My All-Heavens Chat Group

At that moment, Immortal Daoxuan felt an irresistible urge to draw closer to the God of Hongmeng, to approach the Dao itself. Even if nearing the Dao meant death, his very spirit assimilated by it, he was willing to risk everything. "To hear the Dao in the morning, one could die without regrets in the evening," he thought.

BOOM.

Yet, just as he yearned to approach, the world around him shattered, and his consciousness plunged into darkness.

HAAH...

Immortal Daoxuan awoke with a start, a cold sweat drenching his back. He was utterly overwhelmed by shock, his spirit reeling, his heart in turmoil.

"Sect Leader," Xiao Yicai said with concern. He had no idea what Immortal Daoxuan had witnessed to be so profoundly shaken. However, to his delight, Immortal Daoxuan's cultivation level had broken through at that very instant.

At Qingyun Gate, cultivation of the Tai Chi Xuanqing Road was divided into the Jingqing State, Shangqing State, and Taiqing State. Daoxuan had previously been at the peak of the Shangqing State. Now, with this breakthrough, he had reached the Taiqing State. It might have seemed like a single barrier overcome, but it represented the difference between two entirely separate realms. The gap between the Shangqing State and the Taiqing State was immense, like a natural chasm.

"So, gods truly exist in this world!" Immortal Daoxuan realized. "Actual, eternal, and immortal gods!"

He paid no heed to Xiao Yicai, still lost in his astonishment. He was filled with excitement, elation, and profound shock. With just a glimpse of the entity's manifested projection, he felt as if he had seen the Dao itself. Countless puzzles in his mind were instantly solved, and his cultivation level advanced greatly. Therefore, he was certain it wasn't an illusion or some trick of magic. There was no one in this world capable of deceiving him with mere illusions. This was his conviction.

He turned to Lin Jingyu, his gaze piercing. "Lin Jingyu, how did you obtain the God of Hongmeng's "Meditation Method"? And why did you come to me in secret instead of first approaching your master?"

As the Sect Leader of Qingyun Gate, Immortal Daoxuan possessed a keen and calculating mind. He immediately sensed the abnormality in Lin Jingyu's behavior. As a disciple of Dragon Head Peak, when faced with such a matter, Lin Jingyu should have first sought out the one he was closest to: the Dragon Head Peak Master, his own master, Daoist Cang Song.

"That is precisely what I came to report to you, Sect Leader," Lin Jingyu said, looking directly at Daoxuan and speaking forthrightly. "I chanced upon the favor of the God of Hongmeng and was also granted a God's Revelation, allowing me a glimpse into the future! And through it, I discovered the truth behind the massacre at Caomiao Village!"

"Could it be related to Junior Brother Cang Song?" Immortal Daoxuan found it hard to believe. Lin Jingyu hadn't gone to his master, Daoist Cang Song. Instead, he had come to him and was now bringing up the Caomiao Village massacre. If there wasn't a connection, I'd be a fool to believe it, Daoxuan thought. But Daoist Cang Song is the Dragon Head Peak Master of Qingyun Gate. What benefit could he possibly gain from slaughtering a village of mortals? Could it really be just for Lin Jingyu? Because Cang Song wanted to take him as a disciple and decided to sever his worldly ties beforehand? That would be too cruel. And completely unnecessary.

"Sect Leader, Cang Song was not the direct perpetrator of the Caomiao Village massacre, but he was an indirect one," Lin Jingyu stated. "Do you recall when the venerable monk Pu Zhi of Tianyin Temple came to Qingyun Gate, seeking to exchange for Qingyun's Daoist techniques, hoping to achieve Buddhist-Taoist dual cultivation?"

"Indeed, the venerable monk Pu Zhi from Tianyin Temple did visit with such a request. However, after I refused him, he descended the mountain," Immortal Daoxuan nodded, then wondered, "Could Monk Pu Zhi have vented his anger on Caomiao Village because of that? Unlikely, surely?"

Although Caomiao Village lay at the foot of Qingyun Mountain, its inhabitants were mere mortals. While under Qingyun's protection, it had little direct connection to Qingyun Gate. Eliminating the people of Caomiao Village would have negligible impact on Qingyun. Moreover, Pu Zhi was renowned and not known for such heinous acts or narrow-mindedness.

"Pu Zhi indeed wouldn't vent his anger on Caomiao Village for that reason. This is why I say Cang Song is an indirect culprit!" Lin Jingyu continued. "It's because Pu Zhi possessed a treasure that Cang Song coveted—the Bloodlust Bead!"

"The Bloodlust Bead?" Immortal Daoxuan was startled and exclaimed, "Are you referring to the Bloodlust Bead that once belonged to Black Heart Elder of the Demon Sect?"

The origins of this bead were shrouded in mystery, but it possessed a bizarre characteristic: an insatiable hunger for the life essence and blood of living beings. If any living creature drew near, it would be drained of its vitality by the Bloodlust Bead within moments, leaving behind only an empty husk—a truly terrifying and malevolent artifact. Over a thousand years ago, the bead had fallen into the hands of Black Heart Elder of the Demon Sect. Recognizing its power to absorb life essence and blood, he refined it into one of his Magic Treasures. For a time, he was invincible, slaying countless righteous cultivators. His infamy spread, and the bead became one of the four great treasures of the Demon Sect. After Black Heart Elder died, the bead vanished without a trace, its whereabouts unknown. To think it ended up in Pu Zhi's hands! And Cang Song actually wanted to steal the Bloodlust Bead! Daoxuan mused. His mind raced, yet he didn't doubt Lin Jingyu's words. These were all secrets, not easily known to ordinary people.

