Meanwhile, within the Qingyun Sect.
The sound of bells and chimes rang through the entire sect. Disciples from every peak hurried to gather at the sect plaza, while several Peak Lords strode swiftly into the Sect Main Hall.
Dao Xuan Zhenren sat upright in the seat of honor, his brow tightly furrowed as though he were contemplating something.
"Senior Brother, why did you suddenly sound the alarm?"
Cang Song, the Dragon Head Peak Lord, was the first to enter the Sect Main Hall and urgently question Dao Xuan.
"Yes, Senior Brother. I had only just returned to my peak when I heard your summons again and rushed back. Surely you are not teasing your junior brother?"
Tian Buyi joked.
"Take your seats!"
Dao Xuan Zhenren was in no mood for jesting. After sweeping his gaze around and confirming that everyone had arrived, he pointed to the seats prepared for the others.
Seeing Dao Xuan Zhenren's solemn expression, the Peak Lords understood that he had serious business to discuss. Once seated, they waited silently for what he had to say.
"I just received word that disciples of the Ghost King Sect and other Demonic Cult factions have been sighted at Nine Yin Mountain, several dozen li from our Qingyun Sect. Moreover, all manner of strange phenomena have appeared there. Our scouts believe some Heavenly Treasure may have descended, and there is a high chance that those Demonic Cult disciples have gone to seize it."
The moment Dao Xuan Zhenren finished speaking, the Peak Lords murmured in surprise.
"A Heavenly Treasure?!"
"How could a place like Nine Yin Mountain produce a Heavenly Treasure?"
"Senior Brother, did the scouts learn what this Heavenly Treasure is?"
The Peak Lords asked one question after another.
"We do not yet know what kind of treasure it is."
Dao Xuan Zhenren shook his head. The report he had received stated that thunder had suddenly rolled across Nine Yin Mountain. Where the lightning struck, strange sights and radiant lights had appeared, while spiritual energy surged violently. Judging by its imposing presence, some remarkable treasure had certainly emerged. As for what exactly it was, the scouts' Cultivation Levels were too low, and they had not dared venture too deeply into Nine Yin Mountain.
However, everyone understood one thing: anything capable of drawing the Demonic Cult into action could not be ordinary.
"This matter does not seem false. Though we do not know what the treasure is, we absolutely cannot simply hand this Heavenly Treasure over to the Demonic Cult."
"That is why I summoned you all. Each of you should select suitable disciples from your peaks and send them to Nine Yin Mountain to search for the treasure. It will also serve as a trial of experience. The sect will provide protective talismans to safeguard their lives."
Dao Xuan Zhenren explained his plans to the Peak Lords in detail. Then his gaze fell upon Tian Buyi, who was still curiously wondering what sort of thing the treasure might be. Dao Xuan Zhenren looked at him steadily and said, "There is also one matter in which I must trouble Junior Brother Tian. For this expedition to Nine Yin Mountain, I have tentatively chosen you as the leader. Seize the treasure if you can, but do not force the matter if you cannot. More importantly, ensure these disciples' safety."
"Senior Brother, rest assured and leave this matter to me. I will bring back the treasure, and I will bring every last disciple back as well."
Tian Buyi was naturally delighted to accept this important task. It was not only an official excursion, but also a chance to learn firsthand what the treasure actually was.
Just as Tian Buyi finished rejoicing, Shuiyue, who had remained silent for a long while, rose to her feet. With a very serious expression, she volunteered to Dao Xuan Zhenren, "Sect Leader Senior Brother, may I accompany Senior Brother Tian on this journey?"
At those words, the Peak Lords all looked at Shuiyue in surprise.
They understood Master Shui Yue's temperament better than anyone, as fellow Peak Lords.
She normally disliked joining in on excitement. Most of the time, she remained in the sect cultivating quietly. She rarely participated in matters requiring travel outside the sect, and whenever she could decline, she did her best to do so.
