A Cause for Great Rejoicing

Moon Empress.

Wuqi Mountain, Small Pill Peak.

Ye Fei invited Peak Master Lan Chang'an and Shi Manrong to his cave for a drink and conversation.

"Haha, this is truly gratifying! That ' True Person Xiang ' who came to Wuqi Mountain to show off his power back then is now a wanted figure on the Blazing Fire Palace's wanted list."

Ye Fei was in high spirits and celebrated with drinks.

Are you talking about Xiang Jinglong?

Lan Chang'an paused for a moment, his face showing surprise, but it wasn't an act.

More than half a month has passed since they returned from Chishui Marketplace, and everything has been calm. There have been no unusual reactions from the Blazing Fire Palace, and Song Wenshu and other cultivators have not come to Wuqi Mountain to investigate.

To avoid suspicion, he didn't want to deliberately inquire.

Only at this point did I learn of the relevant information.

"That's right! It's that Xiang Jinglong! His name has been added to the wanted list for the Blazing Fire Palace sect's missions."

Ye Fei's face was flushed, and he said confidently.

Back then, Xiang Jinglong came to Small Pill Peak and dined and dashed, taking everything for free, leaving Ye Fei feeling cheated. It's unrealistic to say that Ye Fei didn't hold a grudge at all.

"What crime has Xiang Jinglong, Pseudo-Core True Person, committed to warrant a warrant for his arrest by the Blazing Fire Palace?"

Shi Manrong asked in surprise.

"It is said that this person secretly worked as a thief in the past, committing numerous acts of bullying the weak, murder, and robbery. Among the victims were relatives and descendants of cultivators from the Blazing Fire Palace. The cumulative effect of these cases has drawn the attention of the Blazing Fire Palace's Law Enforcement Hall..."

Ye Fei explained the reason.

"Xiang Jinglong is quite famous among Rogue Cultivator, but his reputation is poor. Many cultivators will surely applaud his becoming a wanted criminal."

The Fairy Shi smiled, clearly pleased, and didn't dwell on it too much.

They learned the reason why Xiang Jinglong was wanted.

Lan Chang'an's eyes flickered slightly, and he roughly deduced the truth, finding it amusing.

That day, Xiang Jinglong made his move near Chishui Marketplace without revealing his identity, including any recognizable Law Treasure or Cultivation Method.

This person even identified himself as "He Mou" in an attempt to mislead the public.

In the end, they still couldn't get rid of the blame.

As the number one sect in the Cultivation World of the Liang Kingdom, and Nascent Soul level power, Blazing Fire Palace's intelligence network and tracking capabilities are beyond the imagination of ordinary cultivators.

Even though Xiang Jinglong acted cautiously and did not reveal any obvious clues.

However, as long as someone spends some time in Chishui Marketplace and leaves some traces, they may be investigated by the Blazing Fire Palace, which will then analyze the information and draw conclusions.

Of course, the Xiang Jinglong is wanted is ostensibly due to his past offenses.

Only Lan Chang'an knew that the real reason was that Senior Brother Zhuo's death had displeased the higher-ups of the Blazing Fire Palace, who decided to punish him.

Having lived through several lifetimes, Lan Chang'an had seen similar things before.

Sometimes, when the upper echelons suddenly intervene to punish "evil elements," it seems to be a way of eliminating harm for the vast majority of lower-level cultivators, winning widespread praise.

In reality, the truth might be that the villain offended a high-ranking figure.

Or it could be the result of a power struggle at the higher levels, deciding to target the "villain" by finding a breakthrough in their past crimes and accusers, convicting them, and then implicating their superiors.

The starting point is top-down.

Instead of working from the bottom up to truly advocate for the victims among the lower-level monks.

Otherwise, a rogue cultivator like Xiang Jinglong, who operates in the gray area, wouldn't have only now been wanted by the Blazing Fire Palace.

