212: The patriarch who said one thing but meant another

A trembling sob rang out among the Qixia Sect Disciples, followed by complete chaos and extreme panic.

The cruel methods of the demonic Sects were something the Righteous Path Sects spoke of with fear.

Hearing the incessant assembly horns, all the Qixia Sect Disciples turned pale and began to tremble.

A large group of Disciples even collapsed onto the ground; such a massive gathering of demonic Sects was undoubtedly something they had never seen in their lives.

Just as it seemed the Baili Clan was defeated and victory was within reach, an even greater crisis had quietly arrived.

A never-before-felt sense of despair and deep powerlessness spread throughout the Qixia Sect; this was a war with no chance of victory.

It was as if they had just climbed a great mountain and were exhausted, only to find an even taller peak standing in their way.

Dark clouds hung over everyone's heads as they stared blankly, unable to say a single word... Holy Sun Sect, back mountain Forbidden Ground.

In the Cultivation Room, Luo Xue sat on a meditation mat in a plain white dress, her beautiful eyes closed and her expression serene.

Seven Nascent Soul Cultivators arrived in a hurry, and the Sheng Yang Sect Master, Feng Yiyang, bowed as his powerful voice echoed in the Forbidden Ground:

"Yiyang has something to report. Please forgive me for disturbing your secluded cultivation, Senior Martial Uncle."

Hearing this, Luo Xue opened her beautiful eyes, slowly stood up, and walked out of the Immortal Cave, only to see all the Nascent Soul Cultivators of the Sect gathered together.

"What matter is so important that you've all come here?"

As everyone's gaze swept over the Old Ancestor, they discovered that her cultivation had somehow reached another level, speculating that she might have already reached the peak of the Nascent Soul stage.

"Congratulations to the Old Ancestor on another Breakthrough!" The seven Nascent Soul Cultivators all bowed excitedly.

Hearing this, a strange look flickered across Luo Xue's eternally unchanging expression, but it returned to normal in an instant.

"Let's get to the point."

Feng Yiyang quickly suppressed his excitement and bowed, "Yes, Senior Martial Uncle! Nan Xingyao just sent a transmission informing us that the Five Great Demonic Sects have come out in full force and are about to attack the Qixia Sect. They are requesting our support, but we ask the Old Ancestor to make the final decision."

Shock was evident on Luo Xue's pretty face. "The Five Great Demonic Sects have come out in full force?"

"Correct!"

"Then you must go and support them immediately."

At this moment, Jiang Xi, who was behind him, bowed and said, "Old Ancestor, this is inappropriate. That Xiao Chen has a very deep grudge against us. The Old Ancestor is benevolent and generous, so it's fine if we don't hold it against him, but to ask us to save his Sect... I truly am unwilling."

"Yes, Old Ancestor! Risking our lives for his Sect would be harder to bear than death!" Luo Jia also bowed in agreement.

"Impudent!"

Luo Xue shouted angrily, "How have I usually taught you? Although we have an old grudge with Xiao Chen, it has already been settled. The Four Great Sects rely on each other; don't you understand the principle of 'if the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold'?"

"This..."

"The demonic Sects have wild ambitions. Once they break through the Qixia Sect, our Holy Sun Sect is the closest and will be their next target!"

"Yiyang understands."

"We shall follow the Old Ancestor's teachings." The other Nascent Soul Cultivators also bowed.

Luo Xue's expression softened slightly, and she commanded, "Jiang Xi and Luo Jia will stay behind. The rest of you, head to the Qixia Sect at full speed. Do not delay!"

"Yes. Will the Old Ancestor be coming with us?" Feng Yiyang asked cautiously.

"I need to continue my secluded cultivation, so I won't be going."

"Yes."

The seven Nascent Soul Cultivators bowed and hurriedly turned to leave.

Seeing everyone leave, Luo Xue quickly changed into a black brocade robe, put on a golden mask, activated the swift movement talisman in her hand, and vanished into the clouds... Black Cloud Peak, Seven Star Hall.

