Chapter 373: Six-Nian Zen Monastery

Xie Chucai stood at the edge of the Nine-Layer Dao Image Scroll, his eyes gleaming with intense focus. More than anyone else, he paid close attention to the battle within the scroll. The moment the light and shadow of the Fusang Divine Tree Spirit appeared, he regretted his earlier overconfidence, realizing something was deeply amiss.

The opponent’s psychic spirit bore a striking resemblance to some legends from the era of ancient celestials and colossal beasts. Zuo Ning was no simple, ordinary individual; he possessed not only treasures for spatial teleportation but also psychic abilities far beyond the norm. Xie Chucai had underestimated his opponent severely, and now regret was futile. How could such a formidable figure harbor deep affection for Jiang Ning's maid? His true intentions must have lain elsewhere.

Having ingested a thousand-year-old potent medicine and a certain sacred healing spring, Taishi Yu's skin had recovered significantly. He commented, “Zuo Ning’s immobilization talisman is quite extraordinary. The runes are profound, and they incorporate a secret script I’ve never heard of. Even a Seventh Heaven Dao Seed Realm martial cultivator, if their protective aura is breached and the talisman affixed to them, would be in serious trouble. Wielding this talisman, he has already stepped one foot into the ranks of top masters. Xie Chucai’s defeat was entirely justifiable, not at all unjust.”

As the Taishi family’s retainer emerged victorious, breaking the previously unbreachable Dao Image Scroll, Taishi Bai naturally boasted proudly before the crowd: “The flames contained within Zuo Ning’s psychic energy are as powerful as a fully mastered second-tier grand art. This alone makes him no less capable than an inheritor.” He continued, “With the blessing of his staff, the flames’ power increased significantly, surpassing Qin Qiu’s entry-level third-tier grand art. This was key to his victory over Qin Qiu.” Taishi Bai declared, “It was a fair and square victory, an outright defeat based on raw power. From now on, who dares to say that psychics are inferior to martial cultivators?”

Taishi Yu then added, “He has too few psychic techniques, surely because he has divided his attention to cultivating martial arts. If he had prepared some formations in advance, or carried array artifacts, he could have won more easily.”

This was, of course, a truly heartening event! Just days before, the Demonic Child had successively defeated five of the Lingxiao Ten Prodigies, forcing all the powerful figures on the ‘Jiazi Register’ to bow their heads. The Dao Image Scroll he brought was impervious to all, leaving everyone with a sense of shame. From top to bottom, everyone in the West Sea Royal Manor let out a long sigh of relief; they had finally saved face. Most of the youngsters present did not know who Zuo Ning was before this. They only knew he was under forty. In terms of cultivation speed alone, he was a paragon among his generation, with few able to match him. After tonight, he was bound to become renowned throughout the land.

On the jade steps, the martial cultivators of the Lingxiao Living Realm were abuzz with discussions, their spirits uplifted. Some congratulated Taishi Bai, as Zuo Ning's breach of the Dao Image Scroll and defeat of Xie Chucai brought great prestige to the Taishi family. Many of the distinguished disciples and favored daughters of prominent clans present had previously challenged the Dao Image Scroll themselves, understanding its intricate depths. Such a hero was surely destined for an extraordinary future; becoming a Saint Spirit Psychic and a titan was only a matter of time.

Just as everyone intended to invite "Zuo Ning" back to the banquet to get acquainted, they realized that the peerless psychic prodigy who had broken the Dao Image Scroll tonight had already left, unnoticed in their excitement. "Where is Zuo Ning?" someone asked. "Zuo Ning departed the scroll right after defeating Qin Qiu, and he's already left the manor." "He sought to hide his brilliance and maintain a low profile for self-preservation, but he was pushed into the limelight. He must want to retreat gracefully. I'll go find him; please excuse me!"

Taishi Bai quickly pursued him out of the royal manor, worried that Zuo Ning might use a disguise technique to conceal himself, making it incredibly difficult to see him again. In his view, Zuo Ning had exposed his hidden strengths to fight Xie Chucai and gotten involved in the Dao Image Scroll dispute, all primarily to save him. He deeply remembered this act of kindness.

More anxious than Taishi Bai was Song Lin, who followed him out of the royal manor, releasing his psychic perception to search. Discovering that Li Weiyi had vanished without a trace, Song Lin was overwhelmed with anxiety. "Old Bai, you absolutely must find him! My sister... Tell him that no matter his origin, the West Sea Royal Manor will guarantee his safety in Lingxiao City. Please, tell him not to disappear. He promised me." "Don't worry," Taishi Bai replied, "Based on my understanding of Zuo Ning, since he promised you, he certainly wouldn't break his word." Taishi Bai also had some concerns and a premonition that Zuo Ning was by no means as simple as Shi Liuyu's subordinate. How could such a powerful figure, with a boundless future, possibly be subdued by Shi Liuyu?

