ALL NOVEL Chapter 121: Storm Approaching
Mirror Moon Lake.
Within a mesmerizing spiritual mist, a luminous full moon shone brightly - unmistakably indicating the Water-Moon Grand Formation at its peak activation.
Debate Hall.
Fang Xi entered and noticed that many individuals had already arrived.
Mu Zhong, Feng Manlou, and others greeted him with nods and salutations.
“Fellow Daoist Hua is here too? Quite unexpected!”
Seeing the somewhat aged Hua Chanjuan present, Fang Xi couldn’t help but be astonished internally.
The destruction of Black Sand Island’s Mo Clan had a profound impact on all factions within Peach Blossom Island.
Even Hua Chanjuan, who rarely ventured out and was more reclusive than Fang Xi himself, broke her routine to attend this crucial meeting.
“Ladies and gentlemen…”Ruan Dan, clad in a blazing red dress, stood before Ruan Xingling’s former seat, looking down at the gathered crowd. “Since everyone has arrived, let us discuss how to respond…”
“Crown Princess, please seek justice for my family.”
A middle-aged man dressed in azure Daoist robes knelt on the ground, tears streaming down his face.
His name was ‘Mo Qinghe’, belonging to the Qing generation of the Mo Clan. After the Mo Clan seized the Mu Clan’s spiritual lands years ago, he was appointed as the head of the Mo Clan’s branch at East Twin Peak, possessing a cultivation base in the fifth layer of Qi Refinement.
Although the main branch of the Mo Clan was annihilated, many clan members living elsewhere had escaped unscathed.
As he wept, he recounted the events that unfolded on Black Sand Island.
Just two days prior, a group of Calamity cultivators effortlessly breached the island’s protective barrier, led by none other than the notorious ‘Silver-armored Demon’!
Patriarch Mo, a Late Stage Qi Refinement cultivator, perished in battle on the spot!
Numerous clan members were slaughtered!
Only a few survivors managed to escape, bringing news of the catastrophe…
Some terrified Mo Clan members fled even further without stopping at Peach Blossom Island, fearing they might never return.
“What should we do now?” Feng Manlou, appearing middle-aged, broke out in cold sweat from anxiety. White Feather Island’s strength was comparable to that of Black Sand Island; if the Silver-armored Demon struck again, the Feng Clan would likely face a similar fate.
Even worse… Peach Blossom Island’s power currently stood weaker still! They lacked any openly known Late Stage Qi Refinement cultivators!
“Report this immediately to our alliance!”
“It has already been done. Perhaps we should contact White Feather and Golden Flame Islands for mutual protection? Old Monster Goldtooth… no, Patriarch Goldtooth, once reconciled with us…”
The group of Middle Qi Refinement cultivators paced anxiously, seemingly lost like headless chickens.
“Hmph, short-sighted fools!” Hua Chanjuan scoffed bitterly. “Inviting wolves into our home!”
She turned to Ruan Dan and asked, “Where is the Island Lord? Even if she’s away seeking opportunities, given this dire situation… surely as her disciple, you must have some means to contact her?”
Fang Xi noticed that several previously frantic old cultivators now wore expressions of relief, leaving him speechless.
‘These cultivators likely wanted to recall Ruan Xingling long ago but hesitated due to fear of responsibility… Interrupting someone’s Foundation Establishment could undoubtedly breed deep resentment.’
‘Fellow Daoist Hua has always been somewhat aloof; if only she had considered this earlier, she wouldn’t be thrust forward as their scapegoat.’
Ruan Dan remained unfazed, responding, “I don’t possess any method to contact my master!”
This statement was undoubtedly false, but from her perspective, ensuring the safety of all on Peach Blossom Island paled in comparison to Shizun’s Foundation Establishment!
After all, spiritual veins are notoriously difficult to destroy; Black Sand Island is merely left in chaos now. The Calamity cultivators, having killed and looted, would likely take valuable spirit medicines before retreating rather than waiting for the joint law enforcement team to besiege them.
If the daring Mo Clan cultivators were brave enough, they could already announce plans to rebuild their clan…
“What?”
