chapter47

Long-Lost Grievance and Reassurance

As more and more villagers gathered, the peach trees bloomed one after another. However, what appeared before them was not a shrine but a massive cave.

The cave was deep, emitting a faint yellow glow.

The villagers stopped at the entrance, with the village chief leading them. His expression was devout as he led the villagers in bowing every three steps. Finally, he beamed with joy and said, "Honored Ancestor, this year's harvest has been bountiful. We present these offerings to you."

As soon as he finished speaking, many villagers began moving pale pink cocoons to the cave entrance.

At first, the cocoons were thickly layered, but soon, like petals withering, they peeled away, becoming translucent and revealing the figures inside.

The first few faces were unfamiliar, identifiable as spiritual cultivators from immortal sects by their attire. Then, more familiar faces appeared—who else could they be but Fang Huai and the others?

As more cocoons turned transparent, the eldest disciple of Penglai Sect exclaimed, "Junior Brother, look! It's Ming Xiu and Junior Brother Shen."

Hidden behind a peach tree, Zhan Yunwei spotted Zhan Shujing placed at the very front.

Clearly, the villagers considered Zhan Shujing the finest "offering," even positioning him differently from the rest.

Indeed, from childhood to adulthood, Zhan Shujing had always been particularly unlucky.

Sensing a gaze upon her, she instinctively followed the keen intuition of a spirit tamer and looked in that direction. However, all she saw was the peach tree swaying in the wind, as if nothing was amiss.

She stared for a moment before slowly retracting her gaze.

In the peach tree, Qu Lanyue raised an eyebrow. "Such sharp instincts. Has Miss Zhan discovered us?"

She and Yue Zhiheng had arrived much earlier than the others. Though they couldn't use spells, Chitian Manor had many concealment techniques. From their distant vantage point, even the villagers and Pei Yuqing had not noticed them right away—but Zhan Yunwei had immediately locked onto their location.

Yue Zhiheng remained silent, his gaze shifting to the gathered villagers instead.

Tonight was going to be extremely difficult. That thought weighed on everyone's mind.

The restrictions of Taoyuan Village were still in place. The spiritual cultivators were now no different from ordinary mortals, unable to use their techniques. They could only rely on their physical strength and endurance. Outside the cave stood an army of undying monsters, and what lay inside remained a complete mystery.

The villagers began their sacrificial dance.

Drums resounded through the peach forest. The village chief and the other villagers knelt reverently before the cave. As the drumbeats grew more intense, peach petals continued to fall, and the people inside the cocoons finally began to regain consciousness.

The moment Fang Huai opened his eyes, he realized something was terribly wrong.

He had no idea what the cocoons were made of, but his entire body had been steeped in the thick floral scent.

The rhythmic pounding of the drums left him weak and powerless. At this moment, he couldn't even muster the strength to kill a villager—let alone resist a delicate spirit tamer with a single push of her finger.

He tried to summon his spiritual power, only to find that his dantian had been completely sealed.

Looking around, he saw that the drummers were the monstrous villagers, and behind them loomed the glowing cave.

Having lived a life of luxury under the dynasty's protection, Fang Huai had always relied on his family to shield him from danger. He prided himself on his intelligence, but this was the first time he had ever been so close to death.

He took a quiet breath, telling himself to stay calm. Lord Yue couldn't possibly abandon him. At the very least, he had to believe in the strength of his Ninefold Spiritual Veins.

Scanning the surroundings, he noticed quite a few familiar faces.

Shen Ye seemed to be in better condition—both he and Fang Huai understood the nature of Taoyuan Village. Trusting in their companions, they remained relatively composed.

But Zhan Shujing at the very front was far less so.

Zhan Shujing had no idea how he had ended up in a cocoon, nor did he know what had happened to Zhan Yunwei. His entire demeanor was filled with frustration and anxiety.

Next to him, a woman in a blue robe was quietly weeping. Clearly, the loss of her spiritual power and the overwhelming situation had frightened her greatly.

Though another disciple was trying to gesture to comfort her, it was futile.

Naturally, the eldest disciple also noticed Ming Xiu crying.

