Chapter 86: Chapter 86: Gu Zhengfei’s Gesture of Goodwill, Gift of Flying Spirit Artifact
"Ji Haoyuan, immediately take your people to the Red Jade Spiritual Ore and slay the enemy cultivators."
There was no emotion discernible in this Divine Thought.
But Gu Zhengfei, Su Wen Yuan, and the others present immediately understood.
This Divine Thought didn’t mention Yuan Shanglong’s death.
The implication was very clear.
As a Golden Core True Man, not stating an opinion was precisely the best stance.
"Yes!
I will head to the Red Jade Spiritual Ore at once and will not let the True Man be disappointed!"
Ji Haoyuan’s response was swift.
He immediately bowed towards the direction from which the Divine Thought emanated.
"Good!"
A voice echoed back from the void.
Soon after, everyone present felt the Divine Thought that had been enveloping the City Lord’s Hall dissipate.
Seeing this, everyone instinctively looked toward Ji Haoyuan.
Their eyes displayed varied emotions.
Even Su Wen Yuan, who had some past dealings with Ji Haoyuan, hesitated, wondering whether to step forward and mend their relationship.
However, while some were hesitant, others thoughtful or weighing their options, Gu Zhengfei, as the Hall Master of the Crimson Sunset Sect’s Inheritance Hall, stepped forward first with a smile and fist salute towards Ji Haoyuan:
"Junior Brother Ji, the journey to the Red Jade Spiritual Ore is somewhat long.
If you fly merely using a Spiritual Artifact, it would be too slow and exhausts too much Magical Power.
Coincidentally, I have an extra Flying Spirit Artifact, named the Cloud-Piercing Shuttle, perfectly suited for your journey, Junior Brother Ji."
With that, Gu Zhengfei waved his hand.
A flying shuttle of silver and grey hue appeared unexpectedly before Ji Haoyuan.
Seeing Gu Zhengfei’s gesture, many cultivators of the Crimson Sunset Sect, including Su Wen Yuan, couldn’t help but feel regretful.
They secretly cursed their slow reactions.
Especially Su Wen Yuan.
Given his prior dealings with Ji Haoyuan, he was the most likely to become a "friend" with him.
But unfortunately, due to various considerations and hesitations, he ultimately missed this opportunity.
In the future, it might be quite difficult to form a deep connection with him.
"Senior Brother Gu is too kind."
Ji Haoyuan timely returned the salute with a smile to Gu Zhengfei.
Though the latter had teamed up with Yuan Shanglong earlier to use a third-tier Array to try and kill him.
Ji Haoyuan understood very clearly then that Gu Zhengfei was acting under compulsion.
From his true intentions, he didn’t want to take such actions.
He only acted due to his position within the Crimson Sunset Sect.
Ji Haoyuan was not someone who stubbornly looks at actions without understanding intentions.
Moreover, the other side had presented him with a second-tier Flying Spirit Artifact as a gesture of goodwill.
Knowing the value of a Flying Spirit Artifact, which far exceeds ordinary offensive and defensive artifacts.
He had no reason to reject the other’s apology and goodwill.
After all, he was currently an Honored Guest Elder of the Crimson Sunset Sect.
Future interactions with Gu Zhengfei and the sect’s high-ranking members were inevitable.
The other’s identity was also the Hall Master of the Sect’s Inheritance Hall.
He would definitely need the other’s assistance in the future.
Rather than unwarrantedly creating an "enemy" for himself, it was better to accept goodwill and make an ally.
"Haha!
As long as Junior Brother Ji doesn’t blame me."
Gu Zhengfei laughed heartily at this moment.
"This journey to the Red Jade Spiritual Ore is bound to be perilous. I hope Junior Brother Ji takes self-preservation as the priority.
Here, I wish Junior Brother Ji a triumphant success!"
Having said this, Gu Zhengfei solemnly cupped his fists at Ji Haoyuan once again.
Seeing this, others present also cupped their fists towards Ji Haoyuan.
"Wishing Fellow Daoist Ji a triumphant success!"
...
In a short while.
A streak of silver-grey Escape Light swiftly shot out from the City Lord’s Hall.
Ji Haoyuan, Liu Hongyu, Feng Wanqing, and Qiu Zeyuan stood atop this Cloud-Piercing Shuttle.
Indeed, the speed of this shuttle, powered by Magical Power, was considerably faster than their normal flight.
Most importantly, riding this shuttle required no expenditure of Magical Power, only the insertion of Spirit Stones.
This was undoubtedly a valuable asset for Ji Haoyuan and his companions as they prepared for an impending battle.
At this moment.
On the flying shuttle.
Liu Hongyu, Feng Wanqing, and Qiu Zeyuan were all quite excited.
Especially after they learned that Ji Haoyuan was now an Honored Guest Elder of the Crimson Sunset Sect, they knew their initial choice was indeed correct.
From now on.
Their families on the side of the Crimson Sunset Sect would have backing.
Seemingly sensing their emotions, Ji Haoyuan turned and smiled at them.
"My friends, I remember today’s events clearly.
In the future, if there is anything where you need help, feel free to send me a message.
As long as it is within my power, I will not refuse."
As he said this, his expression turned serious, looking at them intently, and said earnestly:
"During the upcoming battle, you don’t need to fight alongside me; just protect the people from our respective families.
If there are any enemy remnants during that time, you can decide based on their strength whether or not to intercept.
Leave the rest to me."
Hearing this, Liu Hongyu, Feng Wanqing, and Qiu Zeyuan’s expressions became serious.
"Yes!
We will act according to your words, Fellow Daoist Haoyuan, and will not act recklessly."
At this, the three could not help but think of something, their faces showing a hint of worry.
Feng Wanqing spoke, "Fellow Daoist Haoyuan, do you think the cultivators from our families might be in a dire situation now?"
This was their most pressing concern at the moment.
Since some time had passed since the incident occurred.
Ji Haoyuan’s expression also turned slightly grave.
The matter was uncertain even to him.
They would have to rely on their own fate.
After a long time.
At the site of the Red Jade Spiritual Ore.
Thick black Demonic Qi was surging.
Amidst it echoed countless ominous, wretched wails.
Several Foundation Establishment Demon Cultivators in Netherworld Sect’s attire hovered in the void.
Behind them were dozens to hundreds of Qi Refining Stage Demon Cultivators, each holding an Array Flag.
They channeled layers of demonic clouds into the Array Plates in the hands of the Foundation Establishment Demon Cultivators, causing these Array Plates to emit continuous black lights filled with various negative emotions.
Gradually weakening the Spirit Light of the defensive array around the Red Jade Spiritual Ore.
Making it dim and even tainted with filth.
If this trend continued, it was estimated that in no time, the Defense Array at the spiritual ore would be completely breached.
"This can’t be, Junior Sister Lin, the array might not hold for much longer.
Even with those Qi Refining cultivators we lured into the array pouring their Magical Power into it, it’s hard to keep it intact."
Inside the Red Jade Spiritual Ore.
An elderly man in grey, around sixty, looked gravely at the young female cultivator beside him, who was wearing a blue dress, with skin like snow and an exceptionally graceful face.