Xiao Wuchen returned from the Jade Buddha Temple without delay and immediately set off for the inner palace to seek an audience with Chief Eunuch Bixie.
The chief eunuch's residence was as quiet as ever, with not a sound out of the ordinary. Xiao Wuchen stepped into the hall to find Chief Eunuch Bixie with his back to him, gazing at the ancient, withered pine tree in the courtyard outside the window.
'You've come,' said Bixie, his voice calm yet carrying an inherent pressure. 'Su Mubai has lost.'
'Yes,' replied Xiao Wuchen, bowing respectfully.
Bixie slowly turned around. His face was thin, and his eyes were as sharp as a hawk's. He scrutinised Xiao Wuchen carefully, as if trying to see through every bone and every inch of his inner energy.
'Very good,' said Chief Eunuch Bixie, a cryptic smile playing on his lips. 'You've restored the Rootless Sect's honour, and shown them that the power of my palace guards is no joke.'
He clapped his hands lightly, producing two crisp sounds.
'Your courage and character are truly rare for someone your age. Not only did you defeat the Haoran Sword Sect, you also dared to tell everyone, in full view of everyone, in the most direct way, who the true ruler of the capital is.'
After a pause, Bixie's voice deepened, carrying an undeniable warning.
'But remember, the martial world is ultimately an illusion; the court is the foundation. The sentiments and righteousness of martial artists amount to nothing in the face of power. Only by clinging tightly to this imperial power can you possess true strength and an indestructible position.'
Xiao Wuchen's heart skipped a beat. These words were worth more than any martial arts manual, as they revealed the true nature of the court and the martial world.
New mission: The Secret of the Xuan Yin Sect
'I've silenced the hypocrites of the Hao Ran Sword Sect,' said the Chief Steward, Bi Xie, changing the subject. His tone became serious. 'But what will give you a headache are not those martial artists who only know how to talk.'
He picked up a scroll of secret reports from the table and tossed it to Xiao Wu Chen.
'The Black-Clad Guards and our Inner Guards have recently noticed unusual activity from the Xuan Yin Sect around the capital. Their actions are strange; they are specifically targeting areas where spiritual energy converges, as if they are plotting something big.'
The Chief Evil-Repelling Steward stared sharply at Xiao Wu Chen, as if trying to see through him.
'Your new mission is to investigate the reasons for the Xuan Yin Sect's recent unusual activity around the capital. Find out what they are doing, what their goals are, and stop their actions.'
'The Xuan Yin Sect is an established evil cult in the martial arts world, but their methods are similar to those of cultivation. You must be careful; this is no longer a simple martial arts contest.'
Xiao Wu Chen's heart skipped a beat. This mission was exactly the crisis he had discovered at the Jade Buddha Temple. Now officially assigned by the Chief Evil-Repelling Steward, he could utilise more resources.
[System notification:
Main Quest Update:
[Main Quest: Explore the Secrets of the Xuan Yin Sect]
Objective: Investigate and stop the Xuan Yin Sect's evil activities around the capital.
Progress: 0%
Task reward: To be determined (unlocked based on contribution).
Seeing that Xiao Wuchen was not going to back down, the Chief Evil-Repelling Steward nodded in satisfaction.
'Since this is a confrontation with heretical techniques, your own spiritual cultivation is especially important.'
He waved his hand and an invisible stream of true energy entered Xiao Wuchen's mind, carrying a cool, solemn aura.
'You have already mastered the introductory mental cultivation method of "Flowers Bloom to Reveal the Buddha," which will help you to stay calm and focused when facing heretical forces. I will now impart to you the advanced mental cultivation method of Flowers Bloom to Reveal the Buddha."
This method will imbue your true energy with the purity of Buddhism, effectively counteracting the cold, evil energy of the Xuan Yin Sect. At the same time, it will further refine your spirit, condensing the 'Buddha's Light and Wisdom Heart' above the Meridian Building stage and reducing the obstacles of inner demons as you advance in martial arts.'
