Chapter 334 – Undercurrents

Game World, Azure Cloud Sect, Main Peak

“Junior Brother Lu, did the Sect Leader summon you as well?”

On the Azure Cloud Main Peak, Meow King looked at Lu Chen, who hadn’t emerged from his cave residence for a long time, with great surprise.

Beside Meow King, Diting immediately approached Lu Chen the moment he appeared, displaying a fawning attitude completely devoid of the domineering aura he usually exhibited when bullying others in the Azure Cloud Sect alongside Meow King.

Lu Chen looked at Meow King and asked, “Senior Brother Meow, do you know why the Sect Leader has summoned us this time?”

Meow King shook his head, indicating he was equally clueless.

Ever since the incident with Yi Hanqing some time ago, Meow King had remained low-key for quite a while, rarely venturing outside, let alone gathering information within the sect. In this regard, he was no less reclusive than Lu Chen, who would “seclude himself” for years at a time.

Unable to find answers from Meow King, Lu Chen instinctively began to ponder.

After all, he had previously informed the Sect Leader that he wished to focus on secluded cultivation to consolidate his cultivation base and preferred not to be disturbed by outsiders. For the Sect Leader to summon him under such circumstances surely meant it was no trivial matter.

Considering what the Azure Cloud Sect currently valued, it was almost certainly related to the Immortal Fiends. Lu Chen’s expression grew increasingly solemn, as he sensed that the peace unique to the Azure Cloud Sect… might soon come to an end starting today.

“You’re here?”

Lu Chen, Meow King, and Diting turned simultaneously to see Sikong Ming, the Peak Lord of Ten Thousand Talisman Peak.

“Follow me. I’ll explain the details once we reach Ten Thousand Talisman Peak.”

After speaking, Sikong Ming led the way. Meow King and Lu Chen nodded and promptly followed.

Soon, the group arrived at a great hall on Ten Thousand Talisman Peak.

Unlike the grandeur of the Azure Cloud Main Peak, the wildness of Kangding Peak, or the meticulousness of Danyang Peak, the architectural style of Ten Thousand Talisman Peak appeared profoundly mysterious. Many structures were adorned with talismans and special immortal markings, giving off an unfathomable aura at first glance.

The location where Lu Chen and the others now stood was the core area of Ten Thousand Talisman Peak—the Star Observation Tower. This was Lu Chen’s first time venturing so deep into the heart of Ten Thousand Talisman Peak. Although he had heard of the Star Observation Tower before, hearing about it was one thing; seeing it with his own eyes was entirely different.

“What’s wrong? Does Ten Thousand Talisman Peak differ from what you imagined?”

Sikong Ming, observing Lu Chen’s silent demeanor upon arriving at the Star Observation Tower, seemed to discern his thoughts and spoke with a smile.

Lu Chen nodded and said, “It is somewhat unexpected. This disciple never imagined that the talisman path would also involve the study of star observation.”

Sikong Ming explained, “Talismans, by nature, borrow power from heaven and earth. The earliest talismans were accidental creations by ancient cultivators who observed mountain ranges and dragon veins and inscribed them into talismans.”

“When the time comes, heaven and earth lend their strength; when it passes, even heroes lose their freedom. Lower-tier talisman cultivators imitate superficially, while upper-tier talisman cultivators manifest talismans through will, harmonizing with the forces of heaven and earth.”

“How about it? Would you like to study the talisman path as well?”

Hearing this, Lu Chen smiled and said, “This disciple is dull-witted and currently lacks the energy to divert attention to other pursuits.”

Sikong Ming chuckled, clearly not taking Lu Chen’s words seriously.If Lu Chen could be considered to have dull aptitude, then there would be hardly anyone in the vast Azure Cloud Sect who isn’t dull-witted.

Moreover, although Lu Chen rarely employed Talismanship, Sikong Ming was well aware that his mastery of talismans was by no means weak—in fact, it surpassed that of most Direct Lineage Disciples from Ten Thousand Talisman Peak.

What a pity, Sikong Ming thought, that such a promising Talisman Cultivator had chosen to pursue the Sword instead.

Though he harbored these thoughts, Sikong Ming kept them to himself and instead led Lu Chen and the others beneath a ‘Star Chart.’

The so-called Star Chart was essentially a massive, specially crafted dome. Standing beneath it, they felt as if they were truly immersed in a starry sky.

