A Chance Encounter with the Heavenly Book, Seclusion

"Reporting to Sect Leader Uncle, no. Something this secretive would surely be kept tightly under wraps by the Ghost King and would not be leaked easily.

But if one wanted no one to know, the only way was not to do it in the first place.

Keep an eye on him. Sooner or later, the Ghost King will reveal his true intentions."

After the report was concluded, the people of Dazhu Peak returned, while disciples from every peak also stepped up their cultivation.

One night, Xiao Xuan came to the Back Mountain for a stroll and discovered Zhang Xiaofan cultivating. Besides Qingyun cultivation techniques, Demonic Cult technique fluctuations and Buddhist Sect radiance also emanated from him.

Xiao Xuan did not disturb him. He merely watched quietly for a while before turning and leaving.

"Huh..."

Mysterious characters suddenly appeared around Zhang Xiaofan.

Heaven and earth are not benevolent; they treat all things as straw dogs!

Though the characters danced chaotically and without order, Xiao Xuan committed every single one to memory.

Because of these mysterious characters, he discovered that his cultivation had actually begun to stir restlessly.

"He really is a man with secrets. But then, who doesn't have a few secrets?"

Not long after returning to Dazhu Peak, Xiao Xuan announced that he would enter seclusion. Having obtained Daoxuan's approval, he would cultivate in seclusion within the Huanyue Ancient Cave behind Tongtian Peak.

Xiao Xuan slowly approached the Founder Ancestral Hall.

From afar, he saw an old man and a young man sweeping the grounds.

That young man was probably Lin Jingyu. Xiao Xuan did not know what Xuan had been thinking when he suddenly made such a fuss one day and confined Lin Jingyu here.

"Junior Brother Xiao? Why have you come here?"

Xiao Xuan frowned and scrutinized the old man several times.

His aura was unfathomable. Though he held a broom and swept the ground, whenever it touched the earth, it seemed to become adhesive, gathering every speck of dust. Another expert.

"Junior Brother Xiao?"

"Ah... oh... Congratulations, Senior Brother Lin. It seems Sect Leader Uncle has high expectations for you."

"Expectations? I'm still wondering why I was punished and sent here."

"If there's something you don't understand, ask this senior for guidance more often."

After saying that, he bowed to the old man. "Senior, with Sect Leader Uncle's permission, this disciple intends to enter the Huanyue Cave Abode for a period of secluded cultivation."

The old man, who had kept his head lowered all along, suddenly raised it and gave Xiao Xuan a surprised look.

"The Huanyue Cave Abode?

That place may be quiet, but it is fraught with danger. It is no suitable place for seclusion."

"Thank you for the reminder, Senior. Sect Leader Uncle has already warned me."

Watching Xiao Xuan reach the cave abode's entrance, open it, and vanish into the vortex.

"What an extraordinary young man. I truly am getting old."

After entering the Huanyue Cave Abode, Xiao Xuan discovered an ancient method within the plain iron sword. It was surprisingly of the same origin as what Zhang Xiaofan had obtained.

While he remained in seclusion, the outside world churned with upheaval. During one expedition with his fellow disciples, Zhang Xiaofan had urgently saved them and accidentally exposed the secret that he possessed several different cultivation methods.

The three factions held a joint tribunal, which also uncovered the truth behind Caomiao Village's destruction.

The Demonic Cult took the opportunity to invade Qingyun. The battle between righteousness and evil resulted in grievous losses.

Even the Ghost King's daughter perished because of it.

As a result, Zhang Xiaofan was taken away by the Ghost King and fell into the Demonic Dao.

As for Xiao Xuan, he had no idea how much time had passed.

He only knew that after he could make no further progress in a short time, his cultivation had reached Peak Shangqing.

This was true Peak Shangqing, not the insubstantial aura the Ghost King had once spoken of.

After being refined by him, the Mountain and River Fan had finally become a Nine Heavens Divine Weapon. The Mystic Sound Art, improved over these years, had become even more profound and unfathomable.

Within the Huanyue Cave Abode, Xiao Xuan awoke and looked at the plain ancient sword without the slightest Desire.

"The Ancient Sword Zhuxian?

