Chapter 64: The Heavenly Mending Platform and the Mysterious Grand Formation
The morning sun pierced through the mountains and valleys, casting its light over the Outer Sect City. Disciples flitted back and forth in the skies, busy yet subdued.
In an estate, Chen Xuanjin’s Nascent Soul floated in the grand hall, his head bowed in tension.
Seated on the central throne was a man in a black robe adorned with dragon patterns. His youthful, handsome face contrasted with the oppressive majesty emanating from his brows. His long hair was tied beneath a silver crown carved with qilin motifs. Merely sitting there, he radiated an aura of absolute dominance.
“Your younger brother was killed by Thousand Autumn Pavilion’s demonic cultivators, and now you’ve been grievously wounded by the Flying Leaf Sword Immortal. Tell me, do you think Zuo Yijian’s master might have ties to the Thousand Autumn Pavilion?”
The black-robed man spoke slowly, his tone calm as if discussing something trivial.
Chen Xuanjin quickly raised his head. “It’s possible. The Thousand Autumn Pavilion planting spies in the Taixuan Sect is hardly news. Didn’t you mention before that even the upper echelons likely have such spies? Now they’re revealing themselves!”
To cross Zuo Yijian was to invite endless trouble. If they could bring down Zuo Yijian’s master, Chen Xuanjin wouldn’t need to fear him anymore.
The black-robed man narrowed his eyes, his gaze falling on Chen Xuanjin, who hastily lowered his head.
The hall fell into a heavy silence.
After a long while, the black-robed man spoke in a faint voice: “Prepare the array. Recently, the demonic cultivators have been causing chaos. Once this is over, we can pin the blame on the Thousand Autumn Pavilion.”
Chen Xuanjin hurriedly replied, “But in my current state, I fear I...”
“This time, I will bear it myself.”
“What? You can’t! The array’s success is still uncertain, and even the Dao Tian Sect is waiting for our results—”
“No endeavor is ever guaranteed. The path of cultivation is one of walking through thorns. This plan has been in motion for a century. The Taixuan Sect must see it through. We cannot allow those in the shadows to derail our efforts. Say no more.”
Hearing this, Chen Xuanjin could only suppress his unease and agree.
In Xuan Valley.
Gu An oversaw his disciples' morning exercises. The disturbances of the previous night had left them restless, leading to whispers among the group.
Tang Yu asked, “Master, how did you come back so quickly?”
The others turned to look at Gu An.
Gu An snorted. “Didn’t you all feel the commotion last night? Your master rushed back because I was worried about you.”
The disciples all looked ashamed at his words, realizing how weak they were and how much their master worried for them.
Xiao Chuan said anxiously, “Senior Brother, maybe you should move to the Inner Sect’s Medicine Valley. We can disband and find our own paths in the Outer Sect. That way, you’ll be safe.”
It wasn’t that Xiao Chuan feared death. He simply didn’t want Gu An to overextend himself.
Gu An had already reached the Foundation Establishment stage, a level far beyond them. Why should he risk so much for their sake?
Gu An replied calmly, “If any of you wish to go to the Outer Sect City, I won’t stop you. But let me warn you—the Outer Sect isn’t necessarily safer than Xuan Valley. Disciples go missing in the city all the time. I’m not threatening or hinting at anything; whatever you choose, I will respect it. The bond we share in Xuan Valley will remain.”
These were heartfelt words.
Gu An pursued longevity, and he knew his path would be filled with separations. He had long prepared himself for it, focusing only on those he truly couldn’t part with.
The disciples fell silent, exchanging glances.
Wu Xin seemed like he wanted to speak but held back.
Once he was done, he gave instructions to the monkey demons and left Tianya Valley.
Compared to intrigue and conspiracy, Gu An was far more interested in the growth of his medicine valleys. That was where his focus truly lay.
In the Outer Sect City.
Under a sky shrouded in dark clouds, the city bustled with activity, crowded with disciples.
Su Han and Zhen Qin stood before a stone stele. Su Han read aloud: “Heavenly Mending Platform.”
Following Zhen Qin’s gaze, Su Han looked ahead. Before them was a massive formation platform spanning more than ten li. It was awe-inspiring. Around its edges stood numerous statues of ancient deities and immortals, each uniquely posed.
At the center of the platform rose a towering stone pillar, a hundred zhang high. Its square surface was etched with intricate grooves resembling human meridians, radiating a mysterious aura.
“Senior Brother, what do you think this Heavenly Mending Platform is for? Why has the sect summoned all the outer sect disciples back and ordered us to gather here tomorrow?” Zhen Qin asked, her brows furrowed in displeasure.
Su Han gazed at the platform and replied softly, “I don’t know. Maybe it’s related to the spiritual energy sinking a month ago.”
Behind them, disciples crowded the streets, many stopping to discuss the Heavenly Mending Platform.
For many, this was their first time seeing it, and they were awestruck.
If such a massive platform were activated, how powerful would the formation be?
Unable to get an answer, Zhen Qin turned her head, glancing around. For a fleeting moment, she thought she saw a familiar figure, but when she looked again, the person was gone.
“How strange...” she murmured to herself.
Not far away, Jiang Qiong walked through the crowd dressed in green. Her gaze lingered briefly on the Heavenly Mending Platform, her face expressionless.
Beside her was a hunched old man with a cane, his head barely reaching her shoulder.
“Young Mistress, this platform is no simple matter. Something big is bound to happen tomorrow. Are you sure we should stay?” the old man asked.
His concern was mirrored by the disciples around them, who were murmuring various speculations.
Jiang Qiong’s expression didn’t waver as she replied, “Indeed, it’s extraordinary. The restrictions within the platform are incredibly intricate. It would take decades to fully analyze. But since we’re already here, we must see what happens tomorrow.”
The old man glanced at her and sighed. “Young Mistress, you’ve changed so much. You don’t have any attachments in the Taixuan Sect, do you?”
Jiang Qiong’s tone was calm as she said, “There are people I care about. That’s why I brought you here.”
The old man chuckled bitterly. “Looks like this old bag of bones will be worked to the bone again.”
Their casual conversation avoided mentioning the Thousand Autumn Pavilion, so no one suspected their identities.
Meanwhile.
On the other side of the Heavenly Mending Platform, atop a nine-story pavilion, two figures stood by the edge. Both appeared young, and one of them was none other than the black-robed man—Chen Xuanjin’s backer.
The black-robed man gazed down at the Heavenly Mending Platform, his eyes deep and inscrutable, as if lost in thought.
The other figure spoke, breaking the silence. “Master, most of the outer sect disciples from this city have returned. Should we summon the servant disciples from nearby medicine valleys, beast fields, and mining grounds as well?”
The voice belonged to none other than Chen Xuanjin, now inhabiting the body of a young disciple he had possessed.
The black-robed man replied softly, “No need. Too many servant disciples will dilute the purity of the gathered cultivation energy.”