"Now that things have come to this, does Lord Xingxuan still intend to cover it up?"
Someone couldn't help but ask.
"Lord Xingxuan, Elder Xia has never been wrong, this child must not be allowed to live!"
The carefully maintained balance has been completely shattered, and the scales are irresistibly tilting toward a certain inevitable outcome.
"Xingxuan-jun, don't forget your vow!"
As if in response to this statement, a sudden clap of thunder rang out from the horizon.
It seems that everything is forcing them to close off all avenues of retreat.
"I have indeed sworn that if Gu Zhong were to do anything that would harm the common people, I would give everyone an explanation."
Ling Yan snorted coldly, her aura radiating outwards. Under the pressure of her tribulation, apart from the powerful figures of various sects, all the other disciples involuntarily knelt on the ground.
Perhaps because she has become more peaceful in recent years, some people think they can bully her at will.
"But now, Gu Zhong has only lost control for a moment because he saw his enemy and the spiritual root that was extracted from her back then. How can he be said to be harming the common people?"
When Lingyan saw Yao Yun's corpse and the magical artifact beside him, she understood the reason why Gu Zhong had fallen into demonic possession today.
With a wave of her hand, she lifted the corpse and the ritual implements into the air, allowing everyone present to see them clearly.
"Let them take revenge. What does it have to do with the disciples of my sect?"
"Then what about the disciples who died in my sect?"
"Xingxuan-jun's words are far too biased!"
How can we guarantee she won't lose control next time?
However, the trigger is ultimately just a trigger and cannot extinguish the flames of fear and anger in people's hearts.
"If Lord Xingxuan is truly reluctant to part with her, why not cripple this child's cultivation today? We might be able to spare her life."
One person suggested that it seemed to be a win-win solution.
"Shut up!"
Ling Yan shouted and swung her sleeve, sending the man flying two zhang away.
This seemingly perfect solution, however, only fueled Lingyan's anger.
She quickly turned her head to look at Gu Zhong, only to find an increasingly firm will to die in his eyes.
Those who climb out of the valley and finally reach the peak to see the highest point, but are then plunged back into the abyss of despair, truly experience a fate worse than death.
If Gu Zhong's cultivation were to be crippled, that would be even more unacceptable than her death.
"Young Sect Master, you have quite the temper. No matter what, you should at least give an explanation to the immortal cultivators who have died."
Xia Xiange said another sentence lightly.
There was no turning back now. Lingyan sighed softly and half-closed her eyes.
The smoke and clouds hummed in her hand, transforming into dozens of streaks of light.
In their panic, everyone raised their magical weapons to resist, but the sword energy unexpectedly changed direction and attacked the two people they had surrounded.
Dozens of sword intents pierced through Lingyan's lungs and dantian, and red plum blossoms instantly bloomed on her usually pure white immortal robe. Blood gushed from the corner of her lips, slid down her chin, and dripped onto her front.
The usually aloof and proud beauty appeared quite delicate against the backdrop of this vibrant blood, as if a gust of wind could break her.
"Master!"
Gu Zhong exclaimed in surprise and hurriedly stepped forward to support her, his eyes filled with regret and heartache.
She never expected that Lingyan would protect her to this extent.
He would injure himself to give these immortal sects an explanation; if things went wrong, his cultivation would be completely ruined.
Are you all satisfied?
Pushing Gu Zhong aside, Ling Yan asked in a low voice.
She still stood tall and straight, trying her best to stand upright.
Her face was frosty, but her aura remained undiminished, as if the thousands of swords that had pierced her body were nothing more than needle pricks that caused no pain or itch.
The immortal sects were so shocked by her actions that they didn't know how to react. Even at the risk of crippling their own cultivation, they didn't want them to lay a finger on her.
They should probably reassess how much this disciple meant to her.
If we want to take action against Gu Zhong today, then we will have no choice but to completely break with Ling Yan.
It would be fine if it were just her as an enemy, but I'm afraid of facing the Star Luo Sect, the number one sect in the current cultivation world.
"If you are not satisfied, then I have no other choice. With me here, you will not be able to harm my disciple in the slightest!"
Extremely protective and domineering, with a ruthless determination to fight to the death. This instilled fear in the listeners, making them hesitate about whether they really wanted to escalate the situation to this extent.
"Young Master, the Sect Master will not allow you to continue your nonsense."
As soon as Xia Xiange said this, everyone else seemed to receive some kind of hint, and countless magical artifacts and spells flew towards the two people in the arena, seemingly about to kill them.
"Walk!"
Ling Yan reached out and grabbed Gu Zhong, shouting.
