The Patriarch Minghe, hearing Xu Fang’s words, found his nascent feelings of gratitude dissipating.
However, gazing at the scene unfolding on the Blood Sea, he could only sigh.
Just as Xu Fang had said, giant waves were constantly erupting from the Blood Sea, rising and falling, truly resembling explosions.
“Fellow Daoist Xu Fang, that was well put. You must not say such things again!”
Patriarch Minghe sighed. Xu Fang’s analogy was apt and vivid. Normally, he might have chuckled in agreement.
But now, he couldn’t bring himself to smile, for his home was truly in turmoil.
“Alright, Fellow Daoist Minghe, what are you waiting for? Go and see what’s happening!”
Xu Fang urged. Patriarch Minghe didn’t delay, closing his eyes, his brows furrowed. He muttered incantations, clearly using his divine abilities to commune with the Blood Sea.
Xu Fang wasn't in a hurry. Seizing this opportunity, he brought the Golden-winged Great Peng and the other two to his side.
The Golden-winged Great Peng and his companions watched the explosions on the Blood Sea up close, utterly awestruck and marveling.
Undeniably, the spectacle was magnificent and dazzling. If Patriarch Minghe hadn't been present, one would surely have celebrated such a scene with song and dance.
After a while, Patriarch Minghe finally opened his eyes.
“How is it?”
Xu Fang inquired. Patriarch Minghe looked up, shook his head, his brows still tightly knit in worry.
“Not good. I am currently unable to commune with the Blood Sea, nor can I locate the source of this unrest!”
Hearing this, Xu Fang and the others were greatly astonished.
The Blood Sea was the birthplace of Patriarch Minghe, and he had managed it for so many years, making it his unshakeable domain.
Now, the master of this place, Patriarch Minghe, was unable to connect with the Blood Sea?
“What’s going on? Old Minghe, are you sure? Did someone steal from your home?”
“Indeed, didn’t you just say the Blood Sea was peaceful? Could someone be coveting it?”
“If all else fails, let’s go find the Qilin Seal for now. Perhaps it will return to normal after some time?”
The Golden-winged Great Peng, Ao Xue, and the Little Qilin spoke up, causing Patriarch Minghe’s heart to sink.
Could it really be as this great bird suggested, that his home had been raided?
“Alright, stop scaring him, all of you.”
Xu Fang waved his hand, silencing his three little followers. Patriarch Minghe was already distraught; their fear-mongering was only adding fuel to the fire.
“What’s wrong? Are you sensing it incorrectly?”
Xu Fang, disbelieving, looked at Patriarch Minghe and pressed for an answer.
“No mistake. Even though I am now very close to the Blood Sea, I still cannot sense it.”
Patriarch Minghe shook his head, then fell into thought.
“It’s as if… something is separating me from the Blood Sea.”
Patriarch Minghe described his sensation. After pondering for a moment, Xu Fang spoke.
“Could there be some grand formation present, severing your connection with the Blood Sea?”
Xu Fang surmised. Patriarch Minghe’s eyes lit up with contemplation.
As long as the Blood Sea didn’t dry up, Minghe wouldn’t die. Conversely, as long as he himself lived, his connection with the Blood Sea should never be severed.
Now that he couldn’t sense the Blood Sea, it was highly probable that some grand formation was indeed in place, isolating them, making what was near feel distant.
With this thought, Patriarch Minghe looked at Xu Fang and nodded repeatedly.
“I believe Fellow Daoist Xu Fang is right. Why don’t we join forces and reveal this formation?”
Xu Fang had no objections. If a grand formation were present, revealing it and then dismantling it would allow Patriarch Minghe to re-establish his connection with the Blood Sea.
Thus, Xu Fang and Patriarch Minghe immediately began to channel their magical powers, preparing to strike out in all directions, searching for the hidden formation.
At that moment, a voice rang out.
“Old Ancestor, do not panic! We have arrived!”
Hearing this, Patriarch Minghe looked in a certain direction, his magical power receding.
Xu Fang, seeing this, also dissipated his own power, following Patriarch Minghe’s gaze.
Dozens of figures were rushing over, quickly landing beside Patriarch Minghe.
“Killing intent! Demonic path!”
Xu Fang exclaimed, sensing the aura emanating from these figures. His magical treasure instantly shot out, enveloping them.
The dozens of figures were taken aback, then burst into laughter.
“Greetings, Old Ancestor! We welcome your return!”
A man at the forefront spoke, leading a group of beings in bowing to Patriarch Minghe.
“Rise. No need for excessive ceremony.”
Patriarch Minghe waved them off and explained to Xu Fang.
“Fellow Daoist Xu Fang, you need not worry. They were indeed once followers of the demonic path, serving Lord Rahu. After Rahu’s defeat, they had no place in the Primordial Era, so I took them in.”
Xu Fang recalled this matter upon hearing him.
Rahu’s defeat had led to countless casualties among his demonic followers. The remnants were no longer tolerated by the world, and most went into hiding.
Some fled into the Blood Sea, becoming subordinates of Patriarch Minghe.
Later, when Patriarch Minghe established the Netherworld Cult, he declared himself the successor to the demonic lineage, attracting many of Rahu’s former followers and becoming one of the prominent sects of the era.
After explaining to Xu Fang, Patriarch Minghe turned to his subordinates and inquired.
“What is going on? Did I not instruct you to guard the stronghold properly?”
“Why, upon my return, do I see such great turmoil in the Blood Sea?”
Patriarch Minghe was somewhat angered. After all, witnessing his home explode before his eyes, and being unable to sense the Blood Sea, how could he speak with a pleasant tone?
“This!”
The Blood Sea subordinates, hearing this and feeling Patriarch Minghe’s wrath, began to stammer, casting their gazes towards the man at the forefront.
Patriarch Minghe’s gaze followed his subordinates, landing on the man. His expression darkened, and he demanded.
“Wuming, tell me, what is happening?”
The man called Wuming did not appear as nervous as the others. He cupped his fists in a salute to Patriarch Minghe.
“The matter here is grave and difficult to explain in detail. I request the Old Ancestor to enter the Blood Sea to understand.”
Patriarch Minghe heard this and shook his head.
“Alas, you fellows are truly useless!”
Patriarch Minghe lamented their lack of capability but was helpless. He turned back to Xu Fang.
“Fellow Daoist Xu Fang, let us first enter the Blood Sea and investigate what has happened!”
Hearing this, Xu Fang repeatedly shook his head.
“Fellow Daoist Minghe, don’t do that. We have no grievances, no enmity. Why would you want to set a trap for us like this!”
Xu Fang said this to Patriarch Minghe, his gaze fixed intently on the man in front, a slight smile on his face.
I don't believe a word of it! All those sweet talks are just to lure us in and kill us!