Chapter 1337: At the Mercy of Fate

Chapter 1337: Chapter 1337: At the Mercy of Fate

"Why? Why have they left their rooms? Is there a new instruction from the Immortal Palace?"

"Then why haven’t we received anything?"

"M-maybe it’s their own actions defying the orders of the Spirit Lord."

"But what about those damn Divine Martial Guards? Aren’t they doing anything? Have they withdrawn?"

"Look, isn’t that an elder of the Infinite Thunder Sect?" Seeing this scene, the disciples of the White Deer Institute burst into intense discussions, until one disciple peered through the window crack and saw Situ Maocai drifting closer, exclaiming.

"It’s him! It really is him! And isn’t that Mo Sect elder Feng Tianhe? From the Hongjun Sword Furnace!"

"And! What about our elder? Elder Li?"

Amidst this chaotic clamor, a crisp cough echoed from the skies, followed by Situ Maocai’s voice booming: "Disciples of the White Deer Institute, heed my command: the Immortal Palace has discovered that the White Deer Institute is the remnant of the Garden of the Immortals and has colluded with the Blood Butchers to wreak havoc on the world. Now, per the decree of His Majesty the Spirit Emperor, we are conducting a siege on the White Deer Institute. Considering many of you outer sect disciples may not fully understand the internal evils, His Majesty the Spirit Emperor possesses benevolence. Therefore, you only need to accept investigation peacefully. Once it’s verified you haven’t done anything evil, you’ll be given a path to live."

"What? We are traitors? The remnant of the Garden of the Immortals! How is this possible?"

"His Majesty the Spirit Emperor? Who is that? Has the Spirit Lord proclaimed himself emperor?"

"Are you still concerned about that? We’re about to be besieged!"

"Then what do you suggest we do?"

Situ Maocai’s words instantly stirred up an uproar below, not only among the White Deer Institute disciples but also shocking the disciples from other sects. They had only received orders to gather in preparation to annihilate the White Deer Institute, the reason why they were doing so became clear only now.

The elders hovering above paid no mind to the disputes below. After the orders were given, with a sweep of their sleeves, their direct and inner sect disciples took command, steering disciples from various sects to converge on the area of the White Deer Institute.

After all, they had worked together at the Forbidden Guard Office for many years, though not from the same sect, they saw each other regularly and naturally developed some bonds. Thus, as disciples from various sects pushed open doors and entered to apprehend people, they faced the terrified and helpless White Deer Institute disciples with some reluctance. For those who voluntarily surrendered, they didn’t make it difficult, simply restraining them and escorting them outside.

As the search progressed inward, conflict inevitably erupted. Further inside lay the residences of direct and inner sect disciples. Regardless of whether they knew of the sect’s treacheries, they were aware of the fate that befell those once deemed traitors. Peach Blossom Spring stood as a prior example for these inner sect disciples; being stripped of cultivation and exiled was considered a fair outcome, while their more likely fate would be torture followed by death.

"This is slander! Someone is framing the sect!"

"Will we just sit here and die? Remember Peach Blossom Spring! We were there during the siege!"

"Can you bear to have your cultivation abolished and live as a mere mortal? I’d rather die than accept that fate!"

"Break out! If we rush out, there might be a chance for survival!"

Aroused by the desperate direct and inner sect disciples of the White Deer Institute, many outer sect disciples who were initially hesitant started getting agitated, jumping out the windows and gathering around these figures. As more people assembled, they began resisting, trying to find a way out.

From beginning to end, the few elders above did nothing to stop this behavior. Clearly, they could have struck the moment those direct disciples began calling out, ending their chance to incite. But they refrained, resulting in many outer sect disciples being drawn into this chaos.

"Alas!" With a cold gaze, Pei Yan watched the slaughter unfold below and sighed deeply.

"What? Is Pei Yan feeling compassion for these people?" The skill that won him respect, the techniques Pei Yan displayed in his encounter with Liu Xuanji, made Situ Maocai regard him with newfound respect, communicating as equals instead of dismissively.

"No! Elder, you might not like what I’m about to say. Indeed, I’m quite soft-hearted, but that’s towards my fellow beings from my own plane. For these people who have little to do with me and belong to an opposing faction, it’s hard to feel any sympathy. I’m merely lamenting the unpredictability of fate! Alas, their choice to join a sect back then was just one decision—they didn’t know the true nature of the sect at the time, and now they must pay with their lives. Is this destiny?" Pei Yan shook his head, uttering an unexpected sentiment.

"Yes! You’re still young. Though your skills are exceptional, and your conduct is beyond your peers, you’ve experienced too little. Such reflections aren’t unusual. You’re right that their decision to join the White Deer Institute echoes an unfortunate fate. But earlier, we gave them a choice. They could opt to surrender and survive, but they didn’t. Their choice to follow incitement shows a rebellious heart. This choice is their own; they cannot blame others."

Situ Maocai’s words seemed somewhat detached from the situation. Pei Yan smiled and asked, "Then what choice would Elder Situ make in such a situation?"

"Uh! I’d like to hear what you’d do?" Situ Maocai wanted to say he’d follow orders, but he sensed the irony in Pei Yan’s eyes. He realized the words were insincere and so asked back.

"Ah! Let’s not talk about those direct disciples; if I were in their position, I would also choose to resist—either way, it’s a death sentence! But if I were one of those outer sect disciples, I’d be conflicted. After all, having embarked on the path of cultivation and witnessed such powers, reverting to a mere mortal is hard for anyone to accept. If my parents and family were still alive, perhaps I’d choose to persist in living. But if I were alone, I think I’d also seek an opportunity to fight." Pei Yan candidly expressed his views.

Situ Maocai nodded upon hearing this and patted Pei Yan’s shoulder, laughing, "I understand, you always feel our people from the Daoist Plane are too cold. However, your words indicate family is your emotional support but also a hindrance to your cultivation. Pei Yan, we are not emotionless Immortals; we, too, are born of human parents. It’s just that our lives are much longer! At your age, I also valued my family greatly, but as time passes, those around you become fewer, and your heart naturally grows colder. Eventually, all you have left are fellow cultivators advancing alongside you. This is why we value our sect and the relationships with our brothers and sisters—their presence replaces our family in a sense. If you progress further, achieving realms like His Majesty the Spirit Emperor, and even these individuals cease to exist, then that is true loneliness."