Chapter 649: Reactions from All Sides

「The third day of the fifth month.」

「The Daoist Palace outpost in Jinhuai City.」

Few people moved about at high noon under the city’s blazing sun. But inside the main hall of the Daoist Palace outpost, the air was thick with the clamor of voices. Hundreds of Qi Cultivators had gathered around the announcement board, silently reading a new notice that had just been posted.

The announcement was lengthy, over two thousand characters long, but it conveyed two main points. First, the world had long been ravaged by war, causing immense suffering for the common people. Furthermore, infighting among Cultivators had led to the deaths of innocent bystanders. Therefore, effective immediately, all sects were forbidden from engaging in conflict. Violators would be branded as Evil Cultivators.

The second point was that the constant warfare had led to rampant banditry. It called upon Cultivators to suppress the bandits in their own regions. The notice went on to list the merits one could earn for eliminating these threats—merits that could be exchanged for Cultivation Techniques, Elixirs, and Magical Artifacts.

The low-level Qi Cultivators had no idea what any of this truly meant. However, the major powers who had recently established themselves in the Southern Cultivation Realm understood the implications perfectly as soon as the news spread.

「Fuming Prefecture.」

In the north, near the Liangjiang Waters, stood a great, nameless mountain. It now had a new name: Red Mountain. The change came after the disciples of the True Yang Sect took up residence, turning the once lush, jade-green peak a uniform shade of crimson.

Deep within a Dao Field wreathed in fire spirits atop Red Mountain, Le Xin Taoist was lounging comfortably in a reclining chair, soaking up the summer sun. He looked utterly carefree, his expression one of pure, leisurely contentment.

Suddenly, a fiery red figure appeared next to his reclining chair.

It was Hua Yun Daoist!

“Senior Sister, what brings you to my humble little place?” Le Xin Taoist asked with a casual air.

“You’re certainly enjoying yourself,” Hua Yun Daoist said, her tone a little cold. “Do you even remember why we came to the south?”

“If my presence bothers you, Senior Sister, I can always return to Changtong Mountain,” Le Xin replied with a chuckle.

Hua Yun Daoist’s gaze grew colder, but she ultimately let out a sigh. “The one from Qianmu Temple is about to enter seclusion to break through to the Fourth Realm.”

Le Xin Taoist froze, then blurted out, “So soon? I suppose it’s to be expected. After all the resources he’s burned through over the years, I was starting to worry the entire Southern Cultivation Realm wouldn’t be able to afford him if he kept it up.”

As he spoke, he stood and gazed toward Qianmu Temple. “But is he really that confident? Or does he simply not understand the implications?”

Hearing Le Xin’s final words, the chill on Hua Yun Daoist’s face thawed slightly. “The path of cultivation is like rowing upstream,” she replied. “The moment you hesitate, you’ll be hesitating for a lifetime. Of the hundreds of Third Realm Cultivators in the Five Profound Sects, fewer than twenty would actually dare attempt this breakthrough.”

With that, she gave Le Xin his orders. “Go to the Daoist Palace in Jinhuai City and oversee things. You must ensure that nothing in the Southern Cultivation Realm goes wrong and disturbs Daoist Changqing during his breakthrough.”

“Yes!”

Though Le Xin was clearly reluctant, he didn’t refuse.

「One day later.」

Deep in a peach forest thick with demonic qi, nestled in the mountains north of Ningzhou Road, Hu Yin’s meditation was broken by the sound of footsteps. She opened her eyes to see the Mountain Guard, dressed in a black, narrow-sleeved Daoist Robe. Behind him was Hou Jun, clad in chain mail.

“Greetings, Clan Elder!”

The Mountain Guard and Hou Jun stopped three zhang away and cupped their fists in a Taoist salute.

Hu Yin smoothed the fur at the corners of her mouth. “What matter requires both of you to come see me?” she asked.

