Translator: AnubisTL
An elderly cultivator in purple robes suddenly approached and inquired about the matter, instantly silencing many cultivators in the market. None dared to speak further.
With the Shangqing Sect's current dominance, these rogue cultivators wouldn't dare discuss such matters openly. They feared the purple-robed elder might be a member of the Shangqing Sect, and any careless words could lead to dire consequences.
Seeing their reaction, the purple-robed elder immediately understood the gravity of the situation. He clasped his hands in a respectful bow to the cultivators and slowly departed.
After the unfamiliar elder left, one cultivator gazed after his retreating figure, deep in thought.
"Hmm... why does his face seem so familiar? I'm certain I don't know him. Where could I have seen him before?"
After a long moment, the cultivator's expression suddenly lit up with realization, quickly followed by a flicker of horror in his eyes.
It's him!
The rogue cultivator who had recognized the purple-robed elder turned without another word and hurried toward the Shangqing Sect's mountain gate.
"Are you certain you saw this person at River Gap Market?"
At a branch hall of the Shangqing Sect, a foundation establishment realm cultivator held up a wanted poster, repeatedly pressing for confirmation.
"Yes, it's definitely him! I couldn't possibly be mistaken!"
"He was even asking around about which core formation realm elders the sect had lost—that's what first caught my attention!"
The rogue cultivator, who had hurried from River Gap Market, wiped cold sweat from his brow as he spoke with unwavering conviction.
After scrutinizing the portrait on the wanted poster, he finally confirmed that the elderly man in the purple Daoist robe he had seen earlier was indeed a core formation realm cultivator!
However, the Shangqing Sect's foundation establishment elder snorted coldly.
"Hmph, do you understand the consequences of deceiving the Shangqing Sect? If this information proves false, I'll make you wish you had never been born!"
The rogue cultivator's face drained of color at these words, and he stammered, "If this information is false, I'll submit myself entirely to your judgment, Senior!"
Seeing his submissive attitude, the foundation establishment elder finally showed a hint of satisfaction.
"Very well, consider these spirit stones your reward for providing the lead. Take good care of them."
The rogue cultivator's eyes lit up as he accepted the storage pouch filled with spirit stones from the Shangqing Sect's foundation establishment elder.
After quickly counting the spirit stones inside, he asked, his voice tinged with confusion, "Senior, the number of spirit stones is incorrect. The wanted poster clearly stated a reward of two thousand spirit stones for providing accurate information, yet there aren't even five hundred here."
His words ignited the elder's anger. The elder retorted coldly, "You yourself said 'accurate information.' We haven't even seen the person yet. How can we verify the truth of your claims?"
"You think you can claim two thousand spirit stones based on mere words? You're dreaming!"
Hearing this harsh rebuke, the rogue cultivator's face paled further. Overwhelmed by the elder's cultivation pressure, he dared not utter another word.
"Senior is right, Senior is right!" the rogue cultivator stammered, his voice trembling with fear as he repeatedly apologized.
Only then did the Shangqing Sect elder's expression soften slightly.
Logically, the bounty on this wanted poster should have been two thousand spirit stones. But rules were rigid, while people were flexible.
How could someone in this position resist skimming a little for themselves?
After dismissing the rogue cultivator who had brought the information, the Shangqing Sect elder immediately relayed the news to the sect.
"Senior Brother Sect Leader, an anomaly has been detected at River Gap Market in western Liang Country!"
Within the Sect Leader's Hall at the Shangqing Sect's mountain gate, Sect Leader Qing Xuan slowly emerged from the hall.
"What's happened, Junior Brother Fanfeng? Why are you in such a panic?" Sect Leader Qing Xuan's voice seemed to possess a calming magic, quickly soothing the elder's anxiety.
The elder named Fanfeng immediately produced the wanted poster from his robes and handed it to Sect Leader Qing Xuan, explaining rapidly, "A rogue cultivator reported that the person on this poster was recently sighted at River Gap Market!"
As Sect Leader Qing Xuan accepted the poster, his usually serene expression tightened abruptly. He narrowed his eyes and slowly uttered four words:
"True Lord Ziqing."
Indeed, the being capable of moving the Shangqing Sect's sect leader so deeply was none other than Ancestor Ziqing, a former ancestor of the Lingyun Sect.
He never imagined that after so many years of silence, this remnant of the Lingyun Sect would resurface.
"I am aware of this matter. Keep it concealed for now and avoid any reckless announcements!"
"This is of grave importance. I must consult with the sect's ancestors at once."
