Chapter 59: Bold Moves

The elder stepped forward and took Moming’s pulse. Moming opened his eyes, glanced at Lin Hao, then turned to see the members of the Clearwind Sect, confusion flickering across his face for a moment. “What… what happened to me?”

Coming to his senses, he looked at Lin Hao. “Senior brother, weren’t we…” He started to speak about their encounter with the natives.

Lin Hao shot him a look, instantly silencing him.

Seeing Lin Hao’s expression, Moming closed his mouth.

The elder withdrew his hand and said, “Fortunately, though your meridians suffered damage, I’ve stabilized them for now. When we return to the sect, I’ll request some elixirs from the sect leader for you.”

“Thank you, Elder,” Moming replied, coughing as he sat up.

Noticing he was aboard the ship, he asked, “Elder, have we left Skyfeather Mountain? Are we heading back to the sect?”

“Yes, we’ll be returning soon,” Wu Wen answered.

Afterward, Moming was arranged to rest inside the ship.

The elder then called Lin Hao into a private chamber.

Seated in a chair, he regarded Lin Hao with a solemn gaze. “Now you must tell me everything clearly. Leaving early with everyone requires an explanation.”

Lin Hao looked at the elder, opening his mouth to speak.

Suddenly—

Boom, boom, boom!

The ship shook violently.

Everyone was startled.

The elder and Lin Hao exchanged a glance, then hurried to the edge of the ship, peering in the direction of the tremors. Above Skyfeather Mountain, a vast crimson light enveloped the sky.

A tremendous explosion followed.

After the blast, the flames gradually faded, forming a barrier that merged into Skyfeather Mountain.

Because the Clearwind Sect’s ship had only just lifted off and wasn’t far from the mountain, they saw everything clearly.

Lin Hao watched as the entire Skyfeather Mountain was covered by a giant dome, concealing all within from the outside; only the shimmering red barrier remained visible.

From below, disciples of other sects shouted in alarm, “Ah! What’s happening?”

“What’s going on? Skyfeather Mountain has been sealed!”

“Can our people still get out? What are we going to do?”

Their voices were anxious and desperate.

It turned out that not long after Lin Hao and his party left, Skyfeather Mountain was sealed; nothing inside could be seen from outside, no one could leave, nor could anyone enter.

The barrier completely severed Skyfeather Mountain from the outside world.

Upon realizing the truth, the people of the Clearwind Sect were deeply shocked and filled with lingering fear; their gazes toward Lin Hao grew complicated.

Even the elder stared at Lin Hao for a long time without speaking.

He immediately ordered the ship to depart at once.

He looked at Lin Hao with heartfelt gravity, patting his shoulder and saying, “You saved our Clearwind Sect.”

Lin Hao stood stunned for a moment, only returning to his senses as the elder patted his shoulder.

He himself had no idea what would happen at Skyfeather Mountain.

He simply trusted the words of the Qilin, guided by intuition.

Lin Hao’s lips curled slightly; his heart felt heavy. So many people from other sects were trapped inside. He had tried to warn them, but none believed him.

He quietly laughed at his own sentimentality.

At least, he thought, the Red Lotus Sect was in there. If they perished, it would avenge the Clearwind Sect.

Lin Hao looked at the elder, offering a bitter smile. “Elder, I truly don’t know the specifics. I don’t know what will happen at Skyfeather Mountain, only that my instincts told me it was dangerous.”

The elder nodded, seeing Lin Hao didn’t elaborate further. “No matter what, our Clearwind Sect is safe. But as for Zhou Yichen…”

At the mention of Zhou Yichen, Moming’s face changed, glancing nervously at Lin Hao.

“Lord Zhou disappeared in Skyfeather Mountain. It’s not really our concern—the mission was dangerous, ever-changing; no one knows his fate. Perhaps he’s lucky enough to survive,” Lin Hao replied indifferently.

The elder said nothing for a long while, simply watching Lin Hao.

Lin Hao met his gaze squarely, showing no sign of evasion.

The elder turned and led Lin Hao back to the room.

After another moment, the elder was the first to avert his eyes, speaking slowly, “Let this matter rest here. Zhou Yichen’s disappearance—I will report it to the sect upon our return. The rest is no longer your concern.”

With these words, the elder made clear he was protecting Lin Hao.

