The Cannon Fodder Turns His Sister Into A Soaring Phoenix – Chapter 421

Chapter 420: Senior Brother, Different Paths

Roaring—

The sound of the earth shaking came from far and near. A little dust sprinkled down from the beam, landing on the head of the black-haired woman below, who was wearing a golden immortal robe and a crown.

Qu Ruyun sat cross-legged in the center of eight spirit lamps, her eyes closed and her breathing almost imperceptible. She was wholly focused on channeling her spiritual energy into a spirit pearl floating near her chest, which seemed to contain a river of stars.

When she was nine, she met the then-Nangong family head, who gave her the name “Fu Xuan,” and she became a servant of the Nangong clan.

She reached the Core Formation Stage at twenty-seven. Through Nangong City’s recommendation, she became a true disciple of the North Nether Immortal of the Southern Domain and began to learn the art of divination.

At one hundred and forty, she reached the Nascent Soul Stage and passed her tribulation. Following Nangong City’s decree, she established the Xing Tian Division to manage the internal affairs of the Imperial Sect.

Now, Qu Ruyun is already thirteen hundred and twenty-seven years old.

In other words, she has been the Pavilion Master of the Xing Tian Division for nearly twelve hundred years.

From the initial establishment of the Xing Tian Division in a small, broken pavilion, to its current position as the head of the Imperial Sect’s seven pavilions a few years ago, controlling thousands of miles of territory in the Central Domain and commanding tens of thousands of disciples.

It can be said that Qu Ruyun has poured her entire life’s blood, sweat, and tears into the “Xing Tian Division.”

However, in the past, most of the other elders of the Imperial Sect would evaluate her like this:

—She eats the sect’s rations but doesn’t handle affairs, spending all her time hiding in her cave dwelling and leaving all matters to her subordinates. The Xing Tian Division would be the same without her.

Even so, over these millennia, the other elders of the Imperial Sect had impeached her before Nangong City multiple times, wanting Nangong City to hand over the position of Pavilion Master of the Xing Tian Division to someone else.

But Nangong City never agreed.

This was because she owed Nangong City a great debt.

—The Imperial Sect, established under the imperial power of the Nangong clan, was not as free and unfettered as the Xuan Xing Sect and the Taibai Sect. The former Nangong City had to seize the position of Emperor of the Central Domain from his two sisters and three brothers amidst the infighting of the “Four Dragons Competing for the Throne.”

Qu Ruyun was one of the witnesses to that internal conflict, and also an ally of Nangong City.

With her “Heavenly Talisman Divination” technique, Qu Ruyun had helped Nangong City avoid countless deaths and assist him in ascending to the dragon throne in Tian’an City.

Until that day.

A divination she cast for Nangong City revealed the phrase: “Trembling Dragon, Head Severed; Moon Overtakes Nangong.”

And just as her divination predicted, about ten days after her divination, Nangong City died at the hands of Dan Yue Shangxian.

But now…

Qu Ruyun let out a long sigh, formed a sword finger with her hand, and waved it to the side.

Whoosh—

The spiritual energy from the spirit pearl in her chest condensed into a golden talisman between her fingers.

It read: “Heaven Ascends, Fate is Given; Falls to Ghost Spirit.”

This was a divination she cast for herself, expending her own lifespan.

“Still a death hex…”

Qu Ruyun showed a wry smile, flipped the golden talisman in her hand over, and placed it on a desk beside her. However, there were already ten golden talismans on the desk.

In the past few days, when she had asked Yue Xuanming to gather the disciples of the Xing Tian Division, she had continuously altered the feng shui conditions to perform ten divinations for herself.

To put it in terms understandable to ordinary people, she had divined the future resulting from ten different choices she could make.

If she surrendered to the demonic cultivators, she would surely die.

If she wrote to the Taibai Sect and Hantian Kingdom for reinforcements and held Eastern Huang with the Xing Tian Division, she would still die.

If she led the Xing Tian Division to flee Eastern Huang, she would still die.

… …

Out of ten scenarios, nine led to a dead end.

And the remaining one hex…

Qu Ruyun picked up the golden talisman and turned it over to look at it.

Just as she had divined before, the golden talisman was blank.

The feng shui conditions for this hex were set as:

—What would happen if she followed Ye Anping’s arrangements?

