259: Confirmation

Chusheng Sect!

Blue-grey halls were built against the mountain, layered and stacked as they extended upward along the mountain's slope, with upturned eaves and corners hidden among the clouds and mist.

Within the Sect Main Hall, sandalwood incense rose in curling wisps, winding around the coiling dragon pillars in the hall, creating an atmosphere so still it was almost stagnant.

True Person Tianxuan sat cross-legged on a central cushion, his eyes lightly closed, his hands forming a seal as if in deep contemplation or as if his spirit had wandered beyond.

Suddenly, the figure of the Third Elder materialized out of thin air, landing without a sound, his robes sweeping the ground as he bowed in greeting:

"Reporting to the Old Ancestor, this subordinate has urgent matters to report."

True Person Tianxuan slowly opened his eyes, showing no ripple of emotion, and did not speak, yet an invisible pressure emanated from him, clearly indicating for him to continue.

The Third Elder took a deep breath, suppressing the gravity and anxiety in his heart, and said solemnly: "Just today, an incident occurred at the third Demon Suppressing Tower! The matter of our Sect using the ants below the mountain to refine demon transformation pills has already been discovered by Tianque Sect."

"I'm afraid it won't take more than three days for this matter to spread throughout the entire Rain God Continent. By then, the major Sects will surely rise up together..."

After these words, the Third Elder stood with his hands at his sides, quietly awaiting the Old Ancestor's instructions.

True Person Tianxuan nodded slightly, uttering only three words faintly: "Understood."

Understood?

The Third Elder waited for about ten breaths, and seeing no further response, couldn't help but look up at his Old Ancestor.

With so many matters at hand, was there really nothing to be instructed? Just a reply of 'understood'?

Such a shocking event concerning the Sect's survival, and the Old Ancestor only said 'understood'?

Could it be that the Old Ancestor had already anticipated today's dilemma?

True Person Tianxuan seemed to sense his doubts but merely waved his hand, his expression so indifferent it seemed as if speaking another word would waste energy. An aura of weary old age surrounded him, as if he might ascend at any moment.

Seeing this, the Third Elder dared not say more and immediately bowed: "This subordinate takes his leave."

Although the Old Ancestor now appeared to be nearing his end, the Third Elder was well aware that his own Soul Transformation ninth-layer Realm was no different from an ant in the other's eyes.

After leaving the hall, the Third Elder frowned deeply, his thoughts churning incessantly.

If the Old Ancestor had known about today's situation, did he have a perfect plan, or did he intend to wait for death? Since the risks were so great, why insist on refining demon transformation pills in the first place?

As he pondered, an Inner Sect Elder hurried over, bowing to report:

"Reporting to Third Elder, according to the latest news, there have been frequent movements on the Monster Beast Continent recently, with Demonic Qi soaring to the heavens. It seems an army is gathering, and in a few days, a Cross-Realm Grand Formation may descend upon the Rain God Continent!"

The Third Elder sighed lightly, a trace of irritation appearing between his brows, and waved his hand:

"Understood, you may go!"

Truly, when it rains, it pours; when the ship is delayed, it meets a headwind.

Troubles came one after another—why so coincidentally? It would be better to be an ordinary Elder, focusing solely on cultivation and pursuing the great Dao of longevity for peace and freedom.

Just as he was about to turn to report to the Old Ancestor again, his steps suddenly halted. He muttered 'demon transformation pills' twice under his breath, his eyes flickering as if he had thought of something. He immediately changed direction and headed toward the Sect's Spirit Treasure Pavilion... The next day!

The faint light of dawn spilled onto the green tiles of the inn.

Li Pingan sat cross-legged in his room, recuperating. The injuries from yesterday's battle still ached faintly, and his Qi remained somewhat unsteady.

In the next room, Su Yue had been silently crying all night, her eyes swollen like peaches.

Ye Hao had said yesterday that in a couple of days, he would take her to find her Revered Master. For this Young Master Ye, who was not only handsome but also kind-hearted, Su Yue felt deep admiration and trust.

So she did not bring up leaving again.

As for Ye Hao, he went downstairs early in the morning and walked straight toward the Ferry Crossing where the cross-continent Ferry was docked.

