The laughing Maitreya, who had been daydreaming, was startled by the portrait’s words. He quickly plastered a smile back onto his face, bowed his head slightly, and murmured, “Reporting to the leader, arrangements have already been made.”
The smiling Maitreya, who had been lost in thought, was startled by the words from the portrait. He quickly plastered a smile back on his face, lowered his head, and whispered, “Reporting to the Sect Leader, the matter has already been taken care of.”
The figure in the portrait hummed noncommittally, “Since we’re letting go, we must clean up thoroughly, leaving no trace that could lead suspicion back to us. After all, the foundation lies here at Qianjin Forge. As for those miscellaneous followers outside, make sure no loose ends remain.”
The smiling Maitreya nodded in agreement. The portrait then coldly inquired, “How is the progress on the cauldron casting?”
Though his heart was shaken, the smiling Maitreya’s expression remained calm as he replied, “Four cauldrons have been completed according to the original design. However, after severing ties with the Wenxiang Sect, sourcing human sacrifices has become increasingly difficult. The extraction of refined iron is also becoming more challenging, which may hinder future cauldron casting.”
The portrait responded, “This unexpected turn of events has caught me off guard. How could the matter of the nightmare spirit be discovered in such a remote place as Changchun Marsh? It seems you’ve grown complacent, and your work has become sloppy! The last mission to seize the Seven-Star Inkstone in the capital ended in failure, with both deputy protectors perishing, and many others lost, alerting our enemies and yielding nothing. Now, even our long-established Changchun Palace has been exposed. Heh, if this continues, my hard-earned resources will soon be exhausted by your incompetence!”
The smiling Maitreya, drenched in sweat, humbly replied, “This subordinate’s incompetence is indeed deserving of death. Upon receiving the Sect Leader’s orders, I and the Left Protector acted without delay. I personally arranged matters at Qianjin Forge, while the Left Protector escorted the nightmare spirit. Rest assured, everything is under control, and I beg the Sect Leader to—”
“Hmph!” The portrait let out a cold snort, its voice icy, “With many matters in the capital to attend to, I will personally investigate this matter in Yongping next spring. You must handle things carefully and ensure no further mistakes are made.”
The portrait fell silent, but the smiling Maitreya remained standing in place, his face twitching with the turmoil within.
He had lied out of necessity. The original cauldron was lost, and casting a new one would be exceedingly difficult. In the desperate attempt to retrieve the treasure cauldron, he had mobilized all available forces, only to fail and lose Yuan Chongzhen in the process. The only gain was capturing Mei Qing, but he was a tough nut to crack. Even if he could recover the cauldron, without the nightmare spirit and with the death of the Ape King, would the Sect Leader spare him?
With a long sigh, he decided to put the matter aside for now. Shaking his head, he stood up and headed out, determined to find a way to break Mei Qing’s seal.
As he walked toward the stone prison, lost in thought, he failed to notice the nervous expression of the gatekeeper who had just pointed him to Mei Qing’s cell.
Meanwhile, inside the stone prison, Liu Liu was sweating profusely, struggling to carry the unconscious Mei Qing, cursing the heavens under his breath.
He had been on his way to the Hundred Ghosts Hall when a cold, aged voice suddenly echoed in his ear, startling him.
“My Immortal Lord! What are you saying? You want me to go to the stone prison now, take that damned, motionless guy, and run for it? Who do you think I am? The Jade Emperor’s nephew or the disciple of Bodhi Patriarch?”
Despite his inner rage, Liu Liu dared not show any outward dissatisfaction. He cautiously replied that while he could enter the stone prison, sneaking out with someone without alerting others was beyond his capabilities.
“Enough with the excuses. Just go. If anything goes wrong, I’ll handle it,” the cold voice said without emotion.
With no other choice, Liu Liu reluctantly turned back, cursing his luck. Fortunately, he had some connections within the Wenxiang Sect. A distant relative he had recommended years ago finally proved useful, though the man was pale and muttering nervously as he let Liu Liu in.
However, carrying an unconscious person proved far more difficult than Liu Liu had anticipated. He struggled to lift Mei Qing and move quickly, only managing a few steps before needing to rest.
As the smiling Maitreya turned into the long corridor leading to the stone prison, he was met with this scene.
Though he didn’t fully understand what Liu Liu was trying to do, the smiling Maitreya’s long-suppressed anger erupted like a flood. “Haha… well, well, Deputy Sect Leader Liu, you’ve done well. But I don’t understand, why are you doing this?”
The smiling Maitreya’s voice was as cold as ice, despite the smile on his face.
Liu Liu, upon seeing the smiling Maitreya suddenly appear, immediately fell to his knees.
“Protector, I… I… it’s not me…” Liu Liu stammered in panic, “Immortal Lord, save me…”
The smiling Maitreya’s smile widened, but before he could speak, the ground beneath him began to shake, and the sky seemed to darken.
At the same time, faint thunder rumbled in the distance, and the spiritual energy around him began to fluctuate, startling him.
The Qianjin Forge had always been a place of stagnant spiritual energy, with no fluctuations. What was happening now?
