Chapter 764: Storm

Elder Xun Ziyou let out a long sigh.

Thank goodness

The weight on his heart nearly killed him

He immediately asked: "Mo Hua, how did you get in?"

The other side delayed a moment, as if the magnetic sense signal was poor; after a while, a message came through.

Mo Hua: "I hid under the cart and slipped in."

Elder Xun Ziyou: "You just said Linghu Xiao was captured too?"

"Mm-hmm! And Little Wood, that is Ta'amen's Ouyang Mu," Mo Hua transmitted.

Song Jian had been forgotten by instinct.

Elder Xun Ziyou frowned. "Can you get out?"

Although disciples of Ta'amen and Chongxu Sect shared the same origin as Taixu Sect, ignoring them wasn't ideal—but he couldn't help having personal biases; closeness and distance must be distinguished.

Mo Hua's safety was naturally the top priority.

If he risked Mo Hua to save other disciples, he would never agree.

Not to mention what the Ancestor would say.

If the Ancestor learned that Mo Hua, this little disciple, had entered the perilous Ten Thousand Demons Valley while this elder remained outside, he'd flay me alive and break my legs.

So, securing Mo Hua's safety comes first; everything else can be considered later.

Inside Ten Thousand Demons Valley, Mo Hua, still hiding like a kitten beneath the coffin, looked around and found utter darkness.

In his spiritual sense, the walls were cold and bloody.

The massive gate, which had resembled a beast's maw when he entered, was now shut.

It seemed he couldn't get out for now.

Mo Hua transmitted to Elder Xun Ziyou: "The gate is closed. I can't get out."

Elder Xun Ziyou's scalp prickled.

If Mo Hua suffered even a scratch, I'm truly dead!

"You must be extremely careful! Hide well, don't rush, don't take risks—your safety comes first. I'll find a way to rescue you as soon as possible."

"Mm-hmm!" Mo Hua said. "Elder Xun, don't worry."

Elder Xun Ziyou exhaled in relief, but then his heart grew uneasy again.

This wasn't the time to relax.

Mo Hua entering Ten Thousand Demons Valley was like a meat bun tossed into a pack of wolves—lose track of him for a moment, and he'd be reduced to bones and ash.

Elder Xun Ziyou's heart turned cold. After a moment's thought, he spoke to the Chongxu Sect elder:

"We return to the sect at once and report to the Ancestor."

This was my negligence, and I've caused a great mistake.

But precisely because it is a 'great mistake,' I must not hide it from the Ancestor, must not cling to wishful thinking, and must not foolishly 'patch the fence after the sheep are lost.'

Otherwise, this great mistake could easily become a grave offense.

Whether I'm punished or not doesn't matter—what matters is that Mo Hua must not suffer any harm.

The Chongxu Sect elder understood, nodding pale-faced.

Elder Xun Ziyou paused, then said sternly: "Remember—tell only the Ancestor. No one else must hear a whisper."

The Chongxu Sect elder froze, then his gaze sharpened. "You mean—"

Elder Xun Ziyou gave a slight nod.

Someone within Chongxu Sect orchestrated this—luring the prodigy disciples into the Demon Refining Mountain.

A Jin Dan demonic cultivator secretly ambushed the Jin Dan elder guarding the disciples.

There must be a problem within Chongxu Sect.

The Chongxu Sect elder realized it too, his face darkening.

"No time to waste—we report to the Ancestor now," Elder Xun Ziyou said.

The Chongxu Sect elder nodded.

Before leaving, Elder Xun Ziyou gave Mo Hua one final warning: "Hide well. Don't take risks. I'm going back to summon help."

But the Taixu Token seemed delayed slightly.

After a moment, Mo Hua replied:

"Got it!"

Then Mo Hua added: "Elder, there's one more important thing."

Elder Xun Ziyou's expression turned serious. "What is it?"

Mo Hua: "When you return to the sect, remember to extend my leave."

He had requested leave, but only for a few days—and now he was inside Ten Thousand Demons Valley, unsure when he'd return.

So this leave definitely needed extending.

