Chapter 10

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Chapter 10

In the Sunlit Pavilion of the Upper Three Palaces, four masters sat around playing mahjong.

The tiles were made of sheep fat jade, and the backs were South Sea amber. The sound of the hundreds of tiles being shuffled was crisp and pleasant, like the ringing of pearls and bells.

“Three bamboo.”

“No, four dots.”

“Don’t just munch on seeds; do you want the four dots or not?”

Before the long-bearded sword cultivator could speak, a mid-level disciple hurriedly ran over.

The white-haired elder glanced at her and squinted as she pinched a tile, examining it closely.

“Did they send the person away from Zhusheng’s side?”

The disciple shook her head timidly and bowed, “The person from Moonfire Valley used spiritual pressure to intimidate us, saying their Master Ancestor’s invitation… our Palace Lord cannot bear it.”

“A joke! Draw! Zhang Gu is drawing a tile.” The old sword cultivator slammed down two four dot tiles on the table, glaring as he shouted, “They came here shamelessly seeking help, and now they want to show off?”

Zhang Daogu picked a six bamboo tile, tossed it back onto the table, and turned to look at the disciple.

“Your Master just ascended to the fifth level of the Jade Balance Realm this year; even I can match you for several rounds, yet you couldn’t handle Moonfire Valley’s people?”

The disciple gritted her teeth and nodded, saying nervously, “That person named Tu also said, ‘We come today, although seeking help for our valley, it is also to ward off disaster for your sect.’”

“If within the next incense stick, the Master Ancestor still doesn’t come out to greet them, those four will turn back immediately and not stay any longer.”

The old sword cultivator showed annoyance, “The Master Ancestor is not someone they can just see whenever they want! The young ones from Moonfire Valley don’t know any etiquette, sending an invitation to disturb us like this!”

Zhang Daogu hesitated and said, “What if there really is an urgent matter?”

“Aren’t you playing mahjong anymore?”

“I’ll play when I get back.” She intended to meet this arrogant young man and stood up, calling her friend, Elder Bicheng, to join her.

“Old Peng, we’re leaving. Staying here alone is no fun; you might as well come to meet them.” Zhang Daogu said with a smile, “If it’s just trivial matters, give him a little punishment to teach him a lesson, and that would make you happy, right?”

Only then did the old sword cultivator begrudgingly stand up, shuffling his poor hand of tiles around.

“My luck has been terrible today; that unfortunate fellow probably came to ask for money!”

At that moment, on the glass bridge, Tu Xuixin stood with his hands behind his back.

He stood before the three, raising his spiritual energy without affecting any of his fellow disciples.

But Luo Zhusheng’s forehead was already glistening with a thin layer of sweat, her body straining to maintain her stance as she fought against the overwhelming pressure with her internal energy.

Hua Tingxiao, long accustomed to his junior’s proud demeanor, stood behind her, leisurely taking in the grand scenery.

As if sensing the approach of the four powerful ones, Tu Xuixin withdrew his spiritual energy and gazed toward the drifting clouds.

Two men and two women landed in succession, with Elder Bicheng at the forefront, offering a gentle explanation.

“The Master is currently in a deep meditative trance and has yet to return. We dare not disturb him, so we ask for your understanding.”

“Since the four of you have come on urgent business, why not rest for a moment in my Upper Three Palaces? It may help ease your concerns.”

Hua Tingxiao politely agreed, pulling his temperamental junior behind him as they followed the four into the wind.

It was only after Tu Xuixin vanished from sight that Luo Zhusheng’s face turned ashen, and she collapsed before the glass bridge, her heart pounding so fiercely that she remained speechless for a long time.

The group made their way through corridors and forests, entering the main hall of the Upper Three Palaces.

Though it was a Daoist temple, its grandeur rivaled that of a mortal emperor’s golden throne room.

Six dragon-entwined pillars stood on either side, with sapphire incense burners releasing fragrant smoke, and eight disciples stood guard on both sides.

The four from Jin Yan Tuo took their seats without invitation or the offer of tea, clearly intent on discovering the purpose of this visit from their seemingly impoverished neighbors.

Hua Tingxiao, noticing their arrogance, softly instructed, “Junior, show them the box.”

Tu Xuixin retrieved a bronze box from the medicine basket carried by his disciple and opened it before the assembly.

Gong Wu, standing on tiptoe to peek inside, gasped in shock.

These two Masters were truly formidable.

Had she been the one sent to deliver the message and seek help, she would never have been able to handle such a situation, and would likely have been overwhelmed with embarrassment.

A disciple from Jin Yan Tuo stepped forward to take the box, and upon seeing its contents, their body trembled instinctively, their eyes darting anxiously toward their four masters.

“What could it be? A heart? A head?” the old sword cultivator snapped impatiently. “Bring it here!”

When the disciple presented the object to the four for closer inspection, the previously chatty group fell into complete silence.

The hall was enveloped in a heavy stillness.

Inside the bronze box lay a blood-soaked, severed neck.

The neck had been freshly severed, its raw flesh and bone exposed at both ends.

Though everyone present was accustomed to life and death, the sight of this neck left them momentarily speechless.

What made it truly bizarre was the ginger-colored eye rolling wildly at the back of the neck!

The eye seemed entirely unaware of its host’s demise, as if it possessed its own consciousness, darting around to survey its surroundings.

Elder Bicheng, who had never encountered such a monstrosity, could not bear to look for long and hastily pushed the box away, nearly retching.

Beside her, Zhang Daogu exclaimed, “What is this?”

Hua Tingxiao calmly recounted the events leading up to this moment, and the expressions of those in the hall grew increasingly somber.

