The Path of the Martial Arts BOSS

"It feels just like a play," Qing Yu sighed softly, as he looked distantly at the masked individuals in the square.

This was no monodrama, but rather an ensemble piece. Everyone was a participant in this play, including Hua Yufei and True Master Tianyang who fought to the death today, as well as Zhang Yuanchu and Qing Yu himself.

It was only now that he put on this cold and distant persona that he could be an observer. Otherwise, Qing Yu might have been busy dealing with those harboring various intentions.

"How tedious... No matter where one goes, one cannot escape such false charades," Qing Yu suddenly felt his interest waning. Although he himself was skilled at playing these deceits, he had grown weary of them.

In his previous life of thirty years, at least a third was spent living behind a mask. In this life, he vowed to pursue the peak of Martial Arts and longevity, wishing to break free from such a mundane existence and to avoid perishing in the collateral damage of martial conflicts.

Yet, the irony of the world was such that even upon reaching the Divinity Realm, one could not escape conventionality.

Wasn't Zhang Yuanchu acting just like those high-ranking figures, who all resorted to such mind games as a matter of necessity? Even the pure and untroubled grounds of the Taoist sect could not evade these commonplace schemes.

"It seems I have yet to ascend high enough. If only I had ascended to the heights occupied by the mightiest on the Heavenly List, then I wouldn't need to waste my thoughts on these matters."

Though Divinity Realm warriors were indeed noble, there were slightly too many of them. With great numbers came the inevitable entanglement of various relationships and interactions, with social niceties reflected therein.

Only those at the pinnacle, the strongest of them all, could afford to disregard these matters and act solely according to their own will. Even Zhang Yuanchu, the Heavenly Master's eldest son, could not achieve this.

Of course, that doesn't apply to benevolent warriors like Meng Shanhe who loved and cared for others. A gentleman might be beguiled by straightforwardness; while Meng Shanhe wasn't excessively rigid in his uprightness, the aspects he did care about were all too apparent and thus easy to target.

While pondering, Qing Yu leisurely made his way back to where he was staying.

If nothing was amiss, he would seclude himself in the courtyard where he resided. Posturing and slapping faces, currying favor with both sides - none of that suited his current disguise. Besides, Qing Yu had no interest in these affairs.

As for stirring up trouble, he would leave that to Zhang Yuanchu to manage this play.

Ha, thinking you can cozy up as an ally and coax the trust of Chunyang Palace, it's not so simple. Qing Yu would soon turn these plans on their head.

"Fellow Daoist Xuandu."

A cool voice called out from behind.

Qing Yu slowly turned to see the approaching female crown, calmly saying, "What brings you here, Daoist Xuan Yin?"

The one who had stopped Qing Yu was none other than Xuan Yin.

This elder, equally cold in temperament, had unexpectedly stopped Fellow Daoist Xuandu, whom she rarely interacted with, her motives both intriguing and cautionary.

Just the other day, Qing Yu had seen Xuan Yin retrieve an Image Stone from the woods outside the Taizhen Palace. The fact that she had called out to Qing Yu today was certainly not for a simple reason.

"I have heard that the Supreme Taoist Sect is home to all of the world's Taoist teachings. I have a question I wish to ask of my fellow Daoist," Xuan Yin said, bowing slightly in earnest.

"Please speak," Qing Yu responded, his expression remaining unfazed, although he was on high alert within.

Qing Yu, while not having met Xuan Yin before his arrival at Taizhen Palace, had formed a very specific and vivid impression of her based on what Xuan Shang and Xuanzhen had shared.

Xuan Yin was detached, her nature indifferent, and she practiced Yin Techniques, appearing uninterested in all matters. Her showing such earnestness was certainly suspicious.

"All things carry Yin and embrace Yang, and everything in the world cannot escape the principles of Yin and Yang. However, the union of Yin and Yang does not represent Unity. Do you know how these two can merge into one without distinction?" Xuan Yin asked.

"The teachings of Yin and Yang are the true legacy of Zhenwu Sect. Even someone from the Supreme Taoist Sect like myself cannot claim mastery over this path compared to your Zhenwu Sect. If you are sincere in your search, you should ask your Sect Master or the Zhenwu Three Elders," Qing Yu replied indifferently.

'The unification of Yin and Yang returning to Wuji is the essence of Zhenwu Sect's "Taixu Wuji Scripture." The matter that Xuan Yin wishes to inquire about is related to the "Taixu Wuji Scripture"...'

His eyes deep and profound, he employed the Heavenly Son's Qi Observation Skill and perceived the reality of Xuan Yin. Her realm was comparable to Xuanming, and although surpassing Xuanzhen, she fell short. Kunyin Peak follows the path of Yin, but at the end of the way, extreme Yin gives birth to Yang, and through the unification of Yin and Yang, one breaks through to Divinity.

Xuan Yin had not yet reached the state where extreme Yin gives rise to Yang. Her pursuit of Yin Yang Unification was therefore premature. She should not be eager for such knowledge.

Furthermore, with her temperament, she would not make such an overture for this mere matter.

"Are there no relevant records within the Supreme Taoist Sect?" Xuan Yin asked, sounding somewhat disappointed.

"My knowledge does not match what is contained within your sect. If you truly seek the answer, you should not overlook what is near in search of what is far," Qing Yu advised, shaking his head.

It is a fact that Zhenwu Sect's mastery of Yin and Yang surpasses that of the Supreme Taoist Sect. After all, they specialize in this domain, while the "Supreme Heaven Opening Scripture" of the Supreme Taoist Sect includes the concept of Yin and Yang, their focus lies elsewhere.

The "Supreme Heaven Opening Scripture" emphasizes the Dao giving rise to all things, not the return of Yin and Yang to Wuji. Without comparing the profundity of their perspectives, the directions of their teachings are completely different.

Moreover...

The mysteries of Yin and Yang returning to Wuji, I, Qing Yu, also wish to understand. The "Taixu Wuji Scripture," I, Qing Yu, also covet it passionately.

If Qing Yu could easily provide the answer to Xuan Yin's question, he would not be in the pursuit of the "Taixu Wuji Scripture."

"Farewell, fellow Daoist."

Qing Yu bowed and passed by Xuan Yin, who seemed lost in thought.

As he passed her by, Qing Yu inadvertently inhaled a faint fragrance. This delicate scent carried a strange magical power that deeply intoxicated the heart.

With a mere whiff, Qing Yu felt the Yin and Yang Qi within him grow more dynamic.

His face remained composed as he walked by Xuan Yin's side, his eyes, however, deep and icy, with a glint of cold light flickering through.

If Qing Yu's memory served him correctly, the last time he brushed past Xuan Yin, she did not possess this subtle fragrance. And this time...

Qing Yu did not think Xuan Yin was trying to entice him. Not because of her indifferent nature, but because the fragrance seemed to target only those with the purest Yin Yang True Qi.

And Xuandu, in fact, did not possess such pure Yin Yang True Qi.

Of course, he could not exclude the possibility of his identity being exposed. But Qing Yu's disguise was deep, and it would be hard for others to see through him. Moreover, Xuan Yin's previous disappointment was genuine.

'The enigma surrounding Xuan Yin grows ever deeper.'

Xuan Yin did not appear to be allied with Xuan Chen's faction, but the secrets she harbored made it difficult for Qing Yu to ascertain her allegiance.

'Let's observe her future actions.'

Qing Yu continued walking without skipping a beat, as if his recent realization were merely an illusion, and he went straight on his way.