Chapter 1715: 幻宗

He Lingchuan involuntarily rubbed his ears; the mirror's shriek was too piercing.

The Haoyuan Golden Mirror seemed quite prestigious; his own broken mirror reacted as if it had encountered an idol it had secretly admired for a millennium.

"The Haoyuan Golden Mirror, a paragon for our kind!" The mirror was practically tripping over its words. "It possesses numerous, truly numerous, wondrous uses; let me tell you, let me tell you about them…"

He Lingchuan flicked his finger against its chest, silencing its clamor. It was too noisy! He had important business to discuss.

Lu Jing stepped forward and bowed respectfully to the black-robed figure in the center. "Sect Master Xiao, the guests have been brought in!"

Sect Master Xiao turned, revealing a lean face, a tall build, three wisps of beard beneath his chin, and a red mole at the end of his eyebrow. He certainly had the aura of an immortal. He Lingchuan knew this sect master’s real name was Xiao Wencheng, his Daoist title was True Immortal Yuanyu, and he was one of True Immortal Qianhuan’s direct disciples.

This was a true immortal, one who could have memorial tablets erected in temples and receive incense offerings. Even his detached expression and gaze perfectly aligned with He Lingchuan’s mental image of an immortal.

His gaze swept over He Lingchuan and Granny Zhu, so sharp it seemed to pierce them from the inside out. It was very aggressive and unsettling. He Lingchuan had not experienced such an intense gaze from a superior in a very long time.

Lu Jing, observing the mood, smoothly transitioned, "These individuals say they are guests from Lingshan and have presented their credentials."

He Lingchuan again took out the clam bell. Sect Master Xiao personally received it, carefully examining it for a while before acknowledging, "Indeed, this belongs to the Immortal Venerable."

"Is this bell Qianhuan's?" He Lingchuan interjected at the opportune moment. "Immortal Venerable Qianhuan has not emerged for some time, and Lingshan is concerned, so they dispatched me to ascertain the situation."

True Immortal Qianhuan had been absent for so long that not only did other True Immortals complain, but Lingshan also feared something had happened to him. As Qianhuan’s second-in-command, Sect Master Xiao understood the implications. "What may I call you?"

He Lingchuan casually introduced himself and his two companions, then, adopting a businesslike demeanor, went straight to the point: "Where might Immortal Venerable Qianhuan be?"

Sect Master Xiao glanced at the people behind him and ordered, "You may all withdraw for now."

Everyone, including Lu Jing, exited the quiet chamber, leaving only five people behind.

"The last time I saw Wang Xingyi, he was about your age," Sect Master Xiao said, turning halfway. "Sixty years have passed, and even he has become the National Grand Preceptor. How is he doing these days?"

The Soul-Snaring Mirror gasped, "Wow, he just instantly elevated his own status." This is what's called "presuming seniority."

He Lingchuan was well-versed in the stratagems of officialdom, hierarchy, and human relations. In just two sentences, he steered the conversation back to the main topic: "My apologies, I am not from Mou State, and I haven't seen National Grand Preceptor Wang myself for two years, though he still sends me letters. He should be well, but he is concerned about Immortal Venerable Qianhuan."

Sect Master Xiao pointed at the mirror. "Do you know who that is out at sea?"

"The view is too distant," He Lingchuan said, also observing the mirror's surface. "Can it be magnified?"

As soon as He Lingchuan finished speaking, the Haoyuan Golden Mirror’s surface suddenly magnified, focusing on the largest and most opulent ship within the fleet. Oh, this mirror was remarkably sentient; it immediately understood his meaning and even managed to locate the fleet’s flagship.

With the image magnified, He Lingchuan could discern the gray sails flapping in the wind, the patches on them, the guards and sailors on deck, and a familiar face—Bai Ziqi had indeed arrived.

"That's Bai Ziqi, the Heavenly Palace’s Cloud Envoy," He Lingchuan stated, pointing at him. "He has consistently tracked True Immortal Qianhuan’s whereabouts, and Lingshan’s attempts to ambush him have failed multiple times."

