Library of Heaven's Path Chapter 2271 - Hidden Plot: Before the Divine Realm
Previously on Library of Heaven's Path...
Under the moonlight, a chilly gust swept by.
Inside his quarters, Zheng Yang polished his spear when a gentle rap came from the window.
The entrance swung open, and a graceful silhouette materialized before him. The moon's glow stretched her shadow, exposing a lovely countenance.
This was his junior sister, Wei Ruyan.
“Why are you here so late?”
Zheng Yang felt somewhat baffled. Midnight had already passed. Why not discuss it come morning?
Wei Ruyan replied, “We’re heading to the Divine Realm with Teacher tomorrow… Do you have any plans?”
Not anticipating such a query in the dead of night instead of resting, Zheng Yang was rendered speechless. “Plans? What plans could I possibly have? Had I not encountered my teacher, I’d likely remain a mere common student in Tianxuan Kingdom, my cultivation nowhere near Grandmaster Realm. Thus, it suffices to heed Teacher’s words. I’ll follow Teacher’s commands and trail wherever Teacher leads…”
Wei Ruyan turned to Zheng Yang and inquired, “In that case, absent meeting Teacher, would you have wed Su Feifei and settled down by now?”
Back then, Su Feifei was the lass who ditched Zheng Yang. She later sought Yun Xiang of the Yun Clan among the saint clans, who proved a mere playboy. Prior to venturing into the Ancient Lands on the Master Teacher Continent, Zheng Yang had Wei Ruyan pose as his sweetheart to confront Yun Xiang.
Not expecting her to raise this matter, Zheng Yang grew awkward. “Of course not. I… I would strive diligently in spearmanship cultivation, aiming to form Spear Intent and rise as an expert akin to Elder Wang!”
Wei Ruyan nodded approvingly. “Indeed. Seeing she holds no interest in you, pursuing spearmanship is your sole path!”
“You…”
She had struck his raw nerve. Zheng Yang’s visage darkened. “Junior Ruyan, are you here to provoke me? If you bear grudge, let’s settle it in a duel!”
Though her strikes packed immense power, as ex-head of the Combat Master Hall, he feared her not one bit.
“Fancy a fight?”
Wei Ruyan paused briefly before sneering. “No wonder you’re still single!”
She pivoted and departed.
For such a stunning beauty to seek him out late at night, even sans amorous intent, he shouldn’t have lashed out…
How unchivalrous.
How foolish!
As these regrets churned in his mind, a plump form emerged from behind a tree, clutching a bunch of blooms.
It was Yuan Tao.
The chubby fellow offered the flowers grinning. “The night drags on. I figured I alone couldn’t slumber. Unexpectedly, Junior Sister Ruyan remains wakeful too…”
Wei Ruyan lifted her gaze, toxic mist coiling at her fingertip. “Seeking death?”
Yuan Tao’s lips quivered, tears welling. “No way…”
Damn it.
She came to Zheng Yang, and when he irked her, she held back. Yet Yuan Tao merely presents flowers, and she threatens murder…
Both senior brothers, yet he’s mere punching bag!
Perks of good looks?
Wei Ruyan snapped, “Don’t want to die? Then scram back to bed now!”
“Yes!”
En route back, Yuan Tao nearly discarded the bouquet when a notion struck. He veered to another chamber and rapped the door.
Soon, the door parted.
Wang Ying peeked out shyly. “Junior Brother Yuan Tao? Oh, such lovely blossoms. For me?”
“Naturally!”
Yuan Tao bobbed his head eagerly. “I flew over a hundred li specially to pluck these for you. Care for them?”
“Love them!”
Wang Ying nodded, inhaling the petals’ scent, eyes forming joyful arcs. “So fragrant. Thanks, Junior Yuan Tao. I’ll cherish it… Nah, off to Divine Realm tomorrow. They’d wilt anyway. Perfect, Junior Ruyan adores flowers too. I’ll pass it to her!”
“???”
Yuan Tao’s mouth twitched; he flailed his hands. “She favors poison, not flowers. Best skip her. Plus, so late, she’s surely asleep…”
“Nope, she just chatted with me. Back mere moments ago. I’ll fetch her!”
