A Killing Trap, the Holy Land in Peril

Su Li glanced at the Heavenly Secrets Value on the system panel.

68151 points.

He fell silent for a long while, looking somewhat dejected. "This junior was affected by the backlash of the Heavenly Secrets and lost his wits for a moment, speaking nonsense and even causing Qingdi to suffer on my account. I feel deeply ashamed. I apologize to Senior Mystic Master Zhuge."

The expression on Zhuge Wuwei's face froze for an instant, but quickly returned to normal.

The hostility in his eyes was also forced to recede somewhat by Su Li's words.

At the same time, he grew even more wary of Su Li.

The truly frightening people in this world were never those who were impulsive, volatile, and quick to anger. They were the ones willing to bow their heads when faced with absolute humiliation or the threat of death.

Su Li looked like someone young and hot-blooded, with sharp edges, a competitive streak, and a strong vanity.

People like that had iron bones. Usually, they only learned restraint after having every bone in their body broken and crushed, again and again, and suffering bitterly for it.

By Zhuge Wuwei's reckoning, if he kept provoking and pressuring Su Li, he could take him down openly and aboveboard. He might even achieve all his aims sooner.

But he had never expected Su Li to apologize???

Half of Zhuge Wuwei's plan had fallen apart at once.

Given Zhuge Qingchen's earlier display of madness, if Su Li had continued to be "stubborn and unrepentant," Zhuge Wuwei would have had plenty of ways to deal with him.

But now that Su Li had backed down, Zhuge Wuwei truly couldn't keep pressing him.

His thoughts raced, but his face took on an extraordinarily kind and gratified expression. "With the great calamity approaching, people's tempers will grow increasingly unsettled. Even Qingchen cannot understand the enormous cause and effect involved. Young Friend Su is only eighteen, and his Dao heart is still unsteady. It's understandable that he would act this way.

"But with a temperament like yours, if you ran into another Infant Transformation Realm powerhouse, you can imagine how things would end.

"After all, not every powerhouse is as easygoing as this old man."

Su Li sighed softly. "Senior Mystic Master Zhuge's words are like a bell that shakes the deaf awake. This junior will remember them."

Zhuge Wuwei stroked his beard lightly. "Though you were a little too eager for quick results, it's good that you're willing to repent. The great calamity is approaching, and nothing else matters anymore.

"Time is short. We'll set out for the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion now."

Hua Yunxiao suddenly said, "Mystic Master Zhuge, setting out now could expose us to unknown calamities. That would be unwise. Besides, we already promised Master Su that we would leave at midnight or tomorrow at the quarter-hour of the horse...

"We all believe in the Heavenly Secrets and cause and effect. Going back on our word would be rather improper.

"Furthermore, though the great calamity is approaching, there's no need to rush this very moment."

Hua Yunxiao already suspected Zhuge Wuwei, and naturally wouldn't let him take Su Li away on the spot. So he immediately stepped forward.

Su Li, on the other hand, was even calmer now. Hearing this, he replied with great humility, "Senior Mystic Master Zhuge, Senior Hua, the decision is entirely yours. This junior has no objection."

Zhuge Wuwei gave Hua Yunxiao a long look, then said with a flicker in his gaze, "Imperial Lord Hua is certainly considerate."

Hua Yunxiao smiled freely. "Master Su has already agreed, hasn't he? I imagine he won't disappoint Mystic Master Zhuge."

Zhuge Wuwei smiled meaningfully. "Indeed. He certainly won't disappoint."

Then he said, "All right. Since the Wanli Holy Land is facing a calamity, this is no place to linger. I'll take my leave first."

"Safe travels, Mystic Master Zhuge."

Hua Yunxiao clasped his hands in salute.

Then Yun Wanchu and the others bowed one after another.

Zhuge Wuwei soon rode the clouds away and vanished from sight.

Everyone present, including Hua Yunxiao, visibly breathed a sigh of relief.

"Master Su, I'm truly sorry about what happened. You've been put through a lot."

Hua Yunxiao spoke first, immediately making a show of friendliness.