Sect Master Xiao asked, "Tracking the Immortal Venerable? How does he manage that?"

"Through the Spirit-Gathering Array on Baimao Mountain."

Sect Master Xiao frowned. "Baimao Mountain? What's that?"

"Oh, that's its current name. One hundred and sixty or seventy years ago, that place was known as Dragon’s Head Mountain, the legendary site where the Dragon God fell!" Seeing the expressions of those opposite him change, He Lingchuan elaborated, "Nearly a year ago, Lingshan suddenly discovered that the Inverted Heavenly Constellation Array on Dragon's Head Mountain had revealed itself, and the camouflage of the giant fernwood vanished. When we attempted to apprehend him, Bai Ziqi broke through and escaped, killing many of our people in the process!"

Well, I'll be! Dong Rui, who was nearby, couldn't help but scratch his nose upon hearing this. Had He Lingchuan lied? Not at all; every word was true. But by omitting the most crucial details and artfully piecing together the preceding and succeeding events, he made it sound as if Bai Ziqi were the sole culprit behind the destruction of the Spirit-Gathering Array! His ability to shift blame was becoming increasingly masterful.

The few individuals behind Xiao Wencheng exchanged glances, their faces clouded with dismay. "So, they were behind the Spirit-Gathering Array's failure!" For the better part of this year, they had endured considerable hardship.

He Lingchuan looked over at the sound, and Xiao Wencheng immediately introduced him: "This is Elder Xu, Elder Liu, Elder Jin…"

He Lingchuan clasped his hands in greeting; the elders across from him simply nodded.

Elder Xu interjected, "That Spirit-Gathering Array was personally set up by us—a dozen or so of my martial brothers—before we followed the Immortal Venerable into the Upside-Down Sea!"

He Lingchuan suddenly realized. These individuals before him were indeed immortals! No wonder they were arrogant towards mortals. Lu Jing was a disciple recruited by the Illusion Sect on Silver Pearl Island, but these individuals were True Immortal Qianhuan’s true confidantes, immortals who had accompanied him for countless years! Even with He Lingchuan and his companions bearing the title of Lingshan Special Envoys, Xiao Wencheng and the others still regarded them with a condescending gaze—the distinction between immortals and mortals was clear, and power reigned supreme.

"What’s peculiar is, if this individual named Bai only discovered the Heavenly Constellation Array on Dragon's Head Mountain, how could he deduce the precise location of the Upside-Down Sea?" Sect Master Xiao frowned. "This formation requires a positive-negative comparison for accurate positioning."

He Lingchuan’s expression remained unchanged. "The Heavenly Palace possesses countless stratagems; I fear we would have to ask him personally for an answer."

Elder Xu interjected again, "It's possible they discovered both arrays. The Heavenly Palace also has some influence on the Glimmering Gold Plain. Haven't you forgotten? The Heavenly Palace sometimes knows Lingshan’s news even before we do!" He had thick eyebrows, a round face, and a slightly red nose, giving him a quick-tempered appearance.

Xiao Wencheng turned back, his gaze fixed on the fleet and Bai Ziqi in the mirror, deep in thought.

Elder Xu couldn't help but interject, "Just a few ships and a handful of people. We could simply send out our men to eliminate them all and be done with it. Why is Sect Master Brother still hesitating?"

"If he dares to track the Immortal Venerable, would he come unprepared?"

Elder Xu chuckled, "What kind of place is this? We'll ensure they have no return! Senior Brother is being overly cautious."

Xiao Wencheng ignored him, turning back to He Lingchuan. "How much do you know about this person?"

"Bai Ziqi is astute, capable, and perceptive, demonstrating unwavering loyalty to the Heavenly Palace. He enjoys the deep favor of the Holy Venerable Lingxu. Among the various Cloud Envoys, he is the most likely candidate to assume the position of Chief Envoy, becoming the foremost authority in the Heavenly Palace." This was not He Lingchuan fabricating information, but rather what Wang Xingyi had told him. Naturally, his adversaries understood Bai Ziqi best. Wang Xingyi had also shared some gossip: Bai Ziqi had achieved many significant feats, which had ironically made the Chief Cloud Envoy somewhat displeased with his capable subordinate. However, the old man's health had declined in recent years, and his attitude towards Bai Ziqi had, surprisingly, improved.

