"What should I do?"
That question yanked Qiu Yinger back to reality.
The sudden crisis had truly confounded her.
The order to activate the grand array indicated that the situation was indeed urgent.
"What to do..."
Qiu Yinger's expression fluctuated, but without much hesitation, she took out a token. "Quick, activate the Sect Protection Array, full-scale rescue!"
It was the palace master token Si Nanyan had entrusted to her before her closed-door cultivation began—with this token, they could activate the Sect Protection Array.
Although she had doubts about Feng Ruoli, she could not stand idly by in such a situation.
A moment later, BOOM!
A tremendous roar followed as four dazzling pillars of light shot up from the four outermost mountains in the southeast and northwest of the Wonderous Palace.
Above the pillars of light, dense and mysterious array patterns materialized, weaving into a net.
Finally, they formed a colossal dome of light, completely enveloping the Wonderous Palace.
If one were to observe from afar, the Sect Protection Array looked like an upside-down, brilliant, multicolored glass bowl.
The activation of the array immediately caught everyone's attention.
"Hm?"
"This is..."
"What's going on?"
"The... the Sect Protection Array..."
Many disciples of the Wonderous Palace were startled by this commotion.
More and more people emerged from their meditation rooms, most with bewildered looks in their eyes.
Why had the Sect Protection Array been activated for no apparent reason? An enemy attack?
「...」
Wen Zhixing was originally reciting the Calming Heart Mantra earnestly inside his house, but the noise of the array activation was too overwhelming.
It felt as if the earth was shaking, unsettling one's heart.
He couldn't disregard it and immediately went out to investigate.
Before his eyes, there was nothing but dazzling radiance.
"Is this... the Sect Protection Array?" Wen Zhixing was astonished.
Just like the others, he was puzzled.
Why would they activate this Sect Protection Array without warning?
While everyone was puzzled and seeking answers, they saw a mass of dark clouds churning in the distant sky dome, rolling in like a sea wave.
Figures flickered within the black clouds, locked in combat.
Shadows leaped to the heavens, gazing into the distance with exceedingly grave expressions.
Most people had no idea what was happening.
Who were those people battling within the clouds?
Wen Zhixing looked up at the experts of the Wonderous Palace above him when an alert suddenly appeared on the interface before him.
[Fortune Fragment discovered. Would you like to spend one month of life-span to randomly collect it?]
"Collect the Fortune Fragment."
Wen Zhixing's heart leaped with joy.
[Gray Fortune Fragment +1.]
[Gray Fortune Fragment (1/1) has been collected. No combination is needed. You can obtain the following fortune:]
[One: Acquire the Spiritual Instrument: Flame Blade.]
[Two: Gain 2 Fortune Points.]
[Three: Receive the fortune belonging to Tang San.]
"Spiritual Instrument, Flame Blade..."
Wen Zhixing had intended to choose the Fortune Points immediately, but the appearance of the Spiritual Instrument made him pause.
It turned out he could also acquire a Spiritual Instrument.
"Two Fortune Points or the Spiritual Instrument..."
Wen Zhixing hesitated slightly but ultimately decided to forgo the Flame Blade.
Firstly, he wasn't practicing any blade techniques at the moment. Secondly, the so-called Spiritual Instruments required one to reach the Qi Movement Realm to be used at will.
Choosing the Fortune Points was more appropriate for him at this time.
Being able to draw 2 Fortune Points from a Gray Fortune Fragment was already a stroke of extreme luck.
[Fortune Points +2.]
Subsequently, Wen Zhixing made another attempt to draw Fortune Points, again obtaining Gray Fortune Fragments.
However, this time, he only gained a single Fortune Point.
[Fortune Points +1.]
"Now I have 9 Fortune Points."
Wen Zhixing looked at his attribute panel, secretly thrilled.
Just one point shy. He was close to upgrading the Calming Heart Mantra.
Just then, a charming woman with tattered clothes flew out from the dark clouds. Gritting her teeth, she charged toward the interior of the Wonderous Palace.
"Is... Is that Deputy Palace Master Feng!"
Someone in midair recognized the newcomer; it was the deputy palace master of the Wonderous Palace, Feng Ruoli.
Feng Ruoli was actually being pursued!
The expressions of the Wonderous Palace members changed drastically.
CLANG!
The sound of sword wind unsheathing came from within the clouds.
A golden beam of sword light shot over from afar, as swift as a startled swan.
HUM!
The sword light trembled, emitting a sharp hum.
Everyone was captivated by the sword light, their movements ceasing.
Feng Ruoli's expression changed drastically. Her speed increased, and she was about to enter the grand array in an instant.
PFFT!
But it was too late!
A line of blood suddenly split open on her brow.
The golden sword wind burst through her skull.
Blood splattered, blooming in the air like a resplendent spider lily, shockingly beautiful.
"Deputy Palace Master Feng!"
The people of Wonderous Palace were aghast. That stunning sword light was too powerful. Could it be...
The next moment, Feng Ruoli's body dissolved into a blood mist. All the blood quickly converged and then rapidly reformed into her human shape.
"Eh... This is a Divine Ability... Selfless Blood Body..."
Someone from within the clouds let out a soft exclamation, seemingly surprised that Feng Ruoli possessed such a technique.
Feng Ruoli shot a venomous glare backward, her form instantly disappearing into the grand array.
The person who had attacked saw this and was about to strike again but was stopped by another.
"There's no chance now. Let's go."
This person seemed reluctant but still refrained from attacking and quickly departed with the other.
All of this happened quickly and ended even more so.
The clouds dispersed, and the sky cleared. Only the grand array, flickering with dazzling brilliance, served as a testament to the events that had just transpired.
Wen Zhixing, seeing there was no more excitement to watch, prepared to turn back.
His face was calm, but internally, his emotions surged.
This was the first time he had witnessed the methods of a great supernatural power master.
That sword strike just now was truly breathtaking, making his blood boil with excitement.
Well done. Not a single one of these demonesses here is any good. It's just a pity they didn't kill that Feng Ruoli.
"Wen, Wen..."
Just then, a familiar voice came from outside the courtyard.
Wen Zhixing turned his head to see Zhang Tiancheng looking around cautiously before sneaking in.
"Zhang, why are you here?" Wen Zhixing found his furtive manner a bit strange.
"Wen, let's go inside to talk." Zhang Tiancheng lowered his voice and quickly entered the house.
Wen Zhixing's heart stirred. He had already guessed why Zhang Tiancheng would seek him out today. He followed him directly into the house.
"Wen, has anything happened lately?" Zhang Tiancheng asked the moment they entered the house.
In the past few days, he had tried to find Wen Zhixing but had been blocked every time.
Those people were very tight-lipped; even he couldn't get any information.
It wasn't until today that he found an opportunity.
"I've just been resting for a few days, nothing major." Wen Zhixing shook his head, his expression grim.
He didn't feel it was appropriate to share more on this matter.
Zhang Tiancheng, seeing Wen Zhixing was unwilling to speak, didn't press him further.
He knew it likely wasn't anything good.
"Zhang, are you lacking elixirs? I still have some here."
Zhang Tiancheng waved his hands repeatedly, signaling that it wasn't necessary. Then, he looked gravely at Wen Zhixing and said, "Wen, I came to have a heart-to-heart with you today. Do you want to keep living like this?"
"Zhang, what are you talking about?" Wen Zhixing's eyes sparkled; he knew exactly what Zhang meant.
He had been waiting for Zhang Tiancheng to approach him about this. Finally, the time had come. The Righteous Sun Sect connection was about to be made.