Chapter 24: Farewell to the Sect Leader
“Definitely this guy,” Li Su said with great certainty.
Although it was possible that he could be a foreign cultivator or even a demonic cultivator, the strong evidence points to him. However, these cultivation families’ residences were usually secretive, and even Li Su was not entirely familiar with all of them. It would be challenging for an external cultivator to find a cultivation family within a short period.
If the individual wanted to blend in with the Wu Kingdom’s cultivation world, they would eventually become known to the local cultivators. In recent years, there were no reports of foreign foundation-building cultivators. He firmly locked onto this individual based on Li Su’s observations and speculations about the Bai family cultivator on Immortal Desolate Peak.
The cultivator surnamed Bai’s progress was exceptionally rapid, surpassing even Su Yun, a talented cultivator with fifth-grade spiritual roots. This person seemed to possess some mysterious techniques. However, he disguised himself well, and none of the cultivators present suspected him. Li Su’s confident identification of this person made the other cultivators look at him with admiration.
Li Su assured the cultivators that they didn’t need to worry, as the Flying Immortal Sect would handle the situation. They could temporarily move closer to the sect if they were concerned about their own families. After comforting them, Li Su didn’t linger and promptly left the scene on a flying boat.
First, he returned to the Li Mansion to check on the situation at home, then proceeded to the Flying Immortal Sect. With the identification of the Bai cultivator, Li Su was less concerned about his family’s safety. If this individual was responsible for the recent incidents, he would unlikely provoke Li Su directly.
As expected, everything was normal at home, which relieved Li Su. He then boarded the flying boat and arrived at the Flying Immortal Sect. The elder in charge of the sect’s external affairs greeted him.
“Elder, I have made some discoveries. Does the sect monitor the activities of wandering cultivators?” Li Su inquired.
The elder replied, “We have people keeping an eye on the general movements of wandering cultivators. However, there are many wandering cultivators in the Wu Kingdom, so we can only grasp their overall trends.”
The elder summoned a mid-level Foundation Establishment disciple responsible for monitoring the wandering cultivator’s activities. The disciple informed Li Su that several wandering cultivators were still active in Mangkang Mountain, including the cultivator surnamed Bai. He mentioned having heard about him when he delivered some goods to the Mangkang Mountain a few days ago.Li Su’s certainty grew stronger. This cultivator was indeed in Mangkang Mountain and remained highly active there. Li Su realized that this individual was intentionally trying to create an alibi for himself, making it seem that he was not involved in the incidents.
Given the speed at which a cultivator in the Foundation Establishment stage could travel, it would only take around ten hours to fly from Mangkang Mountain to the farthest of the three cultivating families that had been wiped out. The journey would be even faster with flying artifacts like a flying boat. Considering this cultivator’s strength, they wouldn’t take long to destroy a cultivating family.
Li Su deduced that this cultivator could complete a round trip within a day. There might be more than three cultivating families that this person had wiped out, but their disappearances had not yet been discovered. Li Su admired this cultivator’s cunningness, as nobody would suspect him if it wasn’t for his keen observation.
“Li Su, how’s it going? Have you made any discoveries?” asked Elder Xue from the Foreign Affairs Hall.
Li Su replied, “Elder Xue, please give me the Sect Master’s location. I need to go to Mangkang Mountain.”
“Alright!” Elder Xue handed Li Su a map. “After you go out, fly in this direction, and you’ll reach the area of the Spiritual Stone Mine.”
Thanking Elder Xue, Li Su boarded a flying boat and headed straight to Mangkang Mountain. The flying boat’s speed was impressive, and a massive mountain came into view after more than eight hours.
This is Mangkang Mountain, Li Su thought.
The mountain spanned thousands of miles and was covered in clouds and mist. The upper half of the mountain was constantly hidden by the clouds.
The terrain in this area was complex, and different regions had varying environments. Using the map, Li Su quickly approached the area where Flying Immortal Sect was located.
As he approached, a sect disciple responsible for guarding the outskirts appeared. “Li Senior Brother, I heard you have become the Sect Master’s direct disciple. Congratulations!”
“Thank you,” Li Su replied politely. “I need to go to the area where the Ling Shi Mine is located. Do you know the way?”
A Foundation Establishment Stage disciple recognized Li Su and informed him about the directions.
Li Su’s status in the sect had changed, and the other disciples treated him differently. He had reached the pinnacle of Foundation Establishment and became the Sect Master’s direct disciple. His previous reputation no longer mattered. The present was what counted.
After a brief exchange with the disciples, Li Su followed one of them, flying toward the designated area. Soon, they arrived beneath a vast mountain where numerous Flying Immortal Sect disciples were engaged in battle with monsters.
A beautifully crafted flying boat stretched dozens of meters in length in the sky. This boat belonged to the Sect Master and was known as the “Flying Immortal Ship,” renowned for its speed.
On the flying boat, the Sect Master of the Flying Immortal Sect stood, observing the ongoing fight below. At that moment, a monster resembling a sword-like dragon, with a horn crackling with thunder, suddenly charged out of the mountain, shooting a thunderous pillar toward the Sect Master.
Unfazed, the Sect Master slightly moved her hand, unleashing a white light that intercepted the thunderous pillar. The dragon-like monster’s attack failed and swiftly retreated back into the mountain.
Li Su was impressed by the monster’s cunning tactics, which explained why the three major sects had struggled in their battles. The Sect Master didn’t pursue the monster, seemingly opting for a cautious approach.
Before long, Li Su arrived on the flying boat. The Sect Master noticed him, turned her head, and saw Li Su approaching her.
“Disciple Li Su, I greet the Sect Master,” Li Su respectfully said.
“Brother Li,” the Sect Master acknowledged.
Su Yun was also present, recovering from a recent battle with a slightly weakened aura.
“Master, I have found the culprit responsible for the destruction of the three major families,” Li Su stated straightforwardly.
“Oh?” responded the Sect Master.