Outside the West Sea Royal Manor, the entire Qingyun Fang was packed with people. Martial cultivators from surrounding city regions had all rushed over, both to witness the excitement and to admire the demeanor of legendary figures like Song Yulou, the Demonic Child, Minister Emperor, Cao Shisan, Xie Chucai, Ge Xiantong, and Jiang Ning. As far as the eye could see, exotic beast carriages, lights, and human figures filled the view.

Li Weiyi walked briskly, weaving through the crowd, acutely aware that he had exposed too much tonight. The mere divine light projection of the Fusang Divine Tree alone was enough for Yao Qian and the high-ranking members of the Rice Cult in Lingxiao City to conclude that Zuo Ning was indeed Li Weiyi. Remaining in the open would be extremely dangerous. He still didn't know if Tuoba Butuo had delivered the blood letter to the headquarters. Nor did he know if the various Hall Masters of the Rice Cult would believe the Sui Sect's betrayal of the faith. Currently, the Rice Cult's forces in Lingxiao City would undoubtedly trust Yao Qian more. A single word from Yao Qian would incite the extremists within the Rice Cult to assassinate Zuo Ning at all costs. At the same time, Luan Sheng and Lin You had already made their move, widely publicizing the secret that Li Weiyi was the evil cult’s Fourth Divine Son throughout Lingxiao City. News that Zuo Ning was the evil cult's Fourth Divine Son might also spread. If it came to that, even if only to verify the rumors, the imperial court would surely pursue him. Li Weiyi held the greatest goodwill and trusted the promises of Song Lin and Song Yulou, but the West Sea Royal Manor had many masters, and the imperial court was vast and powerful. With all parties contending, he had to be extremely cautious. Yao Qian and Luan Sheng Lin You, these two opponents—one overt and one covert—were formidable and dangerous respectively, and both had numerous masters under their command, making them difficult to deal with.

Li Weiyi took off his outer robe, changing his appearance and physique. The news that he had broken the Nine-Layer Dao Image Scroll was already spreading through the crowd. In the avenues, streets, and alleys, all Lingxiao cultivators were as lively and excited as during New Year's. "The Fifth Layer of the Dao Image Scroll was breached by a psychic! It seems the strongest of Transcendence View is not invincible after all." "I heard that psychic, Zuo Ning, broke two layers of the Dao Image Scroll. One with martial arts, and one with psychic power." "This is a psychic who can rival the legends of history! There's confirmed news that he defeated Xie Chucai, severely wounding him and breaking one of his legs. From now on, Xie Chucai will be known as Xie Lincai!" The entire Qingyun Fang was abuzz with voices. No one knew that the "legendary psychic master" they spoke of was quietly walking past them.

Delayed by Xie Chucai, Er Feng could no longer track Long Xiangcen's aura. Fortunately, Li Weiyi had another plan. His gaze swept through the crowd. Before long, by the side of the street, he found an exotic beast carriage marked with the Jiuli Hidden Gate symbol. Approaching the carriage, Li Weiyi glanced at the burly man in plain clothes sitting on the driver's seat and whispered, "Are you heading to Jiuli Insect Valley?" The burly man, holding a dark gold wire whip and feigning sleep by the carriage door, immediately opened his eyes upon hearing the voice. After sizing Li Weiyi up, he asked, "What's your rank in the family?"

It was Shi Jiuzhai's voice; he had used a disguise technique to appear simple and honest. Li Weiyi directly boarded the carriage, speaking in his original voice: "Fifth Brother, it's me. Did you see Long Xiangcen come out?" The burly man's eyes lit up. He immediately steered the carriage, cracking his whip as he drove away from Qingyun Fang. "She left in a Taishi family carriage half an hour ago. The driver was a highly cultivated retainer of Taishi Bai. Shi Liuyu has already followed, saying he wants to 'taste' her, to see if every inch of her body is fragrant."

After hearing Shi Jiuzhai's description of the retainer's appearance, Li Weiyi recognized him. He had indeed seen this person, an elder of the Dao Seed Realm Fifth Heaven named Lin An, who had followed them from the Nan Yan Pass General's Mansion to Lingxiao City. Li Weiyi said, "Sixth Brother isn't as simple-minded as he appears. Does he suspect you?"

Shi Jiuzhai identified the traces left by Shi Liuyu while driving and chuckled, "As long as the Earth Wolf Royal Army remains controlled by the Hidden Gate, his suspicion is useless. If Heavenly King Shi's secret regarding the immortal arts of the stars were to be leaked, Kylin Zang, the Second Palace Master, the Rice Ancestor, and the strongest from the Zuoqiu Family and Snow Sword Tang Family would be drawn there immediately, utterly annihilating the Earth Wolf Royal Army."

