Chapter One Hundred and Five: The Yin-Yang Spring

“Brother, where are we going?” After leaving the Jade Sword Sect, Yan Qingqing's mood improved considerably, especially since that Liu Xiaoxiao always gave her an inexplicable sense of threat.

Long Yun smiled faintly and said, “To a place where I bear a deep grudge.”

“Did they bully you, Brother? I won’t let them get away with it!” Yan Qingqing clenched her small fists determinedly.

A warm feeling stirred in Long Yun’s heart. He patted her head with a smile and said, “Don’t worry, no one can bully me yet. Every grudge will be settled, one by one.”

“All right! I’ll go with you to collect what’s owed!” Yan Qingqing clapped her hands and smiled, her delicate brows arching like a crescent moon, her eyes like clear autumn waters, accompanied by shallow dimples that stirred Long Yun’s heart.

“All right, let’s go,” Long Yun said softly, steadying his emotions.

At the Jade Sword Sect, Shangguan Yu returned with a group of powerful experts. The disciples immediately erupted in excitement. The sect leader’s return signified victory, which was a great boost to the morale of the dispirited Jade Sword Sect.

“Where is Elder Li?” Shangguan Yu sat heavily in the council hall chair, suddenly feeling fatigued. The recent fierce battles had taken a substantial toll.

An elder on guard hurried forward to report, “Just now, Qing Sect sent an order. The Blood Origin Sect, gathering many demonic factions, has besieged Yin Yang Sect. They requested Jade Sword Sect’s experts to assist. Elder Li has already led some disciples ahead.”

Upon hearing this, Shangguan Yu’s expression darkened. Indeed, the attack on Yan Sect was merely a ruse to divert the righteous path’s attention.

Their true target was Yin Yang Spring!

Yin Yang Spring lay within the Yin Yang Sect’s sphere of influence and was the source of spiritual energy for the entire Qing Mountain system. The spiritual veins of all sects in the Qing Mountain system branched from Yin Yang Spring.

If Yin Yang Spring were destroyed, the spiritual energy of the Qing Mountain system would be completely depleted, leaving the entire region to fall under the dominion of the demonic path. The Blood Origin Sect’s scheme was truly formidable.

However, Qing Sect, fully aware of Yan Sect’s plight, still notified Jade Sword Sect, revealing their persistent animosity toward Jade Sword.

Thus, the disciples led by Li Huafei likely faced grim prospects.

Shangguan Yu frowned deeply, then suddenly stood and addressed the weary elders from the various branches beside him, “We must hasten to Yin Yang Sect!”

Chang Yi’s expression twitched slightly. “Sect Leader, our disciples have endured continuous fierce battles and are utterly exhausted. The elders are injured, and their vital energy severely depleted. If we go now, we may be of little help.”

Shangguan Yu sighed. “I know, but Elder Li and the others are our brothers. We cannot let them face danger alone.”

Chang Yi nodded. Indeed, if they did not go, the few disciples under Li Huafei’s command might perish, despite the allied righteous sects’ cooperation.

However, the forces mostly consisted of individual sect units. The Jade Sword Sect disciples led by Li Huafei were not elites and were easily overwhelmed, becoming cannon fodder.

“Sect Leader, I suggest the ordinary disciples stay behind. Only a few elders should go. Though few in number, this will minimize casualties,” Chang Yi proposed.

This time, Shangguan Yu did not object. “Chang Yi, Chen Long, Xiao Leng, you three accompany me. Chang Yi’s suggestion is wise. Sending ordinary disciples will only add to the losses.”

The three elders nodded and approached Shangguan Yu.

“Sect Leader, I will go too!” Liu Xiaoxiao suddenly stood and spoke to Shangguan Yu.

Shangguan Yu’s brows twitched slightly. Having advanced to the Fusion Realm after this battle, her cultivation surpassed that of the three elders. But her injuries from the fight with Shadow Assassin had not yet healed—she must not risk further harm.

He said gently, “Xiaoxiao, you are injured. Don’t push yourself. Stay at the sect to handle other matters.”

