Chapter 287: Wenxian Temple

A night of heavy snow.

Zhang Yuchun led Sun Moxing into Lingxiao Courtyard, where Li Qingqiu and Wei Tianxiong were sitting and savoring wine.

Seeing the two approach, Wei Tianxiong glanced over, sizing up Sun Moxing.

Sun Moxing was very nervous, as this was his first time facing the Sect Leader of the Qingxiao Sect.

Ever since he began specializing in the Hunyuan Scripture, he had been shocked; this Hunyuan Scripture was far stronger than the Cultivation Techniques of Ziyang Island, allowing him to Cultivate without issues like chaotic Origin Qi or blocked Spiritual Qi.

Not only that, his mental state was also becoming increasingly better.

Such a powerful Cultivation Technique was actually made available for all Disciples to practice, which filled him with awe and curiosity toward Li Qingqiu.

Just what kind of cultivation level must one have to possess such magnanimity?

He had heard that Sect Leader Li Qingqiu might be an Immortal Reincarnation; he had scoffed at it when he first arrived, but now he believed it to be true.

Now, he only wanted to follow the Qingxiao Sect to Cultivate towards immortality!

The reason for this was also because he had witnessed many geniuses within the Qingxiao Sect, and he felt that Ziyang Island did not have so many.

In any case, he couldn’t find a single person on Ziyang Island who could compare to Cloud Color, let alone the likes of Xu Ning, Jiang Zhaoxia, and Zhao Zhen.

Ziyang Island also lacked a Genius who could compare to Ji Ya; Ji Ya’s Origin Qi was too astonishing, simply inhuman.

Staying in the Qingxiao Sect these past few years had made him certain that the Qingxiao Sect would surpass Ziyang Island sooner or later.

“Senior Brother, this is Sun Moxing from Ziyang Island. He has something to say to you,” Zhang Yuchun said as he reached the long table.

Sun Moxing immediately bowed, raising his hands in a salute toward Li Qingqiu.

Li Qingqiu looked at him, waiting for him to speak.

Sun Moxing did not dare meet his gaze. With his head lowered, he said, “Sect Leader, although my heart already belongs to the Qingxiao Sect, my status at Ziyang Island must be settled. If an intelligence Disciple like me does not return within a certain timeframe, Ziyang Island will dispatch other Disciples to take over the mission. In other words, if I do not go back, more Ziyang Island Disciples will come.”

Li Qingqiu asked with a smile, “If I let you go back, will you reveal our existence?”

Sun Moxing was terrified and quickly knelt down, saying, “Sect Leader, I would absolutely never do that. I revealed my identity voluntarily. Although I come from Ziyang Island, it has shown me no great kindness. One could even say I was walking on thin ice there. This time, I will only hand over my mission and then break away from Ziyang Island.”

Li Qingqiu glanced at Wei Tianxiong. Seeing this, the latter nodded and said, “Ziyang Island does indeed have such rules. Back then, after one of their spies was detained by our Shenyuan Cult, they sent a new one. However, as for whether this person is trustworthy, I cannot judge. Regardless, in my view, Ziyang Island is not to be trusted.”

After Wei Tianxiong finished speaking, he fixed his gaze on Sun Moxing. He had many ways to make Sun Moxing obedient.

Sun Moxing looked up and happened to meet his gaze, causing his whole body to tremble in fear.

This white-haired man in black was definitely not someone to be trifled with; he was very likely a demonic Cultivator!

“Sect Leader, you must believe me. I have already given my all; my sincerity toward the Qingxiao Sect is absolute. Hall Master Zhang, please speak for me!”

Sun Moxing grew anxious and hurriedly pleaded, even turning his head to look at Zhang Yuchun.

Zhang Yuchun nodded and said, “He has offered all his Spells and Cultivation Techniques to the Scripture Pavilion. He has even written down his own understanding of Formations, Talismans, and the Dao of alchemy. I believe him.”

