Chapter 53

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Chapter 53

Facing such a significant predicament, few within the Immortal Sects could remain composed.

Those with past grievances naturally felt uneasy, while others who had gossiped behind backs were now regretting their words, wishing they could take them back.

Following the Yuan Xian Immortal Assembly, all cultivators were keenly observing Moonfire Valley’s response.

They were curious to see if this Sect was as manageable as they thought; compared to the major factions that had previously taken turns at the top, how would Moonfire Valley demonstrate its capabilities?

No one anticipated that they would receive the lucky formation in the morning and issue an Invitation by midnight. It seemed that even the immortals in the heavens were aware of this development!

When they had previously bullied Moonfire Valley, who could have foreseen such a reversal of fortune?

That night, the Immortal Sects across the mortal realm were ablaze with light.

Some cultivators chose to stand aside, hoping to benefit from the unfolding events.

Others, who had acted foolishly, were punished by kneeling in the incense hall, surrounded by old men who shook their heads and sighed in disappointment.

Many others convened in secret throughout the night, murmuring about an impending change in the winds of fate.

While they remained awake, so did the members of Liu Jia Palace.

With the dispatch of the Immortal notice, the challenges ahead became even more complex.

In this matter, Yan Fangji had a clear understanding.

“Since our valley has taken the lead among the thirty Immortal Sects, we can no longer afford to stay in the shadows. Now is the time to establish our authority.”

“Using Gong Wu’s incident as a pretext, Ba Jing Tower and Zhi Bai Guan were the ones who led the charge, making things difficult for us.”

“If they receive this Invitation and continue to feign ignorance or even escalate the conflict, what should we do?”

Ji Yang stood up and bowed respectfully.

“Please summon my Junior Sister to the hall so we can discuss the next steps.”

“Of course, of course!”

Gong Wu, now Yan Fangji’s adopted daughter, was waiting in the side hall to avoid any appearance of impropriety, not immediately involving herself in these matters.

As soon as Ji Yang mentioned her, she was promptly invited over.

Before Yan Fangji could select a seat, the old woman gestured warmly.

“Come here, dear.”

Gong Wu hesitated, reluctant to sit in a position higher than her Master, but the Master Ancestor smiled reassuringly.

“You share a close bond with this benefactor; there’s no need to adhere to outdated customs.”

Tu Xuixin watched with approval: “My disciple is well-versed in etiquette; it’s fine, go ahead and sit.”

The group deliberated, carefully analyzing the situation.

“Zhi Bai Guan will likely come under the pretense of expressing gratitude to settle old scores.”

“But Ba Jing Tower…”

Several Palace Lords strategized together as if playing a game of chess, their brows furrowed as they weighed their options, occasionally consulting Gong Wu’s small notebook.

Gong Wu herself maintained a somewhat grave expression.

— I should have written better from the start!

Who would have guessed that my little notebook filled with grudges would be seen by everyone now!

The first few pages contain vegetable and meat prices, along with some ugly doodles of bees and birds. Just thinking about it is so embarrassing!

Ji Yang couldn’t help but whisper to her with a smile, “It seems you also wrote, ‘I really want to eat ribs.’”

Gong Wu grimaced, “Senior Brother…”

“Alright, alright, I won’t tease you.” The young man turned to Kan Jixuan: “Senior seems confident; perhaps you know something we don’t?”

As soon as he said this, the other elders and Palace Lords quieted down, looking at Kan Jixuan, who was cracking walnuts.

The old lady smiled, “My son is clever.”

“But if you want my help, shouldn’t you show some sincerity?”

She set down the walnut, her voice light: “If you call me ‘mother,’ I’ll teach you how to resolve this little girl’s predicament.”

“Deal or no deal?”

Ji Yang replied lightly, “Mother.”

It was so fast that Kan Jixuan was momentarily stunned.

You— you were so stubborn before; now you suddenly agree so easily—it’s no fun!

Why don’t you put up some resistance!

Ji Yang said calmly, “I lost both parents at a young age and owe my current life to my Master’s nurturing kindness.”

“Senior is willing to help me and Little Wu ascend Night Poison Mountain, and has taken care of us siblings, Subei is deeply grateful.”

After speaking, he stood up and gave a deep bow, moving smoothly as if gliding like clouds and flowing water.

As he stood up, Gong Wu immediately followed his rhythm and bowed to the old lady as well.

Kan Jixuan pouted.

“How serious, not fun at all.”

She leaned back in her seat and tossed a walnut into her mouth.

“I heard quite a bit before from your mother.”

Ji Yang paused and immediately recalled his first encounter with this elder.

Back then, Kan Jixuan was imprisoned in an iron cage and repeatedly extracted for blood, trapped in the depths of the Northern and Southern Demon Realms, spending many years in the noisy dark market.

What she had heard and seen in the underground market was probably information far beyond the reach of ordinary people.

Hao Chengzi gave her more walnuts, laughing: “I’d like to hear what interesting things you have!”

“For example,” Kan Jixuan spat out a walnut shell and chewed the nut crisply, “the wife of the Ba Jing Tower leader has struggled in her cultivation for many years, stuck at the Opening Sun Realm.”

“She hurt her foundation in her early years and needs a specific immortal medicine from Night Poison Mountain to cure her illness.”

“In a few decades, her husband may ascend to immortality; over the years, I’m sure he’s been asking for goods at the major medicine markets.”

“And another thing,” the old lady gossiped again, “the one who threatened you before… was it Minge Villa?”

