Chapter 377: The Whereabouts of the Xuanwu Pendant

Silence, an extreme silence.

The entire courtyard was devoid of any human voice, seemingly empty, yet the cold wind of a winter morning revealed that stillness was an illusion; time had not stopped.

At the corner, red plum blossoms burned like fire, while snow on the rooftops lay pure and white as clouds. All were motionless, and beneath them, every person mirrored that stillness and silence, as if collectively trapped in a dream.

Could a Half-Step Beyond even be defeated by an Enlightened practitioner?

If someone had posed this question a teacup ago, they would have been scoffed at, ridiculed for lacking sense or intelligence—how could such an event, defying centuries of common knowledge, ever occur?

The sun does not rise in the west, humans cannot fly unaided, and defeating an Open-Aperture practitioner after unlocking the Third Eye is simply the natural order of things—such truths are beyond question!

Yet now, they had witnessed with their own eyes how a clean-faced Taoist priest, without even reaching the Nine Apertures stage, suddenly unleashed terrifying combat power, instantly defeating “Azure Blood Dragon King,” a renowned Half-Step Beyond expert.

How could they believe this? How could they not be shocked? How could they even find words? Their minds were in chaos, their heads throbbing, as if caught in a daze, like a dream.

“Descendants of immortals…” the thoughts of Madame Red Thread and Divine Camel from the Northern Wastes echoed similarly.

“A monster…” Wen Hengshui’s pupils dilated, his gaze blank. Among young experts under thirty, he was considered an outstanding talent. He had always trained diligently, never slackening due to his father’s power and strength. Yet this wild Taoist priest appeared far younger than himself and had already defeated a Half-Step Beyond expert!

Is he even human anymore?

How can the gap between humans be so vast?

Taking advantage of the shock, Meng Qi wore a faint smile and seized the moment to say, “Master Wen, from what I observed just now, it seems no one from your side could pass the challenge?”

Wen Hengshui shivered slightly and snapped back to his senses. He was about to speak, planning to have his two senior guardians attack together—so what if it cost him face? It was better than failing to fetch the bride!

But Meng Qi gave him no chance to speak, bluntly continuing, “Since that’s the case, I should discuss with Lady Huangfu and her daughter whether we should change the method of challenge to avoid failure in the marriage.”

“Master Wen, please wait a moment while I go inside to consult them.”

With that, he turned directly, his sleeves billowing, his posture calm and unhurried.

Previously, if he had ignored Wen Hengshui and others like this, Wen would surely have exploded in rage, ordering all nearby experts to act forcefully, breaking into the room and fetching the bride. But now, having just defeated the Blade King and then a Half-Step Beyond expert, Meng Qi’s image in their hearts had truly become unfathomable, almost like receiving a direct order from Master Xi Yue himself!

In other words, this was a figure stronger than a Half-Step Beyond expert.

And when someone of such stature makes a proposal, everyone must weigh it carefully!

Moreover, Meng Qi’s words seemed to be considerate of Wen Hengshui, not blocking his marriage attempt, but instead trying to find a compromise after their failure to pass the challenge, seeking an easier task.

Therefore, Wen Hengshui said with slight gratitude, “Thank you, Master Qingyuan.”

Meng Qi nearly stumbled. *I’m doing this to buy time to recover!*

Pushing open the door, Meng Qi saw Lady Huangfu and her daughter standing by the doorway, their expressions a mix of bewilderment and urgency.

Madame Red Thread and Divine Camel entered and shut the door behind them.

Meng Qi flared his sleeves, creating a gust of wind howling by the door to prevent Azure Blood Dragon King from eavesdropping. Then he took out a spirit-replenishing pill, swallowed it, and lowered his voice to ask, “Lady Huangfu, Miss Huangfu, have you made your decision?”

“We are willing to abandon Gathering Spirit Manor, prioritizing the preservation of our lineage and disciples!” Lady Huangfu and Miss Huangfu exchanged a glance before replying firmly.

Then, barely suppressing her excitement, her body slightly trembling, Miss Huangfu asked, “Master Qingyuan, what about that jade pendant? Did you really meet my father?”