The smiling Maitreya’s expression turned grave as a possibility flashed through his mind, but he quickly dismissed it.
How could anyone breach this place? He knew well that this secret location was an ancient relic discovered by the Sect Leader after great effort. Although they had encountered the old monk Koutou Tuo at the Shi residence, there was no indication that he was skilled in formations. Despite his formidable cultivation, it was hard to believe he could breach this place.
As he pondered, the light around him dimmed further.
He also noticed that the constant sound of splashing water, which had always been present, had gradually quieted.
Realizing something was wrong, the smiling Maitreya didn’t bother questioning Liu Liu further. With a sweep of his sleeves, he lifted both Liu Liu and Mei Qing and rushed toward the exit.
As he did so, he was surprised. Normally, using any spell in this place drained one’s energy, so people rarely used magic here unless absolutely necessary. But this time, it felt much easier, almost as if he were outside, allowing him to teleport with the two men effortlessly.
However, the smiling Maitreya felt no joy. Instead, his heart sank, knowing that something had indeed gone wrong. It was likely that the sect’s defenses had been breached.
Thinking of Koutou Tuo’s ruthlessness, the smiling Maitreya felt a chill. He prepared to use his magic to escape quickly.
Just then, a deafening explosion echoed. A dark cloud rapidly expanded above him, spreading to several meters in diameter.
Thunder roared, and golden light flashed, revealing several figures within the cloud.
The smiling Maitreya’s heart sank. Emerging from the cloud were Master Ku, Bi Zhen, and Zhang Shisan.
Bi Zhen, with sharp eyes, immediately spotted Mei Qing in the smiling Maitreya’s grasp. Seeing him motionless and possibly dead, she was filled with fear and hatred, shouting, “You bald monk, what have you done to my Qing-ge? Prepare to die!”
As she shouted, Bi Zhen raised her hands, and a myriad of strange magical artifacts appeared around her, glowing in various colors and accompanied by the sound of wind and thunder, raining down on the smiling Maitreya.
The smiling Maitreya had no choice but to drop Mei Qing and Liu Liu, frantically waving his sleeves and chanting spells to barely fend off Bi Zhen’s assault.
Zhang Shisan and Master Ku, upon seeing Mei Qing’s condition, were also alarmed. However, with their deep cultivation, they quickly assessed Mei Qing’s true state and calmed down. They stepped forward, positioning themselves to block the smiling Maitreya’s escape routes.
The smiling Maitreya felt despair. Master Ku alone was more than a match for him, and now there was an old Taoist whose cultivation seemed no less formidable. With Bi Zhen relentlessly hurling magical artifacts at him, it seemed there would be no peaceful resolution today.
Gritting his teeth, the smiling Maitreya resolved to fight to the death, even if it meant mutual destruction.
Zhang Shisan and Master Ku, seeing the murderous glint in the smiling Maitreya’s eyes, knew a cornered beast would fight fiercely. They prepared to strike if necessary. However, unnoticed by everyone, Liu Liu secretly threw something from his hand, and as soon as it left his grasp, a sudden change occurred.
The laughing Maitreya nodded obediently. The portrait then asked coldly, “How is the progress on casting the cauldron?”
The Maitreya’s heart jolted, though his face remained calm. He answered steadily, “Four have already been completed according to the original cauldron’s design. However, after abandoning the Wenshang Sect, the source of human sacrifices has become increasingly difficult. Furthermore, extracting wrought iron has become more challenging, making future cauldron casting potentially problematic.”
The smiling Maitreya, who had been lost in thought, was startled by the words from the portrait. He quickly plastered a smile back on his face, lowered his head, and whispered, “Reporting to the Sect Leader, the matter has already been taken care of.”
The figure in the portrait let out a noncommittal “Hmm” and said, “Since we’re letting go, we must do it cleanly, leaving no room for suspicion. After all, the foundation lies here at Qianjin Ye. As for those miscellaneous members outside, make sure no loose ends remain.”
The smiling Maitreya nodded in agreement. The portrait then coldly inquired, “How is the progress on the cauldron casting?”
Though his heart was in turmoil, the smiling Maitreya showed no outward sign of it and replied calmly, “Four pieces have already been completed according to the original design. However, after cutting ties with the Wenxiang Sect, sourcing human sacrifices has become increasingly difficult. The extraction of refined iron is also becoming more challenging, which may pose some inconveniences for future castings.”
The portrait responded, “This unexpected turn of events has indeed caught me off guard. How could anyone have discovered the matter of the Nightmare Spirit in such a remote place as Changchun Dian? It seems that after years of peace, you’ve grown careless! The last mission to seize the Seven Star Inkstone in the capital ended in failure, with both deputy protectors losing their lives and many others perishing, alerting the enemy and gaining nothing. Now, even our long-established Changchun Palace has been discovered. Heh, if this continues, my hard-earned resources will soon be squandered by you all!”
