Chapter 180: The Hundred and Seventy-Ninth Chapter: Not Willing to Stop Until Reaching the South

"What a sharp tongue, truly formidable. Very well, I only intend to take someone away this time, so I shall not entangle myself with you lot any further. When the time is ripe, I shall certainly come to visit again." As he spoke, he flicked his robe sleeve, and the Curse Seal on his forehead acted like a wind tunnel, sucking an entire person inside; in an instant, they were gone without a trace. "What!?" Fuyin Zhenren was shocked upon hearing this and hurriedly rushed out of the hall. "Why was this not mentioned sooner? How can you still be so calm!?" When Yuanhui delivered the message, Long Qi was lying on his bed, bored to death. Having slept for so long, he had already replenished his Qi, but for the moment, he did not know what to do, and was even thinking about going to Qingwei Peak to see Lingxiang.

Liu Xia was also idle. Even though his sword had not fallen into the Mountain and River Map, after such a toss-up, he had no desire to move and simply lay on his bed, flipping through a book at random. Lingxiang was just speaking when, unexpectedly, Long Qi turned around and hugged her.

How could she call it making amends? She had always wanted to make amends to herself, but the destruction of the sect was not her doing, so how could she make amends? She must not think this way! The crowd then discovered that the so-called light was actually emitted from the eyes of a giant spider. This giant spider, which everyone had previously assumed to be dead, suddenly lifted one leg and slammed it onto the ground. In an instant, the ground outside the array cracked and the mountains collapsed, followed by a massive surge of water, surging like a tidal wave.

Lingxiang was stunned by Long Qi's action and could not recover for a moment. When she finally came to her senses, she tried to push him away, but could not budge him at all.

"What are you doing!" Lingxiang said sternly, "I am your master!"

Long Qi released Lingxiang, but his hands gripped her shoulders, and he leaned over, looking at Lingxiang with red eyes.

"I don't want you to be my master!"

Lingxiang was taken aback by Long Qi's low roar. She had never seen him like this before. After a long while, she blushed and said:

"This hobby of yours is not good... At my age, I cannot be your mother either..."

"I!" Long Qi was choked by her words and did not know how to speak for a moment, so he simply lowered his head to kiss Lingxiang.

However, at that very moment, with a "poof" sound, Lingxiang suddenly disappeared without a trace, and a small wooden figurine stood where Lingxiang had been.

Once the Ever-Bright Lamp went out, Lingxiang woke up. As soon as Maidong saw her get up, she hurriedly stepped forward to ask what Xin Yi had said, but Lingxiang seemed as if her soul had not yet returned.

Zhao Wuyang, on the other hand, seemed very energetic; he had cleaned the room inside and out, and in the end, he even took everyone's bedding out to dry.

Watching Zhao Wuyang busy working, Xin Yi could not help but smile. If his younger brother were still alive, he would probably be the same age as Wuyang. Looking at the bright weather outside, he suddenly thought of Maidong. He had not seen her for a long time and wondered what she was doing.

While he was in a daze, Yuanhui in the courtyard struck a small bell, summoning everyone to inform them to go to Hufeng Hall to hear the promotion results.

After the Outer Disciples had assembled, Hanyang read the list in his hand directly. First, he announced the fifteen people promoted to Inner Sect Disciples and instructed them to bring their belongings to Youyuan Hall beneath Wuji Hall within three days. Then, he spoke to the other forty-four disciples about things like how staying or leaving was up to them, and warned everyone that if they decided to leave the Yuanqing Sect, they must not use the name of the Yuanqing Sect to swindle or commit evil in the future.

After the gathering dispersed, everyone had different feelings in their hearts; there were those who were indignant, those who were indifferent, and those who were dejected—all of them were disciples who had not been selected.

After this, quite a few disciples from the four courtyards of Plum, Orchid, Bamboo, and Chrysanthemum actually left. Coupled with the departure of the disciples promoted to the Inner Sect, the once lively courtyards suddenly became much colder. There were fewer than ten people left in the four courtyards, which was beyond Qianyuan Zhenren's expectations—

Young people nowadays really cannot hold their breath or maintain their patience!

