dì sān juǎn yōu zhōu luàn dì wǔ bǎi sān shí liù zhāng zhí fǎ táng dì zǐ
第三卷幽州乱第五百三十六章执法堂弟子
Chapter 536: Disciplinary Hall Disciple
zuò sī liáng 。 cóng yuǎn chù tū rán fēi lái le jǐ dào dùn guāng 。 lín xuān tái qǐ tóu 。 shí yī sǎo 。
做思量。从远处突然飞来了几道遁光。林轩抬起头。识一扫。
Lin Xuan's thoughts were interrupted as several streaks of light suddenly flew in from afar. He raised his head and scanned with his Inner Vision.
shì yī duì miàn mào mò shēng de xiū shì ， dāng rán ， cóng fú shì shàng kàn ， quán shì běn mén dì zǐ ， chū lüè yī shù ， gòng yǒu shí jǐ rén zhī duō 。
是一队面貌陌生的修士，当然，从服饰上看，全是本门弟子，初略一数，共有十几人之多。
A group of unfamiliar cultivators had appeared, but upon closer inspection, they all seemed to be fellow sect members. There were more than a dozen of them.
lǐng tóu de ， shì yī wèi níng zhōng qī de lǎo zhě ， qí yú zhī rén ， xiū wèi yě dōu zài zhù jī hòu qī yǐ shàng 。
领头的，是一位凝中期的老者，其余之人，修为也都在筑基后期以上。
Leading the group was an elderly man at the mid-Condensation Core stage. The rest also possessed cultivation levels above late Foundation Establishment.
suàn shì jīng yīng le 。
算是精英了。
They were elite indeed.
nà hú xìng jiān zéi jiāng shàng gǔ qí zhèn gǎi dòng yǐ hòu ， hěn kuài ， fāng yuán shù shí lǐ nèi ， dōu yì xiàng lián lián ， zhěng zuò líng yào shān ， bù tíng zhèn chàn 。
那胡姓奸贼将上古奇阵改动以后，很快，方圆数十里内，都异象连连，整座灵药山，不停震颤。
After altering the ancient array, Hu's treacherous actions had caused numerous anomalies in the area for several miles around. The entire Spirit Medicine Mountain was trembling continuously.
xiū shì men dà jīng shī sè ， qǐ chū hái yǐ wéi yù jiàn wài dí ， máng jiāng hù pài dà zhèn kāi qǐ ， zhòng dì zǐ shǒu chí fǎ qì chōng shā chū qù 。
修士们大惊失色，起初还以为遇见外敌，忙将护派大阵开启，众弟子手持法器冲杀出去。
The cultivators were alarmed and initially thought they had encountered an external enemy. They hastily activated their sect’s protective arrays and sent out their disciples to fight.
kě máng máng yuán yě ， qīng shān cuì lǜ ， nǎ yǒu dí rén de yǐng zi ？
可茫茫原野，青山翠绿，哪有敌人的影子？
But amidst the vast wilderness, there was no trace of any enemies.
xiān shì sōng le kǒu qì ， kě suí jī ， xīn yòu gāo gāo tí qǐ ， yīn wèi nà yì xiàng sī háo bú jiàn tíng zhǐ 。
先是松了口气，可随机，心又高高提起，因为那异象丝毫不见停止。
They first breathed a sigh of relief but then grew anxious again as the anomalies showed no signs of stopping.
zhè yī huí ， zhòng rén yǒu xiē huāng le 。
这一回，众人有些慌了。
Now everyone was panicking.
tōng yǔ zhēn rén bù zài ， máng qù xiàng xú shī shū qǐng shì ， kě jǐn cún de sān wèi zhí fǎ zhǎng lǎo lái dào dòng fǔ ， lǐ miàn què shì kōng kōng rú yě de 。
通羽真人不在，忙去像徐师叔请示，可仅存的三位执法长老来到洞府，里面却是空空如也的。
Since Senior Dharma Master Tongyu wasn't present, they hurriedly sought advice from Senior Dharma Uncle Xu. However, when the remaining three Disciplinary Hall Elders arrived at his cave abode, it was empty.
