“Yes, even the Six Kings have come,” Jiu You said, puzzled.
“Did you get into some kind of trouble, young master?”
“Let’s go out and take a look,” Xu Zimo replied with a smile, getting out of bed and heading straight outside.
As soon as he opened the door, he saw Zhang Tianlin waiting nearby with a group of people.
“Sect Master, is something the matter?” Xu Zimo asked curiously.
“Lin Qiu, you’ve been with our Empyrean Sect for a while now, and especially yesterday, you helped defend the sect against the Dragon God attack. As the sect master, I saw everything,” Zhang Tianlin said with a smile.
“As a disciple of the sect, it was my duty,” Xu Zimo replied, smiling and waving it off.
“I’m glad you see it that way,” Zhang Tianlin smiled again.
“The sect now has a mission of life and death to entrust to you. If you succeed, I will name you the Holy Son of the Empyrean Sect of the World King.”
“Please speak, Sect Master,” Xu Zimo nodded.
“To find and merge with the Blood Lizard,” Zhang Tianlin said slowly, exchanging glances with the others.
“Sect Master, this is serious. From what I know, the Blood Lizard is a special kind of lizard that requires a fusion technique,” Xu Zimo said. “But that fusion technique has long been lost.”
“This?” Zhang Tianlin pulled out a freshly transcribed book.
Xu Zimo looked at the book in surprise, then fell into thought and said, “Didn’t expect our sect to have something like this.”
“Well?” Zhang Tianlin asked.
Xu Zimo didn’t answer right away. After a moment of silence, he said apologetically, “I’d like to help, but unfortunately, my strength is too low. I’m willing, but not able.”
“Don’t worry, the sect never intended for you to go alone,” Zhang Tianlin said, clapping his hands.
Five people stepped forward from behind him.
Among them were three men and two women.
The three men: One wore black robes and carried a heavy sword on his back. One wore blue robes with a three-foot longsword hanging from his waist. One was thin, with two curved blades on his back.
The two women: One wore a bright red long robe with heavy makeup and alluring red lipstick. The other wore a floral qipao with her hair in two buns, and had a very sweet smile.
“Fang Xiang, Liu Rufeng, Mu Zhoubai, Yin Rong, Liu Yiyi.”
After they had all introduced themselves, Xu Zimo nodded slightly and said, “Lin Qiu.”
At that moment, Huangfu Xianyue walked into the courtyard.
She said, “Father, I want to go too.”
“Xian’er, you-” Huangfu Xuan looked at her, a bit surprised.
“Since all of us have sent people, if your daughter wants to go too, you can’t play favorites,” the World King said with a smile.
“Go then, I can’t stop you anyway,” the Red King said irritably, waving his hand.
“Thank you, Father,” Huangfu Xianyue said with a smile, bowing slightly.
Seeing the seven of them assembled, Zhang Tianlin smiled in satisfaction and then said solemnly, “You are the hope of the sect, and you should know what mission you bear. I won’t say any more unnecessary words. If you succeed and return, your deeds will be recorded in the sect’s annals. I’m counting on you all.”
Having said this, Zhang Tianlin bowed to them with the dignity of a sect master.
The six kings behind him also bowed slightly, showing their respect.
“Alright,” Xu Zimo nodded seriously. “No matter how perilous the journey ahead, we shall not fail in our duty.”
“Good, you are all the pride of our Empyrean Sect,” Zhang Tianlin said, eyes slightly misty, and added, “Take care.”
“Sect Master, should we depart now?” Xu Zimo asked.
“They’re all ready. It’s up to you. If you want to take a moment to prepare, that’s fine too,” Zhang Tianlin replied.
“No need. I’d hate to keep everyone waiting,” Xu Zimo said with a smile. “Besides, I don’t have much to pack.”
“Then let’s head out now,” Huangfu Xianyue added.
“Jiu You, let’s go,” Xu Zimo called.
“What’s the rush, Young Master Lin? You’re coming back, aren’t you? Better let Miss Jiu You stay here in the sect. The Misty Forest is full of dangers, it’s better she doesn’t go,” the World King suggested.
Xu Zimo chuckled. So they’re afraid I won’t come back and want to keep Jiu You as a hostage?
Zhang Tianlin frowned slightly but didn’t object.
He despised such tactics, but the matter was too important. There was no room for error.
Better safe than sorry.
“Alright then. Jiu You, stay here in the Empyrean Sect for a while,” Xu Zimo said, nodding.
Jiu You looked worried but didn’t argue. She could only nod helplessly.
……
Thanks to their storage rings, no one had anything to pack.
After introducing themselves, the group left the Empyrean Sect under the watchful eyes of Zhang Tianlin and the others, heading southeast toward the Misty Forest.
Watching them disappear into the distance, the Red King said with concern, “Leaving the future of the sect in the hands of a few young ones, do you really think this will work?”
“If I had another choice, I would never gamble like this,” Zhang Tianlin said quietly.
“We must stay behind to guard the sect. These are the best disciples of their generation.”
“Sigh… the Ancestor…” the Red King paused and asked, “Is he really gone?”
“That’s not for you to know,” Zhang Tianlin said, casting him a glance.
“Then what should we do now?” King Ze asked.
“Activate the Guardian Formation. Open all domain barriers. We’ll defend the sect together for as long as we can,” Zhang Tianlin instructed.
“And make sure to hide some disciples. If something truly disastrous happens, at least we’ll have a spark of hope left.”
……
The brilliant sun in the sky shone brightly, casting its light across the world.
The seven of them marched forward in the autumn breeze, just as summer was beginning its journey.
“Hey everyone, don’t be so tense. Let’s lighten up a bit,” Mu Zhoubai said with a laugh.
He carried two curved blades on his back. Though not fat, his belly was a bit round.
“How much do you know about the Misty Forest?” asked Fang Xiang, who wore a black robe and carried a heavy sword. He was calm and reserved.
“I’ve been there once,” said Liu Yiyi, one of the women in the group. “The hardest part is not knowing directions, north, south, east, west, it’s easy to get lost forever in there. And there are also hidden spirit beasts lurking in the shadows.”
“You’ve been there?” Huangfu Xianyue asked, surprised.
“Well, not really. I just tagged along with others near the edge once, but we got out quickly,” Liu Yiyi said, a bit embarrassed.