Chapter 555 - 384: Unexpected Situation (Part 2)
Chapter 555: Chapter 384: Unexpected Situation (Part 2)
"Elder Zhang, please share your thoughts." Fang Yun let Zhang Qingwu speak first.
"Yes, Sect Leader."
Zhang Qingwu nodded. He had given the matter a great deal of thought ever since Patriarch Zhou sent the message about Foundation Establishment Demons appearing in the Zhou Family’s territory.
At first, he couldn’t understand what the Foundation Establishment Demons were trying to accomplish in the Zhou Family’s territory, or what orders they were following.
Later, he thought of some possible connections.
"I believe this is the work of the Demon Spirit Sect. They might have heard that one of our Supreme Elders passed away last year and see the Celestial Cloud Sect’s perceived weakness as their opportunity," Zhang Qingwu offered.
"Makes sense."
Fang Yun nodded. Zhang Qingwu’s analysis was plausible; it could be the reason for the Demon Spirit Sect’s actions.
However, it was unlikely to be the primary reason. At best, it was a secondary factor.
The Demon Spirit Sect’s Late-stage Core Formation Demon had passed away, and they later lost a mid-stage and an early-stage Core Formation Demon. By all rights, the Demon Spirit Sect should only have three Core Formation Demons left.
In recent years, no new Demons from the Demon Spirit Sect have reached the Core Formation Realm.
"If we consider the Zhou Family’s geographical location, we can infer a great deal," Fang Yun said, his gaze fixed on the main gate. Heading straight in that direction would lead to the Zhou Family’s territory.
’The Zhou Family’s location...’ Zhang Qingwu considered it for a moment before realization dawned on him. "Sect Leader, you mean this is also connected to the Black Ghost Cave!"
The Zhou Family’s territory was relatively close to both the Demon Spirit Sect and the Black Ghost Cave.
If the Demon Spirit Sect and the Black Ghost Cave were to join forces and attack a Foundation Establishment Influence within Celestial Cloud Sect territory, the Zhou Family would indeed be an excellent target.
"Of course, we can’t rule out the possibility that the Demon Spirit Sect is doing this deliberately, guiding our thoughts in this direction to make us mistakenly believe they’ve allied with the Black Ghost Cave."
Until we have definitive information, anything is possible. It’s just a matter of probability.
Zhang Qingwu nodded in heartfelt agreement with Fang Yun’s words.
He completely agreed with the Sect Leader’s assessment.
"Considering the Demon Spirit Sect’s current strength, their ambitions toward us, and the appearance of Foundation Establishment Demons in Zhou Family territory, the likelihood that they have allied with the Black Ghost Cave is very high."
Any power should consider its own strength before making a move.
’This is something the leader of every power should consider,’ Fang Yun thought.
The previous Celestial Cloud Sect Leader’s defensive stance, as well as the Celestial Demon Sect’s thousands of years of incessant harassment, were all directly related to their respective strengths. When a power is strong, its moves are bold; when it’s weak, its moves are small.
"Sect Leader, what should I do now?"
"The Battle Peak need not concern itself with this for now. I will dispatch someone to handle it." Fang Yun already had a plan.
"Yes, Sect Leader."
’If it doesn’t require an Elder from the Battle Peak, then it must call for a Supreme Elder.’
Zhang Qingwu hadn’t expected his report to mobilize the sect’s highest echelons.
’It seems this matter is far more serious than I imagined.’
...
「In the Zhou Family’s territory.」
Near the family’s ancestral land, Patriarch Zhou came out in secret to receive a guest.
"Welcome, Senior Zheng!"
Patriarch Zhou never imagined that a single message from him would bring Zheng Wuji, a Core Formation Supreme Elder from the Celestial Cloud Sect.
Having a Core Formation Supreme Elder from the Celestial Cloud Sect arrive was certainly reassuring, but it also implied something else:
The sheer gravity of the situation!
And that wasn’t good news.
If the situation was that serious, the slightest misstep could lead to the annihilation of the Zhou Family.
In the past, Patriarch Zhou would have been extremely worried.
Now, however, things were a bit better.
Since they now possessed two territories, the Zhou Family wouldn’t be completely wiped out even if all the Cultivators here were to die. They would, however, be grievously wounded.
"Take me to my quarters."
"Yes, Senior Zheng."
Along the way, as long as Zheng Wuji remained silent, Patriarch Zhou didn’t try to force conversation.
He didn’t know the preferences of this Supreme Elder from the Celestial Cloud Sect.
