Conscription

The Nether Silk Cloud skimmed silently across the surface of the water. The herb garden was in sight. Qin Sang and Mu Yifeng concealed their aura and presence, then unsealed the herb garden's ward. Only upon entering did Qin Sang realize that Xie Ying and the others had not gone into seclusion. Instead, they were gathered outside, gazing uneasily beyond the ward. When Qin Sang appeared, expressions of relief washed over their faces. "This is our fellow sect brother, Senior Brother Mu..." Qin Sang introduced Mu Yifeng. Xie Ying cupped his hands toward Mu Yifeng, then eagerly turned to Qin Sang and asked in a rush, "Senior Brother Qin, did you notice anything unusual about the situation outside?" Qin Sang nodded and asked in return, "What did you find?" Xie Ying said with deep concern, "Just a short while ago, quite a few cultivators suddenly swept overhead, hurrying north. It has never been this frequent before. Later, two squads of patrol guards banded together and flew south, their escape lights moving in extreme haste. Something must have happened in the south! Could it be... a massive war is breaking out?" "Patrol squads banded together heading south? It seems someone made it back, and Stargazing Island received word." Qin Sang glanced at Mu Yifeng. On their way back, they had seen many cultivators fleeing north, but no patrol guards. Mu Yifeng offered a wry smile. "I am officially registered on Stargazing Island, so my actions are not entirely my own. Even if Stargazing Island already knows of the enemy situation, I must return to report what I know and await deployment. That said, my injuries are severe, my magic tool was badly damaged, and my combat power is severely diminished. I shouldn't be dispatched anytime soon. You don't need to wade into these muddy waters, Junior Brother Qin. Let us stick to our previous plan—once you deliver me near Stargazing Island, you can leave ahead of me..." Qin Sang gave an acknowledging grunt. The Origin Soul Sword-Nurturing Chapter required battle experience to comprehend the killing talisman, but only under the premise that his own safety could be assured. The grand conflict was just beginning, and the situation remained unclear—the most chaotic of times. The best choice was to leave this place to stay out of the limelight, and make decisions only after things settled down. "Junior Brother Xie, harvest all mature spirit herbs at once, seal the ward, and come with me to leave this place." Xie Ying and the others were overjoyed upon hearing this. Immediately carrying out Qin Sang's orders, each attended to their duty and swiftly gathered every mature spirit herb, packed them into mustard seed bags, and handed them to Qin Sang. "Let's go!" Qin Sang waved his hand to seal the herb garden's ward, then summoned the Nether Silk Cloud, its vapors enveloping everyone. Counting Mu Yifeng, the Nether Silk Cloud carried fourteen people in total. The Qi Refinement stage disciples' cultivation was too low, so Qin Sang had to carry them along in flight, which slowed the Nether Silk Cloud down considerably. Along the way, they spotted two cultivators in the distance fleeing north just like them, but not knowing who they were, Qin Sang did not cause unnecessary complications. Nothing happened along the journey, and they drew close to the agreed-upon location. Right at that moment, Qin Sang and the others were suddenly startled by a thunderous roar. This was... the sound of cultivators flying at high speed! Qin Sang and Mu Yifeng exchanged a glance, their expressions shifting slightly. Rising abruptly, they swept out from the Nether Silk Cloud and concealed their forms as they flew high into the air. Looking toward the astonishing sight to the north, they could not help but suck in a breath of cold air. Over twenty escape lights were streaking across the high sky toward them. Flying swords, precious barges, spirit boats, flying shuttles, escape needles... Flying magic tools of every kind formed a dazzling spectacle, encompassing every variety imaginable. It was like an exhibition feast of flying magic tools. They flew brazenly across the high heavens, their escape lights of various colors reflecting off one another with immense grandeur as they sped south together, bearing down on their direction. Seeing this, Qin Sang did not hesitate in the slightest. He turned back into the Nether Silk Cloud at once and steered it plunging rapidly underwater. Xie Ying