At the Yueshi Manor in Sword Province.
White Lotus Daoist, a woman around forty with a round face and voluptuous figure, wore a dark Daoist robe. Her black hair was tied up with an ebony hairpin, exuding a graceful femininity in her simple and casual style.
Usually gentle and always smiling, White Lotus now wore a serious expression as she silently walked around the outskirts of the manor. Over a dozen disciples followed behind her, clearing obstacles and attempting to rearrange the formation.
The area had just suffered a bombardment. Cannonballs had fallen like meteors, creating huge craters. The shockwaves had uprooted stone slabs and destroyed buildings and trees.
One Heaven and Earth Society disciple had been killed by the shelling, his body obliterated. Two others were severely injured.
After escaping from the Earth Sect, this group of disciples who had maintained their sanity and not fallen into demonic ways renamed themselves the “Heaven and Earth Society”.
Most importantly, the formation that Golden Lotus Leader had set up in the manor had been forcibly torn open at one corner. It could no longer hold back the surging enemies, including the numerous martial artists who, while not individually strong, were great in number.
Wandering martial artists had always been a troublesome group. They were numerous, used underhanded methods, and would risk life and limb for resources. Without backing, they couldn’t afford to miss any opportunities for advancement.
“Senior White Lotus…”
A disciple in a light blue Daoist robe came running over, tears in his eyes, choking out: “Junior Brother Lingzhen, he, he…”
Before finishing, he broke down crying.
Lingzhen was one of the severely injured disciples. His wounds were too grave to save him. Since he hadn’t cultivated a yin spirit, death meant true death, no different from ordinary people.
The eyes of the dozen disciples behind White Lotus reddened.
After the Earth Sect Leader fell into demonic ways, most disciples followed suit, becoming evil beings. Now only 36 disciples with clear minds remained. Losing even one was a huge blow.
Now, only 34 orthodox Earth Sect disciples were left.
“He will accompany us in another form,” the beautiful woman sighed.
“Senior White Lotus, didn’t you say Golden Lotus Leader invited the Earth Book fragment holders to help? Where are they? Why haven’t they arrived yet?” a female disciple asked tearfully.
Hearing this, the other disciples also looked over, their eyes showing a faint glimmer of hope. Senior White Lotus had emphasized more than once that the Earth Book fragment holders were all heaven-favored talents with great abilities. They would surely be able to help them protect the lotus seed and overcome this calamity.
“They’ll come, they’ll come…” White Lotus kept reassuring the disciples. She didn’t reveal her worries. The recent artillery bombardment had truly caught her by surprise.
According to Golden Lotus Leader’s arrangement, the entire Yueshi Manor was set up as a formation. Each Earth Book fragment holder would guard a position. Using the formation’s power, they could hold off outside enemies until the lotus seed matured.
Once the lotus seed matured, Golden Lotus would regain partial combat power. They wouldn’t need to defend the manor to the death anymore and could retreat while fighting. Finally, they could successfully withdraw.
“What we need to do now is repair the formation and plug this gap,” White Lotus instructed.
The disciples said no more and busied themselves. Some cleared rubble while others repaired the formation.
Watching their busy figures, the charming woman furrowed her delicate brows and sighed silently. In truth, even she didn’t know who the Earth Book fragment holders were or if they could help overcome this crisis.
“Meow…”
At this moment, several orange cats emerged from the bushes, quietly watching the busy disciples.
Golden Lotus Leader had brought these cats back and kept them in the manor for a while now. They wandered around the manor daily but didn’t run away, seemingly treating this place as home.
White Lotus didn’t know how Golden Lotus had taken a liking to raising cats on his trip out. But the female disciples quite liked these cats and enjoyed cuddling and playing with them when taking breaks from cultivation.
White Lotus smiled as she watched the cats.
“Senior White Lotus, is repairing the formation still useful? Even if we fix it, the next round of artillery fire will easily destroy our work…”
A young disciple vented his frustration by smashing the materials in his hand. Red-eyed, he said bitterly and helplessly: “We’re not Astrology Bureau sorcerers. We can’t inscribe formations to block cannonballs.
