After My Rebirth, I Ended Up Happily Ever After with the Saintess - Chapter 85

Just as Ye Li was immersed in preparing to refine the Void Divine Crystal, and the core members of the Silent Pavilion were ravenously cultivating their newly acquired techniques, a sudden major event, like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, instantly shattered the Xuan Yun Sect’s brief tranquility. It once again drew everyone’s attention to a location extremely sensitive to Ye Li: Black Water City!

On this day, before the morning bell had faded, a swift crimson communication talisman, like a meteor, streaked across the sky and shot directly into the Lingxiao Hall of Xuantian Peak! Immediately after, the urgent Sect Assembly Bell rang out thunderously, chiming nine times, representing the highest level of alert!

All disciples, both inner and outer, were startled by the sudden ringing of the bell. They put down their tasks and rushed towards their respective peak’s plazas. Ye Li also interrupted her cultivation, stepped out of her small courtyard, her brow furrowed slightly. The Nine-Chime Warning Bell—this was the first time she had heard it since entering the sect.

Xuantian Peak Plaza was packed with people, murmuring and speculating about what major event could have occurred.

Soon, the Sect Master Xuan Chenzi and the Elders appeared, their expressions grave. Xuan Chenzi’s gaze swept over the uneasy disciples below, and he spoke in a deep voice, his words clearly carrying across the entire plaza:

“We have just received an urgent report from the Elder stationed at Black Water City! Last night, during the Hour of the Rat, a violent earthquake occurred in the Black Water City region. Deep within the ‘Soul Burrying Mountain Range,’ a hundred miles north of the city, an ancient restriction was shattered, and a massive Ancient Cultivator’s Tomb appeared!”

The emergence of an ancient tomb! Upon hearing this, everyone was first shocked, but then many eyes showed a fiery gleam. Ancient tombs often meant opportunities and legacies!

However, Xuan Chenzi’s next words plunged everyone’s hearts:

“However, when the tomb appeared, it was accompanied by towering demonic energy, suspected to be suppressing an Ancient Demonic Entity! Even more serious is that the Zhao Family of Black Water City… was completely wiped out! Intense demonic energy remains at the scene, suggesting they were blood-sacrificed by a demonic entity or a practitioner of demonic techniques!”

Boom!

The entire plaza instantly erupted in chaos!

The Zhao Family of Black Water City was one of the foremost cultivation families in the Black Water City and surrounding area. The Patriarch, Zhao Tianlong, had a late-stage Spiritual Mansion realm cultivation, and the family’s strength was not to be underestimated! To be wiped out overnight? And to be blood-sacrificed by a demonic entity?

Connecting this to the newly emerged tomb radiating demonic energy, a terrifying conclusion surfaced in everyone’s minds: the appearance of this ancient tomb was no accident! The suppressed demonic entity might have broken free, or perhaps… an evil cultivator took the opportunity to employ a bloody method!

Standing in the crowd, Ye Li’s heart suddenly contracted upon hearing the news of “Black Water City” and “Zhao Family wiped out!” Black Water City! It’s Black Water City again! Her parents had disappeared there years ago, and now such a horrifying tragedy had occurred! And it happened precisely at the time an ancient tomb, possibly connected to the demon race, emerged!

She strongly suppressed the inner turmoil and continued to listen.

Xuan Chenzi’s tone was heavy, laced with chilling murderous intent: “Demonic entities running rampant, evil cultivators brazen! To dare commit such a massacre within my Xuan Yun Sect’s jurisdiction is a blatant provocation to our Sect’s prestige! After deliberation by the Elder Council, we are now issuing a Grade A Maximum Emergency Mission: Dispatching Elite Disciples to Black Water City immediately!”

“Mission One: Investigate the details of the ancient tomb, assess the threat of the demonic entity, and if possible, re-seal or eliminate it!”

“Mission Two: Thoroughly investigate the Zhao Family massacre, track down the demonic entity or evil cultivator, and ensure they are brought to justice!”

“Mission Three: Stabilize order in Black Water City and the surrounding area, preventing panic and the spread of demonic energy!”

“This mission is extremely dangerous, possibly involving direct confrontation with powerful demonic entities or treacherous evil cultivators! Applicants must have at least late-stage Condensation Meridian realm cultivation and undergo strict vetting! The mission reward starts at 500,000 Sect Contribution Points, with substantial additional rewards based on completion, including but not limited to high-level cultivation techniques, spiritual artifacts, and even the qualification to cultivate in the ‘Dragon Transformation Pool’!”