and the others had no idea what had happened. Seeing Qin Sang look so grave, they felt apprehensive and stayed still within the cloud, not daring to make a reckless move. To their dismay, scarcely had they descended a few zhang beneath the surface when everyone abruptly heard a cold snort ringing right by their ears. "Get out here!" Qin Sang felt a buzz in his mind and shuddered violently. His spiritual power showed signs of scattering completely, and the Nether Silk Cloud slipped from his control, dispersing with a crash. Then an immense suction pulled from above. A water dragon swept up everyone and surged out of the water. Splash! The water dragon burst, and Qin Sang and the rest plunged back down like dumplings dropped into boiling broth, splashing into the water in utter disarray. Looking up, they saw a figure overhead shifting from phantom to solid, as though stepping out of the void itself. The man appeared to be only in his early twenties and looked unremarkable, yet he possessed an aura of authority unlike anyone else. Standing there with casual ease, he was the focal point of this entire stretch of heaven and earth, impossible for anyone to overlook. In particular, his eyes were extraordinarily sharp, seemingly able to see right through a person's heart. Sensing the obscure and profound aura about him, Qin Sang felt his heart tighten. Paying no mind to the water dripping from his clothes, he hurriedly rose and saluted. Just as he was about to state his sect and name, Mu Yifeng acted even faster, dropping onto one knee before the man. "Shaohua Mountain disciple and patrol guard Mu Yifeng pays respects to Vice Island Master Xiao!" Vice Island Master Xiao! Could he be one of the island masters of Stargazing Island? Qin Sang reacted quickly, following Mu Yifeng's lead: "Shaohua Mountain disciple Qin Sang greets Vice Island Master Xiao!" "Both from Shaohua Mountain?" Vice Island Master Xiao's gaze swept over them. Qin Sang felt as though the man's eyes were twin sharp swords. His entire body grew tense, and he dared not make any rash movement. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of the escape lights from the north flying toward them. Two of them looked quite familiar; he suddenly realized they were the very two cultivators he had spotted earlier. His heart sank, a foreboding premonition rising within him. Vice Island Master Xiao's gaze finally settled upon Mu Yifeng. His expression darkened, and he asked in a cold voice, "Where are you heading?" Mu Yifeng explained himself: "Reporting to Vice Island Master Xiao, this junior was following Senior Fang and Senior Shentu when we were ambushed and attacked by Heaven-Traversing Alliance scoundrels. Under Senior Fang's order, I broke through the encirclement to return to Stargazing Island for reinforcements. I was nearly hunted down and killed by the Heaven-Traversing Alliance, but fortunately, Junior Brother Qin rescued me. We were on our way back to Stargazing Island to report the enemy's situation. Just now, seeing Senior flying over with a group, we could not tell friend from foe and had to resort to hiding. I beg Senior's forgiveness!" Hearing Mu Yifeng's explanation, Vice Island Master Xiao gave a slight grunt, his expression softening somewhat. He said impassively, "There is no need to return to Stargazing Island. All Foundation Establishment cultivators, hear my command: follow this old man south." Qin Sang had already anticipated this. Xie Ying and Mao Ji's faces turned pale with dread. Looking at Qin Sang with pleading eyes, they silently begged for his help. Qin Sang acted as if he had seen nothing. He could barely protect himself—how could he possibly stand up for them? The position of Stargazing Island's Vice Island Master carried extraordinary weight, representing terrifying authority granted by the major sects of the Lesser Cold Domain. Holding the power over life and death was by no means an exaggeration! Wouldn't defying his orders be seeking death? Seeing those two earlier cultivators among the group, Qin Sang had already suspected as much. He had not expected the turn of events to arrive so quickly. Despite rushing with all his might without wasting any time along the way, he was still one step too late and had failed to escape this vortex of slaughter. Brooking no discussion from Qin Sang or the others, Vice Island Master Xiao shifted his tone and questioned Mu Yifeng about everything he had seen and heard.