Chapter 52: The Protector

Chapter 52: The Protector In the Inner Sect Mission Hall, Senior Brother Ouyang Hao and his fox spirit lay unconscious on a warm jade bed, their condition critical. Ouyang Hao’s body was covered in frost, his skin pale as snow, and his hair had turned into icy threads that emanated a chilling aura. His fox spirit companion, likewise, was entirely white, its fur frozen stiff as it lay comatose. No matter how much the Mission Hall elder tried to nourish them with spiritual energy or call out to them, neither showed any response. Nearby, the magpie spirit responsible for issuing the mission was weeping bitterly, blaming itself for failing to bring good fortune to the disciples sent on external tasks. --- “How is Senior Brother Ouyang?” Many Inner Sect disciples crowded around, deeply concerned. Seeing his grave condition, they asked the magpie spirit anxiously, “Elder Magpie, what mission was Senior Brother Ouyang on? How could someone of his strength end up like this?” Lin Jing also arrived at the hall and heard the magpie spirit’s response. “The Great Wasteland Domain, Snow Moon City,” the magpie spirit began, anger flickering in its tear-filled eyes. “Our sect manages a Beast Valley near the city, where we rear many snow rabbits, a core industry of the sect. “A few months ago, disciples in the valley reported snow rabbits mysteriously disappearing. Beyond that, many ice beasts in Snow Moon City have also vanished under strange circumstances. To investigate, the sect issued a mission.” “Many disciples went to Snow Moon City, and Ouyang Hao was among them. But barely after arriving, this happened to him!” “Stealing our spiritual beasts and harming our disciples—this enmity cannot go unavenged!” --- Examining Ouyang Hao, Elder Shen from Danxia Peak, an expert in alchemy and medicine, furrowed her brows deeply. Despite her best efforts, including feeding him and the fox spirit red elixirs, there was no improvement. “This injury is unusual and appears to result from a strange technique. My spiritual energy cannot counteract it. If it weren’t for their abundant Yang energy, they’d already be frozen corpses,” Elder Shen said grimly. At that moment, Elder Mo arrived, his urgency palpable. Even though Lin Jing had brought back critical intelligence from the Demon-Suppressing Pagoda, Elder Mo had temporarily set that matter aside to address Ouyang Hao’s plight. “Elder Shen, is there no way to treat this frost injury?” Elder Mo asked, his face dark. Elder Shen shook her head. “If I had more time, I might devise a solution. But in their current state, time is a luxury we don’t have.” Sёarch* The ηovelFire.ηet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. “Then I’ll go to the ancestor!” Elder Mo said, quickly taking Ouyang Hao and the fox spirit to seek aid from the guardian ancestor Wang Batian at Clear Pool Peak. With most of the sect’s elders accompanying the sect master on external missions, the tortoise ancestor was one of the few left in the sect. The Inner Sect disciples, now witnessing the dire severity of Ouyang Hao’s injuries, dispersed in fear. The mysterious injury that even a Nascent Soul elder couldn’t cure left them deeply wary of the Snow Moon City investigation mission. --- “We need to check on them,” Lin Jing said, worry etched on his face. Ouyang Hao was one of his closest friends in the sect, and he couldn’t sit idly by. The Pine Leaf Mouse nodded, and together they headed to Clear Pool Peak, where the tortoise ancestor was also at a loss. “This injury appears to be the work of demonic techniques,” Wang Batian said. “It’s similar to the Nether Ghostfire of the Netherworld Hall, which is notoriously difficult to heal with conventional methods. This frost may be a variation.” Elder Mo, growing increasingly desperate, could only pace. Ouyang Hao was a disciple he had personally mentored and someone the sect master had great hopes for. He refused to see such talent perish. “Honored ancestor, is there truly no way to save them?” Lin Jing asked, stepping forward. “His survival is tenuous,” Wang Batian explained. “As a Primordial Yang Body, his Yang energy is counteracting the frost damage, and the fox spirit survives due to its bond with him and its own Yang-based cultivation. But the frost is spreading, and