Chapter 289: The Heart of a Heterodox Immortal
Upon hearing Shi Yixian’s words, Bai Ning’er shrugged and said, “You have misunderstood one thing. The Clear Sky Sect is not a secular faction, nor is it a dynasty. What we pursue is longevity and ascension to immortality. The Sect Master will surely become an immortal—he will rule the Clear Sky Sect forever.”
Shi Yixian looked at him and pressed, “And you believe he will never change?”
“That is only natural,” Bai Ning’er replied without hesitation.
Shi Yixian froze, and his gaze turned strange.
Bai Ning’er felt no burden under that look.
This trip to the Asking Immortals Temple had been intended to investigate its background. Although it could not compare to immortal cultivation sects such as the Azure Cloud Sect or White Abyss Valley, and had yet to be regarded by the Clear Sky Sect as a target of scrutiny, Bai Ning’er felt it necessary to come personally.
At first, after hearing Shi Yixian’s story, he found it interesting. But after learning more, he felt that Shi Yixian was far from simple.
Possessing extraordinary talent, enduring the humiliation of being rejected by the Heavenly Son, and ultimately choosing to retreat into the deep mountains—such a person was bound to succeed.
If he were to become an enemy of the Clear Sky Sect in the future, that would be troublesome.
Before the rise of the Clear Sky Sect, the martial world had seen too many factions that appeared powerful on the surface. Even the Great Li Dynasty had collapsed. He did not wish for the Clear Sky Sect to encounter another enemy like Li Qingqiu.
Bai Ning’er smiled and asked, “Temple Master Shi, I would like to stay here for two days to better understand the Compassionate Savior Immortal. Would that be acceptable?”
Shi Yixian smiled. “Naturally.”
Afterward, Bai Ning’er asked several more questions, all of which Shi Yixian answered one by one.
They chatted for quite some time before Shi Yixian finally escorted Bai Ning’er out of the main hall. He did not personally see him off, but instead summoned a disciple to arrange lodging for him.
Shi Yixian stood at the threshold, watching Bai Ning’er depart. He stood within the shadows; the gentle beauty of his face lost its smile and became extremely cold, his eyes filled with disdain.
Behind him, the Compassionate Savior Immortal’s arm twitched ever so slightly.
…
The night deepened.
Bai Ning’er lay on his bed, unable to sleep. Resting his head on his hand, he gazed at the bright moon beyond the window.
He had already spent two days at the Asking Immortals Temple, and the more he observed, the more he felt that something was off about Shi Yixian.
Shi Yixian did not teach his disciples cultivation at all. He only had them plant flowers and herbs, or recite scriptures before the Compassionate Savior Immortal.
Could such a sect truly be considered an immortal cultivation sect?
He began to suspect that he had misjudged Shi Yixian. Could this man truly not become a figure like Sect Master Li?
“You won’t see the problem just by observing like this. The more formidable a person is, the better they are at hiding themselves.”
A voice suddenly sounded within the room, startling Bai Ning’er into turning his head.
The disciple of the Asking Immortals Temple on the opposite bed lay on his back, eyes closed as though asleep.
Bai Ning’er had not expected such words from him. Over the past two days, this disciple had been warm and enthusiastic, appearing completely without guile. As a result, Bai Ning’er had lowered his guard.
“What do you mean by that?” Bai Ning’er asked calmly.
“You claim to be a disciple of the Clear Sky Sect. If Shi Yixian truly had a problem, would he show it to you?” the disciple continued.
Bai Ning’er fell silent.
He was suddenly enlightened. He had believed that by acting amiable and casual, he could gain trust. Yet he had overlooked the fact that the identity of a Clear Sky Sect disciple was itself a tremendous threat to other factions. It was impossible for them to let down their guard around him.
But then…
“Who exactly are you? Why did you enter the Asking Immortals Temple?” Bai Ning’er turned and looked at him.
