Chapter 1610: Obsessive Love

At this moment, the younger woman whispered, "With masters from the Nine Daoist Sects gathered here, it feels like we, two members of the Demonic Cult, are walking straight into a trap."

The older woman reprimanded her, "It's the Holy Cult! Not some 'Demonic Cult'."

The younger woman couldn't help but murmur, "Everyone calls it that, and I think it sounds quite impressive."

"Others smear us by calling us that, and you're just echoing it? Are you out of your mind?" The older woman looked exasperated.

"Oh, Master, you sometimes say 'Demonic Cult' too," the younger woman teased, sticking out her tongue and playfully hugging her arm.

Disciples from other sects passing by glanced over, thinking, "This woman is so ugly, yet she's deliberately making such cutesy gestures. It's truly disgusting."

Actually, her little tongue seemed quite pink...

The younger woman then glared fiercely at those people. "If my identity weren't hidden today, I'd gouge out their eyes."

The older woman smiled slightly. "That's more like my Demonic... ahem, Holy Cult's style. Calm yourself. We're almost at the mountain gate; they seem to be checking something there."

The group soon arrived at the mountain gate, where a contingent of upright and tall Zhengyang Sect disciples stood. Their qi fluctuations were profound and enduring, indicating considerable cultivation.

The older woman sighed inwardly, "Just the Zhengyang Sect alone is so replete with talent, even their gate-keeping disciples possess such cultivation. Our Holy Cult's situation will only become more difficult in the future."

The younger woman comforted her, "Master, don't worry too much. These are clearly hand-picked by the Zhengyang Sect to serve as a facade. This can't be the true average cultivation level of their disciples. These hypocrites of the righteous sects love to put on such appearances."

The older woman nodded with relief. "You're right, especially that Ice Stone Maiden's sect loves doing this. I was being overly sentimental."

These two were naturally Yun Jianyue and Qiu Honglei of the Demonic Cult. They had seemingly altered their appearances, making it difficult for even someone as familiar with them as Zu An to recognize them face-to-face.

"Distinguished guests, please halt," a Zhengyang Sect disciple guarding the gate politely approached as they reached the mountain entrance. "May I inquire if you possess an invitation?"

Fearing their displeasure, he hastily added, "Every year, many people, drawn by the renown of Mount Zi, come here to explore and visit. With the Nine Sects Grand Competition drawing so many attendees, we are unable to identify everyone individually. To ensure the competition remains undisturbed, we've had to resort to this measure. We hope for your understanding, esteemed seniors."

Yun Jianyue nodded slightly, while Qiu Honglei, smiling, handed over a jade token.

Upon seeing the jade token, the Zhengyang Sect disciples collectively breathed a sigh of relief. This was a special invitation from the Zhengyang Sect, impossible for outsiders to forge.

Still, they wondered which sect this junior sister belonged to. Her dedication to cultivation must be truly immense; despite looking... like that, she could still be so optimistic. She was truly a model for them to learn from.

He then checked the information on the token and exclaimed in surprise, "So it's Elder Peng from Kongming Island! It's an honor to finally meet you. Please follow this path up the mountain; it leads directly to the Golden Summit. Disciples will arrange your accommodations upon arrival..."

As he spoke, he called over a junior disciple to guide them.

Yun Jianyue nodded and strode directly inside. Qiu Honglei quickly followed, thinking, "Master is so calm. I was so nervous, terrified our identities would be exposed."

After they left, several Zhengyang Sect disciples secretly communicated through qi transmission: "I heard that the Nine Daoist Sects have developed differently, and many have declined. I thought even a declining sect wouldn't be *that* bad, but today I've seen it. Kongming Island sent so few people, and only one elder is leading them. Their disciples don't seem to have high cultivation either."

"What's the deal with that Elder Peng leading them? Never heard of her, and she acts so arrogant, not even willing to speak to us. Clearly, she looks down on us."

"I have heard that Kongming Island has a female elder with a very peculiar temperament, seemingly surnamed Peng. However, she lives in seclusion and has a fiery temper, so no one likes her. Make sure not to provoke her, as she is, after all, an elder of a sect."

"We wouldn't be so foolish as to provoke her."

"The key is that they look quite... abstract. They utterly lack the ethereal, Daoist aura our sect should possess."

At this point, the leading disciple reprimanded them, "Appearance is natural; watch your words, everyone!"

"Yes, Senior Brother!" The others felt a chill, daring not to joke privately anymore.

