Chapter 376: Inevitable Doom

The bell chimed only three times.

"Only three chimes!"

On the flying boat, the captain had already donned his Sword Holder official uniform and stood proudly at the front, speaking with an air of authority. With his hands behind his back, he appeared immensely pleased with himself, though a hint of apprehension and nervousness subtly lurked deep in his eyes. Xu Qing was also required to change into a Sword Holder uniform, but at that moment, he paid no attention to the bell's sound. Instead, he looked down, examining his new robe.

The Sword Holder uniform differed from a traditional Taoist robe. Its collar was longer, extending to below the ears, and it featured wide, slightly drooping sleeves. The entire garment was white, adorned with fiery red patterns.

These patterns were subtly hidden and not immediately obvious; only in sunlight did they faintly shimmer, spreading over most of the uniform. They connected the hem to the collar, forming a continuous image of burning flames.

As the wind stirred the robe, the layered fabric seemed to sway like flickering fire, burning fiercely.

A crimson sash fastened a cape to the collar, which billowed behind him, rustling in the wind.

Thus, while the uniform appeared simple at first glance, it subtly conveyed the intensity of fire. It exuded elegance while maintaining a heroic aura, especially when worn by Xu Qing. This prompted the female disciples on the flying boat to glance his way frequently, their eyes sparkling with admiration.

Yan Yan, standing beside Xu Qing, narrowed her eyes into crescent moons and puffed out her chest, looking as if she shared in his glory.

"What do you mean, 'only three chimes'?" a faint voice belonging to Patriarch Blood炼子 drifted over as Xu Qing examined his robe. "Even when I return, there are no chimes. Er Niu, is your skin itching again?"

The captain's body stiffened. He turned, his face full of fawning flattery, his imposing demeanor vanishing instantly as he swiftly rushed to Blood炼子, who was slowly approaching.

"Disciple greets Patriarch," he said.

Blood炼子 grunted, then walked over to Xu Qing, his eyes filled with deep admiration. Xu Qing, with a respectful expression, bowed in greeting.

"Don't listen to your senior disciple's nonsense, Ah Qing," Blood炼子 said kindly. "According to human customs, the number of bell chimes signifies different meanings. You don't need to pay too much attention to that; just know that for our sect, twenty-one chimes are more than enough."

"Why is that?" the captain asked curiously from the side. Blood炼子 ignored him and looked at Xu Qing with a gentle expression.

"Ah Qing, after returning to the sect, you can rest for three months. After that, you'll be embarking on a long journey, and at that time, I, your master-ancestor, will give you a treasure."

After saying this, without waiting for the captain to speak, Blood炼子 turned and glared at him, scolding him.

"You're old enough now; learn from your junior disciple and stop messing around all day. It's fine within the sect, but if you go to Fenghai County, I'm afraid you'll be beaten by a crowd until your seals break. By then, even if they can't kill you, you'll end up killing yourself."

"Patriarch, let's not talk about Fenghai County yet. I don't even know how I'll get through this next ordeal..." The captain sighed, looking expectantly at the Patriarch.

The Patriarch grunted, about to speak, but at that moment, as the flying boat neared the Eight Sect Alliance, figures began to fly out from within the alliance, heading directly towards the boat.

The arrivals were not solely from the Seven Blood Eyes; representatives from all eight sects were present, as alliance disciples from every sect were returning this time.

Although they hadn't become Sword Holders, undergoing the trials and broadening their horizons was an extraordinary journey. However, while Grandmaster Seven personally welcomed the Seven Blood Eyes disciples, elders from the other sects came to greet their own.

Nevertheless, the scene remained grand. Amid countless congratulations, a special ceremony was held within the Seven Blood Eyes for Xu Qing and the captain. Thus, to the lingering echoes of the bells, the group returned in a grand procession to the Alliance, and then to the mountain gate of the Seven Blood Eyes.

The moment they returned, more than half of the Seven Blood Eyes disciples were already present. They collectively bowed towards the sky, creating an immense and awe-inspiring sight.

Under the envious gazes of countless disciples, the captain became invigorated. He especially felt a sense of relief when he noticed that Immortal Zixuan had not appeared.

