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The Divine Silkworm Sect Daoist’s all-or-nothing, self-destructive attack, which had drawn upon the very source of the ruins, was ultimately rendered naught, effortlessly suppressed by a great hand that reached out from the void.

The suffocating drone and destructive golden radiance that had filled the world receded like a tide.

All that remained were the devastated ruins and a deathly silence.

Having witnessed a scene that was both a divine miracle and a display of heavenly might, Qi Yun struggled to maintain his composure.

Beneath his wide sleeve, however, his right hand had uncontrollably clenched into a fist, his knuckles turning white from the sheer force.

’So this... is the might of a Golden Core True Monarch?’

The image of that colossal hand kept replaying in his mind. It seemed forged from the very Dao Principles of Heaven and Earth, yet with a single, casual strike, it had quelled a terrifying storm of power capable of annihilating a Foundation Establishment Master.

It was an absolute power that surpassed imagination, one that controlled the universe and regarded all of creation as insignificant.

The impact it had on him was far more intense and profound than any life-or-death battle.

He took a deep breath, his chest rising and falling. After a long moment, Qi Yun finally managed to suppress the overwhelming shock and the thread of indescribable longing that roiled within him.

"Enlightenment leads to the Dao, and with it, one can shape the universe." Elder Master Deng Yin gazed up at the Celestial Vault, watching the True Monarch’s aura gradually dissipate, its lingering might still palpable. A nearly imperceptible ripple passed through his cloudy eyes as he sighed softly.

"The might of a True Monarch has long since transcended the definitions and imagination of mortals.

Until you reach that Realm, you can never truly comprehend it.

Just how powerful... is that Realm."

His words held a hint of longing, but even more, they carried the tranquil acceptance of one who, after countless years, had come to recognize his own limits.

With the dust settled and their business here concluded, the Elder Master and Qian Xin Master prepared to take Qi Yun back to the Wuji Holy Sect.

Just then, Qian Xin Master’s gaze swept casually across the area, landing on a headless corpse lying in a pool of blood at the edge of the platform.

He let out a soft "Oh?" A flash of understanding crossed his eyes, and he turned to Qi Yun with a playful, knowing look.

"Kid, this headless corpse... judging by the lingering Asura Evil Qi, could this be that disciple from the Inner Mansion who inherited the Asura Dao? The one named Chang Qing?

Did... you kill him?"

Hearing Qian Xin Master’s question, Qi Yun’s heart skipped a beat, but his expression remained impassive. He subconsciously glanced at Elder Master Deng Yin, who stood beside him.

Seeing that the Elder Master remained as impassive as ever, as if the matter had nothing to do with him, Qi Yun felt his heart settle. He turned to Qian Xin Master and replied,

"To answer your question, Master, it was an accident."

He said it without batting an eye, as if he were merely stating a fact.

"Pfft—" Upon hearing this, Qian Xin Master was stunned for a moment before he burst out laughing. Pointing at Qi Yun, he said to Elder Master Deng Yin,

"Senior Brother Deng, just look at him!

This kid was caught red-handed, yet he can still lie with a perfectly straight face!

Hahaha! A fine ’accident’ indeed!

His ability to lie through his teeth, his sheer shamelessness... the more I see, the more I like him!"

He chuckled for a moment before his tone shifted, offering a seemingly casual reminder.

"But then again, if I remember correctly, the person backing this Chang Qing was that fellow Han Tao, wasn’t it?

He’s known for being petty.

Now that his prized protégé has been snuffed out here, he probably won’t let this go easily."

"Master Han Tao?" Qi Yun’s eyes flickered. He committed the name to memory.

At this, Elder Master Deng Yin, who had been silent all this time, finally spoke. He gave a faint smile, his tone as placid as if he were discussing what to have for dinner.

But the words he spoke caused the expressions of both Qian Xin Master and Qi Yun to change instantly.

"Han Tao? Petty? It doesn’t matter."

He paused, seemingly lost in a memory, and continued slowly,

"If he has any objections to this matter, I can personally go and have a talk with him."

"Come to think of it, back when he first reached Foundation Establishment, he was proud and arrogant. He even came to find me to ’discuss the Dao.’" The faint smile on the Elder Master’s lips seemed to deepen slightly.

"At the time... I believe I accidentally broke one of his legs."

"Hmm..." He nodded slightly, as if savoring the distant memory, and added softly, "Thinking back on it, that ’discussion of the Dao’ was really rather nostalgic."

Qian Xin Master: "..."

Qi Yun: "..."

Having felt the full force of the dominance hidden beneath the Elder Master’s placid words—the kind of dominance that wouldn’t hesitate to break the leg of a Foundation Establishment Master—both Qi Yun and Qian Xin Master knew better than to say another word.

The three then used the Transmission Array Patterns, which were formed from Blood Jade Fragments and had not yet fully dissipated. With a flash, their figures vanished, and they left the now-silent ruins of the Divine Silkworm Sect, returning to the Wuji Holy Sect.

...

Upon returning to the Sect, Qian Xin Master excused himself, citing other matters he had to attend to.

Qi Yun, meanwhile, followed closely behind the Elder Master, returning to the quiet and secluded Cyan Mountain Daoist Temple.

