Chapter 140: Twelve Pearl Spirit Curtain Disk

In the early hours of the morning at Tiansang Ling Gong, the sky was just beginning to lighten.

It had been almost a day since Xu Xiaoshou and his group entered Tianxuan Men.

In a side chamber of the main discussion hall, within a dim room, Zhao Xidong was sleeping deeply.

As a key figure being groomed for Lingfa Ge, despite his repeated violations of rules, the task of guarding Tianxuan Men had still fallen to him.

The room was bare, with only Zhao Xidong dozing off against the door frame, a wooden table, and a purple crystal spirit disk floating in the void.

The spirit disk was intricately carved with dragons and phoenixes, its design exquisite.

On it floated twelve white jade beads, brimming with spiritual energy, each draping down a curtain of green light that exuded a mystical aura.

Twelve Pearl Spirit Curtain Disk!

It corresponded to the twelve town boundary treasures of Tianxuan Men!

This disk, used to communicate with other-dimensional spaces, had cost Tiansang Ling Gong immense resources in manpower and wealth. Thus, the guarding task was serious... yet not overly so.

Zhao Xidong's role was simply to monitor the disk; if nothing unexpected occurred over the next three days, it would mean all was stable inside Tianxuan Men.

If the disk had an issue... Zhao Xidong thought, what could I do? I'm outside Tianxuan Men—I couldn't intervene anyway!

At most, he could report it.

Besides, if Xiao Laoda hadn't mentioned the possibility of a minor traitor, the disk would have been guarded by just anyone, as in previous years.

Hu!

Zhao Xidong, who had been dozing with his backside in the air against the door frame, suddenly jolted awake. He had dreamed that Xu Xiaoshou was breaking through in Tianxuan Men and had blown up the entire secret realm space.

His head smacked against the door board, making him wince in pain.

Zhao Xidong wiped the drool from his mouth, turned back, and discreetly wiped it off on the door with his backside before focusing his eyes on the Twelve Pearl Spirit Curtain Disk.

No issues!

Hu... I was overthinking it. That mere Xu Xiaoshou, could he really destroy a space? It was just a dream! Zhao Xidong picked up his water cup to wet his throat and sighed.

This Xu Xiaoshou—why has he been showing up in my dreams lately? It's got to be some kind of curse!

It's practically Xu Mengyan!

As he set the water cup on the wooden table, a crisp sound echoed through the quiet room.

Pa!

Zhao Xidong froze; that noise clearly hadn't come from the cup in front of him, but from behind?

Shaking, he turned his head and saw that the protective barrier on one of the white jade beads of the spirit disk had shattered, and the glowing bead instantly dimmed.

Damn!

Zhao Xidong felt like he was losing his mind. Sick! It really shattered?

The protective barrier linked to the three layers of defense for the town boundary treasure; with the white jade bead dimming, it meant the treasure had been taken!

Is there really a traitor? Zhao Xidong's heart raced with shock.

With a bang, the door flew open, and he dashed out, intent on informing Xiao Laoda. But he quickly doubled back.

Carefully, he picked up the spirit disk and took it with him; it couldn't be stored in a space ring, as it was connected to another dimensional space, and any overlap could cause catastrophe.

Something's happened, something's happened—as expected, Xiao Laoda had foresight.

Zhao Xidong left the main discussion hall and sped toward Lingshi Ge.

Pa!

No sooner had he taken flight than the protective barrier on another white jade bead shattered, making Zhao Xidong wobble in the air and nearly fall.

Oh my kidney—what on earth is going on in Tianxuan Men? Who's stirring up trouble!

The white jade bead that lost its barrier flickered with spiritual light, as if on the verge of dimming, but it was still holding on.

Hold on!

Zhao Xidong grimaced, pushing his speed to the maximum as he vanished into the distance.

In a dim and cramped room, four men sat.

Qiao Qianzhi couldn't understand why Sang Lao had suddenly developed a fondness for stewed pork knuckle, completely ignoring his usual roasted goose.

