516: I'll Protect You
"One month." Peak Master Qingyuan's expression was calm as he stated this, and after announcing this final deadline, he even elaborated: "At the current rate of rainfall, in one month the strange rain will seep into the ground and damage the spiritual veins." Although damaging the spiritual veins would also be a process, once things developed to that point, it would represent an irreversible situation.
The atmosphere in Lingyun Hall suddenly grew heavy, but even heavier was Jiang Mo's heart.
One month—the system had issued her a one-month ti-limited mission, and had rejected her request to pause—Jiang Mo wasn't stupid. After the main system rejected her request, she had already considered this possibility. But for humans, seeking benefits and avoiding harm is instinctive, so even though she had guessed this possibility, she selfishly didn't want to dwell on it, even actively ignoring it.
But at this mont, Peak Master Qingyuan's statent completely shattered Jiang Mo's wishful thinking. Her heart suddenly beca chaotic, and she briefly closed her eyes, her hand unconsciously clenching into a fist.
At that mont, another hand covered her tightly clenched fist.
Perhaps because Jiang Mo's hand was cold now, Yun Qingyue's hand—usually cool due to her constitution—now felt warm. She slipped her fingers into Jiang Mo's tight fist, opening it and holding her hand: "Don't be afraid."
Jiang Mo suddenly looked up, eting Yun Qingyue's gaze—she saw those beautiful glass-like phoenix eyes remained clear, gentle, and resolute. Even in such dire circumstances, the person before her remained as stunning as when they first t, captivating and admirable. It was as if the terrible news they'd just heard was rely a gentle breeze, unable to shake her.
In that instant, Jiang Mo's panicked heart imdiately settled. She asked the system in her mind: "System, I'm the protagonist, right?"
The system hadn't expected its host to suddenly prod it with such a random question. After a brief silence, it affird confidently: "Yes, Host is the protagonist."
Its answer was so certain, so convinced, without even a stutter.
The light in Jiang Mo's eyes gradually brightened. She knew the system's words were just a form of encouragent, because in real life, there are never truly protagonists or supporting characters. But the system's affirmation still sparked a sense of determination within her—after all, she had transmigrated, after all, she had a system, after all... she had just found a lover who shared her feelings, and she wanted to spend forever with her!
In the next mont, Jiang Mo gripped Yun Qingyue's hand in return, her hold even tighter than the other's: "I'm not afraid." As she finished, she stared into her beloved's eyes and promised: "Ah Yue, I'll protect you well."
Yun Qingyue's cool features softened slightly, tinged with tenderness as she nodded with a smile: "All right, you protect ."
……
While the two young lovers confided in each other in a corner of the great hall, those participating in the discussion might have heard, or might not have—regardless, no one had the mindset to pay attention to them. Even Sect Leader Zhu and Peak Master Qingyu were preoccupied with their own concerns.
After a brief silence, everyone managed to digest this terrible news, but these experienced leaders obviously weren't choosing to give up.
Zhu Baiyi, as the Crimson Blood Sect Leader leading a group of battle-loving mbers, was the first to speak up. With downcast eyes and a sowhat cold tone, she said: "If that's the case, please ask Daoist Friend Qinglan to refine the pills as quickly as possible and distribute them to everyone." As she spoke, she raised her eyes, her usually charming fox-like eyes revealing a knife-like sharpness: "The disciples have been comfortable for too long. It's ti for them to undergo so harsh training."
These words were clearly not referring to her Crimson Blood Sect disciples. Given their battle-loving nature, after Peak Master Qinglan had produced pills that could resist the magical barrier's influence, these people had already eagerly gone outside the formation to cause trouble for the demonized people.
Besides troubling Sect Leader Qingxiao to open the formation a few tis, the Crimson Blood Sect's actions hadn't affected anyone. Seeing their approach, the Xuanqing Sect had even dispatched disciples to join in slaying demons, also considering it a form of training. However, compared to the Crimson Blood Sect's all-out efforts, the Xuanqing Sect's actions were much more restrained, and out of concern for lower-level disciples, they only sent high-level disciples, and in very limited numbers.
It wasn't just the Xuanqing Sect that cherished their disciples; more smaller sects that had taken refuge in the Xuanqing Sect had never directly faced the magical barrier or demonized people. But now that things had co to this point, no one could avoid it any longer.
Sect Leader Qingxiao imdiately responded: "Sect Leader Zhu is right. From now on, I will make ti every day to open the formation."
Sect Leader Zhu nodded, then her gaze seemingly casually swept past, passing over Qingyu without lingering: "The disciples need training, and perhaps it's ti for us old folks to go out and move about as well."
If they could find the demon who had possessed the Celestial Demon Sect's Vice Sect Leader and destroy it, perhaps everything could end sooner?
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Though Jiang Mo and Yun Qingyue's cultivation levels were quite high, whether in terms of seniority or strength, they weren't yet at the level to intervene in the cultivation world's broader affairs. Therefore, regardless of what conclusions the leaders ultimately reached, the two only needed to focus on what they could and should do.
So when the discussion concluded, Jiang Mo wasted no ti in stepping forward again: "Today I request another battle with all of you."
