Volume 8, Chapter 476 – With Me Here, Who Dares Mend the Heavens? (Part 3)

When Lu Yao followed the crowd to the Immortal Alliance’s headquarters, the area was already packed with people. The masses, filled with righteous indignation, shouted slogans opposing the mending of the heavens and desperately pushed forward, trying to break in and draw the attention of the high-ranking cultivators.

Meanwhile, inside the Immortal Alliance’s main hall, Alliance Leader Du was discussing the final details of the mending operation with the others.

“Everyone, time waits for no one. Since all preparations are complete, we should set out as soon as possible. But who will be responsible for delivering the spatial ring beyond the earth?”

Alliance Leader Du glanced around as he posed the question.

The few Heavenly Tribulation Realm old-timers exchanged glances, none stepping forward to take on this responsibility. After all, none of them were fools. Once their divine sense was exhausted, what if they encountered danger afterward?

“I understand your concerns. The cultivator responsible for delivering the spatial ring will not need to participate in the subsequent mending. Once the task is complete, they may return to the cultivation continent at their leisure.”

Alliance Leader Du made this concession with an air of magnanimity.

“What? They can return immediately after completing the task?”

The old-timers’ eyes lit up. If that were the case, then delivering the spatial ring could be considered a cushy job. After all, no one could confirm whether the gaps in the heavens posed any danger.

“I’ll do it. This old woman is already advanced in years and in poor health. It would be difficult for me to linger long in the airless void of the stars. I wouldn’t want to hold everyone back.”

The old woman surnamed Zeng was the first to speak.

“Fellow Daoist Zeng, you’re mistaken. Everyone knows that leaving the cultivation continent is an extremely strenuous task. Given your age, how could you possibly shoulder this responsibility?”

“Indeed. If something were to happen to you midway, would we have to prioritize helping you or mending the heavens?”

“Let me handle it. My cultivation has already reached the third layer of the Heavenly Tribulation Realm, second only to Alliance Leader Du. I guarantee I can safely deliver the spatial ring beyond the earth without holding anyone back!”

The other old-timers immediately voiced their objections.

“Hmph…”

The old woman surnamed Zeng snorted coldly. Even a fool could tell what these old foxes were scheming.

“Seeing everyone so eager to volunteer brings me great joy. To ensure fairness, let us decide by drawing lots!”

Alliance Leader Du’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. As soon as he spoke, the old-timers’ faces fell in disappointment.

Alliance Leader Du promptly prepared the lots and had the old-timers draw them. Whoever drew the number one would be responsible for delivering the spatial ring.

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In the end, the old woman surnamed Zeng emerged victorious, she had drawn the number one lot. The other old-timers were so furious their faces turned ashen.

“I thank my fellow Daoists for yielding to me!”

The old woman surnamed Zeng wore a mocking smile.

“Very well. Since that’s settled, Fellow Daoist Zeng will deliver the spatial ring beyond the earth, while the rest of us will proceed to the gaps in the heavens.”

Alliance Leader Du finalized the decision.

“Alliance Leader, a large crowd of mortals has gathered outside the headquarters. They are shouting slogans opposing the mending of the heavens and are desperately trying to break in.”

At that moment, a disciple hurried in to report.

“Understood.”

Alliance Leader Du pondered briefly before turning to a tall, burly middle-aged cultivator beside him.

“Guardian Lei, please deal with those mortals. If they refuse to listen, suppress them with thunderous force. I have no time to waste on these buzzing flies.”

“Yes!”

Guardian Lei accepted the order and strode out.

‘Suppress them?’

Qi Huang, upon hearing this, burned with fury. She wished she could immediately possess Lu Yao’s body and charge in, but separated by time and space, she was powerless.

“Fellow Daoists, you must have noticed the mortals outside. I am truly curious, who among us leaked the news of our mending operation?”

Alliance Leader Du’s smile turned icy.

The cultivators below exchanged uneasy glances, fear flickering across their faces.

Old Man Cao frowned and glanced at Zhang Zhi beside him, a sense of foreboding rising in his heart.

“I made it very clear before what this leak means for us cultivators. Yet someone still chose to defy me. It seems I have been too lenient!”

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Alliance Leader Du’s smile vanished entirely as he stood up, sweeping his gaze imperiously over the assembly.

“Only those present in this hall knew of this matter. Who was it? Step forward now, and I may grant you a chance to redeem yourself.”

The hall was deathly silent. No one dared to speak.

“You refuse to come forward? Then don’t blame me for abandoning camaraderie.”

