Chapter 223: Battle Situation – Secluding

223. Chapter 223 Situation Closing

My longing to return is like an arrow.

Although Character: Liyang Immortal City is not Xiao Zhangqing's hometown, he has lived there for ten or twenty years, and thinking that once he returns he can close his sect and form a core, Xiao Zhangqing quickened his pace, fully driving the flying boat, and almost had no time for sightseeing along the way.

The journey there took nearly five months, and the return was just over three months, and Character: Liyang Immortal City was now right before his eyes.

Buzz! Arriving before the walls of Character: Liyang Immortal City, Xiao Zhangqing, amid the shocked gazes of countless queued cultivators, simply flew across the air, bypassing the gate inspection entirely.

As for the person in charge of the Character: Liyang Guard defending the city, upon first seeing someone daring to breach the city, he was supposed to quickly activate the formation to stop the intruder.

But when he recognized Xiao Zhangqing's appearance and Xiao Zhangqing declared his identity, he unhesitatingly deactivated the formation, adopted a respectful welcome, and cheerfully announced, "Welcome Deputy City Lord Xiao back!"

The city's defender was not an ordinary Character: Liyang Guard but the squadron leader of the Character: Liyang Guard, already a senior official of Character: Liyang Immortal City.

Thus he naturally knew exactly what Xiao Zhangqing's status was.

When it comes to real power and rank, City Lord Gu Zongyuan must heed this Deputy City Lord!

Xiao Zhangqing nodded.

Enjoying special treatment, being able to come and go freely in this bustling immortal city with the highest authority, the feeling is, not to mention, quite pleasant.

Even though it isn't his hometown, Xiao Zhangqing suddenly feels a bit of belonging to Character: Liyang Immortal City.

At least within the entire Da Yu Cultivation World, the place where Xiao Zhangqing feels most comfortable is Character: Liyang Immortal City.

Even if Nanshan Fang had not fallen under the rule of Demon Sect Evil Cultivators, he could return there, but it would not feel as familiar to him as Character: Liyang Immortal City.

"Continue on duty."

Xiao Zhangqing said a word to the gate‑guard captain and then flew toward the main peak.

After watching Xiao Zhangqing's figure vanish, the captain hurriedly told his aide, "Quick, go to the City Lord's residence and inform the City Lord that Deputy City Lord Xiao has returned… No, I'll go myself."

During the more than a year that Deputy City Lord Xiao has been away, as the Character: Liyang Guard squadron leader he knows clearly how much City Lord Gu Zongyuan has 'missed' him.

Especially in the past two months, the situation in the Cloud Mist Mountain Range has shifted dramatically, the front‑line battles are treacherous, and even though Character: Liyang Immortal City lies in the heart of the Da Yu Cultivation World, it has begun to feel the impact, leaving City Lord Gu Zongyuan even more frazzled.

Deputy City Lord Xiao's return at this time can steady Character: Liyang Immortal City's confidence.

……

The summit of the Character: Liyang Mountain Range, the highest point.

The spiritual energy level reached a third‑tier superior spiritual vein cave.

By now the outside world has entered deep winter; half a month ago the first snow fell, and the cold is biting.

Swish! Xiao Zhangqing strides through the formation and enters the cave.

Immediately he feels bird songs, flower fragrance, warmth like spring.

Although cultivators are not greatly affected by the normal temperature shifts of heaven and earth, a warm environment always lifts the mood a bit.

Having been away for over a year, his cave remains largely unchanged overall, though there are many subtle alterations: the varieties of spiritual plants have increased, and the number of spiritual birds has risen.

"Lord?!"

Lin Ziyu, who was casting a spell to irrigate the spiritual plants, instantly noticed Xiao Zhangqing; her magical flow became erratic and her spells failed.

She was subconsciously stunned, as if fearing she was hallucinating, paused for a moment, then recovered.

Her heart racing with joy, she flew to Xiao Zhangqing's side, all her words condensed into a greeting: "Lord, you finally returned. Was the journey smooth?"

"Smooth, with abundant harvests."

Xiao Zhangqing smiled and nodded, reaching out to gently stroke Lin Ziyu's fair, smooth, beautiful cheek; he could feel her heartfelt joy at his return, though her temperament makes her try to restrain it.

Before they could reminisce, a swift silhouette from a distant loft already darted toward them.

"Ah!!! Lord!"

Accompanied by the excited shout, Xiao Zhangqing's heart was already warm and soft as jade.

If Lin Ziyu's joy and excitement are restrained as much as possible, then her sister Lin Zixi is a naked, unabashed bloom of expression.

Two different ways, but both miss him sincerely; their excitement at seeing his return is completely genuine.

"Lord, over this year I have studied several new dishes, all tasting quite good; may I now prepare one for you?"

"I have also newly brewed many spirit wines, and finally succeeded in creating a second‑tier spirit wine; would you like to taste it first?"

Lin Zixi said as if presenting a treasure. Back when she was in Nanshan Fang, Lin Zixi already showed talent in cooking and brewing, having produced a first‑tier spirit wine.

In the few years before arriving at Character: Liyang Immortal City, she was busy cultivating, eager to establish a foundation, so her cooking and brewing lagged. After successfully establishing the foundation, with free time and increased magical power, her culinary and brewing skills surged.

