Chapter Forty-Four: Willow Drifts in Search of Aid

At last, on a rainy night, the subordinate sect of the Immortal Companions, Miexin Sect, launched a war against the subordinate sect of the Gate of Life and Death, Immortal Dragon Garden.

The pretext was that several disciples of Miexin Sect had gone missing in Immortal Dragon Garden. Suspecting foul play, Miexin Sect demanded to search the garden, but Immortal Dragon Garden refused. Miexin Sect then mobilized a large number of cultivators and attacked by force.

Miexin Sect came prepared, while Immortal Dragon Garden was caught off guard, suffering heavy casualties. Vast stretches of spirit fields and medicinal herbs were destroyed. When news of this reached the Gate of Life and Death, the sect was shaken; they ordered Lingji Cave, Zhengyi Sect, Heartless Pavilion, and Peach Blossom Sect to launch a comprehensive counterattack against the subordinate sects of the Immortal Companions.

Thus, the great war between the two sects officially began. Countless disciples rushed to the front lines: today you raid my spirit fields, tomorrow I smash your sect’s businesses. The disciples of all factions, blood boiling, swept through the land like a storm—killing on sight, robbing anything of value. In just a few days, both sides suffered devastating losses.

Neither the Immortal Companions nor the Gate of Life and Death had yet entered the fray themselves, only providing supplies from the rear. As long as their subordinate sects still had strength to fight, they would not make a move; but if they did, it would be a fight to the finish. In the absence of intervention from the Heavenly Dao Sect, the war would only end in utter defeat for one side. Thus, in the early stages, whether one could exhaust the enemy’s logistics through the struggle of the subordinate sects became crucial.

In the main square of Zhengyi Sect, Liu Chengfeng wore a grave expression, uncharacteristically neglecting his usual words of inspiration, for the situation was dire. Zhengyi Sect had always been the weakest among the five under the Gate of Life and Death. A few years ago, they had gained resources when Zhou Qi took second place in the five-sect competition, but the advantage had not lasted.

Now, follow-up resources were lacking. Too few pills, too few spirit stones. If the fighting continued, Zhengyi Sect would likely be the first to be eliminated. The disciples, deprived of rewards and unable to recover with pills, would be marching to their deaths—why would they fight desperately for Zhengyi Sect? In times of war, shortages of supplies could easily lead to mutiny among these disciples.

Moreover, the other four sects bore great resentment toward Zhengyi Sect, for the pretext for this war—Zhou Qi—had been a disciple of Zhengyi Sect. Seeking support from the others was impossible; the best they could hope for was not to be stabbed in the back.

“Father, why don’t we ask Senior Brother Zhou for help? He’s a personal disciple now, and I’ve heard he’s close with Han Qiaoman, the sect master’s daughter. Maybe he can help us through this crisis.” Seeing her father’s brow furrowed deeply, Liu Piaopiao made the suggestion.

“He’s a personal disciple now—whether he’d be willing to help us is one thing, but he’s only at the Qi Refinement stage. Does he have spirit stones and pills to give? Even if he is close with Han Qiaoman, Han Yuanzheng would never treat us differently because of that. His eyes are on the entire war; Zhengyi Sect is dispensable.” Liu Chengfeng sighed.

“But if this continues, we’re doomed,” Liu Piaopiao said anxiously.

“If defeat is inevitable, I cannot flee; if I did, the Gate of Life and Death would have me executed. But you are different. When the time comes, go to Heavenly Dao Sect and seek shelter with your aunt. I trust she will protect your life,” Liu Chengfeng instructed.

“Senior Brother Zhou will have a way. I’m going to find him,” Liu Piaopiao insisted, unwilling to give up. No matter how correct her father’s analysis, she trusted her own intuition and could not bear to see her father die in such a meaningless war.

At the Gate of Life and Death, in Liu Ruicai’s cave residence, Zhou Qi hesitated to continue his secluded alchemy. With war at hand and disciples running to and fro, to shut himself away would seem insensitive.

