Chapter 287: Asking Immortals Temple
On a snowy night.
Zhang Yuchun brought Sun Moxing into Lingxiao Courtyard, where Li Qingqiu and Wei Tianxiong were seated, drinking wine.
Upon seeing the two approach, Wei Tianxiong cast a glance over and sized up Sun Moxing.
Sun Moxing was extremely nervous, for this was his first time facing the Sect Master of the Clear Sky Sect.
Ever since he had begun specializing in the Primordial Unity Scripture, he had been utterly shaken. This Primordial Unity Scripture was far superior to the techniques of Ziyang Island. When cultivating it, he no longer suffered from Vital Energy running amok, Spiritual Energy blockages, and the like.
Not only that, but his mental state had grown increasingly better.
Such a formidable technique was allowed to be cultivated by all disciples. This caused him to feel both reverence and curiosity toward Li Qingqiu.
What kind of cultivation must one possess to have such breadth of mind?
He had heard that Sect Master Li Qingqiu might be the reincarnation of an immortal. When he had first arrived, he had scoffed at the idea. Now, however, he believed it to be true.
All he wanted now was to follow the Clear Sky Sect in cultivating immortality!
The reason was also that within the Clear Sky Sect, he had witnessed many geniuses. He felt that Ziyang Island simply did not have so many.
In any case, he could not find a single person on Ziyang Island who could compare with Yun Cai, not to mention the likes of Xu Ning, Jiang Zhaoxia, and Zhao Zhen.
Nor did Ziyang Island have a genius who could rival Ji Ya. Ji Ya’s Vital Energy was far too astonishing—simply inhuman.
These years spent in the Clear Sky Sect had made him certain that sooner or later, the Clear Sky Sect would surpass Ziyang Island.
“Senior Brother, this is Sun Moxing from Ziyang Island. He has something he wishes to say to you,” Zhang Yuchun said as he came to the long table.
Sun Moxing immediately bent forward and cupped his hands toward Li Qingqiu in salute.
Li Qingqiu looked at him, waiting for him to speak.
Sun Moxing did not dare meet his gaze. Lowering his head, he said, “Sect Master, though my heart already belongs to the Clear Sky Sect, my identity in Ziyang Island must be settled. Intelligence disciples like me, if we fail to return within a certain time, Ziyang Island will send others to replace us. In other words, if I do not go back, other disciples of Ziyang Island will come.”
Li Qingqiu smiled and asked, “If I let you return, would you expose our existence?”
Sun Moxing panicked and immediately knelt down. “Sect Master, I would absolutely never do such a thing. I revealed my identity of my own accord. Though I come from Ziyang Island, it has shown me no great kindness. I could even say that on Ziyang Island, I walked on thin ice. If I return this time, I will only complete the handover of my task, and then I will withdraw from Ziyang Island.”
Li Qingqiu glanced at Wei Tianxiong.
Seeing this, Wei Tianxiong nodded. “Ziyang Island does indeed operate under such rules. Back then, when their spy was detained by our Divine Origin Sect, they sent another one. However, whether this person is trustworthy, I cannot judge. In my view, Ziyang Island is not worthy of trust.”
After speaking, Wei Tianxiong fixed his gaze on Sun Moxing. He had many methods to make Sun Moxing obedient.
Sun Moxing looked up and happened to meet his eyes, shuddering violently in fright.
This white-haired man in black was definitely not to be trifled with. He was very likely a demonic cultivator!
“Sect Master, you must believe me. I have already given everything. My sincerity toward the Clear Sky Sect is genuine. Hall Master Zhang, please speak for me!”
Sun Moxing grew anxious and hurriedly pleaded, even turning his head to look at Zhang Yuchun.
Zhang Yuchun nodded. “He has offered all his spells and techniques to the Scripture Repository. He even compiled his own understanding of formations, talismans, and alchemy. I believe him.”
