Chapter Thirty-Eight: Crisis

The two emerged from the cave, where the protective formation that once surrounded it had vanished without a trace. Outside, the Celestial Partners Sect and the Gate of Life and Death stood on opposite sides, seemingly locked in confrontation.

Upon seeing them exit, Han Yuanzheng was overjoyed and immediately reached out to draw them to his side, but a second hand reached for them as well—Long Chengye's—though he was a step too late.

Placing Han Qiaoman and Zhou Qi behind him, Han Yuanzheng fixed his gaze on Long Chengye. “Sect Master Long, what is the meaning of this?”

“What meaning? My son is dead, yet they are unharmed. Naturally, I demand an explanation,” Long Chengye replied, his eyes fierce and his tone dark.

“You can ask your questions here; there’s no need for them to go to your side. As a cultivator in the divine transformation stage, it’s hardly proper to lay hands on juniors,” Han Yuanzheng retorted.

“Father, the disciples of the Gate of Life and Death were surrounded and slaughtered by those of the Celestial Partners Sect. I nearly died under Long Feiyu’s hand, but was saved by a man in black,” Han Qiaoman said to her father.

“What? Tell me everything in detail,” Han Yuanzheng exclaimed, shocked. No wonder his disciples had perished one after another in such a short time.

Han Qiaoman recounted their experience in the cave, and when Han Yuanzheng heard that the disciples of the Celestial Partners Sect had killed those of his sect to activate the teleportation array, he was furious. He glared at Long Chengye, demanding, “Sect Master Long, I expect an explanation from you.”

“Explanation? What explanation? Your daughter is perfectly fine, but my son is dead, and you ask me for explanations? All for those mere foundation stage disciples? Han Qiaoman has spoken, but that little qi cultivator hasn't. He survived with such low cultivation—there must be secrets he's hiding.” With that, Long Chengye moved to seize Zhou Qi.

Han Yuanzheng stopped him and said to Zhou Qi, “Tell us your account.”

Zhou Qi repeated what he had told Han Qiaoman. Upon hearing that Zhou Qi had not neglected the task entrusted to him during his trial, Han Yuanzheng felt a surge of joy. The deaths of thirteen foundation stage disciples became inconsequential compared to the value of over ten thousand precious medicinal herbs.

“The truth is now clear, Sect Master Long. You should let go of your anger. Long Feiyu was killed by someone from the Medicine Immortal’s Sanctuary. I won’t pursue the matter of your sect’s massacre of my disciples, but if you continue to harass Qiaoman and Zhou Qi, we’ll have no choice but to settle this through force,” Han Yuanzheng declared.

“I’ll let your daughter go, but this boy is clearly lying. If he failed the trial, he should have been able to leave, so why have none of my other disciples returned? Hand him over—I’ll search his soul to verify his story,” Long Chengye insisted.

Zhou Qi’s heart sank; he hadn’t expected such a glaring flaw in his account.

“You cannot simply search his soul. The process leaves the victim a mindless shell. Your priority should be to pursue the person who took the Medicine Immortal’s Sanctuary, not waste time with my disciple—a mere qi cultivator. Why bother?” Han Yuanzheng tried to reason.

“Just as you say, he is but a lowly qi cultivator. Are you really willing to trigger a war between our sects over him?” Long Chengye pressed.

“Father…” Han Qiaoman pleaded, fearing her father might surrender Zhou Qi to avoid conflict.

“If I refuse, you would force a war with my sect? Are you not afraid of the wrath of the Heavenly Dao Sect?” Han Yuanzheng challenged.

“I have only one son. Now that he’s gone, what do I care for the Heavenly Dao Sect? Try me, Han Yuanzheng. I only want the truth. Are you truly willing to risk bloodshed over a mere qi cultivator?” Long Chengye’s resolve was unwavering.

