Chapter 303: Life and Death
Meteors pierce through sparse water, and the moon moves against the clouds.
As night fell, a thick darkness enveloped Dan Mountain.
The Dan Sect's temporarily held Medicinal Pill Appreciation Conference ended hastily, and countless uninvited Sect Disciples were invited to rest in the Myriad Jade Court behind the mountain.
Subsequently, the surrounding mountains fell into a quietude, with only the chirping of insects and birds carried on the mountain breeze.
This should have been a night for sound sleep, a dream of paradise, but in reality, countless Dan Sect Disciples who returned from the Medicinal Pill Appreciation Conference were filled with apprehension.
Then, some began to pack their belongings to send home, while others started writing letters by lamplight to their loved ones.
On everyone's Face, there was a written unease about tomorrow.
Hong Zhen and Wen Bin, along with other Grand Ancestors, were all sitting in the pavilion of the Disciple courtyard, holding their now-cold Medicinal Tea, their eyes constantly glancing at the rows of houses.
Under the dim lamplight, figures occasionally darted about, coming and going, restless and anxious; even as the night deepened, no one had fallen asleep.
They were all aware of the Dan Sect's dark history and the experiences of those captive Alchemists within the Dan Sect.
Beatings, water dungeons, sleepless Alchemy—they had thought these were merely historical accounts of their ancestors, to be buried with the dust, remembered only as a lesson, yet they never expected to Face such a situation one day.
“Has Master and the Elders come out of Jade Balance Hall yet?”
“No.”
“Are there any instructions?”
“None either.”
Hong Zhen remained silent for a long time after hearing this: “Will Master truly meet them tomorrow?”
Wen Bin raised his eyes upon hearing the question: “The Kaiyang Hall is already being set up; presumably, Master will receive the various Immortal Sects there tomorrow.”
“Sect Master—will he refuse?”
“The Sect Master will definitely refuse; he won't hand us over.”
“That's right, the Sect Master won't give us away. As long as he remains firm, the Dan Sect will be peaceful.”
Lu Ze, one of the six Disciples under the Sect Master Immortal Master, muttered a sentence, then echoed it himself, but after speaking, there was only endless silence.
The current situation concerned the survival and continuation of the Dan Sect; at such a critical juncture, whether the Sect Master would ultimately refuse or agree, they were actually unsure in their hearts.
At the same time, Yuan Caiwei was bathing in the Dan Sect's medicinal pool.
The fragrant medicinal soup flowed over her graceful curves, cleansing her fair and delicate body.
However, she didn't bathe for too long before she couldn't help but get up and leave the pool, change into clean clothes, and walk back to her bamboo house.
With disaster looming over the Dan Sect, she found it hard to calm her mind.
But to her surprise, when she returned to the courtyard, Ji You, who had just been drinking tea, was no longer at the table, and the lights were lit in her fragrant boudoir.
“Where is Young Master Ji?”
Wu Yue was tidying the tea table and looked towards the room upon hearing the question: “The Young Master has gone into Young Miss's room to rest.” Yuan Caiwei paused, then nodded slightly, blinking her eyes as she walked towards the small building, a hint of shyness in her gaze.
Qingyun World has always valued offspring, as passing down the family line is the basis for the continuation and development of Sect, and no one can escape this custom.
Although he said it was fine, he probably felt a bit disappointed knowing there was no pregnancy, so even though the Dan Sect was facing a calamity and the timing wasn't ideal, it was understandable that he wanted to try again.
As the Dan Sect's daughter pondered, she gently pushed open the door, then her brows relaxed, and an expression of bewilderment appeared on her Face.
The room was very quiet, with only the sound of even breathing.
Ji You hadn't even taken off his clothes or shoes, yet he had already fallen asleep on her bed.
Cultivators do not need long periods of sleep, and even if they do sleep, they wouldn't be unable to even take off their clothes.
