Leng Hanyuan and Xu Xuan’s return brought Yun Tian Sect’s trip to Wu City to an end—but in the cultivation world, the aftermath of that incident was only just beginning.
Within Xuan Kun Sect, inside a sealed chamber, Su Wan stood pale-faced and solemn, gently shaking a jade bell in her hand again and again. Around her, Sect Master Gu Fengzi and several elders watched the center of the chamber with grave expressions.
Before long, the air twisted, and a crack the length of a finger slowly appeared. It warped and stretched as though something inside was forcing its way out. As the rhythm of the bell in Su Wan’s hand continued to change, a mass of black mist finally squeezed through the fissure.
The moment it emerged, it expanded violently, forming a grotesque human face that lunged straight at Su Wan.
“You dare, beast!” Gu Fengzi barked coldly. With a sweep of his sleeve, a golden nine-tiered miniature pagoda flew out. The tiny pagoda spun through the air and hovered before the black mist, releasing a burst of golden light from its top. The instant the light touched the mist, it vanished.
The pagoda spun once more in the air before obediently returning to Gu Fengzi, slipping back into his sleeve. Just as it disappeared, a faint trace of black light flickered across its surface.
With the black mist gone, Su Wan could no longer hold on—she coughed up a mouthful of blood.
“Wanwan?” A graceful-looking female cultivator in her thirties hurried forward from behind Gu Fengzi, catching the swaying Su Wan with concern written all over her face.
Gu Fengzi flicked his sleeve, sending a crystal-clear jade bottle flying to the woman. “Junior Sister Li, Su Wan has exhausted her spiritual power. Take her to rest. Give her the Spirit-Nurturing Pills from this bottle.”
After a pause, he turned to Su Wan with a gentler expression. “That array spirit is far too vicious. I will suppress it within the Exquisite Pagoda for a few days to cleanse its malice. After that, you may refine it again.”
Su Wan looked at him gratefully. “Thank you, Sect Master.”
The female cultivator had already put away the jade bottle while he spoke. Once Su Wan finished, she supported her out of the chamber. Just before leaving, she cast a thoughtful glance back at Gu Fengzi, as if wanting to say something—but in the end, she remained silent.
After the two disappeared, Gu Fengzi turned to the man behind him. “Junior Brother Han, what do you think?”
The man he addressed—Han Qi—looked about fifty, slightly plump with a prosperous air. A highly trusted elder of the sect, he was known for his extensive knowledge.
After a long moment of contemplation, Han Qi nodded. “Based on Su Wan’s description, that place must be an ancient remnant of the demon race. And the unusual malice in that array spirit just now—it must have been tainted with demonic energy.”
The other elders grew even more solemn at his conclusion. Han Qi oversaw the sect’s archives and was widely respected for his scholarship; none doubted his judgment.
Gu Fengzi sighed softly. “Fortunately, it was only an empty cave abode. No ancient demons remain. Otherwise, their reappearance would spell disaster for all living beings.”
Sensing his concern, Han Qi reassured him. “Sect Master worries too much. The ancient war between humans and demons ended long ago. The demon race must have perished completely. The cave Su Wan encountered was likely cast into a spatial rift during that war and only drifted back into connection with our world by chance.”
Gu Fengzi nodded. “Let us hope so.”
Then he added with a hint of emotion, “Su Wan stumbled upon a great opportunity this time. Though the array spirit is vicious, once purified, it will be a powerful ally. It’s a pity that in its attempt to escape, it severed its connection to the cave abode and lost much of its strength—otherwise, Xuan Kun Sect would have gained another supreme treasure.”
Just as he finished speaking, a refined, scholarly-looking middle-aged man behind him suddenly said, “Sect Master, are you certain you intend to grant that array spirit to Su Wan?”
Han Qi frowned, about to interrupt, but the man continued first.
“Though Su Wan is outstanding, the strongest among the younger generation is Wen Liang. The Chu Tian Secret Realm will open in less than twenty years. With that array spirit, Wen Liang might stand a chance against Yun Tian Sect’s Chu Mingwei. I hope the Sect Master will consider the bigger picture and decide its ownership carefully.”
Several elders exchanged glances, clearly in agreement.
Han Qi flew into a rage. “What are you implying, Junior Brother Bai? That array spirit was obtained by Su Wan at the risk of her life and already bears her blood imprint. How can it be handed to someone else?”
The man—Bai Qingyao—remained unmoved. “Her imprint is incomplete due to her insufficient cultivation. Removing it would not greatly harm her. As a disciple of the sect, one must consider the sect’s interests first. Even if she keeps it, she will not be a match for Chu Mingwei in twenty years. It would be better to give it to Wen Liang and secure greater benefits for the sect. As for Su Wan, the sect can compensate her with suitable artifacts.”
