Slender willows sway in the breeze

Chapter 119 Martial Uncle's Encouragement
The Palace Master's embroidered robe moved without wind, and the shattered fragments of the Xuanwu jade carving on the table floated into a star array.

He gazed at Liu Sijun, who was waiting for the seal's golden light to dissipate. Suddenly, he raised his hand and activated the seventy-two jade lamps in the hall. The firelight projected a nine-palace eight-trigram diagram onto the obsidian on the ground.

"When the extraterrestrial meteorite was sealed four hundred years ago, the seventh palace master said on the altar—" Palace Master Wan's fingertips traced the surging blood-red patterns in the divination, his face resolute, "The day chaos appears in the world will be the time for all living beings to make their choice."

Originally thought to be a matter concerning the royal family of Yu the Great, it turns out that the appearance of the 'Chaos Gathering Pill' is also closely related to the sect.

Suddenly, three azure-scaled snakes sprang from the sleeve of the Fifth Elder, Yunhe, coiling around the bronze lamp post and hissing: "Palace Master, do not forget that the blood of three thousand cultivators from back then has not yet been shed!"

His withered palm slammed onto the Xun position grid, and countless distorted human-shaped black shadows immediately appeared in the hexagram.

Unlike the other five elders, Yunhe refined elixirs using poisons, not herbs.

Suddenly, the medicine gourd at Song Hongyuan's waist exploded, and seven soul-locking chains emerged from the purple smoke, binding the restless Azure Scale Serpent: "Old poisoner, what kind of skill is it to scare the juniors with the Heart-Eating Gu?"

When he turned to look at Liu Sijun, a look of regret flashed in his eyes: "Back then, when Marquis Molin asked you to become a resident alchemist, I should have refused."

"enough!"

The Grand Elder Cai Yanpei slammed his dragon-headed staff heavily on the ground, the mirage pearl inlaid at the staff head projecting the scene of the Eternal Night Abyss—tentacles formed from chaotic energy were impacting the seal, each impact causing ripples to appear on the mirror surface: "Since its establishment, Yougu Palace has established a rule that it is forbidden to participate in the affairs of royal families of various countries. If we really want to interfere, it may bring disaster to the sect."

Yunhe said, "But Lao Cai, on the other hand, rules are rigid, but people are flexible. You've always been open-minded about handling special cases, so why are you so stubborn this time?"

Cai Yanpei's smile faded: "Past events were harmless, but this time it's the 'Chaos Gathering Pill,' and we don't know how much turmoil it will cause."

At this moment, the Sixth Elder Ding Yiguan spoke up: "The Palace Master said before that the 'Chaos Gathering Pill' is not only related to Zhongzhou City, but also inseparable from the sect. We cannot truly stand idly by in this matter. Rather than passively enduring it later, I think it is better to take the initiative now, so that at least the initiative is in our own hands."

Several elders expressed their opinions.

But the real concern is that if Yougu Palace breaks its rule against interfering in court affairs, it will no longer be able to stand proudly in the world.

Gu Changzhou suddenly cut his palm and smeared the blood on the black jade sword hilt.

Seven stars lit up one after another, projecting the Black Bird Battle Banner of the Molin Army onto the dome: "I, Gu, swear by the bloodline of the Molin, that if any of you in the Yougu Palace are harmed in the slightest, my thirty iron cavalry of the Molin Army will immediately raze the Xuanji Hall to the ground."

The hall fell silent.

Palace Master Wan watched as the Blood Oath Totem disappeared into the earth's veins, then suddenly chuckled, "Does Marquis Molin know that you look exactly like General Gu when he was begging for medicine back then?"

He spread his hand across the void, and in the image that appeared, an old man covered in blood was kneeling in front of the gate of Yougu Palace. He said, "If you refuse to save my son, then let the Gu family army turn into stone statues guarding the mountain."

"Grandfather"

Gu Changzhou tightened his grip on the sword.

So that's how it happened.

His grandfather died before he was born, and his father also did not live long; it seems that none of the men in the Gu family live long.

