Chapter 86: If I Were the Attacker...

In the southwestern region of Du Xian Men, thousands of miles away.

In a hidden valley concealed by an array formation, several shadowy figures sat quietly in meditation.

Beyond the grand array, a few more figures lurked in various directions, on guard against any sudden enemy attacks.

Underground, three or four others were also hidden...

At the deepest part of the valley, three Daoists hovered in midair, arranged in a triangular formation, each with a seven-petaled blood lotus gently rotating beneath them.

These three blood lotuses, originating from the Nether Blood Sea, had already been half-absorbed by them.

A faint buzzing sound, like that of a mosquito, echoed in their minds, causing the three to pause their cultivation and listen intently.

Soon, they opened their eyes and bowed their heads in response:

"We obey your command."

The buzzing gradually faded from their minds.

Yuan Ze, the elderly Daoist, took a deep breath and said steadily:

"Though our vanguard was defeated, it was due to you and I not yet perfecting our own paths and failing to act in time.

Once we receive the gifts from our master through these opportunities, we will surely succeed!"

"Fellow Daoist! Hold your tongue!"

The Daoist with a middle-aged appearance on the left quickly interrupted, "Actions speak louder than words. We should focus on completing our cultivation and fulfilling the tasks assigned by our superior!"

"Agreed!"

Yuan Ze chuckled awkwardly and slowly closed his eyes, murmuring:

"Once you and I condense our Jin Xian Dao Fruit, a mere Du Xian Men will be easily taken and secured."

As he spoke, a confident and serene smile appeared on Yuan Ze's lips...

The other two Qi refiners from Jin'ao Island, whose primordial spirits and Dao hearts had been corrupted by the blood mosquitoes, couldn't help but frown and exchange glances.

'He said it anyway.'

'Maybe we should advise our superior... to replace him.'

The two shook their heads, their expressions turning thoughtful, but they soon resumed their blank faces and slowly closed their eyes to focus.

Their minds were now fully occupied by that voice...

Absorbing the lotus, condensing the Dao Fruit, and overthrowing Du Xian Men.

They had few opportunities left for independent thought...

The three blood lotuses began rotating slowly once more, strands of blood light emerging and burrowing under their Daoist robes, filling the voids in their respective Dao Fruits...

...

'Xiao Ya, lately there have been minor disturbances attacking our mountain gate, and the sect is quite unsettled.

For now, don't go into seclusion. If disaster strikes, head straight to Bai Fan Dian.'

Standing on a white cloud, feeling the cool spiritual breeze against her face, You Qin Xuan Ya recalled her master's instructions in her heart.

Disaster...

If the sect were attacked, as the current chief disciple, what should she do?

If powerful enemies assaulted the mountain gate, they were no match as disciples who hadn't yet become immortals.

In such a calamity, if the protective mountain array was in peril, the disciples from each peak should focus on protecting themselves and not add to the burden of the sect's immortals, allowing more strength for defense.

She only regretted not having achieved immortality yet, unable to share the worries of her master and grandmaster.

She had to do something.

You Qin Xuan Ya pressed her lips together, her eyes growing more determined. She turned and flew toward Bai Fan Dian.

Soon, she obtained permission from Bai Fan Dian and took an elder's token. She planned to visit each peak to inform her fellow disciples about the escape routes through the earth's ley lines.

Leaving Bai Fan Dian, You Qin Xuan Ya paused briefly in thought, then headed straight for Xiao Qiong Peak.

'Xiao Qiong Peak only has Uncle-Master Qi Yuan, Senior Brother Changshou, and Junior Sister Ling'e. It would be the most vulnerable if enemies attacked, so going there first makes sense.'

You Qin Xuan Ya found a reason in her heart, feeling a touch of unease as she flew to Xiao Qiong Peak.

From afar, she spotted Ling'e drifting across the lake surface, which eased her mood considerably. She stepped onto a cloud and descended slowly.

As soon as she entered the outer isolation array of Xiao Qiong Peak, she heard...

Croak...

Croak...

Frogs croaked endlessly nearby, with jade shadows flickering by the lake.

This place, meant for immortal cultivation, exuded a leisurely, rustic charm.

You Qin Xuan Ya landed by the lake and gazed at the lively jade frogs, feeling quite delighted.

