Chapter 224: A Written Pledge in Blood, Touching Upon the Truth
That “Luo Xue,” the ruler of the barbarian lands, was proficient in formations wasn’t a secret among the higher-ups of the various factions, especially the ancient clans, who were adept at behind-the-scenes manipulations. Their understanding of this even surpassed that of the Immortal Emperor.
They knew very well that “Luo Xue’s” formations were comparable to those of the ancient sects of the ancient era.
…Those ancient sects that, even after countless years of extinction, still terrified them.
If not for the deep-seated hatred between the barbarian lands and the ancient clans, preventing the ancient clans’ spies from infiltrating, they would have already assassinated this mere Nascent Soul junior.
The other elders only suspected that there was a problem with Beiming Hu’s modification of the clan-protecting formation, but Beiming Hu himself, the one who carried out the modification, knew that someone had sabotaged it.
The only person he could think of who had such skill in formations was “Luo Xue,” the ruler of the barbarian lands.
After eliminating all other possibilities, the remaining explanation, however unbelievable, was the only truth.
“…You’re saying… this is retaliation from the barbarian lands?”
Beiming Tian’s gaze sharpened, and he instinctively looked at Nangong Ling.
…The Nangong clan and the barbarian lands were practically seen as one. The only ancient clan that could freely enter and leave the barbarian lands, and had a good relationship with the demonic beast tribes, was the Nangong clan.
“Do you doubt my words, Senior?” Nangong Ling raised an eyebrow.
She knew that the Beiming Clan was well aware of the relationship between the Nangong clan and the barbarian lands, and with her status within the Nangong clan, she should have some connection with “Luo Xue.”
Therefore, currently, the only one related to “Luo Xue” was her.
But Nangong Ling had to remain neutral. As long as she didn’t admit it, the Beiming Clan couldn’t do anything to her, at least not implicate Luo Xue.
Nangong Ling had a vague feeling that the one who had arrived at the Beiming Clan was the Luo Xue she knew.
As for the one in the barbarian lands, Luo Xue had vaguely hinted at her identity, a deep connection, and she might also be here.
Just then, a clan elder hesitantly stepped forward and said in a low voice,
“But… Clan Leader, Xiao Hu, this old man has received reliable information that the ruler of the barbarian lands has made a secret deal with the Immortal Emperor, and she’s currently being held hostage in the Imperial Capital.”
It was said that the ruler of the barbarian lands was eager to learn and had requested to study at the prestigious academy in the Imperial Capital, to reach the Ascension Realm sooner.
Only by reaching the Ascension Realm could one achieve true longevity, the true separation between mortals and immortals.
All talent below Ascension was meaningless.
Of course, the ancient clans scoffed at this explanation.
What studying, what further education, it was just a disguised form of imprisonment.
“Luo Xue” was the ruler of the barbarian lands. Even if she wasn’t recognized by all, she was still nominally their leader.
But in the Imperial Capital, she was just an insignificant Nascent Soul cultivator. What use were her unorthodox formation skills?
If the ancient clans had the time, they would have already planned an assassination. As long as she wasn’t in the barbarian lands, even within the imperial palace, they had ways to kill her.
“Are you sure about this information?” Beiming Tian frowned slightly.
“Countless spies have reported it, it can’t be fake.” The elder lowered his head even further.
“Even so, I still maintain my original view.” Beiming Hu shook his head. “I’d rather believe this is a scheme by the Immortal Emperor and ‘Luo Xue’ than believe it’s someone else.”
Hearing this, the others exchanged glances, while Nangong Ling’s expression changed slightly, her gaze towards Beiming Hu turning serious.
This person… was dangerous.
Beiming Hu, sensing Nangong Ling’s gaze, just smiled faintly, then cupped his hands towards Beiming Tian.
“Clan Leader, I am willing to make a written pledge in blood, betting ten thousand years of my cultivation, to find this person and avenge your injury.”
“Good!”
Before the other elders could react, Beiming Tian roared, his gaze towards Beiming Hu turning from anger to appreciation.
