Chapter 91: Night Change at Mirror Lake
The sun was dipping behind the mountains. Night was about to fall.
The yellow-robed young Daoist child stood on a tree branch, gazing toward Star Pool with a smile.
“What a beautiful flower valley…”
“What a pity that after tonight, it will wither.”
Liang Feng sat cross-legged beneath the tree, eyes closed, silent, taking a deep breath.
“Today’s valley touring gathering has ended. The Foundation Establishment cultivators of Spirit Flower Valley and the Yan clan will all temporarily depart to visit Sun-Shooting Sect.”
“Time waits for no one, Brother Liang.”
“You won’t regret this, will you?”
Liang Feng’s eyes slowly opened, filled with resolve. “I have never regretted.”
He slowly rose to his feet and walked toward the valley.
The yellow-robed young Daoist child squinted and chuckled softly. “Heh, what Spirit Pearl of Star Pool…”
“They even call themselves flower enthusiasts, yet they cannot recognize the mature seed of a Moon-Sustaining Ancient Lotus.”
“Such a treasure, yet they only use it as a spiritual vein to nourish a valley’s spirit plants. Truly foolish.”
“Fine by me…”
A pale yellow spiritual light slowly emanated from the Daoist child’s body, and his robe stirred without wind.
He slowly rose into the air, looking down toward Star Pool.
Spiritual energy gathered in his palm.
“A treasure buried in dust…”
“Its rightful master shall claim it!”
…
The night in the valley was serene and quiet.
Inside the bamboo courtyard.
Song Yan was controlling the Untethered Vessel, practicing the basic sword forms from the Sword Technique Essentials.
Right now, there were no suitable conditions for a proper secluded cultivation session, so he might as well practice swordsmanship, hoping to comprehend sword intent sooner.
Just as he finished a move, he suddenly felt the scales on Xiao He’s body stand on end around her wrist, and she poked her head out from her sleeve.
“Hssss—”
Her snake eyes stared fixedly toward the southeast of the flower valley.
“Xiao He?”
Song Yan recalled his flying sword and asked, “What’s wrong…”
“Yan Yan, I heard a strange sound.”
His gaze sharpened, and he immediately expanded his divine sense to its limit, but he detected no unusual movement.
“It seems to be…” Xiao He said. “In the direction of that big peach tree.”
The Spirit Peach Ancient Tree?
When returning from Butterfly Chasing Spring to their lodgings, Yan Xun had specifically led them past it.
It was at the very center of Spirit Flower Valley, beside Mirror Lake.
The first thing Song Yan thought of was not that something major had happened.
But rather that Xiao He’s perception could reach such a distance?
Perhaps demonic beasts were naturally sensitive to fluctuations in spiritual energy.
Just as Song Yan was about to step out of the bamboo courtyard, a sudden change erupted.
“ROAR—”
A piercing beast howl tore through the night sky, and the bamboo courtyard began to tremble violently.
“Hm?”
Suddenly, a streak of radiance was seen flying toward the Spirit Peach Ancient Tree.
“Senior Cong?”
In midair, Cong Yuzhen flew to the ancient tree’s side, observing the strange changes occurring there.
A formation…
The work of demonic cultivators.
It was clearly premeditated.
Hovering in the air and gazing from afar, the sea of flowers churned like waves.
The flower spirits and spirit beasts in the valley suddenly abandoned their gentle nature and went berserk, attacking people.
“Five Ghosts Spirit-Disrupting Formation…”
Cong Yuzhen’s gaze turned cold. “Yellow Spring Path demonic cultivators.”
At this moment, cultivators from both sects and the stationed Spirit Flower Valley disciples had already rushed to the shore of Mirror Lake.
A clear, cold voice came from above. “Each of you hold your positions at the four directions around the Spirit Peach Ancient Tree. I will break the formation.”
Lu Ziye’s expression was solemn. “Yes, Senior.”
“Song Yan, Qingfeng, Qingqing—the three of you hold the north. I will go east.”
Yan Xun and Wu Duo rushed toward the west.
The two Sun-Shooting Sect disciples and a portion of Spirit Flower Valley disciples headed south.
With Cong Yuzhen as their pillar of strength, all the cultivators remained calm in the face of crisis.
…
Spirit Flower Valley’s forbidden ground, Star Pool.
