The Black Tortoise Realm Seeks Aid
The inns along the street are filled with the wafting aroma of tea.
The soft, fragmented voices, though not noisy, added a touch of warmth and humanity to the atmosphere.
"Alas, have you ever heard that the Beast Taming Sect has actually perished!" The male cultivator who spoke was surprised, as if he had not expected things to develop this way.
The middle-aged female Beast Taming Sect at the same table scoffed upon hearing this. "Besides the old sect leader, who was a smart man? Aren't all the others in that Beast Taming Sect a menace? It's good that they've perished. If they had continued to operate, who knows how many innocent Demon Beast would have been killed!"
Although human cultivators have a poor relationship with Demon Beast, not all Demon Beast attack Human Race. Some Demon Beast are gentle in nature and live only in dense forests. If human cultivators do not provoke them, the Demon Beast will naturally not harm them.
But the Beast Taming Sect didn't care about innocence. Any Demon Beast that was slightly higher in level or stronger was captured by them early on, made into a master-servant contract, and used to their fullest extent.
Every year, countless Demon Beast corpses are transported away by the Beast Taming Sect and used as fertilizer.
To outsiders, the Beast Taming Sect was already stained with blood.
However, in the past, people dared not speak out because they had the backing of the Mara Gate. Now that the Beast Taming Sect has fallen, they naturally want to vent their anger.
"The Beast Taming Sect has committed many injustices and mistreated innocent Demon Beast. Now that their sect's guardian demon Demon Beast is dead, all the contracts with everyone have been broken by that same Demon Beast. All the Demon Beast have deserted overnight, and most of their disciples have been killed or injured."
"Without the Demon Beast, and having lost that fleet of young elites, how could the Beast Taming Sect not perish?" added a middle-aged cultivator in white robes.
There was not a trace of regret in his tone, as if he had long expected the Beast Taming Sect to come to this.
These words immediately silenced the male cultivator who had initially felt some pity for the Beast Taming Sect.
But he remained silent. The middle-aged female cultivator spoke again, "The Beast Taming Sect deserved this calamity, but that's ancient history. I just received news that the Gong Clan, who were hiding in the Northern Snowfield, have been wiped out!"
This news obviously attracted more attention, and for a moment, many eyes in the teahouse involuntarily turned to the female cultivator.
This naturally included Sang Ying and her group, who were sitting in the corner.
The group traveled all the way back to Qing Zhou from the snowfield, disguising themselves as well. Even though Fang Chi and Hai Tingzhou were not cultivators from the Immortal Spirit Realm, Sang Ying still altered their appearances for safety.
Now that the group of people had gathered at the table, they looked no different from ordinary Rogue Cultivator. They wouldn't attract any attention at all.
But as soon as they heard people mention the Gong Household, they couldn't help but want to hear more.
Seeing that she had attracted everyone's attention, the female cultivator immediately raised her voice even louder. "That Gong Household is quite something! Didn't they hold some kind of Dragon-Slaying Grand Assembly and release a white dragon? Heh, that white dragon is actually staying in their clan's territory! If the Gong Household's Delusion-Breaking City hadn't been destroyed, no one would know about it!"
"So, does that mean the Gong Household really conspired with Bai Long to scheme against other Aristocratic Clan and sects?" someone who had been listening to the commotion chimed in.
The female cultivator's expression changed, and she lowered her voice. "We don't know anything about this either, so we dare not say anything."
However, judging from her expression, she was clearly confirming that person's guess.
Seeing this, everyone began to consider their options. In any case, the Gong Household was definitely going to be accused of "raising Dragon Race and plotting against cultivators."
From the Beast Taming Sect to the Gong Household, none of those connected to the Mara Gate, whether sects or Aristocratic Clan, met a good end.
Even though their demise seemed to have nothing to do with the Mara Gate, a sense of dread still arose in everyone's hearts.
The fall of the Gong Household has sparked countless speculations and contemplations, something Sang Ying and the others are naturally unaware of. They are currently discussing where to go next.
Jimo Qing strongly advocated that everyone go to Spirit Prefecture, since it was Jimo Household territory, and they would be less in danger there.
However, after learning about the Immortal Spirit Realm, Fang Chi and Hai Tingzhou developed a great interest in Qing Zhou and wanted to travel there more.
Sang Ying was sitting to the side watching the excitement, but suddenly, the communication talisman on her waist lit up.
After reading the contents of the communication talisman, Sang Ying's expression changed instantly. "Everyone, it seems you don't need to argue anymore. The sect just sent a message saying there's important business to discuss and instructing me to return to the sect immediately."
As soon as Jiulian put down the communication talisman, Elder Xiao on the other side looked at him.
Furthermore, a middle-aged dao companion sitting beside him looked at Jiulian with nervous expressions after noticing Elder Xiao's gaze.
Under the watchful eyes of everyone in the hall, Jiulian could only smile wryly and say, "Don't worry, I've already sent a message to Sang Ying, and she should be back soon."
Hearing this answer, the couple beside them finally breathed a sigh of relief.
However, Jiulian quickly added with ill intent, "Junior brothers and sisters, are you relieved now? Perhaps it's a bit premature. I haven't yet revealed to you why I sent Sang Ying back."
Jiulian's words were full of provocation, but the couple knew from Elder Xiao's expression that Jiulian was not lying.
Sang Zheng was alright, but Wen Miaoshu quickly asked, "What does this mean? Senior brother, is there something you need from our Sang Sang?"
"Sang Sang" is Sang Ying's nickname, but only Wen Miaoshu ever calls his daughter that.
When asked by his junior sister, Elder Xiao coughed awkwardly, "Well, a few days ago, several major sects in the Black Tortoise Realm sent people to us for help. They said that a large-scale beast tide had suddenly broken out in the Black Tortoise Realm, causing heavy casualties among cultivators. The major sects had no choice but to send people to ask for help, hoping that we could send some disciples to the Black Tortoise Realm to help them fight against the beast tide."
"But what does this have to do with our Sang Sang? Senior brother, you wouldn't have arranged for Sang Sang to go there, would you?" Wen Miaoshu's tone suddenly rose for the second half of his sentence, almost cracking.
Elder Xiao was somewhat embarrassed by his junior sister's questioning. Fortunately, Sang Zheng pulled his dao companion back in time. "Miaoshu, don't get so agitated. You know how steady our senior brother is. Listen to what he has to say first."
The couple finally received news from the Immortal Spirit Realm and immediately abandoned their sect affairs, taking a cross-border flying boat to find their daughter.
The family was finally about to be reunited, so naturally they were a bit overly anxious about their daughter.
Elder Xiao understood all of this, but his decision remained unchanged. "I've considered supporting the Black Tortoise Realm. The most dangerous moment of the beast tide has passed. Now, Sang Ying and the others will not only be safe from injury but will also gain valuable experience. As you know, Sang Ying is only one step away from the Nascent Soul. If she can seize this opportunity, she might become the youngest Nascent Soul Cultivator in the history of our Immortal Spirit Realm!"
"I know you've only just met your daughter, so naturally you're reluctant to let her take risks. But Sang Ying is not only your child, but also a cultivator. Heavenly Dao is merciless. If she doesn't strive to strengthen herself, do you think you can protect her forever?"
That last sentence successfully silenced all of Wen Miaoshu's rebuttals.
Yes, can she protect her child forever?
Sang Zheng silently pulled his dao companion into his arms. "Senior brother is right, but we should wait for Sang Ying to return and see what she decides."
Whether to accept this mission and venture into the unfamiliar Black Tortoise Realm, or stay with her parents and slowly search for a way to break through, it all depends on Sang Ying's own choice.