Chapter Sixty-Eight: Unexpected Turns

On the side of justice, all the inner sect disciples set aside their past grudges, forgetting even the rules of this trial. Hundreds of them descended like rain, instantly dividing Tianming and Suoxiu Fu, their gazes united in hostility toward the two who had turned traitor to the Black Demon Clan.

“Thank you, everyone. Please, you must capture these two traitors to our sect. I thank you all here and now!”

With a grateful smile, Tianming bowed tremblingly to those around him before collapsing.

Hearing Tianming speak, the inner sect disciples responded with respectful gestures.

“Are you all right, brother?” Seeing Tianming fall, Chu Qingchen hurried forward to support him.

“Thank you. I’m fine… just exhausted my spiritual energy.” Tianming managed a weak smile.

He had spent all his spiritual power maintaining the Thunder Moonlight Slash, draining his reserves completely. With the danger now gone, Tianming no longer had a goal to support him, and his strength faded.

“Brother Tianming, don’t worry—they won’t escape!” At this moment, Sikong Shi, the first to speak earlier, walked over.

Seeing someone of similar age approach, Tianming looked puzzled. “…Who are you?”

“Oh, my name is Sikong Shi. Brother Tianming, your reputation precedes you. I’ve heard much about you in the sect, and now that I meet you, I see it’s all true.” Sikong Shi nodded to Chu Qingchen, smiling at Tianming.

“Nonsense! It’s only thanks to the elders’ favor. I’m just a disciple, same as you—there’s nothing to be proud of.” With Chu Qingchen’s help, Tianming stood and shook his head in modest reflection.

Suddenly, a beam of azure light descended from the sky, and through the haze, a graceful young woman floated gently toward the earth.

“What’s this…?” The unexpected light and unknown figure drew everyone’s attention, including Tianming and all the inner sect disciples. Even Suoxiu Fu and his companion couldn’t help but look at the elegant girl descending swiftly, wondering who could make such an impressive entrance.

“Thank you, Qingpo.” But Tianming smiled as if expecting her, knowing that Qingpo had surely healed Shumeng and, now that the danger had passed, was bringing her down to reassure him. Tianming felt heartfelt gratitude toward Qingpo.

Soon, the elegant woman landed beside Tianming. As curiosity grew among the gathered disciples, they realized she was one of them—a fellow disciple of the Celestial Evolution Sect. Yet how did she descend from such heights unscathed?

The moment her delicate feet touched the ground and Shumeng saw Tianming’s pale face, she walked anxiously to him. Chu Qingchen, experienced as ever, quickly pulled the bewildered Sikong Shi away.

“Tianming, are you all right?” Shumeng asked, concern written on her face.

Tianming was deeply moved. He hadn’t expected Shumeng’s first thought upon returning to be his safety.

Cough, cough.

“I’m fine! Thank you, Shumeng. If you hadn’t blocked that sword for me, I might have…” Tianming clutched his chest, forcing a smile.

Seeing his state, Shumeng couldn’t help but laugh.

“It’s nothing. I just didn’t want those traitors to succeed.” Yet, sensing the eyes upon her, Shumeng’s expression grew serious.

Tianming nodded, surprised at her righteousness—a heart like the sea, indeed!

“Even so, I must thank you. If you have any request, speak it. Whatever it is, I will do my utmost to fulfill it,” Tianming declared, his tone earnest.

“No need.” Shumeng shook her head.

“Well, if you ever face difficulties, tell me. I’m not strong now, but in the future, I’ll be the one who cares for you most!” Tianming felt a touch of regret; he’d hoped to repay her, but Shumeng asked for nothing.

He didn’t press further, instead resolving to help her quietly one day.

Shumeng…

Seeing Tianming insist, Shumeng simply smiled and nodded.

“Tianming, you escaped today, and I, Suoxiu Fu, accept it. But who will always shield you? Wait and see: the Black Demon Clan won’t let this go. The entire continent will soon belong to them. You ignorant fools dare resist—prepare for judgment!”

Just then, a sharp, furious voice rang out from ahead, drawing Tianming and Shumeng’s gaze.

“Suoxiu Fu, you are an inner sect disciple, yet you collude with evil and boast of it. You two are prisoners now—how dare you face the elders and disciples of the sect?” Sikong Shi rebuked Suoxiu Fu sternly, seeing his stubborn defiance.

Watching Suoxiu Fu and his companion bound by spiritual energy, Tianming shook his head in sorrow. Was he really so hated? From Xie Xin in the past to Suo Yangcan now, they would rather join the Black Demon Clan than spare him!

Hmm?

As Tianming glanced around, he noticed something: Suo Yangcan held a black cover in his hand. If one didn’t look closely, it was easy to mistake the dark energy enveloping them for this item. “Brother, stop Suo Yangcan! They’re trying to escape!”

Tianming’s sudden shout startled everyone, including Shumeng. Wasn’t Suo Yangcan trapped by their spiritual energy?

Why would Tianming say that?

“Condense! First Art of the Five-Fold Fiery Departure: Wolf Condensation!” With a fierce cry, Chu Qingchen transformed into a streak of red light and vanished.

Without hesitation, Chu Qingchen gathered flaming spiritual energy into a crimson wolf’s head and hurled it at Suo Yangcan and his companion, trusting Tianming—trust forged through time.

“Too late! Tianming, next time we meet will be your death!” As the attack came crashing down, Suo Yangcan flung the dark cover aside. Instantly, a cloud of black mist billowed out, shrouding the field in confusion.

Suddenly, a tremendous backlash erupted from the center around Suo Yangcan and his companion, the force so vast it nearly leveled the entire valley.

Boom!

Chu Qingchen, caught in the blast, was thrown back with a cry. The disciples, seeing the scene, dared not linger—they activated their tokens and teleported away without hesitation. As inner sect disciples, they had the wisdom to recognize the danger.

Though they could have resisted together, doing so would have risked injury. Weighing the risks, the disciples chose to flee.