In the history of Spirit Temple, the longest beast tide lasted for ten full hours. It was the first beast tide that Xiao Xue's master presided over, the ones before lasted for five to seven hours at most.
The seventh hour mark has long passed, as well as the tenth, but the wave of spiritual beasts tearing towards Infernal Rise Valley does not show any sign of stopping. When a demonic beast slammed on the barrier followed by three others the crowd grew apprehensive once more.
But this time it's not the spiritual beasts rampaging within the highlands that worries them. What they fear for now is the safety of Spirit Temple's High Priestess. It has been thirteen hours since the first wave hit the barrier and the people are starting to wonder when the beast tide would ebb.
Every time a spiritual beast hits the barrier, the sound of pealing bells resonates in the air accompanied by a steady stream of tender but resilient aura. Most of the spiritual and demonic beasts were easily diverted away from the valley with the help of the matrix but some obstinately crash on the barrier hoping to breach it.
There were moments when the people felt discouraged and hopeless, wondering how long Xiao Xue could protect the valley. But as the hours ticked by, as waves of spiritual beasts charged towards the barrier and was steadily repelled, their hearts gradually changed. The crowd now grew more fearful of witnessing the fall of the temple's High Priestess than experiencing the destruction of the valley. Everyone became more anxious for Xiao Xue's survival than their own safety.
When a legendary spiritual beast charged unforgivingly towards the barrier and repeatedly struck with its body, Xiao Xue couldn't help coughing out a mouthful of blood. She stumbled for a breath but straightened herself once again like nothing happened and solidly fend off the vicious assault, not allowing a single spiritual beast to penetrate the barrier.
The fourteenth and fifteenth hours were the most brutal and taxing, not only for Xiao Xue but for the people watching her as well. Although the beast tide was starting to show signs of thinning out, the spiritual and demonic beasts storming in were of higher tier. But after that single stumble, although blood was ceaselessly flowing from the corner of her mouth, Xiao Xue didn't give in. She gritted her teeth and continued stably with the ritual.
When blood sprayed over the platform once more, a young disciple from Spirit Temple fell on her knees and wailed. "High Priestess!" She whimpered miserably. Following her outcry, her forehead heavily landed on the ground. She stayed in that position as she wept, unable to endure the sight before her. She felt remorseful and ashamed.
She wasn't the only one.
One after another the disciples of Spirit Temple weakly fell on their knees, bowing in respect and reverence towards Xiao Xue. All of them were anxious, grief-stricken, beseeching the heavens to end the cruel tribulation. And soon, almost everyone within the valley had their heads bowed down in reflection.
Xie Yuan stood like a statue at the bottom of the platform, his amethyst colored eyes never leaving Xiao Xue's moving and bloodied form. His expression and posture did not change but the aura surrounding him grew colder and more ominous with every breath. He felt the movement around him but he didn't dare look away from the person on the platform. He cannot. Xie Yuan's heart bled as he watched Xiao Xue shouldered the force of every strike and absorbed each damage to the matrix.
No, wonder… He thought restlessly, his fist clenching hard. None of Xiao Xue's predecessors managed to keep their lives for longer than a handful of years after performing the ritual. With careful observation, Xie Yuan finally understood how each priestess sustained critical and life-threatening injuries. Now that he's witnessing the execution of the ritual he's beginning to think that the secret annals were severely lacking in information. The narratives pale in comparison to the real thing!
Xie Yuan shuddered violently as Xiao Xue started to bleed through her nose, ears and eyes. Her face turned ghastly pale and her movements started to appear sluggish. But in the face of all that she did not fall. Xiao Xue continued to stand with her back straight and even if she was deathly tired she did not falter.
Xie Yuan was terrified but vehemently resisted the urge to fly to her side and disrupt the ritual. His heart might be chaotic but his mind is still clear. He cannot waste Xiao Xue's effort.
Seventeen hours torturously passed and by the end of the ordeal Xiao Xue looked like a battered, bloody mess. Her robes were dyed red, one cannot tell its original color. She looked like a kite at the end of its flight, barely floating as it rode the vestiges of the wind. But for the first time in Infernal Valley's history, no spiritual or demonic beast breached the barrier and not one of its citizens was hurt or lost their lives.
When the remnant of dark fog finally cleared, Xiao Xue staggered sideways but still maintained her vigilance. She did not withdraw the matrix right away. Xiao Xue meticulously scanned the barrier as she struggled to stay upright. And after observing for a while Xiao Xue took a deep breath and closed her blood stained eyes. Using the last slivers of her spiritual energy, Xiao Xue attentively fixed the small tears and dents of the barrier and after ascertaining the matrix's sustainability, she slowly retracted it.
It's over. Finally!
The crowd looked up at the platform in awe and veneration. Seventeen full hours, with legendary spiritual and demonic beasts on the assault, and the valley survived it. No spiritual or demonic beast managed to breach the barrier. No life was lost. The valley and people within were single handedly saved by the person who was now standing in peaceful solitude on the platform. Alone.
Xiao Xue leisurely tilted her head up to the heavens and smiled. "Master, your disciple did not fail you." She whispered hoarsely as tears of blood slid down her pale cheeks. With the same quiet smile still etched on her face, she turned her head towards Xie Yuan. "Ah Yu…" She weakly called out. But before she could say more her battered body tilted forward as she plunged head-first into unconsciousness.