Liang Feng sat upright at the edge of the pool. In his hand he held a pale yellow talisman.
At this moment, the demons were stirred by the formation and charged toward Mirror Lake.
The disciples stationed here had already been sent away by him under the pretext of providing support.
He gently channeled his spiritual energy, igniting the talisman.
Two streams of pale yellow spiritual energy slowly extended from his hands, sinking into Star Pool.
Moments later, a treasure pearl emanating a faint green luminescence was slowly lifted up.
Sensing the rich vitality within the pearl, Liang Feng could not help but feel a surge of joy in his heart, murmuring softly.
“There’s hope…”
“There must be hope…”
Time waited for no man. He stored the “spirit pearl” into a small case, then quickly departed from Star Pool.
Shore of Mirror Lake.
Fortunately, most of the demonic beasts in Spirit Flower Valley had not been aggressive to begin with. Even when disrupted by the formation, they were still somewhat controllable.
Since these flower spirits and spirit beasts were all raised by Spirit Flower Valley, everyone held back.
A single sword qi thrust, accompanied by wind and thunder, and the flower spirit collapsed limply to the ground.
Wind and thunder power clung to Song Yan’s fingertips as several sword qi strikes fired in rapid succession. His efficiency at restraining the demonic beasts was remarkably high.
“Ooeee—”
The berserk Purple-Striped Dangkang charged forward with bloodshot eyes, crashing wildly in every direction.
Li Qingfeng swallowed a “spirit rice” pill, and spiritual energy surged wildly around his body.
This time he did not pull out the kitchen knife but instead produced his flying spiritual tool—the black wok.
He charged forward at full speed, rushing headlong toward the Purple-Striped Dangkang. Spiritual energy swept up as he collided head-on with the beast.
CLANG!!!
A wok smashed right into its face.
The massive pig swayed, stumbled several steps, then crashed to the ground with a thunderous thud.
“?”
Song Yan was stunned. He truly had not expected the wok could also be used for fighting.
Just at this moment, a commotion came from above the towering ancient tree.
Everyone looked up to see four streams of water landing at the four positions around the tree.
Then Cong Yuzhen formed a hand seal, and a majestic blue spiritual light shot from her fingertip.
Hummmm—
With the formation’s eye broken, the cultivators in the valley felt the very fabric of heaven and earth abruptly reverse.
“Spirit-Disrupting Evil Formation—truly cunning indeed.”
Cong Yuzhen frowned slightly.
As the last trace of chaotic spiritual qi returned to normal, she seemed to sense something. A small bronze bell appeared in her palm.
Whoosh—
A torrent of spiritual qi suddenly gathered toward her hand.
Her left hand formed a seal as she softly uttered a single word.
“Pure Rain.”
Ding-a-ling…
The bell chimed.
BOOM!!!
A tremendous burst of water vapor erupted.
In Spirit Flower Valley, a heavy rain suddenly began to fall!
The frenzied demonic beasts suddenly went rigid, the blood-red in their eyes melting away like spring snow.
Cong Yuzhen summoned a water-blue flying sword, which transformed into a streak of light and shot toward the valley entrance.
Lu Ziye immediately sent a voice transmission in all directions. “Qingqing, Qingfeng, you two from Sun-Shooting Sect—stay here and continue assisting the Spirit Flower Valley fellow cultivators to pacify the beasts.”
“Little Song! Come with me!”
“Senior Brother.”
Song Yan’s skill in commanding flying swords and sword qi had indeed impressed Lu Ziye. Having him accompany the senior on this investigation meant he could at least protect himself.
Not knowing of Little Fatty’s extraordinary abilities, Senior Brother Lu simply thought it would be safer to leave the other two here.
“…”
Among the Spirit Flower Valley cultivators, Yan Xun and Wu Duo suddenly exchanged a knowing glance and asked the same question simultaneously.
“Where is Big Brother Liang Feng?”
Wu Duo’s brow furrowed slightly as she slowly shook her head. “Nowhere to be found.”
She spoke. “You hold the situation here. I will go with Senior to the valley entrance.”
“Hey, Sister Duo, I’m coming too.”
Yan Xun followed after her. “Most of the demonic beasts here have already returned to normal. There is no need to worry.”
Wu Duo pondered for a moment, then nodded. “…Very well.”