Inclined Sun
After obtaining the beast bones, the two descended the mountain. Xie Linyang led Meng Yao to the most famous weapon-refining pavilion in Lanling – "Jinlaixuan".
She spared no expense, spending most of her savings to request the best weapon refiner in the pavilion to forge a spirit sword for Meng Yao, using that century-old beast bone as the main material and supplemented with several kinds of yang spirit ores.
The forging process took half a month. When the spirit sword was completed, its blade was long and slender, its color like frost, with a faint, warm luster like white jade. A small piece of red sun stone was inlaid in the hilt, balancing the cold energy of the beast bone. The whole sword looked both sharp and elegant, which matched Meng Yao's temperament quite well.
The weapon refiner handed the sword to Meng Yao and said with a smile, "Young friend, you are very fortunate. Your master has gone to great lengths for you. Why don't you name this sword?"
Meng Yao took the sword, his fingers gently tracing its cool blade, feeling the spiritual energy fluctuations within it subtly resonating with the Sheng Yang Technique. He looked up at Xie Lin Yang, who stood to the side with a smile of satisfaction in her eyes. Sunlight streamed through the window, bathing her in a soft glow.
A thought struck him, and a name slipped out:
"Qingyang".
The character 倾慕 (qīngmù) means to admire, and the character 阳 (yáng) means the sun.
Xie Linyang was stunned for a moment, then smiled, his eyes curving into crescents: "Qingyang? What a good name! The 'Shengyang Jue' emphasizes 'a righteous spirit when the heart is yang,' admiring the sun means being upright and honest, which suits you perfectly."
She didn't understand.
Meng Yao lowered his head, concealing the complex emotions in his eyes, but his smile curved even wider. He gently stroked the blade of the "Qingyang" sword, feeling the yang energy flowing within it.
It's okay. She doesn't understand now, but she will eventually.
He will always follow her, like a shadow following the light. One day, she will know that this "Sun-Tilting" sword does not admire the sunlight, but admires her.
His sun.
Xie Linyan watched him lower his head and stroke the sword, feeling that she hadn't spoiled this disciple for nothing. She smiled and patted his shoulder: "Come on, let's go buy some new clothes. Look at you, covered in blood and mud, like a kitten that just crawled out of a mud pit."
Meng Yao hummed in agreement and followed her out of the weapon-refining pavilion. The sunlight shone on them, warm and comforting. He gripped the "Tilted Sun" sword, walking half a step behind Xie Linyang, watching her back and the golden light in her hair. His heart pounded like a rabbit's.
He knew that he would probably never be able to live without her for the rest of his life.
Meanwhile, Xie Linyang was planning where to go for further training.
She thought that after Meng Yao practiced some more, she would take him to Yunmeng to show Jiang Cheng how powerful her disciple was. She was completely unaware of the burning and surging emotions hidden in the eyes of the young man holding the sword behind her.
That day, Xie Linyang heard news in the market that the Wen family had taken over most of the hunting grounds of the various immortal sects, their intentions obvious. As she was secretly worried, the memory grass she had hidden on her chest suddenly started to burn.
The familiar burning pain pierced my soul—
The crescent moon reflected in the cold pool was torn apart by torches, and Wen Xu stepped over the backs of the Lan Clan disciples as he passed through the mountain gate. Lan Wangji stood blocking the way in front of the library, the crisp sound of his left leg being pierced by sword energy mingling with the snapping of the zither strings. Qingheng-jun vomited blood, staining his white robes red, and Lan Xichen disappeared into the thick smoke, clutching ancient books... exactly as she had witnessed at Sheng Yang Cliff!
"Master?" Meng Yao's voice pulled her back to reality.
He stood on the veranda, holding a freshly brewed cup of tea, and keenly noticed that her fingers, which were resting on the window, were trembling slightly. He gently placed the teacup on the stone table and took out the calming incense he always carried: "Has your old injury flared up again?"
Xie Linyang gazed at the shimmering light in the tea and said, "Ayao, we have to go to Suzhou."
Seeing her pale face reflected in his pupils, she took a deep breath: "The Lan Clan is in trouble. Back then... I made a promise with Lord Qingheng."