Xiao Wencheng let out a prolonged "Oh," saying, "An important figure from the Heavenly Palace." Not yet the top figure, but close to it.

He Lingchuan sensed the implicit killing intent in his tone and continued, "He came from Yao State, and initially, he didn't have such a large retinue. This substantial force must have been borrowed later on."

As soon as he mentioned Yao State, everyone understood. Elder Jin interjected, "Yao State is Kshatriya Heaven's territory. Would it lend troops to the Heavenly Palace, which serves the gods of Lingxu?"

"Yao State changed its faith long ago, with the entire nation worshipping Myriad-Splendor Heaven. Are you unaware of this? It happened over 150 years ago."

Judging by the immortals' expressions, they genuinely had no idea. These old-timers, how many years had it been since they last left the Upside-Down Sea? Were they also rather unconcerned with the human nations on the Glimmering Gold Plain?

Before the Illusion Sect’s immortals could fully absorb this news, He Lingchuan dropped another bombshell: "Furthermore, Yao State has just been annihilated; that nation no longer exists on the Glimmering Gold Plain."

Xiao Wencheng was finally startled. "Yao State was destroyed? Who defeated it?"

"It was too disobedient. The Heavenly Palace and Beijia initiated a coup, completely massacring the royal family. There is currently no new king, and the former territory of Yao State remains a battleground for various factions." He Lingchuan paused here, then changed his tone. "Before the Yao King died, he released a colossal Yin Viper hidden beneath Jade Spring Palace, and the celestial gods deployed two divine manifestations."

"Divine manifestations?" Xiao Wencheng became more intent. "Are they avatars of Myriad-Splendor Heaven?"

"It doesn't appear so; the specifics are unknown," He Lingchuan replied. "We surmise, could this perhaps be an external Dharma-form of Immortal Venerable Qianhuan?"

He had already surmised that the Illusion Sect’s interest in Yao State likely stemmed from this Yin Viper. Indeed, Xiao Wencheng nodded. "That's correct; that was the Immortal Venerable’s Dharma-form, lent to the monarch of Yao State approximately sixty years ago." Yet, after the Immortal Venerable returned to the Upside-Down Sea, he never mentioned Yao State’s conversion to Myriad-Splendor Heaven.

Dong Rui and Granny Zhu exchanged glances. So, He Lingchuan had guessed correctly. After the upheaval in Yao Palace, they had discussed why the giant viper’s Dharma-form was hidden within the Yao King’s palace. Granny Zhu was an ancient grand demon, and Dong Rui was a demon puppeteer. They both agreed it was impossible for the previous Yao King to control the colossal viper merely by accidentally finding an inner core by the roadside. Neither the Yao King nor his son possessed profound cultivation. To attempt complete control over an immortal’s Dharma-form with just a single inner core would be pure fantasy. The colossal viper had obediently remained submerged beneath Jade Spring Palace for decades without causing any disturbance. The only plausible explanation was that its presence was entirely voluntary, not coerced. Who could compel it to willingly remain in a mortal king’s palace? There were many possibilities, but the strongest likelihood was its true self.

He Lingchuan, who had guessed correctly, still feigned an expression of surprise. "Why was that the case?"

Xiao Wencheng waved a hand, asking first, "What was the outcome of that battle?" With the Immortal Venerable’s Dharma-form involved in the battle, they were naturally concerned about the result.

"Of the two divine manifestations, one died and one was severely wounded, but the colossal viper also transformed into a white bird and flew north." Dong Rui uttered a sound of surprise. "Logically, the colossal viper should have returned to the Upside-Down Sea, shouldn't it? Why is your esteemed sect unaware of this?"

The immortals behind him didn't even bat an eyelid, acting as though they hadn't heard, and certainly had no intention of answering. Dong Rui hadn’t experienced such blatant disdain in a long time, and he cursed inwardly.