Chapter 137: Playing the Zither

"Why are people from the Immortal Realm coming to the Heavenly Martial Realm?"

"It's over. The Heavenly Martial Realm is likely headed for chaos. Any random person coming from that side is an existence that no one in this realm can contend with!"

Changsun Chengluo stood within the Changsun family estate. He stared up at the sky, his eyes filled with profound gravity.

Across the entire territory of Southern Yi, every sect and every cultivator was lost in speculation. No one knew the true reason behind this event. Some believed the anomaly in the heavens was caused by demons or ghosts, while others were convinced it was the arrival of immortals. In short, rumors spread like wildfire, and everyone felt a sense of impending doom.

...

At this moment, within the Profound Yellow Sea of Clouds, the once-calm expanse was now seething with turbulence. The clouds churned violently, swirling like a basin of murky water. Had one stood at the edge of this sea, they would have seen a massive, magnificent tree standing amidst the mist. Its branches stretched out to connect with the heavens; it was the World Tree, existing to guard the boundaries of the realm.

As the clouds churned, the tree swayed frantically. It seemed to be repelling and resisting, striving to force out those who refused to abide by the laws of the Heavenly Dao.

"Heh, I didn't expect the Soul-Searching Sect of Cloud City to be somewhat useful. Their power is actually quite decent."

"Hmph, they must have spent a fortune in Realm Stones to achieve this. The World Tree can no longer hold them back. Our plan is nearing success!"

At the edge of the Profound Yellow Sea of Clouds, Yang Li watched the scene coldly, a sneer playing on his lips.

"As expected! If the Immortal Realm truly wants to cross boundaries, a mere rule of the lower world cannot stop them." Shen Bing picked up his teacup and took a sip. The atmosphere on their side had improved significantly.

"Once the Soul-Searching Sect exhausts the World Tree to a certain point and they capture Ming Yexin, we will be able to reap the rewards and claim the World Tree of this realm for ourselves!"

Had they not slaughtered so many holy sites within the Heavenly Martial Realm precisely to drain the energy from the World Tree? It was well known that the World Tree of any realm was deeply connected to its living beings. When the most powerful entities of a world perished, the World Tree would inevitably degenerate and lose its strength, providing them with an opportunity to infiltrate.

However, just as they were on the verge of success, some shocking existence had emerged in Southern Yi, preventing them from seizing the World Tree. This had forced them to resort to such elaborate measures. The Soul-Searching Sect’s expenditure of so many Realm Stones during this descent was equivalent to burning away the energy of the World Tree itself.

All they had to do now was wait to harvest the benefits.

...

The entire Heavenly Martial Realm was focused on the sky. The people of Southern Yi were gripped by panic.

In Zhu Xiaoyuan's courtyard, the expressions of Ruofeng and the others shifted dramatically.

"What is happening? Why does it feel as if the sky has been torn open? Will someone appear from the heavens soon?" Long Ruxuan felt the sky pressing down with an suffocating weight, leaving him short of breath.

"Could it be that someone is crossing the boundaries?" Ruofeng asked.

Crossing the boundaries? An Yue'er and Leng Qianxue were startled by these words. They quickly realized it was highly likely to be people from the Immortal Realm. They had descended?

"To think they would come so quickly! And cause such a massive disturbance!" An Yue'er looked at the sky, unable to suppress her words. "We have truly brought disaster upon ourselves this time."

Leng Qianxue stared blankly at the heavens.

Xinjing’s large eyes remained fixed on the sky without blinking. Fear etched across her face, she walked over to Zhu Xiaoyuan and tugged on his sleeve. "Brother, I'm scared!"

Zhu Xiaoyuan crouched down and patted the little girl's head. "Be good, don't be afraid."

"I'm afraid that bad people are coming to take Xinjing away. Brother, I'm really scared..."

Zhu Xiaoyuan smiled and gently pinched the girl's cheek; it felt quite soft. "Don't be afraid. Do not panic; your brother will protect you. Besides, this is just thunder!"

After saying this, he stood up and scanned the courtyard, noticing that every disciple looked somewhat panicked. He chuckled, surprised by how timid his disciples were. Even the grown men looked flustered. After all, what was there to fear from a little thunder?

"Ruofeng!" Zhu Xiaoyuan called out. "Since everyone is troubled by the state of the sky, why don't you play a melody to soothe their hearts?"

Ruofeng’s skill with the zither had improved recently. If everyone heard beautiful music, their attention would surely be diverted, and they would no longer be afraid.

Ruofeng was stunned when her name was called. Her master wanted her to play now? What did he mean by this? Was he asking her to pit her music against the immortals about to cross the boundary? Ruofeng felt incredibly insecure. Those were surely beings far more powerful than ordinary immortals. Could her current level even compare to theirs?

Her heart hammered against her ribs. But then, seeing Zhu Xiaoyuan standing nearby, completely calm and unbothered, she suddenly realized: if her master had told her to act, what was there to fear? As long as he was here, she knew nothing would go wrong! Furthermore, since he had asked, there must be a reason.

"Ruofeng will set up the zither!"

She placed the Kongjue Zither down and sat before it. Taking a deep breath, she placed her hands on the strings. Within a single breath, she began to play.

Leisurely notes flowed from the zither, accompanied by wisps of immortal charm drifting through the air. An Yue'er and Leng Qianxue were astonished!

"Lady Ruofeng, has she already become an immortal?" They could hardly believe it. It had been only two months since Ruofeng appeared by Zhu Xiaoyuan's side.

"Only two months, and she is already an immortal? How is this possible?" Leng Qianxue’s mouth hung open, unable to contain her shock.

Soon, Ruofeng became fully immersed in the melody. It was captivating, pulling everyone in. Long Ruxuan and the others listened, feeling a sudden, profound sense of tranquility wash over them. The previous terror vanished completely.

*Since Master has commanded it,* Ruofeng thought, *I shall now actively project my music into the sky to contend with those crossing the boundary!*