Chapter 140 – Azure Cloud Sect: We Side with Family, Not Justice—Don't Ask

Under Yu Tianqi’s guidance, Lu Chen and Mu Xiaoye didn’t need much preparation before directly boarding the high-speed train to the Qingzhou Shanhai Division.

Traveling from Luocheng to the Qingzhou Shanhai Division would take approximately one week at a faster pace.

At a slower pace, it would take about half a month.

Considering Mu Xiaoye was still at the Qi Condensation Stage and couldn’t yet fly on a sword, Yu Tianqi ultimately opted for the slower approach.

This meant first taking the high-speed train, then transferring to a Celestial Ark to reach the Qingzhou Shanhai Division.

That’s right – a Celestial Ark.

Because the Qingzhou Shanhai Division wasn’t located on the ground, but rather high in the sky.

Lu Chen had no intention of wasting this travel time.

After all, he hadn’t forgotten his main quest.

【Main Quest: Eliminate Immortal Fiends (1/10)】

【Quest Requirement: Within one year, eliminate the unknown Immortal Fiend hidden within the Great Yan Dynasty, the mortal realm faction of Jade Void Mountain, and destroy the Inter-realm Teleportation Array and Ancient Fiend Statue they’ve established】

【Quest Reward: 100,000 EXP, Random Shard of Heavenly Dao*1】

One year in the game translated to just over one month in reality.

Before obtaining the Harmony Realm Sword Domain, Lu Chen would have considered this quest somewhat dangerous.

After all, he couldn’t guarantee what cultivation level the Immortal Fiend hidden in the Great Yan Dynasty might possess.

But judging from what Ji Ling’er and Lan Yan had said later, he must have perfectly completed this quest.

Though he didn’t know the exact process involved,

Just knowing the outcome was favorable

gave Lu Chen more confidence for his upcoming journey to the Great Yan Dynasty.

That’s right – Lu Chen planned to complete the game’s main quest while traveling to the Qingzhou Shanhai Division in reality.

Because he had a premonition that if he failed to complete this quest within the time limit, something very unfortunate might occur.

Although Lu Chen always exercised extreme caution when dealing with Immortal Fiends,

sometimes swift and decisive action could be the best approach.

On the train to the Qingzhou Shanhai Division,

Thanks to Yu Tianqi’s presence, they encountered no issues purchasing tickets.

They quickly boarded the train bound for their destination.

During this journey, Lu Chen simply took out his phone and began playing intently.

By now, Lu Chen no longer worried about others seeing what he was doing in the game through his phone screen.

Because aside from himself, everyone else would only see blurry pixelated images, completely unable to discern what Lu Chen was actually playing.

In the game, Azure Cloud Sect.

“You’re certain you want to visit Jade Void Mountain?”

Lu Chen’s master, Spirit Fire Daoist Jing Gong, looked at him with some surprise.

He was both surprised that Lu Chen had emerged from seclusion so early, and that his first action upon leaving seclusion was to visit Jade Void Mountain.

After all, it was perfectly normal for ordinary Foundation Establishment Stage cultivators to spend several years consolidating their cultivation.

If not for Lu Chen’s notably simple lifestyle within the Azure Cloud Sect, which made his activities easily observable,

Jing Gong might have suspected Lu Chen was practicing some quick-result demonic technique.

For no other reason than this cultivation speed… it was simply too fast!However, as soon as Jing Gong recalled Lu Chen’s First-Grade Great Dao Immortal Foundation, he suddenly felt that Lu Chen’s rapid cultivation progress wasn’t all that strange!

After all, Shangguan Yunmeng, the Saintess of the neighboring Jade Void Mountain, had also broken through to the Foundation Establishment Stage shortly after the Five Peaks Tournament.

And it had only taken her a few years from starting cultivation to achieving Foundation Establishment.

As for the quality of her Foundation Establishment, outsiders had no way of knowing.

Jade Void Mountain had kept all related information extremely well protected.

Even the Azure Cloud Sect couldn’t uncover any details about it.

But considering how seriously Jade Void Mountain was treating this matter,

Jing Gong felt that Shangguan Yunmeng might be extraordinary.

At the very least, she likely possessed a Third-Grade Heavenly Dao Immortal Foundation.

It was even possible that, like Lu Chen, she had a First-Grade Great Dao Immortal Foundation.

