Chapter 385: Business [Upper]

Immortals stood densely on the clouds, hundreds of figures silent and unmoving, hurrying through the night under the guidance of the group of Tianxian toward the border between Nan Zamba Buzhou and Dong Sheng Shen Continent.

Underground, the paper daoist driver, laden with paper figures and immortal beans, used earth escape to follow steadily behind the Du Xian Men immortals.

Meanwhile, one of Li Changshou's Jin Xian realm paper daoists had already appeared beneath the capital of Hong Lin Guo, frowning at the situation there.

The crisis was beyond severe; it was practically over.

Hundreds of figures clashed in the air, a one-sided massacre; the once prosperous capital was engulfed in smoke, with the eastern city gate and walls completely shattered, as a cavalry force charged at the last defenses of the city's guards.

This was a mortal war.

More precisely, a mortal war involving cultivators.

Most of the generals possessed cultivation, but fearing the backlash of karmic burdens, they generally adhered to the principle of "soldiers against soldiers, generals against generals, immortals against immortals."

Li Changshou spread his immortal sense, surveying a radius of ten thousand li, and spotted several other major battlefields.

Hong Lin Guo's defenses had not completely collapsed; in several directions, large numbers of troops still held their ground. The army that appeared at the Hong Lin Guo capital was likely a surprise attack.

The two invading tribes supported each other, converging tens of thousands of elite troops from the northeast and southeast, their momentum nearly unstoppable.

Even without tonight's surprise assault on the capital, Hong Lin Guo probably couldn't have held out for another half month.

These so-called tribes merely continued the old systems from the pre-Xia era and didn't necessarily mean they were weaker than these "square states."

In the eyes of the prosperous great nations in the center of Nan Zamba Buzhou, Hong Lin Guo, these two tribes, and the numerous states and tribes of Dong Sheng Shen Continent, all fell under the category of "Dong Yi."

To be thorough, Li Changshou swept his immortal sense over the area repeatedly and soon made another discovery.

These two tribes likely had the backing of a major immortal sect; the mixed Yuan Xian and Zhen Xian realm cultivators in their ranks were astonishingly numerous, and their cultivation methods were quite similar.

This war could essentially be seen as immortal sects vying for mortal resources, and Du Xian Men clearly hadn't prepared adequately.

Truly, the losers would be left to eat dust.

The several Du Xian Men Zhen Xian attendants who had been captured earlier were unharmed for now.

On the path where the Du Xian Men immortals were approaching, hundreds of auras lay hidden, with over a hundred Zhen Xian, thirty or forty Tianxian, and two sources of Jin Xian realm pressure.

Was this immortal sect planning to ambush the Du Xian Men group?

It was more like an interception than an ambush.

Li Changshou carefully sensed it and detected no strong killing intent from them; their formation was primarily defensive.

Based on the common scenarios in the chaotic wars of Nan Zamba Buzhou, they were likely just going to show up, force the Du Xian Men immortals to retreat, and use the hostages to avoid an all-out war with Du Xian Men.

Whether Du Xian Men chose to fight would depend on various factors, mainly the overall situation in Hong Lin Guo during the standoff.

As the saying goes, even a hunting eagle gives its all for a rabbit, so Li Changshou didn't dare be careless and immediately began making arrangements.

First, he secretly informed Ji Wuyou, the sect master, then summoned a group of paper daoists from nearby in the East Sea and casually called on Ao Yi to have him contact the East Sea Dragon Palace for expert reinforcements at any time.

After all, the enemy had two Jin Xian realm experts.

Li Changshou couldn't guarantee other things, but if they insisted on ambushing the Du Xian Men immortals, he would ensure a large force of reinforcements arrived to aid Du Xian Men.

This could be seen as a small contribution from him, an ordinary Yuan Xian disciple of Du Xian Men, to the sect.

After quickly preparing everything, and watching the mortals fight for a while, Li Changshou felt a subtle unease in his dao heart.

Was he worried about the human race depleting its strength through such wars?

Not quite.

The human race of the Great Desolation had its destiny concentrated among mortals, but its power gathered among cultivators; moreover, the human race's population was vast enough that wars in this area wouldn't affect overall human strength.

What Li Changshou was thinking about was...

Were the conflicts between mortal forces due to low external pressure, or was the Heavenly Dao influencing things from behind, intentionally slowing the expansion of the human race?