“We, we can’t protect the lotus seed. The demonic Daoists, the Martial Arts Alliance, and the suddenly appearing imperial forces… How can we defend against all that? On what grounds?!”
His emotions infected the other disciples. They silently looked down at their work, then silently looked at White Lotus.
The graceful middle-aged Daoist priestess felt a chill in her heart. She knew the disciples were on the verge of collapse. Recently, various wandering cultivators had gathered in a small town about ten miles away.
These included the Martial Arts Alliance, demonic Earth Sect Daoists, and the imperial forces that could deploy magical artillery.
The Yueshi Manor had sent disguised disciples to infiltrate and gather this intelligence by posing as martial artists. Because of this, they knew how powerful the enemy was.
Worry and fear had been building up in their hearts for days, ignited by the recent artillery bombardment.
“Don’t worry, we still have the Earth Book fragment holders. We’re not alone…”
Before she could finish, a young female disciple interrupted her. Crouching on the ground, she retorted loudly: “There are no Earth Book fragment holders at all, right, Master?
“If there were reinforcements, if there were Earth Book fragment holders, why wouldn’t you know? You’ve been keeping it from us because you’re lying to us.”
White Lotus frowned slightly, sweeping her gaze over the disciples. They were all looking at her, their eyes filled with disappointment and dejection.
So this is what they’ve been thinking… White Lotus’s pupils suddenly sharpened as she shouted:
“Even if there were no Earth Book fragment holders, does that mean you can’t fight? Our Earth Sect cultivates merit and fights for justice. When have our disciples ever feared death?”
The disciples fell silent for a moment. A young disciple shook his head and laughed bitterly: “Senior White Lotus, we don’t fear death. What we fear is useless sacrifice.
“Today, only 24 true disciples of the Earth Sect remain. To lose them all for the Nine-Colored Lotus… Is this really what you and Senior Golden Lotus want?”
Another disciple clenched his fists, tears in his eyes: “If all the brothers die at Yueshi Manor, even if we protect the Nine-Colored Lotus, what then? Our lineage will be broken.”
The female disciple who had loudly retorted earlier began sobbing: “Master, let’s withdraw. Can you please talk to Senior Golden Lotus?”
White Lotus wasn’t angry, just saddened. She remembered when these children were full of vigor, all pillars of the Earth Sect’s future. Since the Sect Leader fell into demonic ways, they had been in hiding, watching fellow disciples and masters fall into evil and turn their blades on them.
Years had passed, and they had become like startled birds. Their will was slowly being ground down, and their courage gradually eroded. They desperately needed a victory to regain confidence and rebuild their faith.
Suddenly, White Lotus’s ears twitched as she caught a faint sound on the wind. She instinctively looked up to see a sword light whistling towards them.
Sword flight?
White Lotus felt a chill in her heart. Sword flight was a unique technique of the Dao Schools, usable by all three sects of Heaven, Earth, and Humanity. At this critical moment, the appearance of an expert using sword flight was more likely to be a demonic Earth Sect Daoist.
The young disciples around her immediately went on alert, each summoning their magical artifacts. When it came time to fight, they wouldn’t fear death.
The figure atop the flying sword seemed to sense being locked onto by over a dozen auras. Calmly, they reached into their robe and pulled out a small jade mirror, waving it at those below.
The young disciples, still on high alert, didn’t recognize the object. But White Lotus’s pupils contracted slightly as she recognized it as the Earth Sect’s treasure, an Earth Book fragment.
“It’s, it’s an Earth Book fragment holder…” White Lotus said excitedly, while forcefully pressing down with her hand to signal the disciples not to attack rashly and harm their reinforcements.
An Earth Book holder… has arrived?
The disciples’ faces showed expressions of surprise, confusion, or excitement. There were Earth Book fragment holders.
As Xu Qi An approached the group, the disciples of the Earthly Congregation couldn’t contain their excitement. The legendary figure they had only heard about in stories was now standing before them, casually attempting to befriend a stray cat.
White Lotus Elder had been insisting that reinforcements were coming, but no matter how much the disciples pressed, she refused to reveal the identities of the Scripture Fragment holders. As time passed, doubt began to creep into their hearts, though they didn’t voice it openly.
