This Venerable One Really Didn't Abandon My Familiar

Not only was this inappropriate, this was really too inappropriate.

Pei QianYue drew his arm close and looked like he was about to pick up Feng Ci and leave his seat. However, Feng Ci hastily stopped him: “Wait wait wait, I won’t tease you anymore. There are more important matters at hand.” 

He was definitely not irresponsible like those other two people.

Pei QianYue didn’t answer, but he relaxed his body. Thus, it counted as an approval from him.
Feng Ci then asked: “City Master Pei, what’s your plan here?”

Pei QianYue: “Wait.” 

Right now, the enemy was in the dark and I’m out in the open. There’s no choice but to wait for the opponent to act first.

Feng Ci naturally understood this logic, but……

“But I don’t have much time.” Feng Ci said, concerned: “It’s all your fault. Why set the evaluation duration to three days? What’s wrong with shortening it to just one day?”

“……If that thing waits until after the evaluation completes in three days to appear, then you guys can deal with him on your own.”

Pei QianYue lowered his head slightly and asked Feng Ci: “You only have three days?”

Feng Ci sighed.

Only three days, and this was gained through the exchange of endangering Lu JingMing’s body; he couldn’t just let it go to waste.
Pei QianYue said: “No need to worry.” 

Feng Ci looked up at him: “En?”

Pei QianYue didn’t explain. He raised his head and looked at the hundreds of mirrors in front of him. His voice spoke up softly inside Feng Ci’s head: “No need to wait for that long.”

Feng Ci wasn’t sure of the details of Pei QianYue’s plans, but since Pei QianYue already knew ahead of time that something will happen during the Immortal Alliance evaluation, he must have made preparations in advance. 

Since this person was deliberately keeping things in suspense, Feng Ci didn’t ask too much about it. He finally calmed down to focus on watching the trial. 

To make observations more convenient, the mirrors were not set up motionless at a certain spot in the secret realm. Instead, they automatically followed the tracking devices worn by the participants within a certain area and, at the same time, transmitted the view inside the secret realm.

Feng Ci leaned comfortably into Pei QianYue’s embrace and watched the trial, occasionally even commenting briefly.

“That kid in mirror #59 is pretty good. Challenging a liger beast solo already at such a young age. Wow, that sword strike was beautiful!”

“It’s already the 3rd time that sect inside mirror #31 found something good again, right? How come I’m not as lucky? When I explored this kind of secret realm in the past, I couldn’t even find a single spirit herb.” 

“Aiya, are those people over there about to start a fight? No one will die right?”

He was so excited from observing that he almost slipped off Pei QianYue’s lap. Pei QianYue dragged him back without even blinking an eye: “The rules and regulations only say that personal duels won’t award points, regardless of the results. They don’t say it’s restricted to harm or kill others.”

Since there were no restrictions against it, that meant it was allowed. Doing it or not, however, was their own choice.

Inside the mirror, the battle was commencing fiercely. Various magic weapons flashed nonstop; it was almost impossible to see the figures of those people. 

That region was a wet rainforest. Not far from where the crowd was fighting was the mouth of a fountain. A faint spiritual light poured out from the water of the fountain. Evidently, it was the location of a hidden treasure.

After the light from the magic weapons faded slightly, Feng Ci finally recognized that amongst the participants of the fight were the disciples of the JiuXiao Sect that he had seen recently.

Moreover, the JiuXiao Sect had actually gained the upper hand here.

Feng Ci became somewhat intrigued. No time to converse with Pei QianYue anymore, he continued to watch. 

The reason that the JiuXiao Sect gained the upper hand, however, wasn’t because their disciples had higher cultivation levels. Rather, they had more people. After entering the secret realm, the various sects usually dispersed their disciples to expand their search area and discover more monsters and treasures quickly. Furthermore, by scattering the disciples, the sect can avoid getting wiped out all at once due to dangers.

However, JiuXiao Sect didn’t do that.

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It didn’t take long to determine the outcome of the fight.

Inside the mirror, a JiuXiao disciple wielding a sword in his hand was just about to stab a disciple of the opposing side.

However, someone stopped him.

“What are you doing?” A young girl in light yellow knocked away his sword: “Since we won already, shouldn’t we hurry and grab the treasure? Why injure him?” 

“Shimei, don’t you understand the rules and regulations?” That disciple said: “Although the score is based on eliminating demons and monsters and finding treasure, it’s not whoever finds more wins, but rather whoever finds less loses.”

Even though it sounded similar in meaning, this actually worked very differently.

The JiuXiao Sect can only be considered lower-mid level in strength amongst the participants of the evaluation. Relying on numbers and points to achieve victory was not likely. The only chance of winning was to find a way to defeat others one by one and make them unable to continue onward in the trial.

Outside of the secret realm, Feng Ci leaned towards Pei QianYue’s ear and asked him: “Is this your plan?” 

Pei QianYue asked: “What?”

