214: The truth about Danxia disciples and the "spirit network"

Under the cover of the concealment Formation, the "ark of hope" shuttled through the clouds like a ghost, rapidly distancing itself from the Black Wind Mountain Range. Inside the ship's cabin, however, the atmosphere was somewhat stiff and subtle.

A total of six Danxia Peak Disciples were rescued. Aside from Mu Wanqing, whose injuries were severe but who remained conscious, the other five also bore various degrees of injury. Their expressions held the daze of survivors amidst exhaustion, along with a hint of wariness and suspicion toward their surroundings and Wen Youyi's group that they couldn't quite hide.

This peculiar metal giant ship capable of traversing space, and people like Wen Youyi who were originally just Outer Sect and Utility Disciples, now all possessed refined auras, superior equipment, and moved with a level of efficiency and Evil Qi they had never seen before... All of this far exceeded their understanding.

Wen Youyi understood their feelings and did not rush to question them. Instead, he had Wang Wu arrange for people to treat their wounds and distribute food and fresh water. Zhao Iron Pillar even contributed his own treasured dried meat, grinning as he tried to soothe these startled "guests," though his face full of rough flesh made his smile look more like ill intent.

Once everyone's emotions had settled slightly and their injuries had received preliminary treatment, Youyi walked up to Mu Wanqing and handed her a cup of warm water brewed with "star moss" for its calming effects.

"Senior Sister Mu, do you feel any better?"

Mu Wanqing took the cup, her fingertips still trembling slightly. She took a deep breath and looked at Wen Youyi with a complex gaze. "Junior Brother Wen, thank you for saving our lives. It's just... this ship, and all of you... what exactly is going on? Weren't you all already..."

She didn't finish her sentence, but the meaning was clear. In the Qingxuan Sect's official version of events, people like Wen Youyi had either defected or met an untimely end long ago.

Wen Youyi smiled and didn't answer directly. Instead, he asked, "Senior Sister Mu, why were you being hunted by the Discipline Hall? What exactly happened at Danxia Peak?"

At the mention of this, a flash of grief and indignation appeared in Mu Wanqing's eyes, and the Disciples beside her also showed expressions of humiliation and anger.

"Heisha has the ambitions of a wolf!" a younger Disciple couldn't help but grit his teeth and say. "He slandered our Danxia Peak, claiming we hid prohibited Sect medicines, colluded with external enemies, and intended to commit treason! That old dog Han Li led people straight up Danxia Peak, arresting everyone on sight and killing anyone who resisted! The Peak Revered Master... to cover our breakout, he was forced to fight Heisha, and his current fate is unknown..."

Mu Wanqing added, her voice carrying a hint of exhausted raspiness, "Their true goal is an ancient Pill Formula my Revered Master happened upon years ago. It's said that the 'soul cleansing pill' refined from that formula can, to a certain extent... purify spiritual energy and reduce dependence on the 'spirit net'."

"Purify spiritual energy? Reduce dependence on the 'spirit net'?" Wen Youyi's heart stirred as he caught this key information. It seemed that those within the Qingxuan Sect who harbored doubts about the "spirit net" were far from just them.

Mu Wanqing looked at Wen Youyi, a flash of determination in her beautiful eyes. "Junior Brother Wen, as things stand, I won't hide it from you. My Revered Master, myself, and some Core Disciples of Danxia Peak realized long ago that there was something wrong with the 'spirit net'. It seems to assist in Cultivation, but in reality, it subtly drains our spiritual energy Origin and amplifies Heart Demons, creating anxiety... It doesn't seem like a blessing; it's more like a... shackle."

Her words were like a thunderclap exploding in the cabin. Although those few Danxia Peak Disciples had their suspicions, hearing Senior Sister Mu state it so bluntly still made their faces turn pale. Clearly, this realization was a massive shock to them.

Wen Youyi exchanged looks with Zhao Iron Pillar, Wang Wu, and the others, seeing the understanding in each other's eyes. As expected, they weren't the only ones who were awake.

"Senior Sister Mu, your guesses were correct." Wen Youyi decided to reveal part of the truth, as he needed to win over these potential allies. "The 'spirit net' is no blessing from the Upper Realm. It is a cage, a... feeding trough and harvester for a Ranch."

He succinctly revealed a corner of the cruel truth: how the "Creation Heavenly Court" operates a "Civilization Ranch," harvesting spiritual energy through the "spirit net," harvesting negative emotions through the "Heart Demon System," and harvesting Luck and Geniuses through the "Destiny System."

Even though Wen Youyi had spoken somewhat reservedly, this appalling truth still hit Mu Wanqing and all the Danxia Peak Disciples like a lightning strike, their faces instantly turning as white as paper!

The entire cabin was deathly silent; only heavy breathing and the faint sound of someone's teeth chattering could be heard.

"A... Ranch... we... we are just being raised..." a female Disciple murmured to herself, her eyes vacant, on the verge of collapse. The beliefs she had held and the meaning of her Cultivation were completely shattered at this moment.

Mu Wanqing's delicate frame also shook violently, her jade-like hands gripping the armrests of her seat so hard her knuckles turned white. Although she had long suspected something, she had never imagined the truth would be so dark and hopeless!

Wen Youyi did not disturb them, allowing this cruel truth to impact their minds. This was a necessary process; only by breaking old perceptions could new beliefs be established.

After a long time, Mu Wanqing slowly raised her head. Her originally clear eyes were bloodshot, but a cold flame had ignited deep within them.

"So... the so-called Ascension..."

"The Ascension Lightning Tribulation is nothing more than 'market readiness inspection'." Wen Youyi's tone was calm but carried an indisputable power. "The successful ones are taken away to be devoured, while the failures suffer Soul Flying Away and Spirit Scattering, their energy returning to the Ranch."

"Thud!" A Danxia Peak Disciple with weaker mental fortitude collapsed directly to the floor, weeping loudly.

Mu Wanqing closed her eyes, two lines of clear tears falling silently. Those were tears for the collapse of her beliefs, and also tears of resolve after recognizing reality.

When she opened her eyes again, all confusion and fragility had vanished, replaced by a determination that bordered on Nirvana.

"Junior Brother Wen," she looked at Wen Youyi, her voice hoarse but incredibly clear, "you all... are resisting this fate, aren't you?"

Wen Youyi met her gaze and nodded solemnly. "That's right. We refuse to be lambs for the slaughter. We will pierce through this Ranch and fight for true freedom for our generation of Cultivators!"

He reached out his hand, palm upward, and a miniature starry silhouette slowly rotated within it. It was the mark of "Spark."

"Senior Sister Mu, fellow Daoists of Danxia Peak, are you... willing to join us?"

In the cabin, everyone's gaze focused on Mu Wanqing. After despair, would they choose to sink into it, or rise up in resistance?

Mu Wanqing looked at the point of starlight in Wen Youyi's palm that seemed capable of dispelling all darkness, then looked at the hesitant and helpless Junior Brothers and Junior Sisters around her. Finally, she slowly and firmly placed her hand on Wen Youyi's palm.

"I, Mu Wanqing of Danxia Peak, am willing to lead my fellow Disciples to join 'Spark'!"

In a desperate situation, a new spark was ignited.

(End of Chapter)