The temple was as tranquil as ever, as though the turmoil of the outside world could never touch it.

No sooner had they sat down on the stone benches than the Elder Master looked up at Qi Yun and instructed him in a calm, soft voice,

"The matter concerning the Divine Silkworm Sect ends here. You are not to mention it again.

As for the mad ravings of that Divine Silkworm remnant before his death, do not believe a single word of it."

His cloudy eyes seemed to pierce right through to a person’s heart as he slowly continued, 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

"The karmic implications of this affair run far deeper than you can see. There are several living True Monarchs involved.

Knowing too much or dwelling on it will only bring you harm.

Erase this from your mind as quickly as possible and focus on your own cultivation."

Upon hearing this, Qi Yun’s expression turned serious. He replied solemnly,

"Rest assured, Teacher. I understand the gravity of the situation. I will not breathe a word of this to anyone, and I will put it out of my mind as soon as possible."

"Good." The Elder Master nodded slightly, quite pleased with Qi Yun’s astuteness. He then changed the subject to the "spoils" of their recent endeavor.

"Have the people from Black Death Peak come here to complete the transaction.

Right here, in my Daoist Temple.

That way, they can’t try any tricks."

Qi Yun immediately understood the Elder Master’s intention and nodded. "Yes, Teacher."

He produced the Taixu Jade Order, contacted Li Chong directly, and sent a concise message.

*Chang Qing has been dealt with. Bring the agreed-upon items to the Master Dao Field—the Cyan Mountain Daoist Temple—for the exchange.*

...

「Meanwhile, at Black Death Peak.」

Inside the grim, icy main hall.

Upon receiving Qi Yun’s message, Li Chong dared not delay. He immediately presented the information to the figure seated at the head of the hall: Peak Master Li Hanyan.

Li Hanyan read the message on the Jade Order, his eyes lingering on the four words, "Cyan Mountain Daoist Temple." The corner of his mouth curled into an icy arc as he scoffed.

"Heh... So the rumors are true. This little brat under Deng Yin’s protection is as paranoid and cautious as they come.

Is he afraid I’ll go back on our deal, or that I’ll try to harm him in secret?

He actually needs his backer watching over his shoulder just to make a trade?"

He pondered for a moment, his fingertips drumming against the armrest of his throne, then said nonchalantly,

"Send him a reply. Tell him he can have the [Three-Life Glazed Treasure Mirror] now.

But the [Soul-Shaking Potion] is difficult to concoct. It requires ten days for the final refinement and sealing to ensure its potency isn’t lost.

Tell him to come to my Black Death Peak in ten days to retrieve it personally."

"Yes, Master." Li Chong acknowledged the order and immediately relayed Li Hanyan’s message to Qi Yun.

...

Back in the Cyan Mountain Daoist Temple, Qi Yun received Li Chong’s reply. As he read the part about "the Soul-Shaking Potion can only be retrieved after ten days," his brow furrowed in hesitation.

Elder Master Deng Yin, who had been resting with his eyes closed, seemed to sense it. He slowly opened his eyes, and upon seeing Qi Yun’s expression, he showed no surprise. Instead, a knowing, ’I-knew-it’ smile spread across his face.

"After all these years, that boy Li Hanyan still hasn’t changed. He can’t shake that petty habit of his, always trying to have some leverage over people."

The Elder Master’s tone was laced with mockery, as if he were critiquing a disappointing junior.

"Alright, send him a reply.

Tell him we’ll see him at Black Death Peak in ten days."

Qi Yun saw the meaningful smile on the Elder Master’s face and understood at once. His hesitation vanished, replaced by a smile of his own. He nodded. "I understand."

He then sent a reply to Li Chong, readily agreeing to the appointment in ten days.

...

In the main hall of Black Death Peak, upon receiving Qi Yun’s reply agreeing to meet, Li Chong looked up at Li Hanyan.

"Master, he has agreed. I will go and prepare the [Three-Life Glazed Treasure Mirror] now.

And begin arrangements for ten days from now..."

"Prepare? Prepare what for?" Li Hanyan cut him off with a cold laugh, his eyes darkening.

"I must enter seclusion immediately. I need to focus all my efforts on concealing the karmic traces of that boy’s killing of Chang Qing, lest that old fiend Han Tao catches a whiff of it.

It’s for the boy’s own good, and it cannot be delayed."

His tone was flat, yet it carried an indisputable finality.

"In ten days, if the boy shows up, have him wait in the Side Hall.

We can discuss everything else after I emerge from my seclusion."

Li Chong was taken aback. He opened his mouth, as if to offer a reminder...

But when his eyes met Li Hanyan’s—cold, deep, and permitting no dissent—he swallowed the words on the tip of his tongue. He could only lower his head and reply respectfully,

"...Yes, Master. I understand."

Li Hanyan closed his eyes, satisfied. The Evil Qi around him receded as if he were truly about to enter seclusion.

But the faint, cold smirk playing on his lips betrayed his inner calculations.

’The boy did do a good job.

But when I invited him to join Black Death Peak, he actually refused.

A mere Qi Refining Realm cultivator daring to refuse a Foundation Establishment Master.

That just shows how arrogant he is.

Fine. I’ll just have to put in a little more effort to temper that arrogance of yours.’

...