It was actually the No Moon Court! Baili Gelin wasn’t sure whether to feel joy or worry.
This cooperation between the Mountain and Ocean Sects to resist the Sea Fall was clearly not just empty talk—they were acting decisively. With the Sea Sect’s worries alleviated, the elders and Celestials could fight with all their might. Zuoqiu Xiansheng’s connections had truly worked wonders.
A Jiao was still chattering away: "The No Moon Court is a great place. I hear there are lots of powerful Celestials there. Just the other day, that qiongqi beast was subdued by Cuixuan Xianren using the long-lost Netherworld Great Magic. Oh right, didn’t you say your good friend is also at the No Moon Court? You must be thrilled."
Though she tried her best to keep her tone and expression light and cheerful, Baili Gelin could still sense the fear and sorrow hidden deep within her. She gently took A Jiao’s hand and whispered, "Senior Sister A Jiao, don’t worry. Master is so strong, nothing will happen to him. Once the Sea Fall passes, we’ll definitely see him again."
A Jiao forced a smile. "Of course I’m not worried about Father. Don’t you fret, little imp."
Disciples streamed into Luxin Hall one after another, each assigned a silk ribbon and a letter based on their cultivation level. The atmosphere of parting grew heavier by the minute. Even those who had initially been excited and curious about going to the Mountain Sect gradually fell silent. Though the elders and Shen Xiansheng said nothing, everyone knew that the chances of the remaining elders, Celestials, and Shen Xiansheng surviving their return were slim.
Slowly, quiet sobs filled Luxin Hall. Even the elders distributing the ribbons began to falter, their eyes reddening.
After tying the ribbon for the last disciple, Shen Xiansheng straightened up and slowly scanned the crowded hall. This time, he didn’t scold the disciples for crying. Taking a deep breath, he said solemnly, "When disaster strikes, all we can do is fight with our lives to protect peace. Life and death are fated—there’s no need for excessive sorrow. In another five hundred years, the burden will fall on your shoulders. Remember, as guests in the Mountain Sect, you must not clash with any of their disciples. Generosity and magnanimity are the hallmarks of the Eastern Sea. Do not let others look down on us, the Sea Sect disciples."
His words were always crisp and decisive, without a trace of hesitation or sentimentality. With a wave of his hand, he declared, "Go!"
The elders led the sobbing disciples out of Luxin Hall in waves. A Jiao remained rooted by Shen Xiansheng’s side, unmoving. Shen Xiansheng sighed. "You go too."
A Jiao choked up, clutching the hem of his robe. "Father, let me stay with you."
Shen Xiansheng replied calmly, "If I stay alone, there’s still a chance I’ll survive. If you stay, we’ll both die. This is no time for willfulness. Go."
He gently brushed her hand away and gave her a push. A Jiao was sent flying backward, caught by an elder who had been waiting ahead. Ignoring her struggles and cries, the elder forcibly carried her out of Luxin Hall.
Amidst the suffocating sounds of weeping, the disciples of the East Sea Myriad Immortals Assembly were evacuated in groups. Over three hundred disciples who had broken through the third bottleneck followed ten elders in silence as they flew toward Yangxi City. Everyone was weeping bitterly, and the ten elders wore equally somber expressions. Not a single word was spoken.
Parting always came so suddenly, without warning. Even if they returned to the Eastern Sea after the Sea Fall, everything would be different. How could they not grieve?A few days ago, due to the chaos caused by the Qiongqi beast, the mountain forests and small towns along the way were almost overturned. However, Yangxi City suffered the heaviest damage—nearly half of its buildings were shattered by the thunderclouds atop the Qiongqi's head, and countless lives were lost. Upon landing in the city, the air was filled with the sound of weeping, a heartbreaking scene.
Several elders from No Moon Court, who had been waiting, stepped forward to greet them. Neither side was in the mood for pleasantries. After a long silence, one of the No Moon Court elders sighed bitterly and said, "The Sea Fall has not yet truly arrived, yet the devastation is already so horrifying. We have an unreasonable request—please refrain from mentioning these tragic scenes to our disciples, lest it stir panic."
An elder from the Ocean Sect frowned and replied, "Natural disasters are part of the cycle of fate. Even if we don't speak of it, how can it be hidden? Concealing it for a moment won't hide it forever. The younger disciples should experience these trials to temper themselves."
The No Moon Court elder sighed again. "Precisely because the disasters are unending, even we elders are alarmed, let alone those disciples with wavering resolve. Some are already taking advantage of the chaos to cause trouble. The Star Rectitude Hall's Elder Xuanshan has died under mysterious circumstances. If the disciples are further terrified and thrown into disarray, how will we handle both internal and external crises?"
Baili Gelin shuddered upon hearing the words "Star Rectitude Hall's Elder Xuanshan has died under mysterious circumstances." Xuanshan Zi was dead? If she recalled correctly, wasn't this Celestial the one overseeing the rear of Yue Kingdom? With his death, wouldn't Ji Tongzhou go mad?
Just as she was reeling from the shock, she suddenly felt someone staring at her from nearby. She instinctively turned her head and saw a Celestial elder from No Moon Court. He appeared to be in his forties, with an ordinary face, but his eyes were clear, gentle, and radiant like a deity's.
