Chapter Twenty-Eight: An Unexpected Incident

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Heaven Meridian Peak, Heaven Meridian Hall

“Second Senior Brother, as the one in charge of discipline in the Yuntian Sect, it is my duty not only to punish those disciples who defy our master and the spiritual path, but more importantly to safeguard our sect from being bullied by outsiders,” Master Yunfa declared with righteous conviction, his dark face gleaming with a certain radiance.

“Third Junior Brother, do not be so agitated,” Master Yunkong replied, calm as ever, unflappable as a mountain. “Think about it, Junior Brother—what level of strength does Dong Zixuan possess? In terms of spiritual cultivation, he is hardly inferior to either of us. For someone to defeat him so easily, it could not have been done without careful planning. Mo Bai only joined our Yuntian Sect yesterday; he knows little of our inner affairs. How could he have managed to find those deeply hidden outer disciples?”

Yunfa was taken aback. His large, dark eyes darted as he pondered Yunkong’s words. There was sense in what his senior brother said. The outer sect, though not held in high regard and not considered orthodox, was nevertheless a crucial division in any spiritual cultivation sect. Many such sects kept their outer halls well concealed, and the Yuntian Sect excelled in this regard. No matter how capable Mo Bai was, he could hardly have grasped the full scope of the sect—inside and out—in just one night.

As Yunfa hesitated, a cold voice interjected, “There’s no need for the two of you to worry. Let us go to the Soaring Cliff and visit Dong Zixuan. Though Senior Brother Dong is injured, with his cultivation, he should still be able to speak. Once we find him, we can ask how he was hurt and what spiritual technique was used against him. That will give us a clue, rather than sitting here making wild guesses.” The speaker was none other than Junior Sister Yunling. Despite her high status as one of the Six of Yuntian, she was still quite young, barely thirty, and known for her meticulous mind.

Master Yunkong and Master Yunfa exchanged glances and nodded. Her words were like a bell awakening dreamers. Yunfa gave Jiu Xi a look, and Jiu Xi immediately understood. Soon after, he brought Yu Fei along. By then, Master Yunfa and Master Yunling were already waiting at the entrance of Heaven Meridian Hall. The four of them nodded to each other and set off, each using their spiritual leap technique in the direction of Soaring Cliff.

Meanwhile, in the side residence at Mount Yunjun, Wu Luohua wore an expression of utter boredom. Anyone treated like a prisoner would feel the same. He glanced back at Mo Bai, who had already closed his eyes, a faint smile curving his lips. Wu Luohua asked, “Brother Mo, how can you still be in such good spirits at a time like this? I’m truly impressed.”

Mo Bai laughed. “Didn’t you just say, Xiaohua, that such a life is still rather exciting?”

Wu Luohua shook his head. “No, no. What I meant by ‘exciting’ was that we could do whatever we wanted, clear our names. Not be watched like this, unable to move. Right now, I feel like an ant by a tree, waiting to be picked off as I was in childhood.”

Mo Bai turned over and said, “Those ants by the tree work hard just for a meal and a safe place to rest. Now that we have the entire Yuntian Sect as our bodyguard, shouldn’t we be making the most of this chance to catch up on some sleep?”

Wu Luohua gave a wry smile. “Brother Mo, you really are in good spirits, to be able to sleep at a time like this.”

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Mo Bai mused, “Perhaps if I don’t sleep now, there’ll be no chance to sleep tonight.”

Wu Luohua was startled, then smiled. He moved and came to Mo Bai’s side, half-joking, half-serious. “Brother Mo, let me join you in this nap!”

Amidst towering mountains and fragrant blooms, no one would have expected that besides the main peaks of the inner sect, the Yuntian Sect possessed such picturesque and enchanting places, untouched by strife, like a secluded paradise.

Though Yu Fei’s spiritual leap technique was the least refined of the group, he now led the way, trying his best to contain his emotions, though a sense of excitement and nervousness was impossible to hide. After all, following behind him were the three most outstanding disciples of this generation’s Yuntian Sect. Not long after, Yu Fei stopped. The others looked up to see a courtyard ahead—simple, yet elegant.

