For the next two months, the Jingyun Sect was peaceful and harmonious.
The Grand Elder emerged from seclusion and personally guided Meng Tangtang's cultivation.
When Lin Cheng heard about it, he wasn't angry at all. If anything, he was glad to have one less thing to worry about.
With heaps of treasures, the talent of her Innate physique, and the cultivation method of the Great Emperor of Dual Essence, Meng Tangtang's cultivation made tremendous strides over those two months. Starting from the Third Grade Realm, she advanced several grades in a row, catching up with some of the elders.
"Seventh Grade Realm. Very good, very good. Even for an Innate physique, this rate of improvement is terrifying."
Knowing that she didn't have much time left, Old Lady Xu had spent the past two months doting on Meng Tangtang as if she were her own granddaughter.
Watching her break through realm after realm, she grinned from ear to ear.
She felt she had never been happier than she had been these past two months.
Heaven had not treated her unfairly after all.
Meng Tangtang herself could hardly believe it.
These past few months, she had felt as though she were living in a dream.
Not only had she escaped the tragedy of having little time left, she had also embarked on the path of cultivation and soared forward.
In just a few short months, she had traveled a road that countless people couldn't complete in a lifetime.
And this was only the beginning.
It's all thanks to Master. If he hadn't cured my terminal illness first and bestowed a cultivation method on me, I never would have come this far. Even if I devoted my entire life to it, I could never repay his kindness... Meng Tangtang felt a surge of joy.
While the Jingyun Sect's leaders were enjoying harmony, storm clouds were gathering outside.
Jingyun Main Hall.
"Crash!"
Elder Hao flung his beloved purple clay teacup to the floor and smashed it. His eyes brimmed with fury as he roared, "Bastard! Utter bastards! Can someone tell me what the hell has happened these past few days? Why have three affiliated sects been wiped out in a row?!"
"Where's the culprit?"
"Where is he? Don't let me find out who did this! What gall, daring to come after the forces under the Jingyun Sect's protection!"
Elder Hao's usually smiling face was now twisted with rage. He looked like a raging lion.
The many scouts below exchanged glances, sighing with worried faces, but not one of them dared to incur his wrath at a time like this.
This matter was of great consequence.
If it was mishandled, the Jingyun Sect's loss of face would be the least of their concerns. The real danger was that people would lose faith in them. At this critical juncture, if their affiliated forces began to doubt the Jingyun Sect's ability, the losses would be enormous!
After all, what force would rely on the Jingyun Sect if it couldn't even guarantee its own safety?
Without those affiliated forces, the Jingyun Sect's influence would shrink by more than half!
It might even fall out of the ranks of the Ten Great Sects!
The consequences were obvious.
"Reporting in!"
"Elder, we have a result!"
Just then, a middle-aged man hurried into the hall.
"Good work!"
Elder Hao's eyes lit up. He sprang to his feet, murderous intent surging, and snapped, "Speak! Who had the audacity to attack the forces under our Jingyun Sect's protection? I'll wipe out his entire lineage!"
"According to our investigation, it seems to have been the work of a foreign race!"
The middle-aged man hesitated, then answered directly.
"A foreign race?"
Elder Hao frowned in displeasure and snorted. "How is that possible? If a large force of foreign races had appeared in the heart of the Southern Region, how could we not have heard a single whisper beforehand? Are you all just sitting around doing nothing? What use is the Jingyun Sect to you?"
"Elder, it's not that your subordinate failed to investigate. This force of foreign races seems to be connected to Beast Taming Mountain!" The middle-aged man finally said it.
What?!
The moment he spoke, the whole hall erupted in an uproar!
Everyone stared in shock, wondering if their ears had deceived them.
Elder Hao's body trembled, and he spoke rapidly.
"Say that again!"
"Is this really connected to Beast Taming Mountain?"
The middle-aged man nodded firmly. "Absolutely. Our scouts report that the Ten Thousand Beast Canyon guarded by Beast Taming Mountain was in turmoil recently. A large force of foreign races broke through the defenses, most of them from the notoriously savage Demon Race!"
Hearing that, Elder Hao fell silent.
The others were too stunned to speak.
If this was true, it involved one of the Ten Great Sects. The matter was far from simple.
It might even lead to war between the two sects!
Any force ranked among the Ten Great Sects was a giant of the Southern Region.
If they went to war with one another, it would be a calamity that shook the heavens!
Countless lives would be caught up in it, and the land would be laid to waste!
At that moment, someone couldn't help asking, "How could this happen? Beast Taming Mountain is no weaker than our Jingyun Sect. They even have a guardian spirit beast in the Innate Realm, which is immensely powerful against the Demon Race. Their defenses have always been impregnable. How could such a major blunder have occurred?"
The middle-aged man shook his head. "The matter is still under investigation."
"Hmph!"
Elder Hao's anger didn't abate. He swept a hand through the air and continued, "So what if it's connected to Beast Taming Mountain? The consequences have been disastrous. Are we supposed to suffer these losses for nothing? Beast Taming Mountain must give us an explanation!"
"Elder, there's no need to rush that matter. We can come to a conclusion later."
The middle-aged man stepped forward, his face full of concern. "The most urgent matter now is dealing with the demon beasts wreaking havoc. If we wait too long, our affiliated forces won't be able to sit still. They may all turn to other great sects for protection."
"Besides, we must comfort the sects that were attacked. Otherwise, things are sure to get out of hand."
Elder Hao nodded at his words and immediately issued his orders. "He's right. This can't wait. Pass down my order: issue a bounty to hunt down all demon beasts within our sect's territory. For every beast hunted, the hunter may claim a corresponding reward. Any disciple of the sect at the Third Grade Realm or above may take the missions."
"Also, dispatch the Enforcement Squad and the guard forces at once. Have them search for gathering spots of demon beasts and wipe them out!"
"At the same time, send envoys to visit all affiliated forces and lineages to reassure them."
One order after another went out in an orderly fashion, and the entire Jingyun Sect sprang into action.
The whole sect was shaken in no time.
Countless disciples at the Third Grade Realm and above were excited. Advancing along the martial path required not only arduous cultivation but also a great deal of resources.
Ordinarily, getting resources was no easy task. Only those who made major contributions to the sect could receive rewards.
But things were different now!
"Hahahaha! I've been stuck at the Third Grade Realm for a full year, all because I didn't have enough pills and resources. I'd already given up hope, but now the tide has turned! Demon beasts, your old pal is coming to get cozy with you!" A burly man with a cleaver threw back his head and laughed.
"What? A First-Grade demon beast is worth three Qi Recovery Pills? I'll take this mission! Hahaha, I'm going to get rich!" someone exclaimed with delight.
"Hmph. Last time, I only lost to that guy because I didn't have a weapon that suited me... Now's my chance!" A proud swordsman looked toward a certain place and quickly departed.
Countless disciples who had been in seclusion emerged, surging toward the mission hall in a dark tide, eager to head down the mountain and slay demons.
Seeing this, Elder Hao and the others breathed a sigh of relief.
This should be enough to bring the demon beast crisis under control... right?
Three days later, with large numbers of disciples and elders gone down the mountain and the Jingyun Sect's defenses stretched thin,
two dark figures suddenly flashed past in the night. They deftly slipped through layer upon layer of security without alerting anyone, then quickly infiltrated the depths of the Jingyun Sect and vanished.
Before you continue