Chapter 789: Locking Down the Source

Time was passing quickly. Only one day remained until the long-awaited Grand Competition between the Heterodox Immortal Sect and the Soul Fusion Sect. The Human Imperial Capital appeared calm during this period, but in reality, a storm was brewing, especially after the Governor of Tianzhao Prefecture delivered the Dao Seed as evidence.

Consequently, under this pre-storm calm, the atmosphere in the Imperial Capital was eerie and unpredictable. Everyone was waiting and watching. They watched the Human Emperor; they watched the Heterodox Immortal Sect.

The Heterodox Immortal Sect, both within and outside the Imperial Academy, was caught in the storm. Their former vibrancy, now stifled by the sealing of their tower, seemed like a fleeting moment, and they had reverted to their previous, more subdued state. Those who had recently practiced the Heterodox Immortal's techniques were also suffering, afraid to reveal their identities in public. On the surface, various factions appeared indifferent, but they were actually awaiting the Human Emperor's decree. It was widely believed that the moment this decree was issued, the Heterodox Immortal Sect would face a catastrophic downfall, its resurgence collapsing, perhaps even worse than its previous decline. At least, their previous decline could be attributed to being outdated. But now, if the practice involved the soul extraction of millions of humans, brought into the public eye and scrutinized by the entire human race, it would be an unforgivable crime against humanity.

The evidence seemed conclusive. Finally, on the day of the Grand Competition agreed upon by the Soul Fusion Sect and the Heterodox Immortal Sect, the long-awaited Human Emperor's decree was issued from the Imperial Palace.

"The seal on the Heterodox Immortal White Tower is temporarily lifted. They are permitted to debate with the Soul Fusion Sect and prove their innocence." This decree surprised many, yet it was also within the expectations of others.

The Heterodox Immortal Sect had existed for a long time; its establishment predated even the founding of the Imperial Academy itself. Throughout history, countless human cultivators had practiced its methods. Although it had declined in later eras, over its long history, the Heterodox Immortal Sect had established intricate connections with various human factions, fostering many unseen bonds of loyalty and sentiment unknown to outsiders. It was conceivable that the issuance of this decree involved complex negotiations among various parties, a behind-the-scenes affair that ordinary people could not comprehend.

In essence, the Heterodox Immortal Sect had expended its accumulated goodwill and influence, built up since its founding, to seize this crucial opportunity: an opportunity to prove their innocence.

Thus, on the eve of the debate, at dusk, the large gate of the Heterodox Immortal White Tower within the Imperial Academy slowly opened. The Heterodox Immortal Sect Leader, finally unsealed and released from his confinement, appeared at the entrance. After half a month, his eyes clearly showed more signs of hardship. He stood there silently, gazing at the Imperial Academy street. Students within the academy noticed him and watched from a distance, their expressions complex—some showed disgust, others regret, some anger, and some hesitation. These various emotions differed from person to person. After a long while, the Sect Leader turned around and sat silently in the main hall of the Heterodox Immortal White Tower, waiting.

Time passed slowly, but not a single Heterodox Immortal student appeared. The Sect Leader's gaze slowly dimmed, yet deep within, a flame of unwillingness continued to burn.

Meanwhile, outside the Imperial Academy, dusk faded, and a cold wind howled across the land, mournful as a lamenting poem, whispering like a heart's confession. It swept past the ancient city walls in the distance, attempting to stir up dust that had been kissed by snow, but ultimately only scattered its chill into the thoughts of the Imperial Capital's inhabitants. It was like an ancient poet recounting the history of the world in mournful verses, or an emotionless bystander silently recording the rise and fall of civilizations.

And at this moment, in the deep, cold night, two figures, like ink-black wind, merged into the desolate poem, their blurry afterimages sketched by the wind as they swiftly approached a common dwelling not far from the Grand Prince's mansion. The darkness of night concealed their forms, and the cold wind obscured their presence, allowing one of these figures to appear silently in the courtyard of the dwelling.

It was Xu Qing, who had just returned to the Imperial Capital.

He stood there, surveying his surroundings. Although Xu Qing had used a divine art to glimpse a corner of the life of the black-robed man whose soul concealed words of truth, that glimpse only showed an altar and the man worshipping it. As for the man's appearance, Xu Qing couldn't discern it. He only knew that the man must also be connected to the "words of truth." Furthermore, his investigation of the two Heterodox Immortal disciples revealed that beyond the "words of truth," there was also a supposed "employer" behind this matter. Of course, the term "employer" might just be a smokescreen. Moreover, when Xu Qing indirectly infused his soul threads into the last black-robed man, he found the strange essence emanating from the hidden divine sense within him familiar. Even the man's voice carried a hint of familiarity.

Xu Qing narrowed his eyes, pushed open the door of the dwelling, and entered.