With such a descendant, the Beiming Clan had nothing to worry about.
“Seven days, how about that?” Beiming Tian’s thick beard twitched. “If you can’t find her within seven days, then go to the Punishment Hall and receive your punishment!”
“No, Clan Leader.” Beiming Hu unexpectedly shook his head.
Then, as Beiming Tian’s expression darkened with anger, he held up three fingers. “Three days. The Yudu Clan… Yudu Cheng won’t give us much time.”
“Within three days, if I still can’t find this person, then I am incompetent, and these ten thousand years of cultivation… should be forfeited.”
“Hahahaha… no problem, as expected of a Beiming disciple, such confidence!” Beiming Tian laughed heartily. “Alright! Then three days!”
“This junior, Beiming Hu, accepts this mission and will not fail.” Beiming Hu bowed, then looked at Nangong Ling with a faint smile. “Miss Nangong, for these next few days, please… supervise me.”
Supervise him… who was supervising whom?
Nangong Ling rolled her eyes and said faintly,
“What if I say no?”
“Then I’ll have to resort to more… forceful methods,” Beiming Hu said with a smile, “Of course, not against you, you’re a valued guest of the Beiming Clan.”
“I’m referring to… that little sister called ‘Luo Xue’.”
Nangong Ling’s pupils constricted, and she sneered.
“I have nothing to do with her, feel free to be as forceful as you want.”
He was testing her. If Nangong Ling showed any hesitation, he would seize this weakness and attack relentlessly.
Beiming Hu was like a cold, venomous snake. Once he found a weakness, he would exploit it mercilessly.
…He was a difficult opponent.
Fortunately, although the Beiming Clan knew that Nangong Ling knew “Luo Xue,” they didn’t know the extent of their relationship.
Nangong Ling deliberately remained ambiguous, whether it was out of fear or protectiveness, even Beiming Hu couldn’t tell.
“Heh… Miss Nangong, there’s no need for such an attitude. It was just a joke.” Beiming Hu narrowed his eyes, a sharp glint within them.
“This matter… is actually the Beiming Clan asking for your help, Miss Nangong.” Beiming Hu bowed respectfully.
This sudden change in attitude made Nangong Ling uncertain about Beiming Hu’s intentions. She frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, then said,
“I’m just an outsider to the Beiming Clan, how can I supervise you?”
“It’s precisely because you’re an outsider that we’re asking.” Beiming Hu smiled faintly, a meaningful look in his eyes. “And… Miss Nangong, you should be interested in ‘Luo Xue.’ Consider it… a favor I owe you.”
After several attempts, although Beiming Hu couldn’t determine the relationship between Nangong Ling and Luo Xue, he was certain that they had interacted, and Luo Xue knew more than he did.
After weighing his options, Beiming Hu decided to lower himself and ask for Nangong Ling’s help.
Moreover… the clan wasn’t united, and there were many who were eyeing his position. After such a major incident, just appeasing the Clan Leader wasn’t enough.
Having Nangong Ling by his side could also silence some of the dissent.
“…Fine.”
Nangong Ling’s expression turned serious. She did want to know if Luo Xue was behind this, and… whether her sister was currently within the Beiming Clan.
However… logically, unless they were guided by a Sea Crossing Realm cultivator, they shouldn’t have been able to travel from the Nangong Sacred Land to the Beiming Clan so quickly.
With Nangong Ling’s agreement, the other Beiming elders who had been restless calmed down and didn’t openly criticize Beiming Hu.
The Nangong clan was the most mysterious of the ancient clans, hiding countless secrets of the ancient era, and now, they needed their help. It wouldn’t be good to offend them now.
“Thank you, Miss Nangong.”
Beiming Hu bowed deeply again, then turned to the Beiming elders.
He still wore his usual bright, fake smile.
“Elders, please prepare to defend against the Yudu Clan. After I resolve this matter, I will repair the formation. I won’t let the Beiming Clan fall.”
