### Chapter 186: Guests from the Celestial Mansion, Xuanqing Sect
Diary Entry 68: Here’s where things wrap up. It may not be long, but it sure drops a lot of juicy info!
In the depths of the Spirit Spring, there’s actually an ancient formation!
What kind of secrets are lurking in there?
After reading this diary entry, suddenly the cultivators from the Nine States and various Celestial Mansions were bubbling with curiosity.
You could practically feel the urge to find out more!
But alas, this was the last published entry, and if you wanted to peek at the next one, you’d have to wait another ten days.
If you simply can’t wait, you could always snag an advanced copy from the Xuanqing Sect to satiate your curiosity.
From the sneak peek a few days ago, it seemed pretty close to the actual diary content…
I must say, the imagination of the Grand Elder from the Xuanqing Sect is truly impressive.
In no time, cultivators everywhere were buzzing with chatter.
“First time might sting a bit… but afterward, it feels great! I suspect the Desolate Heaven Emperor meant something else, but where’s the evidence?”
“Uh, the Desolate Heaven Emperor is just fast! I mean, flying fast!”
“Is the Spirit Spring really that magical? If only I could take a dip, my body has been weak since I was little…”
“Looks like cultivating still relies on opportunities, but often the good stuff is snatched up by powerful factions, making the strong stronger and the weak weaker!”
“Yeah, it’s downright unfair. Now that the immortal realm is back, I hope there’s a chance for us ordinary cultivators to thrive!”
“Is the Desolate Heaven Emperor so strong because of the Spirit Spring? Maybe they hit the jackpot when unlocking the ancient formation. Talk about envy!”
Everyone had their own thoughts and feelings, opinions flying left and right.
Some were green with envy—why did all the good stuff always fall into the Desolate Heaven Emperor’s lap? Even the likes of Han Xingmian found herself smitten!
Then there were others who felt a twinge of jealousy, angrily thinking that fate was being unfair.
Of course, most were just pondering out loud, waiting with bated breath for the next diary entry.
—
Azure Prefecture, Southern Region.
Xuanqing Sect.
The Grand Elder, Chen Xiu, finished the diary and immediately rushed back to his cave, leaning over the table.
He occasionally stroked his beard, his eyes sparkling like he was conjuring up something brilliant.
He picked up his pen and started scribbling down his inspirations on the stark white paper.
The table was a disaster zone, covered in notes and crumpled papers.
Chen Xiu furrowed his brow and muttered, “Celestial Palace, Spirit Spring, depths, ancient formation…”
“What happens when it’s opened up?”
As he spoke, the room fell silent, with only the sound of leaves rustling outside the window.
A moment later!
Chen Xiu’s eyes lit up like he’d just discovered fire. Excitedly, he exclaimed:
“Perhaps it’s an extraordinary space, desolate and ancient!”
“There might be lost tomes, jade slips.”
“Could these books and slips contain cultivation techniques? Records of historical truths? Or secrets yet unknown!”
Chen Xiu’s thoughts were racing, as he wrote down key phrases.
“But this isn’t enough…”
“What about the ancient mysterious beasts, lurking dangers?”
Chen Xiu paused, frowning, feeling like something crucial was missing.
If it was just that, it wouldn’t be eye-catching enough!
After a moment of contemplation,
Smack—
Suddenly, Chen Xiu slapped his thigh, standing up enthusiastically, “And what about an ancient coffin? A corpse? Could it belong to a mysterious demon clan, or an ancient fairy?”
“The Ancestor and that Ancestor’s companion faced dangers, conquering challenges, and their bond grew deeper, leading to some romantic tension…”
“Exactly!”
“That’s it!”
Chen Xiu’s excitement made his face flush, and after jotting everything down, he slumped back down in his chair.
Taking a deep breath, he chuckled, “When my Master first taught me the techniques, I didn’t even work this hard!”
“Otherwise!”
“Why would I have slacked off all these days? I’d probably be an Emperor by now!”
Chen Xiu took a sip of spirit tea to regain some composure, then immediately dove into writing the first sneak peek of the diary.
What did the Sect Leader say again?
Time is spirit stones!
The Xuanqing Sect’s advanced copies sell like hotcakes because they rely on speed!
The first few days after a diary entry is released are the peak selling time.
If you wait, the next diary will be out in ten days, and who’s going to spend spirit stones on something stale?
So, our diligent Grand Elder has to write it all up ASAP.
He’ll then have other disciples copy it over, ensuring it’s ready for sale bright and early the next day!
In addition to this, Chen Xiu was also juggling matters like managing the cave for his Dao partner, milk tea, bikinis, and pantyhose crafting, making him quite the busy bee.
Just then, a voice rang out from outside the cave.
“Grand Elder, the Sect Leader has summoned you to the discussion hall immediately.”
“It seems there’s an important guest!”
Chen Xiu frowned, suddenly interrupted, his expression darkening.
He knew that if Yan Changkong was interrupting him, it had to be crucial.
Their teamwork had been growing smoother lately.
“Got it, I’ll head over shortly!”
Chen Xiu acknowledged, letting the messenger disciple leave first, then scribbled a few more notes before putting down his pen.
“What important guest?”
Chen Xiu wondered aloud, changing into a more formal green robe before stepping out of the cave.
—
“Come, Han Peak Master, try some of our special spirit tea from the Xuanqing Sect.”
Yan Changkong was all smiles, warmly inviting a beautiful woman across from him.
“While it isn’t particularly precious, it’s a signature product of our sect.”
He paused, the sparkle in his eyes shining again, “Our Ancestor Lin Feng loves it—every time he returns, he drinks his fill!”
Han Yuwei smiled back, a glint in her eyes as she glanced at Yan Changkong, internally thinking, this little chubby guy is pretty clever.
She knew Yan Changkong was being friendly, though he was a bit cautious.
Han Yuwei took a sip of the tea, nodding, “A tea even the Desolate Heaven Emperor enjoys, it must have its unique allure!”
“I apologize for barging in, but I do have something to request from Sect Leader Yan. I assure you there’s no ill intent!”
She got straight to the point, not wanting Yan Changkong to misunderstand.
Upon hearing this, Yan Changkong breathed a sigh of relief.
The beautiful woman before him hailed from the Yuheng Celestial Mansion, a top-tier mansion just below the six major ones.
Moreover, Han Yuwei was the Peak Master of Yunshan Valley, one of the two strongest factions within the Yuheng Celestial Mansion, so her strength and authority massively surpassed that of the Xuanqing Sect.
But Yan Changkong wasn’t afraid, since he had seen his fair share of storms by now.
He wasn’t losing focus nor feeling intimidated.
However, he didn’t want to drag any of the Ancestors into any trouble. Every time something came up, it seemed to require an Elder’s intervention, which wasn’t great.
Just as Yan Changkong was about to inquire about her purpose for visiting…
The Grand Elder Chen Xiu walked in.
At the moment he entered, Han Yuwei, seated beside him, suddenly perked up, her eyes fixated on the latter as if he were some rare treasure.
Chen Xiu noticed her gaze and was baffled, a hint of embarrassment creeping onto his face.
It had been many years since a female cultivator had looked at him this way.
Um—
Not just many years; it felt like it had never happened before.
This lady was no plain Jane—she had striking beauty, smooth skin, and a flowy dress that draped elegantly, oozing grace.
All of this made the Grand Elder’s breath hitch slightly.
