Unexpected Clue

This was Chen Yan's first time meeting this Consul of the Empty Mountain Sect.

In his initial reincarnation, Chen Yan had spent over ninety years toiling in the Outer Court.

Having only achieved the Qi Condensation Realm at the age of forty-one, Chen Yan spent the next fifty-plus years of his life striving to break through to the Martial Spring Realm.

Unfortunately, lacking talent, resources, and opportunities, he remained stuck in the Qi Condensation Realm Mid-stage until his death.

To obtain more contribution points from the Shang Gong Hall to exchange for the elixirs and cultivation technique manuscripts he needed, Chen Yan had traveled far and wide.

Chen Yan spent far more time traveling than he did within the Sect.

As the largest city around the Empty Mountain Sect, Taiyun City was naturally Chen Yan's most frequent resting place.

He had interacted with the Consuls of the Empty Mountain Sect in Taiyun City many times.

The current Consul of the Empty Mountain Sect, the elder in the Outer Court Daoist Robe before Chen Yan, should be the predecessor of the Steward he was familiar with.

"Junior Chen Yan greets Senior."

Chen Yan said, cupping his hands.

"Fellow Daoist calling me Senior truly flatters this old man,"

The white-haired elder in the courtyard replied with a smile.

"Although I am over a hundred years old, I am merely a piece of dead wood stationed in the mortal realm for the Sect. I do not deserve such courtesy from a distinguished disciple of Kongyuan Mountain."

Chen Yan smiled slightly upon hearing this. The way this Consul handled matters was indeed more tactful than those disciples on the mountain.

"Senior has been stationed in Taiyun City for many years, assisting countless disciples of the Empty Mountain Sect who passed through here. Your contributions are immense and your labor arduous; you naturally deserve this title of Senior from this junior."

Chen Yan said, giving the Consul ample face.

The elder was clearly pleased and beamed with joy. He then cupped his hands towards Chen Yan.

"May I ask why Fellow Daoist has come this time?"

"To draft an urgent report."

Chen Yan said, pausing slightly.

"This matter concerns the admission of the County Princess of the Cloud King's Mansion. I hope Senior can facilitate this and expedite it slightly."

As the Steward of Taiyun City, the elder was well aware of all major events happening in the city. He knew clearly about the County Princess Qin Yue of the Cloud King's Mansion being favored by an Enshrined Elder of the Xingtian Gate, who wished to take her as a personal disciple.

Even the Cloud King Qin Ming's ability to contact the Empty Mountain Sect had to go through the Consul's office here.

He naturally knew how important Qin Yue's admission to the Sect was. This Consul even knew which Elder from Qingchan Peak, who had taken a liking to Qin Yue's Glazed Pure Body, had decided to accept her as a disciple.

That was quite a significant figure.

"Naturally."

The Consul replied, then turned to look at the young bookboy standing at the entrance of the back courtyard.

"Boy, how many Sound Swift Sparrows does the mansion have left?"

"Replying to Immortal Master, there are four. Two of them just returned from delivering a message not long ago and need a few hours of rest. Therefore, there are currently two sparrows that can fly immediately."

The young bookboy replied.

The Sound Swift Sparrow was a very special type of small, low-level demonic creature. They were gentle in nature, highly intelligent, and their flight speed was close to the speed of sound, hence their name.

"Are there any other urgent reports yet to be sent?"

The Consul continued to ask.

"There are three more, Immortal Master."

The young bookboy continued to answer.

"Set those aside for now. The urgent report that this Immortal Master will give you shortly, send it to the Empty Mountain Sect's..."

As he spoke, the Consul glanced in Chen Yan's direction.

"Qingchan Peak."

Chen Yan said.

"Send the urgent report to the Transmission Pavilion on Qingchan Peak."

The Consul instructed.

"Yes."

The young bookboy responded.

Chen Yan took the brush and paper handed to him by the young bookboy and drafted an urgent report according to Lu Li's request, then handed it to the waiting young bookboy.

The bookboy took the urgent report from Chen Yan and then trotted away from the back courtyard.

If you can't find the book by searching the title, you can try searching for the author. Maybe the name has just been changed!

He's a clever child.

"Thank you, Senior. I shall take my leave now."

Chen Yan bowed again towards the Consul.

"What's the rush?"

The old man advised Chen Yan, beckoning him over.

"Have a cup of tea and rest a bit before you go."

"I must decline, Senior. I need to return to the Prince's Estate immediately to report to Senior Lu Li, who is in charge of this matter. I'll come to apologize for my rudeness next time."

Chen Yan said.

"Lu Li?"

The old man paused slightly, then continued to ask, "Is that the Lu Li who currently serves as a lecturer in the Sutra Hall of Qingchan Peak?"

"Precisely."

Chen Yan replied.

"Do you know Lecturer Lu, Senior?"

"We're old acquaintances."

The overseas consul answered.

"Twenty years ago, when he was still a disciple of Yuanhua Mountain, I met him a few times here in the Consulate."

Lu Li was a disciple of Yuanhua Mountain?

This was something Chen Yan had never heard before.

"But it makes sense. After all, Lu Li is now a favorite of that important figure. It's only right that he would be responsible for bringing Qin Yue back to the Sect."

"I don't understand what you mean, Senior..."

Chen Yan was completely bewildered.

"You don't know?"

The overseas consul looked at Chen Yan with a strange expression.

"Qin Yue's Master is Elder Zhengfa of Qingchan Peak, Bai Qiming."

Upon hearing this, Chen Yan's breath hitched, and his heartbeat even skipped a beat--

He remembered.

He remembered everything!

Chen Yan recalled the memories from his first life. In the calamity that occurred more than two years later, the Outer Court suffered immense losses, and along with it, significant changes occurred within the Sect's inner disciples.

Qingchan Peak was the most affected.

Not long after the calamity ended, Chu Xiyao resigned her position as Chief Disciple of Qingchan Peak. Her successor was Qin Yue, the personal disciple of Elder Zhengfa of Qingchan Peak, Bai Qiming.

After this, the Sword-wielding Elder of Qingchan Peak, Chu Xiyao's father and Master, Chu Chen, went into seclusion. Martial Suppression Elder Fu Qian resided in Cangwu Hall, uninvolved in peak matters. Decades later, Lu Li succeeded Martial Suppression Elder...

Chen Yan conceived a terrifying thought. Although it was just a guess, it was indeed possible.

"Senior, I will take my leave now."

Chen Yan bowed again towards the overseas consul.

"Mm, next time you pass through Taiyun City, if you have time, you can come and have a cup of tea with this old man."

The overseas consul said with a smile, completely unaware of Chen Yan's inner turmoil.

"If you rise high in the future, Fellow Daoist, I hope you'll offer some guidance."

Of course, the latter half of the sentence was the old man's jest.

"You jest, Senior. Goodbye."

Chen Yan said, not in the mood for jokes at all right now.

The Outer Court calamity, the Black Flood Dragon Remnant Soul, Song Mingde's list, Zhang Xishun, Lu Li, Qin Yue... Elder Zhengfa, Bai Qiming.

Chen Yan wanted to connect all these things, but he dared not.

Because if this were truly the reality, it would be too dark, too terrifying.

Chen Yan thought this as he walked briskly through the streets of Taiyun City.

He looked up at the sun in the sky. It shouldn't have passed the hour of Wei yet; there was still time.

He needed to make a trip to the Immortal Gambling House first.

If you find this book good, remember to add it to your bookshelf so you don't lose it next time.