The Dragon Transformation Pool! That was a top-tier secret realm used by the Xuan Yun Sect to temper the body and solidify the foundation, a rare opportunity!

Heavy rewards attract brave men. Furthermore, exterminating demonic entities and upholding the righteous path was inherently the responsibility of sect disciples. Immediately, many inner and true-inheritor disciples who were confident in their strength were eager to volunteer.

But Ye Li’s thoughts were not on the rewards at all. In her mind, countless clues were frantically intertwining: Black Water City where her parents disappeared, the “Shadow Demon” suspected of colluding with Situ Kuang, the demon-energy-filled ancient tomb, the blood-sacrificed Zhao Family… Could all this just be a coincidence?

She was almost certain that this sudden event concealed a larger conspiracy! That ancient tomb might be inextricably linked to the mystery of her parents’ disappearance, the so-called “key,” and even the Reincarnation Mirror!

This was an extremely dangerous vortex, but also, it might be the perfect opportunity to uncover the truth!

Just as her mind was racing, an icy voice rang out from the high platform:

“Sect Master! Elders! Disciple Gao Sheng is willing to lead a team to eliminate the demonic entity and seek justice for the Zhao Family!” Gao Sheng stepped forward, his face full of righteous indignation, but a subtle, hard-to-detect flicker of cunning flashed deep within his eyes. Behind him followed several elite disciples from War Frenzy Peak, their aura fierce.

The moment Gao Sheng finished speaking, another clear, cold voice followed:

“Disciple Qin Yixuan, representing the Azure Water Pavilion, is willing to assist the Xuan Yun Sect in exploring the ancient tomb and eliminating the demonic threat.” Qin Yixuan, in her snow-white robes, looked calm, but her stance was clear. The Azure Water Pavilion would naturally not miss out on a relic potentially related to an ancient sect.

Following them, familiar faces like Leng Ning from Sword Peak and Huo Rong from Artifact Hall also stepped forward to volunteer.

Xuan Chenzi’s gaze swept over the volunteers and nodded: “Good! You are all the Sect’s prodigies; it is excellent that you show such responsibility! The mission roster will be finalized by Elder Mu Yun. The Sect’s airship departs in one hour!”

Elder Mu Yun’s gaze briefly paused on Ye Li, giving a subtle nod.

Ye Li understood and immediately stepped forward, announcing clearly: “Disciple Ye Li is willing to go!”

Her announcement once again drew the attention of the entire audience. Given her current strength and reputation, participating in this mission was only natural.

Gao Sheng glanced at Ye Li, a cold, curved smile appearing at the corner of his mouth, seemingly unsurprised by her participation—perhaps even carrying a hint of anticipation.

After the registration ended, everyone dispersed to make their final preparations.

Ye Li returned to Cloud Elixir Peak, her eyes filled with immense gravity. Using her sub-mirror, she issued a maximum alert to all core members of the Silent Pavilion:

“Black Water City has experienced a major upheaval, an ancient tomb has emerged, the Zhao Family was massacred, and demonic energy is rampant. I will be heading there with the Sect’s team. A shocking conspiracy may lie behind this event, possibly closely related to the vengeance for my parents and the clues we have investigated previously. All of you must maintain deep concealment and absolutely must not approach Black Water City without my command! Lin Feng and Zhi He, having just received your legacies, your priority is to consolidate your cultivation and break through as quickly as possible. Everything else will be discussed upon my return!”

She had to ensure the safety of the Silent Pavilion, preventing them from being drawn into what was clearly a massive trap possibly aimed at her.

After sending the message, Ye Li swiftly organized her gear. Pills, talismans, formation disks, the Profound Ice Sword… she checked every item thoroughly. She knew this trip to Black Water City would be a more treacherous dragon’s den than the Northern Realm. But she had no choice; the truth might be there. The answer to her parents’ disappearance might lie within that demon-energy-shrouded ancient tomb.

An hour later, three massive Sect battleships took to the air, carrying the elite disciples and Elders for this mission. Like arrows shot from a bow, they sped towards Black Water City.

Aboard the battleships, Ye Li stood alone at the railing, gazing at the rapidly passing mountains and rivers below. The strong wind whipped her hair, but her eyes were sharp as a blade.

Black Water City, the place of mystery that had haunted her heart for years, she was finally going to set foot there again. And this time, she was no longer the powerless girl seeking the truth. She would use the sword in her hand to cut through the fog and shatter the conspiracy!

“No matter who is behind this, no matter how dangerous it is, I will uncover the full truth!”