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墨書 Inktalez
Human Sacrifice
The death of Ma Yuan did not attract the attention of the upper echelons. Although he was old, it was mainly because he had made too many enemies. Even if I did not take revenge on him, there would be others who would.
A person who was once arrogant and suddenly lost all power while being severely injured—how could his enemies allow him to live? This is the rule of the Daoist World.
Survival of the fittest has always been the law of nature.
In the days that followed, I spent my time either meditating and practicing or playing chess with Li Lao, who guarded the Scripture Repository in the Outer Sect.
Since learning chess from the Old Man, who was not necessarily better than me, Li Lao often found himself defeated by me. This brought him a bit of joy in his otherwise leisurely days, and he would occasionally seek me out for a game. Sometimes when I asked him about cultivation matters, he answered all my questions without hesitation.
During this period, my cultivation progress finally slowed down; it was no longer as rapid as before.
I inquired about Li Lao's relationship with Elder Jin. From our conversation, Li Lao sensed my dissatisfaction with Elder Jin. The Daoist World is fraught with crises; sometimes even an inconspicuous figure can play a pivotal role in success or failure. He advised me to be cautious and avoid offending anyone if possible. He was essentially telling me that his relationship with Elder Jin was not very good.
However, Li Lao seriously informed me that my appearance had become increasingly youthful. Compared to when I first entered the sect, I looked like there was a significant age gap between us. After returning home and looking in the mirror, I realized that my current appearance was indeed excessively youthful; I looked like a boy of seventeen or eighteen.
A few days later, I applied to enter the Inner Sect. The only requirement for moving from the Outer Sect to the Inner Sect was to reach the Foundation Establishment Realm. However, for cultivators transitioning from the Purple Qi Coming from the East Realm to the Foundation Establishment Stage without using a Foundation Pill, it is generally very difficult to forcefully break through their bottleneck relying solely on their own strength.
Originally, due to the incident at the medicinal gathering where disciples from the Outer Sect suffered losses—Yang Sanqian's disciples were completely wiped out among the top ten, and very few survived among the top one hundred—both the Inner Sect and Outer Sect believed that no one would enter the Inner Sect in a short time. My application was sponsored by Li Lao.
If it weren't for Li Lao's endorsement, anyone from the Inner Sect investigating my background would discover something amiss. In just a few months, I had gone from being an ordinary laborer unable to enter even the Outer Sect to becoming an Inner Sect Disciple. No one would believe it unless I possessed some extraordinary treasure.
It was precisely at noon on the day I applied to enter the Inner Sect that a group of people intruded into Azure Cloud Sect.
The sound of the Azure Mountain Bell echoed above Azure Cloud Mountain, summoning all disciples. At that moment, as I hurried from the Outer Sect toward the Inner Sect, I suddenly heard this urgent bell ringing—indicating an invasion by outsiders. A large number of Azure Cloud Disciples rushed down toward the Outer Sect, and I had no choice but to follow them toward the plaza at Outer Hall.
However, from a distance, I saw that the leader of this group was Elder Situ Nan of the Serpent God Sect, followed by a large crowd carrying a red palanquin. Feeling something strange, I quickly hid inside the Manager's room.
From within the Manager's room, I could see what was happening outside. Once all the leaders of various sects gathered together with Azure Cloud Sect Leader present, he looked at Situ Nan and asked, "So it's Elder Situ from Serpent Cult! It's been many years; what brings you here?"
Si Tu Nan chuckled lightly and said, "Cloud Master, there's no need to be nervous. I have come to Azure Cloud Mountain on the orders of the leader to find someone. It is truly an honor for me to be welcomed with such grandeur by your sect, which also saves me the trouble of searching one by one."
"Oh?" The Azure Cloud Sect Leader raised an eyebrow and replied, "I wonder who has such influence that the Serpent Cult would mobilize in full force to search for them?"
Si Tu Nan replied, "Zhang Jianzi."
With that, Si Tu Nan unfolded a portrait of Zhang Jianzi for everyone to see. He continued, "We have been tracking Zhang Jianzi for several months, following him from the Central Plains to the Two Guang regions, then from there to Kunlun, and finally from Kunlun to the Qinling Mountains. According to our tracking methods, Zhang Jianzi is hiding near your sect. I wonder if anyone from your sect has seen him?"
The Azure Cloud Sect Leader frowned and said, "I don't know who this Zhang Jianzi is that could cause such a stir among one of the Five Supreme Sects like the Serpent Cult."
