Pill Sect Attacked

Under the thick night sky, Shengjing city was a sprawl of lights.

Meanwhile, high above Mount Ni, a colossal flying sword pierced through the cloud cover and roared towards Wanzhuo Mountain.

Three Hall Masters guided its rapid flight with their magical power.

As the gale howled past their faces, all the disciples held their breath, a deep unease settling over them about what lay ahead.

"Who attacked the Pill Sect?"

"We only received a distress signal; we don't know who it was yet."

Ji You shook his head at Wang Xinan, a slight frown on his face, his hand brushing over the three longswords at his waist.

He had seven swords now, but he only brought three.

Each extra sword consumed more spiritual sense. Some battles required swiftness, while others demanded endurance.

Ji You practiced his spiritual sense daily, essentially aiming to be both swift and enduring.

After a long while, the surrounding night grew deeper, a chill seeping into the air, carrying with it an indescribable scent.

A disciple looked out into the distance and realized they were far from Shengjing, with endless wilderness stretching out beneath them.

"We're about to land, steady yourselves!"

"Remember to hover three feet off the ground with spiritual energy!"

As Steward Qin's steady voice rang out, the flying sword, guided by spiritual energy, suddenly tilted and descended, plunging into a mysterious, mist-shrouded mountain forest.

The disciples immediately leaped to the ground, while the flying sword crashed heavily into the earth, gouging out a deep pit and sending sand and soil flying.

However, the disciples had no time to examine the flying sword, for as far as they could see, over a dozen carriages lay overturned on the mountain path, pills scattered everywhere, but no Pill Sect disciples in sight.

In the distance, mountain mist billowed in, revealing dense clusters of figures moving within.

"Remember, your mission is to rescue the Pill Sect disciples. Don't get bogged down in fighting!"

"The enemy's identity is unknown, so don't be careless and lose your lives!"

The three stewards from the Affairs Management Courtyard shouted in unison and soared into the air, their disciples following suit, charging into the fray amidst the wind and waves.

Seeing this, Ji You waved his hand, summoning the three swords at his waist, and also descended into the forest.

Strangely, despite the heavy killing intent in the eerie forest, there was no sound of fighting; instead, an unnerving silence prevailed.

Just then, a figure staggered into view, instantly causing the approaching crowd to hold their breath.

It was a monstrous face shrouded in malevolent energy, withered like dead wood, with no eyes, only two dark, empty sockets.

As it appeared, more and more shadows swarmed out.

Evil Seeds, Evil Seeds everywhere.

The disciples of the Affairs Management Courtyard were far more experienced than those from the Outer Court. Seeing this scene, their expressions merely shifted, but they drew their swords decisively.

But the Evil Seeds' physical bodies were incredibly tough, and they charged directly at the disciples, attempting to simply knock them over.

At that moment, a clear sword cry rang out. The disciples of the Affairs Management Courtyard who had entered the battle first caught a glimpse of someone arriving gracefully, followed by a wave of sword energy pressing forward, instantly tearing open a long, narrow gap.

Spiritual energy was too blunt; it couldn't be used to cleave through enemies when it wrapped around the blade. However, if it was all concentrated in the hilt, the blade could carve a path.

Of course, this required a sword of good quality; otherwise, a simple iron blade would quickly chip and break.

Fortunately, none of the swords gifted by the young ladies were subpar.

"Who?!"

"Ji You..."

The three hovering stewards looked on in astonishment.

Although they knew Ji You was a sword cultivator with a unique approach to swordsmanship, seeing it firsthand still felt miraculous.

However, this was not the time for amazement. Steward Qin waved his hand, immediately ordering the disciples of the Affairs Management Courtyard to attack through the gap.

Lu Qingqiu, Bai Rulong, Qian Yunxiao, and others followed closely. Upon seeing the situation, they quickly made a decision.

I must shield Ji You!

And others with the same intention couldn't help but draw closer.

In fact, many disciples in the Outer Court had only heard legends of Ji You's "three swords" but couldn't have imagined his swordsmanship would be so fierce, giving the enemy no chance to breathe.

Just then, a clang of metal against metal echoed. Ji You's sword wave finally met an opponent it couldn't cut through.

It was an Evil Seed with blood-red eyes, its physical body even tougher than the others.

This monstrous thing directly blocked Ji You's advancing sword edge, and a pair of claws radiating malevolent energy shot directly towards his chest.

And so, everyone witnessed Ji You's legendary second sword.

That sword, a gift from Lou Siyi, had always hovered in the air. Now, it moved with his will, piercing the opponent's heart with a "buzz."

