CHAPTER 524
Page 524
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Some time later…
In the Spirit Pool Hall, Chu Youwei sat beside Ye Qinghan. Their relationship seemed much stronger than before, and they had been raising cups to each other for quite some time.
Chu Youwei gently raised her cup to her lips, then slowly lowered it again. She seemed hesitant, as if wanting to speak but unsure how to begin.
They had been soaking for a while now. Though they kept drinking together, neither spoke.
Finally, Chu Youwei broke the silence.
"It's been half a month, hasn't it?"
"Yeah, it's been half a month since I last practiced dual cultivation with my master. I feel like I'm dying." Ye Qinghan hung his head. It was better not to bring it up, but now that it was mentioned, Ye Qinghan looked as if he truly had only half a life left. His pitiful, clinging-to-life appearance would make even Miao Miao think it was time to prepare for his funeral!
Chu Youwei, however, showed no concern for Ye Qinghan's vitality. "You sensed something was wrong long ago, didn't you?"
"Yeah, I knew that day. Even if Master hadn't said anything, I'd have realized the cultivation technique wasn't meant for Qinghan."
"Let me guess—it's because Master has already given us all the best cultivation techniques he possesses, right?"
Ye Qinghan smiled faintly: "Yes. They might not be all Master possessed, but they were certainly the most suitable cultivation techniques for us sisters."
Chu Youwei nodded. She'd thought of that too.
"What do you think Master is hiding? It feels less like giving us tasks and more like using this to keep us occupied. How long has it been since you last contacted anyone outside Lingxian Hall?"
"Even my Jade Pendant has been sealed by Master. Not only can I not contact anyone, but I can't leave either." Ye Qinghan's expression remained calm, yet Chu Youwei's words struck a chord with her.
Ye Qinghan poured herself a cup, then filled Chu Youwei's as well, before speaking slowly.
"I think Master is serious this time. We'd better behave ourselves."
Chu Youwei pursed her lips. "Of course I know. I just feel like something's off. Do you know something?"
"Unfortunately, my knowledge is quite limited this time."
"Dongfang Jue isn't at Lingxian Hall." Chu Youwei hadn't just discovered this fact, but she had observed it for quite some time before seeking Ye Qinghan's counsel.
"This was Master's decision—or rather, Master deliberately sent him away."
Chu Youwei nodded. This matched her suspicions exactly.
"Is Master at Lingxian Hall?"
This was Chu Youwei's final question, but Ye Qinghan remained silent.
Ye Qinghan didn't know the answer either, and she seemed to understand what Chu Youwei was about to say.
Ye Qinghan might be able to keep an eye on a few junior sisters, but how could she possibly watch over the Master?
The Master came without a trace and departed without a shadow. If she truly wished to leave, even Lord Gu Ai couldn't hold her back—how could Ye Qinghan possibly do so?
Their eyes met. Chu Youwei relied on her understanding of the Master, while Ye Qinghan drew upon her analysis of the information. Both seemed to arrive at the same conclusion simultaneously.
Lady Gu Ai had made preparations days prior, and the entire mansion bustled with activity. Amber, Crane Light, and Ye Qinghan hadn't seen these Valkyries in ages.
In the past, they would occasionally return to the Spirit Pool Hall for a soak, or come find Ye Qinghan for a drink, casually checking if their master had any treasures or if Ye Qinghan had any pretty jewelry.
However, after Miaomiao became his disciple, Ye Qinghan hadn't seen them since.
Though Miao Miao's initiation was merely a formality, nowhere near as grand as Li Shiyao's, it was essentially similar to Dongfang Jue's.
Still, Ye Qinghan harbored some affection for Miaomiao. Yet, listening to her master's inner thoughts, it seemed he maintained a slight guard against the girl, as if worried she might turn bad.
Meanwhile, at Mansion No. 11, on the second floor of the main building, in Lady Gu Ai's office.
"Gu Ai, a heavy aerial garden has been detected in the Southern Territory. The Dragon Slayer Squad is en route to the target area."
"Have them stand by at their current location."
"Reporting, Amber. The advance team has reached the coordinates and requests authorization for a spatial-level strike."
"Approved."
"Madam Amber, on Combat Channel Three, Madam Yu Meng requests to speak with you."
"Connect it."
"Lord Gu Ai, the Falcon Heavy Crossbows from the Inner City have passed through the spatial gate. Should they be deployed immediately?"
"Deploy them to the disaster site first. Tell them to hold out for three more hours."
Xiao Ai rested her head on the desk for a brief nap, while Su Cheng lay on the sofa nearby. Xiao Ai wasn't made of iron; she got tired too.
But it was mostly mental exhaustion. After all, she had been sitting in this chair for over a month without moving.
"The southeastern defense line jointly held by the Celestial Path Pavilion and the Four Domains has essentially collapsed. Our forces have taken control of the battlefield."
"Tianshui Lake and Zhiyu City have fallen. Most of the Immortal Alliance's main forces have been forced to retreat to the Anshan area, a hundred miles away."
"The Eastern Domain's death zone is expected to be fully cleared within two days. At that time, Squadrons 12, 14, and 23 will form the first wave to push the frontline eastward, projected to reach the Shilong River line within a week."
"Our Northern Territory advance squad made contact with local armed forces twenty minutes ago. Action is expected within three hours."
"The 12th Division of the Divine Heavy Armor Forces recaptured the heartland of Black Gorge Mountain last night and is currently constructing defensive fortifications along the mountain ridges. Heavy air superiority strike assets are fully deployed."
"Spatial-level suppression authorized. Seventh Advance Squad, proceed with guidance."
"At 0900 hours this morning, our forces completely lost the Siyu Pass defense line in the Southern Sector. The Sixth Anti-Air Armored Squadron has withdrawn to…"
Reports from all fronts flooded Su Cheng and Xiao Ai's minds, but the two, who had appeared to be resting, suddenly snapped awake upon hearing this!
"No!" Su Cheng and Xiao Ai exclaimed in unison.
They sat up almost simultaneously, then exchanged a glance.
The Siyu Pass defense must not fall! That was the conclusion they reached almost simultaneously. If Siyu Pass fell, the enemy would advance unimpeded. Then, the six squads behind Siyu Pass—including the heavy units just deployed—would be exposed to the enemy's sight, caught between two fronts!
Before Su Cheng's main force arrived, they had to hold them off…
Even if it cost them their lives!
Such is the true nature of war.
"My lord, please rest a little longer. Xiao Ai is keeping watch here."
With that, Xiao Ai coldly retorted, "Amber, tell them to find a way to take back Siyu Pass for me!"
Amber nodded, her face betraying a look of resignation. "My Lord, I shall go myself."
Xiao Ai didn't speak, merely waving her hand dismissively. She wasn't one for empty platitudes like "stay safe."
At this moment, their only hope lay in Mengdie securing reinforcements swiftly.
The mansion's soldiers were formidable, each capable of holding their own against a hundred foes. Yet their numbers were finite, a mere drop in the bucket against the vast expanse of the Four Domains.
And this dance of calamity had only just begun to play its prelude.
Yet none of this was noticed by the precious treasures within Lingxian Hall. In truth, not even the outer disciples, let alone the inner disciples, were aware.
Yet all this was observed by Dongfang Jue—though she was no longer Dongfang Jue, but Zhao Cuicui.
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