“No!” Han Qi shouted decisively. “How can the sect engage in such blatant coercion and theft?”
Bai Qingyao cast him a sidelong glance, a faint smile on his lips. “Are you this angry for Su Wan—or for Junior Sister Li?”
“You—!”
“Enough,” Gu Fengzi interjected quickly, seeing the argument about to escalate. “Both of you are thinking of the sect. We will set this matter aside for now and discuss it later.”
Though meant to defuse the conflict, his words clearly pleased Bai Qingyao, who shot Han Qi a smug look. Han Qi’s expression darkened, and he fell silent.
Gu Fengzi changed the subject. “Speaking of Chu Mingwei, I just thought of something. Su Wan and Chu Mingwei are similar in age and cultivation level. They have met frequently in the past and seem to get along well. If they were to become Dao companions, it would be a fine match. What do you think, Junior Brother Han?”
Though intended as a diversion, the idea held merit. If the two sects were joined by marriage, it would benefit both sides greatly. Han Qi, though aware of Gu Fengzi’s intent, could not help but consider it seriously.
Relieved that the topic had shifted, Gu Fengzi glanced at Bai Qingyao. Seeing no objection from him, he felt reassured—such an alliance would undoubtedly serve the sect well.
What he did not know was that Bai Qingyao had already learned the full details of the Wu City trip from his own disciple—another survivor besides Su Wan. He knew that Chu Mingwei already had someone in his heart: Xiao Lingyu, the young genius of Yun Tian Sect, who was clearly favored over Su Wan.
This proposed alliance would never be accepted. To Bai Qingyao, it was nothing more than Han Qi’s wishful thinking—hardly worth commenting on.
Far away in Yun Tian Sect, Chu Mingwei had no idea that Xuan Kun Sect’s leader intended to pair him with Su Wan. He sat cross-legged in a secluded chamber on Haotian Peak, holding the Source of Thunder as he prepared to break through to the seventh level of the Core Realm.
In just a few days of secluded cultivation, he had already advanced from the third to the sixth level—using only a fraction of the Source’s power. The rest coursed through his body, seeping into his bones and flesh, gradually transforming him.
This time, his spiritual energy surged abundantly. As the power of thunder circulated through him again and again, the subtle stagnation within his body dissolved completely. Before he realized it, he had stepped into the seventh level.
Letting out a long breath, Chu Mingwei slowly opened his eyes, delight evident on his face. At this rate, reaching the Nascent Soul Realm would not take long.
Thinking of his junior brother on Yilan Peak, a trace of longing flickered in his eyes. He wondered how he had been these past few days—whether he was safe. Once he reached the Nascent Soul stage, surely Uncle Wu would no longer oppose their becoming Dao companions.
While Chu Mingwei cultivated in seclusion, Xiao Lingyu also chose to enter closed cultivation.
After the attack by a demonic puppet, Wu Yunzi had become extremely cautious about Xiao Lingyu’s safety. The attacker had been identified as an ordinary outer disciple from Zuowang Peak—someone who had seemed utterly unremarkable, with only third-level Qi cultivation.
Yet in truth, he had been at the peak of the Refinement Realm, a rare beast-tamer, and a practitioner of demonic arts.
This oversight was a humiliating blow to the entire sect.
As a result, Yun Tian Sect launched a thorough investigation of all disciples, uncovering many with suspicious backgrounds. Sect Master Ling Xiaozi was furious and ordered Wu Anguo to pursue the matter relentlessly. The entire sect fell into a tense atmosphere.
Under such circumstances, Wu Yunzi strictly limited Xiao Lingyu’s movements. Aside from Yilan Peak, he was not allowed to go anywhere.
After some thought, Xiao Lingyu simply entered seclusion. Since Ling Xiaozi already suspected Leng Hanyuan, it was best to leave matters to the elders. Intervening would only draw unnecessary suspicion. Besides, he had obtained three pieces of spirit marrow during the Wu City trip—perfect for breaking into the Core Realm.
When news of Xiao Lingyu’s seclusion spread, Meng Fan and the others finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Though the official explanation spoke only of demonic infiltrators, they sensed something far more serious—perhaps the attack had specifically targeted their junior brother. Now that he remained safely within Yilan Peak, protected by its restrictions, they no longer had to worry constantly.
Meanwhile, on Huawu Peak, upon hearing the news, Leng Hanyuan gazed toward Yilan Peak in the distance—his eyes filled with dark gloom.