Strange Movements in the West

Auspicious clouds tore through the sky, heading eastward.

Qi Yun stood with his hands behind his back on the cloud, his clothes fluttering, his eyes sparkling with endless brilliance.

On his way back from the ancient city of Chang'an, he had been digesting the four combined Sword Dao.

The power left behind by the Great Tang was so vast that even with the governing power of the [Primordial Unity] Dao, it was impossible to absorb it all in a short period of time.

But he wasn't in a hurry.

Some things need time to mature.

Some strengths can only be truly harnessed through trials and tribulations.

With the Mountains and Rivers Cauldron hanging beside him, the nine divine dragons moved much more steadily than before. The light in their eyes no longer flickered, but shone constantly, like nine eternal lamps that never go out.

Cai Shen remained silent; his previously rapid, pulsating spiritual energy had subsided, replaced by an indescribable calm.

Qi Yun knew what he was thinking.

Thousands of years ago, Great Tang, twenty-four Imperial Weapon guarded the Great Emperor and suppressed the celestial destinies of all things.

Those were their most glorious years, and also the hometown they could never return to.

Now, Chang'an is gone, and the Great Emperor is gone.

Only their "relics" remain, wandering the world.

"Senior Cai," Qi Yun suddenly spoke up.

"Yes, I'm here," Cai Kun replied quickly.

"Your fourteenth brother said that some Imperial Weapon rebelled back then."

Cai Shen's spiritual energy trembled slightly. After a moment of silence, he said in a hoarse voice, "----Yes."

Who is it?

Cai Kun did not answer.

The Mountains and Rivers Cauldron emitted a deep hum, a hum containing anger, sorrow, and a hint of unspeakable shame.

"No need to say anything," Qi Yun said calmly. "You'll find out sooner or later."

He didn't ask any further questions.

Because he knew that those traitorous Imperial Weapon must now be under the command of some Dao King.

Great Tide of Time approaches, the Dao King are restless, and those Imperial Weapon will inevitably appear as well.

In time, everything will come to light.

"Young Qi," Cai Shen's voice rang out again, tinged with hesitation, "You—you really don't intend to do as His Majesty says?"

"Protect Xuanhuang?" Qi Yun's lips curled into a smile. "I did."

Cai Shen was taken aback. "Did you do it? When?"

"From the moment the West Sea sealed the Heavenly Court," Qi Yun said calmly, "the World-Honored One wanted to destroy Xuanhuang, but I stopped him."

I was wary Canyi the ginseng that wanted to pick the fruit.

The Demon Master Kunpeng wanted to pull me into his scheme, and I saw it.

"True Lord Qingyuan wanted to borrow my power to break the shackles of Sword Dao, and I agreed."

He paused, a slight glint of light appearing in his eyes.

"Aren't all of these protecting Xuanhuang?"

Cai Shen opened his mouth, but found himself unable to refute.

Yes, many of the things Qi Yun has done over the years have actually been to protect Xuanhuang from the wind and rain.

He is not a guardian like His Majesty.

But everything he did was to protect Xuanhuang.

"But—" Cai Shen hesitated for a moment, "You don't intend to follow His Majesty's suggested path?"

"Your Majesty has your path, and I have mine." Qi Yun withdrew his gaze and looked at the approaching expanse of Xuanhuang land ahead.

Cai Kun fell silent. He knew that once Qi Yun made a decision, he would not change it.

"Let's go," Qi Yun said calmly. "It's time to go home."

Qingyun accelerated, transforming into a streak of Flowing Light that tore through the sky, carrying him and the Mountains and Rivers Cauldron, and disappearing into the thick and ancient boundary wall of the Xuanhuang Home Realm.

The Xuanhuang Home Realm, the Wuji Sacred Sect, the Green Mountain Daoist Temple.

Qi Yun's figure landed in the courtyard; the withered tree remained, and the Mountains and Rivers Cauldron returned to its place.

Everything was as if he had never left.

But Cai Kun knew things were different now.

Qi Yun possessed something indescribable. It wasn't strength, nor aura, but something deeper...

A more fundamental change.

"Is that what His Majesty meant by 'protection'?" Cai Kun thought to himself, but did not say it aloud.

Qi Yun walked back to the withered tree and sat down cross-legged. He did not immediately go into seclusion, but instead took out the Great Void Jade Tally and probed it with his Divine Sense.

A moment later, he withdrew his Divine Sense, his eyes slightly narrowed.