Thinking this, Jing Gong pondered for a moment before asking, “Is it absolutely necessary to go?”

Lu Chen nodded, his expression completely serious.

Because he planned to use this trip to the Great Yan Dynasty to find evidence of the Immortal Fiends’ descent beforehand.

This would allow the Azure Cloud Sect to make preparations.

Although doing this was undoubtedly equivalent to altering the past,

Lu Chen felt that this might be the very purpose of obtaining the “True Immortal Cultivation” mini-game.

It might even be that because he wanted to change the past,

he had created the future in reality.

Initially, Lu Chen hadn’t been sure whether he should do this.

Because it meant the future would be filled with variables.

So for a while, Lu Chen had hesitated greatly, wondering whether he should interfere too much with the Azure Cloud Sect’s trajectory.

But after hearing Yu Tianqi’s advice to him and Mu Xiaoye,

Lu Chen had decided to do everything in his power to change the Azure Cloud Sect’s future fate.

After all, rather than watching his friends and loved ones in the Azure Cloud Sect meet their tragic ends, Lu Chen preferred to try to save them.

As for the potential consequences of his actions, Lu Chen was willing to bear them alone.

Whether the outcome would be good or bad…

Seeing Lu Chen’s serious expression, Jing Gong seemed to understand that his disciple’s purpose for insisting on going to Jade Void Mountain might be different from what he had imagined.

Although he wasn’t sure exactly why Lu Chen wanted to do this,

as his master, he would offer unconditional support!

“Alright, then I’ll have the Sect Leader write a formal visiting letter to Jade Void Mountain.”

“By the way, do you need any assistance?”

Lu Chen was taken aback, not expecting Jing Gong to say this.

Clearly, his master had guessed that his purpose for going to Jade Void Mountain wasn’t straightforward.

After thinking for a moment, Lu Chen decided to bring two people with him.

“Could we persuade Senior Brother Wu Miao from Azure Cloud Peak and Senior Brother Yi Hanqing from Hidden Sword Peak?”

“Them?”

Hearing Lu Chen specifically name these two individuals,

Jing Gong deduced that Lu Chen probably wanted to do something discreetly without alerting anyone.

After all, both Meow King and Yi Hanqing had been the Azure Cloud Sect’s top Foundation Establishment Stage cultivators before Lu Chen appeared.

While they might not be able to defeat ordinary Golden Core Stage cultivators,

as long as the opponent’s Golden Core quality wasn’t too high and their cultivation wasn’t too deep,

even Golden Core Stage cultivators would find it very difficult to capture them.

Adding Lu Chen to the mix, this trio—though only at Foundation Establishment Stage—might even be able to surround and kill Golden Core Stage cultivators.

And this was without Jing Gong knowing that Lu Chen had mastered Dao Integration Realm Sword Intent.

From the outside, this trio certainly wouldn’t attract too much attention.

Thinking this, Jing Gong tentatively asked: “Revenge?””Lu Chen was taken aback, never expecting Jing Gong to say such a thing.

After a brief moment of thought, he deduced why Jing Gong would say this.

After all, he had only requested Meow King and Yi Hanqing—clearly intending to operate covertly without alerting anyone.

And the kind of person who would make Lu Chen act this way… Jing Gong believed it could only be an enemy.

Faced with Jing Gong’s inquiry, Lu Chen pondered for a moment before shaking his head and replying, “Yes, but also no.”

Yes, because he indeed had a grudge against the Immortal Fiends.

No, because in the current era of the game, he hadn’t even encountered a single Immortal Fiend yet.

This grudge… came from the Void Realm!

Hearing such cryptic words, Jing Gong rubbed his temples in frustration.

What did “yes, but also no” even mean?

Why hadn’t he noticed before that this kid enjoyed speaking in such mysterious, convoluted ways?

Still, concerned for Lu Chen’s safety, Jing Gong asked, “Is there any danger?”

Lu Chen thought it over and said, “Perhaps…”

“How confident are you?”

“Ninety-five percent…”

“What if you had a Golden Core Stage cultivator assisting you?”

“Ninety-eight percent.”

“And a Deity Transformation Stage cultivator?”

“One hundred percent.”

“Understood. Take this.”

Curious, Lu Chen glanced at what Jing Gong handed him.

One look, and he was utterly stunned.