Though he clearly wanted to drag Su Li to the forbidden grounds in the ancestral land of the Hua Clan at once, he wore a warm, cordial smile.

Su Li gently pulled his hand away from Mu Yuxi's cool grasp and smiled calmly. "I was too impulsive and presumptuous. Judging by the situation, it seems I really did miscalculate.

"I'm quite tired today and would like to rest for a while. Would that be all right, Senior Hua?"

Hua Yunxiao said, "Of course, of course. It's just that danger is already closing in here. Why not rest at my cave abode?"

Su Li replied, "The danger should come at dusk, shouldn't it? It's still early, so I won't trouble you, Senior Hua."

Hua Yunxiao said with some regret, "Then Master Su must get some good rest. A Li, Mu Yuxi, make sure you take good care of him."

Hua Ziyan and Mu Yuxi immediately agreed.

Only then did Hua Yunxiao turn to Yun Wanchu. "Wanchu, I'll go make some arrangements. Finish what I told you to do as soon as possible. From this moment on, the Wanli Holy Land is under complete lockdown and on a war footing..."

"Yes, Imperial Lord."

Yun Wanchu immediately agreed.

Hua Yunxiao didn't even look at Yun Qinghong, Fang Yueheng, or the others. His figure likewise turned into a streak of light and disappeared.

With those two gone, the oppressive atmosphere at the scene immediately eased.

Yun Qingxuan had also walked over by then. She first glanced at Su Li, then looked at Yun Qinghong. After a moment's thought, she said, "Qinghong, you must have understood Master Su's meaning by now.

"All the senior and junior fellow disciples who came here today will face a calamity, while the opportunity lies in the Blazing Wasteland. Are you going?"

Yun Qinghong said nothing and didn't turn around. He stared straight at Hua Ziyan for a long while, then sighed. "No, I'm not going to the Blazing Wasteland.

"I plan to head to the Boundary Water Wasteland shortly to obtain the diagram for the Boundary Water Spirit Array. With that diagram, Junior Sister Li will soon be able to overcome the obstacle in her cultivation."

Yun Qingxuan's eyes narrowed slightly at his words, then she smiled.

Her smile looked sweet and innocent.

Anyone who saw that smile would forget every sorrow and worry they had.

As she smiled, her expression gradually settled, and her gaze once more grew clear and deep. "Qinghong, have you made up your mind?"

Yun Qinghong lowered his head in silence. "I have. I've prepared a top-grade Phantom Spirit Boat. If all goes well, I'll be back by dusk. If the Wanli Holy Land is in danger, I'll do everything I can to protect it. The Wanli Holy Land is my home, and my junior brothers and sisters are my family..."

An unprecedented tenderness appeared on Yun Qingxuan's face. "Qinghong, you've grown up. You've learned to shoulder responsibility. That's wonderful.

"If that's your decision, then I'll wait here for you to come back. We siblings will fight together to protect the Holy Land!"

Yun Qinghong was moved, his voice trembling. "Sister, you don't blame me anymore? I..."

She reached out and stroked his face, speaking gently. "What's wrong with pursuing your own happiness? I was far too strict with you all these years, but it was only to spur you on.

"Now that things have come to this, if I don't say what's in my heart, I may never get another chance. We siblings will live and die together."

Yun Qinghong's eyes reddened. He bit his lip and said, "Sister, I'll do my best to survive, grow stronger, and uncover the truth about what happened back then."

In the end, Yun Qinghong piloted the Phantom Spirit Boat and left.

Yun Qingxuan silently glanced at Su Li, then came to stand beside him.

Yun Wanchu looked at the four remaining True Disciples—Zhao Zhihan, Sun Chengfeng, Leng Yunshang, and Feng Qianqian—and said, "The four of you may go to the Blazing Wasteland, or you may choose to stay.

"But I advise you to heed Master Su's words, because if you stay, there's almost no hope at all."

Zhao Zhihan said, "This disciple is willing to live and die with the sect."

