Lanyun's face was twisted in agony, blood gushing wildly from his neck and mouth.
Biyun stepped forward and held his junior brother, but for a moment, he was at a complete loss.
At that moment, Stone Ridge Fairy rushed over. Seeing her disciple in such a miserable state, her eyes were filled with sorrow and pain.
"It's the Heaven-Shaking Arrow. Lanyun's three souls and seven spirits have been shattered," she said, her voice trembling.
Stone Ridge Fairy was devastated. She had only two disciples, whom she had always doted on. She never expected that while cultivating in their cave, they would face such a catastrophe.
Lanyun quickly fell silent, his three souls scattered and seven spirits returned to the heavens, with no sign of life left.
"Who dares to shoot and kill my disciple!" Stone Ridge Fairy roared in fury. She was a true cultivator, her power having reached the Great Perfection Golden Immortal realm. Though she hadn't yet attained the Great Luo level, she was still a formidable figure within the Jie Sect outer sect.
Biyun stood there, tears silently streaming down his face. He knew exactly who was behind this, but he couldn't bring himself to say it.
His junior brother had already died in his place. Was he supposed to risk his master's and his own life as well?
This grudge had to be avenged, but he simply didn't have the power to do so right now.
Stone Ridge Fairy stepped forward and saw the Heaven-Shaking Arrow. Beneath the feathered tip was an inscription, "Governor of Chentang Pass, Li Jing."
"Disciple, you guard the cave. I'm going to bring Li Jing here to answer for his crimes!" she declared, her anger burning like wildfire.
Li Jing and Stone Ridge Fairy were acquainted. Li Jing owed her a favor for being able to leave the mountains and become an official. But at this moment, Stone Ridge Fairy had no time for such niceties. She was determined to hold Li Jing accountable.
Biyun sighed. This was a no-win situation. Even with some unexpected twists, it was still incredibly difficult to resolve.
If Stone Ridge Fairy went to Chentang Pass, she would inevitably end up confronting Nezha, which would ultimately lead to Great Sage Taiyi and the complete annihilation of her lineage.
Biyun wanted to persuade his master, but knowing her well, he knew she wouldn't back down. After all, her disciple had done nothing wrong and was killed out of the blue. Anyone would be furious.
Knowing his persuasion would be futile, Biyun was frantically thinking of a way to deal with the situation. If Stone Ridge Fairy was killed, he, as the senior disciple, would surely be next.
In the blink of an eye, the system's mission appeared again, and Biyun quickly checked it out.
[The Demise of the Stone Ridge Lineage]
[Option One: Follow Stone Ridge Fairy's orders and stay alone in the cave to see how things unfold. Reward: A random mid-tier primordial defensive treasure.]
[Option Two: After Stone Ridge Fairy leaves, take the opportunity to flee Skull Mountain and join the Western Sect. Reward: A low-tier primordial treasure, the Three-Quality Golden Lotus.]
[Option Three: Go to Chentang Pass with Stone Ridge Fairy and act according to the situation. Reward: Three hundred years of basic cultivation.]
Seeing these three options, combined with the previous mission, Biyun had a better understanding of this so-called "Bagua System for Seeking Good Fortune and Avoiding Misfortune."
This system was essentially his guide, helping him avoid certain death and seek the best possible outcomes.
With his knowledge of the plot, he could skillfully dodge situations that would otherwise be fatal.
In this case, the first option of staying in the cave would simply follow the original plot, leading to the destruction of the Stone Ridge lineage.
As for the second option of joining the Chan Sect, he was pretty sure he'd be killed on the way. Once he left Skull Mountain, Biyun was almost certain he'd be dead.
After weighing his options, the third choice seemed to be the only viable one.
The reward might be a bit lacking, but it is the path to survival.
"Master, now that my junior brother has been killed, I want to go to Chentang Pass too. We should take his body with us and see what Li Jing has to say for himself!" Biyun said indignantly.
Stone Ridge Fairy, seeing his determination, assumed he was eager to avenge his junior brother and didn't refuse. She sealed the cave, and the two of them flew towards Chentang Pass.
Shortly after they left, in the depths of a white cloud above Skull Mountain, a figure seemed to flicker and then disappear.
Another second-generation disciple of the Jie Jiao, the One-Qi Immortal Ma Yuan, closed his third eye, his expression grave.
Biyun was unaware of all this. He and Stone Ridge Fairy traveled far, riding on a blue phoenix, until they arrived above Chentang Pass. Stone Ridge Fairy shouted angrily:
"Li Jing, come out!"
Li Jing recognized Stone Ridge Fairy's voice and quickly stepped out of his residence, bowing in the air, "I had no idea that Senior Aunt would grace us with her presence. I apologize for not welcoming you sooner. Please come inside and rest!"
Li Jing had once studied under the Immortal Du E of West Kunlun, who was a registered disciple of the Great Pure Saint. That's why Li Jing referred to himself as a disciple.
Unaware of what had happened, Li Jing could only respond cautiously.
Stone Ridge Fairy cursed furiously, "Li Jing, back in the days when you failed to learn your skills in the Baobao Yun Guang Cave, it was I who pleaded with your master, allowing you to leave the mountains and seek worldly glory. But instead of being grateful, you've turned against me and killed my beloved disciple, Caiyun. How do you explain yourself today?"
Though furious, Stone Ridge Fairy was still reasonable. Even with her beloved disciple killed, she didn't attack directly but gave Li Jing a chance to explain.
Li Jing was known for his loyalty and benevolence. Since he took charge of Chentang Pass, the people had lived in peace and prosperity, and he had a good reputation. Stone Ridge Fairy was well aware of this.
Hearing this, Li Jing was terrified out of his wits. He quickly knelt and pleaded, "Please, Senior Aunt, calm your anger. I'm terrified and will never forget your kindness. I couldn't possibly do such a heartless thing. There must be some misunderstanding. Please investigate thoroughly!"
Li Jing kept kowtowing, his face pale. His power was only at the Earth Immortal level. He dared not offend the Stone Ridge Fairy. Seeing her holding the Taiyi Sword with anger in her eyes, he knew this was no false accusation.
Stone Ridge Fairy demanded, "Disciple, bring up your junior brother's body and let this so-called senior brother see whose name is inscribed on that arrow!"
Biyun brought up the body, with the Heaven-Shaking Arrow still lodged in the throat.
Li Jing's face turned even paler when he saw it. As the commander of Chentang Pass, he immediately recognized the arrow.
This was a relic left by the ancient human emperors, and there were only three of them, all under his jurisdiction.
"Li Jing, what do you have to say for yourself?" Biyun roared, though he knew Li Jing was also a victim. He secretly blamed him for not raising his son properly, resulting in Nezha, the troublemaker.
Li Jing was stunned, forgetting to kowtow. After a while, he explained, "Well, Senior Aunt, the Heaven-Shaking Arrow is indeed in my residence, but no one in Chentang Pass can even draw the Bagua Bow, let alone shoot the Heaven-Shaking Arrow. Please investigate thoroughly!"
Stone Ridge Fairy knew Li Jing's strength. The Bagua Bow was left by Emperor Huangdi, and Li Jing indeed didn't have the power to draw it. But something had to be done.
"Since it's your town's treasure, it must have been done by someone here!"
Stone Ridge Fairy's words made Li Jing nod vigorously.
"Senior Aunt, rest assured. There's something fishy going on here. I'll get to the bottom of this and bring the culprit to you!"
With that, Li Jing apologized and hurried back to his residence.