Chapter 22 - 22: Informed

Chapter 22 - 22: Informed

While flying towards his residence, Wei Wuyin came to know about the shocking reappearance of the tens of thousands of cultivators that went missing. Supposedly, they were all found unconscious in a long-forgotten underground tunnel network. The tunnels exuded a natural gas that could influence humans and have them undergo a hibernation of sorts, placing them in a stasis-like state.

So while they were unconscious for months, some even a full six months, they were only a little malnourished and drowsy. It left one shocked because there was still no explanation as to why and how they got there.

When interrogated, their responses were all the same. They only remember falling into darkness and then waking up. That was it.

It was a great mystery that rumbled the country.

The three sects then left, returning to their domains, and continuing to monitor the situation in case something like this happened again. Luckily, no one was hurt or killed.

Wei Wuyin knew that the black skeleton had stolen them, likely even taken the positive karmic value they’ve accumulated in their lifetimes and gave it to him. He had a strange feeling that these people might suffer a series of catastrophic events down the line.

They soon arrived at his residence.

He felt an odd sensation in his heart. This place had been his home for over three years, but he felt a sense of distance from it. Despite that, he still referred to it as home. Thinking up to here, his heart felt heavy as memories of his family flashed through his mind.

The sound of wings battering the wind roared to life behind them. Wei Wuyin turned around and saw a white crane soaring through the skies carrying two people. One of them was an exceptionally beautiful mature woman with faint traces of frost exuding from her hair. The other was a young girl who looked somewhat pale and malnourished.

"Elder Bing? Xing Fu..."

The pair landed next to his crane. Wei Wuyin was about to offer greetings when a figure shot towards him like the wind. His reaction was great, as his eyes narrowed and his qi readied for retaliation, but he didn’t do anything. His spiritual sense saw the image of a girl in tears lunging towards him with wide arms.

"This?!" Shocked, he let Xing Fu embrace him. Her arms wrapped around his torso tightly and the hot tears seeped through his scarlet robes.

Elder Bing watched this with a helpless expression. Du Ling stepped back and let Wei Wuyin and Xing Fu have their moment. He didn’t know much about Xing Fu, except she was a core disciple and disciple of Elder Bing, but seeing this made his mind wander.

The sound of muffled sobbing and wailing was all Wei Wuyin could hear. At first, he didn’t know how to react, but for some reason, his heart felt warm knowing someone cared so much about his return. He embraced this average-looking girl and softly comforted, "It’s okay. I’m fine."

He had this belief that Xing Fu had a crush on him, but he didn’t think it was this strong. If it wasn’t for his powerful body, her tight grip could’ve bruised his skin.Ne/w novel chapters are p/u/blished at novelhall.com

The sobbing lasted for several minutes before it abruptly ceased. Before he knew it, Xing Fu had fallen asleep in his arms. Her body had reached a state of worry and peak exhaustion that the moment she knew he was alright, she had collapsed.

He lifted her in a bridal carry and used his shoulder and neck region as a resting area for her head. Looking at Elder Bing, he could see the relief in her eyes.

She walked over, "I’m relieved that you’re safe. I don’t know what happened to you before, but it concerned many. The Sect Leader even sent a search party outfor you. That’s a rarity."

Wei Wuyin was somewhat shocked by the Sect Leader’s actions, but when he thought about it, it made sense. He revealed his exceptional talent and thus his value. While resources can be accumulated with time, top-tier talent required luck to obtain. Especially for a sect.

"I apologize for leaving abruptly. It was not my intention." Wei Wuyin felt it was sufficient to at least state this, albeit wholly unnecessary. With his status, he had no need to be polite or offer apologies to a Fourth Stage of Qi Condensation Core Elder of the sect. Whether in value, status, or cultivation base, he exceeded her several times over in the eyes of everyone.

Her words silenced them all. Of course! Even if Wei Wuyin had a cultivation treasure, the moment it was rumored, how could Wu Xinghong and Su Linya not investigate? If they couldn’t find anything, then likely there was none.