Meng Yao calmly channeled her meager spiritual energy to warm her trembling knuckles, then turned and deftly gathered the sun-dried medicinal herbs: "This disciple will now hire a spirit boat; it will take three days by water to reach the Suzhou border."
As Xie Linyang gazed at the boy's slender yet upright back, he vaguely saw the raging fire in the night sky that was about to burn red, as foretold by the lingering grass.
Three days later, the spirit boat arrived in the Suzhou region. Before even approaching the Cloud Recesses, an abnormal red light could be seen faintly emanating from the distant horizon, and the air was filled with a faint aura of anxiety and fluctuations from the violent collision of spiritual energy.
"Master, it seems the Wen clan has already made their move." Meng Yao's expression was solemn, and her hand unconsciously rested on the "Qingyang" sword at her waist.
Xie Linyang's face was ashen, but his eyes held an unprecedented resolve: "Accelerate!"
The spirit boat shot off like an arrow, piercing through the clouds and heading straight into the depths of the clouds, its destination unknown. The closer it got, the more shocking the scene became. The once elegant immortal abode was now engulfed in flames, filled with shouts of battle, the clash of weapons, and the sounds of collapsing buildings.
Cultivators from the Wen clan, clad in robes radiating blazing flames, surged against the defensive line formed by the Lan clan disciples like a tidal wave, and the situation became increasingly precarious.
Xie Linyang's gaze was like lightning, instantly locking onto the most crucial and fiercest part of the battle: in front of the library!
Wen Xu, holding a flaming longsword and grinning maliciously, was directing several Wen clan retainers to besiege Lan Wangji.
Lan Wangji's white robes were stained with blood. Although the light of his Bichen sword was still sharp, his steps were unsteady, clearly indicating that he had exhausted himself. His left leg was wide open, and he was about to be hit by a tricky fire spell! The trajectory of the spell almost overlapped with the scene predicted by the Shadow Grass!
"Ayao, go and help the Lan Clan disciples on the outer perimeter stabilize their position!" Xie Linyang gave the order in a very fast voice. Before he finished speaking, he had already leaped off the spirit boat like a startled swan and rushed straight to the library!
"Master, be careful!" Meng Yao called out from behind her, then turned around without hesitation, wielding "Qingyang" and nimbly cutting into the outer battle. His sword light was not particularly vast, but it was precise and ruthless, targeting the nodes in the Wen Clan cultivators' spiritual energy circulation. Often, just a few sword strikes could help a Lan Clan disciple who was struggling in battle escape, quickly stabilizing the chaotic situation.
At the same time, Xie Linyang had already fallen like a shooting star in front of the library.
"Blazing Light, appear!"
With a sharp shout, the golden hairpin in her hair transformed into a three-foot-long staff that landed in her hand. The runes on the staff instantly lit up, and a vast and pure spiritual energy of life burst forth, forming a solid golden light barrier in front of her!
"boom--!"
The fire-based spell crashed into the light barrier with a deafening roar, but it was like a mud ox sinking into the sea, failing to shake the light barrier in the slightest. Instead, it was completely annihilated by the extremely yang and strong spiritual energy!
This sudden and powerful reinforcement brought both sides to a standstill.
Wen Xu looked at the woman in blue robes with a deep aura and a strange staff in her hand with suspicion and disbelief, and shouted sharply, "Who goes there? How dare you interfere in the affairs of the Wen family of Qishan!"
Xie Lin Yang didn't waste any words with him. Her gaze swept over Lan Wangji, who was pale but still had a straight back. She was relieved to see that his left leg was unharmed.
The two exchanged a glance and decided to fight the enemy together.
Before she finished speaking, she had already swung "Blazing Radiance" in her hand again! This time, it was no longer a defense, but an offense!
A crescent-shaped golden blade of light, even more dazzling and intense than before, carrying the righteous energy that purifies all evil and cleanses all filth, slashed straight toward Wen Xu like the light of dawn tearing through the darkness!
