Chapter 204: Defending the Righteous Path
Chapter 204: Defending the Righteous Path
Translator: yikaii Editor: yikaii
After Meng Jingzhou was dragged away struggling, his screams soon followed.
Lu Yang and Barbarian Bone were focused on selecting their rewards. "Barbarian Bone, what are you going to buy?"
"I think I'll buy a calligraphy practice book. Master says my handwriting is not good and needs more practice."
Barbarian Bone was attracted by a calligraphy practice book listed on the exchange menu.
"Thunderbolt Calligraphy Book, what a powerful name, I'll buy it."
Lu Yang wanted to suggest that Barbarian Bone think it over, but before he could speak, Barbarian Bone had already made the purchase.
The cover of the Thunderbolt Calligraphy Book featured a huge bolt of lightning, and the first page contained the usage instructions.
"Let's see the rules... Use a brush to write on this book, and if you go beyond the margin area, the book will emit a thunderous force, please use with caution."
"Note: Do not soak this book in water, as there is a risk of electrical leakage."
Barbarian Bone: "......"
Is writing now this dangerous?
Barbarian Bone didn't buy anything else; instead, he planned to use the remaining contribution points at the Refining Peak to strengthen his iron hammer.
Merely reciting 'Sage's Words' during battle didn't fully reflect his identity as a Confucian cultivator. Barbarian Bone wanted to engrave 'Sage's Words' on his hammer and add two spikes to ensure a dent with every strike.
Perfect. Imperial Palace.
The chief eunuch, who had served Emperor Xia for over forty years, thought he knew the ruler of The Great Xia Dynasty well, but the following scene completely shattered his understanding.
Emperor Xia, seated on his throne, saw Yun Zhi approaching slowly and stood up to greet her with a smile.
"Daoist Yun Zhi has arrived, please have a seat."
The emperor actually moved a chair for Yun Zhi himself and then sat down next to her, not returning to his throne.
"Someone bring the newly tribute fruits from the south for Daoist Yun Zhi to try."
Soon, a young eunuch brought a fruit platter containing various fruits, some resembling lychees, others like bananas...
Yun Zhi picked a fruit that looked like a lychee; its flesh was golden, containing astonishing natural treasures. Just eating one could elevate a cultivator from the late Qi-training stage to the middle Foundation Building stage.
"The taste is quite good," Yun Zhi politely commented, which delighted the emperor.
"Quick, bring a whole box for Daoist Yun Zhi to take with her!"
Even the chief eunuch, who was usually unflappable, showed a slight change in expression at this scene.
He had never seen the emperor treat someone with such eager attentiveness.
Yun Zhi stopped the emperor's gesture: "Your Majesty, there's no need for such formalities. If you have any requests, just say so."
The emperor had everyone, including the chief eunuch, withdraw.
The emperor rubbed his hands together, somewhat excitedly: "I hear that Daoist Yun Zhi's cultivation might be much higher than our ancestral patriarch's?"
Yun Zhi slowly shook her head: "It's just a slight difference, please don't exaggerate, Your Majesty."
"Actually, our ancestor lately feels he is unbeatable, which isn't good for his cultivation. I've been thinking it might be beneficial to find someone who could give him a challenge. I've thought it over, and you, Daoist Yun Zhi, seem the most suitable."
Yun Zhi: "...... Your Majesty, do you have some grievance with your ancestor?"
Yun Zhi's impression of Emperor Xia's ancestor was not of someone like that.
"Ha, Daoist Yun Zhi, you really can joke. He's been spanking me since I was little, how could there be any grievance?"
Yun Zhi: "......"
"Alright, alright, that was just a little joke I made, Daoist Yun Zhi, don't take it seriously," the emperor said, his smile fading.
Yun Zhi thought it best not to comment that the emperor didn't seem to be joking just now, as it might damage their relationship.
Such simple interpersonal tact was something Yun Zhi understood.
"Daoist Yun Zhi has convened The Great Xia Dynasty and the four great immortal sects here, presumably due to some major discovery in the process of eradicating the Undying Sect?"
"Yes," Yun Zhi nodded but said nothing further.
Emperor Xia, thinking she might have concerns, said, "Do you worry that information might leak here? You needn't worry; this place is protected by an immortal-grade formation set up by our ancestor. Even immortals could not eavesdrop secretly."
"Or do you think the secrets of heaven should not be revealed in words and need to be indicated through actions?"
The emperor pondered what Yun Zhi's behavior might imply.
Was she suggesting that enemies are everywhere? That silence is the best way to deal with enemies? Or that Daoist Non-Speaker is key to solving the puzzle?
Yun Zhi hesitated for a moment before speaking, "I just don't want to repeat myself to Your Majesty and then again to the leaders of the four great immortal sects."
Emperor Xia: "......"
The leaders of the four great immortal sects soon arrived at the palace, including Qiu Jin'an, the leader of the Five Elements Sect, whom they had just parted with not long ago.
Qiu Jin'an was surprised by the speed of the Dao Seeking Sect's actions. In less than five days, they had dismantled the Undying Sect, even sealing off the breeding farms run by its leader.
"Daoist Yun Zhi, we meet again," Qiu Jin'an greeted her with a bow.
"The Dao Seeking Sect has done a splendid job. One of the four major demonic sects is gone. I wonder how the remaining three will react when they hear this news. They must be scared enough to run!" The leader of the Prison-Suppressing Sect laughed heartily, thrilled by the news.
He decided to give his sect a five-day holiday to celebrate.
"Well done," the abbot of the Hanging Temple said sparingly, his joy apparent despite his concise words.
Moon Laurel Immortal Palace's palace lord, Luo Hongxia, didn't dare speak to Yun Zhi, worried she might remember the marriage arrangement and push for Lu Yang and Lan Ting's wedding.
This operation had refreshed the four great immortal sects' view of the Dao Seeking Sect.
The previous perception was "The four great immortal sects defend the righteous path, the Dao Seeking Sect shakes it."
Now, the opinion had shifted to "The Five Great Immortal Sects defend the righteous path."
Yun Zhi was unaware of their thoughts and stated her purpose directly.
"I've called you all here to share some intelligence obtained from the Undying Sect, information not even known to the leader of the Undying Sect."
"Let me start with the conclusion."
"The existence of the four major demonic sects may have overturned our previous understanding. We used to simply think these sects were just gatherings of demonic cultivators, not as threatening as the imminent great calamity."
"Now, I've revised my opinion. I believe the four major demonic sects are backed by ancient immortals, and their purpose is to gather the nascent forms of ariya-phala. The ancient immortals will harvest these nascent forms at the opportune moment, converting them into their own power."
This statement startled everyone present.
With their extraordinary backgrounds, they knew many secrets related to immortals, including matters concerning ariya-phala and its nascent forms.
Emperor Xia asked seriously, "Is there evidence?"
The existence of the four demonic sects to gather nascent ariya-phala forms, ancient immortals harvesting these forms.
This implies that an immortal might possess two ariya-phala!
This was a terrifying prospect!
"Of course, I have brought a witness."
Yun Zhi snapped her fingers, and an ancient immortal appeared from another space.
"This is the deity of the Undying Sect, Everlasting Celestial."
"Hello respected seniors, you can all just call me Little face."
(TL Note: His original name is Bu Wants Face so he's asking people to address him as little face to show his respect for them)
(End of the chapter)