Chapter 666: Fewer Lords, Many Experiences

This valiant woman was none other than Xu Qing's neighbor from the Inverse Moon Palace. The statues within the Inverse Moon Palace concealed not only their appearance but also their gender.

Before the rebellion broke out, no one realized that the statue, depicted as a bare-chested man, was actually a woman. Her personality was evidently similar to a man's, as evidenced by her bold and uninhibited speech. As one of Master Dan Jiu's earliest followers, having listened to his teachings for two months, and having spontaneously formed a follower team from the outset, these qualifications earned Xu Qing's neighbor a high reputation. Her considerable organizational talent led to the formation of this following group, numbering several thousand. While these were the core followers, many others were dispersed throughout Sacrifice Moon. Even more cultivators knew and trusted Dan Jiu.

As these followers and the Fourth Palace Lord's forces neared the Green Sand Desert, Xu Qing received a visit from Old Ancestor Mogui. Although the Young Master and others had departed, control rested with Xu Qing. As a clerk in the pharmacy, Old Ancestor Mogui dared not openly defy him, no matter the circumstances. Yet, deep down, he harbored some reservations. These were not due to Xu Qing's status, but his age. In Old Ancestor Mogui's estimation, such a significant matter was beyond a child's capability.

"Young Master," he began, "this time is slightly different from before."

Inside the pharmacy, Old Ancestor Mogui spoke to Xu Qing with a solemn expression. "Last time, the Young Master and others were overseeing things, which allowed us to open the defenses and let the Fourth Palace Lord and his party enter. But now..." Old Ancestor Mogui's gaze shifted to Xu Qing. "Furthermore, the Red Moon army is in pursuit right behind the Fourth Palace Lord. Therefore, I advise against activating the Gray Wind defenses this time."

Inside the pharmacy, Old Ancestor Mogui's words instantly heightened the tension. Ning Yan stopped wiping the floor, Wu Jianwu ceased his poetry recitation, and both Li Youfei and You Jing turned their attention to Xu Qing. Only Li Youfei exhibited clear apprehension, while Ning Yan's expression was grave. As Xu Qing's former subordinate in Fenghai County, Ning Yan was privy to Xu Qing's past actions and had personally witnessed his great achievements there, as well as the various tribal forces he influenced. He understood that Xu Qing possessed both the experience and the broader perspective required to handle such matters. While Wu Jianwu didn't have as detailed knowledge as Ning Yan, he had heard stories. You Jing, on the other hand, had personally witnessed Xu Qing on the battlefield and later heard of the Fenghai County Administrator's upheaval, leading her to understand he was far more complex than he appeared.

Evidently, Old Ancestor Mogui was unaware of this. Having stated his case, he looked at Xu Qing and spoke again: "Young Master, please make your decision!" Old Ancestor Mogui's solemnity stemmed from the critical external situation; opening the defenses would risk destabilizing the desert's peace.

Under everyone's gaze, Xu Qing sat in the Young Master's former seat, eyes closed in deep thought. Ling'er, recognizing the gravity of the situation, quietly stood behind him. As time slowly elapsed, Xu Qing remained silent. An invisible aura of authority gradually materialized around him. In this moment, he seemed transported back to Fenghai County, to a time when he assumed control of the Sword Palace in place of the old Palace Master. Though he possessed far fewer trump cards then than now, he had still managed to turn the tide to a significant degree.

"What is our current military strength?" Xu Qing opened his eyes and asked calmly.

"The overall strength of the desert has always been weak. While the Gray Wind does offer protection, it's not particularly robust. Including myself, there are only three cultivators at the Gui Xu level across the entire desert. As for Ling Zang cultivators, there are nine, including those from the Wind Guardians tribe. Over a hundred Nascent Soul cultivators, with the remainder being lower-ranked cultivators. This doesn't include those from our pharmacy."

Old Ancestor Mogui was somewhat surprised by Xu Qing's composure, but offered a reminder nonetheless. "Compared to the Red Moon Temple, this strength is negligible. Unless the Young Master returns, resistance is impossible." Old Ancestor Mogui was about to continue speaking when he suddenly pulled out a jade slip, scanning it with a look of surprise. "Young Master, I've just received news that the Fourth Palace Lord's army has changed course. Instead of heading towards us, they're moving away, outside the desert's borders, heading in another direction. It seems they intend to find a place for a decisive battle against the Red Moon pursuers. They don't want to trouble us..." Mogui murmured, his expression a mixture of complexity and helplessness.

Xu Qing nodded, picking up a nearby teacup. He didn't drink, but held it, staring into the tea, where he vaguely saw a figure from the depths of his memory. Back then, that individual had stood at the Fenghai County border, burning themselves out to single-handedly block the enemy army, becoming an eternal legend. At the time, Xu Qing's heart had been deeply shaken and pained, yet he was utterly powerless, unable to offer the slightest aid.

Now... he saw a similar person. After a long pause, he spoke calmly. "First, gather all the desert's cultivators in the Bitter Life Mountains. Use this location as a base; no one is to venture out without my direct order. Second, inform the Fourth Palace Lord that they don't need to change direction; they should come to the desert." With that, Xu Qing stood up.