The disciple kept his eyes closed and replied, “If I answer you, you should be able to guess my true origins. But I cannot tell you my identity. This is my assignment—not a free task taken from the Tempering Hall.”
Bai Ning’er’s eyes widened.
He had long known that the Clear Sky Sect had disciples dedicated to infiltration missions. Their identities were mysterious, and their assignments were personally arranged by the sect’s upper ranks, outside the jurisdiction of the Tempering Hall.
He had not expected that the sect had planted such a covert agent even within the Asking Immortals Temple.
From what he had observed over the past two days, Shi Yixian clearly valued this disciple highly.
Bai Ning’er suddenly felt that the Clear Sky Sect was not as upright and straightforward as he had imagined. Yet oddly enough, that very realization made him breathe easier.
The sect was not arrogant. It still faced potentially threatening secular forces with caution.
“So that’s how it is. Since you are here, then I need not worry.”
Bai Ning’er smiled and lay flat again. He did not press further about the disciple’s identity, sparing him the difficulty.
The disciple said nothing more.
The moon set, and the sun rose.
The two left the room one after the other. That disciple immediately resumed his usual enthusiastic demeanor, even taking the initiative to fetch water for Bai Ning’er, filling him with emotion.
Every disciple of the Clear Sky Sect appeared high-spirited and proud—yet when carrying out missions, they could bend their backs without hesitation.
Bai Ning’er had originally planned to descend the mountain after noon. However, heaven was unpredictable. Before he could pack his belongings, a torrential downpour suddenly struck.
Rumble—
Thunder crashed, deafening, as the mountain forest was lashed by heavy rain and mist filled the air.
Standing beneath the eaves, Bai Ning’er watched the surrounding trees sway violently in the storm, his thoughts drifting.
Though he often descended the mountain to travel and always appeared carefree and smiling before others, he too had his own ambitions. He wished to become a dazzling genius like Zhao Zhen, Yun Cai, or Sword Solitary.
Unfortunately, he did not possess such talent. He was merely an ordinary man with somewhat better luck.
He also harbored ambitions for the next Grand Dao Tournament.
He, too, wanted to shine.
“I wonder what Fellow Daoist Bai is thinking about, that his brows are so tightly knit?”
Shi Yixian’s voice sounded, drawing Bai Ning’er’s gaze.
Shi Yixian held an umbrella as he walked through the temple’s small path into the courtyard.
Bai Ning’er watched him approach and smiled. “I was preparing to return to the sect, thinking about my cultivation plans.”
“As expected of a disciple of the Number One Sect Under Heaven,” Shi Yixian remarked with a smile. “You have even formulated detailed plans for your own cultivation.”
Seeing that the rain would not cease anytime soon, Bai Ning’er began chatting with Shi Yixian.
The rain poured relentlessly, mercilessly battering all things between heaven and earth.
Suddenly—
A series of piercing sounds cut through the thunder from the horizon.
Startled, Bai Ning’er and Shi Yixian turned to look.
They saw immortal cultivators riding flying swords through the rain, white vapor visible around their bodies. They crossed the forest and swiftly descended onto the eaves before them.
There were twelve in total, all clad in the unified blue robes of the Clear Sky Sect.
Bai Ning’er raised a brow. He recognized the one leading them.
Xiao Wudi.
At thirty-two years old, Xiao Wudi had already reached the Ninth Layer of the Nourishing Vital Energy Realm. He was considered a strong contender for first place in the next Grand Dao Tournament.
Standing upon the eaves, his build was robust, black hair hanging loosely like a lion standing proudly. Arrogance filled his brows, his chin slightly raised as he looked down upon Shi Yixian.
Xiao Wudi did not have a deep impression of Bai Ning’er, and Bai Ning’er was not wearing the sect’s robe. Looking down at the two, Xiao Wudi declared, “I am Xiao Wudi, True Transmission Disciple of the Clear Sky Sect. This mountain has been requisitioned by the Clear Sky Sect. Either you relocate your temple and depart, or you close it entirely. You are not to obstruct the Clear Sky Sect in mining spirit stones!”