He found someone who could barely be called an acquaintance!

"Steward Song, pardon the disturbance!" Ye Hao clasped his hands in greeting.

Beside the Ferry Crossing, the Ferry stood majestic like a giant beast. Steward Song was standing at the bow, gazing at the horizon. Hearing the voice, he was startled at first, then turned to look at Ye Hao, a friendly smile spreading across his face as he quickly approached:

"Isn't this Daoist Friend Ye? What a rare guest! Daoist Friend Ye is truly accomplished at such a young age. I never expected you to make such a name for yourself even here in the Rain God Continent."

"I heard from my friend that the two of you have gained great fame on the Yao Beast hunting trial grounds, undefeated in every match. Truly, heroes emerge from the young!"

Ye Hao responded briefly:

"It was merely luck; I don't deserve such praise from Steward Song."

Steward Song waved his hand with a smile, warmly inviting Ye Hao into an elegant room inside the Ferry.

Two delicate and graceful young women assisted with brewing tea for the guest. Boiling water, warming cups, adding tea leaves—their movements were skilled and elegant. The fragrance of tea soon wafted through the elegant room.

Steward Song personally poured a cup of tea for Ye Hao, pushed it toward him, and asked with a smile: "Daoist Friend Ye, have you come this time because your training is over and you're preparing to return to the Flame Continent?"

Ye Hao took the teacup, drank a sip, then shook his head, his smile fading slightly as he said bluntly: "This time, I mainly came to ask Steward Song about something—rumors concerning the Yao Race in the Rain God Continent."

"Oh?"

Steward Song was taken aback, then chuckled awkwardly twice, setting down his teacup. "Someone like me, constantly shuttling back and forth on ferries, is just a businessman. How would I know anything about the Yao Race? If Daoist Friend Ye wants to inquire about that, you should go to the Demon Suppressing Tower. They specialize in suppressing the Yao Race and must have reliable information."

Ye Hao looked up at him, getting straight to the point: "Steward Song's Ferry has transported Yao Race members to the Flame Continent before, hasn't it? To be precise, those pitiful people transformed into Half-human, Half-demon beings by Chusheng Sect."

Steward Song's pupils suddenly contracted, and the smile on his face instantly froze.

But after all, he was someone who had seen storms. In an instant, he regained his composure, suppressing the shock and panic in his heart, forcing a smile:

"Why would Daoist Friend Ye say such a thing? Matters concerning the Ferry's reputation are not to be joked about lightly."

Ye Hao smiled, picked up the teacup, and took another sip: "Steward Song might not know, but when I took the Ferry to the Rain God Continent before, I accidentally discovered some strange Scale Fragments on the Deck, belonging to the Yao Race."

"After arriving in the Rain God Continent, I followed this clue and investigated everywhere. Finally, from a Half-human, Half-bird being and a woman with a human face and snake body, I learned the whole story. They both escaped from Chusheng Sect's Demon Suppressing Tower, and the Ferry that sent them to the Flame Continent was Steward Song's."

He set down the teacup, his gaze firmly locked on Steward Song: "Steward Song must be quite familiar with those two young ladies, right?"

Steward Song remained silent for a moment, the smile gradually fading from his face, then he sighed softly and drank his tea in one gulp.

"Since Miss Yun has told Daoist Friend Ye, then Daoist Friend Ye must be trustworthy, so I won't hide it anymore."

His voice lowered slightly: "Actually, at first, I didn't want to get involved in this matter. Chusheng Sect is powerful, like Young Master Ye's Dao Seeking Sect, they're considered local powers in the Rain God Continent. As a Ferry runner, how could I dare offend them?"

"But when I saw with my own eyes the state of those innocent commoners—transformed into Half-human, Half-demon beings by Chusheng Sect, unable to live or die, and even in death, their last wish was just to go home and see—"

Steward Song poured himself another cup of tea and drank it in one gulp:

"I couldn't bear it, so I agreed to Miss Yun's request, quietly sending her and a few other survivors to the Flame Continent, thinking that being farther from Chusheng Sect might give them a chance at life."