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Novel: [The Primordial Law]
Volume 4: [Shuangsheng Dao Sect (Twin Rice Sect)]
Chapter 3 (258): [The List of Hidden Ones]
(3rd of Volume 4)
Translator: Shadow Knight AK
Editor: Shadow Knight AK
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Standing at the cliff's edge, both men had their hands clasped behind their backs, gazing down at Qiu Prefecture City.
"Everyone has been young once, full of youthful vigor, riding fine horses in colorful attire, fearless and unconstrained, acting on impulse. I can understand that feeling of being captivated by someone extraordinary in your youth..."
Gradually, the Hidden Lord fell into his own memories, his sharp gaze softening into a wistful haze.
After listening, Li Weiyi quickly explained, "Actually, I knew Zuoqiu Ting was Zuoqiu Hong, also known as Zuoqiu Hongting. I was just teasing her, getting back at her for tricking me."
The Hidden Lord wore a mask, but Li Weiyi could still see the surprise in his eyes beneath it.
"You young people are truly... well, I won't interfere in matters of the heart. But after witnessing the myriad faces and events of the world for a sixty-year cycle, I've gained some insights. I must warn you: don't play with fire, or you'll get burned."
Li Weiyi nodded, taking the warning to heart.
The Hidden Lord then turned to business.
"You performed admirably at the Hidden Dragon Lantern Festival. Not only did you secure the Calamity Crossing Temple's support, but you also reminded the world of the Ancient Jiu Li Clans' splendor."
"News of your victory reached Li Province, and the entire clan erupted in celebration. The Clan Chiefs of all Nine Tribes sent congratulatory messages."
"The High Priest of the Jiu Li Divine Temple has already sent word for you to return immediately. They plan to hold a grand victory celebration for you and announce your achievements to the Jiu Li Gods. Rewards are, of course, guaranteed."
"What do you think?"
Li Weiyi replied, "How about they send the rewards to Qiu Prefecture City? Especially the medicinal pills that aid in Psychic Power cultivation; I'm in short supply."
Hidden Lord chuckled: "So, you don't want to go back?"
"Does Hidden Lord want me to return?" Li Weiyi countered.
Hidden Lord's expression turned serious.
"You rushed through the Five Seas Realm too quickly for the Hidden Dragon Lantern Festival! I don't know how you suppressed the rejection of foreign Spiritual Qi, but I hope you'll spend the next few years in proper seclusion. Don't leave any hidden dangers in the Five Seas Realm. Don't let Qi Xiao and the others' rapid cultivation, fueled by Dragon Seed assistance, disrupt your own cultivation path."
"In Li Province, forces like Coffin Mountain, Heavenly Cliff Ridge, and Night City have temporarily withdrawn their troops. However, the Sui Sect, San Chen Palace, and Tianyi Sect factions within the Jiu Li Clan haven't been completely purged yet."
"Sending the younger generation back now is too risky."
"Taoli (Peach and Plum) Mountain boasts abundant Heaven, Earth, and Law Qi, and the Zuoqiu Sect possesses a comprehensive collection of ancient texts. It's an ideal place for secluded cultivation."
"But I'm currently quite worried about something."
Li Weiyi asked, "Is it the Calamity Crossing Temple?"
Hidden Lord looked at him, slightly surprised.
Li Weiyi sighed deeply: "I was just about to discuss this with you, Hidden Lord! This Hidden Dragon Lantern Festival is far too strange. I suspect the Calamity Crossing Temple and the Demon Race have been in contact for a long time, perhaps even placing bets on both sides."
"The secret of my foundation is still just speculation. But if that Immortal Master invites me to cultivate at the Calamity Crossing Temple, the secret will inevitably be exposed."
"I don't believe everyone at the Calamity Crossing Temple is a morally upright old immortal."
Hidden Lord hadn't expected Li Weiyi to be so clear-minded. Instead of being blinded by victory at the Hidden Dragon Lantern Festival, he saw the enormous risks involved.
Hidden Lord was greatly pleased: "There's another major risk you haven't considered. The Calamity Crossing Temple might declare you a Hidden Dragon."