Elder Xun Ziyou was at a loss for words. In the end, he could only sigh helplessly.

This child has a truly enormous heart.

Taixu Sect, Elder's Quarters.

Elder Xun, the old man, stood coldly still, his aura like a storm swallowing all sound.

His aged eyes held no trace of cloudiness—cold, brilliant, terrifyingly sharp.

Elder Xun Ziyou stood with head bowed, drenched in cold sweat, daring not utter a word.

He had just returned and told the Ancestor about Mo Hua—when the Ancestor's gaze changed instantly, his aura becoming terrifyingly fierce.

He knew the old ancestor was truly angry.

Elder Xun Ziyou clenched his teeth, his heart trembling.

Elder Xun Ziyou only glanced indifferently at Elder Xun Ziyou, then slowly rose and walked to the desk.

On the desk sat a Heaven's Secrets compass.

But this compass was not the same as the one Elder Xun Ziyou had used before — its color was darker, the threads of cause and effect more numerous, and it looked far more complex.

Elder Xun Ziyou held his breath and focused his spirit, divining over the compass for a moment, then suddenly froze; only then did he slowly gather in his terrifying aura.

Elder Xun Ziyou caught a brief breath, and in a low voice ventured to ask:

"Old Ancestor—"

Elder Xun Ziyou looked coldly at Elder Xun Ziyou and said calmly:

"There is a cause for this; you are not to blame."

Elder Xun Ziyou let out a long breath of relief, feeling that the mountain-like pressure on his shoulders had finally eased a little.

"However," Elder Xun Ziyou added, "Mo Hua met with danger, and you cannot escape involvement."

Elder Xun Ziyou cupped his hands solemnly and said:

"This matter is indeed my failure as a junior."

Elder Xun Ziyou saw that he dared to take responsibility and did not look for excuses to shirk it, and gave a slight nod.

Elder Xun Ziyou asked in a low voice, "Old Ancestor, what should we do?"

He did have ideas, but he had no authority.

And there were some things he could not decide on his own. Whether the matter succeeded or failed, he could not bear the responsibility.

So he could only ask the old ancestor.

Elder Xun Ziyou thought briefly, then instructed: "Within the sect, dispatch every inner-gate peak Foundation Establishment disciple, and every Jin Dan elder who is not teaching and has no current mission — send them all out to hold position at Monster Refining Mountain."

"A frontal assault?" Elder Xun Ziyou asked.

Elder Xun Ziyou raised an eyebrow, unable to help recalling the omen of "danger but no harm" on the Grand Void compass just now, and fell into thought.

He considered for a moment, then said slowly, "No rush."

Elder Xun Ziyou was startled. "No rush?"

"Mm," Elder Xun Ziyou nodded slowly, "let that child Mo Hua go in and fend for himself for a while."

"The Old Ancestor's meaning is—" Elder Xun Ziyou frowned, "to temper him a little?"

Elder Xun Ziyou gave a slight nod and said in a deep voice:

"Any talent blessed by Heaven who bears a great charge must have lofty aims; what he does must be fraught with peril. He must undergo trials of a thousand hardships and ten thousand sufferings, and dangers hung by a thread. Setbacks and rough paths are unavoidable."

Elder Xun Ziyou's heart gave a jolt.

He had not expected the old ancestor to hold such high expectations for that child, Mo Hua.

Elder Xun Ziyou paused briefly, then went on:

"I used to think Mo Hua was just an innocent, carefree child, so I feared him running into danger. But now it seems I may have misjudged him a little."

A somewhat unreadable look came into Elder Xun Ziyou's eyes.

This child was indeed simple in his thoughts, but in truth not as simple as he himself had imagined.

He had taken charge of building the Five Elements Great Monster-Slaying Array to suppress and slay the great demon Fengxi.

He had been taken as a disciple by that man of peerless talent who "looked down on everyone."

He had traveled alone, crossing mountains and rivers, coming from Li Province to Qian Province to study.

Not long after entering the Grand Void Gate, he had already been able to follow his senior brothers and sisters out to apprehend criminal cultivators.