Everyone was currently preoccupied, including Sect Leader Zhu who had been thinking of teaching the tiger cub a lesson, but now had no desire to fight. However, given Jiang Mo's breakthrough the previous day, everyone knew she wasn't being frivolous but was seriously cultivating—previously, people had cooperated with Jianbing mostly out of respect for the Xuanqing Sect, but now they were helping to add another fighting force.
Although no one thought Jianbing's minor breakthrough would significantly impact the overall situation, seeing the little tiger with unhealed facial wounds standing before them, earnestly challenging them, none could bring themselves to refuse.
Zhu Baiyi frowned slightly and was the first to strike, sending a fierce palm strike toward Jiang Mo.
Jiang Mo was startled and instinctively dodged, only to find it surprisingly easy. Moreover, though the palm strike appeared fierce, when the palm wind brushed past her, it was as gentle as a breeze. Before she could be surprised at her mother-in-law's restraint, she noticed the others also joining in, each lightly making a single move without concern for the outco.
After everyone had "made a move," they successively declared their defeat... When the final "I concede" was spoken, Jiang Mo was instantly enveloped by a familiar warm current. Already in excellent condition, even the wounds on her face disappeared.
In just one day, exploiting the system's special reward bug, Jiang Mo leveled up again.
Although this level-up didn't represent a breakthrough in realm for cultivators, Jiang Mo's suddenly enhanced aura was clearly visible to everyone—even if they hadn't noticed her aura change, the fact that her bruised and swollen face instantly beca fair again was quite eye-catching. Therefore, anyone with functioning eyes could see Jiang Mo's progress.
Originally, everyone had planned to attend to their own business after going through the motions, especially Peak Master Qinglan who needed to quickly test the effectiveness of the new pills and continue refining them. But Jiang Mo's progress made everyone pause, looking at her with considerable surprise.
Jiang Mo instinctively shrank back a bit, but after glancing at her Senior Sister, she suddenly seed to gain confidence and spoke forthrightly: "Thank you all for your assistance."
The others had been sowhat curious, but Jiang Mo's directness made them put aside their extra thoughts, all waving dismissively: "It's nothing. If Jianbing needs more in the future, we can continue."
Jiang Mo hurriedly expressed her thanks, and without further pleasantries, everyone nodded and went about their business.
Yun Qingyue walked over, and Jiang Mo turned to her with bright eyes, clenching her fist: "Ah Yue, look, I can protect you."
She made her vow, demonstrating her progress and strength to her beloved.
Yun Qingyue looked at her with soft eyes, reaching out to pinch the back of her neck, first praising: "Mm, my little tiger is very capable." Then she added: "I'll break through quickly too, so I won't hold you back."
……
True to his reputation as a pill-refining fanatic, Peak Master Qinglan's talent for pill refining was exceptional. He had spent just one night researching a new pill that could help people resist the strange rain, and less than half a day testing and improving it. By afternoon, the new pills, accompanied by a rich fragrance, were completely refined. Then, ignoring others' dissuasion, he personally took a pill and tested it in the strange rain with no adverse effects.
Seeing this, Sect Leader Qingxiao couldn't help but feel relieved, then asked: "Junior Brother Qinglan, is this pill difficult to refine?"
Though Peak Master Qinglan was obsessed with pill refining, it didn't an he was unaware of practical matters. He imdiately replied: "Senior Brother Sect Leader, rest assured. I've improved the formula, making it not difficult to refine. Pill refiners of fourth grade or above on my peak can produce it."
Fourth-grade pill refiners generally had Nascent Soul cultivation, which, while not low, weren't few in the Xuanqing Sect. A rough calculation suggested that if disciples worked day and night refining pills, they could produce enough for everyone currently in the sect within two or three days... Oh, and they also needed to prepare another batch of pills to resist the magical barrier, and then they could go out to practice fighting demonized people.
After the bad news, things seed to be developing in a slightly better direction. The people in Lingyun Hall didn't need to wait for the Mount Qingyun disciples to refine pills; they received them directly from Peak Master Qinglan. No longer concerned about the strange rain, they began to leave.
Naturally, Jiang Mo and Yun Qingyue also received pills. After taking them, they looked at each other, and Jiang Mo said: "I'll go find Divine Lord Zhiming first."
Yun Qingyue lowered her eyes in thought, deciding not to accompany her: "I'll return to Mount Mingxia for a while."
Jiang Mo didn't say anything, and Yun Qingyue didn't explain—the two seed to share a certain unspoken understanding. After just these words, they left Lingyun Hall together, then waved goodbye in the rain and went their separate ways.
One went to Mount Zhiming to continue getting rewards from Divine Lord Zhiming, planning not to miss any scattered opportunities either.
The other went to Mount Mingxia, intending to gather her forr junior brothers and sisters, so that after the Sect Leader opened the protective formation tomorrow, they could go outside the sect together to practice fighting demonized people—Yun Qingyue didn't have Jiang Mo's cheat-like leveling thod, but perhaps she also realized that her potential was actually very high. And she wasn't content to fall behind others or need protection, even if that protector was her beloved.
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