BW Chapter 171.1

What is Sought (3.1)

 

Some cultivators who were overly suspicious had already brought out their magical artifacts, preparing to fight to the death with the suddenly appeared evil dragon.

 

Who would have known that the enormous and terrifying giant dragon suddenly stopped above them, shedding tears with a “whoosh” sound, then suddenly shrank in size with a “puff” and fell onto the Heavenly Wave Ruler with a thud, even letting out a whimper.

 

The cultivators who were preparing for battle: “…………”

 

After several muffled thuds, Ning Buwei looked at the four cubs of various sizes in disheveled states and the still-crying little black dragon, falling into silence.

 

“Ying ying ying~” The little black dragon climbed onto Big Yellow’s shoulder tearfully, coiling itself up while dropping tears with pattering sounds.

 

Big Yellow reached out to touch its small horns, “Oh my, why are you crying like this?”

 

This must have encountered something truly terrifying and frightening.

 

Yang Lingzhu stuffed a pill into the little black dragon’s mouth, saying quietly, “It flew too fast, tears from the wind.”

 

Big Yellow: “……Oh.”

 

“Father! We came from Louzhou and encountered bloody, terrifying monsters all along the way!” Feng Zizhang’s face was full of terror, “They can fly just like cultivators, and once they stick to you they won’t let go, even more terrifying than the vine people from Linjiang City before!”

 

“They even suck on bones when eating people!” Jiang Yizheng vigorously rubbed her arms, “Just like how we gnaw on chicken legs!”

 

“And they can’t be killed. Even if you burn them to ash with true fire, they turn back into a puddle of flesh after a while.” Cui Yuanbai looked somewhat defeated.

 

Ning Buwei said with a dark expression. “What time is it now and you still dare to run around everywhere?”

 

Feng Zizhang and the others all guiltily lowered their heads. Jiang Yizheng muttered quietly, “We were worried about you and the Venerable…”

 

Ning Buwei frowned, wanting to scold them, but seeing their pitiful appearance covered in dust and dirt, he suddenly felt some reluctance in his heart and said irritably, “If you dare run around again next time, I’ll break your legs!”

 

The several children obediently nodded.

 

Xie Changming, who was enthusiastically watching the scene, touched his own leg and said quietly to Xie Jiangnan, “Look, other people’s fathers only threaten. My father really hits. My legs have been broken twice already.”

 

Hearing this, Xie Zhi looked at him with a dark expression. Xie Jiangnan quickly covered his mouth, “Just say less.”

 

“Mmmh mm mmph!” Xie Changming suddenly struggled violently.

 

“I’m telling you and you still won’t——” Xie Jiangnan suddenly realized his expression was wrong and quickly let go of his hand.

 

“The, the sky!” Xie Jiangnan pointed upward and cried out in terror.

 

Above them, the originally pitch-black sky revealed countless crimson formations. The clouds hidden within rolled like giant waves in the sea, with sharp, piercing lightning like violent beasts. Wherever it passed, whether cultivators or buildings, everything instantly turned to ash. The blood demons that were originally pursuing the cultivators received power from the blood formation, their speed instantly surging, and their numbers kept increasing. As far as the eye could see, almost everything was engulfed by dark, crimson objects.

 

“This is bad, the blood formation has already risen! Quickly find somewhere to hide!” Big Yellow shouted loudly.

 

Cultivators with high cultivation like Hao Zheng and Shang Nuanwei and other powerful cultivators, once their spiritual power barriers were up, not only protected themselves but could also protect many high-level cultivators around them; those like Qing Mian and Shen Xi could barely protect themselves and nearby disciples; cultivators like Xie Wen, Xie Jiangnan and others found it very difficult just to protect themselves——

 

However, there were even more ordinary cultivators who had no power to resist the blood formation and lightning that suddenly pressed down. In their panicked flight for life, they were struck and turned to ash. Even if they could luckily avoid the lightning attacks, they would be torn apart and devoured by the blood demons whose speed had greatly increased, leaving only cold white bones.

 

Ning Buwei controlled the Heavenly Wave Ruler to speed forward rapidly. A huge water curtain emerged from the ruler, isolating both the lightning and blood demons outside. However, this consumed too much spiritual power and was not a long-term solution.