Li Weiyi paused, slightly stunned: "This... is it meant to kill me, or to sow discord between the Jiu Li Clan and the Zuoqiu Sect?"
Hidden Lord said, "Zuoqiu Ling and I have already discussed this and considered countermeasures. If you refuse to go to the Calamity Crossing Temple and refuse to be used by them, they might elevate you to the heavens only to let you fall and die."
"The most crucial point is that your performance at the Hidden Dragon Lantern Festival truly demonstrated Hidden Dragon potential, outshining even Zuoqiu Hongting and Luan Sheng Lin You. If they declare you a Hidden Dragon, the world will only see it as fair and just."
Li Weiyi's headache intensified, knowing the aftermath of the Hidden Dragon Lantern Festival would be far from simple.
"Since the Hidden Lord and Patriarch Zuoqiu have already discussed this, do you have a solution?"
The Hidden Lord replied, "This matter must be resolved before the Calamity Crossing Temple Immortal Master returns. It may involve some pain, but no matter what happens, you must trust me. Elder Qin will handle this personally."
"Rest assured," Elder Qin said, approaching silently, "In my life, I've rarely made mistakes. I'll ensure this is handled flawlessly."
Elder Qin quietly approached, untied Li Weiyi's robe, and carefully examined the location of his Ancestral Field.
Li Weiyi's heart raced: "Trust isn't the issue... but what exactly are you planning to do? Can you explain it more clearly?"
"The more you know about this, the more likely you are to reveal our hand," the Hidden Lord said.
Elder Qin rose and left, smiling: "No problem. I understand everything now. You two continue!"
Li Weiyi, already suspecting the truth, retied his belt. A chill ran down his back as he searched for Elder Qin's whereabouts.
The Hidden Lord explained, "The Hidden Dragon Lantern Festival has thrust you into the spotlight. I must bring you down, hide you in the trough of the waves. This will allow you to avoid most of the danger."
"The Jiu Li Clan seized two Immortality Pills. You and Cang Li each get one. I've kept them for you. I entrusted your Dragon Seed to Old Zhuo. Go to him when you reach the peak of the Five Seas Realm to claim it."
"This Cosmic Pouch contains two Dragon Bones and the Hidden Ones Registry (List)."
"I've already announced your official status as a Divine Hidden One of the Jiu Li Hidden Sect. The registry records information on all Hidden Ones in this Sixty-Year Cycle, along with details on some of the sect's assets and strongholds."
"For now, Yin Er and Yin Shi San will continue to handle day-to-day affairs. You're free to make adjustments as you see fit."
"Oh, and a Hidden One Elder just sent word: you've been targeted by a Heretical Sect. These people are utterly fanatical. Many see death as transcendence and fear nothing, willing to do anything. So even in Qiu Prefecture City, you must be extremely cautious."
"Once we resolve your matter, I'm returning to Li Province. If you need anything, contact a Hidden One directly or inform Elder Qin and Old Zhuo."
Li Weiyi, flipping through the Hidden Ones Registry, asked in surprise, "A Heretical Sect? I've never crossed paths with them before."
Hidden Lord replied, "Remember the decisive battle on Lantern Festival night? A squad of black-armored cavalry appeared, their faces covered with masks embroidered with wheat stalks. You crippled them all with your Purple Heaven Thunder Seal. They were members of the Twin Heretical Sect!"
"So they're holding a grudge over that?" Li Weiyi was speechless.
The Hidden Lord shook his head: "It's not that simple! If it were just this grudge, your identity as a Divine Hidden One of the Jiu Li Hidden Sect would be enough to ward off disaster. Most likely, it's because of the Full Metal Body, which has caused such a stir."
"The Twin Heretical Sect is not an ordinary group. Their followers are scattered across the Twenty-Eight Prefectures, but they hide deeply, operating in the shadows. Even the small fraction I've learned about so far paints a terrifying picture of a colossal entity."
"The Hidden Sect will investigate the root cause as quickly as possible, striving to avert the danger before it erupts."
