“Of course it’s true.” Shu Xin pressed a hand to her forehead. “Wen Jingshu was killed by Situ Jian, who also happened to be my former fiancé. Ning Weixuan of the Longevity Dao Sect used that as an excuse to come to the Divine Sect and cause trouble for me. That was why I looked into Wen Jingshu’s background properly.”
Shu Xin appeared rather troubled. “Who would have thought that Ning Weixuan would also die for no apparent reason? Now I have even less of a way to explain myself. Although my master has reached the Mahayana stage, I don’t want to burden him either, so I came here to lie low for a while.”
There was nothing wrong with what she said. It was perfectly logical.
Exactly!
He knew Ning Weixuan’s character all too well. Could something minor possibly have prompted him to personally seek someone out and make trouble?
There had to be something wrong with this Wen Jingshu.
Xiang Zhu had not actually expected Shu Xin to kill many of the spirit-parasitizing demonic cultivators. The reason he was willing to offer her such a high price was, on the one hand, to keep her steady—to prevent her from becoming another unpredictable factor while the Nine Heavens Dao Sect was beset by troubles within and without. On the other, he wanted her to serve as a target, drawing the spirit-parasitizing demonic cultivators’ attention so that he could act more easily.
Sword cultivators might be devoted to the purity of the sword, but that did not mean they lacked brains.
At such a critical time, Shu Xin had come knocking at their door. How could Xiang Zhu believe that she truly had no intention of taking advantage of their crisis? The example of the Profound Spirit Dao Sect was still fresh in everyone’s minds.
Yet Xiang Zhu also knew that, if they wanted to eradicate the Nine Heavens Dao Sect’s troubles for good, Patriarch Yuanzhou needed to come to his senses and be willing to act, driving these demonic cultivators out. Otherwise, they would likely have no choice but to wait until the Patriarch obtained what he wanted from the spirit-parasitizing demonic cultivators before he could spare the effort to expel these enemies once more.
Ultimately, the fault lay in the incompetence of the Nine Heavens Dao Sect’s people. They had failed to find anything that could prolong the Patriarch’s life, forcing him to take such a desperate gamble and stake the entire Nine Heavens Dao Sect.
Xiang Zhu had cultivated in the Nine Heavens Dao Sect since childhood.
Sword cultivation had always demanded enormous resources. Now that spiritual energy was scarce, many sects had begun voluntarily allowing the sword cultivation lineage to die out. Even if they did train sword cultivators, they would raise only one or two to serve as enforcers. A sect like the Nine Heavens Dao Sect, willing to spare no expense in nurturing him and his disciples, was truly one of a kind.
Xiang Zhu had always firmly believed that only with the Patriarch’s continued existence could the Nine Heavens Dao Sect survive.
Therefore, although both he and the sect master knew that the sect had become what it was because of the Patriarch’s indulgence, neither of them would—or dared to—resent the Patriarch. Instead, they could only resent the greed of those damned spirit-parasitizing demonic cultivators, and resent their own lack of effort for failing to find a solution for the Patriarch.
But Shu Xin’s seemingly casual words now made Xiang Zhu perceive another implication.
Wuweizi of the Longevity Dao Sect was famously known for never acting without profit.
Would he really take in a mortal as his disciple simply because she had exceptional aptitude?
Even if her talent was extraordinary, he could have handed her over to one of his own disciples for instruction. Why would he personally pour spiritual power into her and raise her cultivation to the Immaculate Realm? Such an infusion of power required an Earthly Immortal to act personally and depleted their own spiritual energy.
Unless this woman named Wen Jingshu, whom Shu Xin had mentioned, was of use to Earthly Immortals.
But Earthly Immortals were already figures who could command the wind and rain in the cultivation world. What could they possibly want that they could not obtain? What matter would require them to expend their own spiritual energy?
There could only be one reason: to prolong their lives.
In that instant, Xiang Zhu’s mind raced through countless possibilities.
