The plan suddenly changed.
Lu Ziqian glanced at the woman in pale yellow robes and respectfully replied, "This subordinate obeys."
The demon soldiers who had rushed from the Western Sea split into two groups. Lu Ziqian and Li Luoqi departed at the same time, heading toward different destinations.
"Demon Sovereign, can this general be trusted?"
A protector followed after Li Luoqi, casting a skeptical look at Lu Ziqian, who led the larger force.
A sharp gleam flickered in Li Luoqi's eyes. "This scholar carries a heavy aura of slaughter and rose in rank far too quickly. It is natural you harbor suspicion. But the outcome of this battle is vital, and I already arranged people within his ranks."
The protector immediately praised, "Demon Sovereign is wise."
Li Luoqi turned toward Pei Xianqiao at his side and ordered curtly, "Move out."
…
Once apart from the main force, Lu Ziqian slipped a sound-transmission talisman into the shadows.
Unseen, a demon with crimson eyes observed him. A moment later, a strand of dark-red light coiled around the talisman and flew away.
…
At Yun Gu Sect.
"Report! Bad news, the demon clan, the demon clan has surrounded Yun Gu Sect!"
The gate disciple burst in, stumbling over his words in panic, interrupting the conversation between Yao Ranran and the others.
Yun Dehe quickly supported him up. "Do not panic. With Fairy here, this battle cannot be lost."
The disciple stammered, "B-but… the Demon Sovereign has come too!"
"What? Li Luoqi dares to openly appear in the Eastern Wilderness, bringing the demons from the Western Sea Cavern?"
Yun Dehe's expression changed in shock.
He had expected the demons to attack, but never thought Li Luoqi would personally lead them.
The Eastern Wilderness might be weak, yet it had never been conquered by the demon clan. It was not because the land was barren and unappealing, but because of an agreement made long ago between the Central Domain, Bei Ming, and the Southern Territory.
If any of the leaders dared to strike the Eastern Wilderness, the other great forces would never stand idle. If Li Luoqi wished to secretly swallow the Eastern Wilderness without leaving evidence, that would have been one thing. But to lead troops himself was the same as writing his intentions on his face.
Zhao Lingyi forced calm into his voice. "Li Luoqi is not a brainless man. What is his purpose in doing this?"
"Indeed, he could have devoured the territory in silence. Why expose his identity?"
Yun Dehe was also puzzled. Li Luoqi's sudden appearance was beyond expectation.
"Report! Urgent news from the Central Domain, Bei Ming, and Southern Territory. Dozens of cities have been struck by strange miasma. Cultivators and mortals alike are in panic. The world is descending into chaos!"
The three had barely voiced their doubts when another disciple rushed in to deliver the news.
"Silence! Do you think world chaos is something you can speak of so casually?"
Yun Dehe understood the weight of such words. He immediately scolded his disciple.
Terrified, the disciple collapsed to his knees, trembling too much to rise.
Zhao Lingyi's expression darkened.
"Master, but what he said… it is true!"
Yun Dehe's face grew grave. "Do not worry. This is only temporary panic. Once the elders of Wuxiang Sect in the Central Domain take action, it will be resolved."
Yao Ranran shook her head. "Not so simple. I say it would be better to subdue Li Luoqi now and then seal off the Eastern Wilderness, forbidding any cultivators from other regions from bringing disaster here."
"This… what does Fairy mean?" Yun Dehe was confused.
Zhao Lingyi also could not comprehend.
In their minds, the power of Wuxiang Sect in the Central Domain was unshakable.
But Yao Ranran recalled what she had witnessed in Qingshui County and spoke solemnly. "What do you think of Shen Yuefu's abilities?"
Yun Dehe and Zhao Lingyi exchanged a glance, answering in unison, "Strong. He is the foremost Sword Lord of the Central Domain, a sword cultivator capable of battling across realms, even resisting Divine Transformation experts."
Seeing their eyes filled with admiration, Yao Ranran sighed.
"Shen Yuefu was nearly killed by these miasmas. Now, tell me again whether sealing the Eastern Wilderness after the war is necessary."
"What? Fairy, are you serious?"
Yun Dehe and Zhao Lingyi were both horrified.
Yao Ranran glanced at the two disciples who had fainted in fright. After a pause, she added, "I saw it with my own eyes. Surely you are not terrified by a mere miasma?"
Yun Dehe forced a weak laugh. "How could I? I am the sect master of a sect. How could I be frightened by such a trifling matter…"
His body swayed. Zhao Lingyi hurried to support him. "Fairy, please continue. My master can still endure."
Yao Ranran: "…"
"Perhaps we should leave this discussion until after the battle."
She felt Yun Dehe was not in the right state. Best to let him digest the truth later.
Zhao Lingyi hesitated, then nodded. "That may be best."
"Then let us meet the enemy head on!"
Yao Ranran turned to face Yun Gu Sect's mountain gate. The demonic aura rolling in from the outside carried not only baleful energy but also a suffocating aura of slaughter.
Zhao Lingyi's expression hardened. "Whatever happens, Fairy, just do your utmost."
Yao Ranran looked at him solemnly and nodded. "Do not worry, Zhao Daoyou. For the sake of Yun Gu Sect's treasure vault, I will fight with all I have."
Zhao Lingyi: "… Good!"
…
"I am Pei Xianqiao, the last disciple of Elder Yue Qingsu of Wuxiang Sect in the Central Domain. Please, allow me to speak with your sect master.
I know Sect Master Yun does not wish to see his disciples perish. Wuxiang Sect cannot intervene for now. As Elder Yue's disciple, I only wish to end this chaos quickly and minimize casualties."
Pei Xianqiao hovered in the air on her sword, calling out loudly toward Yun Gu Sect's gate.
"Who calls for me?"
Yun Dehe walked out smiling, as if greeting an old friend.
"And this Fairy is…?"
He blinked in puzzlement at Pei Xianqiao.
Yao Ranran and Zhao Lingyi arrived quietly at his side.
The smile at the corner of Li Luoqi's lips froze for an instant.
That one who should have been in a coffin in Luanshi County—how was she here???
Pei Xianqiao, busy answering Yun Dehe, did not notice Yao Ranran's quiet arrival.
"Sect Master Yun, I am Elder Yue Qingsu's disciple from Wuxiang Sect. I already understand the plight of Yun Gu Sect. With three great demon sects allied with Piao Miao Sect, you cannot hope to resist them."
Pei Xianqiao spoke anxiously, trying to persuade him.
But Yun Dehe was utterly confused. The disciple of a Wuxiang Sect elder—what qualifications did she have to advise him?
Even more, she had come alongside Li Luoqi. How could he easily believe her?
"So you are Li Luoqi's helper?"
Yun Dehe questioned with suspicion.
Pei Xianqiao froze, hastily trying to explain.
Meanwhile, Li Luoqi calmly sent a secret voice transmission to Yao Ranran.
"What are you doing here? Leave at once!"
Yao Ranran blinked, stunned, staring at him.
Was he just… speaking to me?
"I said, get out of here immediately!" Li Luoqi repeated.
A dark anger colored Yao Ranran's eyes.
What kind of attitude was that?
You think if you tell me to leave, I will leave? Are you even worthy? Perhaps you still do not see clearly whose advantage this battlefield belongs to.