Sikong Ming lifted his head, the black cloth covering his eyes seemingly posing no hindrance. “Look over there,” he directed.

Following his gesture, Lu Chen and Meow King soon spotted a flickering star. Strangely, the surrounding stars appeared increasingly dim in its presence, as if on the verge of vanishing entirely.

“Do you know what this star represents?” Sikong Ming asked.

Lu Chen and Meow King both shook their heads, indicating they weren’t Talisman Cultivators from the Star Observation Tower and couldn’t decipher the celestial signs.

Unsurprised, Sikong Ming explained, “This is the East Sea Star, representing the East Sea Gate. The stars around it symbolize other Schools.” He added, “Incidentally, their current actions stem from the covert murder of an important Disciple, who was skinned and dismembered. So, can you discern anything?”

Lu Chen pondered for a moment, then studied the East Sea Gate’s celestial phenomena intently. Although he had never studied astrology, the principle of mastering one art to understand many applied here—celestial signs were, after all, a manifestation of the Dao.

Despite being only at the Golden Core Stage, Lu Chen’s comprehension of the Dao surpassed not just that of his peers but even many at the Nascent Soul Stage.

After some contemplation, Lu Chen stated, “This is bad.”

“Indeed, it is very bad,” Sikong Ming concurred.

Meow King and Diting exchanged puzzled glances, their feline and canine faces etched with confusion. They understood each word spoken, but the combined meaning eluded them. To them, the East Sea Gate’s star merely shone brighter and flickered more rapidly than the others—nothing particularly alarming. Where did Lu Chen and Sikong Ming see the danger?

Neither Lu Chen nor Sikong Ming offered an explanation, as it would have been cumbersome. To put it figuratively: though Lu Chen couldn’t read the stars, he could perceive the traces of the Dao within them. The Dao is formless, while the stars are tangible. Through the celestial signs, Lu Chen glimpsed a ferocious Flood Dragon, posturing aggressively toward adjacent stars.

Yet, much like wild beasts in nature that exaggerate their ferocity when facing equals, the old Flood Dragon of the East Sea Gate was doing the same. Its fierce display seemed to mask underlying fear, suggesting it faced some trouble.

Specifically, for the East Sea Gate, their current domineering stance—avenging their Disciple with overwhelming force—concealed a grave crisis brewing beneath the surface.And this crisis does not only come from the hidden force scheming against the East Sea Gate.

It also includes other schools, and even the East Sea Gate itself.

After all, the Central Province has been peaceful for far too long.

So long that many have even forgotten the brutal, life-and-death struggles cultivators engaged in during ancient times to compete for cultivation resources.

In Lu Chen’s view, the East Sea Gate could become the crucial trigger.

First, because this matter is extremely important to the East Sea Gate.

A Direct Lineage Disciple was killed, and in such a cruel manner—skinned and dismembered.

If the East Sea Gate doesn’t take some action,

not to mention other schools, even the East Sea Gate’s own members would develop unusual thoughts about it.

This could very well shake the entire Foundation of the East Sea Gate.

Second, because the East Sea Gate’s scale means its every move,

even unintentional ones, could affect the entire Central Province.

After all, the Ten Great Schools were never self-proclaimed.

They earned their status through their own efforts.

Although the current situation seems to be the East Sea Gate creating such a large scene to investigate the murderer,

if someone with ulterior motives secretly provokes,

such as deliberately framing other schools,

at this point, whether the East Sea Gate acts for revenge or seizes this opportunity to quietly strike against other schools,

it could lead to a major war breaking out.

And once the East Sea Gate enters the fray, other schools might also take the chance to join in.

No one could predict how the situation would unfold then.

Thinking of this, Lu Chen suddenly began to understand why this matter had alarmed the Azure Cloud Sect.

Admittedly, everything at present seems to be merely the East Sea Gate’s private affair,

making it difficult for outsiders to intervene.

But if the situation continues to develop as it is now,

the Azure Cloud Sect might also be drawn in,

and passively at that.

What kind of crisis the Azure Cloud Sect would face then is unpredictable.

To prevent this scenario,

the Azure Cloud Sect must either choose to enter early or find a way to quickly calm the East Sea Gate down.

As for how to calm the East Sea Gate…

“It seems you’ve guessed why the Sect Leader sought you out?”

Lu Chen nodded, indicating he had mostly figured out the whole story.

There was just one point he hadn’t quite resolved yet…

“But relying solely on us, can we really resolve this matter?”

