Chapter 112: The Reason Daoist Non-Speaker Was Imprisoned
Apart from the status of the Five Great Immortal Sects, Dao Seeking Sect is also a notorious entity in the cultivation world, akin to parents warning their children not to associate with the bad kids. Elders often admonish their disciples not to get involved with Dao Seeking Sect.
However, there are always disciples who defy such warnings and mingle with Dao Seeking Sect, to the dismay of many.
Take Lan Ting, for example.
Fortunately, the higher-ups in the cultivation world recognize that Dao Seeking Sect is not beyond redemption. Since the disappearance of the previous sect master of Dao Seeking Sect, and with Yun Zhi succeeding him, there has been a noticeable improvement in the sect’s atmosphere—mainly, Dao Seeking Sect now only harms its own members, not others.
If Dao Seeking Sect were considered a mental institution, then Yun Zhi would be the director, one of the few sane individuals.
A visit from Yun Zhi is always preferable to others.
A cheerful voice emanated from beneath Heaven’s Mysteries Sect, and in the blink of an eye, an ancient figure appeared in front of Yun Zhi.
“Daoist Dao Ye.” Yun Zhi bowed.
Daoist Dao Ye, the Supreme Elder of Heaven’s Mysteries Sect, is an old fossil in the cultivation world, with few living as long as he has. He keeps a low profile and has never revealed his true cultivation level.
“What brings Daoist friend here?” Daoist Dao Ye addressed Yun Zhi respectfully, using the term ‘Daoist friend’.“I have questions regarding immortals.”
“Please.”
Daoist Dao Ye invited Yun Zhi into a secret room within the sect and served her tea.
“What exactly does Daoist friend wish to inquire about immortals?”
“How much do you know about the Undying Being?”
Daoist Dao Ye showed a troubled expression, smiling wryly, “Undying Being? Daoist friend has indeed asked a good question. The Undying Being is the most mysterious of the ancient five immortals. Had it not been for the Undying Sect adamantly claiming to have found relics with records of the Undying Being, I wouldn’t have known of its existence.”
“And even with the relics, it’s not guaranteed to be true. I hold a skeptical view towards the existence of the Undying Being.”
“How so?”
“Relics found more than ten thousand years ago are considered ancient to us now, but does ancient automatically equate to truth?”
“I heard the relics are from the Great Gan era, but what of it? That era is part of the new epoch, tens of thousands of years removed from the ancient times.”
“It’s entirely possible for someone in the Great Gan era to create a nonsensical relic, wait a couple of hundred thousand years for someone to stumble upon it, exclaim in awe at its ancientness, and believe whatever is recorded on it to be true.”
“If there really was an Undying Being, then why is there no other evidence to corroborate its existence aside from this relic?”
“Many caves and heavens from the Great Gan era have been excavated, yet where are the records of the Undying Being?”
Yun Zhi nodded, finding Daoist Dao Ye’s argument somewhat reasonable: “You know I recently located the headquarters of the Undying Sect, but unfortunately, they fled too quickly, and I didn’t catch anyone. However, I did learn some things from the materials they left behind.”
In reality, Yun Zhi didn’t obtain any intelligence from the headquarters, choosing not to divulge Lu Yang’s situation for safety reasons.
“I’m interested to hear more.”
“According to the Undying Sect, the characteristic of the Undying Being’s Dao fruit can be described as ‘indestructible.’ As long as someone recites the Undying Being’s name and immortal title, the Undying Being can be revived.”
Daoist Dao Ye’s pupils contracted, shocked by such a characteristic. It meant that dying was virtually impossible.
“Each immortal’s Dao fruit possesses unique characteristics; indeed, this does not seem false.”
After a moment of contemplation, Daoist Dao Ye added, “However, this is still only the word of the Undying Sect. I stand by my view; this is akin to creating immortals.”
“The method is similar to that of The Great Xia Dynasty, where a non-existent immortal was fabricated by some hidden forces using the belief in the Undying Sect. Over time, as faith accumulates, the Undying Being gradually manifests. When the power of belief reaches a certain threshold, the Undying Being would materialize out of nothing.”
Yun Zhi did not refute but listened quietly to Daoist Dao Ye’s theory. Given that the Undying Being had already been revived, it certainly wasn’t a case of creating an immortal. However, the theory of creating an immortal did have its merits, and it was possible that the other three demonic sects were attempting such a feat.
After thanking Daoist Dao Ye, Yun Zhi left gracefully.
The Sect Master of Heaven’s Mysteries Sect, recalling how Yun Zhi easily tore through the formation, approached Daoist Dao Ye with lingering fear: “Ancestor, how powerful is Yun Zhi? Has she become an immortal?”
“Don’t ask; I know nothing.”
…
After visiting many individuals, with Daoist Dao Ye being the last, Yun Zhi returned directly to her sect.
Meanwhile, Lu Yang returned to Heaven’s Gate Peak to consult his master again.
“So, what did the other senior brothers say? Did they mention how Dao Seeking Sect has grown stronger under my leadership?”
Daoist Non-Speaker was brimming with pride, confident in his indelible contribution to the development of Dao Seeking Sect.
Lu Yang looked at his master with a complicated expression: “Indeed, your contributions are significant, but everyone hopes that Eldest Senior Sister will manage the sect.”
Daoist Non-Speaker’s spirits deflated, seeming to lose all hope: “Is that so? Well, let her have the position of sect master then. It’s only natural for a new generation to replace the old.”
“It’s not right for a disciple to imprison their master in a power struggle, as it would tarnish the reputation of Dao Seeking Sect.”
“Release me, and I will leave far away, never to speak of the position of sect master again, never to return to Dao Seeking Sect. How about it?” Daoist Non-Speaker proposed.
Lu Yang hesitated, finding Daoist Non-Speaker’s words reasonable. His master didn’t seem like the type to engage in a power struggle. Just as he contemplated whether to release his master, a cold voice came from above.
“Master, do you really want to go out like this?”
Daoist Non-Speaker’s expression changed drastically upon hearing this voice.
Lu Yang looked up, surprised and delighted to see Eldest Senior Sister returning: “Eldest Senior Sister!”
Yun Zhi hummed softly, landing gently without stirring a speck of dust.
“Master, to think of deceiving your junior brother just to get out?”
Yun Zhi’s words, devoid of any worldly concern, sounded to Daoist Non-Speaker like a volcano about to erupt, extremely terrifying.
Deception? Lu Yang pondered, wondering if everything his master told him was a lie.
What was the truth?
Lu Yang’s mind raced, quickly arriving at a significant possibility!
Had his master succumbed to demonic possession, and did Eldest Senior Sister, in a righteous act, suppress him here? Considering the shame of airing dirty laundry, she might have kept the incident of his possession from the other elders.
Was his master trying to trick him into removing the talisman while Eldest Senior Sister was away, to wreak havoc in the world?
That was a close call, thankfully Eldest Senior Sister arrived.
Eldest Senior Sister continued:
“Look at the sect masters of other immortal sects, all diligently cultivating. And you? Idling away your days. Have you completed the daily cultivation tasks I assigned? Have you made any breakthroughs in your cultivation level?”
“Having achieved nothing, you still wish to go out and play?”
Daoist Non-Speaker was at a loss for words, unable to speak.
Lu Yang: “……”
What was I even thinking? How could such melodramatic events possibly happen in Dao Seeking Sect!
(End of the chapter)