Ever since Senior Brother Changshou had given her that incredibly adorable pink spirit beast last time, it had unexpectedly opened a new world for her.

Although she had accidentally let that spirit beast die because she was in seclusion too often, and it had saddened her for months—she had buried it at the base of Po Tian Peak...

From then on, You Qin Xuan Ya had developed a strong fondness for such cute spirit beasts.

Standing by the lake, she leaned forward slightly, her reflection in the water showing her captivating features and graceful figure.

You Qin Xuan Ya stared at the two small, refined jade frogs, a faint smile appearing on her usually cool and beautiful face.

But as if sensing her gaze, the two little frogs, which had just undergone metamorphosis, leaped back into the shallow water, kicked their legs, and vanished with the ripples.

You Qin Xuan Ya smoothed a strand of hair by her ear, her eyes still soft.

Just then, ripples appeared on the lake surface, and three treasure pearls began to rotate slowly, casting a gentle glow.

A graceful figure rose from the lake, hands holding two water orbs—one containing a spirit fish on the left, the other a jade frog on the right...

Bathed in the soft light, Ling'e squinted her eyes and said leisurely:

"Beautiful senior sister~

Do you want this delicious blackfish;

Or this delicious jade frog?

Or perhaps, your cute and virtuous junior sister Ling'e could brew you some tea and make some snacks instead."

You Qin Xuan Ya couldn't help but let out a light laugh, like a blossoming plum or a budding snow lotus.

Ling'e jumped over from the lake and said with a smile, "Senior sister, let's go inside and sit. My senior brother is at Dan Ding Peak right now."

"Alright," You Qin Xuan Ya replied softly, and they walked forward a couple of steps.

You Qin Xuan Ya suddenly came to her senses and realized something, looking a bit surprised...

"Delicious? Are these... edible?"

Ling'e blinked. "What else?

Blackfish is delicious—you can fry, steam, boil, or stew it, with my senior brother's secret seasonings!

Jade frogs can be made into jade frog fish head or greedy jade frog dishes...

My senior brother taught me all his cooking skills!"

You Qin Xuan Ya frowned slightly. "We've already reached the stage of fasting, so why eat these?"

Ling'e laughed. "Senior Uncle Jiu Jiu might explain that.

Wine doesn't help cultivation, yet Senior Uncle Jiu Jiu treats it like half her life. The same goes for the pleasures of food, right?"

"That's true..."

"Talk is cheap," Ling'e said, rolling up her sleeves and pulling out a seasoning pouch as she headed to the stove by the lake. "Senior sister, just wait a moment. I'll show you my skills today!"

You Qin Xuan Ya blinked, about to speak, but Ling'e was already humming a tune and hopping over to the stove.

Ling'e flicked her finger, sending a wisp of flame to light a gentle fire under the stove.

With a snap of her fingers, a spirit fish leaped from the lake onto the cutting board as if on command.

She drew out a sharp magical tool, the "Deodorizing" dagger, patted the fish to stun it, and began working skillfully...

You Qin Xuan Ya curiously moved closer, temporarily forgetting her main errand.

Half an hour later...

"It does look quite appetizing."

"Senior sister, try it. My cooking is almost as good as my senior brother's."

"Mm...

It smells wonderful!"

You Qin Xuan Ya held a pair of jade chopsticks, her eyes lighting up.

Ling'e set out a low table, brought out some non-intoxicating fruit wine, and they sat by the lake to enjoy the fish and wine.

Not long after, a white cloud approached from Dan Ding Peak...

Ling'e glanced at the cloud's height and said, "My senior brother is back. Senior sister, didn't you have something important to discuss? You were waiting for him, right?"

"Yes," You Qin Xuan Ya quickly set down her chopsticks and stood to greet him.

This time, Li Changshou didn't avoid her and flew straight over on his cloud.

"Senior brother! Senior sister You Qin has been waiting for you!"

"Senior Brother Changshou."

Ling'e called out cheerfully, while You Qin Xuan Ya bowed with a cupped-hand salute.

"You Qin, no need for such formality," Li Changshou returned the salute with a bow. "What brings you here?"

