Chapter 616: Faced with Crisis, Accepting the Mandate

Qingmu Ridge.

The sun rose in the east and set in the west; this day was no different from any other.

Fang Xing was planting a evergreen tree, and at this moment, he too felt a sense of urgency.

After planting the sapling, he no longer held back, directly activating his divine power along with his 【Plant Growth】 talent.

In an instant!

The sapling grew robustly, swelling…

As if it had passed a hundred years in a single moment, becoming a century-old ancient tree!

"Instantly matured a hundred years?"

Nearby, several assisting disciples blinked in surprise: 'Such divine power… yet he's not the head of the Shennong Hall?'

"The final node is also complete…"

Fang Xing released his perception and saw tiny specks of green light scattered across the entire Qingmu Ridge.

In this short time, he could not possibly plant evergreen trees across the whole ridge.

But many key nodes bore his influence, combined with the existing wild forest and his innate affinity for nature, enough to form a grand 【Forest Sacred Ground】, encompassing the entire sect.

'I wonder… who will be the first to stumble under this system?'

Fang Xing's mind stirred: 'Still, it's best to wait until I reach Druid Level 20…'

The Druid class has a leap every five levels.

A Level 20 Druid is equivalent to a Yangshen True Lord of this world!

With the Forest Sacred Ground aiding him, even facing Yangshen Mid or even Yangshen Late cultivators, he would have no fear.

At that moment, urgent bells rang!

Their intensity and brevity… soon surpassed forty-nine rings.

Worse still!

The bells showed no sign of stopping, continuing relentlessly, as if driving them toward death.

"What?"

Fang Xing's face showed a flicker of shock; he rode a swift light and arrived at the Ancestral Hall.

Most of Qingmu Ridge's strength was now on the front lines; few cultivators remained in the Ancestral Hall.

He glanced around and recognized only Fei Yong and Min Zinong, nodding in greeting.

Fei Yong naturally smiled in welcome; Min Zinong had been reassigned and had no conflict of interest with him, so he returned the smile.

Fang Xing looked ahead, his eyes twitching slightly.

Three jade cushions lay empty—two were vacant, one remained: Qingyu Zi's.

Yet this strongest Yinshen True Immortal of Qingmu Ridge now looked disheveled: his aura was weak, seemingly severely wounded, and his wooden sword behind his back was broken halfway.

His expression no longer held its former calm; instead, it bore the lingering terror of a bird startled by a bowstring.

A flash of green light appeared, and the figure of Qingmu Laozu materialized, his face as grim as water, his eyes filled with fear and confusion.

"No more words—the front line is lost. Immediately activate the 'Seed Plan'… all disciples and students, break out in separate directions."

Qingmu Laozu waved his hand, as if utterly exhausted.

"What?"

These words struck like thunder!

"How could the front line, supported by the Ten Great Sects of Right and Wrong, have fallen?"

Fei Yong rose to his feet, disregarding age and hierarchy, bewildered.

'So it's fallen—not just fallen, but utterly crushed… and even Qingmu Laozu has no hope of holding the ancestral stronghold? That's why he's ordering immediate breakout?'

Fang Xing's mind stirred.

Qingmu Ridge had the 【All Trees and Plants Are Soldiers】 formation; though it performed poorly during the last battle with the Blood Shadow Sect, that was because Qingmu Laozu hadn't yet acted—he had preserved strength then.

Theoretically, the protective formation of such a major sect, fully activated, could hold off a Yangshen True Lord for a long time.

If Qingmu Laozu, a Yangshen Early cultivator, were to lead it, it could withstand attacks from several peers!

But now, all of it must be abandoned!

Below, chaos erupted; Qingmu Laozu closed his eyes and refused to speak further.

Qingyu Zi spoke listlessly: "It's over… all is lost… the Left Envoy of the Killing Sect is a Yangshen Late True Lord! Not only that—he brought a divine artifact! On the battlefield, he directly captured and killed the Yangshen Mid True Lord of the Flying Sword Sect, along with the Yangshen True Lord of the Corpse Manipulation Sect and his Yangshen-cultivated corpse… our other Yangshen True Lords, even united, were utterly defeated!"

At these words, every cultivator froze, as if their throats had been clenched shut.

"Yangshen Late?"

Min Zinong murmured: "There isn't such a cultivator anywhere in the Outer Lands."

Among the Ten Great Sects of Right and Wrong, the Flying Sword Sect was universally recognized as the strongest—because they possessed a Yangshen Mid True Lord, and a swordsman at that!

Yet even such a great one had been captured and slain in a single battle?

Min Zinong suddenly realized: "Where's my uncle?"

His uncle was currently on the front line!

Come to think of it, that Min Hall Master had felt threatened upon seeing Fang Xing reach Daoji Late.

Even with their gentleman's agreement, he still feared Fang Xing would tear up the deal and seize the Hall Master position.

So he eagerly volunteered for the front lines—to gain favor with the sect's high-ups and rack up battle merits.

With his cultivation, as long as he stayed cautious and avoided total collapse, the danger wasn't extreme.

But who could have imagined he'd encounter total annihilation?

In contrast, Fang Xing had devoted himself entirely to rear logistics, never once setting foot on a battlefield.

Even if labeled a coward, he accepted it.

Now, looking back, it seemed remarkably wise.

Qingyu Zi's lips twitched, as if chewing a bitter fruit: "The Killing Sect secretly enacted a super-large ritual—its range engulfed our sect's two Yinshen True Immortals, along with numerous Daoji and Qigui disciples… none survived!"

Even he nearly died there; had it not been for Laozu's intervention, he might have perished completely.