Wherever the blade of light passed, the blazing robes of the Wen clan cultivators dimmed, and their fire-based and sinister spells crumbled as if they had encountered their nemesis! The immense power and will contained within the blade of light caused Wen Xu's expression to change drastically; he felt a deadly threat!
"Form ranks! Form ranks quickly!" he shouted in a panic, trying to gather the retainers around him to fight back together.
However, in the face of absolute power and attribute advantage, the hastily formed formation is as fragile as paper!
"Bang—!"
The golden blade of light sliced through the hastily erected defenses of the Wen clan cultivators without any resistance, and slammed into Wen Xu's protective magic weapon! The magic weapon let out a mournful cry of being unable to bear the burden, and cracks instantly spread all over it! Wen Xu was hit even harder, spitting out a mouthful of blood, and was sent flying backward, crashing heavily to the ground, his aura instantly weakening!
With their leader seriously injured, the once-aggressive Wen clan cultivators were thrown into disarray and their morale collapsed.
"Retreat...retreat!" Wen Xu shouted, his eyes filled with fear as he looked at Xie Linyang.
The army collapsed like a house of cards. The Wen clan cultivators had no more will to fight. They helped Wen Xu up and fled down the mountain in a sorry state.
"Xie Linyang! You dare to interfere in the affairs of our Wen family? Even if you are a direct disciple of Baoshan Sanren, you are doomed this time!"
Wen Xu left behind a threatening remark and fled in a panic.
The flames were gradually extinguished, and the shouts of battle subsided. The Lan Clan of Gusu was spared from this sudden calamity thanks to their prior precautions and Xie Linyang's timely arrival.
The Cloud Recesses were not burned down, the library was intact, and Lan Wangji's leg... was saved.
The surviving Lan disciples helped each other up, looking at the mess on the ground, feeling both relieved to have survived the disaster.
Despite his injuries, Lan Wangji walked up to Xie Linyang and bowed respectfully. His clear, cold voice carried a barely perceptible hoarseness: "Thank you... Miss Xie, for saving my life and protecting Cloud Recesses."
Xie Linyang put away "Blazing Radiance," shook his head, glanced around, and said in a deep voice, "Brother Wangji, there's no need for such formalities. The Wen clan is ambitious, and they will not give up easily after this setback. The most important thing right now is to treat the wounded and regroup."
Xie Lin Yang was talking to Lan Wangji when a series of slightly unsteady but still steady footsteps came from behind him.
She turned around and saw the sect leader, Qinghengjun, slowly walking towards her, supported by two disciples. His face was pale, and there was still blood on his clothes, indicating that he was seriously injured, but his eyes were clear and calm.
"Thank you, young friend." Qinghengjun nodded slightly, his voice weak but filled with sincere gratitude. "Thanks to your early warning that day, the Lan Clan was able to move some of the precious books and young disciples in advance, and set up defensive barriers and reinforcements throughout the mountain gate. Otherwise, the losses today would have been unimaginable." He glanced at the library, which was still largely intact despite the ravages of war, and at the core disciples who were wounded but none had died, a hint of relief flashing in his eyes.
He paused, his gaze falling on Xie Linyang, his tone becoming even gentler: "I must thank you even more for your righteous help today, young friend, which turned the tide. The Lan Clan of Gusu will forever remember this kindness."
Lan Xichen also stepped forward and bowed deeply to Xie Linyang. Although he didn't say much, everything was understood without words. He and Lan Wangji had become acquainted with Xie Linyang in Qishan and knew his character well, so his words of gratitude seemed rather distant.
Xie Linyang quickly stepped aside to avoid the curtsy: "Qingheng-jun, Zewu-jun, you flatter me. The Wen clan's perverse actions are something no discerning person would stand idly by, but..." She frowned slightly, gazing down the mountain in the direction of the Wen clan's retreat, her tone filled with worry, "Wen Xu has suffered a setback this time, and Wen Ruohan will certainly not let it go. I fear their next target will be..."
Xie Linyang's gaze fell into the distance.
"Yunmeng?" Lan Qiren frowned. "The Jiang family and the Wen family have a long history of conflict. With Wen Xu's defeat, it's hard to guarantee that..."
