Zhao Yunzhou's efficiency was incredibly fast. He mobilized all the resources and connections of the City Lord's Mansion, running around to beg for favors, and managed to gather all the materials within three days.
Xue Mingzhao led everyone once again into this wretched place that had plagued the Eastern Territory for seventeen long years.
When Zhao Yunzhou saw that terrifying spatial rift with his own eyes, all the doubts and resentment he had harbored for so long finally settled.
Over the past seventeen years, he had sent out large numbers of people, turning the entire seabed upside down dozens of times, only to end up with nothing.
It turned out the culprit was right here, quietly plundering the Eastern Territory's spiritual energy for over a decade.
He stood there for a long time, harboring resentment in his heart, and muttered a curse under his breath before turning to Mu Tianqing. “Elder Mu, please begin.”
Mu Tianqing focused his mind and held his breath, his spiritual energy flowing slowly as ancient formation runes spread out across the rock wall.
Halfway through the sealing process, a violent turbulence suddenly erupted from the depths of the rift, causing the entire ground to shake.
Caught off guard, Mu Tianqing was forced back half a step, a trace of blood spilling from the corner of his mouth.
Quick-witted and fast-acting, Zhao Yunzhou and Su Mingyuan simultaneously stepped forward to press down on the formation's core.
Wen Shuxian and Ji Yushu also stabilized the formation from both sides. Together, they managed to suppress the rampaging spiritual energy.
Mu Tianqing stabilized his footing, wiped the blood from his mouth, and continued laying the formation.
Zhao Yunzhou stood to the side, staring intently at the working formation, his heart pounding in sync with the glowing runes.
After three full hours, the massive spatial rift was finally sealed tight by the formation.
The spiritual energy that had been endlessly rushing toward the rift lost its direction. After a brief hesitation, it turned around and slowly drifted upward.
Zhao Yunzhou desperately suppressed his surging emotions to keep from shouting out loud.
Dongcang Heavenly Capital had come back to life!
He heavily patted Su Mingyuan's shoulder, his throat bobbing several times, before finally squeezing out a hoarse sentence: “I will remember the Grand Primordium Sect's contribution to the Eastern Territory.”
Seeing his reddened eyes, Su Mingyuan was also slightly touched. He gently patted the back of Zhao Yunzhou's hand. “The Eastern Territory's business is also our Grand Primordium Sect's business.”
The group returned to the Grand Primordium Sect's main hall, their steps lighter than usual. Even the spiritual finches under the eaves seemed to chirp a few more times.
Zhao Yunzhou straightened his collar and bowed solemnly to Su Mingyuan. “Brother Mingyuan, I will certainly host a banquet to entertain you all another day. Right now, the revival of spiritual energy is of utmost importance, and the City Lord's Mansion has many urgent matters to arrange. I shall take my leave first.”
Su Mingyuan cupped his hands in return, and the elders also stood up to see him off.
After sending Zhao Yunzhou off, the group was about to enter the main hall when they saw Li Buqi standing at the entrance with his hands on his hips, his toes tapping the ground repeatedly. He had clearly been waiting for a long time.
Seeing them return, he raised his chin and began throwing another tantrum. “You went out again without taking me! Since I don't mean anything to you all, there's no point in me staying in the Grand Primordium Sect. I want to go down the mountain! I want to go back and be the young master of the Li family!”
The group walked past him, laughing and chatting, without giving him so much as a glance.
Seeing that no one was paying attention to him, Li Buqi stood in place, his face flushing red with anger as his voice grew louder: “What is the meaning of this! I have no freedom at all in this crappy sect. I want to leave the sect!”
“Even these two newcomers get better treatment than me! No one cares about me at all!”
“I want to go home!”
Despite his shouting, everyone continued their casual conversation.
Unable to save face, Li Buqi kicked the stone lion beside him in a fit of rage.
With a loud crash, the stone lion, which was taller than a person, was kicked right over, rolling twice on the ground before stopping.
A youth nearby silently walked over and set the stone lion upright, saying helplessly, “Senior Brother, Master values you the most. He will be sad if you say things like that.”
