Chapter 112 – Visitors from Jade Void Mountain, Forgetting River Curse Perfected

Azure Cloud Sect, three days before the Five Peaks Tournament.

Although the Five Peaks Tournament wouldn’t begin for another three days, the cultivators from Jade Void Mountain had already arrived early at Azure Cloud Sect.

Regardless of their true purpose for coming to debate the Dao, their stated purpose was still “visiting,” so naturally Azure Cloud Sect wouldn’t be discourteous, thus arranging for all the Jade Void Mountain visitors to rest temporarily on the Main Peak.

Azure Cloud Sect, Hidden Sword Peak.

“Senior Brother Yi, the Direct Lineage Disciples from Jade Void Mountain are practically at our doorstep, how can you still have the mood to drink here!”

“Stop drinking, I have important matters to discuss with you.”

Hearing Xue Youqing’s words, Yi Hanqing, who was drinking under the peach blossom tree, said listlessly: “So Jade Void Mountain has come, they’re not Demonic Heresy, Junior Brother Xue, why are you so nervous?”

As he spoke, Yi Hanqing picked up his gourd again to take a couple of drinks.

But before he could drink, Xue Youqing beside him snatched it away, saying with a serious expression: “What do you mean why am I so nervous? Senior Brother Yi, do you know who they’ve sent this time?”

Yi Hanqing looked longingly at his snatched gourd and said helplessly: “Junior Brother, please speak, I’m listening. But after you finish speaking… could you return my gourd?”

Xue Youqing nodded, his tone serious: “I’ve secretly investigated – among the Direct Lineage Disciples they sent this time, there are several formidable characters who have comprehended Sword Intent, Fist Intent, and Mystic Talismans. Isn’t this clearly meant to show our Azure Cloud Sect what they’re made of!”

Hearing this, Yi Hanqing said nonchalantly: “So what if they have Sword Intent? As long as it’s not Harmony Realm Sword Intent, there’s nothing to fear. Look how scared you are.”

Hearing this, Xue Youqing couldn’t help saying: “What do you mean ‘so what if they have Sword Intent’? You, Yi Hanqing, are someone with a full stomach who doesn’t understand the hunger of others.”

“That’s right, you, Yi Hanqing, have the Innate Sword Physique, the genius Sword Cultivator nicknamed Peach Blossom Cultivator, but the rest of us are different. Several of us haven’t reached the Entering Dao Realm yet.”

“If it were just Swordsmanship debate, then we wouldn’t be worried.”

“After all, with you as the Hidden Sword Peak Leader here, it’s almost impossible for them to surpass you. But in other areas, we’re currently lacking.”

“After all, those Senior Brothers from Bearing Cauldron Peak who comprehended Fist Intent are either busy in seclusion attempting Golden Core breakthrough, or out performing Sect missions.”

“To the extent that currently, the entire Bearing Cauldron Peak can’t produce a single Foundation Establishment Stage disciple who has comprehended Fist Intent.”

“And then there’s our Myriad Talismans Peak. Senior Brother Yi, you know the situation at our Myriad Talismans Peak – we haven’t had any promising seedlings for almost ten years.”

“The only Senior Sister Liu who knows Mystic Talismans is currently in life-and-death seclusion and can’t possibly take action.”

“Look, just look – this situation is absolutely terrible for us!”

As he spoke, Xue Youqing quickly grabbed Yi Hanqing’s shoulders and shook him vigorously.

Seemingly wanting to help him sober up faster.

After being shaken like this, the daze in Yi Hanqing’s eyes immediately dissipated somewhat.

Then he looked at Xue Youqing before him and said helplessly: “Junior Brother Xue, stop shaking me, my head is getting dizzy.”

Hearing this, Xue Youqing immediately stopped.Watching Xue Youqing who was acting as if facing a great enemy, Yi Hanqing finally voiced his true thoughts.

“Junior Brother Xue, truthfully I still don’t quite understand what you’re all so anxious about.”

“In Dao discussions, wins and losses are perfectly normal. Besides, this Five Peaks Tournament held every five years isn’t some major event. What does it matter if we lose?”

“What!”

Xue Youqing shouted so loudly that Yi Hanqing instinctively flinched and covered his ears.

Then, regardless of Yi Hanqing’s status as Peak Leader, Xue Youqing launched into a tirade: “What do you mean it’s not important? This concerns the face of our entire Azure Cloud Sect!”

“Those despicable scoundrels from Jade Void Mountain clearly know about the current situation of our sect’s disciples and deliberately chose this timing to challenge us in Dao discussions.”