 

“We must quickly repair the Eight Trigrams Formation, then re-seal the blood formation!” Big Yellow said urgently, “The blood formation will accelerate the flow of spiritual power. Although Xun Prefecture has no spiritual power, the place is too small and simply cannot withstand the impact of spiritual power from all seventeen states for a long time!”

 

Hao Zheng transmitted his voice loudly, “If the blood formation completely presses down and overlaps with the Eight Trigrams Formation, then even if we repair it, it will be useless! We must hurry!”

 

Most importantly, Chu Jun was now taking the place of the Linglong Bone, bearing the impact of spiritual power from all seventeen states. Ever since the blood formation appeared, the originally strong dao contract connection had instantly weakened by more than half.

 

Ning Buwei suppressed the anxiety in his heart and once again increased the speed of the Heavenly Wave Ruler, heading straight for Chenyue Mountain.

 

Seeing this, Hao Zheng, Shen Xi and others followed without prior agreement. Other cultivators who didn’t understand the situation thought they had found a solution and hurriedly followed as well.

 

“Why go to Chenyue Mountain?” Hao Zheng transmitted to ask Ning Buwei, “Have you found a way to seal the blood formation?”

 

“No.” Ning Buwei once again infused spiritual power into the Heavenly Wave Ruler, “But Ning Xingyuan’s corpse is buried at Chenyue Mountain. I’m going to dig him up and ask him.”

 

Hao Zheng: “…………”

 

Even the well-experienced Dean Hao was thoroughly choked by this statement.

 

Chenyue Mountain wasn’t very close to the Ning Mansion. This mountain wasn’t particularly tall. When the moon set in the west like falling snow, the gradually changing blue-green scenery was beautiful beyond measure. Looking from Danhuai Courtyard, it appeared especially lovely. Ning Xingyuan had bought this mountain from clan members and used it as a back garden for Ning Buwei and Yan Lanpei to play in.

 

Probably at that time, he never imagined that this place would eventually become his tomb.

 

Ning Buwei handed the sleeping Ning Xiu to Big Yellow. Big Yellow took a deep breath and nodded to him, “Don’t worry, Ning Xiu and I made a contract long ago. Even if I die, I’ll make sure he lives.”

 

Ning Buwei said, “Perfect, I’ll buy him a better-looking dog then.”

 

Big Yellow immediately raged. “Ning Chengfeng, you heartless bastard, I’ll bite you to death!”

 

“Uncle Huang, forget it, forget it!” Feng Zizhang and the others quickly held him back.

 

Ning Buwei tugged at the corner of his mouth, then looked at Feng Zizhang, “You’re the eldest, protect them.”

 

Feng Zizhang nodded solemnly.

 

“Dad, I want to go fight with you!” Cui Yuanbai hugged his leg and wouldn’t let go, “I’m very powerful, I’m a hundred times more powerful than Suzaku. I can definitely help you win! Dad, let me go!”

 

Ning Buwei reached out to touch his little head and said with a serious expression. “It’s precisely because you’re more powerful than Suzaku that you need to stay. If the blood formation and blood demons dare to approach, you use the Purple Flame True Fire, remember?”

 

Cui Yuanbai, who was completely fooled, nodded, then was picked up and carried away by Big Yellow.

 

The fully revived Suzaku Knife was so angry it wanted to jump out of its sheath, but was pressed down by Ning Buwei with one finger. He looked at this group of burdens he had always found bothersome and broke into a smile, “Wait for Chu Jun and me to come back, and I’ll treat you all to a good meal. I’m leaving.”

 

After speaking, he stepped on the Suzaku Knife and flew rapidly with the many cultivators toward the nearby Chenyue Mountain.

 

The originally lush and spiritually abundant Chenyue Mountain had now become a barren mountain. Withered vines densely entangled the entire mountain, as if afraid someone would come to disturb the peace of those sleeping here.

 

At the mountain top, Pei Heguang looked at the countless streams of light flying toward them and smiled at Fang Wanchen beside him, “Xiao Wu, look, there are always people in this world who don’t know their own limitations.”

 

Fang Wanchen’s face turned deathly pale as he stepped back.

