Chapter 190: The Mysterious Qingmianren

Chapter 190: The Mysterious Qingmianren

"If there's anything you don't understand, feel free to come to me for clarification." Xu Yan said as he handed the booklet to Peng Yuan and the others.

"We can understand it, we can!" Peng Yuan and his companions excitedly left, huddling together to examine the Great Wilderness Martial Arts manual.

Xu Yan paid them no heed and made his way to the peak of Canglan Island. He sat down cross-legged, continuing to comprehend the profundity of penetrating the mysterious, contemplating the Sword Wheel Sword Art of Life and Death, as well as the Mountain River Sword Art.

Peng Yuan and the others pored over the cultivation techniques described in the booklet, each of them astounded.

"Golden Bones? Is it truly possible to temper such powerful golden bones? Everlasting and still shining golden after tens of thousands of years?"

"And this... Jade Bones, flawless and eternal, never decaying? Too wondrous, too profound, too mystical!"

Peng Yuan and his companions were utterly shaken.

Golden Bones were already extraordinary, but to think there existed an even more mystical state of Jade Bones.

Could one truly refine their flesh and blood to achieve such a state?

And this was just the foundation of martial arts.

"Inconceivable! The tendons and bones resonate like thunder, and the qi and blood are like a raging storm!"

The Martial Arts scholars were in awe, as if intoxicated and transported to a whole new world.

"I hate myself for being a Grand Master warrior. Otherwise, I would definitely cultivate the Great Wilderness Martial Arts!" One of the scholars exclaimed, pounding his chest in frustration.

In the following days, Peng Yuan and his companions pored over the booklet repeatedly, slowly deciphering its secrets and comparing it with various Inner Domain martial arts manuals.

They even attempted to cultivate and sense their qi and blood.

However, their martial arts foundations had already been set, and as Grand Masters, it was impossible for them to cultivate anew.

They sought out Xu Yan several times during this period, asking him to clarify some of the more abstruse concepts.

A few days later, Xie Lingfeng and Hu Shan arrived.

"Congratulations, Brother Xu, on your breakthrough!" Xie Lingfeng marveled inwardly. In just a short time since they last met, Xu Yan had already broken through to the Penetrating the Mysterious realm.

As for him, he had barely managed to reach the peak of the Grand Master stage.

But the gap between their strengths was only widening.

His understanding of the Sword Art had improved, yet he still hadn't achieved clarity of the sword heart.

Although he had refined his true qi, he couldn't be considered a Innate Realm warrior, leaving him in a rather awkward state.

Neither Innate nor Grand Master!

"Brother Xie, since you've been refining your true qi for a long time, have you had any insights or ideas on how to transition to cultivating the Great Wilderness Martial Arts?" Xu Yan asked contemplatively.

"It's difficult!" Xie Lingfeng sighed.

He had been pondering this very question but couldn't find a starting point. Even when he thought of potential methods, they were simply impossible to execute.

"Fortunately, Scholar Peng Yuan and the others are here. Let's brainstorm together and see if we can find a solution." Xu Yan nodded.

Xie Lingfeng's expression turned solemn.

He understood the impact that the Great Wilderness Martial Arts could have on the Inner Domain. Even a sword cultivator like Sword Venerable Cliff, who devoted himself solely to the path of the sword, felt shaken and lost because of it.

One could only imagine the impact on the other top forces.

If they couldn't find a way to transition to the Great Wilderness Martial Arts, their inheritance and status would be threatened. In that case, all the major forces would likely unite, targeting the Great Wilderness Martial Arts and attempting to crush it in its infancy.

Xu Yan and Xie Lingfeng joined the discussion with Peng Yuan and the others, delving into the intricacies of martial arts and sharing their insights, seeking a breakthrough.

As for Hu Shan, he felt awkward and couldn't participate in the conversation.

...

The mountain cave where the Invisible Pavilion was located remained silent.

