Chapter 155: Offering Veneration

Xiao Yicai lowered his voice, his expression becoming more serious. “My master has asked me to inquire, Uncle, if the ‘Heavenly Cipher Seal’ in the back of Dazhu Peak is still intact?”

Tian Buyi’s face changed drastically as he suddenly stood up, staring intently at Xiao Yicai, who also slowly rose but took a step back. Tian Buyi fixed his gaze on Xiao Yicai for a long time, his expression constantly shifting from surprise and shock to deep contemplation. Finally, another strange light flickered in his eyes as he looked at Xiao Yicai and said:

“It seems that Daoxuan Senior Brother truly intends to pass on the position of Sect Leader to you.”

Xiao Yicai bowed his head slightly. “Uncle, you flatter me. I do not dare presume so.”

Tian Buyi responded indifferently, “If he is no longer keeping this matter from you, his intentions are clear. Well, this is an internal matter of Tongtian Peak, and I won’t meddle. However, regarding the Heavenly Cipher Seal…” He paused, his voice grave, “This matter is of utmost importance, involving the destiny of Azure Ethereal Vapors. The late Ancestor Qingye had explicitly decreed that it should only be used as a last resort…”

He took a deep breath and continued, “We all understand the gravity of this. I just want to ask: has Daoxuan Senior Brother thought this through?”

Xiao Yicai’s expression was equally solemn. After a long moment of deliberation, he nodded, “Yes, before I left, my master gave me explicit instructions.”

Tian Buyi pondered for a moment and asked, “And what about the Heavenly Cipher Seals of the other five peaks?”

Xiao Yicai replied respectfully, “Master only informed me, feeling that Uncle Tian is the most venerable among the Seven Peaks. Therefore, he sent me to seek your opinion first. I will visit the other five peaks later.”

Tian Buyi slowly nodded and sat back down, lost in thought for a while. He sighed, “Given the current situation, it indeed has reached a critical point. The fate of both mortals and immortals hangs in the balance. If the Sect Leader wishes to go all out, I have no objections. But please relay a message for me when you return.”

Xiao Yicai, with a respectful demeanor, said, “Of course, Uncle. Please tell me, and I will convey it.”

Tian Buyi’s face turned pale. “Once the Seven Peaks’ Heavenly Cipher Seals are removed, the thousand-year-old malevolent energy of Azure Ethereal Vapors will be unleashed. Though the Immortalbane Nexus can channel this into lethal intent, the toll on the wielder’s foundation and cultivation will be severe. Daoxuan Senior Brother’s power is profound, but this is no small matter. I advise him to think carefully and be cautious.”

Xiao Yicai responded earnestly, “I will certainly convey your words, Uncle.” After a pause, he added, “If there is nothing else, I shall take my leave.”

Tian Buyi nodded, remaining silent. Seeing his somber expression, Xiao Yicai did not linger, slowly retreating. In the Hall of Quietude, Tian Buyi was left alone. He slowly turned to look at the statues of the Three Pure Ones, his expression complex. After a while, he sighed, yet said nothing.

******

When Xiao Yicai returned to Tongtian Peak, it was already night. The peak was brightly lit, crowded with disciples and numerous righteous people who had recently arrived, making the usually serene and ethereal place seem more crowded and mundane.

But Xiao Yicai paid no mind to this. He walked directly to the Jade Purity Hall at the peak, inquired about Daoxuan Zhenren’s whereabouts from a young disciple, and then headed towards Daoxuan Zhenren’s private chambers.

In a secluded area, Xiao Yicai stood at Daoxuan Zhenren’s door, steadied himself, and was about to knock when Daoxuan Zhenren’s voice came from within, “Is that you, Yicai? Come in.”

Xiao Yicai paused, then responded respectfully, “Yes.” He gently pushed the door open and entered.

The room was spacious, filled with the aroma of books. Besides simple furniture, there were bookshelves lining the walls, laden with ancient texts. Many of these books, though old, were neatly arranged, clearly read countless times by their owner.

Daoxuan Zhenren sat by the desk, holding an ancient scroll. He smiled as Xiao Yicai entered. “You’ve only just returned?”

Xiao Yicai bowed deeply. “Yes, Master.”

Daoxuan Zhenren nodded. “How did things go?”

Xiao Yicai replied, “The seven heads of the peaks had no objections, saying they would follow Master’s decision. Only Uncle Tian of Dazhu Peak…”

Daoxuan Zhenren’s brows furrowed. “What, does Uncle Tian have a different view?”

Xiao Yicai quickly explained, “No, he did not object. He asked me to convey a message to you.”

Daoxuan Zhenren was momentarily stunned. “What message?”

Xiao Yicai recounted Tian Buyi’s words. Daoxuan Zhenren listened in silence, his expression shifting. Xiao Yicai, noticing this, wondered what was on his master’s mind.

Suddenly, Daoxuan Zhenren asked, “Yicai, what do you think of Uncle Tian?”

Xiao Yicai was surprised. “Well, I think Uncle Tian is… quite good.”

