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Chapter 162: Mountain Gate Map
Chapter 162: Mountain Gate Map
Purple Mist Mountain Range
Outskirts
Yan Jingqing stood atop a hill, a scholar's sword strapped to his back, his gaze sweeping across the mist-shrouded mountains ahead. The landscape was a mix of purple and green, and his eyes held a focused intensity as he pondered something unknown.
The Purple Mist Mountain Range was notorious for its toxic miasma, rendering a thousand li in all directions desolate and uninhabited. To block off all directions and annihilate the remnants of the Sky Corpse Sect hiding within would require the cooperation of all four major sects.
But that was clearly impossible.
As far as he knew, the Heavenly Sword Sect was situated within the inner perimeter of the Purple Mist Mountain Range and had even clashed with the Harmony Sect and the Blood Veil Tower.
The remnants of the Sky Corpse Sect had left behind numerous rare treasures. They had occupied the uninhabited mountain range for years, collecting various precious spiritual herbs, many of which were not needed for corpse refinement. It could be said that their resources were abundant.
Currently, the inner perimeter was in chaos, with various sects scrambling for the resources left behind by the Sky Corpse Sect after breaking through their stronghold. They were more inclined to casually deal with the fleeing remnants rather than actively pursuing and eliminating them.
Only Yan Jingqing's forces, including the Inspector Bureau and the Demon Slayer Bureau, had blocked off many paths near Yu Prefecture, either killing or engaging the fleeing remnants to prevent them from easily escaping into Yu Prefecture.
However, by this time, many had already escaped.
After all, the Sky Corpse Sect had the advantage of the terrain and timing in the Purple Mist Mountain Range. Their corpse refinement techniques rendered them unafraid of the toxic mist. Moreover, they had a clear understanding of when and where the mist would thin out or disperse, allowing them to move stealthily and unpredictably.
"The Heavenly Sword Sect, the Mystic Mechanism Pavilion..."
Yan Jingqing shook his head.
It was expected that the sects would scramble for resources, and all he could do was try his best to contain the remnants of the Sky Corpse Sect. Regardless, the disaster in Yu Prefecture was already inevitable.
As he pondered, a figure suddenly materialized behind him, as if coalescing from the mist.
"Elder Yan, a large number of Sky Corpse Sect remnants have escaped from the direction of the Three Passes."
"Hmm?"
Yan Jingqing furrowed his brows slightly and asked, "Why didn't the Hao family's forces stationed there report this earlier?"
The person behind him whispered, "All of the Hao family's people have disappeared."
"..."
Yan Jingqing's slightly furrowed brows gradually relaxed, and he said calmly, "I see. Go and deploy a reserve team to block the paths leading from the Three Passes. We'll deal with the Hao family's matter later."
After a while, a black-robed scout from the Inspector Bureau hurriedly arrived.
"Elder Yan, there's trouble in Yu City."
"Unsurprisingly. What's the situation now?"
"It's like this..."
The black-robed scout quickly reported the events in Yu City.
Yan Jingqing listened and responded nonchalantly, "The Mystic Mechanism Pavilion, huh? It seems they were the first to lose their patience."
As the Inspector General, he was well-aware of the Mystic Mechanism Pavilion's actions. Currently, the activities of the Heavenly Sword Sect, the Harmony Sect, and the other two sects in Yu Prefecture were primarily focused on seizing resources.
Only the Mystic Mechanism Pavilion was secretly cultivating their influence, making connections with the inner city families, seemingly seeking development. However, Yan Jingqing had a hunch that the Mystic Mechanism Pavilion might be aiming to take control of the entire Yu Prefecture!
In simpler terms, the Mystic Mechanism Pavilion also pawns, turning Yu Prefecture into a territory under their control, rebranding it from 'Yu Prefecture of Jade Province' to 'Yu Prefecture of Mystic State'.
Nevertheless, Chen Mu's methods were indeed formidable. He had directly thwarted the Hao family's rebellion and prevented the Mystic Mechanism Pavilion from taking advantage of the situation without even needing to resort to his secret backup plan.
As for completely eliminating the Hao family, although it was a bit drastic, the situation had escalated to the point where swift and decisive action was necessary. The Hao family could not be allowed to remain, and they had to be removed.
As for He Wuyou and his men...
A chill flashed in Yan Jingqing's eyes.
Did they truly believe they could disappear right under his nose and defect to the Mystic Mechanism Pavilion so easily?
"Alright, I understand."
Yan Jingqing's gaze soon returned to its usual calmness, and he spoke casually.
The black-robed scout bowed respectfully and then retreated.
Unbeknownst to him.
Yan Jingqing heaved another sigh.
If not for these conflicts, if the world had only one voice, the remnants of the Sky Corpse Sect would never have had the chance to escape the Purple Mist Mountain Range and cause chaos in Yu Prefecture. He wondered how long it would take to restore peace amidst this chaotic world, feeling powerless to do more than maintain order within a few thousand li in Yu Prefecture. He couldn't manage the affairs of an entire state or the prefectures of Hanbei Province.
...
Hao Family Compound
Rear Area
Some City Defense Bureau soldiers were stationed here, clearing the corpses.
In the deserted courtyard, Chen Mu entered alone, walking into a house located in the center.
The house was empty, containing only a few meditation cushions. The first thing that caught his eye was a painting hanging in the center, depicting a towering mountain rising into the clouds. The mist behind it hinted at countless interconnected peaks, exuding a majestic and imposing aura.
