The oppressive atmosphere lasted several days, like suffocating tranquility before a storm. However, this tranquility did not last long before being suddenly broken by emergency news from the border.
What first had trouble was a medium-sized spirit stone mine called "Green Jade Mine" located eight hundred li southeast of Qingxu Temple.
This mine was directly controlled by Qingxu Temple, with Foundation Establishment deacons leading disciples stationed year-round to extract spirit stones—an important resource source for the sect. However, at dawn one day, a group of about twenty to thirty cultivators in uniform black martial attire with black cloth covering their faces suddenly appeared outside the mining area like ghosts.
They moved swiftly, cooperated seamlessly, struck fiercely, with clear objectives—not to rob already extracted spirit stones but to directly attack the mine's protective formations and stationed disciples!
The deacon stationed at Green Jade Mine was a mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator whose reaction was not slow. He immediately activated the mine's defensive formation and organized disciples to resist. However, these black-clad attackers had considerable strength. At least three were at Foundation Establishment stage, the rest all elite late-Qi Refining cultivators. They seemed quite familiar with the mine's defensive layout, concentrating forces to assault weak points in the formation.
The battle erupted suddenly and fiercely. Spiritual lights flashed, techniques roared, mixed with disciples' angry shouts and screams. Although stationed disciples fought desperately, outnumbered and outmatched, the defensive formation, after holding less than the time to burn a stick of incense, had several sections breached.
The black-clad attackers did not linger. After causing several disciple casualties, destroying several important mining facilities and one watchtower, they withdrew like they came—quickly, disappearing into the vast mountains and forests. The entire process was clean and left no living clues.
Nearly simultaneously, an important herb garden called "Hundred Herbs Garden" on Qingxu Temple's southwest border near "Misty Marsh" was also attacked in similar fashion.
The attackers were also black-clad masked people, using identical methods. They did not seek to rob mature spiritual herbs but focused on destruction—burning several patches of nearly harvestable rare medicinal fields, destroying the irrigation and protective formation cores, injuring several disciples tending the garden before departing.
News traveled back to Qingxu Temple's main peak through emergency channels at maximum speed.
Inside the Council Hall, the atmosphere was heavy enough to drip water.
Temple Master Xuanxuan Zhenren's expression was calm yet cold light flickered in his eyes. Below sat core high officials including Xuanlin Zhenren, the Enforcement Hall elder, and the External Affairs elder. Every face was exceptionally grim.
"Green Jade Mine: seven disciples dead or injured, thirty percent of mining facilities damaged, one watchtower destroyed. Estimated recovery to production will take at least three months."
"Hundred Herbs Garden: five disciples injured, nearly five mu of medicinal fields destroyed, including three mu of almost-mature 'Dew Condensation Flowers.' Formation core damaged. Loss is incalculable."
The Enforcement Hall elder reported preliminary damage statistics in a low voice. Each number was like a heavy hammer striking everyone's heart.
"Has the attackers' identity been confirmed?" Xuanxuan Zhenren slowly asked, his voice showing neither joy nor anger.
The External Affairs elder stepped forward, his face ashen: "No items directly proving identity were left at the scene. The opponents' methods were experienced, their withdrawal swift—clearly a well-planned operation. However... according to surviving disciples' descriptions and the faintly demonic-tainted aura and fearless style in their techniques, ninety percent can be confirmed as Shadow Snake Pavilion remnants!"
"Probing." Xuanlin Zhenren coldly said two words.
Everyone understood this was by no means the Shadow Snake Pavilion's main force but rather a well-planned, fierce probing. The purpose was threefold: first, probe Qingxu Temple's border defense strength and reaction speed; second, create panic, strike sect morale; third, perhaps also probe whether Qingxu Temple would draw away internal protection forces, especially those protecting Tang Xiaoqi, outward because of this.
"They're playing with fire!" A fiery-tempered elder thundered. "Do they think Qingxu Temple is made of mud? Temple Master, order me! I personally lead disciples to sweep the border and drag out these hiding cowards!"
"Do not act rashly." Xuanxuan Zhenren waved his hand, his gaze profound. "The opponent's move was precisely to provoke us, to let us lose composure and disperse forces. They hide in darkness; if we rush out rashly, we instead easily fall into their traps."
He paused, giving orders: "First: Green Jade Mine and Hundred Herbs Garden temporarily closed. All disciples withdrawn. Strengthen defense. The Enforcement Hall sends elite teams, jointly with formation masters, to repair formations and investigate leads.
Second: Raise sect alert level to 'Class A.' All outgoing missions suspended. Disciples outside receive notification and return immediately.
Third: Strengthen defense forces at all resource points, especially border locations similar to those two attacked sites.
Fourth: Notify all affiliated families and friendly forces. Heighten vigilance and share intelligence."
Orders issued one after another. The entire Qingxu Temple, like a precise machine, began high-speed operation. The tense atmosphere instantly reached its peak.
News naturally reached Cloud Hidden Peak.
Xiaoqi stood at his cave dwelling entrance. He watched the patrol flight gliders passing overhead more frequently, with stronger, faster auras. He heard the faintly audible emergency assembly bells in the distance. His brow tightened.
The rabbit spirit nervously rubbed against his legs, transmitting worried thoughts.
He learned of the border friction from Master immediately. He knew better than anyone that this seemingly targeting sect resources attack's ultimate target was very likely himself. The Shadow Snake Pavilion was using this method to pressure Qingxu Temple and also to demonstrate to him.
"They've finally... started." Xiaoqi murmured softly, his eyes ice-cold.
He felt no surprise, only a "as expected, it came" relief, and anger at the Shadow Snake Pavilion's brutal actions surging in his chest. Those injured disciples, those destroyed resources—all because of him.
This karma, he recorded.
He turned and returned to the cave dwelling. He was not panicked because of the external turmoil. Instead, he became more calm.
He checked the cave dwelling's formations again, confirming they were secure.
He wiped down the Nirvana Crimson Flame Sword and Mysterious Golden Guardian Pan, feeling the power within.
He placed Second Senior Brother's several talismans of uncertain effect and Senior Brother's Ten Thousand Li Transmission Talisman in the most accessible locations.
He sat cross-legged and began his daily cultivation. Spiritual power flowed within his body, spiritual consciousness contemplated the Purification Source, the Crimson Flame Sword on his knees hummed softly.
He knew the border friction was just the beginning, the first lightning flash before the storm. Greater tests surely lay ahead.
He must maintain optimal condition to respond to any possible changes.
Outside the cave dwelling, Qingxu Temple was tense and wary, every bush and tree looks like an enemy.
Inside the cave dwelling, Xiaoqi's heart was detached, his Daoist heart firm.
Friction has begun. The storm approaches. The fragile paper window between Qingxu Temple and the Shadow Snake Pavilion has been thoroughly punctured. What follows will no longer be mere probing but real, life-and-death confrontation.