sān rén miàn miàn xiāng qù 。 xiān shì hú shī xiōng bú jiàn zōng jì 。 xiàn zài lián shī shū yě ……
三人面面相觑。先是胡师兄不见踪迹。现在连师叔也……
The three exchanged glances. Hu Senior had vanished without a trace, and now even their senior uncle...
yī sī bù xiáng dì yù gǎn fú shàng xīn jiān 。 sān rén lüè yī shāng liáng zhī hòu 。 jiāng zhè ge xiāo xī yā le xià lái 。
一丝不祥地预感浮上心间。三人略一商量之后。将这个消息压了下来。
A foreboding feeling arose in their minds. After consulting briefly, they decided to keep this news under wraps.
tā men suī bù xiāng xìn yuán yīng qī dì xú lǎo guài huì chū shì 。 dàn mò míng shī zōng 。 kěn dìng yě shì yǒu hěn tè bié dì lǐ yóu 。 xiàn zài wài miàn luàn chéng yì tuán 。 rú guǒ zhòng dì zǐ zài dé zhī zhè ge xiāo xī 。 jú miàn bì dìng gèng jiā dì bù kě shōu shí 。
他们虽不相信元婴期地徐老怪会出事。但莫名失踪。肯定也是有很特别地理由。现在外面乱成一团。如果众弟子再得知这个消息。局面必定更加地不可收拾。
They didn't believe that the old monster at the Core Formation stage would meet with any trouble, but his mysterious disappearance must have its reasons. With the entire sect in chaos, if the disciples learned of this, things could spiral out of control.
líng yào shān shù wàn dì zǐ 。 tā men néng tuō yǐng ér chū 。 zuò shàng zhí fǎ zhǎng lǎo dì wèi zhì 。 chú le xiū wèi gāo rén yī chóu 。 lín jī chǔ shì 。 zì rán yě shì hěn yǒu yìng biàn zhī cái dì 。
灵药山数万弟子。他们能脱颖而出。做上执法长老地位置。除了修为高人一筹。临机处事。自然也是很有应变之才地。
The tens of thousands of disciples on Spirit Medicine Mountain had risen to become Disciplinary Hall Elders due to their high cultivation and adept handling of emergencies. Thus, they kept this news hidden while issuing false commands from Senior Dharma Uncle Xu, instructing all disciples to return to their posts and remain vigilant. Although no external enemies were detected, the Disciplinary Hall’s members spread out in search of any signs.
yú shì sān rén jiāng zhè ge xiāo xī yǐn ér bù fā 。 jiǎ chuán shī shū fǎ yù 。 mìng lìng zhòng dì zǐ gè guī qí wèi 。 níng shén jiè bèi 。 suī rán méi yǒu fā xiàn wài dí 。 dàn zhí fǎ táng dì dì zǐ yě qīng cháo ér chū 。 zài fù jìn sì chù xún luó 。 yǐ bù biàn yīng wàn biàn le 。
于是三人将这个消息隐而不发。假传师叔法谕。命令众弟子各归其位。凝神戒备。虽然没有发现外敌。但执法堂地弟子也倾巢而出。在附近四处巡逻。以不变应万变了。
Their actions proved very appropriate given the current situation.
bù dé bù shuō 。 zài bù qīng chǔ jiū jìng fā shēng le hé shì dì qíng kuàng xià 。 sān rén dì zhè fān chǔ zhì 。 shì fēi cháng dì tuǒ dàng le 。
不得不说。在不清楚究竟发生了何事地情况下。三人地这番处置。是非常地妥当了。
The Disciplinary Hall was a unique organization within the sect, akin to personal guards. Normally, it was led by the Sect Master personally, responsible for enforcing laws and regulations. The disciples within were more powerful than others due to their high cultivation levels and abilities. Lin Xuan now saw a patrol of Disciplinary Hall cultivators.
