Canghai raised his eyebrows, of course he wouldn’t sit by and do nothing.
His formidable divine sense acted like a giant bell, protecting the blonde-haired girl from harm.
“Elder Pu, I can testify. This child has extraordinary talent and exceptional comprehension. With a Formless Spiritual Root, all laws are open to her.”
“Is Mister Canghai saying that in such a short time, she mastered our Radiant Light Sect’s secret art from Bai Yu?”
“That is indeed the case.”
As soon as Canghai finished speaking, Madam Black Crow’s suppressed laughter echoed, adding just the right amount of fuel to the fire.
Was this not an indirect mockery of the Radiant Light Sect’s arts, that a little girl could easily learn them within a hundred exchanges?
“At best, it’s just an Earth Tier Lower Rank Technique. Do you really think it’s so impressive? What so-called secret art could compare to the value of the Formless Spiritual Root?”
“That’s not how it should be said!”
Elder Pu’s face alternated between green and white.
He glanced at the grim-faced White Whale Island Lord, but had no choice but to swallow his words.
Penglai Island might not side with the Shenhua Sect, but they definitely favored the Eastern Pavilion Master’s beloved disciple—someone he could not afford to offend.
“This matter…cannot be decided solely on the words of a few. I will report to the Sect Master and let her decide!”
The guests’ expressions varied, thoughts lively, as they all looked at the star-like brilliance of the blonde-haired girl.
The White Whale Island Lord’s words made sense.
With such talent and beauty, what place in the six ancient immortal sects of the Heavenly Concord Alliance would be barred to her?
And with a Heavenly Dao Alchemy Master as her protector, why would she need to steal knowledge?
For such a peerless genius to willingly join the fallen Sword Sect—who knew how much fortune Shen Zhong had accumulated over the years?
In the long-silent Sea of Clouds, yet another phoenix had descended.
No matter what, the name Ji Shiyu would spread throughout the Eastern State from today, entering the sights of all the major sects.
Meanwhile, Bai Yu remained dazed, unable to comprehend.
What Ji Shiyu used was indeed the genuine secret art of their sect, and it was absolutely impossible for anyone to have leaked it, for it was an evolved technique he had painstakingly comprehended over many years.
Yet the Fushui Art he had taken such pride in was blatantly stolen and imitated to perfection!
As a prodigy of the Radiant Light Sect, Bai Yu’s composure was somewhat shattered by Feng Aotian, leading him to question his own existence.
“Are we still fighting?”
Sensing the increasingly tense atmosphere, Ji Shiyu stuck out her tongue.
It seemed she’d caused trouble again.
Would teacher be angry if she found out?
If the specially chosen gift wasn’t delivered, wouldn’t that be a loss?
Boom!
The Sundial Immortal Mansion suddenly shook violently.
“Mother!”
Li Su lost balance and fell into Canghai’s arms, only to see the complex expressions of both mentors.
“It’s come, as expected.”
“The Pavilion Lord truly has foresight.”
Canghai and White Whale exchanged wary glances.
As the Holy Descent approached, at first everyone thought it was just a grand celebration, but the clamor outside grew louder and more chaotic, with the foul atmosphere even reaching inside the Immortal Mansion.
From the direction of the southern city came the sound of explosions, while from the north, sinister spiritual fluctuations radiated, strange and malevolent.
“What’s going on?”
Everyone had to stop their arguments, looking around in fear and confusion.
A servant reported in panic: there was a fire in the city, and bandits were causing trouble. The city defense army had been dispatched to suppress it.
Jing Tan’er’s face remained calm, but Pan Yi and those aware within the Black Crow Faction were visibly agitated.
“Oh? What kind of fool dares act so recklessly? Everyone, please remain calm—”
Before Jing Rui could finish her words, chaos erupted again.
A chill wind swept through, plunging the hall into darkness.
Thousands of lanterns in the sky went out and fell.
“Hmm!?”
Canghai narrowed his eyes and looked up.
