Translator: She.Wee

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Chapter 91: The Grand Wedding

Inside the camp stationed by Nuan Yan Pavilion.

“Absurd!” A high-ranking cultivator from Nuan Yan Pavilion shouted angrily. “Do you not understand the situation? How can you still be thinking about the disciples trapped in the array? Focus on how to reverse our current predicament first!”

Yu Yanshu had gone to negotiate with the demonic sect alone, and upon returning, he proposed that the Nascent Soul cultivators from Nuan Yan Pavilion should enter Qingze Sect to operate some kind of teleportation array to rescue a few disciples.

They had just fought against Qingze Sect and were forced to retreat in defeat. Now, he was asking them to enter Qingze Sect’s territory and put themselves in a vulnerable position while operating their techniques, essentially offering themselves up for slaughter. This was clearly a suicidal mission!

It was utterly ridiculous!

Other cultivators began to curse as well, slapping the table in anger as they scolded, “Guannan, your Dao companion is a demonic cultivator. First, you led people to retreat and became a deserter, and now you’ve taught such a ridiculous disciple! What’s wrong with you? Let me offer you a suggestion: your disciple’s mind is clearly not right, and even though he has a single spiritual root, he shouldn’t be tolerated. He should be executed as an example to others!”

Another person chimed in, “This disciple must be a spy for the demonic sect. Seeing that we haven’t been wiped out, he now wants us to walk into our own deaths!”

Guannan Tianzun, who was also gravely injured, was meditating when he finally opened his eyes and looked at Yu Yanshu. He said, “Explain your reasoning to them. They are not unreasonable people.”

Then, he turned to the others and asked in a tone tinged with threat, “Isn’t that right?”

Nuan Yan Pavilion originally had many powerful cultivators, but they were all seriously injured, especially Tianzun Xianyue, who was in a coma due to her severe wounds. Even with top-grade elixirs, it would take ten to eight years of secluded cultivation for her to fully recover.

Among the cultivators present, Guannan Tianzun was the strongest, and he had the ability to set up arrays. If he truly became angry, the others would not dare to act rashly.

With Guannan Tianzun’s question, everyone fell silent.

Yu Yanshu, the only junior present, could only stand by the side.

He listened to their impassioned accusations, trembling with anger.

Finally, he had a chance to speak, so he adjusted his tone and said, “As members of a prestigious sect, we should uphold our noble standards. It is our duty to protect our disciples. Even if it’s dangerous, we should rescue them, so they don’t lose faith in us. Knowing that their seniors will back them up, they will dare to charge forward in the future.” The Tianzun who had initially cursed retorted angrily, “Nonsense! If we all perish, Nuan Yan Pavilion will be no more, and their lives will be lost too. What difference does it make whether they feel betrayed or not?”

Nascent Soul cultivators naturally carried an aura of intimidation, especially when enraged. Yu Yanshu was so shaken by the spiritual force that he stumbled, but Guannan Tianzun protected him, setting up a barrier in front of him.Yu Yanshu raised his chin, trying to maintain his composure, and continued, “I advise the elders to preserve some dignity for our sect. When the situation is reported later, we can at least claim that we tried to rescue our disciples but had no choice but to engage in a battle. In the end, the demonic sect compromised and allowed us to use the teleportation array to save our disciples.”

If the current situation is reported, it will only show that Nuan Yan Pavilion attacked the demonic sect and failed miserably, returning home in defeat.”

Furthermore, when Tianzun Xianyue insisted on killing Xi Huai outside the protective array, disregarding the safety of other disciples, it caused much resentment among the sects affiliated with us. They came to help, but their disciples were injured, and Nuan Yan Pavilion ignored them, only intent on exterminating the high-ranking demonic cultivators.”

Now that Nuan Yan Pavilion has suffered significant losses, the other sects are starting to question their loyalty to us. In less than a year or two, the dominance of our sect among the righteous paths will likely wane.”

If we go to rescue people now, we might at least salvage some reputation and avoid looking so disgraceful.”

The elders were furious after hearing this. “Are you threatening us?”

Yu Yanshu replied calmly, “I wouldn’t dare.”

“This is obviously a trap set by Qingze Sect, yet you, an ignorant child, fell for it and now dare to criticize us! This is sheer stupidity!”

