212: Stormy Weather and Emergency Rescue

The news brought by the Peddler was like a massive boulder thrown into a calm lake, causing huge ripples within Bedrock Base.

Inside the meeting hall, the atmosphere was so heavy it felt like it could drip water.

"Senior Sister Mu is in trouble? Damn that old dog Black Fiend! I'm going to go chop him up right now!" Zhao Iron Pillar was the first to jump up, his newly reached Qi Refining Eighth Layer Aura erupting, his eyes wide as copper bells.

Mu Wanqing had helped them secretly many times, and in everyone's hearts, she was already a trusted partner.

Wang Wu was relatively calm, but his clenched fists betrayed his anger: "Purging Danxia Peak... Is Black Fiend trying to completely eradicate dissenters to show loyalty to those 'above'?"

Wen Youyi did not speak immediately; he tapped his fingers lightly on the table, his brain working at high speed.

Senior Sister Mu must be saved. This was not just about friendship, but also because Danxia Peak was one of the few places within the Qingxuan Sect that still harbored a protective heart for its Disciples, and was a potential ally to be won over in the future. But how to save her?

"Charging straight back into the Qingxuan Sect is the worst strategy," Wen Youyi finally spoke, his voice steady. "That is the lair of Black Fiend and the Scavenger; going there would be walking straight into the net."

"Then what do we do? We can't just watch Senior Sister Mu fall into their clutches, right?" Zhao Iron Pillar asked urgently.

"Of course we must save her, but we cannot be reckless." A calculating light flashed in Wen Youyi's eyes. "The Peddler only said she was missing, not confirmed captured or... This means Senior Sister Mu is likely hiding from pursuit. What we need to do now is find her and bring her out safely before she is discovered."

He looked at everyone and began to deploy: "Contact with the Peddler is temporarily cut off; we cannot rely entirely on him. We need our own eyes and ears."

"Iron Pillar, Senior Brother Wang," Wen Youyi named them. "Each of you take a squad, pass through the Falling Star Lake passage, and secretly return to the outskirts of the Qinglan Mountain Range. Iron Pillar, you are responsible for operating in the forests near the Qingxuan Sect; use your familiarity with the terrain to find clues where Senior Sister Mu might be hiding, and be careful to avoid patrol teams. Senior Brother Wang, you are meticulous; go near Luofeng Town to see if you can re-establish contact with the Peddler or other reliable Loose Cultivators to gather more detailed intelligence."

"Remember," Wen Youyi said with a serious expression, "your mission is reconnaissance and communication, not combat. Once exposed, withdraw immediately; do not get drawn into a fight! We will maintain a minimal one-way connection via the star chain."

"Understood!" Zhao Iron Pillar and Wang Wu replied in unison. They both understood the danger of the mission.

"Senior Brother Li," Wen Youyi turned to the technical lead, "prepare two sets of the strongest concealment Talismans and emergency teleportation Talismans immediately for them to take. Also, get our newly developed 'hummingbird' reconnaissance Puppet ready."

The "hummingbird" was Senior Brother Li's latest masterpiece; it was only the size of a fingernail, was almost silent when flying, and could continuously transmit blurry images and energy fluctuations, making it a Sharp Weapon for reconnaissance.

"Senior Brother Zhang, Ying," Wen Youyi said finally, "the base is entering Level 2 combat readiness. Check all automatic turrets. Also, focus your efforts on seeing if you can find any technology on that metal plate that can interfere with the Scavenger's detection or perform short-range precision teleportation. Even if it's just the basics, it could save lives at a critical moment!"

"Yes!" Everyone acknowledged the order and immediately set out to act.

The entire base began to operate efficiently and silently like a precision war machine. The previous relaxed atmosphere was swept away, replaced by a tension as if a storm were about to break.

Zhao Iron Pillar and Wang Wu's squads were quickly prepared. They changed into the most inconspicuous clothing, equipped themselves with the best concealment and life-saving means, and under the cover of night (simulated by the base), quietly passed through the unstable passage of Falling Star Lake and disappeared into the outside world.

Wen Youyi sat at the center of the base, feeling the faint and distant connection through the "star chain," his heart not at peace. This operation was extremely risky, but he had no choice. Senior Sister Mu must be saved; this was also the first clear signal "Spark" sent to the outside world—we are still here, and we have the ability to act!

Time passed second by second. The base was unusually quiet; everyone was silently doing their work, but their minds were involuntarily tied to the outside world.

One day, two days...

Just at dawn on the third day, the star core fragment in Wen Youyi's bosom suddenly transmitted a rapid and weak fluctuation! It was an emergency signal from Wang Wu's squad!

[Luofeng Town is under martial law! The Peddler's contact point is suspected to be exposed! Traces of Danxia Peak Disciples' activity have been discovered, moving towards the northwest Black Wind Mountain Range, with pursuers behind! Requesting instructions!]

The message was short, but the amount of information was huge!

Luofeng Town was exposed; the Peddler was in danger! Danxia Peak Disciples (very likely including Senior Sister Mu) were being hunted and fleeing towards the Black Wind Mountain direction!

Black Wind Mountain was the very place where they had wiped out the Blood Fiend Cult; the terrain was complex and easy to hide in, but also fraught with danger!

Wen Youyi stood up abruptly, a flash of decisiveness in his eyes.

He could not wait any longer!

"Senior Brother Zhang, Senior Brother Li!" He called out urgently through the "Mind Net," "Prepare to launch the 'ark'! Execute the 'Lightning Rescue' plan!"

The "ark" plan was originally a trump card meant for the final evacuation of the base. But at this moment, Wen Youyi decided to use it to carry out a bold surprise attack and rescue!

Utilizing the "ark's" short-range spatial jump capability, they would appear directly in the Black Wind Mountain area, catch the enemy off guard, and immediately flee after saving the people!

This was a huge gamble, gambling that the main force of the "Scavenger" was tied up by Falling Star Lake and internal matters of the Qingxuan Sect, and gambling that the "ark's" concealment and jumping capabilities were sufficiently excellent!

"Understood!" Senior Brother Zhang and Senior Brother Li did not hesitate at all and immediately rushed to the "ark" control room deep inside the base.

Wen Youyi took a deep breath, his gaze sweeping over the core members who had gathered.

"Brothers, get ready to work!"

The storm has arrived; "Spark" draws its sword, today is the day!

(End of Chapter)