AUOF - 89

The New Year’s Grand Hall.

All disciples gathered in the Chang Lin Front Hall.

Sang Li, wearing her sect uniform, followed the crowd, feeling subtly different standing here this time.

When she first appeared here, Sang Li was just a tiny immortal maid; now, she stood near the front as a Demon Suppression Guard. She wasn’t conspicuous among the crowd, lifting her head to listen to the elders’ teachings along with others.

The content was dull, and after listening attentively for a while, interest waned.

Sang Li searched around for Si Tu’s figure. She and the other Heavenly Gate disciples stood at the front left, lost in thought, looking burdened.

Thinking of their midnight conversation, she blinked and couldn’t help but look towards Ji Hengyu again.

On the high platform cloud steps, Ji Hengyu wore a silver palace robe with cloud patterns. His face was indistinct, his presence overwhelming, appearing like a completely different person from usual.

“Lord, do you have any further instructions?”

Yue Zhuqing softly asked Ji Hengyu.

His fingertips paused, then he stood up, his figure gradually immersing into the divine light.

Ji Hengyu’s gaze looked down from above; Sang Li noticed both companions beside her immediately straightened their spines.

He surveyed around, his lips moving: “As disciples of Gui Xu, you should regard the peace of the three realms as your own responsibility. Eliminate evil spirits, remove demons; fear no strong enemies, disregard life and death lightly, guard one side of Gui Xu, protect the four seas.”

“Eliminate evil spirits, remove demons!”

“Eliminate evil spirits, remove demons!”

The cries shook the sky. Amidst the high morale, Sang Li vaguely felt something off about Ji Hengyu.

His expression was particularly solemn, his lowered eyes seemingly shrouded in unclear mist.

Soon after, Sang Li saw him frown. A fierce wind suddenly blew, turning his black hair instantly white, and an ominous aura unexpectedly surged forward.

Everyone was unclear about the sudden change; the voices instantly vanished.

A sudden cry erupted from the crowd—

“It’s karma!! Run!!”

Karma?!

They naturally knew what karma was, but no one had ever personally seen Ji Hengyu during a karma episode.

His skin was paler than usual, his silver hair flying, blood-red eyes chilling, showing no mercy.

This sudden chaos instantly plunged the Chang Lin Front Hall into unprecedented disorder.

Yue Zhuqing glanced at Ji Hengyu, who had clearly lost his composure. Her heart sank. She methodically calmed the disciples, ordered Ningxi to activate the suppressing formation around the hall, and quickly arranged for everyone to evacuate through the four exits.

The crowd pushed Sang Li outward. She turned her head, struggling to look back at the situation behind.

Ji Hengyu’s condition was extremely dire.

He seemed to have lost his reason, summoning his sword Chexie Chi Han, and with a single sword strike, split the roof of a distant pavilion.

It was no longer a secret that Ji Hengyu was entangled with karma, but this was the first time it happened in such a setting.

How gentle he usually was, how terrifying he now appeared.

Si Tu had already prepared Sang Li during their midnight talk. Although she knew all this was likely part of their plan, seeing Ji Hengyu’s frenzied state made her uncertain.

Suddenly, a gust of wind arose.

Ji Hengyu wildly swung his sword, his figure transforming into a blade, turning the entire front hall into half ruins.

He leaped into the crowd, slicing three Heavenly Gate disciples into nothingness with a few strokes.

These were all spies placed by the Supreme Dao Lord. Ji Hengyu was clearly using this opportunity to eliminate these bothersome worms.

He killed with bloodshot eyes, his body radiating coldness.

Si Tu couldn’t tell if he was acting or truly losing control of his karma, panicking momentarily.

The next instant, Si Tu met Ji Hengyu’s gaze.

Her heart skipped a beat. Whether Ji Hengyu was acting or not, that look genuinely wanted her dead!

Her throat went dry, bracing herself for battle.

“Sister, retreat.”

Shen Zheyou shielded Si Tu, drawing his sword to meet the challenge.

Clang!

The swords clashed mid-air, sparking.

Ji Hengyu’s sword momentum twisted, energy spiraling, the attack becoming fierce. The lethal intent focused on the sword, sharp and unstoppable, leaving Shen Zheyou no room to maneuver.

Shen Zheyou knew retreating meant certain death, so he gritted his teeth and endured.

His wrist numbed from the continuous internal force, Shen Zheyou faced Ji Hengyu’s eyes, immediately startled.

He had seen countless worldly specters, but none like Ji Hengyu’s eyes, which held more disdain than killing intent.

Disdain as if looking at insignificant ants.

Just this moment of hesitation caused the city to fall.

“Zii—” A sound rang out as the evil sword pierced through the shoulder blade.

Ji Hengyu’s sword was one of the twelve ancient evil weapons, capable of myriad transformations and condensed with five elemental forces.

Only hearing the sound of frost freezing, ice rapidly spread from the wound, soon freezing the entire arm.

Shen Zheyou endured the excruciating pain, mobilizing spiritual energy to protect his right arm, quickly retreating to create distance. Even with his quick reflexes, this arm would be hard to save.

Si Tu’s heart tightened: “Senior Brother—!”

She was enraged, having long forgotten this was all a plan.

Ignoring Shen Zheyou’s restraint, Si Tu charged with her whip. After only three moves, Ji Hengyu shattered her spiritual barrier with a single sword strike.

The Four Directions Continent fell into chaos, Si Tu was blasted back over three feet.