“What is this? This is taking advantage of others’ misfortune!”

“If we disciples of Azure Cloud Sect don’t respond with heavy fists against such cunning and treacherous fellows, wouldn’t we be looked down upon by all the sects in Central Province?”

“So Senior Brother Yi, the outcome of this tournament… is absolutely not trivial! Absolutely not!”

Only after Xue Youqing finished speaking in rage did Yi Hanqing lower his hands from his ears.

Looking at the stern-faced Xue Youqing, he said helplessly: “Then what do you plan to do? I’m the Hidden Sword Peak Leader, not the Azure Cloud Sect Leader. Besides knowing some swordsmanship, I’m completely ignorant of talismans, body techniques, and other arts.”

“As you said yourself, it’s Bearing Cauldron Peak and Myriad Talismans Peak that are short-handed. But even if you want my help with these problems, there’s nothing I can do…”

“Instead of coming to me, you’d be better off trying to get Senior Sister Chen from your peak to end her seclusion earlier, or have those Bearing Cauldron Peak senior brothers return sooner from their training journeys. Why come begging to me? Just return my gourd and find someone else.”

As he spoke, Yi Hanqing reached for his wine gourd, but Xue Youqing stepped back to avoid him.

Looking seriously at Yi Hanqing, he said: “No, Senior Brother, you can help.”

“Among the Five Azure Peaks, you have the sharpest tongue. So after discussing with several Direct Lineage Disciples from Azure Cloud Main Peak, we thought you could disrupt those fellows’ mental state.”

“If these guys develop mental issues and focus all their attention on you, then disciples from other peaks might gain considerable advantage when debating Dao with them.”

“Uh…”

Yi Hanqing looked speechlessly at Xue Youqing and asked puzzled: “Junior Brother Xue, don’t talk nonsense. I, Yi Hanqing, have always been amiable with others. How could I have a sharp tongue?”

Xue Youqing looked at him and said bluntly: “Senior Brother Yi, do you really think your tongue isn’t sharp?”

Yi Hanqing looked confusedly at Xue Youqing, seemingly wondering where this “sharp tongue” accusation came from.

Perhaps to make Yi Hanqing recognize himself, Xue Youqing immediately pointed at himself and said: “Come, Senior Brother Yi, evaluate my cultivation talent.”

Yi Hanqing looked at him, thought for a moment and said: “Well… Junior Brother Xue, your Heart-Nature is quite good. You’ll surely achieve something in the future.”

Xue Youqing sneered and said: “Tell the truth, Senior Brother Yi. I know you’re just being polite.”

“You really want me to be honest?”

Xue Youqing nodded.

At this point, Yi Hanqing decided not to hold back and spoke straightforwardly: “Average talent, not even half of mine.”Though he was the one who had asked Yi Hanqing to speak honestly, hearing such blunt criticism…

Xue Youqing still felt an irresistible urge to slap Yi Hanqing across the face.

Because if it were just sharp criticism, he wouldn’t be this angry.

What really got to him was Yi Hanqing’s calm and indifferent expression while saying those words.

Without a doubt, he genuinely believed from the bottom of his heart that Xue’s talent wasn’t even half of his own.

Lies don’t hurt; the truth is the sharpest saber.

It was Yi Hanqing’s sincere demeanor that was truly unbearable.

As if he, Yi Hanqing alone, was the only prodigy under heaven.

“You see, Senior Brother Yi, and you still claim your words aren’t venomous?”

“Even with our close relationship, after hearing your evaluation of me, I can’t help but want to punch you.”

“Let alone those Jade Void Mountain cultivators who don’t know you at all.”

“Ah?”

Yi Hanqing stared blankly at Xue Youqing, seemingly unaware of any problem with his words.

It was clearly Xue Youqing who wanted to hear the truth, and he had indeed spoken truthfully.

Yet Junior Brother Xue claimed his words were venomous – where exactly was the venom?

Seeing Yi Hanqing’s confused expression, Xue Youqing said with complete seriousness: “Senior Brother Yi, this junior suggests that if you have time in the future, you should really look in the mirror and see the expression on your face when you sharply criticize me.”

“To be honest, if you weren’t the Hidden Sword Peak Leader with profound cultivation and outstanding Sword Intent, you would definitely be taught a proper lesson by many senior brothers and sisters.”

“To cure you of that bad habit of acting like you’re the only one who matters between heaven and earth.”

