Chapter 61

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Chapter 61

Like a concerted effort to sever a poisonous vine, the various cultivation sects from all corners of the world were subtly mobilizing their forces, even dispatching elite members to completely eliminate the Wuxuan Sect.

In the past, the North Abyss was shrouded in mystery, while the South Demon Lair was notorious for its rampant plundering. Yet, due to the distinct boundaries between the two realms, the sects, though furious, refrained from rashly venturing into the unfamiliar demon territories to purge them.

This time, however, the situation was different.

The Wuxuan Sect appeared to possess the ability to siphon spiritual techniques and inner energy from afar, luring countless common folk into their fold, mobilizing thousands to venerate a peculiar egg of ambiguous nature.

No one dared to predict the cataclysmic disasters that might ensue upon the egg’s hatching; the greater the uncertainty, the more pressing the need to act swiftly.

Despite the festive atmosphere brought by the marriage proposal delegation, most of those in the know remained on high alert, uncertain if Wuxuan Sect spies were lurking among them.

After all, no one wished to suffer the same fate as the Ancestor of Jin Yan Tuo, who was treacherously slain by his own kin, pierced through the heart.

At the vegetarian feast, Yan Fangji casually alluded to the ongoing preparations without delving into specifics, warmly urging the two distant guests to partake in the dishes.

"This vegetarian sea cucumber is Aunt Hu’s specialty! Ah, it boasts the authentic flavors of Jiaodong; do give it a try!"

"Monks are not supposed to drink alcohol, are they? Please, have a cup of osmanthus tea, sprinkled with crushed malt candy—it’s quite refreshing and delightful!"

Qing Zhen appeared at ease, unembarrassed by the encouragement to eat, and after consuming two or three bowls, his complexion took on a healthy glow.

"The journey has left me quite famished," the monk said with a smile, patting his bald head. "I am here on behalf of the Great Wuxiang Temple to discuss the encirclement."

"The temple has dispatched several elite members, and we will all follow the central dispatch’s arrangements."

"Excellent, excellent!" Hao Chengzi said, his face beaming as he rose to pour tea. "You’ve had a long journey; please stay a few more days to rest!"

"My young nephew accompanied me," Qing Zhen said, gesturing to the quiet, youthful Kong Zhi. "After meeting Miss Gong at the Yuan Xian Immortal Assembly, he has developed affections. Just having the chance to exchange a few words with her tonight brings him great joy."

Kong Zhi barely touched his food, clasping his hands together and softly saying, "I apologize for the intrusion."

Hua Tingxiao, ever the enthusiast for gossip, chimed in, "Little monk, how old are you? Have you turned fifteen yet?"

Qing Zhen chuckled, "I am three hundred twenty-five years old, and my nephew is likely two hundred seventy-two. Sadly, his parents, still entangled in worldly affairs, passed away in their fifties or sixties."

Tu Xuixin was startled; though he knew practitioners could control their appearance, he couldn’t help but remark, "He looks so pure-eyed and cheerful, just like a child."

"The temple is a world apart; reading scriptures and chanting can make thousands of days feel like a fleeting moment," Qing Zhen said serenely. "Kong Zhi has indeed gained many years of life and cultivation, yet his heart remains innocent and simple, akin to that of a sixteen or seventeen-year-old."

Throughout the feast, the monk answered every question with candor and openness.

The young monk spoke little, and when addressed, he would smile shyly, exuding a gentle bashfulness.

Gong Wu observed him quietly, and deep within, she felt no aversion.

When she noticed his desire to speak with her privately, she readily agreed.

Not far from Liu Jia Palace lay the Butterfly River. In late autumn, though the blooms and butterflies were absent, the faint fragrance of wild herbs lingered, and a charming path offered a perfect post-dinner stroll.

The young monk walked along the candlelit path, with Gong Wu by his side, dispensing with formalities.

"Little Master, do you like me?"

The young monk looked up, the crescent moon illuminating his clear eyes.

"Yes, very much."

