Li Yuanqing's figure vanished into the night. The door to the secret chamber slowly closed with a dull thud.
Zhao Wuji did not leave immediately. Instead, he walked slowly to the window and pushed open its carved wooden shutters.
The night wind poured in, carrying Vast City's distinctive scent: prosperity, antiquity, and a faint, elusive trace of blood. This city had stood for a thousand years, witnessing countless dynasties rise and fall and burying the bones of countless heroes.
Zhao Wuji raised his head and gazed at the night sky.
The stars were exceptionally clear tonight. The Milky Way stretched across the heavens, with countless stars glittering amid it. But in Zhao Wuji's eyes, these stars were not scattered at random. Their arrangement held some profound and mysterious order.
He had lived for over three hundred years, and his cultivation had reached late Golden Core, just one step away from the legendary Nascent Soul Stage.
Although that single step had held him back for nearly a century and remained beyond his reach, his perspective and knowledge far surpassed those of ordinary cultivators.
He could read the heavens.
Zhao Wuji muttered to himself, his gaze fixed on a somewhat dim star in the northern sky.
That star had originally been unremarkable, but three months ago, it had suddenly blazed with light, briefly outshining even several of the principal stars beside it. Although it soon returned to normal, the Heavenly Secrets Pavilion's stargazers had caught that fleeting change.
The pavilion master had personally submitted a memorial, saying that the star represented a "wildcard" and foretold an unprecedented upheaval in the Great Qin Kingdom.
At the time, Zhao Wuji had thought little of it. The Great Qin Kingdom had stood for a thousand years. What storms had it not weathered? What could a mere disturbance in a single star prove?
But now, he no longer thought that way.
"The Divine Wind Sect, Chen Ming!"
Zhao Wuji turned those two names over and over, his brow furrowing more deeply.
The information Li Yuanqing had brought back filled him with profound unease. A cultivator of unknown origins had established a sect in just three short months and was suspected of possessing a secret demonic art. It was all too coincidental-so coincidental that suspicion was unavoidable.
"Could he truly be a demonic cultivator?"
Zhao Wuji murmured to himself.
But if Chen Ming truly followed the demonic path, why would he choose to establish a sect in the Great Qin Kingdom? Would that not be walking straight into a net?
A sharp gleam flashed through Zhao Wuji's eyes. "Unless he has something to rely on, or some other purpose."
He turned and walked back to the sand table, his gaze settling once more on Great Bridge Mountain.
The little flag representing the Divine Wind Sect stood out sharply on the sand table. Around it lay the territories of established sects such as Mount Guan Temple, the Southern Yue Sect, and the Vast Spirit Sect, like a pack of fierce tigers eyeing a newborn lamb.
But Zhao Wuji knew that this lamb might not be so weak and easily bullied.
He reached out, picked up the little flag, and turned it between his fingers. "A late Foundation Establishment cultivator who dares establish a sect in the cracks between the seven great sects is either an utter fool or someone with a complete plan in mind. From Li Yuanqing's description, this Chen Ming clearly isn't the former."
He planted the little flag back in its original position, then stepped back twice to survey the entire sand table.
The Great Qin Kingdom's terrain resembled an unfurled mulberry leaf. The seven great sects were scattered across different regions, each occupying a spiritual vein, cooperating and competing with one another. Above them all stood the royal family, controlling the overall situation and maintaining balance through the conflicts between the sects.
But now, a tiny spot had appeared on that mulberry leaf.
"If the Great Qin Kingdom is a game of chess, then the seven great sects are seven pieces on the board, and the royal family is the player moving them."
"And now, a piece of unknown origins has suddenly appeared in the most sensitive position on the board."
He paused, then continued, "This piece may upset the existing balance, or the other pieces may join forces to capture it. Either way, the game has already changed."
"And the source of that change is the man named Chen Ming."
Zhao Wuji closed his eyes. The scene Li Yuanqing had described surfaced in his mind: a young man in his early twenties, with refined features and sharp eyes, facing a peak Foundation Establishment assassin without a trace of fear and even using a bizarre secret art to turn the tables and kill his opponent.
"This young man is no creature destined to remain in a pond."
Zhao Wuji reached his conclusion.
He opened his eyes, walked to the wall, and pulled a concealed cord. A moment later, the secret chamber's door opened again. A young man dressed in black entered and dropped to one knee. "What are your orders, Ancestor?"
The young man was named Zhao Ying, one of the death-sworn operatives Zhao Wuji had trained. Although his cultivation was only at middle Foundation Establishment, he excelled in concealment and reconnaissance and was a core member of the royal family's intelligence network.