Even Saints aside, Jin Xian, Da Luo Jin Xian, and quasi-Saints couldn't completely escape the Heavenly Dao's influence, so in a way, how were they any different from these mortals?

"Am I being overly pessimistic thinking like this?"

Li Changshou murmured to himself, gently smoothing over the unease in his dao heart.

He was here only waiting for the opportunity foretold by the Lord Taiqing Saint, to assess the situation and decide how to act.

He had no intention of interfering in mortal wars; they carried massive karmic burdens.

His figure drifted up from deep within the earth, and in an empty tavern near the royal palace, Li Changshou found a quiet seat and waited patiently for developments.

Could it be that the Lord Taiqing Saint sent me here for something else, not related to the birth of the merchant?

Come to think of it, the Lord Taiqing always just says 'go,' and if my understanding falls short...

Cough, I shouldn't speculate recklessly about my own Saint.

Should I create some kind of "heavenly soldiers descending" spectacle to help Youqin hold the line?

Forget it, with the Jade Emperor and Queen Mother away, I need to be even more cautious and avoid giving anyone leverage.

Since Yunxiao Xianzi could guess that my true body is in Du Xian Men, the risk of my origins being exposed is already high; I can't do anything unnecessary.

Of course, if there's something I can do with minimal effort to help Youqin, Li Changshou wouldn't hesitate.

As he thought this, a wave of immortal power erupted from deep within the royal palace, followed by beams of blood light shooting into the sky.

Li Changshou looked up to see a scarred, pale blue dragon manifesting in the air above Hong Lin Guo's capital.

The dragon roared toward the sky, as if trying to soar, but its body rapidly disintegrated, hollow inside and mixed with black ashes.

The destiny of Hong Lin Guo had collapsed.

"Youqin... Youqin?"

Youqin Xuanya, lost in thought gazing at the stars, turned at the sound and whispered, "Shibo, Shishu."

Jiujiu, carrying a large gourd and dressed in simple hemp clothes with a short skirt, leaped over from the nearby clouds.

Jiujiu had intended to pounce like a tiger and playfully tussle with Youqin Xuanya, but she thought better of it and stopped in time, giggling and scratching her head instead.

Upon hearing the news about Hong Lin Guo, Jiujiu had proactively followed from Xiao Qiong Peak, hoping to encourage Youqin Xuanya.

After entering the immortal path, one should detach from mortal ties, but Youqin Xuanya's situation was special; she was both a princess of Hong Lin Guo and the top disciple from the previous batch at Du Xian Men, and Hong Lin Guo was Du Xian Men's major backer.

This made Youqin Xuanya's position quite delicate, so delicate that even Jiujiu didn't know how to advise her and had asked her own senior sister to come and offer some comfort.

From the side, Jiuyi, in a flowing purple skirt and holding a sword, approached.

Jiuyi smiled gently and said to Youqin Xuanya,

"Xuanya, are you worrying about your family?"

Youqin Xuanya pursed her lips slightly and nodded gently, her cool face showing a hint of emotion—worry and unease.

But then, she lowered her head and said,

"When I ascended the mountain, I should have forgotten all mortal matters; now my mortal heart is still unsettled."

"Silly Xuanya," Jiujiu chimed in, hugging Youqin Xuanya from behind and rubbing her forehead against the skin exposed on Youqin Xuanya's ice-blue dress.

"Who can truly ignore their birth parents? It's just that your parents are different from others'."

"Shishu..."

"Ah, Xuanya feels so soft to hug, hee-hee... Smile for me, quick, smile for your shishu!"

Youqin Xuanya's face flushed, and she hurriedly stopped Jiujiu's mischievous hands, but she couldn't manage a smile.

"Little Jiujiu, stop fooling around! Xuanya, don't mind her; she's had too much to drink and is acting crazy!"

Jiuyi asserted her authority as senior sister, pulling Jiujiu away from behind Youqin Xuanya and dragging her off, drawing amused glances from the surrounding Du Xian Men immortals.

Several other immortals from the sect came over, speaking warmly to reassure Youqin Xuanya not to worry too much, as the sect would handle the matter.

Youqin Xuanya managed a few responses and finally found a moment of peace, sitting cross-legged on the cloud.

The others tactfully left her alone.

Youqin Xuanya took out a chicken egg wrapped in immortal power from her embrace, looking at the simple smiling face drawn on it, her starry eyes full of determination.

'Longevity shixiong...

I will handle this matter properly.'