The Demonic Child left the West Sea Royal Manor with the Nine-Layer Dao Image Scroll, his body enveloped in thick demonic clouds. He walked out of the bustling market onto a quiet, broad avenue, his expression somber. He glanced at the crippled Xie Chucai and said, "Your utter defeat tonight means you bear primary responsibility. Damaging the reputation of Transcendence View is minor; botching important matters is something neither of us can bear." Xie Chucai dared not retort, his gaze sharp and devoid of pale despair. "Senior Brother, rest assured. Once my injuries heal, I will reclaim our honor and kill Zuo Ning."

"Didn't you say he's proficient in disguise techniques and skilled at concealment?" asked the Demonic Child. Xie Chucai was extremely confident: "His close relationship with Taishi Bai and his feelings for a female official from Luan Terrace are both his weaknesses. I have many ways to force him to fight." The Demonic Child's expression softened slightly. "This person's martial arts are far from simple; he must have a significant background. Next, I must ingest the Longevity Pill and break through to the Longevity Realm as soon as possible. Zuoqiu Ling will surely kill him." Beside them, Li Shentong was thoughtful. "If this Zuo Ning truly, at the Dao Seed Realm Second Heaven, could defeat the Young Emperor with a single move, then he could only be the one who was crippled two years ago." "Who?" Xie Chucai asked. Li Shentong replied, "Zuoqiu Hongting's fiancé. But after that man was crippled, he even attempted suicide at one point, his mental state utterly shattered. Logically, he shouldn't possess such psychic attainments, so it's likely I'm overthinking it!"

Shi Jiuzhai sped away from Qingyun Fang. The demonic clouds dispersed, and the sky was filled with stars. The buildings on either side of the road grew increasingly low and sparse. The market disappeared, and ahead lay wild, crisp breezes, babbling spirit streams, and a range of towering mountains. In the night, they appeared dark and imposing, a stark contrast to the flat, brightly lit districts of Lingxiao City. Within the mountains grew a towering ancient tree, incredibly striking, like a silver-leaf pine. Its sprawling silver branches and leaves enveloped the entire mountain like a huge umbrella, scattering particles of light rain. It was immense, a full ten thousand meters tall, seemingly too grand for the mortal realm. Pine fragrance permeated the surrounding world, bringing with it an aura of ancient primeval times.

Shi Jiuzhai glanced at the mountains ahead, his expression solemn. He transmitted his voice: "Divine Hermit, have you heard of the Six Desires Demon of the Heart?" "The ancient emperor who used the Six Desires Talisman to control all under heaven?" Li Weiyi replied from inside the carriage. The Six Desires Talisman was one of the few talismans he was proficient in.

Shi Jiuzhai nodded. "The six demonic mountains ahead are the original site of the Six Desires Demon of the Heart's mansion. It's said to contain a vast amount of immortal soil and supreme artifacts left by the ancient emperor. That Earth Demon Pine was planted during the Six Desires Demon of the Heart era and has grown for countless years. It's one of the ten famous plants of the Lingxiao Living Realm, equally renowned as the Flat Peach Tree of Peach and Plum Mountain and the Flower Demon King Xia Jin. The pine nuts produced by the Earth Demon Pine are treasures for cultivating psychic power and comprehending the Dao Seed, even more precious than ordinary thousand-year-old potent medicines."

"Clang!" A long, resonant bell chime echoed from the mountains. Looking over, the silver rain shimmered, and numerous scriptures and mists surged like waves through the mountains. Shi Jiuzhai said, "That place is now called the Six Desires Chan Monastery, one of the six ancient emperor's estates in Lingxiao City. During the day, it has many pilgrims, and the monastery is filled with masters."

With a whoosh, Shi Liuyu slipped into the carriage and sat opposite Li Weiyi. With his full head of green hair and loose, baggy robes, he asked curiously, "What should I call you, brother?" Li Weiyi reverted to his original appearance. "Sixth Brother, where is she?" "So it really is you, kid! Indeed, a persistent menace lives a thousand years; even an underground immortal manor couldn't claim your life." Shi Liuyu chuckled mischievously and continued, "She went into the Six Desires Chan Monastery! That woman, Long Xiangcen, definitely has something going on. Coming to a place where monks and nuns live so late at night, she's definitely sneaking off with a man. What, are you interested in her too?" He leaned forward. "Have you slept with her? It doesn't matter if you have. This woman is still quite alluring, definitely well-built, with a graceful figure, capable of being pure or seductive, blooming in her prime – it would be a shame not to have a taste. But whatever you do, don't get emotionally involved. From my experience, your Sixth Brother, having seen countless women, you're no match for her."

Shi Jiuzhai laughed, "I agree. Taste the dew lightly without getting drenched; drink from babbling brooks endlessly. The meaning of life is to be free and unfettered."