CHAPTER 491: CHAPTER 238: FIERY METEORS DESCEND FROM THE SKY, AN OMINOUS SIGN (SEEKING MONTHLY VOTES)

"If it were up to me, there wouldn’t be any problem, but I’m just worried that it might be some other reason that’s causing such celestial phenomena."

Shen Changqing’s brows furrowed tightly. He trusted his premonition.

Without reason, such feelings would definitely not arise.

The only explanation was that something unfavorable must be happening to him.

Mu Qing’s expression also turned grave. "Defender Shen’s concern is not without reason. Any unusual celestial and terrestrial phenomenon wouldn’t just appear out of thin air. The strange occurrences we are witnessing right now, I’m afraid, indicate that something significant is indeed happening."

Much like Shen Changqing, a bad premonition was in his heart as well. That premonition made Mu Qing feel very uncomfortable.

"Has Defender Ji come out of seclusion?"

Shen Changqing thought of Ji Tianlu, the Dominator of the Demon-Subduing Division in Mountain-Breaking City, who hadn’t been seen for a long time. Even if he was seriously injured at the hands of Shimohe, after such a long time, he should have more or less recovered.

Upon hearing this, Mu Qing said, "It should be any day now, just a few more days."

"That’s good then."

Shen Changqing nodded and then called for Xing Yi.

"Have the Heavenly Inspection Guard investigate what is causing such a celestial phenomenon and report to me immediately."

"Yes!"

Xing Yi took the order.

After his departure, the thunder in the sky continued for a while before slowly dissipating.

「That night,」

when it should have been dark, the sky over South Nether Prefecture lit up as bright as day. It was as if a ball of fierce fire was burning brilliantly in the sky, painting the horizon a bright red.

Under everyone’s watchful eyes, the fiery clouds lingered for a while before gradually fading away. Immediately after, meteors fell from the firmament, causing turmoil throughout South Nether Prefecture.

"Meteors falling!"

Shen Changqing watched the scene of meteors falling with a very grave expression in his eyes.

He initially thought that, after a bit of persistence, the celestial phenomenon would disappear.

Little did he expect that the anomaly of thunder was just the beginning; more different phenomena followed.

For a moment, Shen Changqing was greatly shaken inside.

He didn’t understand just what kind of event could cause such disturbances.

"In the thirty-first year of Great Qin, the Sun and Moon were devoid of light, stars fell from Heaven, and meteors accompanied them—"

A calm voice came through, and Shen Changqing turned his head to see Ji Tianlu’s figure.

At that moment, although Ji Tianlu’s face was calm, a closer look revealed a hint of shock.

He gazed at the strange spectacle between Heaven and Earth, his face full of emotion.

"This scene is so similar to the records of ancient times! If it were not for the lack of falling stars and only the presence of meteors, I might suspect another large-scale Demon Evil invasion!"

"Defender Ji has left his seclusion."

Shen Changqing knew that what the other was referring to was the phenomenon that heralded the arrival of Demon Evil over three hundred years ago.

Indeed, the phenomenon of meteors falling from the sky today was extremely similar to that time.

The difference, however, was that there were no falling stars between Heaven and Earth, and he hadn’t sensed the presence of any Yin Evil Aura.

"Yes, but I never thought I would encounter such a phenomenon just as I left seclusion. It’s really unexpected," said Ji Tianlu, his expression emotional, devoid of the joy of coming out of seclusion.

No one would be happy in the face of such a celestial spectacle.

Gazing at the meteor showers, Shen Changqing spoke, "With Defender Ji’s years of experience, can you deduce the possible cause of such a phenomenon?"

"It’s not easy to say. There are many possible causes for such phenomena, just like when Defender Shen’s previous cultivation of Martial Arts summoned the thunder. Moreover, I have never seen such intense and abnormal celestial events before."

Ji Tianlu shook his head. Although he was widely traveled and experienced, he knew very little about celestial and terrestrial phenomena.

"But one thing I can be sure of: the appearance of such a phenomenon is definitely not a good sign," Ji Tianlu added.

Shen Changqing said nothing, merely watching silently as the meteors fell.

Fortunately, even though meteors were falling from the sky, they did not fall toward Mountain-Breaking City. Judging by the direction of the falling meteors, they were at least a thousand miles away.

That night was fated to be a sleepless one for South Nether Prefecture.

Whether Martial Artists or ordinary folks, everyone’s minds were stirred by the heavenly events, and it was impossible to sleep peacefully.

Moreover, some locations were precisely where the meteors hit, resulting in numerous casualties.

「Within Qingyu Sect,」

Chang Yin suddenly erupted, unleashing all the strength from his Flesh, drawing his sword from his waist. The chilling sword light, like a sweeping arc, fiercely cleaved through the sky above with tremendous force.

The next instant, a meteor descended.

The two forces collided. The sword light violently shimmered but persevered to scatter the meteor.

The meteor shattered, breaking into countless fireballs and falling in all directions.

The Qingyu Sect Disciples, who were prepared, acted swiftly, extinguishing the fireballs falling toward the sect, preventing them from causing greater harm.

