Central Plains, Tianyan Sect.
Jing Qing sat in the outer courtyard for a moment, his expression calm, though his eyes frequently drifted toward the main gate.
He had traveled without rest from Xi Niu He Zhou all the way here.
The situation in Xi Niu He Zhou was clearly wrong. Though Jing Qing had absolute confidence in his senior brother's strength, even the strongest could find themselves short-handed at times—especially when investigating something truly dangerous.
Jing Qing didn't quite understand why his senior brother had suddenly gone soft-hearted, but carrying out the tasks his senior brother assigned was his foremost duty.
He might not understand, but he would do it.
However, the Tianyan Sect wouldn't let him in just because he was from the Xuanqing Heavenly Sect. They still needed to announce him first.
The outcome would certainly be entry, but the process would cost some time.
Fortunately, he didn't have to wait long. Soon, a Tianyan Sect disciple arrived to lead him toward the sect's core region.
They passed through the Tianyan Sect's true grand mountain-guarding formation.
The disciple navigated with practiced ease, leading him toward the peak that had been transformed from a former seclusion peak into the "One Big Loving Family" Peak.
Since prior notice had been given, the formation at the foot of the mountain had already opened a passage for entry.
The Tianyan Sect disciple stopped at the foot of the peak and cupped his fists.
"Up ahead is Grand Martial Uncle Chu's great hall. He has already been informed. You may proceed upward on your own."
Jing Qing nodded slightly, then abandoned all pretense of propriety. Spiritual energy surged around him as he transformed into a streak of rainbow light shooting straight for the mountaintop, arriving before the building in an instant.
What did propriety and rules matter when his senior brother's safety was at stake?
At worst, he would simply apologize to Chu Xingchen later.
But even at his speed, when he saw the unusually wordy plaque, he couldn't help but look twice.
He raised his eyes to read the plaque hanging before the great gate—"One Big Loving Family."
Jing Qing's footsteps faltered, and he suddenly felt that Chu Xingchen might be an easy person to deal with.
When his senior brother had praised Chu Xingchen before, he hadn't thought much of it. But seeing this, he felt his senior brother might not have been merely praising—he had been serious.
An ordinary cultivator would probably never hang something like this on a plaque before their own peak.
He couldn't think of an appropriate word to describe the practice.
The inscription was simply too bold.
Jing Qing didn't dare fly in. Instead, he walked in obediently.
He passed through the main gate. With no one to receive him, he walked straight ahead until he reached a courtyard.
Jing Qing's gaze fell upon a handsome young man seated in a chair, holding a teacup and sipping gently. His first impression was not of a difficult person—quite the opposite. Perhaps it was the gentle smile on Chu Xingchen's lips, but one's first reaction was that this person must be very easy to get along with.
"You must be Xu Jin's junior brother?" Chu Xingchen gestured for Jing Qing to take a seat.
Jing Qing cupped his fists in greeting first. "I am Jing Qing, junior brother to Senior Brother Xu Jin."
Chu Xingchen poured a cup of tea and pushed it toward Jing Qing.
"I've worked with your senior brother before. He does tend to show off a bit."
"If he's asking for my help, it's probably no small matter. Tell me the situation."
Hearing this, Jing Qing grew serious and recounted what they had discovered in Xi Niu He Zhou and Huangliang City, including the conversation between Xu Jin and Lychee.
"My senior brother said you also know that Lychee."
Chu Xingchen frowned slightly. "Has Xi Niu He Zhou really become like that?"
Jing Qing nodded in response.
"Yes. Senior brother said that if you have no intention of going to Xi Niu He Zhou, I should go directly to Pusa Man to find him."
"It's rare for your senior brother to ask me for anything. Refusing would be rather heartless."
Chu Xingchen stood up.
"Besides, this matter concerns me as well."
"What do you plan to do?" Jing Qing also rose and asked.
"Some simple preparations." Chu Xingchen smiled. "Would you like to come along?"
Jing Qing hurriedly answered, "Senior brother told me to follow you, if it's convenient."
"Then let's go." The smile faded from Chu Xingchen's face, and his tone turned serious.
Tianyan Sect, Tianyan Peak.
Chu Xingchen led Jing Qing into the hall.
Today, Lu Xuan was finally present in the great hall, seated in the main seat. Yan Yun, the presumptive sect master, naturally had to take a lower seat—unlike before, when no one knew where she had wandered off to.