“To make these people massacre each other inside this place. The half that survives will then join the Immortal Alliance. That thing doesn’t even have raise his hand.” Feng Ci said half-jokingly: “A plan that’s the best of two worlds, satisfying both sides hisss—”

Pei QianYue pinched Feng Ci on the waist.

Feng Ci had a ticklish spot on the side of his waist. He couldn’t withstand Pei QianYue pinching him like this the most. 

“What nonsense are you saying?” Pei QianYue said coolly: “If you don’t want to watch carefully, we can do something else.”

Feng Ci didn’t actually mind doing something else with him, but not right now.

He didn’t reply anymore and continued to look at that mirror.

“No.” That young girl did not back off: “What did Shizun teach us every day? Cultivating the sword is for the sake of helping the world and saving people. Why should we casually harm others just to win?” 

“Shimei, do you know what kind of circumstances we’re in right now? ……Mu-Shidi, hurry up and persuade her already.”

The young boy, who was abruptly named, was stunned briefly.

He looked up at the woman in front of him, fell silent for a moment, and said: “Why……Why don’t we tie them up and leave them here. That doesn’t go against the rules either.”

“That’s a good idea!” Eyes lighting up, the girl looked down and searched through the storage bag on her waist: “Let’s do this. I remember I brought some Immortal Binding Ropes here……” 

Outside the secret realm, Feng Ci smiled in gratification: “Looks like the cultivation world isn’t completely filled with people who are willing to do anything to achieve their goal.”

Pei QianYue replied with a quiet ‘En’ and then said: “But they might not win like this.”

Sure enough, as soon as Pei QianYue finished speaking, another group of disciples appeared abruptly. As it so happened, during the fight just now, the other side had taken the opportunity to send word to their fellow sect members.

It was already not easy for the JiuXiao disciples to win a moment ago. Now they were sandwiched by enemies from both sides. Very quickly they were beaten to the point of being unable to fight back and had no choice but to retreat first. 

Feng Ci fell silent for a moment and then withdrew his gaze: “I should just look at something else. Watching this really ruins the mood.”

However, not long afterwards, another area started fighting as well. The resolution this time wasn’t so harmonious. Neither side yielded. Although no one died, a dozen people lost the ability to continue participating in the trial because of heavy injuries.

Ultimately, they could only seek assistance from the patrolling disciples to be sent out of the secret realm.

And forfeit ahead of time. 

Those injured disciples were carried away in a flurry to be treated. Feng Ci noticed them leaving and asked: “Not sending anyone to follow them?”

If the puppet plans to execute the sects that’s to be eliminated from the Immortal Alliance evaluation, this kind of sect, which has already lost ahead of time, should naturally fall within his target population.

There’s not even a need to wait until three days later.

Pei QianYue, however, shook his head: “No need.” 

Seeing his confident manner, Feng Ci asked: “Are you thinking that he won’t attack inside LingXiao Gates?”

There was actually some sense in this. Right now, the most prominent figures of the cultivation world were gathered in LingXiao Gates. Even Grandmaster QianQiu in his full power would have had trouble escaping here unscathed. 

The result of the evaluation was still undetermined at the moment. The puppet wouldn’t beat the grass and alert others of his presence so early.

However, Pei QianYue had also said that they didn’t need to wait until after three days. 

Feng Ci had a vague guess in his heart. He didn’t say anything and continued to watch the trial.

In the following 24 hours, conflict and personal battles within the secret realm was a common occurrence. There was no lack of casualties. Even before the cut-off point to calculate the total scores, there were already more than 20 cultivation sects that withdrew from the trial in advance.

At noon the next day, the leaders of various cultivation sects gathered at the plaza of LingXiao Gates. The LingXiao Gates Sect Leader, Xuan YangZi, was tasked with reading the results of the trial.

“…… The cultivation sects mentioned above are ranked lower in scores and will be transported out of the Heavenly Spirit Ruins.” 

The trial inside the secret realm eliminated half of the numbers every day— the most on the first day. A total of more than 60 cultivation sects were to be eliminated. After Xuan YangZi finished reading the list, he opened the door to the secret realm.

However, no one came out.

After the WanFa Pavilion Master enhanced the secret realm, the tracking devices on the wrists of the disciples eliminated from the trial should automatically sense them and transport them out of the secret realm. However, as Xuan YangZi gazed into mirrors up front, the already eliminated disciples continued to stand in place. Nothing was happening.

The plaza was completely silent. A moment later, the sound of discussion gradually grew louder. 

Feng Ci has already returned to his physical body. He stood in the middle of the crowd, focusing his gaze on the mirrors. Surrounded by the voices of discussion, a bad feeling suddenly rose in his heart.

Kacha—

One of the mirrors shattered following the noise.

Even the expressions of the leaders of the Six Sects on the high platform changed. 

Wen HuaiYu asked: “Sect Leader Xuan YangZi, what’s going on here?”