A person was kneeling in front of Bai Wuchang; this was the person who had caused trouble in Wuji Hall and destroyed the spirit array. Looking at the person at his feet, Bai Wuchang's eyes were full of contempt. If it were not for the fact that there was no one else to use, he would really not want to deal with such trash.

"Is there anything to report?" he asked, suppressing the disdain in his heart.

"I beg the Envoy to take me into the Demon path!" the man said, bowing to the ground.

Guanyue also felt aggrieved, but he was concerned about Zhaoming Zhenren. He had thought that perhaps his own cultivation had regressed, which was why the thief had succeeded time and again. He had even specifically checked all the mountain arrays, but they were all intact. Now it seemed that the previous incident with the Demon Race was likely the same as this one; there must be a traitor within the sect!

However, although this matter had been confirmed, it was still unknown who had done it. Therefore, Shangqing Zhenren sent Hanyang to lead the trusted disciples of the various Elders to make careful arrangements overnight, and the matter was not publicized.

Since that person had caused trouble once or twice and was backed by the Demon Race, it was likely that there would be more movements. When that time came, they could be captured in one fell swoop.

If Lingxiang knew about this, she would surely be very happy—she was just worrying about how to hide the matter of Xin Yi, but she did not expect that a scapegoat would appear out of thin air.

However, if Lingxiang's thoughts were known to the Elders, especially Zhaoming Zhenren, he would probably be so angry that he would jump up even if he were an old bag of bones.

The crowd outside the array had their own thoughts, but inside the Mountain and River Map, it was already bustling.

Speaking of cultivation, Dao luck is truly indispensable. A quarter of an hour had passed; some disciples who entered the map were still safe and sound, but some disciples encountered trouble as soon as they entered the array.

If there are those with excellent luck in this world, there must be those with terrible luck. Just like Miaozhi of Mei Courtyard, she was bewitched and entangled by the spirits of Yinyu Peak not long after entering the array during the last martial arts exercise. This time, she fell into the Rootless Sand Dune. As soon as the few of them stood still, a giant sand shark crawled out. They were still fleeing even now.

To be this unlucky, one could also be considered a "chosen one"...

Maidong had no choice but to follow hurriedly.

... Lingxiang originally thought that if Xin Yi were there, she would just be going through the motions, but she did not expect that she would still have to teach from the beginning.

This day, she let Xin Yi properly teach Long Qi and Rendong the Body Refining method, while she herself came to Kuncheng Peak.

When Elder Donghui heard from the Daoist boy that Fucang Elder had arrived, he did not react for a moment. This Lingxiang had always done as she pleased, entering and leaving his Langhuan Pavilion as if it were an empty place; when had she ever needed to be announced?

Just as he was thinking, he saw Lingxiang swinging her sleeves and walking in swaggeringly.

Sure enough, it would be strange if she ever asked someone to announce her before entering.

Elder Donghui only looked up and glanced at her, then continued to contemplate the remnant scroll in his hand.

Lingxiang was not polite when she arrived; she sat down carelessly and began to speak on her own.

"Oh! Fourth Senior Brother is still reading the 'Xuantian Remnant Scroll', tsk tsk tsk! Looking at it over and over, isn't it still a remnant? If you don't have the missing piece, no matter how much you comprehend, it will just be like that."

Elder Donghui did not even lift his head and said: "If you are here to read, then please do as you please. Why must you seek to amuse yourself at my expense and waste good time for nothing?"

Lingxiang smiled upon hearing this: "Who said I came to read? Which book in your Langhuan Pavilion have I not read? I just came to inform you that in two days, I will bring my disciples in to choose Dharma Techniques."

Fuyin Zhenren could hear Maidong's crying from far away, and he stepped into the courtyard with quick strides. The disciples in the courtyard were gathered in front of Maidong's door, their faces full of worry.

