As the protective array of Wuxiang Sect was shattered before his eyes, Shen Yuefu watched the panicked faces of the sect disciples and stepped into the miasma brought by the Spirit Realm cultivators.
"Shen Yuefu, I have heard your name."
The former sect master of Miaoyun Sect smiled at him through the swirling miasma.
Shen Yuefu held his sword in one hand while drawing blood from his fingertips with the other.
The miasma recoiled instantly upon contact with his blood, dispersing to either side.
The former sect master of Miaoyun Sect narrowed his eyes at this.
"This is the miasma within my own body. I did not expect your blood could repel it. Shen Jiànjūn, you truly are extraordinary."
The miasma still lingered, and without the protection of the sect's array, the entire Wuxiang Sect was instantly enveloped in it.
Shen Yuefu could clearly hear the disciples' startled cries. He focused on the blood at his fingertips, as a pure white spiritual energy slowly began to seep out.
"I never imagined that the mighty Yuchi family would ally with Miaoyun Sect to confront the Lower Realm together."
The Yuchi ancestor stepped out of the dense fog, reaching a hand into the void as he laughed. "Before the elders of the Spirit Realm, what is the Lower Realm worth? If I foolishly led my family to follow Wuxiang Sect, now that the protective array is broken, would my people perish alongside you?"
"If only everyone in the Lower Realm were as wise as the Yuchi family. Then we would not have wasted words speaking to you." The former sect master of Miaoyun Sect looked at Shen Yuefu with disdain.
"Aside from Wuxiang Sect, the Guan Fan Temple also stands in Central Domain. In the face of calamity, Shen Jiànjūn, have you forgotten the monks of Guan Fan Temple?"
Yuan Kong pressed his hands together, golden light emanating from him through the miasma.
Mu Jialing, accompanied by several novices, recited incantations, driving back a large portion of the miasma and clearing a patch of space.
The former sect master of Miaoyun Sect observed their appearance calmly, his eyes still filled with amusement.
"Golden light from the Buddhist gate can protect you temporarily, but it cannot protect you for a lifetime. The moment you dare act, the miasma will invade your internal organs. No matter how many divine techniques you possess, you cannot dispel it."
"Indeed, those old bald monks of Guan Fan Temple. The Yuchi family has long held disdain for you. Even now, do you still want to act as Wuxiang Sect's lackeys?"
The Yuchi ancestor laughed while hurling insults.
Mu Jialing's eyes flashed with anger. "We are not helping Wuxiang Sect, but the entirety of Central Domain. Yuchi ancestor, your heart knows only yourself. You will never understand the truth."
The Yuchi ancestor snorted, "I would rather not understand than be as foolish as you. Do you think only Central Domain has a Heaven Ladder?"
Mu Jialing's pupils tightened. "Are there Spirit Realm cultivators descending elsewhere?"
Yuan Kong raised a single palm in a vertical gesture, speaking with compassion. "Disciple, calm your heart. Do not let their words disturb your mind."
Looking at his master, Mu Jialing saw the truth in his eyes.
"So Master knew all along…"
"Amitabha…" Yuan Kong closed his eyes wearily.
The Yuchi ancestor laughed boisterously. "Central Domain is the richest in the Lower Realm. While you have been speaking with us, the Bei Ming, Eastern Wilderness, and Southern Domain have already been occupied!"
"Occupying those places is of little use. Eastern Wilderness is too barren. To establish a foothold in the Lower Realm, we must seize Central Domain."
Greed glinted in the former sect master of Miaoyun Sect's eyes. He had coveted the Wuxiang Sect's sect grounds for years, waiting for this day to crush them.
Mu Jialing's expression tensed slightly. "You have forces in Eastern Wilderness and Western Sea? Have you received news from those regions?"
The former sect master of Miaoyun Sect chuckled. "We have no reports, but in conquering Eastern Wilderness and Western Sea, could there possibly be any surprises?"
"Hahaha, if there are surprises, it would be a great shock to them!"
The Yuchi ancestor laughed arrogantly to the sky.
Mu Jialing pressed his thin lips together and looked to his master.
Yuan Kong's gaze was deep as he looked eastward. "No news is the best news. Disciple, your heart is unsettled."
Mu Jialing's golden light flickered as he retracted his eyes in distraction.
"Master, I am anxious. The lord of Eastern Wilderness is my friend."
"The lord of Eastern Wilderness? You mean the one who calls herself the Eastern Wilderness Xiānzhǔ?" Shen Yuefu, silent until now, finally spoke.
Mu Jialing looked at him earnestly. "The Xiānzhǔ of Eastern Wilderness did not self-proclaim; she truly possesses the strength."
Shen Yuefu's expression shifted slightly. "I do not mean to belittle her. Do you also think she is formidable?"
Mu Jialing recalled the past scene, his gaze complex. "Not merely formidable!"
Yuan Kong pressed his hands together. "Amitabha. If we could summon the Xiānzhǔ of Eastern Wilderness now, we would not fear the Spirit Realm miasma."
"Hmph. You mean the Xiānzhǔ of Eastern Wilderness is that woman who caused trouble in Qingshui County recently, right?" The former sect master of Miaoyun Sect sneered.
Yuan Kong and the others fixed their gaze on him.
The former sect master continued, "Do you really believe she can neutralize the miasma? The miasma in Qingshui County is merely a refined fragment of the Spirit Realm miasma. Even if she could make an antidote, we have the antidote to this miasma ourselves!"
"Yes, look at what I hold. These are antidotes for all sorts of miasma, yet none can counter the miasma of the Spirit Realm!"
The Yuchi ancestor produced a large set of colorful porcelain bottles.
The clear clinking echoed through the mountains. Yuan Kong and Shen Yuefu fell silent.
"I believe she can counter the Spirit Realm miasma."
In the tense air, a cold voice suddenly spoke. Mu Jialing and Yuan Kong turned toward Shen Yuefu.
The former sect master of Miaoyun Sect ridiculed his naivety. "Shen Jiànjūn has been proud all his life. Even facing death, he cannot see what the Spirit Realm miasma truly is!"
"You are right. I do not know what the Spirit Realm miasma is, but I understand this: when the Dao produces miasma, it also produces someone to solve it."
Shen Yuefu's voice was soft but resolute.
Mu Jialing stared in astonishment. This Shen Jiànjūn was different.
Yuan Kong sighed. "If what he believes is true, the Lower Realm will not face this calamity."
Shen Yuefu's eyes gleamed with determination. "Master Yuan Kong, we can wait. As long as we survive to find her, the Lower Realm can still be saved."
"Hahaha! Do you take us for fools? Since you say this woman can resolve the miasma, we will kill you first, then capture her alive!"
The Yuchi ancestor and the former sect master of Miaoyun Sect struck simultaneously.
Their ruthless palm winds tore through the thick fog, and in moments they reached Mu Jialing and the others.
The screams of Wuxiang Sect disciples rang out. Shen Yuefu drew the Lǚshuang Yǔn Immortal Sword and met their vicious strike head-on.