Ever since the Invisible Pavilion Lord and the peak Grand Masters had been killed, the remaining members of the Invisible Pavilion were in a state of panic.

Those who believed their identities to be unknown frantically destroyed their black robes and anything else that could reveal their affiliation, fleeing to hide elsewhere.

In a sense, they had withdrawn from the Invisible Pavilion.

However, most of the Invisible Pavilion members chose to remain in the mountain cave, not daring to step outside. They intended to lay low and regroup after the storm had passed.

Although the Invisible Pavilion Lord and the peak Grand Masters had perished, there were still Grand Master-level experts within the Invisible Pavilion.

And among those Grand Masters, who didn't harbor ambitions of their own?

Seizing control of the Invisible Pavilion was now a tangible possibility, and several Grand Masters at the pinnacle of the Grand Master stage had already clashed covertly, vying for the position of the Invisible Pavilion Lord.

Fearing that their actions would alert Xu Yan and bring him straight to their doorstep, they refrained from an all-out battle, instead choosing to hide and cultivate within the Invisible Pavilion.

Since they intended to remain hidden for a while and erase all traces of the Invisible Pavilion, the race was on to see who would be the first to break through to the peak Grand Master stage and become the next Invisible Pavilion Lord.

Of course, the name "Invisible Pavilion" could no longer be used.

They would also have to discard their distinctive black robes.

Otherwise, if they were to encounter Xu Yan or anyone from the Evergreen Pavilion, the consequences would be dire.

The mountain cave remained silent, the tall pavilion still standing. However, the top floor, once occupied by the Invisible Pavilion Lord, was now occupied by several Grand Masters at the pinnacle of the Grand Master stage.

Each of them was immersed in frantic cultivation, striving to be the first to break through to the peak Grand Master stage and claim the position of the Invisible Pavilion Lord.

The usually quiet mountain cave was suddenly disturbed by the sound of the cave door opening.

In the silent cave, the noise was particularly jarring.

The hearts of the Invisible Pavilion's experts sank as they immediately appeared, ready to face the intruder.

The Grand Masters at the pinnacle of the Grand Master stage, who occupied the top floor, all emerged and directed their gazes toward the entrance.

As a mysterious and low-key dark force, the Invisible Pavilion's headquarters was extremely secretive. Only Grand Masters who were core members of the Invisible Pavilion knew of its location.

All the core members were currently hiding within the Invisible Pavilion, and none should have been outside.

Could it be that someone from the Evergreen Pavilion had found this place?

The thought caused the hearts of the Invisible Pavilion's experts to sink further.

Footsteps echoed through the passage from the entrance, reverberating within the cave. There was only one set of footsteps, and the intruder made no attempt to conceal their presence.

The more blatant they were, the more anxious the Invisible Pavilion's experts became. The first person they thought of was Xu Yan!

If Xu Yan had found this place, he would likely arrive in such a brazen manner.

The Grand Masters exchanged glances, each steeling themselves for a desperate fight or preparing to surrender, if surrender was even an option.

A figure clad in white appeared before their eyes, walking into the cave from the passage.

It wasn't Xu Yan!

However, the Invisible Pavilion experts didn't relax their guard. The intruder wasn't a member of the Invisible Pavilion, and although he wasn't Xu Yan, he was still an outsider!

How had he found the location of the Invisible Pavilion?

Several Grand Masters at the pinnacle of the Grand Master stage directed their gazes at the intruder. He wore a white robe, his face concealed behind a thin, green mask, giving him the appearance of a man with a green face.

A Qingmianren!

As soon as they recognized the intruder, the Invisible Pavilion experts' eyes narrowed, and their faces reflected their shock.

It was common knowledge that there were numerous dark forces in the Inner Domain, and among the three most mysterious ones was the Invisible Pavilion.

The second most mysterious dark force was even more enigmatic and possessed formidable strength. Even the Tianbao Pavilion couldn't uncover any information about them.

