Returning to the sect to report and identify an old foe, receiving a method to purge demonic light and visiting fellow disciples
"Master, did you keep that person with you?"
A dragon-drawn chariot and a precious palanquin in the clouds.
Gao Yi stood outside the car, looking around, before seeing Chen Shuangbai approaching in a beam of light. He asked with concern.
Fang Xiao to the side, also looked solemn. Upon closer inspection, he saw that his Dao Child was unharmed, and only then did he feel relieved.
"If he were truly injured, I'm afraid when he returned... True Lord Qingchen would tear him to pieces."
Chen Shuangbai shook his head, but did not retrieve the [ Swaying Moon Sunken Cold Treasure Mirror ] suspended above the dragon chariot. Instead, he maintained this Law Treasure of the Grand Yin Dao, manifesting the illusory image of the immortal cassia tree with golden millet and silver flowers, and letting down streams of light as it headed towards the Jing Kingdom.
Inside the carriage, Chen Shuangbai spoke briefly, but concealed the existence of the [ Azure Yi Mystic Cauldron ], saying instead, "Your second senior sister must have suffered some hardship, but she should be out of danger."
"Let's return to our clan for now."
But before the dragon chariot had even left the territory of the Zhao Kingdom, a streak of light and flame caught up from behind, manifesting as a four-winged, serpentine Demon Beast with a prominent head. Standing on it were two disciples wearing the robes of the Profound Firmament Sect.
The two disciples bowed to the dragon chariot before respectfully asking, "May I ask, True Person, were you attacked on this journey?"
Upon hearing this, Chen Shuangbai immediately understood and asked, "Were there other True Person participating in this Dharma Assembly also attacked?"
The two Profound Firmament Sect disciples exchanged a glance and understood.
One of them truthfully replied, "Reporting to the True Person."
"Several True Person and Foundation Establishment cultivators who participated in the Dharma Assembly were ambushed on their way back. Two Golden Core True Person were seriously injured, and the whereabouts of one Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator are unknown."
"Upon learning of the news, I sent True Person Zhao to immediately dispatch us to patrol the route separately, both to provide assistance and to prevent any further attacks on our fellow practitioners."
Chen Shuangbai frowned deeply.
It wasn't just our side; everyone who participated in this Dharma assembly... even those who were Golden Core True Person, were also attacked?
Chen Shuangbai then pulled them aside to ask about the other Golden Core cultivators who had been attacked. After learning that they were also wearing strange-looking Nuo masks, he guessed that they were probably not scattered individuals, but rather a premeditated organized group.
"Has your faction investigated the other party's background?"
The two shook their heads and said, "Those people are decisive in their actions. If they fail in their first strike, they often flee thousands of miles away. Even if they are captured, they immediately commit suicide by self-immolation. We haven't managed to capture any survivors."
"Alright, when you get back, tell Brother Zhao that if there's any news, please send someone to inform our Jade Spring Sect."
"Yes."
After watching the two leave, Chen Shuangbai's gaze darkened slightly, and then he turned and returned to his carriage.
The dragon chariot continued its journey, passing through the sea of clouds, heading towards the Jade Spring Sect.
Upon returning to the Jade Spring Sect, Chen Shuangbai immediately went to see True Lord Qingchen, presented him with the talisman from Old Man Fish Pillow of the Flower Washing Sword Sect, and recounted his gains from the trip and the attack on his return journey.
True Lord Qingchen said, "That sword immortal is indeed a person of extraordinary talent. I am not surprised that you were able to win the championship and admire one of his treasures."
"Go back and study it carefully. I'll wait for the day you comprehend the Sword Intent."
Then the topic of the attack on the way home came up again...
True Lord Qingchen took the half of the Nuo mask from Chen Shuangbai's hands. Looking at the lifelike evil ghost patterns on it, five-colored light covered it and gradually filled in the other half of the Celestial Person pattern that had been burned to ashes.
He stared at the object for a long time, his expression growing serious.
"Sect Master, have you figured something out?"
