Chapter Fifty-Three: Completing the Second Stage of the Story Quest

A sharp sound pierced the air as the sword of cold light blazed, drawing a curved arc across the sky. At the other end of the arc, its tip pointed directly at Tang Wan, who sat on the steps of the sect’s grand hall, cradling Yun Ying in her arms.

Tang Wan shifted slightly, shielding Yun Ying in her embrace and blocking the dazzling sword light. She whispered softly, reassuring, “Don’t be afraid, little sister. Senior Brother, the Sect Leader, will be back soon.”

“Die!” Meng Lu shouted arrogantly, his voice echoing across the vast square before the grand hall.

A sudden, crisp clang rang in everyone’s ears, immediately followed by an overwhelming pressure descending upon Mount Hua.

In the blink of an eye, dark clouds gathered over the mountain, thick and heavy, shrouding the skies all around. Lightning snaked through the clouds, flashing with blinding brilliance, while thunder rumbled so loudly it shook their senses.

A tremendous boom made everyone feel the ground tremble beneath their feet, and then, just as quickly, the weather around Mount Hua returned to its gentle breeze and warm sunshine.

A chilling sensation swept over them, followed by a mighty, oppressive force descending from the heavens.

Meng Lu felt the weight on his head suddenly increase, and he collapsed onto the ground.

Tang Wan’s vision darkened abruptly. The immense pressure from above pressed down, and the sword of cold light, which had been aimed directly at her, seemed seized by an invisible hand, frozen mid-air, unable to move.

A soft buzzing emanated from Tang Wan’s body. She felt the burden lighten, and from the treasure pouch at her waist, a hazy blue glow shone forth. Instantly, the pressure dissipated.

The same blue radiance enveloped Yun Ying, just as it did Tang Wan. Below the steps, Mu Yun and Nanmen Luo also radiated the same misty blue light. The glow circled around them, then sank back into their bodies. They felt the oppressive weight lift, and the injuries sustained while fighting Meng Lu eased. Movement, once impossible, now became possible.

Nanmen Luo flexed a finger—it moved. Then his whole hand responded. Without hesitation, he reached into his robe and retrieved two Qi-Gathering Pills bestowed by the Sect Leader, swallowing them in one gulp.

Mu Yun, seeing Nanmen Luo’s actions, followed suit, taking the pills and sitting in meditation to restore his spiritual power.

Suddenly, Yun Ying pointed with her slender fingers at the space behind Meng Lu and said, “Senior Sister Wan, there’s a light over there.”

Tang Wan looked where Yun Ying indicated and saw a bright white light rise at the foot of Mount Hua. It flashed for an instant, then vanished without a trace.

“Esteemed master, if I have offended, please spare me,” Meng Lu, unable to move a muscle, pleaded for mercy.

Tang Wan glanced at Meng Lu, a flicker of doubt crossing her mind. Why had Meng Lu suddenly become immobilized? Could it be the Sect Leader’s doing? Remembering the two blue-robed men Meng Lu treasured so much, Tang Wan was certain that his paralysis—and the floating weapon—must be the Sect Leader’s handiwork.

“Senior Brother, Sect Leader, you’re back!” Tang Wan called out into the sky, relief evident in her tone.

...

But Jiang Yan was still far from returning; at this moment, he was a hundred miles away, having just completed an advancement. Feeling liberated, Jiang Yan stood up and stretched his neck, savoring the sensation of breaking through to the seventh layer of Qi Practice—his whole body felt as if a weight had been shed, light and free.

He hopped in place, surveyed his surroundings, and suddenly remembered the sect was still in peril. As the thought crossed his mind, the Sect Leader system’s voice sounded in his ear.

“Ding, sect level upgraded to second grade. Mountain gate advancement complete.”

“Ding, new story quest eligibility acquired: Campaign against Tianshan.”

“Ding, new sect main quest activated.”

“Ding, sect alchemy chamber construction quest activated, weapon forging chamber construction quest activated, talisman array training ground construction quest activated…”

Jiang Yan’s brows lifted in delight. Ever since completing the sect construction quest, the Sect Leader system had only given him a single main quest. Now, so many quests were unlocked at once—more tasks meant faster sect development.

“Ding, Tianshan’s Meng Lu attacked Mount Hua, injuring Mount Hua disciples. System has automatically accepted the Campaign against Tianshan series quest: Execute Meng Lu.”

Jiang Yan frowned. The system had accepted a quest on its own. He summoned the transparent information interface to examine the system-accepted quest. The task list clearly displayed Meng Lu’s details.

Name: Meng Lu
Sect: Tianshan
Position: Elder
Cultivation: Seventh layer of Qi Practice
Weapon: Grade one Ice Sword
Techniques: Mid-grade Ice Technique, mid-grade Ice Swordsmanship
Merit Points: —

“Seventh layer of Qi Practice?” Jiang Yan wondered. The two blue-robed talisman soldiers were comparable to cultivators at the ninth layer of Qi Practice—why, even after exhausting all their spiritual stones, could they not deal with a mere seventh-layer Tianshan disciple? Puzzled, Jiang Yan was about to use the Golden Light Earth Traversal technique to hurry back to the sect when the system voice sounded again.

“Ding, story quest second stage: Execute Meng Lu completed. Reward: one Golden Flame Sword, ten spiritual stones.”

Jiang Yan’s expression relaxed. Meng Lu was dead; Mount Hua should now be safe.

...

Before the grand hall of Mount Hua, Nanmen Luo lay on the ground with a resolute look, gazing at the shattered remains of Meng Lu. He spoke with determination, “Those who offend Mount Hua, no matter how strong, shall be executed.”

The plump Mu Yun lay on his back, shouting to the heavens, “Long live Mount Hua! Long live the Sect Leader!”

Tang Wan’s body went limp. She released Yun Ying and softly lay down, whispering, “Long live the Sect Leader…”

...

Having broken through to the seventh layer of Qi Practice, Jiang Yan’s spiritual power flowed effortlessly. When he used the Golden Light Earth Traversal technique again, it was far less taxing than before. Anxious for his sect’s safety, Jiang Yan traveled straight back to Mount Hua.

After half an hour, he finally arrived. His light descended before the mountain gate. Jiang Yan frowned, gazing at the majestic gate—a wave of gratitude flooded him. The gate was intact, so the sect must be safe.

He fixed his gaze on the newly upgraded gate and summoned the transparent information interface.

Special Building: Mountain Gate
Grade: Second
Function: Gradually amplifies spiritual energy throughout the mountain
Additional Function: Seven-Kill Array, able to execute cultivators at the ninth layer of Qi Practice

Indeed, the Seven-Kill Array attached to the second-grade mountain gate was formidable—capable of killing ninth-layer cultivators. Meng Lu, who invaded Mount Hua, must have been executed by this array. Since the Sect Leader system had not alerted him to any disciple deaths, Jiang Yan’s heart instantly calmed.