He sighed. The Valley Master of the Ming family had spoiled Ming Xiu too much. If she were to suffer any harm in this secret realm, her father would undoubtedly harbor deep resentment.

After the last battle, the Immortal Alliance desperately needed time to recover. Internal strife was not an option. As the young master of the immortal sects, Pei Yuqing had no choice—he had to ensure Ming Xiu's safety.

Resolving himself, the eldest disciple said, "Junior Brother, I will hold off the creatures in the cave. You take Junior Sister Ming and Junior Brother Shen and leave."

Pei Yuqing detected the intent of self-sacrifice in his words. His expression remained calm as he shook his head. "If we leave, we leave together. Since the restrictions are still active, they must also affect whatever's inside the cave. We may be unable to use our spiritual power, but the creatures might not be able to use much of their demonic arts either."

Analyzing the situation, Pei Yuqing continued, "Our spiritual power is gone, but our swordsmanship remains. Victory isn't impossible."

After a brief pause, he turned his gaze toward Zhan Yunwei. "Yanyang, this place is dangerous. Will you wait for us at the foot of the mountain?"

For a moment, there was no reply.

Pei Yuqing looked down, meeting a pair of clear, steady eyes.

Zhan Yunwei couldn't help but recall that night when she had played chess with Yue Zhiheng. Instead of placing the black piece for her, Lord Yue had asked, 'What will you choose?'

She glanced at Pei Yuqing, then spoke calmly. "I'll stay."

The moment her words fell, she immediately saw disapproval flash across the eldest disciple's face.

The eldest senior brother frowned. The situation was extremely dire—they could barely protect themselves, and now Junior Sister Zhan wanted to stay behind? Wouldn't that only cause more trouble?

He looked toward Pei Yujing, hoping that he would refuse.

But Pei Yujing merely gazed at Zhan Yunwei, something unreadable in his eyes, before he finally smiled warmly and said, "Alright. Since you've made your decision, I will protect you with my life."

Zhan Yunwei was slightly surprised that he agreed so easily. In her memory, Pei Yujing, though good-tempered, had been the esteemed young master of the Immortal Sect for over twenty years. When it came to major decisions, he might appear to consult others, but in reality, he always had his own firm judgment.

She didn't know what he had seen, but when she said she would stay, it had never been a discussion.

Even if Pei Yujing disagreed, so what? She was not beholden to anyone.

Nor did she need anyone to take responsibility for her safety—cultivation was always a struggle against fate. If she truly perished here, then that was simply her destiny.

As they spoke, the drumming suddenly stopped.

The village chief stood up and made a strange gesture. Immediately, the villagers retreated.

At that moment, a drastic change occurred. Countless thick tree roots burst from the ground, coiling around the now-translucent cocoons and dragging them toward the cave.

The roots moved with astonishing speed, and in the blink of an eye, the cocoons were nearly swallowed by the darkness.

"Go!" Pei Yujing and the eldest senior brother had no choice but to rush into the cave in pursuit.

Yet, in the dark of night, another figure moved even faster.

Just as Pei Yujing's sword cleaved through one of the roots, several ice shards shot down, severing the roots wrapped around Fang Huai and Shen Ye.

There were a total of eight "sacrifices." Sensing something amiss, the demon inside the cave grew furious when it realized its offerings were being taken away.

In an instant, countless roots erupted from the ground, surging toward the three rescuers.

Compared to Yue Zhiheng, who only needed to protect his own people, Pei Yujing was under far greater pressure.

Despite his exceptional swordsmanship, he was up against the roots of an entire peach blossom village.

Each root, when striking the cave walls, left deep gashes in the stone. Meanwhile, he still had six massive white cocoons to protect.

Although the eldest senior brother assisted from the side, for every root they severed, another would lash forward—it was an unending assault, giving them no chance to breathe.

By contrast, Yue Zhiheng moved with effortless grace.

Six shards of ice, wielded like hidden daggers, allowed him to weave through the battlefield as if he were alone. His movement was so fluid, so precise, that he seemed to be closing in on the demon itself.

For the first time, Fang Huai realized the difference in their abilities.

