Chapter 149: Sudden Backstab

Within the inner sect of the Sword Sect, deep in a quiet bamboo grove, stood a small courtyard, its path of blue stone slabs winding and twisting.

A tall, imposing warrior and a hunched old woman walked along the blue stone path and arrived at the door.

The door was carved with auspicious cloud patterns, its weathered marks testifying to the passage of time.

Pushing the door open, a faint scent of sandalwood filled the air.

The room's light was soft, filtering through paper windows to cast delicate specks of illumination, painting shifting shadows upon the floor.

Several simple bamboo mats were placed in the center, facing a landscape painting hanging on the wall, its ink blurred and rich, evoking profound depth.

In the corner stood an exquisite incense burner, its slender blue smoke rising slowly, blending with the sandalwood scent in the air, calming the spirit.

"Sit." Ji Yue spoke calmly.

Then she sat down herself.

Gu Mo stared at her aged face, standing still for a long while, before finally sitting on a bamboo mat beside her.

"Ji Yue, why have you become… like this?"

Ji Yue's gaze was calm, her voice neither loud nor soft: "The Immortal Gate is hard to breach. That is all."

"..." Gu Mo fell silent at her words.

He himself was about to face this step; how could he not know the danger involved?

Throughout history, how many heroes reached this stage? Few indeed. And those who shattered the Immortal Gate and attained Immortality? In all ages, only a handful.

Yet… though he had guessed upon meeting her, seeing a once-vibrant comrade reduced to this dying, withered state still stirred complex emotions within him.

"Gu Mo, why have you come to see the Master Jianzu?" Ji Yue asked calmly.

Though the Master Jianzu called her Sister Ji, she would never presume to address him as younger brother; in the entire Xuan Realm, only the Sword Sovereign, who shared the same master as the Master Jianzu, had that privilege.

Gu Mo suppressed his emotions and explained: "The Alliance of the Righteous has suffered the 'Heart-Severing' calamity. I seek the Master Jianzu's aid to resolve it."

"Heart-Severing…" Ji Yue paused, then slowly lifted her head. "So that explains it. Everything now makes sense."

"And I fear the 'Heart-Severing' is merely a surface symptom—they have deeper intentions." Gu Mo's tone was grave.

Ji Yue's heart stirred: "Could it be…?"

Thud! Thud!

A knock suddenly interrupted their conversation; Ji Yue's cloudy eyes turned toward the door.

"Enter."

Creak~ As the door opened, a bright male voice rang out.

"Sister Ji, you really need to fix this door."

The man wore a black long robe, its fabric light and flowing, embroidered with silver-threaded auspicious cloud patterns that shimmered faintly in the sunlight, accentuating his upright posture.

His long hair was loosely tied, a few strands falling over his forehead, adding to his carefree, unrestrained air.

It was none other than Yan Ming, the Head of the Miscellaneous Affairs Hall, who had been swindled out of over thirty million contribution points by Li Ke and recently threatened by Chi Jiuyu.

Compared to his previous casual attire, he now clearly made an effort—even using magic power to grow out his hair.

Yan Ming strode into the room and bowed: "Disciple greets Elder Gu Mo, Sister Ji."

Then he took a bamboo mat for himself and sat down.

"Long time no see, Yan Ming," Gu Mo chuckled.

They had once fought side by side on the Starfield Battlefield and got along well.

Yan Ming grinned: "It's been a while, Elder Gu Mo. How about a drink later?"

"Next time."

He had other business today.

"Why are you here?" Ji Yue asked.

At her question, Yan Ming finally sobered: "Sister specifically sent me to deliver a message."

"The Sword Sovereign has learned of the Alliance's plight and has already departed with Lady Xiang Yuanjun."

"So, Elder Gu Mo need not worry."

The Sword Sovereign already knew? "The Sword Sovereign's cultivation has grown even more unfathomable," Gu Mo remarked sincerely.

He himself had touched the Immortal Gate and now bore a faint trace of 'Immortal' essence—though minute, it was undeniably real.

The Sword Sovereign's Dao did not favor divination, yet he had directly learned the purpose of this journey…

Hmm? Yan Ming, however, looked puzzled.

Sister Ji's message clearly stated that the Sword Sovereign had sent word to her—what did that have to do with her cultivation progress? …

The Sword Sovereign's Hall remained the same as before.

Bie Xuening sat at the center of the hall, holding a phone encased in a yellow duck shell.

On the phone's chat screen, Xu Xing had sent the Master Jianzu: "Brother, I've instructed Yan Ming to notify Elder Gu Mo."

Fugitive Laozu: "Thank you, Sister."

Fugitive Laozu: "But that unruly disciple of mine is flighty, and Elder Gu Mo is close to him—don't let him delay matters."

Yan Ming was indeed like that—the closer the relationship, the more careless he became, which was why Xu Xing had often disciplined him in the past.

Master Jianzu: "No need to worry—Sister Ji is there too."

Fugitive Laozu: "Hm?"

Fugitive Laozu: "What connection is there between the two?"

Bie Xuening hesitated, then decided not to lie to her brother.

Master Jianzu: "Your disciple has long had designs on Sister Ji."

The message seemed to shock him; a long pause followed before a new message appeared.

Fugitive Laozu: "Damn unruly disciple!"

Earlier, I was watching the show from the Alliance of Righteous Sects.

Alright, now the same thing is happening right beside me.

The fleeing Old Ancestor: "Once I finish handling this matter, I'll go back and settle accounts with him!"

The Guardian Master Jianzu: "Actually, it's not that bad, younger brother, no need to be so angry / little yellow duck pats head"

After all, among your many disciples, only one is particularly unruly.

Yet I myself have only one disciple—and that rebellious disciple is utterly defiant!

Sighing inwardly, Bie Xuening switched to the group chat.

At this moment, the group leaders were also discussing Gu Mo.

It started because Gu Mo sent two junior disciples to Ji Shi Valley for treatment, and the Pill Ancestor showed great respect by sending his senior disciple to receive them.

But during the treatment, they learned something quite interesting.

In short, the uncle married his own niece, then the elder brother emerged from seclusion and discovered that the younger sister he loved had a child with the uncle.

And that child became the new younger sister, who is now accompanying the elder brother to Ji Shi Valley for treatment.

The Artifact Ancestor: "Sounds complicated and hard to understand, but after thinking it over, it doesn't seem that abnormal / thoughtful"

The Pill Ancestor: "I agree."

The Tyrant Ancestor: "Count me in."

High-realm cultivators have long lifespans; such things aren't particularly bizarre.

The Artifact Ancestor: "/moved"

Finally, someone replied to him!

Master Mei Zu: "/image"

Master Mei Zu was up to her old tricks again—same image, then quickly retracted.

The Master Jianzu: "Just don't retract it. You've sent that image so many times, it's practically worn smooth / little yellow duck sneers"

Master Mei Zu: "Actually, after Brother Dao mentioned it last time, I took many new photos—but I only plan to show them to you / innocent"

"Hmph."

A crude provocation.

Xiang Yuanjun: "I can confirm this is true."

Hehuan Laozu: "..."

Third update, please subscribe!!

If that's the case, I'll post everything together after finishing the writing.

But since I'm clumsy with typing, it'll probably be afternoon or evening—please forgive me, dear readers.

Sometimes I truly envy those who type fast.

(End of chapter)