Chapter Seventy-Two: Sudden Turn of Events

Feng Jiu’s efficiency was remarkable. In less than ten breaths, he declared, “It’s done.”

Feng Ke’er was both startled and delighted, though a little incredulous. “Really? How did you manage it? Did you alert Qin Hanyan?” After all, Qin Hanyan was a master at the Nascent Soul stage.

Feng Jiu responded curtly, “Her personal sachet was inexplicably burned. Of course she noticed!”

“You—damn it!” Feng Ke’er rolled her eyes, hurriedly summoned the Phoenix Blood Crystal, and prepared to leave. Fortunately, her entire fortune was stowed in her storage pouch; she could depart without packing.

Yet, before she could even exit the room, a mischievous cackle sounded at her ear: “Don’t rush, I haven’t finished speaking. She’s in no position to bother with you right now.”

Was it just a breakthrough, or had this brat’s temperament changed entirely? Such wicked amusement! Was he the real one or still an impostor? Feng Ke’er pressed her forehead. “Stupid bird, can’t you say everything at once? You nearly scared me to death.”

“Stay where you are. I’ll come get you,” he finally became serious. “It’s chaos outside.”

What was happening? Just now, she’d been scalded by that strangely hot rainwater and instinctively withdrew her spiritual sense, reciting the Clear Heart Incantation out of habit. Thus, she was utterly unaware of the situation beyond her walls. Hearing his words, she tentatively released her spiritual sense once more.

The Clear Heart Incantation worked wonders; now, her spiritual sense felt perfectly normal.

But the outer gate was in uproar.

First, due to the deliberate misdirection from the Sect Master and Grand Elder, the disciples of Azure Cloud Sect suffered heavy casualties during the spectacle of the “meat bird’s” advancement. Not only did the entire outer sect’s management succumb and fall into a collective coma, but several high-level inner sect disciples were injured as well—including “Ancestor Aunt” Qin Hanyan herself. Apparently, her spiritual sense had been burned. Feng Ke’er saw her sitting in meditation, as still as an old monk. No wonder the meat bird said she “could barely protect herself.” Feng Ke’er’s spiritual sense circled her body twice, only to discover, regretfully, that she could do nothing and had to move on.

Second, the Sect Master and Grand Elder at last realized something was amiss. The celestial signs showed the divine beast had successfully advanced, so the outer gate’s protective array should have upgraded accordingly. Yet, after nearly a quarter of an hour, the array remained utterly inert.

Impossible! The Sect Master and Grand Elder exchanged glances, spread their arms, and soared toward the Outer Gate’s Imprint Court—the protective array was controlled by the newly appointed Imprint Keeper, who was now unconscious. With no time to lose, they had to inspect it themselves.

Just then, with a loud crash, a translucent, pale blue dome appeared above the outer gate.

The Sect Master and Grand Elder halted in midair, wiping cold sweat from their brows.

“Heh. We were too hasty,” the Sect Master laughed heartily.

No sooner had she spoken than the dome began to crackle and hiss.

Looking up, they saw the dome swiftly fracture. In moments, it was riddled with cracks of all sizes.

The other disciples noticed too, erupting in cries of alarm and panic. Their terror was understandable—the protective array, set by the founding Ancestor, had guarded Azure Cloud Sect for tens of thousands of years; such a sight was unprecedented.

“What’s the panic?” the Sect Master shouted angrily from midair. “Destruction precedes rebirth! The array is upgrading. Without abolishing the old, how can the new arise?”

The Grand Elder echoed, “Don’t be afraid. The Sect Master is right. It’s perfectly normal.”

Everyone relaxed, gazing upward and chattering about the dome overhead.

No one noticed the Sect Master secretly signaling the Grand Elder, whose figure wavered and face changed dramatically. The Sect Master quickly steadied her, still smiling. “Go. The upgrade of the array is a major celebration for the sect—it should be rejoiced by all. Invite all the elders to Sacred Mist Peak to discuss the arrangements. Remember, this is important. Summon every elder, even those in seclusion.”

The Grand Elder nodded gravely, her smile never reaching her eyes.

Clearly, there was something going on! Feng Ke’er could swear the two had just conferred spiritually and made a significant decision.

Yet, everyone else was immersed in the joy of the array’s upgrade and the renewal of the protective dome, oblivious to any oddities between their Sect Master and Grand Elder.

The crackling overhead grew sharper and more piercing. After half an hour, a muffled boom echoed from underground. The earth quivered slightly. The dome in the sky burst forth in dazzling light, then vanished completely.

Everyone but the Sect Master cheered and clapped. Eyes burned with hope as they searched the sky for the new protective shield.

Though she knew the meat bird’s advancement wasn’t the true cause, Feng Ke’er waited as well. She was puzzled—what connection was there between the meat bird’s breakthrough and the outer gate’s array? Why had things come to this?

A minute passed, then two… five… ten… Still, no sign of the new shield.

Instead, a dire alarm bell tolled from Sacred Mist Peak within the inner sect. “Dong—dong—dong—” Each heavy peal struck the hearts of all.

