The chaos begins

A beam of eerie blue light shot into the sky, like a giant fang piercing the dawn, jolting the entire city of Chang'an from its slumber. Dogs barked incessantly, children cried, and the people frantically opened their windows to gaze at the bizarre phenomenon, their whispers filled with unease and fear.

Inside Yaotian's residence, the atmosphere was as heavy as iron.

Yang Yuhuan played soothing melodies from her fingertips, attempting to stabilize Bai Ya's disordered breathing. He was severely injured and had lost too much blood; if not for his profound internal energy, he would probably have already perished.

“He forcibly broke through three energy barriers, and his internal organs were corroded by the cold energy…” Yang Yuhuan frowned, her tone heavy. “He needs immediate acupuncture to stabilize his heart, but he also needs ‘Crimson Sun Grass’ to neutralize the cold…”

"Red Sun Grass? 'Hundred Herbs Hall' in the West Market should have some in stock!" Gongsun Li immediately stood up, her rabbit ears trembling slightly with anxiety. "I'll go right now..."

“It’s too late.” Ming Shiyin interrupted her, his gaze still fixed on the increasingly thick pillar of light outside the window. “The city gates are closed, and the entire city is under martial law. Moreover…” His voice was icy, “Once this pillar of light appears, Di Renjie and the Empress’s forces have probably already moved. The streets must be in chaos right now, and you’ll be too conspicuous if you go out.”

He turned to Pei Qinhu and said, "Qinhu, go to the storeroom and get my box of 'Nine-Turn Rejuvenation Pills' to keep him alive for now."

Pei Qinhu responded and left, his steps heavy.

Yi Xing sat in his wheelchair, his fingertips tracing lines unconsciously on the blanket on his lap, his mind racing. Mo Heng's betrayal was like a cold, venomous snake coiling around his heart, but he forced himself to suppress his anger and frustration.

“Master,” he said in a hoarse voice, “before Bai Ya fell into a coma, he mentioned the ‘altar’ and the ‘ritual’… Could the activation of the ‘Celestial Pivot’ require a human sacrifice?” This thought sent chills down his spine.

Ming Shiyin remained silent for a moment, then slowly nodded: "Ancient forbidden techniques are often accompanied by bloodshed. Using the essence of living beings as a catalyst to catalyze energy... this is consistent with the extremely ruthless style of 'Ink of the Night.' The underground is probably already a living hell."

"When lies are disguised as truth, the wounds they inflict are far more profound than those caused by pure evil; because they not only rob lives, but also trample on trust, the cornerstone of civilization."

Ming Shiyin's voice carried a sense of desolation and sorrow, as if he had seen through the ways of the world. His words revealed the essence of betrayal and its devastating impact on group trust.

Just then, a series of hurried footsteps and the sound of clashing weapons came from the outskirts of the camp!

"Who goes there?!" the Yaotian disciple on duty outside shouted sharply.

"The Dali Temple is handling a case! Make way!" A clear but unquestionable voice rang out, accompanied by a flurry of footsteps, indicating that a large number of people had arrived.

Pei Qinhu had just returned with the pills when he heard this. His tiger eyes widened and he was about to rush out when Ming Shiyin raised his hand to stop him.

"Let them in."

Soon, Di Renjie, accompanied by Li Yuanfang and a squad of elite Dali Temple guards, stormed into the courtyard. Di Renjie, dressed in his official robes, had a stern expression. His gaze lingered for a moment on the towering pillar of light before sharply sweeping over the people in the courtyard, finally settling on the unconscious Bai Ya and Yi Xing.

“Mr. Ming, Young Master Yixing,” Di Renjie cut to the chase, his tone filled with suppressed anger and accusation, “What explanation do you have for this towering pillar of light and the city-wide disturbances? I need to know what exactly happened beneath the Wanghai Villa!” Behind him, Li Yuanfang, holding a flying wheel, vigilantly observed his surroundings, his large ears twitching slightly.

Clearly, Mo Heng's betrayal and the dramatic changes underground completely disrupted the plans of the Dali Temple, and also caused Di Renjie's trust in Yao Tian to plummet.