Ch9 – An abnormal creature and abomination of evil

Six hours later.

The weather today was bright and sunny, blue skies for thousands of miles.
The sunlight spilled over the mountains and fields.
The red maples amidst the mountains looked like a boundless fire.
A stone monument stood beside the road, marking the entrance to the mountain.
Two large characters were written on it. 

— “Mount Yao”.

Two sword lights landed, one after the other, next to that stone monument.

 

 

“Even if you want to test my cultivation, there’s no need for this, right?” Walking out of the sword light, Feng Ci said this immediately.

The dignified and majestic Master of LangFeng City had not only thrown his savior off the immortal sword just now, he also flew nonstop for 6 hours without rest; the longer they flew, the faster he went. 

If it wasn’t Feng Ci, others really wouldn’t have been able to keep up with him.

 

Pei QianYue ignored him and walked straight forward.

After the night of interactions, Feng Ci already got used to Pei QianYue’s style of randomly pretending to be mute.
He followed and walked up to look at the stone monument on his own: “Mount Yao…..
What a familiar name.
Have I heard it somewhere before?”

Pei QianYue: “Mount Yao, QingJing Sect, one of the 6 Sects.”

 

Feng Ci finally remembered.

He had indeed heard Meng ChangQing mention this sect previously.

The main path of cultivation for the QingJing Sect was the Art of Music and Rhythm, especially in the techniques of the zither.
Everyone within the sect were good with the zither, a sect full of elegance.

 

Unlike other sects however, even though QingJing Sect recruited disciples from the outside, the position of Sect Leader was passed down from generation to generation within the same family.
The current Sect Leader of QingJing Sect had married the eldest daughter of the previous Sect Leader and entered the household of Wen. 

However, the QingJing Sect’s most well-known aspect wasn’t these personal gossips.
Rather, within the Immortal Alliance, they were known as the sect most friendly with the rich and powerful.

Cultivation sects usually choose areas with abundant spiritual energy to build their sect because it was convenient to cultivate.

However, QingJing Sect was an exception.

They established their sect directly on top of Mount Yao, which was right outside of the Imperial City. 

Leaving the mountain and then driving a carriage along the official path for less than half a day and you can reach the capital.
This geographical advantage was one of the reasons why they frequently visited the rich and powerful.

It’s said that every time the high nobles and government officials of the Capital had birthdays, QingJing Sect would always send disciples over to visit and play the zither.
Vice versa, the Capital’s rich and powerful also frequently visited QingJing Sect to seek the immortals for answers and offer prayers.

People from the Immortal Alliance people often scoffed disdainfully at this.

This was due to traditional thoughts from the forebears of cultivation, who felt that cultivation should involve a clear heart and abstinence.
The harsher and more difficult the lifestyle, the better to experience devotion towards cultivation. 

For QingJing Sect to indulge in pleasures like that, how can they cultivate a pure Heart of Dao?

But Feng Ci didn’t think like this.

 

We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection.
If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.

In the past, the cultivation environment was poor because areas abundant in spiritual energy were often located in desolate and uninhabited mountains.
Those places had high mountains and long roads to traverse, were impoverished and cold.
Without the presence of mortals living there and blemishing the air with their turbid breaths, pure spiritual energy was able to slowly accumulate over the years..

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If food and clothing was lacking, people could be sent to purchase and procure.
If there’s a shortage in spiritual energy, people could excavate spiritual depositions.
The cultivation world had developed to a point where it no longer needed to return to those hard times.

However, these were just thoughts that Feng Ci formed based on Meng ChangQing’s remarks.
It wasn’t until he followed Pei QianYue into QingJing Sect that he truly understood why the other sects were so critical regarding this..

QingJing Sect was located deep within Mount Yao inside a wealthy and elegant villa. 

Inside the villa, unique garden landscapes could be seen everywhere.
Long corridors were built along the waterfront of a man-made lake.
Every building was ornately decorated with carved paintings on the beams.
Even the path paved in the courtyard used shiny, translucent jade stones that were full of spiritual energy.

This was….
really too wealthy.

How was this a cultivation sect? He’d even believe it if someone told him this was an alternative residence for royalty.

