Chapter 127: The Beacon Fires Rise Before the Great War

Chapter 127: Smoke Rises Before the Great Battle

Jiang Yan stood in the square before the sect’s main hall and watched Monk Wukong depart atop a golden hawk. Only then did he turn and walk back into the hall. Tang Wan and the other Huashan disciples followed him, preparing to discuss how they would deal with the Foundation Establishment cultivators who were soon to arrive from Tianshan.

Once everyone had taken their seats inside the main hall, Jiang Yan did not discuss the matter with the disciples. Instead, he issued his orders directly.

Mu Yun would lead Ning Qian and Sun Yang into Linqing Prefecture to keep constant watch over the Tianshan party. At the first sign of trouble, they were to send word back to the sect immediately.

Nanmen Luo would enter the training chamber and redouble his efforts, striving to reach the great perfection of Qi Refining in the shortest possible time.

Tang Wan and her disciples were to stop refining Fasting Pills and begin refining Spirit Beast Pills and Foundation Establishment Pills instead. There was no need to worry about wasting spirit herbs; the trial grounds were overflowing with the ingredients required to refine Foundation Establishment Pills. Jiang Yan instructed Tang Wan to do everything possible to produce them as soon as she could.

Zisu and the others would continue their mountain patrols, inspecting the route between Huashan and Qingyang Town as usual, so that the sudden arrival of Tianshan would not throw everyone into confusion.

The three disciples of the Zhimen branch were to cultivate while also opening up farmland on the peaks where they lived, in preparation for establishing the sect’s second-grade spirit fields.

Having received Jiang Yan’s orders, the disciples—who had been growing uneasy after the Clear Brahma Bell rang—quickly settled down. Several second-generation disciples went out to make preparations at the command of their elders, while all the first-generation disciples remained where they were.

After seeing the first-generation disciples leave, Jiang Yan finally waved for the others to sit down on the meditation cushions. Tang Wan and the other three took their places, while Yun Ying folded her little legs and sat upon the raised platform, her small face composed with solemn seriousness.

“Tianshan is about to attack our Huashan. You all know that. The Tianshan of old was hardly worth mentioning, but somehow they have managed to establish ties with an outer elder of the fourth-grade Xixia Sect, which lies beyond Linqing Prefecture. They have suddenly produced two Foundation Establishment experts, and their target is directly our Huashan. Lu Tiannan has already declared throughout Linqing Prefecture that he will destroy our sect within ten days.”

Jiang Yan explained the situation in an unhurried voice. Although his junior brothers and sisters already knew that Tianshan intended to attack Huashan, they had no idea how powerful Tianshan had now become. Even Monk Wukong, who had just come to deliver the news, most likely did not know the terrifying strength Tianshan now possessed.

Everyone was stunned. Tang Wan remained composed, for she herself was a Foundation Establishment cultivator, but Mu Yun and Nanmen Luo instantly gaped in shock as they stared at Jiang Yan seated on the platform. Their mouths were so wide open that two eggs could almost have fit inside each of them.

Jiang Yan waved a hand to stop Mu Yun and Nanmen Luo from speaking, then continued, “They are only a few Foundation Establishment cultivators. I already have a way to deal with them, so there is no need for you to worry. Simply carry out my orders. Junior Brother Mu, I am entrusting the movements of the Tianshan party to you. Once you reach Linqing Prefecture, go to the Curio Pavilion and purchase Talisman Swords for transmitting messages. Send word back immediately if anything happens.”

Mu Yun respectfully brought one fist against his other palm. His round face was filled with determination as he answered in a clear voice, “Rest assured, Senior Brother Sect Master. I will not fail you.”

Jiang Yan turned his gaze to Tang Wan. “Wan’er, the battle in a few days will most likely be a confrontation between Foundation Establishment cultivators. I will need your help.”

Tang Wan, like Mu Yun, pressed her fist to her palm and bowed to Jiang Yan. In a gentle voice, she said, “Wan’er will not fail you.”

Jiang Yan continued, “If my calculations are correct, I should be able to hold off Tianshan’s two Foundation Establishment cultivators by myself. The remaining late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator will require you and a spirit beast to resist together. You will have to trouble yourself to refine more Spirit Beast Pills over the next few days. Do not neglect the Foundation Establishment Pills either. Once Junior Brother Nan reaches the great perfection of Qi Refining, have him take a Bone-Transmuting Pill in the training grounds and use the Six-Star Platform to attempt Foundation Establishment.”