Yu Yanshu clenched his fists and stubbornly retorted, “When you attacked the demonic sect, you claimed it was for the well-being of future generations, to eliminate the scourge of the demonic sect and prevent future troubles. But now, you disregard the lives of your disciples. Is this truly for our benefit? Or are you just eliminating your rivals? Or are you simply envious of Qingze Sect’s growing prosperity that’s outpacing Nuan Yan Pavilion?”

The other elders wanted to argue back but found that any further words would only expose their hypocrisy.Their actions indeed contradicted their original claims.

Guannan Tianzun took this opportunity to say, “When you decided to attack the demonic sect, I didn’t object and followed along. Now, I plan to enter Qingze Sect to borrow their array and save our disciples. Who’s willing to join me?”

After his question, the others fell silent.

Some stammered, “Let’s wait until we recover and then discuss it further.”

Guannan Tianzun sneered, “It seems you truly have no sense of honor left. You’re even worse than a junior.”

One of the elders still refused, “But if we enter Qingze Sect and their cultivators take the opportunity to attack us…”

Guannan Tianzun remained indifferent, “You call them a demonic sect, but they may not be as shameless as you. Why must you judge others with the heart of a petty person?”

The elder continued to argue, “Your Dao companion is a demonic cultivator. Are you planning to help your Dao companion lead us to our doom?”

“Lan Nuo Tianzun, if I’m not mistaken, of the disciples who lost their three souls and seven spirits, your Second Abode accounts for thirty percent. How about this: those willing to go can bring their disciples to Qingze Sect for rescue. Those unwilling to go can forget about their disciples.”

This statement was a heavy blow.

Among the seniors of Nuan Yan Pavilion, some would risk their lives to save their disciples, while others, prioritizing their own safety, would choose not to go.

How would the remaining disciples feel, watching the other abodes’ disciples being rescued, while their own seniors abandoned their fellow disciples?

This situation was indeed difficult.

With Guannan Tianzun’s assistance, Yu Yanshu successfully persuaded fifteen Tianzuns to accompany him to Qingze Sect.

After they left, they notified their disciples and brought those previously injured by Xi Huai to Qingze Sect for treatment.

Disciples from the Second Abode, who hadn’t been informed, were confused and urgently sought out their seniors, only to be scolded away.

Some disciples, unwilling to give up, directly approached Yu Yanshu. They all knew that Yu Yanshu had gone to Qingze Sect alone to plead for their cause, and during the discussion, he was the only Golden Core disciple present. Now, they had no choice but to ask him.

Yu Yanshu was in a difficult position. After hesitating for a moment, he explained, “The seniors from the Second Abode are gravely injured and unwilling to take the risk of rescuing anyone, so…”

Even though it was their own decision, Yu Yanshu now had to make excuses for these seniors.

“But the disciples from the Third and Fourth Abodes have all gone! Even the outer sect disciples have gone!”

“I…” Yu Yanshu was just as troubled, if not more so. “I tried my best to persuade them, but I’ve done all I can.”

“Our senior brothers have excellent potential, but now they are just empty shells. What should we do?” The disciple was so anxious he was on the verge of tears, pacing back and forth.

Yu Yanshu pondered for a long time before coming up with an idea: “Unless they join the Third Abode, we can’t help the disciples of the other Abodes.”

The disciples from the other residences realized the conversation had broken down, and they left on bad terms.

Guannan Tianzun of the Third Abode took the lead in rescuing people, while the elders of the other residences abandoned their disciples.

If they wanted to be rescued, they had no choice but to join the Third Abode.They could only watch helplessly as these people carried the injured disciples to Qingze Sect. The most shocking thing was that an hour later, the disciples who had lost their souls returned unharmed, and they hadn’t suffered any harm within Qingze Sect.

According to the disciples who returned, the people of Qingze Sect completely ignored them.

But their senior brothers and sisters could only continue to suffer… they would be useless for the rest of their lives.

Some went back to plead with the elders, but to no avail. Eventually, the elders simply shut their doors and refused to see anyone.

If they wanted to be saved, the conscious had to decide for the unconscious, becoming disciples of the Third Residence to be sent to Qingze Sect for treatment.

Some disciples were disheartened, feeling that only the Third Abode had any humanity left, while their own elders were too heartless. Those without familial ties also transferred to the Third Abode.For a time, chaos reigned in Nuan Yan Pavilion as the Third Abode’s numbers suddenly increased.

Guannan Tianzun and his team stayed at Qingze Sect for two full days before returning, mainly because they were few in number and had to take turns struggling to hold on.

The battle had just ended, and everyone’s spiritual energy was depleted. Now they had to activate the array again, making the process extremely difficult.