Why was she volunteering now?
Could Shuiyue possibly have some connection to this Heavenly Treasure?
Ignoring their surprised gazes, Shuiyue continued her explanation to Dao Xuan Zhenren. "Sect Leader Senior Brother, there is a reason for this, though it is inconvenient for me to explain. I happen to have important business at Nine Yin Mountain."
"Very well! Since Junior Sister has volunteered, I naturally will not refuse. You may lead the team to Nine Yin Mountain together with Junior Brother Tian."
Dao Xuan Zhenren naturally would not refuse. Having someone accompany Tian Buyi was even better. At the very least, with two Peak Lords acting together, their chances of obtaining the Heavenly Treasure would greatly increase.
"Thank you, Senior Brother!"
Though Shuiyue had received his consent, her brow remained tightly furrowed.
Nine Yin Mountain, Nine Yin Mountain... that was where Chang Qing had gone. It was already a dangerous place teeming with demonic beasts, and now the Demonic Cult had gone there as well. His Cultivation Level was low, and he only had the talisman she had given him to save his life. How could he possibly survive?
Su Changqing was all she could think about now. She deeply regretted agreeing to let him go alone. She wished she could reach Nine Yin Mountain sooner and bring him back safely.
As Dao Xuan's orders were issued, the Peak Lords returned with their disciples to make preparations.
Among them, Cang Song selected both Qi Hao of Dragon Head Peak and Lin Jingyu for the expedition to Nine Yin Mountain. Great Bamboo Peak chose its senior disciple Song Daren and second senior disciple Wu Dayi. As for Zhang Xiaofan, he had yet to distinguish himself, so he was naturally excluded.
Lin Jingyu was extremely excited upon receiving the news. He had already reached Qi Refining Layer Six, but he had encountered a minor bottleneck and could not advance further.
Now that he had an opportunity for experience, he could use it to break through the bottleneck and raise his Cultivation Level another step. Not to mention the mysterious Heavenly Treasure.
"I heard that some spiritual treasures possess sentience and, through a fortunate coincidence, will recognize an owner on their own. Master has said that I am a rare genius. Perhaps that Heavenly Treasure is fated to be mine and will recognize me as its master?"
As he thought of this, Lin Jingyu could already imagine the Heavenly Treasure recognizing him as its master, while everyone looked upon him with envious eyes.
If things truly developed that way, he would soar to greatness. When the Seven Meridians Martial Arts Tournament came, he would surely astonish the entire audience.
Back at Little Bamboo Peak, Shuiyue merely summoned Lu Xueqi, explained the situation to her, and prepared to bring only her along.
"Xueqi, Sect Leader Senior Brother just received news that Demonic Cult disciples have appeared at Nine Yin Mountain in search of some Heavenly Treasure. The sect has instructed us to lead disciples to Nine Yin Mountain and seize the treasure, treating it as a journey of experience. You will go with your master."
Shuiyue explained the matter to Lu Xueqi in detail.
"Nine Yin Mountain? Is that where Junior Brother went?"
Lu Xueqi suddenly recalled hearing her junior brother Su Changqing mention, while she had been cultivating in the hall earlier that day, that he had already taken leave from their master and planned to make a trip to Nine Yin Mountain.
She had been cultivating at the time, but she had remembered it.
She had not expected to hear that name again so soon. But why would Junior Brother go alone to such a dangerous place?
Although she and Su Changqing did not interact much in their daily lives, they were still fellow disciples from the same sect and peak. Lu Xueqi still felt some bond of fellowship toward him.
"Yes. Chang Qing told me that he was going to Nine Yin Mountain to find a Desolate Orchid Water Lily, so he has already set out alone. His strength is still weak. I cannot rest easy, so I have decided to go there myself."
Shuiyue sighed softly and spoke to Lu Xueqi with deep concern.
After each peak had selected its disciples, they arrived one after another at the sect plaza, then set out together for Nine Yin Mountain.
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