Inquiring about a Supreme Elder would be a conspicuous act, and news of such inquiries would likely get back to the Supreme Elder himself.
The Zhou Family didn’t make a habit of such things.
The Celestial Cloud Sect’s Sect Leader was an exception, of course; understanding him was a necessity.
When Zheng Wuji asked a question, Patriarch Zhou answered. When he was silent, the patriarch simply led the way quietly. Zheng Wuji found this arrangement quite agreeable.
’Back in the sect, the Sect Leader had summoned me.’
’After explaining the general situation, the Sect Leader ordered me to act as the Zhou Family’s Guardian.’
’The assignment was for three years. If nothing happened within that time, I was to return.’
Zheng Wuji accepted the assignment without hesitation.
He had gone into seclusion five years ago and successfully broken through to the mid-stage of Core Formation. It was his second attempt; his first attempt to break through to the new Realm had failed.
If Fang Yun hadn’t enriched the sect’s supply of Third Tier elixirs, Zheng Wuji, lacking the necessary Healing Elixirs, would not have fully recovered five years ago, nor would he have had another chance to break through to mid-stage Core Formation.
’Coming here to guard the Zhou Family...’
If the Demons were going to make a move, Zheng Wuji hoped they would just get on with it.
’The Celestial Cloud Sect of today is not what it once was.’
’As a high-ranking member of the Celestial Cloud Sect, he knew exactly how powerful the sect was now—and just how powerful their Sect Leader had become.’
’Most importantly, there was the series of plans Fang Yun had proposed for the future.’
’The Demon Spirit Sect, the Dragon Demon Palace, the Black Ghost Cave—all these Evil Dao Core Formation Influences were slated for destruction in their future plans.’
"This way, Senior Zheng."
The Spiritual Qi concentration in the residence provided by the Zhou Family was not dense enough for his normal cultivation.
Yet, this was already the most Spiritual Qi-rich location in the entire Zhou Family estate.
’This is what you get with a Second Tier Spirit Vein.’
To cultivate normally here, he would need a miniature Third Tier Gathering Spirit Array, but the array here was only Second Tier.
"If there is nothing else, you may go."
"Senior Zheng, these are Spirit Stones for the Gathering Spirit Array." While speaking, Patriarch Zhou took out a dozen or so Middle Grade Spirit Stones.
The gesture was clearly meant to curry favor with Zheng Wuji.
The Celestial Cloud Sect had sent him to act as a Guardian, but they hadn’t required the Zhou Family to provide Spirit Stones for his upkeep.
That was the Celestial Cloud Sect’s duty. Its affiliated influences merely had to deliver their annual tribute as required.
"Unnecessary. I have my own Spirit Stones if I need to use the Gathering Spirit Array."
Patriarch Zhou studied Zheng Wuji’s expression and confirmed his sincerity. With just the two of them present, there was little reason for a Core Formation senior to put on an act for him.
"Then I shall not disturb you further, Senior. Please let me know if you have any instructions for me."
After speaking and seeing Zheng Wuji nod, Patriarch Zhou withdrew.
More than half a year passed in the blink of an eye.
In that half-year, Zheng Wuji never once left his residence, nor did he issue any instructions to the Zhou Family.
Suddenly, Zheng Wuji, who had been meditating peacefully, opened his eyes.
Even with the Second Tier Gathering Spirit Array operating at full capacity, the concentration of Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi didn’t meet his cultivation standards. It would slow his progress, but it didn’t make cultivation impossible.
He had spent most of the past half-year in cultivation.
But at this very moment, he sensed an anomaly in the flow of Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi.
’The Zhou Family has activated their Grand Array!’
’The Sect Leader gave me three years, but it’s only been a little over half a year, and the Demons are already making their move.’
’The Sect Leader’s guess was right on the mark.’
Fang Yun had told him that if the Demons from the Demon Spirit Sect were planning something, they would most likely act within two years, and there was a high probability they would act within one.
The three-year duration of his guard duty was a precaution; the third year was just to be safe.
Zheng Wuji rose to his feet but didn’t go out immediately.
The Zhou Family’s Grand Array was already active, and with him standing guard, the situation wasn’t critical.
Remaining where he was, he carefully extended his senses, checking for any fluctuations of Yin Power.
According to Fang Yun, the Demon Spirit Sect and the Black Ghost Cave were supposed to act together.
’On this point, the Sect Leader’s guess was wrong.’
’There are only fluctuations of Demon Power.’
’I can’t sense the slightest trace of Yin Power.’