Chapter 1010

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Protagonist:

Xu Zhangqing

Xu Zhangqing moved his mind, storing the Xuanhuang Mother Qi Cauldron inside his body; the heavy aura lingering on the cauldron gradually dissipated, and the Earth Spirit Qi and gravity around his residence slowly returned to normal.

He tidied his clothes and stepped out of his residence; just as he entered the hall, he saw two figures standing not far away—it was Huo Huo and Yu Caiqing.

Huo Huo was frail in figure, her brows full of urgency, clutching her clothes tightly with both hands. Without waiting for Xu Zhangqing to speak, she quickly stepped forward and bowed: "Uncle Xu!"

Yu Caiqing followed closely behind, also bowing slightly. Though her expression was gentle, when her gaze fell upon Xu Zhangqing, it carried a few more points of awe.

She could clearly perceive that Xu Zhangqing's aura was far more substantial than before.

Xu Zhangqing looked at Huo Huo, his expression somewhat complex. He knew what she was thinking, and now he was unwilling to hide it any longer, immediately saying: "I know what you want to ask."

Huo Huo abruptly raised her head, her eyes full of anticipation, her voice trembling slightly: "Uncle Xu, are my parents alright?"

"Is Yanguang Sect... alright?"

Xu Zhangqing said with a solemn expression: "Huo Huo, since things have come to this, Uncle won't hide it from you."

"Your parents are no longer here; they died in the internal strife of Yanguang Sect."

"As for Yanguang Sect, it has now fallen apart."

"What?"

These words struck Huo Huo's heart like a thunderclap.

The whole person was as if struck by lightning, her complexion instantly turning as white as paper, her eyes wide open, tears filling her eye sockets, her lips trembling, yet unable to utter a single word.

The next second, her body went limp, and she nearly fell straight down.

"Huo Huo!"

Yu Caiqing had been prepared; she hurried forward to support her, while at the same time flipping her fingertip to take out a glossy spirit pill, quickly stuffing it into the other's mouth, and simultaneously channeling her magic power to gently infuse it: "Don't get agitated, first steady your mind."

The spirit pill melted upon entering the mouth, flowing into the body along the throat. Huo Huo's chaotic breath slightly calmed, but she still wept tears like rain, her shoulders trembling violently.

Seeing her like this, Xu Zhangqing felt a hint of sourness in his heart: "Huo Huo, from now on, live at ease in Qingmu Sect."

"This place is your home; I, and everyone in Qingmu Sect, are your family."

Hearing this, Huo Huo raised her head, tears blurring her eyes. She looked at Xu Zhangqing without speaking. After a long while, she lightly nodded, then broke free from Yu Caiqing's support and left with a staggering run.

Along the way she passed, tears fell onto the blue stone slabs, spreading into patches of wet marks.

Yu Caiqing stood where she was, watching the direction Huo Huo left. Though her expression was worried, she did not immediately follow.

Seeing this, Xu Zhangqing asked softly: "Senior Sister Yu, is there anything else?"

"Sigh~"

Yu Caiqing lightly sighed, her eyes full of emotion: "The vicissitudes of life are unpredictable. I never expected that in just a short hundred years, so many things would happen."

"Those people once close at hand—gone just like that."

"And that man who once needed my protection has now become the Sect Master of Qingmu Sect, standing at a height many find hard to reach."

Xu Zhangqing also felt a surge of emotion in his heart, then asked: "Speaking of which, I almost forgot. Senior Sister, what realm are you at now?"

"Previously, I only knew you broke through to the Qin Hua Golden Core. Then you suddenly left. I don't know if, after a hundred years, you have reached Nascent Soul?"

Yu Caiqing smiled, her tone carrying a hint of relief and also some helplessness: "After leaving a hundred years ago, I returned home and secluded myself to cultivate for a long time. Then, ten years ago, I luckily broke through to Inferior Nascent Soul."

"However, to advance further is as difficult as ascending to the heavens. As for whether I can reach the Huashen Realm in the future, it all depends on heavenly will and opportunity."