ér zhí fǎ táng ， zé shì líng yào shān yí gè hěn tè bié de zǔ zhī ， yǒu diǎn lèi sì yú qīn wèi xìng zhì ， píng rì lǐ ， yóu zhǎng mén zhēn rén qīn zì tǒng shǔ ， zhí zhǎng xíng lǜ ， táng nèi dì zi ， xiū wèi shén tōng ， bǐ qí tā rén dōu yào shèng shàng yī chóu ， cǐ kè lín xuān kàn jiàn de ， jiù shì yī duì zhí fǎ táng de xún luó xiū shì 。
而执法堂，则是灵药山一个很特别的组织，有点类似于亲卫性质，平日里，由掌门真人亲自统属，执掌刑律，堂内弟子，修为神通，比其他人都要胜上一筹，此刻林轩看见的，就是一队执法堂的巡逻修士。
Leading the group was Elder Ma, who was over four hundred years old and had considerable experience in the sect. His face was somewhat pale. As they say, age brings wisdom; even though the three Disciplinary Elders had issued false commands, these old fellows were astute enough to sense that things weren't as simple.
dài duì lǎo zhě xìng mǎ ， jīn nián yǐ yǒu sì bǎi yú suì nián jì ， zài mén nèi suàn shì pǒ yǒu zī lì ， cǐ kè liǎn sè què yǒu xiē huī bái ， suǒ wèi rén lǎo chéng jīng ， sān wèi zhí fǎ zhǎng lǎo jiǎ chuán yù zhǐ ， suī rán mán guò le dī jiē dì zǐ ， dàn zhè xiē lǎo jiā huǒ ， yǎn guāng kě bú shì yì bān de dú ， cóng sān rén yǎn dǐ de jiāo lǜ zhī sè ， yǐn yǐn jué de shì qíng bìng méi yǒu nà me jiǎn dān dì 。
带队老者姓马，今年已有四百余岁年纪，在门内算是颇有资历，此刻脸色却有些灰白，所谓人老成精，三位执法长老假传谕旨，虽然瞒过了低阶弟子，但这些老家伙，眼光可不是一般的毒，从三人眼底的焦虑之色，隐隐觉得事情并没有那么简单地。
With such a significant change, the Sect Master wasn’t present, and Senior Dharma Uncle Xu wouldn’t appear unless...
rú jīn chū le zhè me dà de biàn gù ， zhǎng mén yòu bù zài shān zhōng ， xú shī shū méi dào lǐ bù lòu miàn ， chú fēi ……
如今出了这么大的变故，掌门又不在山中，徐师叔没道理不露面，除非……
Although this was just his guess, he felt increasingly agitated.
suī rán zhè jǐn jǐn shì tā de cāi cè ， dàn xīn dǐ què yuè fā fán zào le 。
虽然这仅仅是他的猜测，但心底却越发烦躁了。
Nevertheless, orders from above must be followed. As he led a group of disciples westward in search, two figures—male and female—caught his eye.
dàn bù guǎn rú hé ， shàng miàn de mìng lìng zǒng yào zhí xíng ， tā gāng gāng dài chū yī duì dì zǐ xiàng xī sōu suǒ ， yī nán yī nǚ dì shēn yǐng jiù mò rù le yǎn zhōng 。
但不管如何，上面的命令总要执行，他刚刚带出一队弟子向西搜索，一男一女地身影就没入了眼中。
Elder Ma was overjoyed; there were indeed external enemies. His reaction wasn’t strange given that people fear the unknown most. Once they found the source of the anomaly, their minds would be at ease.