But heaven seemed unwilling to tell her the answer.

Was it her mistake? Or was it that this hex involved heavenly secrets?

Qu Ruyun felt it was the latter.

“Ye Anping…” Qu Ruyun couldn’t help but sigh again, “No wonder Dan Yue Shangxian values him so highly. Perhaps even the venerable Dan Yue cannot see through his fate…”

Roaring—

Suddenly, another loud, low rumble sounded, shaking the entire room with creaks and rattles.

The next moment, with a creak, the room’s door was pushed open from the outside.

A white-haired old man, wearing the Xing Tian Division’s daoist robe and a sword at his waist, entered with clasped hands. He came before Qu Ruyun and knelt on both knees, bowing to salute:

“Pavilion Master.”

—The newcomer’s name was Zhou Muhe, a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, serving as the “Pacification Commissioner” of the Xing Tian Division.

Qu Ruyun looked at him with a calm expression and a smile:

“Hmm… Minister Zhou, how many years have you followed this seat?”

“Replying to the Pavilion Master, I have been by your side since I was at the Foundation Establishment stage. I am now at the Nascent Soul stage, for a total of seven hundred and twenty-three years.”

“Then I am not mistaken.”

Zhou Muhe clasped his hands in salutation and said:

“The Ghost Spirit Sect has already reached the city walls. Lord Yue has already gathered the four teams arranged by the Pavilion Master and they have gone to the South Gate. This disciple is also ready.”

“Hmm… I apologize.”

“Your words are too kind, Pavilion Master. This disciple will lead more than a hundred Xing Tian Division guards under his command to delay time for you as much as possible. The Donghuang Great Wall has a domain protection formation. Even if Guimu Qi himself attacks, this disciple can hold on for at least three days.”

“… Hmm.”

“This disciple is here to bid farewell now. I wish the Pavilion Master a smooth journey!!!”

“… …”

Zhou Muhe clasped his hands in acknowledgment, bowed deeply, then turned and left without hesitation. From the eaves, he summoned a flying sword, leaped onto it, and headed in the direction of the Great Wall, which was engulfed in the flames of war.

Qu Ruyun watched his figure land on the Great Wall, then waved her hand to condense a small flame and sprinkle it onto the scrolls scattered throughout the room.

Hiss—

In an instant, the fingertip-sized flame transformed into a raging inferno, engulfing everything in the room.

Qu Ruyun closed her eyes and remained silent for a moment. She waved her sleeve to collect the blank golden talisman into her storage bag, and in the sea of fire, she transformed into specks of spiritual light, heading towards the city gate tower in the south.

… …

————

Roaring—

Black clouds pressed down on the city, and purple serpents danced wildly in the sky.

Thousands of Xing Tian Division disciples, divided into a hundred ranks, stood neatly below the Southern city tower of Eastern Huang. All of them had solemn expressions, looking at the spellfire on the Great Wall, which resembled a raging dragon, their hearts filled with extreme oppression.

Thunderclap—

Accompanied by a flash of lightning, four flying swords passed over their heads and landed before the city gate tower.

After Ye Anping landed, he looked back down at the neatly lined-up Xing Tian Division disciples, then prepared to go into the city gate tower to meet Yue Xuanming and the others, and finally explain his plan.

However, just as he turned to open the gate of the tower…

“Yaaaaah—! Feng Yu Die!!! Damn you!!”

A萝莉 (luoli, young girl) voice, like Zhang Fei, came from the side of Ye Anping and the others.

Several people turned their heads and saw Yun Jiujiu, her short legs moving rapidly, displaying a majestic stride, hurrying towards them.

Feng Yu Die was stunned for a moment. Before she could react, Yun Jiujiu rushed up to her, grabbed her collar, and lifted her above her head:

“I’ll fuck your grandma! Feng Yu Die!!”

?

Feng Yu Die was completely bewildered. Held by her collar, she was stunned for a long time before asking:

“Jiujiu, why are you scolding me again?”

“You betrayed me!!!” Yun Jiujiu’s eyes were wide with anger, her entire face contorted with veins protruding, “And you still act so innocent?!”

Ye Anping quickly stepped forward and gently held Yun Jiujiu’s wrist:

“Second Miss Yun, harmony brings wealth, harmony brings wealth. What’s the matter…”

“Harmony my ass!! This stinky broad…”

Yun Jiujiu was in the middle of a torrent of curses.