Facing Meng Qi, who had defeated a Half-Step Beyond expert, she instinctively switched to a respectful address.

Lady Huangfu held her breath, uncertain whether out of fear of the outcome or anticipation of a miracle.

“Yes.” Meng Qi replied succinctly. “Lady and Miss should both have heard of how those who leave the mysterious mausoleum eventually go mad in old age, wandering into the mountains, returning to their graves?”

Miss Huangfu’s pretty face flushed red with excitement: “We’ve heard of it. Could it be that Master met my father in the mausoleum? Is he alright?”

“The reason for this is that a terrifying malevolent ghost is hidden within the mausoleum, bound and sealed, unable to leave. It can only send out faint thoughts through those who have entered, seeking a way to escape.

“Lord Huangfu and others were overjoyed upon obtaining the inheritance of divine skills, unaware that they had already been possessed by the ghost. When they grew old and neared death, the ghost had to return, turning them into undead guardians of the tomb. Some, due to the passage of time, have even completely decayed, their flesh rotting and festering.”

As Meng Qi described this, Miss Huangfu felt a chill down her spine, as if a malevolent ghost stood behind her, sending icy winds that made her shudder with fear.

Madame Red Thread and Divine Camel felt similarly. They never imagined that the most sensational and mysterious event in the martial world was caused by a malevolent ghost.

What kind of ghost could control experts beyond the ordinary?

Just thinking about it made them shiver.

Lady Huangfu’s breathing quickened, a mix of fear and confusion: “But my husband is still in his prime. Why would the ghost return early?”

Meng Qi stated with certainty, “First of all, Lord Huangfu is a genius. He comprehended the True Thunder Formula and the Divine Spear Technique from the Thunder Marks, becoming the most powerful figure in history before the age of sixty. He was on the brink of breaking through boundaries and transcending past limitations. As a result, the ghost could no longer control him and was forced to return to the mausoleum ahead of time.”

“Enlightened by the Thunder Marks…” murmured Lady Huangfu and Miss Huangfu in unison. “Master Qingyuan, you have indeed met my father (my husband).”

The world only knew that Lord Huangfu obtained the Thunder Righteousness Technique from the mysterious mausoleum, which led to his rapid advancement and becoming a Beyond-Step expert, acting as Heaven’s enforcer. But they didn’t know that Lord Huangfu didn’t directly choose the ready-made techniques but comprehended many secrets from an ancient Thunder Mark, combining inheritance with self-cultivation, resulting in the True Thunder Formula and Divine Spear Technique.

This secret was known only to his wife and only daughter!

Hehe, call me Detective Meng Qi… Meng Qi couldn’t help but feel a bit smug inside. Of course, Lord Huangfu would never reveal this secret to him directly, but every path leaves its traces. By piecing together various clues, it wasn’t difficult for him to deduce that he had self-enlightened his own abilities.

This was primarily because the essence of Thunder had been lost, and secondly because the True Demon-Slaying Manual of Taiyin had been tampered with by the ghost, having critical flaws. It wasn’t difficult to ascend to the Beyond-Step level, but later stages would lead one astray.

Therefore, to transcend all limitations and become the most powerful in history, Lord Huangfu must have refrained from selecting flawed techniques. Since all pre-existing techniques within the mausoleum contained imperfections, self-enlightenment was the only viable path.

Conversely, Lord Huangfu’s choice also caused his “madness in prime,” as the ghost couldn’t wait for him to break through!

As he spoke, Meng Qi’s mind was half immersed in the Yin acupoint, also known as the Essence acupoint, the acupoint of vitality and life.

In the chaos, a spark of spiritual light drifted, nurturing life, merging primordial energy, and refining essence.

Meng Qi activated this aperture, refining essence as it spiraled upward from the Dantian. Nourished by water, sprouted by wood, steamed by fire, and condensed by metal, it transformed into a wondrous energy. Merging with medicinal power, it drilled into the Mysterious Pass, nourishing the soul and restoring the spirit.

Accordingly, his physical strength was also restored, with only true Qi remaining at peak, needing no further replenishment.

