Chapter 135: Chaos Across the Realm

"My senior brother holds a high position as the Prince of Mengliang. My father supported his bid for the imperial throne, which makes him half a supreme ruler. My fourth and fifth senior brothers, along with several elders, have already gone to Quhuai, and I am going too. I want to see their ambitions shattered with my own eyes," Xiao Wan said, her gaze ice-cold as she stared straight ahead at the pitch-black sea.

"The Prince of Mengliang? Is your senior brother Prince Rongqing, Luo Danwen?" Lin Feng blurted out.

"You know him too? I heard that my senior brother has already raised troops to attack the capital. To help him, my father contacted that old monster from the Pengying Gate at Erhai. I really don't understand what is going on in his head. Hey, are you listening to me...?" Xiao Wan turned her head and saw that Lin Feng looked deep in thought, as if he hadn't been listening to her chatter at all, and her expression immediately sank.

"Oh, Xiao Wan, I am listening. I will take you somewhere." Lin Feng looked at her, his eyes flickering as he made up his mind.

"Where?"

"Here." Lin Feng took out the Water Mirror Disc and said solemnly, "Once the war in Mengliang breaks out, it is inevitable that other nations will be drawn into it. Time waits for no one, and I must travel overnight. You and Siyan can just stay in the Yinquan Palace."

After sending Xiao Wan into the immortal dwelling, Lin Feng spurred his flying sword, transforming into a streak of pitch-black light, and hurried toward the maritime territory of the Great Qian Kingdom with all his strength.

The true background of Prince Rongqing, Luo Danwen, was finally showing a flaw, which made him feel a vague sense of unease. Judging from the two major factions in the Kingdom of Mengliang, on one hand, Grand Tutor Qin Mi was backed by the Myriad Demons Heaven, while on the other hand, mysterious overseas cultivation sects and martial arts factions had joined forces. Why could a struggle for imperial power attract the covetous eyes of so many factions? What good could seizing control of this tiny Kingdom of Mengliang possibly do for them?

These were merely matters of curiosity; what truly occupied Lin Feng's mind were the safety of Ye Ziyin and the others. Time flew like an arrow, and nearly a year had passed since that day of separation. Whether they were safe and sound remained unknown. Trapped by troubles both internal and external, the Mengliang and Qiuchi families were striving for survival in these troubled times, and he imagined it could not be an easy task.

On Tianzhu Peak, the punishments served by Wuzhui and the second senior brother should have also come to an end. Had Du Songsong's cultivation broken through? Had Senior Sister Helian returned? Numerous questions welled up in the depths of his heart, and the sword light sped up even further!

In the pitch-black night, stars twinkled in the sky, and a cold wind brushed across his face. From the gloom below came bursts of rustling roars—mountain forests! After days of continuous travel, he had finally crossed the ocean and reached the mainland, and Lin Feng's mood stirred with excitement. Driving his sword for who knows how many thousands of miles, he descended in front of a flat-terrain mountain village.

In the wild mountains, the howling of wolves and the cries of beasts came in waves, echoing from all directions, which was somewhat unsettling, but this could not frighten him.

Woo-woo—the mountain wind blew through the corners of the earthen walls, making a sound like a ghost crying.

There were no lights in the village, nor the sounds of chickens or dogs. With a gust of strong wind, dust drifted down in flurries from the dilapidated thatched roofs.

"This village is deserted. Amidst the ravages of war and chaos, have they all fled to escape?" Looking at the desolate scene all around, he sighed.

It seemed Xiao Wan would have to endure her hunger a little longer.

The sword light rose once more, speeding toward the direction of Mount Qiyun. Along the way, abandoned villages grew increasingly numerous. There were no firelights or cooking smoke to be seen; there was only decay and desolation.

Early in the morning, he stood upon a high hill, looking out in all directions at a scene of utter devastation. Farmlands lay fallow, irrigation canals had run dry, and ruined walls stood amidst a landscape reduced to utter desolation.

"The Great Qian Kingdom has finally lost its composure as well."

The prosperous era was no more, and the ones who suffered were still the common people. In front of an abandoned temple, countless villagers with tattered clothes and bodies as thin as withered wood sat and lay in disarray. Others lay rigidly on the other side of the temple, their bellies swollen round, having been dead for many days.

What these people had eaten was Guanyin clay used to mold Buddha statues in the temple. Once ingested, this substance could not be digested and could not be excreted, and many people had simply swelled to death.