The death of Huo Fotuo was also not unconnected to him.

Added to that were his various deeds at Monster Refining Mountain — leading fellow disciples to hunt demonic beasts and practice sword-riding.

How could such a child truly be "simple"?

It would be strange if he didn't have a bellyful of "tricks."

Elder Xun Ziyou sighed inwardly:

He had been deceived by that harmless little face.

Elder Xun Ziyou deliberated for a moment, then said again:

"That child Mo Hua is clever and bright, thorough in his thinking. Since he dares to enter this Ten Thousand Monsters Valley, it means he has some measure of confidence in his heart."

"The path of cultivation is long, beset with dangers. The sect cannot protect him forever; appropriate tempering is necessary."

"The best form of protection is to teach him to protect himself."

"This time, let him find his own way and fend for himself first."

Elder Xun Ziyou's heart gave a start, and he was moved.

The old ancestor truly had the child's best interests at heart.

"Yes." Elder Xun Ziyou cupped his hands, then asked again, "Then shall we still transfer so many people from the sect?"

Elder Xun Ziyou deliberated briefly, then nodded: "Transfer them!"

"Even without this matter of Mo Hua, Ten Thousand Monsters Valley cannot be left standing. To carry out such filthy deeds right under our sect's nose — they truly don't know whether they live or die!"

"This time we will pry open Ten Thousand Monsters Valley and see what exactly these people are plotting."

Elder Xun Ziyou cupped his hands. "Yes."

Elder Xun Ziyou gave his final instruction: "Gather your people, move in secret, and surround Ten Thousand Monsters Valley. Use the Grand Void Token to contact Mo Hua at set intervals."

"If you can reach him, hold your forces and do nothing. If you cannot reach him—"

Elder Xun Ziyou's gaze turned cold. "Then do not hesitate. At any cost, level Ten Thousand Monsters Valley!"

Having said this, Elder Xun Ziyou pondered for a moment, still uneasy, and took out a sword token, handing it to Elder Xun Ziyou.

Elder Xun Ziyou, upon seeing the Sword Command, immediately turned pale with shock.

Elder Xun Ziyou said: "This is the Void Sword Command. You should know—if emergency arises, or if you face an invincible foe, activate this command immediately."

"I will destroy the formation of Lianyao Mountain, shatter the void, and forcibly descend with Void-Permeating power to crush this Ten Thousand Demons Valley into ash!"

Elder Xun Ziyou's spirit trembled; he understood the Ancestor's resolve and immediately bowed his head.

"I humbly obey the Ancestor's command!"

Meanwhile, in the back-mountain cave of Chongxu Sect.

Inside the chamber, time and space seemed shattered, littered with ruin—all tables, screens, and furnishings had been crushed to fragments.

Chongxu Ancestor, furiously enraged, shouted: "Go! Send people! Even if you level Lianyao Mountain to the ground, bring me Xiao back!"

With the sect's restructuring imminent, Linghu Xiao, this sword prodigy, may determine whether Chongxu Sect advances or retreats in this storm.

And at this critical moment,

this disciple is far more important than most of Chongxu Sect's elders.

There can be no slightest mishap.

The Chongxu Sect elder, wounded and weak in aura, bowed his head in shame but gritted his teeth and said:

"Ancestor, we cannot make a public show of this."

Chongxu Ancestor flew into a rage, but seeing the elder's pitiful state, his heart softened slightly.

He had done his best—but had been outmaneuvered, and there was nothing to be done.

Chongxu Ancestor's aura calmed somewhat.

The Chongxu Sect elder seized the chance to explain: "The ones who seized Xiao are a band of demon cultivators. We don't know their intent, but if this grows public, there will be no room for negotiation."

"Worse, if the demon cultivators are pushed too far, they might kill him outright."

Chongxu Ancestor frowned sharply and suddenly asked: "You said a disciple from Grand Void Gate infiltrated them?"

"Correct."

The Chongxu Sect elder coughed, suppressing his injury, and said gravely:

"The Grand Void Gate disciple is that one named Mo Hua. Somehow, he infiltrated the demon cultivators' lair."