“Their people have been running to the Demon Realm over the years, looking for a weapon to suppress River Demons.”

"Once that evil is no longer suppressed, the rivers will change course and flood the entire old village. How can they protect their ancestral legacy then!"

Hearing this, Gong Wu asked curiously, "Suppressing the River Demon… why would they go to the Demon Realm?"

"Could it be that ordinary talisman treasure swords can no longer kill it?" Hua Tingxiao added with interest. "In this regard, Bao Pu Mansion and Zhi Bai Guan are both experts!"

"If it were an ordinary demon stirring up trouble, Minge Villa could handle it themselves," Kan Jixuan said slowly. "But the problem is, that is a person who has fallen into darkness and fused with demon blood; how can ordinary skills subdue it?"

At that moment, she looked like a storyteller, animated and leaving many hints to pique interest.

Hao Chengzi caught the implication and said gently, "I suspect, with your presence behind the scenes, many guests visiting tomorrow will likely be worried."

Kan Jixuan turned her gaze to Ji Yang: "That depends on my mood."

Ji Yang replied, "Mother."

"Oh, my mood is quite good," Kan Jixuan said, satisfied. "They not only have to worry about me knowing the truth but also about another person."

Hao Chengzi raised his eyes: "Worry about me?"

"No, worry about her," Kan Jixuan pointed directly at another person.

Gong Wu was suddenly singled out and blinked in agreement.

"Little girl, many matters arose because of you, and you’ve already heard what that Old Bald Head had to say."

Kan Jixuan looked at her, leisurely speaking nonsense in front of her master.

"Let this old woman teach you a lesson."

"To forgive someone, you need to consider your feelings, not theirs."

"When they come to apologize tomorrow, not only do they need to repair their relationship with Moonfire Valley, but they also have to bow to you and swallow their harsh words as bitter fruit."

Gong Wu had been somewhat steady, but upon hearing this, she instinctively leaned back, her hands clasped awkwardly.

"If they are willing to sincerely apologize to Moonfire Valley, my matters shouldn’t be too serious."

Ji Yang shook his head, looking down.

Seeing his reaction, she took a deep breath: "Then… I’ll listen to you."

"Girl," the old lady continued looking at her, "if you silently endure their oppression, it’s like you’re asking for it."

"If you hold back and act magnanimous, such troubles will keep coming in unending streams."

And who else will be dragged into it, what other matters will be affected, don’t you understand?

Gong Wu suddenly looked up, her expression becoming resolute.

"I won’t do that."

"Right," Kan Jixuan turned her gaze to Hao Chengzi: "What do you say?"

Master Ancestor nodded slightly.

"She is my disciple, and I should protect her."

"When these people come to apologize tomorrow, they should also clear your name and restore your innocence."

As soon as this was said, Gong Wu’s heart trembled once more.

She still felt a bit unsure.

She felt that she was far from being pure.

According to the monk Wang Jin, she was not only a soul summoned by evil spirits but was also nearly turned into a monster filled with deep resentment.

Once her origins were laid bare, Gong Wu felt even more anxious.

"You know," she said, looking at Kan Jixuan, her voice much softer, "I…"

"You still have a long way to go," Kan Jixuan said calmly. "You must cultivate, ascend to immortality, help all beings, and ultimately achieve good karma."

"Isn’t that so?"

As she spoke these words, the old woman didn’t seem at all like someone from the Demon Realm; her clarity was astonishing.

After all, on Night Poison Mountain, they had all heard Wang Jin’s words.

Even though Elder Kan herself was from the Demon Realm, she still said that Gong Wu would become an immortal in the future…

Gong Wu stared blankly: "Can I really?"

"Of course," Hao Chengzi said gently. "The path is chosen by oneself; what’s wrong with that?"

"It’s getting late," Kan Jixuan stood up and stretched lazily. "It seems I will stay a few more days, rest, and then come back to stir things up."

Immediately, disciples guided her to the guest room to rest, and they also brought fresh purple bamboo flower chicken soup.

Before the old lady left, she waved her hand generously.

"I’ve dug up so many shoots; everyone should have a bowl! Drink some hot soup for a good night’s sleep!"

She whooshed away like the wind. After receiving Master Ancestor’s permission, the lower-ranking disciples brought large bowls of purple bamboo flower chicken soup, serving everyone present a bowl.

"Liu Jia Palace hasn’t had such a scene in a long time," Yan Fangji blew on the steam and laughed heartily. "Thanks to Subei’s good fortune, we can still enjoy a bowl of such good soup."

Tu Xuixin took a sip, his eyes widening.

"This bamboo shoot soup—it’s even more invigorating than the plums from that day!"

"Isn’t it?" Cheng Ji said. "The wild bamboo shoots on the peak of Night Poison Mountain, even ordinary varieties, can nourish a lot of spiritual energy."

Gong Wu had also been drinking soup, but suddenly remembered something and said, "It’s not wild mountain bamboo shoots."

"An old monk lives on the mountaintop. He has personally planted large stretches of bamboo forest and has not left for hundreds of years."

Master Ancestor had been laughing and drinking the soup, but her expression immediately changed upon hearing this.

"You met him?"

"Yes," Gong Wu replied. "He said his name is Wang Jin."

As soon as the name was mentioned, several people present nearly dropped their bowls.

"Wu Wu!! That’s the founder of Great Wuxiang Temple!!"

"How could Master Wang Jin be on our Night Poison Mountain?!"