Alliance Leader Du’s expression twisted into something vicious as he turned to Old Man Cao.

“Fellow Daoist Cao, at noon yesterday, where was your disciple?”

Old Man Cao trembled slightly but forced himself to remain composed.

“Alliance Leader Du, why do you ask?”

“Why? Then you should ask him why he leaked the news about mending the heavens!”

Alliance Leader Du descended the steps one by one, his gaze sharp as a blade.

‘How does Alliance Leader Du know it was Zhang Zhi who leaked the information?’

Qi Huang was stunned.

“Alliance Leader Du, as the leader of the Immortal Alliance, shouldn’t you base your words and actions on evidence? If you accuse me, where is your proof?”

Zhang Zhi, however, remained calm as he countered.

“You want proof? Then I shall oblige!”

Alliance Leader Du raised his right hand, where a mirror-like object suddenly appeared. It resembled a bronze mirror but had a telescopic tube attached to it.

“A Shadow-Retaining Mirror! It’s a Shadow-Retaining Mirror!”

A well-informed cultivator exclaimed.

‘A Shadow-Retaining Mirror? This world has those too?’

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Qi Huang was shocked once again.

The mirror began projecting a scene, Zhang Zhi disguising himself and leaking the information.

“Now, what do you have to say for yourself?”

Alliance Leader Du put away the mirror and demanded.

“You insolent wretch! How dare you betray the Immortal Alliance’s secrets to those mortals!”

“If the mending operation is hindered because of this, you will be a sinner to the entire cultivation world!”

“Fellow Daoists, allow me to execute this traitor with a single palm strike. Our ranks cannot tolerate such a turncoat!”

The cultivators in the hall erupted in fury, all turning against Zhang Zhi.

“Ah, Zhang Zhi… Zhang Zhi… Why didn’t you listen to your master’s words?”

Old Man Cao sighed heavily, shaking his head.

“Do you want to know how I uncovered your treachery? It’s simple. Days ago, you spoke rebellious words in this very hall. I suspected you might betray us, so I placed you under surveillance. And lo and behold, I was right.”

Alliance Leader Du sneered.

‘This old fox is truly cunning.’

Qi Huang’s heart chilled. It seemed no world was without such schemers.

“Out of respect for Fellow Daoist Cao, I will spare your life. But though death may be avoided, punishment is inevitable. How do you intend to atone?”

Alliance Leader Du’s voice was dark with menace.

“Let us in! Does the Immortal Alliance not understand what mending the heavens means?”

“What mending? The heavens have opened their eyes, they don’t need your meddling!”

“Exactly! The heavens have taken away the Yin energy, eradicating evil spirits. This is a blessing for us mortals! Why must you obstruct it? Were all your claims about protecting the people just lies?”

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Outside the headquarters, a dense crowd of mortals fought desperately to break in, determined to stop the mending operation.

“Get lost! Or don’t blame us for being ruthless!”

The guards grew increasingly impatient, drawing their swords in warning.

“Ruthless? So what? If you cultivators won’t give us a way to live, then we won’t let you live in peace either! Even if we must paint this ground with our blood, we’ll make you work to clean it!”

“That’s right! Since the Yin energy outbreak, which family hasn’t lost ancestors to those evil spirits? Just as our descendants were about to see better days, you insist on reversing fate. Even if we die today, we’ll return as vengeful ghosts to devour you!”

“You have swords? Then use them! Kill us all if you dare! Let’s see how the Immortal Alliance can still stand in the Anyang Empire after this!”

The mortals pressed forward fearlessly, their chests pressing against the swords of the Immortal Alliance disciples. Many had their clothes soaked in blood, yet none so much as blinked.

The disciples retreated step by step, fear creeping into their expressions. They had never seen mortals like this, more numb and frenzied than zombies.

“Fellow countrymen, please listen to Lei’s words.”

At that moment, Guardian Lei stepped out and raised his voice.

“Who told you the Immortal Alliance intends to mend the heavens?”

The crowd hesitated, unsure how to respond.

“Will you believe baseless rumors? Go home! Why would the Immortal Alliance do such a thing?”

Guardian Lei waved his hand dismissively.

The mortals murmured among themselves, uncertain.

“Hahaha! All men must die, but some deaths are weightier than Mount Tai, others lighter than a feather. I, Zhang Zhi, testify, the Immortal Alliance is indeed discussing the mending of the heavens inside!”

Suddenly, Zhang Zhi’s booming voice echoed from within the headquarters, resounding through the streets.

“You seek death!”

In the main hall, Alliance Leader Du exploded with rage and vanished in an instant.