"Interesting," he muttered to himself.

"What's wrong?" Cai Shen asked.

"It's been quite lively while I was away."

Qi Yun didn't elaborate, but simply stood up and brushed the hem of his robe. "Senior Cai, you stay at the Daoist temple to keep Fourteenth Brother company. I'm going out for a walk."

Where to go?

Qi Yun did not answer. He took a step forward, and his figure disappeared into the courtyard.

Central Land, Wuji Sacred Sect, Great Void Hall.

Qi Yun's figure appeared outside the palace gate. The guarding disciples were stunned at first, then hurriedly knelt down. "Greetings, Sect Leader!"

Qi Yun nodded slightly and stepped into the hall.

Inside the hall, dozens of the Holy Sect True Person were discussing matters.

Upon seeing Qi Yun, everyone stood up and bowed respectfully. "Greetings, Sect Leader!"

Qi Yun waved his hand, walked straight to the cloud seat at the head of the table, and sat down with a flick of his sleeve.

His gaze swept over everyone in the hall, finally settling on the face of the Black Mountain True Person.

"During my absence, has anything significant happened in Xuanhuang?" he asked casually.

As the light subtly shifted, Black Mountain True Person stepped forward and respectfully said:

"Reporting to the Sect Leader, there are three important matters."

Firstly, news of the Great Tide of Time has somehow leaked out, causing widespread panic in the Xuanhuang Home Realm, with all factions intensifying their preparations for war.

Qi Yun's eyes flickered slightly.

Has news of the Great Tide of Time been leaked? Who is it? Canyi? The World-Honored One? Or someone else entirely?

"And the second one?" he asked.

Secondly, the Sword Pavilion announced an alliance with the Holy Sect, True Lord Qingyuan personally visited them.

Thirdly?

Black Mountain True Person was silent for a moment, then lowered his voice slightly. "Thirdly, there are unusual movements among Buddhist practitioners overseas."

Qi Yun frowned slightly. "The World-Honored One One's pawn?"

"Yes." Black Mountain True Person nodded. "According to the scouts, several Bodhisattvas are frequently moving around in the Pure Land overseas, seemingly preparing some kind of grand formation."

Rumors are circulating that they are waiting—"

"Waiting for what?"

"Waiting for the Great Tide of Time."

Qi Yun fell silent. He recalled the projection of the World-Honored One One's will, the golden Buddha's hand that pressed down, and the words, "The journey to the West is fraught with peril."

The World-Honored One was both warning him and testing him.

Now that he has returned, what will the World-Honored One do?

"Continue monitoring," he said calmly. "Report any unusual activity immediately."

"Yes!"

Qi Yun asked a few more questions, then waved for everyone to leave.

The palace doors closed, leaving him alone in the vast Great Void Hall.

He did not leave immediately, but sat quietly on the cloud throne, his eyes sparkling with color, the [Primordial Unity] Dao operating at full power, deducing the next move in this ancient game of chess.

The Canyi is waiting. The World-Honored One is waiting. The Demon Master Kunpeng is waiting.

Those Dao King hiding in the shadows are all waiting.

Wait for the Great Tide of Time, for the barrier Xuanhuang to weaken, for the moment when they can unleash even greater power.

Several days later, a streak of azure sword light descended from the sky and landed in front of the Green Mountain Daoist Temple.

Qingyuan True Lord Wendao.

Qi Yun was already waiting in the courtyard. Under the withered tree, there was a stone table and two cups of tea.

He raised his hand in a gesture of respect. "Fellow Daoist, please."

True Lord Qingyuan did not refuse and sat down with a flick of his sleeve.

His gaze lingered on the Mountains and Rivers Cauldron for a moment, then he looked at Qi Yun, a complex light flashing in his eyes.

"Primordial Unity Daoist Hunyuan has gained a great deal from this trip."

Qi Yun picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and said, "Thanks to your blessing, fellow Daoist."

After a moment of silence, True Lord Qingyuan slowly said, "I did not spread the news of the Great Tide of Time."

Qi Yun put down his teacup and looked at him. "I know."

Do you know who it is?

"It's not important," he said calmly. "The news has already spread; tracing the source is pointless. What matters is how the various factions will respond."

True Lord Qingyuan nodded slightly. "Sword Pavilion has begun to tighten its defenses and recall its disciples who were scattered outside."

The major righteous sects are doing the same thing.

What about the demonic path?

