Chapter 135: Arcane Mysticism

### Azure Ethereal Conclave, Secret Chamber

An ancient screen divided the stone chamber, and a man in gray, Shangguan Ce, stood quietly in place, waiting patiently.

After a long while, the hoarse voice of Yun Yilang, the Grandmaster of Azure Ethereal Conclave, emerged from behind the screen. “I hear that during your pursuit of the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox, your actions were quite peculiar. And at the last moment, you suddenly ordered all the disciples to retreat. Is this true?”

A faint, cold smile touched Shangguan Ce’s lips. He knew well who had told Yun Yilang these things. In the entire conclave, apart from himself, only Li Xun, Yun Yilang’s most favored disciple, would be here speaking with him.

Without any need for further explanation, Shangguan Ce simply said, “Yes.”

Yun Yilang was silent for a moment before he spoke again. “So, as your senior, I am truly puzzled. Would you mind enlightening me, my junior?”

Shangguan Ce bowed slightly towards the screen. “I would not dare. During my pursuit of the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox, I encountered someone, which is why I ordered the disciples to return and then immediately returned to the conclave to report to you, Senior.”

Yun Yilang’s voice revealed a clear surprise. “Who could have made you so cautious, my junior?”

“Warlock,” Shangguan Ce said slowly, uttering the word with a heavy weight.

The room fell into a deep silence, and no sound came from behind the screen for a long time.

Shangguan Ce stood there patiently, knowing full well that Yun Yilang’s reaction was as he had anticipated. The shock he felt upon seeing the Warlock was no small matter.

After an indeterminate amount of time, Yun Yilang’s calm voice finally broke the silence. “They have finally lost their patience.”

Shangguan Ce could not discern any emotion from Yun Yilang’s voice—whether it was anxiety or shock, it was impossible to tell. Staring at the screen, he continued, “There is one more thing…”

Yun Yilang gave a brief, surprised “Mm?”

Taking a deep breath, Shangguan Ce said, “The Warlock has obtained two of the Sacred Artifacts: the Black Staff and the Bone Jade.”

“What?” Yun Yilang exclaimed, unable to maintain his composure.

A cold smile flickered in Shangguan Ce’s heart, but his expression remained unchanged. “It seems the Beast Fiend found a witch from the Li tribe and taught her the ‘Black Fire’ technique. Using her, they incited a conflict between the Miao and Li tribes, allowing them to seize the Black Staff and Bone Jade from the Miao’s chief shaman. The Li witch then tried to rebel against the Beast Fiend, but the Beast Fiend had anticipated this and had the Warlock use the ‘Black Fire Pearl’ to kill her, reclaiming the two artifacts.”

Yun Yilang snorted coldly. “Such foolhardy fools!” His voice grew stern. “These artifacts are of great importance. Why did you not intervene?”

Shangguan Ce’s face was impassive. “By the time I arrived, the Black Staff and Bone Jade were already in the Warlock’s possession, and he was accompanied by a fierce dragon.”

Yun Yilang fell silent, and after a long pause, he sighed. “Fate, such cruel fate! Our century-old plan, now in ruins!”

Shangguan Ce remained silent.

—

### Green Mist Mountain, Peak of the Heavens

White clouds drifted, and ethereal mists swirled around this place, making it seem like a heavenly paradise. The calls of cranes echoed melodiously through the air.

The “Jade Purity Hall,” which had been destroyed in a fierce battle ten years ago, had been rebuilt. It was grander and more magnificent than before, with dozens of red stone pillars supporting the massive structure. The roof, made of yellow glazed tiles, shimmered brilliantly under the sunlight.

At the center of the roof, a tower-like spire rose high, with a series of jade rings forming a pagoda, from large to small, reaching up thirty-six layers. The topmost ring was a gleaming yellow crystal.