“How could this happen?”
Upon hearing that even Ruan Dan couldn’t contact their master, shock and panic visibly spread across Feng Manlou’s face.
“Everyone, there’s no need to worry!” Seeing their reactions, a wry smile appeared at the corner of Ruan Dan’s lips. “The Calamity cultivators will leave after plundering Black Sand Island and won’t linger around nearby islands… As acting Island Lord, I’ve reported this incident to the Thirty Six Islands Alliance. The law enforcement team will arrive soon, so there’s nothing to fret about!”
Fang Xi stepped out of the debate hall, feeling that coming here today was a grave mistake.
Amidst all the commotion and arguments, no resolution had been reached.
Judging by Ruan Dan’s demeanor, it seemed he was determined not to disturb Ruan Xingling’s Foundation Establishment, even if it meant sacrificing Peach Blossom Island…
In fairness, if Fang Xi were in Ruan Dan’s position, he might agree with this decision!
After all, once Shizun achieved Foundation Establishment, what significance did a mere Peach Blossom Island hold?
Unfortunately, he now found himself part of the expendable faction!
‘Maybe the situation isn’t entirely dire. The Calamity cultivators indeed have reason to flee far away after raiding Black Sand Island… However, there are two points that remain unexplained.’
‘Firstly, the Silver-armored Demon is akin to the Zhong Family’s watchdog. Was this operation orchestrated from above or merely impulsive?’
‘Secondly, if they were simply targeting any random island for robbery, Peach Blossom Island would have been a better choice than Black Sand Island. Why didn’t they choose ours instead?’
‘Could it be that their true intentions lie elsewhere?’
“Uncle, let your old nephew accompany you for a walk!”
Soon, someone caught up from behind - it was Mu Zhong.
“Yes, let’s take a stroll together.”
Fang Xi and Mu Zhong reached East Twin Peak, where they gazed upon the white banners of mourning raised by the Mo Clan branch nearby, both falling silent momentarily.
“The ways of this world are truly unpredictable…” Mu Zhong sighed as he walked amidst the spirit fields. “Back then, the Mo Clan forcefully seized lands, only to meet such a fate now… Ha, karma indeed strikes swiftly!”
In reality, there is no concept of karmic retribution in the cultivation world; these beliefs were merely self-consolations.
“These two acres belong to my family, cultivated with spirit rice for over a decade. The spiritual energy here is abundant; perhaps next year we could plant medicinal herbs…”
“Our Mu Clan has just these roots left in this place. Even if Calamity cultivators arrive, I would fight them to my last breath!”
As the sun set in the west, Mu Zhong picked up a handful of soil, clenching it tightly in his hand while sitting on the field ridge. “Alas… this old nephew lacks the strength anymore.”
With those words, his eyes slowly closed, and the soil slipped through his fingers back onto the ground.
The venerable elder of the Mu Clan ultimately passed away before the impending calamity struck.
“Rest peacefully now…”
Fang Xi, with his keen perception of vitality, knew that Mu Zhong had indeed departed, reaching the natural end of his lifespan. In the cultivation world, dying due to age was considered a relatively favorable outcome.
But why did Mu Zhong confide such cryptic thoughts to Fang Xi?
It likely stemmed from seeking connection and trust, hoping that Fang Xi, remembering their past alliance between three clans, would protect this final lineage during times of crisis.
The law enforcement team from the Thirty Six Islands Alliance arrived swiftly. After patrolling the area with several flying boats for some time, they announced that the Calamity cultivator had fled and urged everyone to continue living peacefully.
Then, without lingering any further, they departed like clouds dispersing after a storm.
This approach left many cultivators feeling uneasy about the situation’s implications.
Two months later.
At Jade Cliff.
Fang Xi sipped tea beneath a peach tree, with Hai Dagui and Wang Xiaohu standing nearby.
Shortly after, Lu Guo entered, holding a letter in his hand.
“Master, I entrusted some acquaintances within the law enforcement team to investigate, and they’ve confirmed the situation,” Lu Guo said, bowing respectfully.