All that was known was that every member of this mysterious dark force wore a green mask, concealing their features, earning them the moniker of Qingmianren—the Green-Faced Ones!

Every Qingmianren was a Grand Master-level expert.

Anyone who had ever revealed themselves as a Qingmianren was invariably a Grand Master, and it was speculated that only those at the Grand Master level and above were permitted to act on their behalf.

The Qingmianren, his face hidden behind a green mask, looked at the group of Invisible Pavilion warriors. His voice was calm and unperturbed as he asked, "What is the old man of the Invisible Pavilion up to? What task has he received?"

The members of the Invisible Pavilion exchanged glances, none of them daring to speak.

After a moment of silence, one of the Grand Masters spoke up, "This is a secret of the Invisible Pavilion. How could we possibly know?"

"You truly don't know?" The Qingmianren's voice took on a slightly ominous tone.

"We truly don't know!" The Invisible Pavilion members replied, their voices filled with trepidation.

The Qingmianren's gaze fell on one of the Invisible Pavilion warriors, and he suddenly reached out and grabbed him.

The captured warrior's expression changed drastically, and he was about to unleash his Grand Master aura, but in that instant, his eyes widened in terror.

"Spare my life!" he pleaded.

Just as he was about to resist, he felt as if a mountain was pressing down on him, causing his body to stiffen. His Grand Master-level strength was being suppressed!

He had experienced something similar once before, when the Lord of the Invisible Pavilion had flown into a rage.

The Qingmianren's strength was comparable to that of the Lord of the Invisible Pavilion!

The Qingmianren grabbed the warrior by the neck, his hand squeezing tightly. With a cold gaze, he asked again, "You truly don't know?"

The rest of the Invisible Pavilion members were covered in cold sweat, their faces pale with fear.

The captured Grand Master's eyes were filled with terror, and his lips quivered as he tried to speak.

The Qingmianren loosened his grip slightly, and the Grand Master choked out, "Capture a person... He only gave us one task, to find and capture Su Lingxiu!"

"What was the purpose of capturing her?" the Qingmianren asked.

"We don't know, we really don't know!" the Grand Master replied desperately.

Crack!

The Qingmianren's hand tightened, and the Grand Master's neck was crushed, ending his life instantly.

The remaining members of the Invisible Pavilion were shocked and covered in cold sweat.

"The old man of the Invisible Pavilion is already dead. Those who are of no value have no reason to live. If you don't know anything, then you can join him in death." The Qingmianren's eyes were cold as he addressed the group.

"As for the Lord of the Invisible Pavilion, we truly don't know the specific purpose of his capturing Su Lingxiu, but it seems... it seems to be related to the Celestial Beings," one of the Grand Masters said, his face covered in cold sweat.

"There might be answers in the Lord's secret chamber, but we couldn't open it!" another Grand Master quickly added.

The Grand Masters then proceeded to divulge everything they knew, not daring to hide anything. The rest of the warriors, however, had limited knowledge and could only stand there, their faces pale.

The Qingmianren listened quietly, and then suddenly, an oppressive aura akin to a mighty pressure enveloped the cave.

The Invisible Pavilion experts were stunned, feeling as if a mountain was pressing down on them, slowing their movements and greatly reducing their strength. They didn't even have a chance to flee or fight back.

The Qingmianren looked at the Grand Masters and said, "Kill them!"

"Yes!"

Without hesitation, the Grand Masters attacked the remaining Invisible Pavilion members, their actions ruthless and merciless.

With one side suppressed by the oppressive aura and the other comprised of stronger Grand Masters, the battle was a one-sided slaughter.

In no time, all but a few Grand Masters lay dead.

At this point, the Qingmianren took out several light green masks, identical to the one he wore, except for their paler color.

"Put them on!" he ordered.

The remaining Grand Masters obeyed without hesitation, donning the masks.