Sheathing his sword, Chang Yin’s figure slowly descended from mid-air.

Although his sword had extinguished a cluster of meteors, there was no joy on his face—only worry.

"It is rumored that over three hundred years ago, Great Qin witnessed such celestial phenomena, and it was since then that Demon Evil began to surface. Now that similar signs have appeared again, doesn’t this indicate that a powerful Demon Evil could be descending upon us?"

"Not necessarily so."

Yun Yi shook his head, a grave expression on his elderly face.

"The fiery anomaly from over three hundred years ago was preceded by falling meteors. Without any meteors this time, it isn’t necessarily related to Demon Evil. This matter is beyond the control of our Qingyu Sect; to preserve ourselves would already be considered fortunate. Let Great Qin handle the rest!"

He did not wish the Qingyu Sect to intervene in this unknown matter, especially now that the sect’s strength had diminished significantly.

What Yun Yi hoped for now was simply that the Qingyu Sect would not be affected by the chaos.

While they were talking, more fiery streaks plummeted toward Qingyu Sect.

This time, Yun Yi took action before Chang Yin could.

He threw a punch.

His fist seemed capable of pulverizing everything, forcefully scattering the falling flames.

Before the scattered fireballs could land, he struck again with a palm. His surging True Qi burst forth, swallowing the fireballs whole.

All this happened in the blink of an eye.

By the time others reacted, the falling fire had already been disposed of by Yun Yi.

"The Grand Elder is powerful!"

Some Disciples of Qingyu Sect couldn’t help but exclaim.

Compared to Chang Yin’s laborious methods, Yun Yi’s effortless handling of the falling fire won deeper admiration.

Their strengths were clearly distinguishable.

Seeing this, Chang Yin showed a look of admiration.

"The Grand Elder is truly formidable; I have much to learn!"

"Sect Master need not be so modest. With your talent, give it a few more years, and I will be the one left behind," Yun Yi said, smiling lightly.

Chang Yin’s assumption of the Sect Master role was not because of his strength, but because of his exceptional talent, which made him the top person in Qingyu Sect.

Therefore, he was qualified to occupy the position of Sect Master.

"Continue the martial law! We can’t allow the falling fire to reach the ground!"

Chang Yin first responded with a smile to the praise, then his expression turned solemn as he gave orders to the other Elders.

The power of the falling fire was no small matter, equivalent to a full-strength blow from an ordinary Grandmaster.

If it were to fall within the sect, it would inevitably cause significant casualties.

Qingyu Sect, as it was, could not afford any further turmoil.

BOOM!!

Dark energy exploded, instantly engulfing many falling fires. Yun Venerable retracted his hand and, gazing at the still-descending fire in the distance, his face did not lose its solemnity.

"Heavenly fire descending indicates an ill omen."

"Great Qin is truly in turbulent times!" he sighed deeply.

If it were merely the fire falling from the sky, Yun Venerable would not be concerned. Though the falling fire was strong, it was insignificant before him, easily extinguished with a wave of his hand.

However, what concerned him was the potential issue behind the falling fire.

Fei Yun stepped forward and asked, "What should we do now?"

"First, have the Heavenly Inspection Guard report the news," Yun Venerable said, his face stern. "Then the Demon-Subduing Division must mobilize fully. Suppress any Demon Evil that tries to take advantage of the situation, and instruct each city to help and rescue the affected civilians."

After the fire descended, there would undoubtedly be many civilians affected—a considerable force.

Each city must pacify the affected civilians as soon as possible to prevent any trouble.

Otherwise, with the Heaven Alliance already present and now unrest among the people, South Nether Prefecture would truly be riddled with problems.

"Moreover—"

He paused, then looked toward the direction of Mountain-Breaking City.

"Also send this message to Defender Shen!"

As the Defender Envoy of South Nether Prefecture, it was impossible for him to remain uninformed about the event.

Though it must be said, everyone could see the fire falling from the sky.

But seeing is seeing; whether South Sea City reported it was another matter entirely.

Thinking of Shen Changqing, Yun Venerable shook his head, feeling helpless.

An unexpected leader above him made him quite uncomfortable, yet there was nothing he could do about it.

The firefall continued for approximately several two-hour periods.

Gradually, the fire disappeared, and the firmament returned to darkness.

However, though the sky had darkened, fires still blazed in various parts of South Nether Prefecture, the aftermath of the fire’s impact.

「Inside Mountain-Breaking City,」

Shen Changqing, seeing the fires within his field of vision, quickly realized what they entailed.

"If the fire is falling, there must be affected civilians! Pass my orders: the Demon-Subduing Division is to act with full force, coordinate with each city to pacify the civilians, rescue the injured, and ensure the situation does not worsen."

"No problem."

Ji Tianlu nodded, accepting the command.

Before long, the message was passed down through the ranks, and the vast Demon-Subduing Division was thoroughly mobilized.

As the Heavenly Inspection Guard relayed the news, more signals flared into the sky.

One after another, signals went out, and every city responded in turn.

After giving the orders, Shen Changqing looked at the unextinguished fires and furrowed his brows.

"I only hope there won’t be any other issues..." he sighed.