Seeing someone finally pay attention to him, Li Buqi became even more energized. “What business is it of yours! Hurry up and bring me my bundle for leaving the sect! Can't you see I'm about to leave?!”
Another youth, who looked exactly the same, poked his head out from the side and whispered, “Something that can fit in a storage bag has to be packed in a bundle, as if you're terrified others won't know you're running away. Besides, you can't even get out.”
“Ji Anzhi! Say that again! Do you believe I'll hang you from a tree?!” Li Buqi yelled furiously. As he made to grab him, Su Mingyuan caught sight of the scene.
Su Mingyuan had been in such a good mood today that he was practically humming a tune, but seeing Li Buqi making a scene again, his face instantly darkened. He barked, “Li Buqi! Get over here!”
Seeing this, the others in the main hall very tactfully retreated, clearing the space for Su Mingyuan to lecture him.
Xue Mingzhao clung to the doorframe, clicking her tongue in wonder. Master was usually so easygoing and generous to everyone that she had thought he had no temper.
While Li Buqi was being hauled off by Su Mingyuan for a lecture, Qi Wuyang stopped the two youths from earlier and introduced them to Xue Mingzhao. “Let me introduce them to you. This is Fourth Brother Ji Laizhi, and Fifth Brother Ji Anzhi.”
Xue Mingzhao sized up the twins, thinking to herself that she had finally met all her fellow disciples today.
Both of them were handsome youths with curved eyes and straight noses. Even the tiny cinnabar mole on their earlobes was positioned exactly the same.
If one only looked at their faces, no one would be able to tell who was the older brother and who was the younger brother.
Xue Mingzhao glanced at their dantians.
Both possessed high-grade gold, water, and earth triple spiritual roots.
The older brother, Ji Laizhi, was at the sixth level of Foundation Establishment.
The younger brother... was at the great perfection of Qi Condensation.
Good heavens, what a huge difference.
It seemed Fourth Senior Brother usually trained very diligently, while Fifth Senior Brother... was mostly just there for participation.
At the same time, Ji Laizhi was also sizing up Xue Mingzhao and Su Ye.
He smiled gently and spoke in a warm tone, “You must be Sixth Junior Brother and Seventh Junior Sister. This is our first meeting. I hope these self-defense items will be of use to you.”
Ji Laizhi signaled for them to stretch out their hands.
A crystal-clear droplet of water condensed at his fingertip, which he gently let fall onto the back of Xue Mingzhao's hand.
The moment the water droplet touched her skin, it seemed to come alive, circling her index finger twice before quietly melting into her skin.
“This is Cold-Awakening Dew. I happened to obtain it in a mystic realm, and there are only ten drops in total. It will merge with your body. Once you encounter malice, demonic energy, yin energy, or evil spirits, a layer of frost will appear on your fingertips.”
After explaining, he placed a drop of Cold-Awakening Dew on Su Ye in the same manner.
Xue Mingzhao looked at her fingertip. Wasn't this just a portable alarm in the cultivation world?
She and Su Ye cupped their hands together to thank him. “Thank you, Fourth Senior Brother.”
Standing nearby, Ji Anzhi scratched his head sheepishly. He pulled two bags of dried fruit from his storage bag and handed them over, his cheeks flushing slightly. “I... I don't have anything impressive to offer. These are dried Clear Spirit fruits I made myself. They taste pretty good. Would you like to try some?”
Xue Mingzhao took them, tore a bag open on the spot, and popped a piece into her mouth. Her eyes lit up instantly. “Wow! Thank you, Fifth Senior Brother! I have a weakness for these kinds of snacks. This is exactly what I like!”
Delighted, Ji Anzhi's eyes and brows relaxed into a smile. “Not just pastries and candied fruits—I'm good at making soups, stews, and all kinds of spiritual meals. In the future, just let me know whatever you want to eat.”
Xue Mingzhao and Su Ye grabbed his hands simultaneously, their expressions solemn. “Then we won't stand on ceremony.”
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