Chapter 33: Chapter 30: Collapse

"It's the absolute truth. The person said it himself, and both my daughter and I heard it; we won't remember it wrong," he replied.

Song Tonghai was momentarily stunned by such an out-of-character response and, after thinking carefully, he turned to look at Song Lingxue as if to ask for confirmation.

"Indeed, it's the Night Light Pavilion. The person confessed with his dying breath—there should be no mistake," Song Lingxue nodded immediately.

Fu Quanliang's complexion visibly changed, growing increasingly unsightly.

Seeing the strange expression on his face, Song Tonghai couldn't help but feel a surge of nervousness, "Superior Immortal, is there any difficulty?"

His first reaction was that the Night Light Pavilion had an astonishing background and even those within the Immortal Path would not want to offend them.

"Nothing. I need a Quiet Room for a short retreat of a few days."

Fu Quanliang composed himself and said expressionlessly, "If there are no issues, do not disturb my seclusion."

"Very well, I'll go make the arrangements."

With a troubled heart, Song Tonghai hurried away.

Chu Zheng's eyes narrowed slightly, and Fu Quanliang's reaction gave some confirmation to his previous suspicions.

The Phantom Spirit Sect was aware of the existence of the Night Light Pavilion, yet Fu Quanliang, who was appointed by them to stand guard at the Song Residence, had no idea what kind of situation he was about to face.

Only now did Chu Zheng realize that he had fallen into a misjudgment; he might have overestimated the Phantom Spirit Sect's strength.

If there were discrepancies in national power within the mortal kingdoms, then the gaps between the Immortal Sects would only be larger. In this world, there are undoubtedly many Sects stronger than the Phantom Spirit Sect.

......

......

Inside the secret chamber.

Fu Quanliang, disheveled, held his head in his hands, his fingers digging deep into his scalp as he paced back and forth. His gaze flickered uncertainly, his teeth were clenched tightly, and blood trickled from the corner of his mouth as he murmured incessantly:

"Night Light Pavilion... Night Light Pavilion... Night Light..."

The task he had accepted only mentioned that the Song Family was currently under attack by some mortal warriors and needed someone to stand guard—that was all.

Coming to guard the Song Family, he had no knowledge that he would be facing the Night Light Pavilion.

With his qualifications among those with Lower Quality Immortal Bones, he was at the bottom rank. After ten years in the Sect, he was still only in the Nourishing Power Realm and knew some simple Immortal Techniques.

He might be able to bluff mortals, but he was no match for a true being of the Immortal Path.

His presence here made no difference at all—the more he thought about it, the paler Fu Quanliang's face became.

Furthermore, the Night Light Pavilion and the Phantom Spirit Sect were like fire and water, not at all on the same path. Their encounters were bound to end in combat.

However... if the Night Light Pavilion wanted to act against the Song Family, they would have done so already. Why continue the standoff, even going to the lengths of using mortal warriors to harass them?

In terms of strength, the Night Light Pavilion was even above the Phantom Spirit Sect; within their ranks was a Divine Infant Second Transformation Supreme Elder. They wouldn't fear the Phantom Spirit Sect's presence at all.

Unless the intention was not on the obvious...

At this thought, Fu Quanliang suddenly broke out in a cold sweat on his back.

The Night Light Pavilion's encirclement without killing, forcing the Song Family to seek help from the Phantom Spirit Sect, was almost a plot with three birds with one stone.

If the Phantom Spirit Sect didn't send anyone, Song Lingqing would lose faith once she found out. Sending people was akin to throwing them into a trap, wasting the Sect's strength for nothing.

As for waging a full-scale war, the Phantom Spirit Sect couldn't afford that either.

Without knowing Song Lingqing's status, the Night Light Pavilion can also leave some leeway in their actions to avoid forging a deadly feud with Song Lingqing, keeping options open for both advance and retreat.

After realizing the Night Light Pavilion's approach, Fu Quanliang's expression grew even more bitter.

This mission was still not easy for him to snatch, aiming ultimately to curry favor with Song Lingqing.

Song Lingqing was no ordinary person; just after joining the sect, she already ranked as a true disciple and took a Supreme Elder as a master. Her future prospects were immeasurable.

Befriending Song Lingqing could be described as immensely profitable.

In Fu Quanliang's original view, this mission was simply too easy; mere mortal warriors could all be dispatched with just a little effort from him.

Now, going to the Song Residence to stand guard was equivalent to helping Song Lingqing rid herself of future worries. When she returned successfully from the Great Tournament of Ten Thousand Sects, she surely wouldn't be stingy with the rewards.

Fu Quanliang had even fantasized about advancing to an Inner Sect Disciple with Song Lingqing's help.

But now, all those hopes had turned to mere wishful thinking.

This mission was like a bottomless abyss; stepping into it meant certain destruction.

As for abandoning the mission and leaving directly, that was even more impossible.

If he abandoned the mission now, and the Song Family was destroyed as a result, all the blame would fall upon him. In order to account for Song Lingqing, the sect might even personally take action to clean house.

A mere Outer Sect Disciple versus a vaunted true disciple, the choice was obvious even to a fool.

The Phantom Spirit Sect didn't want to start a war with the Night Light Pavilion, but with the urgent requests for assistance from the Song Family, they had to send someone. Outer Sect Disciples almost became the default choice.

Within the sect, it was impossible not to know the current situation of the Song Family. The issuing of the mission was nothing but a search for a scapegoat.

Even now, the Phantom Spirit Sect might be hoping that the Night Light Pavilion would quickly make a move and bury him along with the entire Song Family, providing an explanation for Song Lingqing.

The sect sacrificed a disciple in order to protect your family; this act of grace, Song Lingqing must remember no matter what.

"Heh..."

Fu Quanliang slumped to the ground, leaning weakly against the walls of the secret room, and let out a bitter laugh:

"Truly diabolical..."

The moment he set foot in the Song Residence, no matter what decision he made, he was already a dead man.

......

......

In the back courtyard of the Song Residence.

Chu Zheng moved into a spacious side room, and even though Song Lingxue wanted to assign servants and maids to him, he refused.

He had many secrets, and with strangers by his side, there would be many inconveniences; he would feel much more at ease alone.

Having returned to his quarters, Chu Zheng immediately began preparations for cultivation. Over the past few days, the upper chapter of the Dragon-Tiger Body had been fully restored, and he was ready to start practicing it.

The upper chapter of the Dragon-Tiger Body had undergone many changes compared to the introductory chapter, requiring not only many aged spiritual medicines but also the stimulation of spiritual energy to invigorate the flesh, thereby acquiring the true power of the dragon and tiger.

Chu Zheng was extremely eager, needing to quickly become stronger to develop a certain ability to withstand risks.

Fu Quanliang's reactions had already given Chu Zheng quite a few ominous premonitions.

The Song Family's previous widespread pleas for help might have prompted the Phantom Spirit Sect to arrange for assistance.

But with someone like that coming, and considering his reactions, what the Phantom Spirit Sect was plotting was anyone's guess.

In the end, the only one he could rely on was still himself. S~eaʀᴄh the Nôvelƒire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

But the thoughts of Song Tonghai and even Song Lingxue were completely different from Chu Zheng's.

Although Fu Quanliang's reactions were a bit strange, he didn't leave immediately, which meant the situation wasn't very serious and was still within controllable limits.

Having been on edge for a long time, they were somewhat unable to hold up, and would always hope for the best.