The Sect's Fortunes Turn! The Sinister Sect Leader Xing

The Eastern Border Town is located in the far east, heading east all the way through the entire Eastern Region, passing major sects such as the Five Elements Escape Sect and the Dragon Transformation Sect, all the way to the far Dongfang, with a straight-line distance of 36,000 kilometers.

Even if Chen Dengming and He Yingyu were to travel on the Third-tier High-grade spirit boat, the Golden Rhyme Reverse Light Boat, flying in a straight line, it would still take them nearly a day and a night to arrive without stopping.

This also shows that the two were highly skilled and daring, unafraid of the dangers along the way; otherwise, their speed would have been even slower.

However, the two were traveling in secret and kept a low profile, and they had to avoid the areas of some major sects Immortal Sects. They could not take a straight route, otherwise they would be easily captured by the formations of major Formation, or they would encounter high-level cultivators in the high-altitude areas and expose their whereabouts.

As a result, the two deliberately took several detours and finally arrived at the rather remote border Border Town of the Eastern Region five days later.

Although this place seems to be within the Eastern Region, both the land and the Border Town's appearance give it a unique sense of exoticism.

Even the air seemed to be filled with a sinister atmosphere.

The soil here appears to be a red clay, but it's an excessive red, almost a dark brown, giving off a sense of oppression at first glance, as if the soil has been soaked in blood for thousands of years.

Apart from a few ghost cultivators and sect cultivators who need to guard this place, most cultivators who are willing to come here are attracted by the rare Third-Rank Spirit Veins within the Border Town, and the cost of living here is only half that of a normal immortal city with Third-Rank Spirit Veins.

"This is a very magical place, usually only found in legends in the mortal world."

However, the Cultivation World here is also full of legends, because strange and evil events often occur here, and people often die mysteriously.

The surrounding Fallen Forbidden Zone, coupled with the presence of the two other desolate wastelands, has given rise to many chilling legends that have circulated in the Border Town, sparking much debate and speculation.

Chen Dengming looked down at the Border Town not far away and recounted the information he had gathered earlier.

The mountain city below was situated at the confluence of the Ming Rivers, bordered by water on the east and north sides, while the west was the route they had taken.

Majestic mountains stand tall near the water.

The Border Town rises from the mountainside, built along the rugged terrain, with the buildings winding down the mountain.

The main building complex stands majestically on the flat land carved out of the mountains, appearing to be in a perilous position. The defensive formation on the mountain is in a semi-activated state, creating an imposing atmosphere.

Chen Dengming patted the Soul House in his arms and asked, "Ling'er, do you like it here?"

The Little Array Spirit sent out Divine Sense, "No, I don't really like it. This place is too, too unfamiliar."

However, considering the Soul Flower, it's possible that there might be Soul Flowers within this Fallen Forbidden Zone.

Chen Dengming smiled upon hearing this.

Some time ago, the Little Array Spirit mentioned that it was about to break through. After the breakthrough, it would need more pure Soul Power and Soul Flowers to cultivate in order to restore its former strength.

Now, more than ten days have passed, and the Little Array Spirit has officially broken through to become a ghost general comparable to Golden Core Great Cultivator. He has also just arrived at this Border Town guarding the Fallen Forbidden Zone.

Within the Fallen Forbidden Zone reside countless ghosts and evil spirits, and even a Ghost King roams; it is a truly yin place, where Soul Flowers may appear.

After pondering for a moment, Chen Dengming activated the Soul Guiding Banner again, summoning Zhu Xun.

"Gah! Gah!"

Zhu Xun very excited and kept barking at Chen Dengming like a dog.

"Senior sister, let's pretend to be ghost cultivators for a while now, and say that we are former cultivators of the Yin Ghost Sect."

As Chen Dengming spoke, he used the mortal martial Bone Shrinking Technique to change his appearance.

This is more realistic than the effects of Law Technique, as it alters one's appearance through facial bone structure, making it difficult for people to detect with Technique Method or Divine Sense.

He Yingyu followed suit.

She didn't know how to Bone Shrinking Technique, but she was skilled at makeup. She would make herself look less attractive during the day to hide her beauty, and then restore her original appearance at night to please her Husband. She planned everything perfectly.

