All life cut off, no one spared!
These few words froze the expressions on everyone's faces.
Especially as they watched Martial Artist Shen Yu's face, and after confirming that this Immortal's reincarnation was not speaking carelessly.
"It could truly be like this..." The Moonstone City Lord muttered in a low voice, and the disbelief in his tone was impossible to conceal.
Not just him, most of the others were the same.
Facing this heavenly calamity, while they too had worries, those worries were mostly because they were leaders of their respective powers.
Worried for their subordinates, worried for the people under their rule.
In their subconscious, no matter how disastrous the calamity, they never really believed it threatened themselves; after all, Martial Arts Masters could always get food from somewhere.
How could they be afraid of a mere cold winter!
But now, having heard those words, they suddenly realized with a jolt that they too were caught in this disaster, and would meet the same deadly end?
"Ordinary heavenly disasters could never bear enough merit for an immortal to transcend; only by saving a world, preserving humanity, is one qualified." Martial Artist Shen Yu sighed softly, but deliberately made his voice firmer as he continued, "Besides, tribulation is tribulation—without a great calamity, what is there to 'cross' over? You all must not be careless. Not all Tribulation Immortals succeed. If we truly fail, I myself may not face total annihilation, but for you and this world, the end would be absolute oblivion!"
Yes, Martial Artist Shen Yu had to lay bare the severity of the issue.
This world's cultural understanding did not include the concept of 'doomsday'.
If they truly believed that an immortal's presence assured their safety, it would be a disaster instead.
"Immortal Yu, be assured." Someone, having recovered from their daze, raised a hand and spoke, "We will surely follow the immortal's orders and strive to weather this great tribulation together."
Once someone spoke, the rest echoed in agreement.
All expressing nearly the same intent.
Even the West Mountain Saintess and the Moonstone City Lord were no exception.
Martial Artist Shen Yu knew they were all a bit stunned from too much news suddenly, but it didn't matter—time would solve that.
Most important now was to take action quickly.
"Father-in-law." Martial Artist Shen Yu spoke again to the Moonstone City Lord, "To save the people is to save the world. Please, Father-in-law, open the granaries and provide grain to the victims outside the city."
"Alright." The Moonstone City Lord nodded, then said with some heaviness, "But our granary's stores are actually not abundant. If we truly must supply these three million victims, I fear it will not last long. Once word gets out, even more victims will come."
This was why, even knowing the West Mountain Saintess was difficult to deal with, he had to steadfastly refuse her before.
After all, there was little grain in the city.
Even though Martial Artist Shen Yu just demonstrated an 'Immortal Technique', it was still far from enough!
"No matter. Now I've already contacted two other Tribulation Immortal friends. In their tribulation worlds, food is not in short supply, at least for now." Martial Artist Shen Yu said, "I'll trade cultivation techniques, elixirs, and other resources with them. In this, I'll need everyone's help as well."
"Our cultivation techniques? Does an immortal even need such things?" someone asked, a bit curious.
But before the words had finished, many looked at him as if he were a fool.
"An immortal doesn't need it, but the world an immortal is saving does." Martial Artist Shen Yu swept his gaze around, not stingy with explanations, "Some worlds have thin primordial energy and weak bodies; the cultivation techniques and resources you use for training can make up for that. That's exactly why Tribulation Immortals must assist each other."
Speaking bluntly meant no need to wrack his brains to invent new reasons.
It was possible he'd need help from people of this world to improve techniques so they fit other worlds better.
"Exactly. Sharing what we lack benefits everyone!" The Moonstone City Lord seemed fully recovered, nodding slightly as his mind raced.
As a city lord, he was naturally calculating.
But once the initial shock faded, he found himself trusting his son-in-law's words more and more.
Besides all the miracles this immortal son-in-law had shown, there was also the real sense of mutual aid this brought.
If they were handed endless food for free, everyone's heart would be uneasy.
Moreover, he rapidly realized just how much today's events would mean for him, and for Moonstone City!
Not to mention that the immortal's reincarnation was his son-in-law; just abundant food, in these times, was an enormous advantage!
"You all heard it! Be ready to open the granaries and cook porridge—make sure order is kept." The Moonstone City Lord turned to his subordinates and said.
"Yes!" they all answered in unison.
Their voices were loud—the feeling now was nothing like before!
Meanwhile, the people behind the West Mountain Saintess all felt tense.
One by one, they shrank back looking at Martial Artist Shen Yu, but didn't dare to speak.
Just now, they had offended the immortal. Who knew what punishment awaited!
But the West Mountain Saintess slowly stepped forward, her voice hoarse as she asked, "Immortal Yu, since this is a trade for grain, may I ask how much I can get for these?"
She held out her hand, and several bottles and jars, along with a golden silk cloth, landed before her.
When the others saw that golden cloth clearly, their eyes went wide—many gasped in shock.
"Withered Wood Nirvana Scripture!"
"This cultivation technique is actually in the Saintess's hands!"
"That's right—the Saintess was gravely injured but her meridians were unharmed. If she had this technique, it all makes sense."
"No wonder they say the Saintess's medical skills are magical! This is the legendary scripture of healing arts!"
"The Saintess hid it so well. All these years, no one noticed!"
"..."
No wonder their reactions were so extreme. Even Martial Artist Shen Yu, on hearing "Withered Wood Nirvana Scripture," was stunned inside.
This Martial Arts World didn't just have differences in realm—there weren't clear divisions between the classes of cultivation technique.
But, their general strength was still apparent.
The Golden Cicada Technique he practiced was considered a first-class technique, since cultivating it to the Sixth Realm—Perfection—made one a first-class master of the age.
That was roughly the same level as a city lord.
Above the Golden Cicada Technique were top-level techniques, recognized because those practicing them displayed top-level power.
And beyond that, there was a class of techniques most mysterious of all.
—Legendary Technique!
Legendary Techniques may not be much stronger than those of today's top masters, but every single Legendary Technique represented a Martial Arts Myth from history!
Those were the mighty ones who dominated an era!
Most have already been lost, but every time one appears, even a trace, it triggers storms of bloodshed.
The Withered Wood Nirvana Scripture is just such a technique!
If people had known long ago that the West Mountain Saintess held this technique, despite her power and reputation, she would likely have perished in the turmoil of the martial world, unable to escape!