Why was he looking at her? Baili Gelin glanced around in confusion, only to realize the Celestial was indeed staring directly at her. Did he know her?
After observing her for a moment, the Celestial from No Moon Court gave a slight nod, then turned and walked a short distance away—was he signaling for her to follow?
Baffled and surprised, Baili Gelin quickly slipped away from the crowd when no one was paying attention. The Celestial looked down at her and smiled warmly, his voice as soothing as a spring breeze. "I am Chongyi, Jiang Li Fei's master."
Baili Gelin gasped softly and immediately bowed. "Elder Chongyi."
Chongyi Zhenren steadied her arm and shook his head, speaking in a low voice. "I often hear Li Fei mention you... There are traces of her spiritual energy lingering on you. Have you seen her recently?"
Baili Gelin was taken aback. "Y-yes, I have."
Chongyi Zhenren's expression gradually turned solemn. After a moment of contemplation, as if resolving himself, he whispered, "If you see her again, tell her not to return to No Moon Court for now—no matter what summons she receives."
Baili Gelin was startled. "Elder Chongyi, what do you mean? Are you driving her away?"
Chongyi Zhenren sighed faintly. "It's not like that. Just relay my message."
Baili Gelin watched him walk away, her mind swirling with questions. She had always been sharp-witted, and though Li Fei had never spoken of it, she could sense something unusual about her—like the absence of spiritual energy fluctuations from breaking through a bottleneck, or the fact that she had single-handedly killed Zhen Yunzi.
She would never breathe a word about what happened in the Eastern Sea, but others might not be so discreet. If even Li Fei's master was warning her not to return to the sect, could something terrible be brewing?The more she thought about it, the more she felt an ominous premonition. She glanced back—the elders of the Myriad Immortals Assembly were still whispering with the elders of No Moon Court, and the three hundred disciples remained in low spirits. No one was paying attention to her, so she simply turned and walked away, heading straight for a secluded spot before summoning the Centipede demon and speeding off.
She needed to ask Ye Ye and the others—who had leaked Li Fei’s secret?
Her sister and Ye Ye were absolutely impossible suspects. Su Wan didn’t seem like the type to gossip, and Lei Xiuyuan was even less likely. Ji Tongzhou? Back then, Zhen Yunzi had taken him and Li Fei away, so he must have witnessed everything. But this young prince was clearly deeply obsessed with Li Fei—why would he harm her? Could it be love turned to hatred?
Baili Gelin’s head throbbed with anxiety. To make matters worse, that girl Li Fei had left without a word, and no one could find her. What if she returned to No Moon Court? The crimes of killing Qin Yangling and Zheng Xu Zhang Lao alone were enough to condemn her to death, not to mention the accusation of murdering a Star Rectitude Hall elder.
As if sensing its master’s agitation, the Centipede demon flew at full speed through the clouds. Suddenly, a Snake Demon emerged from the clouds behind her, neither approaching nor retreating, simply following her step for step. Baili Gelin turned and immediately recognized the golden belt entwined with a pale green ribbon around Lu Li’s waist.
Now of all times, he had to add to the chaos! Baili Gelin snapped, “Why are you following me?!”
Hadn’t she told him to leave her alone?!
Lu Li remained silent, as if he had reverted to his old reticent self, stubbornly and resolutely keeping his distance behind her.
Baili Gelin was seething with frustration. She couldn’t spare the energy to deal with him right now—if he wanted to follow, so be it!
Below, the undulating mountains suggested they had reached the border of Yue Country. Baili Gelin glanced down casually, only to see a dense crowd of people moving below. She quickly ordered the Centipede demon to descend. Smoke billowed, banners were scattered haphazardly, and the air was filled with shouts and roars—two armies were locked in battle.
A battlefield at Yue Country’s border? Her shock deepened as she recalled the No Moon Court elder’s earlier mention of Xuanshan Zi’s death. How had the war reached Yue Country’s border in just a few days? Had the enemy country been preparing all along?
Baili Gelin flew even lower. Suddenly, she caught sight of the enemy’s banners at the rear, and her breath hitched—black with yellow borders, embroidered with two ferocious, clawing dragons. It was a pattern she could never forget, even in her dreams: Wugou.
Years ago, these banners had surged into the capital of Gaolu like a tidal wave, turning the once-prosperous city into a hellscape of flames and screams. She remembered her parents’ dying cries, her sister carrying her on her young back as they fled, the endless fire, the blood and corpses covering the ground.
After all these years, she never thought she’d see those banners again. And now, the hellish memories she had buried deep in her heart came flooding back—she hadn’t forgotten a single detail.
In an instant, she understood everything—the sudden death of Xuanshan Zi, Wugou’s invasion of Yue Country mere days after his demise. Back then, the Celestial overseeing Gaolu had also died mysteriously during a demon hunt. Now, Long Mingzuo and Zongquan had used the same method on Xuanshan Zi.Baili Gelin's face was icy cold as she stared fixedly at the banner. Suddenly raising her hand, roaring flames descended from the sky, instantly engulfing the dense array of Wugou banners ahead. Countless enormous vines burst from the ground, tightly coiling around the screaming, panicked Wugou soldiers.
Back then, she had been powerless against Wugou's overwhelming might, forced to endure their oppression. Today, she would burn every last Wugou banner in sight to ashes.
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