The smiling Maitreya, drenched in sweat, humbly replied, “This subordinate has failed in his duties and deserves death. Upon receiving the Sect Leader’s orders, I and the Left Protector acted without delay. I personally went to Qianjin Ye to make the necessary arrangements, while the Left Protector escorted the Nightmare Spirit, ensuring absolute security. Please rest assured, Sect Leader.”
“Hmph!” The portrait let out a cold snort, its voice icy. “With many matters in the capital still unresolved, I will personally visit Yongping next spring to investigate. You must handle things carefully and ensure no further mistakes are made.”
The portrait fell silent, but the smiling Maitreya remained standing in place, his face twitching with inner turmoil.
He had lied out of necessity. The original cauldron was lost, and casting a new one would be extremely difficult. In the desperate attempt to retrieve the treasure cauldron, they had exhausted all their resources, only to fail and lose Yuan Chongzhen in the process. The only gain was capturing Mei Qing, but he was a tough nut to crack. Even if they could recover the cauldron, without the Nightmare Spirit and with the Ape King dead, would the Sect Leader still spare him?
With a long sigh, the smiling Maitreya decided to stop worrying about the impossible. He shook his head and walked out, focusing instead on finding a way to break Mei Qing’s sealing technique.
As he walked towards the stone prison, deep in thought, he didn’t notice the nervous expression of the gatekeeper who had just pointed him to Mei Qing’s cell.
Meanwhile, Liu Liu was inside the stone prison, sweating profusely as he struggled to carry the unconscious Mei Qing, cursing the heavens in his heart.
He had been on his way to the Hundred Ghosts Hall when a cold, elderly voice suddenly spoke in his ear, startling him.
“My Immortal Lord! What are you saying? You want me to go to the stone prison now, take that damned motionless guy, and run away immediately? Who do you think I am? The nephew of the Jade Emperor or the disciple of Bodhi Patriarch?”
Despite his inner rage, Liu Liu dared not show any dissatisfaction. He cautiously replied that while he could enter the stone prison, sneaking out with someone without alerting others was beyond his capabilities.
“Enough nonsense, just go. If anything changes along the way, I will handle it,” the elderly voice said emotionlessly.
With no other choice, Liu Liu reluctantly turned back, cursing under his breath as he hurried towards the stone prison.
Fortunately, he had some connections within the Wenxiang Sect. A distant relative he had recommended years ago finally proved useful, though the man was pale with fear and kept muttering to himself as he let Liu Liu in.
However, carrying an unconscious person turned out to be far more difficult than Liu Liu had anticipated. He struggled to lift Mei Qing and move quickly, but after just a few steps, he was gasping for breath and had to stop to rest.
As the smiling Maitreya strode into the long corridor leading to the stone prison, this was the scene that greeted him.
Seeing Liu Liu struggling with Mei Qing, the smiling Maitreya’s long-suppressed anger erupted like a flood. “Haha… well, well, Deputy Sect Leader Liu, you’ve done well. But I don’t understand, why are you doing this?”
The smiling Maitreya’s face was all smiles, but his voice was as cold as ice.
Liu Liu, upon seeing the smiling Maitreya suddenly appear, immediately fell to his knees.
“Protector, it’s not me, it’s not me…” Liu Liu stammered in panic, as if in a dream. “Immortal Lord, save me…”
The smiling Maitreya’s smile widened, but before he could say anything, the ground beneath him began to shake, and the sky seemed to darken.
At the same time, the faint sound of wind and thunder reached his ears, and he felt the spiritual energy around him begin to fluctuate, startling him.
The spiritual energy at Qianjin Ye had always been stagnant, never fluctuating. What was happening today?
The smiling Maitreya’s expression turned grave as a possibility flashed through his mind, but he quickly shook his head in disbelief.
How could anyone possibly open this place? He knew full well that this secret location was an ancient relic discovered by the Sect Leader after great effort. Although they had encountered the old monk Koutou Tuo at the Shi residence, there was no indication that he was skilled in array formations. While the old monk’s cultivation was impressive, it was hard to believe he could open this place.
As he pondered, the smiling Maitreya noticed that the light around him had dimmed further.
At the same time, he realized that the constant sound of splashing water, which had always been present, had gradually faded away.
Knowing something was wrong, the smiling Maitreya didn’t bother questioning Liu Liu further. With a flick of his sleeves, he lifted both Liu Liu and Mei Qing and rushed towards the exit.
As he did so, he was surprised to find that using his powers here was far easier than usual. In this place, any spellcasting was extremely taxing on one’s spiritual energy, so people rarely used their powers unless absolutely necessary. But now, it felt almost as effortless as it would be outside, allowing him to teleport with the two men easily.
However, the smiling Maitreya felt no joy. Instead, his heart sank, knowing that something had indeed gone wrong. It was likely that someone had breached the mountain gates from the outside.
At this point, there was no time to think of anything else. Remembering Koutou Tuo’s ruthlessness, the smiling Maitreya felt a chill run down his spine. With another flick of his sleeves, he prepared to cast a spell and flee as quickly as possible.
Just then, a deafening explosion rang out. A dark cloud rapidly expanded above them, growing to several feet in diameter, accompanied by rolling thunder and flashes of golden light.
