Chapter 349: with translation of chapter title

Fellow Daoist Feng was polite.

Actually we haven't done 【4】 yet. Wait we skipped 【4】. The prompt had 【4】 after 【2】? Let's check: The prompt shows:

Thus for line 1: "Fellow Daoist Feng was polite."

Facing Feng Qingdan's greeting, Ji Li Yun, as the convenor of Yunhe and the three others, spoke first in response.

the convenor of Yunhe and the three others

【18】

Thus line 3 translation: "Ji Dao Friend." Feng Qingdan laughed and called out, then she looked toward those behind her, her bright eyes slightly glowing, "I didn't expect Lotus Dao Friend and Muyazi Dao Friend to both come; moreover, this Dao Friend is... quite unfamiliar."

We need to keep quotes. We'll keep the quoted speech in English quotes.

Her gaze fell upon Yunhe's body, and a hint of doubt appeared in her eyes.

【22】

Upon hearing this, Feng Qingdan showed no contempt at all, and again bowed to Yunhe, saying, 'So it's Yunhe Dao Friend; I, your humble self, offer my respects.'

【26】

The brief pleasantries were merely formulaic.

【30】

Yunhe, meanwhile, focused his attention on the entire Listening Fragrance Tower, or rather on its Protective Sect Grand Formation.

【34】

This formation differs little from all mountain-protecting and sect-protecting grand formations; many of its formation nodes are built upon the spirit veins.

【38】

However.

【42】

'Yunhe Dao Friend, could there be a problem with the Listening Fragrance Tower's Protective Sect Grand Formation?'

【46】

From her conversation with Ji Li Yun, she also learned that Yunhe is a capable formation master, and thus she valued him a bit more.

【50】

'No problem. With this formation in place, delaying a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator for a while is not difficult.'

【54】

'The formations here rely entirely on Yunhe Dao Friend.'

【58】

Thereafter, under Feng Qingdan's leadership, the four followed her into a rather elegant pavilion within the Listening Fragrance Tower.

【62】

After taking their seats in the great hall of this pavilion, they finally discussed the sudden attack launched by the Abyss Clan.

【66】

Moreover, the Abyss Clan's Black Abyss Mist, in just a few days, stretched for tens of thousands of li, occupying considerable territory.

【70】

Ji Li Yun took out several jade slips and handed them to Yunhe and the others.

【74】

Yunhe browsed the contents of the jade slip while secretly pondering.

【78】

Because the last war between humans and foreign tribes occurred too long ago, even the Hundred Knowledge Tower cannot obtain much accurate information.

【82】

Divine sense is likewise one of his strong points.

【86】

For example, Yunhe is mainly responsible for formation-related matters.

【90】

Yunhe spent most of the time merely listening.

【94】

Even after the simple discussion ended, Feng Qingdan prepared to summon several disciples of the Listening Fragrance Tower to perform a dance.

【98】

Swift—

【102】

Upon seeing this talisman, Feng Qingdan's original smile vanished instantly; she raised her hand to draw it near, and after a brief read, her expression grew even uglier.

【106】

Ji Li Yun asked, 'Fellow Daoist Feng, what matter makes you so solemn?'

【110】

After reading it, the hall fell silent, and everyone's expressions shifted somewhat.

【114】

The talisman's contents are very simple.

【118】

The request for aid comes from the Ghost Blade Sect, which is also a demonic path sect.

【122】

However, this Ghost Blade differs from the swords of sword cultivators: it requires sacrificing souls to forge it, and the more souls it devours, the stronger the souls it slays, making the blade ever more formidable.

【126】

The Ghost Blade Sect is a demonic path sect situated closer to the Black Abyss than the Listening Fragrance Tower; however, when the Black Abyss Mist erupted, its cultivators ought to have noticed and retreated in time.

【130】

It's just unknown why the Ghost Blade Sect's cultivators seemed unable to flee in that direction, instead heading toward the Listening Fragrance Tower.

