129: Night visitor, seal keeper

Lin Xuan's voice echoed in the silent valley, the bonfire crackling, and the atmosphere instantly tensed.

The dark figure in the tree moved slightly, seemingly not expecting to be discovered so quickly. She did not immediately reveal herself, nor did she show hostility. Only her eyes, exceptionally bright in the darkness, still held scrutiny, firmly fixed on Lin Xuan.

Su Wanqing quietly gripped the frost silence sword hilt, Qu Feiyan's body faintly glowed with blood-red light, and Gongsun Yu nervously hid behind Lin Xuan.

After a moment of silence, the dark figure finally moved. She floated down from the treetop like a weightless feather, landing at the edge of the bonfire's glow. Moonlight and firelight intertwined, illuminating her appearance.

The newcomer was also a woman, appearing to be in her early twenties, dressed in a dark-colored close-fitting outfit suitable for night travel, outlining a lithe and powerful physique. Her appearance was neither Su Wanqing's cold and transcendent beauty nor Qu Feiyan's seductive charm, but rather a wild and sharp handsomeness, with a heroic spirit no less than a man's in her brows. Her skin was a healthy wheat color, and her eyes were as sharp as an eagle's. Her cultivation was clearly at the Late Golden Core Stage.

Her gaze swept over the wary Su Wanqing and Qu Feiyan, lingered briefly on Gongsun Yu, and finally settled back on Lin Xuan. Her voice was clear, with a hint of hoarseness and directness: "You are Lin Xuan?"

"It's me." Lin Xuan's expression was calm, but he was secretly vigilant. This woman could silently penetrate the outer Formation, she was definitely no ordinary Golden Core. "Your Excellency, who are you? Why visit late at night?"

The woman in black did not answer. Instead, she took something from herHuai. It was a black token, half the size of a palm, neither gold nor wood, with an ancient texture. The front was carved with a mountain pattern shrouded in mist, and the back had an ancient character 'Guard' (shǒu, guard). The token emitted faint but pure and heavy earth-elemental spiritual energy fluctuations.

Seeing this token, Su Wanqing's icy eyes suddenly narrowed, and she exclaimed in a low voice: "Mountain Guard Token?! You are from the Mountain Guard Lineage?!"

Mountain Guard Lineage?

Lin Xuan's heart stirred. Besides the various peaks and halls that were openly known, Qinglan Sect indeed had rumors of a mysterious and ancient 'Mountain Guard' Legacy, independent of the Sect's power structure, with a transcendent status. It was said to bear the responsibility of guarding the Sect's most core secrets and rarely appeared. Even True Disciple like Su Wanqing had only heard of it but never seen it.

The woman in black was not surprised that Su Wanqing recognized the token. She nodded slightly: "Mountain Guard Lineage, Luo Li." She was concise, her gaze turning back to Lin Xuan with an inquisitive look, "I was ordered to secretly monitor anomalies within the Sect. Recently, the Grand Elder's faction has been acting frequently, contacting unknown external forces, and even attempting to explore the 'Ancient Demon Sealing Site.' And you, especially you, Lin Xuan, have clashed with that dark force (Guixu Cult) multiple times, and moreover, you carry... a special Qi that makes my Mountain Guard Token react."

Her gaze was like a torch, staring at Lin Xuan: "Do you have something related to the 'Ancient Demon Sealing Site' on you? Or rather, do you know something?"

Lin Xuan and Su Wanqing exchanged glances, understanding. So she was attracted by the Qi of the nether ghost seal or the sin-slaying broken sword? The Mountain Guard Lineage was indeed closely related to the Ancient Demon Sealing Site.

"Since Miss Luo could find this place and reveal her identity, she must have already made some judgments." Lin Xuan did not answer directly, but instead counter-questioned, "What is the Mountain Guard Lineage's attitude towards the current chaos within the Sect and the infiltration of the Guixu Cult? Will you continue to live in seclusion and observe, or... set things right?"

Luo Li's heroic eyebrows raised, seemingly appreciating Lin Xuan's composure and directness. She put away the Mountain Guard Token and crossed her arms: "The Mountain Guard Lineage is only loyal to the Sect's Legacy and its duty to protect, not involved in factional disputes. But if anyone endangers the Sect's Foundation and invites external evil into our home, my Mountain Guard Lineage will be their first death warrant!"

Her tone was firm, with an unquestionable resolve.

"The Grand Elder's collusion with unknown forces has already crossed the line. My appearance this time is to investigate exactly what they intend to do, and the true identity of that external force. You, it seems, know quite a bit."

The atmosphere eased slightly. Luo Li's stance did not seem to be that of an enemy.

Lin Xuan pondered for a moment, feeling this was an Opportunity. The Mountain Guard Lineage held core information about the Ancient Demon Sealing Site, which was the assistance they desperately needed. He gestured for Su Wanqing and the others to remain calm and said to Luo Li: "We do know some things. That force is called the 'Guixu Cult,' a terrifying existence whose ultimate goal is the annihilation and end of all things. They infiltrated Qinglan Sect, and their target is precisely the Ancient Demon Sealing Site. And we are their sworn enemies."

He briefly explained the characteristics of the Guixu Cult and their discoveries in the Nether Abyss and the Gongsun Family, omitting the System and some core Opportunities, but it was enough for Luo Li to understand the seriousness of the situation.

As she listened to Lin Xuan's narration, Luo Li's expression grew more solemn, especially when she heard that the Guixu Cult was trying to use Bloodline wielders as 'sacrifices.' Her eyes shot out cold light: "They are indeed such evil cultists! No wonder their Qi is so repulsive!"

Her gaze at Lin Xuan and the others held less scrutiny and more acknowledgment and solemnity: "It seems our goals are consistent. The Ancient Demon Sealing Site must not be lost, otherwise, not only Qinglan Sect but the entire Eastern Domain will face catastrophe."

She paused, then continued: "I know what the Grand Elder and his faction are secretly preparing recently. It seems to be related to an internal Sect Ancestral Worship Ceremony, scheduled for half a month from now. I suspect they intend to use the ceremony's name to actually open or influence the Ancient Demon Sealing Site!"

Ancestral Worship Ceremony? Half a month from now?

This was undoubtedly a critical time point!

"We must stop them!" Su Wanqing stated decisively.

"Naturally." Luo Li nodded, "I will continue to investigate their specific plans in secret. You all..." She looked at Lin Xuan, "...perhaps can serve as a surprise force. After all, you have openly been branded as 'traitors.'" A slightly sarcastic curve appeared at the corner of her mouth.

"We need more detailed information about the Ancient Demon Sealing Site and the Ancestral Worship Ceremony," Lin Xuan requested.

"Understood." Luo Li readily agreed, "In three days, at this time and place, I will bring everything I know. We can then decide on a specific action plan." She acted decisively and without delay.

With that, she nodded slightly to everyone, her figure flickered, and she once again merged into the night, disappearing as silently as she had arrived.

By the bonfire, the four looked at each other, not expecting to welcome an envoy from the Mountain Guard Lineage in this secluded Ziyun Valley. The situation seemed to have become more complex, but a glimmer of hope to dispel the fog had also appeared.

"Mountain Guard Lineage... Ancestral Worship Ceremony..." Lin Xuan murmured to himself, his eyes gleaming, "It seems our return to the Sect will be sooner than expected."