335: Fight against

Chen Xuan said in a deep voice, "The Yao Race's arrival this time was aggressive to begin with, and with the betrayal of several Tower Lords from the Demon Suppressing Tower at the last moment, it's not surprising that the situation has come to this."

"You mentioned before, Fellow Daoist, that the Dao Seeking Sect would send experts to provide support within three days. Now that the three-day deadline has arrived, I wonder when your Dao Seeking Sect will take action?"

Number Eight paused and smiled faintly. "Number Three, you are so concerned about the affairs of the Rain God Continent and can precisely know the battle situation here every time. I assume you are currently in the Rain God Continent, right?"

Chen Xuan was not surprised that Number Eight could guess this; after all, he had made a similar guess himself back then.

Chu Haotian's concern for the Rain God Continent was too abnormal, completely inconsistent with his initial 'big shot persona' of being enigmatic and detached. Chen Xuan estimated that after their last conversation, Number Eight had already sent his forces to investigate relevant news, and now he was simply pointing it out as the opportunity arose.

Chen Xuan feigned shock, but his tone remained persistent. "Whether I am or not is not important to the matter at hand. You only need to tell me exactly when the Dao Seeking Sect will send experts to help. Or perhaps, you never intended to fulfill your promise from the start and were just making things up?"

Number Eight said softly, "Fellow Daoist, you have wronged me. My Dao Seeking Sect is located within the territory of the Flame Continent, which can be confirmed with a little effort. As for the reinforcements, several experts from the Sect have already set out. Please hold on for a moment longer, Fellow Daoist."

Chen Xuan narrowed his eyes slightly, and his expression couldn't help but turn a bit more serious.

The Flame Continent was originally the most impoverished region among the Nine Provinces. To many Cultivators, it wasn't even worth paying attention to. It had only been about half a year since his Dao Seeking Sect replaced the Haotian Sect. Aside from the local Cultivators in the Flame Continent who knew the truth, even in the neighboring Rain God Continent, most people still thought the Flame Continent was ruled by the Four Great Sects, such as the Haotian Sect.

It seemed this Number Eight had specifically sent someone to investigate.

What puzzled him even more was that since the other party already knew the details of the Dao Seeking Sect, why hadn't they taken action against his Sect yet?

Chen Xuan's mind raced as he continued to probe, "Flame Continent? Your Dao Seeking Sect is in the Flame Continent? I know a bit about the situation there, but I've never heard of such a power."

"It's normal that you're not aware."

Number Eight gave a light laugh. "After all, it's only been about half a year since my Dao Seeking Sect made its public appearance. Have you heard of the Haotian Sect, one of the Four Great Sects of the Flame Continent? My Dao Seeking Sect has replaced them."

He didn't expect Number Eight to be so well-informed about his Dao Seeking Sect.

This made Chen Xuan feel very uncomfortable.

It was like knowing someone was secretly working against you, but never knowing who they were, with absolutely no clue.

He changed the subject, saying, "Since I have received your promise, Fellow Daoist, I will say no more and wait for the good news of the reinforcements."

"You can rest assured, Fellow Daoist."

As the words fell, Chen Xuan bid farewell and left. His figure quietly faded within the Chaos Space, instantly exiting that chaotic space within the jade fragment.

Returning to the room, he had just removed the barrier when Li Pingan's respectful voice came from outside the door:

"Revered Master, Senior Chu and the others are in the courtyard requesting an audience."

Chen Xuan's eyes flickered slightly. He tidied his robes and pushed open the door, heading straight for the backyard. Upon entering the courtyard, he saw Chu Haotian and Master Qing Xuan standing side by side, with Zhao Jingchen and Lin Xiuqin behind them, all looking somewhat solemn.

"Is there anything else, Fellow Daoist Chu?" Chen Xuan spoke first, his gaze sweeping across their faces.

Chu Haotian took a step forward and said solemnly, "Fellow Daoist Chen, while we were out gathering information just now, we heard a piece of intelligence. Currently, Cultivators all over the Rain God Continent are spreading rumors that the Dao Seeking Sect has sent experts to reinforce the Rain God Continent. They say there's no need to flee, that the Yao Race are merely beasts that can be easily wiped out."

"Oh?" Chen Xuan's eyebrows rose slightly.

Chu Haotian continued, "Although these rumors are spreading like wildfire, most Cultivators have never heard of the Dao Seeking Sect's name. Very few people actually believe it; most just treat it as a joke."

He changed his tone, his expression becoming more serious, "But even so, the intentions of the person spreading these rumors are far too malicious."