However, this frightened a few of them. An elder skeptically said, "So he condensed two high-level elemental qi with talent alone?"

Su Linya shook her head. "The Ancestral Elder generously bestowed him three violet lightning crystals as a reward for his outstanding performance during the Core Disciple Competition. He had also found a thousand-year Steel Essence Source while out on a mission. With those two things, he birthed them."

"What?!" This brought an even greater uproar than before. Only three violet lightning crystals? With two, a person has a high chance of forming elemental lightning qi, but actually birthing violet lightning?! That’s...

"I personally watched him during his mission hunting the Violet Moon Sect and while he cultivated in the Yang Yore Fields. With his talent, a bit of ingenuity, and luck, he reached his current cultivation without any foul play involved." Su Linya stated calmly. Since hearing of Jiu Lang’s rumors, she had to make sure of the validity of it. Besides being a little lucky, Wei Wuyin had outstanding talent.

If Wei Wuyin heard this, he would be incredibly shocked! Perhaps even a little creeped out. However, more relieved than anything. With this being known, his status was essentially solidified and so was his importance to the sect.

"..." The grand elders all had various expressions, some intrigued at the prospect of Wei Wuyin’s talent and the Scarlet Solaris Sect’s future, others disappointed that he didn’t have a cultivation treasure. It’s not like they could steal one’s comprehension or thoughts.

"Hm?" Su Linya looked towards the entrance suddenly. She waved her hand and the door to the room opened revealing a figure. With silver eyes, scarlet robes, and a steady aura, he announced himself.

"Core Disciple Wei Wuyin seeks an audience with Sect Leader."

The other grand elders turned towards Wei Wuyin. They weren’t shocked that he arrived. If someone as outstanding as him didn’t take initiative to meet the leaders of the sect, they would find it odd.

"Come." Su Linya beckoned for him to approach. Wei Wuyin did so immediately. He was completely calm despite arriving before the true top figures of the sect. Quite a few elders liked his stability and confidence, a few others with loose relations with Jiu Lang felt it was him being too confident.

Wu Xinghong inspected Wei Wuyin, and his eyes brightened imperceptibly. This child had actually birthed wood qi! He could feel the faint natural aura exuded. It seemed his elemental birth had been a recent endeavour, making it difficult to conceal from his gaze. He truly was a lucky one.

To birth metal, lightning, and wood! He must be pursuing a Heart of Elemental Qi! The very thought made Wu Xinghong place an even greater level of importance on Wei Wuyin. He was even considering using his own wealth to obtain high-level magma and ice essence sources. If Wei Wuyin actually established a Heart of Elemental Qi, he had a shot at becoming a true king.

"Seniors, If I may." Wei Wuyin greeted and politely requested to speak freely.

"Speak what’s on your mind," Su Linya responded.

"Yes. Thank you, Sect Leader. While I was out, I discovered a piece of information that may bring a calamity to our sect." Wei Wuyin said confidently.

"What?! Calamity? What do you me-" an elder immediately questioned but was interrupted by Su Linya.

"Let him speak!" After quieting the room, she gestured for Wei Wuyin to proceed. She took this very seriously. Wu Xinghong’s eyes widened slightly. Wei Wuyin’s words felt familiar to him.

"I learned that there was a person kidnapped by our sect’s disciple who may be linked to a powerful force. I fear that a powerful force is looking for or already knows where that person is, and will soon be descending upon us swiftly."

At first, he was a little vague, but purposefully. He wanted to instigate questions and disbelief, and then they’ll feel compelled to verify this.

Everyone frowned, and many wanted to speak, but no one did. They allowed him to continue.

"This person has emerald hair, eyes, and blood. It is a woman, and she was captured by Jiu Lang, a core disciple of our sect. It’s possible that she is being held in the sect and may or may not already be dead."

"..." Those words were met with resounding silence.