She looked fearfully at Ji Hengyu approaching relentlessly when a streak of silver light flew from the air. A shimmering long ribbon-like feather hooked onto the sword in Ji Hengyu’s hand. He glanced at it briefly, without hesitation let go, allowing Sang Li to snatch it away.

Then he stayed motionless, not moving an inch.

“Si Tu!” Sang Li threw the sword, catching the collapsing Si Tu. Blood stained her lips, fear still lingering in her eyes.

Ji Hengyu thought carefully for a moment, then closed his eyes, choosing to feign unconsciousness.

By this time, Yue Zhuqing and Ningxi had already dispersed all the disciples. They, along with Qi, hurried over.

The scene was somewhat chaotic. Those Heavenly Gate disciples, except for Shen Zheyou and Si Tu, were mostly killed by Ji Hengyu. Only a few survivors remained, probably damaged their immortal roots, making future cultivation difficult.

“A Ning, go take care of Immortal Shen. Qi, bring the Lord back to Shuoguang Hall.”

After Yue Zhuqing quickly arranged everything, she came before Si Tu.

She transferred some of her spiritual energy to stabilize her meridians, then told Sang Li: “Take her to my place.”

Sang Li nodded, picked up Si Tu, and followed Yue Zhuqing’s pace.

Ji Hengyu’s sword indeed aimed at her vital point. In Si Tu’s expectation, Ji Hengyu would only attack her, never imagining he’d use this chance to eliminate all Heavenly Gate disciples remaining in Gui Xu.

Thinking of Shen Zheyou’s possibly unsalvageable arm and those fellow disciples who died beside them, Si Tu trembled with anger.

She underestimated this person’s sinister and fearsome nature. From the start, she shouldn’t have trusted him easily.

But this plan was originally co-conceived by both of them.

Ji Hengyu knew she wouldn’t dare inform the divine realm, so he brazenly exterminated the spies and crippled Shen Zheyou!!

Si Tu didn’t care about the Heavenly Gate disciples.

She had no deep feelings for those so-called fellow disciples, but Shen Zheyou was the only one who didn’t belittle her. Born with a sword bone, now with his arm destroyed, what difference did it make from killing him?

Thinking all this started because of her, anger and guilt intertwined in her chest. Si Tu’s eyes reddened, overwhelmed by rage, finally fainting from anger.

Arriving at the villa.

Sang Li assisted Yue Zhuqing in treating Si Tu’s injuries. Due to insufficient hands, she also called Peony to help boil the medicine, working until late night before Si Tu’s condition stabilized.

Looking at Si Tu, who had finally fallen asleep on the bed, Sang Li finally sighed in relief.

The room was filled with a heavy medicinal scent.

Yue Zhuqing wiped her limbs with a towel soaked in medicinal water while telling Sang Li: “A Li, why don’t I watch over the goddess, and you go check on our lord?”

Sang Li was startled, only now thinking of Ji Hengyu.

She numbly nodded and turned to leave, only to collide with Ningxi rushing over at the doorway.

If she hadn’t dodged quickly, they would have collided.

Seeing Sang Li, Ningxi felt a bit embarrassed: “I came to check on the goddess.”

Sang Li pointed inside: “She just fell asleep. Senior Sister said it’s an internal injury, might need half a month to recover.”

Ningxi relaxed: “Then I won’t disturb her too much.” After pausing, he added: “I just returned from our lord’s side. He hasn’t regained consciousness yet. Perhaps A Li could go see him?”

Sang Li: “...”

Why does everyone keep asking her to check on Ji Hengyu.

“...I’m going there now.”

Ningxi smiled broadly: “Good, thank you, A Li.”

Sang Li: “...”

Just checking on someone, how could it be tiring.

Without saying anything, she rode the cable car to Shuoguang Hall. Judging from Ningxi’s hasty demeanor, it seemed he was quite concerned about Si Tu.

While distractedly thinking, the cable car stopped at the mountain pass.

Sang Li walked along the path to Shuoguang Hall. Without waiting for an announcement, the two stone lions guarding the hall automatically moved aside, as if removing the restriction for her.

Sang Li didn’t think much, walking directly into the inner hall.

Previously, the bedroom was filled with a cold fragrance. Now, the medicinal smell displaced the cold fragrance.

When she entered, Qi was diligently standing guard nearby.

Seeing Sang Li, Qi was delighted, quickly welcoming her: “Miss Sang Li.”

“Senior Qi,” Sang Li greeted politely, glancing at the situation behind the screen fan. “How is the lord?”

“The drugs forcefully suppressed the karma. He should regain consciousness by tomorrow,” Qi said with a worried expression. “This is the first time I’ve seen the lord lose control like this.”

Karma itself was a dangerous factor.

It lay dormant in Ji Hengyu’s body, unpredictable when it might erupt.

Qi was saved by Ji Hengyu and raised by him. If possible, he would willingly sacrifice his life for Ji Hengyu’s recovery.

Sang Li couldn’t help but comfort him: “Senior Qi, don’t worry. The lord will be fine.” After hesitating for a moment, she added, “However, the lord injured many Heavenly Gate disciples. The Heavenly Gate side won’t let this go easily.”

Qi sighed heavily.

Two days later was the Immortal Feast. No need to wait till then; by tomorrow, the divine realm would hear the news. It seemed this Immortal Feast wouldn’t pass peacefully.

He avoided mentioning the potential dangers to prevent worrying Sang Li: “No problem, the lord will handle it. Miss Sang Li, please go see the lord. I’ll stay outside and guard.”

She nodded, deliberately lightening her steps as she walked in.