Chapter Fifty-Five: Clarity Born of Obscurity

Yi Qingchen shook her head, a trace of shy warmth instantly curling around her heart.

When she lowered her eyes to steal a glance at Su He, she saw a disciple of the Poison Sect roll over and launch a sneak attack. Instantly, the strings were drawn and plucked, the sound as crisp as pearls, both large and small, falling onto a jade plate.

Four sword auras shot forth simultaneously, claiming the lives of two in an instant. The sight made Poison Thousand Hands glare with rage, one hand releasing flying locusts like shooting stars in the dark night—swift beyond compare.

Unlike common locust darts, these creatures possessed intelligence and were keen to human speech. As long as their master commanded, they would seek out and attack their prey on their own.

Small as they seemed, a single strike could shatter stone or split a monument. Fed on toxins from birth, if they got close, even an ordinary immortal would be doomed.

Worse still, one could be left with no trace of bone or flesh, devoured by the swarm.

Yi Qingchen could not evade in time; Su He swiftly drew his sword and slashed toward the locusts.

At once, sparks flew as steel met carapace. The locusts were blocked and emitted a piercing screech, so sharp it made one’s head feel as if it were splitting apart.

The less experienced Bai Lu Tongzi and Wu Lei were hit hardest, fresh blood seeping from their ears.

Suiyu Ren clutched his head, writhing on the ground in pain. “It hurts... it hurts... Jade Man hurts so much...”

Huai Yin, panicked, leapt forward wielding his blade, hands weaving seals. The silver wolf manifested in its true form, opening its jaws to unleash a blast of icy frost.

Each crystalline flake turned instantly into a blizzard of blades, surging toward the locusts with the force to topple mountains and overturn seas.

Seizing the chance, Su He gathered his energy and his sword howled through the air as he shouted, “Purple Star Phantom Duel!”

Under their joint assault, not only were the locusts destroyed, but several disciples of both the Poison and Medicine Sects fell as well.

The aftershock swept in all directions.

Having succeeded, the two retreated at once, forming a triangle to shield the other three.

Seeing this scene, Baili Leren immediately darted behind Lian Hen, clutching the hem of his robe and shrieking, “Cover me, quickly, cover me for your young master!”

Damn it, this was some bad luck. So many people, yet they still couldn’t take down this handful.

Yet, seeing Su He display his skills for the first time, he couldn’t help but swallow hard.

Good heavens, suddenly something occurred to him, and he growled at Lian Hen, “Let me warn you, you absolutely must not tell the old man what you saw today when we get back.

If anything needs to be said, I’ll say it myself. Don’t meddle, you hear me?”

Lian Hen couldn’t be bothered; he simply shrugged off his robe and let Baili Leren face the danger alone.

Frightened, Baili Leren hopped up and down, dragging the robe as he scrambled behind Lian Hen.

Hugging his head and crouching, he wailed, “Brother Lian, Lord Hen, I was wrong...”

All he got in response was the ringing sound of a sword being unsheathed, the residual force splitting like water and dissipating to either side.

“...”

Seeing this, Baili Leren fell silent, thoroughly dispirited.

This Lian Hen...

The Old Man of the Fishing Stream reacted swiftly to save Twenty Wen. Poison Thousand Hands, seeing that his disciples had all perished, was furious to the point of madness.

In the world, losing a disciple or two was commonplace, but to be utterly outmatched by a few youngsters? His reputation as the second-in-command of the Poison Sect would be ruined.

This wasn’t a matter of losing a few disciples; it was a slap in the face to Poison Thousand Hands.

After exchanging a couple of palm strikes with the Old Man of the Fishing Stream, he growled, “We’ll settle our own accounts another time.

But today, why not take this little thief together?”

“Agreed,” said the Old Man, withdrawing his hand and focusing his energy on Su He and the others.

On the other side, Yin and his companions, having dodged the aftershock, saw the two about to join forces. At once, he exchanged a glance with Xue Chanzi and Cen Zhiren, instructing each to entangle one of the pair.

He, meanwhile, seized the opening to feint at Suiyu Ren, while in truth aiming to capture Su He and seize the stone.

According to their information, Baili Su He had ascended Inviting Moon Peak for the very same stone and was insistent on taking Yi Qingchen away for that purpose.

Clearly, he needed the object desperately.