The eaves extended in all directions, and the east, south, west, and north sides were adorned with golden dragons playing with pearls. The southeast, southwest, northwest, and northeast sides featured colorful phoenixes in flight, each with a glass wind chime in their mouths, creating a harmonious melody.

Amidst the sounds of cranes and wind chimes, Lu Xueqi, dressed in white, ascended the stone steps leading to the Jade Purity Hall.

Several Qingyun disciples sweeping the steps bowed in greeting. A few young novices, entranced by her beauty, blushed and looked away.

Lu Xueqi returned the greetings, her expression as usual, and walked towards the towering hall at the end of the steps.

Suddenly, a loud splash echoed, breaking the tranquility. Lu Xueqi did not turn around; it was the Spirit Guardian, Water Kirin, rising from the Azure Spring to bask in the sun.

Everything here was so peaceful and serene, yet who knew that once, a young man had left in anger, venturing into a world of filth and blood?

Lu Xueqi reached the top of the steps and, after a brief glance at the imposing Jade Purity Hall, entered.

Inside the vast hall, light streamed in from the windows, creating a bright and welcoming atmosphere. Daoxuan, the leader of Qingyun and the foremost figure of the righteous path, sat on the main seat, smiling. At his right, Water Moon, Lu Xueqi’s master and the head of the Bamboo Peak, also sat.

Lu Xueqi was taken aback. She had returned from the South after being dispatched by Daoxuan, planning to first report to him and then see her master, Water Moon. She had not expected Water Moon to be here. The only other people in the hall were Daoxuan and Water Moon, as if they had been waiting specifically for her.

Daoxuan smiled warmly as Lu Xueqi entered. Water Moon, usually cold, gazed at her beloved disciple with a tender look.

Lu Xueqi approached and bowed to Daoxuan. “Greetings, Master Daoxuan.”

She then turned and bowed to Water Moon. “Master, why are you here?”

Daoxuan smiled. “I received news of your return and informed your master. We also needed to discuss some matters, so I invited her here.”

Lu Xueqi nodded. Water Moon, sitting beside her, observed her beautiful disciple. Lu Xueqi’s face, as flawless as ever, seemed pale, and a hint of concern crossed Water Moon’s features.

Daoxuan, not sharing the same history with Lu Xueqi as Water Moon, continued smiling. “Xueqi, how did your mission to visit the Azure Ethereal Conclave go?”

Lu Xueqi hesitated before recounting her experiences in the South, omitting her farewell with Ghost Li.

Daoxuan and Water Moon listened silently. When Lu Xueqi mentioned that Yun Yilang had not appeared, only Shangguan Ce and Li Xun had, they exchanged a curious glance.

As Lu Xueqi spoke about the battle in the Seven-Li Cave, Daoxuan’s expression turned cold. Water Moon, understanding her disciple’s thoughts, noticed a fleeting sadness in Lu Xueqi’s eyes when she mentioned Ghost Li’s injury from Li Xun’s ambush and her own “Thunder God” attack.

Water Moon sighed inwardly.

After Lu Xueqi finished, she stood beside Water Moon. Daoxuan looked at her and said, “Zhang Xiaofan, that wretched child, has become a serious threat.”

Water Moon opened her eyes and glanced at Lu Xueqi. “Fate is fickle, and we cannot control it.”

Lu Xueqi’s face paled even more.

Daoxuan pondered. “From what you’ve said, Zhang Xiaofan’s cultivation has greatly advanced.”

Water Moon nodded. “He can absorb the essence of multiple Li warriors in an instant with the Demon Blood Pearl, and even injured Li Xun with his pure Yang Jade Ruler. His cultivation is on par with Xueqi and Xiao Yi.”

Lu Xueqi remained expressionless.

Daoxuan shook his head. “After being ambushed and injured, he not only survived the Thunder God attack but also counterattacked. He must have used the Temple of Great Mercy’s ‘Great Vajra’ technique to resist the Thunder God and then broke the formation with our Taiji Xuqing Dao. When he confronted Xueqi, the Demon Blood Pearl glowed red, indicating he used demonic power to subdue her. This shows he has mastered Buddhist, Daoist, and demonic techniques, surpassing even our top disciples.”