mǎ zhǎng lǎo dà xǐ ， yuán lái shì zhēn yǒu wài dí ， bú yào qí guài tā de fǎn yìng ， rén men zuì pà dì wǎng wǎng shì wèi zhī de dōng xī ， yí dàn zhǎo dào le shì qíng de yuán yóu ， fǎn ér xīn shén ān dìng 。
马长老大喜，原来是真有外敌，不要奇怪他的反应，人们最怕地往往是未知的东西，一旦找到了事情的缘由，反而心神安定。
Capturing these two individuals might reveal the origin of the anomalies.
zhǐ yào jiāng zhè liǎng gè jiā huo ná xià ， bì néng zhī dào yì xiàng de yuán tóu 。
只要将这两个家伙拿下，必能知道异象的源头。
However, when Elder Ma’s mental probe revealed the true nature of the situation, his heart sank. The male cultivator exuding demonic aura was one thing, but the beautiful woman was a mid-Transformation Stage demon.
rán ér xià yī kè ， dāng mǎ xìng lǎo zhě jiāng shén shí zài liǎng rén yī sǎo ， xīn dùn shí wǎ liáng wǎ liáng ， páng biān nà hún shēn guǐ qì de xiū shì zàn qiě bù shuō ， nà wèi měi mào rú huā de nǚ zǐ jū rán shì huà xíng zhōng qī dì yāo xiū 。
然而下一刻，当马姓老者将神识在两人一扫，心顿时瓦凉瓦凉，旁边那浑身鬼气的修士暂且不说，那位美貌如花的女子居然是化形中期地妖修。
Even if Senior Dharma Uncle Xu were here, it would be a close match. He dared not attempt to take on such odds.
biàn shì xú shī shū lái cǐ ， yě zuì duō bù guò bàn jīn bā liǎng ， tā nǎ gǎn zuò nà táng bì dāng chē de chǔn shì 。
便是徐师叔来此，也最多不过半斤八两，他哪敢做那螳臂当车的蠢事。
Elder Ma wasn’t cowardly; despite being frightened, he reacted swiftly. He raised his right hand and shot out a fiery light from his sleeve while muttering something urgently. His disciples scattered immediately.
bù guò mǎ zhǎng lǎo dào yě bìng fēi dǎn xiǎo rú shǔ ， suī rán bèi xià dé yǒu xiē mí hū ， fǎn yìng yǐ jīng shì jí kuài dì ， yòu shǒu yī yáng ， cóng yī xiù zhōng fēi shè chū yī dào huǒ guāng ， tóng shí zuǐ bā wēi dòng ， jiāo jí ér duǎn cù de shuō le jù shén me ， nà xiē yǔ tā tóng lái dì dì zǐ dùn shí sì sàn ér táo le 。
不过马长老倒也并非胆小如鼠，虽然被吓得有些迷糊，反应已经是极快地，右手一扬，从衣袖中飞射出一道火光，同时嘴巴微动，焦急而短促的说了句什么，那些与他同来地弟子顿时四散而逃了。
Unfortunately, Lin Xuan was faster. Not wanting to engage with sect members, Lin Xuan didn't allow Elder Ma to send a message. With a flick of his fingers, a blue sword streaked out.
kě xī tā kuài lín xuān gèng kuài ， jì rán bù xiǎng yǔ běn mén dì zǐ dòng shǒu ， lín xuān zì rán bú huì fàng rèn mǎ zhǎng lǎo sòng chū chuán yīn fú ， liào dí xiān jī bān de qū zhǐ yī dàn ， yī dào lán sè dì jiàn guāng fēi shè chū lái 。
可惜他快林轩更快，既然不想与本门弟子动手，林轩自然不会放任马长老送出传音符，料敌先机般的屈指一弹，一道蓝色地剑光飞射出来。
A sharp sound echoed as the message turned into sparks.
