A Sense of Dread

On the morning of the second day, since Fengyun Wuji had no idea where the Southern Star Sword Sect was located, he and Gu Yuetian hired a fast horse-drawn carriage. Gu Yuetian gave a rough direction, and the coachman whipped the reins, heading toward the sect.

Helian Nanshan stayed behind to care for Leng Ruoshuang. Her safety directly affected his future, so he dared not slack off. Soon after Wuji and Gu Yuetian departed, Helian also arranged a spacious, luxurious carriage and set off to find the famed healer of the martial world—Ghostseer, the doctor even demons feared.

Unlike the Twilight Violet Sword Sect, the Southern Star Sword Sect resided within Beidou City. The sect's estate sprawled over a vast area filled with grand buildings. At first glance, it looked more like the lavish manor of a noble family in the imperial capital than a martial sect. Even someone as experienced as Fengyun Wuji was taken aback by the sheer extravagance.

At the gates, the two men announced their names, and a disciple promptly ran inside to report.

Seizing the moment before the sect leader arrived, Gu Yuetian chuckled and said, "Rest assured, Grandmaster. The Southern Star Sect is unlike the Twilight Violet Sect. We're known for our scholars and have deep ties with the authorities in Southern Dipper City. The current sect master, Mo Xian, was raised by me. He's always been the most respectful of disciples—nothing like that ungrateful Xiang Jue from the Twilight Sect. Once we confirm our identities, no one under heaven will dare disobey your command."

"That's good to hear," Wuji nodded. "It is a great misfortune when a sect raises such a treacherous disciple. This journey to the mortal world is of critical importance. There's no room for delay. Once everything is settled, I will deal with him myself."

"Grandmaster speaks wisely."

They waited only a short while before a man in his late thirties or early forties strode swiftly toward them, clad in a cyan robe. Several thousand cultivators, all at the Ascension Realm, followed closely behind. More figures began flooding in from every corner of the vast estate.

"Haha! That little rascal Mo Xian is still as filial as ever. Seeing me return, he's brought out the entire sect to welcome us!" Gu Yuetian beamed with excitement.

"Something's wrong." Wuji's eyes narrowed as a wave of unease surged in his chest. He grabbed Gu Yuetian's arm and stepped back a few paces. "Yuetian, be careful. Something's not right."

"Huh? What do you mean?" Gu Yuetian looked confused.

"Impersonating the Grand Elder of my sect? Unforgivable! Take this!" Without warning, Sect Master Mo Xian lunged at Gu Yuetian with a thrust of his sword.

"Mo Xian, are you insane?!" Gu Yuetian exclaimed, retreating in alarm.

"Shall we assist you, Sect Master?" asked a silver-bearded elder among the Ascension Realm cultivators, drawing half his sword from its sheath, eyes cold and vicious.

Mo Xian pressed the attack with a flurry of fierce strikes. Though his blows were deadly, Gu Yuetian's strength far surpassed his. Fengyun Wuji did not intervene immediately, instead keeping a watchful eye on the growing crowd of sect disciples surrounding them.

"No need. I'll handle this myself," Mo Xian barked between attacks. Then, with a cold glare, he added, "Anyone who interferes will be punished according to sect law!"

After a series of unsuccessful strikes, Mo Xian's frustration showed. Suddenly, he launched a straight slash and threw himself at Gu Yuetian with reckless force.

"Sect Master!" the crowd gasped.

Wuji's gaze sharpened. That strike had a fierce momentum—dangerous, yes, but riddled with openings.

Gu Yuetian's current level of cultivation was far beyond what any ordinary Ascension Realm warrior could match. He sidestepped the incoming blade with ease, then, using brute force, knocked it aside. His right hand clamped onto Mo Xian's wrist like iron, and with his left, he struck a palm squarely into Mo Xian's chest.

Thwack!

Mo Xian spewed blood as his body shot backward like a broken kite. Several of his followers leapt up and caught him midair amid gasps from the crowd.

"Urgh!" Mo Xian spat out more blood. His eyes widened in disbelief as he looked at Gu Yuetian—utterly stunned, as if he had seen a ghost.

"You wretch!" Gu Yuetian's voice trembled with fury. "I raised you, treated you well—how dare you covet the Sect Master's seat? So be it. I must've been blind to take in a thankless traitor like you. Grandmaster, let's go."

"You dare attack the Sect Master and expect to leave alive?" the silver-bearded elder growled. "You think this sect is yours to come and go at will? If you want to leave, you'll have to leave your life behind!"

"Enough. Let them go…" Mo Xian suddenly interjected.

"Why, Sect Master? These imposters committed a grave offense by pretending to be the Grand Elder. We should kill them on the spot! Brothers, with me—let's eliminate these two!"

As the crowd stirred ominously, Wuji's expression turned cold. With a wave of his sleeve, he stepped forward. "You dare make such bold threats? Let me show you your folly."

With one sweep of his sleeve, a powerful, invisible force exploded outward, sending everyone within a hundred feet—regardless of cultivation—flying like leaves in a storm. Only Mo Xian, still injured, remained curiously untouched, lying on the ground.

Wuji glanced down at him, his eyes catching a tiny shard on the floor. With a subtle flick of his finger, he collected it silently into his palm.

"Yuetian, let's go. Any more fighting here will only bring unnecessary bloodshed—it won't help us get to the bottom of this." With that, he soared into the sky like a great bird. Gu Yuetian shot Mo Xian a furious glare before following Wuji into the air.

After circling the city once, Gu Yuetian found another carriage, and the two entered, heading toward the outskirts.

"Yuetian, do you know where the North Ice Sword Sect is located?" Wuji asked inside the carriage.

"I do. It's a well-known sect; few in the martial world haven't heard of it," Gu Yuetian replied respectfully.

"Good. Tell the coachman to take us there immediately. I don't know why, but something feels off lately. I fear this won't be a simple journey," Wuji said, tapping his chin thoughtfully.

"Grandmaster?…"

"Don't ask. Just give the coachman the directions."

"Yes, Grandmaster."

Gu Yuetian relayed the instructions, and the carriage turned off the main road onto a smaller path heading north.

Lush trees lined both sides of the trail—tall maple trees with red leaves, each towering over thirty feet. The scenery was beautiful, but Fengyun Wuji was in no mood to admire it. A deep sense of unease began to rise in his chest.

As the carriage entered a shaded section of the path, where branches above cast a canopy of shadow, a faint murderous aura drifted in.

Wuji's eyes snapped open as he shouted, "Ambush! Be careful—it's a trap!"