Chapter 22: A Diary, A Sect!
Yuan Ruoyu ventured into an ancient repository within the Jade Pool Sacred Land. This place was a forbidden zone, housing records about the ancestors of the Jade Pool Sacred Land, including what cultivation techniques they practiced, their skills, and the treasures they wielded. Aside from ceremonial activities, this place attracted very few visitors.
“How did an ancestor become a heavenly envoy?” she pondered. “Was it by force or of their own free will?” As she rummaged through the documents, her mind raced, unable to fathom these mysteries. It felt like a fishbone stuck in her throat.
Moreover, the crucial task at hand was to identify who the enemy was and what forces they could wield in the Mortal Realm. This wasn’t just about her—it directly affected Lin Feng’s fate as well…
Document rolls unfolded in Yuan Ruoyu’s hands until, a few hours later, she finally discovered a glimmer of a lead.
“Qingwan!” It appeared this was a previous saintess of the Jade Pool Sacred Land, boasting late-stage Mahayana cultivation. She had vanished three hundred thousand years ago while searching for a rare herb to refine a catastrophe-breaking pill. It was noted that she likely met with an unfortunate accident or had given up after hopelessly trying to breakthrough, passing from this world.
Would anyone have thought that Qingwan, who had been gone for three hundred thousand years, was making a grand comeback? And as a heavenly envoy, no less!
After going through the documents, Yuan Ruoyu’s expression hardened. “So, this means the Celestial Realm has been meddling in Mortal affairs for at least three hundred thousand years!”
“This timeline might need to be pushed back significantly… What on earth do they want?”
This revelation sent chills down her spine, amplifying her growing suspicion about the Celestial Realm. At the same time, she began worrying about the ancestors of the Jade Pool Sacred Land. Historically, more than a dozen ancestors had ascended from the Jade Pool. Were they still alive? Or had they met misfortune?
The more she thought, the more alarmed she became, feeling a sense of helplessness rising within her. Their enemy was unprecedentedly powerful! The most pressing issue was that they hadn’t even figured out who this opponent was or what their intentions might be.
“Whoever they are, I will track you down!” After spending half a day in the repository, Yuan Ruoyu turned to leave, her face resolutely determined.
———
In the Azure Prefecture’s southern region, bl**d Spirit Sect.
Yan Shan looked at the tall and short elders before him and said with a grave tone, “Do you two have the confidence to k*ll Yan Changkong?”
Beside him, Grand Elder Lei Lie wore a serious expression too. The two individuals before them were top-notch assassins he had hired at a steep price from Shadow k*ll Tower. Their goal was to quietly eliminate Yan Changkong. With the Xuanqing Sect rapidly developing under Yan Changkong’s control, Yan Shan felt he could no longer afford to wait.
The taller elder nodded slightly, noting Yan Shan’s intent, and said, “As long as your sect can lure Yan Changkong out of his sect, we have an eighty percent chance of success!”
Yan Shan narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing the two but refraining from making an immediate decision. Both of them possessed late-stage Spirit Manifestation cultivation. Ideally, two against one should suffice to take down Yan Changkong. Yet, Yan Shan hesitated, saying, “Very well, I appreciate your assistance; I’ll contact you with further plans.”
Deep down, he still didn’t fully trust these two. Yan Changkong was also at Spirit Manifestation, although he rarely fought, his combat power far exceeded others of the same level. Yan Shan dared not be careless—either they act without restraint, or they do not act at all! Otherwise, future troubles could be endless.
After sending the two off, Grand Elder Lei Lie couldn’t contain himself: “Sect Master, do you not trust these two?”
“Their cultivation isn’t weak, but silently eliminating Yan Changkong won’t be easy!”
Yan Shan pondered for a moment, then replied to the Grand Elder, “They are assassins; if they fail, they leave. But we cannot!”
“Let’s wait a bit longer; surely we can find suitable candidates.”
Grand Elder Lei Lie slightly bowed and said, “Sect Master, I understand what to do.”
———
Ten days passed quietly.
It was once again the time for the Tiangong Pavilion to release the Emperor’s Diary. This time, Yan Changkong chose not to gather his disciples to watch together, avoiding any potential awkwardness.
He mused, “At this stage, Old Ancestor Lin Feng is clearly wise enough; maybe it’s best to wait a little longer…”
Yan Changkong chuckled to himself, recalling how the diary often described the importance of lying low and avoiding sect competitions. Now, every interaction in the sect began with, “Ha! You old sluggard!” Moreover, disciples aimed to embody the spirit of the old slugger.
Essentially, the motto was…
“Enjoy the growth!”
“Maintain a work-life balance!”
Avoid participating in any sect trial or competition meant that this year’s grand sect competition had no participants at all.
After considering things, Yan Changkong decided to cancel it altogether for now due to the reopening of the Emperor’s Diary.
At this moment, the “old slackers” were emerging to gather around the few projection arrays in the Xuanqing Sect.
“Brother Yuan, you old slacker, you’ve finally decided to come out!”
“Same to you, old slacker!”
“Let’s all be old slackers together!”
These disciples greeted each other and grouped up, quietly waiting for the show to start. Before long, the projection array lit up the screen.