chī de yī shēng xiǎng ， chuán yīn fú yǐ bèi jī chéng le diǎn diǎn huǒ guāng 。
嗤的一声响，传音符已被击成了点点火光。
The Fairy Phoenix frowned and prepared to act. Lin Xuan hurriedly sent a mental message: "Fairy, please be lenient. Just subdue them."
kǒng què xiān zi méi tou yí zhòu ， yě yào dòng shǒu ， lín xuān xià le yī tiào ， máng chuán yīn dào ：“ xiān zi shǒu xià liú qíng ， jiāng tā men zhì zhù jí kě 。”
孔雀仙子眉头一皱，也要动手，林轩吓了一跳，忙传音道：“仙子手下留情，将他们制住即可。”
If he didn’t intervene, this beautiful demon might unleash carnage.
ruò bù cóng páng quàn zǔ ， zhè wèi měi lì de nǚ yāo xiū shì fǒu huì dà kāi shā jiè hái shì wèi zhī zhī shù 。
若不从旁劝阻，这位美丽的女妖修是否会大开杀戒还是未知之数。
Given her nature, she would have acted on impulse, but recently, they had shared hardships together, so he couldn't offend her.
yǐ kǒng què xiān zi de xìng gé ， yuán běn shì wǒ xíng wǒ sù ， dàn zuì jìn yǔ lín xuān tóng gān gòng kǔ ， dào yě bù hǎo fú tā de miàn zi le 。
以孔雀仙子的性格，原本是我行我素，但最近与林轩同甘共苦，倒也不好拂他的面子了。
He changed his hand gesture from grabbing to pointing. Blue demonic energy materialized into a strange blue chain.
dāng jí shǒu shì yī biàn ， gǎi zhuā wèi diǎn ， yǒu rú shí zhì dì dàn lán sè yāo lì chū xiàn ， huà wèi le guǐ yì de lán sè suǒ liàn 。
当即手势一变，改抓为点，有如实质的淡蓝色妖力出现，化为了诡异的蓝色锁链。
"Quickly!"
“ jí ！”
“疾！”
With a light command from the Fairy Phoenix, the chains snaked like venomous snakes towards several Spirit Medicine Mountain disciples.
suí zhe kǒng què xiān zi yī shēng qīng chì ， nà xiē suǒ liàn rú áng shǒu tǔ xīn de dú shé ， xiàng zhe shí jǐ míng líng yào shān dì zǐ fēi qù 。
随着孔雀仙子一声轻叱，那些锁链如昂首吐芯的毒蛇，向着十几名灵药山弟子飞去。
While late Foundation Establishment cultivators might be powerful, they had no chance against mid-Transformation Stage attacks.
zhù jī hòu qī de xiū xiān zhě děng jí huò xǔ bù dī ， dàn miàn duì huà xíng qī yāo xiū de gōng jī nǎ yǒu sī háo huán shǒu zhī lì 。
筑基后期的修仙者等级或许不低，但面对化形期妖修的攻击哪有丝毫还手之力。
One by one, their faces showed fear as they were bound without any means of defense.
yí gè gè miàn lù jīng kǒng zhī sè ， shén me shǒu duàn dōu hái lái bù jí shǐ chū ， jiù yǐ shù shǒu jiù fù 。
一个个面露惊恐之色，什么手段都还来不及使出，就已束手就缚。
Elder Ma was slightly better. As a Condensation Core cultivator, he was still unwilling to surrender. Opening his mouth, an jade ruler shot out; it seemed to be his personal treasure.
mǎ xìng lǎo zhě dāng rán yào hǎo yī xiē ， bù guǎn zěn me shuō ， cǐ rén yě shì níng dān qī de xiū shì ， suī rán yě xià dé xīn dǎn jù liè ， dàn yě bù yuàn yì jiù cǐ shù shǒu ， zhāng kāi kǒu ， yī bǐng yù chǐ pēn chū ， cǐ wù yīng gāi shì tā de běn mìng fǎ bǎo le 。
马姓老者当然要好一些，不管怎么说，此人也是凝丹期的修士，虽然也吓得心胆俱裂，但也不愿意就此束手，张开口，一柄玉尺喷出，此物应该是他的本命法宝了。
Seeing the chains approaching, Elder Ma pointed and the jade ruler emitted a bright light, transforming into a green leopard with two wings.