"He seems to know Xiao's whereabouts."

Chongxu Ancestor slowly exhaled, murmuring: "Mo Hua."

He nodded, then immediately said: "Gather some people and go to Grand Void Gate. Negotiate joint action—find these two, and isn't there another?"

"Yes," said the Chongxu Sect elder, "there's also one from Tai'e Sect."

Chongxu Ancestor muttered: "Damn it, all three sects are here—none missing."

He continued: "Rescue all three children."

"If Grand Void Gate has more intelligence, let them lead. You assist. Rescue comes first—no conflicts."

The Chongxu Sect elder bowed his hands: "Yes."

He turned to leave, but was suddenly called back by Chongxu Ancestor.

Chongxu Ancestor frowned and said sternly: "Choose people you can trust."

The Chongxu Sect elder froze, then nodded.

"And one more thing."

Chongxu Ancestor pondered a moment, his gaze turning icy, and solemnly withdrew another Sword Command, handing it to the Chongxu Sect elder.

"Take this Sword Command. If you're uncertain, activate it."

The elder trembled, his expression one of disbelief.

Then he quickly realized: the Ancestor's earlier words about the reform of Qianxue Province's sects—this was indeed a transformation unseen in a thousand years.

Xiao, this child, was far more important than he'd imagined.

The elder immediately said: "Yes."

But he hesitated: "Yet, Lianyao Mountain is guarded by a formation—Liu Yuhua is forbidden to enter. Even Void-Permeating cultivators forcibly descending violate Qianxue Province's edicts."

"We can't care anymore," sighed Chongxu Ancestor.

The Chongxu Sect elder's heart tightened; he bowed his head: "Yes, I will redeem myself by rescuing Xiao."

Inside the inner mountain of Lianyao Mountain.

Two Jin Dan demon cultivators lay hidden in the cave.

One was massive and muscular, his face thick with flesh, like a giant bear.

The other was thin and short, with narrow eyebrows and a face like a venomous snake.

"Damn it, we miscalculated—these guys are cursed."

"We knew about that Chongxu Sect elder who cultivates sword qi—but who the hell is that other elder, riding the void with sword intent swirling around him?"

"What's his background?"

The massive, bear-like demon cultivator frowned: "Looks like he's from Grand Void Gate."

The thin, snake-faced demon cultivator shrieked:

"At night, why the hell is a Grand Void Gate elder wandering into Lianyao Mountain? Ruining my plans!"

The bear-like demon cultivator couldn't figure it out and shook his head: "Maybe he's on night duty, patrolling the mountains."

The snake-faced demon cultivator said: "If he hadn't interfered, with just the two of us closing in, that Chongxu Sect elder would've been dead in this mountain already."

Then he leapt up in fury:

"Diao Laosan, that useless waste! I told him a hundred times—just stall! But his demon aura got to his head, his brain was stuffed with pork fat—he wanted to test how sharp Chongxu Sect's sword qi was!"

"And what happened? That Chongxu Sect elder sliced off his arm with one sword—and now we have to clean up his mess—he's a total waste!"

"Where's Diao Laosan?"

"Don't know," sneered the Snake-Faced Demon Cultivator. "Probably hiding somewhere inside the inner mountains."

The Black Bear Demon Cultivator, though imposing and brutal in appearance, was surprisingly calm in temperament.

He pondered for a moment, then asked in confusion:

"Big Brother, this matter could have been handled gradually, without leaving a trace. Why rush so desperately?"

"You don't understand," said the Snake-Faced Demon Cultivator. "These few disciples are all crucial."

"Master Tu calculated it—he says now is the last chance to capture these three brats. The risk is high, but it's the only opportunity left."

"Once this window closes, we may never get another chance to catch them."

"That's why we're acting forcefully."

The Black Bear Demon Cultivator frowned. "Even if we catch them later, what difference would it make?"

The Snake-Faced Demon Cultivator frowned. "Master Tu says karmic entanglements are too complex—he can't predict clearly. The rule is simple: if you can catch them, catch them. The bargaining chips must be held in our own hands!"

