"The Six Harmonies Sect used to be far weaker than our Heavenly Net Church."
"Their sect master, Li Tiange, wasn't particularly powerful."
"Tiger Venerable, Eagle Venerable, and I-if we include the missing Ghost Envoy, Mister Mo, any one of the four of us could defeat him."
"But at some point, that fellow found a mighty tree to shelter under, and four mysterious experts appeared at his side."
"All four are at the middle stage of the heavenly balance realm, on par with me, Tiger Venerable, and Eagle Venerable."
"They also have a force of Red-Robed Death Soldiers, around thirty thousand strong."
"The bodies of these Red-Robed Death Soldiers seem to have undergone some special treatment. Not only are their defenses incredibly strong, they feel no pain whatsoever."
"These Red-Robed Death Soldiers all have the same cultivation: the early stage of the heavenly jade realm."
"That makes their thirty thousand Red-Robed Death Soldiers terrifying in battle. Once they enter the field, our side is certain to suffer a crushing defeat."
Yun Shuiqing spoke from atop the Netherworld Beast's back.
"Do you know where the power backing the Six Harmonies Sect comes from?" Fang Ling asked.
"Perhaps the Blood Marsh. In fact, that's the most likely possibility," Yun Shuiqing said gravely.
"The Southern Sun Kingdom's cultivation world is only so large. If they were local cultivators, we would definitely recognize at least some of them."
"Church Leader, should we wait for the White Family's forces to arrive before charging into the encirclement?"
"The White Family is one of the Southern Sun Kingdom's seven great cultivation families, with deep reserves. Their help would let us break the deadlock quickly."
"No need. I already have a plan," Fang Ling said.
Yun Shuiqing nodded and said no more.
Behind them, Dou Qin exhaled softly and lowered the hand she had pressed against Yun Shuiqing's back. The green spiritual energy around her faded as well.
In just the time it took an incense stick to burn, she had completely healed Yun Shuiqing's injuries.
Yun Shuiqing hurried to thank her. "Thank you for your hard work, Sister Dou!"
Dou Qin smiled. "There's no need to be so polite between us."
"Once we reach the Flying Eagle Gate, we'll have to trouble you again," Yun Shuiqing added.
"Master Qingmu was assassinated. The church desperately needs a master physician like you."
Dou Qin was taken aback by the news of Master Qingmu's death. "What a terrible loss."
"Master Qingmu's medical skills and alchemy were no worse than mine, yet someone actually murdered him!"
Physicians were rarely killed in the cultivation world, especially those with powerful cultivation.
After all, who could guarantee they would never need a physician to treat an illness or heal an injury, or ask one to refine pills for them?
Gradually, an unwritten rule had emerged in the cultivation world: avoid killing physicians whenever possible.
Killing a physician could easily provoke widespread outrage, with little benefit to the killer.
"That's why the Six Harmonies Sect must intend to fight us to the bitter end," Yun Shuiqing said gravely.
"Speaking of which, will helping us bring trouble down on you?"
Dou Qin shook her head. "It's fine. I'm no longer the insignificant little girl whose words carried no weight."
"In the Medical Immortal Valley, I'm now the Chief Physician, second only to the valley master."
"Even if the Imperial Family learns that I've come to help your Heavenly Net Church, they'll turn a blind eye."
"So you're already the Medical Immortal Valley's Chief Physician, Sister Dou. No wonder you healed me so quickly," Yun Shuiqing said.
Having not seen each other for years, the two women chatted animatedly behind Fang Ling.
Meanwhile, Fang Ling grew increasingly excited, wishing he could sprout wings and reach the Flying Eagle Gate at once.
In his eyes, the Six Harmonies Sect was no enemy, but a great slab of succulent meat that made his mouth water.
Meanwhile, at the Flying Eagle Gate.
Gloom hung heavy over the main hall.
The church's gathered experts had all suffered injuries of varying severity and were recuperating there.
From the seat of honor, a tall, beautiful woman in silver armor swept her gaze around the hall.
