“What? Even those two Senior Brothers at the mid-Foundation Establishment stage…”
At this moment, even Fang Yu couldn’t keep his composure. As the previous year’s eldest senior brother, he was well aware of the strength those two disciples possessed.
In Ling Tian City, only those who reached the late-Foundation Establishment stage could become Long Elders, while those at the mid-stage were basically among the top disciples.
Especially Wu Da—he was already at the sixth level of Foundation Establishment. Once he broke through, he would become the newest Long Elder!
“They’ve been stationed here for years. How could something happen to them without a sound?”
Stationed here for years?
You left a relic that produces High-Level pills in the hands of two undercover agents for years?
Dongfang Xiaotian could only marvel at the arrangement. Just what sort of trials did Heaven intend for his little junior brother? With a sect like this, how was he supposed to shine?
Still, though everyone’s expressions were gloomy, no one cast suspicion on anyone present.
This made Dongfang Xiaotian breathe a sigh of relief.
It seemed that the Four Sages Academy still had more reasonable people, unlike those other High-Level Maps where every Tianjiao was quick to challenge above their level or break through borders to fight.
Thus, the environment limited their imagination, and no one would suspect Dongfang Xiaotian, who had the lowest cultivation level in the crowd.
“Mm.”
Liu Bingchan nodded, once again confirming to everyone just how dire the situation was.
“Right now, you are the strongest in this camp.”
After the three Foundation Establishment cultivators stationed here had all perished, the remaining late-stage Qi Refining and half-step Foundation Establishment disciples became the strongest force in the camp without question.
“Third Elder, the situation is urgent. Why not use a Transmission Talisman to ask the sect for help?” A disciple immediately asked, but he already felt a bit foolish as the words left his mouth.
“If it worked, I wouldn’t have sent Li Moyan to report to the sect in person.” As soon as Liu Bingchan said this, everyone fell silent.
In this situation, it was either the work of those evil cultivators from the Evil God Cult, or something had gone wrong with this ancient relic.
But no matter the cause, they were now completely isolated and helpless.
“If this continues, all five hundred disciples in our camp will surely die here.”
Liu Bingchan swept her gaze over all the disciples present.
“We must seek aid from the Four Sages Academy, ask the other Long Elders or even the Academy Head to emerge, and join forces with the Xiao Clan and the City Lord’s Mansion to wipe out the evil cultivators entrenched in the relic.”
“You are the ones most likely to get a message out. If any of you can escape this relic, it will be a tremendous achievement. Who will go?”
Everyone exchanged uneasy glances. Even the three Foundation Establishment disciples stationed here would die if they left the Black Tortoise Guardian Star Array.
How could any of them, mere late-stage Qi Refining disciples, possibly survive outside?
All cultivators pursued enlightenment and longevity—who wasn’t afraid of death?
“I will.”
Tushan Bingxian raised her hand without hesitation. “The difference is only in whether we die sooner or later.
The Evil God Cult clearly doesn’t intend to let us live in peace here. Besides, I’ve got my own scores to settle with them.”
There wasn’t a hint of retreat in her words—in fact, she sounded eager to rush out and cut down those evil cultivators immediately.
Dongfang Xiaotian thought this made sense. Tushan Bingxian was an NPC from one of the great families in the beginner village sent by Heaven’s Will.
It was only natural she felt stifled after being chased around such a small place for so long.
But such NPCs were usually meant to take the brunt of things: they’d help the protagonist early on, and after returning home and encountering major trouble, the protagonist would pay back an even bigger favor.
Simply put, these NPCs were quite popular.
But compared to angel investor Hai Bodong and Yao Lao, the gap was still huge.
“I’ll go with Second Senior Sister!”
“Count me in!”
“I’m going too!”
“The academy nurtured us—today is the day we repay the academy!”
“We disciples will give our lives if we must!”
With the beautiful Second Senior Sister Tushan Bingxian leading the way, the other disciples all volunteered as well.
Liu Bingchan looked at the eager disciples and her expression softened, relief evident on her face.
“Good. Anyone willing to go will be credited with a merit, no matter the outcome, and your stipend will be doubled.”
Double the stipend!
Apart from Tushan Bingxian, Beichen Yue, and Dongfang Xiaotian, everyone’s face lit up with joy.
Although outer disciples’ monthly stipend was normally only ten spirit stones, and their main income came from sect tasks, for most ordinary outer disciples, earning even twenty spirit stones a month was hard and often meant risking their lives—they didn’t have the deterrent power of an inner disciple’s identity token.
Now, being able to safely earn an extra ten spirit stones a month for cultivation would surely make them progress much faster than the average disciple.
After steadying everyone’s nerves a little, Liu Bingchan turned to Beichen Yue.
“Young Mistress Beichen, congratulations on reaching Foundation Establishment.”
Everyone looked with surprise at the cool and beautiful young girl before them.
Though most had heard of her before, because Second Senior Sister and Third Senior Brother had almost fought earlier, they hadn’t paid much attention to her.
Clearly, gossip was more interesting than a beauty, especially when the gossip itself involved a beauty—one who might tremble when fighting—definitely more interesting than the as-yet-undeveloped Beichen Yue.
But now, it seemed that the one everyone overlooked was the real shocker.
Judging by Beichen Yue’s appearance, she was only in her jade years—Foundation Establishment at sixteen!
Dongfang Xiaotian watched everyone’s stunned faces and thought that if Chun’er were here, her head would probably be held so high.
After all, Foundation Establishment at sixteen, and that didn’t even count the three years she’d been stuck at a bottleneck.
But in the face of all these compliments, Beichen Yue didn’t react at all. She had faced enough praise and heard plenty of criticism.
