https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-677-Immortal-Rankings-Volume-13-Unveiling-the-Unseen/13025954/
Chapter 681: Scheming Minds
Chapter 681: Scheming Minds
In the Celestial Court, within the Phoenix Palace.
Hong Jing slowly walked into the grand hall, his gaze rising to the high-seated young Celestial General on the main seat, his expression complex, with a hint of admiration mixed in.
He had always found Qing Luan's actions stubborn and her ideas vastly different from ordinary people; to put it bluntly, it was as if she had a screw loose.
But it wasn't until his return from Shen Xu Mountain that Hong Jing suddenly realized why Qing Luan was able to hold the Fourth Rank Celestial Seal.
She had indeed pulled out a single thread from a tangled mess and, following that thread, uncovered a few truths—a truly terrifying feat.
"I went to Shen Xu Mountain, and it was the Peak Master of Mu Yang Peak who received me."
"After chatting for several days, I brought back these things."
Hong Jing strode up the long steps and handed over a jade slip from his palm, "Your guess was right. That young man named Shen Yi is not someone cultivated by Shen Xu Mountain from a young age. To be precise, the time Shen Xu Mountain has known him is probably similar to ours."
"How did they come to discuss such matters with you?" Qing Luan maintained her calm demeanor.
"Normally, the affairs within an Immortal Sect are not shared with outsiders. But this Shen Yi's Peak Master title was obtained unjustly, snatched from a Shen Xu Mountain disciple, which created a rift among the sect members."
Hong Jing paused for a moment, "You're worried about infighting, and you want to use our blades to kill. So, you fabricated this lie? There's no need to overthink it; after all, I'm not a fool."
As he spoke, he glanced at the jade slip, "Inside here is the information that the Peak Master of Mu Yang Peak ordered the Shen Xu Mountain disciples to investigate about Shen Yi in the outside world."
"This person seems to have appeared out of thin air. Even when the Immortal Sect investigated, they couldn't find any traces."
"Coincidentally, the Seven Treasures Bodhimanda's lecture was held at He Shan, and Ye Lan brought Shen Yi to attend. This indicates that the two of them had spent some time in the Great Southern Continent. Additionally, Shen Yi's timely arrival at the Eight Directions Valley suggests that his usual place of residence is likely near several major prefectures centered around Xishan Prefecture."
Hong Jing casually waved his hand, and a map of the Great Southern Continent appeared on the table.
He gently pointed to one of the major prefectures on the map.
Jianyang Prefecture.
"The information Shen Xu Mountain discovered is related to this place. Due to the impending great tribulation, many Immortal Sects have evacuated the Great Southern Continent, and one of them is connected to Shen Xu Mountain."
"According to that sect, around the time of the Bodhimanda's lecture, a large group of unknown cultivators appeared in Jianyang Prefecture, carrying recommendation letters from the Earth God to join various Immortal Sects."
"I think the timing matches up. So, on my way back, I asked my subordinates to investigate."
With a slight wave of his hand, Celestial Soldiers and Generals entered the hall, some carrying severed heads, others escorting prisoners with dirtied faces. There were many of them, each with different identities, including Immortal Sect disciples and the Earth God's attendants.
"It's difficult to investigate one person, but it's much easier to investigate a group. Where did they come from, why did they gather in Jianyang Prefecture, and how did they obtain the recommendation letters?"
"The path these people took is one of the reasons."
Hong Jing pointed at this group of old friends, whom the East Dragon King had cultivated for many years, and his voice turned indifferent, "The path they took leads to Hongze."
As the word "Hongze" left his mouth,
Qing Luan slightly lifted her gaze, and this subtle movement instantly added a hint of killing intent to the young Celestial General's demeanor.
Everyone in the hall fell silent.
Even the Celestial Soldier who had just beheaded someone dared not breathe loudly.
"What do you plan to do?"
Breaking the silence, Hong Jing, who was also reminded of his nephew Shi Ren, who had "forgotten" to reply to his letter, spoke, "The Peak Master of Mu Yang Peak said that if the Celestial Court needs him, he will do his utmost to assist."
Upon hearing this, Qing Luan shook her head and replied calmly, "The Celestial Court does not interfere in disputes between sects as long as they do not violate heavenly laws."
Hong Jing nodded thoughtfully, "I understand."
Not interfering meant tacit approval.
"What about us?"
"Send General Qian Qing to investigate Hongze."
Qing Luan slowly stood up and looked down at the mortal world, "I will accompany him."