"Go to Great Bridge Mountain and keep a close watch on the Divine Wind Sect's sect master."
Zhao Wuji instructed him, "Don't rustle the grass and startle the snake. Just record his every move and report back once every three days."
"As you command."
Zhao Ying accepted his orders and left.
The secret chamber fell silent again. Zhao Wuji returned to his chair and picked up the teacup on the table, only to discover that the tea had gone cold.
He paid it no mind and continued pondering Chen Ming.
Zhao Wuji asked himself inwardly, Should I win him over or eliminate him?
The advantages of winning him over were obvious-if he could bring a cultivator of limitless potential under the royal family's banner, the Great Qin Kingdom would grow even stronger.
But the risks were equally enormous. If Chen Ming truly was a demonic cultivator, recruiting him would mean making an enemy of the entire righteous path, with unimaginable consequences.
Eliminating him would be simple enough. Given the royal family's strength, sending a single Golden Core Stage expert would suffice to crush Chen Ming, who was only at late Foundation Establishment.
But that course also carried hidden dangers. If a more powerful force truly stood behind Chen Ming, killing him would be like stabbing a hornet's nest.
"Caught between advancing and retreating." Zhao Wuji sighed.
He rose, walked to the bookshelf, and pulled out a yellowed ancient volume. It contained handwritten notes left by generations of Heavenly Secrets Pavilion masters, recording many insights into the heavens and destiny.
Zhao Wuji turned to a page bearing the following passage:
"Heaven's mandate is inconstant; only change remains unchanged. The shifting of stars is neither auspicious nor ominous-it rests with the human heart. Those who follow Heaven prosper; those who defy Heaven perish. But what is Heaven? Heaven is the tide of events. Move with that tide, and you may borrow strength to counter strength; move against it, and you will surely suffer its backlash. Thus the wise observe the tide before devising their plans, while fools act on strength alone."
Zhao Wuji read it several times, lost in thought.
He murmured, "In other words, I cannot forcibly interfere with this wildcard's development. I must follow its course and look for opportunities within it?"
He closed the ancient volume, his decision already made.
"In that case, I'll hold my troops for now and let the seven great sects test him."
"If they can eliminate Chen Ming, all the better. If they cannot, it won't be too late for me to approach him."
With his mind made up, Zhao Wuji felt considerably lighter. He extinguished the lamp, left the secret chamber, and returned to his sleeping quarters.
Meanwhile, a thousand miles away on Great Bridge Mountain, Chen Ming was enduring a difficult battle.
No, not a battle, but a breakthrough.
Finally, he needed to determine which force stood behind that assassin. Only by knowing himself and his enemy could he fight a hundred battles without peril.
"There's still a long road ahead." Chen Ming sighed, rose from his bed, and walked to the window.
Morning light streamed through the window, illuminating the entire room. In the distance, Great Bridge Mountain's outline flickered into view through the dawn haze, as beautiful as a painting.
Chen Ming drew a deep breath. Fresh air filled his lungs, lifting his spirits.
"No matter how difficult the road ahead is, I'll keep going." He clenched his fists, determination shining in his eyes. "The Divine Wind Sect is my heart's blood. I won't let anyone destroy it."
He changed into clean clothes, pushed open the door, and went outside.
In the courtyard, the disciples were already doing their morning training. With Lin Xiaohu leading them, they stood in formation, practicing basic fist techniques. When they saw Chen Ming emerge, they stopped and gathered around him with concern.
"Sect Master, have your injuries healed?" Lin Xiaohu asked anxiously.
"They're much better." Chen Ming smiled. "Don't worry about me. Keep training."
Only then did the disciples relax and return to their formation to continue training. Chen Ming stood to one side and watched for a while, warmth welling up in his heart.
Although these disciples had ordinary aptitudes, they were all hardworking and united. With them, the Divine Wind Sect had hope.
"Sect Master!"
"Someone at the foot of the mountain wishes to see you. He says he's Master Huiming from Mount Guan Temple."
Chen Ming frowned. "What does he want this time?"
Despite his doubts, Chen Ming still had someone invite Huiming up.
Before long, the monk Huiming climbed the mountain, wearing the same kindly expression as ever. Upon seeing Chen Ming, he pressed his palms together in greeting. "Amitabha. Sect Master Chen, I trust you have been well since we last met."
Chen Ming returned the greeting. "May I ask what brings you here today, Master?"
Huiming smiled faintly. "This humble monk heard that the Divine Wind Sect recently suffered an attack and came to visit. Would Sect Master Chen be willing to share the details? Perhaps Mount Guan Temple could offer some assistance."