“Then what exactly is going on with this Wen Jingshu?” Xiang Zhu did his best to suppress his wild joy—and to keep Shu Xin from noticing it. For a sword cultivator, that was no easy task.
Xiang Zhu himself did not realize it, but to Shu Xin, his clumsy performance was as obvious as if the answer had been written across his face.
[…Sword cultivators may be pure-hearted, but this old fellow is no saint either,] the Sword Spirit finally remarked. [My former master wasn’t like this.]
“Don’t judge whether someone is good or bad simply by their cultivation tradition or profession,” Shu Xin said with a smile. “He has belonged to the Nine Heavens Dao Sect since childhood, so naturally he puts the sect above all else. He is like this, and Qu Yougu is the same. By this world’s standards, their way of thinking is considered correct.”
In fact, by the standards of this world, people who thought as they did could already be called good people.
“I’m not sure either.” Shu Xin waved a hand. “I couldn’t investigate anything beyond that. I don’t have much of a foundation in the Longevity Dao Sect. If I hadn’t happened to meet Wen Jingshu’s disciple, I wouldn’t even have remembered this matter.”
Seeing that Shu Xin was unwilling to say more, Xiang Zhu became even more convinced that there was something significant behind it all.
Shu Xin might possess formidable cultivation and outstanding talent, but he was still young. He had spent all his time in the Asking Gods Sect, and likely had never even met an Earthly Immortal in his life. Naturally, there were many secrets he did not understand.
But Xiang Zhu did.
He knew what troubled the Earthly Immortals. He also knew how the various sects schemed and contended with one another. Naturally, he could spot details that ordinary people would never notice.
“Ah, wait a moment.” Shu Xin seemed to realize something and looked at Xiang Zhu curiously. “Fellow Daoist Xiang Zhu, why are you suddenly asking so much about Wen Jingshu? Is there something here that I don’t know?”
“No, I was merely asking in passing.” Xiang Zhu quickly changed the subject. “I only came to urge you along. Don’t take too long—I’ve already prepared a batch of spirit stones and am waiting to give them to you.”
“Is that so?” Shu Xin still did not believe him.
“I have other matters to attend to, so I’ll be leaving first.” Xiang Zhu was already impatient to seek out the sect master and inquire about the matter.
With that, Xiang Zhu hurried away, as though even a moment’s delay would cost him dearly.
Watching Xiang Zhu’s retreating figure, Shu Xin smiled in satisfaction.
The trap had already been laid. If you weren’t curious, how would you ever step into it?
Shu Xin smiled to himself, then went back to sleep.
After parting from Shu Xin, Xiang Zhu did not immediately go to see the sect master. Instead, he first made use of his connections and influence to conduct a brief investigation into what Shu Xin had said.
The result was that it was all true.
Wen Jingshu really had been born a mortal, and her cultivation had indeed been forcibly raised. Thus, although she was one of the Nine Sons of Longevity, she rarely left the sect, all so that she could stabilize her cultivation.
And Ning Weixuan truly had gone to cause trouble for the Asking Gods Sect. But afterward, news of him suddenly ceased. Had he offended someone and perished as a result?
Some said Xu Guan had done it. Others claimed they had offended some other great power, and that someone who could not stand the Changsheng Dao Sect had struck at them in secret.
But Xiang Zhu did not care about any of that. What concerned him was something far more important.
Once he confirmed that Shu Xin was telling the truth, he immediately went to see the Sect Master.
After briefly explaining the matter, Xiang Zhu hurriedly said, “Sect Master, the most urgent thing now is to verify whether Shu Xin’s words are true. If Wen Jingshu really possesses a method that can prolong the lives of Earthly Immortals, then we can persuade the Patriarch to drive the spirit-parasitizing demonic cultivators out of our sect for good.”
The Sect Master of the Nine Heavens Dao Sect, Xinyunzi, looked deeply conflicted.