Now, just when their spirits were at their lowest, the Scripture Fragment holders truly appeared.
Two flying swords descended near the ruins, and two beauties gracefully leaped off. The one in front wore a Daoist robe, with a bright oval face, red lips, bright eyes, and skin as white as snow. Her eyebrows held a hint of sharpness, exuding a heroic aura.
The other young woman bore the features of someone from the Southern Borderlands. Her facial features were exquisitely beautiful, with a lively demeanor. Her azure eyes were as vast as the ocean, sparkling with intelligence. Her wheat-colored skin and athletic figure made her look like a young leopardess from the jungle.
“Li Miaozhen, the Holy Maiden of the Celestial Sect… Is it Senior Sister Miaozhen?”
“This is wonderful! Senior Sister Miaozhen is our Earthly Sect’s Scripture Fragment holder?”
The disciples recognized Li Miaozhen. Though the three sects of Heaven, Earth, and Humanity each had their philosophies, and the Celestial and Human sects were often at odds, they weren’t completely estranged. Disciples from the three sects occasionally visited each other, and although the Celestial and Human sects often parted on bad terms, the shared name of the Dao kept the three sects in a delicate connection.
Recently, the clash between Li Miaozhen and Chu Yuanzhen caused quite a stir. The Yueshi Mountain Villa wasn’t isolated from the world, so the Earthly Congregation disciples knew all about it.
Li Miaozhen gave a Daoist salute, smiling reservedly. “Greetings, fellow disciples.”
The young disciples of the Earthly Congregation returned the salute and then looked toward Lina.
Li Miaozhen understood and introduced her, “She’s from the Force Gu Tribe of the Southern Borderlands.”
Everyone bowed to Lina, and the little dark-skinned girl from the Southern Borderlands bowed back.
“Are… are there only two of you?” a young disciple tentatively asked.
If there were only two reinforcements, it wouldn’t significantly change the situation, even though the Celestial Sect’s Holy Maiden Li Miaozhen had already reached the Fourth Rank and was a rising star with a bright future. But the current situation was one of being surrounded by a pack of wolves, with experts everywhere.
“They’ll be here soon,” Li Miaozhen smiled.
“They…” The Earthly Congregation disciples’ hearts lifted. This meant there were more reinforcements than just one. They began to anticipate the other Scripture Fragment holders.
Just as they were thinking this, more people arrived on flying swords, circling once above the Yueshi Mountain Villa before swiftly descending towards Li Miaozhen and the others.
Two men stood on the sword’s spine. The one in front wore a blue robe and had handsome features with a strand of white hair on his forehead. Behind him was a burly middle-aged monk with ordinary features and a gentle demeanor, nothing particularly remarkable about him.
“Chu Yuanzhen, a registered disciple of the Human Sect. I’m sure you’re all familiar with him,” Li Miaozhen introduced with a smile.
“Chu Yuanzhen?” a pretty female disciple exclaimed.
Before the Heaven-Human Dispute, Chu Yuanzhen’s fame was limited to the capital. But after his encounter with Li Miaozhen, this registered disciple of the Human Sect quickly rose to fame. His previous achievements were also uncovered – the top scholar of the twenty-seventh year of the Yuanjing era, who resigned from his official post the following year to pursue martial arts. After years of obscurity, he rose rapidly, praised by Wei Yuan as the “First Swordsman of the Capital.”
He was a figure shrouded in legend.
White Lotus Elder was overjoyed that the Sect Leader had managed to bring the most outstanding disciples from both the Celestial and Human sects into the Earthly Congregation. Li Miaozhen was destined to become a high-ranking member of the Celestial Sect in the future. Could her joining the Earthly Congregation be the Celestial Sect’s way of showing they too felt the mass demonic possession incident in the Earthly Sect was damaging the reputation of the Dao sects as a whole, and they were ready to lend a hand?
By the same logic, could the Human Sect’s leader, Luo Yuheng, have similar thoughts?
White Lotus Elder saw deeper and further than the ordinary disciples.
