Chapter 151: Flying Stars and Falling Snow

Arriving was none other than Xing Yanzong, the sect leader of the Soul-Guarding Sect, accompanied by his good friend, Daoist Fengshen, followed closely by Cong Zhengnan, who happened to be visiting the Soul-Guarding Sect as a guest.

Cong Zhengnan had originally wanted nothing to do with trouble, but he had no choice against his thoroughly exasperated subordinate, Hu Xihe. Moments earlier, Hu Xihe had wailed pitifully, tears streaming down his face in front of everyone. Yet just a moment later, using God knows what trick, he had managed to dupe a whole group of immortal peers who had come looking for answers, leading them straight down to Baimiao Peak.

As if that weren't enough, Hu Xihe had actually conjured up some so-called Four Righteous Alliance, and as luck would have it, managed to pick a fight directly with the Demon Realm. Word had it that they had suffered consecutive defeats recently, driven all the way to Qiyun Ridge by two demon enchantresses, Hua Zhongying and Yu Su'er.

With a scandal like this breaking out, it was hardly a glowing chapter. Although Hu Xihe had long since severed ties with the sect, his roots ultimately lay within the Poison Sect.

To put it bluntly, even if you break the bones, the tendons remain connected. Who could curse Hu Xihe without incidentally dragging the Poison Sect into it? This was truly a case of sitting quietly indoors while trouble dropped in from beyond the mountains.

Consequently, he had hurried as fast as he could to consult with Xing Yanzong.

As for why he sought out Xing Yanzong instead of anyone else, it was likely because the two shared the miserable misfortune of having unruly subordinates.

He could find no one else to discuss the matter with; people would consider it a mercy just not to slam their doors in his face. After all, initiating a conflict between the two realms was a reputation far too heavy for anyone to shoulder lightly.

Looking down at the boundless, churning waves and the wisps of drifting clouds on either side, Cong Zhengnan shook his sleeves, his expression turning solemn. "I heard in the zither hall earlier that something happened here, but now why is there nothing left at all? Could it be..."

Some things went unsaid, but both men shared a tacit understanding in their hearts.

Though Xing Yanzong was reluctant to believe it, he had no choice but to accept reality. After a long silence, he sighed, "Perhaps Sect Leader Cong is unaware: once a member of the Soul-Guarding Sect perishes, not a single trace remains."

Cong Zhengnan sideways-slapped himself hard across the face, cursing himself silently for running his mouth. Turning back, he offered an apologetic bow. "It was Cong's oversight! I ask Sect Leader Xing not to take offense!"

"This matter was never your fault to begin with." Xing Yanzong raised a hand to stop his bow. "It's just that the event occurred with terrifying suddenness. In the brief days since we discussed it with the various sects, none could have anticipated such a tragic loss."

Cong Zhengnan bowed in grateful acknowledgment, straightened up, and cast his gaze around. His eyes landed on the treasured radiance emanating from Bafeng Island. "Does Sect Leader Xing know who the perpetrator is?"

It was no wonder he asked. The Poison Sect had recently been utterly overwhelmed by the fallout from Hu Xihe's actions. Furthermore, among the Seven Seals, the Poison Sect was not included.

Thus, certain details naturally remained unclear to him.

Xing Yanzong formed a hand seal and swept his hand across his chest, watching as specks of glowing fluorescence scattered in all directions. In an instant, these specks converged into a single luminous pearl that suddenly shot straight into his glabella.

The sight caused Cong Zhengnan to abruptly snap his mouth shut. He waited until Xing Yanzong opened his eyes before asking once more, "Sect Leader Xing, have you discerned any clues?"

Seeing his knitted brows, Daoist Fengshen immediately asked with concern, "Is something wrong?"

Xing Yanzong looked at his old friend, glanced once more toward Bafeng Island, and said, "Let us return first and discuss it."

Daoist Fengshen caught his meaning and immediately refrained from pressing further, simply replying, "Very well."

He then exchanged a glance with Cong Zhengnan, and a moment later, three streaks of light vanished into the horizon.

Back at the Soul-Guarding Sect, a crowd of disciples had already gathered outside the main hall. Ji Yuntian stepped forward to meet them, cupping his fists. "Sect Leader, everyone is deeply concerned about the safety of the Forest Guards and Flying Guards. Please forgive any discourtesy on our part."

Xing Yanzong turned his head to give a few instructions to Daoist Fengshen, who then led Cong Zhengnan back to the zither hall ahead of them.

Once the two of them had departed, Xing Yanzong signaled for the crowd to enter the main hall.

