Time passed quietly. Within Qingxu Temple, it appeared to maintain its usual order and peace. Disciples continued as normal—listening to teachings, cultivating, completing sect tasks. The alchemy furnace fire on Cloud Hidden Peak and the Daoist teaching sounds at the Inheritance Hall never ceased. However, an invisible, increasingly heavy sense of oppression, like gradually spreading dense fog, shrouded the hearts of every disciple with even a trace of perception.
Changes were subtle yet everywhere.
First was the marked strengthening of sect patrol efforts. Previously, enforcement teams patrolling only near the main peak and important facilities on schedule now appeared more frequently, their range extending to all outer peaks and the area dozens of li around the mountain gate. The cultivations of patrolling disciples also clearly elevated; team leaders were at least mid-Foundation Establishment, and occasionally late-Foundation Establishment deacons led personally, their expressions solemn, their gazes sharp as lightning, scanning every corner.
The Great Protective Formation's glow seemed more solidified than usual. The flowing runes occasionally refracted cold light under the sun, like a crouching beast, ready to bare its fangs at any moment. All disciples entering or leaving the mountain gate faced increasingly strict inspections. Identity tokens needed repeated verification, even random questions to confirm identity before passage.
The teaching content at the Inheritance Hall was also quietly changing. Elders no longer merely explained techniques and methods but began placing more emphasis on strategies for handling sudden attacks, techniques for identifying suspicious people and traps, and recognition and response to sect emergency signals. A preemptive preparation atmosphere was being conveyed.
At the Mission Hall, those high-contribution missions requiring leaving the sect, venturing into dangerous territories, or frequent contact with outsiders saw significantly fewer takers. Instead, various internal construction, patrol, alchemy, talisman-making, and other tasks became exceptionally popular. Many disciples seemed to tacitly choose temporary concealment, reducing outings.
Even the usually most lively, well-informed Second Senior Brother Luo Feng, after coming out from the Reflection Cliff, had calmed down considerably. Although still tinkering with his inventions, his activities basically remained within his courtyard and Cloud Hidden Peak's interior. He rarely ran outside to "collect experimental materials" or show off new achievements.
Xiaoqi, living in this environment, felt it especially deeply.
The formations outside his cave dwelling had been quietly reinforced by him with two more layers. Each time he went to Danxia Pavilion to deliver pills or to the Inheritance Hall to teach, he could keenly detect several obscure gazes sweeping over him from hidden places. That was not malice but rather the sect's arranged force secretly protecting (or perhaps supervising) him.
Senior Brother Mu Qingfeng had left on a distant journey with no news. This in itself was like a heavy stone pressing on his heart. Third Senior Sister Liu Yun also visited Xiaoqi's cave dwelling less often. She had been temporarily assigned by the Enforcement Hall to lead a team of elites strengthening vigilance over several secret key points.
The air seemed like an invisible string, pulled tighter and tighter, making one somewhat breathless.
On this day, Xiaoqi had just returned from teaching at the Inheritance Hall and was preparing to enter seclusion to continue researching the Purification Source's wonders when Master Xuanlin Zhenren's transmission talisman arrived, summoning him immediately.
Xiaoqi did not dare delay. He set out right away. When he arrived at Master's residence, Xuanlin Zhenren's brow was slightly furrowed. A jade slip emitting faint fluctuations floated before him.
"Master." Xiaoqi bowed.
Xuanlin Zhenren waved his hand indicating him to sit. His gaze remained on the jade slip as he said heavily: "I just received news from the Temple Master and a secret report Mu Qingfeng risked sending back."
Xiaoqi's heart tightened. He held his breath.
"The remnant forces of Shadow Snake Pavilion have been unusually active recently." Xuanlin Zhenren's voice carried a chill. "They seem to have given up on previous scattered infiltration and probing, beginning to gather personnel in several chaotic border regions bordering our Qingxu Temple's sphere of influence. Although no direct attack signs exist yet, various movements indicate they are planning something of considerable scale."
"The target is... the sect?" Xiaoqi asked.
"Not certain." Xuanlin Zhenren shook his head. "It might also be a feint, or... targeting a specific person." His gaze meaningfully glanced at Xiaoqi.
Xiaoqi was silent. He knew he was that most likely "specific target."
"Furthermore," Xuanlin Zhenren continued, "intelligence about you on the black market has doubled in price again. Moreover, recently several infamous rogue cultivators from the southwest region and a Silver Badge assassin from the 'Seven Killing Alliance' have appeared near several markets around our sect. Although they quickly disappeared again, their movements were secretive and their purpose unclear."
Each piece of news was heavier than the last. The Shadow Snake Pavilion's gathering, high-level assassins appearing—the approaching storm was imminent.
"The sect has prepared to respond." Xuanlin Zhenren looked at Xiaoqi. "The Great Protective Formation can be raised to highest alert at any time. Elders of each peak have received instructions to secretly adjust watch schedules. The Temple Master's meaning is: outwardly relaxed, inwardly tight. Wait and respond. But you must be mentally prepared—this time... it probably won't be just covert bounties and scattered spying."
Xiaoqi took a deep breath, suppressed the turmoil in his heart, and his eyes were firm: "Disciple understands. Whether they come openly or covertly, disciple will face it."
Xuanlin Zhenren looked at his composed appearance, a trace of relief in his eyes but more worry: "The enemy is hidden while we are visible. What specific methods they will use remains unknown. You should stay on Cloud Hidden Peak recently. Unless necessary, don't leave the formation's protective area easily. Alchemy and teaching can also pause for now."
"Yes, Master."
Leaving Master's place, Xiaoqi walked back to his cave dwelling. It was a clear daytime, sun shining, mountain breeze gentle, yet he felt the surrounding air seemed to have solidified, carrying the boring and oppression before a storm.
He saw the more vigilant gazes of patrolling disciples, saw the occasional unease showing in fellow disciples' conversations, saw the seemingly calm yet secretly formation-power-hidden flowing clouds in the sky.
Everyone could feel something was brewing, approaching. That venomous snake hidden in shadows seemed to finally have lost patience, ready to bare its fangs.
Returning to his cave dwelling, Xiaoqi activated all formations, completely sealing the dwelling.
He sat cross-legged in the meditation room's center. He did not immediately begin cultivating. Instead, he placed the Nirvana Crimson Flame Sword across his knees and the Mysterious Golden Guardian Pan beside him, his heart-mind closely connected to both.
He checked his own state: Foundation Establishment early-stage peak cultivation was solid, the [Evergreen Crimson Flame Heart-Guarding Sword Art] had taken initial shape, his understanding and application of the Purification Source had deepened another level, alchemy skills had steadily improved...
He had done everything he could to prepare.
The rest was waiting.
Waiting for that inevitable storm.
Inside the cave dwelling was silent. Only his steady breathing and the soft sound of spiritual power flowing within his body existed. In this extreme quiet, that oppression before the storm was instead amplified, like rising tide water continuously battering his mental defenses.
But his Daoist heart was firm, his eyes clear, without fear.
What must come will come. And he was no longer a young disciple needing others' complete protection.
He closed his eyes and began meditation. Whatever winds and clouds swirled outside, he needed to maintain inner peace and peak strength.
The storm approaches. Only the strong can forge ahead through the waves.