Si Tu Nan explained, "To be honest with you, Cloud Master, this Zhang Jianzi is the one who stole the Martial Dao Classic from the treasure cave at the southern foot of Kunlun ten years after the major sects gathered at Kunlun Yaochi."
Twenty years ago, due to the Book of Life and Death, many sects converged at Kunlun Yaochi to eradicate all disciples of Yaochi. Except for the elderly Supreme and the Holy Maiden of Yaochi, everyone else was killed. In Yaochi's forbidden grounds, they discovered a treasure map. Following this map, the various sects found a hidden village at the southern foot of Kunlun Mountain.
This village had guarded a cave for generations, which was marked as the destination on the treasure map. The villagers blocked many cultivators from various sects; they were all skilled in Daoist Arts and possessed Ultimate Techniques. However, when faced with numerous sects from the Daoist World, it took only a moment for all the villagers to be slaughtered.
Inside the cave, they discovered a powerful restriction that could not be forcibly broken even by a Daoist Grandmaster. They excavated around the surrounding mountains and eventually unearthed a massive Azure Bull Statue. On this statue was inscribed Laozi's Tao Te Ching.
Most people have heard of Laozi riding an ox westward beyond the pass; it is said that he discovered a secret place and never returned. People recalled an ancient legend that when Laozi Li Er wrote the Tao Te Ching, he created an Ultimate Technique that shocked all Daoist Sects called the Martial Dao Classic.
However, no matter how they dug from any direction, no one could break through this cave until ten years later when a disciple stationed there discovered a villager emerging from it one morning. Several people attempted to capture him but ultimately failed as he escaped.
That disciple called upon others guarding the cave from various sects to join him. Inside the cave, they found a shabby room with some ancient Taoist artifacts. On one wall of that room were inscribed ancient characters still imbued with Dao essence: "The Martial Dao Classic is here; those destined may obtain it in future generations."
Only then did they realize that what had been stolen was indeed the Martial Dao Classic. The treasure map from Kunlun Yaochi and the characters on the wall confirmed its existence. The high-ranking members of various sects took this matter very seriously and launched an all-out investigation into the villager who had stolen the scriptures—this villager was none other than Zhang Jianzi, who had survived by chance during the massacre of his village.
Zhang Jianzi endured hardships while being hunted by various sects but ultimately managed to escape and lived in hiding for ten years. During his pursuit back then, the Leader of the Serpent Cult had planted a spirit within him; whenever he used Dao Qi, any movement of this spirit would alert God Serpent Cult Leader immediately, allowing them to track down Zhang Jianzi's whereabouts using their sect's Treasure Machine Wall.
For months now, Zhang Jianzi had been on the run. As an ordinary villager with dull talent, he could not comprehend the profound mysteries contained within such an extraordinary Ultimate Technique as the Martial Dao Classic. The Serpent Cult had mobilized their entire force to hunt him down alone, ultimately forcing him into hiding within the Qinling Mountains.
Si Tu Nan possessed the Paper Crane Tracking Technique, allowing him to track Zhang Jianzi's whereabouts over great distances.
"It turns out to be the one who stole the Martial Dao Classic ten years ago," said the Azure Cloud Sect Leader. "Elder Situ, we truly do not know the whereabouts of this Zhang Jianzi. With the sound of the Azure Mountain Bell, all disciples are gathered here. How about you, Elder Situ, take some people up the mountain to search?"
"That would be best," replied Si Tu Nan.
His suggestion immediately drew dissatisfaction from many members of the Azure Cloud Sect. The Azure Cloud Sect Leader's words were clearly just polite remarks; for such a large sect to be searched by members of another sect was a great insult. The Elder of the Azure Cloud Sect retorted sharply, "Elder Situ, you are indeed being overly polite, treating my Azure Cloud Sect as if it were your own home."
Si Tu Nan responded, "If the Azure Cloud Sect intends to become a branch of the Serpent Cult, then becoming family is not out of the question."
"Bold!" Members of the Inner Sect drew their swords in unison.
Si Tu Nan's expression darkened slightly. "The Azure Cloud Sect is quite arrogant, relying on its numbers to bully my Serpent Cult because you think we have no one?"
The Azure Cloud Sect Leader raised his hand to signal everyone to be quiet. He looked at Si Tu Nan and said, "Elder Situ, my Azure Cloud Sect will not submit to any sect, nor do we harbor the Zhang Jianzi you seek. I have heard that you possess the Paper Crane Tracking Technique. Since you can track him here, why not use your divine technique to let the Crane directly find where he is hiding?"