Lin Jingyu nodded. "Indeed! It is precisely Black Heart Elder's Bloodlust Bead. Cang Song ambushed Pu Zhi, leaving him critically injured and near death, though Pu Zhi managed to repel him!"

"Pu Zhi knew his days were numbered. Influenced by the Bloodlust Bead and his desperate pursuit of Buddhist-Taoist dual cultivation—his obsession with transcending life and death—an evil thought took root in his heart! He decided to have someone else attempt Buddhist-Taoist dual cultivation. If they succeeded, it would fulfill his dying wish!"

Upon hearing this, a spark of understanding lit Immortal Daoxuan's eyes; many things instantly became clear. Pu Zhi knew his end was near and wanted someone else to achieve Buddhist-Taoist dual cultivation? What other option did he have? He could only find someone in Caomiao Village.

"Does that mean you or Zhang Xiaofan received Pu Zhi's legacy?" Immortal Daoxuan asked.

"Correct. Pu Zhi initially intended to pass it to me, as my aptitude was good," Lin Jingyu explained. "But precisely because my aptitude is good, I would attract the attention of Qingyun's higher-ups and likely be discovered. So, Pu Zhi imparted The Great Brahma Prajnaparamita of Tianyin Temple to Xiao Fan instead! Afterward, worried that Qingyun Gate wouldn't take us in, he massacred the other villagers of Caomiao Village."

Immortal Daoxuan nodded; he had suspected as much. Lin Jingyu's talent made his acceptance into Qingyun Gate highly probable. Zhang Xiaofan, however, was a different matter. But if Zhang Xiaofan became an orphan, Qingyun Gate would surely accept him out of consideration for him being a survivor of Caomiao Village.

The sequence of events, the cause and effect—it all fit together perfectly. Moreover, it involved many secrets, far beyond what Lin Jingyu could fabricate. Yet, a sliver of doubt remained in his mind.

"Then, do you know why Cang Song wanted to seize the Bloodlust Bead?" Immortal Daoxuan inquired.

"Because Cang Song desires to become stronger, even stronger than you, Sect Leader," Lin Jingyu replied.

"Does Cang Song want to become the Sect Leader?" Immortal Daoxuan narrowed his eyes. His Dragon Head Peak is second in prestige only to my own; aspiring to be Sect Leader is quite possible.

"No," Lin Jingyu stated firmly. "Cang Song only wants to kill you, the Sect Leader, to avenge Martial Uncle Wan Jianyi!"

These words struck Immortal Daoxuan like a thunderbolt, exploding in his mind.

BOOM.

A terrifying aura erupted from Daoxuan's body. Xiao Yicai, standing nearby and already in inner turmoil, felt as if Mount Tai was crashing down on him, striking him with terror. It was the first time he had ever witnessed his master, Immortal Daoxuan, so enraged. He trembled uncontrollably, his heart pounding in his chest.

The name "Wan Jianyi" was practically taboo within Qingyun Gate, known only to a select few—the masters of each peak. It was also a deeply sensitive point for Immortal Daoxuan. In truth, Wan Jianyi was not dead; he was living a secluded life akin to a 'Sweeping Monk' in the mountains behind the sect.

"Wan Jianyi…" The corner of Immortal Daoxuan's eye twitched. This name, which no one had dared utter in his presence for a hundred years, seemed to have provoked him deeply. "Very well, very well! To think Cang Song has held onto that old affair for so long, still bearing such a grudge." Immortal Daoxuan suddenly burst into laughter, astounded that Cang Song had harbored such a secret, wanting to kill him to avenge Wan Jianyi. He had no doubt about Lin Jingyu's words; this matter was top secret. A disciple like Lin Jingyu, who had joined less than ten years ago, could never have known these secrets without a God's Revelation.

"Since Cang Song is so intent on revenge, I shall give him that chance!" With a cold snort, Immortal Daoxuan was about to seek out Cang Song.

"Daoxuan, no need to look for me! I'm here!" Cang Song's frenzied voice roared from outside. "I never imagined that my plan, patiently cultivated through a hundred years of suffering, would be exposed by a recently initiated traitor! I deeply regret not eliminating you, vile spawn, back in Caomiao Village!"

Cang Song's seemingly crazed figure landed before the grand hall. A formidable aura emanated from him, clashing and pressing against Daoxuan's own powerful presence.

"Sect Leader Senior Brother! Senior Brother Cang Song!"

"What's happening between you two?"

A series of figures flew in rapidly. It was Tian Buyi, Head of Great Bamboo Peak, and Su Ru; Shui Yue, Head of Small Bamboo Peak; Zeng Shuchang, Head of Wind Return Peak; Shang Zhengliang, Head of Chaoyang Peak; and Tianyun Taoist, Head of Luoxia Peak. They arrived a moment too late. They hadn't heard the preceding conversation and only saw that Cang Song and Daoxuan seemed to be in conflict.

"Sect Leader Senior Brother, Senior Brother Cang Song, please, let's discuss this calmly! We are all family here!"

"Who would be family with ungrateful scoundrels like you?" Cang Song, his expression wild, cursed at them.

"Cang Song, have you gone mad?" Tian Buyi couldn't help but rebuke.

"HAHAHA! Mad? Yes! I've long been mad!" Cang Song threw his head back and laughed, his demeanor tinged with insanity. "It began a hundred years ago, right here in this Yujing Palace! When I witnessed what happened to Senior Brother Wan Jianyi, I went mad then and there!"

...