Smiles froze. Everyone turned to the Sect Master. “Sect Master—”

Gritting her teeth, the Sect Master announced bitterly, “The upgrade failed—the array is broken!”

A chorus of dismay erupted. Some even sobbed—without the shelter of the array, how could they survive in the ruthless cultivation world?

Sorrow spread like contagion. As the weeping intensified, the Sect Master leapt into the air, waving her sleeve and yelling, “Enough crying! It’s just an array. The ancient guardian has been worn out after tens of thousands of years—it’s time to replace it with a new one.” As she spoke, a golden, square token flashed in her hand. “Disciples, heed my command—”

The Sect Master’s order! No one dared slacken; wiping away their tears, they cupped their hands and responded, “Yes!”

Truly a leader—the Sect Master held firm under pressure. She issued several commands in quick succession: First, activate the inner sect’s grand protective array; second, all outer sect disciples are to move to Azure Mist Peak within the inner sect, its master to arrange accommodations for them; third, inner sect disciples must return to their own peaks and await further instructions; fourth, disciples of Jade Mist Peak will escort the wounded back to the inner sect.

Everyone sprang into action.

Among them, Azure Mist Peak’s master moved fastest—so many outer sect disciples needed food and lodging, urgency was inevitable.

“Outer sect disciples, assemble!” The bell rang from the Steward’s Court.

Qin Jun heard it and hurried into Feng Ke’er’s room. “Brother Heng—” His voice cut off abruptly.

She was gone!

He paused, rushed to the low couch, and flung aside the rumpled blanket—empty!

“What…” He licked his lips, uncertain what to do.

“Jun’er!” A figure flashed in at the door. It was Li Hentian.

He gripped his treasured sword tightly, rushed inside, and scanned the room. Pressing a hand to Qin Jun’s shoulder, he asked, “Where’s Heng’er? Wasn’t he with you?”

Qin Jun, seeing him, burst into tears. “Uncle Tianshi, Heng’s gone! I came to see him this morning. He said he’d spent the night practicing swordsmanship and was exhausted, needed to sleep. But just now, he wasn’t in bed, nor anywhere in the room…”

“Let’s go. He must have heard the assembly bell and left ahead of us.” Li Hentian’s brows knitted tightly, cursing inwardly: Damn, the brat slipped away again.

He’d noticed Qin Hanyan was injured and unable to deal with “Qin Heng,” planning to seize him in the chaos for interrogation. But he’d still been outmaneuvered.

In truth, Feng Ke’er had never left the courtyard. When she saw Qin Jun rush into her room, she almost revealed herself—if not for noticing Li Hentian arriving at the same moment.

“Let’s go,” a childish sigh sounded beside her.

He finally showed himself! Feng Ke’er turned angrily. “You…” She pointed at him, utterly speechless, petrified on the spot.

She’d expected to see a big, red, flaming turkey at best. Instead, behind her stood a little boy in red robes—a cherubic, jade-carved child. He stood almost chest-high to her, his jet-black hair tied up with colorful ribbons, his fine phoenix eyes slanting into his temples, jade face and red lips, sharp chin, with plump, rosy cheeks still bearing traces of baby fat. Her fingers itched, wanting to pinch!

Hmph, women are all the same! Feng Jiu stood with hands behind his back, chin raised proudly, poised to show off. Suddenly recalling their height difference, he snorted lightly, turned away, and gave her a bean-sprout silhouette.

“You—you can take on human form!” Feng Ke’er blinked in disbelief.

As far as she knew, only divine beasts at the fifth stage could transform. Before seclusion, the meat bird was at the peak of the third stage; after advancing, he should have reached the fourth. Could he have skipped a stage?

Feng Jiu glanced back, snorting disdainfully. “Correct. I’m now at the fifth stage, so of course I can take human form.” Hmph, compared to my original power, the fifth stage is nothing!

This demon really did skip a stage! Feng Ke’er’s eyes sparkled. “How did you do it? Share your experience, will you?” She wanted to level up too!

“How ignorant!” Feng Jiu rolled his eyes but explained patiently, “I spent over thirty days eating fasting pills, tired of blandness, so I devoured the four guardian beasts of the outer gate. They were all at the third stage. After refining their souls and gaining new insight into the Breath Concealing Talisman, I advanced an extra stage.”

It sounded much like her own monster-slaying upgrades. Feng Ke’er scratched her head and asked, “By your account, you ate the guardian beasts more than ten days ago. Why didn’t the array collapse then, but only now?”

A blush crept across Feng Jiu’s face. He waved his fists irritably. “Idiot, obviously I was maintaining the array. Hey, where’s my demon crystal?” Inwardly, he raged: If you sneak snacks, remember to wipe your mouth, you fool!

“It’s right here,” Feng Ke’er finally understood and stifled a laugh. To cover up his greedy mess, the great one had played housekeeper and guardian for the lower realm cultivators for over ten days!

(To be continued)

Celestial Tome 72_Chapter Seventy-Two: The Change, updated complete!