After we returned to Guo Daozhen's residence, we informed everyone about Song Qianqiu, and the expressions on their faces turned grim.
Guo Daozhen said, "The Great Wilderness Scripture is secondary for now. As long as we avoid a direct confrontation with Song Qianqiu, we can put this matter aside. However, the Demon King's Scripture is a different story. He possesses the Ghost Seal, which allows him to control Yin Soldiers, and with the Demon King's Scripture, he can manipulate Corpses. If the Daoist Sect gathers to hunt down Song Qianqiu, the casualties will become his Puppets, leading to an endless cycle."
Yang Sanqian remarked, "The Demon King's Scripture is incredibly evil and surely has its flaws. If Song Qianqiu truly intends to unify the Yin-Yang Realms, it will inevitably harm the Common People. Recently, there have been reports of the dead coming back to life in various places, and some villages have been inexplicably wiped out—this must be his doing. We must find Song Qianqiu during this critical time and eliminate him before he can grow stronger."
Huzi added, "Taihe Zhenren's Righteousness Song can suppress all evil beings; even the Ghost King was defeated by it. If we have his assistance, dealing with Yin Soldiers and Corpse Demons should be manageable without resorting to brute force. However, Taihe Zhenren was pierced through the heart by a sword, and his current status is unknown."
Guo Daozhen frowned and said, "Since Taihe Zhenren managed to escape, it seems he isn't in too much trouble. We will see him again eventually. This situation is urgent; I initially wanted Old Scholar and the others involved, but now with Song Qianqiu suddenly appearing, I’m at a loss. Yang Hao, what do you plan to do?"
I replied, "I intend to split up for now. Manman has gone back to Nanhai to retrieve the Book of Life and Death. I have arranged to meet at Jiangnan Ruins. Before that, I need to visit Leiyin Temple to inform a few Holy Monks to prepare for defense."
"Hao, do you plan to re-seal the Book of Life and Death within yourself?" Yang Sanqian asked with a furrowed brow.
I responded, "Since the Book of Life and Death cannot be destroyed, I will put it to use for myself. Although I cannot control others' lives or deaths, it must not fall into Old Scholar's hands. He possesses the Spring and Autumn Reincarnation Pen; if he gets hold of the Book of Life and Death, we will all suffer. Right now, I am afflicted by Injury of the Dao; having the Book of Life and Death will ensure it does not harm me directly. Instead, it can sustain my life so that I do not suddenly die from my injuries."
Guo Daozhen gasped and said, "That’s indeed a good idea; the Book of Life and Death can reverse life spans. If we can connect it with your life force, it might counteract your Injury of the Dao."
I replied, "Counteracting the Injury of the Dao is still uncertain for now, but it can certainly help mend my wounds."
When the Book of Life and Death is within me, even if my Heart is pierced through, I can recover swiftly without harm. If I have the Book of Life and Death with me, my combat power will also significantly increase.
Jiyao said, "I'll go with you; having my Guardian present during the sealing of the Book of Life and Death will make things safer."
I insisted, "Mother, I won't be in danger. You should stay with Father and investigate Song Qianqiu's whereabouts."
Yang Sanqian concluded, "Then it's settled. We will track down Song Qianqiu together as a couple. Once we have news, we will use Jade Talismans as signals to gather everyone."
Yang Sanqian then took out several Jade Talismans and distributed them among us.
Guo Daozhen said, "Then my son and I will investigate the current situation in various places to see how far Song Qianqiu has developed his Corpse Demon forces. If we manage to track him down, we will also use Jade Talismans to gather everyone."
Huzi added, "I’ll send members of the Dragon Clan out to gather information. Afterward, we'll meet at the ruins of Jiangnan Sword Pavilion. Long Cang will lead our clan members back to Azure Mountain to avoid unnecessary deaths; I don’t want them sacrificing themselves in vain. I'll head to the imperial capital to inform my grandfather and Mr. Yu about this situation and see what actions they might take."
I said, "Alright, when Long Cang informs me of the news, I will go to the Imperial Capital to find you."
Wu replied, "The Emei Sect is now dwindling in numbers and cannot be of much help. I will first settle them down, then take a trip to Qilian Mountain to see what the situation is with the Underworld."
I said, "If anything happens, use the Jade Talisman as a signal. I will rush over as quickly as possible. Make sure not to engage Song Qianqiu alone, so as not to alert the enemy."
After discussing our respective actions, I took Yunxi and Douding, riding on Qiongqi towards Leiyin Temple, while the others also set off on their own.
Two days later, we arrived at Leiyin Temple. Due to the previous conflicts and our departure, it was clear that the Three Divine Monks and Sky Master had developed a prejudice against us. Only Master Hai Deng was overjoyed to see Douding return.