Wang Ying beamed toward Wei Ruyan’s room. Yet before arriving, Wei Ruyan emerged, eyeing Yuan Tao with a sly grin. “Senior Yuan, this posy works wonders. Offered to me first, then Senior Wang Ying… Had she refused, next stop Senior Zhao Ya?”
Sweat beaded on Yuan Tao’s brow as he waved frantically. “Nothing of the sort! Just plucked it, wasteful to discard on no beauty… Ahem, duties call; I’ll head out!”
He spun and bolted, but soon stumbled over an obstacle, crashing down.
Glancing back, Yuan Tao spotted a stout root jutting from earth, conjured who-knows-when. Nearby, a giant tree, bewitched by someone, lashed leafy tendrils his way.
Yuan Tao knew branches couldn’t injure him, yet halting them would doom him to the girls’ wrath. Foot tapped, he surged ahead.
Upon brushing the limb, he unleashed Emperor’s Bloodline. The tree shattered unable to endure. Poised to flee, numbness seized him, strength draining like flood.
He narrowed his eyes in shock.
“Damn!”
Dull as he was, he grasped the trap!
Not just Wang Ying’s enchantment on the tree, but Wei Ruyan’s poison dust too. Collision let toxin invade.
“Dissolve!”
Mighty True Essence surged dragon-like, numbness fading swiftly.
At his realm, absent Divine Realm venom, none could faze him.
“Think you’ll escape? Stay put!”
Wang Ying cried.
She’d twigged his dual gifting. Irritated, she was.
Huala! Huala!
Her command animated surrounding trees. Foliage and roots assailed Yuan Tao, sealing every path instantly.
High-level Spirit Awakener commanded worldly all.
“Senior Sister, help!”
Forcing out was feasible, but would enrage them further. Thus, Yuan Tao halted, eyeing a nearby room.
His flight had brought him to Zhao Ya’s door.
Aiya!
Zhao Ya emerged, viewing the messy fatty, chuckling. “Rightly so, punish him! Deserves it for flirting with seniors and juniors!”
Though indoors earlier, outer scuffle was clear to his prowess.
Now, Lu Chong and rest appeared, spectating amused.
Instantly, Yuan Tao flushed crimson.
“Everyone sleepless? Time for another lesson!”
Zhang Xuan, hearing uproar, stepped out.
“Now?”
All froze, near tears.
Teacher’s guidance superb, but… long journey tomorrow. Craved rest tonight.
“Unwilling?”
Zhang Xuan furrowed brows.
“We dare not…” None spoke further.
“Good!”
Zhang Xuan smiled subtly. Great Dao’s singular allure flowed from lips. Initially alert, listeners grew somnolent, soon all slumbered.
Foreseeing this, Zhang Xuan grinned, hand waved.
Disciples levitated back to quarters.
Bound for unknown, nerves frayed all. Else Wei Ruyan wouldn’t seek Zheng Yang, Yuan Tao pluck blooms… Teacher oblivious?
Thus, “lecture” was hypnosis!
Sound sleep, peak mind for dawn perils.
Disciples settled, Zhang Xuan reclined on sturdy bough, staring starry splendor. Smile bloomed as he whispered, “Divine Realm, here I come!”
Plot Supplement: Qiqi
In the Subterranean Gallery.
At Luo Clan’s camp.
Clan Leader Luo Ganzhen frowned, querying, “What transpires ahead?”
First Elder Luo Qingchen’s face soured. “Sovereign Chen Yong plotted against us, inflicting heavy toll. Ninety percent of Luo Clan-guarded valley seized, remainder teetering. Yesterday’s clash claimed over two hundred clansmen. Plus, nephew Luo Longfei remains missing…”
Mankind-Otherworldly Demonic Tribe war spanned ten millennia, myriad skirmishes. Such losses: no grand battle, yet far from trivial.
Eyes narrowed, Luo Ganzhen inhaled deeply, resolving. “Master Teacher Pavilion saint clans guarded Subterranean Gallery eons, sacrificing myriad forebears and master teachers. Our era can’t falter… Fetch the Dimension Silencer!”
