Chapter 334

Words : 2481 Updated : Oct 5th, 2025

Chapter 334At the highest point of Suspended Mountain, there was a small temple. Compared to the magnificent and grandiose temples halfway down the mountain, this small temple appeared extraordinarily simple. The mud walls and wooden pillars were worn with age, full of the marks of time. There were only a few monks' quarters, seemingly able to house no more than three to five people. The Grand Elder arrived here, his face solemn. With utmost respect, he said, “Abbot, esteemed Grand Elders, Xuan Yi has an urgent matter and seeks an audience.” Inside the small temple, there was no sound. The Grand Elder showed no displeasure; his face remained respectful as he patiently waited. After about half an incense stick’s time, a calm voice drifted out from within. “Come in.” With a creak, the door of the small temple opened on its own, though no wind had touched it. The Grand Elder first bowed respectfully before carefully stepping inside. He finally stopped in the empty courtyard, quietly waiting. “What is it?” After a while, the voice slowly drifted out again, its source unclear. At the same time, the Grand Elder felt several invisible gazes fall upon him. Not daring to be slow, he quickly bowed and said, “Abbot, some time ago, we sent Junior Brother Xuan Ming and others to Zhongzhou to seek out that mysterious opportunity. However, just today, a novice monk in charge of cleaning the Soul Tower discovered that all of Junior Brother Xuan Ming’s soul lamps had gone out.” “I fear they may have perished outside. The matter is of great importance, and I dare not make a decision on my own. Thus, I’ve come to ask for guidance from you and the esteemed Grand Elders.” Upon hearing this, silence fell over the area. Yet the Grand Elder could clearly feel the weight of the gazes upon him intensify. His expression remained calm, though the pressure in his heart gradually increased. After a long moment, the calm voice sounded again. “Indeed. I just made some calculations. Their karmic ties have ended, and they have indeed fallen.” “Abbot, can you deduce who killed Junior Brother Xuan Ming and the others?” The Grand Elder’s spirits lifted, and he hurriedly asked. “I cannot. Although the laws of the world outside have recently become somewhat clearer, it is still difficult to calculate. Even with the power of the Heart Temple, deducing the karmic ties of Xuan Ming and the others was the limit. Moreover, those who killed them are not ordinary; they also possess something that blocks heavenly secrets, making it even more difficult to deduce.” The calm voice continued, its tone unperturbed, as though the deaths of Xuan Ming and the others hadn’t stirred any emotion. The Grand Elder felt a wave of disappointment but still asked, “Abbot, in your opinion, could this be the work of the three from Sacred Mountain, or perhaps those from the other three secret realms? I fear there may be a conspiracy against us.” “It’s hard to say.” The calm voice replied, “Xuan Ming and the others carried the Vajra Subduing Demon Pestle and other treasures. Normally, few in the outside world should be able to harm them. However, the three Holy Lords of Sacred Mountain are bound by Sacred Mountain's restraints and would not act lightly.” “Then, is it most likely the work of people from the other three secret realms?” the Grand Elder asked again. “The heavenly secrets are unclear; it’s difficult to say. You should send someone out to investigate first.” “I’ve already sent Junior Brother Xuan Yi to Wujian Tower to ask them to send people to investigate,” the Grand Elder replied. “That will do. Our Suspended Mountain has sheltered Wujian Tower for long enough. It’s about time they proved their worth.” “However, Abbot, ever since the changes in heaven and earth and the revival of spiritual energy, Wujian Tower seems to have been moving strangely and hasn’t been entirely obedient,” the Grand Elder said. “No matter. They are nothing more than a group of dark, insignificant rats. In time, they will come to understand reality. You may go now.” “Yes, I take my leave.” The Grand Elder’s heart trembled, realizing the Abbot had already made up his mind. Not daring to inquire further, he responded quietly and slowly withdrew from the small temple. Once the Grand Elder had left, peace returned to the small temple. After a long while, the calm voice spoke again, “Fellow Elders, what do you think of Xuan Yi’s words?” About ten breaths later, a hoarse voice replied, “We should observe. The most important thing for us now is to consolidate our cultivation and wait for the day when the heavenly laws stabilize completely, allowing us to transcend the tribulation and form