"Official, Young Master, have mercy, spare a bite of food to feed the child!" As Lin Feng approached these people, a disheveled man suddenly rushed out, fell to his knees at his feet, and kowtowed repeatedly.

"Get up quickly, get up quickly." Lin Feng exerted covert force, gently helping him to his feet.

"What is going on here? Why are you not farming your fields or living in your homes, but running here instead? Has war broken out at the border again?"

"Where does the Young Master come from? Nowadays, the people of Great Qian cannot make a living and bandits are rampant. If we do not come out to beg, we will be seized to serve as able-bodied laborers or dragged off by bandits to join their ranks. The villagers' hard work of several months is not enough for a single plunder by these heartless wretches. If we do not leave home to flee famine, we can only wait for death," an old man sitting by the wall sighed sorrowfully, wiping the corners of his eyes several times before he even finished speaking.

Lin Feng was speechless. He turned his head to look at the crowd, a trace of sorrow flashing in the depths of his eyes, and suddenly spurred his sword light soaring straight up into the firmament—

Deep in the mountains a hundred miles away, countless terrifying sounds of piercing sword qi and the roars of wild beasts resounded.

"Immortals, the immortals have returned!" In front of the ruined temple, a hundred-odd refugees prostrated themselves on the ground, stretching out their arms and cheering loudly. In their eyes, Lin Feng was a celestial deity of the nine heavens, the only Buddha who could save them from their suffering.

"Elderly fathers and fellow villagers, these beasts are enough to fill everyone's stomachs and sustain you for a period of time. Two thousand li to the west, there is an immortal mountain named Qiyun. If you can reach that place, you will be able to settle down and make a living."

Flinging out a dozen fierce beast carcasses, he fled straight toward the west without further hesitation.

How many tens of thousands of people in this vast world were barely surviving on the edge of a knife? If one could not save the common people from water and fire, what was the meaning of practicing the Dao? Whether for oneself, for the people, or for the world at large, without transcendent status and strength, it was all empty talk and boasting! A bitter sense of helplessness and resentment suddenly rose in Lin Feng's heart—he wished he could pierce the firmament with a single sword to look at this Heavenly Dao, this grand dominion, and this reincarnation!

With a long whistle, he finally dispelled half the depression in his heart. Lowering his gaze to look beneath the clouds, he suddenly felt a sense of familiarity. With a flash of thought, he understood—this was Dawang Village.

Back then, he had been taken hostage by Yin Chaozong and had almost been buried right here. But now, Dawang Village was no different from the villages he had seen along the way; it was completely deserted.

"Let's go down and take a look."

Entering the village, not a single human figure was to be seen. In the village square, he saw that giant spear once more. Just like yesterday, it lay quietly here, as if waiting for something.

"With my current strength, driving it should be more than enough. Since it is an unowned object, I might as well take it for myself first."

Forming an object-controlling incantation, he tried with full confidence to summon the giant spear into the air with his mind. Suddenly, he saw stars before his eyes, and his spiritual sense felt as if it had been stabbed fiercely by a needle, bringing a splitting headache. He hurriedly circulated his cultivation technique to calm his mind and steady his spirit.

"An extraordinary object! An extraordinary object! What on earth is the origin of this giant spear that it refuses to be controlled by me? Such a situation has never occurred before. Powerful, truly powerful!" Only after circulating his energy for two full cycles did he recover. Once again, he looked at the spear with a sigh before mounting Moyan and flying slowly toward that familiar place.

The closer one gets to home, the more timidity one feels. Unconsciously, his speed slowed down considerably. Finally, the Lotus Ancient Town came into view.

Few pedestrians walked the streets, and the wine flag in front of the Jiwei Restaurant fluttered lonely in the wind. A cool breeze swept past, failing to stir up even a speck of dust.

"Boss, is business good? Pack ten hot steamed buns and three catties of beef for me." Inside the Jiwei Restaurant, the tables and chairs were neat and polished, but there were few people buying wine or eating meals. The bustling scene of guests filling every seat was no longer to be seen.

"Little brother, we have steamed buns, but no beef. If you want to buy beef, you have to go to a large town. In these times, how many people can afford to eat meat..." The boss shook his head and sighed.

"Hmm. Thank you." The marketplace was desolate, food was scarce, and troubled times had arrived. Being able to eat a meal was a great fortune. Lin Feng hurriedly paid the silver, walked to a quiet spot, and stepped into the Yinquan Palace immortal dwelling.

"Xiao Wan, this is for you." He handed over the package of steamed buns and said, "Now the four nations are in conflict and war is rampant. You must be very careful traveling alone."

