Whether his master knew of the conversation he and Feng Shuchang had the night before Da Chuanli had no doubts his master had a faint idea. But since neither brought up the subject it was thrown far into the backs of their minds as the two parties trekked through the old ruins the way they came. Occasionally Da Chuanli would wander off to keep a closer eye on the person who had been observing them since the first day they entered the ruins. It had never shown signs of hostility, but he never let his guard down even once. Even more vigilant than when he first entered the ruins. It went without saying that if even his junior sister was forced into a corner during a fight with her smarts and skills then it was only right to stay wary of even the smallest spiritual essence.
Elder Shao Lin and his disciples were quietly following along behind his master without speaking a word. It was a stifling atmosphere within their group in comparison to the in-harmony Zenith Star sect. But only a special type of person would insist on his master accepting Shao Lin's presence again with open arms as he did in the past right away. Seeming to notice the tension between them since the start Feng Shuchang never commented on the treatment and instead listened to discussions between his students and Minglan's passively. "-rls in our sect are better tempered than you." Recognizing the bitter and sarcastic tone of his student Zheng He. Feng Shuchang was faintly surprised he would speak with such a tone toward a young lady.
Even if he was known as tactless he was beaten by his seniors enough to know better. But before he could have time to scold him a young youthful girl's quip was faster and more vicious. "I've never known a more petty and selfish gentleman than you either as the gentlemen in our sect have at least the basic manners to apologize when they are in the wrong rather than pick a fight despite being the offending party. What sect code? It's rather obvious why you don't have what it takes to even become an inner disciple with your waste of a brain now." Zheng He must have been fuming red out of anger as Feng Shuchang then heard Panxin murmur to the hot-tempered child with a few scolding words.
"Why are you picking on a young girl? How could I have sent you to apologize only for you two to come back even more at each other's throats?" Seeming to have grievances of his own Zheng He choked and aggravated said through gritted teeth "Panxin you don't understand! I'm the victim here." No one seemed to believe him as the girl who spoke earlier had pursed her lips seeming to hold in even more grievances than him appearing weak in her morning clothes. Her pale appearance yet stubborn pride wavered their hearts in her favor, not to mention the Azure sect had also lost someone precious to them not long ago. They were displeased with Zheng He's behavior. So, without Feng Shuchang nor his sister needing to say anything the boys took Zheng He aside to reprimand and convince on their own.
Gu Ping donning similar white robes as his companions didn't speak up in favor of Zheng He, even though internally he knew that most likely Qing Mianyang had tricked them all. Chun Hua looked on coldly before flicking her sleeves and taking a few steps behind their master eloquently showing no interest in their childish quiabbles. Those who argued with Qing Mianyang usually ended up eating a loss outside of their sect. "Stop." Minglan who was in the front raised his hand to the group, his eyes sharpening alert. Feng Shuchang trusting the stronger person perked his ears with his hand on his blade like the rest listening to even the slightest rustle of the wind.
However, it wasn't even a few seconds after Minglan spoke that Feng Shuchang understood the problem reacting quicker than the rest and pulling out a gold chain tossing the enchantment around their group just before a rabid beast jumped from the shadows frightening the young cultivators. Giving a sharp whistle Feng Shuchang smartly called for his people wearing a grim expression. In less than a minute their entire group had been surrounded by seemingly a hundred demonic beasts which should never have appeared in broad daylight. Their red bloody eyes unlike that of a sane beast glowing with maddening hunger. "My relic can only hold them back for only a couple of minutes, can sir Wang manage on his own until my people arrive?" Understanding each other, Wang Minglan nodded solemnly not questioning how Feng Shuchang managed to smuggle more than the quota of his people inside An Xing. If it were just him alone, he could kill them all on his own but with so many younglings with them and this seemingly purposeful attack.
Minglan didn't feel comfortable leaving their side even for a second. However as Minglan went to step out, Feng Shuchang's expression changed along with his almost in sync "Get away from the barrier!!" *CRASH! *CRACK! But, contrary to their beliefs the terrifying predator completely missed their barrier and Minglan's sword, encircling the band of demonic beasts with a nefarious hiss. Da Chuanli and Minglan's expressions both twisted in sync. Regardless, neither of them made a move and watched with hints of strangeness as the large copper snake swallowed the demonic beats surrounding them one by one like picking ripe fruits in autumn. "Sir Wang!" Feng Shuchang not noticing their strangeness pulled and pushed the stunned students in the direction of safety calling out to the stiff as-stone student and master. "Master-" "Go." Pursing his lips Da Chuanli sent the familiar spiritual aura of the beast a lingering last glance before obediently following the others.