With that, she carefully put the egg away, placed her Fire Scale Sword Box across her lap, and closed her eyes to focus, adjusting her state to its best.

For the affairs of Hong Lin Guo, who else could she expect to give their all if not herself?

A sharp whooshing sound suddenly shattered the night's tranquility, and the clouds heading south grew noisy.

A supreme elder caught the jade talisman flying from the south, opened it, and read it carefully, his expression turning grim.

"Shibo, what is it?"

"The enemy has invaded; Hong Lin Guo's capital has fallen, and their immortals have been defeated. The opponents are advancing straight to the palace."

The Du Xian Men immortals' faces changed, and Youqin Xuanya stood up abruptly, her face pale but her eyes showing no panic.

An elder called out, "Xuanya..."

"The disciple is fine," Youqin Xuanya bowed with her fists clasped, her ponytail swaying gently. "The disciple will follow the sect's arrangements and asks that, in making decisions, the sect not consider the disciple's mortal identity!"

"Very well."

The supreme elder said firmly, "Hong Lin Guo is under Du Xian Men's protection. If we abandon it, our sect's reputation would be ruined.

Half of the Tianxian will rush to the capital for aid!

We must protect the ruler of Hong Lin Guo!"

Immediately, ten Tianxian from the sect stepped forward, breaking away from the group and transforming into streaks of light speeding south.

Youqin Xuanya's eyes showed a trace of unease. After hesitating, she stepped forward and said,

"The disciple requests to go ahead and provide support!"

Jiujiu jumped out immediately, "I'll go with Xuanya!"

"I'll go too," Jiuyi said, sword in hand, looking at the hesitant elder in charge. "If we make Xuanya watch from behind at a time like this, it would be too cruel. Jiujiu and I will protect her fully."

"In that case, this poor daoist will accompany you as well."

An old woman stepped forward; it was a supreme elder from the sect, at the late Tianxian realm.

With that, the other elders agreed and urged them to be careful.

Jiujiu threw the large gourd off her back; it grew with the wind, quickly becoming three zhang long. Jiuyi, Youqin Xuanya, and the old woman swiftly jumped on.

Jiujiu sat at the mouth of the gourd, forming sword fingers with her hands, two points of light flickering at her fingertips as she swiftly executed complex seals.

"Go!"

Jiujiu shouted lightly, and the gourd shot southward; its sudden speed almost threw the three on its back.

On the gourd, Youqin Xuanya sat restlessly.

Her heart suddenly tightened, as if something deeply personal was happening right then.

"Mother..."

Youqin Xuanya clutched the pendant at her chest, forcing herself to calm down.

At that moment, any extra emotions would only hinder her.

Thus, the gourd flew swiftly for over half a shichen, when the old woman suddenly called out,

"Little Jiujiu, slow down; there's a battle three thousand li ahead!"

Jiujiu immediately reduced speed, grabbed the jade wine flask at her waist, took a small sip, and asked, "Shibo, what's going on?"

"The ones attacking Hong Lin Guo are no ordinary immortal sect!"

The old woman's face grew cold as she sighed, "The ten fellow disciples we sent earlier have been intercepted midway, and the situation is dire.

This poor daoist will go ahead to assist; you three, don't rush in. Stay back and wait for the sect's immortals to regroup."

With that, the old woman leaped up, using a rainbow light technique that was even faster than the gourd's flight, hurrying to the front for support.

Jiujiu turned to Jiuyi and Youqin Xuanya, whispering, "Should we get a bit closer to see if we can help?"

The two nodded in agreement, and Jiujiu activated the Zhuxie Ruyi Sword again, flying a little slower this time as they approached the battlefield.

However, they arrived too late. As soon as they entered within a thousand li of the fighting, their side—including that supreme elder—had all been captured by the enemy.

Jiujiu was furious and charged forward, ready to fight the dozens of enemy immortals.

But at that moment, beams of light shot up from the ground, quickly forming hundreds of figures on a white cloud.

There were dozens of Tianxian, over a hundred Zhen Xian, and two experts whose auras faintly reached the Jin Xian realm.

Jiujiu hiccuped from the wine, shrank back instinctively, glanced at Youqin Xuanya, and muttered,

"The situation doesn't look right; should we hold back for now?"

This was a fight they couldn't win.

Jiuyi, more experienced, recognized the banner they had raised at a glance.

"From their flag, it's Dao Wei Immortal Sect from Central Shen Continent, under the Chan School lineage."