"We’ve never even spoken before, have we?" Gong Wu chuckled. "How did you come to feel this way?"

Kong Zhi halted and said earnestly, "When you fought in battle, you were decisive and fearless. When you took down the enemy leader, you showed no hesitation; it was truly an extraordinary display."

"After seeing you at the Yuan Xian Immortal Assembly, I was captivated. To me, you are like a dragon among people."

Gong Wu paused for a moment, then smiled, "Do monks truly find such bloody affairs appealing?"

"I was covered in blood at that time, and yet you became interested in me?"

"Little Master, did you always intend to return to the secular world? Are your six roots still impure?"

Kong Zhi simply smiled at her, as if her expressions—whether in anger or joy—were enough to satisfy him.

"During the Immortal Assembly of Bloodshed at the Southern Abyss, it was you and your esteemed Senior Brother who turned the tide, preventing the traitors from destroying the main entrance."

"The blood you shed to vanquish evil was pure, like flowers embroidered on a brocade."

Gong Wu choked for a moment and said, "I am not a beautiful person."

"My temperament is difficult, and I have many flaws. Truthfully, I never enjoyed fighting and killing."

"Little Master, perhaps you should find someone else to like."

Kong Zhi raised his slender brows and asked curiously, "What do you enjoy most, young lady?"

She loved spending time with her family, cuddling with a leopard while sipping tea and admiring the scenery, idling away the hours in leisure.

Gong Wu was about to say this, but instead sighed with a smile.

"The moon is so full tonight."

"Master Kong Zhi, if you wish to return to the secular world, perhaps it is to form broader connections. That might be a good thing."

"But we are not well acquainted, so even if we were to become friends, our bond would be too shallow."

The young monk stood at the same height as her. Hearing this, his lashes lowered slightly.

"My heart is pure, both toward the scriptures and toward you."

"Please grant me some time to understand myself."

Gong Wu fell silent for a moment, then plucked a stalk of foxtail grass and handed it to him.

"I’m sorry, but I might already have someone I like."

The young monk obediently accepted the foxtail grass, cradling it in his hands as he examined it under the moonlight. "I see."

"It seems I arrived too late; perhaps I have missed my chance in this lifetime."

Gong Wu picked a few more stalks and wove them into the shape of a grass rabbit. "At least when you praised me, it brought me joy. Thank you; you are also very kind."

"Will that fated person know your feelings, young lady?" Kong Zhi asked again. "You should act quickly; if you delay expressing your heart, you may end up troubled, just like me."

Does he know?

Gong Wu paused her movements and smiled softly. "I am already troubled, just like you."

Before they reached the main road, they noticed brighter lanterns ahead, glowing warmly and clearly, as if waiting for them.

Gong Wu glanced in that direction and felt a pull in her heart. She quickened her steps and indeed saw Ji Yang waiting at the end of the path.

"…Senior Brother."

Ji Yang greeted them with a smile, addressing her by the name he had given her, right in front of the young monk.

"Liu Feng, the night is deep and the dew is heavy. You should return and rest early."

Kong Zhi seemed to sense something, turning to glance at Gong Wu.

The little girl handed the grass rabbit to Ji Yang and covered her face with her sleeve. "I’m not blushing."

"I see," the young monk said readily. "Thank you, young lady, for talking with me tonight. I hope to meet you again in the future."

He bid farewell to them, his back light and relaxed, still looking like a child in his teens.

For some reason, the lantern Ji Yang carried tonight shone even brighter than usual.

When the young monk was there, he raised the lantern, illuminating the monk’s bald head to a glossy shine.

Gong Wu assumed he was coming back with her to Tianhua Palace. After walking a few steps, she asked, "Did Master send you to pick me up?"

"Not at all," Ji Yang replied. "I came to pick you up on my own."

He held the lantern, looking at her. On the lantern, a pair of black butterflies fluttered together.

"I really fear you might be sweet-talked away."