“The Patriarch has already learned most of the spirit-parasitizing method,” Xinyunzi told him frankly. “You should understand that compared with a vague and uncertain possibility, the spirit-parasitizing method can genuinely grant the Patriarch several more centuries of life.”
Three thousand years ago, the Nine Heavens Dao Sect had once nurtured an exceptionally gifted disciple.
He had been even more outstanding than Xie Xianzhi was now.
For the sake of that disciple, they had poured vast resources into him, all so that he could focus solely on cultivation.
To ensure that he could successfully survive the trial of Three Winds and Four Fires, they had even persuaded the disciple’s master and senior sister to willingly die, allowing him to advance smoothly into the Flawless Realm.
Afterward, they used the secret arts and treasures of the Nine Heavens Dao Sect to raise his cultivation to a level nearly equivalent to the Great Vehicle Realm. They gave him everything he could desire, ensuring that he had no regrets—until, at the height of his glory and satisfaction, Patriarch Yuanzhou took possession of his body.
After the possession, the Patriarch cultivated anew within that disciple’s body. Following two hundred years of secluded cultivation, he returned to the Earthly Immortal Realm.
The resources expended before and after that possession had nearly drained more than half of the Nine Heavens Dao Sect’s treasury. Even now, three thousand years later, they had yet to fully replenish it.
But even if they were willing to empty the sect treasury once more, they could no longer allow the Patriarch to possess another body.
A body gained through possession suffered a drastic reduction in lifespan. After three thousand years, that body had already reached the end of its road.
“Three thousand years ago, the cultivation world was engulfed in a war. During that conflict, quite a few sects vanished completely, and no one remembers their names any longer. Back then, our Nine Heavens Dao Sect was fortunate enough to escape disaster under the Patriarch’s protection. But now, we may not be so lucky.”
Xinyunzi sighed. “To tell you the truth, the Patriarch’s body can hold on for no more than sixty years.”
Xiang Zhu stood there, stunned. “But the spirit-parasitizing method cannot overcome a cultivator’s own limit of cultivation. In our sect, apart from the Patriarch, the highest cultivation is only the Flawless Realm.”
“When the time comes, I and the other remaining elders of the Flawless Realm will attempt to break through into the Great Vehicle Realm,” Xinyunzi replied with a smile. “So long as the timing is right, when one position in the Earthly Immortal Realm opens up, a Great Vehicle Realm cultivator will be able to advance into an Earthly Immortal. Then, in turn, another position will open within the Great Vehicle Realm. With the Patriarch’s cultivation, he will certainly be able to enter the Great Vehicle Realm with ease.”
At that time, although the Nine Heavens Dao Sect would no longer have an Earthly Immortal, at least it would still have a Great Vehicle Realm cultivator to hold the line.
“Moreover, Xuan Wu of the Spirit-Parasite Demon Sect is also at the Great Ascension stage. The Patriarch will find a way to kill him. That way, we may gain another Great Ascension cultivator.” Xinyunzi patted Xiang Zhu on the shoulder. “If you can take advantage of this opportunity to advance, then our sect will gain another Great Ascension sword cultivator, and its safety will be assured.”
Even if the Nine Heavens Dao Sect declined somewhat afterward, that would still be far better than vanishing completely.
“This is far too risky.” After carefully considering the Patriarch’s and Sect Master’s plan, Xiang Zhu felt there were simply too many variables involved.
Each step depended on the last. If even one link failed, the entire plan could collapse.
“To defy fate and change one’s destiny has always required taking risks.” Xinyunzi shook his head. “Which of those terrestrial immortals did not make their way through such dangers? If we take the risk, we still have a chance. But if we do nothing, then in sixty years, we will disappear entirely.”
“Senior Brother Sect Master.” It had been a long time since Xiang Zhu had addressed him so directly. “The Patriarch’s safety is simply too important. How about this—we investigate Wen Jingshu first. If she truly possesses a method that can extend the lives of terrestrial immortals, we can find it and present it to the Patriarch for his decision.”