In the Cultivation World of the Liang Kingdom, there exists an unspoken rule:

True Person- level experts are generally not easily wanted by sects unless they have committed a major crime or left irrefutable evidence.

After all, it's not so easy to apprehend a True Person; it could backfire.

"This True Person Xiang probably doesn't know the truth behind his being wanted by the authorities."

Back at Small Turtle Peak, Lan Chang'an looked relaxed and chuckled.

It's not that Xiang Jinglong is dull-witted.

Rather, he simply didn't know Senior Brother Zhuo's identity or the inside story.

They don't even know who they've offended.

In the following months...

Lan Chang'an silently followed the situation regarding True Person Xiang's wanted status, but he couldn't show that he was deliberately paying attention.

During this period, various versions of rumors circulated.

Some say that Xiang Jinglong was severely injured by cultivators from the sect.

Some say that True Person Xiang went into hiding, hiding in the mortal world, or even fleeing to a neighboring country.

Judging from the rumors alone, the Blazing Fire Palace's pursuit of Xiang Jinglong is quite intense.

Until a few days after Lan Chang'an turned 129.

Song Wenshu visited Wuqi Mountain, bringing reliable news.

Song Wenshu did not come alone.

Beside him was a gaunt, languid old man in a long robe, with a vacant stare.

"Fellow Daoist Lin...?"

"Alchemist Lin?"

Lan Chang'an and Shi Manrong surprised and looked at the old man in the long robe. They recognized his identity from the contours of his face and the dark red spots on his face.

This person was none other than Alchemist Lin Ye, the previous Peak Master of Small Pill Peak.

After a brief observation, Lan Chang'an discovered that Lin Ye's cultivation had dropped to the Foundation Establishment Early Stage, his body was damaged, he seemed to have suffered torture, and he was somewhat dazed.

It has been more than twenty years since Alchemist Lin Ye left Wuqi Mountain, and he has been out of contact ever since.

At that time, Alchemist Lin said it was to return to his homeland and enjoy his old age.

This situation might be a way of distancing themselves from the Cultivation World, which is why Lan Chang'an and Shi Manrong did not investigate the matter.

Such is the Cultivation World; one encounters countless passersby throughout the long years.

Even the longest-lived person cannot know the fate and ultimate destiny of every person they know.

"Fellow Daoist Lu... Master... Fairy Shi."

Lin Ye forced a smile, a somewhat silly grin on his face, and spoke haltingly.

"Fellow Daoist Lin was imprisoned by Xiang Jinglong for over twenty years, forced to refine pills day and night, subjected to torture, and had various Restriction placed upon him. His Sea of Consciousness was damaged, leaving him with some aftereffects on his mental state..."

Song Wenshu secretly transmitted the situation to Song Wenshu.

Lan Chang'an and Shi Manrong looked at each other, sighing with regret and sympathy.

After communication, Lan Chang'an made a preliminary judgment that Lin Ye only had the intelligence of a three- or four-year-old child.

His memories are fragmented and confused, but he has deep feelings for Wuqi Mountain and has a strong impression of Lan Chang'an and Shi Manrong.

After being rescued, Lin Ye was disoriented and requested to come to Wuqi Mountain...

Song Wenshu added.

Lan Chang'an nodded, preparing to invite Song Wenshu to his cave dwelling on Small Turtle Peak.

"Small Pill Peak..."

Lin Ye murmured, staring intently at the tallest mountain peak on the other side, refusing to move.

Not long after.

The Three Peak Masters, Song Wenshu, and Lin Ye, took their seats in their cave dwellings on Small Pill Peak.

Upon arriving at Small Pill Peak, Lin Ye's expression was serene, immersing himself in every brick, tile, blade of grass, and tree.

"Fellow Daoist Song, has your palace apprehended Xiang Jinglong?"

Lan Chang'an said in a deep voice.

Given their current position, it is perfectly reasonable for them to inquire about Xiang Jinglong's situation.

"... We laid a trap, severely injuring Xiang Jinglong and pushing him to the brink of despair. However, at the crucial moment, an unexpected incident occurred."