our Golden Cores. By then, regardless of conspiracy or overt plot, they will all be insignificant.” “Indeed. No matter how much noise is made outside, it’s merely minor squabbling. Once our cultivation is restored, we will crush them effortlessly.” “As long as we restore our cultivation before those old immortals from the other secret realms, all the opportunities and fortunes will belong to Suspended Mountain.” Two more voices echoed in agreement. “Good. The Elders’ words are true. Let’s watch and wait for now, and let Xuan Yi and the others handle matters first.” The calm voice faded away. Silence fell upon the small temple once more, and no one spoke again for a long time. As the Grand Elder left the small temple, a figure descended from the gate of Suspended Mountain, riding a streak of light down to the earth below. After some time, the figure landed in front of a small village. With a wave of his hand, the light under his feet shrank into a small object that fell into his hand—a boat made from a green bamboo leaf. It was none other than Xuan Yi, who had been sent to Wujian Tower. “Master Xuan Yi, what brings you to our humble abode?” Xuan Yi’s flashy arrival had long since attracted the attention of the villagers, and a rotund man came out to greet him with a fawning smile. “No need for small talk. Where is your leader? Take me to him,” Xuan Yi said coldly, looking with disdain at the oily man in front of him. He had always looked down on these rats who skulked in the dark. It was beyond him why the Abbot had chosen to shelter such beings in the first place. “Our leader is inside. Please, follow me.” Sёarch* The novёlF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality. The rotund man remained oblivious to Xuan Yi’s disdain, continuing to smile ingratiatingly. “Lead the way then.” Xuan Yi followed the man into the village. However, after walking a short distance, his brow furrowed. The village was littered with skeletons and animal carcasses, giving the place an eerie and unsettling atmosphere. From the darkened houses around them, cold, sinister eyes peered out, making Xuan Yi uncomfortable. “Master Xuan Yi, is something wrong?” The rotund man, seeing Xuan Yi stop, quickly asked. “Hmph.” Xuan Yi let out a cold snort, and his robe suddenly radiated a dazzling golden light. In the next instant, muffled screams came from the dark houses on either side. The rotund man’s face changed, and he immediately yelled, “You fools! How dare you look directly at Master Xuan Yi! I’ll deal with you later!” He then turned back to Xuan Yi, bowing obsequiously. “Master Xuan Yi, please don’t concern yourself with these idiots. I’ll punish them later. Let’s not delay your important matters.” Xuan Yi said nothing, his expression indifferent as he continued walking. With his status, a minor reprimand was enough. There was no need to stoop to dealing with a bunch of rats. After all, he still needed to use these rats to get things done. Following the rotund man, Xuan Yi finally arrived before a tall wooden tower. “Master Xuan Yi, our leader is waiting for you inside.” The man made a gesture to invite him in but did not enter himself. Xuan Yi, unafraid, stepped into the tower. However, he was already displeased. For a lowly rat leader who only survived under Suspended Mountain’s protection to dare put on airs in front of him was intolerable. Were it not for the fact that he still needed them for this mission, he would have already made his displeasure known. Upon entering the tower, Xuan Yi saw a black-clad figure standing with his back to him, hands clasped behind his back. The figure’s aura was mysterious and elusive, making it hard for Xuan Yi to discern whether the person before him was real or an illusion. His heart tightened. He realized that the figure’s cultivation level was higher than his own. The black-clad figure was staring at a painting on the wall. The painting depicted a massive black Yaksha holding twin forks, exuding a mysterious and eerie aura like a ruler of the underworld. “It is rare to have a distinguished guest from the heavens. I apologize for not greeting you earlier, Master Xuan Yi.” The black-clad figure turned around with a dazzling smile. “Wuxing, enough with the pleasantries. I’m here to give you a task.” Even though he could sense that the black-clad figure’s cultivation was superior, Xuan Yi showed no signs of kindness, speaking coldly. “What task does the mountain have for us lowly ones?” the black-clad figure asked, smiling, unfazed by Xuan Yi’s attitude. “Some time ago, my senior brothers Xuan Ming and Xuan Nu, along with some disciples, went out with members of your Wujian Tower to seize opportunities in the outside world. Now, they