https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-761-Mastering-Kaiyuan-Prefecture/13466355/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-763-When-the-Sky-Falls-the-Tall-Ones-Will-Hold-It-Up/13466365/
Chapter 762: Hiding in the Deep Mountains?
Chapter 762: Hiding in the Deep Mountains?
On Qingguang Mountain, an elderly man in a pure white Daoist robe walked slowly.
He clearly wasn’t using any concealment technique, yet all the sect’s restrictions seemed to have no effect on him. The passing disciples didn’t even notice him.
It wasn’t until the old man reached the entrance of the main hall that Crane Child, who was standing by the door, suddenly seemed to snap back to reality and turned to look behind him.
He paused for a moment, then hurriedly bowed and said, “This child greets Great Immortal Lingxu!”
“Hm.”
The old man merely responded with a single, emotionless word, his pace never faltering as he walked straight into the hall.
Crane Child’s voice reached the hall first, and the reactions of those inside varied.
Qingguangzi, seated in the main position, slowly opened his eyes. Seeing the questioning look in Youyao’s eyes, he smiled slightly and shook his head, indicating that there was no need to worry.
This younger brother of his, Lingxu, although also a disciple of the Supreme Clarity Sect, had nothing particularly noteworthy about him except for his ability to conceal his presence. His personality matched this skill; he was quiet and introverted, to the point where he wouldn’t even let out a peep unless provoked.
The one who reacted most dramatically was Yunmiao Zhenren, who was sitting behind Youyao. Upon hearing the esteemed name of Great Immortal Lingxu, his face changed dramatically, and he quickly jumped up from his chair, shouting, “Disciple did not know Master had returned and failed to wait at the gate. Please forgive me, Master!”
In the next moment, the old man in the pure white Daoist robe quietly entered the hall.
He silently looked at Yunmiao Zhenren, the weariness in his eyes deepening.
After returning to the Lingxu Grotto and not seeing his eldest disciple, he knew that the rumors circulating among the disciples were likely true.
The esteemed disciple of the Lingxu Grotto had lowered his status and joined Youyao’s faction, greatly enhancing the prestige of the Qingguang Grotto’s eldest disciple.
Seeing this with his own eyes, Lingxu felt a deep sense of sorrow.
He could accept his disciple’s mediocrity, after all, he himself wasn’t a standout in the sect. But he expected his disciple to try his best and only step back when he realized it was beyond his capabilities.
Not to come down the mountain, face no challenges, and immediately hide under someone else’s protection, unwilling to endure any hardship.
Worse still, the one providing this protection was also a junior... how could the gap be so vast?
Lingxu ignored his eldest disciple and stepped forward.
“Uncle Lingxu, please.”
Youyao Zhenren welcomed Lingxu to the main seat and then quietly returned to her place.
“These past few years, your cultivation has greatly improved.”
Lingxu forced a smile at the young woman. This great calamity seemed to have been tailor-made for such juniors. In a short time, she had already shown signs of catching up with their generation of elders.
“Thank you, Uncle.” Youyao bowed in acknowledgment, showing no sign of arrogance.
Seeing this, Lingxu’s smile carried a touch of sorrow.
“The path of cultivation is vast and varied. Everyone has their own path and destiny. Don’t be too fixated, Brother.”
Qingguangzi lightly consoled him. “Yunmiao has been of great help to Youyao recently.”
Yunmiao Zhenren, who had already sensed his Master’s displeasure, was already on edge. Hearing someone speak up for him, he quickly bowed in gratitude, “Thank you, Uncle.”
However, just as he raised his head, he realized something was off. His Master's face, which had been forcing a smile, now showed a barely suppressed gloom.
Upon closer inspection, the words seemed to imply that the Lingxu Grotto’s path was suited only for serving the Qingguang Grotto, forever in a subordinate role...
“This is only right. After all, Youyao is responsible for investigating the Bodhi Sect, and my disciple Lingsu is also involved. As the eldest disciple, Yunmiao should contribute his share.”
Lingxu’s weariness upon arriving was due to his recent efforts to gather information about the monks. By bringing this up now, he was giving Yunmiao a way out.
“Brother, you’re too kind. Our two lineages have always been on good terms. As long as Yunmiao works hard, Youyao will not let him down.”
Qingguangzi leaned back calmly, while Lingxu clenched his fists, clearly struggling to control his anger.
This matter could indeed be a source of resentment for a lifetime.
In the hall, Yunmiao Zhenren was already trembling with fear. Even at this point, he was unwilling to distance himself from the Qingguang Grotto.
After coming down the mountain, he had gained a deeper understanding of the current situation in Beizhou.
It was far different from what he had originally imagined. Not every cultivator who had achieved the Nine-Nine Transformation could secure a sufficient domain.
North of Shenzhou, excluding the barren land caused by the great drought, there were a total of twenty-nine prefectures.
Various lineages had claimed sixty percent of these, with the remaining prefectures firmly held by three individuals, one of whom was Youyao.