Through the dome’s crystal window, he saw a mass of dark clouds coiling above, like a giant maw opening, slowly absorbing the spiritual energy of living beings in the city, bringing death to all.
“The Spirit Seizing Grand Formation! What kind of demon dares commit such atrocity in the Royal Capital!?”
Old Pu paled in terror.
Though foolish, he was not stupid—his first instinct was to run.
Whoever dared to cause trouble during the Guarding the Sun Pilgrimage could not be an ordinary thief; it was either a conspiracy or a rebellion—both extremely dangerous.
However, the Spirit Seizing Grand Formation was already active, the four Magic Cores sealing the Royal City.
Even Nascent Soul Cultivators could not escape, and staying inside would only grow weaker.
The yin wind howled, shadows swarming.
At that moment, several ghostly figures burst through the windows into the Sundial Grand Hall.
The Demon Shadows had no solid form, their twisted faces flickering like beasts seeking flesh, pouncing on all living beings.
Panic erupted as guests fled in terror, screaming for help—the hall fell into chaos.
Radiant Light Sect disciples hurriedly summoned their spiritual arts to resist. Zhou Yan covered her mouth, her face pale with fear—she had never seen such things before.
Fortunately, the Demon Shadows lacked independent thought, only wildly latching onto life. Xiao Xinran and Miss Lin stood back to back, easily repelling them with a few blows.
On stage, Bai Yu snapped back to his senses, his face grim, summoning the Baoping to drive out the evil spirits, fighting shoulder to shoulder with Ji Shiyu.
White Whale suddenly stood, stomping hard as water spiritual energy gathered into a massive vortex beneath him, unleashing a water dragon that tore through the roof and devoured numerous Demon Shadows.
Zhuang Heng watched in awe.
As another Water Spiritual Root spellcaster, this senior of the Boundless Sea was far more powerful than Senior Brother Bai.
“Everyone, stay calm and don’t get separated.”
“That’s right!”
As Mister Canghai spoke, Elder Pu joined in, shamelessly leading the Radiant Light Sect disciples to cluster near Penghu Island.
Royal Court Retainers and Noble Scions banded together, their faces grim.
No one had expected such a disaster during the festival—the situation outside the mansion was likely even worse.
In a single moment, Yudu fell into endless darkness, and the celebration turned to catastrophe.
“Where is Her Highness the Princess Royal?”
The seats in the hall were empty—neither Jing Rui nor Jing Tan’er, nor the Northern Fief Prince or Feng Chen could be seen.
Something was amiss.
After a brief discussion, everyone agreed—the most urgent task was to destroy the Magic Core, break the Spirit Seizing Grand Formation before dawn, and save as many commoners as possible.
Mister Canghai pondered for a moment, then immediately dispatched weaker disciples, unable to self-destruct, to escort civilians to the Shanhai Pavilion for shelter, while other cultivators split into teams.
Time was tight.
Radiant Light Sect disciples and some Royal Court Retainers headed to the Nan Market.
With demon invasion, all righteous cultivators of the Heavenly Concord Alliance had a duty to act.
Canghai and White Whale moved according to plan, going separate ways, with the remaining scattered forces following.
Outside the Sundial Immortal Mansion, Ji Shiyu and Xiao Xinran’s faces were pale—the situation was worse than they had imagined.
The festive lantern market had transformed, shrouded in a gloomy cloud, with the air tinged with the scent of blood.
The roaming Demon Shadows were like flocks of crows, constantly emerging from the black smoke overhead.
City defense soldiers struggled to cope, able only to protect civilians by sheltering them indoors.
Flying by sword, Ji Shiyu followed Canghai and his disciples, when suddenly, a piercing howl echoed from the north, as if a savage beast had been unleashed.
“What are you standing there for?”
Xiao Xinran paused, following the worried gaze of the blonde-haired girl toward the north.
Mister Canghai deduced that the Spirit Seizing Grand Formation was anchored by four Magic Cores, but with limited manpower, the northern district was left unattended.
The two exchanged glances—rarely so in sync—and Lin Shu nodded as well, expressing her willingness to help.
The people there needed them even more……