Chapter 207: Matriarchal Alliance of Both Sects, the Truth of a Catalyst Revealed!
With the matriarchs of both opposing sects already agreeing to work together, that ultimately meant so would their disciples. They cancelled every and all activities, stopped all closed-door cultivation and were all assembled at the Inner Sect courtyard of the Dragon Blossom Sect.
Everyone flew on their swords like meteor shower—they knew the seriousness of the situation and didn't waste a moment to assemble at the desired location.
The Peak Chiefs and the Chief Elders were already present and waiting behind all four matriarchs.
While not all had arrived, Matriarchs Fangblade and Dragon Star had already gotten down to addressing the endless sea of disciples that overflowed the Inner Sect courtyard.
Matriarch Fangblade spoke first.
"The Heavenly Court has disregarded everything that was agreed upon 10,000 years ago, and now, they have chosen to pass judgement... divine judgement. But, I must let you all know, our world did not defect, we did not break any sacred rules that they established. So, while this judgement might seem unfair, we must hold our heads up high and tackle it!"
Then, Liáng Xīnyuè spoke shortly after.
"In order to achieve their goals, the Heavenly Court demons have slaughtered countless innocent mortals and cultivators. In order to survive this test, we must fight with every breath in our lungs until our hearts stop beating. We will not cry, we will not lose hope, we will not let these Divinities enjoy our downfall."
Now, in perfect unison, Fangblade and Liáng Xīnyuè ordered.
"Disciples, these are your orders! Set out for battle immediately, to defend our world, to help our fellow cultivators and to uphold the wishes of our Supreme Queen!"
Immediately, every and all disciple screamed at the top of their voices. Anyone could easily sense the eagerness to fight in their war cries.
Just seeing this was enough to surprise Bai Suzhen. She looked at Míng Huīrán and then said, "Wow, they work quite well together... they're almost like a pair."
"Of course," Míng Huīrán replied, smiling as she looked at the two head matriarchs of both sects. "It's the reason why First Matriarch was so hurt when Fangblade chose to defect. If it were anyone else, she would be indifferent and even kill them at first glance...
but, First Matriarch chose to cripple her cultivation base and banish her..." The woman knew that no matter how hateful Liáng Xīnyuè might act towards Fangblade, it didn't change the fact that she deeply cared about her like a sister.
Bai Suzhen hovered forward and stared down on all these disciples. There were a lot of new faces, so much so that she couldn't even tell if this was still the same sect she knew 10,000 years ago.
Hm? I don't see Yang Wei here...
Míng Huīrán then spoke, "This lady here..." she presented Bai Suzhen to the confused disciples, "...she is one of the founders of our sect, our greatest ancestor!"
Immediately they heard this, everyone of their heads dropped in reverence.
"GREETINGS, SECT FOUNDER!!"
Bai Suzhen simply took their greetings with a nod and went down to making her orders.
"We will use the Sect's Great Teleportation Array to dispatch our disciples. Mortal Realm cultivators will remain here and help to control the riot in Linwu Kingdom. Spirit Gathering cultivators will move to the Bronze Tap Root and help the minor worlds there.
Core Formation and Nascent Soul cultivators will be led by Peak Chiefs Xiu Yulan and Mu Zhihao as well as Chief Elders Gu Yen and Sun Yurong to focus their efforts protecting the Silver Trunk.
And as for Spirit Ascension cultivators or higher, they will focus on doing everything in their power to keep the protective barrier active and also making sure full power palm attack doesn't collide with our precious Azure Tree."
The orders were dished out, and everyone was ready to move.
The Great Teleportation Array had already started teleporting the cultivators to their respective locations.
Míng Huīrán turned to Liáng Xīnyuè and spoke, "Sister, I'll be heading to the Frigid Celestial Serpent-Dragon Realm. I need to consult our two guardian dragons and access my Dragon Spirit Confluence."
"What about Ménglóng?"
"She's taking Grandmaster Ling to the Great-Spirit Dragon Array, so she should be back soon."
Liáng Xīnyuè nodded. "Alright, we should move immediately."
"But..." Míng Huīrán paused for a moment, then she refreshed her words. "What about Yang Wei? With his sort of power he could help our se—"
"He already abandoned us.." Liáng Xīnyuè hovered forward. "Can you not sense that his presence has disappeared from this tao dimension?"