“Our Earthly Congregation is facing great calamity. We are eternally grateful to the four of you for coming from afar to assist us,” White Lotus stepped forward and bowed solemnly.
After a pause, she continued, “The current situation is dire. The Martial Arts Alliance alone has more Fourth Rank experts than us, not to mention the possessed evil cultivators and a group of unaffiliated cultivators fishing in troubled waters. Please, do your best, but don’t push yourselves too hard. If it comes down to it, we can abandon the Nine-Colored Lotus.”
She believes our fighting strength isn’t enough to turn the tide… Chu Yuanzhen heard the implication in White Lotus Elder’s words. Though it might be seen as somewhat disrespectful, the sentiment came from a place of genuine concern.
Chu Yuanzhen chuckled, “There’s one more person. He’s stronger than both Miaozhen and me. And the notable figures in the jianghu might give him some face.”
Li Miaozhen looked around impatiently, “Why isn’t he here yet?”
Heng Yuan shook his head, “Perhaps he’s still on the way.”
Who could they be talking about? Someone stronger than Li Miaozhen and Chu Yuanzhen, who could make the notable figures in the jianghu show respect… what kind of great figure could that be? The Earthly Congregation disciples exchanged glances.
With Li Miaozhen and Chu Yuanzhen setting such a high standard, everyone’s expectations were raised even higher.
“Golden Lotus Elder, long time no see. You still haven’t changed that habit of yours, huh?”
A sudden laugh came from behind the crowd. They turned to see a young man in black fitted clothes, with a high ponytail and a long saber hanging at his waist. He was crouching in front of an orange cat, waving his hand repeatedly.
The orange cat, startled, arched its back and bared its teeth at him.
“Elder, you’re playing your part well…” he laughed heartily.
“That’s… that’s not Golden Lotus Elder, it’s just a stray cat,” a female disciple said softly.
The young man with the high ponytail turned around, surprised. “Is that so?”
He was strikingly handsome, with lips neither too thin nor too thick, a high straight nose, bright and deep eyes, and strong facial features exuding masculinity.
At that moment, more than a dozen Earthly Congregation disciples felt their minds “explode” with an unbelievable realization, their faces freezing in shock.
Xu… Xu Qi An?!
The Great Feng Dynasty’s Silver Badge, Xu Qi An!
For the disciples secluded in the Yueshi Mountain Villa, this young man who had risen like a comet and created legend after legend was no stranger.
He truly entered the Yueshi Mountain Villa’s intelligence network after the Buddhist Dharma Duel ended. The court had sent out widespread official reports, announcing to the world and cementing Xu Qi An’s legendary status throughout the Great Feng Dynasty.
Subsequently, disciples responsible for gathering intelligence outside brought back a detailed dossier on this man.
Imprisoned in jail, he single-handedly solved the tax silver case and rescued his family. He was ordered to thoroughly investigate the Sangbo case, uncovering the old case of Princess Pingyang’s murder, which led to the downfall of a large group of court officials. He then went to Yunzhou to investigate a case, and when the diplomatic mission was in trouble, he stepped forward alone to face the rebel army…
After returning to the capital, he first solved the case of Imperial Consort Fu in the palace, then defeated the Buddhist sect in the Dharma Duel, truly a legendary man.
Many male disciples recalled that during that time, many of their junior and senior sisters often discussed this man in private, saying that thousands of jianghu heroes couldn’t match a single finger of Xu Qi An.
But that wasn’t all. About half a month ago, an Imperial Edict of Self-Reproach from the Emperor was posted in Jianzhou City, shaking the entire Jianzhou jianghu.
The man on the Dragon Throne had been in power for thirty-seven years, and this was his first Edict of Self-Reproach. The content was shocking.
When the Yueshi Mountain Villa sent disciples to inquire, they learned of the massive case that had recently occurred in the capital. The King of Huai had massacred a city, and the Emperor had covered it up. The entire court, under pressure from imperial power, chose to stay out of it, and no one stood up to seek justice for the 380,000 civilians.
It was Xu Qi An!
He stormed the imperial palace, captured a duke, and at Caishi Gate, he angrily denounced the court. With one slash of his blade, he cut through to a bright and clear world but also severed his prospects.
