Chapter 35: Unexpected Developments and a Rescue Mission

Disciples of the Artifact Forging Peak had no other duties beyond forging artifacts. They were arguably the busiest cultivators in the entire sect, yet paradoxically, also the most leisurely, as they never needed to undertake dangerous missions.

Consequently, no one would find anything amiss with Su Yun. Even if someone were to unexpectedly discover her staking out this location, Su Yun would have a plausible excuse.

Her peak was over two thousand meters away from Blazing Flame Peak, and coupled with her status as a mere Qi Refining cultivator, no one would suspect her of surveillance.

Their understanding was confined to this world, while Su Yun’s method of surveillance originated from another.

****

Upon returning to Blazing Flame Peak, Deng Wenqing once again sought out Deng Taiyan.

“Great-grandfather,” Deng Wenqing respectfully addressed the interior of the stone chamber, “everything is ready. I believe the sect will receive the news very soon. At that time, I implore Great-grandfather to lend your influence to the matter.”

Hearing this, Deng Taiyan let out a long sigh.

“Ah… I understand. You may go.” Deng Taiyan waved his hand.

Deng Wenqing immediately departed.

However, once he was gone, Deng Taiyan uttered a profoundly meaningful statement.

‘If only it were possible, this old man truly wouldn’t want to do this. On one side is family, on the other is the sect. Alas!’

****

Three days later, in the Cloudwind Ridge of the Southern Wilderness.

The Southern Wilderness contained several training grounds where spiritual energy was far denser than elsewhere. These places were abundant with natural treasures and harbored numerous demonic beasts, making them frequent destinations for cultivators from various sects across the Southern Wilderness.

Cloudwind Ridge was one such location.

Currently, a team of six Spirit Sword Mountain disciples, all at the Qi Refining stage, were undergoing training here. The strongest among them was at the ninth level of Qi Refining. They were collectively besieging a ferocious demonic wolf.

The wolf, a first-tier Black Fiend Demonic Wolf, exuded a dark, demonic aura. Its body was as stout as an ox, and its eyes glowed blood-red.

Demonic beasts were both the natural enemies and the prey of cultivators, for their entire bodies were treasures that could be used in medicine or artifact forging.

The Black Fiend Demonic Wolf was currently under siege by six flying swords, its body already riddled with wounds. Yet, it remained incredibly tenacious.

The six disciples stood in a formation, positioned at six different points. As soon as the demonic wolf approached, they would immediately retreat.

Even though it was a first-tier demonic beast, the weakest of its kind possessed combat strength comparable to a seventh-level Qi Refining cultivator. Their physical bodies were incredibly tough, making it difficult even for a ninth-level Qi Refining cultivator to easily penetrate their defenses.

Should a cultivator be struck by its physical body, they would either die or be severely wounded, as their physical strength typically far surpassed their cultivation realm.

Therefore, the only strategy was to continuously wear down its combat strength and stamina, then seize the opportune moment for a fatal strike.

The demonic wolf had been sufficiently weakened. Suddenly, its front paw, already injured, stumbled, and the strongest disciple of the Spirit Sword Mountain team seized this chance.

“What an opportunity!” The disciple swiftly altered their technique, and their flying sword transformed into a streak of light, shooting towards the Black Fiend Demonic Wolf’s mouth.

The sword pierced the wolf’s mouth, passing straight through its body. Its massive form immediately trembled, then collapsed heavily onto the ground.

“Phew! We finally dealt with it. A single Black Fiend Demonic Wolf was this difficult. If we encountered a second-tier demonic beast, we’d probably be instantly wiped out,” a younger disciple murmured.

No sooner had they spoken than someone immediately retorted.

“Can you please not say such unlucky things? Second-tier demonic beasts? Do you *really* want to encounter one?”

The group, now relaxed, exchanged a few jests before preparing to clear the battlefield.

But just then, a series of sinister voices suddenly echoed in their ears.

“This little sister speaks truly. In a place like this, one should never utter unlucky words casually, for they might truly become reality, you know?” A charming, wicked female voice resounded around the six individuals.

The Spirit Sword Mountain disciple at the ninth level of Qi Refining heard the voice, and their expression changed, prompting them to quickly warn the other five.

“Be careful.”

The group immediately gathered back-to-back, their faces filled with vigilance as they scanned their surroundings.

One by one, figures emerged from the periphery. There were twelve people in total, both men and women. Aside from their somewhat sinister and gloomy demeanor, there was nothing particularly remarkable about them.

“Who are you people? What do you want? We are disciples of Spirit Sword Mountain!” the leading Spirit Sword Mountain disciple bellowed.

Among the twelve, a woman in a purple gauze dress smiled alluringly and wickedly.

“It is precisely you, Spirit Sword Mountain disciples, whom we seek. Attack! Capture them.”