Xiao Wuchen immediately began to practise the advanced mental cultivation method, feeling his original technique being perfected further, his mind becoming like a blooming lotus: pure and solemn. He understood that this was not merely a matter of martial arts, but also an investment and protection from the Chief Evil-Slaying Steward.
'Go,' said the Chief Evil-Slaying Steward, waving his hand. 'Regarding the Xuan Yin Sect, I only trust you.'
Xiao Wuchen accepted the heavy responsibility of becoming Chief Steward of the Evil-Repelling Sect. Holding the secret reports of the Xuan Yin Sect in his hands, he was overwhelmed by complex emotions. He knew that, in order to deal with a heretical cult almost akin to a cultivation group, he would need to accumulate as many merit points, martial arts skills and intelligence as possible.
He decided to travel around the capital first, using the system to acquire more side quests in preparation for the upcoming main quest.
That night, light autumn rain fell on the capital, washing over the ground and washing away the evils lurking beneath its prosperity.
Side Quest 1: Ghosts on the Canal
Xiao Wuchen located an area with abnormally volatile merit points — the entrance to the Grand Canal — through a system search.
He secretly infiltrated the canal and discovered that merchant ships and passenger boats passing through at night had recently been emitting eerie cries and calls for help. However, the patrols could not find any clues, leading the locals to believe that ghosts were responsible.
Quest details:
A canal gang called the Blackwater Gang uses a sinister 'water spirit technique' to rob passing ships at night. They create illusions and a terrifying atmosphere through evil magic, leaving their victims cowering in fear so that they can plunder money and refine a certain medicinal ingredient.
[System Prompt: Side Quest Triggered]
Quest Name: Ghosts on the Canal
Quest Description: Destroy the Blackwater Gang's stronghold, rescue the trapped crew and hostages, and break their 'water spirit technique'.
Quest objective: Completely eliminate the core members of the Blackwater Gang (5/5). Quest rewards: Merit Points +400
Special reward: 'Water Spirit True Qi (Fragment)' — can analyse methods of using the evil water-attribute True Qi.
Side Quest Two: The Family Affairs of the Duke of Zhenguo
While investigating reports of ghosts on the canal, the system detected intense negative emotions and a significant loss of merit points within a prominent mansion in the capital.
That's the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion. The duke is a powerful supporter of the royal family. His youngest son, a kind-hearted nobleman, has recently undergone a sudden personality change and is now behaving erratically, even cruelly abusing servants. The family believes he is possessed.)
Quest Details:
A wicked alchemist has been lurking within the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion for many years, secretly experimenting with an evil pill — the "Seven Emotions Poison Pill" — that collects negative energy by controlling people's minds. The alchemist intends to utilise the power and resources of the mansion. The duke's youngest son is the first test subject; his mind is already under the control of the poison pill.
[System Notification: Side Quest Triggered]
Quest Name: The Seven Emotions Poison Pill of the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion
Quest Description: Infiltrate the duke's mansion, find and subdue the evil alchemist, and rescue the boy under his control.
Quest objective: Find and destroy the poison pill (1/1) and subdue the evil alchemist (1/1).
Quest reward: Merit Points +500
Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion Special Collection: 'Marrow Cleansing Pill Recipe (Rare)'After establishing his meridians through side quests, Xiao Wuchen decided to test his strength first, as well as accumulating merit points and information on unorthodox techniques for the upcoming main quest.
Xiao Wuchen made his way stealthily through the night rain to find the Blackwater Gang's hideout in a secluded bay along the canal. It was a modified cargo ship, from which chilling wailing sounds emanated.
As he stepped onto the deck, the scene before him distorted suddenly.
A chilling mist filled the air, accompanied by piercing cries and phantoms of water ghosts demanding lives — the Blackwater Gang's "Water Demon Technique", used to intimidate and control hostages.
"Just a trick!"
