A Pawn's Passage

Chapter 459: Ascending the Tower

Chapter 459: Ascending the Tower

Qi Xuansu was unaware that Sage Donghua was currently organizing aid for Jinling at the Golden Tower.

All he could see was a gloomy and desolate scene.

The Gratitude Temple had become ghostly, inexplicably reminding Qi Xuansu of the Ghost Kingdom.

If Zhang Yuelu had not been by his side, he might have even considered opening the portal to the Ghost Kingdom and summoning the Three Yin Beings. Last time, it was Master Wan who helped him get rid of Feng Bo. He wondered if it would be Master Yin or Madam Bai this time.

However, Qi Xuansu only entertained the thought. Even without Zhang Yuelu next to him, summoning the Three Yin Beings was risky unless absolutely necessary.

First, there were too many people around. Second, the Daoist Order’s involvement was only a matter of time. Who knew if the Daoist Order might detect some traces of the Three Yin Beings and tie it back to Qi Xuansu?

At this moment, Zhang Yuelu was operating the Purple Star Astrology, focused on calculating heavenly timings, geomantic currents, and the directional flow of energy. Thus, she could not pay attention to what was happening around her.

Naturally, Qi Xuansu assumed the role of her protector. This was also why Zhang Yuelu had hoped he would accompany her. While she needed assistance, she preferred that Qi Xuansu had come willingly.

A moment later, Zhang Yuelu returned to her senses and sighed heavily. “They’ve altered the heavenly timing. The earth’s qi is also in chaos. I fear the formations of Jinling Prefecture will also be affected. It seems the Cult of Fates isn’t acting on impulse this time.

“They must have planned it for a while now and were merely waiting for an opportunity to strike. The internal strife within the Daoist Order has given them the perfect chance. The old saying that internal troubles invite external dangers is indeed true.”

Qi Xuansu asked, “Shall we continue looking for Situ Xingluan?”

Zhang Yuelu nodded. “We have to cross the Perfume River and head to the Porcelain Tower.”

The Perfume River ran north to south, dividing the Gratitude Temple into two halves.

The two of them were now not far from the Perfume River. When they saw the river water, which had turned into a murky grayish-white, they were startled. The Perfume River now resembled the mythological River of Three Crossings, with the arch bridge above resembling the Bridge of Helplessness.

Atop the bridge stood a tall, armored figure blocking their path.

Zhang Yuelu frowned. “What are they doing sending these creatures to die one by one? Are they playing some sort of game of challenges with us?”

As she spoke, the Fate Guard on the bridge suddenly turned and fled, disappearing into the black mist in an instant.

Qi Xuansu chuckled. “Turns out it’s not a challenge, but a sentry.”

Zhang Yuelu shook her head and took the lead, stepping onto the arch bridge.

After crossing the bridge and entering the back of the temple, Qi Xuansu could not help but gasp.

Separated by just one bridge, the front and back of the Gratitude Temple had become two entirely different worlds.

Above them was a pitch-black night sky, so dense it looked like it would drip ink at any moment. The ground beneath them had become soft and sticky, unlike the hard bluestone pavement from before, but more like rain-soaked mud or some squishy internal organs. It even wriggled as if it were alive.

Qi Xuansu instinctively looked down and saw black mist pooling around his feet, gradually submerging them. It resembled a flooded street during a rainstorm, when water failed to drain and slowly formed puddles. At first glance, it even looked like a lake.

Underneath the black mist, the surface of the ground began to writhe, becoming uneven. Soon after, hands emerged and attempted to grasp Qi Xuansu’s ankles.

Zhang Yuelu had no intention of climbing the tower using the stairs. With a light tap, she soared into the air.

Qi Xuansu followed suit, flying up the tower with the help of the Taiyi Cloud Robe.

Breaking through layers of black mist, the two finally reached the tower’s spire, where they saw Situ Xingluan and the five Fate Guards behind him.

Situ Xingluan had already risen to his feet and clapped his hands. “Mage Zhang, Daoist Qi, you two are indeed impressive!”

Zhang Yuelu wasted no words. Upon landing on the tower’s spire, she slashed her sword directly at Situ Xingluan.

Situ Xingluan remained motionless as two Fate Guards beside him stepped forward, each thrusting a sword to form an X in front of their master, blocking Zhang Yuelu’s strike.

At the same time, another Fate Guard raised a massive axe and swung it down on Zhang Yuelu.

Zhang Yuelu, holding her sword in one hand, stood completely still. As the axe swung toward her, her left hand, which was surrounded by the ethereal glow of the Five Elements Qi Shield, reached out to grab the blade. Her delicate fingers did not flinch, halting the axe’s momentum entirely. The massive axe trembled in her grip, unable to move in the slightest.

At this moment, two more Fate Guards sprang into action.

However, Qi Xuansu was ready for them.

Understanding that sharpness was less effective than blunt force against such heavily armored foes, Qi Xuansu refrained from using Flying Shadow. Instead, he decided to engage in close combat.

He launched the Wind and Thunder Fist of the Tantai Fist Intention, delivering punches that were rapid, forceful, and relentless. He moved unpredictably around the first Fate Guard, attacking from all angles.

This Fate Guard was even stronger than a ninth-level Guizhen-stage master. With extremely resilient armor, it was nearly impossible to kill him outright.

However, the Fate Guard's greatest weakness was his lack of intelligence, leaving him slow to react and incapable of adapting quickly.

Qi Xuansu’s assault left the Fate Guard floundering and staggering backward.

Next, Qi Xuansu turned to face the second Fate Guard. He switched to the Sea and River fist, which was one of the most challenging forms of the Tantai Fist Intention. Its myriad variations resembled overlapping waves, with nine distinct layers of force. The overlapping forces compounded, making them nearly impossible to counter.

This Fate Guard fared even worse than the first one. Qi Xuansu’s spiraling strikes sent him spinning helplessly. Losing his balance, the Fate Guard toppled head-first off the tower.

Though the fall would not kill or even injure a living corpse, climbing back up would take considerable time.

Seizing the opportunity, Zhang Yuelu channeled her true essence into Azure Thunderbolt, which radiated brilliantly. The surge of energy forcefully pushed off the two sword-wielding Fate Guards who had blocked her earlier.

At the same time, she tightened her grip on the giant axe. The Fate Guard attempting to pull his axe back found it immovable under Zhang Yuelu’s iron fist, no matter how much strength he exerted.

Ignoring the two sword-wielding Fate Guards, Zhang Yuelu turned and thrust her sword at the axe-wielding guard.

The strike, deceptively slow yet impossibly fast, brought forth a chain of lightning from Azure Thunderbolt, like the sudden crack of spring thunder. The axe-wielding Fate Guard could not react in time and was stabbed through the chest.

The Fate Guard froze momentarily as the glow around him faded. His armor lost its support and fell apart onto the ground before his body slid down the sloped roof.

Seeing the dire situation, the two sword-wielding Fate Guards retreated to Situ Xingluan’s side and assumed defensive stances.