The two changed their appearances, donned ordinary mid-level third-tier robes, and put away their spirit boat before flying down to the Border Town below.

An anti-flight formation was activated above the Border Town. The two arrived at the city gate and entered the town with a few scattered cultivators who had come to the Border Town to do business and make a living.

"What are you doing here? Where are you from? Show me your identification."

The city's defenders were a group of Qi Cultivation Cultivators, who were checking each one's identity. Behind them was a Foundation Establishment leader, all dressed in the Daoist robes of the Dragon Transformation Sect.

Chen Dengming had heard Gao Lingxiao mention before that the cultivators guarding the Fallen Forbidden Zone in the Border Town were from the Tiandao Sect and the Dragon Transformation Sect.

If he were to come here as the Longevity Dao Child, he would naturally be given a grand reception.

However, now that they've changed their appearance, they still need to know how to be humble and unassuming.

Soon, it was his and He Yingyu's turn to be questioned.

"Dry"

The Qi Cultivation Cultivator was about to ask questions according to procedure saw that Chen Dengming and his companion were both dressed in magnificent high-level robes, and the spiritual power emanating from them was terrifying. He immediately smiled, bowed, and changed his tune.

"Greetings, esteemed elders. May I ask where you hailed from and what brings you to our Border Town? Please present your identification."

At this moment, the Foundation Establishment Realm Dragon Transformation Sect leader sitting behind was also alarmed. He stood up and bowed to Chen Dengming and the other person from a distance as a greeting.

This is also the source of confidence for powerful cultivators.

Even though Chen Dengming and his companion were only at the level of False Core Great Cultivators, the Foundation Establishment leader of the Dragon Transformation Sect was not intimidated at all. He simply greeted them, which was considered a courtesy.

After returning the greeting, Chen Dengming smiled and introduced, "We are cultivators from the Yin Ghost Sect, and this is my junior sister. We've come here intending to settle down for a while."

"Oh? The Yin Ghost Sect?"

The Qi Cultivation Cultivator was questioning him was surprised, and his eyes immediately became wary. He looked at Chen Dengming and He Yingyu, and then glanced warily at Zhu Xun, who was floating beside the two and exuding an evil aura. After apologizing, he immediately turned around to report.

Not long after, the Foundation Establishment Consul came to question them in person.

Other normal cultivators may not have even heard of the Yin Ghost Sect, because this sect was destroyed fifty or sixty years ago.

However, the Border Town is adjacent to the Fallen Forbidden Zone, and ghost cultivators from small sects often come here. There have even been Devil Cultivators from the Western Regions Soul Devouring Sect who have come here before.

Among the Yin Ghost Sect is considered a major sect.

Even though it had long been destroyed, the cultivators guarding this Border Town had still heard of it through repeated exposure.

Chen Dengming took out the identity jade talisman he had obtained from Lin He's belongings and handed it over for inspection.

Fortunately, he didn't destroy the jade talisman, so it's just enough to deal with the situation now.

However, the cultivators conducting the inspections mainly looked at the battle merit tokens issued by the Heguan City of the Eastern Region Alliance, in order to prevent any more Western Region Soul Devouring Sect cultivators from sneaking in.

"Now that the four regions are at war, cultivators from the Western Region's Soul Devouring Sect who used to infiltrate the area are almost nonexistent, which has significantly increased the pressure on us."

The Foundation Establishment leader of the Dragon Transformation Sect sighed and returned Chen Dengming's battle merit token.

"Oh?"

Chen Dengming was surprised, "Isn't there also Fallen Forbidden Zone in the Western Regions? Why don't the cultivators from the Western Regions operate in the Fallen Forbidden Zone there?"

The Foundation Establishment Consul said in surprise, "Because there are too many people and too few resources. The Western Region Soul Devouring Sect and several other ghost cultivation sects all want to take over all the Fallen Forbidden Zone of our four regions and develop them into sect bases."

However, the Fallen Forbidden Zone was a matter of great importance, one that could not be lost, and it could not be entirely linked to the interests of certain sects. Therefore, it was never handed over to these ghost cultivator sects.

Even among themselves, the competition for resources is fierce, leading some to seek out the Fallen Forbidden Zone of other domains.

Chen Dengming nodded, then said no more, for too much talk leads to mistakes.

He now understood why the Foundation Establishment cultivator said he was under a lot of pressure.

