Watching Yuanmingzi’s departing figure, Yu Changsheng’s gaze flickered. He finally shook his head gently. When he looked at the Purple Bamboo King, his face filled with gratitude, and he spoke in a warm voice:
"Regarding today’s events, thank you for backing me up, Senior."
"Don’t read too much into it. I was just worried my Ling’Er would be frightened."
The Purple Bamboo King raised an eyebrow, his tone calm and indifferent as he spoke.
"This is Purple Bamboo Mountain; it’s not a place for them to act so presumptuously. Besides, the Martial Continent is in turmoil right now. Ling’Er is with you, so you must protect him."
The Purple Bamboo King swallowed, a rare look of solemnity appearing on his face.
"I understand."
Yu Changsheng nodded softly in agreement. ’He understands now.’ The reason the Purple Bamboo King had suddenly appeared was likely to take advantage of the crowd to display the relationship between himself and the Zi Ling Emperor, thereby deterring any would-be troublemakers.
For Yu Changsheng, this was also a form of protection. At the very least, he no longer had to worry about anyone getting ideas about the Purple Spirit Emperor Sword.
"I am grateful for what happened today. If there is nothing else, I will take my leave. The sect is in a state of emergency, and I must hurry back to see what’s happening."
"Fine. Remember what I told you and the promise you made."
After this final instruction, the Purple Bamboo King didn’t stop him. He gently rubbed the spot between the Zi Ling Emperor’s brows, and his figure slowly dissipated into purple specks of light.
Watching the Purple Bamboo King’s form fade away, Yu Changsheng bowed respectfully, but he couldn’t help but sigh with regret in his heart.
’If only I could get the Purple Bamboo King to leave the mountain and help, the Wanxiang Sect’s crisis would probably be resolved in an instant...’
The thought flashed through Yu Changsheng’s mind.
Divinity Transformation. Cultivators who could reach this level were as rare as a phoenix’s feather. Whether in Qingzhou Province or the Martial Continent, the appearance of a single Divinity Transformation expert would cause immense shockwaves, enough to turn the tide of a battlefield.
The reason the Three Gates were so far superior to the Six Sects, standing high above and occupying most of the resources, was primarily because they had living Divinity Transformation Great Powers within their ranks. The Six Sects were no match for them.
And if the Purple Bamboo King were willing to leave the mountain and accompany Yu Changsheng to the Wanxiang Sect, their current crisis would naturally be solved with ease.
However, Yu Changsheng cast the thought aside in an instant. He wouldn’t dwell on it. Purple Bamboo Mountain was a forbidden zone, transcendent and detached from the world. Its special position meant that neither Qingzhou Province nor the Martial Continent had any influence on it.
Even if Qingzhou Province’s forces ultimately invaded, they wouldn’t be foolish enough to provoke Purple Bamboo Mountain. Especially since the mountain had revealed itself before so many Loose Cultivators today, the news that a Divinity Transformation Great Power presided over Purple Bamboo Mountain would spread like wildfire. In the future, Purple Bamboo Mountain would only become more peaceful.
Therefore, Yu Changsheng was not foolish enough to invite him. The Purple Bamboo King had only stepped in to repel those people for the Zi Ling Emperor’s sake. He had already done more than enough.
Setting the thought aside, Yu Changsheng wasted no time. After adjusting his status, he summoned the Golden-Winged Eagle, got his bearings, and sped toward the Wanxiang Sect.
The Wanxiang Sect was in crisis. Returning under these circumstances was dangerous, but if he didn’t go back, Yu Changsheng’s conscience would not be at ease.
’Yang Tianyi... Li Minghan, Zhang Tianwen...’
’And Master is still in the sect... I hope everything will be alright.’
Unwittingly, there were already quite a few people in the Wanxiang Sect he couldn’t let go of.
Yu Changsheng sighed softly to himself. He circulated his Magical Power, and his speed increased.
***
「Meanwhile, at the Wanxiang Sect.」
BOOM! RUMBLE!
The sound of thunder echoed, shaking the heavens and earth in all directions. One terrifying Daoist Skill and Divine Technique after another lashed against the Wanxiang Sect’s Sect Protection Array. Amid flashes of brilliant light, the Grand Array teetered on the verge of collapse, yet it stubbornly held on.
Outside the Sect Protection Array, Black Qi spread for three hundred li, covering the sky and land. Within this oppressive darkness, several figures stood calmly, unleashing one Divine Technique after another from their hands, bombarding the Grand Array.