As the light flickered, several figures emerged from the cloud.
The smiling Maitreya’s heart sank. The people who had appeared were none other than Master Ku, Bi Zhen, and Zhang Shisan.
Bi Zhen, with her sharp eyes, immediately spotted Mei Qing in the smiling Maitreya’s grasp. Seeing him motionless and possibly lifeless, she was filled with fear and hatred. “You bald monk, what have you done to my Qing Ge? Prepare to die!”
With a shout, Bi Zhen raised her hands, and a myriad of strange magical artifacts appeared around her, glowing in various colors and accompanied by the sound of wind and thunder, raining down on the smiling Maitreya like a storm.
The smiling Maitreya had no choice but to drop Mei Qing and Liu Liu. With a flurry of his sleeves and a series of incantations, he managed to barely fend off Bi Zhen’s onslaught.
Zhang Shisan and Master Ku, upon seeing Mei Qing’s condition, were also startled. However, their deep cultivation allowed them to quickly assess his true state, and they calmed down. Instead of rushing to Mei Qing, they each took a step forward, positioning themselves to block the smiling Maitreya’s escape routes.
The smiling Maitreya felt a sense of despair. Master Ku alone was more than a match for him, and now there was another old Taoist whose cultivation seemed no less formidable. With Bi Zhen throwing magical artifacts at him like they were free, it seemed there would be no peaceful resolution today.
Gritting his teeth, the smiling Maitreya decided to make one last desperate move, even if it meant mutual destruction.
Zhang Shisan and Master Ku, seeing the murderous glint in the smiling Maitreya’s eyes, knew that a cornered beast would fight fiercely. They prepared themselves, ready to intervene if necessary. However, none of them noticed Liu Liu, who suddenly threw something from his hand, triggering an unexpected change.
The smiling Maitreya, who had been lost in thought, was startled by the words from the portrait. He quickly plastered a smile back on his face, lowered his head, and whispered, “Reporting to the Sect Leader, the matter has already been taken care of.”
The figure in the portrait let out a noncommittal “Hmm” and said, “Since we’re letting go, we must do it cleanly, leaving no room for suspicion. After all, the foundation lies here at Qianjin Forge. As for those miscellaneous followers outside, make sure no loose ends remain.”
The smiling Maitreya nodded in agreement. The portrait then coldly inquired, “How is the progress on the cauldron casting?”
Though his heart was pounding, the smiling Maitreya showed no outward sign of distress and replied calmly, “Four cauldrons have been completed according to the original design. However, after severing ties with the Wenxiang Sect, sourcing human sacrifices has become increasingly difficult. The extraction of refined iron is also becoming more challenging, which may pose issues for future cauldron casting.”
The portrait responded, “This unexpected turn of events has caught me off guard. How could such a remote place like Changchun Marsh be discovered for its connection to the Nightmare Spirit? It seems you’ve grown complacent, and your work has become sloppy! The last attempt to seize the Seven Star Inkstone in the capital ended in failure, with two deputy protectors losing their lives, and many others injured, alerting our enemies and leaving us with nothing. Now, even our long-established Changchun Palace has been exposed. Hmph! If this continues, my hard-earned resources will soon be depleted by your incompetence!”
The smiling Maitreya, drenched in sweat, humbly replied, “This subordinate has failed in his duties and deserves death. Upon receiving the Sect Leader’s orders, I and the Left Protector acted without delay. I personally arranged matters at Qianjin Forge, while the Left Protector escorted the Nightmare Spirit, ensuring absolute security. Please rest assured, Sect Leader.”
The portrait snorted coldly, its voice icy, “There are many matters to attend to in the capital. Once spring arrives, I will personally visit Yongping to investigate. Be cautious and ensure no further mistakes are made.”
The portrait fell silent, but the smiling Maitreya remained standing, his face twitching with the turmoil within. He had lied out of necessity. The original cauldron was lost, and casting a new one would be extremely difficult. In the desperate attempt to reclaim the treasure cauldron, he had exhausted all his resources, only to fail and lose Yuan Chongzhen in the process. The only gain was capturing Mei Qing, but he was a tough nut to crack. Even if he could recover the cauldron, without the Nightmare Spirit and with the death of the Ape King, would the Sect Leader spare him?
With a heavy sigh, the smiling Maitreya decided to put aside his worries for now. Shaking his head, he stood up and headed out, determined to find a way to break Mei Qing’s seal.
As he walked towards the stone prison, lost in thought, he didn’t notice the nervous expression of the gatekeeper who had just informed him of Mei Qing’s location.
Meanwhile, Liu Liu was inside the stone prison, drenched in sweat, struggling to carry the unconscious Mei Qing, cursing the heavens in his heart.
He had been on his way to the Hundred Ghost Hall when a cold, aged voice suddenly echoed in his ears, startling him.
“My immortal! What are you saying? You want me to go to the stone prison now, take that damned motionless guy, and run for it? Who do you think I am? The nephew of the Jade Emperor or the disciple of Bodhi Patriarch?”
