The No.1 Undercover in the Immortal World-Chapter 380 - 369: The Calamity of Shenxiao

Gu Qingmeng received the Jade Talisman, and after being blown away by the Flower Fairy, she knew she could no longer catch up. She had no choice but to go back and meet with Yue Ningshuang.

Yue Ningshuang, upon learning that Gu Qingmeng had failed to catch Jiang Chenyu, also felt somewhat relieved.

This was a rare opportunity for advancement, and she must seize it.

She desired the position of Palace Master for the sake of obtaining the Taiyin True Scripture.

Only the Saintess and the Palace Master could learn the final layer, and only by breaking through that last layer could one achieve the Mysterious Skill Nine Rotations.

Besides, there were other benefits to being the Palace Master; now that she had reached the Enlightened Realm, she had no other pursuits left and just wanted to be the Palace Master, to have everyone listen to her orders.

However, she encountered an obstacle right at the first step.

"The Sect Master entrusted the leader’s Jade Talisman to me, allowing me to temporarily assume the position of Palace Master. Our top priority is to rescue our teacher."

Yue Ningshuang, "..."

As an Enlightened Realm Cultivator, am I going to let a Jade Talisman control me?

However, the Elders of Guanghan Palace listened to Gu Qingmeng.

For one, she had been the former Saintess and had some prestige. Though she was later demoted, her relationships remained. After all, she was Jiang Chenyu’s disciple, and also the Flower Fairy’s senior sister. She was in charge of the sect’s discipline, holding a not insignificant position.

Now with the Jade Talisman in hand, those from the Neutral Faction naturally followed her lead.

Yue Ningshuang was infuriated!

When the Flower Fairy was around, she served as the acting Palace Master. And now that the Flower Fairy was gone, here popped up Gu Qingmeng. Was this some kind of curse?

Am I not fit to be the leader?

"The first matter, issue a Killing Order targeting three individuals: the Flower Fairy, Lin Yun, and the Snow Maiden."

Yue Ningshuang, "..."

Goodness, who do you expect to kill these three?

Lin Yun might be a bit easier to kill.

Yue Ningshuang was unaware of Lin Yun’s prowess.

"The second matter, send someone to demand an explanation from the Shenxiao Sect. Their disciples are colluding with the Grassland People, and the Shenxiao Sect cannot shirk the blame."

Gu Qingmeng, as the Elder in charge of discipline, immediately asserted her authority, giving her supporters a bit of confidence.

The elders had their reasons for supporting Gu Qingmeng.

If Jiang Chenyu truly could not return, then Gu Qingmeng would be the last person who knew the entire Taiyin True Scripture.

Regarding the Enlightened Realm cultivation level, Gu Qingmeng would surely attain it as she continued her practice; she was much younger than Yue Ningshuang, with no reason for people to support Yue Ningshuang instead.

"Shenxiao Sect and our Guanghan Palace have a deep relationship. Now that they are in a precarious position, is it appropriate for us to kick them while they’re down?"

Yue Ningshuang voiced her opposition but was purely being contrarian. If she were in power, she too would have someone step on them, having already negotiated with the Imperial Court.

"Guanghan Palace is at a critical juncture of life and death. We cannot concern ourselves with past friendships. Moreover, since Lin Yun originates from Shenxiao Sect, of course, they must take responsibility. This is indisputable, and no one will blame us."

Gu Qingmeng made a definitive statement and immediately brought up the third issue, "Thirdly, we need to send an envoy to negotiate with Lin Yun and the Snow Maiden, to have them release our teacher. Elder Yue, you are the highest in cultivation among us all. This task will be entrusted to you, how about it?"

Yue Ningshuang, "..."

Gu Qingmeng surely had a clever strategy.

But, are you sure you want me to rescue Jiang Chenyu?

"Since Elder Gu holds me in such high regard, it wouldn’t be appropriate for me to refuse. However, Elder Gu has the trust of the Palace Master and everyone else. It is best to be careful in all things, to not let everyone down."