Si Tu Nan replied, "The Paper Crane Tracking Technique can only confirm he is nearby. Zhang Jianzi's abilities are not inferior to mine; I cannot pinpoint his exact location."
"In that case, I am powerless," said the Azure Cloud Sect Leader.
Si Tu Nan snorted and said, "Since the Azure Cloud Sect is unwilling to hand him over, I will remember this debt for my Serpent Cult. Additionally, there is something else I must mention: my son, Nangong Xie, was killed a few days ago. His soul tablet shattered while he was cultivating in your Azure Cloud Sect. I wonder if you, Cloud Master, could provide an explanation?"
"Nangong Xie?" The expression of the Azure Cloud Sect Leader changed in surprise as he looked at the standing Elder Jin.
Elder Jin, responding respectfully, said, "Master, Nangong Xie was a young man ranked ninth in the Outer Sect. He entered the Inner Sect two years ago and was killed during last month's herb gathering event."
The Azure Cloud Sect Leader continued, "Elder Situ, you have heard it too; he was an outer disciple. You should have greeted him. As the leader of this sect, I cannot keep track of everyone. At the end of last month, our outer disciples went out to gather herbs in the Medicinal Valley, where we lost several disciples including Yang Sanqian. All members of the Outer Sect Top Ten were wiped out. It is said they were killed by a Coiling Dragon trapped in a volcano. The mastermind behind that dragon is also the one who killed your young master from the Serpent Cult!"
Upon hearing this from the Azure Cloud Sect Leader, sweat broke out on Si Tu Nan's face. He said, "In fact, Nangong Xie was merely a child born from a previous concubine of our leader; he holds little significance. I was just inquiring."
The Azure Cloud Sect Leader nodded and said, "That's good. Otherwise, if something were to happen to the Young Master of the Serpent Cult, I wouldn't be able to bear that responsibility. However, your sect's leader is nearly ninety years old and yet has such a young son. Even twenty years ago, he would have been seventy. Truly, a remarkable man."
Si Tu Nan's expression turned awkward. He replied, "Since we've spoken about it, I have nothing more to say. I shall take my leave."
As Si Tu Nan was about to lead his group out of the mountain, a woman's voice suddenly echoed from all directions.
"Coming and going as you please; do you really think the Azure Cloud Sect is your home?"
Frowning, Si Tu Nan could not discern where the voice came from. He turned to the Azure Cloud Sect Leader and asked, "May I ask who spoke, Cloud Master?"
"It was me," came a cold voice. Si Tu Nan turned around to see an incredibly beautiful yet icy woman standing behind him.
"Yunxi!" exclaimed the Azure Cloud Sect Leader.
Ignoring him, Yunxi coldly looked at Si Tu Nan and asked, "Are you an elder of the Serpent Cult?"
"Indeed, Old Man is the Divine Serpent—"
Before Si Tu Nan could finish his sentence, Yunxi struck him with a palm, sending him flying. The water-like waves on her palm seemed gentle but produced a dull thud as they hit him. Si Tu Nan's chest caved in immediately; fortunately, he managed to protect his heart meridian in time and avoided fatal injury.
The disciples of the Serpent Cult drew their swords one after another. Yunxi snorted, and suddenly one of the circular pendants from her earrings slipped off. Seeing this, the Azure Cloud Sect Leader quickly shouted, "Yunxi, stop!"
In an instant, dozens of disciples from the Serpent Cult fell to the ground as a sharp circular ring named Shuttle moved back and forth, claiming the lives of all the Disciples of the Serpent Cult.
Such a display of power stunned everyone present!
"Please summon our leader Dao Body to punish the Azure Cloud Sect!" Si Tu Nan shouted loudly. He formed seals with his hands and chanted incantations. The upper echelons of the Azure Cloud Sect revealed expressions of terror; the God Serpent Cult Leader was notorious for being ruthless—no one in all of Azure Cloud Mountain could match him.
Yunxi looked at Si Tu Nan with a blank expression, casually tossing a crumpled piece of white paper at him. "Your master."
Si Tu Nan was taken aback, staring at the crumpled paper at his feet. This paper had been crafted using special Daoist Arts to create a paper effigy, specifically used to respectfully summon the Dao Body of their master in special circumstances. Out of respect, it was usually carried on a Palanquin, but he never expected Yunxi would crumple it into a ball of waste.
Yunxi reached for the red Palanquin behind her, which flew towards her as if summoned. Gripping the poles of the Palanquin, she slammed it down onto Si Tu Nan's head, completely covering him with it.
With a snort, Yunxi ignored the gazes of everyone around and walked towards the Inner Sect.
