CHAPTER 55: 54. EMOJI PACK

Floods also engulfed the northern mountains surrounding Qingxiao Lake.

But the flow did not head towards Qingxiao Lake, so the lake’s embankments and the talisman array here remained unaffected.

*Reflecting on that earlier commotion, Lei Jun guessed that the "dead end" described in the unlucky lot to the north likely referred not to the Lin Clan laying an ambush, but to some natural disaster—catastrophic in scale, impossible to counter?*

Fang Yue waved his hand, ending the conversation and letting Fang Mingyuan and the others hide temporarily with Lu Zhaoqing.

He continued to linger on the embankment of Qingxiao Lake, his gaze fixed on the north.

No natural disaster arrived, nor did anyone from the Lin Clan appear.

No one knew how much time passed, until a lone white cloud drifted by and a young Taoist in a purple robe appeared above Hanging Sky Lake.

His arrival instantly pulled the clouds away and stopped the rain—the entire world seemed infused with the warmth of spring, an aura of peace and serenity filled the air.

With a simple gesture, Hanging Sky Lake descended at once.

The floods ceased their rampage, Spiritual Energy returned to order.

In the blink of an eye, Qingxiao Lake regained its usual calm.

"Is this Taoist Yu Lizi from Dragon Tiger Mountain in person? This student Fang Yue from Jingxiang pays his respects."

Fang Yue straightened his clothes and hat, and was first to bow in greeting.

Fang Mingyuan widened his eyes, glancing towards a distant mountain summit snapped in half, and Lei Jun appeared in a leisurely manner, Luo Haoran at his side.

*Suddenly hearing someone call out Master’s Taoist Title—wasn’t used to that at all, almost didn’t react to who it was... Lei Jun closed his Water-Averting Golden Pupil, and stepped forward to greet him,* "Master."

The visitor was none other than Yuan Mobai.

He wore the same genial smile as ever, full of warmth, and first returned Fang Yue’s bow, "So it’s the Qilin of Jingxiang Fang Family—truly a remarkable young man."

Fang Yue, "I wouldn’t dare, Taoist, you may call me Duanfeng, my courtesy name."

He gestured at Fang Mingyuan, "This is my clansman Mingyuan."

Yuan Mobai’s smile stayed easy, "Mr. Mingyuan leaves quite an impression too—after last year’s farewell, you’re even more distinguished today."

The Fang Clan youth had already composed himself, his manner impeccable, "Mingyuan greets the Taoist, may you be blessed with endless fortune and longevity."

Once the external guests finished their greetings, Yuan Mobai called Lu Zhaoqing over, and then turned his attention to Lei Jun,

"Judging by your appearance, this trip wasn’t easy for you either."

Lei Jun, "I’m all right, but Luo was hurt badly, and Master Lu has done a great deal."

Yuan Mobai signaled gently, not disturbing the sleeping Luo Haoran and Su Yu, directly flew to their side, and vanished into the white clouds.

Lei Jun briefly recounted what happened.

"Lin Clan...,"

Yuan Mobai shook his head subtly, "Up north in the mountains, a few people did lose their lives."

Lei Jun, "We only heard huge commotion in the north earlier."

Yuan Mobai sighed lightly, "To be precise, as your master I have some responsibility. I did not kill Boren, yet Boren died because of me."

*So that so-called "natural disaster" up north was not just a force of nature—it was human-caused... Master, was that your doing? Lei Jun found himself growing curious.*

The others, even Fang Mingyuan, pricked up their ears.

"I’d departed on a prior appointment—duel, actually,"

Yuan Mobai briefly explained, "I tried to contain the battle’s location and direction to avoid affecting Qingxiao Mountain, so the fight happened among wasteland hills.

Didn’t expect Lin Clan members would get caught too, even though I didn’t strike at them myself..."

*So your opponent’s attacks unleashed aftershocks that wiped out the Lin Clan ambushers in the northern hills.*

The Lin Clan had only meant to ambush Lei Jun and the other Third and Second Layer folks.

They had no idea some big shots were battling it out among the wasteland nearby.

Lei Jun tightened his face.

He had been trained strictly.

No laughter.

