CHAPTER 205: THE FORMATION SPIRIT APPEARS

Due to Wang Sheng's firm insistence, Xi Lian did not personally lift the immobilization technique on the Daoist masters for safety's sake. Instead, she passed the method for undoing it to Qing Long and his companions.

Soon after, eight more Golden Core Realm cultivators arrived. Including those who had already been released from the technique, they now had around seventeen or eighteen Golden Core Realm experts working into the night. Only then was a third of the immobilized righteous cultivators finally freed.

Although Xi Lian's immobilization technique could technically be undone, it was still incredibly difficult to break. Even Golden Core Realm cultivators barely managed to do it. The group of Daoist elders worked themselves to the brink of exhaustion, dripping with sweat and lips turning pale from overexertion.

Worried that the technique would hinder the future cultivation of the immobilized Daoist masters, they had no choice but to swallow alchemical pills continuously, alternate between meditation and drawing in primal qi, and shout encouragement to each other to keep going.

Just before nightfall, though, the immobilization technique faded on its own. The remaining Daoist masters who had not yet been released all trembled slightly as strands of Buddhist light dispersed from within them. In response, the Daoist elders who had been toiling away suddenly looked as if they'd been slapped, their expressions filled with disbelief.

Wang Sheng licked his lips and glanced at the fox fiend.

Xi Lian was now sitting cross-legged in front of the Buddha statue, surrounded by several high-ranking officials. She had changed into an ancient dress like Mu Wanxuan's. When Wang Sheng looked her way, she blinked at him.

With an innocent expression, she asked in her ancient accent, "Have cultivators in this era all lost their common sense? Immobilization techniques dispel themselves after enough time has passed."

The hall immediately fell silent. The corners of a few uniformed veterans' mouths twitched.

"Let's talk business," Chi Ling remarked, taking the initiative to shift the topic. Choosing her words carefully, she began asking Xi Lian a series of technical questions.

There was no need to worry about the corrupt cultivators anymore. The Special Warfare Unit had already imprisoned and stripped the cultivation of those with intelligence value. The rest, once identified, had been executed and disposed of.

Chi Ling and several senior officials arrived at the Ziyan Temple only half an hour ago. For the time being, they acted as the representatives of the Hua Republic in negotiations with Xi Lian.

Despite having practiced both Buddhist and Daoist arts, Xi Lian was, at her core, a fiend.

In the Hua Republic, many still believed that those outside their race had different intentions. The cultivation world was unlikely to accept a fox fiend like Xi Lian, especially given the scale of the incident. There was no way to conceal the incident either.

However, Xi Lian was far stronger than even the most elite righteous cultivators of the era. Buddhist light also surrounded her, and she showed no signs of devilish qi. Naturally, none of the Daoist masters were foolish enough to call for her extermination.

After learning the full story from Wang Sheng and confirming that he now had control over her life, the officials concluded that Xi Lian could be a powerful asset in times of national crisis. Hence, Chi Ling and the others described the peace and prosperity of the Hua Republic, along with the threats that the chaotic international situation posed. They gently proposed that Xi Lian step in again during times of danger, as she had done today.

Xi Lian replied calmly, "A thousand years ago, I did my part in vanquishing devils. I have a devilish nature within me now, though. I can intervene, but each time I use enchanted power, I risk falling fully into darkness."

She then pointed to five young cultivators standing off to the side—at Wang Sheng, specifically.

Seeing the flirtatious smile on her lips, Wang Sheng immediately sensed trouble. However, before he could react, Xi Lian softly and charmingly added, "My master, Santong, chose Fei Yu to be my new master[1]. My life is now in his hands. If you want me to act, just have him give the order."

Uh...

The people in the hall could understand most of her ancient phrasing.

Master?

Dozens of Daoist masters and elders all turned to Wang Sheng. One by one, a sudden realization crossed their faces.

They then noticed Mu Wanxuan standing beside him, looking like a fairy descended from the heavens while casually playing with her phone. Something seemed to click for them.

Several elders from the Shu Sword Sect who were familiar with Wang Sheng exchanged meaningful glances with him.

What is going on? How did I suddenly become her master?

Feeling somewhat helpless, Wang Sheng stepped forward and declared, "I swore to Buddhist Master Santong on my own Great Dao that I would never force Senior Xi Lian to do anything against her will. As long as she doesn't commit evil or fall into darkness, I have no right to control her."

So they wanted to shove this responsibility on me? Not a chance.

Xi Lian gently bit her lip, her gaze filled with subtle grievance. Softly, she asked, "I was sealed for a thousand years without reason. Now that I am free, you're the only one I can rely on. Are you abandoning me too?"

Wang Sheng was speechless. Does she really have to act this cheeky?

They barely knew each other. This kind of talk was going to cause misunderstandings.

He immediately noticed a shift in the atmosphere within the hall. Aside from the older Daoist elders, everyone else seemed to sympathize with her.

Perhaps this is some form of racial talent. It has to be.

"Amitabha," said Monk Huai Jing with a sigh. "Fei Yu, there's no need to push this responsibility away."