“Yes.” Xie Linyang interrupted him, her tone suddenly becoming firm. “The Wen clan has lost three hundred cultivators, and they will surely take their anger out on others. Yunmeng is an open area without any barriers or barriers. Sect Master Jiang is of a fiery temperament, and Jiang Cheng…” She paused, not finishing her sentence, but simply gripped her medicine pouch tightly. “I need to go there.”
Qingheng-jun looked at her hand tightly gripping the medicine pouch, his eyes flickered slightly, as if he understood something, but he only said, "If you need the Lan Clan's help, just say the word."
She could almost imagine what reckless things Jiang Cheng would do if the Wen army pressed in, given his stubborn and fierce nature!
Meng Yao had been standing quietly behind Xie Linyang. At this moment, she keenly sensed the disorder in her master's aura and the change in his expression. Especially when she looked towards Yunmeng, the anxiety and worry in her eyes were something he had never seen before.
"Master?" he called softly, with a questioning tone, "Now that you've decided to go to Yunmeng, shall I go and prepare the boat?"
His address of "Master" and his respectful attitude caused Lan Xichen and Lan Wangji to glance at him slightly. They had been completely focused on dealing with the Wen clan and post-war affairs, and only now did they notice that Xie Linyang had such a handsome and humble young man by his side, and that their relationship was that of master and disciple.
A hint of surprise flashed in Lan Xichen's eyes, which quickly turned into a gentle smile as he looked at Xie Linyang: "Miss Xie, who is this...?"
Xie Lin Yang then remembered to introduce them and hurriedly said, "Zewu-jun, Wangji-xiong, this is my disciple whom I recently accepted, named Meng Yao. A-Yao, this is Zewu-jun Lan Xichen of the Gusu Lan Clan, and this is Hanguang-jun Lan Wangji."
Meng Yao immediately bowed, her movements so perfect that not a single mistake could be made. Even the angle of her bow was just right, showing respect without appearing humble. Her voice was gentle and modest: "Junior Meng Yao greets Lord Zewu and Lord Hanguang."
His mind raced, but he caught the fleeting look of understanding in Lan Xichen's eyes. This Zewu-jun probably recognized him.
After all, his claim of kinship at Jinlintai was a laughing stock in the cultivation world back then, and his face also resembled that person's. Lan Xichen had visited Jin Guangyao before, so he might be able to guess his identity.
The master seemed to have a rather familiar relationship with them...
Lan Xichen's gaze lingered on Meng Yao for a moment, his gentle eyes seemingly able to see through people's hearts, but he said nothing more, only politely nodding slightly and saying in a gentle voice, "Young Master Meng, there's no need for such formality."
Lan Wangji merely glanced at Meng Yao indifferently, his attitude remaining as cold and aloof as ever.
Xie Lin Yang was unaware of the undercurrents beneath this brief exchange. With Yunmeng's safety on her mind, she said to Lan Xichen, "Zewu-jun, the Lan Clan has suffered such a calamity and still needs time to recuperate. We shouldn't disturb them any longer. We'll set off after a short rest."
Lan Xichen nodded understandingly: "Miss Xie, please take care on your journey. If you have any news or need anything, please be sure to send a message to the Lan Clan."
However, just before Xie Linyang and Meng Yao were about to set off for Yunmeng, a sudden piece of news spread through all the major families at an astonishing speed, and also reached Xie Linyang's ears, who was taking a short rest in Gusu.
The Qishan Wen Clan issued a proclamation, citing the "ineffective teaching and neglect of talent" by various clans, and formally ordered all major immortal sects and aristocratic families to send at least ten core members to Qishan within three days to receive the Wen Clan's "personal instruction." Those who disobeyed the order would be considered disrespectful to the Immortal Overseer and would be severely punished.
What's even more noteworthy is that the announcement specifically named...
“Xie Linyang, a disciple of Baoshan Sanren, must also come.”
This is clearly the Wen family's attempt to detain the young men of various families as hostages after their setback in Suzhou. It is also an open provocation and control over Xie Linyang, the "variable" who has repeatedly ruined their plans!
In an instant, the immortal sects were shaken, and people were filled with fear.
The storm swept in in another form, more violently.
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