Ji You calmly recalled his sword, panting slightly, and glanced at the charred, monstrous corpse on the ground.

A pity, it's not the one that attacked us that night, because it wouldn't dodge.

Although Evil Seeds had formidable bodies, they were not a real threat to Immortal Sect cultivators because, ultimately, they couldn't think.

These abominations only kill out of bloodlust. Even when stabbed, they don't dodge, making them dumber than the simple-minded barbarians outside the Northern Plains.

Even those with stronger physiques are the same.

If this one were like the one Ji You encountered on the street that night, one that dodged and attacked with strategy, it would truly give him a headache.

"Bai Rulong, watch your back!"

Just then, Qian Yunxiao's terrified voice rang out.

The few of them had protected Ji You in front of them, clearing out the lesser enemies, but they hadn't expected another wave to surge from behind.

Ji You glanced sideways. With a wave of his sleeve, his third sword flew out, slicing through the air like wind through clouds, severing a pair of bloodthirsty arms in the night.

The Evil Seed, suddenly armless, charged at Bai Rulong chest-first, wriggling awkwardly.

Instructor Wang arrived and beheaded it with a single sword stroke, roaring, "If you can't kill them, retreat! Don't leave your backs exposed!"

Bai Rulong's face was filled with panic. "I... I understand..."

Instructor Wang took a deep breath and turned to find Ji You already flanking, heading deeper into the fray. "Ji You, don't go too deep! Find the Pill Sect disciples and come back!"

"There are lanterns on the north side of the mountain!"

"What?"

Wang Xinan looked bewildered, thinking, Why would anyone be looking at lanterns now?

Ji You's sword pierced through, his second and third swords instantly retracted, and he continued forward. "Where the lanterns are hung, there are a few farmhouses!"

Instructor Wang paused. "Your mission is to find surviving Pill Sect disciples!"

"With so many Evil Seeds, they're already dead! If you don't send people to help me soon, I'll be dead too!"

"?"

Ji You roared, slashing through an Evil Seed with his sword. He then waved his sleeve, controlling his energy, and his second and third swords surged forward, carving a bloody path.

Because it was New Year's Day, there was indeed a small village on the north side of the mountain with paper lanterns hanging. The closest farmhouse's lantern looked crooked and faded, but it was exceptionally charming.

With his nearly Profound Comprehension-level eyesight, he could still see the silhouettes of children projected onto the window paper from afar.

Living was hard, but people were still living arduously.

Ji You gritted his teeth and unleashed a sword strike, instantly lopping off half of an enemy's head. However, his heart trembled violently.

Although he knew they weren't his own kind, they were still humanoid. He hadn't felt much when the sword pierced through, but seeing the physical mutilation still put psychological pressure on him.

In that moment of distraction, his left shoulder was carelessly scratched, and blood immediately began to flow.

Because he had to hold his sword and control it, all his spiritual energy was concentrated on the three sword hilts, leaving none for defense. Getting hit was only a matter of time.

Worst of all, the few families at the foot of the mountain clearly heard the commotion and actually opened their doors to spectate.

Even a small child from one of the households squeezed out from between their parents' legs, looking up with a dazed expression.

"Close the door and take the child inside!"

"?"

The farmer was startled. From his angle, looking up the slope, he could only see someone swinging a sword, but he wasn't clear what was happening.

Ji You took a deep breath and yelled, "Murder!" Only then did the farmer panic, immediately scooping up the child and retreating indoors, shutting the door tightly.

As his movements intensified, blood continued to seep out, turning his white robe into a tie-dye pattern.

Even more critically, for some unknown reason, more and more Evil Seeds began to gather towards him.

Seeing the enemies multiplying, Ji You's scalp tingled.

Could it be that all Evil Seeds are female?

Ji You gasped for breath and immediately swung his sword in a semicircle, luring the Evil Seeds toward Instructor Wang.

Instructor Wang was already rushing over with other disciples from the Affairs Management Courtyard to help him and naturally engaged them.

Lu Qingqiu and her group also arrived, swords flashing, protecting Ji You, who had been shielded by Instructor Wang.

"Where are the three stewards from the Affairs Management Courtyard? And the disciples from the Inner Court? Use your fire magic!"

"They are searching the mountain for Pill Sect disciples."

"Did they find them?"

"No, they didn't even find bodies. They were probably abducted, but it definitely wasn't the Evil Seeds."

Instructor Wang slashed back an Evil Seed with his sword. "This attack is being controlled by someone. Hey, why are you sitting down?"

Ji You crouched against a tree. "You guys hold them off. I need a break..."

"?"