At the gate, a young boy was on guard. Upon seeing Yu Fei return, he cried, “Senior Brother Yu, hurry and check on Master—he’s coughed up blood again!”

Yu Fei exclaimed in alarm and immediately rushed into the courtyard, not even waiting for the three masters. Yunfa and the others frowned slightly and followed inside.

Within, Dong Zixuan’s face was a picture of defeat, and the boy had only just finished wiping away the blood when the door creaked open and Yunfa, Yunling, and the others entered. Only then did Yu Fei regain his composure and report, “Uncle, I’ve already gone to Heaven Meridian Hall today and informed Vice Sect Leader Yunkong of your injuries. Now, Master Yunfa and Aunt Yunling have come to see you.”

At these words, Dong Zixuan sighed and shook his head helplessly. For centuries, no matter how high their status or how advanced their cultivation, outer sect disciples could only linger at the periphery of the Yuntian Sect, and it was not customary for inner sect elders to visit outer disciples. He had borne the pain without reporting it, not wishing to break this tradition, but in the end, he hadn’t been able to stop Yu Fei.

Just as Dong Zixuan was about to rise, Yunfa strode quickly to his bedside and said, “Brother Dong, there’s no need for formalities between us.”

Dong Zixuan nodded slightly, recalling their shared childhood cultivating together in the Yuntian Sect. So many years had passed—Yunfa now held the important post of head of discipline, while he himself remained a lifelong outer disciple, confined to the Soaring Cliff. The changes of fortune moved him deeply.

Yunling also approached, showing respect despite her usual cold demeanor. Though counted among the Six of Yuntian, she had entered the sect much later than Dong Zixuan. She was exceptionally courteous to the master of Soaring Cliff. Jiu Xi hurried forward as well and, reaching into his robe, produced a small porcelain bottle. With a pop, he uncorked it, and at once a unique, refreshing fragrance filled the room, invigorating everyone’s spirits.

Jiu Xi carefully approached Dong Zixuan’s bedside. “Uncle Dong, Vice Sect Leader Yunkong has official matters in the sect and could not come in person. He asks your forgiveness. This is the sacred healing medicine of the sect, Yuntian Blood Pill, sent by Uncle Yunkong for you. Please take it.” With that, he handed the porcelain bottle to Yu Fei.

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Yu Fei immediately received it with both hands. Though he was not an inner disciple, he knew well the reputation of the Yuntian Blood Pill—it was the sect’s supreme healing medicine, reserved for only the most privileged.

Dong Zixuan’s eyes brimmed with tears. It seemed his Senior Brother Yunkong and the brothers of the inner sect had not forgotten him after all. With Yu Fei’s support, Dong Zixuan swallowed the blood pill, and soon his complexion improved. He breathed out slowly and said, “Thank you, all three of you, for your trouble.”

Seeing Dong Zixuan’s color return, Master Yunfa relaxed. He said in a measured tone, “Brother Dong, we came today not only to check on your wounds, but for another important reason—to find out who injured you.” Yunfa’s impatience was evident; he could wait no longer.

Dong Zixuan shook his head helplessly and sighed. “I am ashamed. After decades of spiritual cultivation, I was so easily defeated. I was even unable to get a clear look at my assailant’s face.”

Yunling interjected, “There’s no need for distress, Brother Dong. But can you infer anything about his sect or background from the techniques he used against you? Or was there anything unusual that stood out?” She was probing, hoping to lead him to a clue.

Dong Zixuan pondered for a moment. “Though I didn’t see his face, I could tell his spiritual power was incredibly strong—like an endless torrent. His techniques were also exceedingly strange, a dazzling array, showing no trace of any orthodox spiritual sect. The move that wounded me, however, felt familiar—it resembled, it resembled...”

Master Yunfa’s attention sharpened. “Resembled what?”

After much thought and struggle, Dong Zixuan hesitated and finally said, “It seemed like Monk Leng’s technique.” No sooner had he spoken than a cold flash of light shot in from outside, heading straight for Dong Zixuan’s bed. With a sharp hiss, all eyes turned to see a silver needle embedded in Dong Zixuan’s neck. In the next instant, he breathed his last—dead.