"You want to chase me away? I refuse to go! Senior Sister Yu Xi, he is bullying me..." Xiao Wan froze for a moment, then suddenly began to clamor loudly.

"Weren't you going to Mengliang to find Prince Rongqing? You said it yourself." Lin Feng put his hands behind his back in annoyance, unable to figure out this girl's temper.

Chen Yu Xi walked over with a smile and said, "Just let Xiao Wan practice here. After I pay respects to Master, I will go to Mengliang with her."

"Senior Sister, you are going to Mengliang too?" Lin Feng was surprised.

"Mmm, if the sect has nothing pressing, I will take a trip with Xiao Wan." A faint smile hung on Chen Yu Xi's face, her gaze revealing a gentle, doting expression.

"Alright." Lin Feng felt helpless, secretly resolving that next time he would never casually bring people in again. They were all people who couldn't be chased away once they arrived; at this rate, wouldn't Yinquan Palace soon be overflowing with people?

On Tianmen Peak, the pine waves still surged like an ocean, people came and went, and the sound of bells hovered melodiously.

The brothers, reunited after a long separation, sat across the table, enthusiastically recounting the major and minor events that had happened over the past year until the sky gradually grew dim.

"Little Songzi, I must go pay respects to Master. You need to work harder. Never mind, pack your things and move to Yinquan Palace to cultivate; your cultivation progress is truly far too slow..."

The vow he had just made dissipated immediately, and Yinquan Palace had gained yet another newcomer, making it even livelier than before.

...

"Wushui, have there been any changes to the Qi Sea Dragon Diagram recently?" Amidst a haze of chaotic and misty primal breath, a sound like heavenly music came through. This voice was neither metal nor stone, and every word was like a pearl or jade, resounding and powerful.

"Grand Patriarch, the Qi essence in Danhai is currently disordered, but the primordial spirit qi is still leaking away at a rapid pace. Lihai is completely normal." The one answering the voice was a youth dressed in a flowing, resplendent light-blue immortal robe. His face looked as though it were carved from jade and washed in powder, and his black hair cascaded freely over his shoulders, exhibiting an indescribable ethereal grace.

In the void where the youth sat cross-legged, a hazy giant mirror stood. It seemed to be draped with a layer of thin gauze, preventing anyone from seeing what was inside, let alone knowing what the mirror was forged from or what divine abilities it possessed.

"Continue to observe for another month or so. If there are any abnormalities, report immediately. Who on earth possesses such great divine ability..." The voice of the Grand Patriarch dissipated in this space, as if it had never appeared at all.

...

"What! Master has gone down the mountain? Senior brothers are not around? Where did they go?" On Tianzhu Peak, Lin Feng unexpectedly encountered Wuzhui, who had come out to greet him.

"Big Brother, let me finish speaking..." Wuzhui grinned with a wry smile and blurted out hurriedly, "Right now, the righteous and demonic factions are irreconcilable. Master led the Eldest Senior Brother and the others to represent our Hundred Flowers Sect, joining forces with Futo Temple, several major academies, and some sword sect, for an alliance meeting at Daishan. They are going to wipe out the Myriad Demons Heaven in one fell swoop. The entire Tianzhu Peak is left with only me keeping watch here. Good thing you're back."

"A crusade against the Myriad Demons Heaven? Why is that?" Lin Feng was greatly startled.

"I'm not too clear on the details either. They said the demonic path has grown rampant, destroying more than ten minor cultivation sects in succession and severely draining the vitality of the Northern and Southern Sword Alliances. They even schemed to seriously injure the Great Master Zhixi of Futo Temple. You tell me if that isn't hateful." After a year of seclusion and introspection, Wuzhui's temper seemed to have changed a lot. His words poured out in a steady stream, his expressions were colorful, and an arresting brilliance occasionally flashed in his eyes, proving that his cultivation had also made tremendous progress.

"Indeed hateful! Master told you to stay behind and guard Tianzhu Peak, did he leave any message?" Lin Feng smiled softly and patted Wuzhui's shoulder.

"Ahem, Master told me this." Wuzhui pinched his throat and, imitating Yan Dongjue's expression, put on a stern face, "You are to stay and keep watch here, and must not take a single step off Tianzhu Peak. If Number Nine returns, just give him a word."

"Haha, you brat! I know, you must have learned this bad behavior from Second Senior Brother, slick-tongued!" Lin Feng laughed from the bottom of his heart; it seemed he hadn't been this happy in a very long time.

Both of them smiled.