Wei Tianxiong snorted coldly. “The human heart is the least trustworthy thing. Hall Master Zhang, do you want to gamble the life and death of the entire Qingxiao Sect? I have a type of Gu insect here that cannot be detected. As long as it doesn’t flare up, he won’t feel any pain. This is the most merciful method of trust.”

Zhang Yuchun opened his mouth but found himself unable to refute.

Sun Moxing gritted his teeth, looked at Wei Tianxiong, and asked, “Then to what extent must I perform to have the Gu removed?”

“As long as you do not harm the Qingxiao Sect, this Gu will have no effect on you. I can even use it to aid you if you encounter trouble. Let’s say fifty years. If Ziyang Island does not invade the Nine Provinces Continent within fifty years, I will remove the Gu.”

Wei Tianxiong spoke with calm composure, his gaze cold as a knife stabbing into Sun Moxing’s heart.

Li Qingqiu remained silent, watching how the Shenyuan Cult Elder subdued Sun Moxing.

Sun Moxing’s loyalty had already risen to 90; he could actually be trusted, but Li Qingqiu didn’t want to gamble either.

Facing a colossus like Ziyang Island, the Qingxiao Sect couldn’t afford to take risks.

“Fine!”

Sun Moxing looked at Li Qingqiu and Zhang Yuchun, then gritted his teeth and agreed.

Wei Tianxiong suddenly flashed in front of him, grabbing his jaw with one hand while the other took out a black insect. He forced it into Sun Moxing’s mouth and used Origin Qi to send it down his throat.

Sun Moxing coughed violently from being choked. Only after Wei Tianxiong let go could he clutch his throat.

Wei Tianxiong’s sudden move also startled Zhang Yuchun.

He hadn’t expected this man to be so powerful.

The Shenyuan Cult Elder was indeed not simple.

To think that Sun Moxing, who was at the Ninth Layer of the Nourishing Origin Realm, would have no power to resist at all.

Li Qingqiu looked at Sun Moxing’s miserable state and said, “Take him down to rest. Once he returns from Ziyang Island, we can consider making him the Deputy Hall Master of the Spirit Control Hall.”

“Yes!”

Zhang Yuchun immediately supported Sun Moxing as they withdrew.

Wei Tianxiong turned back to the long table. Once Zhang Yuchun and the other had left the courtyard, he finally spoke. “Sect Leader, you act too mercifully. This is not a good thing for the development of a sect.”

Through the courtyard wall, Sun Moxing could hear Wei Tianxiong’s complaints, which made him feel extremely aggrieved.

He believed that Li Qingqiu was indeed merciful, as many stories and Disciples could prove it. He also felt that Wei Tianxiong was right, but since he was the one suffering, how could he let it go?

He began to harbor a grudge against Wei Tianxiong, vowing to make him pay in the future.

“I’m sorry, Fellow Daoist Sun. I didn’t expect things to turn out like this,” Zhang Yuchun said, his face full of guilt.

Sun Moxing straightened his back. He could no longer feel the Gu insect. Taking a deep breath, he asked, “Hall Master Zhang, who was that man?”

“The Deputy Hall Master of Tiangong Hall, Wei Tianxiong. He has contributed a lot to the sect; you should have heard of him,” Zhang Yuchun said helplessly.

Sun Moxing fell silent.

He had indeed heard of Wei Tianxiong’s name. This man had joined the sect even later than he had, but his contributions were immense, making his name known to all Disciples.

It was precisely because of Wei Tianxiong’s deeds that he had taken the initiative to offer his own Cultivation Techniques and Spells.

Judging by Wei Tianxiong’s move just now, his cultivation was far higher than his own.

Forget it.

Regardless, he had at least gained the opportunity to become the Deputy Hall Master of the Spirit Control Hall because of this.

On Ziyang Island, he would never have had such great authority.

The current Qingxiao Sect was still weak, but a hundred years from now, it would certainly be a different scene. With the status of Deputy Hall Master of the Spirit Control Hall, he could also obtain more cultivation resources. Just thinking about it made him excited.

This could be considered a blessing in disguise.

“Hall Master Zhang, I will prove my loyalty to the Sect Leader,” Sun Moxing said in a low voice.