Míng Huīrán noticed this, but she didn't simply want to believe someone who earned the acknowledgement of the Celestial Dragons would abandon them so readily. She shook her head and said, "I refuse to believe he'd do such a thing."
...
Yang Wei and Li Meixiu had already finished traveling through countless stars across countless dimension. Their destination was the Northern Boundless Sea of Stars.
"So, are we there yet?" Yang Wei asked, fighting his urge to yawn.
"NO!" Li Meixiu's voice shot up. She was fighting her urge ram her fist down Yang Wei's throat. "For the 30th time, no, we aren't..."
Unless Xuanwu personally teleported someone to his domain, there was no way to get there in the blink of an eye. Even Li Meixiu, who, like other Asura Realm cultivators, could move faster than light itself, wouldn't be able to reach the Northern Boundless Sea of Stars instantly because it was just too far and utterly inaccessible.
Teleportation was out of the question too, since anyone who attempted to bypass this region would end up stuck in a perpetual state of teleportation, never reaching their destination.
"Alright then, I guess I'll just have to wait ano..."
Before he could finish, Li Meixiu gladly said, "We've arrived." Getting here wasn't what made her happy, rather it was the fact that she was able to survive Yang Wei's incessant nagging. He was like that child on a road trip who would always ask if they'd reached their destination, knowing fully well they hadn't.
The Northern Boundless Sea of Stars stretched out before them. An outer space-like realm of endless nebulae covered in clouds and with no identifiable borders or land masses—a place beautiful in appearance, but terrifying in spiritual Qi.
The clouds cleared up, and Xuanwu, the Black Tortoise manifested.
"Son of Magic, you have returned."
The deep sounding voice of Xuanwu erupted, however, it wasn't as treacherous as it was last time. The Black Tortoise spoke with a sense of propriety now that it has come to know Yang Wei personally.
Yang Wei gave this god-like tortoise a casual wave. "Mhm, what's up, big guy?"
Sharply, Li Meixiu threw him a punch on the shoulder, and Yang Wei frowned as he rubbed the spot she punched. "Hey, what's your problem?" he asked her.
"Nevermind." Li Meixiu folded her arms and kept her gaze forward—she simply didn't want to be speaking casually in Senior Tortoise's presence, as a disciple of the Star Sovereign Sect, she had to show decorum.
"As you know, the Azure Tree is in peril, and more than anything, you must ensure that you save it and its Catalysts."
When Xuanwu said this, Yang Wei tilted his head then looked back and forth at him and Li Meixiu. "What do you mean... Catalysts?" It was the only thing that stood out in all that the enormous being had said.
"What many do not know, is that the Azure Tree is an expanse for Catalysts. These are beings or objects that precipitate future events that if they do not come to pass, both the Magic World and the Martial World will be thrown into disarray."
Yang Wei nodded, "And who are these catalysts...?"
"I shan't say much concerning the matter, as it is not time yet. However, what I can tell you, is that one of those Catalysts are already slowly nearing their destiny, and if their story ends here, you..." one of Xuanwu's large claws pointed at Yang Wei, "...will not be able to reach the apex of cultivation and usher in a new era for all of existence."
A small concern crossed the white-haired mage's face.
Who is this person? Are they that important?
...
Sun Yuying was still completely unconscious in the chambers she was kept to rest in. She looked even more feverish than before and her body looked like it had lost any color it once had.
A crest appeared on her forehead and from it, Divine Mother Sword Array emerged like a purple mist.
"Master! Please, you must awaken!"
The beautiful woman did her best to try and bring Sun Yuying out of her unconscious state. And even as she did this, the woman couldn't hold down her anger, not one bit. She was furious for a reason, and only one reason...
You must wake up and see the people who left you in this state you are. The Divine cultivators who destroyed our home countless millennia ago! We must take our revenge for the Divine Sword Sect...
Divine Mother Sword Array slowly cried as her head fell on Sun Yuying's chest upon which she sobbed heavily.
The Heavenly Court Sect had destroyed their home in a time long forgotten.
Now, the Azure Tree was next.
Their crimes, unrevealed...