Now we need to ensure each line is a single output line with 【N】 prefix.

Also there is a line after 【134】 about title.

Then

Facing Feng Qingdan's greeting, Ji Li Yun, as the convener of Yunhe and the four, spoke first in response.

"Ji Dao friend." Feng Qingdan laughed and called out, then looked toward their back, bright eyes slightly glimmering, "I didn't expect Lianhua Dao friend and Muyazi Dao friend to both come, and this Dao friend is... rather somewhat unfamiliar."

Her gaze fell upon Yunhe, and a hint of doubt appeared in her eyes.

Seeing this, Ji Li Yun smiled and introduced: "This is Yunhe Yun Dao friend, who has just attained Nascent Soul not long ago; it's natural that Fellow Daoist Feng hasn't seen him."

Upon hearing that, Feng Qingdan showed no slight contempt, and again bowed to Yunhe, saying: "So it's Yun Dao friend; I, your humble self, offer my respects."

"I have met you, Fellow Daoist Feng." Yunhe smiled and clasped his fists.

The simple pleasantries were like a formula.

Feng Qingdan, Ji Li Yun, Lianhua Old Ancestor, and even Muyazi seemed not unfamiliar, and they began chatting about past events.

Meanwhile, Yunhe directed his attention to the entire Tingxiang Lou, or rather to its sect-protecting grand formation.

A faint light glimmered in his eyes, revealing a contemplative expression.

This formation differs little from all mountain-protection and sect-protecting grand formations; many of its formation nodes are established upon the spirit veins.

Furthermore, this formation likely has reached the mid-stage of the Fourth Level; as long as it is not besieged by numerous Nascent Soul-level cultivators, or a formation with severing power cuts off Tingxiang Lou's spirit veins, taking down this formation remains difficult.

However.

What abilities the Yuan tribe possesses is unknown, so being a bit more cautious is understandable.

"Yun Dao friend, does Tingxiang Lou's sect-protecting grand formation have a problem?"

The long-sleeved, dance-skilled Feng Qingdan had long noticed that Yunhe's attention seemed focused on the rising formation, so she couldn't help but ask.

From her conversation with Ji Li Yun, she also learned that Yunhe is a fairly capable formation master, and thus she valued him a bit more.

Yunhe gave a slight smile, shook his head, and said:

"No problem. With this formation in place, delaying a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator for a while is not difficult."

This let Feng Qingdan breathe a sigh of relief; she patted her chest, and at the same time a surge came, and she said:

"The formations here rely entirely on you, Yun Dao friend."

As for that, Yunhe remained noncommittal.

Thereafter, under Feng Qingdan's guidance, the four followed her into a rather elegantly decorated pavilion within Tingxiang Lou.

Although Tingxiang Lou is famous as a "Red Chamber", it must also be admitted that they do not focus solely on female beauty; various refinements are also one reason many cultivators linger and forget to leave.

After taking their seats in the hall of this pavilion, they finally discussed the matter of the Yuan tribe's sudden attack.

Although alien races had shown signs centuries ago, no one knows when they will strike; this sudden incident still dealt a considerable blow to many sects within the Demon Realm.

And the Yuan tribe's Black Abyss Mist, in just a few short days, stretched for tens of thousands of miles, occupying a considerable territory.

"According to the records of my Bai Xiao Lou, the Yuan tribe's flesh is relatively weak, not much stronger than human cultivators, but their divine sense is powerful; Yuan tribe cultivators of the same realm have divine sense stronger than most human cultivators, and it is said they even master some special divine sense secret arts."

Ji Li Yun took out several Jade Slips and handed them to Yunhe and the others.

"'Strong divine sense? Is the Yuan tribe's divine soul special? Is there a certain relation with the Yuan beast's 'Dark Soul Crystal'?'"

Yunhe perused the contents of the Jade Slip while secretly pondering.

Actually, the Jade Slip contains not much information.