With these words, Sect Leader Qing Xuan soared toward the cluster of isolated spirit peaks behind the mountain gate.
Gazing at the residences of the sect's ancestors, he couldn't help but sigh softly.
So many years had passed, yet he had still failed to achieve core formation. Though he stood on the threshold, he remained unable to cross the final barrier.
Now, with the passage of time, even those who had come after him had surpassed him in core formation, leaving him feeling deeply frustrated.
Since ancient times, countless cultivators had been trapped and perished at this stage. Only those with extraordinary talent and brilliance could ever hope to advance!
Carrying this melancholy, Sect Leader Qing Xuan arrived before several isolated spirit peaks and respectfully clasped his hands in a bow.
"Martial Uncles, an ancestor of the Lingyun Sect has appeared within Liang Country!"
His words quickly drew a series of responses.
"Oh? The Lingyun Sect's supreme ancestor? Is it True Lord Bing Yun or True Lord Ziqing?"
"It's likely True Lord Ziqing. Bing Yun vanished completely in the Great Wilderness Domain and shouldn't have resurfaced so soon."
"Heh, the Lingyun Sect..."
Three voices echoed in succession, their tones lingering in the air.
Sect Leader Qing Xuan maintained his respectful posture, clasping his hands in another bow.
"Your guess is correct, Martial Uncle. It is indeed True Lord Ziqing of the Lingyun Sect. I believe we must treat this matter with utmost caution. If we can publicly execute him, it would greatly enhance the Shangqing Sect's recently diminished prestige."
His casual talk of executing a core formation realm true lord demonstrated the immense arrogance of the Shangqing Sect, which now dominated the entire Azure Ridge Domain.
Soon, a wisp of azure wind surged forth from one of the spirit peaks.
"Hmm, my Core Formation Ceremony is approaching. I see no need to trouble my senior brothers and sisters with this matter. I'll personally eliminate this troublesome threat!"
Moments later, a slender cultivator with sharp, somewhat sinister features emerged from his cave abode, riding a wisp of azure wind.
"Indeed, Junior Brother Ling possesses the Wind Spiritual Root. He's the perfect candidate to deal with True Lord Ziqing."
"Then we'll leave it to Junior Brother Ling!"
"This old body sustained significant injuries in the Great Wilderness Domain and can't move freely for the time being. Otherwise, I would have personally confronted that Ziqing scoundrel."
If Li Qing had been present, he would have immediately recognized the cultivator who soared forth on the wind as none other than Ling Ying, the former leader of the Flying Eagle Bandits!
Though his signature Sky-Rending Eagle was absent, Ling Ying's sinister aura alone made him instantly identifiable.
Sect Leader Qing Xuan's eyes flickered with complex emotions as he respectfully clasped his hands in a bow. "Then we shall trouble Martial Uncle Ling to take action."
Ling Ying had once been his junior, yet now, thanks to his variant Wind Spiritual Root, he had achieved core formation before Qing Xuan himself.
Having to address his former junior brother as "martial uncle" left Qing Xuan with a bitter mix of feelings.
In that moment, he truly felt his age. The era that had belonged to him was gone, never to return.
As he watched Ling Ying depart, Sect Leader Qing Xuan's figure suddenly seemed much more desolate and lonely.
Azure Ridge Domain, far southern region.
Above the Forbidden Speech Snow Mountains, a spirit boat rapidly traversed the skies.
Aboard the spirit boat, Li Qing and Shen Ningbing worked together to shield the vessel from the extreme cold, ensuring the other Lingyun Sect cultivators remained unaffected.
With this task completed, Li Qing's gaze drifted toward the Snow Mountain Peak.
"Finally, we're back," he murmured. "After all these years, we've returned to the Azure Ridge Domain."
At that moment, countless memories flooded Li Qing's mind, scenes from the past surging through his consciousness, filling him with a deep sense of nostalgia.
At the helm, Wu Chong, who was channeling true essence to propel the spirit boat forward, suddenly looked somber.
If anyone's heart was truly unsettled by their return to the Azure Ridge Domain, it was Wu Chong. He had personally witnessed his master's death here, and this place held too many painful memories.
However, not everyone shared this sorrow. True Lord Fu Xuan, gazing at the snow-covered mountains and sensing the spiritual energy in the air, murmured to himself, "So this is the Azure Ridge Domain? The cultivation environment is indeed inferior to the Great Wilderness Domain."
While the spiritual energy here wasn't exactly sparse, it couldn't compare to the abundance in the Great Wilderness Domain.
Beside him, Chu Lingyi, who had finally emerged from her endless study of talismanship, couldn't resist stretching and loosening her stiff limbs.