I addressed Sky Master, saying, "I apologize for any offense caused during our last meeting."
Before Haikong could respond, Master Ku Xin angrily asked, "You just left not long ago; what brings you back to Leiyin Temple?"
I replied, "Naturally, I have important matters to discuss. Surely you all have heard about the recent fall of the two Supreme beings."
Everyone's faces showed shock. Withered Leaf Master, the most respected figure at Leiyin Temple, chanted a Buddhist mantra and asked, "What exactly happened? Please enlighten us, Hai Kong and Benefactor Yang Hao. Why did two Supreme beings suddenly fall?"
The fall of Supreme beings would alter the balance of power; such events had occurred in ancient times when sects were destroyed and Supremes fell. However, their successors often rose through various means and would cause turmoil within the Daoist Sect.
I recounted the events of that day to everyone at Leiyin Temple. After listening, Withered Leaf Master sighed and said, "I never expected Miao Guanyin's unparalleled skills would ultimately lead to her demise. The Yinshan Yang Family's techniques are indeed extraordinary. The One Qi Transforming into Three Purities technique had been questioned since the time of the Three Pure Ones in Daoism; it's surprising to learn it is real."
Master Hai Deng remarked, "If this Old Scholar intends to incite chaos by continuously using One Qi Transforming into Three Purities, then it truly would be the end for the Daoist Sect."
I responded, "One Qi Transforming into Three Purities is indeed a supreme technique. The Old Scholar is over one hundred forty years old; if he could use it freely, he wouldn't have waited until now. This technique must have many limitations. Furthermore, I suspect that the Three Pure Body cannot employ such a technique. Besides, the Old Scholar isn't insane; he wouldn't keep those he can't control around him for long."
Dry Leaf Monk said, "In that case, with the White-Robed Old Scholar fallen and only the Black-Robed Scholar and Old Scholar remaining alive in their sect—having two Supremes in one sect is something that hasn't happened in ages."
I replied, "We need not worry about having two Supremes in one sect right now; the Yinshan Yang Family is practically nonexistent. The Underworld Sect suffered countless casualties due to the Sword Pavilion incident. There are very few true experts left who would seek refuge with Yin Mountain; the Old Scholar stands alone. What we should be concerned about is someone named Song Qianqiu."
"Song Qianqiu?" Withered Leaf looked puzzled while glancing at Dead Tree and Withered Leaf.
Dead Tree and Withered Leaf shook their heads. Sky Master and Master Hai Deng also looked confused and said, "We've never heard of this person before. Could they be like Taihe Zhenren—a sudden emergence of a powerful figure?"
I said, "He was my Azure Cloud's Grand Disciple when I was in the Azure Cloud Sect. He has now made some progress in cultivating the Great Wilderness Scripture and the Demon King's Scripture, and he is also controlling the entire Underworld's Yin Soldiers with his Ghost Seal. This person has Wolfish Ambition. Who knows how many innocent people he has killed in secret? The casualties from the Sword Pavilion incident have all become his Puppets."
"Wait a minute." Although everyone was confused, Withered Leaf Master's expression suddenly turned grim. "Did you just say Great Wilderness Scripture?"
"Does the Holy Monk know about the Great Wilderness Scripture?" I countered.
Withered Leaf Master replied, "When I first entered the Buddhist Sect, I loved to hear legendary stories from the Buddhist Sect. I asked my master, Hong Yi, about many strange tales, and the Great Wilderness Scripture was one of them. Cultivating it to perfection can freeze time and reverse the future. In ancient times, there was a Refiner who sought to use the Great Wilderness Scripture to achieve dominance and immortality. Ultimately, this led to great chaos, and he single-handedly caused terror among many, nearly wiping out the Refiners. He called himself the Great Wilderness Emperor, while others referred to him as the Time Emperor. For many years, the Time Path Technique has been regarded as the Daoist Sect's most forbidden technique until this technique disappeared for a thousand years, after which Revival became the top forbidden technique of the Daoist Sect. Later on, the Great Wilderness Scripture fell into the hands of the First Generation Zen Master Bodhidharma. After reading its Sutra, he felt deeply apprehensive and wanted to destroy it, but for some reason, the Great Wilderness Scripture still managed to survive."
"Why does everyone fear the Time Path Technique?" Douding asked curiously.
Haideng replied, "Of course, it's because it's powerful; no one and no Daoist Arts can compare to time! Time is a law unto itself."
I added, "It's not just that the Time Path Technique suppresses other Daoist Arts; if it were to reverse time, it could very well rewrite history, which would lead to major problems. Ancient texts record that rewriting already established history could result in catastrophic destruction where nothing remains."
Withered Leaf Master said, "What level do you think Song Qianqiu has reached with his Great Wilderness Scripture?"
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