Sun Chengfeng said, "Holy Lord, then this disciple... will go to the Blazing Wasteland and do everything I can to carry on the sect's legacy."

Leng Yunshang had always been quiet and reserved.

Now, she stepped forward.

She wasn't very tall, but her figure was graceful, her curves soft and well-proportioned.

Her eyes were large and bright, yet held a faint sadness.

She knelt before Yun Wanchu and pleaded, "Holy Lord, please go to the Blazing Wasteland. I have a special treasure that can protect the sect from being breached for half an hour."

Yun Wanchu shook his head. "The Hua Clan raised me my whole life. It's time I repaid them.

"This time, I can't leave, and I won't be able to leave."

He sighed and continued, "Everyone dies sooner or later. I, Yun Wanchu, spent my whole life afraid of death, but now it's time I stood up.

"I already knew about your treasure. In fact, I secretly arranged for you to obtain it because I feared you'd act too rashly and go looking for your enemies...

"Good child, go to the Blazing Wasteland. Your talent, your understanding, your abilities—none of them should be buried here!

"Not just you, but all of you...

"I called you here because I hoped you would all go to the Blazing Wasteland and seek out that opportunity."

As Yun Wanchu spoke, he looked at Fang Yueheng as well.

Fang Yueheng shook his head. "The Blazing Wasteland holds only death, not opportunity. Cultivators like us should face danger bravely. We shouldn't run away or give in to fear."

Hearing this, Yun Wanchu wanted to persuade him further, but though Fang Yueheng was young, his gaze was exceptionally resolute. The words on Yun Wanchu's lips died away.

He turned to Leng Yunshang and said, "Go! I'm stripping you of your True Disciple status in my capacity as Holy Lord. Leave now!

"And you too, Feng Qianqian. Go!"

Feng Qianqian's beautiful eyes dimmed. "Holy Lord, this disciple wasn't planning to stay. I'll repay your kindness in raising me someday."

On the outskirts of the Blazing Wasteland.

Zhuge Wuwei descended quietly.

He raised a hand and formed a seal, and a great mass of Heavenly Secrets power gathered.

A gate of light appeared, hazy and indistinct.

Then Zhuge Qingchen's figure coalesced like a ghost and stepped out from within.

"Qingchen, what opportunity do you see in this Blazing Wasteland?"

Zhuge Qingchen's face, which had been shattered earlier, had already returned to normal.

The ring that had been removed from his hand had reappeared, faintly shimmering with a hazy glow.

He let the power of the Heavenly Secrets flow through his eyes for a moment.

After a long while, he extended his right hand. Six Roots Nine Night Spirit Sunflower Cold Stems appeared in his palm, and he used them to cast a hexagram.

"This is the Heaven Wind Hexagram Gou, the second of the sixty-four hexagrams Su Li mentioned. As a divination, it should indicate overwhelming fortune, success, and renown—a blessed hexagram.

"As for how to interpret it specifically, I don't understand yet.

"When I get the chance, I'll secretly save him and then grant him a favor. Once I've learned a few more things from him, I'll understand.

"I've already learned about half of the sixty-four hexagrams. They're still just the basics, and there's a lot I don't understand, but their accuracy is astonishing. They shouldn't be underestimated."

Light shifted in Zhuge Qingchen's eyes.

"Mm. You did well to offer him that favor, but his ability to deduce people's thoughts is extremely strong. Don't let your guard down."

Zhuge Wuwei cautioned him gravely.

"Rest assured, Master. I have two souls and two hearts, and the Heavenly Secrets are with me. I truly possess the fate of the Lord of Destiny."

Zhuge Qingchen spoke calmly, then continued, "Have things been settled with Hua Lingshang?"

Zhuge Wuwei shook his head. "It's difficult. Put that aside for now. First, we'll set up a killing trap here."

My thanks to the reader 'Hewei Rongguang' for the generous 50,000 Qidian coin reward, and to the reader 'Xianjie Lunhuidaozu' for the 1,000 Qidian coin reward. Thank you both so, so, so much for your generous support~

Also, the next chapter will be updated tonight~