"Quick, Senior Brother Wu, let's go check on the mountain gate in the Forbidden Speech Snowfield!"
But before the words were even out of his mouth, Li Qing immediately interrupted:
"Absolutely not!"
Li Qing's firm tone drew the attention of many, who turned to look at him.
Li Qing quickly explained:
"High-grade spiritual veins are scarce in the Azure Ridge Domain. The Lingyun Sect's mountain gate was one of the few places with abundant spiritual energy."
"Such a strategic location would undoubtedly be occupied by the Shangqing Sect. Charging in recklessly with such fanfare would only alert the enemy."
True Lord Fu Xuan nodded in agreement. "Indeed. Our greatest advantage lies in the enemy's ignorance of our presence. We must not reveal ourselves prematurely."
"Then what's the plan, Li Qing? You tell us!" Wu Chong understood that now that they had entered the Azure Ridge Domain, impulsive actions were forbidden. Every move required careful consideration.
Li Qing chuckled softly. "You lead the other fellow sect members to find a place to lie low. Junior Sister Shen and I will scout the Azure Ridge Domain to gather intelligence."
This proposal was met with general approval. Attacking the Shangqing Sect's mountain gate without understanding the situation would be tantamount to suicide.
At the very least, they needed to ascertain the enemy's strength and weaknesses.
However, the restless Chu Lingyi couldn't contain herself. She bounced forward, eagerly chiming in, "What about me? What about me, Senior Brother Li? I want to scout too!"
True Lord Fu Xuan's expression darkened at the sight. With a wave of his hand, he immediately suppressed Chu Lingyi in place.
"Unworthy disciple! Stay here and properly study talismanship!"
Chu Lingyi, now restrained, glared with resentment and defiance. Her eyes seemed to promise that one day she would suppress her master in turn.
Meanwhile, from the innermost cabin of the spirit boat, a figure as ethereal as a moon palace fairy glided forth.
Liu Hanyue stepped lightly on the moonlight, moving freely through the void. She murmured, "Brother Li, I plan to visit the former territory of the Heavenly River Sect to gather intelligence."
Li Qing paused briefly, but ultimately didn't object to her plan.
Liu Hanyue wasn't a member of the Lingyun Sect; she was an ally he had invited from Moonchase Palace. As such, she had the right to act independently.
Moreover, the Liu Clan had been destroyed by the Shangqing Sect. It was only natural for her to want to return and see the situation for herself. He had no reason to refuse.
"No problem," Li Qing replied. "But Fairy Liu, please proceed with caution. If possible, also investigate the current state of the Heavenly River Sect's mountain gate."
Li Qing clasped his hands in a respectful bow.
Liu Hanyue nodded in agreement. "Of course!"
With that, she gracefully mounted a moonbow and soared away, her ethereal figure leaving many Lingyun Sect elders in a daze.
After watching Liu Hanyue depart, Li Qing turned to Shen Ningbing and said, "Junior Sister, let's move out too."
Shen Ningbing gave a slight nod, said nothing, and followed Li Qing as they flew directly off the spirit boat.
In the Forbidden Speech Snowfield, the two figures seemed to merge with the gray, overcast sky, silently darting deeper into the snow-covered expanse.
Flying with such stealth, they soon spotted ruins scattered across the snowfield's surface.
The landscape was blanketed in pristine white snow, with thick drifts burying nearly eighty percent of the ruins.
Had it not been for the sheer size of some of the crumbling structures, there would have been no trace of the Lingyun Sect's former presence, almost completely swallowed by the relentless snow.
That's right, these ruins were once the mountain gate of the Lingyun Sect!
"Strange... the spiritual vein at the mountain gate doesn't seem to have been significantly affected, yet there's not a single soul in sight?"
Li Qing, concealed above the hazy sky, frowned immediately.
He could clearly sense that the spiritual energy permeating the surrounding heaven and earth was still exceptionally abundant, far surpassing that of ordinary spiritual veins!
It could easily sustain the daily cultivation needs of four or five core formation realm true lords, with plenty to spare.
Yet in this Spirit Vein Land brimming with spiritual energy, not even a ghost could be found. It was truly perplexing.
"Something's off... even if the Shangqing Sect doesn't value this place, wouldn't other rogue cultivators covet it?"
"After all, it's incredibly rare for ordinary rogue cultivators to find cultivation grounds with such abundant spiritual energy!"
As Li Qing's words trailed off, his eyes narrowed in thoughtful contemplation.
(End of the Chapter)
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