“Very well.” Xinyunzi nodded. “But how do you intend to investigate?”
“Please give me a few capable assistants, Senior Brother Sect Master. They must not be parasitized by the Spirit-Parasite demon cultivators, lest the news leak out!” Xiang Zhu said quickly.
“Of course I understand.” For the moment, Xinyunzi could not think of anyone suitable, so he summoned another of his junior brothers.
“We need people who are good at gathering information, with broad connections. Their cultivation must be neither too high nor too low—preferably at the Nascent Soul or Grotto-Heaven stage.” Xinyunzi laid out his requirements. “They should also be unfamiliar faces, people who have joined the sect within the past few years.”
If they sent cultivators at the Stainless Realm to gather intelligence, the Longevity Dao Sect would inevitably become wary.
But familiar faces who had grown up within the Nine Heavens Dao Sect would likewise have trouble concealing their identities. They would be exposed too easily.
“And most importantly, they cannot have any ties to the Spirit-Parasite demon cultivators,” Xiang Zhu added.
Hearing so many requirements, the steward elder who had been summoned felt his head begin to ache.
After thinking it over carefully, he did manage to come up with several candidates.
“I have three or four people in mind, but I cannot say for certain whether they have any connection to the Spirit-Parasite demon cultivators,” the steward elder said hesitantly.
“That is no matter. I still have a small amount of Mirror Divine Water. Bring them here, and I can test them,” Xinyunzi replied.
“Yes.”
…
Jiang Gui suddenly received word that the steward elder wished to see him.
Remembering Shu Xin’s earlier instructions, he immediately dressed himself in a plain, honest-looking manner before leaving.
Incredible.
Jiang Gui could not help thinking so.
Only a few days had passed since Shu Xin had discussed their prepared story with him. He had not expected a response so soon.
Following the steward elder, Jiang Gui arrived at the main hall. Besides himself, several cultivators at the Nascent Soul or Grotto-Heaven stage were already waiting there.
Without exception, all of them had joined the Nine Heavens Dao Sect within the past few years.
Jiang Gui lowered his head and waited for the steward elder to appear.
But the ones who entered with the steward elder were actually Sect Master Xinyunzi and Elder Xiang Zhu?
Jiang Gui, like the others, was visibly shocked and bewildered.
“Give it a try,” Xinyunzi said.
The moment his words fell, Jiang Gui felt a hazy veil of moisture wash over his face.
He only found it slightly cool and raised a hand to touch his cheek.
But two or three cultivators nearby had already changed.
Other faces emerged over their own, while demonic qi even rose from some of their bodies.
“Hmph. Those demonic cultivators certainly have a long reach,” Xiang Zhu snorted coldly.
A flash of sword qi swept through the air.
The cultivators whose appearances had changed or who had emitted demonic qi were immediately slain by Xiang Zhu. Not even their souls remained.
Jiang Gui and the two surviving cultivators dropped to their knees, not daring to utter a word.
“Only three are left?” Xinyunzi frowned.
“Sect Master, we haven’t recruited many inner disciples in recent years to begin with.” The steward elder gave a bitter smile. “Among those whose cultivation met your requirements and who were reasonably clever and dependable, there were only this few. I never expected that more than half would have already fallen victim to the demonic cultivators.”
Could their sect even still be called the Nine Heavens Dao Sect? They were no longer sure themselves.
Xinyunzi and Xiang Zhu were going to choose one person from among the three.
Jiang Gui remembered what Shu Xin had told him.
“It would be one thing if they don’t select anyone,” Shu Xin had instructed him earnestly. “But if they choose someone to carry out a task for them, you must be the one they pick. Since it concerns the sect’s secrets, they will never allow anyone else to leave alive.”
“As for the exact task, I won’t tell you. It’s for your protection. The less you know, the safer you will be. For the rest, just say what I taught you to say. Unless they’re complete idiots, they’ll know to choose you.”
