SWNOVELXO Chapter 594: Withering of Qi and Blood Rice? _2
The Luo Family and the Yi Family, although victorious against Qianheng's mysterious forces, paid a significant price.
Many cultivators were severely injured in the explosions, and some even lost their lives.
Luo Ping and Yi Wan felt deep sorrow. They understood that this seemed to be just the beginning. Apart from Qianheng, there were bound to be more people targeting the Luo Family in Qingshi City as well as the Yi Family.
However, they had no idea who the "more people" Qianheng referred to might be.
This puzzle lingered, haunting them.
...
After the war, the Luo Family and Yi Family commenced their efforts to heal the wounded, while simultaneously fortifying their defenses.
They knew that the forces backing Qianheng, along with other forces lurking in the shadows, would never let them rest. Another attack was only a matter of time.
Thus, they had to be thoroughly prepared to face the forthcoming challenges.
As days passed, the Luo Family and Yi Family gradually regained their vitality.
Yet, the enigma in their hearts remained unsolved.
Who exactly were the "more people" Qianheng spoke of? Why were they targeting them?
These questions plagued their minds, refusing to be dispelled.
They knew the only way to unravel this mystery was to locate the forces backing Qianheng, along with those hidden in the dark.
Yet, those forces remained elusive.
All the Luo Family and Yi Family could do was stay vigilant, waiting for the unknown challenge to arrive.
...
Time flew by quickly.
Soon, a month had passed.
During this month, the Luo Family in Qingshi City, the Yi Family, and the entirety of the Northern Desolate Divine Continent gradually returned to the initial tranquility.
It was as if nothing had ever happened.
As though the Qing Family from Qingmu Divine State had never emerged.
Or Qianheng and the other forces hidden in the shadows.
In Qingshi City, within the Luo Family Ancestral Land.
In the room belonging to Luo Ping, the current Luo Family Patriarch.
Luo Ping sipped his tea, deep in thought about these matters.
Yet, given the gradual return to calm during this time...
He found himself quite content.
After all, no one wishes for their family or faction to remain perpetually engulfed in crisis.
"Family Head."
Suddenly, a figure entered the room slowly from outside.
The figure immediately drew the attention of Luo Yao and the group of Brain Trust members under the Luo Family of Qingshi City present in the room.
"What's the matter?"
"What happened?"
Luo Ping inquired in a low voice.
After a brief silence, the Luo clan member responded softly, "Outside Qingshi City, the Qi-Blood Rice we planted, which is significantly beneficial to the cultivation of Qi-Blood Force, has recently begun to mysteriously wither..."
"What? The Qi-Blood Rice is wilting?" Luo Ping exclaimed in shock.
Qi-Blood Rice was a special strain of rice cultivated by the Luo Family, greatly enhancing Qi-Blood Force for cultivators.
This particular strain of rice was not only extremely valuable but also a critical source of economic revenue for the Luo Family.
The mysterious wilting of Qi-Blood Rice was undoubtedly a tremendous blow to the Luo Family.
Rising to his feet immediately, Luo Ping decided he would personally inspect the Qi-Blood Rice fields.
He led a few trusted aides out of the room, heading straight for the fields.
...
Soon, Luo Ping arrived at the Qi-Blood Rice fields.
The once lush, green fields had transformed into a lifeless expanse of yellow.
The rice had all wilted, appearing utterly devoid of vitality.
Luo Ping's expression darkened as he crouched down to inspect the wilting rice closely.
He discovered that the roots of the Qi-Blood Rice had lost all vitality, as though their life force had been drained by something.
"What's going on here?" Luo Ping asked with a furrowed brow.
Nearby Luo clan members looked equally confused, shaking their heads to indicate their ignorance.
After a moment of contemplation, Luo Ping instructed, "Send people to investigate immediately. Check for any unusual activity in this area.
At the same time, strengthen the family's defenses to prevent anyone from taking advantage of this situation."
He understood that this issue was unlikely to be simple.
The wilting of Qi-Blood Rice might merely mark the beginning.
He had to be fully prepared for the challenges ahead.
...
The Luo Family quickly deployed large numbers to investigate the matter.
They soon discovered mysterious black mist lingering near the Qi-Blood Rice fields.
The mist was continuously swallowing the vitality of its surroundings, inhibiting the growth of Qi-Blood Rice.
Attempts to dispel the black mist revealed that it behaved as though alive, constantly shifting and surging, resisting all efforts to eradicate it.
To their horror, the mist appeared to be spreading.
Without prompt action, the entire Qingshi City could soon be enshrouded by the black mist.
Upon learning this, Luo Ping felt an intense wave of dread.
He knew this was far from a simple problem.
The emergence of the black mist might involve the Qingmu Divine State or other hidden forces targeting the Luo Family—or even all of Qingshi City.
Luo Ping immediately convened the family's upper echelon to deliberate a response.
They resolved to quickly locate the source of the black mist and find a way to dispel it.
Without swift action, Qingshi City itself would be in grave danger.
...
Through meticulous investigation, the Luo Family finally uncovered the origin of the black mist.
It was emanating from a long-abandoned ancient temple.
The temple lay on the outskirts of Qingshi City, having been deserted for many years.
Recently, someone had observed mysterious black mist seeping from the temple.
The Luo Family immediately dispatched a team to investigate the site.
They discovered that the temple concealed a mysterious formation.
The formation devoured vitality from its surroundings and converted it into the black mist being released.
Attempts to dismantle the formation proved futile, as its power was overwhelming, far beyond their capability to undo.
Even more alarming was that the formation seemed to be expanding in scope.
Without prompt intervention, the entire Qingshi City could soon be engulfed.
Upon hearing this, Luo Ping fell into despair.
He realized that the Luo Family alone could not resolve this crisis.
He had to seek assistance from other factions to combat this mysterious formation.
Thus, Luo Ping urgently sent out requests for aid to several allied forces.
He hoped they would dispatch experts to help the Luo Family dismantle this mysterious formation.
It was the only way to protect the peace of Qingshi City.
Qingshi City, Luo Family Conference Hall.
Luo Ping sat at the head seat with a wary expression and grave eyes.
The hall was enveloped in an oppressive atmosphere.
All present were elders and high-ranking members of the Luo Family, each wearing a worried look as conversations buzzed around.
"Family Head, the formation in that ancient temple is utterly strange. We have no means to dismantle it," an elder said in a deep voice.
"Indeed, the formation seems almost alive, endlessly siphoning vitality from its surroundings. We're helpless to stop it," another elder added.
Luo Ping sighed heavily at their words.
He knew the formation was far from ordinary.
To release such dense black mist and consume the surrounding vitality, it must possess frightening power.
What worried him even more was the formation's expanding range. If no action was taken, Qingshi City would face ruin.
"We must swiftly uncover a way to dismantle the formation," Luo Ping declared solemnly. "Additionally, we need to bolster the family's defenses to guard against those who might exploit the situation."
"The Family Head's words are wise," the elders agreed in unison.
They understood that this crisis facing the Luo Family was more severe than any before.
If the formation remained unsolved, Qingshi City might cease to exist.