yǎn jiàn suǒ liàn xí lái ， mǎ xìng lǎo zhě yì diǎn zhǐ ， nà yù chǐ háo guāng dà fàng ， biàn wèi le yī bèi shēng shuāng chì de bì lǜ bào zi 。
眼见锁链袭来，马姓老者一点指，那玉尺毫光大放，变为了一背生双翅的碧绿豹子。
This transformation wasn’t bad, but the Fairy Phoenix’s face remained full of mockery. Without any action from her, the chain shattered suddenly.
cǐ bān biàn huà yě suàn bù sú ， kě xī kǒng què xiān zi de liǎn shàng yī jiù mǎn shì jī cháo zhī sè ， yě bú jiàn tā yǒu shén me dòng zuò ， nà suǒ liàn háo wú zhēng zhào de suì liè kāi lái 。
此般变化也算不俗，可惜孔雀仙子的脸上依旧满是讥嘲之色，也不见她有什么动作，那锁链毫无征兆的碎裂开来。
Elder Ma was stunned as he saw the demon energy reassemble into a large blue net, covering him and the leopard inside.
mǎ lǎo zhě yí zhèng ， yǎn zhōng lù chū xiē xǔ mí huò de biǎo qíng ， rán ér xià yī kè ， jiù liǎn bái rú zhǐ le ， yóu suǒ liàn suì liè suǒ huà de yāo qì tū rán chóng xīn zǔ hé ， biàn wèi le yī zhāng lán sè de dà wǎng ， dāng tóu xiàng tā zhào le xià lái ， nà bì lǜ bào zi yě bèi lǒng zhào zài le lǐ miàn 。
马老者一怔，眼中露出些许迷惑的表情，然而下一刻，就脸白如纸了，由锁链碎裂所化的妖气突然重新组合，变为了一张蓝色的大网，当头像他罩了下来，那碧绿豹子也被笼罩在了里面。
Panicked, Elder Ma summoned all his power, and the leopard opened its blood-red mouth to spew fireballs.
dà jīng zhī xià ， mǎ zhǎng lǎo yùn qǐ hún shēn fǎ lì ， fēi bào zhāng kāi xuè pén dà kǒu ， cóng zuǐ bā lǐ pēn chū yī lián chuàn de huǒ qiú 。
大惊之下，马长老运起浑身法力，飞豹张开血盆大口，从嘴巴里喷出一连串的火球。
But it was futile. The net was too solid; all attacks were in vain.
kě xī méi yòng ， nà wǎng jiān shí yǐ jí ， suǒ yǒu de gōng jī bù guò shì tú láo ér yǐ 。
可惜没用，那网坚实以极，所有的攻击不过是徒劳而已。
With a swift motion, Lin Xuan’s mental probe revealed that everyone had merely fainted. He thanked the Fairy Phoenix: "Thank you."
sōu de yī xià ， jiāng mǎ zhǎng lǎo guǒ zhù ， nà bào zi lüè wēi zhēng zhá le jǐ xià yě bèi dǎ huí yuán xíng le 。
嗖的一下，将马长老裹住，那豹子略微挣扎了几下也被打回原形了。
"No need," she nodded. "I promised you back then."
lín xuān shén shí yī sǎo ， suǒ yǒu rén jǐn jǐn shì yùn guò qù ， bù yóu de gǎn jī de kàn le yī yǎn shēn páng de nǚ zǐ ：“ duō xiè xiān zi 。”
林轩神识一扫，所有人仅仅是晕过去，不由得感激的看了一眼身旁的女子：“多谢仙子。”
Lin Xuan smiled. In truth, he only did his best and left the rest to fate. Even if the Fairy Phoenix hadn’t intervened, he wouldn’t have sought revenge for these unfortunate disciples.