Every single female disciple in the Yueshi Mountain Villa greatly admired this legendary Silver Badge.
They never imagined that the legendary figure they had long admired was a Scripture Fragment holder, a member of the Earthly Congregation, one of their own…
This was more inspiring than any grand words could be.
The young female disciples were so excited that their faces turned red, their eyes sparkling brightly as if they might scream and pounce on him at any moment.
Li Miaozhen discreetly looked around, clearly seeing the excitement and admiration in the young female Daoist disciples’ eyes. Her brows furrowed slightly, showing some displeasure.
The reason for her unhappiness was, of course, that she didn’t want to see the female disciples of the Earthly Sect fall into Xu Qi An’s trap. This man was a lecher, not a good match. What else could it be?
“Ahem!”
Golden Lotus Elder appeared like a ghost, standing beside the orange cat. With a forced smile, he stroked his beard and said, “Master Xu, please don’t joke around. How could I possibly be a cat?”
Hiss, the Elder’s gaze is a bit scary… Xu Qi An tactfully changed the subject: “Elder, we’re here. How long until the lotus seeds mature?”
After speaking, he looked around and said, “You used the Earth Scripture to notify us to come here because of this situation?”
Golden Lotus Elder nodded, glancing at the devastated scene, and said helplessly, “That emperor of your Great Feng is also very interested in the Nine-Colored Lotus seeds. Not only did he send a team of mysterious experts, but they also brought magical artillery. This morning’s bombardment destroyed the formation I had set up.”
He sighed, “I had originally thought to have you work with the formation to guard the mountain villa, expanding our advantage. Only then could we use our smaller numbers to defeat their larger force. Now…”
Before Xu Qi An and the others could respond, a voice suddenly rang out, echoing over the ruins: “You call such a crude thing a formation?”
The voice was filled with undisguised contempt and disdain.
The Earthly Congregation disciples were furious. They looked around, shouting angrily, “Who’s speaking? Show yourself!”
“Alas!”
A deep, ethereal sigh came from all directions, seemingly everywhere at once.
“If heaven had not born me, Yang Qianhuan, Great Feng would be in eternal night.”
This voice seemed to come from a distant ancient era, carrying a great sense of vicissitude and historical weight, echoing in everyone’s ears.
“May… may I ask who this senior is?” White Lotus Elder, beautiful and graceful, was greatly surprised. Besides the Scripture Fragment holders, had the Golden Lotus Sect Leader invited another world-class expert?
The disciples present had now put away their magical tools and were looking around nervously, trying to find the “senior’s” figure. If even White Lotus Elder addressed him as senior, how could they dare to speak disrespectfully?
“Over there…” a female disciple discovered him and said softly.
A figure in white robes stood in the distance, his back to everyone. He stood with his hands behind his back, the wind blowing his robes and hair, looking like an immortal in exile.
“This is the famous sorcerer from the capital, Yang Qianhuan, Senior Yang,” Xu Qi An quickly introduced to everyone.
White Lotus Elder stepped forward a few paces and bowed respectfully, “Thank you, Senior Yang, for coming to assist us. Did you become acquainted with Senior Brother Golden Lotus in the capital?”
As she spoke, White Lotus Elder glanced at Golden Lotus Elder not far away.
To think that the Sect Leader had managed to connect with the Astronomical Bureau. It was well known that the sorcerers of the Astronomical Bureau, as successors to the Confucian tradition, were the most arrogant group. Even the Daoist sects were not held in high regard by the sorcerers.
As expected of the Sect Leader, to have quietly maneuvered things to this extent without anyone noticing.
The disciples’ faces showed joy.
Yang Qianhuan snorted, “Who is Golden Lotus?”
Uh… White Lotus Elder was stunned, “You don’t know Senior Brother Golden Lotus?”
Yang Qianhuan stood with his hands behind his back, his tone arrogant: “Why should I know him?”
White Lotus asked curiously, “Then why have you come this time?”
Beside her, more than a dozen disciples gazed at Yang Qianhuan’s back.
Yang Qianhuan said indifferently, “If it weren’t for Xu Qi An’s request, I wouldn’t deign to involve myself in such mundane affairs.”