“Give me the details!” Fang Xi’s expression remained unchanged as he continued sipping his tea, but both Wang Xiaohu and Hai Dagui sensed a sudden heaviness in the atmosphere.
“The joint patrol by the law enforcement team indeed seemed rather perfunctory!” Lu Guo took a deep breath before responding, “Moreover, most of them have already withdrawn back to Spirit Hollow Market… This is quite unusual, deviating from their usual practices.”
“As expected…” Fang Xi sighed inwardly, feeling somewhat bitter:
‘Ruan Xingling truly lives up to her name as Peachbell Goddess, attracting such united opposition from major powers…’
Ruan Xingling had been seeking Foundation Establishment opportunities for five years now, and it was no longer a secret; those who needed to know were well aware.
Naturally, the Dragonfish Zhong Clan did not wish to see another Foundation Stage cultivator emerge from the Thirty Six Islands.
Likewise, there might be others within these islands who shared that sentiment.
Hence, the Silver-armored Demon’s attack on Black Sand Island aimed to force Ruan Xingling’s return, intending to delay or even sabotage her chance at Foundation Establishment!
Even Ruan Dan’s assassination attempt might not have been unrelated to this matter!
But why not directly target Peach Blossom Island instead?
‘Ruan Xingling is clever and patient; there have been cases where individuals endured silently despite their families being wiped out, only returning for vengeance once reaching Late Stage Qi Refinement.’
‘Wiping out Peach Blossom Island would free her from any lingering concerns, potentially aiding her path to Foundation Establishment…’
‘The strategy of first eliminating Black Sand Island and then pressuring Peach Blossom Island changes things.’
‘I didn’t anticipate that Ruan Dan would withstand the pressure, refusing to call back Ruan Xingling even at the cost of his life…’ thought Fang Xi.
He felt he was gradually grasping the underlying threads of recent events. Once understanding the main connections, it becomes easier to navigate the situation.
‘It seems highly likely that several Peak Qi Refinement elders are orchestrating these events behind the scenes…’
If there were hidden Foundation Establishment cultivators, infiltrating Peach Blossom Island or surveilling places like Jade Cliff, Fang Xi would undoubtedly sense them! This assurance stemmed from having already cultivated divine sense, which further heightened within the range of the Demon Tree, making him exceptionally vigilant.
‘The primary attack direction is undoubtedly Mirror Moon Lake! The key target must be Ruan Dan!’
A typical Calamity cultivator would likely start with the easier target, attacking Jade Cliff first due to its weaker defenses and distance from Mirror Moon Lake, aiming to gain some advantage quickly.
However, if there’s a specific plan and objective, they would still focus on Mirror Moon Lake!
After all, Fang Xi was merely an acquaintance with a superficial bond, whereas Ruan Dan was his beloved disciple!
‘The Zhong Family will be the primary force here, while certain high-ranking members of the Thirty Six Islands alliance will intentionally hinder progress. This may involve creating patrol vulnerabilities to allow the ‘Silver-armored Demon’ to wreak havoc! Both sides have tacit understanding.’
‘What should my stance be?’
‘Save them if possible, but once it becomes untenable, immediately withdraw!’
‘Why, why must so many people constantly disrupt my tree planting?’
‘This time I won’t forget… anyone who interferes with my tree planting shall die!’
A fleeting malevolence flashed across Fang Xi’s face, causing all three nearby individuals to shudder involuntarily.
He looked at Wang Xiaohu and the others, speaking gravely, “With recent instability escalating, I need to revoke your access privileges for entering and exiting the Little Cloudrain Array daily. The array must remain fully activated at all times! Focus on practicing life-saving magical techniques and skills; otherwise, when chaos erupts, there will be no turning back.”
“Many thanks for the warning, Master,” Lu Guo responded, his expression serious, subtly sensing something ominous.
As for Wang Xiaohu and Hai Dagui, they remained oblivious and confused.
Sometimes, ignorance truly is bliss.
Fang Xi decided he would inform Widow Wang about this situation when the time came; surprisingly, she could often be relied upon during critical moments.