Because the last war between humanity and the alien races erupted long ago, too distant to obtain much accurate information, even Bai Xiao Lou cannot.

However, Yunhe took considerable interest in the 'divine sense secret art' mentioned.

Divine sense is also his forte.

Afterward, the several discussed how to respond to possible future situations.

For example, Yunhe is mainly responsible for formation-related matters.

Also, they discussed what measures they could take if the Yuan tribe attacks.

Yunhe spent most of the time just listening.

Five early-stage Nascent Soul cultivators, plus a medium-grade Fourth Level sect-protecting grand formation, gave them confidence, letting everyone feel relatively at ease and relaxed about this matter.

Even after the simple discussion ended, Feng Qingdan prepared to summon a few disciples of Tingxiang Lou to perform a dance.

Suddenly.

Whoosh—

A talisman for transmitting messages, entwined with thin black mist, came speeding from outside.

Seeing this talisman, Feng Qingdan's original smile vanished instantly; she raised her hand to draw it near, and after a brief read, her expression worsened a bit.

Seeing her like that, everyone's heart gave a slight jump.

Ji Li Yun asked: "Fellow Daoist Feng, what matter makes you so solemn?"

Upon hearing that, Feng Qingdan slowly exhaled a breath, then revealed a helpless smile, waving her hand to display the talisman's contents before everyone.

After reading it, the hall fell silent, and everyone's expressions shifted somewhat.

Yunhe also showed a contemplative expression, holding his teacup, his gaze sweeping over the others in the hall.

The content of the talisman is quite simple.

A request for aid!

The one seeking aid is none other than the Ghost Blade Sect, also a demonic path sect.

This sect's reputation is not small, and its cultivators, like sword cultivators, rely on a single Ghost Blade.

However, this Ghost Blade differs from the swords of sword cultivators in that it requires sacrificing souls to forge; the more souls devoured, the stronger the souls it can slay, making the blade ever more formidable.

In theory, the Ghost Blade Sect's Ghost Blade has no growth limit.

The Ghost Blade Sect is a demonic path sect closer to the Black Abyss than Tingxiang Lou; however, when the Black Abyss Mist erupted, its cultivators ought to have noticed and retreated in time.

Furthermore, even if rescuing and responding to the Ghost Blade Sect were needed, it would not be Yunhe and his companions, who are cultivators stationed at Tingxiang Lou, but another garrison elsewhere.

It's just unknown why the Ghost Blade Sect's cultivators seem unable to flee toward that direction, instead heading toward Tingxiang Lou.

If that's the case, then it's fine.

It's not their duty, and they needn't risk danger to rescue; if the Ghost Blade Sect people could run to the vicinity of Listening Fragrance Tower, they could meet up, but if they go inside, it's hard to say.

Because, according to the plan of those true strategists, the "big shots," blocking the first wave of the Abyss Clan's assault and then waiting for the human cultivators to react is what they should do.

But.

This talisman also mentions a piece of information.

It is precisely because of this information that everyone in the hall has such strange expressions.

Along with the Ghost Blade Sect cultivators fleeing, there is also a cultivator named Xiao Wuxian.

This person is the son of Huangquan Laozu, the lord of the ancient city of Fengdu in the Demonic Path!

This Huangquan Laozu is one of the three known late Nascent Soul cultivators among the many Demonic Path cultivators!

Although the strongest sect among the Demonic Path is the Black River Valley, whose valley master is the Demonic Path's foremost Rakshasa Old Devil, that is only because of sect support.

Whether Rakshasa Old Devil or Huangquan Laozu is stronger remains truly unknown.

It is said that this Xiao Wuxian is Huangquan Laozu's most cherished son, greatly favored by him.

If Huangquan Laozu learns that Yunhe and the others did not go to rescue, causing his son to suffer defeat under the Abyss Clan's pursuit, then even if he does not act against them immediately, he will surely bear a grudge.

A grudge held by a late Nascent Soul old monster is not something just anyone can stomach.