The Purple Mountain range, located in Yi Prefecture, has been the subject of many myths and legends throughout history. In ancient times, because Wang Wuxie, the sect master of Zhengyang Sect, strongly supported Emperor Taizu, after the founding of the dynasty, Mount Zi was bestowed upon him as his cultivation ground in recognition of his merits, and he was appointed as the Imperial Advisor.

Therefore, although Mount Zi is only a few hundred li from Yi City, it holds a transcendent status within Yi Prefecture and is not subject to the jurisdiction of the local government or the Yan Prince's manor.

Broadly speaking, the Purple Mountain range stretches for thousands of li, but the "Mount Zi" commonly referred to is the Zhengyang Sect's cultivation ground. Besides the main peak, Wolong Peak, there are several smaller secondary peaks such as Tianchi Peak, Bailong Peak, Tiansun Peak, Guanxin Peak, Xixin Peak, Xianyan Peak, and Leiyin Peak, not to mention countless even smaller peaks.

These secondary peaks are often where sect elders and individuals of extraordinary status reside, guiding their disciples in cultivation on their respective peaks.

Meanwhile, Zu An and his entourage journeyed towards Mount Zi. A journey of several hundred li would take an ancient army from his previous life at least a few days. However, this was a world of cultivation, and the Imperial Forest Guards were elite, hand-picked soldiers, all possessing cultivation. Their horses were also magnificent, exotic breeds, allowing them to reach the foot of Mount Zi in about half a day.

Listening to Xie Daoyun's description, Zu An couldn't help but marvel at the vastness and prosperity of the Zhengyang Sect, understanding why it had become the head of the Nine Daoist Sects.

"The ethereal purple mist that rises daily from Mount Zi is incredibly beneficial for cultivation and also promotes the growth of various spiritual herbs and mineral deposits. This is why the Zhengyang Sect's power has grown increasingly formidable," Xie Daoyun explained, dressed in personal guard attire by his side, truly charming with her red lips and white teeth.

Zu An curiously asked Xie Daoyun, "What is the origin of that ethereal purple mist? Has no one truly discovered it over thousands of years?"

"Many powerful individuals have entered the mountain to investigate in the past, but all returned empty-handed," Xie Daoyun shook her head. "In recent centuries, Mount Zi became the Zhengyang Sect's cultivation ground, and unauthorized personnel are no longer permitted to enter and investigate."

Zu An chuckled, "If it were my territory, I wouldn't want other cultivators visiting every day either."

Not far away, Zhang Zijiang and Wang Bolin watched the two conversing happily, simultaneously thinking how wonderful it would be to have such a handsome personal guard. It would be utterly delightful to have them in their tent every day.

The two instinctively glanced at the unkempt, large men beside them and felt their stomachs churn.

At this point, Zu An inquired about Imperial Advisor Wang Wuxie. Xie Daoyun replied, "The Imperial Advisor is a remarkably brilliant individual. Back then, the Zhengyang Sect was actually among the middle to lower ranks of the Nine Daoist Sects. It was entirely through his efforts that he elevated the entire sect to its current prominence."

"At a young age, he outshone many of his senior and junior disciples within the Zhengyang Sect, and later, he won the Nine Daoist Sects Grand Competition in one fell swoop, setting a record for the youngest champion."

"He was also exceptionally handsome, captivating countless female cultivators back then. It's just a pity that he remains unmarried to this day."

Zu An was surprised. "As an Imperial Advisor and a Daoist, he can still marry and have children?"

"Of course. Among the Nine Daoist Sects, apart from a few like White Jade Capital that forbid marriage, others don't strictly prohibit it. Naturally, for cultivators, marriage is generally not encouraged."

Zu An thought, "What kind of ridiculous rules are these? They've created so many obstacles between me, Yan Xuehen, and Chu Chuyan."

"You portray him as so charming, yet he remained unmarried his whole life. Could it be that he doesn't like women?" Zu An asked curiously.

Xie Daoyun's face flushed slightly. "What are you thinking? The reason he remained unmarried his entire life was actually because of one woman."

Zu An was taken aback. "What kind of woman possesses such immense charm that she could lead such an exceptional person to this state?"

"You've also met this woman," Xie Daoyun said with a smile.

Zu An paused, then his expression suddenly turned strange. "Don't tell me it's Grandmaster Yan of White Jade Capital again?"

"Who else could it be?" Xie Daoyun said, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

Zu An was speechless.