Snap—

Yun Yiyi appeared behind her and lightly slapped Yun Jiujiu’s backside. The pain instantly made her jump up a foot.

“Ouch!! Elder Sister, what are you doing…”

“Second Sister, why are you arguing at a time like this? You will be traveling with Miss Feng later.”

Yun Jiujiu pouted, crossed her arms, and turned her head away:

“… Hmph!”

Yun Yiyi sighed softly, then walked up to Feng Yu Die, bowed her head, and said:

“I’m sorry, Miss Feng. A few days ago, after my father returned, because of the thing you gave her last time, he spanked her so hard her butt is still swollen. She can’t even sit properly these days.”

?

Feng Yu Die seemed not to understand, tilting her head:

“Ah? Why?”

“Uh, you can ask her later.”

Yun Yiyi smiled and glanced at Ye Anping beside her. Seeing him now in a black brocade robe, she inexplicably felt an urge to rush up and hug him, but she also knew the occasion was not appropriate.

So, she also walked up to Pei Lianxue and Xiao Yunluo. First, she bowed to Pei Lianxue:

“Miss Pei, long time no see.”

“Hmm…”

Then, she straightened her chest and raised her head, deliberately displaying her chest, which was two sizes larger than Xiao Yunluo’s. She merely nodded slightly and said:

“This is my first meeting. I am the Eldest Miss of the Moon Shadow Sword Sect, Yun Yiyi. If Young Master Xiao doesn’t mind, you can call me Yiyi, or Sister.”

Xiao Yunluo had heard her call Ye Anping “Anping” just now. She stared at Yun Yiyi’s chest for a moment before also tilting her head up slightly and nodding:

“Xiao Yunluo, humph~”

Ye Anping saw the hint of hostility between the two and was about to step forward to separate them when a hearty voice came from behind him again:

“Oh! Young Master Ye, long time no see! Fairy Pei and Fairy Feng as well…”

Turning his head, Zhang Yihe waved at them from afar.

Yun Xi walked beside him with a blank expression. Although she was no longer in a wheelchair, she seemed to have a ghost behind her, emanating resentment…

“… …”

Seeing that everyone had arrived, Ye Anping nodded to them all and said:

“Yunluo, you and Yiyi will follow me. Third Miss and Junior Brother Zhang, you will follow my Junior Sister. Second Miss Yun, you will follow Senior Sister Feng.”

Yun Xi nodded and replied:

“Sister Yiyi has already told us.”

“That’s good… After leaving Eastern Huang, try to keep in touch. Before I arrived, I informed the Hundred Lotus Sect, and there should be Hundred Lotus Sect disciples to meet us at Jian Nan Pass.”

Ye Anping said with a faint smile, scanning everyone who was now looking at him.

In fact, he was a little surprised.

After all, he had already told Yun Yiyi about the danger of this mission earlier, but now neither Yun Xi nor Yun Jiujiu showed any signs of nervousness on their faces.

“… …”

After a moment of hesitation, he threw the long speech he had prepared to the back of his mind and left only one sentence:

“I won’t say much more. Bon voyage!!”

Yun Jiujiu, Zhang Yihe, and the others all clasped their hands in return, and without further ado, prepared to turn and find their respective teams.

However, at this moment, Pei Lianxue hesitated for a moment, then suddenly ran up to him:

“Senior Brother…”

“Hmm?”

Chu~

As if to declare ownership, she stood on tiptoe and kissed Ye Anping’s lips.

Then she narrowed her eyes, smiled, and pulling Yun Xi, turned and ran towards the left side of the city wall.

“Heehee… Sister Yun, let’s go.”

“Ah…”

“Huh?” Zhang Yihe was stunned for a moment, then quickly bowed and took his leave: “Eldest Miss, Second Miss, Miss Feng, Young Master Ye, and Young Master Xiao, this humble one also bids farewell…!”

Then he turned and chased after Pei Lianxue and Yun Xi:

“Fairy Pei~ Don’t run so fast, Third Miss will fall and break her leg again…”

“““… …”””

After the three ran out of sight, the remaining people stood frozen on the spot, speechless for a long time.