Unfortunately, my memories are still incomplete. The Ancient Sword Zhuxian, the Qingyun Sect, the Heavenly Book...

Fragmented and disjointed. I've already reached Peak Shangqing, yet I still haven't figured out what it is that I've been desperately trying to remember."

"Righteous energy of heaven and earth, Haoran endures forever. I do not seek Jade Dynasty, but only to Slay Ghosts and Gods."

As soon as Xiao Xuan emerged from the Huanyue Cave Abode, he saw Lin Jingyu performing the true formula.

Vast and surging, pressing onward without retreat.

The old man beside him wore a satisfied expression. As expected of the talent Daoxuan had sent over—he was practically the old man's younger self.

"Huh? You brat stayed in seclusion for seven years. This old man thought you had died inside.

Not bad. After not seeing you for a few years, you're already talking about surpassing this old man."

Xiao Xuan smiled. "Surpass you, Senior? I'm still far from it.

Senior should have some knot in your heart. Once it is resolved, you will enter the Taiqing Realm in an instant.

I never expected this seclusion to last seven years. Senior Brother Lin, congratulations on entering Shangqing.

What has happened in the outside world over these years?"

Lin Jingyu said, "Compared to Junior Brother Xiao, I'm far behind.

A great deal has happened these past years. The most consequential was undoubtedly the battle between righteousness and evil..."

Through Lin Jingyu's account, Xiao Xuan soon gained a rough understanding of what had happened.

He had not expected so much to occur during these years.

"I truly never imagined...

As an outsider, I don't know what to say. Senior Brother Lin, my condolences.

I never expected Seventh Senior Brother to become so deeply entangled with the Ghost King Sect without anyone realizing it.

Such are the times, fate, and opportunity!"

"Junior Brother Xiao, what do you mean by opportunity?"

"Jiang Shan may change, but one's nature is hard to alter. Senior Brother Xiaofan is kind-hearted and steadfast.

Joining the Ghost King Sect does not mean he will become utterly evil. I have never doubted that.

He cultivates Buddhist, Daoist, and Demonic methods together, and he has succeeded. Joining the Ghost King Sect gives him the opportunity to study Demonic Cult techniques. That is opportunity.

Across Shenzhou Haotu, among countless living beings, who does not yearn to know what Changsheng is like?

Perhaps that bald donkey Puzhi's scheme may even create a Changsheng practitioner unprecedented throughout the ages.

Sect Leader Uncle Daoxuan took the wrong step here!"

"Oh... Where did I go wrong? I acted for Qingyun's eternal reputation."

Daoxuan emerged from the darkness, looking puzzled.

"Sect Leader Uncle!" Lin Jingyu and Xiao Xuan said at once. Only the old man completely ignored Daoxuan.

"Nephew Xiao, congratulations. The Taiqing Realm is within sight.

As for the mistake you spoke of..."

Xiao Xuan said, "Mere Peak Shangqing is not worth mentioning. I have only made Sect Leader Uncle laugh.

I have seen the Zhu Xian Ancient Sword. Nothing in this world is more wicked than it.

Sect Leader Uncle must have used the Zhu Xian Ancient Sword.

This is a mysterious ancient scroll I obtained by chance. It feels as though it shares the same origin as Qingyun's ancient scroll.

Qingyun's ancient scroll produced the cultivation method Taiji Xuanqing Dao.

This ancient scroll should be one of the sources of Demonic Cult methods.

When Sect Leader Uncle has the time, study it. Dissipate the Zhuxian Evil Power within your body, or turn it to your own use."

As he spoke, three streams of light entered the three men's consciousness seas.

"Thank you, Junior Brother/Nephew!"

"As for my presumptuous words toward Sect Leader Uncle, Senior Brother Xiaofan has a great chance of unraveling the mystery of Changsheng.

In the world of cultivation, strength is ultimately supreme. Though Senior Brother Xiaofan values loyalty and sentiment, even if Qingyun faces the threat of destruction in the future, he certainly will not stand idly by.

But to say he has no thoughts in his heart would be false. In the end, he no longer has the same sense of belonging as before."

"Oh... You think so highly of him?

You should know that your progress these years has not been inferior to his at all."