Ghosts and evil spirits often emerge and wreak havoc within the Fallen Forbidden Zone.

This requires the cultivators guarding this place to intervene and resolve the situation, and they even need to periodically enter the Fallen Forbidden Zone to eliminate some ghosts and evil spirits.

Once, cultivators from the Soul Devouring Sect came to capture ghosts, which relieved the workload of the cultivators guarding the place. Most of the guards turned a blind eye to it.

But now that the four regions are at war, the cultivators from the Soul Devouring Sect of the Western Region will not come. If they dare to come, they will only be walking examples of merit.

After the two entered the city discreetly, their unfamiliar appearances and clothing attracted the attention of some of the city's resident cultivators.

However, although some people were eager to step forward and volunteer as guides for a fee, they seemed hesitant to do so.

Those who frequent the Border Town are all shrewd and capable cultivators.

It was immediately clear that Chen Dengming and his companion were incredibly powerful, not ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Crucially, a ferocious-looking ghost with a face full of scars and eyes like copper bells was following closely behind, clearly a ghost cultivator.

No one approached them immediately.

The most despicable method of ghost cultivators is to kill their enemies, extract their souls, and then torture or have them serve them.

Therefore, in the Cultivation World, any ghost cultivator is inevitably labeled as not being a good person.

Chen Dengming and He Yingyu circled around the outskirts of the Border Town, and then flew at low altitude towards the Inner City area that the heroes had carved out from the mountains.

The Inner City is the most prosperous and rich in Spiritual Qi, as it was built on Third-Rank Spirit Vein.

There are many cultivators here, and quite a few of them stay here regularly, drawn by the Border Town's Third-Rank Spirit Vein and relatively affordable rent.

Chen Dengming originally thought that after leaving the Fourth-Rank Spirit Vein of the Longevity Sect Longevity Peak, he would lack high-quality Spirit Vein resources when cultivating outside.

But the fact that the Border Town now possesses Third-Rank Spirit Vein is quite satisfactory to him.

At least in the short term, the cultivation speed won't drop much.

After paying the city entrance fee of fifty Low-grade Spirit Crystals, the two selected a secluded courtyard in the city's affairs office and rented it for six months for one hundred High-grade Spirit Crystals.

The old cultivator in charge of renting the rooms was perceptive and politely reminded him, "Senior, since you are a ghost cultivator, I won't say much more. However, as is customary, I still have to remind you."

Living in our Border Town, strange and eerie events can happen at any time. Senior, you are an expert in this area, so let me give you a hint, and you'll understand."

Chen Dengming was surprised and wanted to ask more questions about what kind of evil event would occur.

However, considering the need to maintain his current persona as a ghost cultivator, he nodded slightly in agreement, indicating that he understood.

After leaving the office, Chen Dengming muttered to himself, "Could it be haunted? Cultivators aren't afraid of ghosts, are they? I knew I was coming here more than ten days ago, and I've already prepared some exorcism talismans."

He Yingyu rolled her eyes. "How long has it been since you used the Heart-Illuminating Mirror of Shattering Delusions I crafted for you? Have you forgotten your original intentions?"

Chen Dengming chuckled upon hearing this, "How could I dare?"

The two walked and talked, and soon flew at low altitude to their rented accommodation.

"Away from the sect, even accommodation costs a lot. The sect is still the best."

Chen Dengming activated the courtyard token, opened the Formation, and entered the newly rented courtyard. He looked at the rental token in his hand and then at He Yingyu, who was casting spells to clean the courtyard.

My senior sister is usually graceful and elegant, and she even bathes in the sect's Spirit Spring water at night. But now she has to put on makeup to look ugly and suffer with me in this small courtyard. I can't help but sigh.

"I've dragged you into this, Senior Sister."

He Yingyu withdrew her hand from the hand seal and said angrily, "Junior Brother, what are you saying? We're not doing badly here now. It's Third-Rank Spirit Vein, a resource that many cultivators don't even have access to. It just costs some spirit crystals."

Hearing this, Chen Dengming felt a warmth in his heart. He moved to He Yingyu's side, put his arm around her soft shoulders, and smiled, "That's true. We still have tens of thousands of spirit crystals, enough for a long time."