"Enough. Time is short. The Flying Sword Sect's base has been wiped out; the Killing Sect is now attacking the Corpse Manipulation Sect's mountain gate—and will soon come to cleanse Qingmu Ridge…"

Qingmu Laozu suddenly opened his eyes; two flashes of lightning seemed to cut through the void: "Break out immediately…"

In truth, the sect's true core and treasures had already begun relocating. His order for disciples to break out was merely to create diversions, ensuring the safety of the real seed.

'First destroy the Flying Sword Sect, then strike the Corpse Manipulation Sect, then sweep clean Qingmu Ridge… truly, a tiger devouring ten thousand miles!'

Fang Xing sighed inwardly, then stirred again: 'Could this be my opportunity?'

He stepped forward, bowing deeply: "Laozu… I have little life left. I volunteer to hold Qingmu Ridge, buying time for my fellow disciples."

"What?"

At these words, not only Fei Yong and Qingyu Zi, but even Qingmu Laozu glanced at Fang Xing.

He had never paid much attention to this disciple, but with Daoji Late cultivation, and if combined with the formation, he might indeed be useful—slowing the Killing Sect's advance.

'Who would have thought? Within five steps, there must be fragrant grass… at the moment of the sect's collapse, I still see such loyalty… pity… his lifespan seems short…'

Qingmu Laozu nodded inwardly. At the fall of great powers, those willing to die with the sect were often the elderly.

First, because they had spent more time with the sect; second, because they had few days left to live.

Better to die gloriously than miserably!

"Brother…"

No one spoke a single word!

Fei Yong stared at Fang Xing, as if seeing this elder-level cultivator anew.

Min Zinong, moved, felt a pang of shame.

But he was still young and vigorous—he would never stay to die with the sect.

"I volunteer!"

"I also volunteer…"

After Fang Xing stepped forward, several other Daoji cultivators emerged—all ancient, with barely years left to live.

Some even had lower cultivation than Fang Xing.

"Good. Your devotion to the sect will not be forgotten!"

Qingmu Laozu readily accepted the gesture, then glanced at Qingyu Zi.

Qingyu Zi coughed, and a green token appeared in his hand: "This is the sect's Master Token… Fang Xing!"

"Disciple here."

Fang Xing stepped forward.

"I hereby pass this token to you. With it, you may command the 【All Trees and Plants Are Soldiers】 formation. From today, you are the Thirty-Sixth Master of Qingmu Sect."

"Yes, Master."

Fang Xing seemed to take a deep breath, then accepted the token.

The Master Token was entirely emerald, as if carved from Qingmu wood, carrying a faint scent of plants and trees.

As his palm touched the token, he thought inwardly: 'Good… very good. So we part amicably—the title of Qingmu Ridge's strong claim is mine now. Even if you return later to demand it back, I won't give it up…'

Once the position is passed, it's unlikely to be reclaimed—see Emperor Huizong and Emperor Qinzong of Song, or Emperor Xuanzong and Emperor Suzong of Tang…

…

Qingmu Ridge moved swiftly.

Only half an hour later, countless lights of swift travel shot out from the ridge, fleeing in all directions.

The entire sect instantly became eerily silent.

Many places were still in chaos, bearing traces of vandalism, looting, and arson.

Fang Xing didn't care about any of it.

All he cared about was planting trees, and when it came time to flee, most disciples scrambled to grab portable treasures—spirit herbs, spirit pills, talisman coins, and magical artifacts—no one thought to chop down a few trees and carry them off.

Outside the Ancestral Hall, Fang Xing looked at the disciples who had stayed behind.

Hmm, as the saying goes, when disaster strikes, everyone flees for themselves; at this moment of the sect's destruction, few dared to remain and die with it.

Yet among them were a few who didn't look very old, which puzzled Fang Xing slightly.

He glanced at the Foundation Establishment cultivators following him and singled out one: "Fei Yong, why are you still here?"

"I've already sent word for my family to flee; naturally, I'm staying with you, Grandmaster Fang."

Fei Yong looked as if he held all the answers, his eyes gleaming with certainty as he transmitted his voice: "Grandmaster Fang… whatever you plan, just say it—I'm with you."

"You… don't think I'm planning to surrender, do you?"

Fang Xing couldn't help but chuckle bitterly: "That's what happens when cleverness backfires."

He now understood why some of the younger disciples had chosen to stay—they knew escape meant near-certain death and preferred to surrender outright.

Even if the Killing Sect was rumored to take no prisoners, what if they made an exception?

Those who walk the Dao never lack the courage to gamble at critical moments.

If the Killing Sect weren't so infamous, there'd be ten or a hundred times more like Fei Yong!

"Besides… Elder Greenwood won't let us surrender."

Fang Xing pulled out the Greenwood Token and squeezed it firmly.

The token shattered on command, revealing a streak of bloodlight within: "See this? It's a hidden sacrifice array… when activated, all of us who stay will become offerings, our blood and souls amplifying the array's power—just to buy the sect a little more time against the Killing Sect…"

"Damn bastards…"

Fei Yong's eyes widened, yet he had no reply.

After all, he had 'voluntarily' chosen to stay and die with the sect!

With a sliver of hope, he looked at Fang Xing: "Grandmaster Fang… then why did you stay?"

He refused to believe Fang Xing was some blind loyalist!

Fang Xing chuckled, no longer concealing his aura—a ripple of Yin Spirit energy spread out: "I've already cultivated the Yin Spirit and attained the 'Flesh and Blood Regeneration' technique—I sent my vital blood away long ago."

Fei Yong: "..."

(End of Chapter)