[Name: Sky-Splitting Seal]

[Type: Mystic Talisman]

[Effect: Contains a single Divine Ability strike from the Deity Transformation Stage cultivator Yan Faxing. Upon use, it is as if Yan Faxing himself has arrived.]

[Note: Requires at least one million units of Spiritual Power to activate (already satisfied).]

[Side Effect: May fall into a Transformation Illusion.]

“Master, you’re being this generous?”

Looking at this Mystic Talisman, Lu Chen felt he had underestimated the Azure Cloud Sect’s hidden reserves.

To think they could produce a Mystic Talisman imbued with a Deity Transformation Stage cultivator’s Divine Ability!

Meeting Lu Chen’s fervent gaze, Jing Gong said irritably, “Don’t get any ideas. This is the only treasure I have.”

“If I hadn’t realized you were dead set on going, do you think I’d give this to you?”

“Honestly, if the Great Yan Dynasty weren’t under Jade Void Mountain’s jurisdiction, and if I hadn’t sensed from your words that you wanted to avoid alerting anyone, I’d have just gone with you myself.”

Though Jing Gong’s words were full of complaints, Lu Chen knew it was only out of concern for his safety.

After all, actions speak louder than words.

The fact that Jing Gong entrusted him with this immensely valuable ‘Deity Transformation Talisman’ spoke volumes about his care.

Thinking this, Lu Chen immediately bowed deeply and solemnly to Jing Gong.

“Alright, alright. I’ve already sent word to Hidden Sword Peak and Azure Cloud Peak. Those two, Wu Miao and Yi Hanqing, should be waiting for you by now.”

Lu Chen bowed once more before turning and heading out of the cave residence.

Just as he was about to leave, Jing Gong abandoned his usual casual tone and spoke with utmost seriousness, “Be careful. If you can’t win, run. Don’t let pride push you into reckless bravery.”

“If the situation turns dire, don’t hesitate—use the Mystic Talisman I gave you.”

“As long as it’s not some unforgivable atrocity, even if you tear the heavens apart, your master here… will cover for you.”

Lu Chen nodded, then flew toward the mountain gate.

Having been in the game for so long, this was the first time he was… descending the mountain.Watching Lu Chen’s retreating figure, Jing Gong stroked his double chin and said with some concern, “While it’s true that not even the sky falling would be a problem, you really shouldn’t push things like this, kid.”

“Otherwise, your master here will have to face another lecture from the Sect Leader Senior Brother…”

Outside the Azure Cloud Sect’s mountain gate.

“Junior Brother Lu, over here!”

The Meow King stood on Yi Hanqing’s shoulder, waving a paw at Lu Chen.

Lu Chen halted his sword before the two and bowed. “Junior Disciple Lu Chen greets both Senior Brothers.”

The Meow King chuckled while licking his paw, while Yi Hanqing nodded calmly.

Perhaps having received advance notice, the Meow King—who looked no different from an orange tabby cat—asked, “Junior Brother Lu, are you taking us to cause trouble at Jade Void Mountain? Otherwise, why specifically summon us two?”

Lu Chen shook his head. “Senior Brother Meow misunderstands. I’m merely making a stop at Jade Void Mountain along the way.”

“The true purpose of our journey is the Great Yan Dynasty within Jade Void Mountain’s sphere of influence.”

Hearing this, the Meow King inquired, “Do you have enemies there?”

Not yet ready to explain the matter of the Immortal Fiends, Lu Chen simply nodded. “Something like that.”

“Understood. Then what are we waiting for? Let’s set off immediately!”

“After finishing your business, Hanqing and I each have our own matters to attend to anyway.”

“You’ve actually helped us both tremendously without realizing it—we wouldn’t have gotten down the mountain so easily otherwise.”

This remark surprised Lu Chen somewhat.

But he didn’t press for details about their intended tasks.

Just as they hadn’t questioned his specific reasons for going to the Great Yan Dynasty.

This was the Azure Cloud Sect’s way: supporting their own over abstract principles.

Being the leader of the Righteous Path was only because the Azure Cloud Sect was considered the most principled school among Central Province’s hundred sects.

But having principles didn’t mean being rigidly dogmatic.

If conflicts arose between outsiders and Azure Cloud disciples,

the sect wouldn’t care about right or wrong—they’d support their own first!

This ethos was perfectly embodied in Lu Chen’s current situation.

