Chapter 294: Besieged Mountain

Meanwhile, as the Mohist people busily worked day and night to rush-produce a new batch of Mohist Knight Swords for the Divine Martial Pavilion,

Li Jing, far away in Qi Zhou, had finally ended his long campaign, and, dust-covered, hurried back to Cangling City.

At this moment, he returned to Cangling City lightly equipped with his personal guard; though his face bore travel dust, his heroic bearing could not be concealed.

Upon hearing the news, Su Ye personally went to the Inspector's mansion hall to meet Li Jing.

"You've worked hard, Healer!"

"This time, the Healer's eastern expedition to Qi Zhou captured Qi Wang alive; congratulations to the Healer!"

When Li Jing stepped into the hall, Su Ye went forward to meet him, firmly grasping his hand and sighing emotionally.

"My lord overpraises me; I merely fulfilled the duty of a general."

"Without your lord's unreserved support and trust, I could not have achieved today's accomplishments."

Li Jing bowed slightly and spoke in a low voice.

The two exchanged smiles, and the atmosphere was very harmonious.

Afterwards, Su Ye led Li Jing to his seat, and the banquet immediately began.

They clinked cups and drank freely, and the banquet's atmosphere grew ever more lively.

Afterwards, Su Ye further introduced Li Jing to the recent developments and future plans of the Divine Martial Pavilion.

When mentioning that the Mohist people were rushing to produce a new batch of Mohist Knight Swords for the Divine Martial Pavilion, a hint of admiration flashed in Li Jing's eyes.

The Mohist craftsmanship lives up to its reputation; to be able to forge such excellent weapons is truly admirable.

Li Jing played with the Mohist Knight Sword that Su Ye had handed him, and exclaimed.

He, who had previously been one of the Three Heroes of the Dust,

Naturally understood how great a boost such finely crafted Mohist Knight Swords give to a martial artist.

"Yes, the Mohist people's ingenuity and skill are indeed awe-inspiring."

"With these excellent weapons, I believe the strength of the Divine Martial Pavilion will reach new heights."

Su Ye nodded and smiled.

The two chatted and laughed, unaware that it had grown late at night.

After the banquet ended, Su Ye personally saw Li Jing out to the mansion gate.

Moonlight fell upon their bodies, plating their silhouettes with a layer of silver radiance.

And at this moment, above Yu Zhou in the northern border of the Great Qian,

Within the Purple Cloud Dao Sect, which ranks among the top three in the northern lands of the Great Qian,

Located at the peak of Luo Xia Commandery in Yu Zhou, surrounded by clouds and mist, it resembles a fairyland.

At this moment, however, the atmosphere within the sect was unusually oppressive.

"Not good, Sect Leader!"

"The foot of the mountain, the foot of the mountain is swarming with the Night Slaughter Army!"

A disciple dressed in the attire of the Purple Cloud Dao Sect hurriedly ran into the main hall of the sect.

The Sect Leader of the Purple Cloud Dao Sect felt his heart jolt, and a hint of solemnity flashed in his eyes.

He slowly rose to his feet, gathered his internal energy throughout his body, and leapt upward.

He arrived at the highest point of the hall and gazed into the distance.

He saw that on the road below, banners blotted out the sun, and cavalry flowed like a stream.

That was the Night King's Night Slaughter Army, which had already encircled the Purple Cloud Dao Sect.

Earlier, when Si Ruokong and others of the Great Qian launched a surprise attack on the Flame King and beheaded him,

the Night King, who had vaguely been in an offensive-defensive stance against the Flame King, had originally dispatched his own Cultivation cultivators to provide support.

However, before they even left Yu Zhou, they were intercepted by the Cultivation Ancestor of the Purple Cloud Dao Sect.

Thus, under the influence of Zhao Kuangyin and Zhao Guangyi, the Night King, who had already roughly made up his mind, now it's time to settle accounts.

"To repel external threats, one must first secure the interior."

"First eliminate those turncoats of the Purple Cloud Dao Sect within Yu Zhou who have openly sided with the Great Qian, then talk!"

The entire Purple Cloud Dao Sect now seemed shrouded in gloom; the disciples looked at each other, at a loss.