Gong Wu’s throat felt dry; she wanted to laugh, yet she also felt like crying.

"Senior Brother, it’s a good thing you practice the Path of Emotionless," she whispered, "or I would guess you had long harbored other thoughts, never wanting me to marry anyone else."

Ji Yang didn’t pause his steps and continued to walk steadily.

He slightly closed his eyes, suppressing the burning pain in his heart, and returned her with a gentle smile.

"You have a clear and open nature; how could you think those thoughts?" Gong Wu said softly. "I know you are just worried about me being deceived and hurt, always protecting me like a real brother."

She took his hand, suppressing her inner stirrings with reason until they were almost gone.

"Senior Brother, I understand everything."

As the day approached, various places quietly moved their troops toward the central barrier of the Wuxuan Sect.

Tu Xuixin, uneasy about Ji Yang, exchanged roles with Cheng Ji, allowing her and Hua Tingxiao to protect Gong Wu from deadly tribulation, while he rushed to the battlefield with his disciple.

Hu Fengyu personally came to Moonfire Valley to pick people up, while Qin Cuohua coordinated with a crowd of scattered Immortals to arrange the battle plan against the calamity.

They had already found more than ten entrances to barriers and confirmed that they all ultimately led to the silver egg at the center of the Magical Formation.

In front, Bao Pu Mansion and Zhi Bai Guan lent strong support, creating countless invisible talismans for the Immortal disciples to silently infiltrate and wait for the right moment.

Behind, Guanling Mountain planned to dispatch strange insects and beasts to control the joints, ready to collapse bridges and roads when necessary, determined to destroy the evil lair.

In all this, only Ba Jing Tower remained excluded.

—On the day of the Immortal Assembly’s betrayal, many righteous disciples suffered casualties. Even if Ba Jing Tower claimed they had no knowledge of the event, they had been avoided and distanced from over the years, with no one willing to associate with them anymore.

Gong Wu had been jolted for several hours in a soft sedan chair before finally arriving at Rainbow Ridge. She had not even looked around at the mountains and scenery before being swiftly taken deeper into the cave by the foxes.

The journey twisted and turned like a winding snake; the endless bends made her stomach churn, nearly causing her to vomit her breakfast from the day before.

Cheng Ji fed her two anti-nausea pills, but soon his face turned pale, and he took four pills himself.

Hua Tingxiao clutched the handrail tightly, weakly saying, "If I don’t get down soon, my deadly tribulation will come faster."

Fortunately, they settled in a safe area, allowing her to catch her breath.

Hu Fengyu chose a concealed, narrow cave to avoid heavenly thunder and threats. It would be suitable even if they had to stay there during the day of ascension.

This narrow cave had a side room built, along with a garden and fish pond, just missing a few openings for light to shine through.

After thanking her, Cheng Ji and Gong Wu organized their bags and spread out the bedding for resting.

"Master Cheng," Gong Wu dusted the pillow and asked, "Is the Wuxuan Sect really that terrifying, causing all the sects to dispatch troops?"

"The matter of absorbing spiritual energy… I fear it’s a scheme by Zhi Bai Guan," the little girl pondered for a while, unable to comprehend why everyone was so grave. "Must secret sects be utterly eradicated?"

"There are countless shamans and wild temples in the world; it’s impossible to manage them all," Cheng Ji arranged several commonly used medicine bottles nearby and explained, "Our undercover agents infiltrated their ranks and witnessed horrifying scenes. Only then did we realize the necessity of their elimination."

"How terrifying could it be?" Gong Wu reminisced. "Once, when I sneaked in with Master, I saw many chanting, and lines of women holding children."

It appeared that many followers had formed couples and lived there for generations.

Cheng Ji hesitated, unsure whether to continue.

"Those infants are used for their blood," she said with difficulty. "And according to their doctrine, the mothers must hurl their children onto a blade formation to extract the most malevolent energy."

"Upon witnessing that scene, even Elder Kan from the Northern Soul Abyss was stunned, nearly vomiting."