Daoxuan Zhenren chuckled, clearly not bothered by the evasive answer. “Yes, he is quite good. It’s remarkable how someone with such potential could be recognized…”

His words trailed off, and the room fell silent. Xiao Yicai felt uneasy. After a while, Daoxuan Zhenren said, “You’ve been running around all day. Go rest now.”

Xiao Yicai nodded, bowed, and left.

As his prized disciple disappeared from sight, Daoxuan Zhenren gazed at the dark sky outside, then rose and walked out, soon blending into the night.

Despite the late hour, the perpetual lamps in the Ancestral Shrine on the back of Tongtian Peak still burned, casting an eerie glow. The old man guarding the shrine was still awake, standing before the altar, gazing at the names in the shadows.

From afar, the sound of insects chirped.

In the silence, it seemed there was a heartbeat.

The night wind caused the lamps to flicker, as if gasping. The old man turned, shielding the lamps from the wind, and the flames stabilized. He gazed at the light, reflecting in his eyes.

Footsteps echoed. The old man’s brows furrowed, and he turned, his voice aged. “I didn’t expect you to come at this hour.”

Daoxuan Zhenren emerged from the darkness, entering the shrine.

Under the dim light, the two old men’s gazes met, both realizing how much they had aged. Daoxuan Zhenren approached the altar, stood before the tablets, and straightened his posture. The old man stood behind him, silent.

An unseen aura emanated from the shadows, like the deep traces of time. Daoxuan Zhenren, expressionless, lit three incense sticks, bowed three times, and placed them in the censer.

A faint, ethereal smoke rose, enveloping the room, making the ancestral tablets appear more hazy. “Burning incense at midnight, something troubling you?” the old man asked, his tone indifferent.

Daoxuan Zhenren, still gazing at the tablets, spoke after a while. “Do you think, when we pass, what emotions will our descendants hold for us?”

The old man snorted. “For you, reverence, but for me, will anyone remember?”

Daoxuan Zhenren smiled wryly. “Facing this impending calamity, the world suffers under the beasts’ tyranny. The weight of this battle and its impact on mortal and immortal fates keeps me sleepless.”

The old man frowned. “Are you here to complain? That’s not like you.”

Daoxuan Zhenren laughed and sighed. “Indeed, you know me best.”

The old man shook his head. “If I truly knew you, I wouldn’t be here. Enough, what do you want?”

Daoxuan Zhenren was unusually tolerant. His expression sobered. “I have decided to remove the Heavenly Cipher Seals of the Seven Peaks for the sake of the world.”

The old man’s expression hardened. “Have you thought this through?”

Daoxuan Zhenren nodded. “Today, I informed the six heads, and Tian Buyi warned me of the backlash.”

The old man smirked. “You’ve been to the Phantasm Moon Cave, you know the risks. Proceed with caution.”

Daoxuan Zhenren remained silent, looking at the dark shadows.

******

Seven days later, rumors of the beast demons around Qingyun Mountain grew. Within a hundred miles, centered on Heyang City, people fled in droves. Only the towering Qingyun Mountain provided a sense of safety.

Heyang City was the most chaotic, with streets and alleys crowded. Food supplies were scarce, but water was plentiful due to the nearby river. While chaos often led to violence, the presence of Qingyun Sect disciples kept the situation under control.

However, as the fearsome beast demons drew closer, tension grew. Amidst this, Jianghu fortune-teller Zhou Yixian, his granddaughter Xiaohuan, and Yegou Daoist arrived in the city. The crowds left them wide-eyed.

Yegou Daoist, with his intimidating appearance, led the way, clearing a path through the throngs. After a struggle, they entered a secluded alley. Zhou Yixian, annoyed, cursed under his breath. The alley, though less crowded, was still packed.

Finally, they reached a dilapidated morgue. Zhou Yixian sighed, and Xiaohuan tugged at his clothes. They entered the morgue, finding it in disarray. Xiaohuan’s face paled, and she clung to her grandfather.

Zhou Yixian consoled her, “It’s not your first time here. And this is where your father once lived; he wouldn’t harm us.”

Xiaohuan nodded, her color improving. Yegou Daoist, a former member of the demon sect, was unfazed. They entered the morgue, which was filled with the stench of decay. Inside, several coffins lay scattered, their lids missing.

Zhou Yixian’s expression was grim. He cleaned the dusty spirit tablets, finding one inscribed, “Spirit Tablet of My Beloved Son, Zhou Xingyun.”

Zhou Yixian paused, staring at the tablet. Xiaohuan approached, her eyes moist. “Grandfather, place Father’s tablet properly.”

Zhou Yixian sighed, and Xiaohuan carefully placed the tablet, bowing respectfully. Yegou Daoist, moved, also bowed, surprising them. Xiaohuan explained, “He’s a good person, always helping us.”

Zhou Yixian grumbled, but Xiaohuan hushed him. Yegou Daoist, grateful, looked at Xiaohuan. Suddenly, he froze, turning sharply. Xiaohuan and Zhou Yixian also sensed something, looking towards the door.

In the doorway stood a black-clad figure, their face obscured. The morgue, once filled with a faint human presence, now felt even more desolate.

Yegou Daois, his face pale, managed to speak, “Ghost Lord…”