The elder understood well; his intuition told him Zhou Yichen’s disappearance was surely connected to Lin Hao, but Zhou Yichen had gone too far.

Lin Hao had saved the Clearwind Sect, brought them honor, and rescued the elder himself.

Weighing everything, the elder decided to keep Lin Hao out of the affair, leaving it to himself to report to the sect.

Thus, no trouble would come to Lin Hao.

Hearing this, Lin Hao glanced at the elder, a flash of surprise in his eyes, but felt a warmth in his heart.

His expression softened, a smile emerging as he looked at the elder. “Yes, Elder.”

“Oh, Elder, I must report something else—about what happened inside Skyfeather Mountain.”

With Zhou Yichen’s matter settled, Lin Hao recalled the encounter with the natives in Skyfeather Mountain.

He grew solemn, looking at the elder.

Seeing Lin Hao’s seriousness, the elder immediately adopted a grave demeanor, sitting and asking, “What exactly happened inside Skyfeather Mountain? Why was it sealed just after we left? If you hadn’t warned us, we’d all be trapped. What happened? Is it connected to that earthquake we sensed?”

The elder’s analysis made Lin Hao nod slowly. “I truly don’t know the specifics, but I did discover an issue in Skyfeather Mountain.

Back when we were at the sect, we noticed tremors from the mountain. That’s because a group of natives from Skyfeather Mountain suddenly appeared.

It seems they left this world long ago for some reason, but now they've returned, causing the upheaval inside the mountain and driving the beasts mad.”

“What?! Natives?!” The elder was shocked, standing up and staring at Lin Hao, as if to confirm he wasn’t joking.

Lin Hao was puzzled by the elder’s strong reaction.

Still, he nodded firmly. “Yes, Elder, I saw them myself. Their bodies are different from ours—each has a pair of wings, and their cultivation methods seem distinct as well. I don’t know what their intentions are, but I’m certain they’re planning something major.”

Lin Hao shared all he knew.

The elder listened, then sat down, muttering in confusion, “Impossible… how can it be them?”

“Elder, you know about the natives?” Lin Hao saw the elder’s expression and realized he must have heard or seen something of them.

But the elder didn’t seem to hear Lin Hao; he sat lost in thought, unable to believe the natives had appeared.

“Elder, Elder.” Lin Hao nudged him.

The elder finally came to himself, looking at Lin Hao with bewilderment before regaining composure and saying sternly, “Does anyone else know about this?”

“I’m not sure. Moming and I definitely encountered the natives, but whether others did, we don’t know.” Lin Hao said nothing about the Lust Sect or the Red Lotus Sect, simply stating his uncertainty.

The elder’s face grew even more grave.

He thought: If Lin Hao encountered them, others could have as well. His expression darkened further.

He stood up. “We must hurry—get back to the sect at once. I have to report this immediately.” He pointed, and a sheet of spiritual paper appeared on the table.

In Lin Hao’s presence, the elder swiftly wrote a letter.

He folded the spiritual paper into the shape of a paper crane, which flew off toward the Clearwind Sect.

The letter detailed their journey to Skyfeather Mountain and everything that had occurred within, especially emphasizing the return of the natives.

Soon after, Qingyun, reading the letter, walked over with a heavy expression.

He went directly to the sect leader’s chamber.

He knocked at the door.

“Come in,” came the sect leader’s voice from within.

Qingyun pushed open the door and entered. “Master, something major has happened.”

“What is it?” The sect leader asked, unusually serious.

The spiritual paper floated over as the elder directed.

It returned to the Clearwind Sect.

That day, the sect was bustling, preparing for the inner disciples’ initiation ceremony.

Qingyun was busy in the main hall, giving instructions.

Suddenly, a paper crane floated over. Qingyun reached out, and it landed in his hand.

Seeing the crane, he dismissed the others and stepped aside.

He read the information on it. Noticing Qingyun’s change in expression, the sect leader asked curiously.

“Is it news from Skyfeather Mountain?” the sect leader guessed.

“Yes, Master, look.” Qingyun handed the information to his master.

As the sect leader read, Qingyun explained, “The natives have returned to Skyfeather Mountain. It seems the situation is about to change drastically. And now, it’s hard to handle—only our Clearwind Sect managed to escape, while all other sects are trapped inside. I fear we’ll become the target, and everyone will come demanding answers.”