"The Demonic Path—" True Lord Qingyuan paused, "... is expanding its army."

Qi Yun chuckled softly.

"As expected."

Great Tide of Time approaches, the Xuanhuang barrier weakens, and the Dao King begin to stir.

For the demonic path, this is both a crisis and an opportunity.

If they can seize enough fortune during this great calamity, the strength of the demonic path can reach a new level.

"How does Primordial Unity Daoist Hunyuan plan to deal with this?" asked True Lord Qingyuan.

Qi Yun did not answer immediately. He stood up, walked to the center of the courtyard, and looked up at the sky obscured by thick clouds.

"Wait," he said calmly.

"Wait for what?"

"Let them make the first move."

True Lord Qingyuan remained silent. He knew that Qi Yun was right.

In this ancient game of chess, the one who moves first is not necessarily in a better position, and the one who moves later is not necessarily at a disadvantage.

The key is who can seize that fleeting opportunity.

"What if they don't move?" True Lord Qingyuan asked.

Qi Yun turned around, looked at him, and the smile on his lips slowly widened.

"Then force them to act."

After True Lord Qingyuan left, Qi Yun did not return to the withered tree, but instead walked out of the Green Mountain Daoist Temple.

He walked slowly along the mountain path.

Without activating any magical Law Power or using Divine Ability, he simply walked step by step along the mountain path paved with bluestone slabs, just like an ordinary person.

Ancient trees reach for the sky on both sides of the mountain path, and streams murmur softly.

Occasionally, disciples of the Holy Sect would pass by, and upon seeing him, they would hurriedly kneel down and call him "Sect Leader." Qi Yun would simply nod slightly and continue on his way.

He arrived at the summit of a mountain. This was the highest point of the Holy Sect, overlooking the entire Central Land.

Qi Yun stood with his hands behind his back on the mountaintop, taking in the vast landscape as far as the eye could see.

The sea of clouds surged, the mountains and rivers were like dark eyebrows, the rivers were like ribbons, and the cities were like stars.

This is the Xuanhuang, the beginning of all things, the source of all heavens.

They are also the prey that those Dao King want to destroy, divide, and replace.

"Eternity ago, His Majesty single-handedly stopped them," Qi Yun murmured to himself. "Eternity later, it's my turn."

He did not speak passionately or make a tragic decision.

It simply states a fact calmly and serenely.

Because he knew that this was a path he had no choice but to take.

It wasn't because he promised His Majesty, nor because he wanted to protect Xuanhuang.

Rather, it is because he is Qi Yun, Primordial Unity, and the only variable in this eternal game of chess.

Several days later, a message spread throughout the Xuanhuang Home Realm.

The Primordial Unity True Lord Qi Yun will convene a "Daoist Conference" at the Wuji Sacred Sect three months from now, inviting True Lord and Great True Person from all sides to gather and discuss strategies for dealing with the Great Tide of Time.

The news caused a great stir in the Xuanhuang.

Some are happy, some are worried, some are disdainful, and some are hopeful.

But everyone knows that this Daoist conference will be the largest and highest-level gathering in the entire history of the Xuanhuang Home Realm.

The one who convened the gathering was none other than the Hunyuan Great Luo True Lord of True Lord, who slew the Buddha with a single sword in the West Sea, carved the Daoist name in the All Wonders Heaven, and single-handedly suppressed the True Lords beyond the realm.

Green Mountain Daoist Temple, beneath a withered tree.

Qi Yun sat cross-legged, his eyes slightly closed. The Mountains and Rivers Cauldron hovered beside him, with nine divine dragons slowly swimming around it. Cai Kun's spiritual energy emanated from the cauldron, carrying a hint of curiosity. "Qi boy, are you really going to hold a Dao discussion conference?"

"Um."

"Why?"

Qi Yun did not answer. He simply opened his eyes slowly, his gaze sparkling, and a faint smile curved his lips.

"Because—" He paused, his voice calm, yet carrying an undeniable certainty.

"Some things need to be laid bare."

Cai Kun was taken aback and wanted to ask another question, but Qi Yun had already closed his eyes again.

The courtyard returned to silence.

Only the Xuanhuang of the Mountains and Rivers Cauldron and the deep blue figure under the withered tree formed a silent picture.

Beyond this painting, the entire Xuanhuang Home Realm was in turmoil because of that news.

The Great Conference will be held three months later.

All parties are waiting.

We await this momentous event that is destined to be recorded in history.