"This is the Mountain Gate Map of the Hao Family."
Chen Mu gazed at the grand and majestic mountain map, murmuring softly.
Among the Four Great Clans, the Yu Family possessed the Water Gate Map, while the Hao Family held the Mountain Gate Map. These were the foundations of the two clans, the resources brought to Yu Prefecture by the two founding ancestors of the Hao and Yu Families.
Without these two maps, the Hao and Yu Families would not have thrived for so many years. After the first generation, they would not have continuously produced several Organ Realm masters, maintaining their prosperity for over a hundred years, becoming one of the four dominant families in Yu Prefecture.
In the 1619th book, it was correct at a glance!
Chen Mu had thought it would be difficult to see this map.
After all, once the Hao Family encountered trouble, someone would likely try to escape with the map, or even maliciously destroy it. But it seemed that the Hao Family, in their zeal to kill him, had completely mobilized their forces, even dispatching those guarding the Mountain Gate Map.
By the time he arrived, the Hao Family hadn't even had time to move the map.
Chen Mu carefully examined it for a while.
Then, he stepped forward, rolled up the entire Mountain Gate Map, and placed it in his embrace.
He then went to inspect the other rooms.
The layout of the Hao Family's place was similar to the underground tranquil chamber of the Demon Slayer Bureau, arranged in the Eight Trigrams formation. However, besides the Mountain Gate Map, the maps in the other tranquil chambers were all inferior copied versions.
As for the Heaven Gate and Earth Gate rooms, they were completely empty, which left Chen Mu somewhat disappointed.
If he could obtain the Heaven Gate Map or the Earth Gate Map, he might not need to rush to the Seven Mysteries Sect. He could stay in Yu Prefecture to further enhance his strength and then consider going to the Seven Mysteries Sect to complete his collection of the other Trigrams maps.
In the Organ Realm, tempering the body itself wasn't the most crucial aspect. The key was the comprehension of Concepts, and the quality of the Concept determined the strength of this realm. The gap between the first and second steps was immense, and even between the second steps, there were varying degrees of difference. The quality of the Concept itself was also a critical factor in strength.
For example, Zuo Qianqiu's Celestial Sword Concept from the Heavenly Sword Sect was acknowledged as the strongest among Sword Dao Concepts, almost comparable to the complete Yin-Yang and Five Elements Concepts. He had even reached the second step, which explained his overwhelming strength over other true disciples.
"Heaven-Earth..."
Chen Mu murmured to himself.
In the past, he only knew about the strength of Concepts but wasn't aware of the intricate details. However, after receiving guidance from Meng Danyun and witnessing the remnant ice scene left by Yu Jiujiang and the Mystic Mechanism Pavilion's true disciple, he had come to understand a lot.
Heaven and Earth,
were crucial factors for Concepts.
During a severe drought, even though Water Divination restrained Departure Fire, in a confrontation, Departure Fire would still absolutely suppress Water Divination.
During a great flood, Water Divination could almost overwhelm Departure Fire.
The Thunder Rumbling Concept, under normal celestial phenomena, might not be as powerful as the Heart Sword or Withering and Flourishing Concepts. But if it were a stormy day with thundering skies, it could indeed harness the power of heavenly thunder to enhance its might and strike in all directions!
The reason the Heaven-Earth Concept was recognized as the strongest wasn't just because its power surpassed many other Concepts, but also because once cultivated, one would always stand at the pinnacle of Heaven and Earth's advantage.
As long as one existed between Heaven and Earth,
they would forever possess the advantage of Heaven and Earth!
Regardless of all celestial phenomena, regardless of all timing, regardless of all advantages, all were within the scope of Heaven-Earth, and could be utilized. There would no longer be distinctions of 'when it's strong' or 'when it's weak', nor differences of 'where it's strong' or 'where it's weak'.
Why, in An Jingqing's view, was there no one truly worthy of the title 'Martial Saint' in the current world?
Even the strongest, those who mastered the complete Five Elements Concepts, were indeed formidable. But if they happened to encounter a Wind-Thunder celestial phenomenon, then those who only mastered the Wind-Thunder Concepts could still fight them, relying on the absolute advantage of Heaven and Earth.
Those who mastered the Yin-Yang Concept, during the moments when dawn was uncertain, the morning sun hadn't risen, and the evening sun was setting, were considered unmatched under heaven. Rumors even claimed they were not inferior to the Heaven-Earth Concept. But once these two most critical moments passed, others might not be convinced of their superiority.
At the highest level of Blood Exchange, everyone had their strongest advantages in terms of timing and location.
Who would fear whom?
Chen Mu once heard Meng Danyun mention a Blood Exchange cultivator who only mastered the Frost Winter Concept. Without any backing, he traveled alone, offending many people across the realm. However, no one could do anything to him because, although he wasn't strong outside of winter, he would immediately retreat to the extreme north's frigid lands at the slightest sign of danger, still maintaining the advantage of Heaven and Earth.
Cultivators began to experience this struggle for Heaven and Earth's advantage from the Organ Realm.
"I'm not that interested in the struggle for Heaven and Earth's advantage..."
Chen Mu whispered to himself.
He only knew that, upon entering the Organ Realm, he had but one goal—to gather the Eight Trigrams and master Heaven-Earth!
Once he accomplished the Heaven-Earth Concept, he would no longer need to worry about any advantage of Heaven and Earth, forever standing at the pinnacle!
(End of Chapter)
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