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Chapter 121: The Coming Storm (Please Subscribe)

Mirror Moon Lake.

Amidst the dreamlike spiritual mist, a bright moon shone brilliantly, revealing that the Water Moon Grand Array was fully activated.

Inside the discussion hall.

Fang Xi entered and found that quite a few people had already arrived.

Mu Zhong, Feng Man Lou, and others were present, nodding and exchanging greetings with him.

"Fellow Daoist Hua is here too, how rare!"

He saw the slightly aged Hua Chan Juan also present and couldn't help but inwardly marvel.

The annihilation of the Mo family of Black Sand Island had too great an impact on the various forces of Peach Blossom Island.

Even Hua Chan Juan, who usually never left the mountain and was even more reclusive than him, had, for the first time ever, come to discuss countermeasures.

Ruan Dan, in a fiery red dress, stood before Ruan Xing Ling's former seat, looking down: "Since everyone has arrived, let's discuss how we should respond. . ."

"Young Island Master, please, Young Island Master, uphold justice for my family!"

A middle-aged man in a green Daoist robe knelt on the ground, tears streaming down his face.

His name was 'Mo Qinghe', and he was of the Mo family's Qing generation. After the Mo family took over the Mu family's spiritual land, he was appointed to Twin Peaks East, serving as the head of the local Mo family branch, with a cultivation of Qi Refinement fifth layer.

Although the Mo family's main lineage was destroyed, many of its scattered clansmen outside had managed to survive.

As he wept, he recounted everything that had happened on Black Sand Island once more.

Just two days prior, a group of bandit cultivators easily breached Black Sand Island's island protection grand array, and the leader was none other than the infamous 'Silver-Armored Devil'!

The Mo family head, a late-stage Qi Refinement cultivator, died on the spot!

Large numbers of clansmen were slain!

Only a few scattered clansmen managed to escape, bringing back the news. . .

Some Mo family members were even too terrified to return, not lingering long on Peach Blossom Island, but fleeing instead to more distant islands.

"What should we do about this?"

Feng Man Lou, looking middle-aged, broke out in a cold sweat. White Feather Island's strength was similar to Black Sand Island's; if the Silver-Armored Devil struck again, the Feng family would undoubtedly not be spared either.

Moreover. . . Peach Blossom Island's strength was now even weaker! There wasn't even a single overt late-stage Qi Refinement cultivator!

"Quickly report to the Alliance!"

"Someone has already done that. Why not contact White Feather Island and Golden Flame Island for mutual protection? Golden Tooth Old Freak. . . no, Golden Tooth Old Ancestor had already turned enemies into friends with us back then. . ."

...

A group of mid-stage Qi Refinement cultivators fretted, pacing in circles.

"Hmph, short-sighted fools!"

Hua Chan Juan sneered: "Inviting wolves into the house!"

She looked at Ruan Dan: "Where is the Island Master? Even if she went out to seek opportunities, with such a major incident. . . you, as her disciple, surely have a way to contact her, right?"

Fang Xi noticed that many of the older cultivators, who had previously been like headless flies, now showed expressions of relief, which left him speechless.

'These cultivators probably wanted to call Ruan Xing Ling back a long time ago, but didn't want to bear the responsibility. . . disrupting her Foundation Establishment endeavor would certainly earn their resentment. '

'Fellow Daoist Hua, after all, is a bit too reclusive. If it were her from back then, she would have thought of this earlier, and wouldn't have been pushed out to be a pawn. '

Ruan Dan's expression remained unchanged upon hearing this: "I also have no way to contact my master!"

This statement was, of course, false. But in her view, the safety of everyone on Peach Blossom Island was naturally less important than her master's Foundation Establishment!

After all, spirit veins were difficult to destroy. Black Sand Island was just a mess now; the bandit cultivators had killed people, plundered movable wealth, and harvested all valuable spirit herbs, then they would retreat on their own, not waiting for the joint enforcement team to encircle them.