Yuan Mobai just mentioned a few things, without elaborating, then spoke to Lu Zhaoqing,

"Master Lu, the talisman array at Qingxiao Lake is undamaged for now. This isn’t a good place for guests. Why don’t the two Mr. Fang come join us at Qingxiao Temple?"

Fang Yue, "In that case, we apologize for intruding."

The Celestial Master at the Celestial Master Mansion’s condition had been a mystery lately.

The long-time rival, Jiangzhou Lin Clan, grew restless again, testing the waters with preliminary moves.

Not only did they instigate the Dong Family downstream of Qinglan River—even their own disciples had slipped into the Yunxiao Mountain Range.

In the end, their effort cost them everything.

Fang Yue only managed to save Qin Tao and drive off the Lin Clan members from West Mountain—case closed.

But up north and here by Qingxiao Lake, the two Lin Clan strike teams got wiped out.

The clash between the Jiangzhou Lin Clan and Celestial Master Mansion could erupt into escalation at any moment—things had just begun.

On the way back to Qingxiao Temple, Yuan Mobai said to Lei Jun, "Flooding in the Yunxiao range was severe this time, but I couldn’t get away earlier. Our Sect and the Purple Cloud Sect have already sent folks to lend a hand."

The flood may be over before they arrived.

But the coming battles with the Lin Clan and Dong Family were where the real game started.

The group sent from the Mansion included some familiar faces.

Since their original aim was flood control, the team was still modest in size.

The squad leader was a talisman-instructed disciple, none other than Li Xuan, Elder Ziyang’s eldest son.

Among those who came with him for the Transcension Ritual, one was Qu Yong, who had traveled to Xuanyang Manor with Lei Jun previously.

Inside Qingxiao Temple, after proper greetings, Li Xuan and company heard about the Jiangzhou Lin Clan affair, but did not panic.

They’d tangled so often in the past—no one could be more familiar...

Li Xuan asked Yuan Mobai, "Master, so now we..."

Yuan Mobai’s tone stayed as calm and even as ever, "The Lin Clan likely has backup plans, but we needn’t panic. Staying longer in Yunxiao Mountain Range will do.

That said, make sure to report the situation to headquarters promptly—and escort Luo and other wounded disciples home for proper rest.

Also, with the Fang Clan scions here as guests, we can communicate with them and clarify the Fang Clan’s stance."

Li Xuan and the others all replied in agreement.

Next came Qin Tao’s issue.

He stood before the main temple hall, regretful and ashamed, shaking with fear and dread, awaiting his fate.

Li Xuan and Fang Yue weren’t close, but knew each other for some time.

After hearing about Qin Tao’s behavior while in Lin Clan hands, Li Xuan drew a long breath, "Misfortune comes to our Purple Cloud Sect."

He looked at Yuan Mobai and Lu Zhaoqing, "Master Yuan, Master Lu, since the man’s a disciple of Purple Cloud Sect, better to send him there for punishment."

Yuan Mobai and Lu Zhaoqing both nodded, "That would be best."

Qin Tao only just dared hope again, but then Li Xuan told a Celestial Master Mansion true-inheritance disciple to take Qin Tao and company back to Purple Cloud Sect, where they would await final judgment.

So much for relying on friends—Qin Tao fell into despair immediately.

All these steps were pretty routine.

What wasn’t routine was hearing Lei Jun and others recount the full series of events at Qingxiao Lake—the sights and actions.

When Li Xuan learned of Lei Jun’s clash with the Dong Family, he stared in surprise at Lei Jun.

Then, with a jolt, he turned and fixed Qu Yong with his gaze.

Qu Yong was even more stunned—his eyeballs nearly popping out.

After one glare from Li Xuan, Qu Yong shuddered all over and snapped back to reality.

That one look from Li just now chilled Qu Yong to the bone.

Lei Jun stood serenely by, indifferent to both their expressions.

*But remembering Senior Sister Xu Yuanzhen’s earlier advice, Lei Jun started piecing the image together in his mind,*

First frame—Li Xuan and Qu Yong side by side, both frozen in shock.

Hmm, this meme is titled "Stunned."

Second frame—Li Xuan whipping his head around in anger at Qu Yong, Qu Yong looking thoroughly wronged.

Hmm, this meme is called "Aggrieved."