Despite his inner rage, Liu Liu dared not show any dissatisfaction. He cautiously replied that while he could enter the stone prison, escaping with someone without alerting others was beyond his capabilities.
“Enough with the excuses. Just go. If anything goes wrong, I’ll handle it,” the cold voice said without emotion.
With no other choice, Liu Liu reluctantly turned back, cursing under his breath.
Fortunately, he had some connections within the Wenxiang Sect. A distant relative he had recommended years ago finally proved useful, allowing him to enter despite the young man’s terrified muttering.
However, carrying an unconscious person proved to be a daunting task. Liu Liu struggled to lift Mei Qing and move quickly, but after a few steps, he was already panting heavily, forced to take a break.
As the smiling Maitreya turned into the long corridor leading to the stone prison, he was greeted by this scene.
Though he didn’t fully understand Liu Liu’s intentions, the smiling Maitreya’s long-suppressed anger erupted like a flood. “Haha… well done, Deputy Sect Leader Liu. But I don’t understand, why are you doing this?”
The smiling Maitreya’s face was all smiles, but his voice was as cold as ice.
Upon seeing the smiling Maitreya suddenly appear, Liu Liu immediately fell to his knees.
“Protector, it’s not me… it’s not me…” Liu Liu stammered in panic, as if in a dream. “Immortal, save me…”
The smiling Maitreya’s smile widened, but before he could speak, the ground beneath him shook, and the sky seemed to darken.
Accompanied by the faint sound of wind and thunder, the smiling Maitreya felt the spiritual energy around him begin to fluctuate, startling him.
The spiritual energy at Qianjin Forge had always been stagnant, never fluctuating. What was happening today?
The smiling Maitreya’s expression turned grave. A possibility flashed through his mind, but he quickly shook his head.
How could anyone open this place? He knew this secret location was an ancient relic that the Sect Leader had spent great effort to find. Although they had encountered the old monk at the Shi residence, he hadn’t heard of him being skilled in formations. Despite the old monk’s formidable cultivation, it was hard to believe he could open this place.
As he pondered, the smiling Maitreya noticed the light around him dimming further.
He also realized that the constant sound of splashing water had gradually quieted.
Knowing something was wrong, the smiling Maitreya didn’t bother questioning Liu Liu further. With a wave of his sleeves, he lifted both Liu Liu and Mei Qing and rushed towards the door.
As he did so, he was surprised. Normally, using any spell in this place was extremely taxing on his spiritual energy, so he rarely used them unless absolutely necessary. But this time, it felt much easier, almost as if he were outside, and he effortlessly teleported out with the two.
However, the smiling Maitreya felt no joy. Instead, his heart sank, knowing that something had indeed gone wrong, and it was likely that the mountain gate had been breached.
Thinking of the old monk’s ruthlessness, the smiling Maitreya felt a chill. He prepared to use a spell to escape quickly.
At that moment, a deafening explosion rang out. A dark cloud rapidly expanded above, growing to several feet in diameter.
Thunder rumbled overhead, and golden light flashed, revealing several figures within.
The smiling Maitreya inwardly groaned. The figures emerging from the clouds were none other than the old monk, Bi Zhen, and Zhang Shisan.
Bi Zhen, sharp-eyed, immediately spotted Mei Qing in the smiling Maitreya’s grasp. Seeing him motionless and possibly dead, she was filled with fear and hatred, shouting, “You bald donkey, what have you done to my Qing brother? Prepare to die!”
As she shouted, Bi Zhen raised her hands, and a myriad of strange magical artifacts appeared around her, glowing in various colors and accompanied by the sound of wind and thunder, raining down on the smiling Maitreya.
The smiling Maitreya had no choice but to drop Mei Qing and Liu Liu, waving his sleeves and chanting spells to barely fend off Bi Zhen’s onslaught.
Zhang Shisan and the old monk, upon seeing Mei Qing’s condition, were also startled. However, their profound cultivation allowed them to quickly assess Mei Qing’s true state, and they calmed down. They stepped forward, positioning themselves to block the smiling Maitreya’s escape routes.
The smiling Maitreya felt despair. The old monk alone was more than a match for him. Now, with the addition of the old Taoist, whose cultivation was clearly on par with the old monk, and Bi Zhen’s relentless assault, there was no hope for a peaceful resolution today.
Gritting his teeth, the smiling Maitreya resolved to fight to the death, even if it meant mutual destruction.
Zhang Shisan and the old monk, seeing the murderous glint in the smiling Maitreya’s eyes, knew that a cornered beast was most dangerous. They remained vigilant, ready to strike if necessary. However, none of them noticed Liu Liu secretly throwing something, which caused an unexpected turn of events.
“Hmph!” the portrait snorted coldly, its voice as icy as frost. “With so many affairs in the capital now, I will personally head to Yongping next spring to investigate. You must be cautious and not make any further mistakes.”
The portrait fell silent, but the laughing Maitreya remained rooted in place, his face twitching, betraying the intense turmoil within.