The array, which had been drawn at some unknown time, suddenly activated, and a strong beam of light shone from beneath their feet, but was shielded by the attacks that filled the sky.
The beam of light went out in an instant, and the two figures disappeared along with it.
Once the explosions subsided, the immortal sects were dumbfounded as they stared at the empty ground, which was now completely devoid of any trace.
Where are they?
Looking at the scene before her, Xia Xiange frowned slightly, but then chuckled softly, showing no disappointment at her failed scheme.
——
Perhaps even Heaven couldn't bear to see their miserable state of being abandoned by everyone, so the location randomly teleported by the formation wasn't too bad.
Lingyan and Gu Zhong landed in a lush, verdant forest. The place was vibrant and exuded a tranquil and peaceful atmosphere, seemingly untouched by the ravages of demonic beasts.
After ensuring that the two were completely out of danger, Lingyan, who had been holding on, lost consciousness in Gu Zhong's arms. The only thing she heard in her ears was Gu Zhong's anxious and worried calls.
When Lingyan woke up, she was lying on a stone platform in a cave, with a warm tiger skin under her and a blanket made of soft white rabbit fur covering her. A campfire was burning brightly beside her.
"Master, you're awake?"
The person resting nearby seemed to sense something and opened their eyes. Seeing that Lingyan had woken up, they quickly got up and came closer to check on her injuries.
"How long have I been asleep?"
After a few seconds of stunned silence, Ling Yan slowly asked a question, only to find that her voice was indescribably rough and hoarse.
"It has been half a month."
Gu Zhong immediately and considerately took a water bag from the side and brought it close to Ling Yan's pale lips to moisten her mouth and throat.
"Thanks a lot···"
I never expected that I would once again fall to the point where I need to be taken care of.
"Master, what are you saying? If it weren't for protecting me... you wouldn't have..."
Seeing that Gu Zhong's voice was already choked with sobs, Ling Yan couldn't help but feel a headache coming on. She had no idea that Gu Zhong was such a crybaby.
"Don't worry, I'm fine."
In response, Lingyan could only offer a dry and weak word of comfort before hastily changing the subject.
"Ah Chong, tell me in detail, what exactly happened that day?"
With a sigh, Gu Zhong hesitated. Even she felt that she was the one who would destroy the world, which was why she had taken such action, but Ling Yan did not believe it.
"Ah Chong, what are you thinking about again? Don't believe other people's nonsense. There must be a reason for everything."
Judging from Gu Zhong's appearance, he was clearly deeply affected by Xia Xiange's words. It was as if a seductive anchor had been planted in his mind, trapping him in his inner demons, and causing him to sink deeper and deeper.
Seeing that Lingyan was unhappy, Gu Zhong didn't dare to say anything discouraging. He could only carefully organize his thoughts and tell her about his feelings that day.
After listening to Gu Zhong's description, Ling Yan sat up with difficulty, her fingertips lightly touching Gu Zhong's forehead, probing into her sea of consciousness.
Gu Zhong's sea of consciousness was a chaotic, hazy golden expanse, within which clumps of cloud-like, intertwined threads contained all her memories and thoughts.
In a corner deep within the sea of consciousness, a small, incongruous silver mass curled up, which must be the remnant of the primordial will.
Lingyan slowly unleashed her divine sense, gently covering the entire sea of consciousness. The originally calm and soothing mist suddenly churned violently in one spot, directly confronting Lingyan's divine sense.
Fearing she might hurt Gu Zhong, Ling Yan had no choice but to quickly retreat. Before she completely withdrew, she vaguely saw a patch of black appear amidst the surging gold.
"Ah Chong, could you awaken that lingering remnant for even a moment?"
As soon as he emerged from his sea of consciousness, Ling Yan's request stunned Gu Zhong.
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Author's Note:
Ahem, someone posted a pre-order for a novel next door called "After the Villain Killed the Protagonist," and I'll be starting that next!
Interested little angels can pre-order it!
This contains spoilers for the villain in this story!
//Thank you to all the little angels who voted for me or watered my plants with nutrient solution between 00:53:12 on 2021-11-20 and 23:18:55 on 2021-11-20!
Thank you to the little angels who watered with nutrient solution: Soft Chin 9 bottles; Z 8 bottles;
Thank you so much for your support! I will continue to work hard!
Chapter 91 Astrologer and Defiant One (Part 20)
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"···good."
Without much thought, trusting Lingyan, Gu Zhong readily agreed to this task that was extremely difficult for her.
—It takes immense courage for her to entrust her body once again to the lingering resentment that could seize control at any moment.