When the murmurs died down, he finally spoke, "Tianwei, go to the Pavilion of Longevity and replace the wooden plaques of Molin, Lu Fei, and the others."

Ji Yuntian froze instantly, pleading, "Sect Leader, surely..." Could there really be no possibility of survival? After all, they had walked this road together for so long.

The other disciples chimed in with identical pleas, "Sect Leader!"

Everyone knew what replacing a wooden plaque signified; it meant that the very last traces of their existence between heaven and earth were gone.

To have it replaced meant that these people were truly dead.

Xing Yanzong looked at the crowd. How could he not understand what was in their hearts? Yet since the fact was already accomplished, keeping the wooden plaques served as nothing more than self-deception.

"They are all brave men of our Soul-Guarding Sect; are they cowards who fear death? For you to act thus—does it not belittle them?"

The crowd fell speechless. "..."

Fearing that the disciples' emotions might destabilize and breed resentment, Ji Yuntian hurriedly asked, "Sect Leader, in your trip out, did you discover the identity of the villain?"

In an instant, every gaze snapped back to Xing Yanzong, waiting solely for an explanation. If they couldn't keep the wooden plaques, they at least deserved to know who the murderer was.

Knowing the good intentions behind Ji Yuntian's prompt, Xing Yanzong replied, "I used the Flying Star Falling Snow technique to probe. The assailant belongs to one of the Three Evils: Insect."

"Is that true?" Ji Yuntian blurted out.

Upon hearing this, the disciples nodded repeatedly.

"See for yourselves." With that, Xing Yanzong swept a hand across his glabella. The luminous pearl shot forth once more, transforming into specks of fluorescent light that gradually pieced together the likeness of Insect.

The vision lasted for about three breaths before dissolving into nothingness.

Someone gasped in disbelief, "It really is a villain of the evil faction?"

"Could it be false? When has the Sect Leader's Flying Star Falling Snow ever erred?"

"That's true, but why did it have to be such a coincidence? The Wusheng Gate guards were fine the day before yesterday, and Chunqiu Hanmo was fine yesterday... H-how is it that when our turn came, we ran straight into this star of misfortune?" The disciple was a man of passionate blood; as he spoke of his sorrow, he squatted down and buried his face directly in his hands.

The person beside him comforted him, "Don't be like this. Running into them can only mean our luck was running low."

"Sigh..." the man heaved a heavy sigh.

Seeing this, Ji Yuntian stepped forward. "Sect Leader, Yuntian has a doubt and wishes to seek your guidance."

"Speak."

"I noticed that within the Flying Star Falling Snow vision, there seemed to be another blurred figure. I wonder who that person might be?"

Xing Yanzong cast a sideways glance at him. "You certainly observe closely, noticing even such imperceptible details."

"Does the Sect Leader have an answer?"

"None."

"This..."

"That figure was truly extremely faint, its aura nearly nonexistent. The Flying Star Falling Snow could not restore its full appearance."

"Then... does the Sect Leader have a suspected target?" Among the Three Evils, since Insect had shown himself, the remaining two must be either the Red Widow or Chang Daizi.

Xing Yanzong paced among the crowd. "I know what you are all thinking, but things are likely not that simple."

Suddenly, someone asked, "May I ask the Sect Leader, since the dual guards and disciples of our sect have met with disaster this time, must we still send people to stand guard the next time?"

This question brought the entire assembly to a sudden halt. Indeed, after people had just died, were they expected to go again?

With an opponent so terrifying, were they truly expected to walk to their deaths?

Fearing a mutiny of sentiment, Ji Yuntian spoke up before Xing Yanzong could answer. "Sect Leader, let me go next time."

Xing Yanzong asked, "Are you not afraid?"

"I am." Before Xing Yanzong could question further, Ji Yuntian continued, "I fear death, but I fear even more having others walk ahead of me on the path. Therefore, let Yuntian go next time."

"Very well." Xing Yanzong nodded with a sense of solace. "Go replace the wooden plaques. Furthermore, let the entire Soul-Guarding Sect wear white mourning attire for seven days."

"Understood." Ji Yuntian bowed and withdrew.

"Disperse, all of you." With that, Xing Yanzong stepped out of the main hall and returned to the zither hall.

Over there, Daoist Fengshen had been waiting anxiously, urging the young attendant to welcome them back and forth several times.

The moment he laid eyes on Xing Yanzong, Daoist Fengshen grabbed his arm and hurried him inside. "Now can you tell me what on earth is going on? With an event this massive happening, don't you think we should also send a letter to Wusheng Gate, Chunqiu Hanmo, and the others?"

Cong Zhengnan also stood up and said, "Indeed. No matter what, giving them a warning allows everyone to be on their guard."

