The Sacrifice
Sang Ying was delayed for a while because of the boat, and by the time she returned to the Listening Tide Sect, it was already midnight.
Logically speaking, given Sang Ying's cultivation level and cautious actions, she shouldn't have been discovered. However, she was unaware that long after the tail lost her, someone had received the news and was waiting for her return at the guest courtyard.
So Sang Ying had only just approached the guest courtyard and was about to climb over the wall when suddenly a person emerged from the shadows. "Fellow Daoist Sang, what are you doing so late?"
Sang Ying sighed inwardly, realizing she had forgotten that the array in the guest courtyard would weaken her senses. Turning around, she saw that the other person was Chen Jiang, the disciple who had brought them to the Listening Tide Sect.
"I had nothing to do last night, and I heard that the Endless Sea in the Cloud Mulberry Realm is quite interesting, so I went out for a stroll and listened to the sound of the waves. I didn't expect the rumors to be true. After listening to the waves for a while, my mind was soothed, so I'm going back to rest." Sang Ying smiled at Chen Jiang.
Chen Jiang nodded upon hearing this. "I see. However, Fellow Daoist Sang, the nights in the Cloud Mulberry Realm are not very safe. For your safety, it would be best if you stayed out less at night. If you encounter danger, we won't be able to find you in time. Just like that female cultivator who caused trouble in our sect before, her sister is still missing."
Sang Ying couldn't immediately tell if this was a warning or a reminder. If it was a warning, wouldn't that mean he was admitting that the Listening Tide Sect was involved in the disappearance of that female cultivator?
Unable to guess what the other person was thinking, Sang Ying simply stopped guessing. "Thank you for the reminder, I understand. I will pay attention in the future. It's so late, I plan to go back and rest. Fellow Daoist, are you still going to continue your 'stroll' here?"
She emphasized the word "stroll" very much.
Sensing her underlying meaning, Chen Jiang still smiled and said, "Don't worry, fellow Daoist, I'll be back for my walk soon and won't disturb anyone else here. Oh, by the way, since I've already seen you, fellow Daoist, you should just go in through the main gate; there's no need to climb over the wall."
Sang Ying nodded to him. "I understand."
After entering the courtyard, Sang Ying closed the gate and only breathed a sigh of relief after confirming that she was under the protection of the formation.
Since it was getting late, and everyone else was probably still cultivating, Sang Ying didn't disturb them.
She recounted her experiences from the previous night to everyone after they had all gotten up the following day.
"I don't know what Chen Jiang is trying to do, but his behavior tells me that our every move is under the surveillance of the Listening Tide Sect, and Green Lotus's disappearance is clearly related to the Listening Tide Sect," Sang Ying concluded.
Lan Fusheng echoed, "That's right. Yesterday, I also secretly went out and contacted Green Lotus using a communication talisman. Fortunately, she still remembered me. After I asked about the Listening Tide Sect and her sister, she told me the truth."
"It turns out that the two sisters were also warmly invited by the disciples of the Listening Tide Sect, but it was a female disciple who invited them. She took them to the guest courtyard, where she piled delicacies, fine robes, and rare treasures into their yard as if they didn't need Spirit Stone. The two female Know the World there was no such thing as a free lunch and worried that they would be unable to repay what they had received. So they asked to leave."
Lan Fusheng let out a breath. "After the Listening Tide Sect initially tried to persuade them to stay a few times, but after seeing their resolute attitude, they had no choice but to agree. However, not long after the sisters left, after spending a night in the wilderness, the younger sister vanished into thin air. Green Lotus initially thought that some Evil Cultivator or Demon Beast in the wilderness had taken her sister away, but she searched for a long time without finding any trace of Red Lotus, until she sensed her sister's cries for help and saw the Listening Tide Sect's plaque in the memories transmitted back by Red Lotus."
Bai Kejin very rational. "But just one image doesn't prove anything. It's possible that this image is what they saw when they first arrived at the Listening Tide Sect."
"That's what I told her too," Lan Fusheng continued, "But Green Lotus quickly replied that as she approached the Listening Tide Sect with skepticism, her connection with her sister grew stronger and stronger. It wasn't until she reached the Listening Tide Sect's gates that she and Red Lotus reached their peak. She heard Red Lotus say, 'Don't come looking for me, don't come to the Listening Tide Sect, leave the Cloud Mulberry Realm immediately, and never come back.' This was Red Lotus's warning to her."
Those who had previously harbored some doubts fell silent at this moment.
If this is true, then they really can't imagine what the Listening Tide Sect has done to Red Lotus, a Nascent Soul Cultivator, that could make Red Lotus utter such fear.
"So, what should we do now?" Dong Fuzhu asked cautiously, seeing everyone's serious expressions.
Sang Ying noticed her worry and patted her junior sister's shoulder. "Don't be afraid, at worst, your senior sister will take you to escape to the sea."
As long as they eventually find a way to escape the Cloud Mulberry Realm, they will have a chance to fight back.
Speaking of the sea, Duan Hanyi, also to appease everyone, seized the opportunity to say, "Fellow Daoist Sang, why don't you show us the ship you obtained and broaden our horizons?"
Everyone then perked up.
Although they heard Sang Ying say that she had found the ship, they had not seen it with their own eyes and could not imagine what it looked like.
Sang Ying had originally intended for them to see it, so it would be easier to maneuver the boat when they went out to sea in the future. So she took the opportunity to remove the bubble.
The large ship lay quietly in the water, and it could be said that the moment it appeared, it instantly captured everyone's hearts.
"This is bigger and more magnificent than any of the shipyards I've ever seen!" Bai Kejin couldn't help but exclaim.
Dong Fuzhu and Lan Fusheng stared intently at the large ship. "We were worried about this before, and I was even considering whether to compromise with those people from the Cloud Mulberry Realm. I didn't expect Senior Sister to get such a big ship so quickly, and for free! When our ship goes to sea, let's see how I infuriate those people at the shipyard!"
Hearing her junior sister's childish words, Sang Ying shook her head helplessly. "There's no need to argue with them. We don't need to beg them anymore, and it's not worth getting angry over them. If you're still not satisfied, I'll just let you drive your boat in front of them later."
When Jin Liner gave her the boat, she mentioned that because it was a high-level Law Artifact, it didn't need a boatman at all; they could control it freely using Spirit Stone. It could even dive underwater without any problem.
Dong Fuzhu nodded in agreement. "Then I'll do as my senior sister says. I'll definitely show off when I'm better!"
Everyone was happily envisioning their future adventures Higher Vehicle, but beneath the Listening Tide Sect, screams were muffled by thick layers of soil and layers of arrays.
The steward's cold gaze swept over the cultivators in the cage, causing even those who were once considered the pride of heaven to shiver.
"You all better watch out! If these sacrificial offerings escape, we'll all be in deep trouble!" the manager yelled, and everyone present bowed in agreement.
After the manager left, one of the dozen or so cages finally made a small noise.
A delicate face emerged from the disheveled hair, and as she looked towards the door the steward had left through, her eyes were filled with a longing for freedom.
A note from the author:
That's all for today, thank you for your support!
See you tomorrow~