Celestial Master Chen
Southern Yin World-Suppressing Army, Central Tent.
The walls inside the tent were covered with huge arrays depicting mountains, rivers, the sun, moon, and stars, and the floor was covered with soft, tough animal hides.
Several ever-burning lamps, carved from pure Spirit Stone, floated in mid-air, emitting a constant and cool glow.
The light illuminated the large tent in minute detail, yet cast deep shadows at its edges.
At the center of the tent, on a large, heavy stone table, lay an extremely complex catalog.
The map outlines the general mountain ranges and the flow of energy in the Northwest, and is marked with dense, tiny runes.
These symbols and characters are not static.
Instead, it flickered and shifted slightly, influenced by the faint spiritual light contained within the catalogue itself and the Formation Art within the tent.
It is evolving and changing on its own.
Li Xuanqing, the Grand Protector of Southern Yin, wearing his majestic crimson python robe, stood with his hands behind his back in front of the table, his gaze fixed on a section in the center of the catalog that was deliberately highlighted and circled, yet was completely blank, with only a few blurry question marks and chaotic flashes of spiritual light.
His brows were furrowed, forming a deep "Chuan" character.
The hands, clasped behind the back, unconsciously clenched and tightened, the knuckles turning bluish-white.
The crimson-gold arrows representing the advancing momentum of the Southern Yin World-Suppressing Army and the Righteous Path Allied Forces have penetrated deep into the northwest hinterland.
"Still no news, Celestial Master Chen?"
Li Xuanqing's voice broke the long silence inside the tent.
His voice remained steady, and the weight of his words made even the floating lamplight seem to tremble slightly.
About three steps behind him, a figure almost blended into the boundary between the light and shadow within the tent.
The man was dressed in a dark blue Daoist robe of an ancient style, wearing a hibiscus crown, with a thin and long face, three long strands of beard hanging down to his chest, and holding a jade-handled whisk.
He was none other than Celestial Master Chen, the current leader of the Southern Great Heavenly Secrets Sect, and the leader who accompanied the army on this northern expedition, specializing in divination of heavenly secrets and searching for traces of the Imperial Weapon.
A Foundation Establishment Great True Person with unfathomable cultivation.
Upon hearing Li Xuanqing's question, Celestial Master Chen slightly raised his eyelids.
Those eyes, which seemed to see through the fog of the world, held a bottomless calm.
His lips moved, his voice low, but it rang directly in Li Xuanqing's ears and echoed in the empty tent, "Reporting to Grand Protector, there is still no definite information."
That [Imperial Weapon] was a national treasure of the Great Tang, formed by the convergence of the dynasty's fortune and the wishes of the people. It was already imbued with spiritual power and possessed extraordinary ability to conceal itself.
Its hiding place must be the most secretive location of the northwestern earth veins.
If it were so easy to find, how could the numerous powerful figures of the Northwest Demonic Path have remained oblivious, leaving it until today?
He flicked his whisk lightly, and the silver threads streaked through the air, creating subtle ripples of spiritual energy, as if stirring invisible threads of cause and effect.
"Although our troops have penetrated deep into the region, the Northwest is vast, shrouded in an atmosphere of malevolence, and the terrain is far more complex than expected."
The ability to perceive celestial Turbid Baleful Intent influences.
It needs to be approached gradually and carefully analyzed.
According to my calculations, after some time, when our army advances again, we will sweep away all evil influences and disturb deeper spiritual forces.
Perhaps—the scheme by which the Imperial Weapon conceals itself will then reveal a crack.
"In a few more days?" Li Xuanqing suddenly turned around, the movement causing the hem of his python robe to rustle through the air.
His gaze was sharp and intense, no longer the deep and suppressed look he had when facing the catalog, but a burning intensity as he stared directly into Celestial Master Chen's calm and unwavering eyes.
"Celestial Master Chen, are you being too optimistic about the current situation?"
He took a step forward, and the ferocious python patterns embroidered on his crimson robe seemed to come alive in the spiritual light, exuding an aura of iron-blooded ruthlessness.
This stands in stark contrast to the profound and otherworldly aura emanating from Celestial Master Chen.
"This is not the beautiful land of Southern Yin, this is the hellish cave of the Northwest!"
Our army seems to be advancing smoothly, having captured countless strongholds, but those four are the real demonic peaks.
Li Xuanqing raised his hand and pointed to the northwest direction outside the tent.
"Since the start of the war, apart from initially uncovering a few insignificant spies, has there ever been any sign of genuine intervention?"
Their mountain gate remains as solid as Mount Tai to this day!
"Among the truly elite disciples, have any suffered serious injuries?"
He stared intently at Celestial Master Chen, enunciating each word clearly. "Do you really think they're intimidated by the might of my Southern Yin army, afraid of our 'glorious righteous path'?!"
Despite Li Xuanqing's almost interrogative and piercing gaze and suppressed anger, the calm smile on Celestial Master Chen's face did not fade.
It was just a little deeper, carrying a hint of indifference that was barely perceptible.
He lightly flicked his whisk again, the silver threads flowing, smoothing out the slightly disordered spiritual energy within the tent caused by Li Xuanqing's aura.
"Lord Taibao, please calm down."
Celestial Master Chen's voice was calm and unhurried.
The matter of the "[Imperial Weapon]" is a historical affair with far-reaching implications, and cannot be judged by the gains or losses of a single time or place.
The strategy for the Northern Expedition, the pace of the advance, and even the response to those four demonic peaks are all beyond my ability to comment on.
This was a grand plan personally devised by the True Lord and His Majesty.
"Both the Grand Protector and I are executors."
