Master of Strange Dao

"""

Wouldn't that make it a laughingstock in the world?

The Mysterious Heaven Sect could only begrudgingly accept it.

Inside the Mysterious Heaven Sect, a jade box and a jade scroll were placed on the table, with several people standing around it, their faces looking displeased.

They were naturally unwilling to be the early birds, but they hadn't expected the Yin Family to be so decisive this time, leaving no room for further discussion.

They dared not open the jade box now, for who knew what tricks might be inside.

As for the jade scroll, they didn't dare to look at it either.

Afraid that the jade scroll could only be viewed once as well.

If that was the case, the Mysterious Heaven Sect wouldn't be holding a secret, but rather, they would be grilled over the flames.

They could only leave it as it was for now.

Two days later, inside the secret meeting room.

Everyone was unexpectedly present, with someone occupying every chair.

Even the chair in the corner was filled.

On the table were a jade box and a jade scroll.

The group unanimously nominated the Mysterious Heaven Sect Master to inspect the jade scroll.

After checking it, the jade scroll indeed shattered by itself.

Everyone remained silent, waiting for the Mysterious Heaven Sect Master to open the jade box.

The Mysterious Heaven Sect Master, looking sullen, walked forward and continuously turned the jade box with his hands. Cracks appeared on the tightly sealed box, and in the next moment, it crumbled into hundreds of pieces, which, under the pull of a radiant light, hung suspended in the air.

Following the instructions recorded in the jade scroll, the Mysterious Heaven Sect Master manipulated the pieces one by one.

An hour later, after the Mysterious Heaven Sect Master adjusted the last piece, all the components were drawn together by divine light to reassemble into a jade box.

The jade box slowly opened, and from it swirled a halo that transformed into ancient characters, rising into the air.

The divine light suspended in mid-air revealed the characters for a moment before slowly dissipating, leaving a Big Seal within the jade box.

"The Dadui Jade Seal?!"

Someone exclaimed in surprise.

The Mysterious Heaven Sect Master picked up the Big Seal, his brow slightly furrowed.

"It isn't; there's not a trace of power within it."

The deep blue Big Seal was rarely seen, but the engravings indeed resembled those of the Dadui Jade Seal. Turning it over to see the inscribed characters beneath, he found it completely blank, without a single character.

"Did any of you understand those characters just now?"

"Those characters used ancient script, which differs from the one we use today, both in form and meaning."

In truth, hardly anyone understood it.

A few phrases might be comprehended, but without context, their meaning could vary, and no one dared make any guarantees.

Now, as everyone looked at the Big Seal, they felt not much joy, but rather more confusion.

The Yin Family had clearly stated they wouldn't participate, even going so far as to destroy the jade box directly. At this moment, they dared not apply any pressure arbitrarily.

But merely looking at it, they realized that although the item was given to them, they might not comprehend what to do next.

They could only adjourn and go back to find learned individuals who understood ancient and modern scripts to decipher the ancient characters' meanings first.

After all the fuss, they even offended the Yin Family, causing nothing but quiet despair.

A day later, Yu Ziqing arrived at Zhong Shouzheng's temporary retreat.

Zhong Shouzheng recounted the event as a joke.

"I almost burst out laughing at the time; they've offended the Yin Family so much that they'd better not think about seeking help from the Feng and Yin Two Families in the future."

"Senior, did you make a rubbing of those characters?"

"Here." Zhong Shouzheng handed a piece of paper to Yu Ziqing, "Can you understand it?"

"How could I possibly understand it? Perhaps there's someone specialized in this field at Langya Institute or Lihuo Institute who can."

Yu Ziqing examined the paper. To him, the characters resembled flames from another world.

He could barely recognize them, but their meaning was completely lost on him.

The ancient script was far from today's, where everyone could understand a standardized language and script.

Back then, even when two countries' languages were mutually incomprehensible, it was a minor issue compared to the varied writing systems.

Yu Ziqing had to learn even the Dadui dialect gradually, starting from those resembling the modern language and slowly progressing to older forms.

Writing was much more complex than speaking; differences in contemporary and ancient semantic and lexical meanings were common.

Yu Ziqing accepted the paper and planned to ask Old Yang. He probably wouldn't understand either.

Failing that, Yu Ziqing would have to go to the Dadui's Sealing and find a real ancient individual to ask about the meaning of those characters.

As he was leaving, Zhong Shouzheng stopped Yu Ziqing.

"When will you take that Old Eunuch away?"

"His injuries are severe. Let him recover here with you first, Senior. Why are you in such a rush to get rid of him? Unlike the other three, he has no family or sect backing him; without protection, he might be killed on the way out."

Zhong Shouzheng curled his lips; even though the old eunuch was a Third Tribulation Realm Qi Refining cultivator who had also refined his God to the Yang God Realm, and even if his Yang God was seriously wounded and recovering slowly, with no treasures for protection, he was not so easily killed.

But Zhong Shouzheng didn't say this, and decided to let it be.

As a Loose Cultivator, caution was paramount, especially for someone like him, who couldn't retreat in one place for long.

Since he couldn't find a suitable cave heaven blessed land for long-term retreat, he would abandon the place after last bringing someone here and look elsewhere.

After leaving with Yu Ziqing, Zhong Shouzheng remarked.

"I don't intend to keep this place. If you need to find me in the future, don't look for me here, go to the northern part of Kuihou Country."

"Alright, Senior, sorry for the trouble."

"Are you really planning to take that Old Eunuch back?"

"Yes, it's rare to find a strong individual, and mutual convenience benefits both parties.

Although he's powerful, I think he's just a pitiful person, a victim.

With the world being vast, if he has nowhere else to go, being my neighbor beside Jinlan Mountain isn't bad.

Jinlan Mountain isn't as domineering as other sects, with sayings like 'no one may sleep near my bed.'

If it weren't for the fierce Alien power within Jinlan Mountain making it hard for Qi Refining cultivators to stay long, allocating a place for him wouldn't be a problem."

Yu Ziqing blinked, his face full of sincerity.

Zhong Shouzheng's face darkened.

"Don't look at me like that; don't even think about it.

Once a follower of the Evil Dao, always a follower of the Evil Dao.

Don't try anything with me; I just seek freedom and will never move to be your neighbor in Jinlan Mountain."

"Senior, what do you mean by that?" Yu Ziqing looked puzzled, filled with doubt: "Oh, if you would lower yourself to be my neighbor, I'd certainly welcome it."

"Impossible, I can see through you, young yet crafty, hurry up and go, hurry up and go."

Zhong Shouzheng hurriedly left, fearing speaking a few more words with Yu Ziqing would lead to manipulation.

Yu Ziqing stood at his spot, watching the tunneling light fly away, and smiled.

In our Jinlan Mountain, there are Devils and Demons.

Am I afraid of one more from the Evil Dao?

"""