Something stirred in Chen Ming's heart. Mount Guan Temple was remarkably well informed. They already knew today what had happened last night. It seemed they must have informants near the Divine Wind Sect.
Without betraying anything, Chen Ming said, "It was only a band of petty thieves. I've already dealt with them. There's no need for Mount Guan Temple to trouble itself."
An almost imperceptible gleam flashed through Huiming's eyes. "This humble monk heard that those thieves included a peak Foundation Establishment expert. For Sect Master Chen to repel them with late Foundation Establishment cultivation is truly admirable."
Alarm bells rang in Chen Ming's mind. This Huiming knew far too much.
With a smile that was not quite a smile, Chen Ming said, "Could those thieves have some connection to Mount Guan Temple?"
Huiming's expression changed, and he hastily waved his hands. "You jest, Sect Master Chen. Mount Guan Temple is a pure sanctuary of the Buddhist faith. How could we collude with thieves? This humble monk only asked a few more questions out of concern."
Chen Ming gave him a meaningful look. "Then thank you for your concern, Master. However, I can handle the Divine Wind Sect's affairs myself. There's no need for outsiders to intervene."
Having met with a rebuff, Huiming could hardly say anything more. He could only take his leave awkwardly.
After seeing Huiming off, Chen Ming's expression darkened.
Chen Ming thought to himself, Not one of these established sects is a lamp that burns little oil.
Meanwhile, in the secret chamber of the Star-Seizing Hall in the royal capital, Zhao Wuji received Zhao Ying's first intelligence report.
"Chen Ming survived an assassination attempt last night. He is suspected of having used a secret demonic art to kill his attacker, and he himself suffered severe injuries. Huiming of Mount Guan Temple visited today but was turned away by Chen Ming."
After reading the report, a faint smile appeared at the corner of Zhao Wuji's mouth.
He held the report over the candle flame and watched the fire devour the paper. "This Chen Ming grows more interesting by the day."
He rose, walked to the window, and gazed at the night sky again.
The star representing the wildcard seemed a little brighter tonight.
"A wildcard. A wildcard indeed."
"I only wonder whether this wildcard will bring the Great Qin Kingdom fortune or disaster."
Chen Ming looked past the courtyard wall into the distance.
His gaze was calm, yet a faint edge glimmered in its depths, like a blade long dormant whose rust had finally been ground away to reveal its cold light.
Standing beside him, Lin Xiaohu watched his sect master and inexplicably felt a little more at ease. He had not followed Chen Ming for long, but he had already grown accustomed to this young sect master's ability to find a way out of desperate situations.
On Great Bridge Mountain, from being a lone man to founding a sect, every step Chen Ming took seemed to land on a knife's edge. Yet somehow, every step remained steady.
As he spoke, he turned and went back inside, taking a neatly folded blue robe from the cabinet. He had had it made at a tailor's shop in Buddha City when he first came to Great Bridge Mountain. The fabric was ordinary, and the workmanship was hardly exquisite, but it was clean and neat.
He shook out the robe and put it on, fastened his belt, then casually straightened his cuffs.
Once he was ready, Chen Ming stepped outside and stood in the center of the courtyard. Morning light fell on him, tinting his blue robe a pale gold.
He surveyed the crude buildings around him, the newly built wall, and the few crooked trees in the courtyard, with several stone stools beneath them. This was everything the Divine Wind Sect possessed, so shabby it made one's heart ache.
Yet as he looked at it all, his eyes were filled with satisfaction.
Suddenly, he spoke. "Tell me, what's the most important thing for a sect?"
Lin Xiaohu froze for a moment, then considered it. "Strength, I suppose? It needs powerful cultivation techniques, powerful magical treasures, and powerful disciples."
Chen Ming turned to look at him. "The most important thing for a sect is its people's hearts. As long as those hearts remain united, even if we have only a dilapidated house and a few acres of poor farmland now, we can build jade towers and magnificent palaces in the future. Conversely, even with mountains of gold and silver, once those hearts scatter, everything becomes flowers in a mirror and the moon upon the water-nothing but an empty illusion."
Lin Xiaohu nodded, only half understanding.
Chen Ming offered no further explanation. He patted Lin Xiaohu's shoulder. "Go gather everyone. I have a few words to say."
Before long, all several dozen disciples of the Divine Wind Sect had gathered in the courtyard.
Chen Ming stood on the steps, looking at the young faces below him as warmth welled up in his heart. He cleared his throat and began, "Today, we're holding a sect assembly to discuss whether our Divine Wind Sect should stay or leave."