Exposed

Qin Sang caught the implication in Fu Han's words. Why had Eight Views Abbey and Ganlu Zen Monastery braved such immense danger to force their way into Wuwang Hall? Realizer Zilei, the exalted abbot of Eight Views Abbey, had even suffered injuries because of it. This not only demonstrated the extreme peril within Wuwang Hall, but also conveyed to any outsider how desperate they were to enter, willing to pay any price. Taken together with the rumors circulating earlier, one could not help but read into it. Could the Deity Transformation masters of both sects be trapped inside Wuwang Hall, driving their desperate haste? Over two hundred years had passed since the first whispers of the missing Deity Transformation masters emerged. Yet serious attention was drawn only after a mysterious figure infiltrated Mount Small Fangcun at Ganlu Zen Monastery. In the face of these rumors, the reactions of both immortal sects were decidedly abnormal. Even if Deity Transformation cultivators were lofty figures who disdained to clarify rumors, their sects had acted uncharacteristically, keeping an increasingly low profile. After years of silence, both great sects had suddenly mobilized numerous experts, displaying an extraordinary obsession with Wuwang Hall. How could that not arouse suspicion? The moment Situ Yu and Chengshenzi returned from the Eastern Sea, they immediately convened the powers of Zhuo Prefecture to confer. That move was equally thought-provoking. Mount Bunian had dispatched Fu Han to deliver the invitation in person, proving the immense importance they attached to this assembly. Qin Sang naturally had to attend. After lingering briefly and obtaining Qin Sang's promise, Fu Han hurried off elsewhere. *** Three days later. Qin Sang departed Mount Pu on schedule. Mount Liuxu lay midway between Fudu Commandery and Mount Bunian. Qin Sang needed only a slight detour to pass by Mount Liuxu's mountain gate. He naturally had no intention of courting trouble there; he was merely curious whether Mount Bunian would invite Chenghuanzi. After flying solo for a while and nearing Mount Bunian, Qin Sang noticed a gust of wind blowing from the northwest, traveling in the same direction. Within the clear breeze were two figures, one of whom was the Sect Master of the Changfeng Sect, whom he had met only days before. "Daoist Qingfeng!" The Changfeng Sect Master spotted Qin Sang as well and flew over with his companion. "It was only after Daoist Chengweizi mentioned it that I learned Daoist Qingfeng was the first to detect that demon's scheme. You left in such haste that day, Daoist, that I had not yet properly thanked you." Obvious sorrow was no longer visible on the sect master's face; his mindset had clearly settled. The other figure was a young maiden whose cultivation was merely at the Foundation Establishment stage—a disciple of the Changfeng Sect Master. Qin Sang expressed his regret. "I noticed it too late to avert your sect's loss. When you two pursued the demon afterward, did you discover anything or discern their background?" "It is the times! It is fate!" The Changfeng Sect Master let out a long sigh. "We chased all the way to Mount Zhaoyao and managed to capture a few lesser fiends, but they were all dupes who knew nothing. After Sect Master Situ returned to the mountain, Daoist Chengweizi reported the matter up and described the divine ability the demon used. After listening, Sect Master Situ said it bore only a thirty-percent resemblance to Dragon-Slaying Demonic Strength, so we cannot be sure the perpetrator is Old Fiend Lu's disciple." Qin Sang concurred, "Of late, more and more wicked fiends have been fishing in troubled waters." They slowed their pace, chatting as they flew. Before long, the three arrived before a mountain barely a thousand fathoms tall. Dropping onto the summit, they saw a stone stele carved with the words "White Cloud Falls." Upon learning this was Mount Bunian, the maiden, who had never visited before, stared with eyes wide as bronze bells, unable to hide her disappointment. The Changfeng Sect Master had brought her here to become an outer disciple of Mount Bunian, where she was slated to cultivate all the way to the False Core stage. Before coming, she had envisioned all kinds of celestial splendor. While the surrounding