Several disciples at the same level as him could only claim a single prefecture, and he, Yunmiao, had the disadvantage of coming down the mountain too late.
Even with the recent vacancies due to the Bodhi Sect issue, these domains were quickly taken by fellow disciples. Those with slightly lower cultivation levels banded together, one lineage supporting another.
If he were to charge in recklessly without understanding the underlying dynamics, he would easily invite a united attack.
In other words, the promise Youyao made initially was likely the best outcome she could achieve after fighting tooth and nail.
Zhenren Yunmiao was genuinely reluctant to let go.
Fortunately, Elder Brother Qinguang did not dwell on the matter and changed the subject: "Have you heard about the rumor of the chief among the immortals in the sect recently?"
"Brother, you jest. How could such a thing be within my reach?"
Lingxuzi forced a smile, but his eyes, which darted around the emptiness, betrayed his uncertainty.
Indeed, if the sect leader were to select twelve Golden Immortals to oversee the four continents, it would be impossible for him to be among them.
However, the current situation was clear: even among the Golden Immortals who transcended both realms, there was a hierarchy. This hierarchy would determine how much incense and offerings each lineage could secure after the calamity.
Given the current state of Lingxu Grotto, they were probably at the very fringes.
Lingxuzi did not aspire to advance, but he was certainly not willing to fall to such a low position.
"I have matters to attend to with the disciples, so I won’t disturb you further."
He slowly stood up, returned his brother's salute, and walked out of the hall with a somber expression.
Zhenren Yunmiao hurriedly bowed and then rushed after his master.
Qingguangzi watched the master and disciple leave, then calmly placed his palms together and turned to Youyao: "What did you want to say earlier?"
"Nothing."
Zhenren Youyao shook her head lightly. After Lingxuzi's interruption, she decided to keep Shuyu's matter to herself.
After all, her junior brother's actions had completely disregarded the master's reputation, and this hardship was well-deserved.
Moreover, she had no concrete evidence, only suspicions. North Continent already had monks causing trouble, and revealing this would make her seem incompetent, as if she couldn't handle the Bodhi Sect and was shifting the blame onto a lowly cultivator.
It would be better to resolve the matter, bring the rogue's head, and then report back to the master.
...
The two returned to Lingxu Grotto in silence, one after the other.
Upon reaching Half-Fallen Cliff, Lingxuzi stood with his hands behind his back at the edge of the cliff. Before he could turn around, Zhenren Yunmiao had already knelt down, bowing his head repeatedly: "Master, please calm down. Your disciple truly had no other choice!"
"..."
Lingxuzi's face remained cold, and he did not look at the other. He said coolly, "Explain. How did you end up with no other choice?"
He was curious to know what could force a Third Grade Perfect Great Cultivator to shamelessly seek refuge under a peer in North Continent.
"This matter started with Qingguang Grotto."
While bowing, Zhenren Yunmiao deftly shifted the blame, his voice full of grievance: "They wanted to meddle in South Continent affairs. The insect demon disciple managed to escape, and Elder Brother Qingguang refused to take responsibility. He sent Crane Child to our Lingxu Grotto... With you away, how could your disciple refuse Elder Brother's face?"
"Reluctantly, I kept the insect demon disciple. This person had grand ambitions and was not content with just a grotto. After consulting with my junior sister, we had to allocate part of Heavenly Tower Mountain to him."
"This person was insatiable, openly and secretly trying to push my junior sister out, which led to her leaving to clear her mind and falling victim to the Bodhi Sect."
"As the eldest disciple, I was eager to avenge her, but I was truly powerless alone. To seek justice for my junior sister, I had no choice but to seek help from Qingguang Grotto. I hope Master understands!"
At this point, Yunmiao's eyes were slightly red, as if he were genuinely caught between Qingguang Grotto and the Bodhi Sect, struggling and supporting himself alone.
"Ah."
Lingxuzi finally turned slowly, looking down at his disciple.
He sighed inwardly.
If Yunmiao had not been raised by him, he might have believed this story.
"Please rest assured, Master. Now that your disciple has entered the world, I will not let anyone look down on our Lingxu Grotto."
Seeing his master's attitude soften, Yunmiao immediately lifted his head and said: "The matter of my own Daoist temple is secondary. What I am concerned about is avenging my junior sister. The monks are currently out of sight, but the insect demon disciple from South Continent forced her out and, upon learning of her death, hastily established a shrine."
"How can my junior sister's Heavenly Tower Mountain fall into the hands of such a despicable person? With such a nature, he even dares to seek to join under Master. I have already made arrangements with Senior Sister Youyao to act in a few days and drive this rogue away!"
Looking at Yunmiao, who was filled with righteous indignation and determination, Lingxuzi felt a deep sense of despair. If, as Yunmiao claimed, the South Continent cultivator had indeed killed Lingxu, then as the eldest disciple, Yunmiao should have been able to handle a cultivator far below his level without needing to rely on others.
Such a character might seem obedient and sensible in normal times, but in a major calamity, it would reveal itself as utterly unreliable.