Especially during the year Xiao Zhangqing was away, Lin Zixi devoted extra effort in this area, precisely for Xiao Zhangqing's return, and of course Xiao Zhangqing did not dampen the mood, nodding in agreement.

While Xiao Zhangqing enjoyed fresh green‑ant brew, a red‑clay stove, and a beautiful fairy assisting with pouring wine and massaging shoulders, savoring the warmth of home after a year away, the cave's formation trembled, indicating a visitor.

The visitor, naturally, was City Lord Gu Zongyuan, who had received a report from the gate guard officer.

Swish! Xiao Zhangqing opened the cave's formation and let him in.

"Brother Xiao, am I coming at a bad time?" Gu Zongyuan said with a cheerful smile.

Xiao Zhangqing took a sip of wine, "If you're so self‑aware, you could go back and return in a couple of days."

Gu Zongyuan waved his hand, shamelessly sat opposite, and didn't even let Lin Ziyu pour wine; he poured himself a cup, chuckling, "I may be self‑aware, but you know I'm always thick‑skinned… Hmm? Good wine! Is this the new brew by Miss Lin? Is there a lot? If so, I'll take some later."

"You're even taking and eating, huh?" Xiao Zhangqing retorted irritably, "Just say what you need. Since you're here today, don't come looking for me for the next few months; I'm preparing to seclude for a while."

Just kidding, just kidding.

Having been away for a year, something important must have happened in Character: Liyang Immortal City; otherwise Gu Zongyuan wouldn't have so tactlessly barged in at once, disturbing his modest honeymoon with two concubines.

Moreover, after returning to Character: Liyang Immortal City, Xiao Zhangqing didn't investigate much, but flying from the gate straight back to his cave, he could faintly sense some differences.

"Just back and already secluding? That's a hefty haul from your outing?"

Gu Zongyuan was somewhat surprised, but he knew the etiquette and didn't pry further.

In any case, the more Xiao Zhangqing harvests and strengthens, the better it is for Character: Liyang Immortal City.

"Indeed there is news." Gu Zongyuan said seriously, "Brother Xiao, are you aware that Demon Sect Evil Cultivators have already broken through the Cloud Mist Mountain Range?"

"The Demon Sect has broken through the Cloud Mist Mountain Range? When did that happen?" Xiao Zhangqing's expression tightened slightly.

"Two months ago, I had just learned the news as well..." Gu Zongyuan's face was tinged with worry.

Two months ago...

Xiao Zhangqing truly didn't know this news.

He had been on the road for three months, hardly stopping, so naturally he had no way to learn any outside news.

However, in fact, on this western region journey, Xiao Zhangqing already had a relatively clear assessment of the front‑line situation: the Demon Sect Evil Cultivator breaking through the Cloud Mist Mountain Range and invading the interior of the Da Yu Cultivation World was only a matter of time.

Especially when searching for the soul of the Xie family patriarch, learning that even such a top Golden Core clan had begun colluding with the Demon Sect, one could infer how dire the situation had become.

Moreover, with the Seven Star Sword Sect and Xingyue Palace's resistance being incomplete and constantly adopting a conciliatory pacification policy, facing the Demon Sect Evil Cultivator that could only fight desperately when "cornered", it would be surprising if they could hold them off.

Only... I didn't expect it so quickly.

"Even if the Demon Sect Evil Cultivator breaks through the Cloud Mist Mountain Range, Character: Liyang Immortal City is still tens of thousands of li away, making it impossible for war to reach us in a short time. Yet the situation is inevitably different now, and we must prepare in advance..." Gu Zongyuan thought with worry.

The Demon Sect's advance is fierce, and the final outcomes amount to only three.

The worst case, naturally, is the Da Yu Cultivation World suffering a crushing defeat, the Demon Sect Evil Cultivator charging straight in and reaching Character: Liyang Immortal City.

At that time there would be no choice; everyone would be forced to evacuate.

The best scenario, under the leadership of Xingyue Palace and the Seven Star Sword Sect, would be a great victory over the Demon Sect, driving it back to the opposite side of the Cloud Mist Mountain Range. If so, Character: Liyang Immortal City would only need to contribute a small effort.

The middle case is a protracted war that drags on for ages; the fighting would continue indefinitely, and Character: Liyang Immortal City would not fare any better, inevitably suffering harassment from the Demon Sect as well as exploitation by the Seven Star Sword Sect and Xingyue Palace.

As for the final outcome, Gu Zongyuan currently cannot determine which it will be; he sees no clarity.

He came to find Xiao Zhangqing today simply to exchange a word.

After a while, whether the Seven Star Sword Sect and Xingyue Palace come knocking, or the Demon Sect Evil Cultivator does, there will be a mental preparation.

"I have it clear in my mind now."

Xiao Zhangqing saw Gu Zongyuan off, his heart now even more eager to form the Golden Core.

After finishing his drink and the lavish meal meticulously prepared by Lin Zixi, he also spent two days in affectionate companionship with his two sisters.

He washed away the dust of travel, and his spirit returned to its peak.

On the third day, Xiao Zhangqing, in the three‑tiered cave dwelling on the main peak of the Character: Liyang Mountain Range, formally began his secluded breakthrough. (End of chapter)