If so, he would surely not entrust it to anyone else. Thus, the Imperial Sovereign Stone must be on his person.

Yet in truth, since Su He had reunited with Huai Yin and the others, he’d had no chance to discuss the stone, being embroiled in constant conflict.

Though he hoped Huai Yin or Yi Qingchen might manage the matter, he hadn’t yet asked.

At this point, he didn’t have it—if he did, he’d still need to consult the two of them.

But Yin didn’t care. If the Old Man and Poison Thousand Hands managed to join forces, he’d have no hope for the stone.

It was a risky move, but if successful, it might turn Soul Master Gate’s current predicament around.

Don’t be deceived by their fearsome reputation as soul cultivators; the bitterness at their core was unknown to outsiders.

Soul cultivation had its merits, but there was a catch: once the body was destroyed, there was no chance of resurrection.

Yet the Imperial Sovereign Stone had miraculous effects on souls—could it not have been made for them? Who could let such an opportunity pass?

Morality? That was the privilege of the strong.

The weak could only submit.

Such was morality, and the truth of surviving.

His attack, real yet illusory, looked impressive at a glance. It also caught Huai Yin—his concern clouding his judgment—off guard.

With one move, Yin drew close to Su He.

His palm reached out like a specter, his speed unimaginable.

The moment their hands met, he sensed the trick—there was no force to absorb, as light as willow fluff.

Yin spun back and struck again. “If you know what’s good for you, hand it over.”

“Never.”

With that, Su He sheathed his sword, channeling his energy into his hands, and struck with both palms.

“Baili Su He, don’t refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit!” Yin retreated, stealing a glance at Su He in shock.

After steadying himself, his hand inside his sleeve tingled with numbness.

He’d underestimated his foe.

But what surprised him more was that, before he could recover, the Old Man and Poison Thousand Hands attacked him jointly.

Their intent was simple: Soul Master Gate’s techniques were unique—if they couldn’t kill in one blow, it would be trouble.

So, the two formed a brief alliance: eliminate Yin first, then compete for the stone.

Yin, unprepared, was severely injured, his soul body on the verge of dispersing.

Xue Chanzi and Cen Zhiren leapt to rescue him, standing guard before him.

“Cough... cough...” Yin coughed violently, sealing several acupoints with lightning fingers. He glared at the Old Man and Poison Thousand Hands, wishing he could devour their flesh.

One-on-one, he was unafraid. But these two, for the first time ever, joined forces over the Imperial Sovereign Stone.

Damn them all...

With Yin dealt with, both the Old Man and Poison Thousand Hands unleashed their ultimate moves at Su He.

Yi Qingchen’s expression changed; her hands flew to the strings.

But just then, another change occurred.

Lian Hen was the first to sense something amiss. He grabbed Baili Leren from the ground and, in a blink, fled hundreds of miles away.

Yin, clutching his chest, dared not act tough anymore. He glanced at Xue Chanzi and Cen Zhiren. “Go.”

A master had arrived; survival was paramount.

Poison Thousand Hands’s face turned icy. Mid-move, he suddenly withdrew, retreating into the woods in a few leaps. The Old Man did likewise.

No sooner had they entered the woods than a roar shook everyone, sending their blood surging wildly.

“Which of you is Baili Su He?”

Bai Lu Tongzi, Wu Lei, and the rest spat blood and fell unconscious.

In an instant, immortal light shattered.

Huai Yin forced himself to suppress his discomfort, lifting the Silver Wolf with a half-smile. “Brother, if we make it through this, you must get a few more bottles of elixirs for me from the master.

Otherwise, I fear an early grave.”

First wolves, now tigers—how would the few of them survive with three down?

Su He, hearing this, bowed his head and laughed. “Are you afraid?”

“Afraid? Of course. I’m afraid I’ll end up half-dead and have to lie in bed for seventeen or eighteen days.”

Before he finished, an old man tore through the void and arrived.

Tall and imposing, he strode with the gait of a dragon and tiger.

Yi Qingchen recognized him at once, put away her pipa, and joyfully stepped forward. “Uncle Qi!”

The newcomer halted, looking at her with a sudden shudder. “Little Chen’er? You’re alive?”

Certain of his identity, Yi Qingchen hurried forward. “I am, I am! Uncle Qi, weren’t you in seclusion? How did you come here?”

