Chapter 198: Defending the Righteous Path

Soon after Meng Jingzhou was dragged away struggling, screams quickly followed.

Lu Yang and Mang Gu were focused on choosing their rewards. "What are you going to buy, Mang Gu?"

"I'll buy a calligraphy copybook. Master said my handwriting isn't good and needs more practice."

Mang Gu was attracted to a calligraphy copybook on the exchange list.

"Thunder Calligraphy Copybook! What a powerful name. I'm buying it."

Lu Yang wanted to advise Mang Gu to consider it more carefully, but before he could speak, Mang Gu had already made the purchase.

The cover of the Thunder Calligraphy Copybook featured a massive lightning bolt. The first page contained the instructions for use.

"Let me see the usage rules... 'Use a brush pen to write on the copybook. If you write outside the edge area, this copybook will erupt with immense thunder. Please use with caution.'"

"'Note: Do not immerse this copybook in water; there is a risk of electric shock.'"

Mang Gu: "..."

Is writing calligraphy this dangerous now?

Mang Gu didn't buy anything else. He wanted to use his remaining contribution points at the Artifact Forging Peak to reinforce his iron hammer. He felt that having "Words of the Sage" automatically recited during combat wasn't enough to fully represent his identity as a Confucian cultivator. Mang Gu wanted to engrave "Words of the Sage" directly onto his hammer and add two horns, ensuring that one strike during battle would create a perfect hole.

Perfect.

***

In the imperial palace, the Head Eunuch had served Emperor Xia for over forty years. He had always believed he knew the ruler of the Great Xia Dynasty quite well, but the scene that unfolded shattered his perception.

Emperor Xia, seated on the imperial throne, saw Yunzhi slowly approach. He immediately stood up to greet her, a smile on his face.

"Daoist Yunzhi has arrived! Please, have a seat quickly."

Emperor Xia actually moved a chair for Yunzhi himself, then sat beside her instead of returning to the imperial throne.

"Someone, bring the fresh tribute fruits from the south for Daoist Yunzhi to sample."

Soon, a young eunuch brought a fruit platter containing various fruits, some shaped like lychees, others like bananas.

Yunzhi peeled a fruit shaped like a lychee. Its flesh was golden, containing astonishing natural treasures. Just eating one could elevate a cultivator from late Qi Condensation to mid Foundation Establishment.

"The taste is good," Yunzhi complimented politely, which greatly pleased Emperor Xia.

"Quickly, bring Daoist Yunzhi a whole box for her to take with her!"

Even the Head Eunuch, who usually remained expressionless, slightly changed his demeanor upon seeing this. He had never witnessed His Majesty treat anyone with such eagerness.

Yunzhi stopped Emperor Xia's actions. "Your Majesty, there's no need. Please state your request."

Emperor Xia dismissed everyone, including the Head Eunuch.

Emperor Xia rubbed his hands, a little excited. "I hear Daoist Yunzhi's cultivation seems to be much higher than our family's old ancestor's?"

Yunzhi slowly shook her head. "It's merely a slight difference. Please don't exaggerate, Your Majesty."

"It's like this: our old ancestor has recently been feeling like he's number one in the world, that no one can defeat him. This mindset isn't conducive to cultivation, so I was thinking if we could find someone to teach him a lesson. After much thought, Daoist Yunzhi seemed the most suitable."

Yunzhi: "...Does Your Majesty have some grudge against your family's ancestor?"

In Yunzhi's impression, Emperor Xia's ancestor wasn't this kind of person.

"Haha, Daoist Yunzhi, you really know how to joke. I've been beaten by the ancestor since childhood; how could there be any grudge?"

Yunzhi: "..."

"Alright, alright, that was just a small joke of mine. Daoist Yunzhi needn't take it seriously." Emperor Xia put away his smile.

Yunzhi wanted to say that His Majesty didn't look like he was joking just now, but it was better not to say anything that might damage their relationship. Yunzhi understood such basic social etiquette.

"Daoist Yunzhi has gathered the Great Xia Dynasty and the Four Immortal Sects here, presumably because you've made significant discoveries in the process of eradicating the Undying Sect?"

"Yes," Yunzhi nodded, saying nothing more.

Emperor Xia saw Yunzhi remain silent and assumed she had concerns, so he said, "Is Daoist Yunzhi worried about intelligence leaking from this place? There's no need to worry. This place is protected by an immortal-level formation set up by our ancestor; even an immortal would not be able to eavesdrop secretly."

"Or perhaps Daoist Yunzhi believes that heavenly secrets cannot be revealed through words and require hints through actions?"

Emperor Xia pondered what Yunzhi's behavior might be implying. Was she hinting that enemies were everywhere? That silence was the best way to deal with enemies? Or that the Silent Daoist was key to breaking the situation?

Yunzhi hesitated for a moment, then spoke. "I simply don't want to explain it to Your Majesty and then repeat it again to the sect masters of the Four Immortal Sects."

Emperor Xia: "..."

***

The sect masters of the Four Immortal Sects soon arrived at the imperial palace, including Qiu Jin'an, the sect master of the Five Elements Sect, whom Yunzhi had recently parted ways with.

Qiu Jin'an was surprised by how quickly the Dao Seeking Sect acted. In less than five days, they had completely wiped out the Undying Sect, even seizing the cult master's breeding farm.

"Daoist Yunzhi, we meet again," Qiu Jin'an bowed.

"The Dao Seeking Sect did a splendid job! One of the four demonic cults is gone. I wonder how the remaining three demonic cults will react to this news—they'll probably be scared out of their wits!" The Prison Suppression Sect Master laughed heartily; there was no more uplifting news than this. He decided to give the entire sect a five-day holiday when he returned.

"Excellent," the Hanging Temple Abbot murmured, clutching his prayer beads, speaking few words but clearly showing his joy.

Luo Hongxia, the Mistress of the Lunar Laurel Immortal Palace, dared not speak to Yunzhi, fearing Yunzhi would recall the marriage pact and arrange for Lu Yang and Lan Ting to wed.

Through this operation, the Four Immortal Sects had a refreshed understanding of the Dao Seeking Sect. Previously, their assessment was: "The Four Immortal Sects uphold righteousness; the Dao Seeking Sect shakes righteousness." Now, public opinion had shifted to: "The Five Immortal Sects uphold righteousness."

Yunzhi was unaware of their inner thoughts and directly stated her purpose.

"The reason I have gathered you all here is to share some intelligence obtained from the Undying Sect—information that even the Undying Sect Master himself did not know."

"I will state my conclusion first."

"The existence of the Four Demonic Sects may overturn our previous understanding. We used to simply believe that the demonic sects were groups formed by demonic cultivators, posing less of a threat than the impending Great Era."

"Now, I correct my view. I believe the masterminds behind the Four Demonic Sects are ancient immortals. The purpose of these sects is to condense embryonic Dao fruits, which the ancient immortals will harvest at the right time to empower themselves."

At these words, all five were astonished. Their backgrounds were extraordinary, and they knew many secrets related to immortals, including matters concerning Dao fruits and embryonic Dao fruits.

Emperor Xia gravely asked, "Is there evidence?"

If the existence of the four demonic cults was solely for condensing embryonic Dao fruits, which ancient immortals would then harvest, this implied that one immortal could potentially possess two Dao fruits! This was an extremely terrifying prospect!

"Naturally, there is. I have brought a witness."

Yunzhi snapped her fingers, and an ancient immortal appeared from another space.

"This is the faith of the Undying Sect, the Undying Immortal."

"Greetings, seniors. You can just call me Xiao Lian."