Hunyuan Immortal Sect

Chapter 352 Precarious
"Senior Brother Zixiang, what's wrong?" Song Xian noticed Lin Zixiang's unusual behavior and turned to look at him.

"It's nothing." Lin Zixiang came back to his senses: "I don't know what kind of supernatural power the sect leader just used, but it was so powerful that I have never seen it before."

"This is a secret technique I obtained by chance before. Only those with fire-attribute spiritual roots can cultivate it." Song Xian casually replied, "The ghost infant has been eliminated. We don't know what secrets are hidden inside that black palace. Let's go in and take a look, but be careful."

After saying that, he strode forward. The black palace, with its ruins, was empty. The floor of the palace was covered with dense, blood-red runes, which looked similar to those on the outer walls of the palace. They should be some kind of magic array.

Beneath the ground, there was a giant hole several meters in size, with residual black mist visible inside. The hole was paved with crimson walls engraved with blood-red runes.

Apart from that, there was nothing else in the palace.

Song Xian guessed that these blood-red runes were used to seal the ghost infant, which was originally sealed under this cave. However, because the three of them broke the palace's restrictions, the seal weakened, and the ghost infant escaped from under the cave.

As for how the ghost infant was born, who sealed it, and why it was sealed here, that remains unknown.

This ghost infant was quite peculiar. It had no spiritual energy fluctuations around it, like a puppet, but its strength was extremely powerful, at least no weaker than a mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator. Coupled with the eerie black mist and black vortex, it was impossible for an ordinary mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator to deal with it.

“Husband, look, there seems to be something there.” Su Zhirou pointed to the cave. Song Xian looked closely and saw a faint green color at the bottom of the cave. He flashed to the bottom of the cave, lifted the rubble on it, and saw a faint green crystal bead embedded in the red wall.

He reached out and took the emerald green bead from his palm, examining it closely. The bead was crystal clear, like a piece of crystal, with intricate patterns on its surface.

He tried to infuse his spiritual energy into it, but there was no reaction. It seemed to be just an ordinary crystal bead.

However, the fact that this object could be placed in this cave in such a special way suggests that it must not be an ordinary item.

Otherwise, why would you specifically embed a bead in this red wall covered with blood-red runes? It can't be just for decoration!

Song Xian put the beads into his pocket and decided to study them carefully when he got back.

The three searched the black palace inside and out again, even digging several feet underground, but found nothing else.

After the three left the palace, Cheng Yu, who was guarding the outer room, immediately came forward and bowed, asking, "Sect Leader, what happened just now?"

He was guarding outside, so he naturally saw the flashing lights of magic inside and heard the earth-shattering sounds, knowing that a fight had taken place.

"There was a powerful ghost inside the black palace. The palace was originally where it was sealed. After we broke the blood-red rune seal on the palace, the ghost broke free of the seal and attacked us. We have now dealt with it."

"Inside that palace..." Cheng Yu looked up at him cautiously and asked. What he was most concerned about was the treasures inside the palace, because Song Xian had promised that if there were any treasures, he would also get a share.

"We have thoroughly searched the hall and its surroundings, but found no cultivation items. Nevertheless, given that you have reported the information truthfully, the sect will reward you with one thousand spirit stones upon your return. Also, do not reveal anything about what happened here."

"Yes, thank you, Sect Leader." Cheng Yu's expression betrayed his disappointment.

"Let's go! Back to the sect."

The group rose into the air and left the island.

.........

At night, the moon is bright and the stars are few.

In the dimly lit room of the Luoyun Sect, Jin Yuanxing strode in and bowed to Tao Jinyuan, who was sitting upright: "Sect Leader, the Fengxing Sect has made its move. A large number of cultivators are setting off from Anyuan City and heading towards Humen City. The Fengxing Sect has declared war on the Mingyue Sect."

A glint of light flashed in Tao Jinyuan's eyes: "So fast?"

"It is said that Zhuang Buyi personally led the team, and it seems that he is determined to swallow Humen City in one gulp. We also have a lot of resources and territory in Humen City. If we do nothing and sit on the sidelines to watch the tigers fight, then these territories will inevitably be swallowed up by Fengxing Sect."

Tao Jinyuan's eyes flickered slightly, and after a moment of contemplation, he said, "Immediately summon all the fellow disciples of the sect to the main hall for a meeting."

"Alright." Just as Jin Yuanxing was about to get up and leave, a disciple came outside and bowed respectfully, saying, "Reporting to the Sect Leader, a disciple of the Beast Taming Sect requests an audience, saying that he has been ordered by Pang Tong to have important matters to discuss with the Sect Leader."

The two exchanged a glance, and Jin Yuanxing said, "The Beast Taming Sect must have sent people here for the sake of the Bright Moon Sect."

"Let's see what he has to say first, then summon the man."

"Yes." The disciple responded and left.

Before long, a slender disciple of the Beast Taming Sect entered from outside, bowed and said, "Greetings, Senior Tao. I have been ordered by Uncle Pang to invite you to the headquarters, as there are important matters to discuss."