As her words fell, the previously silent crowd's eyes revealed a hint of strangeness.
General Qian Qing had been transferred from the Imperial Stables and, in a short time, had consecutively accomplished several significant feats, even gaining the favor of the Righteous Deity Sect. Just as his future seemed bright, General Qing Luan was about to take action against him!
"But... General Qi Feng Xingxu just borrowed him from you. It hasn't been long, and it won't be easy to get him back."
Hong Jing hesitated, even though the Three Immortal Sect and Bodhimanda Sect had already become powerful and were no longer mere errand boys for the Righteous Deity Sect.
Even though the Righteous Deity Sect was an embodiment of the Heavenly Dao, in the eyes of ordinary cultivators, its former prestige still held sway, and they dared not offend it lightly.
"Then we'll forcefully summon him."
Qing Luan's tone left no room for negotiation, and at this moment, she finally displayed the demeanor befitting her status as a favored Immortal General of the Xianting.
"Understood... I'll take care of it right away."
Hong Jing fell silent for a moment before respectfully retreating with a bow.
Although he wasn't one of Qing Luan's Immortal Generals, his current attitude clearly went beyond simple assistance. Instead of a mere attempt to befriend her, he was acting more like a servant.
In reality, many things in this world were judged solely by their outcomes.
If that Bi Ma Wen was truly innocent, then Qing Luan would be the one with a swollen head and muddled thoughts, and it would be best for her to distance herself from him as soon as possible.
But if her guess was correct...
It would prove that Qing Luan, the Immortal General, was meticulous and both brave and resourceful, worthy of reliance.
Based on the evidence at hand, there was a 90% chance that the latter was true.
Such a person would undoubtedly have a place in the Great Tribulation.
...
The Sixth Peak of Shenxu Mountain in Bi Hai.
"Father! Did the Xianting reply?"
In the main hall of the peak, Liu Rui Feng rushed in with excitement and anxiety, asking, "What's the news? Is that Shen Yi a wanted criminal of the Xianting? I knew it! Where are all these once-in-a-generation geniuses who possess great abilities but remain unknown? It's clear that they have something to hide!"
"Well done, Yelan! Shenxu Mountain has treated her well and even granted her the position of Peak Master. Yet, this ungrateful person repays the sect by hiding a wanted criminal of the Xianting and bringing him back to the mountain, intending to drag the entire Shenxu Mountain down with her."
"If not for your deep understanding of justice, we might have been surrounded by heavenly soldiers and generals before realizing the truth!"
As Liu Rui Feng spoke, his excitement grew, and he could almost envision himself regaining control of the Dan Peak.
However, Mu Yang Dao Ren silently stared at the letter in his hand.
The reply from the Immortal General Hong Jing was vague and extremely brief.
Although Mu Yang had never served in the Xianting, he was quite knowledgeable about heavenly affairs. If Shen Yi was indeed a wanted criminal and his guilt was confirmed, the response from above would never be so ambiguous.
Currently, it seemed that Shen Yi was, at most, implicated in some matter and was not the mastermind. The Immortal General Qing Luan's attention wasn't focused on him at all.
This was quite different from what Mu Yang Dao Ren had anticipated.
What Heavenly Pride had never made a mistake? Moreover, Shen Yi, to be precise, was no longer just a young genius. He had become a true and respected senior cultivator.
This piece of evidence alone was insufficient to bring him down.
...
Seeing the situation, Liu Rui Feng approached and carefully examined the letter. The excitement on his face gradually faded, and he stood there, dazed and disheartened.
Another false hope!
"Haha—" Liu Rui Feng clenched his fists tightly.
Just as Liu Rui Feng's eyes filled with disappointment, he saw his father carefully folding the letter and saying calmly, "The Xianting didn't explicitly state his innocence."
The lack of a direct statement meant there was still room for maneuver.
That young man with the surname Shen was like a floating weed without roots. In Shenxu Mountain, aside from Yelan, he didn't even have any acquaintances.
"What if the Xianting arrests him for questioning?"
"What if, during the arrest, he resists and is killed on the spot?"
Mu Yang asked softly, his eyes growing colder. "Rui Feng, opportunities don't come to those who wait. Many times, you have to take matters into your own hands, and having an excuse or reason is enough."
"Father..."
Liu Rui Feng snapped out of his daze, finally understanding his father's intention. Joy flooded his face once more.
"Let's calculate the days. Those two should be returning to refine pills for their master soon," Mu Yang Dao Ren said, standing up and walking out of the main hall.
