Chapter 303: Life and Death

Meteors pierce thin water; the moon walks backward through drifting clouds.

At nightfall, thick darkness enveloped Danshan.

The Danzong's impromptu Dan Appreciation Gathering ended hastily; countless uninvited disciples from immortal sects were escorted to Wanjiong Courtyard in the back mountains to rest.

The surrounding peaks then sank into silence, where only the chirping of insects and birds broke the rhythm of the mountain breeze.

This should have been a night of sweet sleep, a dream of Huaxu—but in truth, countless Danzong disciples returning from the gathering were filled with dread.

Some began packing their belongings to send home; others lit lamps to write letters to their families.

On every face was written unease for tomorrow.

Hong Zhen, Wen Bin, and other high ancestral masters sat together in the pavilion of the Disciple Quarters, holding cold herbal tea, their eyes fixed on the rows of dormitories.

Beneath dim yellow lantern light, shadows flitted back and forth, restless and anxious; not a single soul slept, even as the night deepened.

They all knew Danzong's dark history, and knew what had befallen the sect's caged alchemists.

Whippings, imprisonment in water dungeons, endless alchemy without rest…

They had thought these were merely the deeds of ancestors, buried with dust, remembered only as warnings—never imagining one day they themselves would face such a situation.

"Has the Master and the Elders emerged from Yuheng Hall?"

"No."

"Have they given any instructions?"

"None."

After hearing this, Hong Zhen fell silent for a long while: "Could it be that the Master truly intends to meet them tomorrow?"

Wen Bin lifted his gaze: "Kaoyang Hall is already being prepared. The Master will likely receive the immortal sects there tomorrow."

"Will the Master refuse?"

"The Master will surely refuse. He won't hand us over."

"That's right. The Master won't hand us over. If he stands firm, Danzong will remain calm."

Lu Ze, one of the six disciples under the Master, murmured this, then added his own agreement—but after speaking, he fell into endless silence.

The current situation concerns Danzong's survival and continuity; at this critical moment, none of them knew whether the Master would ultimately refuse or agree.

Meanwhile, Yuan Caimei was bathing in Danzong's medicinal pool.

Medicinal broth fragrant with flowers flowed over her smooth curves, cleansing her fair, delicate skin.

But she didn't bathe long; she rose, left the pool, changed into clean robes, and returned to her bamboo pavilion.

Danzong now faced disaster; she couldn't calm her mind.

Yet to her surprise, when she returned to her courtyard, Ji You—who had been drinking tea moments before—was no longer at the table, yet her boudoir glowed with lantern light.

"Where is Young Master Ji?"

Ji Yue, tidying the tea table, looked toward the room: "The young master has retired to the mistress's chamber."

Yuan Caimei paused, then nodded slightly, her eyelashes fluttering as she walked toward the pavilion, a hint of shyness in her gaze.

In Qingyun Realm, descendants are paramount, for continuing the family line is the foundation of a clan's survival and growth—no one is exempt.

Though he says he's fine, he must feel some disappointment at not yet conceiving; so despite Danzong's current crisis and poor timing, his desire to try again is understandable.

The daughter of Danzong gently pushed open the door, then froze, her expression clouded with confusion.

The room was quiet, save for even breathing.

Ji You, still fully clothed and shod, lay asleep on her bed.

Immortals do not require prolonged sleep; even when they rest, they never neglect to remove their robes.

The daughter of Danzong stared at him for a long while, then gently extended two fingers to his wrist; her long, curled eyelashes trembled.

His internal spiritual energy was empty; his spiritual sense was weak to the extreme—he must have undergone intense depletion.

At this thought, she suddenly recalled his offhand remark during evening chatter, a phrase she had dismissed as too casual: "I was cultivating in Zhongzhou; upon receiving the letter, I came at once."

Zhongzhou to Danzong spans an entire major province.

After long silence, Yuan Caimei noticed a note left on the table, written by Ji You, listing things he wanted her to prepare.

The daughter of Danzong read it carefully, then rose and stepped outside the pavilion.

In the silent night, stars and moon shifted until moonset and sunrise.

Some slept undisturbed; others lay awake all night.

Until the first ray of dawn crept through drifting sea-clouds, gilding Danzong's peaks in golden radiance.

The cultivators who had lodged at Wanjiong Courtyard rose early and gathered at Danxia Courtyard.