Liu Xiaoxiao smiled gracefully. “Sect Leader, rest assured. Thanks to Senior Brother Long Yun’s healing, I have recovered halfway now. The journey to Yin Yang Spring will take at least two days. I believe I can reach peak condition before then. One more person means one more strength!”

Shangguan Yu lowered his head to ponder, then finally nodded.

With a firm decision, Shangguan Yu led Chang Yi and the other two elders, along with Liu Xiaoxiao—a party of five—toward Yin Yang Spring.

Meanwhile, Long Yun and Yan Qingqing had already entered Qing Sect’s territory.

Concealed in the shadows, they carefully suppressed their aura. Both possessed unique vital energy natures, making their concealment exceptionally effective. They advanced slowly without raising alarm.

Large groups of Qing Sect disciples hurried out from the sect’s gates, their destination unknown. Long Yun sensed that the Blood Origin Sect’s assault extended beyond Yan Sect alone.

“Brother, what are they doing? Who is your enemy? Why don’t we just charge in and kill them? Sneaking around is pointless!” Yan Qingqing wrinkled her cute nose and asked softly.

Long Yun smiled gently. “Soon, I’ll take you to do something important. If it succeeds, it will be far more satisfying than tearing them to pieces.”

Yan Qingqing’s eyes brightened instantly. Known for her mischief in Canglang Ravine, she was delighted at the prospect of excitement and could hardly wait to get started.

Long Yun’s mission was to seize the Pillar of Heaven and restore the Cycle Mirror.

The Qing Sect disciples appeared anxious, so Long Yun and Yan Qingqing managed to approach the Pillar of Heaven smoothly. Gazing at the towering stone pillar, Long Yun frowned slightly.

He was uncertain how many experts Qing Sect still had on guard. Breaking the pillar’s seal would inevitably cause a commotion, alerting the sect’s remaining elite.

If Qing Sect had fighters beyond his capability, even if he succeeded in breaking the seal, he might not be able to take the Pillar of Heaven away.

Thinking this over, Long Yun glanced at Yan Qingqing and noticed her bright eyes fixed on the Pillar, seemingly fascinated.

“Qingqing, your cultivation is at the Innate Fifth Realm, Fusion Stage. If you exert your full power, what level of opponent can you handle?” he asked.

Yan Qingqing smiled faintly. “I’m not sure. But Uncle Canglang said if I go all out, I can hold off someone at the Innate Seventh Realm for a while. Brother, don’t worry. Here in Qing Sect, I haven’t sensed anything threatening yet.”

Long Yun felt a slight relief and nodded. “This Pillar of Heaven is a major secret of Qing Sect. It holds a demonic seal inside. I’ll need time to break it. Qingqing, protect me.”

Yan Qingqing nodded. Long Yun’s gaze sharpened, and he flickered upward, lightly landing atop the Pillar of Heaven.

He channeled his Heavenly-Seizing Vital Energy through his soles into the Pillar. The once silent monument began to tremble violently.

All the reliefs on the pillar’s surface started to flow and shift. Under the dark night sky, faint black light rose, subtle yet ominous.

A sinister aura was released.

Black runes danced unpredictably along the pillar’s surface. Snaking black lightning flickered, even rebounding his vital energy!

Long Yun snorted coldly, unleashing a massive surge of Heavenly-Seizing Vital Energy. He had to break the seal quickly; the longer it lasted, the more disadvantageous it became.

With a roar, his sword intent howled forth, merging with his vital energy into a conical sword qi that slammed into the black light curtain on the Pillar.

“Boom!” Like a blade through bamboo, Long Yun’s Heavenly-Seizing power was a perfect blend of the four supreme forces: Creation, Reincarnation, Demon Essence, and Heavenly Seizing itself.

Each was a peerless power capable of countering the demonic supreme qi.

The black curtain shattered explosively. The enormous shockwave rippled outward, shaking the ground violently.

“Hum!” The Pillar of Heaven spun rapidly, forming a hurricane of black qi that surged against Long Yun’s vital energy, clashing and dissipating each other.