Chapter 35: Life-preserving Talisman

Xiangmu Grove

Hundreds of villagers were slowly recovering under the care of a dozen Tianxiang Sect NPC disciples.

“Ouch, my waist almost got crushed,” a villager said, holding his side as he slowly stood up.

“Thank you, fairies.”

“Such arrogance, daring to cause trouble at the foot of Tianxin Mountain.”

“I wonder how those two fairies are doing.”

More than a hundred villagers chattered incessantly, exchanging gossip.

“Everyone go back. With our sect leader and elders here, the two junior sisters will be safe.”

“Alright, then we’ll return to the village and get back to work.”

“Ugh, how many incense trees got destroyed?”

Looking at the fallen incense trees scattered throughout the grove, broken midway, the villagers’ hearts ached.

But that wasn’t the worst of it.

The most important thing was that most of the newly planted incense tree saplings were completely dead.

That meant this year’s incense tree yield was slashed by more than half.

“I heard the demon-slaying army sent to our village was completely wiped out.”

“The demon people are really that strong?”

“See that guy sitting by the pit? He’s a junior general of the demon-slaying army. Out of hundreds, he’s the only one left alive.”

“Such a tragedy. The demon-slaying army did everything they could for the two fairies.”

Among the villagers, two young men remained silent, listening to the chatter before glancing at the man sitting by the pit.

Xiao Yu, dressed in tattered clothes, crouched beside the huge pit, quietly staring at the bloodied earth, his eyes vacant.

“General.”

Wu Shang and Wu Gao, the two brothers, approached and cupped their hands in salute.

Xiao Yu showed no reaction to their address.

The brothers exchanged a glance and gave a bitter smile — it seemed the junior general of the demon-slaying army was deeply shaken.

Then they knelt by the blood pit, kowtowing several times.

They were expressing gratitude for sacrificing their lives to protect their benefactors.

***

World Channel

“Brothers, I’ve arrived at Tianxin Mountain.”

“Too late, nothing good to see anymore.”

“Why doesn’t this damn game have a one-click teleport? Instant negative review.”

“I heard someone fought their way up Tianxin Mountain? Where are they?”

“Is it possible we’ve all been fooled?”

“Damn, where’s that Tianxiang girl? Come out and explain.”

“I don’t know either, maybe I guessed wrong.”

A certain Tianxiang player grinding at the Demon Suppression Tower glanced at the flood of question marks on the World Channel, curled their lips, and looked utterly innocent.

“That’s how it is. I never said for sure.”

Tianxiang Pavilion

Yue Qifang, Shen Qingqing, Liu Fufeng, and elders from various sects gathered here.

Sword Dust carried the corpse of Blood Daozi with one hand while holding his sword in the other as he walked in.

“Xiao Chenzi, that was fast,” Liu Fufeng laughed and laid a hand on his shoulder, completely disregarding gender boundaries.

Sword Dust shrugged off her hand, avoiding her, then threw Blood Daozi’s corpse in front of everyone before finding a seat.

“Looks like we arrived a bit late,” the elders exchanged knowing smiles.

“Tianxiang Sect being unharmed is the best outcome. It doesn’t matter who arrived first.”

“True enough.”

Since Sword Dust was so blunt, Liu Fufeng had no choice but to glare at him fiercely.

“Play the swordsman, serves you right for your unrequited love.”

After cursing silently in her heart, she felt much better and went to find an elder from the Divine Fist Sect to chat.

Yue Qifang gave Shen Qingqing a look, but the latter shook her head faintly, refusing.

Left with no choice, Yue Qifang spoke herself.

“Xiao Chen, thank you.”

“Sis Yue, it’s serious. Blood Daozi also has some grudges with Shushan. Actually, he was helping me.”

Saying this, Sword Dust glanced at Shen Qingqing, noticing her gaze wasn’t on him at all, and felt a little disappointed.

“No matter what, you dealt with Blood Daozi. We’ll remember this favor.”

After speaking, Yue Qifang lightly touched Shen Qingqing’s hand, repeatedly signaling with her eyes.

Like it or not, proper etiquette must be observed.

Shen Qingqing knew this as well, and biting her teeth, she stepped forward.

“Long time no see.”

Sword Dust was clearly excited to hear these words from the one he admired.

Just as he was about to reply, an unexpected guest interrupted.

“Sister Shen.”

Chen Xiaoyan walked into Tianxiang Pavilion with Chongchong.

“Xiaoyan?”

Seeing Chen Xiaoyan, Shen Qingqing immediately went to her side, appraising her from head to toe in surprise. “Your injuries are healed?”

“With Chongchong around, I’m fine now,” Chen Xiaoyan smiled and patted her abdomen.

“Already healed? Be more careful next time, don’t wander around, okay?”

“Okay, Sister Shen.”

“And who is this?” Sword Dust shifted his gaze to Chen Xiaoyan with a puzzled expression.

After all, Tianxiang Pavilion wasn’t a place ordinary disciples could enter. But judging by her weak strength, why was she here so casually?

“Chen Xiaoyan, a new disciple of our sect,” Shen Qingqing replied flatly.

“New disciple?”

Hearing this, Sword Dust looked her over curiously.

She seemed ordinary enough.

“Sister Shen, who is this senior?”

While Sword Dust was examining her, Chen Xiaoyan was sizing him up as well.

He looked quite young, but his entire body was as white as if afflicted with albinism.

“Elder of Shushan, Sword Dust.”

Shushan elder?

Chen Xiaoyan was momentarily stunned, looking at Sword Dust with surprise again.

He nodded at her.

“I am junior Chen Xiaoyan, with Chongchong. Greetings, Elder Sword Dust.”

The two quickly cupped their hands in salute.

Sword Dust did not take offense at their informal greeting style.

After all, there was no fixed way of saluting in the Immortal Realm.

“Good, good. This is my Ling Sense Token. If you’re in danger, infuse your spiritual power into it. I will sense it.”

Saying that, Sword Dust used his spiritual power to create two jade tokens and tossed them over.

He could tell Shen Qingqing cared a lot about these two girls.

Looking at the floating jade tokens, Chen Xiaoyan didn’t immediately take them, but looked at Shen Qingqing instead.

The latter smiled and nodded: “Take them.”

“Chen Xiaoyan, Chongchong, thank you, Elder Sword Dust.”

From elder to senior, one could imagine how happy these two felt.

These jade tokens were life-preserving talismans; if they faced an overwhelmingly powerful enemy next time, they could use the token to call for help.

Truly a blessing.

Nearby, Liu Fufeng was discussing boxing techniques with an elder of the Divine Fist Sect.

Seeing Chen Xiaoyan and Chongchong arrive, she immediately abandoned the elder.

Under the latter’s resentful gaze, she walked over.

“Hey! Little girl.”

“Sister Fufeng, Elder.”

“Hmm,” Liu Fufeng nodded approvingly, reaching out to touch Chen Xiaoyan’s abdomen.

“How’s it feeling? Still sore?”

Chen Xiaoyan’s expression stiffened instantly.

Feeling the touch, her body trembled slightly.

“Disciple doesn’t feel pain anymore.”

“Huh?”

Liu Fufeng seemed to notice the owner’s reaction, pausing for a moment before flashing a mischievous grin.

“Little girl, you’re quite sensitive, huh?”

“This is Tianxiang Pavilion.”

Shen Qingqing’s face darkened as she brushed away Liu Fufeng’s hand, warning her with words.