Chapter 85 - Chapter 85: Chapter 75: Start of the War _1

Chapter 85: Chapter 75: Start of the War _1

Translator: 549690339

Xu Mu followed Elder Brother Zou towards the Liyang Sect, passing through several checkpoints and eventually stopping in front of a five-story pavilion.

Seeing Xu’s slightly tense expression, Elder Brother Zou patted his shoulder and laughed, “Friend Xu, don’t be so nervous!”

It’s my first time in such a place, so I’m understandably a bit apprehensive. My apologies if I’ve caused any amusement, Elder Brother Zou!” Xu Mu replied, somewhat cautiously.

Rest assured! When you’re illuminated by the Soul Stabilizing Mirror, as long as you don’t resist, nothing will happen! Of course, it’s pointless even if you resist. That mirror is a tier seven magic artifact, activated by three Foundation Establishment Stage cultivators simultaneously; even peers would struggle to resist it, let alone you!”

Xu Mu laughed, his tone filled with a hint of pride.

Hehe!

Xu Mu forced a stiff smile.

If he had known it would be like this, he would never have come.

Fortunately, there were quite a few cultivators waiting to be interrogated in the pavilion, which slightly eased his worries. At least, he still had a bit of time.

Perhaps he could cast an invisibility technique and just run away!

However, escaping would be equivalent to admitting guilt without evidence!

With his entire family to consider, where could he run?

Such bad luck!

He was just a few days away from leaving this place when they decided to conduct an apartheid probe.

Elder Brother Zou had no idea what he was thinking.

Leading him in, he said, “I need to go in and report. Friend Xu, wait here; someone will call you when your turn comes. Remember, don’t wander around. The sect is filled with numerous lethal formations and if you accidentally step into one, even I can’t save you!”

I understand! Thank you for the reminder, Elder Brother Zou!

Hmm!

Elder Brother Zou nodded and walked towards the second floor.

Xu Mu found a spot and leaned against it, quietly observing the surrounding situation.

Various thoughts whirled in his head.

If that magic artifact’s function is to stabilize the soul, then could I use the Red Crow as a substitute? This way I won’t be controlled!”

The Red Crow was equivalent to his clone, and there was not much difference between it and his own soul.

However, this was still somewhat risky!

He’d never encountered a magic artifact of this level; what if he couldn’t substitute it?

Wouldn’t that be like walking right into a trap?

But if he tried to escape, regardless of whether he could even get out of Liyang Sect, where could his family run to?

He could only rely on luck!

With a sigh, Xu Mu began researching how to replace his own soul with the Red Crow without being noticed.

About halfway through the tea-brewing time, the number of people waiting to be interrogated had halved. Just as the remaining group anxiously awaited their turn, an alarm bell suddenly echoed from outside.

Ding Ding Ding!

The urgent bell seemed to come from deep within the Liyang Sect.

Is that the warning bell? What happened?

Xu Mu was alarmed and wanted to go out to investigate.

He had been in Liyang City for so long, yet this was the first time he’d heard this sound.

The other people in the pavilion also couldn’t help but follow Xu Mu out, all wanting to know what was happening.

Boom Boom!

The pavilion windows suddenly swung open, and three figures riding flying swords turned into beams of light, flying deep into the Liyang Sect.

Zou Ping, watch them for now. We’ll continue the interrogation when we return!”

A voice conveyed through Divine Intent echoed back into the pavilion.

Yes, Elder!

Elder Brother Zou bowed in the direction they had left.

At the same time, nearly a hundred beams of light arose from various places within the Liyang Sect, all flying towards the ring-shaped mountain mouth inside the sect.

The auras emanating from these lights were all of the Foundation Establishment stage without exception.

For a time, one couldn’t help but feel there were far too many Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Staring into the sky, Xu Mu couldn’t help but brighten up.

Wasn’t this the perfect opportunity to escape?

Perhaps he might even be able to take advantage of this chaos and leave the city with the three women.

Before Xu Mu could act, Elder Brother Zou, with a smile on his face, quickly descended from upstairs, pulled Xu Mu aside.

Friend Xu, I will remove your name later! You can go back first!