“ bù yòng kè qì 。” kǒng què xiān zi diǎn le diǎn tóu ：“ dāng chū wǒ dā yìng guò nǐ 。”
“不用客气。”孔雀仙子点了点头：“当初我答应过你。”
His own life was most important.
lín xuān zuǐ jiǎo biān lù chū yī sī xiào róng ， qí shí zhè jiàn shì qíng tā bù guò shì jìn rén shì ér tīng tiān mìng ， kǒng què xiān zi jiù suàn bù tīng ， miè le zhè jǐ gè dǎo méi de xiū shì ， tā yòu qǐ huì wèi tā men bào chóu ？
林轩嘴角边露出一丝笑容，其实这件事情他不过是尽人事而听天命，孔雀仙子就算不听，灭了这几个倒霉的修士，他又岂会为他们报仇？
Of course, Spirit Medicine Mountain had treated him well, so in exchange for not harming their interests, Lin Xuan would look after them as a duty of his position as the young master.
zì jǐ xiǎo mìng cái shì zuì zhòng yào de 。
自己小命才是最重要的。
With this thought, his trembling intensified. Lin Xuan’s expression changed: "Fairy, no more talk. Let's leave."
dāng rán ， líng yào shān yě suàn dài zì jǐ bù báo ， zài bù sǔn hài zì jǐ lì yì de qíng kuàng xià lín xuān dāng rán yě huì zhào gù yī èr de ， jiù dāng shì jǐn shēn wèi shǎo zhǔ de zhí zé 。
当然，灵药山也算待自己不薄，在不损害自己利益的情况下林轩当然也会照顾一二的，就当是尽身为少主的职责。
He knew they needed to act quickly before any further complications arose.
Chapter 536: Disciplinary Hall Disciple
Lin Xuan's thoughts were interrupted as several streaks of light suddenly flew in from afar. He raised his head and scanned with his Inner Vision.
A group of unfamiliar cultivators had appeared, but upon closer inspection, they all seemed to be fellow sect members. There were more than a dozen of them.
Leading the group was an elderly man at the mid-Condensation Core stage. The rest also possessed cultivation levels above late Foundation Establishment.
They were elite indeed.
After altering the ancient array, Hu's treacherous actions had caused numerous anomalies in the area for several miles around. The entire Spirit Medicine Mountain was trembling continuously.
The cultivators were alarmed and initially thought they had encountered an external enemy. They hastily activated their sect’s protective arrays and sent out their disciples to fight.
But amidst the vast wilderness, there was no trace of any enemies.
They first breathed a sigh of relief but then grew anxious again as the anomalies showed no signs of stopping.
Now everyone was panicking.
Since Senior Dharma Master Tongyu wasn't present, they hurriedly sought advice from Senior Dharma Uncle Xu. However, when the remaining three Disciplinary Hall Elders arrived at his cave abode, it was empty.
The three exchanged glances. Hu Senior had vanished without a trace, and now even their senior uncle...
A foreboding feeling arose in their minds. After consulting briefly, they decided to keep this news under wraps.
They didn't believe that the old monster at the Core Formation stage would meet with any trouble, but his mysterious disappearance must have its reasons. With the entire sect in chaos, if the disciples learned of this, things could spiral out of control.
The tens of thousands of disciples on Spirit Medicine Mountain had risen to become Disciplinary Hall Elders due to their high cultivation and adept handling of emergencies. Thus, they kept this news hidden while issuing false commands from Senior Dharma Uncle Xu, instructing all disciples to return to their posts and remain vigilant. Although no external enemies were detected, the Disciplinary Hall’s members spread out in search of any signs.
Their actions proved very appropriate given the current situation.