Wei Tianxiong snorted coldly. “The human heart is the least trustworthy thing. Hall Master Zhang, are you going to gamble the life and death of the entire Clear Sky Sect? I have a kind of parasitic insect here. It cannot be detected. As long as it does not activate, he will feel no pain. This is the most merciful method of trust.”
Zhang Yuchun opened his mouth but found himself unable to refute him.
Sun Moxing clenched his teeth and looked at Wei Tianxiong. “Then what must I do for the parasite to be removed?”
“As long as you do not harm the Clear Sky Sect, it will have no effect on you. Even if you encounter danger, I can use it to rescue you. Fifty years. If within fifty years Ziyang Island does not invade the Nine Provinces Continent, I will remove it.”
Wei Tianxiong spoke calmly. His eyes were cold, like knives piercing into Sun Moxing’s heart.
Li Qingqiu remained silent, watching how the elder of the Divine Origin Sect subdued Sun Moxing.
Sun Moxing’s loyalty had already risen to ninety. In truth, he could be trusted, but Li Qingqiu did not wish to gamble.
Against a behemoth like Ziyang Island, the Clear Sky Sect could not afford to take risks.
“Fine!”
Sun Moxing looked at Li Qingqiu and Zhang Yuchun, then gritted his teeth and agreed.
Wei Tianxiong suddenly flashed before him, grabbing his jaw with one hand while producing a black insect with the other. He forced it into Sun Moxing’s mouth and used Vital Energy to send it down his throat.
Sun Moxing choked and coughed violently. Only after Wei Tianxiong released him did he clutch at his own throat.
Wei Tianxiong’s move startled even Zhang Yuchun.
He had not expected this man to be so powerful.
The elder of the Divine Origin Sect was indeed no simple figure.
Sun Moxing was at the Ninth Layer of the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm, yet he had no ability to resist.
Watching Sun Moxing’s miserable state, Li Qingqiu said, “Take him to rest. Once he returns from Ziyang Island, we can consider appointing him as Deputy Hall Master of the Free Spirit Hall.”
“Yes!”
Zhang Yuchun immediately supported Sun Moxing and led him away.
Wei Tianxiong turned back to the long table. Only after the two left the courtyard did he speak, “Sect Master, you are too benevolent. That is not a good thing for the development of the sect.”
From beyond the courtyard wall, Sun Moxing could still hear Wei Tianxiong’s complaint. It filled him with frustration.
He believed that Li Qingqiu truly was benevolent—so many stories and disciples testified to it. He also felt that Wei Tianxiong was not wrong. Yet the one suffering was him. How could he let it go?
Resentment toward Wei Tianxiong began to take root in his heart. He swore that one day he would make Wei Tianxiong pay.
“Forgive me, Fellow Daoist Sun. I did not expect matters to turn out this way,” Zhang Yuchun said, his face full of guilt.
Sun Moxing straightened his back. He could no longer feel the parasite. Taking a deep breath, he asked, “Hall Master Zhang, who is that person?”
“Deputy Hall Master of the Heavenly Works Hall, Wei Tianxiong. He has contributed greatly to the sect. You should have heard of him,” Zhang Yuchun replied helplessly.
Sun Moxing fell silent.
He had indeed heard Wei Tianxiong’s name. That man had joined the sect even later than he had, yet his contributions were immense, and all disciples knew his name.
It was precisely because of Wei Tianxiong’s deeds that he had taken the initiative to offer up his own techniques and spells.
Judging from Wei Tianxiong’s move just now, his cultivation far exceeded his own.
Forget it.
No matter what, at least he had gained the opportunity to become Deputy Hall Master of the Free Spirit Hall.
On Ziyang Island, he would never have held such authority.
The current Clear Sky Sect might still be weak, but a hundred years from now, it would surely be another sight. With the status of Deputy Hall Master of the Free Spirit Hall, he would obtain even more cultivation resources. Just thinking about it made him excited.
In this misfortune, there was also a blessing.
“Hall Master Zhang, I will prove my loyalty to the Sect Master,” Sun Moxing said in a low voice.