Lu Xuan sat in the hall, holding a transmitting jade slip. But sensing movement at the hall doors, he looked up to see Chu Xingchen with a grave expression, followed by Jing Qing. As the Tianyan Sect Master, he recognized all the key disciples of allied sects.
"I suppose there's important business today?" Lu Xuan asked, holding the jade slip.
Chu Xingchen cupped his hands slightly. "The matter of Xi Niu He Zhou—does Sect Master Lu know of it?"
Lu Xuan gently shook the jade slip in his hand. "I'm reading it now."
Chu Xingchen's gaze was calm. "From a hundred and eight thousand miles away, how can you see clearly?"
Lu Xuan caught the hidden meaning in Chu Xingchen's words. "You mean?"
"Naturally, we gather a hundred and eight thousand people and go together to see just what sort of demons and ghosts are playing tricks." Chu Xingchen's gaze was solemn, his voice sharp. "Sect Master, what say you?"
Lu Xuan fell silent for a moment, then looked at Yan Yun, his tone authoritative.
"Within these reports, there are naturally matters we must attend to. Yan Yun, coordinate with Martial Nephew Chu and make arrangements."
"The Tianyan Sect will handle this. If anyone has objections, let them come to the Tianyan Sect!"
Chu Xingchen spoke again, "I must trouble Sect Master Lu to arrange this personally. Fellow Daoist Yan Yun, I'll need to borrow you for a trip to the Xuanqing Heavenly Sect first. Additionally, there is a jade slip that requires your seal."
Lu Xuan immediately understood Chu Xingchen's intent. He smiled and nodded.
"You brat, quite good at arranging this old man. Go on, leave it to me."
Yan Yun didn't ask any further questions. She simply rose and gave Chu Xingchen a slight nod.
Central Plains, Xuanqing Heavenly Sect.
The three of them used the Tianyan Sect's ceremonial array to cross directly to the vicinity of the Xuanqing Heavenly Sect.
With Jing Qing leading, the three transformed into rainbow light and headed straight for the Xuanqing Heavenly Sect's main hall to meet the current sect master—Li Moze.
Chu Xingchen and the other two entered the hall. His gaze fell directly on Li Moze standing in the upper position, and he asked without preamble.
"The mandate of heaven's destiny—does Sect Master Li still acknowledge it?"
Li Moze's gaze swept over Jing Qing, then to Yan Yun standing to the side, and finally settled on Chu Xingchen. Without hesitation, he replied.
"When have I not?"
"Then are you aware of the matter in Xi Niu He Zhou, Sect Master Li?"
"I am aware."
"Though the matter has many twists and turns, its essence is clear at a glance. The Tianyan Sect has already agreed to my request and will go to Xi Niu He Zhou. Today I ask Sect Master Li—will you go together?"
A smile appeared on Li Moze's face. "When has the Xuanqing Heavenly Sect ever been cowardly?"
Hearing this, Chu Xingchen produced the jade slip that already bore the Tianyan Sect Master's seal.
"I trouble you, Sect Master. There is one more jade slip that requires your seal."
Tai Dao Sect, Shangqing Great Hall.
Daoist Yuyang strode quickly into the hall, then looked at his master, who had anxiously summoned him.
The Tai Dao Sect Master held a transmitting jade slip that had been urgently sent from the Tianyan Sect, and handed it directly to Daoist Yuyang.
Daoist Yuyang's divine sense probed into the jade slip, and he immediately understood the situation. He also saw the great sect seals of both the Tianyan Sect and the Xuanqing Heavenly Sect already affixed.
He frowned slightly and looked at his master. "Master, what do you intend?"
"That Chu Xingchen doesn't even need you to persuade me—he's doing this openly and honorably."
The Tai Dao Sect Master's gaze sharpened.
"Moreover, this matter is righteous and just. An entire continent, its people plunged into suffering."
"This land of Xi Niu He Zhou—no one has ever truly acknowledged it as belonging to the Buddhist faith."
"If those bald donkeys can't handle things properly, then we'll do it ourselves."
"Three sects united—now that's a first under heaven. How interesting!"
Daoist Yuyang withdrew the jade slip.
"This disciple receives the command."
On the third day of the seventh month, the three great sects—the Xuanqing Heavenly Sect, the Tianyan Sect, and the Tai Dao Sect.
Issued decrees to the five continents and four directions.
Together, they would go to Xi Niu He Zhou.
To eliminate demons and defend the Dao.
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