Chapter 328

At the edge of Shengjing City, four gate arrays.

As the first batch of Elders arrived and struck fiercely, the corpse tide encircling the city was blasted hundreds of zhang away, clearing a vacuum.

Just as the people within the city assumed some important figure was trapped outside, forcing the Heavenly Book Academy to deploy its full strength, they saw the second and third batches of Elders roaring toward them.

The second batch of powerful cultivators instantly took over the cleared ground, continuing to sweep the demonic seeds outward; magnificent magical arts formed a vast net of celestial light, brimming with razor-sharp killing intent, pressing further against the corpse tide.

BOOM!

A Shenyou Realm elder landed and swung his palm; golden auroras erupted from his hand in a ferocious burst of celestial light, so powerful it darkened the surrounding sky.

The straight beam of celestial light pierced through the thick corpse tide, instantly crushing countless demonic seeds into shattered limbs and fragments.

Immediately after, the third batch of Elders arrived with a roar, pushing the writhing, monstrous tide back another dozens of zhang.

Simultaneously, a large number of Inner Court disciples surged through the gap carved by the celestial light, expanding outward in all directions.

Within the Prince's mansion, those magnificent beams of celestial light reflected in the eyes of the noble families, causing countless hearts to tremble.

After the Youxian Gathering, the Heavenly Book Academy's ranking plummeted to last place, prompting the Qingyun Clan to criticize it for a long time.

But only now did they realize that even fallen, an Immortal Sect remains an Immortal Sect.

Yet they still did not understand why the Heavenly Book Academy was so desperate—not to rescue, but as if aiming to carve a path a thousand li wide.

The same confusion existed in towns under other Immortal Sects.

Nearly simultaneously, Lingjian Mountain, Wenda Sect, Shanhai Pavilion, Chen Shixian Clan, and Xuan Yuan Immortal Mansion were all relentlessly suppressing demonic seeds.

As magnificent heavenly light surged skyward, shredding the clouds, vast beams of celestial radiance rained down, and this aura was swiftly detected by profound cultivators across heaven and earth.

"Other Immortal Sects seem to have begun acting too—could they be uniting to purge the demonic seeds?"

"No, even elders who had been in seclusion for years have emerged. This isn't the way of an Immortal Sect. The demonic seeds aren't the real target."

"Do you mean, Brother Qian, that something else lies behind this?"

Amid this massive suppression, every corner of the city buzzed with speculation; curiosity burned as intensely as when one first perceived the Dao.

But soon, they would no longer need to guess.

As six beams of celestial auroras converged in the sky, a colossal talisman surged into view, imprinted upon the azure heavens.

"My Lord, this is man-made disaster—not heavenly calamity!"

"My Lord, a noble clan has rebelled, corrupting the Dao, attempting to overthrow Qingyun!"

"Your Majesty…"

As the talisman's contents flashed, countless copied scrolls were dispatched to every direction.

Its words were sharp and blunt: it directly accused the Chu family of Youzhou, Zhu family of Qingzhou, Zhuang family of Lingzhou, Wei family of Yongzhou, Li family of Zhongzhou, Du family of Liangzhou, and other noble clans of secretly opening ancient ruins, stealing Immortal fortune, and thus causing this catastrophe.

It further revealed they had schemed for decades; the corpse tide was merely the beginning, and a Qiling disaster loomed. Orders were issued to hunt and exterminate these clans across Qingyun, commanding all noble families to join the campaign.

"Chu family?"

"And the Li and Du families…"

"Qiling disaster…"

"This…"

The execution order spread instantly, causing countless noble clan members to widen their eyes, stunned by the news they could scarcely process.

Especially the four words "Qiling disaster"—they instantly dragged everyone back to the event over four years ago, when the Zheng family's demon transformed and devoured countless cultivators.

After that incident, many noble families suffered devastating losses; some still had not recovered.

Only now did they realize that event had never truly ended with the Zheng family's patriarch's death—it had festered, and today erupted into this colossal calamity.

Upon seeing the talisman and learning what had truly occurred, all major noble families departed from their gathering places.

Doors shut, windows barred, secret deliberations began.

"If this truly mirrors the Qiling disaster, no noble clan can stand against it. I say we should stay away—let the Immortal Sects bear the burden. This corpse tide already crippled us; we shouldn't suffer further losses."