He calmly met Li Xuanqing's gaze, his tone devoid of any emotion, yet subtly drawing a line: "Your complaints and arguments with me here are of no benefit to the overall situation, nor will they help in finding the Imperial Weapon."
Perhaps we should stick to the established strategy, regroup our troops as soon as possible, and continue our advance.
The deeper the plow.
Perhaps, the sooner the dawn arrives.
The air inside the tent seemed to freeze.
The lamp's light shone steadily, illuminating Li Xuanqing's sharply defined profile, slightly rugged from suppressing his anger, and also reflecting Celestial Master Chen's serene face, detached from worldly affairs and untroubled by anything.
Li Xuanqing's chest rose and fell slightly as he took a deep breath and slowly exhaled.
The burning intensity in his eyes gradually subsided, transforming into a deeper, colder pool.
He didn't say anything more, but gave Celestial Master Chen a final, deep look.
"The matter of military command is none of your concern, Celestial Master."
Li Xuanqing's voice returned to its initial calmness, even becoming more indifferent. He turned around, no longer looking at the catalog or at Celestial Master Chen, and strode out of the tent, his crimson robe stirring a slight breeze.
"I have my own plans."
The heavy curtains were suddenly flung open.
The biting northwest wind and the solemn atmosphere unique to military camp instantly rushed in, diluting the oppressive spiritual pressure and silent confrontation inside the tent.
Standing alone in his tent, Celestial Master Chen gazed at the slightly swaying tent curtains, his faint smile unchanged.
But a fleeting, elusive glint flashed across his eyes.
He lowered his eyes, his gaze returning to the ancient catalog on the table, which shimmered with brilliance yet remained shrouded in mystery.
The jade-handled whisk fell silently, its silver threads no longer flowing.
Outside the tent, the night was deeper, and the military flags fluttered in the wind.
Li Xuanqing's figure blended into the shadows and lights of the military camp, his steps firm, but his direction seemed more solemn and resolute than when he came.
"Lifeless Valley?"
Upon hearing the latest secret report from True Person Xuanping, Qi Yun, who was deducing Talisman Art, raised an eyebrow and a clear look of surprise flashed across his face.
He was familiar with the name Lifeless Valley.
It was a rather famous and dangerous place in the Northwest, located deep in a desolate mountain range.
As its name suggests, the valley is barren, devoid of insects and birds, and even the most tenacious moss struggles to survive.
The location of Lifeless Valley is almost at a 90-degree angle from the direction in which the main force of the Southern Yin Zhen Shi army is currently advancing, and it is completely off the planned route of the Northern Expedition.
Why did World-Suppressing Army suddenly change such a drastic angle, disregarding the overall strategic situation, and head towards that desperate situation?
"Is there news about the Imperial Weapon?" Qi Yun's mind raced, and he immediately thought of the most likely possibility.
"My lord, in my judgment, this is not the case." True Person Xuanping's response was calm and swift.
"Although most of the World-Suppressing Army has turned to the other side, Grand Protector Li Xuanqing has strictly ordered all cultivators of the righteous sects, including those of my Nine Kings Mountain, to hold fast to their existing strongholds and not to move without permission or follow behind."
If the exact location of the Imperial Weapon had truly been discovered, there would be no way that Southern Yin would have completely abandoned us allies and gone there alone.
This move is tantamount to betraying the tacit understanding among the True Lord.
Upon hearing this, Qi Yun's furrowed brows did not relax; instead, they deepened.
If it's not Imperial Weapon, then what is it that would make Li Xuanqing risk alienating the righteous sects and so urgently, even abnormally, lead his army towards a deadly place?
What's so special about Lifeless Valley?
Quickly searching through fragments of memories about Lifeless Valley, Qi Yun tried to find any clues that might be related to the current situation and Southern Yin's goals.
Just as he was deep in thought, the Great Void Jade Tally, hidden in a corner of the [Great Luo Heaven], trembled slightly without warning!
Qi Yun felt a chill run down his spine and immediately diverted a wisp of his mind to immerse himself in it.
The jade token, which had originally gleamed with a gentle light, now flickered rapidly. A brief yet imbued divine message, carrying undeniable authority and urgency, was directly imprinted on his senses. "Message received: Proceed to the Lifeless Valley immediately, without delay!"
Qi Yun's gaze froze instantly.
No sooner had they learned that Southern Yin World-Suppressing Army had unusually rushed towards Lifeless Valley than an urgent secret order from the Holy Sect's high command arrived.
coincide?
Absolutely impossible!
Two completely different forces have almost simultaneously focused their attention on the same perilous place—what exactly is hidden there?
Qi Yun slowly opened his eyes, all the surprise and doubt in them had subsided, turning into a deep and unfathomable calm. The pale gold [Spirit-Gathering Talisman] at his fingertips silently dissipated, returning to its most primordial spiritual light.
"I understand." He transmitted his thoughts to True Person Xuanping, "Continue to pay attention to the movements of the allied forces, especially the reaction within Nine Kings Mountain to Li Xuanqing's order."
"I will handle the matter of Lifeless Valley."
Having severed contact, Qi Yun rose to his feet.
He still wore the same blue robe, and his temperament remained gentle and peaceful; his disguise as "Yun Zhongzi" was flawless.
After straightening his sleeves, Qi Yun pushed open the door to the quiet room, his face once again displaying that warm and welcoming smile, and walked towards True Person Huchan and the others who were discussing matters inside the cave.
Even the Holy Sect received the news and intended to go to the Lifeless Valley.
These major sects of the orthodox path couldn't possibly be completely clueless.
We must go to Lifeless Valley, but first we need to get some information from these "righteous fellow cultivators".
Better safe than sorry.