Azure Gate

"Thank you for your cooperation, Martial Uncle. I'll take my leave now."

Qi Yun's smile subsided just right, transforming into a faint, impeccable, polite smile.

The pile of various treasures that the Black Baleful Intent Edge disciples had tremblingly carried out in front of them was almost like a small mountain.

The most crucial item was the [Three Yin Meng God Diagram], sealed in a special jade box and still emanating a subtle, chilling aura.

He casually flicked the wide, dark blue sleeves of his robe.

The cuffs formed a miniature, chaotic world of their own, emanating a powerful suction force.

The mountain of treasures, like rivers flowing into the sea, were all silently swept into his sleeve and disappeared without a trace, not even a wisp of Spiritual Qi leaking out.

After doing all this, Qi Yun casually cupped his hands in greeting to the True Person Heisha on the throne, whose face was ashen and whose body trembled slightly but who was forcibly suppressing his emotions.

True Person Heisha let out a barely audible groan from deep in his throat and nodded almost imperceptibly in response.

He lowered his eyelids, avoiding Qi Yun's gaze.

But the way he gripped the armrest so tightly, his knuckles white, and the veins bulging, betrayed the turmoil in his heart.

Qi Yun seemed completely unconcerned. His light light gently swept over the body of the True Person Heisha, who was trying to remain calm, and the faint smile on his lips deepened almost imperceptibly for a moment.

Then, without lingering, he turned around and walked away.

His pace was neither hurried nor slow, but composed and at ease.

The hem of his dark blue Daoist robe fluttered gently as he walked, parting the heavy, stagnant Sha Qi within the hall, and he slowly made his way out of the hall, step by step.

Until his figure completely blended into the light outside the hall and disappeared into the signature gray- Black Baleful Intent mist of Black Baleful Intent Edge.

"Call----"

Inside the hall, someone let out a suppressed, relieved breath.

True Person Heisha remained seated stiffly on the Xuan Iron Throne, motionless, like a statue devoid of all life.

The hall was empty and deathly silent; you could hear a pin drop.

Only a few eerie green phosphorescent lights continued to flicker tirelessly, casting long, distorted shadows of the crowd onto the cold ground and walls.

A deathly silence lingered for a very, very long time.

After a while, the disciples standing in the hall began to feel a deep-seated unease and couldn't help but want to quietly retreat and escape this unsettling silence.

Just then -

"Snap!"

A crystal-clear, even piercing, cracking sound suddenly rang out in the absolutely silent hall!

The sound originated from the black iron throne where the True Person Heisha sat!

There stood the armrest of the throne, forged from ten-thousand-year-old black iron mixed with several rare metals, indestructible and symbolizing the supreme authority of the Black Baleful Intent Peak Master.

Under the tightly clenched hand of the True Person Heisha, it was twisted and deformed, with fine, spiderweb-like cracks spreading across its surface!

Several sharp metal fragments flew out and clattered to the ground, their echoes reverberating in the deathly silence.

True Person Heisha slowly raised his head.

His face was no longer etched with any feigned composure; instead, it was twisted into an almost ferocious grimace, his eyes bloodshot and brimming with overwhelming killing intent!

He stared intently in the direction Qi Yun had left, and through gritted teeth, he forced out the name, each word hoarse and strained. "Qi! Yun--!!"

The sound, like the roar of a demon from the Nine Nethers, echoed loudly in the empty hall, lingering for a long time.

The following days.

Qi Yun did not return directly to Green Mountain Daoist Temple. Instead, holding the Purple-Gold Great Void Tally, he visited several Daoist temples in succession, like an imperial envoy wielding a supreme sword.

Without exception, the owners of these Daoist temples were all Holy Sect True Person who had more or less grudges against Qi Yun in the past, or who had clearly sided with the Black Mountain True Person's faction and had openly or secretly tripped up Qi Yun.

Qi Yun's visits came without warning, yet each time he appeared precisely in the core area of the other party's dojo, as if he had descended out of thin air.

There was no fierce conflict, no tense standoff.

Each time, Qi Yun entered with composure and left with a beaming smile.

He left behind a scene of devastation and deathly silence in the dojo, along with the dojo master's ashen, humiliated, yet furious and speechless expression.

For a time, within the Holy Sect, several previously quite active mountains and cave abode fell silent, closing their doors and creating an eerie and oppressive tranquility.

