CHAPTER 572: CHAPTER 551 FIRST UPDATE

Qiandao Temple’s nearest traveling palace to Zheng Capital is the Bu Er Xing Temple, located forty li outside Zheng Capital. Bu Er Xing Temple was constructed by Master Huo Yi in order to treat Emperor Jingzhi without affecting his cultivation practices. To show his gratitude for saving his life, Emperor Jingzhi ensured Bu Er Xing Temple was built with grandeur, with columns made of ancient trees from the Southern Frontier that were over a hundred years old.

Since the disciples of Ghoul Ravine invaded and occupied Qiandao Temple within a span of two days, all the mages from Master Huo Yi and Master Yu Sheng onwards have disappeared one by one, including those deployed in the districts and counties, leaving no trace behind.

Some say that the people of Ghoul Ravine killed Master Huo Yi and the others, scaring the rest of the mages into fleeing.

As for when exactly they left and how they managed to escape together, no one can clearly say.

Bu Er Xing Temple has now been occupied by the people of Ghoul Ravine, and because it is close to Zheng Capital, it only takes half a day to reach there. The area surrounding Bu Er Xing Temple is enveloped by a layer of faint black smoke, which from afar looks like a dense fog not yet dispersed. However, ordinary people who get close and walk a few steps inside start experiencing difficulty breathing and can’t sustain much longer. Many disciples are also seen patrolling around the temple, on high alert, as if guarding against something at all times.

Elder Can anxiously waits outside the largest hall of Bu Er Xing Temple. This temple was constructed with standards fitting for a royal temple; the wood used for its construction and the bricks on the ground were of the highest quality, majestic and imposing. The towering, upturned eaves made Elder Can feel even more anxious.

Just as Elder Can couldn’t help but consider rushing in, the doors of the main hall opened. Elder Can immediately perked up, preparing to greet those who came out. The black-clothed people emerged with a relaxed gait, paying their respects to Elder Can upon seeing him.

"Elder Can, Elder Can—," the black-clothed people greeted Elder Can with a respectful bow upon seeing him, causing Elder Can’s tense expression to immediately relax.

"As long as you’re all fine, that’s good, that’s good—," Elder Can said, nodding, his heart finally settling down.

"Don’t worry, Elder Can, we disciples feel better than ever," said one of the disciples among the black-clothed people, his face brimming with excitement, showing none of the weakness from two days before.

Elder Can nodded but still felt some trepidation in his heart. However, it wasn’t the time for him to dwell on his worries, so Elder Can stepped towards the hall.

The problem had been discovered three days ago when the disciples of Ghoul Ravine suddenly began to experience weakness, drowsiness, and rapid visible weight loss. They lacked even the strength to walk, and it wasn’t just one or two of them—this condition had started appearing in the disciples stationed in Zheng Capital as well.

Upon observing this, Elder Can investigated and found that all these disciples were among those who had practiced cultivation techniques with the Young Master. Feeling alarmed, he immediately reported the situation to the Young Master.

Yin He seemed to realize the seriousness of the situation, and returned that very night. Elder Li, very clever, had not waited for them to return to Qiandao Temple and had already brought those disciples whose conditions were severe to Bu Er Xing Temple.

Elder Can had an inkling that something was amiss. After the Ravine Master had practiced the Evil Method, some similar symptoms had appeared. Although not entirely the same, the situation now manifested before him, and moreover, the Young Master had not mentioned any side effects in the past.

"Young Master—," Elder Can glanced at the youth still sitting on the meditation cushion, his eyes closed. The black smoke still lingered slightly in the air, releasing a sweet fragrance that was very comforting. It seemed that the disciples who had just left the main hall must have absorbed the abilities of the mages from Qiandao Temple once again.

"How many are left?" The young man’s voice was cold as he spoke while Elder Can was lost in thought.

"Young Master, there are still over thirty mages left from Qiandao Temple and various districts and counties; we received news yesterday that our disciples have captured another thirteen and are now on their way back," Elder Can replied immediately.

"When will the Ravine Master arrive?" the youth asked again, already opening his eyes, standing up, and picking up his outer robe beside him. His expression was cold and indifferent, Elder Can could not discern the young master’s emotions at the moment, nor did he know whether those spells were of any serious concern.

"In ten days—" From the Northern Border to Zheng Capital, the journey was long, and besides, the Ravine Master’s body was in the midst of an attack phase, making it inconvenient for him to travel.

The youth slightly frowned, seemingly dissatisfied with this answer. Ten more days.

"Young Master, the disciples of Ghoul Ravine, after all, cannot compare with you. I am worried about them..." Elder Can hesitated for a moment but still spoke up.

"They are not dealing with any serious matter, as long as they regularly receive the energy from the bodies of the disciples of Qiandao Temple for healing," the youth said coldly. "Moreover, as their abilities grow stronger, they will no longer need it."

Upon hearing this, Elder Can’s face lit up with joy. So, this was temporary? Then, could it be that the Ravine Master could also...

At this point, Elder Can was excited. Once the Ravine Master recovered, with both the Ravine Master and the young master present, what would Ghoul Ravine have to fear?

"How is that person?" the youth suddenly asked. Although anxious, he also knew that if the affairs here were not settled, he would have no peace of mind to think about anything else. Moreover...

The youth’s thoughts became chaotic, with one month’s time remaining...

"Young Master, rest assured, those two are being watched over in the dungeon, there will absolutely be no problems," Elder Can immediately replied, then continued, "Also, Young Master, the best hall in Bu Er Xing Temple has been almost prepared, everything has been modeled on Prince Duan’s Mansion and, following Young Master’s suggestion, some additions have been made. The fabrics you required should also arrive in a few days, and Elder Su personally selected all the necessary embroidery girls, kitchen maids."

Upon hearing this, the youth’s face grew somewhat uncomfortable again. Thinking back to that day’s events, he felt Nian Ru would blame him,

"Can Yu, tell me, will she..." be unwilling? Dislike it? If she...

Elder Can looked at his young master. The young master, who was always cold-hearted and brutal, seemed like a completely different person in front of Princess Chao Ren. Although Elder Can did not understand why, he had vaguely heard that Princess Chao Ren had saved the young master’s life on several occasions. And it seemed the young master had set his heart on Princess Chao Ren.

"Young Master, please forgive me for speaking out of turn, but if it were not so at the beginning, I am afraid you wouldn’t even have the chance to stand before the Commandery Princess yourself," Elder Can slowly said. It was on such matters that the young master might heed his advice somewhat.

The youth glanced coldly at Elder Can. If he didn’t know this fact, how could he have agreed to the plan in the first place? And why bother mentioning it now?

"However, once the young master succeeds, you must not be soft-hearted. With women, one must firmly grasp them in his own hands." And it was not that he doubted the young master’s strength, but...

Alas, if only he had spoken up sooner back then, he wouldn’t have let the young master agree to Ju Nanyi’s terms, allowing Princess Chao Ren to become the Empress of Nanzheng State, making their heir of Ghoul Ravine seem illegitimate.