Forge a path to success.

Chapter 206 The Knight We Met

A relative of Qingxia?
But at this very moment, in this very place, she unexpectedly encountered a "knight" of the same race as her.
There's no way it could be such a coincidence. And it just so happens that it happened while they were discussing Qingxia. It's absolutely impossible for it to be such a coincidence...!
The moment the hawk appeared, their alertness reached its peak. They stood rooted to the spot, motionless, their expressionless faces revealing no emotion. Silar stepped forward, seemingly wanting to speak, a leaf clutched in his paw behind his back.

—Let's take action?
Without hearing a heartbeat, the other person was still in a state of "calmness," suppressing their activity. In this state, if both of them unleashed their full power, they might be able to temporarily subdue them.

"Excuse me, please keep your distance." Chu Hengkong transformed his calamity wrist into a blade. "This place is fraught with danger, I cannot allow you to approach the camp."

—Don't make a move. Observe and see how things develop.

The opponent is most likely a "Blood Knight" with a legitimate lineage, not a ragtag group like Qingxia who grew up relying on the charity of others. If she also possesses skills similar to the Dragon Township Fist, expecting to defeat her easily is wishful thinking. Unable to see through her true strength, it's best to wait and see…

Seeing the serious expressions on their faces, Wen Yao seemed to understand something. She raised her hands and said with a smile, "I understand, I understand~ It's only natural to feel wary of our race's appearance. But we, the 'Myriad Transformations Immortal Clan,' were already allies before the great war even began. This is absolutely true, and all it takes is finding a senior warrior to confirm it...?"

As she spoke, Wen Yao leaned forward slightly. She suddenly leaned close to Chu Hengkong, her delicate nose twitching.

“Strange.” A look of suspicion flashed across Wen Yao’s face. “You clearly carry the scent of my clanswomen, how could you not recognize me? Could it be that you…”

Chu Hengkong's heart sank, knowing that things couldn't be fooled and that Silar's leaves were ready to make their move.

But just then, the shadow wall opened from the inside. The red-haired girl rushed out of the camp, spear in hand, her face grave. "There's a strange smell! Grandpa, didn't you—"

Qingxia stopped abruptly at the camp entrance, completely stunned, forgetting even the words she was about to say. Her vision was completely occupied by that strange yet familiar creature. She looked at the snow-white fur that was much softer than her own, at the delicate face that was carefully groomed, and at the naturally friendly look in its eyes.

Completely different appearances, yet the same self.

"Ah!" Qingxia screamed excitedly, "Ah! Wow!! Wow!!!"

"Hello, sister." Wen Yao walked over, her eyes full of curiosity. "Is this area your territory?"

"Are you... a knight?!" Qingxia grabbed her hand, almost incoherent with excitement. "Are you one of my kind?"

Wen Yao met her gaze and chuckled.

"Is that even a question? Of course we're family!"

·
Wen Yao entered the first camp, and no one had a reason to refuse her entry. To be precise, she didn't even enter on her own; Qing Xia practically dragged the white-haired knight into the camp. She bounced around her fellow knights like a newborn foal, her enthusiasm making Wen Yao feel awkward.

"Don't do that, little sister." She combed her hair, starting to feel embarrassed. "I'm right here, I won't turn into a wisp of smoke and disappear."

"I'm so afraid you'll leave!" Qingxia stared at her expectantly. "I've never seen a fellow countryman before... I've never seen another Discipline Knight!"

"Disciplined Knight?" Wen Yao's mouth gaped open. "Excuse me...? What are you trying to say...?"

Qingxia was too anxious to speak, and she looked to Chu Hengkong for help. Chu Hengkong remained calm: "Qingxia is our settlement's 'Discipline Knight.' Before you appeared, we also thought she was... the only one."

Wen Yao's expression shifted from shock to astonishment. It took her several seconds to react before she burst into laughter, "By your loving mother, my dear sister! What on earth happened to make you think like this?"

“I don’t understand…” Qingxia said blankly. Wen Yao’s smile faded, and he stroked his compatriot’s cheek with almost affection.

“Sorry, little sister, but listen to your passionate heartbeat.” Wen Yao gently pinched her cheek. “Discipline Knights are on the path to supreme godhood, while our race is born to follow the path of destiny unification.”

Qingxia was almost petrified. Her golden eyes dimmed, the expectation in them extinguished, replaced by a cold, ashes-like reality. Her lips trembled uncontrollably, her astonishment and shock turning into an unreasonable rage.

"You're lying!" Qingxia screamed. "We...we are...a race born with justice!"

"What's wrong with your bloodline factors..." Wen Yao said, puzzled. "Of course we are, sisters."

Qingxia, who was about to erupt, was startled by these words.

"But you said..."

Wen Yao gently poked Qingxia's forehead and chuckled, "I see, now I understand your troubles. My dear sister, don't be afraid. Although we are not Discipline Knights, we always fight alongside them. Martial cultivators and those with broken hearts are our comrades, and ancient dragons and divine trees are our mentors."

Remember this well: our name is the 'Myriad Transformations Immortal Clan.' Long before the Allied Forces were established, we were a member of the righteous path of the Submerged Realm. This was true then, and it is true now!"

