Gu Tianzhu and his disciples had been practicing in front of the lake since Xuan Tian was called inside by Lin Qian. They went through their morning routine. When the Purple Qi appeared and was siphoned into the house, they knew Xuan Tian was working hard to save Bai Xunli.
They tried their best to focus and not listen to what was going on inside, but it proved difficult.
Suddenly, something flew past them and crashed into the lake with a splash. They all jumped in shock.
Moments later, they heard Lin Qian and Luo Heng shouting.
Gu Tianzhu immediately flew toward where Xuan Tian had landed and tried to retrieve him, but he was pushed back to the shore by a strong wave of force.
"Shizun!" Shen Qingyu came running over. His juniors followed behind.
"Shizun, are you okay?" Chen Zhaoyun asked, concerned.
Lu Jianhong, seeing that his Shizun was unharmed, turned his gaze to the lake. "What's going on?"
Li Ran squinted. "Is that Shengzun?"
Ling Yu didn't speak. She was frozen in shock.
"General!" "Shengzun!"
They saw Lin Qian and Luo Heng running toward them.
Gu Tianzhu stepped forward. "Doctor, what happened? That really is Shengzun? Why is he in the lake?"
Lin Qian ignored the question. "We need to retrieve him."
She turned to Gu Tianzhu. "Can you do it?"
Gu Tianzhu looked back at the lake. "I've tried, but I couldn't get close."
"The General pushed you away?" Lin Qian paled.
Yan Zhen emerged from the house with Wu Zhenhai, who was pushing Han Zhaofeng's wheelchair.
"We heard a commotion. What's going on? Enemies?" Yan Zhen asked Luo Heng.
Luo Heng just shook his head without looking away from the lake.
The calm surface of the lake was rippling and splashing. Something was clearly thrashing beneath the surface, but there were no signs of Xuan Tian or anything surfacing.
Lin Qian grew more worried. She had a suspicion about what was going on with Xuan Tian, and she couldn't voice her concern. None of the humans present were born when the last purge of the Black Worm occurred—and if the historical records were accurate, Black Worms had never even appeared in the Human Realm.
The thrashing suddenly stopped.
The lake surface continued to ripple, but it gradually became calm.
No sign of Xuan Tian.
"Where's Shengzun?"
"Has he drowned?"
"There's no way he drowned."
"But he's not resurfacing."
"What is going on?"
Spectators on the shore commented on the situation. It wasn't clear who was saying what.
BOOM!
The lake exploded with force.
Xuan Tian emerged from the lake and flew to the shore. He landed wobbly on his legs. Water dripping from his hair, face, clothes, everywhere.
He was short of breath, with his hand still clutching his left chest.
Gu Tianzhu, for some reason, felt something wasn't right.
He stopped everyone from taking another step toward Xuan Tian.
Weirdly enough, Lin Qian did the same.
She even asked them to take a few steps back, quietly.
The crowd was confused.
"Shengzun is not right. Step back." Han Zhaofeng commanded. His voice rigid with tension.
Silence fell.
Tension was high.
Then –
"Ha ha ha ha ha …"
"Urgh…"
Two distinct sounds came out of Xuan Tian one after another.
One moment, he laughed maniacally. The next, he winced.
He kept switching from laughing to groaning in pain, making the crowd grew more dread.
Ling Yu finally snapped out of her shock and took a few steps toward Xuan Tian.
But Chen Zhaoyun grabbed her arm. "Xiao Wu, don't. Shengzun is not himself."
Ling Yu looked at her shixiong and back to Xuan Tian and back to Chen Zhaoyun. "But somebody has to help him. Or at least try."
She freed herself and made another few steps forward. Slowly.
She called him, "Iron Wall. It's me, Ling Yu. Are you okay?"
Another step.
Gu Tianzhu clenched his teeth. He didn't like it. Not one bit. But he had a feeling if anyone Xuan Tian wouldn't hurt, it would be Ling Yu.
No recognition from Xuan Tian.
Ling Yu took another step. "Iron Wall, it's me. Ling Yu."
When Ling Yu was only 3 steps away, suddenly Xuan Tian's hand moved and grabbed Ling Yu by her neck.
But before he could, a huge white shadow blurred past and threw itself between Ling Yu and Xuan Tian, shielding her with its massive body.
Gasps can be heard behind her.
"What is that?"
"Why is it so big?"
"Is that a spirit beast?"
"It's a spirit beast!" Gu Tianzhu claimed. Not just a regular spirit beast, but at least in High Five Stage! Is it even possible?
Only Lin Qian was relieved, "Thanks Heaven you're here!"
She continued, "Jing Xue, we need to subdue him. Help me examine him."
Jing Xue nodded.
He was in the forest nearby, sun bathing, hunting, running, enjoying the fresh air in the Human Realm when he noticed Xuan Tian's aura became irregular. It raised an alarm in him.
The General never lose his cool. Not like this. This is bad.
He returned as fast as he could and saw Xuan Tian's hand was about to reached Ling Yu's neck.
Not on my watch!
He transformed into his original size, readying to fight Xuan Tian.
"Jing Xue?!"
"Shengzun's dog?"
Ling Yu looked at the massive silver-white wolf in front of her. She instinctively touched his coat. It's soft and smooth. He's beautiful.
Then she snapped back. What am I even thinking at this time. I need to help Iron Wall!
She felt compelled to help Xuan Tian. She could feel it in her, that she knew she could help him.
If I could just touch him… That was Ling Yu's instinct. So she followed, or tried to.
One of her hand still touched Jing Xue, her other hand reached forward. She walking slowly towards the man who was still laughing or groaning.
Jing Xue felt Ling Yu's touch and movements. This girl is brave. She's –
Jing Xue felt something stirred in him. A primal power. What in the –
How… Who… It can't be…
Ling Yu?!
Jing Xue was dumbfounded. He couldn't believe what he felt. The feeling came to him briefly, then it was gone. He shook his head. I must've imagined it. Impossible! Yes, I must be. There's no way!
While Jing Xue was having an inner crisis, Ling Yu kept walking toward Xuan Tian and was now within arm's reach.
She slowly extended her arm and finally could touch his shoulder.
She whispered, "Iron Wall, it's me. Ling Yu."
All sounds and movement ceased from Xuan Tian.
Ling Yu tried again, "Iron Wall. It's me. Ling Yu." A beat. "Little Chaos."
"Little… Chaos?"
Ling Yu was relieved. She said louder, "Yes! Little Chaos. Me."
Xuan Tian, who had been bending over, clutching his chest, slowly lifted his head until his eyes were at the same level as Ling Yu's.
He was white as a sheet, contorted with pain. Yet his eyes were clear, only clouded with pain and plea.
His other hand shakily moved to Ling Yu's cheek, cupping it. He smiled.
"Little… Chaos…" Barely audible.
He collapsed unconscious onto Ling Yu's embrace and took her down.