"You're just used to being poor; now you feel the pinch when it comes to spending even a little money."

He Yingyu wrapped her arm around his shoulder and said with a grin, "At least you have a conscience; even though you're worried about the spirit crystals, you haven't forgotten about me."

Chen Dengming laughed until he was panting, "Senior Sister, no amount of spirit crystals could buy you, so of course I feel even more heartache for you."

After laughing and joking around, the two stopped cleaning altogether.

The journey was tiring and quite stressful, so I needed to relax and adjust my emotions.

He immediately took in his brother Zhu Xun from the banner and they cultivated together to consolidate their cultivation.

Afterwards.

At night.

Chen Dengming lay on the bed in his new house, listening to He Yingyu washing up inside. He tossed and turned, not yet ready to adjust to his new living environment.

"I'm already Golden Core Cultivator, and I still can't sleep in the same bed? Is this kidney stone or a Golden Core?"

Chen Dengming smiled wryly. Considering the possibility of evil spirits appearing, he simply summoned Little Array Spirit to guard his senior sister while she washed up, to prevent any little ghosts from peeking.

He stepped out of the house, enjoying the cool, slightly chilly night breeze, and gazed at the starry sky in the distance.

Now, as summer draws to a close, the Azure Dragon constellations—Horn, Neck, House, Heart, Tail, and Winnowing Basket—form a magnificent dragon stretching across the night sky, a truly dazzling sight.

Blue Immortal Celestial Dao Power appeared in Chen Dengming's left eye, and silver Human Immortal Way Power appeared in his right eye. He remotely sensed the two clones that were located at the Longevity Sect.

The current state of the clone can be vaguely perceived in the mind through telepathy.

Thirty thousand kilometers is indeed a very long distance.

Even though the power of the mind can disregard the limitations of time and space, it still requires a great deal of Mental Strength to gain a very clear understanding of the clone's condition, to empathize with it, and to communicate with it in real time.

There's no need to enter into that state of spiritual connection right now.

After confirming that his two clones were unharmed and capable of handling the situation within the sect, Chen Dengming relaxed.

His previous encounter with She Xieneng, a Golden Core Mid Stage elder of the Northern Spirit Sect, had already revealed the nature of his Bai Mao clone.

The Northern Spirit Sect couldn't have been unaware of this move.

If he were truly a traitor within the Devil Cultivator, possibly testing his clone left behind in the Longevity Sect.

However, such tasks carry the risk of exposure, and the other party may not attempt them easily.

He was, after all, Dao Child, and even ordinary cultivators within the sect might not be able to easily see him.

For a cultivator of extraordinary status, who is also an internal traitor, to risk exposure just to test one of his clones is a losing proposition no matter how you look at it.

"Judging by the time, there are still five days left before the duel between the Northern Yin Holy Mother and the Ancestor of the Longevity Sect begins."

He had just regained his senses when he noticed the sound transmission Law Artifact Storage Bag vibrating.

He immediately went to the backyard, took out a large sound transmission Law Artifact resembling an altar, and set it up in the backyard.

Then, other array devices used in conjunction with the sound transmission Law Artifact were taken out, and soil and sand were dug up and placed around the Law Artifact according to their corresponding Formation positions.

This is a small communication array that Xing Huiguang secured for him.

Although it was just a small sound transmission array, the magical Law Artifacts and array equipment used to set it up weighed several tons, which was incomparable to ordinary Sound Transmission Jade Talisman talismans.

With this sound transmission array, one can establish contact with Xing Huiguang across a distance of tens of thousands of kilometers.

After Chen Dengming set up the Formation, he sent out a beam of spiritual light that landed in the central altar-like magical Law Artifact.

Instantly, the magical Law Artifact that was emitting a faint light brightened, and Xing Huiguang's Divine Sense emanated from it, inquiring whether they had arrived at the Border Town.

After Chen Dengming announced his arrival, Xing Huiguang then provided him with the latest updates.

"Junior Brother Chen, now that you've settled down over there, I can rest Senior Brother."

There are some things I need to tell you now, Senior Brother. You don't need to worry too much about the sect.

In fact, before the Northern Yin Holy Mother challenged our sect, our First Ancestor had already emerged from seclusion and had advanced to the Nascent Soul Perfection.

Chen Dengming, "."