Hope rekindled in Qingxia's eyes, her pupils sparkling like gold. She cried out and hugged Wenyao, shouting excitedly. To avoid misunderstanding, Wenyao raised his hands, both amused and exasperated, pleading with everyone to help separate the overly enthusiastic girls. Silar apologized repeatedly, busy defending the clueless Qingxia. Qingye tried to pull her away, but couldn't overcome the centaur's strength.

In the chaos, Chu Hengkong lifted Fan De and retreated to the shadowy wall. He took out the communication artifact he had used in Golden Leaf City and quietly spoke in his mind.

(Tell me she's talking nonsense.)
(Not necessarily, I do have a vague recollection of this race...) Vande pondered for a moment, (The Myriad Transformations Immortal Clan, there is such a race, and it has a rather long history. I guess you don't know, there's a theory in academia about the relationship between gender and the history of existence...)
(I know that the older the race, the more likely it is to be asexual or non-sexual.) Chu Hengkong didn't say that this is what you taught me.

(Damn, you actually knew that! Not bad, buddy, my opinion of you has changed. You've taken a solid step on the road to escaping illiteracy!) Fan De was greatly surprised. (The Myriad Transformations Immortal Clan is a race with a rich history. They are all female. Records say they are naturally sincere, beautiful, and optimistic throughout the clan, making them a very typical lawful race.)
(The Qingxia race? Lawful??)

(I also think it's pretty far-fetched, but that's how it's described in the book. The Myriad Transformations Immortal Clan seems to have a tightly knit social system to maintain stable rule. Even though they often intermarry with various races to introduce foreign bloodlines, they have never experienced an internal strife or coup.) Fan De pondered for a moment, (However, I don't recall the book saying they are the path of cultivation... Rather, this race is named 'Myriad Transformations' because each individual is unique and extraordinary. These two being exactly the same is a bit strange...)
Chu Hengkong looked at Qingxia and Wenyao, a chill seeping into his heart. No one would doubt their shared origin, and even Chu Hengkong, who had some suspicions, wouldn't question Wenyao's race. They were just too alike, too alike…

His elbow was rubbed, and Qingye leaned in with a smile, as if to an outsider she wanted to whisper something intimate. She gave him a look.

When should we take action?
It wasn't the right time. Chu Hengkong closed his eyes. He absolutely couldn't make a move now.

Wen Yao's appearance is similar to Qing Xia's, and she seems to be a "Blood Knight" of the third rank. However, Chu Hengkong has not forgotten the common sense of the Dark Realm. Once one reaches the fourth rank on the Path of Unity, one can moderately change one's body. If Wen Yao is a "Myriad Transformations Immortal Clan" of a high rank, attacking her now would be tantamount to courting death.

Moreover, they have no reason to fight at all. How can they explain their attack to Qingxia now? Can they say they suspect her good kin are heretics? If Qingxia's companions and her compatriots inexplicably start fighting, whose side should she take? What should they do if the Fear Messenger takes the opportunity to attack?
Unable to figure things out or come up with a solution, no matter who Wen Yao was, the moment she met Qing Xia, the initiative was in her hands. Chu Hengkong stared blankly at the two centaurs. While he was troubled, Qing Xia had already become familiar with Wen Yao. Like a vulnerable junior, she kept asking the knowledgeable senior all sorts of strange questions.

"Sister Wenyao, are we always all alone?"

“Actually, we’re more used to group operations…” Wen Yao chuckled, widening the gap between them. “Generally speaking, only fairies with a mission will embark on a journey alone.”

"So, I really am carrying a mission!" Qingxia clasped her hands together expectantly, but then fell silent in disappointment. "But I can't remember anything..."

Wen Yao chuckled softly as she combed the blood-red hair of her compatriot.

“Once a mission is given, it will not disappear. You will always remember it…” she said softly, “and you will remember it when the time is right.”

·
Meanwhile, beneath the sacred pillar of the settlement.

Chongming, who was resting under the tree, suddenly stood up, startling Shizhong.

【What's wrong? 】

"I'm restless." Chongming tapped the hilt of his sword repeatedly, then suddenly called out, "Hey, Ji Huaisu!"

"Speak quickly!" Ji Huaisu poked half her head out from the sacred pillar, busy fiddling with the sacred pillar's formation.

How long does it take to activate the Holy Pillar attack?

“Many magic arrays are still not operational; the fastest they’ll take is half an hour,” Ji Huaisu said. “Besides, we haven’t done any simulations before, so I don’t recommend testing them directly. The risk of failure is too great…”

"Get this done as quickly as possible, and expand the seal to its maximum extent as well." Chongming hurriedly stood up. "I'm going out for a bit!"

He strode out, sword in hand, heading alone toward the battlefield. Ji Huaisu couldn't help but feel puzzled. In the past, Chongming always acted arrogantly, ordering the researchers around, but he had never seen him do anything himself.

Moreover, as a being in the mist, he couldn't do anything about what was happening right now, could he?

"What is Chongming doing?"

"Maybe it 'senses' something..." muttered the frog-faced researcher beside him. "The boss's intuition is always very accurate."

(End of this chapter)