Whether it was Jing Gong, the Meow King, or Yi Hanqing, none cared about Lu Chen’s specific purpose in going to the Great Yan Dynasty—they simply helped.

What if the matter remained unresolved?

No problem, because while the Azure Cloud Sect might lack other things, they never lacked people!

Don’t ask—if you do, we’re the Righteous Path leader. Anyone opposing us must be Demonic Heresy.

And why bother with chivalry when dealing with heretics? Just swarm them together!

As Lu Chen would say, the Azure Cloud Sect insisted on maintaining this hollow title of Righteous Path leader

precisely to always claim the moral high ground, no the circumstances!

Our Azure Cloud Sect… simply enjoys ganging up on others!

In the skies, Lu Chen flew solo on his sword while the Meow King rode Yi Hanqing’s Following Wind Sword, all heading toward Jade Void Mountain.

Central Province, Jade Void Mountain gate.

“Fellow Daoists from Azure Cloud Sect, please wait momentarily while I inform our Sect Leader.”

After half a month of flight, the trio finally arrived at Jade Void Mountain’s entrance.

Since Lu Chen’s group requested to meet Shangguan Yunmeng—the deservedly titled Saintess of Jade Void Mountain—

the Jade Void Mountain disciples first had to notify their Sect Leader: Shangguan Yunmeng’s master, Jade Void Mountain’s Nascent Soul Stage cultivator nicknamed Perfected Red Maple, Ji Qiushui.”So, you’re saying three Azure Cloud Sect disciples wish to see Little Meng?”

In the Great Hall of Jade Void Mountain’s Main Peak, the voluptuous Ji Qiushui leaned halfway against her chair. After carefully reading the visitation letter personally written by Gu Liqing, she decisively closed it.

“Aside from that orange cat, what do the other two male disciples look like?”

The female disciple of Jade Void Mountain below paused in surprise, then after a moment’s contemplation replied: “One has a spring-breeze demeanor, clearly a sentimental type.”

“The other carries an ethereal aura, like an immortal banished to the mortal realm.”

Upon hearing this, Ji Qiushui immediately declared: “Understood. Then we won’t let them meet!”

“Ah?!”

Ji Qiushui said irritably: “With such good looks, what if our Little Meng gets swept off her feet? I can’t let her repeat my past mistakes.”

Noticing the astonished expression on the disciple below, Ji Qiushui spoke without reservation: “What’s that look for? No one understands better than I how devastatingly charming Azure Cloud Sect’s male cultivators are to female cultivators from other sects.”

“If that blockhead Gu Liqing hadn’t been completely impervious to my advances, why would I be sitting here as Jade Void Mountain’s Sect Leader? I’d have long since run off to Azure Cloud Sect!”

“Ah?!”

“Stop with the ‘ahs’! My admiration for Master Gu is hardly secret – even Azure Cloud Sect has plenty who know about it, so there’s nothing to be surprised about.”

As she spoke, Ji Qiushui seemed to recall something and inquired: “By the way, Little Meng should still be in secluded cultivation at her cave residence, not wandering around, right?”

The disciple below thought for a moment before saying: “She… should be, right?”

Ji Qiushui glared at her: “None of that ‘should be’ nonsense. Go keep an eye on that girl and make sure she doesn’t wander off again.”

“Getting lost within her own Sect – I truly don’t know how she developed this habit. Can’t seem to break her of it no matter what.”

“Relay my order: Tell Little Meng that if she properly completes six months of secluded cultivation to consolidate her First-Grade Great Dao Immortal Foundation, I’ll take her to the mortal realm for delicious treats afterward.”

“Yes.”

Upon hearing this, the female disciple immediately departed from the Main Peak, flying toward Shangguan Yunmeng’s cave residence.

Meanwhile, a certain young woman with ‘clear-eyed’ confusion had just stepped out of her cave residence alone, muttering to herself: “I’ve been in secluded cultivation so long, all the snacks in my storage bag are gone. I should go ask Master for more.”

“But… where is Master’s cave residence again?”

“Can’t be wrong – it’s definitely this way!”

Shangguan Yunmeng looked toward a certain direction within Jade Void Mountain and immediately flew off on her sword.

This direction happened to be precisely toward the mountain gates leading outside Jade Void Mountain.

Having no sense of direction isn’t scary – what’s scary is when someone with no sense of direction doesn’t realize they have no sense of direction…

(End of Chapter)