The dwelling was pitch black inside, yet everything was perfectly clear to his eyes. The dwelling was very simple: a wooden bed, a table, and a chair. On the table lay an extinguished oil lamp. Gazing at these items, Xu Qing closed his eyes. Using his soul-searching ability and divine art, he locked onto this dwelling. As his eyes closed, he seemed to be transported back to this very spot a month ago. The black-robed man sat there, with three Heterodox Immortal disciples standing opposite him. Words echoed as someone fiddled with the flame of an oil lamp. He couldn't see the man's face.

After a long time, Xu Qing opened his eyes and walked to where the black-robed man had sat. He sat down and, with a wave of his hand, the oil lamp before him reignited with a flickering flame. As the light wavered, Xu Qing gently poked the flame. The Purple Moon power within him emanated, forming his unique essence, which flowed along his finger into the oil lamp. Slowly, the oil lamp's flame swayed violently, and its material was gradually affected until, finally, a hint of activation appeared. This was also the essence of divine power, which, once condensed, allowed strange matter to invade all things and cause a certain degree of activation. This was precisely why many new races had appeared on the Wanggu Continent after the arrival of the Remnant Face. It was also the core reason for the emergence of forbidden zones. For instance, the forbidden zone in Xu Qing's scavenger camp was created by the activation of an ancient zither. Now, Xu Qing was using the same method; he intended to activate this oil lamp.

While no one in this dwelling had seen the black-robed man's face, this oil lamp had. This technique was beyond the grasp of ordinary individuals. While powerful beings might possess special arts to simulate the past, what Xu Qing was attempting now could only be achieved by a divine being.

After a long time, the lamp's light flickered more intensely, and the oil lamp itself began to melt and split, transforming into tendrils that swayed gently from within. Facial features slowly emerged on the lamp, forming a face that was clearly unstable and began to crack amidst the tremors. Xu Qing pointed his finger, the flame paused, and then he spoke calmly.

"Clearly reveal the appearance of the black-robed man you saw one month ago."

As soon as Xu Qing spoke, the oil lamp trembled violently, as if Xu Qing's voice was the highest decree. It released its power without restraint. The next instant, the oil lamp rapidly melted, but its flame surged upwards. After the lamp itself completely vanished, the remaining flame ascended, and within it, a face emerged. It was a pale, ordinary, and unfamiliar elderly face. Xu Qing had never seen this face before. As the flame flickered, the face became increasingly clear. Only after it was fully revealed did the fire slowly dim, as if it had expended all its activated vitality, having bloomed the spark of existence.

Now, it was fading, but its significance to Xu Qing was immense. Xu Qing involuntarily leaned forward, staring intently at the face that had emerged within the flame. He focused on the face's eyes, where four figures were reflected. The scene revealed by the oil lamp was from a month ago, and these four figures were different from what Xu Qing had seen during his soul-searching. His soul-searching and divine art had only shown him three Heterodox Immortal students there. Yet, on that day, including the black-robed man, there hadn't been four figures, but five! There was one more person present. However, the three Heterodox Immortal students couldn't perceive this person's presence; only the black-robed man could see them due to some unseen connection.

It was through this incredible technique that Xu Qing indirectly saw the extra figure. This figure wore a long white robe and a mask of the Imperial Academy. Everything about them seemed unfamiliar, but the aura emanating from their visible eyes instantly ignited a fierce killing intent in Xu Qing. That gaze reminded him of the Soul Fusion Sect Leader he had seen upon first entering the Imperial Academy. He had harbored doubts about him then. Now, combining that familiar cold snort with the revealed figure and aura, an answer formed in his mind.

"The Soul Fusion Sect Leader is Bai Xiaozhuo!" Xu Qing murmured to himself. Then, he raised his right hand and gently waved it, dispersing the flame before him. As darkness returned to the dwelling, he spoke faintly.

"You've been watching for so long; it's time to show yourself!"

After Xu Qing's voice echoed for a few breaths in the quiet dwelling, a rustling sound emerged from within. "As expected of Domain Lord Xu," a voice said, "not only can you find this place, but your methods are truly astonishing!"

As the words were spoken, a black-robed figure, identical to the one Xu Qing had just seen, stepped out of the void and revealed himself inside the dwelling. Xu Qing turned his head to look. "You're not him!" He stated calmly that the aura and feeling of the person before him were different from the other black-robed man.

"Indeed, I am not," the black-robed man replied, his face obscured. "But I might be in the future." He stood still, carefully observing Xu Qing. He observed intently, and Xu Qing gazed back with equal focus.

A moment later, the black-robed man raised his right hand, and a jade slip flew out, landing before Xu Qing. "The employer is the Seventh Prince," he stated. "It contains all the evidence. I have collected it completely for you. How you proceed is up to you."

With that, he turned and walked away, his figure gradually blurring. Hearing this, a murderous intent surged in Xu Qing's heart. He didn't look at the jade slip but watched the black-robed man's vanishing figure, simultaneously speculating about his identity. Then, he suddenly spoke.

"If you have time, go back and see Ning Yan!"

As Xu Qing's words left his lips, the blurring black-robed figure seemed to tremble slightly. He turned his head, glanced at Xu Qing, and then completely dissipated.