Chapter 659: Unexpected Change

Before his arrival, Mayor Liu had already investigated which immortal disciples were coming to Chunjiang City. The most remarkable among them was Lu Yang. He was a disciple of the Taoist of Silence, the most popular character in popular storytelling, and very likely the future sect leader of the Wen Dao Sect. Given that he was the fourth disciple of the Taoist of Silence, the likelihood of him speaking truthfully was questionable. So, when Lu Yang claimed they had found clues regarding the Demonic Cult in Chunjiang City, Mayor Liu was half-believing, half-doubting.

However, after Shi Chan confirmed it, he believed Lu Yang's words. Shi Chan, a dignified and well-respected monk from Xuankong Temple, would never lie.

“In that case, I must ask you, virtuous nephew Lu, to continue searching for clues about the Demonic Cult in this city, as this directly concerns the safety of its million residents.”

“Should you three virtuous nephews require anything, please do not hesitate to ask. I will do my utmost to assist you.”

Once it was confirmed that Lu Yang and his companions had indeed found clues about the Demonic Cult in Chunjiang City, and that it involved four Nascent Soul stage cultivators, the matter had to be taken seriously. Any oversight could lead to a major catastrophe with heavy casualties, and his position as mayor would be in jeopardy.

“You are too kind, Mayor Liu,” Lu Yang declared righteously and gravely, speaking with the solemnity of a general heading to battle. “Exterminating evil and upholding justice is our inherent duty; there's no need to speak of 'trouble'.”

Meng Jingzhou also chimed in, clenching his fist, his eyes gleaming with righteous conviction. “Rest assured, Mayor Liu, with us three fellow disciples here, the Demonic Cult will not be able to stir up any trouble!”

Witnessing this, Mayor Liu silently marvelled, “They are indeed brilliant young talents!”

Shi Chan continually reflected on Lu Yang's earlier statements. Every word Senior Brother Lu Yang uttered was true and not a lie, yet it always felt subtly inconsistent with objective facts. Why was that?

“Very well, since you three virtuous nephews must continue investigating the Demonic Cult clues, I shall not bother you further. I need to return and prepare to welcome an important guest.”

“An important guest?”

“Venerable Yiqi of the Imperial Qi Sect. He is tasked with escorting members of the Dark Night Pavilion to the Imperial City at noon today. The Prefectural Governor, concerned about potential complications, specifically requested Venerable Yiqi for the escort.”

Lu Yang understood. He had previously encountered this Venerable Yiqi at the Wen Dao Sect's 120,000-year celebration. He was one of the invited Tribulation Transcending stage grandmasters, a truly seasoned cultivator of that level. A novice Tribulation Transcending cultivator like Lu Baqian was simply incomparable to him.

Lu Yang and his two companions bid farewell to Mayor Liu.

Upon returning to the second floor of the inn, they saw the Fu Ling sisters cautiously peeking out.

“Are they all gone?” The two of them had never encountered such an important figure as a mayor and had been terrified when they heard he was coming.

“Yes, they've all left,” Shi Chan replied.

“Young heroes, who exactly are you...?” Even Nascent Soul stage cultivators wouldn't warrant a personal visit from the mayor, would they?

“Immortal sect disciples.”

“Immortal sect disciples?!” the Fu Ling sisters gasped, their beautiful eyes widening slightly. It was then that they recalled Lu Yang and his companions had helped them on numerous occasions, yet they still didn't know their names.

“My monastic name is Shi Chan, and these two are my senior brothers, Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou.”

“Lu Tianjiao, from 'The Legend of Wen Dao Sect: Lu Yang's Chapter,' who could challenge Deity Transformation stage cultivators while only in the Foundation Establishment stage?!”

“Young Master Meng, from 'The Legend of Wen Dao Sect: Meng Jingzhou's Chapter,' who possesses an unshakeable Dao heart and remains unperturbed even with a woman in his embrace?!”