“The villagers call this parasitic eye disease the Eye Serpent Plague. It has already spread through two districts and ten towns, drawing ever closer to your sect.”

Elder Bicheng waved her sleeve and said, “Please, take a seat. Qingxi—serve tea!”

The long-bearded elder, his face still grim, muttered, “Can such a strange illness truly exist? It must be the work of evil spirits from Night Poison Mountain, devising such a grotesque scheme!”

“I ask you, has there been any loss in your valley due to this spreading illness?”

As the topic arose, Hua Tingxiao revealed a light smile.

“Our Moonfire Valley excels in pharmacology, and my disciples have all cultivated robust constitutions, so we are seldom affected.”

“I have indeed heard of this,” Zhang Daogu interjected. “Your Moonfire Valley is abundant with rare flowers and herbs, and their daily diet is entirely focused on cultivation—even the fish feed is made of medicinal herbs.”

At that moment, disciples began to serve tea and snacks, each exquisitely crafted and delightfully fragrant.

Gong Wu stole a glance at her master, picked up a yuanbao cake, and took a bite. Instantly, she savored the rich taste of salted egg yolk and the sweet, creamy texture of the milk filling.

—So delicious!

Hua Tingxiao smiled and slid his plate toward Gong Wu, continuing his leisurely conversation with the others.

The old sword cultivator stroked his beard, his fingers unconsciously tightening on the armrest of his chair.

This matter was of grave importance; if the plague were to spread, wouldn’t Moonfire Valley hold the key to their survival with its ability to neutralize poisons?

“This illness drains people’s essence and blood, so there must be a sinister force manipulating it for gain.”

As he spoke, a sense of resolve settled in his heart.

“If we employ our sect’s Seven Heroes Suppression Formation, we can certainly counter and eliminate the mastermind behind this.”

The three individuals beside him nodded in agreement, voicing their approval.

“Jin Yan Tuo is the only sect in the world renowned for its mastery of formations,” Hua Tingxiao said with a smile. “To witness it is an honor for me, Hua.”

“Wait.”

The old sword cultivator interrupted, though his expression remained proud.

“The one to preside over the formation must be my senior brother, He.”

“Before that, I have two requests.”

The old man stood up, his gaze fixed firmly on Gong Wu and another disciple.

“I demand these two disciples be placed into the formation to prevent any underhanded schemes on your part.”

Tu Xuixin’s eyes sharpened, ready to retort, but Hua Tingxiao gently restrained him, speaking with calm composure.

“My friend, these two disciples are of modest cultivation and are merely here to assist with menial tasks like serving tea.”

“If your sect is short on hands, Tu Xuixin and I are willing to accompany you.”

“No, I want these two.”

The old man turned to the middle-aged man who had remained silent, finally showing a hint of deference.

“Senior Brother He, what do you think?”

The man, who had not uttered a word since the mahjong game, lifted his head. When his gaze fell on Gong Wu, she felt a chill run down her spine.

This man had golden eyes.

Everyone else had black hair and black eyes; how could he possess such an unusual feature?

He Zhao Li remained silent, observing the two disciples from Moonfire Valley like a mute for a moment before curling his right index and middle fingers in a subtle gesture.

Gong Wu felt as though her chest had been abruptly seized, and she had to rely on her strong will to remain seated.

She was petite and slender, almost weightless. In a moment of urgency, she enveloped herself with her spiritual energy, resisting the powerful hook-like pull.

It wasn’t for any other reason; the moment someone tried to grab her, she would stumble and fly uncontrollably. Why should she allow that!

She had already advanced to the third level of the Yaoguang realm, and relying on her spiritual energy was effective for the moment.

Even though her arms and legs trembled uncontrollably, she remained calm and seated, unmoving like a mountain.

Her wide robe concealed the trembling, making it seem as if nothing had happened.

But on the other side, her senior brother from Yuncang Palace was not so fortunate.

He had been quietly sipping tea when he was abruptly yanked away, stumbling and falling in front of everyone, completely out of control.

Hua Tingxiao’s expression darkened instantly, and he could no longer maintain his earlier composure.

His disciple had only just entered the fourth grade of the Insight realm; how could they withstand such a forceful pull!

The old sword cultivator clapped his hands and laughed, “My Senior Brother He is a proud man; he won’t tolerate you mistreating and bullying Junior Sister Luo!”

“An eye for an eye isn’t too much to ask, is it?”

He Zhao Li remained silent, but with a slight relaxation of his fingers, the person on the ground regained control of their limbs, suppressing their anger as they returned to their seat.

He no longer paid attention to Hua Tingxiao and his disciples, instead turning his gaze to Gong Wu.

“Take her.”

“This little girl has remarkable talent and composure,” Elder Bicheng remarked with a smile. “At such a young age, she can endure such a test; her potential is evident.”

“Why not wait until the Magical Formation dispels the anomalies, and then you can join my Upper Three Palaces? You might achieve great success in less than a hundred years.”

Hua Tingxiao’s eyes burned with deeper anger.

To recruit someone right in front of her master—these people truly had no respect for Moonfire Valley!

Gong Wu straightened up, though her spiritual energy was nearly depleted. Her eyes still sparkled as she asked, “Are you stronger than my master?”

Zhang Daogu chimed in teasingly, “Oh, that’s not the case. Do you know—”

“The eldest senior sister of Tianhua Palace ascended to immortality at sixty,” the young girl added cheerfully. “If I joined your palace, wouldn’t I ascend at fifty?”

“Silly disciple,” Tu Xuixin said, ruffling her hair. “Do you think ascending to immortality is as simple as going out for a meal? You can’t just fly whenever you please.”

Elder Bicheng’s smile froze, as if she had just discovered that her poor relative was actually wealthy.

Sixty?

Sixty?