“It’s announced!”
“Last time, Old Ancestor reminded us to balance work and rest, benefiting us greatly!”
“Wonder what fresh insights we’ll get this time?”
“Can’t wait!”
“I increasingly feel Old Ancestor is highly perceptive, far exceeding the newer generations. He must have summarized the balance of work and rest methods right from back then!”
As words appeared on the screen.
Eternal Emperor’s Diary, Page Thirteen:
【Hiss…】
【This can’t go on any longer; I’m all good, but my back can’t take it!】
【Quit gambling and drugs… It starts with me!】
【We cultivators cannot indulge in pleasures! Striving and cultivating is the way!】
【I’ve made up my mind; tonight is the last time at the Drunken Spring Building, leaving with a fond farewell!】
【I need to learn alchemy for self-sufficiency; lately, I’ve spent so much on pills, and the sect’s quality isn’t up to par, while the outside market is too steep!】
【Hmm, might as well grab some spirit herbs while I’m out.】
【Gotta go! Let’s move!】
This entry didn’t contain much critical info.
The crowd whispered about it for a moment before awaiting the next diary entry.
Eternal Emperor’s Diary, Page Fourteen:
【Got a little hurt, but no big deal!】
【On my way back with spirit herbs, I encountered an ambush; my caution saved me, or I’d be done for.】
【It’s a pity Ruo Yu’s soft armor I received got damaged in battle; that’s too bad.】
【It’s bl**d Spirit Sect’s doing!】
【This sect is vile and wicked, specializes in harming the innocent; I knew it! They often kidnapped mortals for bl**d spirit cultivation! d*mn them! One day, I’ll bring them to ruin!】
【That guy Yan Yu is the son of a bl**d Spirit Sect hall master; he resembles that Yan Shan, cultivation at the Nascent Soul stage!】
【I don’t care who you are; if you’re in my hands, you’re dead!】
【Left no survivors; bodies are now marinating in the river; then set the place ablaze, checking thoroughly to ensure I left nothing behind!】
【I took their storage rings but won’t open them just yet; let’s avoid being tracked.】
【For safety, I’ll lie low in the sect for three to five years.】
This entry concluded.
However, its contents stirred up quite the uproar.
At the moment, both the Xuanqing Sect and the bl**d Spirit Sect gazed at the projection screen, stunned.
Was there a vendetta between the Eternal Emperor and bl**d Spirit Sect?
Particularly the mention of Yan Shan—wasn’t he the current leader of bl**d Spirit Sect?
“Hiss—”
“Now this is getting interesting!”
In an instant, all eyes from major sects in Azure Prefecture turned toward the bl**d Spirit Sect. Many relished the unfolding drama!
Yan Shan, relying on his high cultivation and the strength of the bl**d Spirit Sect, had been bullying everyone in Azure Prefecture, making countless enemies.
But cultivators in Azure Prefecture mostly dared not voice their anger before.
Now that the Eternal Emperor’s diary was exposed, stating that he killed Yan Shan’s son, how would he respond?
Cue suspense!
In the Xuanqing Sect, Yan Changkong observed the diary contents; moments later, an excited grin spread across his face.
“Hahahaha!”
“Yan Shan, Yan Shan, who would’ve thought your day would come?”
Beside him, Grand Elder Chen Xiu remarked, “Sect Master, with this diary out, bl**d Spirit Sect might be finished!”
Yan Changkong took a deep breath and announced, “Prepare to invade bl**d Spirit Sect’s territory!”
He understood that bl**d Spirit Sect was likely doomed this time around.
In that uproar with the Eternal Emperor, safeguarding the Xuanqing Sect indicated that a force supported him.
Now, would this force overlook bl**d Spirit Sect?
Not a chance!
Forget not, several factions allied with Xuanqing Sect would undoubtedly intervene.
bl**d Spirit Sect was surely facing annihilation.
What’s strength? This is it!
Even though they couldn’t see Lin Feng’s figure, his influence remained powerful; countless figures acted in accordance with his will.
As Yan Changkong speculated, he was incorrect; the action against bl**d Spirit Sect was surprisingly swift!
At this point, hundreds of miles away from Xuanqing Sect, atop a mountain.
The Xuan Bird Guard of the Liyue Celestial Dynasty had temporarily set up camp here, using it as a base in Azure Prefecture.
At this moment!
Zhao Shanhe’s face turned solemn, taking out a communication jade slip, a cold voice from Empress Ye Qingge echoed forth:
“Immediately destroy the bl**d Spirit Sect, leaving not a single creature alive!”
Almost simultaneously, colorful clouds filled the sky, at the celestial palace, in the Jade Pool Sacred Land, Liu Piaopiao also received the saint’s command:
“bl**d cleanse the bl**d Spirit Sect!”
In addition, several ancient clans received messages from their family elders.
Without exception, these messages urged them to wipe out bl**d Spirit Sect.
These forces consisted of the elite on the entire Eastern Xuanzhou continent, any of which could easily handle the bl**d Spirit Sect.
Let alone the timing of the action?
In no time, these factions mobilized and converged toward the bl**d Spirit Sect’s location.