"Furthermore, until you reach the Dao Seed Realm, do not use the Purple Heaven Thunder Seal again. I've already announced to the outside world that it's a sacred treasure of the Jiu Li Clan, reclaimed after the Hidden Dragon Lantern Festival."
Li Weiyi was deeply moved. The Hidden Lord had clearly put a great deal of thought into these matters.
Moreover, on the night of the Lantern Festival, the Hidden Lord had risked his life to charge into the battlefield of the Transcendents' duel and rescue him. Even his own son hadn't received such treatment.
Without a doubt, the Hidden Lord trusted the Chief of the Jiu Li Clan and valued Li Weiyi's talent and character.
The Hidden Lord was the guide for the next generation of Divine Hidden One, not a master but more like one.
Li Weiyi said, "I'm still far from reaching the Immortal Realm. Give the Immortality Pill prepared for me to Fourth Uncle first - that is, First Commander Li Songlin of the Cangli Tribe."
The Hidden Lord snorted coldly: "Him? Giving him a Immortality Pill would be like throwing it in the water, given his talent. Since his legs are broken, he should just stay in the clan and enjoy his old age. He should spend his time training the younger generation in cultivation instead of making a fool of himself outside."
If Li Weiyi hadn't known that Hidden Lord had personally hunted down Yao Qian after Yao Qian severed First Commander Li Songlin's legs, he would have believed the Hidden Lord's words!
Li Weiyi continued, "When I first arrived in Jiu Li City, I only wanted to buy a house and live as an ordinary Li Citizen with my companions. I never intended to get involved in the city's conflicts. But in this world, there was no place for us to stand. The Changlin Gang came knocking on our door the very first day."
"Fourth Uncle, despite his noble status as First Commander of the Cangli Tribe, was willing to stand up for us. He personally went to the Changlin Gang to intimidate them. When he harvested the Immortal Haze-tainted Herb, I was the first person he thought of."
"When you were weak, when you had nothing, when you were utterly worthless - the person who sheltered you from the storm, how could you ever forget them?"
"To be honest, when I heard about the Hidden Dragon Lantern Festival, I knew I had no chance of participating. My cultivation and strength were simply no match for the competition."
"But because of Fourth Uncle, I felt I could give it a try, to fight for him. I couldn't bear to see such a free-spirited man spend the rest of his life confined to a wheelchair. What a painful existence that would be."
After a long silence, the Hidden Lord said, "I'll tell him everything you've said. He'll be deeply moved. But you don't understand him. He'll be overjoyed just knowing you shone so brightly at the Hidden Dragon Lantern Festival! If he knew you gave him your Immortality Pill, he'd never eat it."
"Then don't tell him! Just say it was an extra pill."
Li Weiyi continued, "The Zuoqiu Sect is filled with experts. They must have snatched up plenty of Immortality Pills that night during the Lantern Festival. I risked my life for them. How could they possibly refuse to give me one?"
"And as far as I know, the Calamity Crossing Temple is likely to support the Zuoqiu Sect by providing a certain number of Immortality Pills each year."
The Hidden Lord looked deeply at Li Weiyi, considering his words: "That's not a bad idea. After the Jiu Li Clan lost so many Martial-Mystic Cultivators, the Zuoqiu Sect should at least offer some compensation. I'll hold onto this Immortality Pill for you until you get it from the Zuoqiu Sect."
Li Weiyi continued, "There's one more thing. When you return to Li Province, please keep an eye on my companions for me. Also, I have a strong personal grievance against Li Changfeng..."
Before he could finish, the Hidden Lord turned and walked away, his back facing Li Weiyi: "Do you have some misunderstanding about Immortal Realm Giants? Leave such trivial matters to your Hidden Ones. I'm very busy."
"That's right!" Li Weiyi's eyes lit up.
Li Changfeng was a junior of the Cangli Tribe who had severely injured his Senior Brother Zhao Meng, forcing him to leave Li Province.
Zhao Meng's whereabouts remained unknown to this day.
How could Li Weiyi let this grudge go unavenged?
"Senior Brother, Senior Brother!"
"Where are you now?"
"Have you found Eldest Senior Sister?"
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END OF CHAPTER
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