Chapter Fifty-Three: The End of the World

"Indeed! Elder Qian! It would be one thing if the town were fine, but the moment trouble strikes there, the entire Wudang Mountain is thrown into a state of tension!"

"You know as well as I do that those children are not to be trifled with!"

Qi Yun spoke with a touch of melancholy, using this to express just how difficult it was to mentor the new initiates.

"How old are you all? Do you really think a child could provide you with any significant intelligence?"

Elder Qian shook his head, walked to the bedside, and placed his hand on Mo Shan's pulse.

Yesterday, he had discovered that a trace of true energy was still circulating through Mo Shan's meridians, flowing in a cycle that was even repairing the internal injuries in his organs, particularly his viscera.

That was why he had channeled his own true energy into the boy's body. He had found that the meridians were slightly wider than those of an ordinary person, and there was an indescribable, strange sensation—he simply did not feel like a normal person!

In any case, as long as the true energy could heal the wounds, that was all that mattered. He had been curious and tested it briefly, only to find that even after infusing half of his energy, he had yet to "fill" Mo Shan's meridians.

That had piqued his interest, and he continued to channel energy while observing the boy's body for any unusual reactions. Before he knew it, he had filled them, and he was forced to stop.

Now, checking the meridians again, he found that the internal organs had mostly recovered.

The boy's face was pale, indicating a severe loss of blood and qi; he would need to consume various blood-replenishing medicinal herbs to recover.

"How is he, Senior? Will he be able to wake up before noon today?" Nangong Bingyun asked urgently. If he truly could not wake, she would have no choice but to return home herself to see what had happened.

Relying on others had never been a good thing! After all, her father and sister were there, and their fates remained unknown.

No sooner had she spoken than the sound of "tap-tap" footsteps echoed from outside the door, appearing extremely hurried.

"Report! Sect Master... there is an urgent letter from the military!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the messenger wiped the sweat from his forehead, took a deep breath, and stood outside the hall.

...

Hearing the voice from outside, they paused for a moment, caught off guard.

"What! An urgent military letter? Bring it in at once!"

Taiyue hesitated for a moment before quickly signaling for the person outside to deliver it. He had a vague premonition that this was related to the bizarre situation occurring in the town.

"The tide of demons is approaching, geology is shifting, and energy sources are being destroyed. We hope the military, the Academy, and even the Genetic Sequence organizations will do their utmost to save the people.

Preserve scientific research capabilities and develop new energy sources as quickly as possible.

Only then will we have a chance to rise above in the future, rather than regressing to the dinosaur age of ancient times, where everything returns to zero and becomes fuel for the people of the next century!

Survival is the common hope of all humanity in Huaxia and across the Blue Star."

At the bottom of the letter was a mark:

The Huaxia Federal Energy Bureau!

A unique emblem!

The dragon-and-phoenix-like insignia spoke to the extraordinary nature of the letter.

Taiyue slowly read the text aloud, his grave expression reflecting the immense importance of the missive.

"Sect Master Taiyue! General Tang Heng of Cube City has entrusted me with a message for you!"

The soldier who delivered the letter stood in the center of the hall, his chest heaving as he spoke in a resonant voice.

"Speak!"

Taiyue gave a solemn military salute to the messenger.

"General Tang Heng requests that you go and rescue the national scientists deep within the great desert! Because order in Cube City is poor, the General cannot afford to leave!"

The soldier's voice remained loud and clear; he showed no sign of servility despite the difference in status.

"Very well!"

Taiyue replied instinctively. After all, as the head of a sect, how could he fail to do such a simple thing?

"Where are the researchers trapped? Can you take us there?" Taiyue asked gravely.

"We only know they are deep in the desert, three hundred meters underground!" the soldier replied, his expression unchanged.

"Hm!" Taiyue looked suspicious.

"Sect Master Taiyue, could we step aside to speak?" the soldier continued.

"It is fine! Everyone here is someone I trust," Taiyue said with a wave of his hand, showing no concern.

"The Huaxia Federal Bureau left some things unsaid!" The soldier looked troubled, but continued, "According to the artificial intelligence 'Xi' and the judgment of the Huaxia Federal Bureau..."

"A thousand years ago, a meteorite descended from space. Before its energy was exhausted, it suddenly vanished, and in the vicinity of individual meteorites, several humans appeared out of thin air!"

"Then, a massive beam of light shot out from beyond the heavens, causing a series of bizarre phenomena that science cannot explain. Near Wudang Mountain, on the edge of the great desert, one such meteorite vanished and transformed into a human!"

"According to our deductions, he came to the town, which led to this catastrophe! His ultimate target was Wudang Mountain. He is a youth, about twelve or thirteen years old! His name is Mo Shan!"

"One final warning, Sect Master Taiyue: this is no laughing matter!"

The soldier spoke with a rare emphasis, his voice trembling slightly. Compared to saving the scientists, the people of Wudang Mountain were far more important.

"Mo Shan!"

Taiyue murmured the name, his gaze suddenly shifting to the youth lying behind him!

The Hall of Cultivating Heart fell into sudden, dead silence, as if they were all casting doubt upon Mo Shan.

Nangong Bingyun's feelings were even more complex; the sword she carried on her back was trembling slightly.

"I believe in that boy! His body is no different from a common person's; he is definitely not of the Demon Clan!" Elder Qian, seeing the expressions of doubt around him, spoke up hurriedly.

"Then do you think it is that boy?" Taiyue asked doubtfully, nodding at Elder Qian to show he understood.

"Report, Sect Master Taiyue! I have no right to know those details! Besides, you said yourself that everyone here is someone you trust." The soldier spoke without hesitation. Clearly, he did not know much himself; he was merely a messenger and was not privy to many secrets.

"Did you run all the way up here?" Taiyue asked. When the soldier first entered the hall, Taiyue had observed him carefully; the boy had been trembling slightly and panting heavily.

Now his face was ashen, likely because he could not handle the extreme cold on the mountain.

"Thank you for your concern, Sect Master Taiyue! General Tang Heng is waiting for me in Cube City to help maintain order! I cannot stay any longer!"

For the first time, a smile appeared on the soldier's face. The feeling of being cared for was quite pleasant!

"You are truly freezing!"

Taiyue smiled, and as his palms moved, his robes detached themselves automatically.

The loose garment, as if alive, flew onto the soldier's shoulders.

The soldier's expression softened further; he had never experienced such a sensation before. He bowed slightly to express his gratitude.

"Thank you for your concern, Sect Master! I will descend the mountain on my own!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than he turned and left without a moment's hesitation.

"Summon all the Hall Masters to the main hall to discuss our strategy!"

After the soldier left, Taiyue spoke urgently. "And Nangong Bingyun, do not kill that... boy for now."

"I grant you permission to go down the mountain and check on your family! But you must return before nightfall."

Taiyue hurriedly issued a series of tasks and walked out of the side hall without stopping.