Guanyue shouted that the Master had arrived and to move aside quickly. The crowd hurriedly cleared a path. At this moment, someone came out of the room; it was Fuyin Zhenren's Head Disciple, Guanchen.

When Guanchen saw Fuyin Zhenren, he did not wait for him to ask. While bowing, he said: "Just now, we were sitting in meditation in the courtyard when the Junior Sister suddenly screamed. She vomited blood and rolled on the ground. We have now wrapped her tightly in a quilt and tied her up to prevent her from hurting herself." As he spoke, he entered the room with Fuyin Zhenren.

Maidong's hair was now disheveled, her face was covered in dust, her complexion was sallow, and she had some abrasions; she looked terrifying. Fuyin Zhenren hurriedly pinched his fingers and stepped forward, intending to press her forehead, but she continued to cry and scream, struggling constantly even though she was tied up.

"Guanchen, go get the Silver Needle!" Fuyin Zhenren ordered hurriedly, and then with a hand-blade, he knocked the continuously rolling Maidong unconscious.

Guanchen took the order and left, returning shortly after to present the Silver Needle. Fuyin Zhenren immediately performed a series of lifting, inserting, and twisting motions on Maidong's head. Before long, the sallow color on Maidong's face faded slightly, but she was sweating profusely.

"Mother... Mother..." At this moment, Maidong muttered in her sleep.

"Mother... Ning'er won't leave... Mother..."

"Mother... Mother..."

Guanchen and Guanyue looked at each other when they saw Maidong like this, and then looked at Fuyin Zhenren. Fuyin Zhenren also frowned deeply. Could Maidong's condition be related to her background?

"Master, could it be that the Junior Sister has remembered something?" Guanyue asked uneasily.

Fuyin Zhenren did not answer, but stared at Maidong, and only sighed after a long while.

... And Hanwu and Guanxu finally saw clearly what was in his hand. Just as they were about to strike, they heard a scream from Huiwu in the courtyard. Looking closely, they saw Huiwu lying on the ground, his hands scratching his face incessantly, and on his face was the Horned Beetle that Ayuan had just caught.

At this moment, Ayuan stood to the side, completely devoid of the fearful expression he had just shown, and only heard him say calmly:

"The culprit is you, Huiwu!" This trip was nothing, but if he had to put on clothes, you, this grand-aunt, should at least look away.

Lingxiang urged him like a thief, and Shoucheng, wrapped in a quilt, struggled with great effort before finally breaking free from her hand.

"If Junior Aunt has any business, just let us know," everyone present now knew that the person speaking was Wangugu Qiongchang.

"However, the author of this *Classic of Profound Exploration* is truly quite interesting; to be able to know that what I show to others is all truth, that can be considered high talent and far-reaching vision." As he spoke, he shook the robes on his body, "This physical body is truly a bit frail."

The Elders truly did not know how to face this great deity and all remained silent, but Lingxiang was not afraid; she only gave a light laugh and said:

"You don't feel that you are overbearing, but this is the first time I have seen a Spirit Artifact capable of occupying its master's body. Isn't this what the world often calls a dove occupying a magpie's nest?"

Qianyuan Zhenren was greatly shocked upon hearing this and hurriedly spoke up to apologize to Wangugu Qiongchang, while Chengxin Zhenren also covered Lingxiang's mouth. This little aunt was usually accustomed to being arrogant, yet she dared to speak to an ancient spirit in such a way; if she provoked him into a moment of displeasure, he could raze the Taishang Sect to the ground in an instant!

Lingxiang could not break free for a moment and hurriedly signaled to Ajin with her eyes. Ajin was startled at first, then instantly understood her intent and hurriedly interjected:

"That is absolutely correct; as a Spirit Artifact, to actually do such a thing of the guest usurping the host's role is truly unheard of!"

Qianyuan Zhenren was greatly shocked to hear this, but he could not afford to offend either side, so what was to be done?! Even Donghui Zhenren, who had been calm just a moment ago, opened his eyes.

