Chapter 2180 - 2169: White Sky Venerable

Regarding the inscription stones, Dongfang Ziyue also knew their purpose, yet she wasn’t clear on how many the transmission array required.

"Three thousand three hundred and thirty-three pieces..."

Lin Zifeng’s tone carried a hint of helplessness; such a large number of inscription stones would surely be costly, not to mention whether the Beiyao Ancient Clan even had that many.

Even if they did, purchasing so many inscription stones rashly would certainly arouse the suspicion of the clan’s formation experts. Lin Zifeng would never allow anyone to know about the transmission array!

Dongfang Ziyue could easily discern the helplessness in Lin Zifeng’s tone. Resting her cheek on her jade-like hand, she pondered for a moment before speaking: "Perhaps, I could visit my master tomorrow. He’s fond of researching formations and might have some inscription stones we could borrow."

Nodding slightly, Lin Zifeng felt relieved. At least towards Dongka, he harbored no animosity.

"Since we can’t enter the Book Pavilion these days, let’s find a secluded spot within the Beiyao Ancient Clan to set up the transmission array first."

Agreeing with a nod, Dongfang Ziyue remarked coldly, "It seems we need to speed up; the time left for us is running out."

Before Lin Zifeng could inquire further, Dongfang Ziyue continued to explain: "Counting the days, it’s only half a month until I am sacrificed, right?"

"Setting up such an ancient and grand formation like the transmission array requires quite some time. The most crucial thing is, seven days before the sacrificial day, the Human Sacrifice Tower will be heavily guarded by experts sent by the Venerable, fearing any potential incidents."

"If we want to destroy the Human Sacrifice Tower, we must act before those experts are stationed, or else disturbing the entire clan would be troublesome."

Nodding, Lin Zifeng sighed deeply, rubbing his forehead as he spoke, "That Xiluo will also go to guard the Human Sacrifice Tower, right?"

Though he spoke calmly, the hidden chill of murderous intent did not escape Dongfang Ziyue’s notice.

While she bore some responsibility for what happened today, it was indeed Xiluo who provoked first.

Even though Lin Zifeng appeared carefree in front of her, if truly enraged, Xiluo might not only die but die miserably.

Seeing Dongfang Ziyue nod, a playful smile appeared on Lin Zifeng’s lips: "With the night deepening, let’s head back first. Seven days from now, I want Xiluo to pay the price."

As he finished speaking, Lin Zifeng stood up, his clothes fluttering as a breeze swept by. Behind him; Dongfang Ziyue’s eyes reflected Lin Zifeng’s somewhat frail yet suddenly majestic and graceful figure.

"Let’s go, it’s late, and we should return, Miss Dongfang."

Turning his head, Lin Zifeng’s face once again bore his customary light smile, while Dongfang Ziyue slowly stood up, and the two ran towards the overlapped caves to the east, facing the gentle wind.

Meanwhile, at the edge of the Beiyao Ancient Clan, beneath the towering mountains that pierced the clouds, Xiluo stood under one of the caves, wearing green robes, his expression extremely respectful: "Xiluo seeks an audience with the Venerable."

His words echoed, forming reverberations in the exceedingly dark cave, and after a long while; a voice both aged and authoritative resounded from deep within the cave: "Come in, don’t let anyone see."

Though it was the dead of night, Xiluo dared not be careless, glancing around to ensure no one was in sight, before stepping sideways into the dark depths.

The deeper he went, the damper the air in the cave became, mixed with a faint scent of decay and blood, yet despite the unpleasantness, Xiluo dared not show any discomfort, maintaining utmost reverence throughout.

Finally, after walking for about twenty minutes, a moss-covered stone chamber came into view, with wide-open stone doors and empty interior, save for a blue stone platform inscribed with ancient characters positioned in the center.

Upon the stone platform sat an aged man, his clothes tattered, and his face covered with traces left by the years.

The old man’s frame was gaunt, hair snow-white, yet the eyes beneath the white fringes suddenly gleamed with formidable light, directly piercing Xiluo!

In an instant, a ray of purple light streaked across the darkness, catching Xiluo unprepared.

Then, Sub-Saint Realm Seventh Layer-strength Xiluo, struck by the gaze, trembled violently as if struck by lightning.

As his body trembled severely, infinite fear gradually emerged in Xiluo’s triangular eyes.

Causing severe injury to a Sub-Saint Realm expert with just a gaze, such cultivation, utterly terrifying!

As blood began to drip from Xiluo’s trembling lips, the elder’s expressionless face finally revealed a slight smile, slowly raising a hand, "Didn’t this venerable already instruct, during cultivation, unless it’s critical, do not disturb?"

Just as these words fell, a purple light gushed from Xiluo’s body, flashing past and flowing into the iron pendant on White Sky Venerable’s exposed chest.

With the outpouring of purple light, Xiluo’s violently trembling body finally ceased, his face pale, and his tone even more respectful: "Forgive me, Venerable. This one did not wish to interrupt, but these matters are of utmost importance. Even at the risk of disturbing your cultivation, I must report them to you."

"Oh?" The question, akin to a chanting hymn, caused ripples throughout the cave’s unfathomable darkness.

After a long silence, White Sky Venerable’s weathered face displayed a dry smile: "Heh heh... Fine, but if what you say doesn’t satisfy this venerable, then today, you can forget about leaving this White Sky Cave!"

Just as the word "Cave" dropped, Xiluo’s barely steadying body trembled again, the blood he had been holding back spilling out in an abrupt blood arrow.

"Cough, cough... Venerable, forgive me. This one meant no offense in sullying the White Sky Cave." Even as he coughed blood, fear appeared once more on Xiluo’s face as he spoke in a trembling voice.

Despite the apology, fear filled Xiluo’s heart, yet deepest within, a seed of hatred towards the Venerable before him was planted.

All this time, he had served this old man without question, performing all the secret tasks.

And now, simply for disrupting the old man’s cultivation, murderous intent was directed at him!

Could it be... that in the eyes of the White Sky Venerable, I, Xiluo, am no better than a slaughterable animal!?

And from atop the stone platform, the White Sky Venerable’s eyes—sharp, snake-like—fixed intensely on Xiluo’s pale complexion until the latter muttered apologies seven or eight times before nodding gently, withdrawing his terrifying presence.

Staggering to his feet, Xiluo recounted the meeting with Dongfang Ziyue at the Book Pavilion that day.

On White Sky Venerable’s ancient face, aside from a flicker in his eyes upon mentioning that Dongfang Ziyue possessed Dongka’s token, his expression remained calm and unaffected.

"Venerable, one more thing, this one can’t comprehend how, even if those ants reacted quickly, they couldn’t evade my sudden attack, right?"