He looked at Lu Xueqi. “He must have been exhausted and couldn’t harm you further. Otherwise, you would have been defenseless. Be extremely cautious if you encounter him again.”

Lu Xueqi’s lips moved, and her hand gripped Tianya tightly. “Yes, Master.”

Water Moon sighed. “Xueqi, you must be tired. Rest now. I need to discuss something with your master.”

Lu Xueqi nodded and bowed to Daoxuan. “Master, I will take my leave.”

Water Moon nodded. “Go, Xueqi.”

Lu Xueqi bowed and slowly left, disappearing from their sight.

—

### Fox岐Mountain, Ice Chamber

The members of the Ghost King Sect, including the Ghost King, Qinglong, Youji, Gui Li, and Xiao Bai, stood in the stone chamber. The Dark Lord, dressed in black, stood alone in a corner.

All attention was fixed on the elderly Shaman standing beside the ice platform where Bixiao lay. Ghost Li, hands clenched, did not bring Xiao Hui here. Seeing the Shaman’s aged form and Bixiao’s face, he trembled despite his steel resolve.

Ten years of longing, ten years of nightmares, and now, the hope was within reach.

The Shaman swayed, and the crowd tensed. Ghost Li stepped forward, and even the stoic Ghost King showed a flicker of worry.

The Shaman turned, smiling to reassure them, and the tension eased. However, after a night’s rest, he looked even more frail. His face, etched with deep wrinkles, seemed to be sapping his remaining life.

The Shaman’s breathing grew heavier.

The Ghost King and Ghost Li exchanged a worried glance. Suddenly, the Shaman’s trembling hand reached out, pointing to the “Joyful Bell” in Bixiao’s grasp.

The golden bell, held by her pale hands, glowed softly. The Shaman’s hand, growing closer, finally touched it. The entire chamber held its breath.

A faint blue light emanated from the Shaman’s fingertips, and the bell rang, echoing through the chamber.

The Ghost King and Ghost Li’s faces lit up with excitement. Both took a step forward, but quickly controlled themselves, their eyes fixed on the Shaman’s hand.

The bell’s surface glowed golden, and the Shaman’s face showed strain. Suddenly, the chamber filled with a chilling aura.

The experts present, including the Ghost King, Ghost Li, and Xiao Bai, leaped forward instinctively. As the chilling aura intensified, the bell’s golden glow turned blindingly hot, spreading rapidly.

The Shaman, weak, was hit first and coughed up blood. The Ghost King, like a ghost, caught him, and Ghost Li summoned his Demon Rod, creating a barrier. Xiao Bai, with a white light, shielded the bell.

The bell’s glow subsided, and the chamber returned to normal. The Shaman, covered in blood, was clearly on the brink of death.

In the stunned silence, the Shaman, regaining consciousness, spoke in a hoarse voice. “The young lady’s remaining soul is indeed in the Joyful Bell.”

The bell’s power, he explained, was a powerful barrier, protecting her soul but also preventing extraction. He coughed again, and Ghost Li, holding him, suggested, “Rest, Elder.”

The Shaman smiled and whispered, “Don’t forget our deal in the Seven-Li Cave.”

Ghost Li nodded. “Rest assured, Elder.”

The Shaman sighed. “To extract the soul, I must set up the ‘Soul Summoning’ array. But I may not live long enough to do so.”

The Ghost King, teeth gritted, stepped forward. “Master, we are grateful for your efforts. Do what you must, and we will not let you down.”

The Shaman nodded, his eyes showing relief. “The Soul Summoning is a spirit ritual. Only Ghost Li and the Ghost King should remain. The rest, please leave.”

The others, except the three, left. The Shaman, too weak to stand, sat on the ground, his face pale and worn.