Chapter 974

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Protagonist:

Xu Zhangqing

Upon hearing this, a trace of solemnity flashed across Xuan Yan's eyes, and he immediately replied via voice transmission, his tone carrying a hint of sudden realization: "No wonder Gui Lao has been indifferent to all matters of the Dongting Immortal Sect these years; I previously thought it was because his disposition was detached and he avoided karma.

Now it seems this person has been plotting from the very beginning."

Xu Zhangqing's heart tightened, and he hurriedly sent another voice transmission to press further: "So you're saying Gui Lao was disguising himself from start to finish?"

"Most likely so."

Xuan Yan replied with a degree of certainty: "Roughly two thousand years ago, Gui Lao suddenly appeared at the Dongting Immortal Sect, and relying on his unfathomable cultivation, he soon took charge of a Xuanming Peak.

Initially he kept a low profile, gradually winning the trust of the entire sect; no one ever suspected his origins.

Looking back carefully now, all of this was merely a disguise.

His purpose, I fear, was from the start to wait until today, to excavate the spiritual vein at the old site of the Dongting Immortal Sect, and take away that Xuanhuang ancient coffin."

Xu Zhangqing pressed further: "What exactly is hidden inside that ancient coffin?

Enough to make Gui Lao lurk within the Dongting Immortal Sect for two thousand years without hesitation?"

Xuan Yan fell silent for a moment, then transmitted an explanation: "Inside that ancient coffin lies not some corpse or remains, but a dragon pearl."

At these words, Xu Zhangqing's pupils violently fluctuated: "What?"

Xuan Yan continued: "This dragon pearl was not formed from an ordinary dragon race, but refined from an eye of the Tu Soil God.

Back then, the Xuanhuang Spirit Sect was able to raise the Tu Soil God precisely because they had cultivated a dragon vein, and that dragon vein nearly transformed into a True Dragon.

Unfortunately, the dragon vein later went out of control, and the Tu Soil God went berserk along with it; the Xuanhuang Spirit Sect was powerless to control it, cultivators of various races joined forces to suppress the Xuanhuang Spirit Sect, which also indirectly caused the Tu Soil God to fall into slumber.

And that dragon pearl transformed from the Tu Soil God's eye was sealed within the Xuanhuang ancient coffin, hidden deep within the spiritual vein of the Dongting Immortal Sect's old site."

"So it is actually like this!"

Xu Zhangqing transmitted again, his tone carrying a hint of shock: "Going by this, what truly attracted the Hundred Dragons Patrol to press close to the Tianyuan Realm is most likely this dragon pearl transformed from the Tu Soil God's eye!"

"Possible."

Xuan Yan nodded slightly: "I should have thought of it earlier; this dragon pearl is transformed from the Tu Soil God's origin, containing vast earth spiritual energy and dragon qi.

The Hundred Dragons Patrol is inherently extremely sensitive to dragon qi; such a powerful aura would naturally attract them to draw near step by step.

More importantly, this dragon pearl can directly connect to the Tu Soil God's origin; once someone obtains it, they can invoke the Tu Soil God's power."

He paused, then his expression suddenly sank: "From this it can be seen that Gui Lao's plotting is much the same as the Xunlong Lineage's — both are aimed at the Tu Soil God.

It's just that the Xunlong Lineage is anxious to unlock the Yin River Shackles, while Gui Lao is more patient, and began laying out his scheme two thousand years ago……"

Xu Zhangqing's brows knitted tightly; a moment later he transmitted again: "If that's truly the case, could there be some connection between the Huang Quan Alliance and Gui Lao?

After all, the Huang Quan Alliance has always moved in mysterious ways, and even a hundred years ago they slew a dragon vein.

But now, we fundamentally cannot find any trace of Gui Lao; the Xuanming Peak he controlled is no longer in the Eastern Domain, no one knows its whereabouts!"

Xuan Yan shook his head: "This matter is still hard to conclude; the Huang Quan Alliance's details are inherently mysterious, whether they have a connection with Gui Lao still requires further investigation.

The pressing task right now is to stabilize the situation, then slowly track down Gui Lao's whereabouts.