If any daring Mo family cultivators wanted to, they could go back now and declare the family's reconstruction. . .

"What?"

"How could this be?"

Hearing that Ruan Dan, the disciple, couldn't even contact her master, even Feng Man Lou looked surprised and panicked.

"Everyone, no need to worry!"

Seeing this scene, a cold smile appeared on Ruan Dan's lips: "The bandit cultivators will take what they stole from Black Sand Island and flee a thousand li; they won't linger on nearby islands. . . I have also reported this to the Thirty-Six Islands Alliance as the acting Island Master, and the enforcement team will arrive soon. Everyone, there's no need to worry!"

...

Fang Xi walked out of the discussion hall, feeling that coming here today was a mistake.

Everyone argued and debated, but in the end, no conclusion was reached.

And judging by Ruan Dan's demeanor, she was determined that even sacrificing Peach Blossom Island was preferable to disturbing Ruan Xing Ling's Foundation Establishment. . .

Actually, if he were in her shoes, Fang Xi would think she was doing the right thing!

As long as her master successfully achieved Foundation Establishment, what was a mere Peach Blossom Island?

Unfortunately, he was now part of the group that was about to be abandoned!

'Perhaps the situation isn't so bad. The bandit cultivators, having plundered Black Sand Island, would indeed flee far away. . . but two points remain unclear. '

'Firstly, the Silver-Armored Devil is a dog of the Zhong family. Was this action ordered from above, or was it a whim? '

'Secondly, if they were just randomly plundering an island, Peach Blossom Island would be a better target than Black Sand Island. Why didn't they choose Peach Blossom Island? '

'Could it be that their true intent isn't the wine? '

...

"Uncle? Your nephew will accompany you for a walk!"

Not long after, someone caught up from behind; it was Mu Zhong!

"Yes, let's walk together then."

Fang Xi and Mu Zhong came to Twin Peaks East, gazing at the white mourning banners hung by the Mo family branch not far away, both falling silent for a moment.

"This world, it's truly unpredictable. . ."

Mu Zhong walked among the spirit fields, suddenly sighing: "The Mo family forcibly seized land back then, and now they've met such a fate. . . Heh heh, truly, evil begets evil!"

In the cultivation world, there was actually no such thing as karmic retribution; it was all just self-consolation.

"These two mu of land of my family have been planted with spirit rice for over a decade. The spiritual energy is abundant; next year, perhaps medicinal herbs can be planted here. . ."

"My Mu family only has this little root left in this place. Even if bandit cultivators come, this old man will fight them to the death!"

As the sun set, Mu Zhong picked up a handful of soil, clutching it tightly in his palm, and sat on the field ridge: "Alas. . . this old nephew no longer has the strength."

No sooner had he spoken than his eyes slowly closed, and the soil in his hand scattered to the ground.

This old cultivator of the Mu family ultimately died before the disaster arrived.

"Rest in peace. . ."

Fang Xi's perception of life force was extremely keen now. He knew that this person had indeed died, reaching their natural lifespan, which counted as a decent end in the cultivation world.

As for why Mu Zhong said so many inexplicable things to him?

It was nothing more than trying to establish a connection, hoping that he, remembering their past camaraderie, would protect this last branch of their family should anything happen.

...

The Thirty-Six Islands Alliance's enforcement team arrived swiftly. Several flying boats patrolled the nearby area for a while, then announced that the bandit cultivators had fled and everyone could continue living in peace and prosperity.

Then they left the area, taking nothing with them.

This action made many cultivators feel a sense of foreboding.

...

Two months later.

Emerald Cliff.

Fang Xi was sipping tea under a peach blossom tree, with Hai Da Gui and Xiao Hu standing beside him.

Not long after, Lu Guo walked in, holding a letter in his hand.

"Master, I asked a few acquaintances in the enforcement team to investigate, and I've received confirmed news."

Lu Guo bowed.

"State the conclusion! " Fang Xi's expression remained unchanged as he drank his tea, but Xiao Hu and Hai Da Gui felt the surrounding atmosphere inexplicably heavy.