their condition won’t hold for long.” Determined, Lin Jing approached Ouyang Hao and the fox spirit. Gently picking them up, he turned to Elder Mo. “Elder, please take me to Tiandu Peak. I wish to seek help from the guardian deity there.” “What?” Elder Mo glanced at Lin Jing in surprise. “You succeeded in meeting that being?” Lin Jing nodded firmly. Having just received guidance from the Divine Pine, he knew it might be his only hope, even if asking for help so soon was presumptuous. “Very well!” Elder Mo, desperate for a solution, agreed. “Perhaps the guardian deity can provide aid.” Even the tortoise ancestor was stunned. “That monster is willing to see people now? Not even successive sect masters could meet it easily…” --- At Tiandu Peak, Lin Jing carried Ouyang Hao and ascended without resistance. Standing before the Divine Pine, he wasted no time in explaining. “Honored Divine Pine, this is Ouyang Hao, a disciple of the current sect master. He was injured during a mission outside the sect. His wounds are beyond the abilities of our elders to heal. I beg you, please lend your aid.” “I made an agreement with your second sect master to assist only in matters of life and death for the Beast Taming Sect. I am not obliged to save individual disciples,” the Divine Pine replied flatly. “Squeak squeak squeak!” The Pine Leaf Mouse chimed in, pleading earnestly. The Divine Pine, however, remained unmoved. “I understand…” Lin Jing said after a moment, his voice resolute. “My most valuable possession is my Longevity Body. I am willing to trade blood from my Longevity Body for your assistance in saving them. Please, grant us this chance.” The Divine Pine fell silent, then replied, “There is no need for such a sacrifice. Even I cannot fully heal them. This is no ordinary frost injury but the result of a poison technique. Such a poison is extremely rare and cannot be eradicated through cultivation alone. You must locate the poison’s source to treat them.” Lin Jing frowned, sensing the enormity of the task. However, he couldn’t let Ouyang Hao die. --- Returning to Cloud Cultivation Peak, Lin Jing descended with Ouyang Hao, meeting a concerned Elder Mo. “What did the guardian deity say?” Elder Mo asked urgently. “The Divine Pine cannot cure the poison but identified it as stemming from a rare toxic technique,” Lin Jing explained. “The only way to counter it is to find the poison’s origin.” “A poison technique?” Elder Mo muttered. “Many in Snow Moon City cultivate ice-based techniques, but poison techniques…” His face darkened. “Whoever is behind this is undoubtedly the culprit responsible for the disappearance of the snow beasts. Ouyang Hao must have uncovered a lead and was silenced. Curse them!” Turning to Lin Jing, he saw the young disciple bowing solemnly. “Elder, I request permission to take over Ouyang Hao’s mission. I will go to Snow Moon City, investigate the case, and find the poison source to save him.” “Absolutely not!” Elder Mo rejected instantly. “The Enforcement Hall and the sect elders will handle this. You’re just a Qi Refining cultivator—it’s too dangerous. As a Longevity Body, you should focus on cultivating in safety!” Lin Jing shook his head, his resolve unyielding. “Elder, Ouyang Hao once saved my life, rescuing me from the Yin Corpse Sect. He has helped me countless times in the sect. I cannot sit idly by.” “I understand your concern for my safety, but some things must be done personally. If I ignored this, I would regret it forever.” “And what meaning does longevity have if one’s life is filled with regrets?” The Pine Leaf Mouse crossed its arms, its robe billowing as it stood firmly by Lin Jing’s side. Elder Mo sighed, recognizing the determination in Lin Jing’s eyes. “You’re as stubborn as a mule. Very well. But I can only allow this because of the Divine Pine’s protection.” “Protection?” Elder Mo blinked. “The Divine Pine agreed to aid you?” Lin Jing nodded. “The Divine Pine promised to act as my protector during this mission. With its strength, we should be safe. It also said the poison is highly unusual, and even it would need the source to attempt a cure.” Elder Mo stared at Lin Jing and the Pine Leaf Mouse, both radiating determination, and finally relented. “Very well. Go. Ouyang Hao is fortunate to have a friend like you”