Xu Mu was slightly startled and quickly understood the other’s intention.

A look of gratitude appeared on his face.

I really appreciate it, Elder Brother Zou! If you need anything in the future, just let me know!”

As he spoke, he pulled out a medium-grade spirit stone and handed it over.

Just a small token! I hope you won’t refuse, Elder Brother Zou!

I knew it! Friend Xu is truly wise!

Elder Brother Zou received the Spirit Stone with a smile.

After Xu Mu took his leave, Elder Brother Zou carefully stowed the Spirit Stone away and continued his search for the next individual.

Having finally got an opportunity to fleece someone, he had no intention of letting it pass.

As for the interrogation!

It was just a formality from the outset!

Besides, he wasn’t a fool. The individuals he sought out were highly unlikely to be spies.

For instance, Xu Mu, who was acquainted with the Sect’s Elders, had ties to Yu Heng, and even had a family to look after.

The chances of him being a spy were less than one in ten million.

Not taking advantage of such a situation would be wasteful!

Furthermore, the favor Xu Mu bestowed was neither excessive nor meagre.

If it had been too much, it would have seemed suspicious and would have raised alarm bells.

A single Medium-grade Spirit Stone was just right.

Xu Mu, having left the Liyang Sect, finally breathed a sigh of relief.

He had considered many tactics, but never did he imagine that he would narrowly escape disaster in this manner.

Networking can indeed be quite useful at times! Ha-ha!

Xu Mu was in a pleasant mood.

Upon his return home, everyone inquired about the event. Xu Mu simply said he had gone through the motions, not mentioning Elder Brother Zou’s assistance.

The fewer people knew about it, the fewer problems there would be.

With everything now worry-free, all that was left was to board the Flying Boat and leave Liyang City.

Wait, there was still the small issue of Chi Feiyan.

Relentlessly, she had sought Xu Mu out for a duel these past few days.

Xu Mu simply responded that he was unavailable.

The Pill Recipes were now in his possession, and he was about to leave; she no longer held significant value to him.

As for the matter of Alchemy, since he had promised, he would certainly live up to his word; whether or not the subsequent events occurred made no difference.

It was Chi Feiyan who presumed herself to be clever.

Upon receiving Xu Mu’s reply, Chi Feiyan was fuming and threatened to find someone else if he refused to show up.

Xu Mu responded with two words –

Whatever.

She was another man’s wife after all!

Not his business!

He already had three at home to attend to. How could he possibly find the time to accompany her every night?

Due to his recent late-night absences, Lan Shijin was already dissatisfied and refused to let him leave from the back door.

In the dead of night, Chi Feiyan suddenly sent another message.

Xu Lang, I can’t live without you!

When Xu Mu arrived, he found out that she had recklessly practiced a secret skill and was suffering from its backlash.

Sighing at the sight of the trickling stream on the ground, Xu Mu felt helpless.

After a long while, Xu Mu reluctantly said, “Friend Chi, you’re making things very difficult for me in this state!”

I don’t care! I can’t even go a day without you now!

The affection in Chi Feiyan’s eyes was as rich as aged wine.

You might not be able to stay away from me, but I must leave you!

I certainly don’t want to be pursued by the Lv family!

Here, take this! It might help you!

From his storage bag, Xu Mu pulled out a magic artifact and handed it to Chi Feiyan.

What’s this?

Curiously, Chi Feiyan looked at the smooth, thumb-sized, black magic artifact in her hand.

Refine it! When you miss me, you’ll know its use!

After Xu Mu left, Chi Feiyan quickly figured out how to use it. Indeed, it could alleviate the pain of longing for someone.

However, it could only provide relief; it wasn’t comparable to being with Xu Mu.

PS: For those who don’t know what it is, you can refer back to chapter thirty­eight; I won’t elaborate here.

On the second day,

A shocking piece of news spread throughout Liyang City.

The Nascent Soul stage sect backing Liyang Sect, Tianhe Sect, and the Nascent Soul stage sect backing Soul Forging Sect, Tongyou Sect —

Were at war!

Upon hearing this news, the entire city was in an uproar.