Enough, enough, Senior Brother Yang, it’s too much… Xu Qi An silently covered his face.
So it was Master Xu who invited him. That’s right, he represented the Astronomical Bureau in the Dharma Duel with the Buddhist sect that day, so he must have connections with the Astronomical Bureau… White Lotus Elder turned and bowed solemnly to Xu Qi An, saying softly:
“Master Xu’s reputation for chivalry is well-deserved. The Earthly Congregation will never forget this great kindness and virtue.”
The disciples also realized that the senior in white was an ally invited by Master Xu. Immediately, their gazes towards Xu Qi An became even more grateful and approving.
The female disciples’ eyes shone brightly, feeling that Master Xu perfectly matched the ideal image they had imagined of him, without any discrepancy.
They admired him even more.
Senior Brother Yang, please continue to maintain this level of prestige… Xu Qi An seized the opportunity and said, “Senior Yang, why don’t you demonstrate your skills by helping to repair and improve the formation of the Yueshi Mountain Villa?”
At once, including Golden Lotus and White Lotus, all the members of the Earthly Congregation looked at the back of Yang Qianhuan’s head with great expectation.
…Yang Qianhuan realized he had been put on a pedestal with no way down. If he refused, the image of a great master he had cultivated earlier would be, if not completely shattered, at least greatly diminished.
“Very well…” he responded briefly, then added, “Everyone, leave this place. Do not come near.”
The beautiful White Lotus Elder smiled gently, “Of course, we won’t peek at your secret techniques, Senior.”
He just doesn’t want you to see his face while he’s repairing the formation… Xu Qi An thought sarcastically.
…
Deep in the mountain villa, by the cold pool.
“Is this the Nine-Colored Lotus?”
Lina’s eyes reflected the nine-colored halo as she sighed, “It’s so beautiful.”
Li Miaozhen pursed her lips, also showing the unique longing and desire of a woman. From ancient times to the present, women have always found it hard to resist flowers, especially beautiful ones.
“It has indeed reached the time of nirvana,” Xu Qi An commented.
He couldn’t help but think of the princess consort being nurtured in the private courtyard, the reincarnation of the Flower Goddess from nine hundred years ago. Her appearance during nirvana must be breathtakingly beautiful.
Chu Yuanzhen and Heng Yuan’s expressions remained calm. The former was only devoted to the sword in his hand, while the latter’s thoughts were clear and unaffected by external objects.
Golden Lotus Elder said, “This morning’s artillery fire was just a test. They’re also afraid of destroying the lotus seeds at this crucial moment. Hehe, by tomorrow evening, the lotus seeds will be mature. I estimate that today will be when they drop all pretense and attack the mountain villa.”
“Tell us about the enemies this time. Knowing both ourselves and our enemy ensures victory in every battle,” Li Miaozhen said, sitting cross-legged by the pool.
Golden Lotus Elder considered his words for a moment, then slowly nodded: “Three forces are coveting the Nine-Colored Lotus. First is the evil Daoist faction of the Earthly Sect. I won’t mention the Black Lotus Sect Leader’s avatar. Apart from the Sect Leader, the Earthly Sect has nine elders. They are ‘Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Purple, Gold, and White.'”
He turned his head to look at the round-faced, fair-skinned, and beautiful middle-aged Daoist nun, introducing, “This is White Lotus Elder.”
The mature and charming White Lotus Elder smiled and gave a Daoist salute.
Golden Lotus Elder continued, “I am Golden Lotus Elder. Among the remaining elders, Purple Lotus died at Yang Yan’s hands. Yang Yan is at the peak of the Fourth Rank and is a warrior, so it’s not unjust that Purple Lotus lost to him.
“But Purple Lotus’s cultivation was the lowest among the elders. Red, Orange, and Yellow elders are at the peak of the Fourth Rank. Green, Blue, and Indigo are slightly weaker, but still much stronger than ordinary Fourth Rank experts.”
Li Miaozhen muttered, “I’m just at the bottom of the Fourth Rank…”
She had only reached the Fourth Rank three or four months ago, her foundation was shallow, and she was far from being able to compare with senior, let alone peak Fourth Rank experts.