With the Hunyuan Scripture and so many geniuses present, he dared to assert that the future of the Qingxiao Sect would not be inferior to Ziyang Island’s!

Zhang Yuchun nodded and said, “As long as you perform well, with my Senior Brother backing you, Wei Tianxiong certainly won’t dare to make things difficult for you. Rest assured.”

…As the end of the year approached, even with the heavy snow falling, the Qingxiao Sect appeared very lively.

On this day, Zhang Ping came alone to the Treasure Pavilion established by the Cultivation Hall. Looking at the dazzling array of wooden cabinets on the first floor, he raised an eyebrow slightly.

Compared to half a year ago, there were even more treasures in the Treasure Pavilion.

As soon as he entered, he could feel a wave of Spiritual Qi washing over him.

He marveled inwardly; the sect’s development was truly becoming faster and faster.

He heard it was related to that Deputy Hall Master of Tiangong Hall. He wondered when he would be able to become such a useful person.

Zhang Ping would occasionally contribute the Spells and Medicinal Pills he created to the sect, but he felt his own contributions weren’t very significant, merely adding a few bricks and tiles.

Thinking this, he walked into a corridor ahead.

The Treasure Pavilion had a total of seven floors, with different treasures on each. The first floor held the most basic Talisman paper, which was what the Qingxiao Sect Discipless needed most.

By imprinting Spells onto Talisman paper, one could use Talismans to cast Spells during battle, reducing the consumption of Origin Qi. Thus, Talismans had become an essential item for Qingxiao Sect Discipless.

Zhang Ping usually studied the art of Talismans as well. He had many new ideas recently, so he planned to purchase a batch of Talisman paper.

The prices of Talisman paper varied; different materials could withstand different amounts of Origin Qi.

There were many Disciples wandering around the first floor, making it quite bustling. However, the Disciples were very well-mannered and did not make loud noises; even when speaking with companions, they spoke in hushed tones.

Slap!

A hand slapped Zhang Ping’s shoulder. He stopped and turned around to see Bai Ninger grinning at him.

At thirty-five, Bai Ninger was dashing and spirited, fully displaying the demeanor of a great Cultivator.

He looked at Zhang Ping and asked with a smile, “What’s with that expression? Not happy to see me? You’ll make me sad like this.”

Zhang Ping shook his head. “How could I not be happy? But I’m indeed not that happy either. After all, no matter what you do, you always manage to come back alive.”

“Tsk tsk, the Ninth Layer of the Nourishing Origin Realm is indeed different. Even your tone has changed. It seems you’ve forgotten this brother of yours,” Bai Ninger said sarcastically.

Zhang Ping rolled his eyes at him, not bothered to respond, and turned back to continue picking out Talisman paper.

Bai Ninger followed him and chuckled softly. “I’m going down the mountain again soon. Guess what mission I’m performing this time?”

“The New Year is almost here. Why are you in such a hurry?”

“Don’t worry, I’m only going down after the festival. I’m just here early to buy some Talismanic Incantations.”

“Just don’t drag me along.”

“Bah, in all these years, when have I ever dragged you along?”

Bai Ninger said irritably, feeling that Zhang Ping had a misunderstanding of him.

He took a step forward, leaned close to Zhang Ping, and whispered, “Have you heard? A prodigy has appeared in Central Heaven Province. Through self-Epiphany, he realized a method of cultivation and founded Wenxian Temple.”

Zhang Ping replied casually, “Are such prodigies rare? Which of those cultivation sects’ Ancestral Masters wasn’t such a figure? Just take it with a grain of salt. Without a transcendent background, how could they attract Mortals to join?”

Bai Ninger shook his head and said, “This boy is different. When he founded Wenxian Temple, a Green Bird descended from the heavens; many people saw it. Wenxian Temple wanted to gain the Emperor’s recognition but was rejected. Now they can only Cultivate in the mountains and wilds, unable to gain an official name. I heard that anomalies frequently occur in the forest where Wenxian Temple is located. I plan to go take a look and see if this Wenxian Temple is just putting on a show.”