Xiao Yunluo and Yun Yiyi’s gazes involuntarily shifted from Ye Anping’s eyes to his lips, but thinking that they would be traveling with him soon anyway, they decided to let it go.

However…

Looking at Ye Anping’s lips, Feng Yu Die couldn’t help but moisten her own lips, her gaze unable to stray away…

— the lips that Junior Sister Pei had just kissed.

— Junior Sister Pei just kissed them!

— just kissed them!!

… …

After a moment of silence, she mustered her courage and said:

“Ye…”

“Let’s go! Feng Yu Die, let’s go too…”

“Ah?”

But before she could finish speaking, Yun Jiujiu directly slung her over her shoulder and strode towards the eastern plaza with clanging steps.

Xue Tianqiao, who had been hiding in the gap between her bamboo hat and her head, almost fell out from Yun Jiujiu’s shaking and quickly leaped onto Feng Yu Die’s face.

“Ouch! Don’t grab me…”

“Ah? What the hell is this?”

“It’s a fox… Young Master Ye asked me to bring it… No!” Feng Yu Die slapped at it, shook her head, looked at Ye Anping, who was gradually moving away, and shouted, “Young Master Ye… Ah—!”

Before she could finish speaking, Yun Jiujiu, still carrying Feng Yu Die on her shoulder, jumped off the nearly two-hundred-foot-high city wall, landing on the plaza below with a “boom—”.

Ye Anping raised his hand and pinched the bridge of his nose. He wasn’t curious about what she had been about to say. He looked from the city tower towards Eastern Huang City.

A fiery light caught his attention. The nine-story pavilion in Northern Huang City had already burst into flames. It was expected that Fu Xuan Shangxian had also rushed to the South City to rendezvous with Yue Xuanming and the others.

It was at this moment that a golden figure descended from the sky and landed beside him, patting his shoulder.

“Kid…”

Ye Anping turned to look and smiled:

“Why is Immortal Yun here?”

Yun Tianchong’s eyes were extremely serious, as if his son had been lost and found again. His expression was much sharper than before.

He had actually been nearby just now, but he didn’t feel comfortable interrupting their conversation during their greetings, so he hadn’t shown himself.

When Yun Yiyi had told him Ye Anping’s plan a few days ago, he had been very reluctant. After all, Ye Anping wanted him to travel with Fu Xuan and the Nascent Soul cultivators of the Xing Tian Division.

He wanted to stay with Yun Yiyi, Yun Jiujiu, and Yun Xi!

However, Yun Yiyi brought up the matter of their journey to Eastern Huang, which left him unable to refute it…

Yun Tianchong’s main purpose in coming here now was to ask Ye Anping how a cultivator at the Core Formation Stage could protect Yun Yiyi.

Yun Yiyi, standing beside him, saw him appear and quickly frowned, asking:

“Father, shouldn’t you be in the South City…”

“Yier…”

Yun Tianchong raised his hand to stop her, his gaze fixed on the spirit sword wrapped in bandages on Ye Anping’s back.

He had been staring for a while and felt that this spirit sword was unusual. He also felt a familiar aura, but with the bandages, he couldn’t recall where he had seen it after racking his brains…

“Hmm…”

After a moment of hesitation, he simply reached out towards the hilt of the sword on Ye Anping’s shoulder.

However…

Ding—

An ice spike appeared out of thin air and directly pricked his finger, blocking his sword-callused hand from the hilt.

!

“… …”

Ye Anping smiled, reached out to touch the sword hilt, brushed away the ice spike with his hand, and soothed the spirit sword, saying:

“Immortal Yun, please forgive me. This sword has its own temperament and dislikes others touching it.”

Yun Tianchong couldn’t hide the astonishment in his eyes. He looked up and down the bandage-wrapped sword body again, shook his head, and sighed. Without saying anything, he took two steps back, transformed into a golden light, and headed towards the South City to rendezvous with Fu Xuan and the others.

“… …”

After watching Yun Tianchong leave, Ye Anping walked to the side of the city wall, took out a jade talisman from his storage bag, and held it high above his head. Facing the neatly lined-up Foundation Establishment stage Xing Tian Division disciples below, and a few Sword Sect disciples at the edge, he used a spell to amplify his voice:

“All Xing Tian Division guards, receive my order! Set off by flying sword!!”

“““Yes!!”””

… …