After saying that, he took out a jade slip and handed it to him.

Tao Jinyuan took the jade slip, probed it with his divine sense, and then nodded calmly: "I understand, you can go now!"

"This junior takes his leave." The Beast Taming Sect disciple turned and left.

"Senior Brother Jin, go to Qiyuan Mountain later and hear what Pang Tong has to say, and see what the Beast Taming Sect's attitude is."

"The Windwalking Sect has allied with the Cloud Propagation Sect. The Beast Taming Sect cannot sit idly by and watch the Windwalking Sect annex the Bright Moon Sect. It will definitely summon cultivators from various sects to help. Should we follow or not?"

"Let's discuss this again when you get back!"

……

In the spacious and bright hall of Qiyuan Mountain, Song Xian sat upright. After a short while, Pang Tong entered from outside. He stood up, bowed, and said, "Master Pang, what brings you here?"

"Where have you been all these days?" Pang Tong's eyes were cold, and his words were even more impolite, with an interrogative tone and an expression as if he were interrogating a criminal.

Seeing his appearance, Song Xian was naturally displeased. He had treated Pang Tong with courtesy in every way, but Pang Tong regarded him as nothing and questioned him as if he were a subordinate.

"Where I go is none of your business." Song Xian wanted to respond like that, but being a man of deep thought, he held back.

He also knew why Pang Tong had summoned him so urgently. It was because the Fengxing Sect had launched an attack on the Mingyue Sect in Humen City. He had just returned to Luojia Mountain from the small island of Moxinghai when he heard about this. In the past few days, Pang Tong had sent people to summon him three times. Therefore, as soon as he returned to Luojia Mountain, he rushed here without even resting for a moment.

"I had to go out on business. Fellow Daoist Pang, please speak." Although Song Xian did not directly retort, he also put away his friendly expression and sat down on his own before Song Xian could offer him a seat, acting as if it were business. The steward Pang also changed his address to Fellow Daoist Pang.

Pang Tong noticed his change, snorted, walked to the main seat and sat down, looking down at him: "Going out on business? Fellow Daoist Song, you've probably been avoiding me all along."

Clearly, he did not believe Song Xian's words and thought it was just an excuse. After all, Pang Tong had only been in office for a few years, and Hunyuanzong was not someone he had promoted, so he did not trust Song Xian.

"If that were truly the case, I wouldn't have come today. As I have said, my sect is utterly loyal to your sect, so please, Fellow Daoist Pang, do not harbor any doubts."

"That's good." Pang Tong snorted coldly again: "You've all witnessed the fate of the Kong family. I advise Fellow Daoist Song not to have too many thoughts. Don't think that just because your Hunyuan Sect is getting stronger every day, you can disobey our orders. Without our sect, you are nothing."

Song Xian withdrew his gaze expressionlessly, remaining silent, unwilling to engage in this pointless confrontation with him any further.

Seeing that he was no longer arguing back, Pang Tong did not continue to dwell on the matter and changed the subject: "You should have already heard about the Fengxing Sect's large-scale attack on Humen City."

"I just heard about it."

"The Fengxing Sect has pledged allegiance to the Yunxuan Sect. Our sect did not cause them any trouble, yet they took the initiative to attack. Although the sect's orders have not yet been delivered, I am certain that our sect will not sit idly by and will definitely gather troops from various cities to support Humen City. I want you to prepare now and depart immediately once the sect's orders are given."

These words were not unexpected for Song Xian. He had long guessed that Pang Tong's urgent summons was to ask Hunyuanzong to send people to form a conscription team.

"How many people does Fellow Daoist Pang need?"

"The Kong family sent just as many people as they did when we attacked Anyuan City last time, and you will send the same number this time."

Song Xian's eyes flickered slightly. Pang Tong's intention was to have the Hunyuan Sect send one hundred disciples, because when the Beast Taming Sect recruited disciples from various sects in Bianxi City last time, the Kong family sent one hundred disciples.

The problem is that with the constant warfare over the years, the Beast Taming Sect has been conscripted twice, and the sect also lost a lot of manpower during the attack on Luojia Mountain. Now the entire sect has less than 250 disciples. Taking out 100 people at once is a huge blow.

"You're unwilling?" Pang Tong stared at him with eyes as sharp as an eagle's.

"Our sect currently has only two hundred disciples. Fellow Daoist Pang, you are asking our sect to allocate one hundred disciples. Our sect is truly unable to do so. Given our current situation, we can only allocate a maximum of fifty disciples. Please forgive us, Fellow Daoist Pang."

"Fifty people? That's fine too." To everyone's surprise, Pang Tong agreed immediately, but then added, "But I need you to send one Foundation Establishment cultivator."

Song Xian didn't haggle and nodded in agreement.

For the Hunyuan Sect, supporting Humen City was also a form of self-protection. If the Fengxing Sect were to capture Humen City, they would also be in danger.