Simultaneously, the Eight Sect Alliance Leader's figure materialized in the sky, his face adorned with a seemingly gentle smile as he issued a decree.

"I hereby bestow upon Xu Qing and Chen Er Niu the status of Dao Child of the Eight Sect Alliance!"

This was a fitting honor, as they had become Sword Holders, and the Eight Sect Alliance had garnered significant attention this time, claiming two of the three Sword Holder positions.

Bestowing the Dao Child status was a necessary gesture.

It was a matter of human relations, a display for the Seven Blood Eyes, for the Sword-Holding Court, and for all future Sword Holders across the sects.

Regardless of his true stance or thoughts—which few could discern as the Alliance Leader—he always handled matters with steady composure.

Consequently, after the Dao Child status was announced, the Seven Blood Eyes' celebratory banquet became even livelier. Disciples from other sects also sent congratulatory gifts, and the entire feast lasted a full day.

Throughout the day, the captain effortlessly mingled with various parties, occasionally boasting.

"Let me tell you," he would say, "in Taichu Liyou City, Ah Qing's and my Heart-Enlightenment Glow were unprecedented. Together, we surpassed ten thousand zhang!"

Xu Qing heard this from afar but paid it no mind. At that moment, Huang Yan stood before him, his face filled with emotion. "Xu Qing," he said, "these past few years have flown by, and now you're a Sword Holder."

"Sigh, I still can't get used to Yinghuang Prefecture. I've convinced Senior Sister; we plan to leave and return to Nanhuang Continent. Coincidentally, Senior Sister is also going there for her rotation, so we'll see each other in Nanhuang Continent from now on."

Xu Qing had heard Huang Yan express his dislike for Yinghuang Prefecture many times before, so at this moment, he didn't try to dissuade him. He nodded and, at Huang Yan's inquiry, spoke about the Three Spirits Suppressing Dao Mountain.

Huang Yan seemed somewhat interested in it.

Time slowly passed, and twilight gradually descended. The banquet neared its end, and Xu Qing intended to visit the back mountain to pay respects to Grandmaster Six.

However, just as the banquet was concluding and he prepared to leave, something unexpected occurred.

In the sky, purple light shone brightly, altering the colors of the twilight clouds. As Xu Qing looked up, the captain, who was boasting to Zhang San in the distance, suddenly changed expression.

The next moment, the pervasive purple light converged, forming the figure of a woman.

Her delicate, flawless skin, graceful figure, ethereal beauty, elegant demeanor, and formidable cultivation coalesced to form a peerless beauty, as if she had stepped out of a painting.

It was Immortal Zixuan.

She had not arrived during the banquet but had waited until its conclusion to appear. This subtle detail demonstrated her respect.

Her appearance made Xu Qing instinctively uneasy. Remembering the letter he had received, he felt his emotions stir, and at that moment, he just wanted to leave as quickly as possible, so he quietly retreated.

The captain's reaction was even more pronounced; the instant he saw the purple light, his body swayed, and he bolted. But he didn't know that Grandmaster Seven had been watching him the entire time.

The moment the captain fled, Grandmaster Seven raised his right hand and made a grabbing motion through the air. With a sorrowful cry, the captain's figure was instantly snatched out by Grandmaster Seven.

As he appeared in Grandmaster Seven's hand, the captain's limbs were still flailing, as if trying to struggle, but it was futile. In the end, he could only look at Grandmaster Seven with a pitiful expression.

"Master..."

Grandmaster Seven ignored his eldest disciple, instead looking at Immortal Zixuan, who was arriving in the sky, with a wide smile.

"Fellow Daoist Zixuan," Grandmaster Seven said, "this unruly disciple of mine has caused you trouble. I see no issue with the punishment you proposed for him last time."

As Grandmaster Seven spoke, he tossed Chen Er Niu into the air. After landing in front of Immortal Zixuan, Chen Er Niu let out a sorrowful cry.

His limbs were bound and immobile, but his neck was free. He quickly lowered his head and immediately spotted Xu Qing, who had quietly retreated into the distance among the crowd.

"Junior Disciple, save me! Quickly, say some good words to Immortal Zixuan, or come keep me company..."