You damn old geezer, you're really wicked!

The First Ancestor has already left seclusion; why didn't you tell me about this Dao Child?

That day, when they rang the Longevity Bell for a meeting, they pretended to be tired and anxious, and even secretly arranged for me to escape. This whole series of actions made it seem like they were preparing a will.

And now you're telling me it's nothing, I was just playing along?

Chen Dengming was stunned for a moment, suppressing the urge to scold Senior Brother Xing, and immediately asked what was going on.

His acting skills are actually not bad.

There's no need to withhold the deeper details from him just to make his performance seem more convincing.

However, Chen Dengming was quite impressed by Xing Huiguang's skill.

The Longevity Sect boasts one Spirit Transformation and three Nascent Soul. In its heyday, it was filled with Golden Core cultivators, truly living up to its reputation.

Even with such a cunning and cautious approach, he almost fell into his Dao Child.

However, the fact that Xing Huiguang went so far as to deceive everyone into cooperating with him in this charade seems rather chilling upon closer examination.

This shows there are bad people in the elders' council; this is something deliberately done to impress certain people.

"For thousands of years, my Longevity Sect has always been indifferent to worldly affairs, humble and tranquil, even at the cost of bearing the bad reputation of being a combat failure, and has only pursued the Great Dao of Immortality."

Unfortunately, the tree may wish to remain still, but the wind will not cease; even gold will always shine. Our Longevity Sect, after all, has one Spirit Transformation cultivator and three Core Formation Nascent Soul. We may try to conceal our strength, but our enemies know we are powerful; we cannot hide it. There will always be some petty individuals who seek to cause us trouble.

"We have endured for too long, and waited far too long for this moment. In this duel with the Northern Yin Holy Mother, we will sever one of the Mochao Kingdom Lord's henchmen and shatter his open schemes."

Chen Dengming was stunned again.

What's going on? Judging from Senior Brother Xing's tone, he seems quite excited and expectant. This sounds like the tone of a pro-war faction, completely different from Senior Brother Xing's usual calm and neutral stance.

However, this also seems to indicate that the Longevity Sect has a very high chance of winning.

The First Ancestor is now Nascent Soul Perfection cultivator at the peak of his cultivation. Even if he doesn't kill the Northern Yin Holy Mother, defeating her should be no problem.

"I also have some good news for you. Although the Four Domains Elders Council has agreed to the challenge from Mochao Crown Prince, the Supreme Elder of the Shu Sword Sect Mo Jiazheng, has also challenged Mochao Crown Prince."

Therefore, Mochao Crown Prince Mo will handle the Demon Prince; given Elder Mo's strength, the outcome of this battle is not in much suspense.

"This must have been planned and arranged by you beforehand, right? After all, there are people close to you within the Four Domains Elders Council."

I was wondering why the other sects hadn't reacted. It's understandable that the Second Ancestor of the Tiandao Sect was seriously injured, but the Shu Sword Pavilion shouldn't have remained silent. It seems they had a tacit understanding beforehand."

Chen Dengming thought to himself, "This is what I'm thinking."

Xing Huiguang only told him these things now, making him feel that all his depression and anxiety over the past few days had been in vain and he had been worrying for nothing.

"Alright. Senior Brother 'm telling you all this so you don't have to worry. Just stay in the Border Town for a while, think of it as a vacation."

Chen Dengming was both amused and exasperated upon hearing this.

He hadn't even experienced a few days of wandering again when happiness knocked on his door.

"Oh, right! I forgot to mention, both the Northern Yin Holy Mother and the Mochao Kingdom insisted on handing you over after their victory."

The Northern Yin Holy Mother, in particular, was exceptionally agitated. Even after the duel was arranged, she remained relentless in her pursuit, indicating that the Northern Spirit Holy Son was indeed her most prized possession.

Your Senior Brother thinks you need to pay more attention to safety and not be careless!

You weren't the only one who killed the Northern Spirit Holy Son, the Kill Chakra Guardian, and the Demon Prince; you were just the one who stood out.

These two families are determined to hold you hostage, clearly intending to use this opportunity to launch an attack on my Longevity Sect, just as my Senior Brother said before."

"Alright! Thank you for the reminder, Senior Brother! Then Junior Brother will await the good news!"

