novelraw Chapter 285 : In the Midst of Fate
Chapter 285 : In the Midst of Fate
"Not good, Little Junior Sister has been pulled into the Ghost Gate's rift!"
The moment Chu Sang was sucked into the Ghost Gate, Tantai Ming's face changed drastically. He wanted to rush over to save her, but the distance between them was too great. The event came too suddenly and unexpectedly, and he didn't manage to pull her back in time.
In that instant, the Pagoda Lock swiftly repaired the Ghost Gate's rift. "Boom!" He was thrown back several steps by the burst of power between the two. Si Kou Qiu, quick-eyed and swift-handed, supported him, barely steadying his footing. He turned his head to look at the arriving crowd, his face full of anxiety.
At the moment the Ghost Gate closed, the wandering vengeful ghosts were also instantly sucked back by that force.
The surroundings finally returned to silence, but everyone's faces looked grim as they stared intently at the closed and silent Ghost Gate.
Su Chen'an stepped forward, attempting to find a flaw in the Ghost Gate. Even if there was no way to reopen it, at least they might find a way for those inside to come out.
Even if Little Junior Sister hadn't encountered danger and could escape from within, under normal circumstances, once the Ghost Gate closed, there was no way for those inside to come out.
He and the disciples from the Buddha Sect researched for half a day but couldn't find any good solution. They had no choice but to first inform Ling Yu of this matter through a jade tablet.
Ling Yu, having spent so many years in the ghost realm, was hearing of such a situation for the first time.
Logically, the Ghost Gate should imprison vengeful ghosts. How could it swallow a living person for no reason?
There must be someone deliberately behind this.
"Wait a moment, I'll come over immediately."
Among the team, some disciples were secretly discussing, their tones unable to hide their panic and displeasure:
"What... what's going on? These ghosts actually devour living cultivators?"
"I didn't expect to encounter so many troubles on this trip to the ghost realm."
"This is different from what the sect elders told us. We've nearly lost several disciples along the way. The situation is far too dangerous... Moreover, this is clearly a matter for the ghost realm. Why has the cultivation world sent so many cultivators to help the ghost realm? And specifically invited us Buddhist cultivators to come out of seclusion?"
"Don't you remember that Lingqing Sect had a disciple who was a traitor sent by the ghost realm? He secretly framed disciples of the cultivation world and was captured by the elders of the Eight Great Immortal Sects. Later, for some reason... it seems someone from Lingqing Sect secretly pleaded on his behalf. Who knows what plan they agreed on in the middle, but in the end, that traitor didn't die and was lightly let go."
"This is true. I was also present at the time. I've even heard some rumors saying that the ghost cultivator spy is now the sect leader of Ghost Xuan Sect in the ghost realm. Lingqing Sect's actions this time, involving the Eight Great Immortal Sects, on the surface they talk about some great righteousness and peace for all beings, but isn't it just saying some high-sounding words, freely using our Buddhist cultivators' power to slaughter vengeful ghosts, helping that senior brother of theirs from Ghost Xuan Sect stabilize the situation in the ghost realm? Don't you think... Lingqing Sect's behavior counts as using public office for private gain?"
"Now that you mention it, I also feel it's too unfair. The ghost realm should clean up its own mess. Why should the cultivation world help them clean it up? The ghost realm is so dangerous, you and I might even perish in it. Why should we?"
"Tsk, don't Buddhist cultivators claim to save all living beings? How come there are so many long-tongued bald donkeys?"
Tantai Ming heard the discussions behind him and turned around. He folded his arms across his chest and leaned back, looking coldly at the few people with a sneer. The bright smile usually on the young man's face had disappeared, replaced by a piercing cold gaze. His tone seemed to be sighing but was particularly sharp, "So Buddhist cultivators are just a bunch of cowards afraid of death. You've really broadened our horizons."
These few people gossiping behind their backs were all outer disciples of the Buddha Sect, with mediocre aptitude and character, and unstable dao hearts. Usually hanging the title of Buddhist disciples who save the suffering and distressed, complacently accepting the worship of cultivators and common people, but upon discovering the ghost realm was more dangerous than imagined, they wanted to flee at the crucial moment. Yet they hypocritically found a righteous reason to cover up their sordid and base thoughts.
Wen Renyue hated those who discriminated based on origins the most. What's wrong with being a cultivator? What's wrong with being a demonic cultivator? What's wrong with being a ghost cultivator? Every place has good people and bad people. Those who generalize are all big idiots!
