Chapter 44

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Chapter 44: Title

The Sparrow Prison Tower stood atop Lang Mountain. To suppress the monsters, it was surrounded by barriers and formations. Apart from cultivators, the entire mountain was nearly deserted for ten miles around.

"A’shang, I’m glad you came with me," Qiu Huayi said, looking down at the formation where one wrong step would lead into an abyss of illusions. She clutched her chest, feeling scared.

She hadn’t noticed the formation earlier. If Ye Qingshang hadn’t stopped her, she might have stepped right into it. Qiu Huayi had never been to the Sparrow Prison Tower before. She only knew it suppressed monsters and had heard about the barriers and formations, but she didn’t know how powerful they were. She hadn’t expected that even with her current cultivation level, she couldn’t safely climb the mountain.

Ye Qingshang explained, "Because the Sparrow Prison Tower imprisons so many monsters, to be safe, most of the barriers and formations on Lang Mountain are high-level. This place not only keeps monsters at bay but is also difficult for cultivators to pass. Usually, only the elders of various sects come here. It’s very rare for someone like you, who misses her master, to come up the mountain."

"I see. But A’shang, how do you know this place so well? Have you been here before?"

Of course she had.

Ye Qingshang didn’t answer. Instead, she sent Qianyu forward to clear the path. With a clear clink, Qianyu stopped.

Ye Qingshang withdrew the spiritual weapon and said, "We’re here."

The barrier around the Sparrow Prison Tower opened in response. Qiu Huayi looked up.

It was a towering pagoda, about thirty-seven stories high. Spiritual power swirled around it, and faint sobbing sounds could be heard. Above it, a few patches of white clouds hung motionless, making it look particularly eerie.

Ye Qingshang explained, "Those white clouds are used at the top of the Sparrow Prison Tower to suppress the monsters. They form the Danger-Combining Formation, the only surviving ancient formation today. Over time, the spiritual power within the formation has weakened. The elders of each sect must infuse it with spiritual power every year to maintain it."

In her past life, it was this formation that had been neglected. When its spiritual power weakened, monsters found a flaw and seized the chance to escape from the top of the tower.

Qiu Huayi was about to reply when she spotted a blurry figure at the base of the tower. After staring for a moment, she called out, "Master!"

The figure paused, then raised his right hand. Spiritual power surged as he cast a protective barrier and then moved to stand before them. A breeze passed by, and he lowered his gaze, his eyes slightly sharp.

He frowned and asked, "Xiayi? Why are you here?"

"Master, I missed you, so I came to see you," she said, linking her arm with his.

Fu Chouyi shook his head, a hint of barely perceptible affection in his gaze. "Lang Mountain is dangerous. Why didn’t you inform me beforehand about your reckless arrival? With your cultivation level, those barriers and formations…"

Qiu Huayi smiled and interrupted, "Master worries too much. With A’shang here, Lang Mountain’s barriers and formations can’t harm me."

Only then did Fu Chouyi look at Ye Qingshang. "Xiao Yi is being willful. I appreciate your trouble, A’shang."

"It was nothing, just a small effort. But Elder Fu, your presence here—doesn’t it interfere with maintaining the Sparrow Prison Tower’s formations?"

Fu Chouyi said, "I’ve set a barrier. The spiritual power within can hold for an hour. Besides, Elder Feng from Yunshan Sect is present. It’s no issue."

"Elder Feng? Doesn’t he oversee the Divine Hall and rarely leave Yunshan Sect? Why would he take rotation guarding Sparrow Prison Tower?"

"The next Ten Sects Discussions won’t be for two years. He has little to occupy him until then. Rotating Sparrow Prison Tower guard duty was agreed upon by all sects long ago—he couldn’t refuse. Speaking of which, four years ago you took Yunshan Sect’s most treasured spiritual weapon from the Divine Hall. I wonder what expression he’ll wear if he sees you."

Four years ago… Ye Qingshang recalled their trio selecting spiritual weapons—youthful pride, fearless ignorance. Suddenly a familiar face surfaced in her mind, stirring uncontrollable ripples of pain within her.

Time passed like a white steed flashing past a crack. How had that person fared during these four years?

Noticing Ye Qingshang’s troubled expression, Qiu Huayi tactfully changed the subject. "Ah… Master, this is my first visit to Sparrow Prison Tower. I’ve only read about it. They say demonic energies have warped the surroundings, creating strange growths. Could you accompany me to see them?"

"Weren’t you just saying you came to visit your master? How quickly your interest shifts to novelties! You…" Despite his words, Fu Chouyi didn’t refuse. He let Qiu Huayi take his arm as he led the way.

Ye Qingshang exhaled deeply behind them and followed.

Qiu Huayi’s description was indeed diplomatic. The tower’s surroundings, corrupted by demonic forces, grew only twisted things—hardly scenery, merely curiosities worth observing.

"Master, look at these vine patterns—I’ve never seen such markings. And why are these leaves withered?"

"That’s Desolation Vine. Nothing thrives in extremity," Fu Chouyi explained patiently. When Qiu Huayi moved curiously to touch it, he pulled her back sharply. "It’s poisonous. Stay clear—don’t touch."

"Oh…"

Having witnessed such things in her past life, Ye Qingshang felt no interest. She merely glanced at Qiu Huayi and cast a protective barrier around her.

As the barrier formed, complex emotion flickered across Fu Chouyi’s face. His gaze brushed Ye Qingshang behind him, silent.

"Master, this flower’s color is…" Qiu Huayi frowned, struggling to describe it.

"That’s Charm Flower—" He cut himself off. "Impossible! Charm Flowers can’t grow here!" Legends said Charm Flowers heralded charm monsters’ arrival. The few existing charm monsters were imprisoned in Sparrow Prison Tower, and the tower’s restrictions prevented Charm Flowers from growing. Unless…

Realization struck Fu Chouyi. His expression hardened. "Xiao Yi, back away now!"

"Wh—" Before Qiu Huayi could react, Fu Chouyi yanked her back meters.

Where they’d stood, Charm Flowers exploded into bloom. Enchanting purple smoke engulfed Sparrow Prison Tower instantly. Piercing shrieks echoed like wails from hell. Simultaneously, a hairline crack split the clouds above the tower’s peak, spilling daylight onto its roof.

The Sparrow Prison Tower’s summit had shattered.

Ye Qingshang stared in disbelief. Impossible! She remembered the breach happening months later. Why now…?

"Qingshang! Why are you frozen? Seal the tower!" Fu Chouyi barked, having secured Qiu Huayi. His face was grim. The tower had stood since immortal sects’ founding—never faltering. Now it had fractured under his watch.

Ye Qingshang’s gaze turned razor-sharp. "Elder Fu, coordinate with Elder Feng. Maintain the Danger-Combining Formation’s spiritual power—prevent mass demon escapes. I’ll return swiftly."

She summoned Qianyu to fly toward the summit when a distant gasp reached her—Qiu Huayi’s voice, barely audible yet unmistakably calling a title:

"Young Master Mu!"