Those with inside information naturally knew the inside story, and they discussed it amongst themselves, their gazes toward the Green Mountain Daoist Temple becoming increasingly complex and difficult to decipher.

Everyone knows that the once insignificant young True Person, who was even repeatedly suppressed, has now returned with the might of True Lord.

It is settling old scores and reshaping the order in an almost domineering manner.

Several days later, at Green Mountain Daoist Temple.

The clear spring flows gently, the ancient pines are evergreen, and the Daoist temple remains peaceful and serene, as if the turmoil and upheaval of the outside world are isolated by the invisible, pure Daoist aura.

In the courtyard in front of the abbot's meditation room, Qi Yun set up a simple tea table with cushions.

More than ten Holy Sect True Person, including Master True Person Qianxin, True Person Yang Cuan, True Person Chiyang, True Person Qingli, True Person Mingyu, who had been on good terms with Qi Yun or at least maintained goodwill over the years, had all taken their seats.

The expressions on everyone's faces varied.

But most eyes were focused on the deep blue figure in the main seat, whose demeanor was becoming increasingly solemn and vast.

Situ Huaji, Divine Puppet Wu Changsheng, and the newly appointed True Person Ling stood to one side.

Qi Yun slowly swept his gaze over everyone present, his face bearing his usual calm smile. He picked up his teacup, took a sip, and then spoke in a clear voice, "I have invited you all here today for two reasons. First, it has been a long time since we last met, so let's catch up. Second, there is something I need to tell you all."

"I will soon need to take a long trip."

The return date for this trip is uncertain; it could be as short as a few months, or as long as several years or even longer.

During this time, I entrust my Green Mountain Daoist Temple to you fellow Daoists for your care.

Upon hearing this, everyone's expressions subtly changed.

A long journey? No wonder he's been so "high-profile" lately; it turns out he's temporarily leaving the sect.

Considering the Purple-Gold Great Void Tally in his hand, everyone understood even more clearly.

What did the True Lord entrust to us?

Qi Yun paused for a moment, then continued, "A few days ago, due to some past karma, I 'borrowed' some items from several fellow disciples and senior brothers."

He spoke casually, but who in the room was unaware of the turmoil that had transpired in those few days?

That's a loan? That's outright robbery!

Everyone tacitly understood the situation, and since the fire hadn't spread to them personally, no one pointed it out.

"I certainly can't use all of these items by myself." Qi Yun smiled slightly and pointed towards a pavilion deep within the Daoist temple, which was heavily guarded by restrictions.

"I have sealed them all away in the temple's treasure pavilion."

Fellow Daoists, please feel free to take what you need; there's no need to be polite.

This can be considered as me, Qi, adding a little to the sect's foundation.

This is undoubtedly a gesture of extreme trust!

Those items "borrowed" from the Black Mountain lineage True Person were no ordinary goods; they included rare materials and rare spiritual objects. Qi Yun was so easily sharing them with his friends!

Upon hearing this, True Person Qianxin and the others were first taken aback, and then their eyes revealed surprise and emotion.

This magnanimity and trust are especially rare in the spiritual practice world, where interests and resources are highly valued.

Moreover, this applies to the Holy Sect!

"Don't worry, Junior Brother Qi!"

"The affairs of Green Mountain Daoist Temple are our affairs!"

Everyone solemnly agreed.

Qi Yun nodded with a smile, then turned his gaze to the three people Situ Huaji to the side. "Huaji, Changsheng, Xuan Ling."

The three immediately bowed and replied, "Yes."

"After I leave, the Green Mountain Daoist Temple will be jointly managed by the three of you."

The ultimate focus is on external affairs, dealing with potential disturbances.

Changsheng is in charge of internal affairs and Formation Art restrictions.

Xuan Ling was familiar with the sect's old practices and resource allocation, and provided assistance from the side.

If you are unsure about something, you may consult fellow Daoists such as Martial Uncle Qianxin Yang Cuan Uncle-Master Yangzuan.

"Yes! We will certainly live up to your expectations, Master (Fellow Daoist)!" The three replied in unison, their expressions solemn.

With everything arranged, Qi Yun raised his glass again and drank with everyone.

Inside the courtyard, the pine breeze still rustles, and the aroma of tea wafts through the air.