"To dare act recklessly under my watch, you truly do not know your own limits. If you think the Azure Cloud Sect is as easy to bully as that Cloud Master you mentioned, you are sorely mistaken. If I see you again in the Azure Cloud Sect, I will surely take your life."
"And as for the Grand Master Yun, Yang Sanqian, an Outer Sect Disciple, has fallen at the hands of the Serpent Cult. You don't even dare to ask about it? If you continue to act so timidly, you might as well give up your position as Grand Master to avoid embarrassing your master."
Yunxi's words made the face of the Azure Cloud Sect Leader turn extremely grim. A leader of a sect being reprimanded like this by a young woman was utterly humiliating for him, yet he did not retort or show any sign of blaming Yunxi.
Who exactly was this young woman?
The most crucial point was her youth and her astonishing power; even Si Tu Nan, who had gained fame for many years within the Serpent Cult, was utterly helpless before her.
The Elder of the Azure Cloud Sect sighed and said, "This girl is becoming more and more outrageous!"
The sect leader did not respond much but lifted the Palanquin off Si Tu Nan. Disheveled and dazed, Si Tu Nan slumped to the ground in shock.
The Azure Cloud Sect Leader looked at Elder Jin, who understood and stepped forward to help Si Tu Nan up. "Elder Situ has been startled. In truth, the Azure Cloud Sect has no intention of opposing the Serpent Cult. That earlier outburst was just her temper flaring; do not take it to heart. Our Outer Sect has lost disciple Yang Sanqian, and some have seen it as being caused by your sect's master. That Nangong Xie is likely also killed by his own father—what a coincidence!"
Si Tu Nan had no words and left everyone's sight with Elder Jin's support as they descended from Azure Cloud Mountain.
In front of the hall's entrance, an elderly female Daoist said, "Master Brother, since Yunxi has already acted against Si Tu Nan, should we kill him to prevent letting a tiger return to the mountain?"
The Azure Cloud Sect Leader replied, "It is not yet suitable for our Azure Cloud Sect to declare war on the Serpent Cult. Si Tu Nan holds significant status within their ranks; if we were to kill him rashly, it could very likely provoke a war between our two sects. The Azure Cloud Sect cannot bear that burden right now. In these few days, I will personally visit several allied sects in preparation for any future assistance."
The Elder of the Azure Cloud Sect said, "Does the Sect Leader truly believe that Si Tu Nan has come here just to find someone named Zhang Jianzi?"
The Azure Cloud Sect Leader replied, "Zhang Jianzi possesses the Martial Dao Classic. No matter where he goes, he will be pursued. He is a dangerous individual. If he is discovered, do not engage in conflict and absolutely do not leak any information. Otherwise, the Azure Cloud Sect will also be in danger. The Martial Dao Classic is something that all five major sects covet, comparable to the Book of Life and Death from back in the day."
"Understood, Sect Leader," the Elders responded.
The Elder continued, "Sect Leader, why not let Old Man personally journey to the Central Plains to unite various sects and discuss the resurgence of the Serpent Cult? We cannot let the losses suffered by Yang Sanqian's disciples go unavenged."
"No, I will go myself. You will handle matters within the sect, Senior Brother. My purpose for going to the Central Plains is to find someone. If he is willing to help, the Azure Cloud Sect will be safe."
"Are you referring to Divine Hero Yang Sanqian?" the Elder asked.
The Azure Cloud Sect Leader nodded and said, "Back when many sects attacked Yaochi Sacred Land, although our Azure Cloud Sect participated, my master was forced by circumstances to order everyone not to take action. In my youth, I had a friendship with him and his wife. He harbors deep hatred for those from the Serpent Cult and has always suspected that it was members of the Serpent Cult who poisoned and killed his son."
"Then I shall also make a trip to Emei Mountain in Western Shu," an elderly female Taoist said.
The Azure Cloud Sect Leader nodded. After that, I could no longer hear what they discussed as I withdrew from Elder Manager's chamber and returned to my quarters.
In the following hours, nothing significant occurred within the Azure Cloud Sect. Once the tense atmosphere of war readiness dissipated, I once again applied for entry qualifications into the Inner Sect.
To enter the Inner Sect from the Outer Sect required approval from Elder Jin; however, Li Lao was aware of my attitude towards Elder Jin. Therefore, he gave me his own token and wrote a letter of recommendation on my behalf.
After checking my cultivation level, the Inner Sect Manager confirmed that I was a disciple at the Foundation Establishment Realm and proceeded to register me and arrange accommodations.
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