The disciple leading the way guided them directly to a pavilion by the lake and bowed to Pei QianYue, saying: “Please wait here for a moment, City Master Pei.
Our Sect Leader will arrive soon.” 

After saying this, he left respectfully.

The four sides of the pavilion were covered by white silk, which swayed gently as the breeze blew over from the lake.
Feng Ci grabbed a handful of the melon seeds on the table and cracked them open while enjoying the scenery outside: “Mount Yao’s QingJing Sect, what a pompous show of extravagance.
Even when someone like you, the Leader of the Immortal Alliance, arrives in person, you still have to wait here.”

Pei QianYue only poured himself a cup of tea and sipped it quietly without saying anything.

Then Feng Ci asked him: “Did you come to QingJing Sect to discuss something secretive? Is me being here not very appropriate?” 

“It’s for the disaster of the cultivation sects.” Pei QianYue said: “You can listen.”

Feng Ci actually didn’t know when he had become so trustworthy in Pei QianYue’s heart.

He asked: “Does the great City Master not fear that I’m a bad person? That everything I did previously was to gain your trust deceptively?”

Pei QianYue took a sip of tea and asked calmly: “Are you deceiving me?” 

Feng Ci: “This is only a what if.”

“It’s fine either way.” Pei QianYue’s tone was extremely flat: “If you dare deceive me, I’ll just kill you.”

 

Feng Ci: “……”

It’s really not good to be so temperamental at such an age. 

———-

Soon after, there was the sound of footsteps approaching from outside.

Two maids lifted the curtain outside of the pavilion.
However, there wasn’t just one new arrival.

The young man walking in the front looked around 27-28 years old.
He was decked out in a pale gold cheongsam and had a very handsome appearance.
The sleeves of his cheongsam were embroidered with the motif of Peonies with intertwining branches.
On his back, he carried a zither.
He wore a crown in his hair and jade ornaments to his waist.
From head to toe, he showed one word. 

— “Rich”.

The person in the back, however, was in a blue Daoist robe, holding a horsetail whisk in hand.
His long hair and beard were entirely white, an imposing and austere old man.

Feng Ci has seen this style of clothing before.
It’s from LingXiao Sect.

The young man bowed towards Pei QianYue and saluted: “Wen HuaiYu greets the City Master.” 

After making his salutation, he looked towards Feng Ci, who was next to Pei QianYue.

Feng Ci was busy leaning against the side of the pavilion, eating melon seeds.
Seeing that person look towards himself, he shot over a smile: “Sect Leader Wen, hey there.”

Wen HuaiYu: “……”

Under Pei QianYue’s governance, every disciple from LangFeng City was humble and prudent.
Especially in front of Pei QianYue, they were so cautious, it practically reached an abnormal state.
They were terrified of doing something wrong and getting punished by their City Master. 

This was probably the first time Wen HuaiYu has seen such an unruly LangFeng disciple.
He wanted to speak, but then hesitated.

In the end, he didn’t dare to ask the identity of this young man.

Pei QianYue said coolly: “So Elder Cheng Chao of LingXiao Sect is here too.”

Elder Cheng Chao had been following Wen HuaiYu in silence this entire time.
Now being called on by Pei QianYue, he finally said: “Greetings, City Master Pei.” 

His tone was stiff and hard.
He didn’t move at all, not even bothering to bow.

Feng Ci raised an eyebrow slightly.

 

This secretly turbulent atmosphere….
seemed a bit interesting.

But Pei QianYue didn’t seem to care much for it and just asked: “Did this Venerable One disturb you guys?” 

“How can you say that?” Wei HuaiYu’s face was born looking handsome and gentle.
He also spoke in a very kind and refined tone, which sounded like being bathed in a spring breeze: “It’s only some minor trifles.
I just invited Elder Cheng Chao to Mount Yao to play music and discuss Dao, that’s all.
I wasn’t aware that City Master was coming today.
Excuse me for not coming out to welcome you.”

“Play music and discuss Dao……” Pei QianYue poured another cup of tea for himself, the corners of his lips curing into a mocking smile: “Everyone outside is feeling the danger right now, yet Sect Leader Wen still has the mood to play music.
So elegant and refined.”

“You—” Elder Cheng Chao frowned.
He wanted to say something, but was held back by Wen HuaiYu.

