Chapter 993: Taishan

**The Wind Rises Across Kyushu**

While flying, Lu Ye consulted his map. Such a large-scale insect tide absolutely could not be led to populated areas, especially cities, as it would inevitably cause countless casualties. Those cities were home to many mortals. Soon, Lu Ye selected a vast plain as his target; its open vista and sparse population in all directions made it an ideal location to encircle and eliminate the insectoids. He quickly sent a message to Feng Yuechan, asking her to relay it to the Danxin Sect.

At this moment, the Danxin Sect's protective formation opened a gap, and numerous cultivators transformed into streaks of light, soaring out from the mountain gate. From a distance, those streaks of light resembled shooting stars chasing the moon, creating a magnificent spectacle.

As a second-rank sect with profound heritage and numerous disciples, the Danxin Sect naturally took swift action upon receiving Feng Yuechan's report of an insect tide outbreak within their territory. They also issued orders to their affiliated subordinate sects and families, instructing them to cooperate. Simultaneously, news of a sudden insect tide eruption in Mianshan quickly spread through various channels. Initially, some people were disbelieving, as such an event was too sudden for anyone to verify its authenticity. However, as time passed and confirmation came through multiple channels, the skeptical cultivators finally confirmed that a true insect tide outbreak had occurred.

For a time, cultivators within a thousand-mile radius began to mobilize. In the back mountains of the Danxin Sect, a figure stood quietly. If any Danxin Sect disciple were present, they would recognize this person as their Vice Sect Master, Yu Guan Jia. As the Vice Sect Master of a second-rank sect, Yu Guan Jia naturally possessed formidable cultivation. What was strange, however, was that his expression seemed uneasy at this moment, and from his appearance, he was clearly waiting for someone. For a powerful individual like him to wait with such apprehension, the person he awaited was certainly no ordinary figure.

The mountain wind howled, and a look of reminiscence appeared in Yu Guan Jia's eyes as he let out a soft sigh. Others might not know why an insect tide suddenly erupted beneath Mianshan, but the moment he received the news, he understood that something... had begun.

The appearance of the insect tide was merely to attract the Danxin Sect's attention. At present, apart from him, the Vice Sect Master, only the Sect Master, who was in perpetual seclusion, and three other elders remained. All other Divine Sea Realm cultivators had departed to eliminate the insect tide. It could be said that this was the moment when the Danxin Sect's defenses were weakest. It was earlier than he had anticipated. So, after arranging some trivial matters, he immediately came here, waiting quietly.

Suddenly, a ripple spread before him, and as it expanded, a ghostly figure appeared in front of Yu Guan Jia. Even though Yu Guan Jia was prepared, he was slightly startled, secretly sighing that this person's strength had grown even greater; he hadn't detected their presence before they appeared. The newcomer's appearance was obscured by a mask worn on their face. The mask was distinctly black and white, each color occupying half, but where the two colors met, they gave a sensation of seamless blending, creating an indescribable strangeness.

"Venerable Lord," Yu Guan Jia's heart tightened as he respectfully saluted. If others were to witness this scene, they would undoubtedly be greatly astonished. Yu Guan Jia, after all, was the Vice Sect Master of a second-rank sect. With the Sect Master in perennial seclusion, he virtually governed the entire Danxin Sect, holding a position of great power and influence. In the entire Bingzhou, only the Sect Masters of the few first-rank sects held higher status than him. Yet, at this very moment, he was bowing to another person with utmost reverence, addressing them as "Venerable Lord."

"Long time no see, your cultivation has advanced," the Venerable Lord said calmly.

"Thank you for your concern, Venerable Lord."

The Venerable Lord looked up in a certain direction. "Is that person still in seclusion?" He was asking about the Danxin Sect Master.

Yu Guan Jia replied, "It has been eight years, and he still hasn't emerged."

The Venerable Lord scoffed, "To try and break through the Divine Sea shackles by oneself, the old man has grown muddled. Without the right time, how could the Divine Sea shackles be so easily overcome?"

Yu Guan Jia's expression stirred. For cultivators at their level, the Divine Sea shackles were naturally their greatest concern. Every Divine Sea Realm cultivator could sense that there was a path beyond the Divine Sea, yet no one had found it to this day. Many, like the Sect Master, had entered seclusion to comprehend it, but all had gained little to no insight. Yu Guan Jia had also attempted to comprehend it, likewise without success. But hearing the Venerable Lord's words now, it seemed he knew something. Yu Guan Jia didn't dare to ask, but the Venerable Lord, sensing his thoughts, casually said, "No need to overthink it. When the time comes, you will naturally understand."

"Yes."

"Is she still here?" the Venerable Lord asked again.

"Following your command, Venerable Lord, I didn't let her participate in today's events. She threw a tantrum because of it, but I forcibly ordered her as the Vice Sect Master." The Venerable Lord chuckled lightly, "Her daughter is on the front lines outside; naturally, she's concerned."

"Feng Yuechan..." Yu Guan Jia's heart stirred, realizing that the Venerable Lord was indeed omnipotent; seemingly nothing could be hidden from him.

