Chapter 171: Nightmare Comes True?

In the Nei Yuan, the Yi Shi Da Dian.

Jiang Bianyan held a cup of hot tea and took a small sip, his mind completely elsewhere.

Only after entering the Nei Yuan did he realize the atmosphere was thick with tension, as if enemies were lurking everywhere and danger was in every shadow—a complete contrast to the outer courtyard, like two different worlds.

Glancing at the group of black-clothed figures under the old wutong tree by the door, he frowned and said:

"Ye Gongzhu, is this such a grand setup?"

Jiang Bianyan wasn't arrogant enough to think this was all for him; the only other possibility was the "Sheng Nu" mentioned in the request for help.

Was it truly necessary...?

Ye Xiaotian set down his teacup and said:

"The three of you have traveled a long way. I've already arranged several Ling Zhi for you to stay in for now."

He didn't even bother to explain.

A grand setup?

He only wished it were grander!

Jiang Bianyan stroked the gray whiskers at his temples, his expression turning somewhat displeased.

From the moment they entered Ling Gong, he hadn't seen Ye Xiaotian show a single friendly face. It was truly...

Qiao Qianzhi noticed the awkwardness and quickly explained:

"Jiang Dianzhu, our palace is currently dealing with some minor internal issues that need urgent resolution. We apologize for the poor hospitality."

His tone was a bit kinder, but his thoughts were the same as Ye Xiaotian's.

Tian Xuan Men was in dire straits—if powerful allies had arrived, that would be one thing.

But with just this one person...

Fine, we can't afford to offend you. Go ahead and rest for now!

Jiang Bianyan could hear the urgency in their words and asked curiously:

"Minor issues?"

Qiao Qianzhi glanced at the Ling Pan in Zhao Xidong's hands. The light of the fourth pearl was flickering unpredictably, on the verge of going out.

"It's just some private matters."

Cheng Xingchu's anger flared up again. They invite us here and then hide everything—are they looking down on the three of us?

He was about to speak, but his eyes caught sight of the white-haired Daoist child seated at the head, and he swallowed his words.

"If I'm not mistaken, this is your palace's 'Shi Er Zhu Ling Lian Pan'?" a somewhat cool female voice chimed in from the side.

Qiao Qianzhi looked over in surprise. "That's right."

"The Ling Pan is linked to Tian Xuan Men. From the looks of it, I'm afraid something unexpected has happened at your precious Tian Xuan Men."

This startled all three of them. What a clever young woman—her insight and judgment were far beyond the ordinary.

Zhao Xidong stared straight at the woman's veil. Just from those starry eyes, he was already half smitten. If only that veil could be lifted...

"May I ask..."

"Yu Zhiwen." The woman gently adjusted her veil, her eyes curving into a smile.

"What a great name!"

Zhao Xidong was completely captivated by those expressive eyes. Still reeling from a recent heartbreak, he couldn't resist and stammered:

"I—I'm Zhao Dong..."

"Pfft, Zhao Xidong!"

Straightening his chest, Zhao Xidong lifted his head and said:

"It's a pleasure to meet you."

With that, he set the Ling Pan aside, stepped forward, wiped his hand on his robe, and extended it.

But the woman had no intention of shaking hands.

Zhao Xidong smoothly shifted, his hand sliding over to Cheng Xingchu without a hint of awkwardness.

"Cheng Xingchu."

The young man hesitated for a moment, deciding to go along with it—he'd been cowed by earlier events.

As soon as their hands touched, Zhao Xidong pulled back as if electrocuted, wiped his hand on his robe again, and retreated to his original spot.

"I've heard so much about you." Though he said it, his eyes were still fixed on Yu Zhiwen.

Cheng Xingchu was utterly dismayed.

Are all the people in this Ling Gong out of their minds? Not a single one seems normal. This is insane!

He awkwardly sat back down.

"I've heard that Tian Xuan Men is similar to the 'Sheng Xuan Men' of Zhong Yu Sheng Gong. I wonder if I might have the honor of seeing it?" Yu Zhiwen spoke up again.

"Hee hee hee..."

Qiao Qianzhi chuckled a couple of times, noticing everyone's odd looks, and quickly covered his mouth. He sighed and said: "This young lady certainly has some knowledge if you know about Sheng Gong.