The Dan Sect's daughter stared at him for a long time, then gently extended two fingers to rest on Ji You's wrist, her long, curled eyelashes trembling slightly.
Ji You's Spiritual Qi was empty, and his Divine Thought was extremely weak, suggesting he had undergone an intense depletion.
At this thought, she suddenly remembered the words he had spoken too casually during their evening chat, which she had overlooked: “I was cultivating in Central State, and came as soon as I received the letter.”
Central State to the Dan Sect, there was an entire great state between them.
After a long silence, Yuan Caiwei suddenly noticed a note left on the table, with some things written on it that Ji You wanted her to prepare.
The Dan Sect's daughter read it carefully, then got up and went out of the building.
Stars and moon rotated in the silent night, until the moon set and the sun rose.
Some slept soundly, while others were restless all night.
Until the first ray of dawn bypassed the floating sea of clouds, illuminating the several peaks of the Dan Sect with golden light.
The cultivators who had stayed at the Myriad Jade Court last night came out early, all gathering at Danxia Peak.
Their previously unfastened swords were now re-attached to their waists, and some who had worn casual clothes when ascending the mountain had changed into their respective Immortal Sect's immortal robes.
Looking down from the high slope, the Asked the Dao Sect, Lingjian Mountain, and Mountain and Sea Pavilion were arrayed in distinct sections, radiating an invisible sense of oppression.
Yesterday's leisurely sightseeing was merely to ease the atmosphere, to make the Dan Sect's Sect Master consider the pros and cons from their perspective.
They weren't trying to dismantle the Dan Sect; they merely wanted to take back ten or twenty Upper Five Realms Alchemists each. It wouldn't truly harm the Dan Sect's Foundation. The choice was obvious.
And today, what they wanted was the result the Dan Sect had decided upon, so naturally, they needed to be firm.
This gathering continued until noon, when the doors of the Kaiyang Hall opened wide, and all the Immortal Sect Disciples were invited into the hall.
The Dan Sect's more than fifty Elders had all appeared by now, standing on both sides of the main hall, arranged in an eight-character formation.
Accompanying them were the Dan Sect's Upper Five Realms Alchemists, positioned on both sides of the hall.
As for Yuan Li, who was feigning illness in bed, he had now changed into the Sect Master's immortal robe and sat on the throne in the hall, quietly waiting for all the arriving Immortal Sect members to enter the hall.
“Immortal Master Yuan, how is your health?”
“Thank you all for your concern, but I am old now and truly cannot resist the erosion of time. I apologize for not being able to greet you immediately.”
Elder Shang Quan of the Asked the Dao Sect chuckled upon hearing this: “Sect Master Immortal Master is busy with myriad affairs and quite weary; our Sect Master also says he understands.”
Yuan Li smiled faintly and nodded: “Yesterday's Medicinal Pill Appreciation Conference, did everyone enjoy themselves?”
“The Dan Sect's Alchemy skill is unparalleled in the world, truly an eye-opener for us.”
“Then how was your rest?”
“The rest was also very good. The mountain was filled with the fragrance of medicinal herbs; just smelling it for a night made one feel enlightened.”
The various Immortal Sects did not immediately become aggressive, and their responses were quite appropriate.
So, after the pleasantries, Yuan Li gently waved his hand towards the back, and then several Disciples emerged from the rear hall, each holding a medicinal box, and came before these Immortal Sect Disciples.
Sensing that it was meant as a gift, everyone reached out and took the medicinal boxes, then heard Yuan Li's voice resonate through the hall.
“My Dan Sect has recently produced a batch of Medicinal Pills with excellent efficacy, capable of enlightening the Divine Soul and enhancing perception. This is a farewell gift, presented to all of you.”
Yuan Li waved his hand gently, a faint smile on his Face.
Upon hearing this, the people from the Five Great Immortal Sects couldn't help but exchange glances. The Dan Sect of the past had always been profound and mysterious, and the Medicinal Pills it refined were priceless and hard to find in the world.