scenery was pleasant enough, it was a far cry from what she had imagined of a super sect. Qin Sang and the Changfeng Sect Master shared an amused look. Touching the ward on the stele, they soared into the air. Sheltered by her grandmaster, the maiden heard the wind whistling shrilly as their speed mounted. In the blink of an eye, they had ascended myriad fathoms into the sky. Her vision darkened, then brightened, and a breathtaking sight unfolded before her. High above the nine heavens, white clouds tumbled like a waterfall. A white jade ribbon cascaded straight down from the sky. The maiden glanced down to see billows of clouds resembling mountain peaks, rising and falling in endless layers. Yet looking up from below, one saw only a clear, azure expanse. Without slackening their pace, Qin Sang and the Changfeng Sect Master parted the white clouds and charged straight to the summit of the cloud cataract, where the vista shifted once more. Clouds and mist billowed; auspicious mists drifted in glowing hues. Immortal mountains loomed in and out of the sea of clouds, perched high in the nine heavens, detached from the mortal dust. The maiden was utterly entranced. Though this was not Qin Sang's first visit to Mount Bunian, he still marveled inwardly. *What fine scenery! Such precious grounds are rare even across Zhongzhou, monopolized by the super sects. Compared to Mount Bunian, Mount Pu is merely a little mound.* "The two of you have arrived together." The moment they touched down, a figure flashed before them—it was Chengweizi. The three exchanged greetings. Chengweizi summoned a disciple to guide the maiden away, then personally escorted Qin Sang and the Changfeng Sect Master toward one of the celestial peaks. This mountain was designated for Mount Bunian's honored guests. As they approached, Chengweizi halted his flight light. "Daoist Qingfeng, please wait a moment. By the Sect Master's order, you are invited to meet him at the main peak... I will first escort Daoist Luo over to rest." The Changfeng Sect Master glanced at Qin Sang in surprise but asked no questions, following Chengweizi into the mountain. The main peak stood at the center of the sea of clouds. With an impassive expression, Qin Sang followed Chengweizi to the main peak and alighted beside a waterside pavilion. Inside the pavilion sat two futons. On one sat a tall, slender man clad in white robes. The man possessed handsome features, sideburns cut straight as a blade, and sharply defined contours, appearing even younger than Lu Zhang. Though he wore a Daoist robe, he carried an air of refined scholarship. "Reporting to the Sect Master, Daoist Qingfeng has arrived." Chengweizi bowed low and voluntarily withdrew. This man was none other than the Sect Master of Mount Bunian—Situ Yu. Situ Yu slowly opened his eyes, which shone like stars bursting to life. Extending a hand toward the opposite seat, he said in a voice warm and mellow as jade, "Daoist, please be seated." Wasting no courtesy, Qin Sang sat cross-legged across from Situ Yu. Situ Yu's bright eyes bored directly into Qin Sang's, and he spoke startling words. "Should I address you as Daoist Qingfeng, or Fellow Daoist Qin?" Qin Sang's gaze narrowed slightly, yet his tone remained relaxed. "Why do you ask that, Fellow Daoist?" "When an expert of your caliber appeared in Zhuo Prefecture, I naturally had to look into your origins. However, the people I dispatched failed to locate the Qingyang Island you spoke of in the Eastern Sea. Had it merely been one mysterious expert, it might be overlooked, but with both of you being so enigmatic, it inevitably aroused suspicion." Situ Yu paused. Seeing no change in Qin Sang's expression, he continued, "For over a century, you have lived peacefully on Mount Pu. Lacking any hostile schemes, I naturally would not meddle; having one more top-tier expert in Zhuo Prefecture is by no means a bad thing. Thirty years ago, Junior Brother Lu's life was saved by your hand. Time has proven my choice correct." Qin Sang sighed softly. "Did the spirit treasure give me away?" Situ Yu nodded. "Though the Vast Sea lies far from the Central Plains, Zhulan Temple has always maintained ties with Zhongzhou. A century ago, they entrusted allied powers to search for two individuals: a man and a woman. The woman