Once we let him refine the dragon pearl and invoke the Tu Soil God, a major event will befall the Tianyuan Realm."

Qiong keenly captured the divine sense fluctuations of the two; seeing their solemn expressions and secretive demeanor, it was obvious they were discussing some hidden matter, and had no intention of sharing it with him.

A hidden gleam flashed across his eyes; he already had a guess in his heart.

Presumably, this matter is related to the Dongting Immortal Sect's secrets.

Qiong did not expose it, however; after the corner of his mouth hooked an inscrutable arc, he spoke: "Elder Xuan, Sect Master Xu, since you two still have important matters to discuss, I will take my leave.

If the Three-Eyed Clan's assistance is needed later, just send a message."

Hearing this, Xuan Yan nodded lightly, and Xu Zhangqing cupped his hands in return.

In fact, the two of them had talked about as much as they needed to; there was nothing more to say.

After Qiong left, Xu Zhangqing and the Great Elder also parted ways.

His figure flashed, transforming into spiritual light and departing in different directions.

Xu Zhangqing did not return to the Qingmu Sect, but instead flew toward the Lingqu Sect.

He rushed all the way, his mind filled with myriad thoughts.

The truth of the Hundred Dragons Patrol, Gui Lao's plotting, the Tu Soil God's dragon pearl…… and at this moment what he cared about most, in the end, was still his family.

……

……

Before long, the Qingxi Valley of the Lingqu Sect appeared before his eyes.

The Qingxi Valley, which used to be brimming with spiritual energy and babbling streams, now appeared exceptionally desolate.

The grass and trees in the valley were still green, yet they lacked the nourishment of spiritual energy; their leaves were faintly yellowing.

The spiritual energy in the air was now pitifully thin.

Especially the water spiritual energy, it could hardly be sensed at all.

Only in the clear stream water did a trace of weak water spiritual energy remain, barely maintaining the daily needs of the cultivators in the valley.

Xu Zhangqing landed, and soon saw Ruo Qunshuang as well as his son Xu He and daughter Xu Sui.

Upon seeing him, the brother and sister immediately stepped forward quickly, shouting in unison: "Daddy!"

Ruo Qunshuang also walked over: "Qing Ge, with the Tianyuan Realm's situation so tense right now, you're not guarding the Qingmu Sect, how come you have time to come over?"

Xu Zhangqing held Ruo Qunshuang's hand, discovering it was no longer as soft and tender as before, but had become a bit rough; his heart ached terribly: "I couldn't set my mind at ease about you all, so I came to take a look.

Presumably you've noticed, the spiritual energy in the valley, especially the water spiritual energy, has already thinned to a dangerous degree.

If this continues, not only will the children's cultivation be affected, but the other Lingqu Sect disciples and members in the valley will also find it hard to hold on.

Ruo Qunshuang's eyes were full of helplessness: "These past days, I have already used spiritual arrays to gather the remaining spiritual energy in the valley, barely keeping things running."

Xu Changqing fell silent for a moment, then laid out his thoughts: "Frost Sister, I came today to discuss something with you and the children."

"What matter?"

"What does Father have in mind?"

"We'll help!"

Upon hearing this, not only was Ruo Qunshuang surprised, but Xu He and Xu Sui were both greatly surprised as well.

Xu Changqing spoke in a deep voice: "Today, the Tianyuan Realm is in imminent danger, and the future situation is unpredictable."

"I want to take you all away from Qingxi Valley, even away from the Tianyuan Realm, to find a place rich in spiritual energy where we can temporarily take shelter for a while."

"Leave?"

As soon as the words fell, Ruo Qunshuang's face turned pale, and a flash of reluctance and struggle crossed her eyes: "The Lingqu Sect was built up by me alone, with so much effort poured into it; if I just give it up like this, I truly cannot accept it..."

As she spoke, her gaze swept over the houses and personnel in the valley, her eyes full of attachment.

But though reluctant, Ruo Qunshuang reconsidered: if they continued to stay in the Tianyuan Realm, once the Hundred Dragons Patrol arrived, everyone might lose their lives!