One trembling girl on her knees left behind in the mess staring at the copper snake with wide eyes and a blood-drained face. Qing Mianyang's heart had dropped, the familiar trembling of the earth, the large-scaled beast, the white fangs, the spine-chilling hiss. "AH-!" Screaming Qing Mianyang covers her ears her whole body rattling out of fear of the large snake. Tears raining down her cheeks Qing Mianyang couldn't think, couldn't move her legs, all she could see was Wang Lan Biyu. Wang Lan Biyu. "Wang Lan Biyu-Wang Lan Biyu-I'm sorry-Im sorry-I'm sorry- Save me! Someone help her someone save her WANG LAN BIYU someone hurry and HELP HERRR-!!!" Her cries were cut short as Da Chuanli carried the now unconscious screeching girl in the direction the others ran.
His expression was terrifyingly dark and unreadable after Qing Mianyang's cries and panic attacks. He didn't dare to look back and see his master's expression right now. His chest felt strange and for some reason, he felt short of breath even though he could breathe perfectly fine. It felt like someone had stuffed handfuls of cotton down his throat into his lungs and chest. The teen was trembling, perhaps he wasn't aware of it himself as all Da Chunali could focus on was saving himself and his fellow students. Never stopping until they could see the entrance of the ruins Da Chuanli could spot Feng Shuchang worriedly standing with many others through the doors.
Feeling his master's arm grab his elbow Da Chuanli felt that familiar churning as instead of staring at the entrance the two had flickered outside behind the man. Feng Shuchang quickly looked at the Golden Cloud sect disciples and others who had left before them asking in a hurry. "Is there anyone else inside besides us?!" Although frightened and confused they all quickly shook their heads in sync and Wang Minglan dropping Da Chuanli's elbow turned around and took a deep breath. They all watched in awe as the man in white single-handedly conjured solid palms of pure spiritual energy forcing the gates closed behind them. The gates being closed by force groan and whine cracking and crumbling with dust.
The guardian's glowing eyes flickered seeming to fight the strength of the master forcing the doors to close behind them. Minglan's loose hair flew glowing the same gold as his spiritual sea, beautiful and regal gathering more qi from within himself to fight with the old spells of the ruins to force the doors closed without permission. As a copper scale faintly shimmers from the corner of Da Chuanli's eyes the crack of the doors shut close after one last crumble of pebbles and dust. With it, his master's dissipating spiritual essence and the golden halo clouding their vision of his person. "Ha.." Da Chuanli hurriedly left Qing Mianyang to Gao Chang and rushed to his Master's seemingly weakened side. "Master, are you alright?" Minglan having used all he had to close the gates continued staring at the large stone doors with a closed-off expression seeming not to hear anything he said.
"Sir Wang, are you okay?" Minglan quickly fixed the look on his face into the same indifference others were used to. "Hmm." Breathing a sigh of relief others began gathering to question the two sects about the commotion. Feng Shuchang was in no mood to entertain them and gave them sarcastic smiles in return drawing aggro from the silent alienating master and disciple to himself. "Do you wish to know? I think that the Golden Cloud sect is more knowledgeable about the situation than us outsiders." Successfully making all of the wary and worn-out sects who joined them on the journey turn to the Golden Cloud sect members who tensed under his not-so-subtle accusation.
"King Feng don't go too far." Stepping out was a senior member of the sect who confronted him looking upright and upset by his tone. However, Feng Shuchang was no coward and sneers in response flicking his sleeves and turning on his heels to check up on his students who were rightfully still traumatized by the ordeal. Wang Minglan sent a rather cold glance in the direction of the golden-robed disciples who shivered under his brief yet frightening glower. "Our Azure sect will not be joining the returning banquet and will head to the exit on our own. Thanking the Golden Cloud sect for their most "welcoming" hospitality these past few days." Da Chuanli couldn't understand his master's suddenly aggressive actions yet followed his lead without hesitation as his master furiously walked off farther from the others. His jaw set "Once we return to the sect and are old enough I am sending you away, far away."
"May this disciple ask why?" Minglan sent the golden cloud sect one last sneer before answering his question. "I fear the stretch of rotting corpses will corrupt your path of cultivation." Though outwardly calm the teen felt a sense of unease growing within him "Master's meaning?" Being given a glance by his fox-eyed master Da Chuanli could see his Master was serious this time when he spoke these words unlike before. "Some people cannot be satisfied with the way things are, even after all these years of peace. I fear for your elder brother's safety and won't be able to protect you both alone."