Even Immortal Sect Disciples, if they wished to privately seek medicine, could not find a way.
Who would have thought that today, they were practically giving them away.
But unfortunately, their purpose was not this.
Elder Huo Yu of the Mountain and Sea Pavilion stepped forward, stroking his long beard: “Immortal Master is truly too kind, but we have not come this time to seek Medicinal Pills, but rather to invite Dan Sect Disciples to be guests at our Sect. May I ask what Immortal Master has considered?”
Yuan Li's hand gently gripped the armrest of the imperial chair: “My Dan Sect has an ancestral rule from long ago: Disciples cannot be lent out. Your Sect's invitation truly puts me in a difficult position.”
“Immortal Master Yuan, our Seven Great Immortal Sects have always been harmonious. Even if your Sect's Disciples go to our Dao field, they will certainly be treated with courtesy. Immortal Master truly has no need to worry.”
“Elder Huo's words I understand, but an ancestral rule is an ancestral rule; how can it be changed because of me? If you wish for any Medicinal Pills, just state it.”
After speaking, Yuan Li chuckled softly: “It just so happens that my Dan Sect's eight-hundred-year anniversary is approaching. It would be fine to give them as a return gift to you all, but lending Dan Sect Disciples is out of the question.”
The Seven Great Immortal Sects were all founded by ancient sages thousands of years ago, so logically, their establishment dates should all be over a thousand years ago.
But the only exception was the Dan Sect.
Because the Dan Sect had a history of over two hundred years, almost all of which was spent in servitude, existing in name only.
It wasn't until the Alchemists were almost completely wiped out that the other Six Great Immortal Sects finally awoke and returned its freedom.
Therefore, the Dan Sect's history is only eight hundred years.
By mentioning the eight-hundred-year anniversary publicly at this moment, Yuan Li was actually hinting at this matter.
As his voice fell, the expressions of the cultivators from the various Immortal Sects instantly darkened.
“Immortal Master, I have considered this matter clearly; there is no need for further discussion. Please understand.”
After hearing this, the Kaiyang Hall suddenly fell into silence.
Then, those Immortal Sect Elders slightly cupped their hands forward, and, taking their accompanying Disciples, left the main hall without a word, walking outside.
Upon seeing this, the Elders standing below in the hall all looked up at Yuan Li, but the Dan Sect Master said nothing more. Instead, he rose from the imperial throne and also walked out of the Kaiyang Hall.
After the main hall gradually emptied, all the Disciples inside breathed a sigh of relief.
They were truly afraid that the Master would agree to the matter and send them away, but fortunately, such a thing did not happen.
Thus, the tension from last night gradually dissipated from their hearts.
However, what they didn't expect was that shortly after the meeting in Kaiyang Hall ended, the Master's personal imperial decree began to be sent to various halls.
The content of the imperial decree was to instruct all female Alchemists within the Dan Sect to move to Yaoguang Hall and the Ancestral Hall, and not to leave without permission.
Hong Zhen, Wen Bin, Yuan Bingqing, Lu Ze, and others also attended the meeting in Kaiyang Hall, and were now walking towards the back mountain.
The Disciples at the foot of the mountain were not mistaken; Ji You of Tianshu Academy had indeed arrived.
They had just seen Ji You's figure in Kaiyang Hall, finding him following behind the Immortal Sect members.
And as the Master refused to lend out Disciples, Ji You quietly left with the Immortal Sect members.
“Tianshu Academy, out of Face, didn’t want to be criticized, so they indeed only sent him alone.”
Hong Zhen said as he walked, “But he is also smart; he didn’t act as a leader on behalf of Tianshu Academy, but instead followed behind the other Immortal Sects, planning to reap the benefits.
But they probably didn’t expect the Immortal Master’s refusal to be so direct.”
Wen Bin looked up at this moment: “Caiwei should also wake up—”
“That’s right, besides our own Dan Sect members, some people, no matter how good their promises are, are ultimately unreliable.