Earlier, he had been forced to lie. The original cauldron was already lost, and forging a new one would be extremely difficult. Worse still, in the attempt to recover the cauldron, he had used up all available resources. Not only had they failed, but they had also lost Yuan Chongzhen. The only gain was capturing Mei Qing, but he was like a hard stone—untouchable. And even if he somehow recovered the cauldron, having lost the nightmare spirit and the Ape King, would that one person really let him off the hook?
Sighing deeply, the laughing Maitreya decided not to dwell on it for now. He shook his head and stood up, determined to find a way to break through the boy’s sealed cultivation first.
As the laughing Maitreya made his way toward the stone prison, he remained deep in thought. The prison was carved into a cave within the stone wall behind the courtyard, surrounded by thick stone walls and corridors, used for imprisoning important captives. However, given Mei Qing’s current condition, it wouldn’t have made much difference if he had been left outside. Therefore, Mei Qing had been placed rather casually in an ordinary room.
The laughing Maitreya randomly grabbed a servant and asked for the room number where Mei Qing was being held, then casually strolled over. As he walked, he muttered about how annoying this place was—casting even a simple spell was exhausting, making everything inconvenient.
However, he failed to notice the servant, after nervously informing him of Mei Qing’s location, quickly hiding his expression of extreme tension.
Meanwhile, Liu Liu was inside the stone prison, sweating profusely as he carried the unconscious Mei Qing, cursing the heavens in his mind.
He had been on his way to the Hundred Ghost Hall when, just before turning the corner toward the altar, a sudden, cold, elderly voice rang in his ear without warning.
After hearing just one sentence, Liu Liu’s face turned pale, then flushed red with shock.
“My immortal master! What are you saying? You want me to go to the stone prison right now and take this cursed, motionless man and escape?”
Do you think I’m the nephew of the Jade Emperor or the disciple of Bodhi Ancestor?
Despite his anger, Liu Liu dared not show even a hint of dissatisfaction. Carefully, he explained that while he could get into the prison, escaping with someone without alerting anyone else was beyond his capabilities.
“Stop whining. Just go. If anything happens, I’ll handle it,” the cold, elderly voice replied emotionlessly.
With no other choice, Liu Liu reluctantly turned away from the nearby Hundred Ghost Hall and hurried back the way he came.
Fortunately, he wasn’t completely without allies in the Wenshang Sect. A distant relative he had recommended years ago finally proved useful. Though the young man was visibly terrified and muttering prayers, he still let Liu Liu in.
But—unfortunately, carrying an unconscious person turned out to be much harder than he expected. Liu Liu tried several times to lift Mei Qing and hurry away, only to find himself panting for breath after a few steps, forced to take a break.
When the laughing Maitreya turned the corner into the long corridor leading to the stone prison, he saw exactly this scene.
Though he didn’t yet understand what Liu Liu was trying to do, the long-suppressed anger inside him erupted like a flood. “Haha… Good, good, Deputy Leader Liu. You’ve done well. I just don’t understand why you would do this?”
His face was smiling, but his voice was as cold as ice.
When Liu Liu saw the laughing Maitreya suddenly appear, he immediately dropped to his knees.
“Guardian… it’s not me… it’s not me…” Liu Liu stammered in panic, like someone lost in a nightmare. “Immortal master, save me…”
The Maitreya’s smile deepened. As he was about to speak, he suddenly felt the ground beneath him tremble, and the sky seemed to darken.
Accompanied by distant thunder, he felt the surrounding spiritual energy begin to fluctuate, and he couldn’t help but feel alarmed.
The smiling Maitreya, who had been lost in thought, was startled by the words from the portrait. He quickly plastered a smile back on his face, lowered his head, and whispered, “Reporting to the Sect Leader, the matter has already been taken care of.”
The figure in the portrait let out a noncommittal “Hmm” and said, “Since we’re letting go, we must clean up thoroughly. No one should suspect us. After all, the foundation lies here at Qianjin Ye. As for those miscellaneous members outside, make sure no loose ends remain.”
The smiling Maitreya nodded in agreement. The portrait then asked coldly, “How is the progress on the cauldron casting?”
Though his heart was in turmoil, the smiling Maitreya showed no outward sign of it and replied calmly, “Four have been completed according to the original design. However, after cutting ties with the Wenxiang Sect, sourcing human sacrifices has become difficult. The extraction of refined iron is also increasingly challenging, which may pose issues for future cauldron casting.”
The portrait responded, “This unexpected turn of events has caught me off guard. How could anyone discover the matter of the nightmare spirits in such a remote place as Changchun Dian? It seems you’ve grown complacent, and your work has become sloppy! The last mission to seize the Seven Stars Inkstone in the capital ended in failure, with both deputy protectors perishing, many others lost, and the whole operation exposed, resulting in nothing gained. Now, even the long-established Changchun Palace has been discovered. Heh, if this continues, my hard-earned assets will soon be squandered by you!”
The smiling Maitreya, drenched in sweat, said humbly, “This subordinate has failed in his duties and deserves death. Upon receiving the Sect Leader’s order, I and the Left Protector acted without delay. I personally went to Qianjin Ye to make arrangements, while the Left Protector escorted the nightmare spirits. Rest assured, there will be no mistakes. Please, Sect Leader, be at ease.”