"So now you understand why the Valley Palace chooses to live in seclusion."

Palace Master Wan waved his hand to dispel the illusion, and as he turned around, his jade pendant jingled. "But this time is different—" He suddenly tore open his clothes, revealing a fragment embedded in his chest that was of the same origin as the meteorite crystal from outer space. "When the seal backfired back then, I was already connected to the meteorite crystal's lifeline."

Since Palace Master Wan cares so much about Yougu Palace, he couldn't possibly be the murderer who framed his master.

She doesn't have time to investigate this matter now; she needs to deal with the urgent issue at hand first.

The Sixth Elder, Ding Yiguan, gasped.

They finally understood why the Palace Master had never left Dianming Peak in nearly a hundred years, and why the sound of chains rattling could be heard from the Glazed Pavilion on Dianming Peak during every lunar eclipse.

"At most two years." As the Palace Master fastened his clothes, spiderweb-like bloodstains appeared under his skin from the meteorite fragments. "If I cannot refine the Chaos Gathering Pill, I will become the second source of pollution."

"Palace Master!" Song Hongyuan suddenly threw out his natal medicine cauldron, the boiling millennium-old spiritual liquid inside transforming into a barrier that enveloped everyone. "Let this old man, Yan Ning, observe the Heavenly Observation Technique once more."

"That's too late."

Palace Master Wan placed the Chaos Gathering Pill in his palm, the pill's patterns gradually synchronizing with the pulsations of the meteorite fragments. "Disciples, heed my command—"

"Starting immediately, select two elders and several disciples to go to the Imperial Palace in Zhongzhou City to begin refining the elixir."

Gu Changzhou cupped his hands in thanks: "Thank you for your kindness, Palace Master."

Cai Yanpei then spoke up, "Does the Palace Master have someone in mind?"

Palace Master Wan nodded: "I wish you, along with the Third Elder and the Sixth Elder, to each lead their disciples together..."

Yunhe said, "Palace Master, I can also contribute to such an important matter."

Song Hongyuan immediately rejected the idea: "You use poison to refine pills, which is completely different from this 'Chaos Gathering Pill'. You won't be of any help even if you go."

"Hey"

Yunhe retorted unhappily, "What are you saying? Are you afraid I'll steal yours?"

"What do you mean 'yours' and 'mine'? You've seen it yourself. Refining pills is no longer just a matter for Zhongzhou City; it's closely related to our Yougu Palace. It's not child's play."

"Does this look like child's play to me?"

Palace Master Wan looked at the Fifth Elder with displeasure: "Alright, say no more."

As the group carefully discussed and finalized their choice of personnel, just as they were about to leave, a familiar fluctuation of spiritual energy emanated from outside the main hall.

The one who came was Master Jihe from Jinxia Peak.

He was carrying a shovel, and his clothes were still covered in mud from the medicinal herb field, indicating that he had come in a great hurry.

Upon seeing Ji He arrive, everyone stood up, including Palace Master Wan.

"Uncle-Master Ji He, what brings you here?"

"I can't come?"

Ji He tucked the medicine shovel into his waistband. The disciples on duty in the main hall were very observant and immediately brought over a chair. Ji He sat down without ceremony and waved to Liu Sijun.

"Master Ji He!"

"You silly girl, why are you here instead of going to Golden Cloud Peak after you came back!"

"Master, this matter requires Palace Master Wan's decision!"

Ji He glared angrily at Liu Sijun: "He's in charge, but Yougu Palace hasn't gotten any better over the years."

Palace Master Wan looked utterly helpless. Ever since Feng Ze's death, Ji He's attitude towards him had been extremely poor.

It is estimated that he suspected that he was involved in the death of Toyotsuya.

"I have learned from your encouragement, Uncle-Master!"

Ji He snorted: "Didn't you bring the 'Chaos Gathering Pill'? Why am I not even qualified to take a look?"

Song Hongyuan quickly replied, "Uncle-Master, what are you saying? I knew you were busy in the herb field and was afraid you wouldn't have time to deal with it, so I didn't inform you!"

(End of this chapter)