“Before coming to the Nine Heavens Dao Sect, where did each of you cultivate?” Xinyunzi asked. “Speak one at a time.”
“This disciple cultivated within his family,” the first cultivator said. He seemed to have realized something and quickly began introducing himself. “I am from the Li Clan of Danxia. Our family is large and flourishing, and in the past we had connections with many sects. But now our clan wholeheartedly wishes to serve the Nine Heavens Dao Sect, which is why I was sent into the inner sect. I hope to be of service to the sect.”
Xinyunzi and Xiang Zhu were quite satisfied after hearing this.
A disciple from a great family would have ample connections, making it easier to gather intelligence.
The second disciple followed suit. “This disciple is also from a family, though mine was defeated in a conflict several years ago. Afterward, I gathered some followers among the independent cultivators and scraped together enough spirit stones to take part in the Nine Heavens Dao Sect’s disciple selection. However, I still have some standing among the independent cultivators. Should the sect have any task for me, I dare say I would be no less capable than anyone else.”
This cultivator had caught on as well.
The sect evidently had some important mission to entrust to them.
If he could accomplish it, he would rise to the heavens in a single step within the Nine Heavens Dao Sect.
Then it was Jiang Gui’s turn.
Jiang Gui solemnly kowtowed twice, then stammered, “This disciple... this disciple... this disciple was born of humble origins, once a mere mortal. Later, I was taken in as a servant by an immortal master passing through. Afterward... after that immortal master perished, I took his belongings and cultivated little by little. A few years ago, I barely managed to enter the sect as an outer disciple. Since this disciple is somewhat passable in appearance, an inner-sect senior sister took a liking to me and recommended me for entry into the inner sect.”
Compared with the previous two, Jiang Gui’s introduction seemed exceedingly ordinary.
Yet upon closer consideration, one would realize that although Jiang Gui had the lowest origins, he had managed to cultivate all the way to the Nascent Soul stage. Given his current aptitude, this could be considered proof of tremendous perseverance and great fortune.
The other two cultivators had already begun to secretly rejoice.
At least one competitor had been eliminated first.
Xinyunzi and Xiang Zhu exchanged a glance, having already reached a decision.
In the next instant, the two cultivators who had introduced themselves no longer had any breath left in them.
“Hmph. Demon cultivators, and you still dare try to deceive us?” The steward elder thus labeled the two dead cultivators, then personally helped Jiang Gui to his feet.
“Jiang Gui, you are quite fortunate. The Sect Master and Elder Xiang Zhu have an important task they wish to entrust to you,” the steward elder said with a genial smile.
Seeing Jiang Gui’s frightened and uneasy demeanor, Xinyunzi and Xiang Zhu were even more satisfied.
Good, good. He seemed honest and dutiful enough, and he was quite handsome as well—a fine-looking young man.
Best of all, he too had been born a mortal. That was simply perfect.
“There are some matters we need you to attend to.” Xiang Zhu patted Jiang Gui on the shoulder. “We need you to approach someone named Song Ping. Your identity will be that of a mortal descendant of Wen Jingshu, seeking out your relatives. Ideally, Song Ping will take you back to the Longevity Dao Sect with him. If he cannot bring you back, you must still find a way to contact someone from the Longevity Dao Sect and let them know that you exist. Of course, should any problems arise along the way, we will assist you.”
Xinyunzi and Xiang Zhu had discussed matters for a long time before deciding to arrange such an identity for Jiang Gui.
If Wen Jingshu truly possessed the ability to extend the lifespan of an Earthly Immortal, then either it was a matter of her physique, or she carried some special bloodline.
In that case, as Wen Jingshu’s descendant, Jiang Gui might very well possess a similar physique or bloodline.
If the Longevity Dao Sect truly wished to obtain something from this, they would surely come looking for Jiang Gui.
By then, their Nine Heavens Dao Sect would be able to obtain the information they wanted.
As for whether Jiang Gui might be exposed, or what might happen to him after he was exposed, they could only pretend not to see it.