"Elder Yue need not worry, Qingmeng understands."

What appeared to be a cordial conversation was, in fact, laced with hidden sharpness.

As Gu Qingmeng issued three commands, Guanghan Palace became bustling with activity.

A Killing Order was issued, which currently no one dared to accept, but it demonstrated Guanghan Palace’s stance.

A team headed to Shenxiao Sect consisted of elder-level figures. Guanghan Palace’s forces, when they hastened to Purple Cloud Mountain at night, only then realized that Purple Cloud Mountain had been surrounded by heavy troops.

The Imperial Court intended to make an example out of them, to set a precedent.

In that case, Shenxiao Sect was the most fitting target.

It was ironic because if you talked about adhering to the laws of the Imperial Court, Shenxiao Sect could be considered second to none, with no other sect daring to claim the first place.

It could be said that not even members of the imperial family and nobility necessarily adhered to the laws as well as disciples of Shenxiao Sect.

Yet, it was this very sect that the Imperial Court first besieged with troops.

The reasons were simple. Previously, Hu Yuling had defected from Shenxiao Sect, right?

Shenxiao Sect was suspected of colluding with the Demon Race.

That was the first charge.

Secondly, wasn’t Lin Yun a disciple of your Shenxiao Sect?

Now he’s mixed up with people from the Grassland, isn’t Shenxiao Sect responsible?

Thirdly, Shenxiao Sect’s elder Lin Yu interfered with the Imperial Court’s capture of the criminal Flower Fairy and also had dealings with the Grassland People.

In conclusion, the Imperial Court demanded that Shenxiao Sect open its gates for investigation, hand over Lin Yun and Lin Yu to face justice, and finally, Fang Yu should take responsibility by stepping down and giving the position of Sect Master to someone more virtuous.

Just like Thousand Mechanism Valley before them, the Six Major Sects acted as enforcers against Thousand Mechanism Valley, and now the Imperial Court was the enforcer against Shenxiao Sect.

Within a single night, Purple Cloud Mountain found itself under siege.

The numerous disciples were still not quite reacting.

What’s going on? How did we suddenly get surrounded by the Imperial Court?

"Master, the time is almost up,"

A slightly frail-looking woman said to Fang Yu in the Shenxiao Sect’s council hall.

She was Ji Ru Meng, Fang Yu’s fifth disciple, the only one remaining apart from Lin Yun.

Ever since the incident with the Thunderclap Sword’s Spirit, Fang Yu had been searching for a way to break the curse. During the time Lin Yun went missing, Fang Yu woke Ji Ru Meng.

Having slept for many years, Ji Ru Meng always needed rest, so she stayed in the Shenxiao Sect and never went out.

"Today, the Imperial Court’s troops are at the foot of the mountain. What do you all think?"

After taking a loss at the Flower Fairy, King Jibei, Zhao Guang, did not stop to rest before he rallied his troops and bothered Purple Cloud Mountain.

Now, as dawn was just breaking, their efficiency was indeed high.

"If they want to fight, then we’ll fight. My Shenxiao Sect would rather die in battle than submit,"

Elder Ma Feng had a particularly explosive temper.

The Imperial Court’s approach was ferocious. Although they had a pretext for sending out troops, everyone here had lived for hundreds of years, and no one was fooling anyone else.

Even though Shenxiao Sect was missing the brainy Hu Yuling, and the only person who thought things through was gone, this didn’t prevent them from feeling that the Imperial Court was simply bullying people.

So, let’s fight!

Shenxiao Sect had never been afraid of anyone.

Fang Yu was also very relieved. At least the hearts of Shenxiao Sect were reliable. When faced with calamity, no one contemplated betrayal.

However, while the followers below could get hot-blooded, Fang Yu knew that this decision was related to the survival of the Shenxiao Sect.

"If we fight, the Imperial Court brought four Acolytes, and the only ones in the Shenxiao Sect with the strength to fight are me and Elder Lin. If it comes to a fight to the death, all the disciples of my Shenxiao Sect will not be spared,"

After hearing Fang Yu say this, the Elders below were all shocked.

