The chaos and murderous aura on Swordsmith Peak gradually subsided as the “Shamanic Fiend” was suppressed by layers of restrictive seals.
However, the heavy atmosphere and the sense of trance after surviving a disaster lingered in the air for a long time.
After the initial shock and relief, the cultivators from various sects began to treat the wounded and count their losses.
They whispered about the thrilling and dramatic scene that had just unfolded, their gazes occasionally drifting toward the center of the venue—there, Pei Qingxuan was tightly holding Xu Ping’an’s hand.
In front of Xu Ping’an was the Shamanic Fiend, bound by talisman chains like a cocoon, its aura withered but its eyes filled with poisonous resentment.
Perfected Master Yun Yi of the Heavenly Sword Sect, The Master of Mysterious Dust from the Mystic Pavilion, and several others gathered around with solemn expressions.
What happened today involved too much; it was far from a simple attack by the Demon Path.
“Pei Sect Leader,”
Perfected Master Yun Yi was the first to speak, his tone far more respectful than before.
“This fiend… what exactly is its origin? Is what it said about the ‘Shamanic Revival’ and ‘shaking the Human Race Providence’ true?”
Everyone’s eyes focused on Pei Qingxuan.
She knew that by now, it was impossible to keep it hidden any longer.
Pei Qingxuan took a deep breath, let go of Xu Ping’an’s hand, and took a step forward. Her cold gaze swept across the leaders of the various sects present. Although her voice was not high, it clearly reached everyone’s ears:
“Fellow Daoists, today’s calamity has deep roots. This fiend calls itself the ‘Shamanic Fiend.’ It is an anomaly born from the combination of the baleful qi of the ancient Great War of Wu and Yao and the remains of the Wu Tribe, inheriting parts of the Wu Tribe’s memories and will. It has been lurking for ten thousand years, secretly eroding the Dragon Veins of Great Qi. It intended to take advantage of the decaying Dragon Qi and the turmoil of the Human Race Providence to exterminate the elites of our Human Tribe and steal our fortune, seeking to recreate the past glory of the Wu Tribe.”
She paused and continued:
“As for the decay of Great Qi’s Dragon Qi, it is indeed a reality, and far more serious than the outside world knows. The black threads entangling the Dragon Qi are the Shamanic secret techniques laid by this fiend. My Liuyun Sect had already noticed this and has been secretly investigating and responding. I fear the change at today’s Immortal Destiny Assembly was also a part of its plan.”
Upon hearing this, everyone gasped in unison. Decaying Dragon Qi, the legacy of the Wu Tribe, shaking the Human Race Providence… these words combined to paint an apocalyptic picture enough to make any cultivator tremble with fear.
If not for that mysterious young man appearing out of nowhere today and channeling the Dragon Qi to counter it, the consequences would have been unthinkable!
The Master of Mysterious Dust had the most solemn expression. He specialized in deducing Heavenly Secrets. Recalling the previous sensation of chaotic fate and the ancient, obscure aura when the “Shamanic Fiend” appeared, he believed eighty to ninety percent of what Pei Qingxuan said.
“So, the root of these demons rising everywhere and the unrest in the world lies here? Then the Dragon Qi of Great Qi…”
“Although the Dragon Qi has been heavily damaged, the foundation is not yet completely destroyed.”
Pei Qingxuan replied, her gaze instinctively turning toward Xu Ping’an, a flash of softness appearing in her eyes.
“Just now… by using the power of the Heirloom Seal of the Realm to draw upon the remaining Dragon Qi and Human Race Providence, we temporarily inflicted heavy damage on this fiend, buying a moment of respite for the Dragon Qi. But whether it can truly be stabilized or even slowly recover depends on Great Qi’s own destiny and whether the root of this Shamanic Fiend baleful qi can be completely uprooted in the future.”
Everyone’s gaze followed hers to Xu Ping’an. This young man, who seemingly had no cultivation, had actually created such a miracle, able to draw upon Dragon Qi and borrow providence.
His face was still somewhat pale, but he stood tall. Facing the complex and inexplicable gazes of the crowd, his expression remained calm.
Perfected Master Yun Yi cupped his hands and said solemnly:
“This… Little Friend Xu, if you hadn’t taken action today, I’m afraid we would have all met with disaster. Please accept a bow from Yun Yi!”
As he spoke, he actually bowed deeply.
Behind him, The Master of Mysterious Dust, Master Miaoyin, and the others also bowed solemnly in gratitude. The methods and courage Xu Ping’an had just demonstrated had already won the recognition and gratitude of these giants of the Orthodox Alliance.
Xu Ping’an shifted slightly to avoid the full bow and merely arched his hands:
“Seniors, you overstate it. I was merely in the right place at the right time and contributed what little strength I had. Although this fiend is temporarily restrained, whether there are accomplices behind it and how to eradicate the baleful qi eroding the Dragon Qi are still unresolved matters. It still requires all our fellow Daoists to work together.”