Giving him a look, Wen HuaiYu kept his tone humble and modest: “Thank you for the criticism, City Master.” 

Originally, Pei QianYue should have been the guest, but right now he was sitting in the middle of the pavilion.
Even QingJing Sect’s Sect Leader was standing to the side.
On the contrary, it seemed like he was actually the Master of this place.

Feng Ci looked between these people and felt extremely amused.

QingJing School, LingXiao Gate, LangFeng City. Other than glancing at them from afar during the Immortal Alliance entrance selection, this was the first time he’s seen these three cultivation sects gathering together.

Many years ago, these three sects could be considered ‘disciples of the same lineage’.
Now they’ve also formed the Immortal Alliance collectively.
However, their relationship didn’t seem as harmonious as it appeared on the surface.
You could even call it very very bad. 

Of course, whenever Pei QianYue is present, it’s very hard for relationships to be harmonious anyways.

Pei QianYue said: “Go ahead and sit.”

The two people finally sat down.

QingJing School has been passed down within the family for many  generations, which often made the ages of its sect leaders not too old.
When Wen HuaiYu inherited the position of Sect Leader, he was only 25 years old.
He was the youngest Sect Leader of the 6 sects.
Because of this young age and low seniority, he completely lacks the presence of a Sect Leader.
As soon as he sat down, he started pouring tea voluntarily for the two seniors. 

Wen HuaiYu asked: “What’s the reason for the City Master’s arrival today?”

Pei QianYue: “WuChang Sect… has been extinguished.”

With a soft, crisp sound, the teapot in Wen HuaiYu’s hand bumped into the wall of the cup and almost knocked the tea over.

“Isn’t WuChang Sect under the protection of your Secret Realm?” For some unknown reason, Elder Cheng Chao seemed to have a deep grudge towards Pei QianYue and questioned him immediately: “It’s only been so long, how could they have been discovered already?!” 

“This Venerable One would also like to know the answer to this question.”

Pei QianYue’s voice was cool and indifferent: “Placing WuChang Sect inside the Secret Realm was a joint decision made by the Six Sects together.
Not many know this.”

 

Feng Ci suddenly understood.

No wonder Pei QianYue wanted to come here. 

When they were in the Secret Realm before, Feng Ci already felt it strange.
The outside of that Secret Realm had heavy defenses.
Even Feng Ci didn’t sense any abnormalities ahead of time.
Just how strong was that secret culprit to be able to know everything like the back of their hand.

However, if Pei QianYue wasn’t the only one involved in this matter and instead, it was a collaborative agreement between the 6 Sects, that made things a lot simpler.

Amongst the 6 Sects, someone leaked information.

Or perhaps, the murderer is hiding right inside the 6 sects. 

The other two people present also understood the deep implications here.
They exchanged a look and both quieted down.

After a moment, Wen HuaiYu said: “Back then when we decided this, the 6 Sect Leaders and some elders were all present.
QingJing Sect will start investigating this matter thoroughly today.
As for the other three sects, I will convey the news in a bit.
Please rest assured, City Master.”

Pei QianYue nodded: “And LingXiao Gate?”

“What do you mean by these words? How could LingXiao Gate divulge information!” Elder Cheng Chao instantly exploded, so pissed off that even his neck turned red:  “Back then, it was you  who first suggested protecting WuChang Sect.
It was also you who went through all the troubles gathering the 6 sects together to discuss a hiding place.
It was also you who personally set up the Secret Realm under the roots of the BanYan Tree.
If a thorough investigation is required, shouldn’t your LangFeng City be the most suspicious?” 

“Elder Cheng Chao…….” Wen HuaiYu attempted to dissuade him, but the latter didn’t appreciate the gesture.

“You shut up already.
Did I say anything wrong?” Elder Cheng Chao looked at Pei QianYue and sneered: “If we must discuss, who amongst the 6 Sects needs to absorb other people’s spirit energy to increase their cultivation; it’s not me or you, but rather him, this abnormal creature and abomination of evil, who’s unable to cultivate directly and must rely on taking shortcuts!”

Feng Ci halted in the middle of cracking open a melon seed and narrowed his eyes in displeasure.