In the He family courtyard, He Long—who had once planned to divide Fengzhou at the Youxian Gathering—voiced his opinion.

Don't go. Don't listen. Let whoever will, will.

Hearing his analysis, other He family Elders nodded silently in agreement.

Though the Zheng family patriarch had become a demon, his combat power was undeniably Linxian Realm.

Back then, countless cultivators rushed into Qiling to seize opportunity—many never even saw the Zheng patriarch before vanishing into smoke. Now, with over a dozen noble clans joining forces, who could withstand it?

Seeing the Elders around him agree, He Long turned to He Ye: "My Lord, in my view, we should remain in Shengjing until this is over. We must not let our clan's youth die needlessly."

"Fool."

"?"

He Ye stared coldly at him: "This corpse tide has wiped out countless noble clans, leaving behind vast ancestral lands and heirlooms—not to mention the accumulated heritage and lineage techniques of millennia-old clans like Chu, Li, and Zhu. Do you think Qingyun will remain unchanged if we survive this?"

Hearing this, the Elders' faces turned grave: "My Lord is right—if we survive, Qingyun will be utterly transformed."

He Ye picked up the copied scroll again: "If we refuse to obey now, you won't even get a share of the spoils later. If other clans gain the Immortal Sects' favor and claim these war spoils, our He family will decline for a hundred years if we do nothing."

He Long opened his mouth: "We have marital ties with Lord Zuqiu."

"But you don't bear the Zuqiu surname, he's not the Patriarch, and besides, the Immortal Sects aren't limited to the Heavenly Book Academy."

"This…"

The He family's Ancestor opened his eyes gently: "According to the seven Immortal Sects' millennia-old customs, this will be the unspoken rule of this campaign. Even if we stay, other clans will take the risk. Go."

At these words, all gathered in the room rose at once.

As they opened the door, members of other noble clans were already stepping out—clearly having reached the same conclusion.

War and calamity were never the goal; whether one stirred chaos or rushed to fight, all sought the spoils after.

While noble clans weighed the gains and losses of this great calamity, Heavenly Book Academy disciples were also discussing it.

But most were young, lacking the long vision of clan lords; their focus lay on the clans that had plunged the world into chaos, as they packed their bags and chattered.

"The Chu and Li families have astonishing audacity—daring to defy the Immortal Sects and bring such disaster. They deserve execution!"

"My uncles, aunts, and several siblings died in the corpse tide—this vengeance must be paid!"

"Rumors in the Academy say those who perform excellently in this battle may become direct disciples and inherit lineage techniques."

Ji You had just left Zizai Hall and arrived at Cao Jingsong's courtyard when he found them gathered; they immediately asked if the talisman's contents were true.

They knew the secret Ji You had guarded before must be what the talisman revealed.

Ji You hesitated, then nodded: "Mostly true."

"Which part is false?"

"Minor, irrelevant details are fabricated."

"?"

Ji You sat down and poured himself tea: "The Immortal Sects' decree claims the Chu and Li families opened the ruins—but in truth, the Immortal Sects opened them themselves. The clans were tricked, but the Sects used it to pin all blame on them."

Hearing the Immortal Sects had been fooled, Cao Jingsong, Wen Zhengxin, and Ban Yangshu all raised their hands: "Forget you heard that."

"Since it's already public, knowing minor truths won't hurt."

"No—this makes me think the Immortal Sects are stupid."

Ji You shook his head: "The Immortal Sects aren't that foolish—just blind when greed takes hold."

Ban Yangshu nodded: "Like Ji Brother—he'd still rush to pick up silver coins thrown to lure him. Greed truly is terrifying."

"Good example. Don't give any more."

"Did you uncover this?" Wen Zhengxin couldn't help asking.

Ji You nodded: "Part I uncovered, part was told to me by Long Xiandi."

Wen Zhengxin's eyelashes trembled: "Long…"

Cao Jingsong and Ban Yangshu fell silent, unsure what to say, for they all knew the Bai family was on the list.

Though Ji You had fiercely defended Bai Rulong before the Five Hall Masters, proving his innocence, he himself must have suffered deeply—otherwise he wouldn't have hidden away for days since returning.

The boy is clumsy and dim-witted, but not evil. He likely struggles to accept such a turn of events.

But soon, as the mountain bell rang and Heavenly Book Academy disciples gathered on the Ascension White Jade Terrace to depart for the ruins, they saw Long Xiandi.