 

“Hmm?” Pei Heguang was first puzzled for a moment, then understood, “Xie Jiu told you?”

 

“You, get that thing called life force out of my body!” Fang Wanchen said with his whole body tense. “I absolutely will not block a fate tribulation for someone like you!”

 

Pei Heguang looked at him helplessly, then turned to look at Xie Jiu standing not far away, his gaze slightly cold.

 

“Master, I think it’s better to tell him the truth.” Xie Jiu met his gaze directly, “Rather than let him die in confusion, it’s better for him to die understanding, so he won’t think you owe him anything.”

 

“Among all the people still alive in this world, only you and I have the deepest connection. My fate tribulation can only be resolved by you.” Pei Heguang sighed and looked at Fang Wanchen, “Xiao Wu, I helped you defy fate and change your destiny, letting you enjoy five lifetimes of wealth and honor in the mortal realm. In this final lifetime, you only need to help me block one fate tribulation. If I successfully ascend, you’ll ascend with me. What’s not to like about that?”

 

Fang Wanchen shook his head and said through gritted teeth. “Madman, you’re all a bunch of madmen!”

 

“You’ll understand eventually.” Pei Heguang’s tone carried several parts of helplessness.

 

Fang Wanchen turned to leave but was blocked by Wang Bin who suddenly appeared, saying mockingly, “Fellow Cultivator Pei, I don’t expect you to take me along when you ascend, just give me the remaining Linglong Bone.”

 

“Naturally.” Fang Wanchen smiled slightly, and Xie Jiu beside him stepped forward to drag Fang Wanchen to the side.

 

Then the mass of cultivators fell like meteors before them.

 

“Pei Heguang! How dare you let the blood formation from thirty thousand years ago reappear in the world! Are you insane!?” Wanghai Sect’s sect master Pei Yutian looked at this former junior brother who had almost no presence, asking painfully, “Are you worthy of Wanghai Sect and Master’s nurturing?”

 

Pei Heguang curved the corner of his mouth, his gaze sweeping over Pei Yutian, saying lightly, “Even Nanshu wouldn’t dare speak to me like this, who do you think you are?”

 

He seemed to just casually raise his hand, and Pei Yutian, who had just been making an impassioned speech, turned into a cloud of blood mist, pattering down on the withered leaves.

 

“Sect Master!”

 

“Master!”

 

“Senior Brother!”

 

The elders and disciples of Wanghai Sect were shocked and horrified, looking at Pei Heguang with both anger and terror. One of them said, “Back then, when Venerable Nanshu insisted on killing Ning Buwei, you must have instigated it, right!?”

 

“That’s right, Nanshu should have felt honored. At least he served some purpose before dying.” Pei Heguang clapped his hands with a pleased expression. “As for you all, don’t worry. Once the blood formation completely descends, you can disappear together with all the seventeen states.”

 

“You——“

 

“Pei Heguang, if you stop now, there’s still time. Otherwise, don’t blame us for being impolite!”

 

“You heartless demon! Killing so many people isn’t enough, you actually want to drag all the cultivators and common people of the entire cultivation world and mortal realm to death with you! Unforgivable!”

 

“We absolutely won’t let you succeed, you demon!”

 

The cultivators surrounding him all looked indignant.

 

“Chengfeng, take a good look at these people, look at their ridiculous faces! Weren’t those cultivators at Xingluo Cliff wearing the same expressions back then? High and mighty, righteous and stern, thinking they’re upholding justice, when in reality they’re just doing it for their own interests.”

 

Pei Heguang’s gaze looked toward somewhere in the crowd, “They monopolize the spiritual power of the mortal realm as if it’s natural, they bully the weak as if it’s natural, stirring up bloody storms for a piece of Linglong Bone is also natural… Yesterday they could strike you down mercilessly for the Linglong Bone, today they can treat you with courtesy for sealing the blood formation. Don’t forget how they treated you back then. Are you really planning to fight me to the death for such a group of petty people?”

 

The crowd slowly parted to make way, and a stern-faced, tall man in dark robes appeared before everyone.

 

“You don’t need to continue distorting right and wrong and obscuring the main point.” Ning Buwei stared at him expressionlessly, “You killed my parents and elder brother, harmed my master and close friend. Even if you sacrificed yourself to the formation today to save all living beings, I would still kill you without hesitation.”