Xing Yanzong gestured for the two of them to sit down first, then took his seat at the host's chair. "My friend is entirely right. I shall send letters to Wusheng Gate and the others shortly. There is a matter, however, that I must state first. Sect Leader Cong, you should prepare yourself mentally after hearing it."

Upon hearing this, Cong Zhengnan received a considerable shock. How did this matter involve him as well? Could it be that the evil villains were wreaking havoc? He quickly reined in his stray thoughts and said, "I am all ears for Sect Leader Xing's words."

Xing Yanzong said, "I probed with the Flying Star Falling Snow technique; the assailant belongs to one of the Three Evils: Insect."

Cong Zhengnan's expression changed instantly. "The Three Evils have truly reemerged?"

Upon second thought, he realized he had spoken out of turn. Matters concerning the Three Evils had already been answered long ago when Poison Hand died.

However, adhering to the principle of "sweep the snow from your own doorstep and care not for the frost on your neighbor's roof," he had simply kept his mouth shut about it.

After all, his own subordinates were incompetent, and for the Poison Sect, having one less matter was better than one more.

He hurriedly explained, "Cong didn't mean it that way. I merely... I merely wanted to ask if this can be confirmed."

"Sect Leader Cong can rest assured; Xing still has that much certainty."

As soon as his voice fell, Cong Zhengnan stood up to take his leave. "Since that is the case, please forgive Cong's discourtesy; I must return to my sect to discuss this with the others. Farewell."

Xing Yanzong stood up and escorted him to the doorway. "Take care, Sect Leader Cong."

"Take care."

Daoist Fengshen walked up behind him, watching the direction in which Cong Zhengnan had vanished, and said, "By saying that, I fear it's not just Insect alone who has reappeared, isn't it?"

Xing Yanzong turned around and gave a bitter smile. "Nothing escapes you."

Daoist Fengshen said, "When you sent Ji Yuntian to find me at Nine-Turn Peak back then, wasn't it precisely for this matter?"

"True enough." The two returned to their seats, and Xing Yanzong said, "The intelligence retrieved by the Flying Star Falling Snow actually shows more than just Insect."

"You mean there was someone else?"

"Indeed, though their aura was extremely faint, making it impossible even to distinguish gender."

Daoist Fengshen nodded, lifting his teacup to his lips before suddenly setting it down again. He looked at Xing Yanzong and asked, "Could it be that you suspect the other person is not one of the Three Evils, but rather that a member of your sect might still be alive?"

This realization startled even Daoist Fengshen himself.

Xing Yanzong did not shy away from admitting his train of thought. "Though that figure was faint, there was a faint sense of familiarity about it. Therefore, I worry that while someone may still be alive, they have actually fallen under the control of the Three Evils."

Daoist Fengshen's expression changed abruptly. Pondering for a moment, he said, "If we follow your logic, since the enemy chose to kill some and spare others, they must have a grand scheme. I wonder about your esteemed sect's Seal-Breaker..."

Xing Yanzong replied, "There is no rush regarding that matter. Our sect's Seal-Breaker has always been a special case; let alone outsiders remaining ignorant, even I as the sect leader find it difficult to pry into the truth."

"That is fortunate then. What is it that worries you so, my friend?"

"I... sigh. Better left unsaid." Xing Yanzong sighed, summoned an attendant to fetch ink and brushes, and rapidly penned several letters.

They were addressed respectively to Wusheng Gate, Chunqiu Hanmo, the Demon Realm, and the Royal City.

As for the Chan Sect and the Southern Wandering Sea, they need not be considered. As for the Demon Realm, the ties had already been torn apart because of Hu Xihe, so sending them letters would be futile.

"Have someone deliver these letters to their respective destinations."

The young attendant received the letters with both hands and bowed respectfully as he retreated.

Seeing the boy leave, Daoist Fengshen voiced his lingering doubts. "I have one thing I cannot comprehend: why did the evil villain suddenly appear on Bafeng Island? If it were for the seals, breaking them is still far too early. Why would they show up at this time?"

Prompted by this, Xing Yanzong recalled the situation as well. Over these past few days, ever since word spread from Wusheng Gate that Baili Suxue was the Seal-Breaker, the various sects had been plunged into turmoil.

Between endless deliberations and meetings, they had simply had no time to attend to anything else.

He immediately summoned the attendant to inquire closely, only to realize that the problem indeed lay with Baili Suxue's end.

Waving the attendant away, he leaned on his chair and remained speechless for a long time.

Daoist Fengshen said, "Now that you know the root of the matter, do you think you should arrange a meeting with Bufeng?"

"Let me think on it."