Having said that, and with the written pledge he had made to the Clan Leader, the Beiming elders didn’t say anything more. Those who were dissatisfied left, and those who supported him looked at Beiming Hu with worry before also leaving.
Beiming Tian had returned to his cave to recover from his injuries, leaving only Beiming Hu and Nangong Ling at the formation core.
“Miss Nangong, let’s go to Formation Eye Tian. I sense that the problem originated there.” Beiming Hu said slowly.
Nangong Ling nodded slightly, looking towards Formation Eye Tian, worry in her eyes.
She hoped… that her worst fears wouldn’t come true.
…
Meanwhile, somewhere within the Beiming Clan.
Sensing another consciousness within the formation, Luo Xue immediately disconnected herself from it, no longer controlling the nodes.
As long as she hid, the Beiming Clan, who didn’t understand formations, wouldn’t be able to find her or regain control of the nodes.
Through Nangong, Luo Xue had already learned the truth about the Beiming Clan’s clan-protecting formation and vaguely guessed the crisis they faced.
“The closest to the Beiming Clan’s territory should be the Yudu Clan, the one the Nangong clan didn’t help. They’ve already fallen…”
Luo Xue looked at the map, pondering. Beside her, Nangong Mian and Dugu Xue were eating the portable spiritual food Luo Xue had prepared, recovering from their ordeal as human batteries.
Luo Xue herself hadn’t been a battery, so she didn’t need to recover.
“The Yudu Clan, those bastards, even more sinister than the Beiming Clan, mmm…”
Nangong Mian said with her mouth full, “You wouldn’t know, their specialty is mind control. If you’re not careful, they can take over your mind.”
“Hmm?”
Luo Xue looked up, raising an eyebrow.
“Have you heard of the Demonic Heart Cultivation? It’s an evil technique they developed. Many of their elders are actually ancient ancestors who possessed their descendants.”
“There are even rumors that the Beiming Clan has only had one Clan Leader. The current Clan Leader, Yudu Cheng, is actually Yudu, the Clan Leader from the ancient era.”
As a professional secret realm hunter, Nangong Mian knew her competitors very well.
But Luo Xue had a guess about the rumor Nangong Mian mentioned.
“What if the rumor is true?” Luo Xue asked.
“Impossible,” Nangong Mian said with certainty, “If it were true, the Yudu Clan wouldn’t be in such a miserable state now.”
“This crisis is because the ancient clans didn’t know about the existence of the otherworldly demon’s remains. If Yudu Cheng was Yudu, he would definitely know about it.”
“Indeed, he knows…”
Luo Xue’s eyes flickered. She had heard from Great-Grandmother that the reason she sealed everyone’s memories, keeping them only to herself, was because she was worried that someone would use the otherworldly demon’s remains for their own purposes.
Now it seemed… her worries might be coming true.
Combined with the unusual behavior of the Yudu Clan and Yudu Cheng, Luo Xue had a startling thought.
This crisis… was orchestrated by Yudu Cheng!
But what was his purpose…
Luo Xue recalled the strange power she obtained from the demonic remains, the power of laws from a different system. It was too strange, and she hadn’t continued researching it.
But she was certain that such laws could lead to the Great Dao.
“Since the end of the ancient era, the Great Thousand Worlds has been declining, countless Great Daos collapsing, and the number of cultivators above the Ascension Realm dwindling. This world is decaying…”
Luo Xue repeated these words recorded in the history books of the Great Qin Immortal Dynasty and sighed softly.
“It seems this time, we really have to help the Beiming Clan.” Luo Xue said in a low voice.
“Why… help the bad guys?”
Nangong Mian’s eyes widened in disbelief, her mouth full of food.
In the eyes of the Nangong clan, the other ancient clans were shameless thieves, a view passed down from Nangong herself, unchanged to this day.
“Someone is trying to touch a power they shouldn’t, and the Beiming Clan is the first to be affected. If they can’t stop it, it will eventually engulf the entire Great Thousand Worlds.”
Luo Xue said, a mischievous glint in her eyes,
“But… we’ll help them… in our own way.”