You Qin Xuan Ya looked at Li Changshou and explained the matter of the ley line teleportation array, adding, "If enemies attack and the protective mountain array is in danger, Senior Brother Changshou and Junior Sister Ling'e should head directly to Bai Fan Dian. There are escape routes there.

As we haven't achieved immortality yet, staying here would only distract our sect elders."

Li Changshou frowned and asked, "You Qin, have you told the disciples of the other peaks about this?"

"Not yet..."

You Qin Xuan Ya felt a bit embarrassed. "I came to Xiao Qiong Peak first...

I was thinking if Senior Brother Changshou could help me and go with me to inform the others."

Ling'e blinked but said nothing.

Li Changshou felt a wave of relief and advised, "We should change how we phrase this and not mention the ley line teleportation array directly.

Have you considered, You Qin, that our fellow disciples have been in the sect for anywhere from a few decades to over a hundred years?

If there are spies among us who might leak information, openly discussing this could cut off our retreat if enemies really attack."

You Qin Xuan Ya was taken aback, then frowned slightly. "Senior Brother Changshou, you have a point.

But if we don't trust people, how can we get them to trust us?"

"Trust comes after understanding," Li Changshou said seriously. "How can you trust someone you don't truly know?

The human heart is complex—easy to see the surface, hard to see the depths.

Besides, You Qin, why assume there are no cowards in our sect who might betray us out of fear?"

"But..."

You Qin Xuan Ya was at a loss for words, pondering deeply.

Li Changshou continued gently, "We feel grateful to the sect, but that's just us. We can't expect others to feel the same.

The Dao follows the heavens, yet it originates from the heart.

Rules and techniques are structured, but still shaped by the heart.

You Qin, think about it—even between master and disciple, or father and son, are their paths ever completely identical?"

"You Qin has learned from this..."

You Qin Xuan Ya bowed deeply to Li Changshou, her eyes filled with admiration, and said softly:

"It was shortsighted of me. Thank you, Senior Brother Changshou, for the guidance.

Please advise me on how to handle this."

"There's no need to be so formal," Li Changshou returned the bow, thinking to himself briefly.

Dealing with someone like her, speaking plainly about principles works surprisingly well...

Li Changshou smiled and said, "Since you want to warn the disciples on each peak, just change the wording.

Say that if there's an urgent situation in the sect, all disciples who haven't achieved immortality should go to Po Tian Peak for safety.

Then, from there, guide them to Bai Fan Dian. It's better than everyone rushing there at once."

"That's a good idea," You Qin Xuan Ya's eyes sparkled as she said softly. "Without Senior Brother Changshou's insight..."

"You Qin, you just got a bit hasty. With a little thought, you could have figured it out too."

Li Changshou subtly cut her off and gestured invitingly. "We shouldn't delay. You Qin, don't stay here any longer."

"Yes," You Qin Xuan Ya nodded lightly, bowed to Li Changshou, and hurried off on her cloud toward Po Tian Peak.

Naturally, she was going to discuss this with the elders of Bai Fan Dian and remind them to keep it confidential.

After Senior Brother Changshou's advice...

There might really be enemy spies in the sect!

By the lake, Ling'e winked at Li Changshou. He smiled back and flew toward the pill room.

A moment later.

In the underground chamber beneath the pill room, at the desk.

Li Changshou toyed with the storage ring that Elder Wan Lin Jun had just given him—it bore the sect leader's seal—and stared at the map he had previously drawn on the table.

The ring contained a vast array of poisonous herbs, likely a reward from the sect to Elder Wan Lin Jun.

Elder Wan Lin Jun had also stuffed in a pile of poison pills and illusion pills...

In return, Li Changshou decided to use these poison pills for the sect's covert protection.

Now...

Tapping his fingers lightly on the desk, Li Changshou began analyzing step by step.

If I were those enemies, which direction would I choose for a surprise attack?

...

Half a year later, three thousand miles northwest of Du Xian Men.

Shadows sped low across the ground, swiftly crossing a barren valley. They didn't notice the spiderweb wrapped around a rock on the nearby cliff, swaying gently in the wind.

At the same time, on their path ahead, in a dense forest about three hundred miles away.

A wooden box buried under a tree was gently pushed open, and a paper figure covered in cloth bags leaped out, instantly using wood escape to burrow into...

The trunk of the neighboring tree.