Xu Qing's heart instantly flared with anger. "You, Chen Er Niu," he thought, "even at a time like this, you don't forget to drag me along!" At that moment, he instinctively wanted to accelerate his retreat, but it was too late.

After the captain's words rang out, Immortal Zixuan gracefully lowered her head, her beautiful eyes turning towards Xu Qing, her expression a faint, knowing smile.

"Little one," she said, "come with me. I have something to tell you."

Xu Qing's heart skipped a beat. Remembering the reply letter again, his mind became chaotic as he pondered how to refuse.

The captain's eyes lit up when he heard this, and he was about to speak, but Immortal Zixuan sealed his mouth with a wave of her hand, rendering him speechless. He could only frantically blink at Xu Qing, repeatedly winking.

Xu Qing ignored him and was about to speak when Grandmaster Seven cleared his throat. "Fourth Junior, you should go."

Xu Qing silently glanced at his master, but Grandmaster Seven pretended not to notice.

The next moment, to Immortal Zixuan's soft chuckle, Xu Qing's body involuntarily floated up and landed beside her.

As soon as he drew near, a familiar fragrance wafted over him, accompanied by a delightful, spring-like voice that resonated in his ear, refreshing his heart.

"Little one, did you receive my letter?" Xu Qing quickly shook his head.

Immortal Zixuan chuckled softly, then flicked her sleeve. As Xu Qing shook his head, she vanished from between heaven and earth, taking him and the captain with her.

When they reappeared, they were inside the Demonic Serpent Secret Realm of the Profound Nether Sect.

What met Xu Qing's eyes was a gigantic serpent skeleton, winding like a mountain range. Within the skeleton, only one person was present.

This person was Wu Jianwu.

He held a large brush and had a seal plastered over his mouth, boredly scrubbing the serpent bones. The moment he noticed Xu Qing and the other two in mid-air, Wu Jianwu's eyes immediately lit up.

The captain also saw all this and cried out in dismay in his heart.

"Chen Er Niu, you stole a serpent's fang. If it were anyone else, I would have flayed and dismembered them. However, your master interceded, and I am also considering your junior disciple's presence, so I will not hold it against you."

"If you truly wanted to use that fang, you could have come to me to borrow it; why steal it? Never mind. You may use the fang, but as punishment, you must scrub the demonic serpent's bones here for three months. You must clean all of them within those three months."

"Go."

Immortal Zixuan spoke indifferently. With a wave of her hand, the captain's body descended towards the serpent bones, landing beside Wu Jianwu.

Wu Jianwu's face was filled with triumph, his eyes gleaming with excitement. He swiftly handed the captain a large brush and then pointed into the distance.

It was evident that a small portion of the serpent bones here had already been scrubbed clean, but the majority remained, seemingly untouched by Wu Jianwu, as if he had deliberately left them, waiting.

Now that his companion had arrived, his pointed finger seemed to convey to the captain, "I've saved that half for you for a long time."

The captain sighed, but also secretly breathed a sigh of relief, as this punishment felt like a mere tickle, as light as could be.

"It seems the letter I wrote worked," he thought. "I should write more often in the future!"

The captain blinked, putting on a wronged expression, and lowered his head to scrub the serpent bones. But as he scrubbed, his expression changed because the serpent bones here were special and extremely difficult to clean; even using his cultivation made it hard.

As he looked at the mountain-like serpent bones, the captain's expression gradually turned desolate. Xu Qing watched all this, feeling a sense of satisfaction.

After casting Chen Er Niu down, Immortal Zixuan took a step forward with Xu Qing, appearing at the highest point of the secret realm: the demonic serpent's skull, which seemed to be rearing its head to roar at the sky.

Here, she sat down, turning her head to smile at Xu Qing. "Do sit."

Xu Qing, steeling himself, sat down. From this spot, he could more clearly see the captain working below, which brought him more satisfaction. However, with Immortal Zixuan looking at him this way, his nervousness grew even stronger.

Especially when Immortal Zixuan spoke a single sentence in a soft voice.

"Little one," she said, "of the three things you promised me in your letter, you can now begin with the first."

Xu Qing's mind reeled, and a bewildered expression appeared on his face.