Dong!

Dong!

Dong!

Accompanied by the resounding drum music, the bell that welcomed guests tolled thirty-six times, its sound prolonged and solemn, imbued with an ancient and vicissitudinous aura.

Lu Tianqi's expression grew more and more astonished until, at last, after the thirty-six bell tones ceased, and a vast procession appeared before their eyes, she couldn't help but exclaim in a lost voice, "Thirty-six... that's the highest level of reception at Lingdong Mountain!"

Qin Shi, Dong Yu, and Huang Hui's faces revealed faint smiles, as if this was to be expected.

Chu Mo, on the other hand, didn't show much emotion, but he slightly raised an eyebrow. Although he wasn't too familiar with the Sect Leader of Lingdong Mountain, Qingzhouzi, from what he had observed of his behavior, he seemed... not so astute.

Could it really be that his own martial achievements had frightened him? Chu Mo shook his head in his heart, thinking not likely!

If martial achievements could intimidate everyone, then the Cultivation Realm would probably be much more peaceful. There would always be those who harbored hope against the odds.

Chu Mo pondered this as he stood there, instantly tuning into the entire Lingdong Mountain's energy field and beginning to deduce. The next moment, his eyes narrowed slightly, a fierce anger flashing through them.

He glanced at Qin Shi beside him and then conveyed a few words to her using a silent transmission.

Qin Shi, upon hearing this, immediately showed a look of anger on her face and said plainly, without using a transmission, "Leave it to me."

With that, she vanished in a flash from where she stood.

This scene was witnessed by another disciple guarding the gate, but he didn't dare to make a sound or ask questions.

Dong Yu, Huang Hui, and Lu Tianqi found it somewhat strange and were just about to inquire when the other party's reception team had already arrived. They had no choice but to temporarily suppress their doubts and follow Chu Mo's lead in looking over.

Indeed, among those who appeared, not only was the Sect Leader of Lingdong Mountain absent, but there wasn't even a Vice Sect Leader or Elder to be seen!

The leader of the group was a high-level steward of Lingdong Mountain in charge of welcoming guests.

This person approached Chu Mo's group with a face full of obliging smiles and announced loudly, "Esteemed guests, please excuse our lack of welcome from afar. We hope you will forgive us."

Chu Mo gave the speaker a faint glance, nodded slightly, and, followed by Dong Yu and the others, went along without saying a word.

"Esteemed guests, please come this way!" The high-level steward of Lingdong Mountain was actually very nervous inside, truly afraid that this young man with a fearsome reputation would suddenly turn against him. He was but a minor figure and could not withstand the visitor's wrath.

Fortunately, although the visitor didn't exchange pleasantries with him, he also showed no interest in making things difficult. This caused a slight sense of loss in the steward's heart, but at the same time, there was some relief.

The melodious drum music sounded once again.

Huang Hui and Dong Yu exchanged glances, each frowning slightly.

To make such an elaborate display and use the highest protocol for welcoming, and yet not a single high-ranking official appeared—what on earth did this mean?

Moreover, what had Chu Mo just sent Qin Shi to do?

Meanwhile.

Deep within Lingdong Mountain, in a region of complex terrain and somewhat desolate mountains...

On the cliffs, a series of cave dwellings had been carved out.

These dwellings were not true cultivation sites but the prison of Lingdong Mountain!

Specially used to detain those within Lingdong Mountain who had erred.

At this moment, several cultivators, wearing stern expressions, flew towards one of the caves. At the entrance, they opened the prison door, and one of them, in a deep voice, ordered, "Lu Tianyue, come out!"

A woman, with a haggard appearance and dirt smeared over her, slowly walked out from within, her brow slightly furrowed as she looked at the few cultivators hovering midair outside the door.

This woman was precisely Lu Tianyue!

She was imprisoned here, and although it was very safe and she hadn't suffered too much, her cultivation had been sealed, and there were no toiletries available. As a result, Lu Tianyue had become filthy over time, even with her best efforts to maintain cleanliness. Otherwise, she would be in an even more wretched state!

For a master to punish a disciple by such means... would be perfectly justifiable if the disciple was at fault, a minor punishment to prevent further misdeeds. However, the problem was that Lu Tianyue had done nothing wrong. Her greatest mistake was that when Qingzhouzi accused her of being unrighteous and disloyal, she talked back.

It was simply unbearable for her to not retort with a question, "How am I unrighteous and disloyal?"

As a result, her cultivation was sealed, and she was imprisoned here.

Naturally, Lu Tianyue harbored feelings of grievance and anger.

She had also heard the thirty-six bell tolls just now, and was very curious about who had come. Since being imprisoned, Lu Tianyue had lost all sources of information, so she was completely unaware of what was happening outside and no one would come to inform her.

Looking at the few familiar faces before her, she couldn't help but ask softly, "What's going on?"

All these people were disciples of Qingzhouzi and his confidants, as well as Lu Tianyue's senior brothers.

"Nothing much, we are taking you to change location, to groom and dress yourself. The person coming to meet you has arrived," one of the men said, looking at Lu Tianyue with an odd gleam in his eye.

Lu Tianyue frowned slightly, "Senior Brother Zhao, can you be more explicit? Who is coming to meet me?"

"Ha-ha, Chu Mo, don't you recognize this name?" The man teased as he looked at Lu Tianyue.

"What?" Lu Tianyue was immediately startled and stood still, somewhat disbelieving the words of Senior Brother Zhao. This Senior Brother Zhao had always pursued her, but Lu Tianyue had been refusing him from the start. Though Senior Brother Zhao hadn't been overly insistent, he had never given up either.

Therefore, Lu Tianyue was quite wary of him deep down.

"Let's get going, or our master will scold us," Senior Brother Zhao said, glancing at Lu Tianyue and speaking sternly.

"I'm not going unless you first remove my seal," Lu Tianyue said, retreating slightly as she looked at Senior Brother Zhao coldly.

"You... Are you making things difficult for us?" Senior Brother Zhao was immediately annoyed and said, "Which one of us has the ability to remove a seal placed by master? If it could be removed... I would have secretly done it for you already!"

The other Senior Brothers couldn't help but reveal knowing smiles and persuaded, "Junior Sister Tianyue, stop being petulant. You must have heard the bell tolls, it's really Chu Mo who has come."

Another said, "You don't know, Chu Mo's name is now celebrated..."

But he was quickly silenced by a fierce glare from Senior Brother Zhao.

Then Senior Brother Zhao said to Lu Tianyue, "Come on, stop dawdling. Let's be quick about it."

At this point, Lu Tianyue was somewhat convinced that it was Chu Mo who had arrived, but she still felt that these people had ulterior motives. If they really wanted to release her and let her meet Chu Mo, and if it was truly out of goodwill... then even if they wouldn't remove her seal, at least they should have sent some female disciples, right?

Lingdong Mountain wasn't short of female disciples. Now, having several men dispatched for this task, what was this all about?

Therefore, Lu Tianyue was very resistant, and she said to Senior Brother Zhao, "How can I go with you looking like this?"

"Simple, I'll carry you!" Senior Brother Zhao said, stepping forward.

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Sorry, sorry, sorry...

My computer locked in too many words... delaying the update.

Actually, the main reason was because I drank too much at a family gathering last night, causing me to feel unwell today and unable to write, and I even foolishly added a few thousand more words to the lock, so...

The good news is that after unlocking it, I have finished three chapters!

I will continue writing!

I will still have a burst of productivity today!

Thank you for your support, I bow in gratitude.

Off to continue writing.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.