Here, “us” didn’t just refer to him, Meow King, and Diting.

It also included Sikong Ming.

Indeed, the severity of this matter had reached a point where the Azure Cloud Sect had to dispatch a Peak Lord-level cultivator to handle it.

But in Lu Chen’s view, not to mention one Peak Lord, even a few more might not be enough.

Unless the Azure Cloud Sect was willing to send out most of its cultivators.

Otherwise, the East Sea Gate, also one of the Ten Great Schools, might not necessarily grant this favor.

Unless…

“Of course it’s not just us. This time, other schools will join us in investigating this matter at the East Sea Gate.”

“That does seem reasonable.”With the Azure Cloud Sect taking the lead and uniting with other schools, such a specification might indeed have a chance to gradually restore reason to the currently somewhat frenzied East Sea Gate cultivators.”

But this gave rise to another problem.

“Peak Lord Sikong, if too many schools join, it might not necessarily be a good thing either.”

Sikong Ming said calmly, “The Sect Leader Senior Brother and I have also considered what you mentioned.””However, the current situation no longer allows us to consider too much.”

“To prevent the East Sea Gate from involving too many people in the shortest time possible, we must demonstrate sufficient attitude and strength.”

“Even if this might allow some individuals with ulterior motives to infiltrate.”

“And from another perspective, even if such people with ulterior motives appear, it might not necessarily be a bad thing.”

“After all, rats exposed to light won’t be so easy to hide.”

At this point, Lu Chen had completely understood Sikong Ming and the entire Azure Cloud Sect’s stance on this matter.

They weren’t afraid of schemers – they were afraid those schemers wouldn’t show themselves.

It was hard to say whether their decision to specifically invite other schools to jointly investigate this time might contain the intention of luring the snake out of its hole.

However, Lu Chen felt that the Sect Leader and other Peak Lords might be somewhat overly optimistic.

After all, Lu Chen was more than fifty percent certain that this East Sea Gate incident was most likely the work of Immortal Fiends.

And no one understood the strength of Immortal Fiends better than Lu Chen.

But mere speculation wouldn’t convince the Sect Leader and other Peak Lords.

Even though the Sect Leader and others had initially learned about the Immortal Fiends.

Before witnessing the harm brought by Immortal Fiends with their own eyes.

The great cultivators of Azure Cloud Sect still didn’t take it seriously enough.

Thinking of this, Lu Chen felt this operation might not be too easy.

He even suspected that the current situation might be deliberately orchestrated by the East Sea Gate.

If that were truly the case, the complexity of this matter would far exceed Lu Chen’s expectations.

The difficulty of resolving this matter would also multiply.

However, crisis also presented opportunity.

After all, if he could use this opportunity to completely expose the Immortal Fiends.

It would certainly make the entire Central Province start taking it seriously.

Lu Chen had even made a decision in his heart.

That even if the final investigation results showed no connection to Immortal Fiends.

He would deliberately fabricate some evidence to frame them.

At this point, Lu Chen already had a clear plan for how to handle this matter.

The truth of the matter, who the real culprit was – none of that mattered anymore.

Because what Lu Chen wanted was to pin all the blame for this incident on the Immortal Fiends.

Although the methods were somewhat dishonorable, Lu Chen never considered himself a righteous character anyway.

As long as he could achieve his goal.

Then even if it was dishonorable, it wouldn’t matter.

“Peak Lord Sikong, when do we depart?”

“No hurry. We’ve just notified the other schools and need to wait for their responses.”

“After we receive their messages, we’ll depart immediately.”

“And to avoid overly provoking the East Sea Gate, we can’t send too many people this time.”

“That’s also why the Sect Leader ultimately selected you and had me represent our sect.”

“Before then, you can make more preparations. After all, I have a feeling this matter might not be easily resolved.”Remember my words – although we’re going to help investigate the truth about East Sea Gate, if anything endangering yourselves occurs during this process.”

“Then don’t hesitate – protecting yourselves is the top priority.”

“Staying alive is what matters most.”

Hearing these words, both Lu Chen and Meow King nodded.

After all, neither of them had ever considered sacrificing themselves for the East Sea Gate.Objectively speaking, if it weren’t for the possibility that East Sea Gate might drag their Azure Cloud Sect into this mess as well.

Otherwise, what would East Sea Gate’s survival have to do with them?

(End of Chapter)