Han Yuanzheng hesitated. If a sect war erupted because of Zhou Qi, the loss would far outweigh the gain. Yet the boy was blameless and had contributed greatly. Surrendering him would be tantamount to conceding defeat, but Long Chengye, having lost his son, was blinded by rage and capable of anything.

Zhou Qi detected Han Yuanzheng’s hesitation. He knew he could not compete with the entire Gate of Life and Death, nor did he want his fate left in others’ hands. Whatever Han Yuanzheng decided, Zhou Qi would not wait.

He took out a ring and handed it to Han Yuanzheng. “Sect Master, this is what I obtained in the Immortal’s cave. I give it to you now.”

He then bowed respectfully and instantly activated the Earth Piercing Talisman. In a flash of light, his body was transported a thousand miles away.

“Trying to escape?” Long Chengye reacted instantly, vanishing from sight as he pursued Zhou Qi.

“Father, I am so disappointed in you!” Han Qiaoman glared at Han Yuanzheng, furious. If her father hadn’t hesitated, Zhou Qi would never have fled, and falling into Long Chengye’s hands would be a fate worse than death.

Han Yuanzheng stared blankly at the ring in his hand, watching Zhou Qi’s departure. Had he erred? Trading Zhou Qi for the peace of the sect—Qiaoman, if you were the sect master, would you make the same choice?

Zhou Qi materialized a thousand miles away, only to find Long Chengye already closing in. A divine transformation cultivator’s mind could span distances far greater than a mere thousand miles.

It was over. As Long Chengye approached, Zhou Qi desperately used the Divine Step to teleport further. Soon, he reached the limit of his technique, spat blood, and was forced to stop.

“Sect Master Long, let’s talk! I can tell you anything you want to know—I know who took the Medicine Immortal’s Sanctuary!” Zhou Qi shouted as Long Chengye drew nearer. Even delaying death by a moment was precious. Zhou Qi called out to Tianxuan True Lord in his heart, but received no answer.

“Searching your soul will reveal all I wish to know. Clearly, you are hiding something,” Long Chengye sneered.

This was truly the end. Long Chengye was implacable, refusing to listen. Zhou Qi had believed the Earth Piercing Talisman would ensure his escape, but he had underestimated the power of a divine transformation cultivator. If it could evade such pursuit, Han Yuanzheng would not have given it away so lightly.

Long Chengye’s massive hand reached for Zhou Qi, who closed his eyes, awaiting death. He blamed no one but himself for his lack of strength.

A thunderous crash sounded. Zhou Qi opened his eyes to find a figure standing before him—a man clad entirely in black robes, who with a single blow sent Long Chengye flying out of sight.

Di Yi turned and smiled. “Brother Zhou, I hadn’t expected to repay your favor so soon.”

“It’s you, Brother Di Yi? Haven’t you gone to rescue your wife?” Zhou Qi was overjoyed. Indeed, good deeds bring rewards. If he hadn’t offered a helping hand that day, he would now be dead. What cultivation did Di Yi possess, to have such power with a casual strike?

“A small matter delayed me. I was about to depart when I sensed you in danger. Why are you being hunted by a divine transformation cultivator?” Di Yi asked, curious.

Zhou Qi explained the recent events. Di Yi was indignant, cursing both Long Chengye and Han Yuanzheng—one vented his grief on others after losing his son, the other, as sect master, failed to protect his disciple and even colluded with the enemy. Each was selfish, worthy of the reputation of human cultivators.

Seeing Di Yi angrier than himself, Zhou Qi could only smile wryly. Wasn’t this behavior normal in the Tianxuan Continent? He had overestimated the integrity of its cultivators.

“My enemies are powerful. I cannot bring you along—I fear I may not be able to protect you,” Di Yi said after a long pause. He could shield Zhou Qi once, but not for a lifetime.

“Brother Di Yi, you have already saved my life, and I am deeply grateful. You should hurry to rescue your wife,” Zhou Qi replied. He harbored no desire to follow Di Yi; his greatest wish now was to improve his own strength.

Di Yi nodded and bid him farewell.