Tianshu Academy is a prime example.” As the few spoke, they had already seen the small building hidden among the bamboo forest from a distance, and gently clenched their fists.
When arranging accommodation for the Immortal Sect members last night, they specifically instructed the Disciples to pay attention to Ji You's whereabouts.
The Disciple who returned to report said that Ji You did not stay in Wanjiong Courtyard.
Thus, they discovered something that made them heartbroken: Ji You had spent the night in Yuan Caiwei’s bamboo building.
Their purpose in coming here was to persuade their Saintess Junior Sister to be more clear-headed.
Today is no longer what it used to be.
Initially, the Master thought Tianshu Academy was reliable, which is why he allowed the Sect’s Disciples to interact with Tianshu Academy’s Disciples.
But this incident has already shown that Tianshu Academy is also unreliable.
So they came here to persuade Yuan Caiwei not to harbor any more illusions.
Once those Immortal Sect members leave, their Dan Sect should activate the Sect Protection Array and completely seclude themselves from the world; thereafter, only their own people can rely on their own people.
Among the six, there were two female Disciples: Yuan Bingqing and Dai Lu.
The former was Yuan Caiwei’s cousin, and the latter grew up with her, having a very good relationship.
They had heard Yuan Chen chatter about Yuan Caiwei and Ji You’s encounter in Qi Ridge before and were quite fond of the story, but after seeing Ji You appear in Kaiyang Hall today, they couldn't help but feel a bit regretful.
Arriving in front of the bamboo building courtyard, Yuan Bingqing, at the instruction of several Senior Brothers, stepped forward to push the door open.
At this moment, there was only Ji You in the courtyard, carefully observing a large, ten-foot-wide map.
The large map was hung on a tree, held by two corners, so they could see it clearly.
On it were undulating mountains, Danxia Peak, Yaoguang Hall, and a dense circle of dashed lines, with many intersecting lines overlapping with the undulating lines of the mountains.
After only a few seconds of stunned, Hong Zhen suddenly realized what it was.
This was the Dan Sect’s Mountain Protection Array Map—
And just as he widened his eyes, about to furiously denounce the 'thief', he heard a group of noisy footsteps coming from the back mountain.
“Bingqing, Dai Lu, why are you still here?”
“Senior Sister Luoying?”
The Alchemist named Luoying hurried over: “Why are you here? Did you not receive the Sect’s message?”
Yuan Bingqing and Dai Lu opened their mouths: “We didn’t return to our courtyard after leaving Kaiyang Hall.
What message?”
“The Master’s imperial decree: all female Alchemists must bring Blood Dove Medicinal Pills and move into Yaoguang Hall before Shen Shi (3-5 PM).”
“?”
As the words fell, the Faces of the six Disciples instantly turned pale.
The Dan Sect could refine poisons, but they never sold them externally, only keeping them for self-defense, and this Blood Dove Medicinal Pill was among the most virulent.
Just a taste could take a life.
But Luoying’s eyes told them that this Medicinal Pill was not for poisoning others, but for themselves to consume.
This reminded them of what had happened in the Dan Sect’s dark history.
That is, among the enslaved Alchemists, female Alchemists were more popular than male Alchemists.
Because male Alchemists inevitably developed ulterior motives, and it was difficult for anything to truly make them fully dedicate themselves to serving.
But female Alchemists were different, because as long as a female Alchemist gave birth to a child, she would have a connection, so the first thing a captured female Alchemist faced was… Hong Zhen looked at Luoying: “What exactly happened?”
Luoying pursed her lips: “Those Immortal Sect members did not descend the mountain after being refused.”
“Are they going to forcibly seize people—?”
“This is the Master’s instruction; I’m not clear on the specific situation either.”
Hong Zhen and the others exchanged glances, entrusted Yuan Bingqing and Dai Lu to Luoying, and then headed back in the direction they had come from.
As a large group of people dispersed in all directions, Ji You, who was facing the door, frowned slightly.