"Do as you please. Go and do what you must."
Lingxuzi waved his sleeve, turned wearily, and continued to gaze at the distant clouds.
"Thank you, Master for your understanding."
Seeing this, Zhenren Yunmiao finally breathed a sigh of relief. He could see the disappointment in his master's eyes, but at least he had gotten through this crisis. He could make up for it later.
After all, it was always right to seek justice for his junior sister.
Thinking of this, he was reminded of that detestable figure, a disciple of an insect demon, arrogant and disrespectful... His invitation to Youyao was a ruse, but Youyao’s plan to attack Kaifeng Prefecture was real.
Under such a renowned prodigy of Beizhou, the Grandmaster of the Emptiness Heavens would likely end up like his master, just another dead insect that wouldn’t last much longer.
...
In the imperial capital of Shenzhou, within a tranquil garden, Yue Lan was led by a maid to a wine pool.
The man was submerged in the pool, only his head visible, lazily leaning on a smooth stone. Beside him stood Lin Shuoya, a high official of the Immortal Department, waiting with his hands clasped.
This wasn’t the first time Yue Lan had met such a distinguished figure, but she was still somewhat nervous.
After all, unlike Shen Yi, she had grown up in the Sanxian Sect and thus recognized one of the six supreme rulers of the heavens, the Emperor who governed the mortal world, the foremost of all living beings.
"Your Majesty, a letter has arrived from afar."
She stood at a distance, not touching the letter, and used the Disaster Force to wrap it and send it to the Emperor’s side.
Shen Yi had instructed her that this letter could only be passed between three people; even the head of the Immortal Department, Lin Shuoya, who was nominally the superior of the Southern Guardian General, was not to touch it.
Lin Shuoya silently stared at the envelope.
He couldn’t understand why a solitary cultivator who cared nothing for the lives of the people could still use the information channels that had been secured with the lives of others.
"Everyone, please leave", the Emperor said, smacking his lips.
Lin Shuoya was taken aback, his eyes showing a mix of emotions, but he didn’t say anything more. He led the maid out of the area.
Yue Lan watched them leave, equally surprised.
It was well known that the Immortal Department was the Emperor’s most trusted department, and Lin Shuoya was the closest person to this Emperor. Yet, at this moment, the Emperor seemed to consider Shen Yi’s letter far more important than Lin Shuoya.
The Emperor watched them leave, then shook his head and laughed.
Even a great ruler could make mistakes. He had thought that the young man he had personally saved from the dead in the drought-stricken lands of Beizhou, after witnessing the divine might of the gods, would be the one who understood him the most. But it seemed that wasn’t the case.
However, now, as the Emperor, he felt like a trapped dragon, unable to leave this shallow pool, and it was too late to replace him.
It didn’t matter much anyway.
The situation was already decided. With Lin Shuoya’s limited abilities, it would be difficult to cause even a ripple, making him insignificant.
The only regret was losing someone who could share his inner thoughts.
Fortunately, he had found a new source of amusement.
Someone whose path was entirely different from his own, with no connection between them, yet they maintained a constant link. This could help the Emperor ease his worries.
The man slowly unfolded the letter.
"Is... is he okay?" Yue Lan knew it was disrespectful to ask, but she couldn’t help herself.
Fortunately, the Emperor was a carefree person. After reading the content, he raised an eyebrow: "He should be close to death."
A fugitive pursued by Mount Sumeru, and yet, he still couldn’t settle down in Beizhou.
The competition at the Daoist hall was not something he could meddle in, especially when he couldn’t reveal his identity.
"What do you mean, Your Majesty?" Yue Lan’s face turned pale.
"The letter asks if I have any advice", the Emperor rolled his eyes, turning to look at the young girl and casually waving the letter. "Tell him my only advice is to get back to his mountain and hide. What gives him the nerve to act so boldly?"
All living beings struggle for survival, yet here was someone who didn’t need to exert himself and still didn’t appreciate it.
No matter what, he would eventually achieve fame and glory. Why struggle over a trivial matter like Kaifeng Prefecture, which wouldn’t significantly shorten the time it takes for him to become a Buddha or an ancestor?
"He won’t listen to me..." Yue Lan said, tightly biting her lip. In fact, she was being too mild. Shen Yi wouldn’t just ignore her; once he made up his mind, he would dismiss even the Emperor’s words as nonsense.
The man seemed speechless, looking at Yue Lan and then at the letter in his hand.
After much hesitation, as if unwilling to lose his only source of amusement, he furrowed his brow and waved a token to Yue Lan: "Send this with the letter. If he’s in trouble, and it doesn’t involve the lives of the generals, they can help him once, but only once... Since his identity as the Southern Guardian General is exposed, he won’t be able to stay in Beizhou. He should find a remote mountain to hide in."
Yue Lan nervously accepted the token. The Emperor knew Shen Yi’s cultivation level, and the generals who could save his life were undoubtedly those Second Grade National Guardian Generals, imbued with Imperial Qi!
"Thank you, Your Majesty..."
(End of Chapter)
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