However, this miraculous method of transforming death into life and maintaining the true Qi at its peak was also intricately linked to the Essence Aperture—a higher and more profound application involving the primordial energy of heaven and earth.

While seizing the moment to recover, Meng Qi continued, “Secondly, Lord Huangfu took an item from the deepest part of the mausoleum, indirectly enhancing the ghost’s power. Thus, the ghost successfully overpowered him, causing his madness.”

The first part was true, but this was false—a test.

Miss Huangfu’s face immediately turned pale, as if recalling something, stammering slightly, “Q-Qingyuan Master, I, I don’t know what the item was?”

“It should be a jade pendant with the emblem of Xuanwu.” Meng Qi replied calmly.

Miss Huangfu took a couple of steps back, shocked and fearful, “I, I gave it to Senior Brother. W-Won’t he be in danger?”

This… How could such an item be used as a token of love? The Great Emperor Zhenwu would sigh if he knew! Do you understand my disappointment? Meng Qi smiled without warmth, “This jade pendant holds the secret to defeating the ghost. Without the corresponding ability, wearing it may provoke the ghost’s hatred.”

At the same time, he sighed in relief—the Xuanwu Pendant was indeed taken by Lord Huangfu.

Before Miss Huangfu could respond, he continued, “By chance, I stumbled into the mausoleum and discovered a Thunder Mark, comprehending the righteous technique. Regrettably, my cultivation was too weak at the time, and I could never fully master it. Fortunately, I later encountered Lord Huangfu. Though possessed by the ghost and transformed into an undead, he still retained profound cultivation and formidable strength. Occasionally, he would regain clarity and instructed me in sword techniques. He also entrusted me with this jade pendant, tasking me to come here to assist both of you, retrieve the Xuanwu Pendant, uncover the true method to vanquish the ghost, and ultimately free him.”

The latter half was both truth and a promise. Only by continuing the chain of tasks, exploring the secrets of the Great Emperor Zhenwu, could they defeat the ghost. Taking the Xuanwu Pendant from Lady Huangfu and Miss Huangfu naturally meant assuming corresponding karmic consequences.

“Is my husband still alive?”

“Is my father still alive?”

Lady Huangfu and Miss Huangfu were excited and thrilled, caring nothing for the Xuanwu Pendant—their focus was solely on Lord Huangfu occasionally regaining clarity.

Their voices lost control, nearly breaking through Meng Qi’s barrier and reaching outside.

Madame Red Thread and Divine Camel were also genuinely delighted—their benefactor was not dead and could still be saved!

Meng Qi nodded, “Lord Huangfu is currently controlled by the ghost, turned into an undead. If freed, he should return to normal. However, the lifespan of a Beyond-Step expert is no more than 180 years. If delayed another 60 years, it may be too late.”

“Thank you, Master, for bringing news of my husband. Hope is better than despair!” Lady Huangfu’s cheeks flushed with excitement.

Miss Huangfu followed, “When I see Senior Brother again, I’ll make him give the Xuanwu Pendant to Master.”

Previously, seeing her father repeatedly studying the pendant, she had thought it held great benefits, so partly as a token of love, partly fearing Master Xi Yue might take it, she secretly gave it to Senior Brother He Canshang, urging him to flee far away, hide, explore its secrets, and cultivate into an ultimate divine skill. But now, discovering its connection to the ghost, she naturally refused to let her lover risk himself.

Frankly, she did not fully trust Meng Qi. His claims were all secrets others couldn’t verify. Whether the Xuanwu Pendant was truly connected to the ghost, no one knew for sure. Perhaps he had entered the mausoleum, met Lord Huangfu, learned the pendant’s importance, and came to Gathering Spirit Manor, falsely claiming there was a ghost to deceive them into handing over the Xuanwu Pendant.

But like a patient with an incurable disease, one always clings desperately to the last straw, no matter whether it’s real or fake. After learning that Lord Huangfu still had hope, Lady Huangfu and Miss Huangfu’s mindset shifted similarly, willing to pay any price, driven by a kind of “desperate fervor.”