"From now on, this place is one of my branches," the Qingmianren said coldly.

"We pay our respects to the master!" the Grand Masters said as they bowed.

Finally, they had survived! With the Lord of the Invisible Pavilion dead, following the Qingmianren offered them a way out.

"Where is the secret chamber?" the Qingmianren asked.

"Master, it's here," one of the Grand Masters said, leading the Qingmianren to the back of the tall pavilion and the cave wall.

The Qingmianren's eyes fell on the cave wall, where a hole had been carved out and reinforced with precious artifact materials. Unless one knew the method to open it, even a Grand Master would not be able to force it open.

The Qingmianren extended his hand and placed it on the door of the secret chamber.

Hum!

A terrifying aura emanated from the Qingmianren, causing the Grand Masters to back away in fear. They felt that the Qingmianren seemed even more formidable than the Lord of the Invisible Pavilion.

The Qingmianren's palm turned green as he pressed it against the door, like a red-hot branding iron pressed against a lump of fat.

A sizzling sound filled the air as his hand sank into the door, and cracks began to appear.

Crack!

The door shattered and fell apart, revealing a small secret chamber within.

The Qingmianren stepped inside. The small chamber contained only a few small boxes, with a jade box in the center bearing a unique pattern.

"This is it!"

The Qingmianren's eyes lit up with excitement and desire. He reached out and grabbed the jade box, his hand trembling slightly due to his agitation.

After opening the jade box, he found a scroll inside, which he unfurled with trembling hands. His entire body shook with excitement as he fixed his eyes on the contents of the scroll.

After a while, he carefully rolled up the scroll and said, "The Gate of the Spirit Realm... Su Lingxiu?"

After exiting the secret chamber, he turned to the Grand Masters and asked, "Where is Su Lingxiu? Who killed the Lord of the Invisible Pavilion?"

The surviving members of the Invisible Pavilion dared not hide anything and revealed all they knew about how the Lord of the Invisible Pavilion and a group of peak Grand Masters had left to capture Su Lingxiu, only to meet their demise at the hands of the Evergreen Pavilion.

"The Evergreen Pavilion is too terrifying. Dozens of peak Grand Masters were killed, including the unparalleled genius Xu Yan and Meng Chong," one of them said, his voice trembling.

The Qingmianren fell silent, his eyes reflecting a mix of wariness and coldness.

The Lord of the Invisible Pavilion and the Arid Extermination Devil Venerate had both fallen to the Evergreen Pavilion, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of trepidation.

However, his eyes soon turned cold.

"Su Lingxiu must be captured, no matter what. No one can be allowed to stop us. How can the one in the Evergreen Pavilion be the only one to benefit from the opportunity to enter the Gate of the Spirit Realm? The Evergreen Pavilion and the Great Wilderness Martial Arts have gained too much attention. The royal family of the Great Yue Nation will likely want to take action as well. It's time for people like me to make some connections."

With these thoughts in mind, the Qingmianren continued, "I have a task for you."

"Please give us your orders, master!" the Grand Masters said, bowing.

"Go to the forces that have targeted the Evergreen Pavilion in the past and still have surviving peak Grand Masters. The opportunity for revenge has come, and naturally, someone will deal with the one in the Evergreen Pavilion..." The Qingmianren gave his instructions, his voice cold and commanding.

"Yes, master!" the Grand Masters replied.

After giving his orders, the Qingmianren left with the jade box and scroll in hand.

In the royal palace of the Great Yue Nation, the emperor sat in his study, his expression gloomy as he looked at the intelligence reports about the Great Wilderness in his hands. His hands trembled with anger and resentment, yet he also felt a sense of powerlessness.

The Evergreen Pavilion was too powerful, and the Great Yue Nation had no choice but to back down and offer compensation to ensure its own survival.

"Who dares disturb me?" the emperor suddenly shouted, his voice filled with anger.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end