Youqin Xuanya exclaimed, "Why are they here?"

"Probably grabbing territory," Jiujiu shook her head. "It's obvious; the two tribes attacking Hong Lin Guo are backed by this sect. This kind of thing happens all the time...

Xuanya, what do you want to do?"

Youqin Xuanya remained silent, tightly gripping the pendant at her chest.

Jiuyi continued, "They're capturing our Du Xian Men immortals without killing them; that's the custom, so it doesn't count as declaring war on us.

A lot of the conflicts between mortal states and tribes in Nan Zamba Buzhou stem from immortal sects secretly fighting over mortal wealth.

Once our sect's main force arrives, as long as we give up Hong Lin Guo, they'll return our captured immortals and send gifts as an apology..."

Jiuyi trailed off, exchanging a look with Jiujiu, both turning to Youqin Xuanya.

Youqin Xuanya's expression was calm, though she was deep in thought.

Suddenly, a thunderous voice boomed across the heavens, echoing for ten thousand li.

It declared:

"The ruler of Hong Lin Guo is dead, the dragon vein is severed, and the capital is under our control. Why do you Du Xian Men daoists rush so urgently?

If Du Xian Men agrees to cede this land, your immortals will return safely, and we will prepare gifts and visit to offer apologies another day."

Youqin Xuanya trembled, nearly slipping off the gourd.

Jiuyi sighed, "We're too late after all."

"Hmph!"

Jiujiu pursed her lips, steering the gourd in a turn and ramming into a white cloud to the southwest.

Jiujiu's face was tense as she formed seals again, this time casting an advanced illusion technique to make the gourd and the three of them nearly invisible.

"Don't worry, Xuanya; I'll take you to check it out," Jiujiu huffed. "Don't let them fool you!"

"Little Jiujiu, this is too risky!"

As Jiuyi spoke, she noticed Youqin Xuanya's pale face and sighed again, "Let's not get too close; one or two of us can't change anything..."

"Shishu and Shibo, you should go back."

Youqin Xuanya said softly, then took a deep breath, her expression returning to normal.

She slung the sword box on her back and jumped directly from the gourd; as her skirt fluttered, she formed seals, preparing to fly.

But the gourd swerved, blocking her path.

Jiujiu sat at the gourd's mouth with her arms crossed, frowning. "What can you do by yourself? Go throw your life away?"

Jiuyi added, "Xuanya, the sect hasn't decided yet; you should wait for the sect master's orders..."

"This matter has nothing to do with you two, or even the sect anymore."

Youqin Xuanya said firmly, her voice steady and unwavering. "Please don't stop me; I'll go to the punishment hall for penance afterward."

Jiujiu snapped, "Enough with that kind of talk! I know you don't want to drag the sect into bloodshed, but we don't want to watch you die for nothing. I'll go with you; at least I can watch your back."

"No need," Youqin Xuanya stepped back, clenching her fists as she looked at Jiujiu. "I don't need any help. If you insist, I'd rather break my sword here!"

Jiujiu urged, "You're so beautiful, but you're as stubborn as a mule; do you still want to be with Little Longevity?"

Youqin Xuanya's eyes reddened, but she inhaled sharply and said resolutely,

"To have things to do and things not to do is the way to follow the heart without attachment!"

"You—!"

"Little Jiujiu!" Jiuyi pulled Jiujiu back and sighed. "Let her go. It's her life; she should decide."

"Thank you, Shibo."

Youqin Xuanya bowed in Dao salute, then formed seals and shot past them in a streak of light, flying south at full speed without regard for her immortal power consumption.

What Youqin Xuanya didn't notice was...

As she flew, a faint dao rhyme enveloped her, making her seem to vanish from the world, allowing her to slip past the Dao Wei Immortal Sect's watch unnoticed.

Meanwhile, in the Hong Lin Guo royal palace.

Dozens of black shadows darted about, and the sky in all directions was dyed deep red by firelight.

In the main hall strewn with corpses, a female Zhen Xian in a long robe and mask swung her whip relentlessly, gritting her teeth and cursing,

"Search! Don't let a single soul from the Youqin clan escape! I want them begging for death!"

Underground, Li Changshou examined the new soul-capturing pearl in his palm, glanced up at this vicious woman, and shook his head slightly.

Such heavy malice.

Let Youqin handle the vengeance herself; it wouldn't be right for him to interfere.