The Disciplinary Hall was a unique organization within the sect, akin to personal guards. Normally, it was led by the Sect Master personally, responsible for enforcing laws and regulations. The disciples within were more powerful than others due to their high cultivation levels and abilities. Lin Xuan now saw a patrol of Disciplinary Hall cultivators.
Leading the group was Elder Ma, who was over four hundred years old and had considerable experience in the sect. His face was somewhat pale. As they say, age brings wisdom; even though the three Disciplinary Elders had issued false commands, these old fellows were astute enough to sense that things weren't as simple.
With such a significant change, the Sect Master wasn’t present, and Senior Dharma Uncle Xu wouldn’t appear unless...
Although this was just his guess, he felt increasingly agitated.
Nevertheless, orders from above must be followed. As he led a group of disciples westward in search, two figures—male and female—caught his eye.
Elder Ma was overjoyed; there were indeed external enemies. His reaction wasn’t strange given that people fear the unknown most. Once they found the source of the anomaly, their minds would be at ease.
Capturing these two individuals might reveal the origin of the anomalies.
However, when Elder Ma’s mental probe revealed the true nature of the situation, his heart sank. The male cultivator exuding demonic aura was one thing, but the beautiful woman was a mid-Transformation Stage demon.
Even if Senior Dharma Uncle Xu were here, it would be a close match. He dared not attempt to take on such odds.
Elder Ma wasn’t cowardly; despite being frightened, he reacted swiftly. He raised his right hand and shot out a fiery light from his sleeve while muttering something urgently. His disciples scattered immediately.
Unfortunately, Lin Xuan was faster. Not wanting to engage with sect members, Lin Xuan didn't allow Elder Ma to send a message. With a flick of his fingers, a blue sword streaked out.
A sharp sound echoed as the message turned into sparks.
The Fairy Phoenix frowned and prepared to act. Lin Xuan hurriedly sent a mental message: "Fairy, please be lenient. Just subdue them."
If he didn’t intervene, this beautiful demon might unleash carnage.
Given her nature, she would have acted on impulse, but recently, they had shared hardships together, so he couldn't offend her.
He changed his hand gesture from grabbing to pointing. Blue demonic energy materialized into a strange blue chain.
"Quickly!"
With a light command from the Fairy Phoenix, the chains snaked like venomous snakes towards several Spirit Medicine Mountain disciples.
While late Foundation Establishment cultivators might be powerful, they had no chance against mid-Transformation Stage attacks.
One by one, their faces showed fear as they were bound without any means of defense.
Elder Ma was slightly better. As a Condensation Core cultivator, he was still unwilling to surrender. Opening his mouth, an jade ruler shot out; it seemed to be his personal treasure.
Seeing the chains approaching, Elder Ma pointed and the jade ruler emitted a bright light, transforming into a green leopard with two wings.
This transformation wasn’t bad, but the Fairy Phoenix’s face remained full of mockery. Without any action from her, the chain shattered suddenly.
Elder Ma was stunned as he saw the demon energy reassemble into a large blue net, covering him and the leopard inside.
Panicked, Elder Ma summoned all his power, and the leopard opened its blood-red mouth to spew fireballs.
But it was futile. The net was too solid; all attacks were in vain.
With a swift motion, Lin Xuan’s mental probe revealed that everyone had merely fainted. He thanked the Fairy Phoenix: "Thank you."
"No need," she nodded. "I promised you back then."
Lin Xuan smiled. In truth, he only did his best and left the rest to fate. Even if the Fairy Phoenix hadn’t intervened, he wouldn’t have sought revenge for these unfortunate disciples.
His own life was most important.
Of course, Spirit Medicine Mountain had treated him well, so in exchange for not harming their interests, Lin Xuan would look after them as a duty of his position as the young master.
With this thought, his trembling intensified. Lin Xuan’s expression changed: "Fairy, no more talk. Let's leave."
He knew they needed to act quickly before any further complications arose.