An old man dressed in a gray brocade robe sat on the throne in the center of the hall; he was the Sect Head of Black Cloud Peak, Sect Master of Black Cloud Peak.

Below him, the nine Nascent Soul Elders were discussing among themselves.

"Quiet, everyone!"

Sect Master of Black Cloud Peak waved his sleeve, and the entire hall instantly fell silent.

"Regarding the Qixia Sect's request for help, what are the Elders' opinions?"

At this moment, Daoist Master Hei Shan immediately stepped forward. "Reporting to Sect Head Senior Brother, my opinion is the same as the other Elders; none of us are willing to provide support."

"Oh? Then please, Elders, feel free to express your views."

"The Qixia Sect Disciples are all arrogant. I once nearly died at the hands of a Qixia Sect Elder while trying to rescue Holy Sun Sect Disciples. Since they are so capable, let them clash with the demonic Sects themselves."

Daoist Master Hei Shan spoke ambiguously, not daring to mention that the so-called Qixia Sect Elder was only at the Foundation Establishment Stage at the time, and he only narrowly escaped by using the Black Cloud Peak's ultimate technique, [Black Cloud Escape]. Otherwise, he would certainly be ridiculed by his fellow Disciples.

"Exactly! Besides, our Black Cloud Peak has lived in this treacherous land for generations. Even if the demonic Sects attack, they will suffer heavy losses under the Thousand-Mile Toxic Miasma."

"That's right! This Thousand-Mile Toxic Miasma is a natural barrier for our Black Cloud Peak. Coupled with our various exquisite killing formations, the demonic Sects will be seeking death if they come here!"

"The Second Elder is right. Every time the Four-Way Assembly is held, the Qixia Sect Master preaches about 'lips and teeth' and sharing fortunes and woes. In the end, they just want to use our Black Cloud Peak to share their burden."

"This time, let them wear down the demonic Sects' strength. By the time the demonic Sects want to attack us, they will no longer be a concern."

Hearing this, Sect Master of Black Cloud Peak stroked his beard. "So, none of you are willing to go. But after all, we belong to the Four Great Sects. How should we explain this to them?"

"Sect Head Senior Brother, why bother explaining? In a few days, the Qixia Sect will no longer exist on the Cangxuan Continent." Daoist Master Hei Shan narrowed his eyes.

"In that case, from this moment on, block all requests for help from the Qixia Sect. Recall all Disciples who are outside to prevent a sneak attack from the demonic Sects!"

"We follow the Sect Head's orders!"

...Ice Cloud Palace, Snow Pole Palace.

This was a world covered in glaciers. On the vast glaciers sat palaces forged from ten-thousand-year-old profound ice.

They were crystal clear and as brilliant as crystal.

A glacial snow path extended from the Snow Pole Palace to the horizon, where thousands of white-clad figures stood bowing in order.

Each was dressed in a white gown, their skin as white as snow and as translucent as jade.

In the hall, a woman in a light blue dress wearing an ice-carved mask sat on the central Profound Ice White Jade Throne.

Faint ice flowers swirled around her, and she was untainted by dust. Her ice-blue hair draped over her shoulders, and a silver-white silk ribbon outlined her slender waist.

The woman slowly rose, her skirt falling like spreading petals. As she moved gracefully, countless ice crystals surrounded her like spirits.

Her lips parted slightly, and her voice was as ethereal as mist: "Senior Martial Uncle Xuanyue, please take the Elders and go ahead. I will follow shortly."

Bing Xuanyue's beautiful eyes showed surprise and confusion. "The Palace Master is not staying to guard the Ice Cloud Palace? Why risk everything on one throw?"

"The demonic Sects have come out in full force this time; the start of the battle is the final showdown! If the Qixia Sect falls, even if I stay to guard the Ice Cloud Palace, I will be powerless to change the outcome."