The Dan Sect’s reaction was even more intense than he had imagined, even contemplating suicide.
It seems that period of history was even more tragic than what others recounted.
However, if Yuan Li so strongly distrusted that the Dan Sect Disciples would be treated with courtesy after being borrowed, then there might be other issues with the treasures as well.
Ji You pondered for a long time, then retrieved the array map from the tree, leaped up, soared through the air, landed halfway up the western mountain, and reached out to a moss-covered stone.
He then soared westward again, landing in front of a bubbling spring.
Next was the south, a stone bridge standing in a secluded mountain forest.
At the same time, Hong Zhen, Wen Bin, Lu Ze, and others had already arrived at the foot of the mountain, confirmed that the Immortal Sect members had indeed not left, and immediately headed towards the Master’s sleeping quarters.
And when they arrived, they found that all the Senior Brothers and Junior Brothers within the Sect had already gathered there.
The feeling of an impending storm made their hearts sink, so they pushed through the crowd and headed towards the palace.
Yuan Li stood inside the main hall at this moment, and upon seeing the Disciples arrive, he lightly sighed.
“Master, are they really going to make a move?”
“Indeed.”
Hong Zhen's eyes widened upon hearing this, and he spoke incredulously: “Do they still remember the qingyun immortal rules!”
Yuan Li stroked his long beard lightly, saying: “The Immortal Rules were set by them, and for thousands of years, they have always been like this—not giving up until their goal is achieved.”
Wen Bin swallowed: “We just went to Wanjiong Courtyard and found it relatively calm.
Did Master misunderstand?”
“They’re saving Face; it’s just not time yet.”
Cultivators need a stable environment to comprehend the Dao, which is why the qingyun immortal rules were established to restrict the four directions.
Even if the Five Great Immortal Sects wanted to destroy the Immortal Rules now, they wouldn’t do so openly in broad daylight.
Yuan Li knew they were waiting for a dark and windy night, for the dead of night.
When visibility was poor, with their Faces covered, whether it was killing or capturing people, they could claim it wasn’t their doing once the sun rose.
Future Qingyun historical records would only state that the Dan Sect was attacked on a dark and windy night.
Yuan Li looked at his Disciples: “I have already told your Senior Brothers and Junior Brothers that half of you will join forces with the in-laws of our Dan Sect Sect to resist the enemy.
As for you, go to Yaoguang Hall and guard your Senior Sisters and Junior Sisters.”
Hong Zhen suddenly spoke at this moment: “Master, did Caiwei take the Sect Protection Array Map?”
“How do you know?”
“I just went to the bamboo building to look for Caiwei, but didn’t see her; I only saw the map.”
Yuan Li sighed slightly upon hearing this: “She probably wanted to find a way to save our Dan Sect, but since those Immortal Sect members are inside the array, the grand array won’t be of much use.”
Hong Zhen actually wanted to say that Yuan Caiwei had given the array map to Ji You, but thinking that the Dan Sect was now facing a great calamity and the Master was already mentally exhausted, he ultimately swallowed his words.
Afterward, Hong Zhen led his Junior Brothers out of the Master’s sleeping quarters and headed towards Yaoguang Hall.
Yuan Li, watching his Disciples depart, clenched his right hand in his sleeve, then stepped into the Sect Ancestral Hall behind the sleeping quarters.
The ancestral hall was very quiet, but there were wafts of incense smoke.
Danyangzi, Danchenzi, and the other Elders were all kneeling before the spirit tablets, and upon seeing Yuan Li arrive, they all rose.
“Senior Brother, everything has been arranged.”
“Then let’s wait.”
Danyangzi, hearing the reply, couldn't help but raise his head slightly: “Could it be that our reaction was too strong, and the situation might not be so serious?”
Yuan Li drew three sticks of sandalwood incense from the table: “Why do you think they insist on borrowing our Dan Sect Disciples to go to their place, instead of sending them here?”
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