Their sheathed swords, previously removed, were now strapped to their waists; those who had climbed the mountain in casual attire had changed into their sect's immortal robes.

Looking down from the high slope, one saw the Wendaos Sect, Lingjian Mountain, Shanhai Pavilion… one after another, their presence already exuded pressure.

Yesterday's leisurely sightseeing was meant to ease tensions, to let Danzong's Master consider the pros and cons from their perspective.

They did not intend to dismantle Danzong—only to take back a dozen or two dozen top-tier alchemists; they would not truly harm Danzong's foundation. The choice was obvious.

Today, they demanded the result Danzong had decided upon—and thus, they needed to be firm.

This gathering lasted until noon, when Kaoyang Hall's doors swung open and all immortal sect disciples were invited inside.

Danzong's fifty or so elders now appeared, standing in two lines along the sides of the hall, arranged in a "ba" (eight) formation.

Beside them stood Danzong's top-tier alchemists, also lining the hall's sides.

As for Yuan Li, who had feigned illness, he now wore the Master's immortal robe, seated upon the throne, silently awaiting the arrival of all the immortal sect guests.

"Master Yuan, how is your health?"

"Thank you for your concern. But I am old, and time's erosion has overwhelmed me—I could not greet you sooner. My apologies."

Shang Que, Elder of Wendaos Sect, smiled lightly: "Master, you manage countless affairs daily and are greatly weary. Our Master understands fully."

Yuan Li smiled faintly and nodded: "Did you all enjoy yesterday's Dan Appreciation Gathering?"

"Danzong's alchemy surpasses all under heaven—it opened our eyes."

"And your rest?"

"Rest was excellent. The entire mountain was fragrant with herbs; merely breathing the scent all night left our minds clear."

The immortal sects did not press aggressively at first; their replies were measured.

After pleasantries, Yuan Li gestured lightly behind him; several disciples emerged from the rear hall, each carrying medicinal chests, approaching the immortal sect disciples.

Sensing this was a gift, all reached out to receive the chests, as Yuan Li's voice rang through the hall.

"Danzong has recently produced a batch of elixirs with exceptional efficacy—they enhance spiritual clarity and strengthen perception. Consider them parting gifts."

Yuan Li waved gently, smiling faintly.

Hearing this, the five major sects exchanged glances.

Danzong had always been inscrutable; its elixirs were priceless, rare beyond the world's reach.

Even disciples of immortal sects could not obtain them by any means.

Who would have thought that today, they were handing them out so freely?

But sadly, their goal was not this.

Huo Yu, Elder of Shanhai Pavilion, stepped forward, stroking his beard: "Master is most generous, but we have not come for elixirs—we wish to invite Danzong disciples to our sects as guests. What is your decision?"

Yuan Li's hand tightened on the armrest of his throne: "Danzong has ancestral edicts forbidding the lending of disciples. Your invitation places me in great difficulty."

"Master Yuan, our seven immortal sects have always been harmonious. Your disciples, even at our halls, will be treated with utmost respect. You need not worry."

"I understand your words, Elder Huo. But ancestral edicts are ancestral edicts—how can I alter them for my convenience? If you desire elixirs, simply name them."

After speaking, Yuan Li smiled softly: "Danzong's eight-hundred-year anniversary approaches. As a return gift, I may offer you elixirs—but lending our disciples is out of the question."

The seven immortal sects were all founded by ancient sages a thousand years ago; logically, their histories should exceed a millennium.

But Danzong was different.

Danzong's history spans only two hundred years, nearly all spent in servitude, its name preserved but its essence extinguished.

Only when alchemists neared extinction did the other six sects awaken and restore Danzong's freedom.

Thus, Danzong's history is only eight hundred years.

By publicly mentioning the eight-hundred-year anniversary, Yuan Li was subtly referencing this truth.

As his words fell, the faces of the immortal sect disciples darkened instantly.

"Master…"

"I have made my decision. No further discussion is needed. I ask your understanding."

Upon hearing this, Kaoyang Hall fell into silence.

Then the immortal sect elders bowed slightly forward, took their disciples, and left the hall without a word.

Seeing this, the Elders standing below the hall raised their eyes to Yuan Li—but the Danzong Master said nothing more, rose from his throne, and walked out of Kaoyang Hall.