Chapter 240: Old Grudges, Azure Profound Sect Forfeits Entirely

Everyone was momentarily stunned when the Thousand-Eyed Fish Demon was reduced to ashes in the blink of an eye.

Baili Que and Ye Minghe were still trying to process what had just happened. It wasn’t until Shen Minglu began preparing to level Mist Sea Cliff that Baili Que suddenly snapped back to his senses.

“I didn’t expect that even after being dead for so many years, it could still be used by someone with malicious intent. This was a lapse in judgment on the part of the Immortal Sects,” Shen Minglu said.

The Fish Demon’s skeleton had originally served as a temporary shelter, and since its remains posed no threat, the Four Great Sects had never bothered to deal with it.

A corpse coming back to life—this was a first even for Shen Minglu.

To the disciples, high-level demonic creatures were formidable foes, but to Shen Minglu, they were nothing more than a flick of the hand.

Whoever had set up this formation probably never expected he would intervene.

Shen Minglu’s gaze darkened slightly, as if recalling something. He pressed his lips together and was about to shift the earth to fill the cliff.

“Wait! Sect Master Shen, Lian Mu is still down there!” Baili Que called out.

Shen Minglu’s brows furrowed slightly at the words, and he fell silent for a moment. The others also looked shocked.

Ji Mingyue couldn’t believe it. “Lian Mu? How could she be…”

“It’s a long story, and hard to explain right now. But the important thing is, she really did fall down there. It’s been over an hour, and she still hasn’t come back,” Baili Que said. “Sect Master Shen, is there any way you can find her?”

Shen Minglu shook his head. “The gray mist of Mist Sea Cliff is itself a type of unintelligent demonic creature. While it doesn’t attack people, within its domain, cultivators can’t use spiritual power. I can’t track her whereabouts either.”

The disciples of Returning Immortal Sect felt a chill in their hearts, especially Ye Minghe, whose expression was filled with guilt. “Then Junior Sister Lian… this is all my fault for not noticing in time.”

Shen Minglu glanced down the cliff, a thoughtful look in his eyes. “None of you could have predicted the Fish Demon’s resurrection. This isn’t anyone’s fault. Right now, the priority is ensuring that those still alive make it out safely.”

Ji Mingyue said, “But what about Lian Mu? What if she’s in danger down there…”

“There shouldn’t be any high-level demonic creatures beneath Mist Sea Cliff,” Shen Minglu replied. “She may still be alive.”

Baili Que said, “Then isn’t that all the more reason to rescue her?”

Shen Wuxie sneered. “You two idiots. Even if she’s alive, what can you do? With your cultivation levels, can you ignore the spiritual suppression of the demonic mist? Don’t end up throwing your lives away just to keep the Thousand-Eyed Fish Demon company.”

Ji Mingyue said, “Sect Master Shen, Lian Mu is very important to Returning Immortal Sect. She’s also our friend. No matter what, we can’t abandon her. I want to try. No matter the outcome, we can’t just sit by and do nothing.”

Shen Minglu’s expression turned stern. “No. I was entrusted by your Elder Murong to keep you safe. If you all go down into Mist Sea Cliff and can’t come back, how am I supposed to explain that to him?”

“Elder Murong will understand…” Ji Mingyue said.

She knew she didn’t have the strength to resist the suppression of the demonic mist. But deep down, she had a feeling that Lian Mu was still alive, perhaps waiting for them at the bottom of the cliff.

Just imagining her alone down there was unbearably hopeless. If they left now, what would become of her?

From a logical standpoint, it made no sense to take the risk. But when a friend’s life was on the line, who could stay completely calm?

“Let’s think of another way. Maybe we can still pull Junior Sister Lian up,” Ye Minghe said, unwilling to give up.

Shen Minglu sighed. “Why go to such lengths… Fine. Come with me for now. I’ll seal off this area temporarily to keep other demonic creatures away. Once I’ve escorted you out, I’ll send someone back to search for her. The rest of you must return first. Don’t throw your lives away needlessly.”

Shen Wuxie said coldly, “Heh. And here I thought you were smarter than this. Turns out you’re all just fools.”

Was Lian Mu really worth it?

He had to admit she was somewhat capable, but not enough to justify risking the lives of a group of Heavenly Spiritual Root disciples—especially when one of them was a young master from a noble clan.

Shen Wuxie couldn’t understand why they were so determined. If he had fallen instead, Tang Wuxun probably wouldn’t even blink, let alone the rest of the Clear Thought Sect’s chief team.

Lian Mu was just a Three Spirit Roots sword cultivator. She wasn’t even part of the chief team.

The more Shen Wuxie thought about it, the angrier he became. He muttered again, “You bunch of idiots. If you want to go, go by yourselves. Don’t drag others down with you.”

Baili Que shot back, “Who asked you?”

Shen Wuxie nearly laughed in disbelief, but couldn’t think of a retort. “…”

“Wuxie, watch your mouth,” Shen Minglu reprimanded.

Shen Wuxie had no choice but to hold his tongue. Then Shen Minglu added, “Let’s go. The teleportation barrier will open again in half an hour. If we head there now, we’ll make it in time. Your sect master is waiting for you outside.”

Ye Minghe was shocked. “Sect Master?”

“Yes, he’s arrived,” Shen Minglu said. “I ran into him on my way to explore the domain. He’s probably waiting at the barrier entrance now. You’ll see him as soon as you exit.”

At the mention of Sect Master Meng, several of the senior brothers and sisters from Returning Immortal Sect felt their eyes sting. “So the sect master really does care about us.”

Shen Minglu said, “From what I’ve heard, the five chief disciples of Azure Profound Sect have all voluntarily forfeited. It seems they’ve come to an agreement. Other teams are also withdrawing one after another. Their members are currently gathering at the teleportation point, waiting for the barrier to open. You can regroup with them there.”

Baili Que said, “Even Azure Profound Sect forfeited…”

But looking at the map, Azure Profound Sect still held the largest share of explored territory. Returning Immortal Sect was just a little behind them.

Given the current situation, it seemed no team was in the mood to compete for exploration anymore.

Ye Minghe hesitated for a moment, then said, “Sect Master Shen, I’d like to ask a favor.”

“What is it?”

Ye Minghe said, “Lian Mu isn’t the only one from our sect who’s gone missing. One of our chief disciples, a body cultivator, is also unaccounted for. Our sect has already sent people to search, but there’s been no news. Sect Master Shen, as a powerful talisman cultivator, could you help us locate them?”

Shen Minglu said, “You mean that Wen Family kid? No wonder Ji Xiuyuan hasn’t been seen. He must’ve gone searching after hearing the news… I’ll keep an eye out. If I find him, I’ll make sure he gets back safely.”

Ye Minghe said, “Thank you, Sect Master Shen.”

That was already the best promise one could hope for. It wouldn’t be fair to ask for more. After all, Shen Minglu was the Sect Master of the Clear Thought Sect, which had always been at odds with the Returning Immortal Sect. He was also known for staying out of other people’s business, so the fact that he was willing to lend a hand at all was already extraordinary.

Still… offering help was one thing. Whether the person could survive was another matter entirely.

“Sect Master Shen, why did the Black Moon arrive early?” Ye Minghe finally voiced the question that had been weighing on his mind.

Shen Minglu’s gaze darkened slightly. In a low voice, he said, “Perhaps… some things wanted to settle old scores.”