The Mountain Guard quickly reported, “Clan Elder, Changqing has entered seclusion for his breakthrough. Before he did, he issued a decree: no private sectarian fighting is permitted in the Southern Cultivation Realm until he emerges. Any who disobey will be treated as Evil Cultivators. Furthermore, the True Yang Sect has already dispatched a Third Realm Cultivator to Jinhuai City. It appears they are throwing their full support behind Daoist Changqing.”

Upon hearing this, Hu Yin immediately rose to her feet. She pondered for a dozen breaths before speaking. “Mountain Guard, from this moment on, no member of our clan is to take a single step outside this forest without my direct order. And as for you, Hou Jun…”

Her gaze fell on Hou Jun, and she raised an eyebrow. “What in the world are you wearing?”

Hou Jun’s chain mail was dyed a riot of colors, and he wore a bizarre arrangement of pheasant feathers on his head. He looked almost exactly like the Monkey King.

“Changqing Zhenren said I look more dashing like this!” Hou Jun replied with a hint of pride.

Hu Yin blinked, but decided not to press the issue. “You will also go to the Daoist Palace in Jinhuai City to represent us,” she commanded. “We hold one of the three seats, after all. Remember, once you arrive, stay by Daoist Tong Jing’s side. Do not act without orders.”

Daoist Tong Jing of the Six Heart Sect is currently the Chief Director of the Nanlin Road Daoist Palace.

“Clan Elder, do I have to go?”

“You may not!”

Hu Yin snapped at him, then turned to the Mountain Guard and added another order. “Gather intelligence on all powers in the Southern Cultivation Realm. If you find anything that could be detrimental to Changqing Zhenren, contact Qianmu Temple at once.”

The Mountain Guard simply nodded.

…

「One morning, two days later.」

「The Ninth Prince’s palace in Lishui Prefecture.」

As was his custom, Jiangcun was leading his disciples in an early morning study of the great works of the Human Dao’s ancient sages. They were searching the texts for evidence to support their new doctrine, hoping to ground it in the established orthodoxy.

Jiangcun was engrossed in the work, but his study was interrupted by a sudden visit from Hongze.

Seeing Jiangcun’s displeased expression, Hongze got straight to the point. “News from the mainland. Changqing Zhenren has officially entered seclusion. He sent word before he did: he will not emerge until he achieves his breakthrough.”

Jiangcun, annoyed at being interrupted, found his irritation vanishing the moment he heard the news. His expression turned thoughtful. After a long pause, he said, “I remember he was only at the Second Realm the first time I met him. Is that right?”

He looked to Hongze for confirmation.

Hongze remained silent. He was considered the youngest Third Realm Cultivator in Lishui Prefecture. Yet, by his reckoning, Changqing had only just begun his cultivation journey when he himself had broken through to the Third Realm.

“Have you found Yue Ziyu yet?” Jiangcun asked suddenly.

“Give me another six months,” Hongze answered.

“What’s the attitude of my brothers now?”

“The Grand Master himself has sent word: no fighting is to take place in the Southern Sea Region until Changqing Zhenren emerges. Eighth Master has sent his Flying Boat to patrol the region, and both Sixth Master and Fifth Master have sent their Direct Disciples to oversee the Daoist Palace outposts.”

Jiangcun nodded slowly. “My Flying Boat isn’t doing much right now. Send it to the Southern Sea Region, too. For now, focus on driving the pirates out of the area so we don’t have any real accidents. Oh, and what’s the situation with Third Brother?”

“Our position is now secure. Third Master naturally has no objections.”

“Good. Go on, then.”

Jiangcun waved a hand, dismissing Hongze. Then, he transformed into a streak of light and landed on the highest point of the palace, his gaze fixed in the direction of Qianmu Temple.

「Qianmu Temple.」

「In a cavern beneath the Mountain Peak Dojo.」

In the center of a complex Qi Fortune Array, Wang Ping sat cross-legged. Flanking him were two puppets crafted from the Spiritual Bodies of the Demon Race, joining him in calculating the possibilities of his advancement.

Yu Lian was currently two zhang long, her body coiled around Wang Ping’s waist. Her head rested on his lap, her golden, slitted pupils fixed on the Corpse Soul at the Array’s core.