Each of these figures erupted with a terrifying, heaven-shaking aura. The weakest among them was at Golden Core Peak, and there were even five Purple Mansion True Monarchs. At this moment, the might they unleashed by joining forces was truly earth-shattering.
Of these five, three were from the Spirit Dragon Sect: Illusion Dragon True Monarch, Tian Long True Monarch, and Sea Dragon True Monarch. These three were the true foundation of the Spirit Dragon Sect’s power.
The other two were the Purple Mansion ancestor of the Yang Family, who was also Yang Chengxu’s grandfather, Yang Ninghong, and the Dark Stream Elder—the very same Purple Mansion expert who had tried to assassinate Yu Changsheng.
As the five of them attacked, they chatted and laughed, acting as if victory was already in their grasp.
"The Wanxiang Sect is quite resilient, but how much longer can it last? This Array was supposedly created by a Tier Five Array Master. It’s said to be incredibly valuable and offers amazing protection. That much is true."
"A pity. Without a Divinity Transformation expert to anchor it, how long can this Tier Five Array possibly hold? The moment the Array breaks is the moment the sect is annihilated!"
"This will serve as a tribute to that boy, Xuan Long..."
As the three True Monarchs of the Spirit Dragon Sect conversed, their attacks grew even fiercer.
At this moment, the combined pressure of just these five individuals was enough to move mountains and overturn seas. Among the Six Sects, any single one would have to face this force with utmost seriousness.
As they unleashed their power, the Sect Protection Array shook violently, and cracks slowly began to spread across its surface...
***
"Martial Uncle, at this rate, the Array won’t be able to hold on for much longer."
Within the Wanxiang Sect, atop Sword Control Peak, the upper echelon of the sect had gathered. Lu Ruikai’s face was ashen as he looked at the situation outside the Array and spoke in a low voice to Ruan Hao.
Ruan Hao’s expression was just as grim. He stared intently at the figures outside the Array, his low voice laced with killing intent. After forcibly suppressing his anger, he asked:
"What about the disciples? How is the evacuation going?"
"Aside from some of the more capable Golden Core disciples, the rest are more or less ready. We’re just waiting for the Array to break to find an opportunity to open the spatial lockdown and begin teleporting them out."
Sect Leader Zheng Tianheng answered, his eyes narrowing as he spoke in a low voice.
"To think... I’ve been in seclusion for so long, only to emerge to a situation like this?"
A wizened voice suddenly rang out. The Peak Masters were stunned for a moment before turning toward the source of the sound. They saw space warp slightly as the figure of an old man with a full head of white hair and a stooped back slowly materialized.
This figure had a head of white hair, a face full of wrinkles, and slightly dark lips. His expression was grave, and his eyebrows were also white. Even his qi and blood were nearly exhausted, and he faintly exuded an aura of decay and withering. The marks of time were exceptionally clear on his body.
His beard fluttered in the wind, and his eyes, though ancient, held a spiritual charm. His body was slightly hunched, but his will soared to the heavens. His aura was as deep as an abyss and as vast as the sea, far surpassing Ruan Hao’s.
Seeing this person, everyone’s expression changed. They all lowered their heads and clasped their fists respectfully in greeting:
"Supreme Elder."
This person was none other than the reclusive Supreme Elder of the Wanxiang Sect, the previous Sect Leader, Yuan Menghua.
"Master, why did you come out of seclusion? Your..."
Ruan Hao lowered his eyes and stepped forward to support Yuan Menghua. Sensing his condition, he spoke with worry in his eyes. Yuan Menghua was also Ruan Hao’s master.
"If I didn’t come out, I’m afraid the sect itself would be lost."
Yuan Menghua shook his head, a bitter smile on his bloodless face. He shot Ruan Hao a glare before sighing softly.
"Continuing to waste away in seclusion is not a solution. My lifespan is nearly at its end, and reaching Divinity Transformation is hopeless. You encountered such a crisis and didn’t even notify me. What, were you planning to let me die with regrets?"
Yuan Menghua spoke calmly, but his tone held a faint trace of reproach.
Ruan Hao fell silent, wanting to speak but hesitating. He looked at Yuan Menghua, and finally, his lips twitched as he softly explained:
"Master, your time is almost up. If you were to forcibly take action... I’m afraid..."
Ruan Hao didn’t finish his sentence, but the meaning was already clear.
"Don’t worry. Even if I’m just a pile of old bones, I can still unleash my power a few times. The enemy is at our doorstep. Are you suggesting I should keep cowering like a turtle in its shell?"
Yuan Menghua didn’t seem too concerned. He lowered his head, assessed his own physical condition, and chuckled softly.