Mining spirit stones?
Bai Ning’er froze, the confusion in his heart instantly unraveling.
So Shi Yixian had endured here because there was a spirit mine?
But how had the sect discovered it?
He thought of the disciple who had shared his room.
Shi Yixian frowned slightly and asked, “Is the Clear Sky Sect not being overly domineering?”
Xiao Wudi snorted. “The Xuan Dynasty reveres the Clear Sky. Could it be that your Asking Immortals Temple was established before the Xuan Dynasty? That you are permitted to cultivate immortality and recruit disciples is already benevolence enough. Do not be greedy. If you comply, the Clear Sky Sect will not mistreat you—we will grant you wealth.”
“What use is secular wealth to an immortal cultivation sect like ours?” Shi Yixian asked, suppressing his anger.
“I am not here to negotiate,” Xiao Wudi said coldly.
The other Clear Sky Sect disciples all fixed their gazes upon Shi Yixian. Their cultivation levels were high—high enough that even Bai Ning’er felt pressured.
Shi Yixian glanced at Bai Ning’er, his eyes carrying a trace of pleading.
Bai Ning’er coughed lightly and said, “Fellow Daoist Shi, I advise you not to oppose our sect. By occupying spirit mines, we grow stronger, and only then can we better protect the world. If you wish to cultivate immortality, there are many paths available. You may even purchase elixirs from the Clear Sky Sect. Do not entertain improper thoughts.”
With that, he leapt into the air. The Clear Sky Sword flew out of his storage pouch and landed beneath his feet, carrying him into the rain-soaked horizon.
Xiao Wudi and the others glanced at him, surprised that he too was a fellow disciple.
They turned their attention back to Shi Yixian.
The rain could not touch them; instead, vapor formed around their bodies. Lightning intertwined across the sky behind them, stretching their shadows long and pressing them down upon Shi Yixian.
Under such pressure, Shi Yixian took a deep breath, striving to calm himself.
“I was foolish to obstruct the sacred will of the Clear Sky,” Shi Yixian said with a smile.
Xiao Wudi frowned, sensing mockery, but the Sect Master had given strict orders—so long as there was no resistance, there was to be no indiscriminate slaughter.
He waved his hand. The True Transmission Disciples on either side shot off like arrows in different directions, swiftly disappearing.
…
July arrived, and the world gradually grew hotter.
Li Qingqiu entered the Lingxiao Courtyard. Xiao Wuqing, who had been waiting, immediately bowed.
Once Li Qingqiu was seated, Xiao Wuqing said, “Sect Master, the spirit mine in Zhongtian Province has been secured by my elder brother. Its reserves are astonishing—combined, all the spirit mines we currently control do not compare to it. I have already informed Hall Master Li.”
Upon hearing this, Li Qingqiu smiled and praised, “Excellent. The disciple who discovered this spirit mine must be heavily rewarded.”
Xiao Wuqing replied, “No name was left with the intelligence.”
Li Qingqiu was not surprised. Instead, he nodded. “Mm. I will handle it personally.”
Xiao Wuqing knew that Li Qingqiu controlled a mysterious hall-level force. The absence of a name likely meant the intelligence came from that unit.
“Sect Master, there is a small immortal cultivation sect beside the spirit mine, named the Asking Immortals Temple. Could there be something suspicious about this matter?” Xiao Wuqing continued.
Li Qingqiu waved it off. “Precisely because there is a spirit mine there, those nearby are more likely to sense the Dao of cultivation and step onto the path. It is reasonable. Of course, what should be investigated must still be investigated. Remember—do not harm the innocent, do not humiliate others. If reason can suffice, use reason first.”
“Yes!”
Xiao Wuqing responded. He was not overly worried, but he hoped to thoroughly probe any potential threats.