These sanctimonious Buddhist cultivators, with their lofty attitudes of being as pure as the clear moon and not eating the smoke of the mortal world, speak better than anyone else but act timidly when it comes to doing things!
All the way down, the Lingqing Sect disciples had put in much more effort than their Buddha Sect! Even if they really encountered dangers and lost people, it would be those at the front.
Wen Renyue coldly snorted, saying indifferently, "If the ghost realm really falls into chaos, the cultivation world will be the first to be endangered. At that time, who knows how many of you Buddhist cultivators, who claim to protect all living beings under heaven, will die. Is it your turn, as outer disciples, to make snide remarks?"
At that time, they would be the first to die.
"I..."
Those few outer Buddhist disciples were left with faces alternating between green and white, not knowing what to say, their eyes showing some unwillingness and resentment.
Hearing the commotion, several direct Buddhist disciples walking in front also coldly reprimanded them, "Shut up. This is a critical moment of life and death for the Spiritual Abyss Continent. All groups should set aside past grudges and join hands to resist the enemy... When did the sect elders teach you such principles? Don't let disciples from other sects laugh at us."
"Yes... Senior Brother, we know we were wrong."
No matter how displeased the Buddhist disciples were in their hearts, they had to swallow this anger and keep quiet for now.
Tantai Ming was already in a bad mood, and being slandered by these little bald donkeys made him even more displeased. Seeing one of the Buddhist cultivators coldly glance their way, he raised his arm and clenched his fist, swinging it forward. That Buddhist cultivator's face changed, cursing under his breath about vulgar people before quickening his pace to catch up with the other disciples.
"Hmph, a bunch of hypocrites. If they didn't want to come, they shouldn't have come. Back then, it was the Buddhist sect elders who actively came to Lingqing Sect asking us to guide them and protect the safety of these baldies along the way. In the end, it turns out to be our fault!"
The more Tantai Ming thought about it, the angrier he became, puffing up with rage. "All the way here, hardly any of the Buddhist sect members got injured, while every one of our sect's disciples has been wounded to some extent. Now even Little Junior Sister has gone missing, her whereabouts unknown. We from Lingqing Sect haven't blamed their Buddha Sect for being all show and no substance, barely helping along the way, yet they dare to secretly say we're in the wrong!"
"Every sect has some people like this internally. Don't lower yourself to their level," Tang Yanling shook her head, patting his shoulder. "Overall, the Buddha Sect is extremely concerned about this matter. Otherwise, those Buddhist elders who rarely leave their mountain wouldn't have personally come down to discuss with Master, and even sent their direct disciples and Buddhist children to accompany us to the ghost realm."
Tantai Ming let out a light snort, not saying anything more, slowly following the others.
One of the outer Buddhist disciples glanced towards the Lingqing Sect group, grumbling dissatisfiedly, "What are they so smug about..."
Just a bunch of sword cultivators, how dare they speak to them in such a tone? When the continent truly faces life and death, what use are these brutes who only know how to shout about killing? Buddhist cultivators are the true saviors of the world.
He turned his head, walking forward a few steps, not noticing a dark color floating out from the forest behind him, silently spreading while concealed by the shadows of all things, hard for people to detect.
Slowly, the black mist entered his shadow.
The Buddhist disciple's footsteps suddenly halted, his entire body motionless. A nearby disciple noticed his oddness and turned to walk over, asking, "What's wrong with you?"
Unexpectedly, that Buddhist disciple struck straight at his heart meridian with a palm.
"Ah!"
A sudden scream broke the calm within the team.
That disciple, clutching his chest where blood was gushing unstoppably, staggered back two steps before collapsing heavily to the ground.
The outer Buddhist disciple's eyes were infected by the black mist. After attacking this disciple, he launched attacks on other nearby disciples. Wu Wo, being the closest, didn't even think before kicking him several meters away, then piercing his left shoulder with a sword, pinning him firmly to the ground, preventing him from moving freely.
Immediately after, Mu Chihuai quickly took out pills to help the injured Buddhist disciple.
Fortunately, the Buddhist disciple reacted quickly, avoiding a fatal wound. The palm strike didn't shatter his heart meridian, missing by a few inches.
After taking the pill, his bleeding quickly stopped, though his face still looked pale.
His eyes were full of shock, "What... what's going on..."
Why did that disciple suddenly attack him?
There was no grudge between them, was there?
After Big Senior Sister knocked out the crazed disciple with one punch, a streak of black mist quickly darted out from his shadow. Su Chen'an, quick-eyed and swift-handed, waved his palm to produce a small golden lock, trapping it. He frowned, silent for a moment before looking at everyone and saying, "...This person was controlled. Be careful of the black mist."