Xu Zhangqing slightly nodded, his eyes carrying a few points of seriousness: "Senior Sister is joking. Your talent in pill refinement is not bad; you simply lack opportunity."

"When I was weak in the past, I received much help from you."

"Now that I have the ability, it is my turn to help you."

"In the future, whatever spiritual treasures, spirit pills and miraculous medicines, or spirit talismans and magic tools you need, come find me. I will surely do my utmost."

Hearing this, Yu Caiqing felt warmth in her heart, and a gentle smile appeared on her face: "Huo Huo's condition is not good. I'll go accompany her first."

After speaking, she bowed slightly to Xu Zhangqing, then turned and chased after the direction Huo Huo had left. Her figure soon disappeared at the end of the road.

"Sigh~"

Xu Zhangqing stood where he was, watching the direction the two had left, and lightly sighed.

A hundred years of time—things remain but people are gone. Former acquaintances have either passed away or parted ways.

The people around me are truly becoming fewer and fewer.

He looked toward the sky, his gaze especially profound.

Although Qingmu Sect is currently stable, and the Xuanhuang Mother Qi Cauldron has been completed, the demonic calamity in the Central Region has not been eliminated. The Wu Sheng Chong Mu still hibernates in the dark, and the situation is not optimistic.

After a moment, Xu Zhangqing extended his divine sense, enveloping the entire Fengrao Commandery, then called out to all the managers of Qingmu Sect: "Come to the hall for discussion quickly!"

In less than the time it takes to burn half an incense stick, Vice Sect Master Mo Qiu Shui, Second Disciple Lin Feng, Senior Brother Li Sancai, Junior Brother Han Su, Wang Han who offered his loyalty, and others entered the hall one after another.

All several were managers inside and outside Qingmu Sect, their expressions carrying a few points of respect. After entering the door, they bowed in unison: "Greetings, Sect Master!"

Mo Qiu Shui's expression was steady, but when his gaze fell upon Xu Zhangqing, he could hardly conceal his shock.

Lin Feng opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but the words stopped at his lips.

Li Sancai's brows carried a hint of worry, feeling concerned about the current situation.

Han Su and Wang Han had solemn expressions, standing quietly to the side.

Both knew their realm and status were still low, so they dared not speak much.

Xu Zhangqing swept his gaze over everyone with a gentle look, then said in a deep voice: "Today I have gathered you all to discuss an important matter with everyone."

"Currently, the five great regions of the Tianyuan Realm are in chaos. The demonic calamity in the Central Region runs rampant, and the Wu Sheng Chong Mu hibernates in the dark."

"Although Dongyu is temporarily stable, if we cannot guard this piece of pure land, in the future everyone will become food raised by demons."

By then, no one will be able to remain aloof; as a major sect of the Eastern Domain, Qingmu Sect must step forward and shoulder the responsibility of guarding the Eastern Domain.

As the words fell, everyone in the hall was startled.

Mo Qiu Shui spoke first: "Sect Master is absolutely right. Qingmu Sect has a duty to protect this region; in these troubled times, we shall naturally do our utmost."

Lin Feng followed closely, saying earnestly: "I represent the Great Feng Dynasty and am willing to heed Master's orders.

Whether slaying demons or guarding the Eastern Domain, I will not shirk even ten thousand deaths!"

Han Su said as if seeking credit: "I have reinforced the sect's defenses and spiritual arrays many times."

Wang Han said: "The Mortal World has no great grievances against our Qingmu Sect; it basically supports us very much, even actively offering various resources."

Xu Zhangqing looked at everyone's reaction, a hint of praise flashing in his eyes: "I understand your intentions.

The most urgent matter now is to ascertain the true situation in the Southern Region, Western Region, and Northern Domain, see if the cultivators there are still resisting, and whether we can find cooperative partners to join hands in stabilizing the Tianyuan Realm.

Especially Longhu Immortal Sect and Yao Yue Immortal Sect; these two great immortal sects are powerful, but so far they have not made a clear statement.

You need to send people to investigate and ascertain their positions!"