Seeing everyone fall into silence, Feng Qingdan knew she could not stay silent any longer, and thus spoke:

"What do you all think, fellow Daoists?"

"To rescue, or not to rescue?"

If we don't rescue, we must bear the possibility of being grudged by a late Nascent Soul old monster.

If we do rescue, we need to consider how great the danger we face will be.

Even.

We cannot even rule out the possibility that this is an Abyss Clan trap.

Don't look at the fact that we have five early Nascent Soul cultivators here; once we leave the formation's range, if we are surrounded by the Abyss Clan, it is also very dangerous.

At this moment, nobody dares to speak first.

Feng Qingdan gave a bitter laugh, saying, "I also know the difficulties of several fellow Daoists. Since that's the case, I will voice my opinion first: I think we should rescue."

Once someone takes the lead, the rest becomes much easier; we just need to echo.

Actually, in Yunhe's view, we indeed should rescue.

It's not because of Huangquan Laozu's son Xiao Wuxian.

The main reason is that he feels this is indeed the best time to learn about the Abyss Clan.

They know too little about the Abyss Clan, while the Abyss Clan's knowledge of human cultivators is not necessarily the same.

If we cannot promptly eliminate this information gap, human cultivators will surely suffer a major loss elsewhere sooner or later.

As for saying, this might be a trap.

Yunhe also cannot rule out such a possibility.

But there is one thing he can be certain of.

This is the first expansion of the Black Abyss Mist; even if the Abyss Clan wanted to set a trap, they could not possibly concentrate all their force in this direction, otherwise what about the other directions?

The human cultivators' greatest advantage now is that they have already surrounded the Black Abyss and the Black Abyss Mist, forcing the Abyss Clan to watch both head and tail, left and right, unlike the Sea Clan hiding in the endless sea with little worry about rear threats.

Since the opponent cannot commit too much force, the risk of this operation drops sharply.

After deciding on the rescue, they did not dwell on it excessively, but instead discussed who would stand guard, who would provide support, and who would carry out the rescue.

Finally.

After some discussion, it was settled.

It was decided that the eldest and most steady Muyazi would hold the fort here.

Yunhe would set up a formation midway to provide support.

Feng Qingdan, Ji Liuyun, and Lianhua Laozu would go to rescue.

Feng Qingdan is the one who decided on the rescue; she cannot and has no reason to shirk it. Ji Liuyun is the one who gathered Yunhe and the four others, so he ought to set an example, while Lianhua Laozu is probably the most innocent party.

But she cannot object either, for this allocation is the most reasonable.

Yunhe also feels that acting this way is the safest.

Safest for himself.

Compared to the Listening Fragrance Tower's sect-protecting grand formation, he still trusts his own formation more.

Moreover, he need not rush to the front line; depending on the situation, he can leave or stay with ease, already invincible.

"Since that's the case, speed is essential in warfare; we should not delay any further—let's set out at once."

Feng Qingdan said.

She also had her own thoughts.

They had received the talisman, and the rescue had been dispatched.

But if they cannot succeed in rescuing, then they cannot be blamed anymore.

Thus.

The five people who had been happily chatting were forced to set out due to this sudden rescue talisman.

Four streaks of light flew out from the Listening Fragrance Tower's sect-protecting grand formation.

And midway, Yunhe broke away from the group and landed on a desolate plain.

"Daoist Yun, this place is entrusted to you!" Ji Liuyun said solemnly.

If there truly is an ambush or trap, Yunhe's support will almost decide their safety.

"Yun will surely do his utmost." Yunhe bowed to the three and said solemnly.

Having obtained his consent, the three no longer delayed, flying toward the direction indicated by the talisman.

Yunhe, meanwhile, gazed at the surrounding environment and fell into deep thought.

"How many formations should we set up to be about right?"

I never expected that after twenty years of painstakingly studying formations in seclusion, I would have a use for them as soon as I left seclusion.

(End of chapter)