"But unfortunately, Tian Xuan Men opens only once a year, and this year's opportunity was used up two days ago."

"If you all stay, it's unlikely you'll enter, but you should still be able to see it open again."

A flash of disappointment crossed Yu Zhiwen's eyes: "What a shame."

Qiao Qianzhi looked back at the Ling Pan and said: "The reason we invited you here is actually related to the Tian Xuan Men matter."

"Of course, whether we need Jiang Dianzhu's assistance will depend on how things unfold."

"If Tian Xuan Men is truly just a minor issue..."

Bringing the topic back to the minor issues, Elder Qiao finally said: "It's getting late. To be honest, there's been some trouble in Tian Xuan Men that needs immediate resolution, so please excuse us."

He stood up directly, bowed his fist to Jiang Bianyan, and then turned to Ye Xiaotian: "We can't wait any longer."

Ye Xiaotian nodded, and in an instant, he and the three visitors appeared at the door of the Yi Shi Da Dian.

Cheng Xingchu's eyebrows twitched. This...

He'd truly experienced the hospitality of Tian Sang Ling Gong.

First, they were interrupted mid-visit, and now they were left hanging—who knows, maybe they'd be kicked out next if things went south?

"Jiang Dianzhu, I don't see any point in staying at this Ling Gong. Let's just leave; it's frustrating!"

Jiang Bianyan sipped his tea casually. Truth be told, he was curious about what problems this Ling Gong was facing—internal and external threats, perhaps?

As a Dianzhu himself, to receive such treatment was odd indeed.

He had originally come to discuss matters, but clearly, the time wasn't right.

"It's fine. If you're tired, go ahead and rest at the Ling Zhi they've prepared. I'll stay here and observe a bit longer."

Cheng Xingchu rolled his eyes internally but said no more, turning to leave directly.

"Yu Zhiwen girl, let's go rest!"

After a step or two, he glanced back—there was no one behind him.

Cheng Xingchu hurried out of the great hall and found the two of them curiously eyeing the crowd of black-clothed figures.

Damn it!

He stamped his foot in frustration and strode away.

Without another word, Qiao Qianzhi pulled out a purple array disk.

He had thought the reinforcements from Sheng Shen Dian Tang would be worth waiting for, but these arrivals were a disappointment—chatting with them was a waste of time.

"Tian Xuan Men, open!"

With a shout, spiritual energy surged between heaven and earth, void array patterns spread out, and an ancient gate emerged faintly from the light curtain.

Red patterns reappeared, with ferocious beast mouths holding rings—Tian Xuan Men, revealed!

All the enforcers felt a tightness in their hearts. This was the first time in Tian Sang Ling Gong's history that Tian Xuan Men had been forced open without even lasting three full days.

One day inside the world was equivalent to several months of cultivation outside—this was a massive loss!

Yu Zhiwen's eyes sparkled with excitement: "So this is Tian Xuan Men?"

"That's right."

Jiang Bianyan nodded slowly: "Relying solely on this treasure, Tian Sang Ling Gong stands firm among the established Ling Gong in over a dozen surrounding counties. You can imagine the value of Tian Xuan Men."

Yu Zhiwen gazed at the several-zhang-high black giant gate, but her thoughts were different:

If a mere Tian Sang Ling Gong's Tian Xuan Men could be like this, what must Sheng Gong's Sheng Xuan Men be like?

"Prepare!"

Ye Xiaotian issued a sharp command, and all the black-clothed figures readied themselves.

Qiao Qianzhi reached out and pressed against the gate, pushing it open with force.

A surging wave of spiritual energy burst from the widening crack, invigorating everyone.

Click, click!

Suddenly, the Tian Xuan Men jammed halfway open, and the entire gate began to tremble.

"What's happening?"

Everyone panicked. Could Tian Xuan Men actually get stuck?

This was unheard of!

Qiao Qianzhi's pupils shrank as he realized something, and he turned back to look at Zhao Xidong.

At that very moment, on the "Shi Er Zhu Ling Lian Pan" above, the fourth white pearl finally gave out and shattered.

Zhao Xidong felt his soul nearly leave his body, his eyes instantly losing their light.

With four pearls broken, that meant...

Had the nightmare come true?