Old Ancestor Mogui hesitated at this command. Xu Qing looked up at Mogui, his expression calm as he slowly spoke. "The Red Moon Star already occupies half the sky, and the calamity will descend in mere months. If we stand by and watch the Fourth Palace Lord and his group battle the Red Moon cultivators without intervention, then the Inverse Moon itself will lose all meaning. Furthermore, if the Fourth Palace Lord's party is captured or annihilated, will the Red Moon Temple simply leave the neighboring desert untouched? Considering both our intertwined goals and the principle of 'when the lips are gone, the teeth are cold,' we... must intervene. This matter is not open for further discussion! Ning Yan!"

"Your subordinate is here!" Ning Yan trembled, stepping forward and standing ramrod straight, as if transported back to Fenghai County.

"You will serve as the scribe and, alongside Senior Mogui, convey my intentions."

"Understood!" Ning Yan loudly affirmed.

"Wu Jianwu!"

"Present!" Wu Jianwu, swept up by the atmosphere, quickly replied.

"Release all your progeny, especially the parrots, to spread across the desert and serve as scouts!" Wu Jianwu dared not defy the order, nodding rapidly.

"You Jing!"

You Jing remained silent but lifted her gaze to Xu Qing.

"Help me protect Ling'er and guard the pharmacy. Li Youfei will accompany you."

"Understood!" You Jing agreed, and Li Youfei promptly nodded as well, sensing that Xu Qing was distinctly different in this moment.

Having given his instructions, Xu Qing produced a jade slip and handed it to Ling'er. "When the God-Slaying Platform appears in the sky outside, crush this jade slip!"

With that, Xu Qing strode out of the pharmacy. A wave of his hand sent the backyard chickens squawking and flying out in unison. As light shimmered over each, they transformed from small chicks into large, fully grown chickens. Notably, those who had previously distinguished themselves now boasted incredibly vivid plumage, clearly indicating a significant rise in status due to their merits. Their true forms were even discernible beneath their feathers. With further contributions, they could be granted their original forms and a degree of freedom. At this moment, they eagerly flocked around Xu Qing, soaring straight into the sky.

Old Ancestor Mogui watched this scene, visibly moved. He realized that Xu Qing intended to personally lead this flock of chickens to meet the incoming forces. "This..." Though Mogui inwardly agreed with Xu Qing's proposal, he still harbored some hesitation. Instinctively, he glanced at Ning Yan and the others. While he typically disdained these lower-ranked cultivators, there was no one else he could consult at the moment. "As for the Young Master..."

"Rest assured, this is nothing to my Lord," Ning Yan stated proudly. "Back in Fenghai County, my Lord single-handedly resolved the chaos in two forbidden zones and conscripted tens of millions for the front lines. Not only first-tier Gui Xu cultivators, but even second and third-tier cultivators were present, and every tribe complied. Ultimately, he uncovered the County Administrator's betrayal, restoring integrity to the county. Even the Human Emperor issued an edict acknowledging him, implicitly endorsing his future status as County Governor. In Fenghai County, my Lord is the focus of all attention, and the people's hearts are unequivocally with him."

Mogui's eyes narrowed, and his mind reeled at these words. He could tell Ning Yan wasn't lying, yet these few brief sentences caused an immense ripple of shock within him. "Resolved a forbidden zone crisis, conscripted tens of millions? Governor of a county?"

As he processed this shock, high above the desert, Xu Qing stood atop a massive chicken, soaring forward. As he sped along, his eyes turned pitch black, and the power of the poison taboo surged outwards with his gaze. Combined with the prevailing storm, the gray winds around him rapidly transformed into a shocking black, engulfing everything. The churning poison within caused even the small chicks to tremble with apprehension. Only Xu Qing remained expressionless. As he sped along, and with the poison taboo power reaching its zenith, he arrived at the desert's edge. Here, with a wave of Xu Qing's hand, the sandstorms before him rumbled and parted, cleaving a path.

The deafening roar echoed in all directions. From a distance, as the sandstorms opened and closed, they formed a canyon, revealing a vast path. Beyond this path, on the horizon, the Fourth Palace Lord's army and the pursuing Red Moon Temple cultivators were locked in a fierce battle. The battle was brutal, resulting in considerable casualties for both sides. The resounding noise and this sudden phenomenon drew the attention of both warring parties. In an instant, most eyes turned towards Xu Qing. Among the throng, Master Dan Jiu's followers also turned their gaze.

The moment all eyes fixed upon him, Xu Qing, from within the sandstorm rift at the desert's edge, raised his right hand, pointed forward, and softly uttered a single word: "Poison!"

The word was barely out when the poisonous taboo winds around him violently erupted, roaring forward with overwhelming force. Black mist consumed everything in its path, leaving behind a dense, alien essence that blurred and distorted the surroundings. Amidst its churning, nothing could escape the poison taboo as it directly engulfed the Red Moon cultivators' army. From a distance, the poisonous mist spread like a vast sea, swiftly expanding and causing the hearts of all who witnessed it to pound with immense terror. Even the ground corroded, turning pitch black. The blood-red sky above could not pierce this poisonous mist, and the void itself fractured before it.

This was the first true manifestation of the poison taboo since Xu Qing integrated it with his gaze. Within the heart of the poison taboo, Xu Qing remained expressionless, observing everything with cold detachment. The divinity within him seemed to surge at this very moment.

"A God Cultivator!" From within the crowd, a trembling gasp of shock erupted from an unknown voice.

Some had died, but not entirely...