Yet Wangugu Qiongchang seemed not to care at all, twisting his wrists as he walked to the edge of the cliff to stretch.

"... just say the word, I will certainly help, but I must trouble Junior Aunt to step aside so I can put on some clothes, no?"

Lingxiang blushed upon hearing this, then turned and walked behind a screen, muttering to herself about what she hadn't seen before and so on.

As soon as the two left the Yuanqing mountain gate, Shoucheng grabbed a handful of soil and tossed it; as his hand seals flew, he and Lingxiang stood outside the Ancient Bamboo Forest.

But this time, Lingxiang did not blow her jade flute; instead, she instructed him to wait here for a moment, saying that a ground spirit would come to guide them shortly. While still speaking, she walked into the bamboo forest on her own.

Shoucheng was very surprised in his heart; what kind of business required coming in the middle of the night, and what made this Junior Aunt not even have the patience to wait for the guiding ground spirit?

After about half a stick of incense's time, the sound of rolling indeed came from within the bamboo forest. Two ground spirits held lanterns and led Shoucheng into the array.

After walking for a quarter of an hour, once the darkness within the array dissipated, they saw the small courtyard of Zhuzhang Laoren, but there was no one in the courtyard; there was no trace of Lingxiang or the other person.

Shoucheng was puzzled and hurriedly asked the ground spirit at his side, but that ground spirit just pursed its lips, signaled for Shoucheng to follow, and rolled away on its own.

This statement was made with resounding force, shocking Hanwu and Guanxu so much that they were stunned in the shadows, unable to move.

Ayuan picked up the Demon Blade beside Huiwu, turned his head, and said to the two in the shadows: "You've been hiding for a long time; you've seen what you should have seen, and the evidence is irrefutable. If you don't come out now, do you want to collect his corpse?"

Hanwu and Guanxu finally regained their senses and hurriedly leaped into the courtyard. But as soon as they approached Huiwu, the two were stunned again—they had clearly seen the Horned Beetle on Huiwu's face just a moment ago, but now there was nothing there, and his face had been scratched beyond recognition by his own hands.

Hanwu hurriedly pinched a hand seal to restrain Huiwu, preventing him from continuing to harm himself. Guanxu looked back, but there was no trace of Ayuan behind them; only the Demon Blade was stuck in the ground, glowing with a green light under the moonlight, making one's heart grow cold!

Both were shocked; what was the background of this Ayuan? To be able to bewitch them!

At this moment, Huiwu seemed to have shaken off the illusion. Seeing Hanwu and Guanxu, he actually began to laugh, laughing in a hoarse, desperate, and hideous manner, which was extremely eerie in the middle of the night.

Seeing this, Guanxu hurriedly took a cloth to stuff his mouth, then said to Hanwu:

"You go quickly to report to the Sect Master Uncle, say that the perpetrator has been caught, and I will take him to the Wuji Hall."

As soon as he stood still, Huiwu immediately raised his hands, clenched his fists, and knelt down.

"Many thanks to the Envoy for the great grace of saving my life!"

Bai Wuchang, however, stood with his back to him and did not speak. After a long while, a person walked out from the shadows; it was none other than the wolf-head who had previously been hunting down Chiyanzi and Wu Yuan.

And in his hand, he was actually holding a dagger.

Huiwu felt a bit panicked seeing this, but with Bai Wuchang in front, he dared not speak; he only lowered his head, his whole body trembling like chaff.

"What? You previously spoke bold words about wanting to enter the demonic path, yet now that the matter is at hand, you are afraid instead?" Bai Wuchang said as he turned around. His face was not as it usually was; instead, he had white eyebrows flying horizontally, eyes yellow as gold, ears like a fierce tiger, a green face, and fangs!

"This is my true form. If you want to enter the demonic path, you must also become like this. What? Afraid?"

Huiwu hurriedly shook his head upon hearing this, but his body was still trembling.

He was not trembling from fear, but from joy, from madness!