Meanwhile, Green Mountain Daoist Temple, a place that had fallen into decline after the departure of the old True Person, has, under Qi Yun's management and this arrangement, quietly become a new and undeniable force within the Holy Sect, awaiting the return of its master.

The strange forest with its red mountains and green leaves has reappeared, but this time the sky and earth seem somewhat sparse.

Desolate Halberd True Lord remained seated cross-legged on the dark red jade platform. His golden eyes, compared to when they last met, held less of the casualness and more of a focused, almost tangible concentration.

He held in his hand the dark bronze cube called [Six Realms Heaven].

The tiny seal script characters flowing across the surface of the square now shone with a restrained brilliance.

That realm is called [Azure Gate].

"They are far removed from my Xuanhuang Home Realm, their positions and statuses are very different."

The voice of the Desolate Halberd True Lord rang out, and in this expanded Dao Domain, each word seemed to carry a natural weight, causing a subtle resonance between the surrounding light and spiritual energy.

He gently pushed the [Six Realms Heaven] towards Qi Yun.

"Take this item with you, and it will protect you as you traverse the Void Sea and descend to the other realm."

But you must remember—"

His golden gaze suddenly sharpened.

"After I send you there, it needs to be recharged before it can be used again."

This process will take approximately 300 days.

Three hundred days!

This means that once it's over, Qi Yun has no way back for at least the next year.

Qi Yun accepted the [Six Realms Heaven]. The bronze cube felt cold and heavy in his hand, and inside it seemed to be a miniature starry sky sleeping.

"After arriving at [Azure Gate], there is one more thing you must always remember, and you must not disobey it in the slightest."

Desolate Halberd True Lord spoke, his tone became more forceful, and the illusory images of red mountains and green leaves around him seemed to freeze slightly as he spoke.

"That means you must never use any methods originating from the Xuanhuang Home Realm."

"Any?" Qi Yun frowned slightly.

This restriction is more stringent than imagined.

"Anything." Desolate Halberd True Lord said decisively, "Once you use it, you will instantly alarm the Heaven's Will of Heaven [Azure Gate]."

At that time, you will not face a single powerful individual, but rather the rejection and annihilation of the entire world.

"Your mission is to retrieve that lost [Fruition Status]," Desolate Halberd True Lord continued, his voice brooking no argument.

"Once you have obtained it, do not hesitate at all, and do not explore or linger in the other realm. Return immediately."

The longer you stay in the other world, the more deeply your aura merges with it, and the greater the risk of being detected and locked down by the Heaven's Will.

Once completely locked in, the power of the entire world will be like a swamp, holding you captive.

As he spoke, Desolate Halberd True Lord flipped his hand again, and a pure white jade box, only the size of a palm, appeared in his palm.

The jade box is neither gold nor jade; its texture is warm and smooth, and its surface is without any patterns. Yet, it naturally exudes a hazy halo that isolates everything from the outside world, as if completely severing the contents of the box from the outside world.

"If in that other realm, we encounter an insurmountable predicament—" Desolate Halberd True Lord pushed the jade box toward Qi Yun, his eyes deep.

"You can open this box. The sealed contents inside can help you avert a crisis."

Qi Yun took the jade box; it was icy cold to the touch, yet he could not feel any weight, nor could he detect any information inside, as if he had received nothingness.

Having explained everything, the Desolate Halberd True Lord's golden eyes slowly fell on Qi Yun, as if an ancient divine mountain was pressing down. "For this trip, I offer you Golden Core as a reward, a token as proof, a rare treasure to protect you, and permission to use the sect's resources to make preparations."

"But."

"I do not support useless people, and I will not tolerate failure."

Don't disappoint me.

The moment the last two words fell, Qi Yun felt a sudden heaviness all over his body, as if the weight of the entire [Xuanhuang World] had been "pressed" onto his shoulders through the gaze of the Desolate Halberd True Lord.

The golden eyes of the Desolate Halberd True Lord were now dazzling to the extreme, as if they contained countless microcosms of the birth and death of worlds, and the phantoms of endless chains of the Great Dao breaking and being reforged.

The majesty of True Lord!

A gaze that illuminates heaven and earth!

Qi Yun immediately bowed deeply, his voice solemn. "Disciple----will obey the decree!"

I will do my utmost to live up to the trust placed in me by the True Lord!