Beast Taming Patrol Chapter 1505: 424: The Storm Has Arrived (Double-Length, Countdown to Finale: 27) (Part 2)
Previously on Beast Taming Patrol...
“Furthermore, even though both immortals have been decapitated, I suspect the ambush by the Four Martial Sects carries a deeper meaning,” Liu Changxuan remarked, his brow slightly twitching.
“What truly transpired?” Color Venerate asked, turning to seek clarification.
“The Canglan Saint Sect, Hualian Lake, and the Eternal City—three of the Four Martial Sects—were commanded by their respective sect masters. They brought a massive contingent of experts from the Martial Arts Extreme Realm to lie in wait outside our three sects, where they activated the Sky-Sealing Earth-Locking Formation,” Feather Venerate explained, his tone dripping with murderous intent. “That specific formation belongs exclusively to Tongyou Taixuan Palace.”
“Additionally, the sect master of Tongyou Taixuan Palace made a personal appearance here.”
“The Sky-Sealing Earth-Locking Formation?!”
It was only then that Color Venerate realized why their distress signals had gone unanswered.
The formation severed the connection between heaven and earth. Even with an eighth realm spatial expert like Lin Venerate, dismantling such a barrier would consume considerable time.
“It appears the Four Martial Sects have uncovered the secrets of the Guardian Beast Co-operation method,” Miao Yunge noted with a dark expression. “The method of their discovery is irrelevant now. Their actions during this crisis speak volumes about their intentions.”
“We must coordinate our next moves immediately,” she said, surveying the gathered group. “A period of great upheaval is upon us.”
“The Qianling Sect will dispatch an immortal at maximum speed to the Eastern Extreme Domain. We must inform the Immortal Phoenix Sect of these events. I can only hope this incident does not damage our bond with them,” Liu Changxuan said with a soft sigh.
The spatial-path immortal from the Qianling Sect possessed the greatest speed among them.
“I shall send an avatar to the Endless Sea to search for Lin Su,” Lin Venerate added with a light sigh. “I intended to go in person, but I fear the Four Martial Sects may have further schemes in motion.”
After a brief consultation among the powerhouses of the three sects, a spatial immortal tore through the air toward the Eastern Extreme Domain.
Simultaneously, Lin Venerate manifested an avatar that quickly vanished into the expanse of the Endless Sea, hunting for any sign of Lin Su.
The remaining experts from the three sects departed for their own territories.
What lay ahead for them and the Four Martial Sects was a total reckoning for this betrayal.
A storm ignited by seven peak powers was destined to ravage the entirety of the Northern Divine Region.
...
“Who dares!”
A roar of pure fury thundered through the grounds of the Immortal Phoenix Sect.
“Crack!”
Ji Qinghuan instinctively shattered the teacup in her grip. She stood up, her features clouded by doubt and dread.
A month had passed since Lin Su departed the sect for the Northern Divine Region.
Throughout this month, the other Great Sects seemed to sense a shift in the wind, increasing their hostility toward the Immortal Phoenix Sect.
Meanwhile, the sect’s most powerful figure, Banyan Venerate, had been in secluded Cultivation, reaching a vital turning point to break through into the eighth realm.
The only saving grace had been Huan Venerate’s advancement to the seventh realm, evolving into a Nine-Colored Phoenix.
Huan Venerate’s hidden strength had been kept secret, but during this past month, she had stepped in to fill Banyan Venerate’s role. Serving as the sect's backbone, she worked alongside Ji Qinghuan and the other immortals to repel the relentless waves of external aggression.
Now, Banyan Venerate had finally emerged from his seclusion.
In normal times, the return of their strongest combatant would be a cause for celebration.
However, the sheer rage in Banyan Venerate’s voice sent a shiver of apprehension through Ji Qinghuan.
What had gone wrong?
“Banyan Venerate...” Her voice shook with a tremor she couldn't suppress. “What has happened?”
Several powerful auras converged near Ji Qinghuan as the other immortals were drawn by Banyan Venerate’s sudden outburst.
A branch emerged from a rift in the void, etched with faint, swirling runes that radiated a sense of ancient majesty and mystery.
This was a level of power Banyan Venerate had never wielded before—a clear indication of his successful ascension to the eighth realm.
Yet, Banyan Venerate showed no pride in his breakthrough. “The Jade Leaf Ruyi has been activated. Lin Su is in grave peril.”
“What?!”
A chorus of shocked cries erupted from the immortals of the Immortal Phoenix Sect.
“Little Su...”
Ji Qinghuan’s complexion turned snow-white, the color draining even from her lips.
The relief she felt from surviving the month’s external pressures vanished instantly, replaced by cold terror.
“What occurred?” she pressed, her voice cracking.
“I cannot be certain, but the signal from the Jade Leaf Ruyi was forcibly severed by an outside power,” Banyan Venerate explained slowly, his expression grim. “The disturbance was so great it forced me out of my seclusion.”
“Sect Master, remain calm. Lin Su left a soul lantern behind before he departed,” Kun Venerate interjected, maintaining his composure to remind her.
The Soul Lantern!
A spark of hope flickered in Ji Qinghuan’s panicked eyes.
Gaining a burst of frantic energy, she hurried toward a restricted chamber within the Sect Master Hall.
The other immortals did not follow physically, yet their divine senses trailed closely behind her.
Was Lin Su’s soul lantern still burning?
The question hung heavy in the air, creating a suffocating pressure among the gathered immortals.
Ji Qinghuan burst through the door and looked up at the pedestal in the center of the secret room.
On the stand, two lanterns were flickering with light.
The flames were noticeably dimmer than they should have been.
However, they were not on the verge of going out; rather, they glowed with a dullness that suggested a state of deep unconsciousness.
Lin Su was still alive!
Ji Qinghuan exhaled a long breath of relief. She turned to leave the room but stopped in her tracks.
She looked back once more, staring intently at the two soul lanterns, which shared an identical level of brightness.
In the past, when both were healthy, their equal glow was expected.