Chapter 211: Chapter 212: So What if I Storm the Gate?
Looking into Hong Xiu's eyes, Shangguan Wan understood.
No matter what Lin Yun had done before, in Hong Xiu's view, he was just an insignificant disciple. Therefore, no matter how extravagantly she praised him, she would never be able to change Hong Xiu's attitude.
"We may be cultivators," Shangguan Wan said, her voice strained, "but we should not be so heartless. Setting aside who was right or wrong in this affair, in order to deal with Lin Yun, the Sect Master went so far as to be ruthless to his own former disciple. As the Ancestor of the Flowing Cloud Sect, are you truly unwilling to intervene in such a matter?"
Shangguan Wan was now completely disappointed. She had become a cultivator in the hope that she could one day support justice and righteousness. It was with this ideal that she had resolutely joined the Flowing Cloud Sect. She had then cultivated painstakingly, step by step, to reach her current position. She had thought that when faced with certain situations, she would have the power to change things.
Only now did she realize that, most of the time, she was powerless, forced by circumstances. And now, after saying so much and still failing to change Hong Xiu's mind, she was suddenly overcome with a sense of weariness. Perhaps staying in this sect was just a waste of time.
"Wan'er, you are, in the end, still too young," Hong Xiu said flatly. "Cultivators like us have a long, long life. Why should we care about the life or death of such small figures? To do so would only bring oneself grief."
In her words, it was as if Lin Yun, the young man who had once given her a sliver of hope, was just another insignificant person. In Hong Xiu's eyes, the score between herself and Lin Yun was now completely settled. She had helped him so much before; they were even now.
Shangguan Wan sneered internally but showed nothing on her face. Perhaps to Hong Xiu, what she had done was enough. But Shangguan Wan understood the truth. Hong Xiu simply didn't want to take responsibility.
"This disciple takes her leave." Shangguan Wan withdrew.
Hong Xiu watched her go. When the great hall was empty once more, she let out a cold laugh. "He's just a boy who relies on luck to increase his strength. Not only did he fail to thank our Flowing Cloud Sect for nurturing him, he ran off to the Beast Taming Sect. The fact that I didn't kill him is already an act of mercy beyond the law."
Many people knew about Bai Zhuqing's situation, but they were helpless. No one truly believed that Lin Yun would do as Gu Xiande said and actually storm the mountain gate. In their view, Lin Yun was indeed a heroic figure, but he was also a smart one.
Lin Yun would surely understand that he couldn't possibly turn the situation around with his own power alone. If he truly wanted to defeat the current Gu Xiande, it would inevitably provoke a war between the Flowing Cloud Sect and the Beast Taming Sect. They had only just dealt with the great trouble of the Crimson Ghost Sect together. Who would be willing to so easily start another war under these circumstances?
Moreover, if a conflict erupted between these two great sects, the Daye Dynasty would certainly step in to mediate. So no matter how one looked at it, it was a troublesome affair.
Everyone was now a quiet onlooker.
And at the heart of it all, Lin Yun was now not far from the Flowing Cloud Sect.
He hadn't made any special effort to hide his identity along the way, but at the same time, he had been continuously strengthening his cultivation. Until the final moment, Lin Yun couldn't be certain what he would encounter. Even with complete preparation, the ever-present possibility of change still filled his heart with apprehension.
This was indeed an extremely risky move, but he had made his calculations. He now had the help of the Chongqing Bird and Xiao Bai. He also possessed numerous treasures. Most importantly, Lin Yun believed that Gu Xiande was definitely still severely injured and had not yet fully recovered. So, as long as he was careful, it wasn't impossible to rescue Bai Zhuqing.
Gu Xiande had gambled all his hopes on the Sishui Heavenly Palace. To have paid such a heavy price and yet gained nothing had made him lose all patience.
During his journey, Lin Yun had also been trying every means possible to utilize the Panlong Cauldron. But after messing with it for a long time, he finally confirmed one thing. The Panlong Cauldron was not something an ordinary person could control. Even he couldn't do it. The most he could manage was to establish a preliminary connection with it and sense its formidable power. But if he wanted to open it, his strength would need to rise by at least another level.
As such, the Panlong Cauldron was a bit of a "chicken rib" in his hands at the moment—of dubious value. But Lin Yun didn't let it bother him. At the critical moment, one's own strength was what mattered most. The Panlong Cauldron might be powerful, but it wasn't certain that its full power could be unleashed in battle.
And so, another half a month passed.
At the mountain gate of the Flowing Cloud Sect, numerous disciples stood guard.
Fang Datong glanced at Wei Cao'an. "I say, is it really necessary to be so serious about this? As long as Lin Yun isn't an idiot, he definitely won't come. How could anyone not see through the Sect Master's little trick?"
Wei Cao'an, standing to the side, also had a weary look on his face. But he didn't disagree. "These are matters for the great figures. What does it have to do with you and me? We should just obediently follow our orders." As he said this, he shook his head with a wry smile. They had been given a lot of extra work recently. But according to Gu Xiande, Lin Yun would definitely come to rescue Bai Zhuqing.
Few people in the sect, however, agreed with this view. The idea was simply too foolish. Of course, this was likely because they didn't understand Lin Yun's character.
At this moment, the few disciples in charge of guarding the gate all appeared quite relaxed. Although Gu Xiande had repeatedly emphasized that they must be vigilant, to Fang Datong and Wei Cao'an, this duty wasn't that difficult.
Just as the two were chatting, they suddenly felt the temperature drop.
Wei Cao'an frowned. "I say, Fang Datong, do you feel like the weather's gotten cold?"
Fang Datong nodded thoughtfully. "I was just saying we should add some thicker clothes soon."
As the two were talking, another disciple beside them pointed into the distance and cried out in alarm.
"Look! What is that?"
The two followed his gaze. Sure enough, they saw a person there, slowly approaching them. This person carried two swords on his back. Though his steps were slow, each one seemed to cover a great distance.
Most terrifying of all was the palpable killing intent that was slowly being released from his body.
The disciples instantly felt as if they were facing a great enemy, all of them drawing the swords from their waists.
Wei Cao'an let out a great roar: "Enemy attack!"