They knew that the Night King's Night Slaughter Army was brave and skilled in battle, renowned throughout Yu Zhou, and that this arrival surely boded ill.

The Sect Leader drew a deep breath; he must steady the situation, for the sect's future, he must step forward.

"Everyone need not panic; our Purple Cloud Dao Sect has weathered wind and rain, and today's predicament is merely a trial on our path of cultivation."

He turned and said to the disciples.

However, despite the Sect Leader saying so, everyone deep down knew.

This time, the Night Slaughter Army comes with overwhelming force, and the Purple Cloud Dao Sect will face an unprecedented challenge.

Night fell, moonlight showered onto the mountain gate of the Purple Cloud Dao Sect, illuminating its tightly closed doors.

The Night Slaughter Army was like a black torrent, flashing with a cold gleam under the moonlight.

Their armor rang out with crisp metallic sounds in the silent night, as if announcing the impending fate.

And the Purple Cloud Dao Sect, like a lone leaf in a storm, is about to face an unknown fate.

The disciples of the Purple Cloud Dao Sect stared nervously down the mountain, knowing this would be the most difficult battle of their lives.

"Order the disciples to make ready!"

The Sect Leader of the Purple Cloud Dao Sect solemnly instructed the elder beside him. He

His eyes were firm, his countenance solemn, an unshakable aura emanated from him, towering like a mountain.

The elder, hearing this, immediately bowed and replied, "Yes, Sect Leader!"

He then turned and hurried away to convey the Sect Leader's order.

The sect leader gazed into the distance, looking at the mighty night fiend army below the mountain, and inwardly sighed: this tribulation has finally come.

The sect leader drew a deep breath, gathered his inner strength, and his figure shot across the sky like a meteor, swiftly heading for the rear mountains of the Purple Cloud Dao Sect.

He knew that at this moment they needed greater strength to resist the Night King's attack.

Moreover, the Cultivation Ancestor in secluded cultivation on the back mountain is their last hope.

This place is where the Cultivation Ancestor cultivates in seclusion.

After passing through pine groves and crossing ridges on the back mountain, the sect leader landed lightly before a secluded mountain cave.

He had arrived at a tranquil spot on the back mountain.

He stepped slowly into the cave; the interior was dim, yet a mysterious aura permeated the air.

Inside, he saw a white-haired old man wearing a Daoist robe, eyes closed, sitting cross-legged on a large rock.

A faint purple aura swirled around him, as if he had merged with heaven and earth.

"Ancestor, disciple has a matter to request an audience."

The sect leader said respectfully.

After a moment, a long sigh came from within the cave, followed by a figure slowly rising.

It was an old man with white beard and hair, his face kind, yet his eyes deep as the sea.

He was the Cultivation Ancestor of the Purple Cloud Dao Sect, a legendary figure.

"What matters have you so flustered?"

The Cultivation Ancestor spoke slowly, his voice carrying authority.

The sect leader drew a deep breath and reported in detail the Night Fiend Army's siege of the sect.

His tone was grave, his face full of worry.

"Alas... the chaotic age has arrived; where in this world can one find a pure land to settle body and mind?"

The Cultivation Ancestor let out a soft sigh, deep worry showing in his eyes.

The Sect Leader of the Purple Cloud Dao Sect stood solemnly, worried.

"This matter is no trivial affair; since the Night King dares to openly besiege our Purple Cloud Dao Sect, he must have plotted this for long and already made up his mind."

Hearing this, the Cultivation Ancestor furrowed his brows, pondered for a long while, then slowly spoke.

"Ancestor, what should we do now?"

The Sect Leader's heart tightened, he asked urgently.

"You need not worry overly. Our Purple Cloud Dao Sect has been passed down for a thousand years, weathered wind and rain, and naturally has countermeasures."

"Think back to when our founding master established the sect in the chaotic ages, enduring countless hardships yet never falling."

"How could today's predicament possibly topple us?"

The Cultivation Ancestor drew a deep breath, clenched the hands behind his back, and spoke in a low voice:

His words conveyed an unmatched resolve.

As if able to pierce through the dust of ages, letting one feel an ancient and solemn aura.

(End of chapter)