"This patrol by the joint enforcement team was indeed perfunctory!"

Lu Guo took a deep breath and replied: "Furthermore, most of them have already withdrawn to Spirit Sky Market. . . This is indeed a bit unusual and doesn't conform to previous rules."

"Indeed. . ."

Fang Xi sighed, a bitter smile in his heart:

'To be able to make two major forces join hands against her, Ruan Xing Ling truly deserves to be called the Peach Bell Fairy. . . '

Ruan Xing Ling had been out seeking a Foundation Establishment opportunity for five years; it was no longer a secret, and those who should know, already knew.

The Dragon Fish Zhong Clan naturally didn't want another Foundation Establishment cultivator to emerge from the Thirty-Six Islands.

As for within the Thirty-Six Islands themselves, there were probably also those who didn't wish to see this happen.

Hence, the 'Silver-Armored Devil's' attack on Black Sand Island!

It was to force Ruan Xing Ling to return, to delay or even disrupt her Foundation Establishment!

Even Ruan Dan's assassination back then might not have been unrelated to this matter!

As for why they didn't just slaughter Peach Blossom Island directly?

'This woman, Ruan Xing Ling, is intelligent and patient. There were examples in the past of her entire family being wiped out, yet she continued to cultivate silently outside, only returning for revenge after reaching late-stage Qi Refinement. '

'Destroying Peach Blossom Island would only free her from worries, and it might even ironically facilitate her Foundation Establishment. . . '

'First destroy Black Sand Island, then put pressure on Peach Blossom Island—that's different. '

'But I didn't expect Ruan Dan to really withstand the pressure, rather dying than calling Ruan Xing Ling back. . . '

Fang Xi felt that he had faintly grasped the sequence of recent events.

And once the main thread was grasped, things became easier to handle.

'This matter is most likely being orchestrated by several Qi Refinement Perfected high-level cultivators. . . '

If a Foundation Establishment cultivator were secretly hidden, or even infiltrated Peach Blossom Island to spy on Emerald Cliff or similar locations, Fang Xi would definitely sense it!

Because he had already cultivated Divine Consciousness!

Moreover, within the range of the Demonic Tree, his perception was even more acute!

'And the main direction of attack is undoubtedly Mirror Moon Lake! The primary target is Ruan Dan! '

If they were ordinary bandit cultivators, they would certainly choose the easier path first, attacking Emerald Cliff, which is weakly defended and relatively far from Mirror Moon Lake, to see if they could snatch something.

But if they had a plan and a target, they would still have to attack Mirror Moon Lake!

After all, Fang Xi was merely a casually acquainted friend, whereas Ruan Dan was her beloved disciple!

'In this matter, the Zhong family is the main force, and certain high-level members of the Thirty-Six Islands Alliance are responsible for hindering, such as deliberately creating patrol loopholes to let the "Silver-Armored Devil" wreak havoc! Both sides have a tacit understanding! '

'What's my stance? '

'Save them if possible, but if things become insurmountable, withdraw immediately! '

'Why, why are there always so many people trying to disturb my tree cultivation? '

'This time I remember. . . those who disturb my tree cultivation, all must die! ! ! '

A murderous glint flashed across Fang Xi's face and vanished instantly, yet it made the three people around him shudder with cold dread.

He looked at Xiao Hu and the others, and spoke in a deep voice: "The situation has been unstable recently. I will revoke your usual access permissions to the Minor Cloud-Rain Array. This array must operate at full power daily! You should practice more life-saving spells and techniques, otherwise, when great chaos erupts, it will be too late to regret."

"Thank you for the reminder, Master."

Lu Guo's expression tightened, subtly guessing something.

As for Xiao Hu and Hai Da Gui, they remained oblivious.

Sometimes, ignorance can be bliss.

Fang Xi planned to mention it to Widow Wang later; that female cultivator was, surprisingly, reliable in critical moments.