After thanking him, Chen Dengming closed the sound transmission array, but couldn't help feeling a little strange again.

Indeed, as Senior Brother Xing said, the current situation is a conspiracy against the Longevity Sect.

Its main purpose was to hinder the First Ancestor's breakthrough, attract the First Ancestor to leave seclusion, and severely damage the Longevity Sect.

He's just a nobody; he's merely an excuse for both sides to launch an attack.

But now that the duel has been arranged, the Northern Yin Holy Mother is still relentlessly pursuing the matter, which shows that this old woman truly wants to avenge the Northern Spirit Holy Son.

Thinking of this, Chen Dengming suddenly remembered the time when the other party had gone to great lengths to hunt him down, even at the cost of expending his Nascent Soul Power, and the time when She Xieneng mentioned demanding that he hand over the relics of the Northern Spirit Holy Son.

At the time, he thought it was just a delaying tactic by the other side, meant to trick him into stopping and offering his neck for execution.

In that situation, he certainly wouldn't fall for it. Who would believe such nonsense as someone saying they'd forgive and forget if they handed over the belongings after killing someone else's close relative?

It wasn't until the Nascent Soul Power of the Northern Yin Holy Mother erupted that he sensed something was amiss.

However, it was only because no one in the Northern Spirit Sect was capable of defeating him that the Holy Mother had to take action herself.

But now that I think about it, could it be that among the relics of the Northern Spirit Holy Son, there really is something that the Northern Yin Holy Mother is determined to obtain, which is why she is so persistent in pursuing him?

He had thought about this strange thing carefully a dozen days ago.

However, a series of events that occurred in the sect afterwards distracted him. In addition, during an emergency meeting, Sect Leader Xing and many elders believed that the Northern Yin Holy Mother's demand to hand him over was just an excuse, and that the real purpose was mainly aimed at the patriarchs of the Longevity Sect. Therefore, he did not presumptuously think that he was the one in charge.

After all, it's insane that the Demon King of the Demon Spirit Transformation, a powerful cultivator at the Nascent Soul Late Stage, and the Northern Yin Holy Mother Mochao Kingdom Lord would attack the Longevity Sect just to deal with a mere Golden Core Cultivator like him.

But now, in a different place and after calming down, he recalled the strange things he had previously put aside.

"I have handed over most of the Northern Spirit Holy Son's things to Heguan City."

All that remained was a nautical chart of the Northern Spirit Sea and some pills and talismans. If the Northern Yin Holy Mother truly desired something, could it be the nautical chart?

Chen Dengming rummaged through the Storage Bag and examined the belongings of the Northern Spirit Holy Son.

Storage Bags, pills, and talismans are all fairly common items. While Storage Bags and pills with a capacity of two hundred feet are rare, they can still be bought on the market for a small amount of money.

As for the leather scroll map

Chen Dengming's eyes revealed his thoughts.

This map is good, and it can also update information.

However, this function is also present in the wartime maps distributed to disciples by each sect.

The only unique thing is that this map is a detailed record of the Northern Spirit Sea, and it requires the Earth Immortal Dao Power to activate.

But Chen Dengming thought that the Northern Spirit Sect probably had more than just one map. What kind of sect would keep only one map? If it was lost, it would be gone forever.

"Once it's gone, it's gone."

Chen Dengming was speechless, then suddenly understood.

This little thing is very likely to drive the Northern Yin Holy Mother crazy.

But this old woman never mentioned the chart, only demanding its return, making people think she was seeking revenge.

"This old woman, just tell me what you want, how am I supposed to know if you don't tell me?"

However, it seems that this sea chart might be very important, so much so that the Northern Yin Holy Mother never mentioned it from beginning to end, perhaps out of concern that it might fall into the hands of others.

Chen Dengming became interested and studied the nautical chart again, but couldn't figure it out.

He immediately activated the sound transmission Formation to inform Xing Huiguang of the situation he had discovered.

(6800 words, requesting monthly votes)

I suspect I caught the second positive hepatitis B virus from my wife. I have a sore throat, headache, and body aches. I've already written almost 7,000 words today, which is quite an achievement. If I feel worse tomorrow, I might write less. I hope you guys understand! Thank you everyone!

Also, I don't know when the comments and notes section of this chapter will be restored; for now, everyone can only see their own comments.