Chapter 80: Crisis of the Three Women

As the crowd raised their cups in celebration, voices ringing with joy, Lin the Fatty’s message jade suddenly glowed with a faint light.

Gripping the jade, Lin Hu’s brows furrowed.

This was the signal he had agreed upon with Xiao Cui—only to be used if something urgent happened.

A flicker of unease flashed through his mind. “Brothers, something’s up…”

He spoke abruptly, rushing down from the tavern.

The others sensed something was amiss and hurried after him.

“Fatty, what’s going on?” Lin Cheng asked.

“Xiao Cui’s in danger…” Lin Hu didn’t know the specifics, only that a foreboding sense told him whatever it was, it couldn’t be good.

The Clearwind Sword flashed; Lin Cheng led Lin Hu, soaring through the skies.

A brilliant arc swept across the clouds, heading toward the direction Lin Hu had sensed.

Below, the buildings of Chang’an City shrank and faded, until even the outline of the city vanished from sight.

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Tianhu Island lay at the southern edge of Zhao’s capital, in the heart of Lake Tianhu, a thousand miles distant.

The lake was encircled on three sides by cliffs, the stacked stone walls embedded like a coiled dragon, poised to leap skyward at any moment.

The waters shimmered like emerald, rippling gently, the waves layered and sparkling in the breeze—a scene as beautiful as a painting.

A bridge of jade extended for eight hundred miles, stretching from the lakeshore to the island’s center.

Heavy guards were stationed here year-round, preventing any intruders from setting foot on the island.

By the bridge, a stone stele stood tall, inscribed in bold strokes: “Land of the Immortals.”

At this moment, three graceful young women were negotiating with the guards.

On either side of the bridge, two teams clad in silver armor stood with sharp weapons, eyes fixed ahead, seemingly oblivious to the quarrel at the shore.

“Until the secret realm opens and without an edict from the sovereign, passage is forbidden,” the burly man in black armor declared impassively, standing before the three women.

“We are disciples of the Qingyang Sect. We forgot to bring our master’s edict. Could you make an exception, brother?” Among them, Xu Xin’er spoke gently.

Her words, as refreshing as a spring breeze, softened the armored man’s expression.

He turned to look at the old man in purple robes, seated cross-legged beneath the stele.

The elder slowly opened his eyes, swept his gaze over the three, and replied coldly, “Even disciples of Qingyang Sect are not freely admitted without an edict.”

Hearing the elder’s dismissive tone, the slightly older woman in a red dress frowned. “I am Mu Xue, chief disciple of Jade Maiden Peak, Qingyang Sect. The two behind me are also true disciples of Jade Maiden Peak…”

“Are you suggesting, Master, that we are unworthy of setting foot on Tianhu Island?”

The old man in purple robes sneered. “Little girls showing off their status before me? Even your master would not dare speak to me this way.”

As he spoke, his robes billowed, and a powerful aura enveloped the three women.

Mu Xue’s beautiful eyes narrowed, her delicate figure trembled as she unleashed her Earth Spirit cultivation to meet his pressure.

Yet it collapsed instantly.

The three were immobilized by the elder’s aura, sweat beading on their brows, using all their strength to resist.

Just then—

A group of people strolled up.

Two men walked at the front, side by side.

The young man in black, dignified and imposing, spoke: “What matter has Elder Li Yan so riled up against these young ladies?”

At his arrival, the old man withdrew his pressure, adopting a kindly demeanor. “So it is Nephew Wu Wang himself… These foolish girls spoke out of turn, nothing to fret over…”

“Is the chief teacher here this time?”

Dong Wu Wang glanced at the three women, smiling faintly. “With the upheaval in the secret realm, all sides have gathered—my master would not miss such an occasion…”

Li Yan replied, “Excellent. It’s been eight years since I last saw your master… Once this is settled, I can return to the sect in peace.”

Dong Wu Wang said, “Elder Li Yan, your diligent guarding of the Tianhu passage is commendable. Upon returning, you will surely advance further.”

Li Yan: “I’ll need you to put in a good word for me with your master…”

Dong Wu Wang: “Of course.”

He then turned to the man beside him. “Brother Hao…”

At his name, Dongfang Hao slowly withdrew his gaze from Xu Xin’er, the trace of lust and malice in his eyes carefully hidden.

“What’s wrong? Brother Hao, have you taken a fancy to one of them?” Dong Wu Wang had clearly noticed his companion’s unusual interest.

Dongfang Hao smiled lightly, not answering directly, instead shifting the topic: “Let’s go. Let’s see what change has brought the three sect leaders here in person…”

Chatting and laughing, their group stepped onto the bridge, heading toward the island.

The old man in purple robes made no further mention about the edict.

Witnessing this, the three women, now recovered, were incensed.

“Why can they enter without an edict?” Xiao Cui shouted indignantly.

Li Yan snorted. “Who enters is up to me…”

“What, do you want more suffering?”

The three women’s hands clenched tightly, trembling as their chests heaved—furious beyond measure.

“Old man, don’t bully us too far…” Mu Xue pointed at him in anger.

“Impudent!” the old man roared.

He raised his hand, and a palm-shaped imprint ten yards wide formed in the air, slamming toward the three women.

“Let me teach you how to respect your elders today…”

Facing the incoming strike, the three sensed grave danger and summoned their life-bound spiritual artifacts, unleashing all their abilities.

Boom!

Dust rose in a cloud.

The three women were knocked to the ground, struggling to rise, blood trickling from their lips.

Their faces pale, they watched in horror as the elder strode toward them.

The black-armored commander hesitated, then spoke, “Elder Li, is it really necessary to be so harsh with these young ladies? A lesson is enough—they are Qingyang Sect disciples after all… Isn’t this a bit much?”

“How I act is none of your concern. Dare disrespect me—today I’ll cripple the three of them, what of it?” the old man replied coldly, a cruel gleam in his eyes.

He had his own plans.

When he struck, he realized that two of the women wielded wind-attribute powers—possessors of special spiritual roots, a surprising find.

His mind made up, he decided to take this chance to eliminate them before they could grow stronger.

Such an accomplishment would surely please the chief teacher, guaranteeing his promotion to the Inner Court and advancement to the Earth Pill stage.

A surge of energy gathered in his palm, ready to strike them down.

“May your parents teach you how to respect your elders in your next life…”

Sensing the elder’s murderous intent, Mu Xue’s heart sank.

Among the three, she was the strongest.

She turned to the other two. “I’ll hold him off. Find a chance to escape…”

“No, senior sister, you’ll die…”

“If you don’t leave, we’ll all die…”

As she spoke, Mu Xue produced a crimson pill, resolve flickering in her eyes, and swallowed it.

Her delicate body trembled; a vast aura erupted from within, her red dress billowing fiercely.

Her breath spread like red smoke, forming crimson butterflies that danced around her.

Her cultivation soared from Earth Spirit to the peak of Heaven Spirit, the surrounding air charged with violent energy.

“Go!”

With a wave, she pushed the two girls back, rushing toward the elder to win them a chance at survival.

“Trying to escape?”

“Do you think you can?”