Xiao Wuchen uttered a low shout, activating the Advanced Mental Cultivation Technique of 'Flowers Bloom to Reveal the Buddha', which had been taught to him by the Evil-Repelling Steward. A pure and solemn Buddhist Zen aura instantly cleansed his mind and his inner energy shimmered with a golden glow. The phantoms shattered like soap bubbles.
The Blackwater Gang leader was shocked; his Water Demon Technique had never failed him before.
Xiao Wuchen held back. His initial Qi cultivation was powerful and refined, even at the early stage of Meridian Establishment. Combined with the physical defence granted by the 'Indestructible Body Fragment', he was like a tiger among sheep. He unleashed the "Burning Heaven Palm", his extremely powerful yang palm strike, killing the Blackwater Gang members one by one. The core caster of the Water Demon Technique was also incinerated with a single palm strike.
He rescued dozens of hostages and crew members from the ship's cabin and found a tattered martial arts manual in the stronghold.
[System Notification:]
Mission "Ghosts on the Canal" completed!
Merit Points +400.
Special reward obtained: 'Water Demon True Qi (Fragment)'.
Analysis: An evil, water-attribute martial arts technique. It allows the host to analyse its Qi circulation method, aiding understanding of the Xuan Yin Sect's sinister techniques.
Xiao Wuchen destroyed the Blackwater Gang's ships and all their evil equipment, before quietly departing with the 'Water Demon True Qi (Fragment)'.
The next day, Xiao Wuchen infiltrated the Zhenguo Duke's heavily guarded mansion. Following the prompts on his screen, he evaded the guards and spies patrolling the grounds, eventually finding the secret alchemist's chamber hidden beneath an abandoned artificial hill in the backyard.
The stench of blood and medicinal herbs mingled inside the chamber. A middle-aged man in black robes with a sinister face was placing a seven-coloured glowing pill on an altar. The Zhenguo Duke's youngest son, under the control of the evil pill, was locked in a corner, pounding his fists against the wall in agony and letting out piercing cries.
"Who are you?!" the alchemist roared in fury. His painstakingly crafted "Seven Emotions Poison Pill" was nearing completion.
'The one who will take your life.' Xiao Wuchen drew his soft sword, pointing its blade directly at the altar.
The alchemist wasn't a martial arts master, but he was adept at using poisons and mechanisms. He instantly launched dozens of poison smoke bombs and activated an array, attempting to trap Xiao Wuchen in a cloud of poisonous mist and illusions. Xiao Wuchen remained untouched by the poisonous mist, his true qi protecting him. At the same time, he pushed the 'Flowers Bloom to Reveal the Buddha' mental cultivation technique to its limit, his mind clear.
With incredible speed, he broke through the mist and pierced the alchemist's left shoulder with his sword, pinning him to the wall.
"Speak! Where did you get the poison pill?" Xiao Wuchen asked coldly.
The alchemist coughed up black blood and grinned maliciously. 'Hehe... This poison pill is a secret formula of the Xuan Yin Sect. It collects the negative energy of people's seven emotions and six desires, helping the Sect Master to break through his limitations! You couldn't stop it..."
So it was indeed related to the Xuan Yin Sect!
Xiao Wuchen's eyes turned cold. He channelled his true qi, shattering the alchemist's heart meridian instantly. Then, he smashed the Seven Emotions.
Having eradicated two evil forces, Xiao Wuchen gained 900 merit points and two important rewards:
Water Demon True Qi (Fragment): This gave him an initial insight into the circulation of the evil path's true qi.
Marrow Cleansing Pill Formula: A rare pill formula that will lay the foundation for his future pill refining endeavours.
Core Intelligence: The evil arts practised by the Black Water Gang and at the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion both point to the mastermind behind them: the Xuan Yin Sect. They are using these evil arts to plot large-scale operations both inside and outside the capital, with the aim of "breaking through bottlenecks".
Completing these side quests deepened Xiao Wuchen's understanding of the Xuan Yin Sect and boosted his confidence in his Qi Establishment Realm strength.
He now has enough resources and leverage to address his next priority: the invitations from the martial arts world and the Martial Saint Hall.