So, there truly were people in this world who remained formidable even without spiritual power.

Sensing the threat, the demon let out a deep, buzzing roar.

The eldest senior brother's expression changed. "This isn't good—it's summoning the villagers to come protect it!"

Pei Yujing frowned, his heart sinking.

The villagers were immortal—they couldn't be killed. If they all flooded into the cave, sheer attrition would wear them down to nothing.

Qu Lan Yue knew she had no choice but to act—she needed to buy Yue Zhiheng enough time to slay the ancient demon.

She threw her umbrella, and as it spun, countless villagers' heads were severed. Yet in the next moment, they simply stood back up.

She cursed under her breath. Damn it. This would only stall them briefly. If she let up for even a moment, the villagers would reach the cave entrance.

Just as they were about to rush inside, someone appeared at the entrance.

Zhan Yunwei knelt and pressed her palm to the ground.

The tree roots sensed her presence and surged toward her, trying to ensnare her.

Yet she remained still, her gaze calm and unwavering. The moment the roots touched her fingertips, they suddenly froze, as if something had seized them, rendering them motionless.

Roots were interconnected—when one was affected, others followed.

In that instant, an immense force of green energy surged toward her, pouring into her body.

Qu Lan Yue was stunned.

How could someone use spiritual power within the barrier?

Then she realized—this wasn't spiritual power at all.

Zhan Yunwei was absorbing the demon's own energy!

Bathed in a faint green glow, the girl lifted her gaze and smiled slightly. With the stolen demon energy flowing through her, her pupils gleamed with an eerie and rebellious light, deep green like jade.

She formed a seal with one hand, and countless vines shot forth, entangling more than sixty villagers.

"Spirits of the Smoky Sea—return to the earth and perish."

With a single command, the demonic energy struck the distant peach grove, blasting a massive crater into the land.

Zhan Yunwei's eyes gleamed emerald, yet her consciousness remained clear.

The vines dragged the captured villagers into the pit, burying them alive.

Many years later, Qu Lan Yue would still recall the awe she felt at that moment—witnessing the sheer, overwhelming power of a Heaven-ranked Spirit Master.

The world relied on Spirit Masters yet looked down upon them.

But wasn't this—wasn't this what a true Spirit Master should be?

Inside the cave, the eldest senior brother was equally stunned.

He could only stare as the countless roots withered, taking the villagers with them.

True, the villagers would resurrect—but how could they escape their bindings? How would they break free from being buried alive?

Yue Zhiheng hesitated for just a fraction of a second but did not turn back.

He had already reached the demon's lair.

Before him stood the creature—half as tall as a mountain, coiled within a massive hive.

It had not taken human form but remained a colossal demonic wasp.

As its gaze met Yue Zhiheng's, it bared its grotesque mouthparts, a golden sigil glowing on its forehead.

No wonder it was so difficult to deal with.

It had inherited the legacy of an ancient great demon, becoming the earth spirit of this place—capable of shaping its own space and dictating its own laws.

An earth spirit that walked the righteous path became an immortal. One that fell into darkness became a demon.

Yue Zhiheng sent ice shards flying toward its golden sigil.

The creature was too massive to dodge. The moment the sigil shattered, it let out a furious roar—its body suddenly expanding several times over, golden light spreading in all directions.

At that instant, the barrier collapsed, and everyone felt their spiritual power return.

But before they could even celebrate—

The entire Taoyuan Village caved in.

The very earth beneath them became a gaping maw, swallowing everything as the terrain twisted violently.

The demon was trying to entrap them within its body.

Zhan Yunwei and Qu Lan Yue both plummeted into the depths.

Countless white cocoons, as if drawn by an unseen force, began rushing toward the wasp's gaping maw.

If it completed its ritual and absorbed that power, no one would make it out alive.

Pei Yujing's divine sword slashed through the demon bee's tail. At the moment its mouth opened, Yue Zhiheng used his whip to pull the trapped people out and threw them aside.

Zhan Yunwei immediately cast her spirit control technique to restrain the monster.

"Destroy its core!"