Luo Qingchen paled sharply. “Dimension Silencer wields spatial might. Activation repels Otherworldly Demonic Tribe onslaught, even reclaiming ground. Yet… clan lacks pure enough bloodline for full potency!”
“Aware. I’ve means…”
Luo Ganzhen shook head.
“You mean…”
Shock fading, Luo Qingchen blanched, voice quaking. “Clan Leader, that course? Impossible! They’re your own blood…”
Luo Ganzhen clenched teeth. “Any better notion?”
“I…”
First Elder fell mute.
Alternative existed, why this straits?
Luo Ganzhen pressed, “Unfair to them, true… but if you’d offer kin, why not I? Valley lost, we sin against humanity. How face ancestors, Master Kong’s edicts post-mortem?”
“Yet…”
Luo Qingchen yearned to protest, but silenced. Teeth gritted, “Yes, I’ll fetch!”
He exited. Soon, five youths entered, fist-saluting Clan Leader. “Father!”
Eldest twenties, youngest thirteen, boyish-faced.
Luo Ganzhen’s five sons.
Grief suppressed, Luo Clan Leader addressed them, “Circumstances dire; First Elder relayed choice. Decide swiftly!”
No waver in youths’ gazes. “Vanquish Otherworldly Demonic Tribe, save all—youth won’t deter us.”
“Father raised us to emulate ancestors, true master teachers. Test comes; how flee?”
“Nest falls, eggs shatter! Humanity crumbles, our doom too…”
…
“My sons indeed!”
Fear absent, resolve firm. Luo Ganzhen teared, wrist flicked; jade-green orb floated airward.
Unremarkable hue, yet spirit-probe brought spatial rending, as if void buckled.
Luo Clan’s supreme artifact, Dimension Silencer!
“Commence!”
“Yes!”
Five youths encircled Dimension Silencer, seating cross-legged.
Whoosh!
Auras churned, blood essence droplets drawn forth. Artifact devoured pure lineage, spinning, birthing vast power.
More essence absorbed, youths paled deathly.
Core Luo blood, purest—even beyond father’s. Thus, despite Luo Ganzhen’s superior might, he couldn’t fully rouse it.
Aiya!
Door burst; pregnant middle-aged woman dragged eight-nine-year-old boy inside. Witnessing youths, vision blackened, she bellowed, “Luo Ganzhen, what madness? Your own flesh!”
Unforeseen, Luo Ganzhen urged, “Wife, pregnant—why here? Luo Xuanqing, escort Mother away!”
Boy cringed at father’s tone. “Mother, return…”
“No! Slay me first, or I stay…”
Mrs. Luo’s agitation triggered womb pains.
As Luo Ganzhen advanced to aid, earth quaked fiercely, quake-like.
“What?”
All looked up; final tenth valley strained. Myriad Otherworldly Demon elites swarmed.
Behind: Master Teacher Continent. Yield meant ruin.
“Too late…”
Base lost, clan imperiled; eldest Luo Xuanzhu eyed resolute. “Brothers, no time for gradual sacrifice. All in!”
“Yes!”
Four nodded as one.
Whoosh!
“Father, Mother, unfilial henceforth. Can’t serve. Xuan Qing, guard parents, unborn sister…”
At their tier, fetal gender known unborn.
Words done, Luo Xuanzhu et al. bodies ruptured. Five sons’ pristine bloodlines surged into Dimension Silencer. Empowered, it erupted terrifying force.
“No!”
Five sons perishing afore eyes, woman collapsed.
“Xuan Zhu, Xuan Ling, Xuan Ye, Xuan Zhen, Xuan Hu…”
Eyes blood-veined, Luo Ganzhen shuddered.
Outcome foreseen, yet their eager sacrifice stabbed heart.
But no time mourn.
“Otherworldly Demons, to death with you!”
Grief conquered, Luo Ganzhen grasped; Dimension Silencer palmed. Boom! It smashed into demons.
Boom!
Instantly, thousands Otherworldly Demon elites ashed.
Power unleashed unbound, artifact rampaged.
In under ten breaths, freshly seized valley purged, reclaimed by Luo Clan.
Now, treasure dimmed, spent; returned room, spinning.
Pu!
Only