Chu Haotian really hadn't expected that Number Eight would set up such a sinister backup move.

This was clearly putting the Dao Seeking Sect on the spot! The Rain God Continent was already a mess. Once it was completely occupied by the Yao Race, these ambiguous rumors today would turn into infamy directed at the Dao Seeking Sect in the future.

If the Dao Seeking Sect remained obscure, it wouldn't matter. But if it showed any improvement or developed to a certain level in the future, those with ulterior motives would surely dig up this old matter and use it to mock people in a sarcastic Yin and Yang manner.

Chen Xuan already understood in his heart that this was definitely the work of that bastard Number Eight. His methods were truly ruthless!

"Thank you for informing me of this, Fellow Daoist!" Chen Xuan bowed his thanks.

Chu Haotian waved his hand, his gaze lingering solemnly on Chen Xuan's face for a moment before he slowly spoke, "Fellow Daoist Chen is too polite. In truth, I have come today to ask for a favor, and I hope you can agree to it."

Chen Xuan narrowed his eyes slightly, thinking to himself: This kid wouldn't be asking me to take action against the Yao Race, would he?

Don't be ridiculous. My Realm is even lower than yours. If I really faced the Yao Race army, I'd probably be unable to even protect myself.

He suppressed his thoughts, kept a calm face, and said indifferently, "Tell me."

Chu Haotian took a deep breath and said solemnly, "With the Yao Race attacking in force this time, as a local Sect of the Rain God Continent, my Tianque Sect must live and die with our homeland and fight to the bitter end.

Only then can we live up to the entrustment of past Sect Masters and the protection of our ancestors and Senior predecessors. But Jing Chen and Xiuqin are not yet thirty years old. Their path of cultivation has only just begun; it shouldn't end in this catastrophe."

He glanced sideways at Zhao Jingchen and Lin Xiuqin behind him. Both were slightly stunned, clearly surprised by what their Revered Master had said.

Chu Haotian turned back to Chen Xuan, his tone pleading, "I am bold enough as a Junior to ask you, Senior, for the sake of Jing Chen and Xiuqin's acquaintance with Little Friend Pingan, to take them away from the Rain God Continent. The road ahead is long; I only ask that you look after them for a bit, giving them a way to survive and a possibility to continue their cultivation."

"Revered Master!"

Lin Xiuqin was the first to react. Her eyes reddened as she stepped forward and bowed. "I do not wish to leave! The Tianque Sect has nurtured me for many years. Now that the Sect is in trouble, I should live and die with you and the Sect. How can I live on alone?"

Zhao Jingchen also clenched his fists and said deeply, "Revered Master, Xiuqin is right! Although our cultivation bases are low, we understand the principle that 'a teacher for a day is a father for a lifetime,' and we understand the righteousness of the Sect even more. What if the Yao Race attacks? At most, it's just a battle. We will never be the type to flee from the front!"

Chu Haotian looked at his Disciples, his face darkening instantly as he scolded them sharply:

"Foolish!"

"The Sect trained you not so you could show reckless courage! As long as the green mountains remain, there is no fear of lacking firewood! As long as you are alive, there is hope for the Tianque Sect's Legacy. If you die, the Sect's roots will truly be severed! This is not living in shame; it is enduring humiliation for the sake of the Sect's survival!"

His gaze swept over the two of them, and his tone softened slightly. "I have already decided on this matter. Say no more! You only need to follow Senior Chen's arrangements and live well. Revitalizing the Tianque Sect in the future will be the greatest repayment to me and the Sect!"

Chen Xuan remained silent for a moment, and the atmosphere in the courtyard became somewhat stagnant.

Chu Haotian's eyes were full of earnestness, his gaze locked onto Chen Xuan as he waited for an answer. Even Master Qing Xuan, Zhao Jingchen, and Lin Xiuqin couldn't help but hold their breath.

After a long while, Chen Xuan slowly shook his head and said calmly, "Fellow Daoist Chu, there is actually no need for this."

Chu Haotian's body stiffened slightly, and most of the hope on his face instantly vanished. He really hadn't expected that after knowing each other, this unpredictable Fellow Daoist Chen would refuse even this small request. He couldn't help but feel a hint of disappointment and bitterness.

Just as Chu Haotian was about to apologize and withdraw his abrupt request, Chen Xuan's tone suddenly shifted. "Since that Number Eight has spread rumors like this to put my Dao Seeking Sect on the spot, why don't I just take on this mess?"

"Since he's publicized that my Dao Seeking Sect will aid the Rain God Continent, I'll just take advantage of the situation and shoulder the burden of the Rain God Continent's fate!"