Fortunately, they successfully connected to the Heaven’s Punishment Array, leaving instructions for the disciples of Nuan Yan Pavilion within the array, so they could find the teleportation array they built and return to their sect.

When Guannan Tianzun returned from Qingze Sect and saw the sudden influx of disciples, he didn’t feel pleased—he had a headache instead.

He wasn’t good at handling these matters, and the one who usually helped him, Si Ruoyu, had returned to Hehuan Sect. For a moment, he felt despair and finally looked toward Yu Yanshu.

Yu Yanshu seemed to have expected this and obediently stepped forward.

Guannan Tianzun said wearily, “You handle it. If you can’t manage alone, bring in Xi Zihe. You’re about the same age, and he has a straightforward personality, so you should get along.”

“Yes, disciple will obey.”

“Good, take everyone back to Nuan Yan Pavilion. I need to enter seclusion to heal.”

“Understood!”

A few days after Guannan Tianzun left Qingze Sect and the righteous cultivators had fully withdrawn, Si Ruoyu arrived at Qingze Sect with two disciples from Hehuan Sect.

Si Ruoyu was considered a benefactor of Qingze Sect and held a special status. Upon receiving word of her arrival, Xi Lin halted his seclusion and personally came out to meet her.

Si Ruoyu, whose identity had been fully exposed, didn’t care anymore. Dressed in pink, without her peach blossom mask, she boldly entered Qingze Sect.

Four disciples from Hehuan Sect followed her, their graceful figures and elegant movements making them look like celestial beauties, even with their masks on.

Inside Qingze Sect, chaos still reigned as many disciples repaired the residences destroyed in the great battle. Seeing several charming women enter, they couldn’t help but steal a few glances.

Si Ruoyu scolded them, “What’s the point of just looking? Come ask for a sound transmission talisman!”

The disciples immediately averted their gaze, more embarrassed than the women themselves.

Si Ruoyu was invited into the main hall, where Xi Lin greeted her with a smile, “We owe you much this time.”

“I didn’t come here to claim credit.”

“Oh?” Xi Lin was somewhat puzzled.Si Ruoyu asked bluntly, “When is the wedding?”

“Uh?” Xi Lin was confused.

Si Ruoyu raised her voice immediately, “My disciple saved your son in front of so many people and even summoned the Hui. Who wouldn’t guess what’s between them? Are you planning to go back on your word and not get them married?”

“Oh, oh, you mean the Daoist couple ceremony!” Xi Lin finally understood and laughed, “Anytime is fine, but it must wait until Qingze Sect is fully restored. Such an important event must not be rushed.”

“Our Hehuan Sect disciples rarely marry… uh…” Si Ruoyu suddenly hesitated, realizing she wasn’t sure how to describe a marriage between two male cultivators. After thinking for a moment and finding no answer, she decided to gloss over it. “Our disciples rarely choose a fixed partner. If they do, it’s a blessing accumulated over several lifetimes, so naturally, it should be grand.”

“Indeed, this young Daoist is truly remarkable. I have great admiration for him.”

Xi Lin wasn’t lying. He was so impressed by this Golden Core stage cultivator that he even considered bestowing the title of Palace Lord upon him.

In times of crisis, he risked his life to save Xi Huai, clearly valuing him highly. Regardless of sect or gender, he recognized this “daughter-in-law.”

Seeing Xi Lin’s respectful attitude and recognition of Chi Muyao, Si Ruoyu’s demeanor finally softened. “We want a ten-mile long street for the ceremony.”

“That’s too short. We’ll traverse the entire Demon Sect’s territory, so everyone knows we’ve welcomed a noble person into our family.”

Satisfied, Si Ruoyu raised an eyebrow and continued, “And what of my disciple’s status afterward…?”

“He will be granted the position of Palace Lord.”

“Fine.” Si Ruoyu stood up and said, “I haven’t spoken with my disciple since he emerged from the Heaven’s Punishment Array. I’ll check on his recovery.”

This time, Xi Lin finally showed some discomfort. “It’s not that I won’t let you see him, but even I haven’t seen my son. After healing the disciples of Nuan Yan Pavilion, Huai’er returned to his mountain and activated a small sealing array. He hasn’t come down for days.”

Si Ruoyu quickly guessed what he had been doing during those days.

She placed one hand on her hip, thought for a moment, and finally said, “When they come down, tell him to visit our sect.”

“I’ll be sure to pass on the message.”