Song Wenshu sighed.

What unexpected event occurred?

The Three Peak Masters couldn't help but be curious.

If it were any other sect, capturing a Pseudo-Core True Person would be quite difficult.

However, as the ruler of the Cultivation World in the Liang Kingdom, if Blazing Fire Palace insists on killing a False Core cultivator, the latter will hardly escape.

"If it involves classified information, Brother Song, you don't need to say it."

Seeing Song Wenshu's hesitation, Lan Chang'an smiled.

"This matter is no longer a secret within the sect's circle."

Song Wenshu hesitated for a moment before revealing the truth.

"That Xiang Jinglong, in order to escape, actually colluded with the remnants of the Demonic Cult Sect. He was rescued by Liang Shaotian's eldest disciple, ' Li Hai, ' on the border of the Liang Kingdom."

"A remnant of the Demonic Cult! Liang Shaotian disciple?"

The Three Peak Masters to accept.

Liang Shaotian had advanced to the Golden Core Realm decades ago. During the sect's siege battle, he fought several True Person alone, but was seriously injured and had to escape.

This leader of the remnants of the Demonic Cult in the Cultivation World of the Liang Kingdom, despite having been in hiding for many years and rumored to have fled to another country, left behind a formidable reputation in the Liang Kingdom.

Although Liang Shaotian's eldest disciple, Li Hai, did not have the same fortuitous opportunity and luck as his master, as a genius with Earth Spiritual Root, he received the powerful inheritance of Demonic Path from his master, and his strength far surpassed that of his peers.

Li Hai once wreaked havoc in the "Azure Underworld Secret Realm" to wash away the shame of his master Liang Shaotian, and killed Xia Fan, the grandson of the Enforcement Elder of the Blazing Fire Palace.

It was in that battle that Li Hai became famous, killing a late-stage Foundation Establishment Middle Stage Foundation Establishment Late Stage.

More than forty years have passed, and this Demonic Path prodigy with the Earth Spiritual Root has advanced to the Golden Core Realm and rescued Xiang Jinglong on the border of the Liang Kingdom.

"Liang Shaotian, Li Hai, Xiang Jinglong..."

The thought that these people might be together made Lan Chang'an feel a little strange.

"Please do not publicize this matter."

Song Wenshu gave instructions.

The capture of Xiang Jinglong failed, and the provocations and interference of remnants of the Demonic Cult Sect have damaged the prestige of the Blazing Fire Palace.

"Fellow Daoist Song, rest assured, we are not gossipy people."

Ye Fei solemnly assured him.

Those present understood that this matter was no secret at the top and could not be kept hidden for long.

The news of the remnants of the Demonic Cult gave Lan Chang'an a sense of impending storm and turmoil.

Back then, Liang Shaotian attempted to revive the Profound Yin Demonic Sect and establish a secret stronghold, but his efforts were thwarted by a joint effort from various sects, ending in failure.

All of this was exactly as Lan Chang'an had predicted.

Previously, he had never been optimistic about Liang Shaotian.

The main reason is that the situation in the Cultivation World of the Liang Kingdom, and even in the surrounding cultivation kingdoms, was very stable decades ago.

There was simply no fertile ground for the rise of Demonic Cult.

Even with his extraordinary talent and powerful luck, Liang Shaotian could not defy the prevailing trend.

"But now, we have entered a chaotic era..."

Lan Chang'an knew that he would probably have to retract his previous skepticism about Liang Shaotian's revival efforts.

If the Cultivation War cannot end in the short term, the remnants of the Demonic Cult sect in the Liang Kingdom will have a rare opportunity to rise again, an opportunity not seen for hundreds of years.

No update on the 25th, the plot stalled... but I haven't been able to sleep these past few nights either. I'll see if I can come up with a chapter to write after midnight. If so, the update will be tomorrow morning... (failed to write at midnight)

(End of this chapter)