Many people took out talismans to try if they could ignite them with their spiritual powers. Gradually, the talismans in some of the people hands lit up dimly. Hearing the question, they answered, "Two-tenth is back for me."
"One-tenth for me..."
"They're recovering so slowly!"
When they set off, they all thought that compared to the siege at Burial Mound thirteen years ago, this one would definitely be more successful, so grand and tragic that it'd be recorded in history. Yet, nobody expected that the number of people who went down the mountain was almost the same as the number who went up. The second 'siege' could indeed be recorded in history. However, instead of being its scale or number of deaths, it'd be because it was the most pointless, laughable event of the cultivation world.
Some of the people rejoiced that they escaped death, others lamented about the changing of times. The dozens of sect leaders all gathered together. After some discussion, they agreed to first find a safe place to rest until their spiritual powers had recovered up to eight-tenths so that no more incidents happened on their way back.
Wei WuXian knew at once. The closest 'safe place' to Yiling was the area of the YunmengJiang Sect. He asked, "So you intend on going to Lotus Pier next?"
Lan QiRen was vigilant, "Why do you ask?"
Wei WuXian, "Nothing. I just wanted to ask if I could go along."
Sect Leader Yao warned, "Wei WuXian! You did a good deed today, but those are two separate things. Please understand that it's impossible for us to associate with you."
Wei WuXian felt speechless, "Don't worry, nobody's making you associate with me. Right now, though, we're on the same side, aren't we? The figure who planned the siege on you today has the Stygian Tiger Seal in his hands. Can you deal with it?"
The sect leaders looked at one another. In all honesty, what Wei WuXian said wasn't wrong. If he was willing to join in, it'd be of great assistance. But people had slandered the YiLing Patriarch's name for so many years. It'd be a bit embarrassing to have him cooperate with them all at once.
On the other hand, Lan WangJi turned to Lan QiRen, "Uncle, have you received any news about Brother?"
After a moment of silence, Lan QiRen answered, "No."
Wei WuXian, "Maybe ZeWu-Jun is still under Jin GuangYao's control as of right now. Mr. Lan, the more people there is, the more help there is. Even if you're worried about me, at least let HanGuang-Jun participate in your next plans. It's his brother, after all."
"..." Lan QiRen's face was full of fatigue. He turned to Lan WangJi, "Come if you want to."
The rest of the people immediately looked at Jiang Cheng. Among the three sect leaders of the highest status, Lan QiRen had taken a stand and it didn't matter if Nie HuaiSang took a stand or not, so now it was all up to Jiang Cheng. At the side, Jiang Cheng was trying out his spiritual powers and testing them on Zidian. Although it switched between bright and dark, at least the light didn't go out anymore. Purple light reflected against Jiang Cheng's face, giving it an air of mystery. Everyone knew that Sect Leader Jiang, the one whom Wei WuXian turned against, hated him the most. They all thought that their negotiation would fall through.
Yet, he only let out a bitter laugh, "So you dare go back to Lotus Pier?"
After the short sentence, he stopped talking. Nobody knew what this meant, unsure if he allowed it or not. But when they set off, Wei WuXian and Lan WangJi joined the group, and he didn't give them a single glance. They took it that he neither allowed it nor didn't.