For the sake of their ancestor, for the sake of the sect, as a disciple of the Nine Heavens Dao Sect, one had to be prepared to sacrifice everything.
“This... this disciple will certainly do everything in his power,” Jiang Gui replied, cupping his hands in salute.
“If you truly succeed in this matter, this seat happens to be lacking a disciple. At that time, you will become my disciple.” Xinyunzi offered him a few words of encouragement.
“Yes. This disciple will surely give his heart and soul for the sect!” An excited expression appeared on Jiang Gui’s face.
Xinyunzi patted Jiang Gui on the shoulder before finally allowing him to leave.
Only after Jiang Gui had gone quite a distance did he gradually relax.
Even so, he still did not contact Shu Xin.
Because Shu Xin had also said that there was no need to contact her about anything that followed. She had already made all the necessary arrangements.
All he needed to do was be selected for the mission, then behave normally and reveal what he knew.
“Now you can rest easy.” Xinyunzi said to Xiang Zhu. “I’ve placed a tracking mark on Jiang Gui. Whatever he does next, whom he meets, and what he says—we’ll be able to hear it all clearly. Even if he dies halfway through, it won’t matter. We’ll still be able to learn something.”
“Thank you, Senior Brother Sect Master. I only hope we can find a better solution.” Xiang Zhu sighed, though he knew that from here on, they could only leave it to fate.
[...I saw Jiang Gui come out normally. I didn’t go inside to see what they discussed—I was afraid of being discovered.] The Sword Spirit had only dared to hide outside. Seeing Jiang Gui emerge safely from the main hall of the Nine Heavens Dao Sect was enough.
The main hall of the Nine Heavens Dao Sect was filled with all kinds of formations, specifically to prevent the sect’s core powers from being infiltrated by spirit-parasitizing demonic cultivators.
“Then that’s fine.” Shu Xin smiled. “Although I’m confident Jiang Gui will be chosen, there can always be unexpected complications. I was worried something might go wrong.”
As long as Xinyunzi and Xiang Zhu were not idiots, they should know how to uncover the anomaly surrounding Wen Jingshu.
Naturally, the best option would be to impersonate someone connected to her.
In truth, Jingzhi was the most suitable candidate.
Unfortunately, Jingzhi was not truly a member of the Wen family. He did not possess Chun’s bloodline.
But that was all right. Song Ping was her man as well.
Even if Jiang Gui did nothing at all, she would have Song Ping reveal the story she had prepared in advance, right in front of Xinyunzi and Xiang Zhu.
Nine parts truth, one part lie.
Even if the Immortals of the Nine Heavens Dao Sect investigated, they would find only the parts that were true.
By then, she would not even need to act. The Nine Heavens Dao Sect would descend into chaos, and the Longevity Dao Sect would have a headache on its hands as well.
[What a waste of your talent.] The Sword Spirit spoke with heartfelt sincerity. [You’re the first person in the world who has dared to scheme against Immortals like this.]
“In the end, you’ll benefit from it too, so don’t worry.” Shu Xin stretched lazily. “I have a feeling I won’t be able to conceal my identity for much longer. And as you gradually repair yourself, those Immortals’ senses will only grow sharper. It’s only a matter of time before they find us. Before they do, I need to build up my strength. I just hope you’re really as formidable as you boast.”
One who does not plan for the future will soon find trouble at hand.
She had managed to hide for so many years through a combination of cautious self-development and good fortune.
But no one could rely on luck forever.
“Oh, right. Go deliver a message to Jingzhi as well,” Shu Xin said with a smile. “He knows the truth about what happened back then better than anyone. Isn’t he with the Blood Demon Sect? Then drag the Blood Demon Ancestor into this too. If we’re lucky, you may be able to swallow several Immortals in one go. That should be enough to completely break the seal on you.”
[I’ll go at once!] For once, the Sword Spirit raised no objections.
For the first time, it felt that being able to deliver messages was quite an excellent advantage after all!