 

Hearing him say this, everyone’s anxious hearts settled down, but they also unconsciously moved away from Ning Buwei because of this excessively ruthless statement, leaving a large empty space around him.

 

“Good, it seems you’ve truly mastered the Way of Ruthlessness.” Pei Heguang wore a face identical to Ning Xingyuan’s, but carried an obsession and madness that Ning Xingyuan didn’t have, “Then don’t blame me for showing no mercy for old times’ sake!”

 

The Suzaku Knife was unsheathed for the first time after its restoration. The heavy pressure unique to ancient divine weapons slowly spread out. The distant, majestic bird cry came from the horizon, actually slowing down the descending Heaven-Piercing Blood Formation considerably.

 

Pei Heguang’s expression darkened, then his figure suddenly changed. The next instant he was before Ning Buwei. The moment blade and sword clashed, the entire Chenyue Mountain shook with a thunderous roar. The withered vines and leaves all crumbled to powder, scattering in the air.

 

“Not good, those blood demons have caught up!” someone at the rear of the group cried out in terror.

 

“All disciples of Wushi Sect, listen to my command!” At this critical moment, Shen Xi made a decisive decision and spoke clearly, “Those above Soul Transformation, form an array to stop the blood formation from descending! Golden Core and Nascent Soul cultivators, use spirit-guarding formations to defend against the blood demon attacks!”

 

The Wushi Sect disciples had previously lost morale due to Chu Linyuan’s death. Once Shen Xi issued this command, they seemed to finally find their backbone and acted according to orders.

 

As disciples of the number one sect in the cultivation world, any one of them pulled out randomly would be a heaven’s chosen existence, naturally carrying a sense of pride. Moreover, Chu Linyuan had already used his own body to prove the Dao, showing them what choice to make.

 

“Fellow cultivators of Wanxuan Academy.” Hao Zheng turned and bowed to the head teachers he had brought, “This matter concerns the safety of all living beings. We should no longer stay out of it.”

 

The many head teachers nodded in unison and followed the elders and disciples of Wushi Sect to form formations together against the Heaven-Piercing Blood Formation that was still pressing downward.

 

They were originally high-cultivation cultivators who didn’t want to be involved in the disputes of the cultivation world. They came to Wanxuan Academy seeking peace and quiet. However, in times of crisis, they all stepped forward without prior agreement.

 

Those who teach and educate others establish people and virtue through both words and example.

 

“Although our Hehuan Sect has always been looked down upon by cultivators from other sects, we are definitely not cowards who fear death.” Hehuan Sect’s sect master Qing Mian looked at the colorfully dressed women in her sect, “Those willing may follow me!”

 

The peach-faced, beautiful female cultivators stepped onto their soft swords with smiles and rushed toward that boundless blood formation without looking back.

 

The Zen masters of Jiting Sect had also begun chanting sutras softly. The high-cultivation elders’ Zen staffs suddenly enlarged, transforming into colossal objects supporting beneath the blood formation.

 

With the major sects leading the way, many family clans and sects stepped forward one after another to stop the descending Heaven-Piercing Blood Formation together.

 

“It’s just hitting a stone with an egg!” Hanyan Sect’s Han Shuang said in frustration, “Do you really believe that this demon Ning Buwei has a way to repair the Eight Trigrams Formation!? Don’t forget what kind of person he was before and what he did!”

 

Xuantian Sect’s sect master said, “Then do you have a solution?”

 

Han Shuang was suddenly choked speechless, then became angry from embarrassment and looked at Wei Lian, “Alliance Leader Wei, please say something!”

 

Wei Lian looked up at the blood-colored sky and said, “Since there’s no other way, we might as well take a gamble.”

 

“Wei family disciples, follow us!” The Wei brothers Xuesong and Yuquan, who had been restraining themselves, didn’t wait for Wei Lian to finish speaking before leading people to charge toward the blood formation.

 

“You——” Han Shuang looked at them angrily.

 

However, hardly anyone paid attention to him anymore. Even their sworn enemy Qingdan Sect was busy refining pills on the spot and distributing them everywhere to help other cultivators replenish their spiritual power.