have gone missing.” “I need you to send people out to investigate the whereabouts of Senior Brother Xuan Ming and the others. Also, find out what major events have taken place in the outside world recently.” “Senior Brother Xuan Ming is missing?” The black-clad figure was visibly shocked, as though he hadn’t expected Xuan Yi to come for such a reason. Who in the world would dare to challenge Suspended Mountain? “That’s right. Not only Senior Brother Xuan Ming but also your disciples from Wujian Tower who accompanied them have gone silent. Therefore, all you need to do is find out the whereabouts of Senior Brother Xuan Ming. Don’t do anything else.” The black-clad figure’s heart grew heavy. From Xuan Yi’s tone, it seemed that Xuan Ming and the others were likely dead. He immediately sensed the gravity of the situation. “Rest assured, Master Xuan Yi. I will arrange it at once.” Xuan Yi nodded slightly. “After you select your people, have them wait at the boundary gate. Someone will escort them out. Remember, the priority is to find Senior Brother Xuan Ming. Don’t meddle in anything else, or you will bear the consequences!” With that, Xuan Yi turned and left the tower, following the rotund man out of the village as though staying there a moment longer would taint him. Standing in front of the tower, watching Xuan Yi’s departing figure, the black-clad figure’s eyes gleamed with an indescribable expression. Suddenly, a strange figure appeared beside him. “Tower Lord, it seems Suspended Mountain is becoming increasingly disrespectful to us. A mere minor cultivator dares to act so arrogantly in our Wujian Tower and shows no respect to you.” “When you’re under someone’s roof, what can you do?” the black-clad figure sighed. “He is a disciple of Suspended Mountain. Those old monsters up there could crush us with a finger. Not to mention, they control the method of entering and leaving this realm. If you were in his shoes, you’d be just as arrogant.” The strange figure fell silent. He knew the Tower Lord spoke the truth. After a while, he asked, “Tower Lord, what do you think about what Xuan Yi said? Could it be that someone in this world dares to strike against Suspended Mountain? Could it be one of the other three secret realms?” “Who knows? But it’s clear that the changes in the outside world are far more drastic than we expected. Even Suspended Mountain can’t fully control the situation. This is an opportunity for us.” The strange figure’s spirits lifted. “Tower Lord, you mean…” “This time, you will lead the team. Remember, there’s no need to rush back. This is a rare chance to gather information about the outside world. Make sure you seize it.” “I understand,” the strange figure said respectfully. “Go. Choose your people carefully. Pick the sharpest ones. This may be our only chance to break free from Suspended Mountain’s control.” ... Unaware of the events unfolding in Suspended Mountain’s secret realm, Lu Qing was fully focused on using the power of the Li Huo Cauldron to refine his own seal within the gray gourd. He had already reached the final stage. With the final seal, the gourd emitted a dim gray light. This gray light was different from the plague-ridden gray light of the Plague Elder; it was full of profound meaning, embodying the essence of all things and their transformation. As the gray light gradually receded, the Li Huo Cauldron spat out the gourd, which landed in Lu Qing’s hand. “This man has truly mastered the secret refining techniques of the Li Huo Sect.” From start to finish, Yan had been watching Lu Qing refine the gray gourd, and he was now convinced that Lu Qing had truly inherited the sect’s refining techniques. And not just inherited—Lu Qing had reached an impressive level of mastery. In terms of refining techniques alone, he was not inferior to some of the true disciples of the Li Huo Sect from back then. “Congratulations, young master, on the successful refinement of your treasure.” Seeing the gourd fall into Lu Qing’s hands, Yan immediately congratulated him. “I’ve only just begun the refinement. It’s far from complete.” Lu Qing shook his head, showing no sign of pride. His cultivation was still too weak. Even with the power of the Li Huo Cauldron, he had only managed to refine a few layers of seals into the gourd. For now, the gourd was only in its embryonic stage. It would take much more time and a further increase in his cultivation to fully refine and perfect the treasure. However, even in its embryonic form, Lu Qing could sense the extraordinary nature of the gourd in his hand. He activated his special ability and gazed into the gourd. Table of content

Chapter 334

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