Hearing this, Yi Hanqing opened his mouth and said uncertainly: “Is… is it really that exaggerated…”

“Exaggerated? No no, not at all!”

Seeing that Yi Hanqing still didn’t understand despite him explaining this much, Xue Youqing helplessly slapped his large hand against his face and said resignedly: “Alright alright, if you think there’s no problem, then let’s assume there’s none.”

“Senior Brother Yi, give us a definite answer – are you going to help us with this or not?”

Yi Hanqing thought for a moment, still feeling this matter was somewhat troublesome.

He didn’t even regard those Jade Void Mountain people highly, so why bother taking the effort to specially evaluate them?

He’d rather spend that time drinking more fine wine here.

But looking at Xue Youqing’s determined attitude, he felt that if he didn’t help, he might continue to be pestered.

So he said helplessly: “Alright alright, tell me what you want me to do…”

“Been waiting for you to say that!”

Hearing that Yi Hanqing had agreed to their plan, Xue Youqing immediately became excited and started explaining.

“Actually, this matter isn’t complicated for you, Senior Brother Yi.”

“You just need to pretend to be drunk at tomorrow’s banquet hosted by the Sect Leader for Jade Void Mountain and say some of your true evaluations about those Jade Void Mountain Direct Lineage Disciples.”

“That simple?”

Xue Youqing nodded: “Just that simple.”

Hearing this, Yi Hanqing couldn’t help rubbing his hands: “Then I wonder…”

“Understood, after the matter is accomplished, the Direct Lineage Disciples from the Main Peak will steal two jars of the millennium Spirit Wine the Sect Leader has been hoarding for a long time for you, guaranteed to satisfy you.”

“Deal!”

The moment he heard about getting to drink millennium Spirit Wine after succeeding, Yi Hanqing’s eyes immediately lit up.

Even his handsome cheeks flushed slightly.

As if he was already fantasizing about the scene of drinking that millennium Spirit Wine.At this thought, Yi Hanqing immediately gave Xue Youqing a firm pat on the shoulder and said with utmost seriousness, “Junior Brother Xue, rest assured. Just watch my performance at tomorrow’s banquet.”

Seeing this, Xue Youqing suddenly felt that he might not have needed to say so much to Yi Hanqing earlier.

After all, for a wine enthusiast like him, as long as you offered fine liquor, he wouldn’t hesitate to boldly critique even a few Direct Lineage Disciples from Jade Void Mountain—let alone True Immortals and Buddhas from the heavens!

With that in mind, Xue Youqing could hardly wait to witness Yi Hanqing eloquently debate a room full of scholars at the next day’s gathering.

He imagined the reactions of those Jade Void Mountain cultivators would surely be quite entertaining.

Just as the Azure Cloud Sect’s Direct Lineage Disciples were preparing to deliver a subtle psychological blow to their Jade Void Mountain counterparts, the latter were also hatching their own schemes.

In the guest quarters of the Azure Cloud Sect Main Peak, several Jade Void Mountain Direct Lineage Disciples had gathered to discuss how to thoroughly dampen the Azure Cloud Sect’s momentum during the upcoming Five Peaks Tournament.

Their plan was straightforward: on the day of the tournament, they would deliberately target the Azure Cloud Sect’s weaker disciples and crush them decisively.

Their ultimate trump card was none other than Shangguan Yunmeng, the young princess from the Dynasty who had recently joined Jade Void Mountain.

What made Shangguan Yunmeng their secret weapon was one unique trait: she was the only cultivator in Jade Void Mountain—and a rare case even in the Azure Cloud Sect’s history—who had mastered Sword Intent while still at the Qi Condensation Stage.

With her on their side, the Jade Void Mountain disciples believed that even if they couldn’t defeat Yi Hanqing from the Azure Cloud Sect’s Hidden Sword Peak, they could at least secure an unbeatable position.

If Yi Hanqing, at the Foundation Establishment Stage, were to defeat Shangguan Yunmeng, who was only at Qi Condensation, they could easily argue that the loss was due to the vast gap in cultivation realms.

But if Shangguan Yunmeng managed to win by chance?

Well, that would become a legendary tale for Jade Void Mountain to boast about for the next century, dominating the Central Province’s gossip mills.

As for the other peaks besides Hidden Sword Peak, the Jade Void Mountain disciples were confident of victory.

Many of the Azure Cloud Sect’s top talents from Myriad Talismans Peak and Bearing Cauldron Peak, who had reached the ‘Entering Dao Realm,’ were either in seclusion or away on training journeys.