possessed a spirit treasure that, by their description, was nearly identical to your small seal. As for the man, not only was he a top-tier powerhouse in his own right, but he had also mastered the grand divine ability of the Second Nascent Soul, possessing an external incarnation at the very same realm as his true body." Situ Yu's words did not surprise Qin Sang. After stealing the buddha bone relic from Zhulan Temple, there was no way the temple would let the matter rest. Back then, in order to shake off his pursuers, his Second Nascent Soul had slipped into his true body right before Venerable Chengyuan's eyes. It was impossible to hide from their discernment. "Do you intend to haul me off to the Vast Sea, Fellow Daoist?" Qin Sang countered. Not a trace of fear showed on his face. Using the spirit treasure had happened thirty years ago. If Situ Yu wanted to move against him, he would have acted long ago rather than waiting until now to bring it up in private. Sure enough, Situ Yu shook his head gently. "You exposed your identity to save Junior Brother Lu. How could Mount Bunian be so ungrateful? I am merely curious—why did you choose Mount Pu?" It was a broad question. Understanding Situ Yu's meaning, Qin Sang said indifferently, "If I say I merely sought a stable place of cultivation to settle down and live in peace, would you believe me?" Situ Yu's reply surprised Qin Sang greatly. "I could believe it, but at present, I dare not fully believe it." Taken aback, Qin Sang said in a low voice, "What did you discover at Wuwang Hall?" "Fellow Daoist Qin is sharp indeed!" Having confirmed Qin Sang's identity, Situ Yu stopped beating around the bush and recounted his experiences in the Eastern Sea. "The entrance to Wuwang Hall is a forbidden zone, fraught with terrifying spatial turbulence and storms of ancient wards. We suspect that Wuwang Hall's ancestral mountain had extraordinary origins, and something went catastrophically wrong with their sect-protecting grand formation. Otherwise, no matter how fierce the ancient battles were, such a desolate hazard could never have formed. Not even Realizer Zilei could breach that forbidden zone; the only difference lay in how deep each person penetrated. However, while searching for Wuwang Hall, I detected traces of demon kings and unexpectedly learned something: the demon race's Sacred King Palace... has fractured." Hearing this, Qin Sang instantly understood what Situ Yu was getting at. The demon race's Sacred King was a Deity Transformation great demon. If the Sacred King were still present, how could the Sacred King Palace possibly fracture? Rumors of the disappearances of Saint Huiguang and True Monarch Danyu were already raging like wildfire. Yet the awe commanded by Deity Transformation cultivators still lingered. Even with the Deity Transformation cultivators missing for over two hundred years, the various powers still operated only in the shadows, not daring to act with reckless abandon and provoke the wrath of Eight Views Abbey and Ganlu Zen Monastery. The growing chaos in the Central Plains stemmed from the two sects' inability to dispel the rumors, which gradually bore fruit over time. He had not expected the demon race of the Eastern Sea to descend into turmoil first. The fracturing of the Sacred King Palace virtually confirmed that a mishap had befallen the demon race's Sacred King. Once this news spread throughout the cultivation world, Qin Sang could imagine what scene would ensue. Situ Yu's implication was clear. In peaceful times, Situ Yu had ample confidence to let Qin Sang remain in Zhuo Prefecture; even if Qin Sang harbored some design, he could never shake Mount Bunian's footing. Yet with troubled times on the horizon, a single move could affect the entire board. Even super sects had to proceed with utmost caution. Throughout history, which sect had ever flourished forever without waning? Even a power as mighty as Wuwang Hall had been reduced to ruins. Qin Sang, an outsider of unknown origin, could very well become a destabilizing factor. "Do you wish for me to leave Mount Pu?" Qin Sang asked after a moment's contemplation. Situ Yu denied it. "Mount Pu is your place of cultivation. Since Mount Bunian has already recognized it, we will not go back on our word. Inviting you here was merely to