Just as everyone at Qingxu Temple was struggling in the swamp of grief and difficult reconstruction, movement finally came from the horizon, different from the usual dead silence.
First several streams of light, then dozens, finally converging into a magnificent flow, like migrating birds racing through the sky from the southeast. Banners fluttered, spiritual lights sparkled - it was clearly the Righteous Alliance reinforcements bearing different sect banners!
They had finally arrived.
However, the arrival of these reinforcements did notarouse much joy and gratitude in the hearts of Qingxu Temple's surviving disciples, but instead brought an even more complex emotion.
Several large flying vessels slowly descended onto the temporarily cleared area outside Qingxu Temple. As the cabin doors opened, the first to walk out were several cultivators of profound depth wearing various luxurious robes or cassocks, representing the strongest sects in this reinforcement force - Heavenly Sword Sect, Prajna Temple, Flowing Cloud Pavilion, and others. Behind them came large numbers of disciples from various sects in uniform attire, their expressions varied - curiosity, shock, and even a hint of barely perceptible superiority mixed in their gazes upon these ruins.
Senior Brother Mu Qingfeng forced himself despite his injuries, leading several elders who could still move, to welcome them. His manners were complete, his attitude neither servile nor overbearing, but the exhaustion and heaviness between his brows could not be hidden.
"Acting Sect Leader Mu Qingfeng of Qingxu Temple, bringing the sect's surviving disciples, respectfully welcomes all fellow cultivators who came to our aid." Mu Qingfeng's voice was hoarse as he clasped his hands in greeting.
A cold-faced elder from Heavenly Sword Sect, named True Person Ling Feng, his gaze sweeping like lightning over this tragic ruins and those wounded, numb-eyed Qingxu Temple disciples, frowned slightly and said: "No need for formalities, nephew. Demonic cultivators are rampant, daring to trample our righteous sects - this is appalling to both humans and gods! We received your call for help and immediately rushed to aid, not expecting to still... arrive a step too late."
His words seemed concerned, but those four words "arrive a step too late" carried a subtle implication, as if suggesting Qingxu Temple's own defense was inadequate.
A white-browed monk from Prajna Temple, with the Dharma name Huijue, joined his palms and quietly chanted: "Amitabha. Calamity has struck, the departed have gone. Your sect suffered such great misfortune, we fellow cultivators should do our utmost to help you through this." His tone was compassionate. Behind him, monk disciples immediately began unloading supplies from the vessels - boxes of pills, talismans, spiritual grain, and some basic building materials. These supplies were undoubtedly timely assistance for Qingxu Temple at this moment.
Mu Qingfeng bowed again in gratitude: "Many thanks to Master Huijue, to all fellow cultivators for your aiding hand. Qingxu Temple is deeply grateful."
However, not all who came bore pure goodwill.
A female cultivator from Flowing Cloud Pavilion, with beautiful features but an arrogant gaze, was Elder True Person Yun Shang. She lightly fanned with a round fan, her gaze flowing over the ruins, finally seemingly casually landing on the direction of the distant temporary medical hut, her tone carrying a hint of inquiry: "Nephew Mu, I heard the cause of this massive demonic cultivator invasion seems related to a disciple named Tang Xiaoqi from your sect? It is said this youth possesses a strange treasure, which attracted the covetous eyes of Shadow Serpent Pavilion, bringing such catastrophic disaster upon your sect?"
At these words, the atmosphere instantly became somewhat delicate.
Several fellow sect representatives' gazes also flickered, clearly having heard of this matter long ago. That the Demon Pattern Valley was a decoy and Shadow Serpent Pavilion's true target was the "Purification Origin" and Xu family bloodline, though Qingxu Temple desperately tried to suppress it - there's no wall that doesn't leak - had already spread among some high-ranking circles.
True Person Yun Shang's words, seemingly inquiry, actually hid sharp barbs, quietly attributing the responsibility for the sect's disaster to Tang Xiaoqi personally, even implying Qingxu Temple's sin of harboring treasure.
Mu Qingfeng's face darkened, about to retort.
Another elder from a certain medium-sized sect, long friendly with Flowing Cloud Pavilion, joined in with ansarcastic tone: "Indeed, Nephew Mu. If not for your sect's disciple harboring precious treasures and carelessly letting information leak, how could Shadow Serpent Pavilion mobilize such a massive force? Now that your sect has suffered heavy losses, we came to your aid, it goes without saying our duty. However, that treasure which drove the demonic cultivators mad... does it perhaps need us to 'store' it for you, to avoid bringing further disaster to your sect?"
This was even more blatant, not only confirming the "provocation" label but directly coveting the inheritance on Xiaoqi.
For a moment, the reinforcements' gazes focused on Mu Qingfeng with varying degrees of intensity, carrying scrutiny, curiosity, and a barely perceptible greed.
Mu Qingfeng felt a surge of anger rush to his head, qi and blood churning in his chest, barely able to suppress his injuries. He clutched his fists tightly, nails nearly cutting into his flesh, barely maintaining a superficial calm.
He took a deep breath, his gaze sweeping over these so-called "allies" before him, his voice cooling: "All fellow cultivators, you are greatly mistaken! Demonic cultivators ravage and harm living beings, that is their nature! Our Qingxu Temple fought to defend the sect, all disciples fought bloody battles without retreat. Martial Uncle Xuan Lin even sacrificed himself, transforming into starlight to protect the sect! This is where righteous qi resides - how can there be any 'provocation'? As for our disciples' opportunities, they are personal fortunes and more importantly internal affairs of Qingxu Temple, not for others to worry about!"
His words were resolute and powerful, carrying unwavering resolve and a lingering battlefield killing aura, making those several sharp-tongued elders pause slightly.
Master Huijue opportunely smoothed things over: "Amitabha. Fellow cultivators Ling Feng and Yun Shang, with the demonic catastrophe before us, the urgent priority is rescuing the wounded and stabilizing the situation. Investigating blame and probing secrets are not the time."
True Person Ling Feng snorted coldly, saying no more, but the scrutiny in his eyes did not diminish.
True Person Yun Shang laughed lightly, covering her mouth with her fan, not pressing further, but her wandering gaze still occasionally glanced toward the medical hut.
The reinforcements' arrival brought urgently needed supplies and certain military support, alleviating part of Qingxu Temple's pressure. Butaccompanied, beneath the guise of aid, was hidden accountability, suspicion, and coveting. Like a boulder thrown into an already murky pond, it made Qingxu Temple's already difficult situation become even more complex and delicate.
And Tang Xiaoqi at the eye of this storm was still in the medical hut, completely unaware of the undercurrents swirling outside, focusing his whole heart on guarding Second Brother's faint vitality. But he did not know that he and the secret he carried had become the focus of covert attention from various powers.