Xie Yuan's shadow flickered as he flashed to catch Xiao Xue before she hit the bloodied platform. He lifted her fragile form in his arms and hugged her close to his chest. Never again, he vowed.
Rui Qin and Wan Yu also rushed to the platform as well, intending to block Xie Yuan, but they were much slower.
"Thank you, Young Master Xie." Rui Qin said as she eyed the man shrewdly. "For your timely assistance."
"There's a room prepared for the Priestess in the temple and…" Wan Yu barely got her words out before it was cut off by a sharp aura that was carelessly flung her way. She lithely leapt backwards with Rui Qin as another sharp aura hit the ground by their feet, halting their advance and creating a deep slit on the thick stone slab of the platform.
"What are you doing?!" Mei Ling screeched as she landed on the platform beside Wan Yu and Rui Qin.
"That was a warning in consideration of Little Xue's relation to Spirit Temple." Xie Yuan snarled, killing intent oozing out of his pores. "If you take another step I will not be liable for what I might do."
Mei Ling blanched. She could not believe Xie Yuan would go so far for Xiao Xue.
Wan Yu and Rui Qin looked at each other, helplessness mirrored in the other's eyes. If they knew it would come down to this moment they wouldn't have allowed Xie Yuan to get closer to Xiao Xue, even if it meant offending Divine Martial Sect and making an enemy out of Xie Yuan.
"What do you intend to do?" Wan Yu asked cautiously. Her eyes locked at Xiao Xue's unmoving form in Xie Yuan's embrace.
"I'm taking her away." Xie Yuan replied simply.
"Not possible! She's the high priestess of Spirit Temple," Rui Qin stated defiantly. "You cannot abduct her!" They cannot allow Xie Yuan to take Xiao Xue away, the reputation of the temple will be ruined!
The people around the platform were beginning to notice something was amiss. After they heard Rui Qin's declaration, those who know the gist of the situation were divided on who they should support. The crowd started whispering and arguing amongst themselves, debating on who's stand was stronger between the two sides. Since the person involved is currently indisposed and cannot voice out her opinion, the two sides have to sort it out themselves. Everyone was tense, expecting and at the same time fearing a clash between the two opposing forces.
Xie Yuan laughed at Rui Qin's audacious statement. Abduct? After what they've done and how they acted towards Xiao Xue they want to sweep everything away as if it never happened. They intend to exercise their right as elders of the temple and use their 'authority' to appeal to the crowd as they paint him as a brute who doesn't know his place! They're making him out as a ruffian trying to snatch their Priestess.
"I know what you intend to do and you should cease your scheming thoughts!" Xie Yuan sneered. How can he not understand how these vile women think? Now that Xiao Xue's identity as the Spirit Temple's High Priestess was revealed they want to capitalize on her current success to feed and boost their reputations. And they would do it while spouting righteous nonsense in the name of the temple so the people will not question their despicable actions. They would exploit Xiao Xue until she is no longer of use to them and then get rid of her. How could Xie Yuan allow them to succeed? To allow them to even think of such vile thoughts? "Little Xue has done her part for the temple and the valley. Whatever benevolence she received in the past, with this act, she has more than paid her due!"
It was useless. The more they argue the more secrets would be revealed and it would not be beneficial to them. Wan Yu moved first and Rui Qin wordlessly followed her lead. They flashed on Xie Yuan's sides to block his escape and surround him. Mei Ling, who's often muddle-headed, surprisingly caught on to the plan and quickly took her position. All three decisively took out their weapons and prepared to battle.
From the moment they saw them arrive, the three unanimously decided to separate Xiao Xue from Xie Yuan. After what happened today the face of Spirit Temple will only be Xiao Xue, at least until the next successor is groomed. If no one witnessed the ritual aside from the disciples of the temple, as it was supposed to be, they could bury Xiao Xue's involvement and control the disciples' thoughts and actions. But that avenue is no longer feasible.
Aside from the temple's disciples and the locals of the valley, solitary cultivators from across Lyra witnessed Xiao Xue's magnificent feat during the beast tide. People outside of the Black Highlands would soon find out about what happened and they would revere her. Xiao Xue's reputation would shoot towards the heavens and no one would question her strength again. This is the main reason why they cannot lose Xiao Xue, especially not to Xie Yuan who have shown aggressive behavior towards the three elders.
If Xie Yuan spirits Xiao Xue away everyone would know the things the elders did and how they oppressed the High Priestess. Regardless of their previous prestige, no one would want to support them again. With Xie Yuan's temper and his dissatisfaction towards them, there's a possibility that he might convince Xiao Xue to move against them and if that happens they will not be able to bear the brunt of their retaliation.
The elder's plan was simple. They would detain Xiao Xue while they raise the new priestess. At the same time, they will use her newly acquired reputation to increase the Spirit Temple's influence. If they have Xiao Xue under their control they'd be able to manage the damage to their reputation and at the same time threaten Xie Yuan with her presence. He would not move against the temple and against the elders as long as Xiao Xue is with them.
"You cannot take her!" Wan Yu exclaimed as she signaled Rui Qin and Mei Ling.
Xie Yuan detachedly watched their pronged assault. He released his fierce aura before sinisterly smiling, "I would like to know how you would stop me!"