With the Primordial Unity Scripture and so many geniuses, he dared to assert that the future of the Clear Sky Sect would not be inferior to that of Ziyang Island!
Zhang Yuchun nodded. “As long as you perform well, with my senior brother backing you, Wei Tianxiong will not dare make things difficult for you. Rest assured.”
…
As the year’s end approached, despite the heavy snowfall, the Clear Sky Sect was lively.
On this day, Zhang Ping came alone to the Treasure Pavilion established by the Cultivation Hall. Looking at the dazzling wooden cabinets on the first floor, he raised his brows slightly.
Compared to half a year ago, there were far more treasures in the Treasure Pavilion.
The moment he entered, he could feel Spiritual Energy rushing toward him.
Inwardly, he marveled at how rapidly the sect was developing.
He had heard that it was related to the Deputy Hall Master of the Heavenly Works Hall. He wondered when he himself could become someone so useful.
From time to time, Zhang Ping would also contribute spells and pills he had created to the sect. But he felt his contributions were modest, merely adding bricks and tiles.
Thinking this, he walked into a corridor ahead.
The Treasure Pavilion had seven floors, each displaying different treasures. The first floor held the most basic talisman paper, something most needed by disciples of the Clear Sky Sect.
Spells could be imprinted onto talisman paper. During battle, casting spells through talismans reduced the consumption of Vital Energy. Thus, talismans had already become essential items for Clear Sky Sect disciples.
Zhang Ping also studied talisman arts in his spare time. Recently, he had many new ideas and thus came to purchase a batch of talisman paper.
Prices varied, as different materials could withstand different amounts of Vital Energy.
There were many disciples strolling about the first floor, making it lively. Yet they were well-mannered and did not speak loudly. Even when conversing with companions, they spoke softly.
Smack!
A hand landed on Zhang Ping’s shoulder.
He stopped and turned around, only to see Bai Ning’er grinning at him.
At thirty-five years old, Bai Ning’er carried himself with imposing presence, fully displaying the bearing of a great cultivator.
Looking at Zhang Ping, he smiled and asked, “What’s with that expression? Aren’t you happy to see me? You’ll hurt my feelings like this.”
Zhang Ping shook his head. “How could I not be happy? Though I’m not especially happy either. After all, no matter what you do, you always come back alive.”
“Tsk tsk, Ninth Layer of the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm, huh? Even your tone has changed. Looks like you’ve forgotten this brother of yours,” Bai Ning’er said in a mocking tone.
Zhang Ping rolled his eyes and did not bother responding, turning to continue selecting talisman paper.
Bai Ning’er followed him, chuckling softly. “I’m going down the mountain again soon. Guess what mission I’m taking this time?”
“The New Year is almost here. You’re in such a hurry?”
“Relax. I’ll go after the festival. I’m just buying talismans in advance.”
“Don’t drag me along.”
“Bah. When have I dragged you these past few years?”
Bai Ning’er retorted irritably. He felt Zhang Ping misunderstood him.
Stepping closer, he leaned near Zhang Ping and lowered his voice. “Have you heard? In Zhongtian Province, a prodigy has appeared. Through self-enlightenment alone, he comprehended a cultivation method and founded Asking Immortals Temple.”
Zhang Ping responded casually, “Are such prodigies rare? Which founding ancestor of an Immortal Cultivation Sect wasn’t like that? Just listen and take it lightly. Without an extraordinary background, how could they attract mortals to join?”
Bai Ning’er shook his head. “This one is different. When he founded Asking Immortals Temple, an Azure Bird descended from the heavens. Many witnessed it. Asking Immortals Temple sought recognition from the Heavenly Son but was refused. Now they can only cultivate in the mountains, unable to legitimize their name. It’s said that in the forest where Asking Immortals Temple resides, strange phenomena appear from time to time. I plan to go take a look, to see whether this Asking Immortals Temple is truly divine or merely playing tricks.”