True Lord Qingchen placed the Nuo mask on the table, turned his gaze to Chen Shuangbai, and his tone became more solemn. "A thousand years ago, a mysterious organization appeared in the sea. Its members had mysterious origins and mostly wore this kind of Nuo mask, making it impossible to distinguish between men and women, nor could one discern any clues from their appearance."
"The members of this organization used the Mandala flower as their symbol, hence the name ' Datura Tower.' They specialized in assassinations, espionage, and extortion, and in the past, they caused quite a stir in the coastal countries."
"Later, it was jointly wiped out by the Nascent Soul sects of the twelve kingdoms. Its lair was completely destroyed, and the sect leader was also refined to death, leaving not even a wisp of his soul behind."
"I just never expected that it would reappear a thousand years later..."
After listening Chen Shuangbai recalled her struggle with the masked man and said, "Or perhaps... someone is using the name of this infamous organization to do something shady again."
Upon hearing this, True Lord Qingchen found the matter quite reasonable, but still sighed, "Truly, these are turbulent times."
"I will arrange for someone to investigate the matter of the [ Azure Yi Mystic Cauldron ], but if you have nothing else to do, it's best not to leave the sect."
Chen Shuangbai's face turned slightly bitter, and he said dryly, "But my Jade Screen Peak is a separate residence outside the sect!"
True Lord Qingchen turned around, looked at Chen Shuangbai's slightly bitter face, and couldn't help but shake his head with a smile, saying, "I'll find someone to reinforce it for you, preferably upgrading that second-tier formation to the third tier."
"Okay, I'll send more people to patrol that area."
"Yes."
What the sect leader bestowed upon us, we could only accept.
He was about to leave when he seemed to remember something, turned back, and said, "Sect Master, my second disciple is still traveling in the Zhao Kingdom."
True Lord Qingchen replied, "Alright, alright, I understand!"
"Alright!"
Just as Chen Shuangbai was about to leave, a beam of light flew out from the hall, landed in his hand, and condensed into a Jade Slip. Then he heard the voice of True Lord Qingchen coming from inside the hall.
"Following this method, and combining it with that spirit beast, we can completely eradicate that bit of demonic light from your body."
Chen Shuangbai turned and bowed towards the Myriad Phenomena Hall, "Thank you, Sect Master!"
After leaving the Myriad Phenomena Hall, Chen Shuangbai, as usual, went to Deer Deep Waters Peak first.
Yi Chongyue is still in seclusion, and Tang Yu is managing everything on the peak.
"Senior brother!"
Chen Shuangbai looked at the second junior brother in front of him.
The two did not have much affection for each other, because after Chen Shuangbai condensed his Golden Core and became Golden Core True Person, he did not stay on Deer Deep Waters Peak much, but mostly cultivated on Jade Screen Peak.
However, this junior brother greatly admired his senior brother and always handled his requests perfectly.
Seeing that he was about to reach the Foundation Establishment, Chen Shuangbai took out some pills and incense, along with some notes on Foundation Establishment he had written years ago, and gave them to him. She also had Uncle Zhong open the treasure vault on the peak, retrieve spiritual resources, and used them to refine a Foundation Establishment ritual for him.
"It's also my fault as the senior brother. I see you're almost at the Foundation Establishment, so please accept them all."
Tang Yu accepted the pills and notes of his cultivation from Chen Shuangbai with both hands, his eyes filled with gratitude. He bowed and said, "Thank you for your generous gift, Senior Brother! I will certainly cultivate diligently and live up to your expectations."
Chen Shuangbai patted his shoulder and smiled, "I've been too busy to serve under my master all these years. I'm so grateful to you."
"I should be thanking you!"
Tang Yu shook his head and said, "Senior brother, what are you saying?"
"I am also Master's disciple, so naturally I must share Master's burdens and help my senior brother."
"Senior brother is out there working hard to bring glory to the sect, while I, junior brother, am just staying on the peak doing some trivial things. It's nothing."
Upon hearing this, Chen Shuangbai patted him on the shoulder again and said, "Once you successfully Foundation Establishment, your senior brother will celebrate with you again."