He set down his chopsticks and said gravely:

Sheng Shen Dian Tang has already confirmed it—the target of "Sheng Nu" this time is Ming Jian Er Shi Yi. It's said that collecting them will bring about a miracle.

He paused and continued:

Sheng Shen Dian Tang shouldn't have made a statement. Not many people knew about this originally, but now it's spreading across the entire continent.

It's said that some are fishing in troubled waters—in other places, even the sword holders of Ming Jian don't know how many generations have passed.

Sang Lao didn't even look up:

How do you know it's fishing in troubled waters without people from Sheng Shen Dian Tang involved?

Xiao Qixiu paused at that and set down his roasted goose:

Impossible, right? Sheng Shen Dian Tang has maintained order on the continent for so long; if they wanted Ming Jian, they would have collected it already.

Sang Lao sneered:

Do you think it's that easy? Even as the top force on the continent, it's absolutely impossible to pull this off quietly!

Only when the waters are muddy enough can those in control reap more benefits. Otherwise, do you think "Sheng Nu" could have grown so quickly over the years?

Ye Xiaotian disagreed and spoke up:

If we can't even trust Sheng Shen Dian Tang, then the refiners on the continent have nowhere to turn.

Sang Lao glared at him and snapped:

That's why being cooped up in a Ling Gong has made you all foolish!

In the great dao struggle, besides believing in yourself, who else can you trust?!

The three fell silent; the statement was true and beyond refute.

Qiao Qianzhi chuckled and waved it off:

No point dwelling on it; this doesn't concern us much. Just be careful, Lao Xiao—don't let Qianqian go out these days.

Understood! Xiao Qixiu nodded, resolved to hide the token well and avoid any reckless moves at critical times.

There's one more thing... Qiao Qianzhi looked at the three, his gaze heavy.

Bai Ku has shown recent activity; rumors say a strange treasure has emerged, and now it's common knowledge.

Bai Ku... a strange treasure? Xiao Qixiu's thoughtful expression lasted only a moment before his eyes burned with excitement, and he shot to his feet: One of Di Ba Jian Xian's swords?

Qiao Qianzhi gestured for him to sit, though he understood the shock.

As long as you're a sword cultivator, no one can ignore the relics of Di Ba Jian Xian. He nodded: Correct—this time, probably the entire Dong Yu Jian Shen Tian will be shaken.

Sang Lao rolled his eyes:

You're overthinking it; it's just a rumor. Which treasure land doesn't have tales of his relics emerging? Have you seen any sign of them?

Qiao Qianzhi replied lightly:

This time, even the specific name has surfaced—it's You Si Jian!

Sang Lao: ...

Who spread it?

Sheng Shen Dian Tang.

This damn hall is always stirring up trouble—it's them confirming it again? Sang Lao was furious.

Mm. Qiao Qianzhi nodded slowly.

The three could understand Sang Lao's anger.

More than thirty years ago, this old man had barely escaped with his life, bringing back only the scabbard of You Si Jian, and had been waiting for this moment to reclaim the sword.

This time, after traveling far and wide to return to the Ling Gong, repelling the masked man's invasion was one goal.

The other was awaiting the reopening of Bai Ku.

But now, with the news leaked, who knew how many would come to interfere.

Sang Lao took a sullen swig of wine and turned to Ye Xiaotian:

Let's make a bet.

Mm?

You don't believe that beneath Sheng Shen Dian Tang's glorious facade lies darkness, right? This time, bet on whether they'll take action!

Ye Xiaotian hesitated and said:

Even if Sheng Shen Dian Tang acts, then what?

No need for anything.

Sang Lao smiled:

Just bet that this group of so-called holy ones will use some high-sounding excuse to successfully secure entry quotas for Bai Ku from the major Ling Gongs of the ten counties!

Ye Xiaotian raised an eyebrow; playing for such high stakes? Even wagering on how Sheng Shen Dian Tang will act?

The stake?

Sang Lao set down his chopsticks and said seriously:

No matter what Xu Xiaoshou gets from Tianxuan Men this time, we'll turn a blind eye!