Lina frowned, her azure eyes flashing with confusion. She counted on her fingers and then suddenly realized, “Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Purple, Gold, White… Golden Lotus Elder, you and White Lotus Elder are actually at the bottom, right?”
White Lotus Elder was stunned for a moment and questioned Golden Lotus Elder with her eyes: What’s wrong with this girl, slapping our faces right in front of us?
Golden Lotus Elder shook his head slightly: You’re overthinking it.
“Ahem!”
He cleared his throat and brought the topic back to the main issue: “The Martial Arts Alliance has gathered forces from various major sects and factions under its command. Most of those sect leaders and faction heads are of the Fourth Rank, varying in strength. I haven’t had much contact with them, so I can’t accurately estimate their abilities.
“The one we need to be wary of is Cao Qingyang, the leader of the Martial Arts Alliance. He’s ranked third on the Martial Arts List. According to jianghu rumors, he has one foot on the threshold of the Third Rank. He’s one of the figures in the Great Feng jianghu with the highest chance of reaching the Third Rank in hundreds of years.”
Chu Yuanzhen pondered, “What’s his true combat strength?”
Having one foot in the Third Rank was too vague a description to measure true combat strength.
Golden Lotus Elder analyzed, “Even two Yang Yans couldn’t defeat him.”
In other words, it would take three Yang Yans to win against him or to fight him to a draw… Chu Yuanzhen’s expression became grave.
Since when did my former direct superior become a unit of combat strength measurement… Xu Qi An used sarcasm to relieve the pressure.
“How many troops has the court sent?” Li Miaozhen asked.
“Not troops, but a group of mysterious experts. They’re wrapped in black robes, wearing masks, more than twenty of them, carrying artillery. They’re stationed in a small town about ten miles away,” Golden Lotus Elder described.
“The Northern Frontier King’s spies?!”
It seems the forces left behind by the Northern Frontier King have been incorporated by Emperor Yuanjing… Xu Qi An and Li Miaozhen exchanged a glance.
“So they’re the Northern Frontier King’s spies,” Golden Lotus Elder realized.
The enemy had quite a few experts. Not to mention others, just in terms of Fourth Rank warriors, their numbers overwhelmed them. Even the carefree Lina felt the heavy pressure.
Xu Qi An stood by the pool, his gaze fixed on the Nine-Colored Lotus, and suddenly asked:
“Elder, this Nine-Colored Lotus is very important to you, right? No matter how great the sacrifice, you must protect it.”
Li Miaozhen and the others were stunned, all turning to look at him. Chu Yuanzhen was the first to grasp the deeper meaning. Li Miaozhen followed, and then Heng Yuan.
Lina failed the intelligence test.
I remember Golden Lotus Elder once said that the reason he was seriously injured and fled to the capital was because he was wounded by the possessed Sect Leader while stealing the Nine-Colored Lotus. The function and value of the Nine-Colored Lotus are greater than I imagined, otherwise, Golden Lotus Elder wouldn’t have risked his life to go back and steal it… Chu Yuanzhen recalled this detail.
Although the Nine-Colored Lotus is a rare treasure, if it didn’t have an extremely important use, facing such a strong enemy siege, abandoning the lotus and preserving strength would be the correct choice. But Golden Lotus Elder only thinks about confronting them head-on… Li Miaozhen glanced at Xu Qi An, thinking, as expected of you!
Heng Yuan’s thoughts were similar to the two of them.
“That’s right, the Nine-Colored Lotus is very important. It’s one of the keys to cleaning up our sect. We can’t afford to lose it,” Golden Lotus Elder answered frankly but didn’t explain the reason.
Elder, you need to pay more… Xu Qi An almost couldn’t control himself from blurting out these words.
At this moment, a disciple hurriedly came over, calling out anxiously, “Elder, a group of unaffiliated cultivators from the jianghu have taken advantage of the broken formation and attacked. Their numbers are vast.”
Golden Lotus Elder turned to look at Xu Qi An and Li Miaozhen: “I’ll have to trouble you two with this matter.”