She was Feng Feiyan, the Eagle Venerable, one of the Heavenly Net Church's three venerables.
"In a little while, I'll lead the Flying Eagle Gate's death soldiers and carve out a path to survival."
"You should leave! You should never have come in the first place," she suddenly said.
Hu Yue snorted at her words. "Do I, Hu Yue, look like a rat who'd run away with his tail between his legs?"
"Things have come this far. There's no other choice but to fight to the death!"
"Our Heavenly Net Church may have declined, but we've never once lost our nerve in a war against any sect."
"Even if I die, I'll knock a few of their teeth out!"
Man Tianning, who lay recuperating on the floor nearby, chuckled. "I've always hated Tiger Venerable's rotten temper, but right now, I'm actually rather fond of it."
"It feels a little like the old days. Back then, the three of us fought from east to west. What a glorious time that was!"
"When the Southern Sun Kingdom's cultivators heard of us-the Eagle, Tiger, and Python-who didn't retreat three leagues?"
"We haven't reached a dead end yet. As long as the Church Leader comes, there may still be a chance to turn things around," said Lord Yan, the Fire Guard, with his fingers held in a delicate orchid gesture.
You Yu, the Water Guard, lay languidly in his arms and raised a hand to stroke his cheek, utterly unmindful of those around them.
The two were cultivation partners. They had known each other since childhood and had walked hand in hand ever since.
In this world, it was perfectly common for a man to have three wives and four concubines.
Nor was it unusual for a powerful woman to keep seven or eight men.
Yet these two remained faithful to each other, with eyes for no one else.
Fire and water were inherently incompatible, yet they clung together like glue, inspiring envy in others.
"Just who is this Church Leader you speak of?" Feng Feiyan asked, her delicate brows drawing together.
"Even if he manages to get here, he might not be able to change the situation."
"The Six Harmonies Sect has over a hundred thousand more cultivators than we do, not to mention those twenty-odd thousand Red-Robed Death Soldiers..."
"The power backing the Six Harmonies Sect surely has more strength than this. There may be other experts stationed in the rear."
"The Church Leader is so young, yet his cultivation already surpasses ours," Hu Yue said. "He's very likely an heir to some great family or sect within the domain. Perhaps he can bring powerful reinforcements."
"Or perhaps he can speak with the people behind the Six Harmonies Sect and persuade them to show him some respect."
"Let's hope so!" Feng Feiyan sighed helplessly.
"This all happened because of me. I've dragged everyone into it..."
"You needn't say that, Eagle Venerable. We're all one. When one prospers, we all prosper; when one suffers, we all suffer," You Yu said calmly.
"Back when Earth Digger was hanged in the Imperial City, a mysterious force launched a fierce assault on the Imperial Ancestral Mausoleum the very next day."
"You led your subordinates in that attack, didn't you, Eagle Venerable?"
Feng Feiyan neither admitted nor denied it.
"Report! A mysterious force has suddenly charged in from the west!" Just then, a disciple rushed in to report.
"Could the Church Leader be here?" Hu Yue rose, a flicker of delight crossing his eyes.
"Whoever they are, take our forces over and help them first," Feng Feiyan said.
"Those of you who can't fight yet should stay here and recuperate. Tiger Venerable and I will be enough."
The two immediately led their forces toward the western side of the encirclement to meet the reinforcements.
The reinforcements had caught the Six Harmonies Sect off guard, so its western defensive line failed to hold and was completely breached.
Having willingly entered the trap, the reinforcements also joined the forces at the Flying Eagle Gate.
"So it's Mister Mo! I thought the Church Leader had arrived," Hu Yue said with a hearty laugh.
"Mister Mo, you've practically vanished off the face of the earth these past two hundred years."
"I thought you'd died long ago!"
Mister Mo was quite distinctive. Dressed more like a scholar than a cultivator, he always held a Landscape Folding Fan in his hand.
"Tiger Venerable, I trust you've been well!" Mister Mo greeted him with cultured grace.
"And all of you as well. I've missed you dearly since we parted all those years ago!"
Before you continue