"I'll go see her; it's time to retrieve some things," the Venerable Lord said, then walked in a certain direction. Yu Guan Jia quickly clasped his fists. "Please, Venerable Lord, do not harm her!" The Venerable Lord's steps did not falter, and only a faint chuckle drifted back. "You truly are devoted. So many years have passed, and her daughter is already a True Lake Realm cultivator, yet you still can't let go."

Yu Guan Jia's expression was bitter; he remained silent. Some things were not so easily forgotten.

"Don't worry, I'm only here to retrieve something and then leave. Not a single strand of her hair will be harmed." Hearing the Venerable Lord say this, Yu Guan Jia finally let out a long breath.

The Venerable Lord walked unhurriedly. At this time, seventy percent of the Danxin Sect's personnel had been dispatched, and the once bustling sect had grown quiet. As he made his way, not a single person discovered his presence. After walking for over an hour, he finally ascended to the summit of a spiritual peak. Gazing at the familiar scenery before him, a look of reminiscence appeared on the Venerable Lord's face.

Many years ago, he too frequently visited this place, though at that time he didn't come alone but accompanied another person. Back then, he was the most trusted subordinate of the person whose name resonated throughout Kyushu. Decades had passed in a flash, and times had changed. Yet, to return here once more, in such a manner, filled him with endless lament.

Atop the spiritual peak was a small, secluded, and elegant courtyard. Outside the courtyard, a fence enclosed a garden, and clusters of small purple flowers clung to the fence, draping it in a purple cloak. He immediately saw the figure of a woman with a somber expression sitting in the courtyard. From her appearance, she seemed to be sending a message to someone. She was probably sending a message to that girl, Yuechan.

He didn't conceal his presence; he simply walked straight forward. The woman in the courtyard immediately looked up, her expression wary. The sudden, inexplicable appearance of someone within the sect naturally made her vigilant, but soon, her expression turned to surprise and doubt as she scrutinized the newcomer. Although the other person wore a mask, obscuring their face, she recognized their figure at a glance. Astonishment filled her eyes, then transformed into disbelief.

The Venerable Lord walked into the small courtyard and quietly gazed at her. His mask concealed his expression, but there seemed to be a hint of a smile in his eyes.

"Taishan," the woman's voice trembled slightly.

The Venerable Lord raised his hand and removed his mask, revealing an ordinary face. He smiled at the woman. "Senior Sister Qiu, long time no see." Among the entire Danxin Sect, there were not many women with the surname Qiu. Only one elder, Qiu Min, lived in this place and possessed Divine Sea Realm cultivation!

Few cultivators of this generation had heard her name, because for decades she had lived in seclusion, never leaving the Danxin Sect. Even within the sect, her presence was extremely subtle; some disciples weren't even aware that their sect had such an elder. However, older generation cultivators were very familiar with her name. It wasn't because she herself had accomplished anything world-shaking, but primarily because she had once married an extraordinary man and borne him a daughter. That man's name was Feng Wujiang. Qiu Min was Feng Wujiang's widow and Feng Yuechan's biological mother.

After several decades, suddenly seeing Taishan, Qiu Min could barely believe her eyes. She stared blankly at the familiar face before her. Decades had passed, yet the other's appearance seemed unchanged; only their demeanor had shifted slightly, becoming more reserved and imbued with an impenetrable mystery. She still remembered that among Feng Wujiang's many sworn brothers, Taishan was the most active and the one who admired Feng Wujiang the most.

After a long moment, she finally spoke, "But weren't you already..."

"Dead, you mean?" Taishan smiled faintly. "Senior Sister, you never saw my corpse, so how could you be sure I was dead?"

"Your mark clearly dissipated," Qiu Min frowned. Determining a person's life or death was simple: if their mark was still present, they were alive; if it dissipated, they were dead. Qiu Min naturally possessed Taishan's mark, as they had been quite familiar decades ago. However, that mark had dissipated decades ago after that battle, which was why she had been certain Taishan was dead. Yet, at this moment, Taishan, who should have been dead for decades, was alive and standing before her, delivering a tremendous psychological shock.

In a flash, Qiu Min suddenly understood, "You erased your battlefield mark!" The dissipation of a mark had only one other possibility besides death: the battlefield mark had been erased. This was extremely difficult to achieve. Even if a cultivator committed a grave error and was expelled from their sect, they would only lose their status as a sect disciple, while the battlefield mark would remain; after all, it was a gift from Heavenly Secrets. However, "difficult to achieve" didn't mean "impossible." Especially since Taishan had followed Feng Wujiang for many years, and Feng Wujiang had once demonstrated many wondrous techniques rarely seen by ordinary people in front of them.

"Senior Sister is still as astute as ever," Taishan smiled faintly, acknowledging it. "Won't Senior Sister invite me to sit?"

Only then did Qiu Min regain her composure and quickly invited him in.

"This place is still the same, unchanged from before." Taishan looked around, and as he spoke, his gaze met Qiu Min's uneasy eyes. Knowing what she was thinking, he slowly shook his head. "Brother Wujiang truly died in battle. I personally buried his remains." The hope in Qiu Min's eyes instantly vanished.