With that, all twelve simultaneously assaulted the six disciples. Among the attackers were two cultivators at the ninth level of Qi Refining, making it impossible for the Spirit Sword Mountain team to cope.

The leading disciple’s expression changed at the sight, and they quickly warned their comrades.

“Split up and run! Every one who escapes is a victory!”

With that, the six decisively fled in six different directions. However, even with this tactic, it would likely be difficult to escape the encirclement of these attackers.

As the leading Spirit Sword Mountain disciple fled, they immediately crushed a jade token. This was an emergency signal carried by Spirit Sword Mountain disciples; once shattered, Spirit Sword Mountain would receive their distress message.

Back at Spirit Sword Mountain, Jiang Shengming, who was in the main sect hall, suddenly seemed to receive a transmission. A jade token hanging at his waist flew before him, flickering several times.

Someone had sent Jiang Shengming a message, and upon seeing it, his expression subtly shifted.

He abruptly rose, issuing a command that resonated throughout Spirit Sword Mountain.

“Six Great Elders, gather at the main sect hall immediately!”

This voice, broadcast using spiritual power, permeated virtually every corner of Spirit Sword Mountain.

Su Yun, who was still staking out her position, was startled to hear this.

‘What’s happening?’ Su Yun knew something major must have occurred within the sect; otherwise, Jiang Shengming would not have summoned the Six Great Elders in such a manner.

Soon, streams of light soared from the six peaks of Spirit Sword Mountain, converging at an incredible speed within the main sect hall.

Three men and three women arrived, all clad in white robes, differing only in the color of their embroidered patterns. These were the Six Great Elders of Spirit Sword Mountain, all cultivators at the Core Formation realm.

“Senior Brother, what has happened? Why have you summoned us so urgently?” a cool and beautiful white-robed woman asked.

This was Yin Luoxue, the Fourth Elder of Spirit Sword Mountain and master of Cold Spirit Peak.

Jiang Shengming wasted no time and immediately addressed the matter.

“A team of training disciples at Cloudwind Ridge was suddenly attacked by unknown cultivators. They have sent a distress signal to the sect,” Jiang Shengming stated.

Hearing this, everyone’s expressions immediately turned serious.

“Then what are we waiting for? We should dispatch disciples to Cloudwind Ridge to rescue them now!” Ning Chong declared, preparing to turn and leave.

However, a white-haired man called him back.

“Senior Brother Ning, you are too hasty. If it were merely this, the Sect Master would not have urgently summoned us. Moreover, the situation there is unclear; we cannot act rashly.”

This man was none other than Deng Taiyan of Blazing Flame Peak.

“Indeed. This incident is the first major sect event since we recruited a new batch of disciples three years ago,” Jiang Shengming announced. “I believe we can use this opportunity to allow the outstanding young talents from each peak to gain some experience. Each of our peaks will dispatch six individuals, led by a Foundation Establishment cultivator.”

Deng Taiyan, hearing this, could not help but ask.

“This… is this appropriate? Will your Heavenly Sword Peak also send people?”

“Naturally. It is time for my two disciples to experience the outside world. However, Lin Shuang is still recovering from her injuries, so she need not go. Just have Lin Xue accompany them,” Jiang Shengming replied.

Since Jiang Shengming was prepared to have his own disciples participate in the sect’s rescue mission, no one else had any reason to refuse.

After all, no matter how precious their own disciples were, could they compare to the Sect Master’s direct disciples?

“We respectfully obey the Sect Master’s decree.” The six simultaneously nodded, then each returned to select their disciples.

Moments later, back at Blazing Flame Peak, Deng Taiyan gathered the peak’s new generation of disciples. Deng Wenqing was, of course, among this rescue team.

Such a significant event in the sect was generally announced to all disciples, so Su Yun also received this information.

‘This? So sudden? Outstanding young disciples from each peak… Shuang’er and Xue’er?’ Su Yun raised an eyebrow, then decisively mounted her flying sword and departed from the area.

She suspected that Lin Shuang and Lin Xue might also be part of the team going out to execute the mission. Undertaking missions outside carried significant risks, and she naturally couldn’t just sit by while her sister and wife ventured into danger. Even if they had to go, she absolutely had to follow them.

She arrived at her residence with the utmost speed, and as she did, she happened to see Lin Xue just emerging from the pavilion.

“Huh? Sister Lin Xue, did you see the sect’s notification?” Su Yun asked.

Lin Xue glanced at Su Yun, who had landed before her on a flying sword, and was taken aback.

“You… you’re already at the fourth level of Qi Refining?”

“Yes, I cultivated in the Sword Comprehension Pagoda for half a month and reached the fourth level,” Su Yun replied.

Lin Xue was stunned, as she and Lin Shuang had taken over a month to reach the fourth level of Qi Refining. Su Yun had only taken half a month, which implied that her talent surpassed that of both sisters.