The portrait snorted coldly, its voice icy, “There are many matters in the capital to attend to. Once spring arrives, I will personally go to Yongping to investigate. You must handle things carefully and ensure no further mistakes.”
The portrait fell silent, but the smiling Maitreya remained standing, his face twitching with inner turmoil.
He had lied out of necessity. The original cauldron was lost, and casting a new one would be extremely difficult. In the desperate attempt to recover the cauldron, he had mobilized all available forces, yet not only did they fail, but they also lost Yuan Chongzhen. The only gain was capturing Mei Qing, but he was as unyielding as a rock. Even if the cauldron were recovered, without the nightmare spirits and with the death of the Ape King, would the Sect Leader spare him?
With a long sigh, the smiling Maitreya decided to stop worrying about the unchangeable. He shook his head and stood up, heading out to figure out how to break Mei Qing’s sealing technique.
As he walked toward the stone prison, lost in thought, he failed to notice the nervous expression of the gatekeeper who had just pointed him to Mei Qing’s cell.
Meanwhile, Liu Liu was inside the stone prison, sweating profusely as he struggled to carry the unconscious Mei Qing, cursing the heavens in his heart.
He had been on his way to the Hundred Ghosts Hall when a cold, elderly voice suddenly spoke in his ear, startling him so much that his face turned pale and then flushed.
“My immortal! What are you saying? You want me to go to the stone prison now, take that damned motionless guy, and run? Who do you think I am? The nephew of the Jade Emperor or the disciple of Bodhi Patriarch?”
Despite his inner rage, Liu Liu dared not show any outward dissatisfaction. He cautiously replied that while he could enter the stone prison, taking someone out without alerting others was beyond his capabilities.
“Enough with the excuses. Just go. If anything changes along the way, I’ll handle it,” the elderly voice said emotionlessly.
With no other choice, Liu Liu reluctantly turned back, cursing under his breath.
Fortunately, he had some connections within the Wenxiang Sect. A distant relative he had recommended years ago finally proved useful, though the young man was pale and muttering nervously as he let Liu Liu in.
However, carrying an unconscious person turned out to be far more difficult than Liu Liu had anticipated. He struggled to lift Mei Qing and move quickly, but after only a few steps, he was gasping for breath and had to stop to rest.
As the smiling Maitreya strode into the long corridor leading to the stone prison, this was the scene that greeted him.
The smiling Maitreya was shocked by what he saw. Though he didn’t yet understand Liu Liu’s intentions, the anger he had been suppressing for so long erupted like a flood. “Haha… well, well, Deputy Sect Leader Liu, you’ve done well. But I don’t understand, why are you doing this?”
The smiling Maitreya’s face was all smiles, but his voice was as cold as ice.
Liu Liu, upon seeing the smiling Maitreya suddenly appear before him, immediately fell to his knees.
“Protector, it’s not me, it’s not me…” Liu Liu stammered in a panic, as if in a dream. “Immortal, save me…”
The smiling Maitreya’s smile widened, but before he could say anything, he felt the ground beneath him shake, and the sky seemed to darken.
At the same time, a faint rumble of thunder could be heard, and the smiling Maitreya felt the spiritual energy around him begin to fluctuate, causing him to startle.
The spiritual energy at Qianjin Ye had always been stagnant, never fluctuating. What was happening today?
The smiling Maitreya’s expression turned grave as a possibility flashed through his mind, but he quickly shook his head.
How could anyone possibly open this place? He knew full well that this secret location was an ancient remnant that the Sect Leader had spent great effort to find. Although they had encountered the old monk Koutou Tuo at the Shi residence, there was no indication that he was skilled in array formations. While the old monk’s cultivation was impressive, it was hard to believe he could open this place.
As he pondered, the smiling Maitreya noticed that the light around him seemed to dim further.
At the same time, he suddenly realized that the constant sound of splashing water, which had always been present, had gradually quieted.
Knowing something was wrong, the smiling Maitreya didn’t bother to question Liu Liu further. With a flick of his sleeves, he lifted both Liu Liu and Mei Qing and rushed out the door.
As he did so, he was surprised. Normally, using any spell in this place drained one’s spiritual energy, so people rarely used them unless absolutely necessary. But this time, it felt much easier, almost as if he were outside, and he effortlessly teleported with the two in tow.
However, the smiling Maitreya felt no joy. Instead, his heart sank, knowing that something had indeed gone wrong. It was likely that someone had breached the mountain gate from the outside.
At this point, thinking of anything else was futile. Remembering Koutou Tuo’s ruthlessness, the smiling Maitreya felt a chill in his heart. He prepared to use his spells to escape quickly.
Just then, a deafening explosion rang out. A dark cloud rapidly expanded several feet above him, swirling with mist and fog, growing to the size of a large room.
Thunder rumbled overhead, and golden light flashed, with countless beams of energy flickering. In the midst of it, several figures appeared.