inform you of one thing: I have decided that Mount Bunian will seal its mountain for a hundred years." Sealing the mountain! Qin Sang had not expected Situ Yu to be so decisive. Mount Bunian was no Xie clan; sealing its mountain was no trivial matter. Once the mountain was sealed, Mount Bunian would abandon most of its interests outside its gates, incurring incalculable losses. No wonder they had convened all the powers of Zhuo Prefecture. Meeting Situ Yu's gaze, Qin Sang offered his answer: "I can give you my word: whatever I do in the future will not implicate Mount Bunian, or Zhuo Prefecture as a whole." Pleased with this outcome, Situ Yu smiled, his tone softening as he shifted the subject. "Have you gained anything from refining that cold crystal?" Thirty years ago, after Fu Han delivered the cold crystal, Qin Sang had set his external incarnation to test it. Inside the cold crystal lay an aura of cold fiend that Qin Sang had never encountered before. It possessed considerable destructive power, yet did not harmonize well with the Ice Soul Divine Light. Because this cold fiend aura produced noticeable fluctuations, it was difficult to conceal, whereas one of the most vital traits of the Ice Soul Divine Light was its stealth. Unexpectedly, after a period of time, Qin Sang confirmed that refining the cold crystal indeed aided his cultivation of the *Ice Soul Divine Light*. This had caught him off guard while leaving him conflicted. Even if he mastered the divine light this way, it would surely differ greatly from the original art. It would not be like Liuli's, which was formless and intangible, striking down foes before they even realized it. Nonetheless, the divine light's raw power would likely increase accordingly, perhaps granting an even greater ability to suppress and bind opponents. Because he needed to protect his true body, and the cold fiend aura within the single cold crystal was insufficient to help him master the *Ice Soul Divine Light*, Qin Sang had temporarily shelved it. Now that Situ Yu brought it up, Qin Sang took the opportunity to inquire, "Dare I ask where that cold crystal came from, and whether more are to be found?" A bird in the hand was worth two in the bush. The odds of his incarnation mastering the original *Ice Soul Divine Light* were slim. If there were a sufficient quantity of cold crystals, Qin Sang did not mind having his incarnation learn an additional powerful technique. "I acquired this item by chance while traveling in the Northern Barrens, when another fellow daoist, Old Man Yanshan, and I were pursuing a bizarre snow fox. That snow fox ultimately vanished, leaving us with only this single cold crystal. After returning to the mountain, I stopped looking into it. However, Daoist Yanshan's place of cultivation lies nearby; he should know more about it. I heard from Junior Brother Lu that you possess a divine ability capable of easily seeing through Mount Liuxu, so perhaps you can capture that snow fox. I shall write a letter of introduction at once, which you may carry to visit Daoist Yanshan..." As Situ Yu spoke, he dashed off the letter. Though he had pressed Qin Sang for a commitment, he did not mind conferring a favor to foster good relations. After all, he had promised nothing concrete; whether Qin Sang could convince Old Man Yanshan depended on his own capabilities. Taking the letter, Qin Sang expressed his thanks, rose, and stepped out of the waterside pavilion. There was no need to attend the subsequent assembly. Qin Sang flew straight toward Mount Bunian's mountain gate. After Qin Sang departed, a figure emerged from the shadows—Chengshenzi. Gazing after Qin Sang's retreating back, Situ Yu murmured, "Junior Brother Lu has entered seclusion to refine the stone toad. My next heavenly tribulation will arrive within a century. Though it is not a near-certain death, my chances of surviving it are less than thirty percent. During this period, the affairs of the sect will fall heavily upon your shoulders, Junior Brother." "Senior Brother Sect Master will surely turn peril into good fortune!" Chengshenzi spoke with a solemn tone, then fixed his eyes in Qin Sang's direction. "This man..." "As long as he does nothing detrimental to Mount Bunian, let him be." Situ Yu stood up and walked toward his cave dwelling.