“This thing was left here by Pavilion Master YuChi. How would I know?” Xuan YangZi frowned deeply: “Where’s Pavilion master YuChi? Is he still not awake?”

He was asking his attending disciple. That disciple replied: “Sect Leader, this disciple went to check just now. Pavilion Master YuChi, he…… he seems to be still sleeping.”

“At a time like this?!” Xuan YangZi shouted. Another person stood up. 

It was LingXiao Gate’s Elder, Ji Yun.

Elder Ji Yun’s demeanor was cultured and gentle. He spoke in a calm and composed manner: “Shixiong, don’t worry. I will go take a look right now.”

However, after his departure, he did not return even after a long while.

The anxiety within the crowd grew heavier and heavier. A moment later, there was another ‘kacha’. 

Another mirror shattered.

Feng Ci narrowed his eyes.

These mirrors created a connection between the inside and outside of the secret realm. The portion outside of the secret realm was right under their eyes. It was impossible for someone to do anything to them. Then it can only be from inside the secret realm.

Under the absolute silence, Pei QianYue spoke up softly: “Let’s not wait any longer.” 

“Looks like Pavilion Master YuChi won’t be coming anytime soon.” Pei QianYue got up and said coolly: “LangFeng City disciples will follow this Venerable One into the secret realm to investigate the truth of this matter.”

The LangFeng City disciples below the platform voiced out in unison: “Yes!”

Feng Ci tidied his clothes and also marched forth.

The LangFeng City Master was true to his word. He really did not make Feng Ci wait too long. 

“Lin-Shixiong.” Feng Ci arrived at the front of the group of LangFeng City disciples and called out.

The leader of the squad was Lin ChangAn.

After the incident with the Discipline Elder, the Discipline Elder’s head disciple, Xie WuHan, realized that he had been deceived by his own Shizun. To make up for his mistake, he has already been reflecting behind closed doors for many months and no longer holds any position within the sect.

During these months, the task of leading the disciples fell completely on Lin ChangAn’s head. 

Lin ChangAn never imagined to encounter Feng Ci here and said in astonishment: “Lu-Shidi, your injury is all better?”

Lin ChangAn was aware of how Feng Ci had been heavily injured at Broken Sword Manor. During these months when Feng Ci was cultivating in seclusion in the Shaman Valley, Pei QianYue’s statement to others was that Lu JingMing had been sent out of the sect to recuperate from his heavy injuries.

Feng Ci was just about to answer when he suddenly heard someone in the squad call him: “Lu JingMing?!”

This voice sounded somewhat familiar. Feng Ci looked over and recognized the person: “Oh it’s Cheng-Shixiong.” 

The person before him was precisely that outer sect disciple, who had once attempted to make things difficult for Feng Ci— Cheng Bo. However, the young man has now switched into an inner disciple uniform. On his waist was also the sword that Feng Ci gave to him.

“You entered the inner sect.” Feng Ci said.

Cheng Bo seemed to still have words to say to him, but ultimately he didn’t say it and only made a vague noise of acknowledgement.

Lin ChangAn said: “I heard Xiao-Shidi say that you were very heavily injured. We were all very worried. Seeing you fine right now—” 

“How much longer do you plan to dally?” Pei QianYue’s voice traveled down from the high platform.

Lin ChangAn hastily put on a solemn and serious expression and replied loudly: “Reporting back to you, City Master. The LangFeng City disciples have lined up accordingly. There are a total of 17, no, a total of 18 people ready to leave at any time!”

Feng Ci raised his head and looked over. Pei QianYue just happened to lower his head, as if meeting his gaze from a distance.

A faint, inconspicuous smile appeared on Pei QianYue’s lips before he restrained himself and said: “Let’s go.” 

Feng Ci followed the LangFeng City disciples and walked onto the high platform.

The group was just about to enter the secret realm when another person stopped them.

Xuan YangZi bowed towards Pei QianYue and said: “City Master Pei, the Heavenly Spirit Ruins belong to LingXiao Gates. This old man is most familiar with this place. LingXiao Gates is willing to go inside with LangFeng City.”

Feng Ci raised an eyebrow. 

In the months since his return to this world, LingXiao Gates has never been genuinely content and quiet. Regardless of the initial Immortal Alliance rebellion or the subsequent Immortal Alliance evaluation, LingXiao Gates has practically been jumping eagerly to be actively involved. Not to mention, Feng Ci recently discovered that his physical body had actually been hiding inside LingXiao Gates’ forbidden grounds this entire time.

He definitely didn’t believe that this was entirely a mere coincidence.

He was really very curious, what kind of role LingXiao Gates played in all this.

Pei QianYue didn’t answer. Right at this time, there was another ‘kacha’ sound. 

A third mirror shattered as well.

They couldn’t wait any longer.

“Since Sect Leader Xuan YangZi is so considerate, how could this Venerable One have any reason to decline?” Pei QianYue moved forward to help Xuan YangZi stand again, and actually revealed a hint of a smile: “Then let’s proceed together.”