Perhaps realizing that death was inevitable today, the demon's eyes turned blood-red. Its severed tail, like thousands of sharp blades, shot toward the weakened individuals nearby. It had lived for so many years, and today was meant to be the day it laid eggs to create more villagers—yet it had fallen at the hands of a group of fledgling cultivators. Even if it was doomed, it would drag them down with it.

The closest one to danger was Ming Xiu.

She was already trembling in fear, her body weak and powerless. Instinctively, she cried out, "Senior Brother Pei, save me!"

Pei Yujing frowned but still stepped forward, shielding her from the incoming venomous stingers.

At that moment, Yue Zhiheng's ice shards pierced through the demon's core. The massive cavern trembled with a deafening hum, and the entire space began to collapse.

With the fall of the earth spirit, all protective formations became useless. The only way to survive was to endure it, but being crushed under the falling rocks was akin to bearing the weight of a mountain.

Everyone realized the dire situation. Even spiritual cultivators would suffer serious internal injuries, let alone spirit tamers.

Pei Yujing instinctively withdrew his sword and turned to rush toward Zhan Yunwei.

Yue Zhiheng paused for a moment, glanced at Zhan Yunwei from afar, then silently picked up Fang Huai without a word.

Ming Xiu trembled violently, her mind filled with only one thought—she couldn't let Pei Yujing leave. The Valley Master cherished her, and she had neglected her training. If Pei Yujing didn't protect her, she wouldn't survive the crushing weight.

Even though she was a spiritual cultivator and wouldn't die, she couldn't bear the thought of being crippled.

Tears streaming down her face, she used all her strength to cling to Pei Yujing just as the cavern began to collapse.

She had loved her senior brother for many years. Even if he struck her down with his sword today, she would rather die in his arms than watch him run to Zhan Yunwei while she was buried in the rubble—left to become a disfigured, disabled wreck.

Pei Yujing hadn't expected her to do this. His eyes turned ice-cold.

Sensing his intent, his divine sword trembled with rage.

Did Ming Xiu fear being crippled? Did she think Zhan Yunwei wanted to die?

He suddenly remembered his words to the girl beneath the peach tree before they entered—"I will protect you with my life."

His eyes burned red with fury. "Let go!"

The divine sword rang sharply, truly ready to strike Ming Xiu down.

Senior Brother saw the killing intent in Pei Yujing's eyes and had no choice but to intervene. "Junior Brother!"

For the sake of the sect and Pei Yujing's own Dao heart, he couldn't let him truly kill Ming Xiu with his divine sword.

He clenched his teeth and reached out to block the strike.

Just as the sword was about to sever his arm, it forcibly halted.

Dust filled the air, obscuring Pei Yujing's vision.

Despair flooded his heart—he knew he was too late. Again.

Zhan Yunwei had never expected to encounter something as devastating as the collapse of an earth spirit's domain.

She had never counted on anyone else. Seeing Zhan Shujing struggling toward her with weakened limbs, she knew there wasn't enough time. Her mind raced, desperately searching for a way to save herself.

Under the force of the earth spirit's power, protective barriers were useless.

Others could endure the impact, but she couldn't. Spirit tamers had entirely different physical constitutions—there had never been a recorded case of one surviving under a crushing weight of thousands of pounds.

Her only choice was to press her hand to the ground and forcibly absorb the earth spirit's residual energy, strengthening her body in whatever way possible.

But the method failed. The glow at her fingertips dimmed—her innate shortcomings weren't so easily compensated for. The spiritual energy she drew in vanished like a stone sinking into the ocean.

As she watched the massive rocks plummet toward her, she instinctively raised her arms to shield her face.

Out of a desperate will to survive, she wanted to cry for help—but everyone was struggling to protect themselves. Who would risk their life to save her?

At that instant, amidst the deafening collapse, her entire world spun.

But the crushing weight never came.

Instead, a body shielded her, enveloping her in warmth.

The scent of ice lotus filled the air as debris scattered around them.

The person above her held her tightly, pressing her firmly into their embrace.

The familiar scent sent an unfamiliar surge of emotion through her—a rare mix of grievance and relief.

Before she could even think, her arms instinctively wrapped around his waist.

Lord Yue.