“Senior Brother Zhou, are you there?” She called out through the defensive formation—it was Liu Piaopiao. Zhou Qi hurried outside to greet her.

“Senior Sister, you’re looking lovelier than ever,” Zhou Qi teased.

“I…” Liu Piaopiao found herself at a loss for words upon seeing Zhou Qi. It was too much to ask of him, yet she had no other recourse.

“Senior Sister, whatever you need, just say it. Though I’m now a disciple of the Gate of Life and Death, I came from Zhengyi Sect. Sect Master Liu, Elder Fifth, and you yourself have all looked after me—especially you. I would go through fire and water for your sake.” Seeing her expression, Zhou Qi more or less guessed her purpose; after all, Zhengyi Sect was embroiled in war.

Touched by his words, Liu Piaopiao explained her request: she hoped Zhou Qi could ask Han Qiaoman to persuade the Gate of Life and Death to allocate spirit stones and pills to Zhengyi Sect.

Hearing this, Zhou Qi was relieved; he had feared she would ask for military support, but spirit stones and pills were something he had in abundance—far more than he needed. There was no need to trouble Han Qiaoman.

“Senior Sister, bring me an empty storage ring. I’ll go ask my master for support.” Zhou Qi felt a bit awkward; most of his spirit stones and pills were stored in the Apothecary Sage’s Mansion. He had forgotten to retrieve the spatial ring Liu Chengfeng had once rewarded him, so he was without a storage ring at the moment. But with the Apothecary Sage’s Mansion, he could store as much as he wished.

Liu Piaopiao handed him an empty storage ring, watching curiously as he entered the cave. Wasn’t he supposed to ask Han Qiaoman? Would Elder Liu be willing to help Zhengyi Sect?

Before long, Zhou Qi emerged, having loaded the ring with a million lower-grade spirit stones, and fifty thousand each of Vitality Pills, Spirit Recovery Pills, and Qi and Blood Pills, which he handed to Liu Piaopiao.

“These are from my master. He said that since Zhengyi Sect fights for the Gate of Life and Death, this support need not be repaid. It may not be much, but it should suffice for the current war,” Zhou Qi explained. If he said it was a personal gift, it would be suspicious—how could a mere Qi Refinement disciple possess such wealth?

Liu Piaopiao was deeply moved, surprised that her desperate gamble had succeeded. She wanted to thank Elder Liu Ruicai in person, but Zhou Qi told her his master had instructed not to be disturbed.

Watching Liu Piaopiao leave, elated, Zhou Qi felt content as well. Helping others brought him joy far greater than hoarding riches for himself.

When Liu Chengfeng saw his daughter return with resources, he was overjoyed. Upon hearing her explanation, he realized that the usually mysterious Liu Ruicai had been willing to help, surely because of Zhou Qi’s involvement. With these resources, Zhengyi Sect could now hold out for much longer.

Back in his cave, Zhou Qi pondered the war. It seemed senseless. Was the Immortal Companions’ true aim himself, or did they have other motives? The Gate of Life and Death’s actions were equally inscrutable—why had they suddenly become so resolute?

“True Lord, what do you make of this war?” Whenever in doubt, Zhou Qi had grown accustomed to asking the True Lord.

“You are one of the reasons for this war; Long Chengye has surely sensed something. But the main reason is likely resources and territory. The essence of war is the struggle for profit. If not for profit, killing a few more of Long Chengye’s sons would never provoke a sect-wide conflict,” the Xuanxuan True Lord replied unhurriedly.

“True Lord, I dare not go into seclusion now. May I go out and temper myself in battle, to gain real combat experience?” Zhou Qi asked. Seclusion could raise one’s cultivation, but true battle experience only came from fighting.

Moreover, though the Mystic Thunder Escape and Myriad Swords Return were Foundation Establishment techniques, he was at the tenth level of Qi Refinement—one level above his peers—and could just manage to use them.

“You may. But you must keep careful watch on the duration of your Illusion Technique.”