The smiling Maitreya groaned inwardly. The figures emerging from the clouds were none other than Master Ku, Bi Zhen, and Zhang Shisan.
Bi Zhen’s sharp eyes immediately spotted Mei Qing in the smiling Maitreya’s grasp. Seeing him motionless and seemingly lifeless, she was filled with fear and hatred. She shouted, “You bald monk, what have you done to my Qing Ge? Prepare to die!”
As she shouted, Bi Zhen raised her hands, and in an instant, a dazzling array of magical artifacts appeared around her, glowing in all colors of the rainbow. With the sound of wind and thunder, they rained down on the smiling Maitreya like a storm.
The smiling Maitreya had no choice but to drop Mei Qing and Liu Liu. He waved his sleeves frantically, chanting spells, and managed to barely fend off Bi Zhen’s attack.
Zhang Shisan and Master Ku, upon seeing Mei Qing’s condition, were also startled. However, their cultivation was deep, and they quickly ascertained Mei Qing’s true state. Feeling reassured, they didn’t rush to his side but instead stepped forward, positioning themselves to block the smiling Maitreya’s escape routes.
The smiling Maitreya felt despair. Master Ku alone was more than he could handle. Now, with an old Taoist whose cultivation seemed on par with Master Ku, and a woman hurling magical artifacts at him as if they were free, he knew there was no way out.
Gritting his teeth, the smiling Maitreya resolved to make a final, desperate move, even if it meant mutual destruction.
Zhang Shisan and Master Ku, seeing the murderous glint in the smiling Maitreya’s eyes, knew a cornered beast was most dangerous. They remained vigilant, ready to act if necessary. However, none of them noticed Liu Liu, who suddenly threw something from his hand, triggering an unexpected change.
The Maitreya’s expression turned serious as a thought crossed his mind, but he quickly shook his head.
How could anyone possibly have opened this place? He knew well that this secret location was an ancient relic painstakingly discovered by that one person. Although they had encountered the old monk Kutou at the Shi residence, there was no indication he was skilled in formations. Although Kutou’s cultivation was formidable, the idea that he could actually breach this place seemed unbelievable.
As he pondered, the Maitreya felt the surrounding light dim even further.
At the same time, he suddenly realized that the constant sound of rushing water that had always surrounded this place had gradually quieted down.
Knowing something was definitely wrong, the Maitreya no longer had time to question Liu Liu. With a flick of his sleeves, he grabbed Liu Liu and the unconscious Mei Qing and rushed toward the exit.
As he moved, the Maitreya was slightly surprised. Normally, using any magic here was extremely draining on one’s spiritual energy. Therefore, unless absolutely necessary, no one would dare to use magic here. But this time, the movements felt unusually effortless, almost as easy as outside. He had easily teleported the two of them out.
However, instead of feeling relieved, the Maitreya’s heart sank. He was certain now that something was indeed wrong—most likely, the outer defenses had been breached.
At the thought of Kutou’s ruthless nature, the Maitreya felt a chill run through him. He flicked his sleeves again, preparing to flee as quickly as possible.
Just then, a deafening roar shattered the sky. A section of space several zhang above exploded outward, a mass of dark clouds rapidly expanding, churning with mist, growing to a diameter of several zhang.
Thunder rumbled overhead, followed by a flash of golden light and countless streaks of energy. Several figures emerged from the clouds.
Seeing them, the Maitreya inwardly groaned. The figures descending from the clouds were none other than Master Kutou, Bi Zhen, and Zhang Shisan.
Bi Zhen’s sharp eyes immediately spotted Mei Qing being dragged under the Maitreya’s sleeve, and seeing Mei Qing motionless and unresponsive, she was overcome with fear and rage. “You bald bastard! What have you done to my Qingge! Prepare to die!”
With a shout, Bi Zhen raised her hands, and in an instant, a dazzling array of magical artifacts, each uniquely shaped and glowing with radiant light, appeared around her, unleashing a storm of colorful energy accompanied by thunder, raining down on the Maitreya.
The Maitreya had no choice but to abandon Mei Qing and Liu Liu, waving his sleeves furiously and shouting incantations, barely managing to block Bi Zhen’s furious assault.
When Zhang Shisan and Master Kutou saw Mei Qing’s condition, they were both startled. However, their cultivation was deep enough that they quickly assessed his true state and calmed down. Instead of rushing to check on Mei Qing, they stepped forward, flanking the Maitreya and cutting off all escape routes.
The Maitreya felt despair. Even one Kutou was beyond his ability to handle. Now, with another Daoist master of equal strength, and a woman attacking with reckless abandon, throwing magical artifacts like they were free, today looked like it would end badly.
Gritting his teeth, the Maitreya resolved to fight to the death, even if it meant mutual destruction.
Seeing the murderous glint in his eyes, Zhang Shisan and Master Kutou both knew that a cornered beast would fight fiercely. They prepared themselves, ready to strike at the first sign of danger.
But none of them noticed Liu Liu, who suddenly threw something from his sleeve. As soon as it left his hand, chaos erupted.
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