His tone was flat, but he pointed out the key issues.
Everyone nodded in agreement. Today’s events were no longer just the business of the Liuyun Sect or Great Qi; they concerned the providence of the entire Human Tribe. The various sects of the Orthodox Alliance had to join forces.
At that moment, Pei Qingxuan spoke again. Her voice was even clearer and firmer than before, carrying a sense of unquestionable determination:
“There is one more thing I need to make clear to all of you.”
She turned around and took Xu Ping’an’s hand again, standing side by side with him, her gaze scanning the entire field openly:
“Xu Ping’an is not just my personal disciple.”
She paused, feeling Xu Ping’an’s hand tighten slightly in hers. The last trace of hesitation in her heart vanished. On her exquisitely beautiful face, a very faint but soul-melting blush and tenderness appeared. She said word by word:
“He is my husband.”
“Boom—!”
As soon as these words were spoken, it was like a massive boulder had been dropped into a calm lake! The entire venue was instantly in an uproar!
The Liuyun Sect Master, the world-famous sword-cultivating fairy Pei Qingxuan, had actually been married? And her husband was this seemingly ordinary young disciple who had just demonstrated Heaven-shaking methods?
This—this was simply more shocking than the appearance of the Shamanic legacy!
Countless gazes swept back and forth between Pei Qingxuan and Xu Ping’an, filled with disbelief, curiosity, realization, and even a bit of jealousy.
Why Xu Ping’an could freely enter and leave the Pavilion of Immortal World, and Pei Qingxuan’s extraordinary trust and protection of him, all seemed to have a rational explanation now.
Pei Qingxuan ignored those shocked gazes and continued:
“The matter between the two of us was not something we wished to publicize. However, after today, I fear it can no longer be concealed. Furthermore, after this battle, I feel exhausted and realize I have been too obsessed with sect authority and false reputation. The world is vast and the path is long; I wish to join hands with my husband, seek our true selves, and live freely outside the mundane world.”
Her tone turned solemn as she looked at the several Liuyun Sect elders present and the many core disciples who had rushed over:
“Therefore, as of today, I, Pei Qingxuan, resign from the position of Liuyun Sect Master!”
***
Another wave of exclamations! Resigning as Sect Master?!
“Sect Master!” “Senior Sister!”
The people of the Liuyun Sect were even more shocked, stepping forward one after another.
Pei Qingxuan raised her hand to stop them, her gaze falling on a young disciple in the crowd who had a steady temperament and clear, upright eyes:
“My disciple Xiao Yunyuan is of upright character and firm Daoist heart. His cultivation has reached the peak of the Golden Core, and he is capable of handling great responsibilities. After consultation between the elders and me, Xiao Yunyuan will take over as the new Sect Master of the Liuyun Sect. I hope all elders and disciples will assist him wholeheartedly to flourish our Liuyun Sect’s lineage!”
Xiao Yunyuan, whose name had been called, was shaken. He was clearly caught off guard. But facing the gaze of his Master and the elders, he quickly suppressed the turmoil in his heart. He took a deep breath, stepped forward, knelt on one knee, and said in a deep voice:
“I, Xiao Yunyuan, will certainly not fail the expectations of my Master and the Sect!”
Since matters had reached this point, Pei Qingxuan’s mind was made up, and her arrangements were sound. The core elders of the Liuyun Sect exchanged glances. Though they felt reluctant and worried, considering the blood and effort Pei Qingxuan had poured into the sect over the years and the other identity she had just announced, they eventually sighed and bowed slowly:
“We follow the Sect Master’s decree! Congratulations to… Fairy Pei and Master Xu!”
This “congratulations” served as a formal recognition of the relationship between Xu Ping’an and Pei Qingxuan, and an acceptance of her resignation.
The people from other sects at the venue were in an even more complex state of mind.
In a single day, they had witnessed the capture of a Great Desolation legacy, the temporary resolution of the Human Tribe’s crisis, and then personally saw the change of leadership in one of the heads of the Orthodox Alliance, the Liuyun Sect, along with the public reveal of a secret immortal romance… The amount of information was overwhelming.
The dust temporarily settled.
However, over the next few days, Swordsmith Peak did not immediately become quiet.
The leaders of various sects held urgent consultations and established a temporary “Orthodox Alliance” to jointly interrogate the captured “Shamanic Fiend,” study how to break the baleful qi affecting the Dragon Qi, and agreed to share information and work together to deal with any remaining Wu Tribe threats.
Under the leadership of the new Sect Master Xiao Yunyuan, the Liuyun Sect underwent a smooth transition and handled the aftermath.
Meanwhile, Xu Ping’an and Pei Qingxuan temporarily stayed at the Autumn Water Hall.
Pei Qingxuan needed time to handle the final handover matters and, together with Xu Ping’an, prepare for their upcoming “seclusion.”