The Black Bear Demon Cultivator slowly nodded, then frowned again:

"Will anything go wrong inside the Ten Thousand Demons Valley?"

The Snake-Faced Demon Cultivator pondered, then sneered. "What could possibly go wrong inside the valley?"

"We elders are merely stationed here."

"Inside the Ten Thousand Demons Valley, the formations are complete, the demon laws are strict, and the system is self-contained."

"The valley's structure follows the legacy of Wan Yao Mountain—one of the great demonic demon sects—with thousands of years of tradition. How could anything go wrong?"

"Whether we're here or not makes no difference."

"Besides, everything inside the valley is managed by the Young Masters. No need to worry."

The Black Bear Demon Cultivator nodded. "True."

The Snake-Faced Demon Cultivator glanced around, then whispered in a sly tone: "We'll lie low here for now. Once we find Diao Laosan, we'll wait until the heat dies down, then return to the Ten Thousand Demons Valley together."

"Yes, Big Brother."

The Grand Void Gate and the Chong Xu Gate, outwardly calm, secretly mobilized their elders and inner-disciples to converge within the Refining Demon Mountain.

Then, under Elder Xun Ziyou's leadership, they moved in secrecy to a hidden forest outside the Ten Thousand Demons Valley.

The group saw the crimson blood-stream, the ground littered with white bones, and in the distance, the dim, shadowy, unknowable Ten Thousand Demons Valley—and all drew in sharp breaths.

"Such thick demonic aura!"

"Could such a place still exist inside the Refining Demon Mountain?!"

"In the entire Qian Xue Province, under the bright sun, so many demons hide in plain sight—this is truly outrageous!"

Even the Chong Xu Gate elder, who had been informed beforehand, stared in shock.

He had only heard of it from Elder Xun Ziyou, never seen it himself. Now that he saw it, it was even more shocking than he'd imagined.

It was like

seeing a room with clean windows and tidy desks, then lifting the floorboards to find a dense, writhing nest of cockroaches that had taken root without notice.

Elder Xun Ziyou glanced at the Chong Xu Gate elder and asked:

"Senior Guan, how is your injury?"

The Chong Xu Gate elder, named Xuan Jian, surnamed Guan, was a disciple of the Guan family.

Though also a direct-line member, he was distantly related to the Guan family head and had little daily contact with them.

Guan Xuanjian said: "The Ancestor gave me a pill. After taking it, I've improved considerably. A bit more rest will do. Let's not talk about that—what now?"

"Wait," said Elder Xun Ziyou. "Go with the flow."

Guan Xuanjian frowned. "Did your Grand Void Gate's little array master sneak in?"

"Mm." Elder Xun Ziyou nodded.

"Will he be alright?" Guan Xuanjian sounded worried.

Elder Xun Ziyou couldn't say.

Though Mo Hua was gifted and clever, this was still the Ten Thousand Demons Valley—swarming with demon cultivators. One slip, and he'd be devoured down to the last bone.

But now, to save them, they still had to rely on this boy.

Elder Xun Ziyou said: "I sent a message, but the magnetic flux inside the Ten Thousand Demons Valley is extremely weak. He hasn't replied yet—probably needs to wait a while."

If he still doesn't respond after a while, we'll have to launch a direct assault.

Even—

Elder Xun Ziyou touched the storage pouch, where the "Void Sword Token"—used to summon the Void Passage and shatter space—lay, and gazed coldly at the distant Ten Thousand Demons Valley.

Inside the Ten Thousand Demons Valley.

Mo Hua shook the Grand Void Token in his hand, muttering to himself: "Why is the signal so bad in this valley?"

"Could it be magnetic interference?"

He was currently crouched on the roof of a stone chamber.

The chamber was tall—a prison. Linghu Xiao and Xiao Mutou were locked inside.

Oh, and Song Jian too.

Mo Hua dared not act rashly. He tried contacting Elder Xun, but the magnetic flux was too weak—the message kept cutting out.

Mo Hua changed position, angle, direction—fiddled with the Grand Void Token for a long time—until the "signal" improved slightly.

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