Liu Yunzhi added, "Fei Yu, this senior once followed two great masters. She certainly needs someone to look after her now."

Even Mu Wanxuan gently patted Wang Sheng's arm, her gaze a mix of reproach and encouragement.

"Brother Sheng, I think—"

Wang Sheng glared at Shi Qianzhang, immediately making him shrink back and laugh awkwardly.

Waiting for his response, all eyes in the hall now rested on Wang Sheng.

Steeling his resolve, he looked calmly at Xi Lian. "If that is the case, then I shall accept this responsibility. Senior Xi Lian is one of the righteous. Protecting the nation and the people is the duty of all righteous cultivators.

"Due to her unique condition, however, she cannot act often. She has to find a quiet place to recuperate and use Buddhist arts to diminish the devilish seed in her heart. If a powerful enemy ever invades the Hua Republic and the righteous cultivators cannot repel them, I believe Senior Xi Lian will not wait for me to ask before taking action herself."

A Daoist master replied, "I mean no offense, but most records of the cultivation world from a thousand years ago are long gone. How can we verify her identity?"

That concern was reasonable. Still, Xi Lian just snorted coldly.

Fortunately, Wang Sheng had prepared for this. "I know of a way."

"Oh? And what would that be, Fei Yu?"

"Senior Xi Lian once followed Daoist Master Qinglin, founder of the Shu Sword Sect, and Buddhist Master Santong in their travels. The Shu Sword Sect has a senior from a thousand years ago who should remember this."

The Daoist masters were momentarily stunned. A senior from a thousand years ago?

Wang Sheng turned to Qing Long. "Would it be possible to ask him to testify?"

Qing Long replied, "Coincidentally, two of my disciples are about to enter the Seventy-Two Swords. I will send one in now, but I cannot guarantee that he will appear."

Wang Sheng said, "Have the disciple strike the sword techniques engraved on the wall. The senior will sense it and respond accordingly."

"Very well." Qing Long nodded and pulled out his phone. Noticing Xi Lian looking over curiously, he smiled awkwardly. "I'll step outside to use... Thousand-Mile Transmission."

An hour later, Qing Long received a video on his phone. After watching it once, he forwarded it to the Shu Sword Sect elders present. They then showed it to everyone.

In the video, the formation spirit appeared in the form of Qing Feng Zhenren, the founder of the Shu Sword Sect.

For a moment, the hall echoed with the formation spirit's loud maniacal laughter. The formation spirit spoke in an ancient dialect, though the meaning behind his words was clear enough.

—Hahaha! Little Fei Yu has found another stroke of fortune? The fox fiend has broken free, only to hand her life over to him? How wonderful. How have you all not tricked him into joining the Shu Sword Sect yet?

They then heard a feminine whisper in the video.

—Senior, the recording has already started!

—Oh. Ahem. Among all our past sect masters, Sect Master Qinglin had the best talent and character. He even reached the final stage of the Seventy-Two Swords. I do not know the full details of his private life, but I often heard younger disciples back then mention that he had a close 'companion' in the back mountains. They were likely just gossiping, though.

—What I can confirm is that during his years of roaming with Santong, a fox fiend named Xi Lian was with them. She was considered a disciple of the little monk, who trained her in Buddhist arts from a young age. She was not a true fiend or devil.

—I won't say much about other matters out of respect for our former sect master, but there is no doubt that Sect Master Qinglin has never acted improperly or done anything that went against the rules of the sect.

—The fox fiend never committed slaughter either. The Heavenly Court only wanted to purge her because of her 'fiend' title. Qinglin sealed her to protect her, which eventually led to her falling into darkness. It was all a misunderstanding that Qinglin's desperate decision had caused.

—I have many methods that can purify devilish nature. I will have this disciple take them out later. If they can help that little fox, then consider it an apology on behalf of Sect Master Qinglin.

When the video ended, the great hall fell silent.

Using voice transmission, Xi Lian asked Wang Sheng, "Who was that old guy?"

Wang Sheng smiled at her. He then loudly declared, "Elders, the formation spirit of the Seventy-Two Swords, the sword spirit of Shu Sword Sect Founder Qing Feng Zhenren, has testified. Do you have any more doubts?"

Xi Lian pressed her lips together. The formation spirit had every right to call her "little fox" and refer to her master as "little monk."

Qing Long, the sect master of the Shu Sword Sect, replied, "If you are willing, Senior Xi Lian, the Shu Sword Sect would be honored to serve as your support. We can build a peaceful residence for you in the back mountains."

"No need," Xi Lian said as she closed her eyes. "From now on, I will remain by Daoist Master Fei Yu's side. Wherever he goes, I go. If there is nothing else, please leave. I have to focus on suppressing my devilish qi. If it leaks out, it may harm you."

The Daoist elders and masters had no choice but to leave the great hall. Meanwhile, several senior officials gazed at Wang Sheng, their faces already showing kind and friendly smiles.

1. The master here implies a pet-owner relationship. ☜