Qi Sage Lord grasped her soft hand, both shocked and overjoyed. “As long as you’re safe, that’s all that matters. We’ll discuss this later. Now—who is Baili Su He?”

As he spoke, a fierce wind surged out, and the killing intent was unmistakable.

Huai Yin groaned inwardly—clearly, he too had come for Shuxing Tower. If anyone from Desire Sea named Qi had ties to Shuxing Tower, it could only be Qi Sage Lord, Linglongzi.

Rumor had it he was close to the current tower master. With his power, he could crush Su He with ease.

Just as he feared, he considered impersonating Su He—after all, no matter what, he couldn’t let Su He die.

Otherwise, he’d never be able to answer to his master.

He had just moved his foot when he felt a hidden force lock him in place. He looked up in alarm, glaring at Su He—are you mad? Why are you restraining me?

Su He, back to him, advanced toward the old man. “Junior Baili Su He greets the elder.”

Qi Sage Lord eyed Su He up and down, then flicked his sleeve to knock Yi Qingchen back. “Good. Since you admit it, I won’t be killing the wrong person.”

“Uncle Qi! You’ve misunderstood...” Yi Qingchen rushed forward to explain, but Qi Sage Lord immobilized her with a gesture.

He suddenly swept his sleeves and unleashed two palms, flattening the nearby forest. “Brats, do you still hide from me?”

The Old Man and Poison Thousand Hands emerged from the woods, faces flushed with embarrassment.

They saluted. “Greetings, Sage Lord.”

“You two lurking in the woods—were you planning to ambush my dear niece?”

Poison Thousand Hands immediately waved his hands. “Misunderstanding, Sage Lord! We came only for Baili Su He.

But your arrival is timely. Rumor has it he destroyed Shuxing Tower and abducted its young master, bewitching him to risk life and limb for him.”

“Repeat that?”

Yi Qingchen cried, “Uncle Qi, it’s not as they say! Please hear me out—”

But Uncle Qi cut her off. “Chen’er, you’re too kind, unaware of the world’s dangers.

Let your uncle avenge your father first, then we’ll talk things over at home.”

“No, Uncle Qi, he’s really not—” Yi Qingchen tried to muster her energy, but could not summon the slightest power.

She knew Qi Sage Lord’s character: loyal, passionate, but impulsive and never one to listen to explanations.

She was at a loss, frantic with worry.

Seizing the moment, Poison Thousand Hands added, “Sage Lord, you’ve just emerged from seclusion and likely know only of Shuxing Tower. But what of the Imperial Sovereign Stone?”

“Hm?” Qi Sage Lord’s gaze turned icy, a cold intent radiating from him.

Yi Qingchen’s heart skipped a beat. This was bad.

“We heard,” Poison Thousand Hands continued smugly, glancing at the Old Man, “that after destroying Shuxing Tower and abducting the young master, he made him risk his life to fetch the stone from Imperial Sovereign Island.”

The Old Man, glancing at the battered Twenty Wen, wished nothing more than for Su He’s death. He nodded. “Indeed, we... only wished to confirm the matter.”

Qi Sage Lord snorted. “Keep your schemes to yourselves, or I won’t mind killing two more.

Boy, speak.

Did my Chen’er go to Imperial Sovereign Island because of you?”

Yi Qingchen frantically signaled Su He with her eyes: Don’t, don’t!

Su He folded his robe, bowed, and answered respectfully, “Yes.”

“Good. The rest of you, step aside. I do not kill the innocent—withdraw.”

The Old Man glanced at Su He, lowering his eyes to conceal a flash of cunning. “Please, Sage Lord.”

Poison Thousand Hands bowed and withdrew as well, forming a second tacit alliance.

Huai Yin refused to budge, intending to share the risk, but Su He snapped, “Stand down. Take the other three and leave.”

“You—”

Qi Sage Lord’s gaze was as sharp as a blade, making Huai Yin’s heart tremble. He hurried to Bai Lu Tongzi’s side.

Once Huai Yin retreated, Qi Sage Lord fixed his gaze on Su He. “One blow. If you survive, the feud with Shuxing Tower ends here.”

“Thank you, elder.”

Suddenly, laughter rang out—the voice present but the figure unseen.

“Who’s there? Show yourself!” Qi Sage Lord’s brows knit coldly.

“Hahaha, how disgraceful...”