Amidst the chaos, the Azure Ethereal Conclave hastily brought the venerable Daoxuan into the Jade Purity Hall. However, even this sacred hall was now in shambles, with more than half of its once-majestic structure lying in ruins. Debris and splintered wood littered the ground.
Tian Yisu and others quickly cleared a space, dragging over a chair for Daoxuan to rest. The surrounding elders and heads, each with their own array of elixirs and medicines, were almost too eager, desperately wanting Daoxuan to swallow them all at once.
After a moment, Daoxuan stirred, sighing deeply as he slowly regained consciousness.
Tian Yisu and the others watched as Daoxuan’s face, pale and bloodless, especially around the wound on his abdomen, which had mysteriously expanded, staining the lower part of his robe black. Concern etched itself on their faces.
Daoxuan was clearly severely weakened, unable to speak immediately upon waking. Tian Yisu quickly administered three carefully refined Great Yellow Pills. After a while, the medicine took effect, and Daoxuan’s complexion improved slightly.
By now, the surrounding disciples and elders had gathered, including Lin Jingyu, Zhang Xiaofan, and Lu Xueqi, who had rushed to the scene. They were shocked to see the severity of the Grand Master’s injuries. Soon, Song Daren and Qi Hao returned as well.
With a slight recovery, Daoxuan opened his eyes, meeting the worried gazes of Tian Yisu and others. He forced a smile, saying, “I can still hold on, don’t worry.”
Tian Yusi and the others finally exhaled in relief. One of them, recalling the legendary Immortalbane Nexus, noticed that Daoxuan’s hands were empty, and the ancient sword was nowhere to be seen. Outside the Jade Purity Hall, the spiritual beast Water Qilin lay motionless, but the Immortalbane Nexus was not with it.
Daoxuan scanned the surroundings, his face darkening as he saw the significant reduction in the number of people. “After I left, what happened here? How many casualties did we suffer?”
Tian Yusu, standing closest, hesitated before whispering, “Master, you should focus on recovering…”
“Tell me!” Daoxuan interrupted.
Tian Yusi paused, glancing around before reporting the grim tally.
The battle had been devastating for the Azure Ethereal Vapors. Fourteen of the twenty-five elders had fallen, and several more were grievously injured. Among the Seven Peaks’ leaders, only Tian Yisu and Feng Huifeng’s Zeng Shuchang remained, both bearing the marks of severe combat. Only Water Moon, who had escorted the Benevolent Wisdom Temple’s Pu Hong, escaped unscathed.
Daoxuan swayed, barely able to support himself. The once-proud strength of the Azure Ethereal Vapors was nearly decimated.
Tian Yusu, grief-stricken, murmured, “Master, such a deep enmity must be avenged. But for now, your health is paramount; do not grieve too much.”
Daoxuan sighed deeply, closing his eyes and stamping his foot. “I, Daoxuan, have failed the founders of the Azure Ethereal Vapors!”
His voice was laced with sorrow, and the assembly fell silent.
Suddenly, a plank of wood clattered down from the debris, revealing a familiar face—Wang Ershu, who had been mad for years. Covered in dust, he emerged seemingly unharmed, smiling foolishly.
Zhang Xiaofan and Lin Jingyu approached him, checking for injuries. Miraculously, apart from minor scrapes, he was fine. They exchanged relieved glances, grateful for his survival.
Zhang Xiaofan, now somewhat calmer, remembered the earlier battle, especially the one with the Black Robe Assassin, and the fierce aura within him gradually subsided. He glanced at Lu Xueqi, whose face was stern and unreadable.
Meanwhile, the remnants of the Devil Sect, having fought their way through the Immortalbane Nexus, fled the Celestial Peak.
At the foot of the mountain, the Ghost King regained composure, calling the panicked followers to order. The four factions reorganized, and the leaders, including the Ghost King, Venom God, Jade Yangzi, and Triumphant Fairy, gathered, their faces grave.
The Azure Ethereal Vapors suffered heavily, but the Devil Sect was not unscathed either.
After their defeat a century ago, the Devil Sect had worked tirelessly to strengthen themselves. Today, they nearly matched the combined strength of the three major righteous sects. Yet, this battle had taken a heavy toll. Dozens had perished, and many more were wounded.
Jade Yangzi, bitter about his losses, ignored the recently defected Cang Song. The Ghost King, more composed, smiled at Cang Song, commenting on the formidable power of the Immortalbane Nexus.
Cang Song revealed that the Immortalbane Nexus had only shown half its true potential. Triumphant Fairy, stunned, exclaimed in disbelief. Cang Song, captivated by her beauty, shook off the spell, wary of her seductive powers.
Toxic God, noticing Cang Song’s distraction, coughed, bringing him back to reality. Cang Song, embarrassed, continued, detailing the true power of the Immortalbane Nexus, which had been unleashed by the founder Qing Ye against the Demon Sect centuries ago, enveloping the entire Azure Ethereal Vapors in a rain of swords.
The Ghost King, contemplative, suggested, “Perhaps the Immortalbane Nexus, though powerful, is not invincible. Daoxuan seemed to struggle with it, and it drained him greatly. This is our chance to strike back.”
Venom God, intrigued, asked for his plan. The Ghost King, undeterred, declared, “We will return to the Azure Ethereal Vapors, where their strength is weakest. We must take this opportunity to avenge our ancestors.”
Despite initial reluctance, the Devil Sect members, inspired by the Ghost King’s boldness, agreed. The Ghost King, determined, flew back towards the Azure Ethereal Vapors, followed by his loyal subordinates.
Back at the Celestial Peak, the atmosphere was heavy. The assembly consoled Daoxuan, who was surrounded by his followers. Lin Jingyu and Zhang Xiaofan, tending to Wang Ershu, reflected on their past, hearts heavy.
Benevolent Wisdom Temple’s Pu Hong, recovering from his injuries, was brought back by Water Moon. Exhaling, he surveyed the carnage, reciting a prayer for the dead.
Daoxuan, acknowledging Pu Hong, inquired about his condition. Pu Hong, weak but alive, replied, “I will survive, but you must take care, Master.”
Daoxuan, sighing, turned to Zhang Xiaofan, “Are you still keeping secrets?”
Zhang Xiaofan, shaken, tried to explain his predicament, but was interrupted by the fierce Pu Kong, who, in a fit of rage, shouted, startling Wang Ershu, who screamed, “Ghosts! Ghosts! They killed everyone, don’t kill me!”
The chilling scream silenced the hall. Pu Kong, defensive, denied any involvement, but the air was thick with suspicion. Suddenly, the wise Pu Hong, acknowledging the truth, confessed, “The murders in the Grass Temple Village were indeed committed by one of our disciples.”
The revelation shocked everyone, and the hall erupted in chaos. Zhang Xiaofan, heart heavy, felt the old, cold rage rising within him, a sense of vengeance and dread filling the air.
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