Those who remained were no match for this batch of Jade Void Mountain Direct Lineage Disciples.

In short, this time… they had come prepared!

However, as the group chatted, they suddenly realized someone crucial was missing.

“Wait, has anyone seen where Junior Sister Yunmeng went?” a Senior Sister from Jade Void Mountain exclaimed, scanning the crowd and failing to spot Shangguan Yunmeng.

The other disciples only then glanced around belatedly.

Noticing Shangguan Yunmeng was indeed absent, the Senior Sister frowned with concern and said, “This is bad. Could Junior Sister Yunmeng have gotten lost again?”

“After all, she’s the same top-tier direction-challenged person who intended to join the Azure Cloud Sect but ended up wandering into our Jade Void Mountain instead.”

“Didn’t I tell you to guide her here to the guest quarters so we could discuss our plans together? How could you lead her here and then lose her along the way!”Hearing this, the Jade Void Mountain Direct Lineage Disciples exchanged glances and couldn’t help saying: “Wasn’t it you, Senior Sister Li, who said you would keep an eye on Junior Sister Yunmeng? We thought she had been staying with you all along.”

Senior Sister Li’s face darkened as she immediately recalled she had indeed said those words.

It seemed when she went to call the other fellow disciples, Yunmeng had said she was hungry and wanted to get some food from the kitchen, so she went out alone.

At the time, she thought the distance between the guest room and kitchen was less than three hundred meters – even if Junior Sister Yunmeng had the worst sense of direction, she couldn’t possibly get lost over such a short distance.

So she let her go alone.

Who could have known that once she left, she never returned!

And here she thought Shangguan Yunmeng had been waiting here for her long ago.

Though aware the problem likely stemmed from her own oversight, Li Ping decided not to dwell on it. Instead, she immediately instructed everyone to find where Shangguan Yunmeng had wandered off to.

Their trump card couldn’t be revealed to the Azure Cloud Sect in advance!

Otherwise, they would be on guard!

Azure Cloud Sect, Danyang Peak Back Mountain, Night.

“…Success.”

Lu Chen, sitting cross-legged on the spiritual lake, suddenly opened his eyes.

The next moment, the water around him began to ripple.

Following that, he performed Air-Drawing Talisman, and a special blood-yellow talisman suddenly appeared before him.

After brief contemplation, Lu Chen immediately slapped the talisman onto a nearby tree.

Initially, the tree showed no reaction.

But soon, the tree began withering at an astonishing rate, eventually turning into dust.

Seeing this, Lu Chen nodded in satisfaction.

[River Styx Curse: Major Achievement 1/30000]

[Effect: Waters of the River Styx, dwelling of lonely souls. When cast, directly attacks a cultivator’s Divine Soul, damaging their lifespan]

Besides the River Styx Curse, he had also broken through to the next realm in the Man-Mountain Art during this period.

This had nearly exhausted all his experience points.

[Man-Mountain Art: Realm Breakthrough (Cannot upgrade further)]

[Effect: When activated, gathers spiritual energy into a mountain, transforming into a Human Mountain (ten meters)]

[Special Effect·Primordial Yellow Power: When stepping on the earth, can continuously absorb earth’s spiritual power through Primordial Yellow Power]

Just as Lu Chen prepared to test his realm-breakthrough Man-Mountain Art, he suddenly turned to look in a certain direction within the forest.

“Fellow Daoist over there, please show yourself.”

Hearing Lu Chen’s words, the lost Shangguan Yunmeng had no choice but to step out from behind the tree.

When Lu Chen clearly saw her appearance, he suddenly understood the meaning of the phrase ‘beauty brings disaster’.

This woman had eyebrows like kingfisher feathers, a waist like plain silk; eyes like stars, skin like snow.

In terms of appearance and aura alone, this woman wearing unfamiliar plain white clothing…

Was indeed the most stunning person he had ever seen in his life.

Coupled with her serene and tranquil disposition, she inexplicably gave off an ethereal feeling of being untainted by worldly matters.

Perhaps because he felt there was little danger within the Azure Cloud Sect, Lu Chen found himself strangely compelled to cross the lake and land before this woman.

“Might I ask what brings you here, Fellow Daoist?”

Hearing Lu Chen’s question, Shangguan Yunmeng thought for a moment before lowering her head and whispering: “Well… I, I seem to be lost… Do you know where the Azure Cloud Sect’s fire kitchen is?”

“…”

Lost?

To get lost all the way to our Danyang Peak’s back mountain – you’ve gotten quite lost indeed.

(End of Chapter)