Compared to Young Lord Dongfang’s complete indifference, this was nothing—none of it could shake her heart.
“Mm, just a lucky breakthrough.” Beichen Yue nodded lightly and looked at Liu Bingchan.
“You heard what was just said. Right now, we all share the same fate… If you’re willing to lend a hand, the Four Sages Academy will surely remember your kindness.”
As she spoke, Liu Bingchan bowed her head slightly to the girl, expressing her plea.
Beichen Yue just calmly looked at Liu Bingchan and replied, “I’m aware. There’s no need for repayment. Though I’d like to help, I have important matters to attend to.”
As soon as Dongfang Xiaotian heard “important matters,” he sensed something was off.
Beichen Yue had two goals in coming south: first, to break through and continue her cultivation; second, to annul her engagement and complete her cultivation on the Path of Forgetting Emotions!
But the engagement letter was still in his possession!
Dongfang Xiaotian shrank deeper into the crowd, but no matter how much he hid, he couldn’t escape a single glance from her.
“Mm. Until we leave the relic, I am Young Lord Dongfang’s bodyguard.”
Beichen Yue said calmly, “Wherever Young Lord Dongfang goes, I go.”
The moment these words fell, all eyes in the tent turned to Dongfang Xiaotian, who was quietly trying to sneak out.
Fang Yu looked at Dongfang Xiaotian’s guilty expression and couldn’t help but sigh, “Dongfang Xiaotian, as the eldest senior brother, can’t you show a bit of responsibility?”
“If all of you leave, who will protect the other disciples?”
Dongfang Xiaotian coughed twice and declared solemnly, “As the eldest senior brother, I must lead by example. Go ahead with peace of mind. Leave this place to me.”
With that, he even gave them a thumbs up.
Honestly, what could the Four Sages Academy offer that compared to the favor owed to his little junior brother?
“Young Mistress Beichen, you don’t need to follow me. Just protect my Second Junior Sister. Once we return, I’ll hand over the engagement letter right away and immediately agree to the annulment.”
Dongfang Xiaotian specifically mentioned the annulment, lest any misunderstandings arise later.
“Young Mistress Beichen, you don’t want the engagement letter staying with me forever, do you?”
As everyone heard Dongfang Xiaotian using the engagement letter as leverage, they couldn’t help but look at him with a bit of contempt.
As soon as Beichen Yue heard Dongfang Xiaotian mention the annulment in public, an odd, inexplicable feeling surged within her.
He could be so unconcerned about annulling the engagement!
Was this the bearing of the Azure Dragon Sword Immortal?
Such completely indifferent, harmless detachment…
For a moment, Beichen Yue felt her resolve on the Path of Forgetting Emotions loosen. She had to steady her breathing before calming down.
Everyone saw Beichen Yue’s sudden breathlessness and assumed it was Dongfang Xiaotian’s fault.
It really was just as Chun’er had said: Dongfang Xiaotian was like a scoundrel brandishing a girl’s engagement letter, shamelessly blackmailing the other party.
Tushan Bingxian didn’t hesitate to knock Dongfang Xiaotian on the head. “Hurry up and give her the engagement letter! If you’re short on something, my family will make it up for you.”
“Oh.”
Dongfang Xiaotian pouted. “But I don’t know which corner I stuffed it in. I’ll have to look.”
“All right, Young Mistress Beichen, it’s settled.”
Tushan Bingxian shot her a frown. This guy had delayed returning the engagement letter for so long—definitely up to no good!
“From now on, you’re not his fiancée anymore. Do whatever you want—don’t mind him.”
With that, Tushan Bingxian turned to Liu Bingchan. “Third Elder, is there anything else?”
Liu Bingchan stared blankly at Tushan Bingxian’s look before shaking her head.
“N-no, that’s all.”
“Good, then I’ll go out with Eldest Senior Brother to seek help.”
Without waiting for a response, Tushan Bingxian dragged a reluctant Dongfang Xiaotian out.
As they walked, Tushan Bingxian muttered, “You lazy bum! Who taught you to shirk your duties when the sect faces disaster?”
“I’m just staying at the camp to protect everyone. How is that lazy?” Dongfang Xiaotian protested, finding his own logic impeccable.
Second Senior Sister was acting strange.
Everyone couldn’t help but complain in their minds: What’s with this ‘enforcing family rules’ attitude?
Beichen Yue frowned slightly but followed them out.
Tushan Bingxian dragged Dongfang Xiaotian straight to his tent. Once inside, she held out her hand.
“Dongfang Xiaotian,”
Tushan Bingxian said coolly, “The engagement letter. Give it back to her.”
“No rush.”
Beichen followed them in and said, “It’s just a piece of paper. Young Lord can take his time. I have plenty of time.”
Tushan Bingxian frowned at Beichen. “My family has its rules: it’s best to return what you owe as soon as possible, lest you invite trouble.”
Beichen retorted, “Your family’s rules have nothing to do with my young lord… If you’re so domineering as an unmarried girl, how will you ever marry off?”
Since when was she ‘your family’s’?
“We fox spirits never worry about finding someone to marry.”
Tushan Bingxian’s mouth twitched for a moment, then she smiled, puffing out her ample chest.
“But aren’t those on the Path of Forgetting Emotions always looking to marry into a wealthy family? I know a few—should I introduce you?”
“Mmm~”
The noise woke the little junior brother from his cultivation. Rubbing his eyes at the all-too-familiar scene before him, he checked the mechanical clock the eldest senior brother had tinkered together.
He hadn’t finished deciphering it any faster.
“Are they still arguing?”
They’d been quarreling when he made his breakthrough, and they were still at it.
Eldest senior brother was right—women really were impossible to understand.
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