"I'll go with you!" Liu Rui Feng followed closely, determined to witness the demise of that despicable pair. Even if he became the Peak Master, it wouldn't ease the resentment and unease in his heart.
However, it was fleeting, as if the pill concocting cultivator had also realized its rarity and quickly hid it away.
Inside the Shen residence in Juyang Prefecture.
Shen Yi suppressed his aura, and a hint of lingering fear flashed in his eyes.
The pill fragrance dissipated because the precious pill, refined from three hundred Imperial Qi Golden Pills, had been consumed by him.
The new, rich fragrance that emerged wasn't from another pill he had concocted.
"..."
Well, it could be considered one.
The only difference was that this pill was Shen Yi himself.
Perhaps the collection of books left behind by Dan Peak was too comprehensive.
Shen Yi's progress in understanding the Void Reality Dao Art was smooth sailing.
Including the remaining six hundred plus Shi-ji Force from before, plus the three hundred Shi-ji Force from the Imperial Qi, a total of over a thousand Shi-ji Force, with about three-tenths consumed, was enough to truly elevate the Void Dao Fruit to the Fourth Rank.
At the moment of breakthrough, Shen Yi felt as if his entire being was connected to the Golden Core.
His skin, hair, blood vessels, bones, and even his soul seemed to sprout countless invisible threads, merging into the Void Dao Fruit and the Golden Core.
These threads were like an ancient, ever-burning furnace, constantly refining the Golden Core through countless methods.
Previously, when he broke through the Dragon Tiger Fruit position, he directly transformed a thousand Shi-ji Force into three thousand.
However, the Void Dao Fruit, being one of the top ten, didn't exhibit such a significant leap in power when Shen Yi comprehended its path.
A thousand Shi-ji Force remained a thousand; there was nothing extraordinary about it, except for the perfection of the Dao Fruit.
Moreover, there was a downside!
Shen Yi shook his head, still examining the Taihuo Golden Core.
Soon, he noticed something amiss.
Logically, the Fourth Rank should signify the perfection of the Dao Fruit or the Fruit Position, like the Dragon Subduing Tiger Overcoming Great Achievement. Once formed, it shouldn't have any further progress.
Three thousand Shi-ji Force was the limit of this Fruit Position, its final form.
But at this moment, with the ever-burning furnace within him and countless pill refinement methods still evolving, it meant that the Taihuo Golden Core hadn't been fully refined, and it could continue to withstand more Jie Force!
Perhaps it would only reach perfection when all the methods used to refine this pill were exhausted.
Transcending limitations—was this the true purpose of the Void Reality Dao Art?
"..."
As the founder of this art, Shen Yi had no one to consult and could only figure it out himself.
Now, with both the Traveler and Energy Cultivation paths reaching the Fourth Rank, he had the power to protect himself, even in this vast world.
Beyond this, only the true divine and immortal beings remained.
He stood up, feeling refreshed, and with the Taihuo Golden Core as his anchor, he could roam the Void Realm and explore the world.
Shen Yi stepped out of the courtyard and sent a message to Yelan.
Soon, a sword light arrived.
Yelan had already sensed the pill fragrance coming from the Shen residence, so she kept a close eye on the area. Fortunately, the sweet scent quickly dissipated.
She didn't inquire about the pill.
Given Shen Yi's talent and the resources he acquired from Dan Peak, it was normal for him to refine some extraordinary pill.
Moreover, during this great calamity, every bit of progress he made was beneficial for the Southern Continent. Exposing it would only cause unnecessary trouble.
"Do you have other matters to attend to? If not, let's go and return quickly."
Yelan glanced outside the residence. With the current volatile situation, the troubles might only increase as time went on.
It was best to settle the Xuanyao Pill matter first to avoid being caught off guard later.
"Let's go," Shen Yi said, lightly nodding.
Although the Void Reality Dao Art could still be improved, and there was no need to worry about wasting his demonic lifespan, it would be good to learn about the Daluo Dao Guo beforehand.
At the very least, seeing the Daluo Xian Zun in person would help him prepare countermeasures.
"By the way," Yelan said, as if remembering something, and gently reminded him, "When you refine the pill for Divine Void Ancestor, remember to put away the pill you refined earlier or consume it in advance."
"..."
Shen Yi fell silent for a moment. He wanted to consume it, but he couldn't bite his own fingernails.
"Just be extra careful. There's no need to worry too much; it's not that time yet," Yelan forced a smile, knowing that when that time came, she would pull him away from Divine Void Mountain, the farther the better, and ideally never return.
(End of Chapter)
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