“Senior Brother Sect Master, I object.” Nanmen Luo looked at Jiang Yan and suddenly spoke up. “Everyone else has something to do, so why am I the only one who has to cultivate? I am only at the eighth level of Qi Refining, still far from the great perfection stage, and the chances of successfully establishing my foundation are not particularly high. Would it not be better for Senior Brother Mu to cultivate while I go to Linqing Prefecture to gather information?”

Mu Yun’s round face immediately tightened. He hurriedly waved his hands and said, “That will never do. It will never do. Junior Brother Nan, your natural aptitude is better; Senior Brother Sect Master said so long ago. Although the two of us are currently at the same realm, you are certain to advance more quickly and have a better chance of succeeding. You should focus on your cultivation, while I go gather intelligence.”

Tang Wan glanced at the two arguing junior brothers and suddenly said, “Third Junior Brother, Fourth Junior Brother, Senior Brother Sect Master must have his reasons for giving those orders. Just obey him and carry them out.”

Mu Yun and Nanmen Luo looked toward Jiang Yan, who sat cross-legged on the raised platform. Seeing that he said nothing, apparently tacitly approving Tang Wan’s words, the two could only answer in unison, “We will obey Senior Brother Sect Master’s command.”

Nanmen Luo’s ugly face, however, was filled with disappointment and helplessness.

…

Jiang Yan stepped out of the main hall and leisurely made his way toward the Spirit Beast Garden. Yun Ying, dressed in plain-colored robes, kept close behind him, her delicate little face tilted upward. Behind her came the two spirit beasts, Howling Heaven Hound and Howling Soul Hound. Seeing that both of their masters, one large and one small, were in a foul mood, the two beasts did not dare frolic. They merely lowered their heads and obediently followed behind them.

Since the Spirit Beast Garden had been upgraded to the second level, Jiang Yan had rarely visited it.

The second-grade spirit beast Moon Marten, which he had subdued by chance back then, was still asleep. The mid-grade first-level Golden-Eyed Eagle continued to pace gracefully back and forth through the garden. Of the elegant Skywalking Cranes, only four remained; Mu Yun had driven the other two to Linqing Prefecture. The remaining four held their long, slender necks high as they paced with graceful steps. Whenever they saw the Moon Marten lying at the edge of the garden, they would occasionally stretch out their long beaks and poke at the sleeping creature.

Jiang Yan entered the Spirit Beast Garden and chased away the Skywalking Cranes before crouching beside the Moon Marten.

The Moon Marten was a second-grade spirit beast, an existence capable of contending with Foundation Establishment experts. Xu Mingyuan of the Golden Flame Sect had once been gravely wounded by it. If the Moon Marten could awaken in time for the coming battle, it would naturally be able to hold off one Foundation Establishment cultivator. Then, with three opponents on each side, even if Jiang Yan could not kill the late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, Huashan would not be destroyed.

The Moon Marten had golden fur, small triangular ears shaped like those of a fox, a tiny body, and a long tail. As it slept, its little body rose and fell, making it look especially adorable.

Yun Ying squeezed herself against her senior brother and stroked the Moon Marten’s head. “Senior Brother, why does the little fox sleep all the time? It never comes to play with me.”

With a turn of his wrist, Jiang Yan caused a piece of blue-green spiritwood to appear on the ground before him. He lifted the Moon Marten’s petite body and placed it atop the Azure Spiritwood.

The Moon Marten had fallen into a deep sleep because it had lost a tremendous amount of energy. Even while asleep, it continued using its innate ability to absorb energy. Judging from its steady breathing and the gentle rise and fall of its body, it was clearly drawing in energy through that ability.

The Azure Spiritwood contained an abundance of energy. After Jiang Yan and Tang Wan had entered the Foundation Establishment realm, much of that energy had been depleted, but a considerable amount still remained. By placing the Moon Marten upon it, Jiang Yan hoped that the creature could absorb the remaining energy and awaken as soon as possible.

“The little fox is simply too tired. Once it has slept enough on this piece of wood, it will naturally wake up and play with our Ying’er. All right, Ying’er, you must keep watch from now on. Do not let those Skywalking Cranes push the little fox off the wood.” Jiang Yan rubbed Yun Ying’s head, his eyes filled with gentle warmth.

“Buzz…”

Above Jiang Yan’s head, the sect’s protective formation suddenly rippled with blue light. The great formation shielding Huashan abruptly blazed to life.

“Someone is attacking the protective formation.”

The thought that had left Jiang Yan uneasy suddenly rose in his mind.