My goodness, is this our Sect Master?

The Sect Master, who used to fight at the drop of a hat, is now showing restraint?

Elder Fufeng asked, "What does the Sect Master mean? Are we really planning to do as that youngster said, hand over Elder Lin, have you, the Sect Master, abdicate, and accept a search?"

Fang Yu shook his head. The people of Shenxiao Sect were spirited and could not accept such terms.

"My meaning is, we should retreat from Purple Cloud Mountain. Elder Fufeng, you and Elder Zhu Jian go and take inventory of the Shenxiao Sect’s ancient books—take as many as you can, and burn the rest. The other Elders, lead the disciples to leave. I and Elder Lin will delay time for everyone."

"Retreat? But where could we retreat to?"

Everyone was not quite in agreement with Fang Yu’s strategy.

Besides, Purple Cloud Mountain was their home. Now they were being asked to abandon it and flee to an unknown location, they would rather fight to the death against the Imperial Court.

"Head north, to Mount Heavenly Dragon. Mount Heavenly Dragon is a natural stronghold, and the Imperial Court will certainly not dare to pursue us to the death there."

"Mount Heavenly Dragon!?"

One of the world’s four most dangerous places, Mount Heavenly Dragon definitely counted as one. It was extremely mysterious, with various ancient legends.

Escaping to Mount Heavenly Dragon was indeed a good refuge, but the people of Shenxiao Sect, how could they be willing to flee...

"Honorable Elders, I know what doubts you have in your hearts but losing the land while keeping the people means saving both the people and the land. If we lose both the people and the land, we’re done for. Today, the Imperial Court comes with overwhelming power, and their intent to destroy us is as clear as day. However, such unprincipled actions mark the beginning of a disaster.

"Let us endure for the moment. One day, we will surely return here, and I believe that day will not be far off."

Fang Yu’s words finally swayed these Elders.

Even the temperamental Fang Yu chose to endure; what more could they say?

"We will follow the Sect Master’s command."

The Elders took their orders, and just at this moment, the sound of explosions suddenly erupted from all around.

The Imperial Court had made the first move.

Shenxiao Sect had many disciples with shallow cultivation levels in addition to its ascended cultivators, and these disciples were far more numerous.

Under the bombardment of the Imperial Court’s spells, many disciples could not react in time and were killed on the spot.

Fang Yu was the first to charge out. Seeing such a scene, he couldn’t help but become furiously angry.

"God of Thunder, by your command: Execute Demons!"

As a thunderous explosion resounded, Fang Yu decisively unleashed Shenxiao Sect’s most powerful attack, the Nine Heavens Divine Thunder.

Purple Cloud Mountain was already a region where the Power of Thunder was immensely strong. With this move of Nine Heavens Divine Thunder, those cultivators attacking the disciples of Shenxiao Sect were engulfed by heavenly thunder and instantly reduced to ashes.

"Sect Master Fang, as one of the revered ones, you actually ruthlessly strike down cultivators at the land realm. Such behavior, how is it different from the Demonic Path?"

Zhao Yuan saw Lin Yu again. Thinking of the previous vision of the White Tiger, he was somewhat anxious. At that time, it was 3v3, not only with a White Tiger but also a Vermilion Bird. But now, only Lin Yu and Fang Yu were left, and they had four people.

At equal realms, without any special Divine Skills or Divine Artifacts, it was practically impossible for an Enlightened Realm Cultivator to fight two-on-one.

Moreover, the Shenxiao Sect was likely without a Divine Artifact. To be cautious, they had even brought the Nine States Cauldron with them.

This battle was meant to destroy the Shenxiao Sect.

With the force of a Thunderbolt, their intention was to utterly annihilate the Shenxiao Sect before the other sects could perceive the Imperial Court’s resolve.

Four Enlightened Realm Acolytes, twenty Celestial Knowing Realm Acolytes, and one Divine Artifact capable of suppressing everything. I ask you, how could they lose this wave?