other regions or understood why Sakura Island had become entangled with the Dark Faction in the west.

During a lull in the discussion, Wang Sheng asked, "Do we have any information on the man wearing a demon mask?"

"Daoist Master Wang, we are almost certain that he was the young master of the Yin-Yang All-Creation Sect," a military officer in his early thirties replied. "I'm not sure if you know this, but their sect was destroyed long ago. The cultivators of Sakura Island are now divided into two factions.

"One of them pursues peace and cooperation, and we've been supporting them. The other has allied with the Dark Faction to destroy the peace we have now. The masked man is that group's typical representative. I've heard rumors that he has gotten a major figure from the Dark Faction to be his sugar daddy..."

A Special Warfare Unit instructor in a camouflaged uniform cursed. "Those snakes and rats are now working together! Birds of a feather flock together, after all!"

Wang Sheng simply nodded and gestured for them to continue.

Qing Yanzi asked, "How is Martial Brother Yan?"

"He's stable for now. You don't have to worry too much, Daoist Master Bu Yan. His legs have been destroyed, though, and his Dao Body has been damaged. Not only will he be unable to move freely, but he'll also face many obstacles in his cultivation."

Qing Yanzi sighed slowly, closing his eyes. "Those corrupt cultivators will pay for what happened today."

"Don't worry, Daoist Master Bu Yan. We won't just let them get away with this!"

A nearby officer clearly wanted to speak, but they hesitated.

Although the Hua Republic had been ambushed, their enemy had taken far greater losses. Such words were better left unsaid, though. Those corrupt cultivators had brought this upon themselves.

Qing Yanzi's phone vibrated. After glancing at the message, he rose to his feet. "Come with me, Little Sheng. I have a small task for you. The sooner you leave, the sooner you'll be back."

"Yes, Master."

Wang Sheng dared not delay; he quickly followed him out of the tent. Qing Yanzi then transmitted a few sentences that left Wang Sheng unsure whether to laugh or cry.

"Master, do I really have to be the one to go?"

"It may not involve combat, but you are the most reliable choice. Consider it a precaution." Qing Yanzi patted his shoulder. "Go. Bring your senior sister and Senior Xi Lian as well. Think of it as a little trip to clear your minds."

Clear our minds... I hope there won't be any accidents.

1. The "fei" here comes from "fei chang(extraordinary)." ☜

2. The "yu" here comes from "yu yan(language)." ☜

3. The lightning deity who served under the Jade Emperor in Chinese mythology ☜

4. A famous thunder-and-lightning deity couple in Daoist mythology ☜