Lu Yang: “...”Meng Jingzhou: “...”

While technically true, it felt incredibly odd to hear. And why were the two of you sisters reacting so strongly?

Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou rarely listened to storytelling performances, so they were unaware that they were currently the most popular figures among the common people. To promote Meng Jingzhou, Patriarch Jin had even fabricated numerous stories about him, such as “A saintess threw herself into his arms, but Young Master Meng remained unmoved.”

“Young Master Meng was accidentally afflicted by the lust-inducing venom of a lewd dragon, yet he endured it through sheer willpower—an unprecedented feat.”

“When Meng Jingzhou travels, a hundred ghosts retreat.”

“Someone troubled by ghostly visitations in their dreams was advised by a master to hang a painting of Meng Jingzhou capturing ghosts on their wall, after which they were never again bothered by spirits in their sleep.”

“Meng Jingzhou eats three impish spirits daily.” And so on.

After hearing these legends about himself, Meng Jingzhou's face darkened. What nonsense was this?

In the spiritual space, the Immortal Fairy softly exclaimed, then poked Lu Yang's back. “Ask these two girls who they've met.”

“What's wrong?”

“Someone has left a dream imprint on them. That person's cultivation isn't low, and I sense ill intent.”

Lu Yang was startled; this did not sound like good news. He quickly asked, “Have either of you encountered anyone or anything unusual today?”

The Fu Ling sisters were puzzled as to why Young Master Lu suddenly asked such a question. “Now that you mention it, on our way back after finishing our business, someone did walk towards us, acting very mysteriously and saying they would give us a beautiful dream.”

“What did that person look like?”

“Tall and slender, like a bamboo pole.”

“Venerable One, everyone is here.”

Mayor Liu brought all members of the Dark Night Pavilion out of the dungeon. They were bound by shackles that sealed their spiritual power and were guarded day and night by several Integration stage cultivators to ensure no incidents occurred.

Venerable Yiqi nodded composedly, his gaze sweeping over Ye Xiao and the others, making Ye Xiao's scalp tingle. To have a Tribulation Transcending stage cultivator escort them seemed an excessive display of importance. Mayor Liu ordered his subordinates to escort them into cages and seal them.

Venerable Yiqi nodded. “Let's go.”

Suddenly, an ethereal, sinister voice echoed from the sky: “Heh heh, taking away those I fancy won't be that easy.”

“Who?!”

Venerable Yiqi extended his divine sense, scanning every inch of the surrounding space. A tall, slender, shadowy figure emerged from space, looking at Venerable Yiqi with a cryptic smile.

“Tribulation Transcending cultivator of Daxia, you shall remain here.”

Venerable Yiqi violently waved his hand, sending Mayor Liu and his escorts flying. “Get out of here, quickly!” The opponent, knowing full well who he was, still dared to attack; they were clearly well-prepared!

“Leave?” The tall, shadowy figure sneered, and an invisible power permeated the entire city. “I'd like to see who among you can actually leave this place.”

Venerable Yiqi instantly became alert. His vision suddenly blurred, and before he could react, the scenery around him transformed. It was still Chunjiang City, yet all its colors had become dull and faded.

Outside the city, pedestrians who were about to enter Chunjiang City watched, dumbfounded, as the city vanished into thin air, leaving only a massive pit in its place.

“What is this place?!” Venerable Yiqi was on high alert, as if facing a formidable enemy, yet he couldn't even comprehend what had just happened. Both Mayor Liu and the Dark Night Pavilion members were still present, without having physically moved. However, here, everything—people and objects alike—appeared dim, as if faded.

The tall, shadowy figure spread its arms. “Tribulation Transcending cultivator of Daxia, welcome to my world. I call it the Void Realm.”

Upon hearing “Void Realm,” Venerable Yiqi recalled a historical account. He reacted sharply, drawing his life-bound magical artifact. “The power of a nascent Dao fruit! You are a Half-Immortal!”