Everyone urgently spread out their divine sense to check the surrounding situation. At some point, black mist had risen around them. The faint mist was becoming increasingly dense, completely surrounding an area of several li centered on them.
Si Kou Qiu's pupils widened slightly, too shocked to speak, "What... what is this thing???"
It was different from the ghost energy they had encountered before, clearly another kind of power!
"Be careful, don't let the mist touch you. Everyone come to my side!" Dong Liyan saw this scene and froze for a moment, then seemed to think of something and immediately waved his hand loudly towards the Lingqing Sect disciples.
Several lower-powered Buddhist disciples and outer Lingqing Sect disciples were a step too slow and were invaded by the black mist. They then began to attack those around them in a frenzy.
Gu Chang'an and the others immediately went forward to stop them, but the black mist was expanding too quickly. Even a part of the black mist seemed to have a special fondness for Changsheng, diverting considerable power to try and take her down.
Wen Renyue pulled Changsheng, retreating behind Dong Liyan. He flipped his palm, taking out a treasure to cover everyone present, temporarily preventing the black mist from expanding further.
Fortunately, Ling Yu arrived in time with people, using a ghost realm treasure to temporarily force back the black mist. "The situation in the ghost realm has changed. I'll send you away first. I'll go look for Little Junior Sister."
No one said anything more. Ling Yu was more familiar with the situation in the ghost realm than they were. Since he said this, he must have realized the seriousness of the situation. If others stayed in the ghost realm for a long time, they would only be more severely disturbed by the ghost energy, which would be more harm than good. They could only return to the cultivation world first.
After hurriedly returning, they found that the current situation in the cultivation world was also far beyond their expectations.
Before they left, the cultivation world was still peaceful. Now, however, the scene had greatly changed. Various major sects and families had urgently mobilized. The bustling and prosperous scenes in various major cities had disappeared, with hardly any pedestrians on the streets. In contrast, there were strict guards of cultivators and guard teams at the city gates.
Mo Qingchen, leading some inner and outer disciples of Tianyan Sect, was stationed in a main city at the foot of their sect. His gaze swept over everyone but didn't see Chu Sang. He couldn't help but ask, "Where is she? Wasn't she walking with you? Why hasn't she returned?"
"Little Junior Sister, she..."
Before Tantai Ming could finish speaking, he was interrupted by a disciple rushing over. "Big Senior Brother, it's not good. Just now, news came from the sect again. More and more places are appearing space-time rifts. Just ten kilometers away, another city has fallen."
"Space-time rifts?"
That thing has appeared again?
"Yes, not long after you left, space-time rifts appeared in some places in the cultivation world. At first, these rifts appeared in some border towns. The common people didn't understand and didn't report it immediately. Within just a few days, more and more places experienced space-time rifts. By the time the Eight Great Immortal Sects became aware, the best prevention time had passed. Black mist emerging from the space-time rifts has occupied more and more places. The black mist is expanding extremely quickly, and the area of the continent covered by black mist is vast. Now, nearly half of the cultivation world's land has been enveloped by the black mist. People invaded by the black mist lose their reason and are controlled by it..."
"I'm afraid it's not just the cultivation world."
This situation was exactly the same as what they encountered in the ghost realm.
The space-time rifts probably didn't just appear in the cultivation world, but across the entire Spiritual Abyss Continent.
"Elder Dong Li, do you have something you want to say?" Gu Chang'an turned his head to look at the overly silent Dong Liyan. Earlier in the ghost realm, he had sensed that the elder seemed to have something to say. At this point, he couldn't care about anything else and asked outright.
Dong Liyan looked up. "...This reminds me of the fall of Tianqi Sect from years ago."
Ten thousand years ago, the Spiritual Abyss Continent had experienced a similar situation. However, at that time, no one took the space-time rifts and black mist seriously at first. By the time the full harm of the black mist was revealed, people realized it was too late.
Back then, to save the entire continent, countless outstanding talents were sacrificed and fell. The top few major sects also perished in that world-shaking great war, with Tianqi Sect being one of them.
Ten thousand years ago was the most glorious period of the cultivation world, with countless geniuses emerging in droves and innumerable great cultivators ascending. It was this sudden battle that caused the cultivation world to decline in one fell swoop. In the ten thousand years since, not a single person has ascended, and countless ancient scrolls have been almost lost, making it difficult to rebuild the prosperity of those days.
Dong Liyan felt a deep unease in his heart. Could it be that the Spiritual Abyss Continent was about to relive the crisis from ten thousand years ago?