The Mingyue Sect and the Hunyuan Sect in Humen City are like grasshoppers on the same rope; there is a relationship of mutual dependence between them.

The reason is that Humen City is located between Bianxi City and Anyuan City, and both Mingyue Sect and Hunyuan Sect are staunch supporters of Yushou Sect. If Fengxing Sect occupies Humen City, they will definitely attack Bianxi City next.

The Luoyun Sect might still have a choice; it could pledge allegiance to the Yunxuan Sect. But the Hunyuan Sect has no choice at all; its only fate is annihilation. Neither the Yunxuan Sect nor the Fengxing Sect would accept its surrender.

Firstly, because the Hunyuan Sect is relatively weak, unlike the Luoyun Sect which has value in being recruited.

Secondly, the remnants of the Kong family had all submitted to Emperor Yunxuan, and the Kong family and Emperor Hunyuan had an irreconcilable feud. In addition, given Emperor Hunyuan's previous actions, how could Emperor Yunxuan tolerate them?

"Fellow Daoist Pang must have already spoken with the Luoyun Sect. I wonder what their attitude is?" Song Xian's biggest worry right now is not the Fengxing Sect, but the Luoyun Sect. If they collude with the Fengxing Sect, it will be a catastrophic disaster for the Hunyuan Sect.

The Luo Yun Sect had an ambiguous relationship with the Yun Xuan Sect before, and now that the Feng Xing Sect has sided with the Yun Xuan Sect, the balance has tilted slightly. No one knows what the Luo Yun Sect might think.

Mentioning the Falling Cloud Sect, Pang Tong's expression worsened considerably: "You don't need to worry about them, just focus on your own business."

Judging from his expression, Song Xian knew that the two sides had not reached an agreement yet, at least the Luoyun Sect had not agreed to Pang Tong's demands.

"The Luoyun Sect and the Yunxuan Sect have been colluding for quite some time. When Chief Jiang dealt with the Kong family, it was to make an example of them. Now that the Fengxing Sect's leader has reached the Core Formation stage and has completely sided with the Yunxuan Sect, the delicate balance in Xijiang County has been tilted. We should be even more careful of the Luoyun Sect. If they collude with the Fengxing Sect from the inside out, Bianxi City may not be able to be saved."

Song Xian took a sip of the tea on the table. Although his relationship with Pang Tong was not as close as Jiang Feng's, they were on the same page on this point.

If Bianxi City is lost, Pang Tong will not benefit either and will inevitably be punished by the Beast Taming Sect.

"You don't need to worry about that. I don't think they would dare to betray our sect."

Song Xian didn't know whether he had a hidden plan or was just blindly confident. Seeing that he was unwilling to talk further, he stood up and said, "If Fellow Daoist Pang has no other instructions, I will take my leave now."

"Go back and prepare, and wait for my news."

Song Xian turned and left. After returning to Luojia Mountain, he immediately ordered someone to go to Tianshan to summon Hu Xiaobao, Zhang Ningyuan, Lu Yuan and other core members of the sect.

As night fell, the moon was dark and the wind was gentle. In the dimly lit room, Song Xian held the crystal-clear, emerald-green bead covered with intricate floral patterns and played with it, admiring it over and over.

“My husband has been staring at it for several hours, but he hasn’t figured it out. I don’t think there’s anything special about this bead; it should just be an ordinary object.” Su Zhirou sat down beside him and took the bead from him.

"Hey! Let me take another look."

“If I keep looking at it, my husband will become obsessed. This thing has no spiritual energy, and there is no abnormal reaction when spiritual energy is poured into it, so it is obviously just an ordinary object.”

“It doesn’t seem like it.” Song Xian took the bead back and carefully examined its intricate patterns. “If it were just an ordinary bead, why would we go to the trouble of placing it in the cave that seals the ghost? This thing must have a special function, but we haven’t discovered its wonders yet.”

"I think it was just left there by the person who built the formation on that island. If it were really a treasure, why would the ghost infant leave it there after breaking through the seal? It would have either taken it with it or destroyed it."

"So you're all brawn and no brains, long hair and short wits."

"Then what does my husband say this thing is used for?"

“I won’t say it out loud, but my intuition tells me that this thing should be useful. Think about it! The black palace inside and out is covered with blood-red patterns of restrictions, which are obviously carefully arranged. Why would they put a useless bead in the cave that seals the ghost shadow? Is it just for decoration? I guess this thing either strengthens the seal on the ghost infant, or it is a unique item that the ghost infant needs.”

“What my husband said is as good as nothing. Even if this thing is closely related to ghosts, we have no use for it.”

"Zhirou, look, aren't the intricate patterns on this bead somewhat similar to the blood-red runes engraved around the cave?"

Su Zhirou leaned closer, looked for a while, and shook her head: "I don't know, I can't tell."

"This thing must have something special about it."

Song Xian stared intently at the dark green bead, muttering to himself, as if telling Su Zhirou, or perhaps speaking to himself.

(End of this chapter)